KAI Whitmore gave Newport County AFC a glimpse of his potential last weekend as the midfielder attempts to become the club’s latest Cymru Premier hit.

The 23-year-old’s rocket of a shot that put County in front in their 3-1 win over a Doncaster Rovers side tipped to be in the promotion mix was the most eye-catching moment of a memorable afternoon at Rodney Parade.

However, the midfielder also played a big role in the leveller by Bobby Kamwa – winning the ball back with a well-timed slide challenge to allow Cameron Antwi to look forward – and put himself about to great effect.

Of the 28 outfield players that took to the field, no player was involved in more duels than Whitmore's 26 (the second most was Courtney Baker-Richardson on 19).

There is room for improvement with his success rates of 27 per cent for ground duels (6/22) and 25 per cent for aerial duels (1/4), but his aggressive intent was shown by being fouled twice and committing four fouls.

Whitmore attempted more dribbles than anyone else - even lively winger Bobby Kamwa - with three successes from five attempts.

The midfielder will also want to increase his pass stats as he settles into life in League Two, especially given head coach Nelson Jardim’s demands about possession.

There is an easy comparison to make with Antwi against Rovers, with Whitmore having 50 touches to his fellow summer signing's 52.

Whitmore's pass success was 58 per cent (15 out of 26 attempts) to Antwi's 85 per cent (34/40).

The former Cardiff man had a 33 per cent success rate for accurate long balls (2/6) while Whitmore was down on 17 per cent (1/6), although in fairness three of them were while protecting the lead late on.

DELIGHT: County celebrate Kai Whitmore's superb strike against DoncasterDELIGHT: County celebrate Kai Whitmore's superb strike against Doncaster (Image: Gareth Everett)

It was encouraging performance by Whitmore, Antwi and captain Aaron Wildig with the challenge being for the trio to repeat the trick against Accrington this weekend.

While 22-year-old Antwi came with expectation courtesy of being at Fulham, Blackpool and then Cardiff, Whitmore was more of a punt after developing his game playing for Ammanford, Penybont and then Haverfordwest.

County have a good track record from dipping into the Cymru Premier in recent years with Priestley Farquharson and Will Evans big hits.

Farquharson, who arrived from Connah’s Quay, has had his injury issues but the commanding central defender was superb in 2022/23 before moving to Walsall.

Hard-working forward Evans, previously with Cardiff Met and Bala, is now in League One with Mansfield after his stunning 25-goal season earned a £200,000 move to the East Midlands.

James Waite was also a success, even if he has now dropped down to National League South with Weston-super-Mare while building a coaching career doing one-on-one sessions in Cwmbran.

The midfielder from Sebastopol joined from Penybont in January 2022 and made 93 appearances for the Exiles.

Forward Nathan Wood also arrived from Penybont and is currently trying to establish himself in the first team squad after spending the second half of last season on loan at Cork City in Ireland.

PROSPECT: Kai Whitmore has earned an EFL chance with Newport CountyPROSPECT: Kai Whitmore has earned an EFL chance with Newport County (Image: Juan Gasparini/Huw Evans Agency)

Whitmore, who played European football with Haverfordwest, has been signed on a two-year contract with the belief that he has plenty of room for growth.

With influential midfielder Bryn Morris nearing full fitness and potentially in contention a role against Accrington, the west Walian will look to keep making strides whether as a starter or impact sub after his superb full debut in League Two.

“He fully deserved it," said boss Jardim after Doncaster. “He is a great footballer, a hard-working player and a nice character. I am just so happy that he could get that goal and help the team.

“Kai just showed what he can do, he plays his football, he is a very committed and very helpful player who can play in different positions.

"He competes, that is the main thing, and it was an inspirational moment, a great goal.”