Newport County AFC vs Forest Green Rovers. Sky Bet League Two.
Rodney ParadeAttendance4,203.
Wednesday 26 December 2018 18:49, UK
George Williams scored a stunning hat-trick to inspire Forest Green to a 4-1 triumph at 10-man Newport.
Tahvon Campbell was also on target for Rovers, shortly before Padraig Amond netted a penalty for County, as seventh-placed Rovers moved two points off the top three in League Two.
Williams found the net with his first free-kick inside three minutes after his effort took a slight deflection off the wall and flew past Joe Day.
Mark Cooper's men doubled their lead two minutes before half-time when Campbell was played through by Reece Brown before twisting and turning in the box to beat Mickey Demetriou and David Pipe before coolly finding the net.
Newport got one back before the break thanks to Amond, who got up after being clattered by Rovers goalkeeper James Montgomery to fire the ball home from the spot.
But Williams made sure the visitors would be taking all three points from the derby encounter.
He raced through clean on goal after Pipe gave the ball away and forced Dan Butler to sprint back and trip him up to earn a straight red card.
And Williams made sure it was double punishment for Newport when he found the top corner from 30 yards.
Williams then earned himself the match ball by curling a shot into the corner after playing a one-two with Campbell.