Keeper’s babies born as he helps set up minnows’ match with City

course you can, do you need a lift?’. And that was it.” Joe said: “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. Lizzie told me that there was two little girls and they were perfect and waiting for me to arrive at the hospital.”

Joe dashed from Newport’s Rodney Parade ground to make the one-mile journey to the maternity unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Fan Lizzie had kept up to date with the score as she gave birth to daughters Sophia Grace and Emelia Lillie.

Joe 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. Nothing was happening at midday on Tuesday but as I was driving to the game Lizzie called to say her waters had gone.”

The babies were born at 8.13pm and 8.35pm, midway through the game.

As the delighted couple posed for pictures with their daughters, Joe 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.”

Football fans praised the couple, saying their decision that Joe should play showed “the magic of the cup”. Joe said: “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, twins being born... I’m feeling very lucky and proud of Lizzie.”

Lizzie 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.”

Newport County have had a dream FA Cup campaign. They beat Premier League side Leicester City 2-1 in the third round and Robbie Willmott, 28, who scored on Tuesday, was stacking shelves in Tesco nine months ago.

On Twitter, Welsh comedian Elis James, 38, said: “A goalie whose wife has just gone into labour. Driving rain. Loads of those tin foil FA Cups. A goal scorer who was stacking shelves in Tesco less than two years ago.

“Now they’re playing the champions in the next round. Have Newport County just achieved the perfect cup tie?”