County made to rue missed chances

Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

West Ham United 2 (Wilshere 43, Fornals 65)

Attendance: 6,382

Form:

Newport County DdWWdW

West Ham United LDWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County retain the same line up but West Ham have made several changes throughout, so key County get at them early in game and don’t allow them to settle into any rhythm.

CONDITIONS
Cloudy, mild with some very light rain showers. Pitch in excellent condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Good spells of pressure without reward and got punished for mistakes

TURNING POINT
Amond save at point-blank range mid-way through the first half.

THE MATCH
County made just the one change with reserve goalkeeper Nick Townsend replacing Tom King who was on the bench. West Ham were patient and neat with their early exchanges with both full backs flexible pushing on in support. On 5 minutes, County snapped out of their shell with a good move left channel and Dolan was caught late by Ajeti tracking back to tackle. Willmott whipped in a vicious delivery low into the six yard which West Ham keeper Jimenez Gago held well. West Ham were dynamic on the break looking to sweep forward at pace and a neat move left side on 7 minutes initiated by Creswell released Antonio but he pulled up with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Anderson who went left midfield with West Ham retaining their 4–5–1 formation with Ajeti lone striker. County settled down after some early West Ham moves that they kept at arms-length with some measured moves either side of 18 yard box but West Ham were able to stifle and get safe. West Ham persisted with pushing their full backs forward to overlap both sides with Creswell left side and Zabaleta prominent right side. On 15 minutes, Creswell carried his run to support a move through the middle when play was switched right to left. He cut back a pass to pick out Fornals late run just inside the area and his first time shot jumped low and hit the left post before County scrambled the ball clear. County were forced to play direct on times using Abrahams as an outlet but they were more cutting when they kept the ball low and precise. On 18 minutes, West Ham carved out a half chance when Ajeti won the ball on the right side of the area. He had vision to pick out Snodgrass who jinked inside before curled a low shot which Townsend saved and held well low down. County kept working well to close down putting pressure on the West Ham defence with the centre backs looking uncomfortable on times. On 23 minutes, Abrahams did well giving Diop little time to breath with the ball at his feet and he prised the ball away. With West Ham exposed he showed good vision to set up Amond who was free inside the area and his low shot was pushed away by Jimenez Gago. County gained confidence building some decent moves right side with McNamara and Willmott doing well with the ball at feet. County were rewarded with a couple of corners from their approach play on the right flank. On 27 minutes, Willmott direct a corner from the right which Amond dropped off to win a header deep in the area which dropped into the six yard area just beyond a touch to finish by Sheehan. County continued to attack the right side well especially when West Ham moves broke down. West Ham had a huge let off on 32 minutes when Willmott did well to thread a pass for Whitely on the right flank and he penetrated inside the area before drilling in a low cross which Diop stretched out to clear inches wide of the left post. County retained a decent tempo to their game coaxing West Ham into conceding some cheap free kicks. On 35 minutes, County were awarded a free kick in a threatening position deep inside the West Ham through the middle but his effort went straight at the keeper. County had another opportunity on 38 minutes when Willmott won a great tackle low down against Creswell on the right flank and recovered to deliver a great cross first time into the area. West Ham made an anxious clearance to the “d” which Dolan was well positioned to latch onto, only for his low shot towards goal hit Abrahams who was in an offside position. County relaxed after a decent spell allowing West Ham force them deep again. On 43 minutes, County appeared to have had a West Ham move tamed with Howkins winning a tackle but some indecision on the ball allowed Wilshere to pinch it from him in and County were left exposed in the middle. Wilshere made the most of the opportunity to drive to the edge of the area and finish low into the right corner. In first half injury time, West Ham made a snappy counter through the middle with Wilshere again showing the vision to thread a low through ball for Fornals who struck a low effort from 20 yards which Townsend saved well low down in the left corner.

West Ham came out after half time seeking to reassert their control of the game with some patient moves in the final third. County marshalled the threat well and remained a threat on the break with Sheehan and Dolan combining well. On 52 minutes, Sheehan won a good challenge with Wilshere in the middle and drove into the gap before slotting a pass out wide for the Willmott. He darted beyond Diop and cut back a vicious low cross into the six yard box which was inches from being turn home by Whitely. West Ham continued to probe away on the right side with Zabaleta influencing some intricate moves and Sanchez growing into the game in central midfield. West Ham forced a couple of corners right side from some intricate moves involving Snodgrass and Zabaleta. On 60 minutes, a right sided corner by Snodgrass was met late by Ajeti but his header under pressure from 6 yards went wide of the left post. County were forced to drop off and defend deeper with West Ham dominating possession and they made a double substitution on 65 minutes to freshen their approach with Whitely and Dolan replaced by Bennett and Maloney. West Ham went further ahead moments later from a patient move left side involving Creswell and Sanchez who released a low pass down the left side of the area. County were turned back by the run of Anderson and he did well to cut back a low cross into the six yard area and Fornals was well positioned to stab home. County made efforts to pick up their game with Abrahams and Amond working well in tandem but often they were left isolated and the moves fizzled out. On 70 minutes, County were close when a Willmott corner right side was met by Howkins from distance but his header clipped the top of the bar. West Ham showed their pedigree again on 80 minutes with a patient precise move going through several phases. Fornals show quick feet on the edge of the area to find Wilshere and his crisp effort was just wide of the right post. County made another change soon after with Collins replacing Willmott and West Ham made their first chance with Wilshere sacrificed for Coventry. On 85 minutes, County were again close from a set piece with Haynes showing his prowess to take a decent corner right side which Howkins met well with a downward header from 10 yards but Jimenez Gago was alert to save low down in the left corner. County kept pressing winning a free kick in a decent position on 88 minutes on the right side of the pitch. From 25 yards, Haynes was inches wide with an effort that dropped past the right post and bar. Then on 90 minutes, a move that summed up the evening for County when they again exploited a mistake from West Ham with Sheehan winning the ball off Sanchez. He exploited space well but saw his rasping effort from 20 yards strike the bar and go to safety. West Ham were untroubled in the four minutes of injury time to seal their place in the third round.

Townsend (6) — showed good hands to claim crosses and shots, distribution was a little erratic when put under pressure from kick outs.

McNamara (6) — had spells under pressure and was overworked on times being forced to turn back. When he was bold and got forward he did well providing some measured passes

Haynes (7) — lots to contend with left side with Zabaleta and Snodgrass picking holes but provided some decent crosses back post which deserved better. Set pieces were cutting and difficult to defend.

O’Brien (6) — did well in aerial duals and marked Ajeti well knowing when to drop off and get tight. Cleared effectively when rushed or turned back.

Howkins (5) — rarely troubled in the air and was always a threat from set pieces. Panicked with ball at feet in lead to first half and needs to work on his composure to pass simple.

Dolan (6) — better game and seems to be building back sharpness after injury. Had a good hour, working hard to get the ball and keep play ticking over before fading.

Willmott (7) — had a very good first half, did a lot of good work on and off the ball reading game well. Set up some neat crosses to unsettle West Ham defence but saw less threat after the break.

Sheehan (7) — got in amongst it well and was bold when he got into the final third with his passes. Forced to drop deeper second half but deserved a goa late on for his efforts.

Abrahams (7) — caused problems for West Ham central defenders with his closing down and never allowed them to rest. Saw less of the ball second half but didn’t get disheartened.

Whitley (6) — his runs were hard to track when County were on top but had long spells not in the game. Needs to work on his retention and decision making final third and get more shots in.

Amond (7) — had his early effort gone in things may have been different, but kept working to provide an outlet and showed his prowess heading today, in and around the area

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were good in possession and flexible across the pitch. Both full backs pushed high causing problems and their transition game to counter was effective.

Weaknesses — both centre backs were slow with decision making and fortunate to escape. They were overzealous on times pressing for ball and gave quite a few free kicks away

Opportunities — kept to the plan and never really waivered, playing slick on the break to work width and measure low passes in behind.
Threats — Wilshire was on the ball a lot and crafted a lot of the best moves, Snodgrass and Zabaleta worked in tandem left side and Fornals runs through the middle into the area.

OFFICIALS
S Martin (7) — got key decisions right but didn’t seem to want to book anything and was keen to let the game flow ignoring some fouls second half

MAN OF THE MATCH
Jack Wilshire — not the biggest player but technically he was cut above, shifting ball into areas to hurt County and snap up all the loose play. Went close several times from distance

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will look back on a few chances that got away today. The first goal was always going to be important and to be truthful they had a real purple patch mid-way through the first half which merited a half time lead. West Ham improved second half as expected and it was unfortunate that County had too much to do despite a late rally. They will have learnt a few home truths from this game and there were plenty of positives with the sharpness and use of the ball final third. Abrahams and Amond showed a good understanding when they got on the ball final third with plenty of invention and awareness which never allowed West Ham to settle. County return to league action next visiting Forest Green and know that a positive result can firm up their place in the upper reaches of the table. Forest Green are likely to play with a false number nine but have a nimble front three of Grubb, McCoulsky and Mills who will offer energy left side with direct runs. County will need to be sharper with their decision making from back to front and close down collectively not allowing Forest Green to play out from deep.