County hold out for a gritty point

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: St James Park

Newport County 0

Exeter City 0

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WWLLLWDddW

Exeter City LLLWLdWLdd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Exeter will be earmarking this game as a must win, so key County match their work ethic and do the basics well. Exeter have conceded some late goals so key County manage game well.

CONDITIONS
Sunny clear and warm but quite gusty wind. Pitch looked a bit bobbly in parts but maintained condition well.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Disciplined and focussed defensively, competed well but bit reserved final third.

TURNING POINT
None to note.

THE MATCH
County retained the same starting side that won mid-week against Crawley but had Matt Dolan back in contention on the bench. County started confidently playing into the keen breeze with some well worked low moves to work the hosts around. Exeter mirrored County playing 3–5–2 and were keen to use their right channel at every opportunity with the wind encouraging play into the right corner. County were vigilant stifling the Exeter moves with right wing back Caprice busy. On 7 minutes, a snappy Exeter move right side saw them win a free kick when Bowman angled his run out to the right side of the area. Sparkes took the direct kick but squandered blasting well over from 25 yards when he should have worked County keeper King. County struggled to settle into any rhythm with Exeter denying them space and County were given another warning on 12 minutes when Caprice stole into a good position right side of the area. He dinked in a searching cross which tested the County defence but Bennett did well to head clear the danger. On 15 minutes, County had a free kick in a decent position on the left flank after Atangana was coaxed into needless foul on Labadie. Haynes put in decent delivery from the dead ball which Collins was close to getting to back post but some indecision let Exeter off the hook. County gained some confidence forcing Exeter deeper and a more direct move on 20 minutes carved out a half chance with Amond showing good awareness to supply Lewis after a late run right side. He struck a first time effort but it was rash going high and wide of the right post from 16 yards. Exeter kept persisting right side with some measured passes and neat build up play through Collins but the crosses were more hopeful than pinpointing anyone. County were forced to play on the break and a good counter on 23 minutes saw Collins make a strong run through the middle and link with Lewis just inside the area but unfortunately the ball appeared to get stuck under his feet and Exeter smothered the shot. On 26 minutes, County worked a decent situation from a corner left side which Exeter ushered to the edge of the area and Shepherd was well positioned to hit a first time volley but Hartridge got an important interception in. On 30 minutes, County were even closer when Demetriou did well to orchestrate a move just inside the Exeter half and forge his way down the left channel. His cross pinpointed Collins inside the area and he stole in with a decent header from 10 yards forcing Exeter keeper Andresson into a save in left corner. Exeter kept pressing buttons to work the ball wide when invited and a decent move on 35 minutes with Taylor prominent saw him deliver a decent cross but the County defence got it safe despite being under pressure to clear their lines. County had a couple decent situations on the break especially right side but were let down with some of their passing a bit wayward. On 40 minutes, Exeter worked arguably their most cutting move of the half again right side from a quick throw inside their own half. Jay did well to combine with Caprice and the cross dinked high into the area was met by Taylor but well blocked by Bennett. Exeter were nearly caught out on 42 minutes pushing several men forward and a swift County break left side saw Collins stretch play well. His early cross into the area picked out Amond but Hartridge did well to deny Amond with Exeter centre backs McArdle and Sweeney well behind the play. On 44 minutes, County were close to opening the score when a neat move across the face of the area saw Amond and Collins show good movement and have vision to pick out the late run of Sheehan. He adjusted well and blasted a low shot from inside the “d” forcing Andersson into a good save in the left corner. From the resultant short corner left side Sheehan found Haynes who picked out Amond in a deeper position but his header from 10 yards went straight at the keeper.

County started the second offering promise when Labadie pinched the ball of Atangana deep inside his own half and he drove forward with a piercing run through the middle to find Sheehan let side of the area. Hee found Collins and he side-stepped a challenge from Sweeney and drill a low shot from 10 yards which the keeper held at the second attempt. Exeter were forced back but County were kept on the hop with some breaks from deep by the hosts. On 50 minutes, a move left side saw Jay turn provider with Collins overlapping left side of the area but he shot from acute angle went well wide of the left post. County created some sporadic moves left side with Haynes seeing more of the ball and there was a moment of anxiety for Exeter on 53 minutes when his early cross into the area was cleared by McArdle but sliced just over the bar. Exeter made their first change on 55 minutes which was tactical with Key replacing Caprice as they adjusted to a more attacking 3–4–3 formation. Exeter became more urgent in their approach playing often electing to play direct with some kicked launched from deep to test County but he defence remained focussed clearing the crosses well to safety. Another Exeter change on 62 minutes saw Exeter replace Atangana with Seymour as they continued to push men forward. County made some effort to use their left flank with Collins roaming into some decent positions. On 65 minutes, a cross left side by Collins asked questions and a late run by Hartigan nearly paid dividends when he latched onto the ball quickest but his snapshot left side of the area was blocked by Sweeney. Exeter kept probing away right side with Key seeing plenty of the ball forcing Haynes deeper but County contained the threat well. On 75 minutes, Sheehan was caught late from behind by Taylor who booked and Sheehan also got a card for his reaction to the challenge. Exeter made some further changes on 80 minutes replacing centre back McArdle with Fisher who went up front and Williams who went left midfield with Sparkes dropping deeper. Moments later Exeter worked a glimmer of chance from a direct move right side with Key latching onto the pass but his effort right side of the area was rushed going wide of the left post. Exeter kept forcing the issue pushing several players forward with County struggling for retention final third. On 83 minutes, Exeter broke left side after possession was lost cheaply and Collins worked back to make up for the mistake but was booked for tangling with Sparkes. On 85 minutes, Exeter were close when some indecision by County allowed them to pickpocket and break left side and Williams delivered a decent cross into the area just beyond Fisher. With Exeter committed to pushing men forward, they were left vulnerable at the back in final minutes and County had a couple of decent opportunities to punish them. On 85 minutes, a direct move by County right side saw Lewis do well to pinpoint the run of Amond. He clipped a decent ball for Collins to run onto but his shot from an acute angle was tame and diverted wide. County replaced Collins soon after with Maynard introduced. On 88 minutes, County won a corner left side after good work by Labadie to press Sweeney into a mistake. The corner was swung in low to the front post and Labadie was close but his low effort under pressure drifted wide of the left post. Exeter opted for direct balls and swung in some hopeful crosses in injury time but County held out strong. In the final minute 90+4, a snappy County move right side saw Maynard do well to beat Sparkes to the ball. His low cross was anticipated well by Amond at the front post but in the melee the effort was diverted away and the ball went agonisingly across the line but County only had Hartigan in close proximity allowing Exeter to clear their lines.

King (7) — kicked well under pressure especially first half when County turned back. Made some good punches when tested by crosses and kept defensive organised.

Shephard (7) — won some good headers and tackles keeping focus to deal with direct play. Saw less influence in Exeter half forced deep on times, but distributed well

Haynes (7) — worked hard, had to contend with much of the threat first half but got tight to deny crosses and despite being restricted on crosses offered the best quality on the day.

Demetriou (8) — was asked questions of throughout but dealt with Exeter moves right side. Dominated the aerial duals and worked back like a trojan to clear danger effectively.

Bennett (7) — had a good duel with Bowman but was strong in the air and unshackled keeping composure to pick out some good passes. Went close on a couple of set pieces

Lewis (6) — drifted in and out of the game a bit. Offered more threat from wide positions first half when he timed his runs but crosses lacked venom. Forced deeper late on and kept focus.

Labadie (6) — competed well in the air, less dominant on the floor, did better when he broke up play and attacked from deep but looked a little leggy on times today with chances at a premium.

Sheehan (7) — had a good first, picked his battles to break forward with some dynamic runs and offered the main threat. Turned shots a few times second half and needs to be a bit greedier

Hartigan (7) — played quite deep first half but was sharp with his use of the ball when he won possession. Got up higher later and may well have won game with more conviction inside area.

Amond (6) — worked tirelessly, did his best work outside the box turning provider but threat was lessened as a result. Had a couple of headers and glimmer of chances front post

Collins (6) — offered plenty of pace and menace from direct runs. Was most effective when he went through the middle, stole into some decent positions but end of product was lacking.

Strengths — they limited chances on crosses, clearing aerial balls well and denied space pressing well as a unit.

Weaknesses — persisted with right side and were predictable on times with hopeful crosses lacking patience to work moves final third. Looked weary late on leaving space through the middle

Opportunities — matched County 3–5–2 after playing 4–4–2 predominantly and elected to get ball wide and fire in crosses. Pushed men forward early in second half but lacked cutting edge.

Threats — Bowman was robust in the air, Jay linked in around area. Collins eye for a quick pass and cross

OFFICIALS

R Lewis (8) — decent game, was bit lax on not getting players back ten yards but interpreted game well, did his best to let a scrappy flow and got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mickey Demetriou — dealt with everything Exeter threw at County right side forcing them switch to attention to the left side later in the game. Was well positioned and focussed under pressure.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

The glorious sunshine on a green pitch were deceiving and such were the stakes, it was key that County matched Exeter’s work ethic first and foremost. They did that in abundance, but never really got into a position to sustain pressure and gain a real foothold in the game. County defended well, never shirking responsibility but lacked quality final third and perhaps lacked energy to make that late run, needing more boldness, turning down shots sometimes looking for the extra touch or pass. It was surprising after keeping the same side from mid-week changes were not made earlier with Exeter looking the more weary side defending and error prone passing late on. Exeter worked very hard to close down and press mistakes but you felt with some changes up top late on County could pinch a win with more gaps being left with them gambling. Collins got into some prominent positions but the shots were too weak to trouble and with Amond being asked to turn provider and drift outside the box, Exeter were largely untroubled. Hartigan had another decent game and did show some capability to pick holes in around the box with his sharpness of mind but County need runners around him and certainly need to be more dynamic final third. County will need to more assertive in the final matches with the remaining two play-off positions still up for grabs. They may well need to freshen the pack for the visit of Scunthorpe United this Tuesday to add more guile final third from wide areas and set pieces. Scunthorpe have employed 4–4–2 but have conceded a lot of goals in recent games, although they do carry threat from direct play with Van Veen an aerial outlet and Loft an eye for snapshots, but the main creativity comes from Gillead right side which County need to stifle.