County mugged

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Gander Green Lane

Sutton United 1 (Milsom pen 45)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 3,447

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County WDWWWLdLWL

Sutton United WWLLDWLLWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Sutton have strong home record so key County do the basics well and learn from previous game. County need to restrict threat from wide areas and be prepared to go through the middle

CONDITIONS
Warm sunny and breezy. Pitch in decent condition and quick on top after pre-match watering.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Did well box to box, dominated possession, limited threat but couldn’t unlock the door.

TURNING POINT
Had the sliced clearance from Sutton gone in rather than hit the post, outcome may well have been different.

THE MATCH
County made a few changes to accommodate a 532 formation with Haynes and Street replacing Lewis and Baker-Richardson who were on the bench. There was another tactical change with Dolan slotting into defence in place of Cain who was substitute. County started with purpose and a good build up to a low move on 5 minutes invited Demetriou to cross inside the middle of the pitch but his cross was overplayed. On 7 minutes, Norman did well to support a move right side and his cross into the area was just to high for Haynes at the back post. County continued to enjoy plenty of possession with some intricate moves through the middle but Sutton were able to recover and block efforts from Azaz and Demetriou. Sutton elected to play direct to relieve pressure with some hopeful passes hooked on right side for Ajiboye to chase down but the passes were overplayed. On 16 minutes, County had a decent opportunity when they chipped a cross into the area from the left flank with Haynes pinpointing Bennett. He shifted a lobbed pass right side of the area to find Waite in space but his effort was pushed away and claimed at the second attempt by Sutton keeper Bouzanis. On 18 minutes, County took a quick free kick left side with Haynes finding Dolan just inside and drilled a decent low effort from 25 yards forcing the keeper to parry around left post. Sutton made efforts to gain a better foothold of the game with some direct play to use Bennett but County remained vigilant with Dolan organising well at the back. County were keen to use their right flank with Norman competing well in the air and they forced some pressure deeper inside the Sutton half. The hosts were struggling for cohesion but looked to switch play from left to right but overplayed several passes. County were quick to stifle Sutton attacking their left side with Telford and Azaz working hard off the ball to deny Boldewijin and Milsom space. County kept pressing the right buttons offering more energy and better care with the ball through the middle of the pitch but with Street and Telford were marshalled chances were at a premium. Sutton were happy to stifle and pick holes and persisted with direct balls right side to release Ajiboye on the break. County then flirted with goal on 33 minutes when the ball sat up for Dolan but he was unable to keep his shot down from 30 yards and it the ball drifted wide and high of the left post and bar. On 40 minutes, there was a warning for County when the lost the ball cheaply in the right corner after some good work by Azaz but in transition Sutton switched play from left to right pinpointing Ajiboye in space but the pass was overplayed and run harmlessly out for a goal kick. Sutton were forced into a change on 43 minutes with captain Eastmond pulling up tracking back to defend and he was replaced by Smith. County were keen to push on and continued to ask questions with Azaz supporting with runs right side. After being in control, County switched off on 45 minutes when a throw by Day left side into Haynes was pinched by Milsom and the ball hooked right side for Ajiboye who won the race ahead of Bennett who was covering back. He jinked inside near the right corner of the area and coaxed Bennett into a clumsy stray of his leg to block him and the referee awarded a penalty. Milsom took the penalty which was slotted low into the right corner with Day going the wrong way. County forced a corner right side deep in injury time which Dolan whipped in well to find Demetriou but his header from 10 yards under pressure looped harmlessly over the bar.

Sutton had Bennett in the book on 47 minutes for a late aerial challenge putting his arm across Clarke. County maintained their energy and worked a decent opportunity on 52 minutes with a move right side of the area. Bennett did well to accurately clip back a deep cross which Waite anticipated in the air but Davis did enough to intercept for a corner. County kept forcing the issue winning some throws in right side with Norman competing well in the air against Milsom. On 55 minutes, County won a long throw right side of the area which Norman launched deep and Telford glanced his header from 8 yards just wide of the left post. With Sutton struggling to clear their lines County were close again on 57 minutes when Haynes directed a good cross left side towards the back post which Telford did well to read and his header back to the penalty spot sat up inviting Street to shoot but his was unable to keep the volley under pressure down. Sutton were reliant on direct play with some disjointed moves to unsettle County but Clarke and Demetriou were quick to win their tackles and break up play. Sutton were very fortunate to maintain their lead on 67 minutes when a wild swipe of clearance by John on the edge of the area sent the ball over the keeper for an own goal but the ball struck the right post and they were able to clear the loose ball. County kept pressing and working the width well with Norman and Haynes available. On 72 minutes, Haynes linked well with Dolan near the left flank and his deft cross dropped deep towards Telford but the stretching header from 10 yards drifted wide of the right post. Sutton then had their keeper Bouzanis booked moments later for time wasting on a goal kick. County went into a 4–3–3 formation on 78 minutes with Bennett replaced by Baker-Richardson with Dolan reverting to centre midfield. County were close again just after from a long throw right side of the area by Norman which was only half cleared and Waite smashed a low shot from an acute angle narrowly wide of the right post. On 80 minutes, Sutton threatened out of the blue when Olaofe contested a long ball which was not cleanly won and Ajiboye seized the loose ball but thrashed a half volley wide of the left post from 25 yards. On 80 minutes, County had Norman in the book for a late aerial challenge on Boldewijin and Sutton left back Milsom was booked for dissent. Sutton made another change up top on 83 minutes with Bugiel replacing Bennett and they prised a chance almost immediately with a direct move right side of the area caught County napping. From an acute angle, Olaofe directed a low shot but Clarke did well to intercept the shot. County made some late changes starting with Collins replacing Waite on 85 minutes. County remained positive with some efficient exchanges to work opportunities and Baker-Richardson was cynically tripped making a strong run through the middle which coaxed John into a very tackle and he was booked. County made their final change on 89 minutes with Ellison coming on for Street and another decent move on 90+1 minutes saw Clarke impeded by Boldewijin who was booked. County threw in some crosses in the 4 minutes of injury time which Sutton dealt well and County were unable to test the Sutton keeper. Dolan got a late booking for contesting a decision but the hosts held out to protect their home record.

Day (6) — had just one shot to save and well protected by the defence. Kicked well to clear danger under pressure and distributed effectively.

Haynes (6) — offered balance left side. pushed back first half to defend more and coped well with Ajiboye. Saw him further up pitch second half but hesitant on times giving up on chasing down.

Norman (7) — had some good penetrative spells, competed well in the aerial duals and provided several decent long throws. Restricted on crosses and forced deeper late on.

Demetriou (7) — focused dealing with direct play and won his headers and key tackles. Went close a couple of times on set pieces but needs others to step up as often well marked.

Clarke (7) — did well to limit threat in the air from Bennett and made some good interceptions in and around the box. Cleared well from deep positions when turned back.

Dolan (7) — did a good in deeper defensive role, organised well and kept passing simple but tidy. Provided some good set pieces and unlucky with shots from distance.

Azaz (6) — frustrating game, got crowded out with runs into the corner and let down by some loose passes. Did his best work running through the middle rather than wide areas.

Waite (7) — had a couple of decent chances from an acute angles right side of the area. Did well probing through the middle but needs to get an earlier shot in on times.

Bennett (6) — battled away and did best to support moves final third, drove forward with some bursts into the area and provided some decent crosses. Lapsed jumping in needlessly on penalty.

Telford (6) — worked hard but well-marked again in and around area and shots blocked. Starting to pick up more space from crosses and really should have buried one of the headers.

Street (6) — got in some good positions but got bullied a bit in the air with shirt pulled off him and needs to stand up for himself more. Choked on a couple of decent chances again inside the box.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — centres back won majority of aerial duals and clear their lines under pressure. Dug in under pressure and attack wide areas.

Weaknesses — left side Boldewijin and Milsom checked back neither forceful on left foot. Centre midfield left gaps better sides would have been punished.

Opportunities — struck to 442 and made like for like changes. Many thrust of attack was in transition using right side and gameplan to win set pieces.

Threats — Ajiboye pace and energy right wing. Bennett aerial threat and best low moves went through him.

OFFICIALS

O Yates (7) — kept game flowing best he could and booked when necessary getting key decisions right. Odd just 4 minutes injury time with the time wasting and number of substitutions made.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ben Goodliffe (Sutton 5) — steady calm influence under pressure, won practically all headers and diverted danger keeping at arms-length tracking runs.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

It was a travesty County lost this game as it was a much improved performance and they controlled much of the game without reward for their methodical approach play. They limited the threats from Sutton but switched off with one lapse on the stroke of half time allowing Bennett to be exposed to the pace of Ajiboye which was not the most sensible option. County worked several good moves right side and the only counter option Sutton had was in the switch from left to right when moves broke down either with Azaz or Street losing possession cheaply. The changes made offered more balance in the team and after stifling Sutton in wide areas they had periods of dominance second half but the crosses or set pieces lacked quality. County had a couple of decent chances off long throws but can do more to improve the set pieces or corners were too predictable or limp allowing Sutton easy headed clearances. County will be more angry than disappointed that they allowed this one to get away as they did more than enough but lack of killer instinct is holding them back. Next up is Colchester United back at Rodney Parade this Friday and County need to take out their frustrations on them with high intensity on the ball. County dropped points in the away match at Colchester allowing Sears to nip in and pinch a late goal. Colchester are most likely to play a 4–5–1 formation with Sears or Akinde main outlet up front with Chilvers creative support in behind.