County dampen Irons fire

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 3 (Cooper 6, Baker-Richardson 69, Telford 84)

Scunthorpe United 0

Attendance: 3,213

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWLLWDDLWL

Scunthorpe United LdDDLWLLDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Any sort of win today is needed to uplift everyone after County manager Mike Flynn left the club mid-week. County need to impose their game through the middle of the park and pick holes.

CONDITIONS
Cloudy, rain showers and keen breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and coped well with the deluge

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Went off the boil after early goal before reasserting creativity and sharpness on the ball taking chances well.

TURNING POINT
Early goal settled County and they were rarely troubled.

THE MATCH
County caretaker manager Wayne Hatswell assumed control of the team maintaining 3–5–2 formation as they made four changes with Mickey Demetriou replacing Aaron Lewis who was named as substitute. There was another change in midfield Fin Azaz sacrificed to the bench in place of Oliver Cooper and up front Alex Fisher was on the bench in place of Dominic Telford. County also switched the keepers with Joe Day coming in for Nick Townsend. County made a bullish start looking to put on a performance that Flynn would have approved of. County had a corner inside the first minute which was cleared confidently by Scunthorpe. They showed their pedigree to break quickly with former loanee Jake Scrimshaw providing an outlet left flank and pass to Hackney but his snapshot from 20 yards was well wide of the right post. County worked some good low moves from deep using Telford well and they knitted together some decent moves to keep the Scunthorpe defence on the hop. County were keen to use their right side with Willmott and Norman influential and they took the lead on 6 minutes from a decisive move with Norman whipping in an early cross which Cooper anticipated well with a strong late run to get ahead of Taft and flick past the keeper from 8 yards. County were settled by the early goal and continued to look purposeful especially right side when they worked the ball quickly. County kept their passing slick and they retained the ball well in the greasy conditions with Upson and Cooper probing well. On 13 minutes, County won a free kick right side and Willmott showed alertness to take it quickly finding Upson in space and he thrashed a decent effort from 30 yards which Watson held well low down. Scunthorpe were forced deep but made efforts to mitigate the pressure with some direct kick outs by Watson pinpointing their right side which kept Clarke and Dolan busy but they were well positioned to take control. Scunthorpe gained some confidence from some better cohesion left side and won a corner on 18 minutes. Beeston showed good awareness to efficiently pick out Perry but his ambitious shot from 25 yards drifted over the bar. County continued to threaten right side with Willmott getting on the ball and delivered a couple of decent crosses which were close to Telford and Baker-Richardson getting a touch on. On 30 minutes, County went more precise through the middle with Upson picking out Baker-Richardson well. He turned well to exploit space and had possibly a better option right side with Norman advancing but struck a decent effort from 25 yards which deflected wide of the right post off Telford. Scunthorpe came more into the game as half time approached with some better passing and thought with the ball. Scrimshaw worked hard to maintain possession in tandem with Jarvis but the County defence remained vigilant. County were forced in their shell allowing Scunthorpe to build some confidence and momentum and they had a decent chance on the stroke of half time initiated by Beeston through the middle. He was invited far too much space and his ball right side of the area pinpointed Scrimshaw who dragged his shot just wide of the left post. County responded with an excellent counter attack on 45+2 minutes with County keeper distributing quicker and his kick was pounced on by Telford. He showed intelligent to cut inside and curl an excellent shot from 20 yards which brushed the left post.

Scunthorpe came more determined to push up higher using the direct ball well with more emphasis left side which forced Clarke back on his heels but he managed to clear safely. On 50 minutes, County responded with a bright move right side after a Scunthorpe broke down and Norman was crudely pulled back by Hackney who was booked. Dolan took the resultant free kick but blasted over from a decent position when he should have worked the keeper. Scunthorpe persisted with the long ball Onariase pinging balls from deep at will which tested Clarke in air and with Jarvis breathing down his neck he was forced into some rushed clearances. County made a change on 53 minutes to freshen the pack with Cooper pulling up and he was replaced by Azaz. County asserted more control through the middle winning some corners and testing Scunthorpe with crosses into the area. On 56 minutes, County won a corner left side following a strong run by Haynes left side. Willmott whipped in a decent cross into the six yard box which Baker-Richardson headed over under pressure from Taft. County kept up the tempo which Scunthorpe struggled to deal with on times and were close again on 60 minutes when Haynes cut back an excellent cross near the left corner flag which Baker-Richardson hooked over from 8 yards under pressure from Onariase. Scunthorpe then made a change up front on 63 minutes with Loft replacing Jarvis. County took charge in the final quarter of the game with Azaz and Upson pulling the strings. On 65 minutes, Azaz showed good vision to pick out Upson through the middle and his powerful rising effort from 25 yards cleared the bar. Moments later, with Scunthorpe struggling to clear the lines Telford hit a decent shot on the turn from 25 yards which went over the bar. County in the middle of a purple were close again on 67 minutes when Azaz threaded a good ball to find Haynes overlapping left side. He cut back inside and curled a good effort from 25 yards just over the bar. Scunthorpe failed to heed the warning on 69 minutes when a slick break by County saw Upson find Baker-Richardson through the middle. He had options left side with Azaz in space but elected to drift inside and hit a superb effort from 30 yards curling into the right corner. Scunthorpe made a double substitution on 75 minutes with Bunn and Hippolyte replacing Hackney and Perry. County responded brining on Fisher and for Baker-Richardson to maintain their momentum. On 82 minutes, Upson created a chance out of nothing when under pressure he sold two players turning into space through the middle. From 25 yards, his low effort fizzed just wide of the left post with the keeper struggling to get across. County got the third goal their creativity and intensity warranted on 84 minutes when Azaz drove through the middle with a piercing run. He struck an excellent effort from 25 yards which struck the right post but Fisher was alert to pick up the loose ball right side of the area. He directed an early cross back into the six yard box which Telford pounced on ahead of Taft stabbing into the net from 6 yards. Scunthorpe to their credit forced some late pressure and were close on 85 minutes when they exploited some indecision by County clearing their lines left side. Millen picked up a loose pass and find Loft who directed a first time effort from 14 yards which Day did well to parry away to safety. County made a late change on 87 minutes with Abraham replacing Telford. On 90 minutes, Scunthorpe had a great chance of consolation when some sloppy play by County in the middle of the pitch allowed Beeston to pickpocket the ball. His quick low pass found Scrimshaw who appeared to be marginally offside, but with no decision forthcoming he raced goal-side and blasted a low shot from 16 yards which Day did well to save with his legs. In three minutes of injury time, the match petered out with County gaining a deserved win to climb up the table.

Day (7) — stood tall to make some good instinctive saves when Scunthorpe broke through late on. Handled well under pressure and when he distributed quickly it was effective.

Norman (7) — was bold getting forward to test opposite number and provide crosses winning aerial duals. Showed value with another assist and competed well throughout.

Demetriou (8) — swept up threat right side winning headers and tackles. Cleared well under pressure, made some influential runs second half to knit moves together allowing Haynes to push on

Dolan (7) — filled the hole to mop up threat and read game well passing accurately staying deep largely. Had a couple of opportunities from set pieces which lacked usual precision.

Clarke (6) — passed well and covered majority of the danger in behind but was put under some pressure in the air second half allowing ball to drop a bit cheaply on times but recovered well.

Haynes (7) — busy game, quite reserved first half but gradually began to influence from wide positions providing some good crosses second half with well timed runs. Went close from distance

Upson (8) — broke away smartly when pressed and distributed effectively with some clever passes to unsettle. Went close from distance several times and deserved a goal for his efforts.

Willmott (7) — enterprising spells and was more impactful first half with some excellent link play in tight positions. Provided usual quota of crosses from set pieces working well with Norman.

Cooper (6) — started well and took his goal very well. was dynamic with his run and intelligent linking play but faded after knock first half and replaced early on.

Telford (8) — nuisance with clever runs into some excellent positions. Always benefited from an early ball and intricate play with quick feet. Went close a couple of times before deserved goal.

Baker-Richardson (7) — long overdue goal after glut of chances at Barrow. Dropped off into some good positions to pull defence about. Had few chances inside six yard box before superb strike.

Strengths — despite limitations final third they showed a lot of spirit and used direct ball well left side to turn County around a bit second half.

Weaknesses — central defenders were slow when turned and to react, passing throughout was erratic and lacked cutting edge to worry County

Opportunities — mirrored County 3–5–2 best they could and never really changed tact with like for like changes although more direct play did give some joy late on.

Threats — Scrimshaw was busy and quick footed getting some shots in. Beestin eye for a neat pass, Perry shots from distance.

OFFICIALS

S Martin (8) — managed game well letting flow despite a lot of pulling and off the ball antics. Got the key decisions right ignoring the feigning

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ed Upson — got on the ball more second half to pull the strings and was always thinking ahead with his passing despite being closely marked. Went close several times with smart shots.

IF YOU WERE WAYNE HATSWELL WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were functional and did enough to dispatch a disjointed Scunthorpe side that is perhaps lacking confidence and teeth final third. County coordinated some decent low moves in this match when they upped the tempo often bossing central midfield and the key going forward will be to have more sustained spells of pressure. Scunthorpe were allowed some space and freedom late on the first half which allowed them to gain some belief that they could score with County going into a defensive mindset for a time. County need to snap out of these shells and the changes second half strengthened their resolve, allowing them reassert control through the middle of the pitch and when they limited their touches, keeping their passing precise they created chances. Telford caused problems with his movement and will certainly give Bradford central defensive pair Songo’o and O’Connell plenty of food for thought when they visit Rodney Parade next Saturday. Bradford are likely to play a 4–2–3–1 formation with the onus on the 3 behind Cook up top to do much running and pressing with Vernam and Gillead key outlet in transition from wide positions. County need to use ball more efficiently and get at their full backs at every opportunity with Threlkeld and Ridehalgh prone to fouls.