County edged out of Cup in penalty agony

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Webster own goal 90+6)

Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (Propper 90)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WWDWDWLDLD

Brighton & Hove Albion dWDLLdDDLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Brighton have paid the compliment of selecting a strong team so key County keep their defensive resolve and pick their battles on a difficult surface

CONDITIONS
Cool, cloudy and light breeze. Pitch looked heavy, bobbly and erratic in parts and not conducive to short passing.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Struggled for sustained control of the game but showed great belief and sprit to have a shot at penalty lottery

TURNING POINT
None to note.

THE MATCH
County hadn’t played since Boxing Day so this game was just the tonic, but they were forced into some changes with Jamie Devitt replacing Scott Twine who returned to Swindon after his loan expired. There were some other changes up top with Padraig Amond replacing Tristan Abrahams who was not named in the squad. Robbie Willmott was recalled in place of Lewis Collins who was on the bench. County also introduced David Longe-King for his first full appearance this season in place of Brandon Cooper who also returned to parent club Swansea City and King resumed in goal with Townsend on the bench. The early stages saw Brighton marginally on top and more assured on the difficult surface with some measured passes in behind left side with Longe-King doing well under pressure. County snapped out their shell on 5 minutes with Dolan breaking up play well and threading a quick pass left side. The ball bounced up awkwardly and Amond ghosted in left side of the area to pounce on the short back pass by Dunk. With Brighton keeper Steele in no mans lands, Amond directed his shot over the keeper from 14 yards but the effort drifted narrowly wide of the right post. Brighton were keen to use width where possible with March left side and Jahanbakhsh direct with his runs right side. Brighton created some decent moves right side with a former loanee County had under their wings Ben White influencing some decent moves but the County defence dealt with crosses well. With Brighton persistent down the flanks there were opportunities in transition for County with Shepherd and Haynes seeing plenty of the ball but they were forced into some dead ends. Brighton were lead well by Bissouma in central midfield who pulled the strings with County very reserved and defending deeply. On 16 minutes, Brighton swept forward left side with March overlapping well and he showed good awareness to slip a pass back inside for Bissouma who directed a decent first time effort from 25 yards which was saved well low down in the left corner by King. County created some better penetration left side with Haynes timing his runs well and ask questions of Jahanbakhsh but Brighton remained vigilant dealing with the crosses well. County made efforts to build momentum passing but were forced back on times playing into some difficult areas of the pitch which allowed Brighton to tighten their grip of the game. On 28 minutes, a more convincing County move right side offered promise after a slick exchange involving Shepherd and Willmott. He cut back a decent cross near the byline but again the Brighton defence were first to the ball and clear inside the six yard box. Brighton created a thoughtful move on the half hour with Bissouma finding Jahanbakhs right side but his cross was diverted for a corner. From the delivery right side Gross picked out Dunk at the front post but his header was parried away well by King around the right post. County remained reserved and happy to stifle Brighton and some moves in transition were let down by poor quality and cohesion. There was another warning for County moments later when McAllister was offered space to shoot edge of the area after a weak clearance but it was well read by King. Brighton remained a threat on set pieces and another corner right side by Gross caused problems inside the six yard box with Dunk having an effort blocked and Zeqiri saw his snapshot from 8 yards saved by King. County were forced into a change on 40 minutes with Willmott not recovering from a knock and he was replaced by Labadie. County were boosted by the change forcing play higher up the pitch and were close again on 42 minutes. A direct move again caused the problem for Brighton with keeper Steele coaxed out to clear edge of the area but he was unable to claim the ball in a challenge with Amond. The loose ball was seized upon by Amond who hit a neat shot on the turn towards the empty net but Dunk was on hand to clear off the line. Brighton kept pressing final third with March offering energy left side and he was chancing his arm with a shot edge of the area moments later but his effort was high and wide of the right post. In first half injury time, County gained free kick left side of the area after some good work by Haynes who coaxed White into a late tackle. Dolan took the free kick well with delivery cut back pinpointing Demetriou but his header from 8 yard was blocked by Webster.

County started the second with more purpose and verve with some better retention through the middle of the pitch and Haynes continued to offer the most penetration but the crosses were managed well by Brighton. On 48 minutes, County offered more threat when Sheehan picked up a loose ball and jinked into space before finding Devitt and his run through the middle prised an opening but he dragged a low effort wide of the left post from 25 yards. County were creating more problems forcing some free kicks in the Brighton half but they had to keep their focus dealing with breaks in transition right side. On 55 minutes, White did well to steal up the pitch and provide a cross from the right corner of the area which Zaqiri met ahead of Demetriou but his header from 10 yards was wide of the right post. White was again influencing a move on 62 minutes this time showing some quick feet to dance past a couple of challenges right side of the box but his snapshot was wide of the right post. County made a double substitution just after with Amond replaced by Taylor and Collins on for Devitt. Brighton responded with some attacking changes as well with Trossard on for McAllister and Propper replacing Zeqiri. The changes worked better for Brighton with them regaining control of the midfield again with Propper taking the reigns over from Bissouma to probe some decent moves final third. On 70 minutes, Propper was close himself when a Brighton corner right side caused problems for County to clear effectively and his low shot fizzed just wide of the right post. It was a big let off for County and they made efforts to raise the bar forcing play into wide positions but their quality from crosses was lacking allowing Brighton to clear. Brighton made another change on 72 minutes with Jahanbakhsh replaced by Tau who went right side with Brighton changing from 3–4–2–1 to 3–4–3. Tau went right side but Brighton became more threatening left side with March seeing more of the ball. On 78 minutes, a neat Brighton move involving Bissouma saw him thread a pass left side to find March who drove into space and strike a decent effort from an acute angle which forced King to tip over the bar. County became increasingly anxious in the final stages struggling to clear their lines and hold the ball under pressure. On 80 minutes, Brighton were close when a direct ball right side was trapped well by Tau who edge of the area. He caressed a neat pass to find Maupay who struck a first time shot from 20 yards which was well blocked by Dolan. County snapped out of their shell again on 84 minutes when Taylor did well to maintain possession right side of the area. Labadie made his presence felt forcing a loose clearance by Dunk and Sheehan anticipated well only to see his low effort from 12 yards saved well low down by Steele. County gained some confidence from some better retention and worked another move on 86 minutes when Collins kept the ball under pressure in the left corner and County were rewarded with a corner. Sheehan delivered a decent cross which was only half cleared and Haynes blasted a rising effort over the bar. Brighton kept plugging away final third and got what appeared to be the winner on 90 minutes when County were forced to defend deeply inside their own area. March was allowed to roam across the “d” and he curled a low effort into the left corner beyond the reach of King. County made efforts to respond and all hope seemed lost deep in injury time when later changes saw Brighton replace March for Bernardo and County gambled with Dolan replaced for Ellison and Proctor replaced Collins. In the final minute of injury, County got a lifeline when Bennett did well right side working with Shepherd to whip in a searching cross into the six yard area and with the keeper hesitant, Webster turned the ball into his own net.

County changed their system to play more defensive 5–3–2 in the first half of extra time with Bennett dropping into central defence. County were reliant on direct play to relieve pressure with Brighton the more energetic outfit. Bernardo was prominent left side and his cross back into County area on 95 minutes pinpointed Dunk who glanced a decent header just wide of left post and bar under pressure from Demetriou. Brighton made another change soon after with White replaced Veltham. Tau remained a livewire for Brighton with some strong runs in behind but County marshalled the danger well.

The second half of extra time, saw Brighton remain in control of possession with County offering little threat but King was on hand to make some alert collections and clearances from measured passes in behind. On 116 minutes, Brighton worked a patient move through several players before Maupay set up a chance for Tau edge of the area but his shot drifted wide of the right post and bar. County kept their defensive discipline well and shape to deny Brighton as the game drifted to penalties with several passes overplayed and their crosses lacked bite. County were close to snatching the game deep in extra time when a cross right side by Labadie was cut back invitingly to the edge of the area. Ellison anticipated well only for his snapshot to blocked by Webster with an important intervention.

Brighton won the penalties 4–3 with both keepers excelling before Webster kept his nerve to score the winner from the 14 attempts

King (8) — kept County in the game with several instinctive saves in normal play and performed well in the penalties. Put under pressure with some passes but got the ball safe kicking long.

Shepherd (5) — bit off the pace and was restricted on crosses with indecision forcing into too many dead ends. Lost out in his tackles and looked jaded late on and surprised he was not replaced.

Haynes (6) — got forced back at bit by Jahanbakhsh but had some good spells and did his best to overlap with some well timed runs but crosses lacked quality to trouble.

Demetriou (7) — was assured defending and dealt well with Tau when he came on. Won some good headers and provided some decent throw ins

Longe-King (6) — won some strong headers and competed well. was well positioned and broke up play effectively but needs more care distribution wayward on times.

Dolan (7) — did a decent job picking up bits and pieces and despite not enjoying so much possession he sprayed some good passes and few set pieces were decent

Bennett (6) — struggled to deal with bursts forward from Bissouma and did better after Labadie come on when he went deeper. Did well in tackles when he got the ball early.

Devitt (5) — was anonymous for large spells of the game and offered little threat. One shot he had drifted wide of the mark and needed to more to keep the ball and work defenders.

Sheehan (6) — never really got hold of ball and was forced too deep to effect game and was closed down quickly. Was unlucky with shot late on and did better when he made more dynamic runs

Amond (7) — was unlucky not to score from some decent efforts and showed effectiveness on the pitch from direct play taking up some good positions before fading.

Willmott (5) — did a lot of running and firefighting but never really influenced any threat before his injury and was replaced by;

Labadie (7) — good game, definitely picked up side when he came on and offered more physical presence in the middle. Did well later in the game drifting to right flank to give better balance.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they adjusted well to the difficult surface to play some decent football from the back working it efficiently. Both centre backs were strong and they controlled the central midfield.

Weaknesses — despite both wing backs stemming County threat they were slight and lacked aerial prowess. Lacked cutting edge and quality from crosses.

Opportunities — pretty much mirrored County formation but they showed some flexibility for players to switch positions and keep County guessing.
Threats — Dunk aerial prowess set pieces, Bissouma link play and eye of a killer pass, March ghosted in with some shots from distance.

OFFICIALS

L Mason (8) — Didn’t really notice him too much, allowed game to flow well on the awkward surface and got the key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Yves Bissouma — ruled the roost in midfield for large spells of the game and made passing look simple. Kept driving side on and was quick to avert any danger when they did get exposed.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County made a fist of another game with Premiership outfit before going out narrowly on penalties. Despite Brighton controlling the possession stakes, County limited their chances and arguably created the best chances despite them not really opening Brighton up from open play. County were unusually limp down the flanks today and created their threat from direct play with Amond unsettling in behind to pick up bits and pieces. Labadie needs to come back into the team to bolster the midfield as County looked too lightweight through the middle. Taylor still needs to get games to build up sharpness but presently County look short of physical robustness in the final third and when sides press up as they are likely to do on a degrading Rodney Parade surface County are going to need alternative direct options. County also struggled from their throw ins today to maintain possession and got forced back into some uncomfortable positions so they need to be more cautious when to play short and long. Their moves in transition were too half hearted today and will need to improve on their conviction from wide areas for the visit of Salford City this weekend and offer more energy. This match is likely to be confrontational after the combative match at Salford and a key opportunity for County to bolster their position in the top three. County need to keep the ball low and sharp as Salford will press and try to gobble up long balls but they will need to remain vigilant defending Salford direct play and stifle outlets into Henderson and runs from Asante right side with Hunter eye for an early shot left side.