County edge through into the next round of the cup

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (O’Hara own goal 28, Aaron Lewis 76)

Colchester United 0

Attendance: 2,377

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County WLLLDWLWdD

Colchester United LLWWLLLDDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Colchester are struggling for form so key County assert their game and limit their mistakes with the pitch fast and slick on top control of the ball needed.

CONDITIONS
Mild, Light rain showers petered out and breeze dropped. Pitch in decent condition, very quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Good work ethic, offered spells of creativity and pressure but kept Colchester at arms-length.

TURNING POINT
First goal was always going to be key.

THE MATCH
County kept the same settled side despite some expectation of changes before the game whilst Colchester rang some changes. County were forced back in the early stages with a keen wind encouraging Colchester forward and they won a couple of corners left side which came to nothing. County made efforts to push up left side with Lewis prominent but the crosses lack teeth to worry the Colchester defence. County were let down by some stray passes in midfield which Colchester snapped up with Chilvers and Chesters keen to support Nouble up front. On 18 minutes, a direct move by Colchester saw Nouble contest well and the loose ball was seized upon quickly by Judge who directed a pass right side of the area for Chilvers. He adjusted well but his effort from 16 yards was wide and high of the right post. County picked up their game with some slickness passing low inside in the Colchester half. On 22 minutes, County won a free kick left side after a quick burst by Lewis and the free kick into the six yard box saw the ball sit up dangerously but the effort from Bennett was blocked. On 25 minutes, County were closer when Norman made a cutting run through the middle and his powerful rising effort from 30 yards was tipped over the bar by O’Hara. From the free kick, Colchester headed the ball out and the long throw by Demetriou was only half cleared to Bennett edge of the area but he couldn’t keep his effort down. On 28 minutes, County took the lead following a throw in right side launched by Demetriou towards the front post and some confusion defending saw Norman distract the keeper and he dropped the ball over the line. County were lifted by the goal and a decisive move on 32 minutes saw Waite crudely checked Ashley as he drove forward left side which got him a yellow card. Colchester countered with some direct play to test County using Nouble as an outlet to contest aerial challenges and they gambled on picking up bits and pieces. The game remained scrappy as half time approached and Colchester had a glimmer of a chance on the stoke of half time when Nouble pickpocketed Farquharson. He lofted a quick pass towards Judge near the edge of the area but his rushed effort was scooped over the bar.

Colchester came out with some positive intentions early in the second half and had a glimmer of a chance on 47 minutes from a move left side. Clampin darted forward towards the left byline and his cross into the six yard box was hooked away but Chesters could only direct a weak header straight at Day from 8 yards. Colchester right back Tchamadeu offered some verve right side with some runs from deep but County remained vigilant dealing with the threat well to stifle early. Colchester made a change on 53 minutes with Hannant coming on for Chesters. Colchester tested County with some direct through balls to pinpoint Sears but were thwarted with a couple of offside calls. Waite continued to offer the main drive for County and he was denied again on 55 minutes when a counter right side when he was tripped by Clampin who was booked. County made a change to freshen the pack on the hour with Aaron Lewis replacing Adam Lewis at left wing back. County picked up their game with Evans and Bogle beginning to turn the screw and Bogle getting across his marker well with some good headers which were not always read. County were more effective with some low snappy passing shifting passes between the middle and final third. County had a couple of good situations in wide areas but some delay on crosses allowed Colchester to recover. On 67 minutes, Colchester made another change up top with Akinde on for Sears and Lubala on for Judge. Colchester had a more energetic spell for a time with Akinde linking play well but the crosses into area were well marshalled by County with Farquharson and Clarke competing well. County punished Colchester on 76 minutes with an efficient move from deep using the right side well with Norman ghosting past Clampin. He cut back a decent cross to find Evans who showed good vision to pick out Lewis in space left side of the area. He showed composure to pick his spot finishing well low into the right corner from 12 yards. Colchester made another change soon after with Tovide on for Nouble up front and Marshall-Miranda for Ashley left side. Colchester gambled and pushed on leaving County gaps to exploit and they had a great chance to add a third on 85 minutes. Lewis instigated the move starting left side and despite the Colchester partially stifling the move Lewis carried his run right side onto his more favoured foot. His cross right side of the area pinpointed Bogle but his header from 10 yards looped just over the bar. County finished well over top with Bogle and Evans both going close with efforts blocked in around the edge of the area. County made a late change with Dolan on for Moriah-Welsh. Colchester kept probing away in injury time and were close to a consolation on 90+3 minutes when County momentarily switched off defending a throw in right side. Clampin delivered a decent cross towards the front post but Akinde headed wide of the left post under pressure from Clarke. There was a final change for County just after with Collins replacing Waite. On 90+6 minutes, Dolan manufactured a chance on his own steam linking well through the middle with Bogle. He struck a decent low effort from inside the “d” with the outside of his foot which clipped the right post and he anticipated the rebound but his volley from 12 yards went narrowly wide of the left post.

Day (6) — quiet game forced into just one save, handled well dealing with some hopeful crosses throw in and kicked well under pressure getting distance.

Adam Lewis (6) — saw a lot of the ball first half but some of the crosses were too short and lacked quality. Provided some good set pieces but replaced early after flat second half.

Farquharson (7) — kept busy by Sears but ushered threat away from danger. Won majority of headers, passing was effective when kept simple, stood up to abrasive approach by Akinde late on.

Clarke (7) — focussed and determined, dealt well with Nouble runs and cleared well when turned back under pressure. Went close on a couple of set pieces.

Demetriou (8) — lead the line well, won his tackles, mopped up the danger quickly and made several towering headers to quell threat. Provided some excellent crosses from wide positions

Norman (7) — quiet first half and found it hard to break shackles but got stronger as game went on being more decisive in an around the box. Did well on opening goal to unsettle keeper.

Moriah-Welsh (7) — a lot of the best snappy moves went through him when he had the vision to pick the gaps. Competed well and timed his tackles which was key.

Bennett (6) — stayed alert to squash danger with some well timed tackles to protect defence. Lax with some untidy passes but recovered well. went close with shots edge area

Waite (8) — competed well throughout, worked hard, offered energy and thrust to exploit gaps and was alert to the loose ball.

Evans (6) — got pulled and held back several times which went unpunished. Kept going off the ball working tirelessly but struggled to get shots on goal.

Bogle (6) — well marked and despite showing capability to work defenders never really got into threatening positions. Squandered decent chance from header.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Colchester)

Strengths — offered a bit more conviction than in the league game and centre backs defended aerial ball well.

Weaknesses — poor retention and thoughtless with passes on times. Lacked cutting edge up front

Opportunities — played direct and hopeful gambling with runs but lacked quality with final ball. Threw in some hopeful crosses late on, in vain

Threats — Chilvers was quick thought and linked best moves, Clampin crosses left side

OFFICIALS

B Madden (7) — ignored a couple of penalty appeals by County but generally got the key decisions right allowing play to flow

MAN OF THE MATCH

James Waite — has picked up his game in recent matches under the new manager and alertness to the ball and thinking ahead was key.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

The match was a little flat and disjointed with County doing enough to win with better quality they offered in each box. Colchester made the game untidy with a direct approach often bypassing the midfield and County spent a lot of the time expediating energy running. The second half saw County improve in control of wide areas with Lewis doing well in his short cameo left side and Norman influencing play in transition. County were most effective today when they snapped into gear with moves between the middle and final third with the second goal coming from such a decisive break. County can improve on cohesion final third and quality of crosses not allowing sides to recover. Next up is Leicester City away in the League Cup 3rd on Tuesday. Leicester are unlikely to waiver from their robust 4–5–1 system whatever personal they put out, but most likely will press hard in behind Vardy up top. County will need vigilance to deal with pacey runs in behind and when they do get the ball in midfield open the release valve but be bold to pick holes through the middle of the pitch