County firmly looking up, not down

Report from Mark Vickery at the Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Sheehan 1, Matt 49)

Swindon Town 0

Attendance: 4,981

Form:

Newport County WWLDLLDDLW

Swindon Town LWWWDWLWDW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Since the sides met at the end of September, Swindon have improved but County have dropped back. The pitch not looking conducive to football so play in the right and make their set pieces work

CONDITIONS
Calm, cold and sunny. Pitch towards changing room end looked erratic in patches.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Determined, forceful and creative first half and showed dogged resilience under pressure.

TURNING POINT
County never really looked back after early goal settled their game.

THE MATCH
County were forced into one change with top scorer Padraig Amond suffering a slight knock and he was replaced by Tristan Abrahams up front. County manager Mike Flynn also introduced new signing Ashley Baker at right wing back in place of George Nurse who was on the bench with them retaining their 3–5–2 formation. There was an explosive start to the game with County shifting an early move down the right side inside the first minute with Baker instrumental in finding Matt and as the ball sat up he did well to turn off a challenge from Hunt to create space. Sheehan read the move well and linked to receive a headed pass and his piercing run took him deep inside the area and he slipped the ball under the keeper Benda from 8 yards. County were buoyant and continued to cause problems for Swindon with their aerial presence and some long throws caused some anxious moments for Swindon clearing. Swindon made efforts to push on from deep with Woolery making some strong runs left side but County marshalled the threat well. On 10 minutes, County had a free kick in a promising position on the left flank after Sheehan was clipped by Caddis. Haynes put in a teasing delivery which dropped deep coaxing Benda off his line and he managed to just hold on the ball. County continued to assert their game well with some neat snappy moves right side. On 15 minutes, County worked a decent cross right with more edge on it when Sheehan did well to combine with Baker. The ball sat up at the front post with Swindon struggling to clear and Abrahams hit a decent shot on turn from 10 yards which was well blocked by Edmonds-Green. Swindon were forced to play on the break with Woolery the best outlet left side supported by Jaiyesmi through the middle. On 18 minutes, Isgrove was lurking right side and had a half chance picking up the ball from a move across the face of the area but his snapshot was well wide and high of the left post. County persisted with the direct play to test the Swindon rear-guard and did well in midfield to pick up the bits and pieces coaxing Swindon in several free kicks. On 22 minutes, County were awarded a throw in left side of the area which Demetriou launched to the front post and Matt did well to unsettle Broadbent with his aerial clearance. Innis rose strongly to met the loose clearance but his header from 10 yards clipped the bar and Swindon managed to scramble the ball to safety. Swindon were keen to use Yates up top as an outlet but the County defence did well to squash the threat well and gobbled up possession to put Swindon back under pressure. On 28 minutes, Grant was booked for persistent fouling crudely taking Labadie from behind with untidy challenge in the middle. As half time approached Swindon edged their way into the game with some lively moves right side. Haynes appeared to be struggled for mobility after a knock and was forced back deeper to defend and deal moves initiated by right back Caddis who was prepared to push high up the pitch. County remained a threat from long throws by Demetriou causing all sorts of problems inside area with a couple of decent efforts intercepted and the second ball hooked away to safety. On 42 minutes, County had a good situation after a Swindon move broke down deep up the pitch. Bennett did well to find Sheehan and his penetrating run through the middle was abrupted by Jaiyesimi who was booked. From the resultant free kick by Sheehan, Swindon again struggled to clear and Demetriou was very unlucky to see his first volley from 12 yards diverted by Broadbent when it was firmly on target. County kept pressing in first half injury with another crisp move from deep after O’Brien had broken up a move. His ball in behind turned Swindon back on their heals and Abrahams ghosted in right side of the area but somewhat delaying his shot he was forced to an acute angle and his shot went into the side netting.

County kept pressing in the early stages of the second half and an efficient clearance from Baker found Matt down the right channel. He did well to hold the ball under pressure despite the attention of Hunt and Woolery and turned into space but his run was obstructed right side of the area. From the resulting free kick, Sheehan whipped in a delivery which was cut back and Labadie met stretching to meet a header from 12 yards but the effort looped over the bar. County kept pressing and won a long throw on 49 minutes right side which Demetriou launched well deep into the six yard and O’Brien was unlucky to see his header blocked. Abrahams did well to seize the loose ball back post and cut back a quick low cross back into the six yard box which caught the Swindon defence napping and Matt scored with an efficient strike at the back post. Swindon made efforts to pick up their game with raised intensity and a more direct approach to test County which forced them deeper. Ex-County midfielder Danny Rose was able to get on the ball more and spray some intricate passes but the County kept their resolve to keep Swindon at arm-length. On 55 minutes, Swindon created a more cohesive move right side involving Caddis and Jaiyesimi who played a low pass for Yates to latch onto but his effort from an acute angle was wide of the right post. On 60 minutes, Swindon made a change with Isgrove replaced by Twine who went left side with Woolery switching to the right side. Swindon were keen to shift the ball long at every opportunity when invited with Caddis keen to construct moves right side and they were rewarded with a couple corners right side which County dealt well with. On 65 minutes, Swindon created their best chance when Yates nudged a ball down with his chest and the appeals for handball went of deaf ears and his through ball found Woolery. He broke down the right side of the area and from a difficult angle his low drive was well held by County keeper King. County were struggling to maintain the same cohesion as in the first half and had opportunities to break left side with Swindon right back Caddis high up the pitch influencing matters. On 75 minutes, a snappy move right side from a quickly taken throw saw Caddis overlap and link inside to find Yates near the edge of the area but his snapshot was well blocked by O’Brien. County were keen the left channel to find openings with Abrahams offering an outlet but Swindon worked hard to deny space. On 80 minutes, Woolery was booked for throwing the ball away when tracking back to defend a County move in the left corner. Moments later another County throw from Demetriou from the left side of the box was glanced on well by Matt and latched upon by O’Brien who struck a difficult half volley from 12 yards well over the bar. Swindon made another change on 82 minutes to pep up their approach with Rose replaced by McGilp and County soon responded after with loan signing from Barnsley Jordan Green replacing Abrahams. The game remained disjointed with several free kicks interrupting the flow of the game with no sides giving up any quarters. On 88 minutes, Jaiyesimi was somewhat fortunate not to get a second yellow card for a late aerial challenge on Bennett. In the melee that followed, County keeper King and Swindon striker were involved in an altercation and booked. Swindon kept pressing and County had a couple of opportunities to break with Green and Matt snapping at the heals but the ball overrun allowing Swindon off the hook. Swindon had a half chance in the second minute of injury time when McGlip was allowed to space to cross left side after linking with Hunt in the corner but the header from Yates from 10 yard was wide and high of the left post. County made a double substitution soon after with another two loan signing introduced with Matt replaced by Billy Water who joined from Northampton and Bennett replaced by Dale Gorman from Leyton Orient. Swindon kept plugging away but failed to work County keeper Tom King and they claimed their second double of the season in consecutive weeks.

King (7) — direct some neat quick kicks from deep first half, was not overworked and showed good hands to safe when asked. Kicking was a little erratic second half when rushed.

Haynes (7) — got into some bold positions early on and set up some inviting crosses. Shook off his knock well and played more reserved after half time having runs of Caddis and Woolery to deal with.

Innis (7) — solid performance, dealt strongly with all the aerial duals and distribution was more measured and thoughtful today. Went close on a couple of set pieces with headers.

Demetriou (8) — won his headers and tackles but when turned back cleared effectively. provided decent long throws to create chances for County and unlucky from a couple of volleys that were blocked

O’Brien (7) — put in his fair quota of challenges and important foot ins to break up play and clear. Took a couple of knocks but recovered well and was alert to a couple of set pieces going close.

Baker (7) — decent debut settled in well and despite being put under pressure first half dealt with it and distributed well. competed well and got on the front foot to put in tackles to link final third

Bennett (7) — went quietly about his job, enjoyed battle in the middle and read game well to sweep up loose ball. Won some good headers and did an important job second half to stifle when forced deeper.

Labadie (7) — put in several robust challenges and was a lot sharper getting to the ball early. Took a few knocks on the chin but picked his battles well today and made some good well timed runs box to box.

Sheehan (8) — showed calmness to score with his second touch, did a lot of good work higher up the pitch providing fair quota of set pieces. tackled and competed well when forced deeper second half.

Abrahams (7) — excellent first half, got amongst the defenders and was quicker with his feet to link play and take up good positions. Set up second goal well and better sharpness would have yielded a goal.

Matt (8) — most of the best play went through him first and was also prepared to run the channels making him hard to pick up today. Always a threat inside the box from set pieces and slick finish on his goal.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — showed spells of their capability with passing and neat play in transition but County restricted them well despite some good forays right side second half.

Weaknesses — quite a small side, they struggled to deal with aerial threat on crosses and set pieces and were anxious defending when forced deep. Lacked cohesion on times with passing.

Opportunities — they were quite precise first half and went more direct and hopeful second half to force County back on their heels.
Threats — Rose coordinated some moves and set pieces, Woolery and Yates energy and craft final third.

OFFICIALS
C Pollard (7) — probably got the key decisions right overall, missed some off the balls antics but kept game moving on a difficult surface.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jamille Matt — don’t think Swindon really knew how to play him and got ball away from him as quick as possible second half, menace when inside the area and scored second in a blink of an eye.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County look a more balanced and organised unit playing 3–5–2 and play the conditions well again today. They were undoubtedly settled by the early goal but their enterprising, sometimes brash first half performance today saw them dominate the league leaders who couldn’t have complained if they had been further behind at half time. The second goal was key today because Swindon upped their game second half by pressing play harder up the pitch limiting the threats County had demonstrated first half. The sharpness possibly lacking in recent weeks was more evident today with County quick in mind and body and that was key especially first half. In adversity, County showed their resilience to defend very well under pressure and they kept their focus and discipline. County now have the opportunity to freshen the pack with the League trophy game on Tuesday. This should help to get them firing on all cylinders again when they visit Leyton Orient next weekend. The O’s have struggled in recent weeks to find the form they put together before Christmas with goals lacking. Angol will offer an outlet to hold the ball and Wilkinson an aerial threat so important County manage that and be bold in transition where pace could be key.