Clinical County back on top

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Valley Parade

Bradford City 0

Newport County 3 (Demetriou 1, Amond 44, Dolan pen 90+3)

Attendance:

Form:

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Bradford City WLdLDWLWLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Bradford have a strong home record with only one defeat in last year and their starting line-up looks positive. County need to marshal threat from crosses and punish them when invited

CONDITIONS
Heavy rain throughout much of the game made pitch glossy but remained in excellent condition

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Defensively focussed throughout, took chances well to produce perfect away performance.

TURNING POINT
Early goal settled County but second goal on half time was key.

THE MATCH
County retained the same side from their mid-week win at Stevenage and there was an explosive start to the match with them taking the lead inside the first minute. From a long throw left side of the area by Demetriou, Bradford were struggling to clear their lines and the ball dropped deep but Cooper did well to keep the ball in play right side of the area. He set up Shepherd to deliver an excellent cross which drifted across the area and Demetriou anticipated well to smash a low shot into the right corner from 14 yards. Bradford were keen to press high up the pitch with a front three of Novak, Guthrie and Samuels working hard to put pressure on moves from the back. County elected to play some direct long balls from deep which were thoughtful in finding Abrahams and Janneh who were alert keeping the ball well. Bradford were patient building through the middle with Cooke orchestrating some good moves to probe final third but County kept them at arms-length. On 7 minutes, County showed their capability when they went more direct with Demetriou finding Abrahams with his back to goal. He did well to shield the ball and link efficiently with Janneh left side who struck a first time volley from 25 yards which flashed wide of the left post. Bradford were keen to push their full backs forward and were effective in linking play but when moves broke down they were sometimes vulnerable. On 13 minutes, Cooper did well to intercept a pass in the middle and he was quick to pick out Sheehan in space. He carried a strong run forward and set up Twine who blasted a decent effort wide of the left post and bar from 30 yards. County were forced to defend but remained a threat on the counter and Bradford were given a warning on 17 minutes. A bright move starting left side saw play switched well by Labadie to the right side to find Shepherd and his curling cross eluded late run of Janneh back post. Bradford were keen to use their left flank with left back Wood penetrating well. On 19 minutes, Bradford had a corner left side which County dealt with partially and the half clearance found Wood at the edge of the area but his low shot was well saved by Townsend. Bradford were keen to kick from deep with keeper O’Donnell dropping some long kicks right side which Demetriou and Haynes dealt well with in tandem. Bradford persisted with lofting balls right side to test County with Guthrie contesting well and Bradford were quick to pick up bits and pieces with Cooke and Watt vigilant. Bradford threw in some opportunist crosses into the six yard box when invited which caused some problems but County keeper Townsend responded well to avert danger. Bradford gained some confidence from their territorial possession and won some free kicks inside the County half from a couple of cheap fouls. On 28 minutes, Bradford delivered a decent cross from a short corner right side through Clarke and Novak stretched to reach a header from 10 yards but again Townsend read it well to claim the ball. County kept working to contain Bradford with them raising the bar but they were coaxed into a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions. On 33 minutes, Bradford caught County off guard when a quick throw left side of the area saw Wood play a clever pass for Novak. He jinked into the area and clipped in a quick shot which was well blocked by Cooper and County cleared the danger. County made efforts to get a firmer grip of the ball as half time approached with Sheehan and Labadie getting more on the ball. On 36 minutes, County again threatened from a counter attack when Cooper broke up play well and drove into space through the middle. He picked out an overlapping run of Shepherd right side who continued a strong run forward before unleashing an excellent low shot from the right side of the area which fizzed inches wide of the left post. Bradford opted to go direct again on 40 minutes when O’Connor pinpointed Guthrie. Despite having back to goal he did well to brush off a challenge from Demetriou and spin inside but the low shot from 20 yards was well held by Townsend. County forced into a change on 42 minutes with Janneh suffering from hamstring and he was replaced by Amond. On 44 minutes, County added a second goal from a smart move left side when Haynes drove well into space left side and his neat low pass found Abrahams just inside the area. His deft pass inside was seized upon well by Amond who slotted his shot low into the right corner with a composed finish from 14 yards. Labadie was then booked in first half injury time for a late challenge on Wood who again roaming left side of the pitch.

Bradford made a double substitution at half time to pep up their approach with Mottley-Henry replacing Samuels and centre back Paudie O’Connor replacing right back French. Bradford adjusted to play 3–5–2 formation and more intent to attack the flanks to unsettle County. Bradford continued to work the ball around well in midfield and were keen to work the right side with Mottley-Henry offering pace and verve. County held firm managing the threat well out wide and when they broke up play they were enterprising on the break with Twine and Sheehan making some dynamic runs. On 52 minutes, Dolan took a corner right side which was worked short and Twine received a pass inside and made the most of the space offered. He cut back and curled a rising effort from 25 yards which drifted wide of the left post and bar. Bradford kept pressing from wide positions especially down the right side with Anthony O’Connor and Mottley-Henry combining well. On 55 minutes, O’Connor showed good vision to find Novak across the face of the area and his snapshot was well saved in the right corner by Townsend. Moments later, Bradford opened up play right side of the area with Mottley-Henry evaded a challenge by Haynes and a quick low pass picked out the late run of O’Connor. He adjusted well and chipped a decent effort from 16 yards against the bar with Townsend caught by surprise. With Bradford over committing right side, County had an opportunity on 58 minutes from a quick break left side with Haynes ghosting forward and with men over and options inside his cross couldn’t quite pick out Abrahams who was in space across the face of the area. Bradford continue with tact of working moves down the flanks and deliver crosses which seemed more hopeful than pinpointing players. On 62 minutes, Cooper was booked for time wasting as County strove to take some of the sting out of the challenge offered by Bradford. On 64 minutes, County made their second change with Labadie replaced by Bennett. Bradford maintained better control of the ball on times but County were resolute defending but were let down by some of their distribution with Abrahams and Amond forced to drop deeper. Bradford made their final change on 67 minutes with Donaldson replacing Guthrie. Bradford were keen to utilise Donaldson who was robust holding the ball but they managed the threat well and began to reassert their game in the final stages. On 72 minutes, County created a good move in transition right side from deep with Sheehan and Abrahams combining to Amond who struck a decent first time effort from the right corner which the keeper parried away in the right corner. Then on 75 minutes, another break by County this time on the left side saw Haynes drive to the byline and his deft chip was cleared Richards-Everton near the goaline. County made their final change on 82 minutes with Rotherham loanee Jamie Proctor replacing Abrahams. With Bradford overzealously pushing players forward from deep, County were increasingly dangerous going forward in the final minutes with Proctor angling runs to the left side well. On 88 minutes, County were close again when a direct ball caused problems for Bradford allowing the ball to drop and Amond stole in with a strong run getting goalside of O’Connor but he denied by a good recovery by Wood to avert the danger. County added a third goal 3 minutes into injury time when an efficient move through the middle exposed Bradford ruthless. Proctor forged his to the face of the area and slip a neat pass into Twine. He had options to play in Sheehan but carried his run right side of the area only to be checked by Wood. The referee had no doubts to award a penalty and Dolan slotted home with a low finish sending the keeper the wrong way. County held on secure a satisfying win being the first at Bradford since 1978

Townsend (8) — kicked well under pressure and was effective distributing quickly. Smothered well to collect couple of loose balls and alert making secure saves low down from shots made from distance

Shepherd (7) — put under some pressure but worked hard to deny space on crosses. Saw more attacking threat first half supplied some bold crosses from well timed runs and went close to scoring.

Haynes (8) — was asked questions throughout with most attacking intent Bradford had on the right side but determined defending. Played a big part late on with several runs forward and good crosses

Demetriou (9) — superb early goal, lead defensive very well and was strong in the air dealing with everything Bradford threw at him. Made some important interceptions inside six yard area

Cooper (7) — was strong with headers and kept Guthrie largely quiet. Broke up play well and instigated some good moves from deep. Passing was a little rushed but limited mistakes.

Dolan (7) — didn’t have a lot of time on the ball but adjusted well with some measured passes from deep. Made some key tackles and interventions and stood tall under pressure.

Sheehan (7) — had less of the ball but did a lot of good defensive work showing much improved other side of his game. made some useful runs forward picked battles well.

Labadie (7) — got in amongst things and was somewhat unfortunate with booking with several decisions going against him. Was restricted on chances but worked hard box to box until being replaced.

Twine (6) — busy game, took up some good positions but threat was squashed quickly and got caught in possession a few times. Did well later in the game when space opened up and did well to win penalty

Abrahams (7) — got less joy in behind but did well today with his link play and use of the ball holding it well under pressure. Didn’t have too many clearcut chances but kept plugging away before fading.

Janneh (6)– took up some clever positions to pick holes and worked the left channel with energetic strong runs but chances were restricted before unfortunate knock.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were comfortable in possession and created some good overlaps. when they got the ball down they worked opportunities but lacked cutting edge final third

Weaknesses — crosses were thrown in and too opportunist not always on the same wavelength. Lack patience on times, left gaps in behind and both full backs got exposed too often.

Opportunities — they were set up quite attacking and determined to press from front to back but changed tact at half time. Created more threat second half but become more vulnerable late on.
Threats — Cooke coordinated their best moves, Guthrie was robust and offered guile in and around area. Novak shots from distance, eye for goal.

OFFICIALS
D Bourne (7) — frustrated with some of inconsistency decisions first half but generally got the key decisions right and tried to let game flow

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mickey Demetriou — faultless performance, was denied a goal against Tranmere but made up for it today. Made several important interventions and kept focus well leading organised defence.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County showed their capability today with a very solid defensive performance and they took their chances well at key times with enterprise and efficiency in the final third. They might not have had the dominance in the middle of the pitch or with possession overall but again showed another way of winning a game picking their battles well. Bradford forced the issue from the offset and perhaps this worked against them in some respects with County picking them off with some well worked moves and intelligent use of the ball in transition. County can improve on their retention final third and had spells under the cosh where they may have done even better on the break but credit that they finished the game strongly with the changes made. When County got forced to play more direct, Janneh and Abrahams did well to contest but sometimes County were not alive to pick up the bits and pieces and found the ball coming back but the defence were alert and held firm. Next up is Colchester United who have changed some of their personnel this season. They are likely play five across the middle with former Cambridge striker Jevani Brown the false Number 9 and Pell aerial threat in behind. Brown can offer pace in behind but Colchester are likely to sit in and look for the sucker punch rather than press high so key County are measured and patient in this one.