Baker-Richardson precise header just enough for County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Sands Venue Stadium

Scunthorpe United 0

Newport County 1 (Baker-Richardson 56)

Attendance: 2,604

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLDDWWLDLW

Scunthorpe United DLDDDdWLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Despite three consecutive defeats Scunthorpe are a tougher nut to crack under new manager Keith Hill. County need to the off the ball work first and foremost and let quality shine through

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy with little breeze. Pitch in decent condition and looked firm on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Robust and enterprising effervescent spells but lacked ruthlessness kill game off.

TURNING POINT
The goal was not pivotal but the penalty miss by Scunthorpe was.

THE MATCH
County retained the same starting line up from last weekend but had both Robbie Willmott and captain Matt Dolan back on the bench after injury. Scunthorpe made the more forceful start testing with County same balls channelled in behind with right wing back Matheson neat with his distribution. County worked some good moves from deep with Townsend pinpointing Norman right side and he was on the end of heavy aerial late challenge from Taft on 6 minutes who was booked. Norman was unshaken and moments later Scunthorpe were issued a warning when he provided a decent cross into the area which Baker-Richardson met well from 10 yards but glanced just wide of the left post. Scunthorpe persisted with the direct approach but County were vigilant dealing with headers well to clear and pick up the loose ball. On 12 minutes, County worked a decisive low move left side when a quick exchange by Cain released Haynes. He carried his run and provide an early cross which Telford anticipated well prodding a low side footed shot from 12 yards which the keeper Watson saved well in the left corner. Scunthorpe worked some better moves right side with Matheson bold in his support play. On 15 minutes, Scunthorpe built momentum from a decent move right side with Matheson finding Bunn who threaded a good pass to pick out Pugh right side of the area and his first time effort clipped the corner of the right post and bar. Moments later County had a decent opportunity from a move through the middle exploiting space invited but Cooper dragged his effort well wide from 25 yards which he should have worked the keeper. County remained positive and stepped up their game midway through the half with Scunthorpe struggling to contain them. On 18 minutes, County had a long throw right side which Norman launched into the area and with Scunthorpe struggling to clear their lines Demetriou thrashed a volley from inside the “d” high and wide of the left post. On 20 minutes, Telford was booked for a delaying a quick kick from Scunthorpe keeper Watson with the referee showing little patience with indiscretions. County keep pressing the right buttons and an efficient move on 22 minutes saw Azaz release Cain left side of the area and his powerful shot was tipped around the right post by Watson. With Scunthorpe struggling to clear the following corner, Cain set up an opportunity for Norman right side of the area but his effort was blocked well by Taft. With County swarming around the Scunthorpe area another bright move on 25 minutes saw Cooper find Azaz through the middle and his first time shot from 25 yards was deflected but Watson made an excellent save to adjust and tip over the bar. County were rewarded with a series of corners such was their dominance and were close again on 27 minutes when Cain delivered a decent corner right side which Azaz directed onto the bar with a stretching header. Another County followed moments again from the right side which Cain directed deep which pinpointed Demetriou and he directed his header towards Richardson but somehow Watson managed to smother his effort from close range. Scunthorpe struggled to find any cohesion with County snapping up untidiness with passing through the middle of the pitch. On 33 minutes, Telford showed good awareness to release Azaz through the middle who had the opportunity to carry his run but the early shot from 25 yards was well held by Watson. County kept plugging away and were rewarded with a penalty on 35 minutes when Azaz played a precise pass through the middle for Cooper to latch onto and he tangled with Onariase after a strong run into the area. The referee awarded a penalty which Demetriou took and as he began his run the Scunthorpe “pa system” appeared to mysteriously short and his effort crashed against the left post. Scunthorpe snapped out of their shell on 42 minutes when some indecision by County in the middle allowed the ball to be stolen and shifted wide to Matheson. His quick accurate pass found Bunn who directed a low shot from 20 yards which Pask blocked well. Bunn appeared to injury himself in the collision that followed and had to retire with Hippolyte coming on. County kept causing problems right side and had a half chance on the stroke of half time despite Norman overplaying his cross it fell deep for Cooper but he was unable to keep his volley from 14 yards down. Hippolyte was then booked for a clumsy challenge on Norman as he was about to clear his lines.

Scunthorpe came out with more belief after half time showing more assertiveness to push up higher and force County to defend deeper. Scunthorpe made their intentions clear to use their right flank more putting Haynes under pressure but they remained focussed dealing with crosses. County countered the threat with some determination to use their right flank and Scunthorpe were scrambling back to clear a couple of moves near their byline. On 55 minutes, Scunthorpe were given another warning when Norman clipped stole forward to attack right side of the area and despite O’Malley containing him he played a clever pass inside for Telford right side of the area and he was denied by a good block by Onariase. On 56 minutes, County finally got the goal their play merited after a neat move right side saw Pugh clip the legs of Cooper. Cain delivered a quality cross into the six yard box which Baker-Richardson leapt into the air to finish well in the right corner. Scunthorpe made efforts to raise the bar pushing their wing backs up higher again but they were nearly caught cold on 60 minutes. Cooper released Norman right side and he got outside Taft and clipped a decent ball into the area which Azaz met in the air from 8 yards after a late run into the box but he couldn’t keep his header down. Scunthorpe were bright coming forward when invited and won a free kick on 63 minutes in a decent position right side of the area when Bennett mistimed his tackle on Hippolyte. From the resultant free kick O’Malley clipped his effort just over the bar when he should have worked Townsend. County worked hard to deny Scunthorpe developing any rhythm final third and they remained a threat in transition with Baker-Richardson coming more into the came right side. On 68 minutes, County had a decent opportunity to extend their lead when they worked a good break with Baker-Richardson ghosting in behind right side of the area. He showed good vision to pick a pass to the feet of Telford who had the opportunity to shoot first time but adjusted with a shot from 20 yards going over the bar. Scunthorpe remained bold committing men forward and were awarded a penalty out of the blue on 70 minutes when a harmless looking cross into the area appeared to be ushered away safely by County and Hippolyte went down very cheaply despite little if any contact by Norman. Hippolyte took the penalty but his shot to right side was beaten away by Townsend as County protected their lead. County were forced to make a change soon after with Pask taking a knock defending to clear for a corner after the penalty and he was replaced by Clarke. Scunthorpe were awarded a corner right side which Taft met well from 10 yards with a firm header which Townsend claimed well in the right top corner. Scunthorpe were caught napping on 75 minutes when County stifled a move well and broke left side with Haynes supplying a neat pass down the left channel after a quick throw. He linked intelligently to find Azaz who cut inside left side of the area but was unable to keep his curling effort down as it drifted wide of the right post. Scunthorpe made an attacking change on 78 minutes with Wood on for Pugh. County set their stall out to defend robustly and work threat from wide positions. On 82 minutes, Norman was scythed down cynically by O’Malley on the right touchline and was booked. Norman nearly got his reward on 85 minutes when he outwitted O’Malley after strong run right side of the area and cut inside but from an acute angle the effort was driven narrowly over the bar. Scunthorpe made another change on 88 minutes with Rowe replaced by Hallam and County responded with Cooper sacrificed for Dolan. The five minutes of injury time were played out with little threat either end with County happy to run the clock down and Waite came on as a very late replacement for Telford.

Townsend (8) — kicked well under pressure and distribution was neater today in wide areas. Stood tall to make a couple of smart instinctive saves and reacted well to save penalty.

Norman (8) — at the heart of the best moves, set up a glut of chances first half which should have been buried. Did well in the build up to the goal and won several free kicks with alertness.

Haynes (6) — quite reserved in spells and forced back on times by Matheson second half. Needs to be more robust on headers as when he won ball and was dynamic his crosses were effective

Demetriou (7) — won his headers well and got in early with tackles clearing effectively under pressure. Had a couple of snapshots from in and around the box which were blocked.

Pask (7) — defended robustly, stifled play quickly and made some good bursts forward to link play. Took a knock late on after brave challenge and replaced.

Azaz (7) — key cog in several cutting moves especially first half which should have reaped reward. Linked well in and around the box and could have had a hat trick today.

Bennett (6) — won some brave headers and sturdy in challenges, timing majority well, but got behind play on times second half being exposed to pace.

Cain (7) — worked hard box to box and despite losing out in some tackles he was a menace with link play. Unlucky not to score and put in the best quality with crosses which was evident on goal.

Cooper (7) — enterprising and random runs were always a problem for Scunthorpe when left untracked. Won penalty well with decisive well time run but shooting can be improved on.

Telford (6) — marked well found little headway inside the area and restricted to tame shots outside area. Did well to drop off and turn provider which posed a different problem.

Baker-Richardson (7) — worked hard to close down and unsettle defenders, went close a couple of times first half with headers and got reward for his persitance.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — despite their lowly position, they showed a lot spirit and character. Made some bold runs and worked wide positions well.

Weaknesses — panicked with clearances when forced deep and both full backs lack height. Opted for direct play for a large part of the game and lacked cutting edge.

Opportunities — started with change to system playing 3–5–2 which offered balance. Were too hopeful and direct first half but offered more cohesion and patience to pass after half time

Threats — Pugh and Bunn had an eye for a shot, both wings O’Malley and Matheson contributed well

OFFICIALS

S Purkiss (6) — penalty Scunthorpe got awarded looked doubtful even after consulting linesman, managed game well aside from that letting play flow and use advantage.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Rory Watson — kept Scunthorpe in the game first half with a series of instinctive saves when left exposed and distributed well under pressure and from kick outs.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County dominated the first half in both possession and territorial stakes and should really have been two or three up at half time. Demetriou took responsibility with the penalty but there is an argument that with the penalties County are getting this season it should be an attacking player taking them. After the frustration of not leading at half time, Scunthorpe got kicked started into some more telling moves but County remained a threat when they worked hard to stifle and break dynamically in transition. After getting the lead, County were rarely troubled although Scunthorpe did offer some threat from switches of play from left to right putting Haynes on the back-foot. County can improve on their crosses, as they worked several good moves either side of the area but sometimes the delivery was too short or low with Baker-Richardson well positioned. County caused problems today when they worked moves quick and were decisive often slicing through the middle at will. Furthermore, when Haynes and Norman took up the onus to take quick short throws, they caught Scunthorpe on the hop with variety of play in and around the box when Telford was closely marked. Next up is a tougher challenge away at Leyton Orient on Tuesday. Orient offer main threat with crosses and direct play to utilise the aerial prowess of Smith up top who has strength to fend off challenges in tandem with Archibald craft and guile left side, Drinan an eye for shot when invited. Orient will be missing some teeth through the middle with Clay injured so much reliance will be on youthful exuberance of Kyprianou to cover experienced Pratley in centre midfield. County need keep their variety to match Orient up down the flanks to deny crosses but also exploit through the middle of the pitch.