County make their dominance count

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Shephard 52, Lewis 90+10)

Crawley Town 0

Attendance:

Form:

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Crawley Town DLLLdLdWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Crawley have been inconsistent but are on edge of play offs so will need to come out. County need to build on Cambridge game and keep variety to their game but improve quality final third

CONDITIONS
Clear, mild and light breeze. Pitch looked quite dry beforehand but some overwatering made it quite slippery in parts

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Thoughtful variety passing ball well and creative final third stamping authority second half.

TURNING POINT
Shephard goal gave platform County needed.

THE MATCH
County made a few surprise changes to their starting line-up with goalkeeper Nick Townsend replaced by Tom King and Ryan Taylor was sacrificed for Anthony Hartigan who slotted into central midfield. Lewis Collins came into the side in place of Kevin Ellison who was on the bench with County reverting to 3–5–2 formation with Haynes, Demetriou and Bennett centre backs and Shephard and Lewis acting as wing backs. County issued a warning inside the first minute with a cutting move from deep right side when Bennett threaded an excellent pass right side which Amond picked up on and he cut a neat pass inside for Collins to latch onto. Collins drove into the area beyond the last defender and his low shot 12 yards drifted just wide of the left post. County worked some good moves sustaining their pressure with Crawley left back Craig being put under pressure. County were rewarded with a couple of long throws either side of the areas with Lewis showing prowess to deliver deep inside the area. On 10 minutes, County changed tact well with short throw left side of the area and Sheehan dinked over a useful cross which Bennett anticipated but could only poke a shot from 10 yards straight at the keeper. On 13 minutes, County were close to taking the lead when an intricate move through the middle saw Labadie break up play quickly and find Sheehan. He darted into space and struck a decent low effort from 30 yards which Crawley keeper Morris managed to tip onto the left post and even though Amond was alive to turn home the rebound he was adjudged to be offside. Crawley came into the game more with some moves right side to test County and turn them back on their heels. On 16 minutes, a Crawley corner was worked the front post and cleared toward Matthews right side. He ghosted inside past Lewis and elected to strike an early strike but it was rash going well wide of the left post and bar. County kept probing away down the flanks with Haynes coming into the game and he tricked right back Davies into a late tackle when he cut inside left side of the area and the referee issued the first yellow card. Crawley were untidy with their distribution on times with Nichols offering an outlet but County were quick to stifle and force them onto the back-foot. Sheehan influenced some cohesive low moves for County especially right side forcing Crawley deep but they managed to contain and intercept crosses. Another bright move on 28 minutes saw Sheehan release Lewis left side of the area and his snapshot from an acute angle was diverted for a corner by Morris. County were rewarded with a series of corners right side on the half hour with Crawley struggling to clear their lines. Then on 32 minutes, Shephard delivered an early cross right side into the heart of the Crawley area and Collins anticipated well and appeared to be pulled back Tunnicliffe but the referee ignored the appeals for a penalty. Crawley flirted with goal on 38 minutes with a rare foray up the pitch and the cross by Nadesan found Nichols but the header from 8 yards was well wide of the left post. County applied some pressure on the stroke of half time and a Sheehan corner left side was met well by Demetriou who directed a header to find Amond but his shot on the turn from 8 yard crashed against the bar.

Crawley appeared to make a tactical change at half time changing from 4–4–2 to mirror County playing 3–5–2 with Craig going left centre back and Tilley left wing back with Davies right wing back. The change settled Crawley into some better approach play and they pushed up more cohesively as a unit. County kept probing away with Shephard coming more into the game right side and in tandem Haritigan and Sheehan crafted some neat play for County to attack through the middle. On 52 minutes, County got the goal their play merited when Hartigan played a quick pass into space right side for Shephard to attack into. He cut inside leaving Tilley in his tracks and blasted an excellent low shot from 25 yards into the left corner. Crawley made a change soon after with Rodari replacing Matthews right midfield. Crawley picked up their game offering more desire off the ball with Nichols seeing more of the ball and he coaxed Hartigan into an untidy tackle from behind on 58 minutes and was booked. County remained bold when invited with some forceful runs down the flanks and Haynes showed flexibility on 63 minutes to cut inside past a couple of players. He held off before directing a decent low effort from 20 yards which Morris reacted to holding the ball low down. Rodari offered some energy right side forcing Haynes back to defend and Crawley created their first effort on goal on 65 minutes. Rodari delivered a deep cross from the right flank which Nichols anticipated with a late run but the header from 10 yards was well held by King. County were put under some disjointed pressure and Sheehan was booked on 68 minutes for contesting a decision with the referee to vigorously. Crawley made another change on 75 minutes with centre midfielder Powell on for Tilley with Crawley reverting back to 4–4–2. County picked up their game swapping Lewis to the right flank and Shephard tucking inside which allowed Haynes to push on left wing back. This move settled County with Lewis causing problems with some direct runs at left back Craig but the Crawley defence remained resolute dealing with the aerial ball. County made another change on 80 minutes up top with Maynard on for Collins and he was soon influencing matters working well with Amond. On 82 minutes, County went through the middle with Labadie finding Maynard in space near the “d”. He turned into space and had an opportunity to shoot but generously set up Amond who saw his first time effort from 10 yards well blocked by McNerney. Tunnicliffe was then booked for Crawley for what appeared to be dissent contesting a free kick given against after a move in the right corner. On 85 minutes, Crawley made another change with Sesay replacing Craig but County continued to cause problems right side. Moments later a clever through ball right side from deep by Bennett caused confusion with Crawley turned back to defend and a collision by Tunnicliffe and keeper Morris saw the centre back come off worse. After several minutes of treatment he was able to continue somewhat gingerly. Crawley were dealt a blow on 89 minutes when Nichols contested a direct ball left side but a stray elbow appeared to catch Shephard in the face giving the referee little choice to send him off. County had a great chance to kill the game almost immediately when Maynard did well to shield a direct pass left side and his intelligent pass inside released Amond. With Morris committed he looked favourite to round the keeper but a late intervention saw the ball smothered at his feet. With several interruptions second half, there was 10 minutes of injury time for County to manage. Crawley picked up their game again despite the handicap winning some free kick deep inside the County half but King claimed well under pressure. County were happy to run down the clock holding the ball well left side under pressure with Crawley looking somewhat jaded. County sealed the game on 90 +10 minutes when a quick throw left side of the area by Haynes caught Crawley napping with Labadie driving inside from the left byline. He picked out Maynard who lined up a neat pass for Lewis right side of the area who finished expertly from 10 yards with a low finish into the left corner.

King (7) — had few efforts to worry about which were on target. dealt well with passes back under pressure and kicked long. Made some good claims on crosses put in second half

Shephard (8) — did well playing somewhat deeper first half and pushed on to effect game well second half with some good decisions on the ball. Took goal very well with precise strike.

Haynes (7) — less comfortable at centre back, didn’t have his own way in the air but stole forward to provide some good neat crosses in transition. Went close a couple of times from distance.

Demetriou (8) — dominated aerially winning some powerful headers and cleared well when turned back to defend. Was sharp with passing picking gaps well to initiate moves higher up pitch.

Bennett (8) — stifled well with well timed tackles and strong fending off challenges. Distributed well with some excellent measured passes right side and so close again for a goal from set piece

Lewis (8) — offered flexibility to swap sides and ask questions particularly second half testing left back. Brave in tackles, put in several good crosses from wide areas and took late very well

Labadie (7) — spent too much time on the floor first half but when he stood his ground to break up play and work gaps with some dynamic runs he was effective. Impacted less after knock.

Sheehan (8) — much better game, roamed and pick holes with neat passes and cut back some deft crosses from tight positions. Unlucky not to score with couple of well struck efforts fro distance

Hartigan (7) — did a good job in the heart of the pitch and was alert getting onto second ball well. offered a good range of passing and competed well off the ball.

Amond (7) — ghosted into some good positions and had a couple of decent chances inside the area. Shielded back well under pressure and linked play effectively.

Collins (8) — worked hard on and off the ball. made some bright dynamic runs, always most effective when he broke through the lines with pace and deserved a goal for his efforts.

Strengths — centre back won most of the aerial duals, they offered some cohesion through the middle when they had the nerve to pass but not sustained.

Weaknesses — both full backs were ordinary and error prone, centre backs slow when turned back. Lack physicality up front and unable to retain possession.

Opportunities — they changed their shape several times and probably had best spell when they mirrored County 3–5–2. Rodari gave some impetus second half attacking right flank.

Threats — Nichols was main creative influence with crosses. Rodari width right side and eye for a cross. McNerney / Tunncliffe set pieces headers.

OFFICIALS

A Young (7) — got key decisions right, did his upper most not to book cynical play and let game flow but came down on dissent and back chat quicky with cards

MAN OF THE MATCH

Aaron Lewis — came into team to deputise as left wing back but shows value with flexibility and drive. Worked both full backs who will glad to see the back of him and richly deserved late goal.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County bossed much of the first half limiting the Crawley threat but they had to remain patient without getting reward. The craft and flexibility was key today forcing Crawley to change their tactics but when County found the channels blocked, they were effective moving the ball inside with some of the best moves through the middle. County worked their best threat today when they took their throws or set pieces quickly often catching Crawley out when they were still organising. Collins had an enterprising game with his off the ball work not allowing the Crawley defence to settle but equally Amond and Maynard showed good understanding late in the game. Next up is Exeter City away which is looking to be a defining game now in the play off race. Exeter have been struggling for consistency but do have capability up front with Jay and Bowman industrious and both decent finishing and County will need to switch on to deal with direct play. They are unlikely to sit back and will set their stall out to press up high and win possession to feed Williams right side. First and foremost, County need close them down and match their work ethic even it means a dirty game and bide their time in this one.