Chances few and far between but another decent point
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Whaddon Road
Cheltenham Town 1 (Blair 45+5)
Newport County 1 (King 12)
Attendance:
Form:
Newport County DWDWLDLDLd
Cheltenham Town WWLdLLDdWD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Both sides struggling for form and goals. County need to adapt without playmaker Sheehan so key they take responsibility with the ball and limit Cheltenham opportunities from set pieces and crosses
CONDITIONS
Very windy, mild but remained dry somehow. Pitch in reasonable condition after the deluge but looked a little slippery in the corners.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Good shape defending and kept focus but indecisive and wasteful in transition.
TURNING POINT
Cheltenham equaliser on stroke of half time lifted the hosts for a time.
THE MATCH
County were forced into one change in midfield with Robbie Willmott replacing Josh Sheehan who was suspended. There was another change up top with Padraig Amond recalled in place of Ryan Taylor who on the bench. County the benefit of very blustery wind in the first half and had the territorial possession early on playing some searching passes down either side of the 18 yards box but the ball was overplayed. Cheltenham made their intentions clear to get the ball wide when invited and were close on 5 minutes after a free kick broke down. Azaz picked up the loose ball and played a quick pass right side for Blair who cut back a decent cross and Boyle who had stayed up for the free kick glanced wide of the right post from 10 yards. Cheltenham were keen to work long throws down the touchlines but County marshalled the threat well. On 8 minutes, County had an opportunity to break with Cheltenham exposed after gambling high up the pitch and Bennett found Labadie but another overplayed pass let Cheltenham off the hook. Cheltenham were keen to use their left side with wing back Hussey influencing play well but Shepherd did well track his movements. On 11 minutes, County lost possession cheaply left side allowing Boyle to steal forward and his cross field ball invited Hussey to shoot left corner of the area but the effort was rising. From the goal kick County keeper Tom King launched a huge kick which got caught on the wind clearing even the towering Cheltenham defence and with one bounce it caught the keeper Griffiths off his line and dropped into the empty net. Cheltenham were on the offensive pushing players on with both wing backs asking questions and allowing Tozer back but County were unable to find a ball to hurt them on the break. Cheltenham had a decent chance on 20 minutes when they crept into space right side with Azaz this time providing a quick cross which Lloyd headed back across goal and May saw his effort from 8 yards well tipped over by King. Cheltenham remained in the ascendancy showing better control of the ball with Azaz and Thomas more alert picking up bits and pieces in the middle. County were more threatening from direct play catching Cheltenham on the hop. On 23 minutes, a good ball right side from deep by Longe-King released Amond right side of the area. He had options to shoot but somewhat generously opted to carry his run to the byline and cross into the six yard box but Tozer was on hand to clear. County gained some confidence from some better approach play forcing Cheltenham to concede some free kicks in their own half. On 26 minutes, Labadie did well to get forward and was checked by Powell. From the resultant free kick Willmott put in a decent ball which Raglan cleared to the edge of the area and Bennett struck a decent effort goalbound but it struck Tozer in the face and diverted. Cheltenham kept plugging away in midfield winning the loose ball and they were quick to seize upon passing errors and counter. County were given another warning on 30 minutes when Azaz again crept into a decent position right side of the box and thrashed a first time effort from 12 yards forcing King to parry away. Cheltenham were forced into a change on 33 minutes with Hussey pulling up and he was replaced by Clements who went into midfield with Chapman going left wing back. Cheltenham kept probing with County happy to sit back and there were options for County in transition but seemed unable to settle into any passing rhythm misplacing several simple passes. Cheltenham were close again on 36 minutes when they snapped up possession working the ball right side and Blair cut back a pass across the face of the area which Clements got to first and his pass invited Azaz to shoot first time from 14 yards but Longe King intercepted well. County had some better penetration as half time approach with Shepherd coming into the game right side and County won a couple of corners. On 42 minutes, Dolan delivered a corner right side which was intercepted easily by the Cheltenham defence allowing them to break quickly. May stole into a decent position left side after good work by Lloyd but his effort from 18 yards went well over the bar. County had a half chance a few minutes into first half injury time when Haynes supplied a good quicker ball for Scrimshaw to latch onto and his effort from distance was wide of the left post and bar. County failed to heed the warning leaving themselves open to counterattacks in 45+5 minutes when May was given acres of space to slip a low pass for Blair right side of the area and his low shot from an acute angle appeared to go through King and into the left corner.
Cheltenham wee visibly buoyed by the goal and came out second half sensing victory putting County immediately on the back-foot with some low passing moves. From the kick out Cheltenham keeper Griffiths elected to kick long but County were well prepared for that dealing with it effectively. County made efforts to turn Cheltenham back on their heels with some direct play into the wind but Amond and Scrimshaw were kept at arms length. On 55 minutes, County were showing charity again in the middle when Willmott turned back into trouble and Thomas was quick to play a pass across to find Azaz and his snapshot was well blocked by Dolan. Then on 57 minutes, Dolan was again proving to be an important cog for County when he cleared an advancing Cheltenham move ahead of Raglan who caught him late and was booked. County picked up their game with more alertness in middle for a time opting to break up play and counter attack. On 65 minutes, a quick break by County saw Scrimshaw do well to evade a couple of challenges before Tozer was booked for obstructing his run left channel. On 68 minutes, County squandered a decent opportunity when Labadie did well to drive out towards the right side of the area. He had time to pick out Amond and Scrimshaw inside the area but the cross drifted deep allowing Cheltenham to avert the danger. County made a triple substitution moments later with Scrimshaw, Amond and Willmott replaced by Taylor, Abrahams and Windsor. County appeared to adjust to 4–3–3 with Dolan slotting into central midfield and Labadie higher up the pitch. Cheltenham remained a threat right side through the industry of Blair and were close again on 72 minutes when a cross near the byline opened up County but the ball drifted harmlessly deep. On 75 minutes, Cheltenham had a free kick in decent position right side of the area but Chapmas blasted over the bar from 25 yards. There was Cheltenham change soon up top with Addai replacing Lloyd. County made effort to get the ball down and worked opening in the final 10 minutes and this offered more threat. On 82 minutes, Windsor did well angling his run right side of the area and he linked well to find Shepherd. From a tight position, Shepherd delivered an excellent cross into the six yard area which caused anxiety but Boyle managed to clear back post. Cheltenham made another change on 85 minutes replacing Azaz with Williams. County were happy to play patiently in the final minutes and assumed better control of the game but lacked confidence final third with moves misfiring. Cheltenham conceded a couple of free kick late on in decent positions but the indecision that had impaired County throughout continued to haunt. In 90+2 minutes, County opted for a short free kick right side of the area but the ball the pass went straight into touch with players on different wavelength. Cheltenham looked the more likely with May having a couple of efforts blocked edge of the area but the County defence held firm.
King (7) — kicked well under pressure and showed prowess kicking long with bizarre goal. Can improve on speed of distribution and accuracy a little wayward
Shepherd (7) — dealt well with Hussey when he was on pitch and pushed on more after half time with some well timed runs when County were able to put moves together.
Haynes (6) — quiet game, got forced back a bit today by Blair and was left exposed on times from some poor passing in midfield. Was restricted on crosses and shots
Demetriou (8) — lost few headers and apart from being turned on the goal did little wrong. Broke up threat with some well timed tackles and blocks which was key.
Longe-King (7) — was asked questions of but remained alert and cleared danger well especially in the air. Can improve on his short passing and distribution.
Dolan (8) — vigilant throughout, managed threat particularly when County left themselves dangerously exposed. Did a decent job dropping in midfield late on to plug gaps.
Bennett (6) — got in fair quota of blocks and did well in aerial duals but got beaten to the ball too much. Had a couple of chances in around area when well positioned.
Labadie (6) — seems to be struggling for mobility after injury. Did well when he got on the ball but was too slow to read and didn’t pick up enough of the scraps.
Willmott (5) — game bypassed him a bit and seemed to be caught in two minds thinking too much and playing too precisely. Needs to play more off the cuff
Amond (6) — did a decent job first half to pick up balls in behind and turned down a couple of chances to shoot. Did his best to hold up and bring in other players
Scrimshaw (5) — made to look poor as County not playing to his strengths which is pace from early ball. had a couple direct runs but got pushed into too many dead ends.
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — central defenders were strong, breaking up play quickly and full back were flexible. Played counter game well with the energy and guile final third.
Weaknesses — defenders were slow when turned and despite height at the back side quite small especially up front. Pace and edge faded out of their game last quarter.
Opportunities — never really altered system. Kept persevering right side more especially after Hussey injured. Played ball lower and more effective second half.
Threats — Azax key cog on break and got a few shots in. Lloyd and May offered pace and quick minded. Hussey and Blair craft from wide positions. Boyle headers set pieces.
OFFICIALS
P Wright (7) — got key decisions right and despite playing a bit overtime first half he was generally on top of the game allowing it to flow best he could.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Matt Dolan — dug County out of a few holes, stifled main threat when forced deep and passed well. Showed flexibility to lead team late on and bolster void in centre midfield
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County are struggling for the creativity and fluency they had earlier in the season. At the moment, there is not enough unsettling threat from open play with momentum getting interrupted and they were also impaired by indecision today particularly in midfield. They looked laboured on times with Bennett and Labadie not winning enough of their battles and Willmott too lightweight and precise overthinking on the ball and Cheltenham were only too happy to pickpocket. As a result, County were unable to get their wide men in the game and despite getting their noses ahead early on, their transition play was too wasteful allowing Cheltenham to exploit too easily on counters. County were most vulnerable today when they were deep in the final third of the Cheltenham half and they were often put back in trouble from not picking up the knock down or squandering simple passes, forcing the move unnecessarily. County did look more balanced late on when they went 4–3–3 and they had better control of the ball but the final ball was lacking. County need to bolster the side to remain in the top positions with a goal poacher and a more dynamic creator in midfield. Next up is Oldham Athletic away who are effective in setting traps to counter attack playing a fluid 4–5–1 with Rowe up top but they have pace to counter with McAleny left side and Bahamboula right side. If Oldham do have a soft centre it is their defence so key County bide their time and pick their battles in this one.
