Blunt County held by nine man Exeter

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Telford 88)

Exeter City 1 (Bowman 22)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County DLDLdDLLWL

Exeter City LDLDdWLLWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Exeter are just below County and show intentions with an attacking 3–4–3 formation. Labadie is back to give some much needed bite in a midfield that has been off the pace in recent games.

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and light breeze. Pitch looked heavy in the middle and slippery but played better from the flanks.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Lacked cutting edge and quality final third becoming too predictable for Exeter to read

TURNING POINT
Sending’s off were less pivotal but ultimately cheap Exeter goal gave them something to hold onto.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with captain Josh Labadie returning from suspension in place of Jack Evans and Ryan Taylor came in for Padraig Amond up front. Exeter were positive from the offset starting game positively in same vain as Southend were playing three up top. Exeter worked a couple of decent moves left side with Sparkes offering energy to angle his runs out wide. On 2 minutes, Exeter were close when reluctance by County to close down allowed a cross to be chipped in early by Sparkes. The cross was blocked but Jay was quickest to react but his effort from 10 yards was deflected over the bar. County worked a couple of direct balls forward to ask questions especially left side and Exeter were dealt a blow on 8 minutes. Haynes threaded a decent through ball left side which Maynard latched onto a his run goalside was checked by Hartridge giving the referee no alternative but to send him off. From the resultant free kick by Sheehan to effort was blocked in wall and Dolan seized the loose ball before squaring to Gambin edge of the area. He adjusted well but his low shot was well blocked by Sweeney. Exeter adjusted well to their handicap changing to play two banks of four with Bowman solitary player up front. County enjoyed some better possession and worked some patient low moves but Exeter remained vigilant dealing with the cross into the area comfortably. On 18 minutes, County worked a good move right side with Labadie coaxing a late challenge from Jay who was tracking back to defend. Dolan took the free kick and whipped in a decent delivery into the six yard box but County had nobody reading it allowing Andersson a comfortable save. Exeter were happy to absorb pressure and looked for a release left side to turn County back on their heels but they overplayed a number of passes. County made efforts to use Taylor from direct play but Exeter were quick to press up and pinch the ball meaning the momentum was lost. County switched Gambin to the left side and employed three up front but Exeter remained stubborn and alert stifling low moves with high press. County were caught out on 22 minutes when they reluctance to close down allowed Parkes to shift a ball from deep with ease. Longe-King and Farquharson left it to each other and a loose backward header by Longe-King was seized upon by Bowman edge of the area. He jinked inside and powered a low effort into the left corner from 20 yards beyond the grasp of Townsend. County made efforts to pick up their game with Haynes offering some penetration left side but the crosses to front post were intercepted ahead of Taylor and Maynard. County struggled to lock the ball down off throws on times with Exeter remained determined to press and squash danger and the moves continued to lack cohesion final third. County made a tactical change on 35 minutes with Longe-King replaced Lewis and Dolan sacrificed for Telford. Farquharson went to centre back and Lewis right back with Telford going up front and Gambin attacking midfield. County had a great chance to equalise just moments later when a long throw by Farquharson right side of the area was not dealt with and when the ball dropped deep inviting Maynard to shoot his effort from 6 yards was saved by the keepers legs. County kept plugging away and offered some better cohesion as half time approach. On 38 minutes, another bright move this time left side involving Haynes and Sheehan in the corner. His deft cross towards the front post was read this time by Maynard only for his header to be deflected wide of the left post. County kept pressing and from a corner on 42 minutes by Sheehan left side, Demetriou ghosted in but could only glance wide of the right post from 8 yards. Exeter made a change soon after to mitigate problems with a defence change with Key going right back in place on Seymour and Caprice into right midfield. On the stroke of half time, Exeter were reduced to 9 men when Bowman stray elbow caught Demetriou late in aerial challenge right side. Exeter sat in deep with two banks of four as half time approached restricting County to shots from arms-length with both Labadie and Sheehan off target.

County came out of the second half offering patience to pass and work openings but the final delivery was too half hearted allowing Exeter to clear their lines. Haynes offered an outlet left side but was closely marshalled by Caprice. County made efforts to use their right flank to give Exeter something to think about with Lewis getting into some prominent positions but Exeter remained resolute blocking the crosses well. On 50 minutes, Lewis cut inside from the right corner of the area and his less favoured foot but his effort was well blocked by Sparkes. From the resulting corner by Sheehan, Farquharson got in front on his marker well to glance a header on towards Taylor but his somewhat rushed effort was scooped over from 10 yards. County continued to offer more energy right side with Lewis and Sheehan working well in tandem. On 55 minutes, Lewis cut inside near the right side of the area but his snapshot was rash going well wide of the left post. County forced Exeter to defend deeper for a time and they had a glimmer of chance moments later when a loose clearance was met first time by Labadie but again blocked well by Sweeney. Then on 58 minutes a more direct move by County worked an opportunity through the middle when Taylor glanced on for Telford but his low effort was held comfortably low down by Andersson. County made further changes on 61 minutes with a double substitution as Amond replaced Taylor and Collins came on for Gambin. County kept persevering left side with Haynes seeing plenty of the ball but the final delivery often left Exeter untroubled. On 65 minutes, a better cross was worked left side when Haynes got outside Caprice and an earlier cross was only half cleared towards Amond but his shot from 12 yards was dragged wide of the left post. Exeter made another change on 70 minutes to fresh their approach left side with Randall replacing Jay. Lewis continued to probe away right side with County able to find the extra men another cross on 76 minutes invited Amond to head from 10 yards but his header lacked power. On 80 minutes, with Exeter defending extremely deep inside their own area, Labadie thrashed a disappointing low effort wide of the left post. Exeter made efforts to buy time using Randall as an outlet left side and Exeter had the confidence to push forward on the break and threaten with a couple of moves which stifled around the edge of the area. County made another change on 82 minutes with Farquharson replaced by Scrimshaw. County were close on 85 minutes when Lewis again did well forcing a move right side and his cross pinpointed Demetriou front post but his glancing header drifted just wide of the left post. Exeter made two late changes to tighten the ship with Atangana replacing Taylor and Kite on for Caprice. County came alive late on with Telford enterprising through the middle and his quick thought near the edge of the area set up Maynard left side but he was denied when his effort from 8 yards was blocked by Sweeney. Another decent move moments later saw Sheehan combine well with Telford but his snapshot from 10 yards was saved well by Andersson. On 88 minutes, Telford got reward for his persistence in and around the area. Haynes drove to the byline and cut back an excellent deep cross and Telford stole in late to head low past the keeper. County huffed and puffed in the final minutes throwing in some crosses but were unable to find quality to punish Exeter who dogged out a deserved draw considering their handicap.

Townsend (6) — was a bystander for large parts of the game, got down a bit late on the goal. Kicked and distributed well under pressure early on the game but used feet for assurance.

Farquharson (7) — was the more accomplished defending, was quick with his feet and thought and made some good early headers. Provided several decent long throws.

Haynes (6) — restricted threat but found Caprice difficult to get outside and got bogged by indecision. His best crosses came from the byline including the goal but didn’t do it enough.

Demetriou (6) — did well dealing with Bowman and did his best to probe openings left side playing out from deep. Missed a couple of decent headers at the front post he would normally bury

Longe-King (5) — stifled balls in behind when he had to turn back and defend. Less assured on aerial balls and panicked with header to gift Exeter goal before being replaced by:

Lewis (7) — deserves a start Saturday, was positive throughout, made a lot happen right side when left side was often blunt and worked some decent openings.

Dolan (6) — seems to be carrying a knock and looked laboured, directed some early set pieces and moves first half before being replaced by:

Telford (7) — made a difference in and around the area when he got on the ball and set up some chances with alertness and quick mindedness. Deserved goal for his efforts

Labadie (6) — did his best work when he made dynamic runs to support from deeper positions but shots were timid. Passed well but didn’t read enough of the knock downs.

Sheehan (6) — frustrating not able influence enough openings, should really be getting more shots in and doing work to hurt teams in and around box but asked to play to deep.

Gambin (5) — has done well on slicker surfaces away from home but struggles for retention of ball on rodney parade pitch. Ran in too many dead ends and lost possession far too cheaply.

Taylor (5) — should have been replaced at half time and was made to look poor when left isolated when Exeter pressed up high and pinched ball away far too easily.

Maynard (6) — needs to demand ball more, showed capability to take up good positions and when got ball goalside was effective. Missed two presentable chances which needed to be taken.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — mentally the stronger side, were hard to breakdown and worked extremely hard after the sending off dealing with crosses and were dynamic coming forward in spells first half.

Weaknesses — they overplayed a lot of long balls but some of this was to mitigate pressure. Struggled on some of the long throws with lack of height in team.

Opportunities — played two banks of four and sat in very organised to block flanks well. Never really changed tact but maintained outlet with Jay and Randall on the break, even with 9 men
Threats — Bowman, Jay eye for a goal, Taylor was neat with a quick pass in behind.

OFFICIALS

T Nield (8) — got the key decisions right and did his best to let game flow despite a lot of pulling off the ball.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Tom Parkes — organised defence around him well in the face of adversity, won majority of his headers and made several vital interventions from shots inside area.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County continue to struggle to find the magic key to unlock sides with creativity in short supply final third and poor quality on crosses impairing their end product. Exeter set their stall out to press up high and win possession, but the misery was often self-inflicted by County as they were put in trouble first half when Taylor was either left too isolated or unable to retain ball under pressure. After the early red card, County should really have been imposing their game more forcefully but a lot of the build up play was disjointed or too pedestrian allowing Exeter to clear crosses with ease especially at the front post. County failed to pick up headed clearances by Exeter even when they had the benefit of the extra men which was a frustrating get of jail card.

To their credit, Exeter worked very hard to block the channels and County became indecisive with Haynes putting in crosses from positions well back from the 18 yard line which were floated or too comfortable. County became a predictable unit and need to introduce back some randomness back into their game and certainly be more dynamic from wide positions if it means going back to wing backs that can shake hands with the byline. Additionally, when forced inside into the midfield bog, County looked less comfortable with Sheehan sat too deep to effect influence on the game. Both Lewis and Telford had decent games offering craft in and around the box with their awareness and quick thought which is often key on this pitch. Next up is Forest Green Rovers and on current form it looks a mismatch. Rovers are likely to adopt a 4–4–2 system with Cadden key outlet left side and County need to cut out aerial ammunition into Matt and restrict snapshots from Collins. A key battle is likely to be Adams and Labadie in midfield but it could act as a foil if County can impose their game from wide positions better with Telford and Sheehan picking holes through the middle.