County force late pressure but Crewe hold on

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1(Evans 64)

Crewe Alexandra 1 (Long 48)

Attendance: 3,926

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWdLDLWDLW

Crewe Alexandra WWWWDLLDLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Crewe are missing some key players through injury and recent form has dipped but not expecting any pushover with them lead at the back by former County defender Mickey Demetriou.

CONDITIONS

Cool, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch was in excellent position and quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Lacked energy in spells, played best football when ball kept low and efficient.

TURNING POINT

County changes after half time lifted the mood and energy

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with Bogle not in the squad and he was replaced by Palmer-Houlden. The game started slowly which set a trend with County thoughtful with passes and Crewe pinging some direct balls for former County striker Baker-Richardson to contest but the defence were untroubled. County were keen to press up high with Crewe playing out from deep and Palmer-Houlden and Evans unsettled the Crewe defence and keeper Booth into some rushed clearances. Crewe were keen to use their left channel with Long making the ball stick well under pressure. On 7 minutes, Long jinked inside from the left flank and drilled a low shot near the left corner of the box which Townsend saved well in the left corner. County responded with some decent moves on the “opposite” side to counter the threat with McCloughlin influencing the play. On 15 minutes, County worked a quick short corner left side which caught Crewe asleep and found Morris unmarked left side of the area. He adjusted well and drilled a low powerful goalbound effort which O’ Riordan managed to divert to safety. County worked some better moves through the phases in midfield when they kept the ball low and sharp. On 18 minutes, a fast break saw Evans escape the clutches of Demetriou and chop in an early shot right side of the box but Offord did well to block the shot. Crewe gained some momentum from patient low moves just inside the County half with Williams and Long forcing Payne deep and they won some long throws left side which Demetriou launched into the area but the County defence held firm. County made efforts to pick up their game but become bogged down into shunting the ball long and despite making a fist of the aerial duals they struggled to build momentum with Evans and Palmer-Houlden stifled. Crewe kept plugging away with some thoughtful moves and tested County with some crosses but Delaney and Clarke remained vigilant clearing well under pressure. On 28 minutes, Crewe created their first real chance from open play when Billington got into a more advanced position right to support a move and cut back a decent cross into the box and this time Baker-Richardson found a chink of light but his header from 10 yards was wide of the left post. Crewe won some corners from their pressure and had a half chance on 32 minutes when the ball sat up to Williams but he was unable to keep shot down under pressure. County had several opportunities to break in transition with Crewe happy to push players forward and when their moves broke down there was a vulnerability especially defending their left channel. On 38 minutes, a Crewe move broke down and Morris worked a pass to Bennett left side and his cross field pass found Evans who hit a shot on the turn from edge of the box which went just over the bar. County had a better spell of possession as half time approached playing further inside the Crewe half with some lower moves. On 45 minutes, a corner left side by McCloughlin was precise looping in to the back post and Clarke made a late run but couldn’t quite get enough to make it count and his header from an acute angle went into the side netting with the keeper Booth scrambling across.

Crewe started the second half better with County going into their shell. Baker-Richardson had a quiet first half and some early moves saw him dropping off to cause problems and link play. On 49 minutes, County failed to heed the warning allowing Billington space to roam forward right side and thread a pass out to Baker-Richardson who cut the ball across the box and Long stole in back post to score with the County defence ball watching. The goal made County flat as they struggled to find cohesion and they looked increasingly leggy and need of changes. Crewe continued to cause problems for a time with Baker-Richardson being allowed far too much space to drop off and orchestrate moves allowing Crewe the assurance to push on. On 52 minutes, another Crewe saw them threaten another goal with Baker-Richardson caress a low pass for Williams left side of the area but his decent effort was blocked by Payne. County were given another warning on 57 minutes when a direct move caused problems when Baker-Richardson span off a challenge by Clarke and feed Rowe right side of the area but Delaney recovered well to block the effort. On 62 minutes, Crewe then had the confidence to try their luck from distance with Long drilling a low shot from 25 yards which Townsend held well low down. County finally made some changes on 63 minutes with a double change that saw Bondswell and Waite replace Clarke and Charsley. County adjusted with Bondswell going left wing back and McCloughlin slotting into attacking midfield, Bennett dropping into a deeper defensive role and Baker going right side. Crewe responded with Tracey going left win to replace Long who had a decent hour after coming back from injury. The change settled County into a better rhythm and more importantly they gained a spring in their step. County were back into the game on 64 minutes following a snappy low move through the middle involving Waite. He linked with McCloughlin who despite getting the wind taken out of his low effort on the edge inside the “d”, Evans was well placed to slot into the left corner from 10 yards. County were energised by the goal and a valid looking call for a penalty on 67 minutes. Bondswell instigated the move from deep using his pace well to get outside Billington. He threaded a pass for Morris to latch onto left side of the area and pass inside found Evans who chipped a cross back into the box which appeared to brush the outstretched hand of Morford but the referee waved away protests gesturing it was “ball to hand”. County had the wind in their sails and kept probing with McCoughlin revelling into his advanced midfield role to cause problems for the Crewe centre midfield pair White and Adebisi. On 73 minutes, Williams was booked for a late high challenge on McCloughlin as picked a gap through the middle near the edge of the area. From the resulting free kick, Morris saw his effort blocked by the wall and Waite was alert to the rebound inside the “d” but dragged a low shot wide of the left post when he should have worked the keeper. There was another warning for Crewe on 75 minutes when County created a snappy move high up the pitch with Payne doing well right side to play a low pass to Evans inside the area. With Demetriou on his shoulders, he span off with a quick turn and struck a decent effort goalbound effort towards the left corner from 10 yards but Booth got an important hand on it to prevent a goal. Crewe made a change soon after in central midfield with White being replaced by Cooney who went right wing back with Billington going into midfield. Crewe went increasingly direct in the final stages to test County and reclaim some stake in the game. On 78 minutes, a long ball was latched onto by Baker-Richardson with County again slow to focus and clear effectively but the shot left side of the area was well blocked by Baker who made a great recovery. Crewe gambled making another change on 85 minutes with Nevitt coming on front in place of Rowe. Crewe had some momentum and were close moments later when a corner left side was whipped into the area and Demetrio directed a header into the six yard box and O’Riordan saw his header drift wide of the right post. Williams was injured with a nasty looking injury and had to leave the field which put on Crewe having used all their subs. County made one final effort to win the game pushing men higher up the pitch with Bondswell forceful left side. On 87 minutes, County had a decent chance when Bondswell threaded a low pass left side for Palmer-Houlden and he cut back a decent low cross near the byline but County had nobody alive front post and the ball was hooked clear. On 90+1 minutes, County had an even better chance with a move right side initiated by Waite. He linked well to find Morris who cut back a decent cross to the back post finding Evans in acres of space but his fist time volley from 12 yards from an acute angle went over the bar. On 90+2 minutes, County created a sweeping move left side with Palmer-Houlden angling his run left side of the area and his snapshot was parried around the left post by Booth. On 90+3 minutes, County looked certain to score when Payne ghosted into a good position right side of the box following a move deep inside the Crewe half. He adjusted well and drilled a low shot from 14 yards towards left post but Demetriou managed to divert for a corner. County made another change soon after with Wood coming on for Morris. County applied some late pressure in the 10 minutes of injury time but couldn’t find the killer touch. Crewe threatened from a free kick on 90 +8 minutes from the left flank which Adebisi delivered well into the area and Townsend made a brave save under pressure from Demetriou to punch the danger clear inside the six yard box. Demetriou was late with the challenge and somewhat fortunate not to be booked and had to receive extensive treatment before resuming and it was somewhat surprising he was allowed to continue following the new head injury protocols. The game ended all square which was a fair reflection overall with both sides defences largely on top.

Townsend (8) — kicked well from deep putting several kicks on a tee which County didn’t pick up on. Made some good saves low down and deal with crosses. brave save late on to tame Demetriou.

Payne (6) — forced deeper first half to deal with Long and limited threat well forcing runs inside. Came more alive late demanding more of the ball but lacked quality on crosses and final shot.

McCloughlin (8) — solid game, best moves came through him in transition first half and provided some good crosses which deserved better. Did well when dropped into advanced midfield role

Baker (6) — better game, distributed tidy and more focussed but put under some pressure by Baker-Richardson when he dropped off deeper. Needs to be more aggressive and win first contacts

Delaney (8) — won his aerial duals well and limited danger from direct ball well. showed some good awareness to link play and pick gaps left side which was important. Nuisance on set pieces.

Clarke (6) — did well first half to stifle long balls first half and kept discipline well but looked leggy, got more stretched by Baker-Richardson after half time allowing to much space and replaced early

Bennett (6) — off pace for a large periods first half but grew into the game moving passes well after half time. Got caught in between winning neither first or second ball and needs to pick his battles better

Charsley (5) — struggled to impact game, did a lot of chasing and close down without coming away with the ball and County were lacking a ball winner. Recycled passes well but replaced early

Morris (7) — effective left side with link play and provided some good crosses. Must have had more shots blocked edge of the box than any L2 player. Kept probing late on going close in around the box

Palmer-Houlden (6) — frustrating game, seemed to thrive better when ball was kept low and angle his runs to shoot but struggled to find space. Kept working hard off the ball which was important

Evans (7) — always looked most likely player to score. Did well in aerial duals but even better when he went on the shoulder of the last man, taking chance well. denied with several blocks edge of box.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Crewe Alexandra)

Strengths — they were technically sound and composed moving ball efficiently to use wide areas and offered compliment with direct play. Centre backs mopped up high balls well.

Weaknesses — played quite open system which better sides would punish. Both centre midfielders were slight, left gaps and not tacklers. Keeper flapped on several crosses but got away with it.

Opportunities — never really waivered from 3–4–3 and just changed personnel. Gamble to start Long after injury worked but gamble to use all subs very nearly backfired after late injuries.

Threats — Long made ball stick left side, read game well and eye for goal. Direct ball into Baker-Richardson when he dropped off. Demetriou long throws and headers inside the area.

OFFICIALS

B Speedie (7) — managed game well, consistent in approach which helped, reluctant to book and let game flow but ignored a valid looking penalty call.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ryan Delaney (8) — lead defence well, concentrated and disciplined. After Clarke was replaced he adapted well and made several important interventions and blocks.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County ended up probably thinking they could and should have won this tight game with Crewe a man down the last 10 minutes, but equally they could have lost this match in the passive fifteen minute period after half time. County had fired too many high hopeful balls first half and there needed to be more assertiveness through the midfield to keep the ball low and sharp, as when they did get firing with their patterns of play they had caused problems. It again took some belated changes on the hour mark to make this count, but by that point County could have been two nil down and out of the game. The changes that were made were effective and the right ones and for a time, County caused problems for Crewe but lacked the finesse inside the box to finish some bright moves off. The only real cause of concern was when they allowed Baker-Richardson to drop off and effect the game with the County midfield slow to react and assist the centre backs. County can also do better from direct play in picking up the second ball but understandably perhaps after several games they did look leggy in spells until the changes were made. If County can improve the final ball and delivery driving to the byline they will win more of these games. Next up is Sutton United away on New Years Day. Sutton have struggled in their second season in league two to make the same impact and have recently sacked manager Matt Gray. Sutton are likely to play a conventical 4–4–2 system with wingers and look to get their full backs to overlap and provide crosses. They will be missing aerial impact up top with Smith suspended, so key County are aggressive winning their first contacts from back to front and limit touches final third to work opportunities.