Big win for County as Quality shines through
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 4 (Lewis 49, Telford pen 57, 90+2, Azaz 87)
Tranmere Rovers 2 (Dacres-Cogley 65, Demetriou 84 own goal)
Attendance: 4,018
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County DLWWWWLLDD
Tranmere Rovers WWLWDWLLLD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Tranmere have been in indifferent form since Christmas and both sides need a win. County need to take care of ball, keep their passing smart and efficient to put Tranmere on the back-foot.
CONDITIONS
Sunny, quite mild with slight breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and fast on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Battled well, took care of the ball and snappy going forward from deep taking chances well.
TURNING POINT
None to note although third County goal was physiologically damaging.
THE MATCH
County were forced to shuffle the pack with some enforced hamstring injuries in the camp and Rob Street made his first starting appearance in place of Courtney Baker-Richardson and Josh Pask out allowing James Clarke an opportunity in central defence. County made a couple of other changes at the back with Cameron Norman returning in place of Ryan Haynes who was on the bench and Robbie Willmott slotted into central midfield in place of Jake Cain who was a substitute. County started well moving the ball low and kept their passing short and tidy with Tranmere in contrast going more direct using aerial prowess of Hemmings up top. Tranmere put in a couple of searching crosses which the County defence marshalled well restricting efforts from distance and they countered with some good moves from deep. On 6 minutes, County worked a bright move right side with Norman pivotal and his cross right side was cut back inviting Telford to head off the first bounce from 10 yards but the keeper Doohan claimed comfortably. County kept pressing the right buttons with Azaz and Cooper combining well through the middle and Bennett sweeping up well in behind. County created a decent move on 10 minutes from deep, stifling a Tranmere direct move early and Lewis worked a quick ball down the left flank to find Telford in space. He showed good vision to clip back a deep cross finding Norman with his late run back post but his header was held well by the keeper. Tranmere made efforts to stifle County through the middle and work some combinations final third with Morris supporting right side. County held a good shape to break up the moves and continued to look dangerous right side with Willmott whipping a couple of decent crosses which Tranmere managed to hook clear. Tranmere won a free kick on 15 minutes when Morris attacked right side and cut inside but was obstructed by Demetriou. Right back McDonald took the dead ball but he could only strike his effort into the wall from a decent position near the “d”. County remained snappy on the break timing their runs well and carved open a decent chance on 20 minutes when Street chased down a ball left side forcing an error by Davies. Street continued a strong run left side and cut inside near the edge of the area forcing Doohan into a good save parrying around the right post. County took a smart short corner with Azaz and Willmott working well to find Bennett edge of the area but he clipped a decent effort just over the bar. County built some momentum right side with Cooper making some dynamic runs and County won a free kick on 23 minutes right side when Cooper was caught late by McDonald. Willmott delivered a great cross into the area pinpointing Street who headed just over from 10 yards with the keeper slow to react. Tranmere made efforts to force County back pushing their full backs into more prominent positions but County kept their concentration well to block moves and opted for some direct moves to test Tranmere with Telford taking up some good positions. County were forced into a change on 36 minutes with Willmott pulling up with a slight knock and he was replaced by Cain. The game remained competitive in the middle with Tranmere snapping into challenges but with little finesse on the ball and the game degenerated a bit as half time approached. County had a couple of good situations to counter on the break splitting their movement well to stretch Tranmere but overplayed a couple of passes with the wind behind them. Deep into first half injury time, County won a corner left side which Cooper delivered well with an in-swinging cross which Tranmere could only half clear and Azaz got to the ball first but his low effort from the edge of the area was well blocked by Clarke.
Tranmere came out for the second half with a bit more urgency using their right side to build some momentum. On 47 minutes, Norris was at the heart of intricate move which saw them penetrate higher up the pitch. He threaded a pass inside inviting Morris to hit an opportunist first time effort from 30 yards which fizzed just over the bar. County mopped up the danger well and decisive break on 48 minutes right side saw Cooper draw a clumsy tackle by Warrington who was booked. County were in lead moments later from a sweeping passing move which caught Tranmere napping through the middle. Cain did well to thread a pass towards Telford which switched play superbly from right to left to pick out a great supporting run left side of the area by Lewis. He expertly cut back inside to curl precisely into the right corner from the edge of the area with the keeper grasping thin air. County were boosted by the goal and another energetic move on 52 minutes saw Cain show good vision to pick out the run of Telford right side of the area. He adjusted well and struck a decent effort from an acute angle which was narrowly wide of the right post. County maintained their grip of the game and another decisive move right side saw moments later saw Cooper get outside McDonald and he was pulled back and the referee booked the left back. Tranmere made an attacking change on 55 minutes with former County player Sam Foley replacing Hawkes as Tranmere changed to 4–3–3. County maintained their drive and vigour using the ball well and another swift move moments later this time through the middle saw Telford hold up well and his pass into Azaz was perfect in drawing the foul by McDonald left side of the area. The referee awarded a penalty which Telford dispatched with a neat low finish in the middle of the net. County were buoyant and continued to pose problems with Street doing well with the aerials duals putting Clarke under pressure. Tranmere persisted with direct play to test and got their reward out of the blue on 65 minutes when Hemmings fended off a challenge by Clarke edge of the area. Dacres-Cogley was allowed to initiate the move with a bold run from deep right side. He linked well with Hemmings angling run his inside to link with Hemmings and slot home into the left corner from 12 yards under pressure from Azaz. Tranmere were lifted by the goal and went increasingly direct to put County under pressure. County snapped out of their shell on 80 minutes when a direct run by Cain right side caused problems for Tranmere. He did well to find Telford who made a strong run inside across the face of the area before blasting a low shot which was saved well low down by the keeper. County made a change soon after with Street replaced by Fisher. County kept plugging away finding gaps well with Tranmere forced to push on. On 82 minutes, County had a great chance to kill the game when they broke well from deep with a direct move through the middle. Telford was pivotal laying off into the path of Azaz who pieced through the middle and he curled a low shot from 14 yards towards the right corner which the keeper reacted well to tip around the right post. Tranmere elected to play direct using the wind to force County back and pick up on the bits and pieces. On 84 minutes, they got a somewhat fortuitous equaliser when Foley linked well with Morris right side of the area. He jinked inside and thrashed a low hopeful shot come cross into the six yard box which went straight at Demetriou who could only deflect into the net from six yards for an own goal. County responded well immediately putting Tranmere on the back-foot with some forceful play through the middle. On 87 minutes, County regained their lead through an excellent individual piece of play by Azaz after some good work by Bennett. He darted through the middle and despite not much on, he made the most of the space offered and struck a dipping effort into the roof of the net from 25 yards with Doohan grasping thin air. Tranmere were forced to push and overcommit and County ruthlessly punished them on 90+1 minutes when a slick break from deep left side saw Lewis find Fisher who stole in goal side. He carried his run to the left corner of the box and despite his shot being well parried by the keeper, Telford was well positioned to slot home at the back post. County made another change soon after replacing Cooper with Dolan. Tranmere made efforts late in the game to test County largely through direct play forcing some crosses and corners but County held out well for a deserved win.
Townsend (7) — quiet game, was well protected by defence, contributed well from deep with some neat distribution initiating some good moves. Kicking was a bit erratic into the wind.
Lewis (8) — dealt well with Morris forcing him inside and was tenacious tackling clearing effectively. Did well to time his runs and provide crosses finishing goal expertly with precise finish.
Norman (7) — was robust defending and timed his runs forward to provide some good crosses and long throws. Competed well in the air and put McDonald under pressure second half.
Demetriou (7) — won majority of aerial duals and swept up in behind stoutly with some important clearances especially second half. Distributed well under pressure.
Clarke (7) –had a good tussle with Hemmings and competed well in the air to squash threat. Nuisance on set pieces and won some key tackles and let little goal-side
Willmott (7) — did well whilst he was on the pitch, intricate with passes and combined well with Norman rights side to provide crosses before injury and replaced by:
Cain (7) — worked hard box to box and get amongst winning some good battles. Boundless energy and kept forcing play final third turning provider with some good passes final third.
Azaz (8) — busy game, made some telling runs left side and showed good awareness when to stick and twist. Passed well under pressure getting ball away from feet and excellent finish on goal.
Bennett (7) — important cog in the middle breaking up play and used ball effectively to keep moves ticking over. Went close a couple of times in around area and deserved goal.
Telford (8) — another couple of goals with quick thought and should have had a hat trick. Did a lot of good work with link play dropping off defenders and turning creator
Street (7) — impressed with some combative play to hold ball up under pressure and kept his nerve without little protection. Won several strong headers and denied a deserved first goal.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths — they scrapped for bits and pieces and were tenacious through the middle, provided some decent crosses from wide areas.
Weaknesses — very reliant on direct play and showed little composure to play and get ball down. Centre backs were slow when turned back and left gaps through the middle.
Opportunities — constructed some bright cohesive moves first half with some thought but went increasingly direct late on with three up top.
Threats — Hemmings won his flick ons and linked well. Morris crosses and inventiveness right side. Dagres-Cogley energy right side strong runs into space.
OFFICIALS
D Drysdale (7) — refused to book, let a lot go but was consistent and got key decisions right. Did a lot of talking to which was frustrating on times.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Fin Azaz — decisive with ball at feet and at the heart of the three of the goals with clever use of the ball. Brilliant third goal from distance.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County managed the majority of the game very well limiting the threat Tranmere offered largely from direct play but there was a lot maturity today in their approach play from the middle part of the pitch and their efficient use of the ball final third with movement and guile key. Tranmere wanted the ball up in the air like a hot potato but County refused keeping the ball down and working gaps with the turnaround creating several chances. Despite relaxing and allowing Tranmere back into the game, County showed great spirit and determination to get the result their overall play richly deserved. Next up is leaders Forest Green at home this Tuesday and County will need to improve on their performance at the New Lawn. Forest Green are suffering from a bit of blip not winning in the three games having conceded some uncharacteristically cheap goals. Rovers are likely to play 3–5–2 formation and their basis of success has been getting the ball efficiently to their front pair Matt and Stevens either from crosses or link play. County need to stifle their momentum and use their prowess to attack dynamically through the middle in transition with short passing and direct play.
