County first half blitz sinks Irons

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 4 (Taft own goal 29, Demetriou 34, 85, Collins 39)

Scunthorpe United 0

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLLLWDddWd

Scunthorpe United DDDWdLdLLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Scunthorpe have been on a poor run in last month conceding goals, so key County test their defence and work wide areas.

CONDITIONS
Cloudy, mild with light breeze. Pitch looked in need of roll, quite dry and bobbly in parts making football difficult.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Composed, disciplined defensively and had spells when stepped up going up gears which was enough

TURNING POINT
Didn’t look back after opening goal.

THE MATCH
County retained the same starting side that dogged out a valuable draw at Exeter on the weekend. Scunthorpe mirrored County playing 3–5–2 and made intentions clear from the offset with some long balls to test County which were well marshalled. Loft offered an outlet left side for Scunthorpe but they struggled for cohesion allowing County to counter. On 5 minutes, County issued a warning when Sheehan threaded a neat through ball which Amond latched onto goalside of the last defender but he was adjudged to be offside with a narrow call. County kept pressing and won a free kick right side of the area on 7 minutes when Labadie was obstructed by Karacan. Sheehan whipped over a good delivery from dead ball which Scunthorpe nervously cleared for a corner left side. Sheehan took a quick short corner to the front post which Amond clipped back into the path of Demetriou and his first time shot on the turn from 16 yards fizzed just over the bar. Scunthorpe persisted with the direct approach with keeper Howard overplaying a few kicks. County were patient in their approach play with Sheehan seeing plenty of the ball but he was well monitored well restricting County deeper. Scunthorpe set their stall out to press up higher and pick up on scraps and they created a half chance on 25 minutes when a better move right side invited Karacan shoot right side from 25 yards but Bennett blocked the shot well. Moments later a snappy move left side by County saw Haynes caught late by Howe who was fortunate not to get a card. County kept up the pressure on the left channel and took the lead on 29 minutes when quick move in transition saw Haynes release Amond and he carried a strong run left side of the area. His cross into the six yard was hopeful but appeared to deceive central defender Taft who could only divert into his own goal. County were boosted by the goal and sprung into some life with some well worked low moves. On 32 minutes, they were close when a low patient move from left to centre found Labadie and he showed good awareness to pick out Sheehan right side of the area. He drove forward and blasted a decent effort from 18 yards which was well blocked by Taft. On 34 minutes, County were awarded a corner right side which Sheehan took pinpointing Demetriou who glanced his header into the top left corner from 8 yards with Howard rooted to the spot. Scunthorpe made efforts to pick up their game but their game was impaired by poor retention overhitting several passes. Scunthorpe left wing back O’Malley offered with some bright runs but Scunthorpe were left exposed on times with County quick to use the right corner with some measured passes from Shephard. On 39 minutes, County won a throw in right side of the area which Lewis launched into the six yard box. Scunthorpe keeper Howard appeared to lose flight of the ball allowing it to drop to the floor and Collins reacted well to stab home inside the six yard box. County were in no mood to take their foot off the gas and another bright move on 42 minutes again on the right flank saw them pinch possession. Lewis pinpointed the run of Amond right side of the area and he cut back a clever pass to the “d” which Hartigan met first time but his effort was well blocked by Onariase. County worked an excellent intricate move on 44 minutes going through several players a cutting pass by Hartigan was fed into Labadie right side of the area. He drilled back a decent cross into the six yard box which Taft did well to clear ahead of Amond applying the finish. From the resulting corner right side, Sheehan picked out Demetriou front post but his header under pressure went wide of the right post. On 45 minutes, another slick low move by County saw Collins dart forward from deep and setup Labadie just inside him near the edge of the area. He side-stepped a tackle from Onariase and blasted a low shot which Taft got an important intervention to deny him. Scunthorpe were glad to get inside the changing room no doubt and re-group at half time with the game looking beyond them.

Surprisingly, no changes were made at half time by either side but Scunthorpe came out more bullish after a dressing down by their manager Neil Cox. County dealt well with the early pressure and continued to cause problems in transition with Collins busy on the ball. On 49 minutes, County had a corner left side which Sheehan worked short to Haynes and his first time cross was well met by Bennett who headed narrowly over under pressure from 8 yards. Scunthorpe upped their efforts off the ball limiting space but County combated this well when they kept their passing low and precise especially right side. Scunthorpe were keen to use their right side with Gilliead seeing more of the ball and his guile on the ball unsettled County into some untidy passes deep in their own half. On 55 minutes, Scunthorpe were awarded a good left side which Gillead delivered deeper and Onariase made a stretching header from 10 yards which looped just over the bar. Scunthorpe gained some confidence from their approach play and were close on 58 minutes when O’Malley stole the ball off Lewis and attacked space well before threading a pass left side of the area for Beestin. He cut back a decent cross into the area which Loft met with a firm header from 10 yards but it went straight at King. County responded with a counter from deep on 62 minutes with Labadie slicing through the middle and he struck an opportunist low effort from 30 yard which drifted wide of the right post. County made their first change on 63 minutes with Maynard replacing Amond. Scunthorpe maintained their positivity left side with O’Malley bright with his runs forcing Lewis deeper. On 65 minutes, O’Malley did well to release a quick pass to feet into Gilliead who drove though the middle but his low shot from 20 yards which King saved in the left corner. Scunthorpe were quickest to the loose ball and Beestin found Loft but his effort from 12 yards was well blocked by Bennett. Scunthorpe made a double substitution on 70 minutes with Eisa replaced by Green and Van Veen coming on up front for Loft. County responded with a triple substitution on 73 minutes which saw Dolan, Ellison and Gambin replacing Sheehan, Haynes and Labadie. County adjusted formation playing 3–4–3 with Ellison and Lewis working the channels. County went more direct and were close to another goal on 78 minutes when a direct kick by King went over the Scunthorpe defence caused indecision. Maynard nipped in to scoop a neat lob from 25 yards over Howard who was coaxed off his line and the ball bounced up and hit the bar allowing Scunthorpe to clear. Gilliead continued to probe away right side gaining some territorial possession. On 80 minutes, a cross from Gilliead into the County area was picked up on well by Beestin who struck a half volley from 14 yards well over the bar. County made their final change on 83 minutes with Collins replaced by Telford. On 85 minutes, County won a free kick after Dolan did well to forge his way and gain ground right side of the area. Dolan dusted himself down and put in an immaculate delivery into the six yard box which Demetriou anticipated superbly heading home powerfully. On 87 minutes, both Shephard and Green were cautioned after altercation left side of the County area which went against County. Van Veen took the free kick and curled a decent effort just over the bar from 25 yards. County kept working space intelligently and quick break on 90 minutes down the right flank saw Lewis attempt an audacious effort from 40 yards which fizzed just over the bar with the keeper scrambling back. Onariase was then booked for a clumsy tackle from behind on Maynard as he threatened to turn inside deep in the Scunthorpe half. Scunthorpe forced some late pressure picking up on some tired passes by County and Dolan did well to avert danger deep inside the area deep into injury time after Green had a snapshot well saved by King.

King (7) — kicked well on difficult surface from passes back and directed some neat kick from deep. Made some good collections and saves second half from snapshots in and around box.

Shephard (7) — put under aerial pressure a bit by Loft but unshaken. distributed well from deep and timed his tackles. Crosses made were set back too deep and did better linking ball in corner.

Haynes (7) — had good spell first half testing right back Howe and picked moments well to deliver crosses. Saw less influence second half and dropped in well to defend and limit space.

Demetriou (9) — dominated the headers, let very little goalside winning tackles and clearing strongly. Took his chances very well and could have had a hattrick quite easily.

Bennett (8) — gave good balance right side, broke up threat intelligently and played some measured passes from deep. Went so close a couple of times from set pieces without reward

Lewis (7) — got a little frustrated and was in and out of the game but did well to stem flow by left back O’Malley. Run into a few dead ends and did much better when he attacked from deep.

Labadie (7) — good touch, settled ball well and once he got it down made it hard to be prised away. Went close with a couple of snapshots from distance and picked holes well.

Sheehan (7) — came alive first half after a reserved start to the game and went close a couple of times in and around area. Put in some excellent set pieces and passes when he had runners.

Hartigan (7) — showed credentials when he had a ball and worked it efficiently. Competed well in the air and on the floor and sharpness in mind was key.

Amond (7) — drifted into good positions to pickpocket holes left by roaming wing backs. Restricted on chances but crosses from wide areas always had a bit of venom on them.

Collins (8) — bright with runs and bold final third when invited. Can improve link play and retention but showed some good tricks to get beyond last man. Got reward with long overdue goal

Strengths — were not brought out today at all. They showed spirit not to fold second half with best moves right side.

Weaknesses — right wing back didn’t look comfortable, overplayed long passes and defenders were erratic with distribution lacking composure when pressed.

Opportunities — matched County 3–5–2 after playing 4–4–2 predominantly. Left wing back did well especially second half but they never really changed formation

Threats — best moves went through Gilliead and crosses, O’ Malley asked questions left side. Beestin snapshots edge of the area.

OFFICIALS

C Hicks (8) — managed game well and never had to get cards out much until late bookings. Got key decisions right playing advantage well.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mickey Demetriou — lead team well, gave little change squashing threat early and passed effectively throughout. Took goals very well and may have had more.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County can be pleased with result and performance but have no time to rest on their laurels with the play off positions still unclear. Despite starting the game somewhat slowly they ramped up the gears well after scoring but will know they still to keep raising the bar and efficiency of their play especially in transition. Scunthorpe made efforts to block the flanks pressing play well and denying space, but were not able to sustain this approach and when they did relax, County punished them ruthlessly. Sheehan was well marked and it was important when Scunthorpe employed this tact, County had other options on and were alive to make things happen. Next up is leaders Cheltenham Town for the final home match of the season and although Cheltenham have been promoted tonight they will be pushing to keep pole position. County will undoubtedly have one eye on other results, but know that a win will put them in a strong position. Cheltenham have not waivered from 3–5–2 formation this season and key battles are likely to be from wide positions with both Hussey and Blair forceful wing backs. County need to stifle their threat out wide so as to restrict long throws and set pieces and be also prepared for the aerial duals near the flanks. Cheltenham have shown few chinks in their armour this season but have some fragility dealing with quick direct play so the alertness winning the second ball will be key.