County back in the fire

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: County Ground

Swindon Town 0

Newport County 1 (Conroy 90 own goal)

Attendance: 11,408

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County DDWDWWWLdL

Swindon Town WWWLWLWWLd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Bit of edgy 6 pointer, so key County manage game well and pick their battles. Swindon comfortable in possession but have struggled for goals recently so County need to be bold when invited

CONDITIONS
Sunny spells but keen wind. Pitch looked in decent condition and conducive to football.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Bit passive first half struggled for cohesion but upped urgency late on finishing strongly

TURNING POINT
County substitutions got them asking more questions.

THE MATCH
County surprise change up top with Lewis Collins and Rob Street striking a new partnership in place Dominic Telford and Alex Fisher was sitting in Arkells Away End with the County fans. County played in the keen wind first half and started well with a decent move inside 2 minutes with Norman working a penetrative move right side. He linked well with Waite and cut back a decent low cross right side of the area which caused some nervousness in Swindon but Conroy managed to clear at the second attempt. Swindon orchestrated some patient moves with Reed offering a good range of passing to wide areas with County right back Lewis being tested. County held firm and created some decent low moves and thoughtful passing and had a decent opportunity on 8 minutes when Azaz played a quick pass to find Collins in space through the middle. He carried his run forward and with Swindon backing off had the opportunity to shoot inside the “d” but went for the extra pass which was overplayed. It was a let off for Swindon and they made efforts to up their game with some more urgency from direct play. On 12 minutes, County were given a warning when a hopeful ball from Swindon from deep by centre back Conroy pinpointed Davidson who brushed off an aerial challenge from Clarke and the ball ran goalside and County were thankful for Day coming off his line early to clear the danger. County opted for a more direct approach on 16 minutes with Demetriou accurate with lofted clearance to find Street. He glanced on well into the path of Collins who got facing forward and he the opportunity to run at Swindon centre back Baudry but when composure was needed he tamely dragged an effort from 20 yards wide of the left post. Swindon were the more decisive outfit and with County struggling with their clearances into the wind, County struggled for cohesion with Street getting bullied off too many challenges. Swindon were close on 20 minutes when a direct into Street was stolen by Conroy who launched a ball right side to release Iandolo. He showed good vision to thread a pass inside for Williams and his cross into the area was held well under pressure by Davidson who played a pass back to the edge of the area for Reed who blasted well over the bar. Swindon gained confidence from their approach and were sharper to the ball on times with County increasingly sloppy with their passes. On 25 minutes, Williams was again causing problems picking holes in and around the box and his snapshot from 20 yards was diverted for a corner by Willmott. Swindon were keen to use their right channel in transition and a decent move on 28 minutes saw Baudry have his run checked by Lewis. The referee then booked Lewis for what appeared to be dissent as it was his first honest tackle of the game. Swindon continued to cause problems right side and another bright move on 33 minutes saw Barry feign one way and the other outfoxing Lewis. He carried his run down the right flank and the cross into the area sat up for Williams but his shot on the turn was parried away well by Day in the top left corner. Swindon remained in control as half time approached with County forced deeper and offering little attacking threat. On 44 minutes, there was another warning for County allowing Swindon to cheaply attack space right side and with no tackle forthcoming Reed slipped a pass right side of the area for Barry but his effort from an acute went high and wide of the right post. In first half injury time, Iandolo was again causing problems when his run left side was untracked and the early cross was met in the air by Williams from 10 yards but the header drifted wide of the right post.

County got into the dressing room and made a more assertive start to the second half with Norman pressing hard right side. On 47 minutes, Norman was somewhat crudely taken out by Iandolo just inside the Swindon half but the referee kept the cards in his book. County used the wind to their benefit winning some throws in either side of the area which Norman launched well into the area right and Demetriou left side but Swindon remained focussed under pressure. Swindon opted to play on the break but County continuing to use Davidson as an aerial outlet but the threat was minimal allowing County to regain momentum. County’s industry right side won a couple of corners on 55 minutes, which Willmott delivered but with the ball out-swinging and floated Swindon were able to clear their lines effectively. Swindon kept stifling and playing with spring on the break with Reed and Payne working well in tandem. On 60 minutes, Swindon won a free kick in a decent position right side of the area after some indecision in winning the tackle early and Demetriou was coaxed into a tackle on Payne. Payne took the free kick but his curling effort was placed well over the bar from 25 yards. County freshened things up top soon after with Telford replacing Collins. On 62 minutes, a move that typified County’s game saw them efficiently work patterns of play well to win a throw in right side of the area. Norman launched a long throw which was only half cleared and Willmott had a half chance but scuffed his low effort from 12 yards and Baudry easily cleared. County followed up with another change on 66 minutes with Baker-Richardson on for Street which energised their game. On 70 minutes, with County more in the ascendancy Willmott appeared to strain his leg and he was replaced by Cain. County up their game last 20 minutes with some better cohesion and tempo with Cain influential left side making Swindon defenders work overtime. On 72 minutes, County were close when Baker-Richardson did well edge of the area to anticipate ball early and caress a pass into the feet of Telford. He adjusted well and curled a decent effort from 20 yards which was low enough for Swindon keeper Wollacott to parry around the left post. Then on 75 minutes, with County forcing Swindon to defend deeper, Bennett then thrashed a somewhat ambitious effort well over from 20 yards when there were better options on. Swindon made a change soon after with Aguiar replacing Payne and Mitchell-Lawson on for Barry right side of the three up top. County kept probing away right side with Norman offering an outlet in transition but the crosses were evading runs into the area. Swindon were forced into their final change on 85 minutes with left back Tomlinson replaced by Gladwin. On 87 minutes, Swindon drove forward into a threatening position with a strong run near the touchline by Mitchell-Lawson and despite the ball suspiciously going over the line, the linesman allowed play to continue. From a tight position, the cross into the area was latched onto by Davidson but his cut back was well intercepted by Demetriou. County kept forcing the issue late on with Cain and Waite effervescent on the ball and Swindon right back Hunt forced back. On 90 minutes, County got their reward with smart low move the middle and working the ball to the left side of the area. Waite showed good vision to pick out the run of Azaz who beat the keeper to the ball and rounded him before showing remarkable composure to get his shot on target from near the left byline. The ball was about to cross the line and Swindon centre back could only divert into his own net. Swindon ramped up their efforts again in the 8 minutes of injury time. Azaz was booked for overzealous celebration after the goal and County manager James Rowberry also got a yellow card for celebrating outside the coaches zone. Swindon forced a couple of corners right side from some direct play and the County defence held firm under aerial pressure. On 90+7, Reed whipped over a decent cross right side which flashed deep and sat up for Aguiar but his snapshot from 12 yards was well blocked by Clarke. Swindon had a glimmer of chance in the last minute of injury time when a cross left side by Gladwin into the area was hooked well over the bar by Davidson from 10 yards under pressure by Clarke.

Day (7) — kicked well first half into wind and showed good alertness to clear danger ahead of Davidson. Made some smart collections but not overworked. Can improve slickness of distribution.

Lewis (5) — had a difficult first half being forced onto wrong foot and mistimed tackles. Steadied himself well after half time and coped well after booking but forced deep on times.

Norman (7) — drove forward when invited and won ball well pressing up to win duals early. Delivered more quality on early crosses when County had players in support but less effective on crosses when he checked back.

Demetriou (7) — kept focused, won his headers well and was alert to stifle or advert danger. Most accurate defender with distribution and depth with clearances under pressure.

Clarke (7) — put under some aerial pressure by Davidson first half allowing him to spin off challenges. Much more robust second half and made several important blocks and clearances inside box.

Azaz (7) — Instead of shooting had nerve to take ball around keeper to set up goal. Did his best work from deep positions and influenced matters late on with craft and guile with ball at feet.

Willmott (6) — frustrating game, forced deep on times and passing was erratic. Made some good blocks in and around area and kept alert to squash danger, advancing more late on before knock

Waite (7) — had spells where he got on the front foot and quick mind with use of the ball final third. Did well to create more threat late on getting at the right back and was at the heart of the goal.

Bennett (6) — combative, did well in the aerial duals and kept passing simple but effective. Broke up threats well but was a little tentative on times with the ball final third.

Collins (5) — had a couple of presentable chances early in the game and when needed to put foot the ball lacked confidence, never really concerned defenders and replaced early.

Street (6) — restricted on chances, did his best in the air and when he got across the defender early he was effective but got a bit bullied by Conroy who he allowed to pickpocket ball.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — they were comfortable in possession and worked some neat low moves mainly going through Reed and Payne. Centre backs gave little change and were strong in the air.

Weaknesses — went sideways a lot with passes and backwards on times. Left 2 v 2 times several times which County were unable to punish. Lacked cutting edge final third.

Opportunities — played 4–3–3 and never really changed tact. Went more direct to test County but got little headway with Davidson well marshalled. Opted for earlier crosses late on.

Threats — Best play went through Reed and Payne who had an eye for goal. Williams did a lot of good work to link play and carry play high up pitch.

OFFICIALS

N Hair (6) — some odd decisions first half that kept the fourth official in a job and some odd advantages missed allowing play to be unnecessarily brought back but got key decisions right..

MAN OF THE MATCH

Fin Azaz — swept forward in spells to open up and create chances which stretched Swindon and at the forefront of the most cutting County moves with intelligent use of the ball and set up winner.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County tried to play down the importance of this game but it was a big win for them, not just getting the three points but getting back on track after the tight marginal game last week that they were edged out. Swindon took better care of the ball box to box but County always look the “more likely” side to win the match when they got into the box and men in support. It was vital that they kept knocking on the door with the late changes ramping up the intensity and guile. Collins and Street never really looked on the same wavelength and didn’t really set the house ablaze with Collins choking on a couple of decent chances but his lack of presence to worry the Swindon defence is more of a concern. With just 5 games left County need the Baker-Richardson — Telford partnership firing again and potentially re-introduce Haynes left side to offer more balance left side with Lewis struggling to adjust on his less favoured foot. Cain also had a very good effect on the game late on and needs to start in the next match. County had several long throws either side of the area which they allowed Swindon to clear cheaply on times and they can also improve on their variety with corners and set pieces which looked hopeful and lacked venom and invention to unsettle the Swindon defence. Next up is Crawley Town on Good Friday and County really need to up the bar with the remaining home games with the three sides they are playing having little to play for other than “pride”. These three game will potentially define the season and County need to at least match the desire and work ethic of their opponents first and foremost and let the quality shine through. Crawley are likely to play a 3–4–3 system with a makeshift defence potentially on show with midfielder Hessenthaler right side and Francomb right footed but playing left sided. County need to deal with direct ball into Appiah who roams and pick up the runners Nadesan and Nicholls and turn them around in wide areas.