County challenge fades out in a whimper

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: County Ground

Swindon Town 1 (Jephcott 51)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 9,325

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWWWWLLLDW

Swindon Town DWDLdWWLWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Swindon have been defensively solid but impaired by inconsistent form at home. County need to take their good performance on Saturday into this match, limit mistakes and be bold final third.

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and gusty wind. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Contrasting, first half organised and creative but disjointed and disinterested after conceding.

TURNING POINT
Swindon goal put them in the ascendancy with County letting the game pass them by.

THE MATCH
County were forced into a couple of changes after their shock away win at league leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday. Priestley Farquharson was suffering from a knock allowing Cameron Norman to return the side but he played in central defence with Aaron Lewis retaining his position at right wing back. There was another change in central midfield with Robbie Willmott replacing Hayden Lindley who was on the bench. Swindon were encouraged forward first half by the keen gusty wind behind them and started positively pressing up high and County turned back to defend. On 5 minutes, County broke well down the left side with Lewis finding Evans in space. He jinked forward and cut inside near the edge of the area but his low effort was diverted by the outstretched leg of Baudry. Swindon were comfortable with the ball at feet with Darcy and Reed shifting the ball accurately in tandem with Gladwin who was aggressive in the challenge. On 8 minutes, a decent Swindon culminated in Darcy chancing his arm with a shot from 20 yards which Townsend held well low down. Swindon gained confidence with some good build up play and another decent move moments later down the right flank saw Hutton breeze past Lewis and thread a pass inside for Wakeling. He was able to roam inside near the right corner of the box and drill a low shot which Townsend was equal to saving low down. Swindon continued to probe away down their right channel with Gladwin directing some good moves and he got the bug for shooting when he powered a low shot from the right side of the area wide of the right post. County asked some questions on the break and Wildig was crudely bowled over by Gladwin on 13 minutes after a run deep inside the Swindon half which got him an early booking. Adam Lewis took the free kick from just outside the “d” but it was squandered going well over the bar. Swindon remained patient with the ball showing prowess to clock up passes with Reed anchoring some good moves. County kept picking gaps well on the break and were close on 16 minutes when a Moriah-Welsh run left side exploited space and his low cross into the area flashed through just evading late runs by Bogle and Evans. County had a great chance to forge ahead on 18 minutes when some indecision passing out by Baudry allowed Bogle to pinch the ball left side. He carried his run into the area but his low effort was pushed away in the left corner by Brynn. Bogle retrieved the ball and set up an opportunity for Wildig to shoot first time near the edge of the area but his effort was blocked by Clayton. County were boosted by their spell of pressure and there was another Swindon player in the book on 20 minutes when Darcy clumsily trip Lewis as he drove down the left flank. Willmott took the free kick and a vicious low effort was saved and held well under pressure by Bynn at the front post. Swindon kept persisting right side with some well worked moves right side putting Lewis under pressure but the defence remained vigilant to clear effectively. On 30 minutes, County worked a decent move from deep down the right flank with Lewis chipping a good ball into the wind and with the ball holding up Evans ghosted in right side but he wasn’t able to time his effort which was scuffed. On 38 minutes, County worked a half chance from another move right side when Lewis provided an early cross which pinpointed Bogle but his glancing header from 12 yards drifted wide of the left post. County opted for some direct play to test Swindon as half time approached with Bogle and Evans working well in tandem but Swindon remained robust swatting off the threat. In first half injury, Swindon added to their shots count with Darcy and Jephcott having shots blocked in and around the area. County then had Adam Lewis needlessly booked on 45+3 minutes when he jumped into a challenge on Wakeling near the right touchline.

Swindon tested County’s resolve with some crosses from wide areas early in the second half. County were forced deeper by Swindon for a time with Williams pulling the strings across the face of the area. On 49 minutes, County were given another warning when Williams was allowed face to much space to cut inside from the left flank. He set up Darcy from a shot from 18 yards which Townsend reacted well to hold in the right corner. On 51 minutes, Darcy swapped sides and some lax defending by County invited a shot from distance which dipped but Townsend was alert parrying for a corner right side. Swindon took the corner and with County struggled to clear their lines, Gladwin took control to work a move on left side of area and Darcy drilled a low shot which Townsend couldn’t hold and Jephcott anticipated first to slot home from 6 yards. County made efforts to pick up their game but were struggling to work wide areas with any conviction and the best they could offer was some hopeful crosses into the area which eluded Bogle and Evans. On 60 minutes, County had a glimmer of a chance following a long throw left side by Demetriou which was only half cleared. Demetriou did well manufacture a cross near the left byline which Clarke latched at the front post but the danger was diverted by Baudry. On 62 minutes, Swindon had another chance from the edge of the area with Darcy in acres of space but his low effort was well blocked by Clarke. Swindon kept building moves with simplistic ease with County passive in their closing down and they were reliant on direct play to turn Swindon back on their heels. On 65 minutes, County won a corner left side after a mistake by the keeper clearing right side of the six yard box. Willmott to the corner and a decent delivery pinpointed Bogle but his header from 8 yards appeared to be tipped over but calls for a corner were ignored by the referee. County made their first change on 67 minutes with Waite on for Wildig and followed this up on 72 minutes with Collins going up-top as Norman was sacrificed in defence. Lindley came on for Moriah-Welsh as County switched to 4–2–3–1. Swindon made their first change on 73 minutes with Jephcott replaced by Shade up front. Swindon had a third player in the book on 75 minutes when Blake-Tracy was late in a tackle from behind on Collins. Swindon introduced Khan for Reed moments later with a like for like change in midfield. Swindon remained in control with some good cohesive moves right side which caught County napping on times. On 83 minutes, Swindon made another change with Iandolo coming on left side for Williams. On 86 minutes, Swindon worked a good move going through several players with County uncommitted to make a tackle. Iandolo adjusted well to clip a decent effort from 14 yards just wide of the right post. County made another change on 88 minutes with Zimba on for Evans. Swindon remained the more likely side to score with several moves right side cutting through County at will. On 90 minutes, Hutton drove forward from deep linking well with Khan to carry his run right side of the area and low shot from an acute angle was saved by Townsend’s legs. County had a chance out of the blue on 90+3 minutes which should have been buried after a strong run by Zimba right side. He escaped the calls for offside timing his run well and directed a good ballot front post which Swindon could only half clear. The loose ball fell to Collins from 8 yards but his low shot was cleared off the line by Hutton. Swindon held on comfortably in the 6 minutes of injury time for a deserved win that didn’t really underline their dominance.

Townsend (6) — struggled with his kicks first half into the wind and was too slow with distribution second half. Made some smart saves low down to deny Swindon but got caught out on the goal.

Adam Lewis (5) — did well in spells first half linking play precisely but set pieces were poor. Got bullied off the ball too much and was always vulnerable after his needless booking.

Arron Lewis (6) — decent first half denying Williams space and drove into some good areas but crosses lacked venom. Forced back second half firefighting runs from Williams and Gladwin.

Clarke (6) — put under some pressure in the air by Jephcott but handled it well despite some rushed clearances. Looked the most capable of getting on the end of crosses and set pieces.

Demetriou (7) — dominated in aerial duals and stemmed the flow the best his could second half being forced deep to cover much of the second half. Provided fair quota of long throws.

Norman (6) — did a job at centre back but influence was lost higher up the pitch. Competed well in the air and tackled well clearing his lines effectively.

Moriah-Welsh (5) — just couldn’t get on the ball enough to influence game. Had spells first half when he got the second ball but lost too many key challenges and faded late on.

Willmott (5) — provided some assurance with neat short passes but never looked threatening. Did his best to get forward but was never able to display strengths on set pieces and crosses.

Wildig (7) — productive first half and coordinated some of the best moves, some good late runs into area but wasn’t picked out. Forced deeper after half time and faded late on.

Evans (6) — made some strong runs first half but some delay shooting allowed defenders to recover. Did a lot of running back second half to cover midfield and tired early.

Bogle (6) — offered threat first half with some strong play to hold up under pressure and should have scored. Played too much back to goal after half time and let down by very poor service.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Swindon)

Strengths — composed side, worked several patient moves from deep and offered good movement to get in behind County. Bold final third showing capability with several shots.

Weaknesses — both centre backs showed a degree of vulnerability when forced to defend deeper and passing was erratic. Full backs left gaps but they had all day to recover.

Opportunities — they worked overloads right side well first half and ramped up tempo for a time after the goal. Never really changed tact, kept efficiency and thought with passing.

Threats — Darcy shots from distance, Jephcott aerial duals and alertness inside area. Williams and Gladwin forceful in tandem left side.

OFFICIALS

P Wright (8) — game passed largely without incident, got the key decisions right allowing game to flow well.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ben Gladwin — had the physicality to dominate the midfield and linked well with Williams. County never got to grips with him, dictating play box to box.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County showed promise first half despite being forced back by the wind, they defended relatively well and worked some intricate low moves in transition but couldn’t get the goal you felt they would need. Unfortunately, once the hosts scored County never really showed any reaction or anger to turn the game around and it was a comfortable 1–0 win in the end that flattered County. Townsend will take some flak for not holding the effort from Darcy which resulted in the goal, but to be truthful it did have an inevitability about with Darcy being allowed too much space too shoot several times. The substitutions again following the goal took too long, were not reactive enough and Swindon may have added another goal while County were working out their methodical changes. County struggled to plug gaps defending their left side with Adam Lewis always vulnerable once booked and Swindon showed no mercy with several sweeping moves right side. County needed to counter this, but were too slow in their approach play allowing Swindon to recover. They had no outlet right side even when they switched to 4–2–3–1, so it was surprising that Lewis was not replaced left side. County used Bogle well first half but they had no real outlet second half and this has become an increasing problem with Norman switched deeper there was less cohesion and Swindon won too many headers. County need to start focussing on their “strengths”. If that means putting Norman back to wing back and Aaron Lewis adding some bite left side it has to be done as they can mitigate their weaknesses. The centre midfield also needs to be built around Wildig offering craft and guile in behind. They can employ a more reserved pairing behind of Bennett and Lindley or Bennett and Moriah-Welsh offers a bolder option. Next up, at Rodney Parade is bottom of the table Rochdale who have struggled for fluency this season. They are likely to play 4–2–3–1 formation with direct play prominent into Quigley up-top with Rodney and Sinclair gambling on the knock downs. County need to track the runners but be quicker in their own turnaround to unsettle and utilise their capability final third.