County gain assured win from their game in hand

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Blundell Park

Grimsby Town 0

Newport County 2 (Twine 25, Amond 45+1 pen)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WWWLWWDWDW

Grimsby Town LdWLLLLWLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County will be keen to make most of their game in hand and can cause problems against a Grimsby side who have leaked goals. Important they do the off the ball work as well

CONDITIONS
Cold, damp light drizzle and keen breeze. Pitch was quite slippery in parts but even surface.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Comfortable for large spells, resolute when needed, thoughtful passing and enterprising final third.

TURNING POINT
Second County goal gave them some breathing space but lost momentum a bit after Haynes went off

THE MATCH
County made a change in defence sacrificing Matt Dolan to the bench with captain Josh Labadie returning after suspension as they switched to 4–2–3–1 formation with Amond up top. Robbie Willmott was introduced in attacking role right side and Kevin Ellison left wing in place of Scott Bennett and Tristan Abrahams who were substitutes. County took the bull by the horns with an energetic start and were awarded a free kick inside the first minute in a dangerous position right side of the area after Willmott was checked. Willmott took the free kick and it had venom on it with Labadie making a late run to glance a header on from 8 yards but the ball crashed against the left post. County continued to enjoy plenty of the ball forcing Grimsby to defend deeply and a measured pass from Demetriou on 3 minutes forcing Grimsby keeper Russell into a rushed clearance edge of the area. County dominated possession early on but Grimsby were effective on the counter with former County academy prospect Owura Edwards lively dribbling right side. On 10 minutes, Grimsby burst forward after some loose play by County with Hewitt driving into space and escaping some weak tackles. He did well to find Gibson edge of the area and his snapshot right side of the area was driven wide of the right post. Grimsby eased their way into the game with some low passes and decent movement on the break but County maintained their grip of the ball well with Sheehan pulling the strings. County worked some good passes into wide area with Ellison doing well in air and combine with Haynes. On 20 minutes, County created a more cutting move right side with Shepherd and Sheehan prominent. The cross was played back right side of the area inviting Twine to shoot but his low effort from 10 yards fizzed just wide of the left post. Grimsby made efforts to test County with balls in behind but both Demetriou and Cooper adjusted well to clear the danger. On 25 minutes, Haynes did well to force his way left side and when he cut inside Grimsby right back tangled with him and was booked. From the resultant free kick, County went ahead when Twine struck a dipping effort which appeared to deflect off the top of the wall flatfooting Russell and drop into the right corner. Grimsby opened up using their pace well with Edwards and Gibson lively but they were often left exposed at the back when moves broke down. On 28 minutes, an effective counterattack by County right side by Willmott came close to providing another goal when his cross into the six yard caused panic and the loose ball eluded Ellison. County kept their passing smart and efficient with Grimsby struggling to contain and they were awarded another free kick in a decent position when Twine was clattered from behind by Waterfall. Twine dusted himself off to address the free kick from 30 yards which Russell saved low down. County were rewarded with a few corners from their pressure with some thoughtful moves working openings but Grimsby managed to get the ball safe. On 42 minutes, another County free kick through the middle invited Twine to shoot from 25 yards but his effort was well held low down by Russell at the second attempt. The game was littered with fouls as half time approached but crucially County were awarded a penalty in added time after a neat move right side of the area involving Shepherd and Willmott who found Twine. He showed quick feet to brush past former County midfielder Danny Rose who mistimed his challenge. Amond stepped with a calm low finish into the right corner beyond the grasp of Russell.

There were a couple of changes introduced at half time with Grimsby replacing Rose for Windsor who went up front alongside Gibson and Edwards. County were forced into a change with Haynes suffering a knock and he was replaced by Dolan who went centre back with Demetriou deputising at left back. Grimsby offered more energy and tested County were a couple of opportunist crosses which drifted harmlessly out. Edwards continued to offer main threat for Grimsby and he coaxed a cheap foul from Willmott on 50 minutes in a dangerous position right side. Windsor took the free kick a blasted a powerful effort against the bar catching County keeper Townsend off guard. Grimsby maintained their drive but overzealous in challenges on times and Taylor was booked on 52 minutes for a silly challenge on Cooper. County kept plugging away and despite enjoying less possession they were quick to work the ball wide and were close again on 62 minutes from a set piece right side. Dolan delivered an excellent delivery into the area which sat up and Labadie pounced but hooked over the bar from 8 yards. Grimsby pressed hard to contain County and limit their possession but they continued to yield some free kicks for County which they always looked capable from. On 65 minutes, another free kick by Dolan caused problems when Cooper rose strongly and despite Grimsby getting an interception in, Twine got in a quick shot from 14 yards which flashed wide of the left post. County picked up their game again asserting their authority but were forced into change on 68 minutes after Labadie was caught very late low down by Waterfall who was booked. County introduced Bennett for Labadie and also sacrificed Ellison for Abrahams. On 72 minutes, County carved open a decent move left side when Abrahams got ahead of Waterfall right corner and opened up to provide an early cross which Amond hooked just over from 10 yards with back to goal. Grimsby responded with a couple of changes to pep up their game with Edwards replaced by Williams and Starbuck for Gibson. The change raised the bar a bit for Grimsby with them settling into a good passing rhythm but the County defence maintained their focus keeping them at arms length. On 78 minutes, County had a half chance out of nothing when a quick throw by Willmott left side of the area found Sheehan who drove into space but he dragged his effort wide of the left post. Grimsby maintained their energy well in the last 10 minutes with some good moves right side but the final ball was lacking. On 82 minutes, Grimsby left back made a determined solo run to left side of the area and break inside past Shepherd but his shot was well held by Townsend. On 85 minutes, County made another change with Devitt replacing Amond and Grimsby responded with Morton on for Taylor. On 88 minutes, County swept forward from deep using space invited down the right flank with Shepherd decisive. He delivered a great cross into the six yard box which Abrahams stretched a leg to meet but the touch was faint and drifted wide of the left post. County won a free kick in a decent area early in added time when Abrahams coaxed a late tackle from Bennett. Devitt took the free kick but his effort was rash and went well wide of the right post. Despite some late Grimsby pressure, County held on strongly content to keep the ball in the corners and gain a win to strengthen their position at the top of league two.

Townsend (7) — kicked well under pressure and distributed effectively with accurate kick outs. Not overworked but showed safe hands to deny a couple of shots from distance.

Shepherd (8) — was at the heart of the best moves first half, got his tackles in early. Was alert getting forwarded into some prominent positions and provided fair quota of crosses.

Haynes (7) — was put under some pressure by Edwards but limited threat well. got forward with some well timed runs and showed flexibility to go inside when invited before being replaced by:

Dolan (7) — saw less of the ball but swept up danger efficiently and distributed well. provided several decent set pieces second half which unsettled Grimsby defence.

Demetriou (7) — made some strong headers and intercepted well, distributed strongly when turned back. Did a good job filling at left back despite being forced back to defend second half

Cooper (7) — dealt with the aerial duals but less assured with ball at feet and slipped a few times. Took a few knocks in the match and mobility seemed to suffer a little because of it.

Labadie (7) — patrolled box to box and broke up play effectively winning his challenges and passed well. had a couple of chances in and around the box unlucky not to score..

Twine (8) — got on the ball well, crafting some decent chances, especially first half with quick thought and protected ball well when he had it. went close several times from distance after his goal

Sheehan (7) — was prominent first half developing space and was accurate with his passes. Got forced deeper after the break but still managed to effect game ghosting in with some late run.

Willmott (6) — worked hard throughout and had some spells influencing game final third providing several decent crosses. Made less impact after booking and sat much deeper.

Amond (7) — made himself available and retained well under pressure, stole into decent positions across the face of the area, linked play intelligently and was close to scoring from knock downs

Ellison (6) — was effective in the air when ball worked wide, combined well with Haynes in support but struggled more when isolated struggling for sharpness and heavy touches let him down.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they showed plenty of spirit and energy second half and had more possession and passed well

Weaknesses — bit naïve on times, conceded several fouls in threatening areas and were fortunate not to concede more. Final ball was lacking and ultimately cutting edge.

Opportunities — they elected to turn County around for large parts of first half but showed more patience on the ball second half but less threat.
Threats — Edwards offered pace and trickery, Windsor had eye for goal and best moves went through him second half. Hewitt eye for a killer pass

OFFICIALS

A Backhouse (8) — managed the game well and despite being lenient on encroaching was consistent and got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Scott Twine — had a hand in both goals and could have had more himself. Won several free kicks and never allowed the Grimsby defence to relax.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were dominant for large spells despite having less control of the ball overall creating several enterprising moves. They worked several decent chances especially first half and when they kept their passing precise and not untidy, Grimsby were more than often in trouble especially from set pieces. Grimsby were more forceful after half time, pressing harder as a unit but County showed invention to play wide in transition. County showed flexibility to play a back four again, as an alternative, and the front three behind Amond worked well until the forced changes after half time interrupted their flow. County defended their box well second half under pressure, but can improve on their tackling through the middle. Next up is Leyton Orient away with both sides familiar with each other after the FA Cup game. Orient have a decent front line with Wilkinson a key outlet and Johnson runs off with an eye for snapshots and Sotiriou threat on counter left side in transition. This game could be a war of attrition after a few tired legs so the bench will be key again.