Nicke Kabamba certainly did that as he scored five goals in a Pompey win at Newport Isle of Wight on Tuesday.
A seven minute hat trick wasn’t bad going for Kabamba but in the end the Pompey forward ended up with five in an 8-0 win over Wessex League side Newport IoW.
Pompey, which was a Blues XI, were ahead when Milan Lalkovic and Jamal Lowe scored before Lowe’s former Hampton & Richmond teammate took the spotlight with his seven minute hat trick secured either side of half time.
Lowe added his second before Kabamba grabbed another couple to complete his ‘fantastic five’ and round off the win as he, in particular, would have caught the eye of Kenny Jackett as others in that XI looked to do the same.
Newport (IW): Streeter (c) (Linington 67); Pearce, Sampson, McDonough (Harmer 67); Ballantyne (Quigley 61), Taylor (Gane 67), Ja.Yanie (Wright 51), Sainsbury (Powell 51), Wilson (Walsh 61); Jo.Yanie (Tattersell 51), Urry (Wetherick 51)
Pompey: Bass; Talbot (c), Whatmough, Casey (Widdrington 59), Haunstrup; Lowe, Bedford (Oxlade-Chamberlain 59), Close, Lalkovic; Main, Kabamba
Sub not used: Boughton
Goals: Lalkovic 16, Lowe 32, 49, Kabamba 39, 44, 46, 66, 78
Referee: James Linington
Attendance: 1,934
It goes without saying Kabamba was pretty chuffed with his goals but knows pre-season is all about building up fitness really ahead of the campaign ahead.
However, as he told portsmouthfc.co.uk, confidence also plays a big part too.
‘It’s always nice to get yourself on the scoresheet, so to end up with five goals is a brilliant feeling. I was happy as soon as I got to three, but then I had another two chances and managed to put them away. But it’s all about fitness at this stage of the season and it’s important that I got 90 minutes in the tank.’
Adding: ‘After that you want to build and get goals to improve your confidence – and thankfully I managed to do that. I’m young and still learning all the time. I want to keep doing that and bring that into the games I play. It’s all about progression.’
Having arrived from Hampton in January this pre-season is a first as a professional football. Yes, he’s gone through this process but not at this level, which has been ‘brilliant’ for him.
Kabamba said: ‘It’s going brilliantly. We’ve been in six days a week and have been getting fitter and stronger. There’s not as much organisation in non-league and you’ll usually just be running and running whenever you’re in. But at this level it’s a lot more professional and you get more ball work. I’m just living the dream.’
Another goalscoring option is always welcomed. I know it, with respect, was only Newport IoW but you can only beat – and perform against – what’s in front of you and Kabamba did that as the goals again flowed.
PLAY UP POMPEY
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