FULL-TIME: Norwood hat-trick gives Newport a New Year's Day hangover (From Gazette Series)

BSP: Newport County 0 FGR 5

4:54pm Tuesday 1st January 2013 in Gloucestershire Sport By Ashley Loveridge

FOREST Green toasted  New Year's Day  with a champange performance at second-placed Newport County in South Wales this afternoon.

The mercurical James Norwood, who is expected to sign a contract extension this week - bagged a stunning hat-trick, which helped propel David Hockaday's side  back into the play-off chasing pack.

First half  goals from  Norwood and  birthday boy Yan Klukowski, who helped themselves to their seventh and 10th goals of the season respectivley.

Rovers turned up the heat after the break as Norwood bagged his second after the interval and sub Reece Styche added the fourth. 

The outstanding Norwood added the gloss with a fifth as Rovers exacted sweet revenge for their Boxing Day defeat.