NEWPORT County goalkeeper Joe Day has praised the care that he and his wife Lizzie received after she gave birth to twins last night.
The keeper sprinted off the pitch at full time to check his phone, missing out on his team's celebrations following County's impressive 2-0 win over Tony Pulis' Middlesbrough.
READ MORE: Newport County keeper Joe Day shares first photo of twins.
Speaking from the labour ward at the Royal Gwent Hospital, the couple confirmed they had both agreed that Joe should play the big FA Cup game.
They hoped that the twins would be born after the match, but they are thrilled with the eventual outcome of the evening.
The County stopper said: “We always knew there was a chance the birth would fall during the match, but Lizzie backed me and made it an easy decision for me to play the game.
👶👶 @NewportCounty goalkeeper Joe Day's wife has been close to giving birth to twins for days.
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 5, 2019
🕤 Tonight, she went into labour during The Exiles' 2-0 win over @Boro.
🏃 At the FT whistle, Joe raced straight down the tunnel to be with his wife.
💛 Good luck Joe and family! pic.twitter.com/w46gD2GjoM
READ MORE: Newport goalkeeper runs off pitch after learning wife had gone into labour.
“Nothing was really happening at midday on Tuesday, but as I was driving to the game Lizzie called me to say that her waters had gone.
"I got to the ground when she was being taken to the labour ward but she told me to concentrate on the game.
“I didn't know the girls had been born when I ran off the pitch at the end. Until I got into my car and called Lizzie I didn't know what was going on as we'd had no contact since before the game, but Lizzie told me that there was two little girls and they were perfect and waiting for me to arrive at the hospital – and we've been here ever since.”
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Outstanding Exiles outclass Boro to set up Manchester City clash.
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The keeper praised the care that he and his wife received from the staff at the Royal Gwent.
He said: “All the staff at the Royal Gwent have been outstanding during this whole pregnancy right to the very end. We can't thank them enough and they made Lizzie feel very comfortable and made me feel better for not being there.
“The whole evening was a bit surreal. To beat Middlesbrough 2-0, to get through to play Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA cup, playing the game, winning, two twins being born – I'm feeling very lucky and proud of Lizzie!”
👶👶 | A huge congratulations to ‘Keeper Joe Day and his wife Lizzie who gave birth to twins Sophia Grace Day and Emelia Lillie Day last night.
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) February 6, 2019
Mother Lizzie and the two girls are all healthy and already looking forward to the #EmiratesFACup Fifth Round! 🏆#OneClubOneCounty 💛 pic.twitter.com/dzJu9oMCRS
READ MORE: Watch highlights of Newport County v Middlesbrough in this epic montage.
The Health Board shared a picture of the couple with their newborn twins, Sophia and Emelia, at the hospital this afternoon.
Lizzie, who was kept up to date with news of the football game during labour, said: “Joe turned up for the nice bit to have cuddles!
"We're absolutely over the moon and the midwives have been so good with me.
"The care here at the Royal Gwent Hospital has been amazing - with Joe not being here, they couldn't have looked after me more.”
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