County late late show digs out a point

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Dolan 83, Zanzala 90+2)

Crawley Town 2 (Telford 37, 67 pen)

Attendance: 4,184

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DWLLWLWLDd

Crawley Town DLLWLdWLLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Crawley have lost their last four games and ridden by internal politics with their management team leaving over Christmas. Expecting them to be fired up so County need to match their work ethic.

CONDITIONS

Mild, sunny with light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Very Jekyll and Hyde. Leggy, passive and didn’t look like scoring until late changes were made.

TURNING POINT

Series of changes second half improved County

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with Moriah-Welsh not available and he was replaced by James Waite. There was another change up front Zanzala sacrificed to the bench allowing Wil Evans an opportunity up front. County made the early running with some low moves inside the Crawley half but were given a warning on 2 minutes when Bogle was cheaply dispossessed of the ball by Francillette just inside the Crawley half. Following a quick move right side former County striker Dom Telford cut back a decent pass across the face of the area and Tsaroulla ghosted in untracked but his first time effort from 20 yards went over the bar. County kept plugging away with some thoughtful low moves and they had a great chance to forge ahead on 5 minutes after breaking up a Crawley move through the middle. Bennett won his tackles and Bogle released an excellent through to release Evans right side of the area. He had pace to carry his run into the area but the shot was weakly lofted allowing Crawley keeper Balcombe to parry the ball right side and smother. Crawley gained confidence from sporadic breaks from deep with Tsaroulla purposeful left side supporting Otah and Mason right wing. On 13 minutes, County had a half chance through the industry off Norman who delivered a decent cross which Bogle made stick and he adjusted to clip a first time shot from 12 yards which Ransom deflected over the bar. County kept probing away to work some decent situations final third and put crosses into the area but Bogle and Evans were often second best allowing Francillette and Ransom to clear the danger ahead of them. Crawley persisted with the tactic of stifling and moves into Evans and Bogle and picking holes on the break with Mason and Balagzi lively with the ball at their feet and the County midfield porous. On 20 minutes, Crawley had a decent opportunity breaking right side Balagzi finding the run of Mason and his crisp shot right side of the area fizzed over the bar. County responded with a better move on 22 minutes playing Crawley at their own game when Lewis snapped into a challenge to win the ball off Jenks. He darted forward and drilled low shot from 25 yards narrowly wide of the right post. County won a free kick right side of the Crawley area on 26 minutes which Lewis delivered well inviting Evans to head from 10 yards but the effort was disappointing going well wide of the left post. Despite having more territorial advantage mid-way through the half, all County could muster were throw ins largely right side which Crawley managed well and their inability to read the second ball made them vulnerable to the counter. On 30 minutes, County had Lewis somewhat harshly in the book when he was forced to cover a passing mistake left side and he caught Mason late. Crawley kept plugging away right side and won a corner on 36 minutes after some good work again by Mason. Oteh delivered a decent cross which Francillette got a touch to and despite it being blocked he was quickest to the loose ball. The cross back near the left byline was poorly defended by County and Telford made the most stabbing home from six yards with the County defence ball watching. County were very fortunate not to be further behind on 38 minutes when some poor retention inside the allowed saw Bogle gift the ball to Oteh. He played a quick pass through a huge gap in the static County defence allowing Fellows to steal in goalside but the shot from edge of the area was parried away well by the alert Day. On 40 minutes, a move right side saw Bogle turn provider in the right corner with a decent cross into the area but the header from Evans from 6 yards went straight at the keeper. County had another decent situation on the stroke of half time when Waite drove near the right byline but his cross into the six yard area failed to pick out the runs by Bogle and Evans and Ransom cleared the danger.

County huffed and puffed in the early stages of the second half with some better retention but they were finding it hard to break into the final third and hurt Crawley. County won a couple of throws Demetriou launched in but Crawley remained resilient and focussed clearing. County made a much needed double substitution on 54 minutes with Waite and Evans replaced by Wildig and Zanzala. County upped their efforts and Zanzala wasted no time making an impression when a quick move left side saw Lewis find Zanzala left corner of the area. He jinked inside creating some anxiety in the Crawley defence and his low shot from 14 yards was well held in the left corner by Balcombe. County created a better energy and vibe forcing Crawley to concede several fouls inside their own half. County had to be alert to the sucker punch with Oteh lively left side and a decent move in transition on 60 minutes saw him find Telford. He span well and struck a low shot from the edge of the area which take read well holding in the right corner. Crawley introduced a change on 62 minutes with Oteh sacrificed for Khaleel left side and Powell coming in a holding role in central midfield in place of Jenks. On 63 minutes, County had a half chance from a free kick right side which Adam Lewis whipped in with some quality but Norman somehow managed to head over inside the six yard box when it looked easier to score. On 65 minutes, County manufactured their best move of the game with Adam Lewis again showing prowess to make things happen. His cross into the box fizzed low into Bogle near the penalty box and despite not getting a good touch he managed to set up Aaron Lewis near the edge of the area. He adjusted well to scoop his effort towards the top left corner which Balcombe made an instinctive save to parry away for corner. Crawley remained positive attacking from deep with Tsaroulla busy left side and his endeavour won a penalty on 67 minutes coaxing Bennett into an untidy challenge. Telford stepped up slotting low into left corner with Day going the wrong way. Telford was then booked on 72 minutes for tangling with Farquharson as he carried the ball out from deep. County gambled with a response making a triple substitution on 75 minutes what saw Dolan replace Bennett, Willmott on for Bogle and Collins on for Demetriou. County adjusted to employ a 3–4–1–2 formation with Collins going up front to partner Zanzala and Wildig just in behind. Collins started to give some much needed verve and width playing in a wide position. County had a good situation on 80 minutes when Norman released a good quick pass right side for Collins. He had the measure of the covering centre back Ransom but a heavy touch near the penalty area forced him wide and the shot from an angle was blocked. Crawley made another change on 82 minutes with Chukwuemeka replaced up front by Davis. County kept up the tempo shifting the ball quicker and drawing fouls. On 82 minute, they were back in the game penalising an indiscretion this time when Norman whipped in a great cross which Dolan met perfectly heading into the top right corner from 10 yards. Dolan took a grip of the middle of the pitch instigating some good moves and he was crudely taken out by an overzealous challenge on 85 minutes by Davis which got him a quick booking. There was another booking for Crawley on 88 minutes when Francillette made a tired challenge on Willmott right side which got him a booking. County threw in some crosses to test Crawley and had claims for a penalty turned down moments later when Willmott had an effort charged down. County kept pressing with Collins providing some good ammunition from wide areas and they won a corner on 90+2 minutes following a teasing cross left side. From the resultant corner right side by Adam Lewis, Zanzala again showed his predatory instincts to head home into the top right corner. Following the goal, there appeared to be altercation between County manager Graeme Coughlan and Crawley deputy manager Darren Byfield which saw them both sent off. County kept forcing for a winner in the 6 minutes of injury time with a couple of crosses and set pieces being hooked away by Crawley. There was a late chance for Crawley snatch a win when Balagizi did well to find Telford who forced his way goalside and angled his run left side of the area. With County stretched, Drysdale came across to impair the run of Telford and his presence did enough for the shot from 12 yards to be scooped over the bar.

Day (7) — kicked well under pressure but was a little hesitant on times which created uncertainty. Made a couple of important saves when left exposed which proved important.

Adam Lewis (7) — missed a few tackles but showed his value again with quality of crosses and was at the heart of both goals. Need to be bolder focussing on strengths

Farquharson (6) — did his job in the aerial duals but didn’t make enough interceptions allowing Telford to spin too easily. Went close on couple of set pieces at the back post.

Demetriou (6) — two tough games appeared to have caught up with him. struggled with movement dealing with runs by Mason but got ball safe in the main clearing well.

Drysdale (7) — the more solid reliable defender today and made a massive recovery late in the game to put off Telford. Won some good headers and when he shifted ball from under his feet he did well.

Norman (6) — had difficulty getting outside Tsaroulla and did better when he set back his crosses early with whip on them. Won some good headers but got a bit bogged down and frustrated.

Bennett (5) — another player which looked jaded and clear falling short in making his normal quota of tackles. Provided some neat low passes but never really got on the ball enough

Waite (5) — flat game, needed to get closer to Bogle and didn’t pick enough of the second balls. Getting bullied off the ball too much and saw very little end product from him today.

Aaron Lewis (6) — made more tackles than any player and when he picked his battles he drove into some good positions. Went close on a couple of efforts in and around the area.

Bogle (5) — left far too isolated first half, made to look poor and let down by retention often which put side in trouble. Needs to get his marker quicker but did better when he floated wide of the area.

Evans (5) — could have had a hat trick with better finishing, worked hard to unsettle but lost the ball too cheaply on times and replaced early after fading.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Crawley Town)

Strengths — centre backs limited space well and strong in aerial duals. Never really changed tact, sat in and tried to counter attack using guile of Telford up top to link and craft openings.

Weaknesses — both full backs small but not punished in aerial duals, offered space better sides would have punished and gave away several free kicks cheaply when County ramped up tempo late on

Opportunities — remained organised with 3–4–3 formation working the ball wide and low. Offered some threat from more direct play when County were gambling later in the game.

Threats — Mason and Oteh offered pace and dribbling. Telford eye for a shot in and around the area. Tsaroulla runs in transition supporting moves left side.

OFFICIALS

A Young (7) — left some cynical fouls go unpunished but got key decisions right allowing game to flow and managed temper of the game well

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nick Tsaroulla (Crawley 25) — did a good job to stifle and was composed under pressure. Timed runs forward to knit play and won penalty. Kept Norman relatively quiet

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Having put in two promising hard working performances against AFC Wimbledon and league leaders Leyton Orient, County failed to match the same aggression and desire. The side looked laboured and possibly tired from the previous excursions. County missed the influence of Moriah-Welsh in midfield and it was clear early in this game that the biggest problem and vulnerability they had was when Evans and Bogle were unable to lock the ball in and were not getting across their markers. Crawley gambled on pressing up and sweeping forward from deep and County encouraged it with too much ball watching in midfield with Waite and Bennett not reactive enough to the second ball and things were impaired with Norman and Adam Lewis too introverted. County urgently needed changes at half time and it felt too late but credit must be given to players that came on second half that turned the game. Dolan, Wildig and Collins did their chances of starting in next away match against Rochdale no favours. County need to learn fast from their failings today and can’t expect to play for 20 minutes in League Two to win games. Rochdale are likely to play a 4–2–3–1 formation using Quigley up-top as an outlet with key support and pace in behind from Rodney and Odoh. Rochdale will need to come out but County need to tame their runners and squash their outlet to buy time and build momentum. They will have the tools to win the game but may need to keep patience and focus in this one.