TOP goalscorer Padraig Amond believes Newport County AFC have shown they have the strength in depth to make an impact in League Two this season.

Amond, who headed the winner against Crewe Alexandra to earn County their first points of the season at the weekend, added another two goals in Tuesday’s 4-1 Carabao Cup demolition of Cambridge United.

Fellow strikers Jamille Matt and Antoine Semenyo also found the net at the Abbey Stadium following an impressive debut from 19-year-old front man Mark Harris against Crewe.

And Amond believes the Exiles are in good shape as they return to league action and head to top-of-the-table Exeter City on Saturday.

“I’m very pleased with the start of the season,” said the 30-year-old hotshot.

“I thought it was a really good performance against Cambridge to back up the performance against Crewe as well.

“I’m pleased to get the goals but I was probably more pleased with Antoine and Jamma scoring.

“I thought Jamma was brilliant – he set up the two goals for me and deserved his goal in the second half.

“And Antoine came on and did really well to back up Sparky [Harris] doing really well at the weekend too.

“I was really pleased for Antoine because it’s his first League goal. It’s a really pleasing moment for him and it was a fantastic finish.

“We have four strikers who can all do a really good job and it’s up to me to keep myself in the team.

“That’s why I didn’t want to be rested. I want to play every game and I want to score in every game.”

Amond has three in three games so far and is well on the way to improving on the 14 goals he hit last season after his move from Hartlepool United 12 months ago.

“I want to beat last year’s tally and I’ve had a good start but I can always do better,” said the Irishman.

“I’m working on my hold-up play and my link-up play but I’m off to a good start this year and long may it continue.

“I should have four minimum but I would have taken three in three at the start of the season.

“But it doesn’t matter who scores the goals. It’s a team game.

"I thought the second goal was one of the best goals I’ve ever been involved in," he added.

"And it was as good a first half as I’ve ever been involved in. It was a pleasure to play in."

Amond says the introduction of new goalkeeper Nick Townsend, who made his debut at Cambridge, demonstrates the strength of the squad.

“We could put any 11 out at the weekend and it would be a strong team,” he affirmed.

“You only have to look at the strength we’ve got in the keepers now as well.

“Nick has come in and been fantastic so Joe [Day] has a real battle on his hands.

“And Joe has probably been the club’s best player for the last three or four years so that goes to show that we’ve got strength in depth all over the pitch now.”