County end barren run

Report from Mark Vickery at Glandford Park

Scunthorpe United 1 (Eisa 38)

Newport County 2 (Matt 72, Amond 76)

Attendance: 3,001

Form:

Newport County LWWLDLLDDL

Scunthorpe United WWWdWLLWLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Both sides have struggled for consistency this season. County side looked better balanced with 3–5–2 system but with the windy conditions so key County compete and use ball wisely

CONDITIONS
Windy, cloudy and mild. Pitch looked in reasonable condition but a little slippery on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Disjointed and wasteful with the ball first half but sparked into life last half an hour creating several chances.

TURNING POINT
Matt being introduced on the hour and the goal that followed.

THE MATCH
County made just the one change from the Millwall FA Cup match with Ryan Innis returning in place of Jamille Matt who was on the bench. County reverted to a more balanced 3–5–2 system with Nurse left wing back and Haynes deputising as right wing back. The early stages were scrappy with both sides battling with the elements and struggling to maintain possession. County had the benefit of the wind first half which forced the territorial advantage but they were let down overplaying some of the passes. Scunthorpe were happy to absorb pressure and target runs of Novak and Eisa up front. On 12 minutes, Scunthorpe made a hopeful clearance forward from deep when McGahey cleared and the ball caught on the wind deceiving O’Brien and Novak saw his snapshot pushed wide of the right post by County keeper King from 12 yards. County continued to probe away but were let down by quality final third and Scunthorpe remained more decisive on the break. On 15 minutes, County were given a warning when Scunthorpe attacked space invited left side and Clarke cut a square pass inside to find Novak. He linked well with Eisa and he threatened with a run across the face of the area but his shot was intercepted well by Innis. On 20 minutes, another Scunthorpe left side saw Brown do well to thread a ball in behind on the wind and a pacey run by Eisa saw him snatch possession and cut inside to direct a low shot from 20 yards which King held well low down. On 20 minutes, County created their first real opportunity from a break left side when Labadie hooked a pass out to the left channel to find Abrahams. He drove forward well near the left side of the area and his powerful snapshot was blocked well by McGahey. From the resulting corner, Sheehan whipped a decent cross the back post which Innis rose strongly to head towards goal but Butler was on hand to clear a certain goal. Nurse picked up the clearance from just outside the area and he struck a decent effort just over the corner of the left post and bar. Scunthorpe continued to persist with direct play from deep when invited with some tricky balls in behind to turn the County back to defend but they managed to get the ball safe. On 30 minutes, a more precise low Scunthorpe move right side saw McAtee steal space invited left side and he drove a decent low shot from 20 yards near the left corner of the area. King found the shot too hot to handle and Novak stole in to strike the rebound into the side netting from an acute angle. County had a free kick in a decent position on 35 minutes right side which Haynes directed immaculately into the area causing the Scunthorpe defence anxiety but despite the ball being allowed to drop dangerously County were not alert enough to capitalise. On 38 minutes, Eisa got the goal he threatened from another move left side involving McAtee and Novak. The lay off into Eisa created space and with Innis and Labadie unable to close down quick enough he directed a precise effort into the right corner from 20 yards beyond the grasp of King. Innis was then booked for a late challenge on McAtee who was steeling the march over County in the middle of the pitch winning possession. On stroke of half time, Labadie then committed a needless foul on Perch down the left flank tracking back to defend and he was booked. The game remained littered with fouls as half time approached and in the 8 minutes of injury time, County looked disjointed and in need of inspiration.

Scunthorpe were happy to sit back in the early stages of the second half and County seized the initiative with some more penetrative moves deeper up the pitch. Scunthorpe worked hard to protect their lead but an overzealous challenge by Ntlhe on Abrahams near the left flank earnt him a booking. On 55 minutes, County had a decent opportunity from a direct but measured pass right side after Sheehan clipped a ball in behind and Amond made a well timed run to trap the ball and his lob over the keeper from 12 yards was cleared off the line by Clarke. County were quick to put a cross back into the area causing problems for Scunthorpe to clear their lines and Labadie glanced a header towards Sheehan was saw his snapshot from 10 yards well blocked by Butler. County made a tactical change on 58 minutes with O’Brien sacrificed in defence and Matt up front with County reverting to 4–3–3. County continued to probe away with some better control of their game winning some long throws either side of the area but Scunthorpe remained stubborn to break down dealing with the aerial threat well. Scunthorpe were largely direct in their approach using Novak as an outlet in the air but Innis and Demetriou were composed making some measured headers. On 70 minutes, a snappy Scunthorpe move right side saw McAtee again pivotal but his quick lay off into Eisa was squandered with the snapshot ballooning over the bar from 25 yards. On 72 minutes, Scunthorpe lost possession from a throw left side just inside their own half with Innis doing well to break up play. His pass into the wind was accurate dropping into space left side of the area and Abrahams did well to seize the ball before directing a powerful from 12 yards. Despite Scunthorpe keeper Watson palming the shot away, Matt anticipated well to poke home from 8 yards. County were boosted by the goal and another decent counter move on 75 minutes left side saw Haynes do well to offer an angle to stretch play and play a neat ball inside for Sheehan. He ghosted inside to shoot from 25 yards but his low effort went wide of the right post. Moments later Scunthorpe cleared their lines and in aerial challenge Innis appeared to be caught by the elbow of Novak. He was sent off by the referee issuing a straight red card. County punished Scunthorpe from the free kick with Haynes directing an excellent cross into the area which Innis glanced into the path of Amond who smashed his volley into the roof of the net from 8 yards. Scunthorpe made a change soon after with Brown replaced by Colclough to pep up their approach in the midfield. On 80 minutes, right back Clarke made a bold run for Scunthorpe from deep to support a move and he was picked out but his snapshot from 25 yards was well over the bar. County were forced back a little but there was still opportunities on the break to attack from wide positions with Abrahams left side and Amond angling run to the right side. County kept closing down well to protect their with the front doing well to pressurise the Scunthorpe defence. With the clock ticking Scunthorpe went increasingly direct in the closing stages but the game remained disjointed with several fouls and interruptions. County were forced to deal with 7 minutes of injury time and Amond was booked 2 minutes of time added on for clipping a run of Colclough left side. County had a glimmer of a chance soon after on the break with Nurse penetrating well from deep. He showed good vision to pick out Sheehan inside who adjusted before blasting a decent effort wide of the left post from 25 yards. County held on for their first win at Scunthorpe in just over 40 years but more importantly since October in League Two.

King (7) — kicked well under pressure, made some important saves to deny Novak, handled crosses well and distributed effectively with accurate kick outs.

Haynes (7) — deputised well at right back, cleared effectively under pressure. Was forced back first half and put under some pressure but got forward well second half putting in some telling crosses.

Innis (7) — eventful game, dealt well with direct ball winning his headers early but a little slow to read low tackles. Set up the equaliser with an excellent ball in behind and caused problems on set pieces

Demetriou (6) — still working his way back to fitness, took a knock first half and looked laboured for a time but recovered well keeping concentration and clearing his lines well under pressure.

O’Brien (6) — put under pressure on times first half allowing some aerial balls to drop dangerously. Recovered well to put in some good tackles but sacrificed early on second half.

Nurse (6) — had some good spells but got ball caught a little under his feet on times losing possession cheaply. Restricted on crosses but worked hard box to box.

Bennett (5) — struggled to get a foothold in the game first half not winning his challenges and possession restricted. Settled more into the game second half when space opened up.

Labadie (5) — second best on times in challenge especially first half, cheap unnecessary booking and looked a bit lethargic. Did up his game second half and faired better when County had three up top

Sheehan (7) — quiet first half but became more influential after the break especially on the break and linked moves well. Worked hard to close down and went close with a couple of shots from distance.

Amond (8) — restricted on chances first half but took up some good positions off the last man. Came alive after the break at the heart of the best moves going close several times before getting the winner.

Matt (8) — caused problems with movement and aerial presence when he come on to unsettle Scunthorpe defence and drag defence about. Worked hard on and off and was alert to finish off the first goal

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — full backs were composed and they constructed some snappy moves first half across the face of the area with quick feet

Weaknesses — struggled to find cohesion in the middle and overplayed several passes. Central defenders were slow when turned and they got coaxed into conceding a lot of free kicks.

Opportunities — they were direct first half which worked quite well into the wind but unable to change tact and keep the ball more precise second half allowing County to build momentum.
Threats — Novak was alert and best link play went through him, Eisa quick feet, pace and eye for goal. McAtee was quick to seize ball and passed well first half.

OFFICIALS
S Oldham (6) — Confused both sides with some of his decisions which just appeared to be collisions but got the key ones right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Padraig Amond — inching his way back to form and sharpness, always does his best work inside the area and clinical with the winner. Dropped back to deeper to close down late on.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were more balanced unit today playing three central defenders, despite the indifferent first half performance and played much better into the wind using the ball more intelligently. When the game was ugly first half County got embroiled in stop and start game and were slow to both the first and second ball meaning any momentum they had evaporated. The second half was a different story with the introduction of Matt giving County a more options final third and they were always a threat from crosses swept into the area. Labadie and Bennett both struggled to exert influence in the middle of the pitch not getting to the ball earlier but second half County were more decisive and direct. This paid dividends with the extra man making life difficult for Scunthorpe so this result gives something for County to build on with leaders Swindon visiting Rodney Parade next week. County won at Swindon earlier in the season with a competent performance but Swindon have improved measurably since then and despite losing top scorer Doyle they are an effective unit with attacking options left side through Woolery and Isgrove right side and Rose picking holes in behind. Swindon are likely to play 4–5–1 and will absorb pressure and look to play on the break. County played them well at their own game in the away match exploiting vulnerability of central defenders Grant and Broadbent closing down back to front.