County clinging on to last play off position

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Cambridge United 1

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LWWWLLLWDd

Cambridge United WLWLWWWWDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Not many attacking options for Cambridge off bench so first and foremost County need to tame goal threat from Mullin and creativity from Hoolahan.

CONDITIONS
Sunny, clear and light breeze. Pitch looked dry in parts and bobbly but held condition well.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Pressed all the right buttons box to box but lacked teeth inside area before late punishing goal.

TURNING POINT
One goal was always going to be enough and Cambridge got it…

THE MATCH
County were forced into a defensive change with Dolan suffering from concussion and he was replaced by Haynes who went left back with Lewis dropping into right midfield. County introduced Amond in place Maynard and Ellison up top for Collins who were both on the bench. County changed tact to adopt 4–3–3 formation with Taylor in the middle and they adapted well showing good shape in the early stages. Cambridge were first on 2 minutes when left back Iredale darted forward and his early cross found Ironside who caressed a lay off into the path of Hannant but his snapshot from 25 yards was well blocked by Bennett. County created some low intricate moves to work the Cambridge full backs and developed plenty of early territorial possession especially right side with Lewis prominent but his crosses lacked venom allowing Cambridge centre back to clear comfortably. Despite seeing plenty of the ball, there was a warning for County on 8 minutes when Cambridge worked a cross right side with Mullin showing prowess to pinpoint Ironside inside the six yard box but Townsend. On 10 minutes, County worked a quick corner left side with Haynes delivering a good first time cross and Labadie rose well under pressure but his header drifted wide of the left post. County had a good spell, creating some cohesive moves to work Cambridge around and with them reluctant to press, opportunities came from out wide from crosses but Cambridge remained vigilant dealing with the high ball. On 16 minutes, County created a chance from a more decisive move through the middle with Labadie finding Sheehan. He carried his run forward to exploit space and his low shot from 25 yards was parried away in the left corner. Cambridge were forced deeper and set their stall out to counter with Boateng busy and Hannant offering early delivery. Cambridge offered some menace pushing their full backs to support and were rewarded with a couple of free kicks in decent positions inside the County half but the defence remained resolute with Demetriou and Bennett clearing effectively. On 22 minutes, County worked a snappy move through the middle with Sheehan again pivotal and despite his effort being blocked he was alert to picking up rebound right side of the area. He dinked back an intelligent first time cross into the six yard box but County were slow to react allowing Cambridge to clear their lines. The move typified much of the first half with County dynamic in spells but not on the same wavelength when crosses were provided. Cambridge kept their defensive discipline and kept picking holes on the break with Boateng comfortable on the all and he was checked crudely by Sheehan moments later which yielded a booking. County continued to probe away with some decent retention in wide areas. On 25 minutes, an industrious run by Haynes left side of the area took him past Cambridge right back Knoyle and his cross into area invited Taylor to head but he was pressurised by Taylor and the ball back post dropped but again nobody read the second ball. On 28 minutes, another low intricate clever move by County saw them slice through this time right side of the area but Sheehan cross into the six yard box went begging eluding late run by Ellison. County had a decent spell as half time which should have yielded a goal such was their dominance with Cambridge struggling to clear their lines. On 40 minutes, County worked a quick move left side and Haynes again pivotal cutting back decent cross which was only half cleared to the edge of the area and Bennett smacked his volley just over the bar. County had valid looking call for on 42 minutes when played a corner short right side and Lewis put in a first time cross which appeared to hit the raised arm of Hoolahan but the referee inexplicably ignored the appeals. County were close again on the stroke of half time when Sheehan made a tricky run left side of the area darting past a couple of players and his low snapshot from 10 yards well held well by Burton. County kept pressing with Cambridge forced very deep on times and glad to get back into the changing room.

County started the second half where they left off with a bright move from deep on 47 minutes. Haynes linked well with Labadie and angled his run wide of the area and clipped back decent cross and this time County had somebody well positioned at the front post but Ellison could only glance his header straight at the keeper. Cambridge’s main outlet left side kept County worked with Hannant strong with the ball at feet. On 50 minutes, he combined well with Digby and struck a decent effort which Demetriou deflected over the bar. Cambridge gained some confidence from some more efficient approach and had a half chance moments later when Knoyle switched play well from right to left to find Mullin and his early low shot from 20 yards was held by Townsend in the left corner. County kept probing for gaps with some well-timed moves and Shephard more prominent right flank and another decent opportunity on 55 minutes saw Shephard overlap well and his low dangerous cross into the six yard box was cleared by Taylor. Cambridge set their stall out to stifle and counter left side with Hannant with left back Iredale forceful and he coaxed Lewis into a late challenge on 57 minutes which produced another yellow card. County made a double change soon after with Ellison replaced by Collins who went left side and like for like change up top seeing Maynard replace Taylor. Cambridge kept picking holes in behind when invited and worked a decent move in transition on 62 minutes. Ironside was quickest to pick an overplayed pass right side of the area. He chipped in decent early cross to the back post which Mullin anticipated with a late run but he poked his effort against the left post from 6 yards with an outstretched foot. County were most threatening when they broke through the lines with Sheehan doing well in and around the area. On 67 minutes, Sheehan was clattered from behind in a prominent position just outside the “d” and it was surprise no card was issued. Sheehan took the free kick curling an effort from 25 yards left side forcing Burton into a good parry. On 69 minutes, County were close again when Sheehan jinked inside from the left corner and blasted a great effort towards goal from 20 yards but Drysdale got an important intervention in blocking with his head. He was forced into some treatment but was able to continue as Cambridge re-grouped. County kept probing away and made another change on 76 minutes with Gambin on for Amond. Hannant continued to give Cambridge some respite with some strong runs left side and won a free kick near the left byline after Shephard caught him late. Hoolahan took the free kick and swung in a teasing delivery towards the back post which Drysdale met in the air under pressure from 8 yards and the ball appeared to bobble up deceiving Townsend and went through him. Cambridge made a double substitution straight after with Mullin replaced by Tracey and Dunk going left side for Hannant and County responded with Telford on for Lewis. Sheehan continued to offer main concern for Cambridge and a cynical challenge by Hoolahan to interrupt a break left side saw him booked. County then had Collins in the book for an unnecessary challenge to prevent Drysdale roaming forward right side with the game getting a bit frantic. County kept plugging away winning some throws ins deep in the Cambridge half after some hurried clearances but were unable to lay a glove on them inside the area. Cambridge made a double substitution on 88 minutes to maintain their freshness with Hoolahan and Boateng sacrificed for O’Neill and May. County huffed and puffed in final minutes with indecision impairing their game on times turning down chances to shoot in and around the box. Gambin saw plenty of the ball in 5 minutes of injury time delivering some searching crosses but Cambridge remained focussed to clear their lines. Cambridge may have extended their lead deep in injury time when Ironside held up the ball under pressure and slipped a pass into May but his low shot from distance was well held by Townsend. Cambridge held on to claim a somewhat underwhelming double over County to go back to the top of the league and closer to automatic promotion.

Townsend (7) — kicked and distributed well to initiate moves. Made some good claims under pressure and smart saves to deny Cambridge before unfortunate mistake late on.

Shephard (6) — saw him advance into some better positions with some dynamic well timed runs but crosses were weak on times easily cleared. Forced back deeper by Hannant second half.

Haynes (7) — showed no signs of effects from injury and was a bright outlet. Delivered several crosses and unfortunate with some shots blocked edge area. Gave side better shape today.

Demetriou (8) — commanding in air and never wavered in tackles. Mopped up danger clearing well and provided fair quota of long throws. Needs to take more free kicks from central positions

Bennett (7) — won his headers and broke up danger quickly letting little goalside. Passed well when he was forced direct and switched play. Unlucky with smart volley edge of the area.

Lewis (7) — worked well in tandem with Shephard and showed prowess again with some neat shots from distance. Was bold when he was invited but faded later in the game.

Labadie (6) — had a decent first half, competed well winning ball early and was effective when he was dynamic. Got pinned back on times with slow decision making on passes with ball at feet

Sheehan (7) — quiet game, competed well never really got on the ball inside the Carlisle half enough to hurt and was well tracked. Struggled to make impact and settle into any rhythm.

Amond (6) — shielded ball well under pressure to buy time but got bogged down on times playing outside the box too much and County need to start getting crosses to pinpoint his runs better

Taylor (6) — when got across defender first he linked well and showed deftness with touch. Looked less assured when left isolated and was restricted on shots or efforts on goal.

Ellison (6) — offered natural width and intelligence when got on the ball but never really used his aerial prowess inside area. Did give right back some problems before fading early.

Strengths — despite having much less possession they were composed and blocked crossing threat out well with centre backs strong. Made some bold runs from deep and decisive with crosses.

Weaknesses — both full backs were small but they were forced to push on to give add energy which often left them exposed in wide areas. Passing lacked cohesion on times.

Opportunities — they let County have the ball inside their own half but worked back as unit to defend their own half well. Kept knocking on the door with crosses which produced goal.

Threats — Hannant was main threat left side with crosses winning fouls. Mullin snapshot edge area and Hoolahan creativity guile final third. Iredale provided some good crosses from flank.

OFFICIALS

T Bramhall (5) — managed flow of game well but missed clear handball first half and failed to book Digby for cynical foul just outside area.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Declan Drysdale — defended area well and got in several key interventions none less impressive than block to deny Sheehan. Showed further value to pinch goal from set piece.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This defeat will hurt County not so much because of the result but it was a pretty decent performance box to box and with more predatory instincts inside the final third, this game could and should have been put beyond Cambridge before they pinched a win with the late goal. County knew they had to improve from the Carlisle match and they did that with better passing fluency, albeit not taking opportunities. County can’t rest on their laurels as they need to keep building and raising their efficiency around the pitch which is likely to improve with better weather. County had several good situations from wide areas and tactically in the build up play, they were astute but not always on the same wavelength feeding off crosses which were too wayward and hopeful. They will need to work on their cohesion and variety to finish deliveries which will punish sides. County also had some free kicks from central positions which were squandered and it might be worth employing Demetriou or Lewis from the dead ball, but Dolan and Sheehan can ask more questions from wider positions. Sheehan had a decent game picking holes and just before the Cambridge goal he was starting to pull strings which forced Cambridge deeper. Next up is Crawley Town at home which is looking to be a big six pointer now. Crawley have blown hot and cold this season and done away with 3–5–2 system to play 4–4–2 more effectively in recent games. They beat Cheltenham at home on Friday with Leyton Orient on loan right winger Maguire-Drew sealing a win with support from Nadesan who offers technical guile to hold the ball. Crawley centre backs McNerney and Tunnicliffe will gobble up aerial crosses but less alert to track runs from deep and deal with pace.