Newport County returned to winning ways in stunning fashion, securing a dominant 6-3 victory over MK Dons in a thrilling encounter at Rodney Parade.
In their first home game in a month, the Exiles were backed by a raucous Amber Army, who saw their team deliver an action-packed, high-scoring performance.
A first-half hat-trick from Bryn Morris set the tone for the match, with the Exiles netting four goals before the break. After the interval, Bobby Kamwa added a second-half brace, completing his own hat-trick to seal the win and extend County's unbeaten run to five games.
Head Coach Nelson Jardim made three changes to the starting XI from last week's match against Colchester, including a reshuffle up front. Geoffroy Bony and Kyle Hudlin were replaced by Luke Jephcott and Kamwa, and Jephcott made an instant impact with two assists in his first start of the season.
The game kicked off at a frantic pace, with Kieron Evans playing a pivotal role in launching a counter-attack. Evans sent Michael Spellman down the left wing, and Spellman’s clever turn allowed him to play the ball to Cameron Antwi, who unfortunately shot wide.
It was County who struck first in the 12th minute, with Bryn Morris opening the scoring in spectacular fashion. After winning the ball in the final third, Morris cut inside and unleashed a stunning strike that cannoned off the underside of the bar and into the net.
Morris doubled his tally just minutes later, tapping in from close range after a brilliant run by Kamwa. Kamwa drove past his man on the left before pulling the ball back for Jephcott, whose shot was parried by Dons keeper Tom McGill. Morris was first to react, tapping in the rebound.
The Exiles were on fire, and Kamwa added a third in the 33rd minute. Jephcott's quick press won the ball high up the pitch, and after receiving it back, he delivered a precise cross for Kamwa to finish neatly into the bottom-left corner.
County's attacking pressure continued, but Antwi was denied by McGill in a one-on-one chance after a well-timed through ball. Moments later, the Exiles had a fourth. A handball in the Dons box gave County a penalty, and Morris stepped up to complete his hat-trick with a cool finish into the bottom-left corner.
Just before the break, MK Dons pulled one back against the run of play. Luke Offord got on the end of a Joe White set-piece to head in and make it 4-1.
Half-Time
The Exiles picked up where they left off in the second half, and Kamwa grabbed his second of the game in the 50th minute. A brilliant ball over the top from Jephcott found Kamwa, who expertly lobbed it over the onrushing McGill to make it 5-1.
Despite continuing to control the game, County couldn’t quite find the finishing touch to add to their lead. Antwi came close with a snapshot that McGill saved well, and substitute Noah Mawene nearly got in on the action with a driving run into the box, but his shot was inches wide.
After a period of slick passing and sustained possession, County’s persistence paid off as Mawene met a headed pass from Hudlin, only for his shot to be deflected out to Kieron Evans. Evans struck a sweet half-volley, but it narrowly missed the target.
MK Dons, however, weren’t done yet. Joe White got a second goal for the visitors, pouncing on a loose ball in the box and volleying home from close range, despite keeper Nick Townsend’s best efforts to keep it out.
The Dons then added a third, with Offord grabbing his second of the game. The centre-back bundled the ball over the line from inside the six-yard box, making it 5-3 and setting up a tense final 15 minutes.
But County sealed the win with another clinical finish from Kamwa in the 81st minute. A perfect through ball from Glennon sliced through the Dons' defense, and Kamwa bent a brilliant shot into the top-right corner to complete his hat-trick and round off a remarkable afternoon for the Exiles.
Full Time
Newport County return to league action on Boxing Day as they travel away to Bromley (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, McLoughlin (C), Baker, Brennan, Glennon (Thomas 81’), Antwi (Mawene 60’), Morris, K.Evans, Spellman (Jameson 65'), Jephcott (Hudlin 60’), Kamwa.
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke, Whitmore.
MK Dons: McGill, Pritchard (Carroll 55’), Gilbey (C), Kelly (Harrison 60’), Wearne (Hendry 56’), Nemane, Maguire, Lawrence, Hogan, White.
Substitutes: MacGillivray, Lewington, Sherring, Thompson-Sommers.
Attendance: 4382 (411 away).
