County forced back in their shell

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Holker Street

Barrow 2 (Kay 63, Gordon 78)

Newport County 1 (Azaz 10)

Attendance: 2,427

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLWLLWDDLW

Barrow WWdLLDLWLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Barrow are missing some defenders so key County ask questions of them but work hard to close down front to back and stifle their passing game.

CONDITIONS
Mild, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and quick.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
One step forward, enterprising 1st half and took two steps back 2nd half with defensive mindset and changes that backfired

TURNING POINT
County substitutions made them weaker and indecisive.

THE MATCH
County rang the changes with Mickey Demetriou not in the team Ryan Haynes returned to the side at left wing back with James Clarke switching across. Robbie Willmott was back in the side replacing Aneurin Livermore who was not in the squad and Fin Azaz replaced Oliver Cooper who was on the bench. There was another change up top with Courtney Baker-Richardson replacing Dominic Telford who was also missing from the squad. County made a forceful start to the game with some neatly constructed moves right side to win corners which Barrow managed to scramble clear. County used the direct ball with Fisher and Baker-Richardson doing well to unsettle the Barrow centre backs into mistakes. On 5 minutes, County were close when a Willmott corner right side was glanced just over by Fisher at the front post. Barrow were keen to play out from deep with Banks comfortable on the ball, pinging passes from right to left to test County. The game quickly settled into a pattern with County winning possession well in midfield and creating some neat passing moves. On 7 minutes, there was another warning for Barrow when a Dolan corner left side was allowed to drop and Azaz came onto the ball late but his snapshot from 10 yards was blocked well Grayson. On 9 minutes, Barrow broke from deep when Zanzala caught Upson unaware and his quick pass found Gotts. He hit an ambitious shot from 30 yards which Townsend saved comfortably low down. County kept pressing the right buttons and took the lead on 10 minutes after Barrow keeper Farman played a short pass at the back. Willmott stole possession and found Fisher who slipped a quick pass left side for Azaz to latch onto and he drilled a low shot from 10 yards at an acute under the keeper. County were buoyed by the goal and kept pressing for a second goal with Barrow struggling for cohesion. On 15 minutes, County won a free kick left side of the area and Dolan whipped in a decent delivery back which Baker-Richardson was close to but lacked anticipation at the vital moment. Barrow were keen to use their left side to test County with Kay offering an outlet but when they lost the ball, County were able to cause problems on the break. On 18 minutes, County had a decent opportunity from a break right side when Fisher drove down the flank and with both Axaz and Richardson well positioned for the early cross, some delay allowed Barrow to recover and Ellis intercepted the ball. Barrow made efforts to pick up their game going more direct but County managed the pace offered by Zanzala up front and clear. On 25 minutes, County were close from a long throw right side which Norman launched in well and Willmott lapped up the loose clearance and set up Upson but h scuffed his shot from 12 yards allowing Farman to launch a quick kick out which put County in trouble but they managed to hook the ball to safety. Barrow gained confidence from their counter attacking play and short corner right side moments later caught County napping. Gotts found Stevens and he blasted over from 10 yards under pressure from Clarke. The game became stretched with both sides looking vulnerable at the back and County were close on 30 minutes when a good break right side saw Willmott shoot low from distance but Farman held well. County opted to play deeper as half time approached and this set a precedent for the rest of the game with Barrow asserting their game much better. On 35 minutes, Barrow created another decent move left side through the industry of Kay and with County not switched on Gordon was allowed to ghost inside left side of the area but his shot from 14 yards was well wide of the right post. With County going into their shell, Banks became more influential on the ball for Barrow creeping up to pick passes from right to left. County had a great to chance to go further ahead on the stroke of half time when a corner right side by Willmott was glanced onto by Baker-Richardson inside the six yard box after some nervous Barrow defending but the cleared by Ellis. From the resultant corner right side, Willmott pinpointed Richardson at the front post and his deft flick from 8 yards was well saved by Farman keeping the hosts in game. Barrow continued to torment County left side and another quick move left side by Kay released Gotts who saw his shot from an acute angle well parried by Townsend in the left corner.

Both sides jockeyed for position early in the second half testing each other with more direct play which offered little quality. On 50 minutes, Barrow were allowed space to operate left side with Grayson supplying Zanzala with a direct pass. He brushed past a challenge from Clarke and struck an early shot from 25 yards which was well blocked by Dolan. County responded with a direct move on 52 minutes which should have saw them extend their lead when a quick break released Willmott left side and he played a low pass for Richardson to race onto. He carried the ball forward strongly but his low was less convincing allowing Farman to smother the shot. County made a surprise change soon after with former Barrow striker replaced by Jermaine Hylton. The change appeared to work against County with Barrow pressing up higher to force County deeper with both full backs Hutton and Brough coming more into the game. Barrow continued to threaten left side and were close again on 58 minutes when Stevens played a pass inside for Kay who struck a decent low shot from 30 yards which Townsend held well. Barrow made their first change on 62 minutes replacing Zanzala with Dimitri Sea which upped the attacking impetus they had. Barrow were level on 63 minutes with a well worked goal exploiting County who were happy to sit off and not challenge for the ball. The move started on the right side with Hutton making a strong run to exploit space and without a tackle coming he had time to pick out a square pass to the “d” finding the late run of Kay who had bags of time to slot into the left corner. Barrow gained confidence from the goal with County going into reverse with some poor decision making with their passes and poor retention final third. On 68 minutes, Barrow were again allowed to roam unchallenged right side with Gotts finding Stevens and he pass back inside found Gordon who hit a good shot on the turn from 20 yards forcing Townsend into a good save low in the left corner. Barrow made a change soon after with Kay forced off with a knock and he was replaced by Williams. County responded with a double substitution to pep up their game replacing Azaz with Abraham and Farquharson on for Dolan. Barrow kept forcing play high up the pitch and there were options for County on the break but poor passing and desire to win the ball allowed Barrow to maintain their momentum. On 78 minutes, Barrow got their reward for their dominance when another move left side saw Grayson ghost forward into acres of space and find Gordon. He made the most of the space offered to turn away from a challenge and expertly curled into the top right corner from 20 yards. Barrow made a like for like change soon after at the back with Jones replacing Grayson left side. County made efforts to pick up the tempo of the game which had gone stale for much of the second half with Willmott offering an outlet right side but County had little threat to worry Barrow left side. On 82 minutes, Willmott delivered a decent cross from the right side of the area which flashed deep and Clarke directed back a decent header into the six yard box but Fisher saw his ambitious overhead kick drop wide of the right post. Barrow worked hard to protect their lead and maintained their drive left side with substitute Williams chasing down direct play well. On 88 minutes, Farquharson was booked for a clumsy challenge on Williams as he threatened to cut inside on the left flank. Despite nearly 5 minutes of injury time, County failed to put a glove on the Barrow defence and the best they could offer was from direct play with searching passes for Abraham. Barrow held on for deserved win with and were close to a third when a quick break on 90+4 saw Williams set up Gotts but his snapshot from 25 yards was well blocked by Clarke.

Townsend (7) — kicked and distributed well but overplayed some kick outs second half. Made some good instinctive saves to deny Barrow before they equalised handling well.

Norman (6) — did well in air but got forced deeper and deeper under pressure by low several moves left side and indecision in making tackles impaired his game.

Lewis (5) — started well imposing is game in tandem with Azaz but struggled with his defending on times getting brushed off ball too easily and loose marking.

Dolan (6) — organised well when he was on the pitch, passed well to coordinate some good moves first half, but defence looked ragged when he was replaced

Clarke (6) — did a job left side but looked less comfortable than playing right side. Put under some pressure from pace later in the game. Went close on a couple of set pieces.

Haynes (5) — did well when side were on top overlapping well and provide crosses but looked less assured when asked to defend and be compact with poor marking and indecision.

Upson (6) — had a decent first half, got on the ball and sharpness to avoid pressing with quick passes was key. When forced deep was made to look poor and influence waned.

Willmott (6) — forceful spell for half an hour linking several good moves and provided fair quota of crosses. Sat back to defend for large spells and never really got to grips with it.

Azaz (7) — had an excellent first half, timed his runs well and passed intelligently when there was movement on display. Took goal well and was replaced far too early.

Fisher (6) — made things happen first half, won aerial duals and linked play well and went close from the crosses when ball played early. Struggled to make impact second half and retain ball

Baker-Richardson (7) — decent game, showed an appetite to get across defender and offered pace in behind. Deserved a goal for his efforts and momentum was lost after he went off early.

Strengths — created some dynamic moves in transition especially left side and get men in box quickly. Worked hard to protect their lead and up work ethic second half

Weaknesses — defence struggled to deal with pace when ran at and defending on set pieces inside area was nervous. Left a lot space middle of pitch which better sides would have punished.

Opportunities — started playing from deep but switched to more direct cohesive game playing higher up pitch second half which paid off.

Threats — Kay offered outlet left side and shots from distance, Stevens roamed well to link. Gordon strong holding ball under pressure and eye for goal.

OFFICIALS

B Madley (7) — pretty anonymous, kept game flowing and ignored some of the pulling and clambering but got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jordan Stevens — on loan from Leeds Utd, had extra stamina and cuteness on the ball, timed his runs well and set up several decent opportunities with his range of passes.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started the game with a positive mindset and were well on top for the first 30 minutes but couldn’t find the second goal you felt they needed in this match. The starting line up was much changed (some enforced) and whilst it didn’t burden County in early stages, it made them more unpredictable and there was always vulnerability with their defending, standing off play far too much second half. The changes made also back-fired big time with Baker-Richardson and Azaz key in a lot of the best moves first half, so it was strange they were taken off early. County worked some good efficient moves first half when they took less touches of the ball and were undoubtedly the more accurate side passing. County then went into a dangerous shell allowing Barrow to regain their initiative when they should really have kept probing with the gaps Barrow were prepared to offer on the pitch. It was enough for Barrow to up their work ethic in the latter stages and the changes made by County offered little threat and teeth final third. Next up is Scunthorpe United at home and a chance to bounce back. Scunthorpe should not be underestimated as they have prowess at set pieces but if County can offer the same energy and cohesion they offered in spells tonight they will do damage to static Scunthorpe defence.