County need to get back to basics quickly

Report from Mark Vickery at St James Park

Exeter City 1 (Martin 14)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 5,968

Form:

Newport County LDWWLWWLDL

Exeter City WdWWDWWLWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Exeter are in a good form despite conceding three goals at home in the last game they do have capability going forward. County need to manage threats and be decisive when they get chance to push on.

CONDITIONS
Intermittent heavy rain showers and swirling wind. Pitch at Exeter looked worse condition in many years, heavy and worn in parts.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Restricted on chances, disjointed and poor decision making killing momentum.

TURNING POINT
Exeter goal was enough of a platform for them to protect.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes from the Morecambe game Saturday with Mark O’Brien injured allowing Ryan Inniss to return to the fold after a sickness bout. There was another change in midfield with Scott Bennett replacing George Nurse who was on the bench. County persisted with their 4–4–2 formation with Josh Labadie pushed forward in the diamond with Josh Sheehan in behind with Scott Bennett sitting deeper alongside Taylor Maloney. Exeter made the more forceful start pushing wing back high with Sparkes left side and Williams right side. Exeter worked a couple of early corners left side profiting on some hesitancy by County clearing their lines. On 7 minutes, there was a warning for County when Exeter worked a short corner left side allowing Sparkes the luxury to whip a decent cross into the area which caused problems but Demetriou got the ball safe. County were largely direct in their approach playing some searching balls to Matt who did his best to retain possession under pressure but Exeter were quick to pick up any bit and pieces when County failed to hold the ball. Exeter continued to work the ball sharper with Sparkes quick to exploit left side and look for the quick through ball to find Bowman and Martin. Exeter were keen to use their right side using the pace of Williams who has provided the most assist in the League Two. On 14 minutes, Williams turned provider when he slipped a low pass right side of the area for Bowman. He cut back a low cross into the area which Taylor hit on the turn from 10 yards which Demetriou blocked but Martin was quickest to follow up and make the most of the space invited blasting home into the right corner from 12 yards. County made efforts to pick up their game with direct play by passing the midfield but unable to make the ball stick the ball kept coming back with County forced to turn back and give away corners. County dealt well with the crosses and had a couple of opportunities from deep with Matt winning some aerial duals but Amond not alive to the ball dropping in behind. On 24 minutes, another slick Exeter move right side saw Martin do well provide a neat lay off for Bowman and he struck an opportunist effort from 25 yards which was deflected wide of the left post. County created their best moves when they broke up play in middle and worked the ball with efficiency of touches. On 26 minutes, Matt did well to peel off a challenge under pressure from Martin and caress a pass to feet to find Sheehan inside the “d” and his snapshot fizzed just wide of the right post. County did better breaking up the moves final third by Exeter with Inniss and Demetriou winning their tackles early but County were struggling to create any enterprise out wide. On 35 minutes, a move that typified the predicament County are in currently saw them work a decent passing low passing move on the right corner of the area. McNamara made a rare foray forward to support and link right side of the area but his cross was tame putting little pressure on Exeter keeper Maxted. Innis was on the end of late challenge defending another Exeter corner on 40 minutes and had to receive treatment for a knock to midriff but recovered to continue. On 42 minutes, County created another decent move right side forcing Exeter to defend deep inside their own area with Amond releasing Matt and he tricked his way to the byline. He showed good vision to pick out the late run of Sheehan but his effort from 12 yards was skewed wide of the left post from a difficult angle. Exeter continued to menace on the right side with Williams having the pace to beat Haynes but he did well to mitigate the threat tracking back to recover. On the stroke of half time, County flirted with the Exeter goal when Maloney poked a weak shot from the edge of the area which Maxted was comfortable dealing with. In first half injury time, Exeter threatened a second goal when Williams did well to read a header glanced on by Laws and his dangerous cross was cut out by Innis ahead of Bowman. In first half injury time, after another Exeter corner, Bowman was somewhat lucky to stay on the pitch when he kicked out at Labadie and in the altercation both players were booked.

County made a double substitution at half time with Tristan Abrahams replacing Padraig Amond up top and George Nurse introduced for Taylor Maloney in midfield. Exeter had the wind behind them second half and made the early running. On 48 minutes, Sweeney burst forward from deep to support a move right side and his low effort forced Townsend to save low down in the right corner. Despite being under pressure, County had opportunities to break on Exeter but poor decision making playing short in the own half allowing Exeter to pickpocket them and put them under more pressure. On 55 minutes, County lost possession cheaply allowing Exeter to sweep forward down the left flank with Law and Sparkes combining and the low cross into the box was cut superbly by Sheehan tracking back to defend. County won a couple of free kick in decent positions with Abrahams providing an outlet and Exeter looked less comfortable in the aerial duals. On 57 minutes, County had a corner right side which Haynes took and despite the delivery going somewhat short and low Nurse picked up the loose ball and his decent cross back into the six yard box was stabbed low by Bennett but Sweeney intercepted the danger. County then had Abrahams needlessly in the book for contesting a decision what went against him in the left corner. Sparkes continued to cause problems for County with some bursting runs left side put McNamara under pressure. On 68 minutes, Martin made a direct run at McNamara and he slipped presenting a big gap left side for Sparkes to latch onto the pass in space but Inniss did well to intercept at the last moment. On 75 minutes, County were awarded a free kick in a decent position down the middle of the pitch. Sheehan delivered a good delivery into the box which Exeter again struggled to clear and Nurse blasted a decent low effort from 12 yards which Maxted held well low down. County made an attacking change on 78 minutes with Lewis Collins coming on up front to make up a 3–4–3 formation. County had a bit more of the ball in the final ten minutes turning Exeter back on their heals to defend and clear their lines. On 85 minutes, Exeter replaced Sparkes with Archie Collins on the left flank. On 87 minutes, a direct more decisive move by County saw Matt do well to head into the path of Collins. He cut inside dynamically towards the “d” and struck a low effort to work Maxted but it lacked venom. Exeter made another change on 90 minutes with Seymour replacing Martin. County kept plugging away with Collins doing well to influence matters right side. In the second minute of injury, County had a free kick which broke down but County were quick to find Collins in space right flank. He offered a change of pace to get outside Sweeney and provide a decent cross into the area and County had both Matt and Inniss in decent positions back post but Matt saw his header go over when he should have hit the target. County had a final opportunity from a free kick after Sheehan had been bowled over by Martin deep inside the Exeter half. With referee, Huxtable slow to get the wall in position, there was an altercation with Haynes and Matt booked for County and Sweeney, Williams and Taylor booked for Exeter. County failed to capitalise with Collins the surprise choice taking the free kick, his low effort bouncing effort from 25 yards was held firmly by Maxted. Exeter held out for a win that firmed up their position in the top three of league two and County reflecting on another game that got away from them.

Townsend (5) — not overworked, handled some difficult crosses well in conditions but kicking was poor and erratic. Slow to get ball distributed and reluctant to use full backs on times

Haynes (6) — did job containing Williams but lacking confidence on times especially in final third, shadow of the player earlier in the season, misplaced several passes, missed headers and crossing was poor

McNamara (5) — loan spell up soon, indecisive and got beat to the ball too often and aside from one crunching tackle first half was too easy to get past. Wasted few crosses he got in position to make

Demetriou (6) — edging his way back to match sharpness, won some good tackles ahead of striker and generally used the ball well sweeping up danger in behind. Restricted on low throws

Inniss (7) — dominated the aerial duals and made a couple of key interventions to keep County in the game keeping Bowman quiet. Broke up play well and got the ball to safety

Bennett (6) — was forced deep on times, did a job limiting threat across the area but struggled to make impact when he had ball often losing possession cheaply and not keeping ball on the pitch.

Maloney (5) — looks short of the standard for league two. Saw few tackles from him and little influence on the game other than a couple of weak shots near the edge of the area and replaced by:

Nurse (6) — gave County an outlet left side to combat threat offered by Williams and play further up the pitch. Had a decent effort saved inside area but was restricted on quota of crosses

Labadie (6) — pushed in more attacking role but never settled and several overplayed passes or mistimed challenges. After needless booking was always on a knife edge and game by passed him.

Sheehan (7) — worked tirelessly, did some good work box to box but playing too deep to effect rhythm of game and could only play on the break. Had the best chances in and around the box

Matt (5) — poor game by his standards, ball retention and care with passing was poor and would have been replaced if County had wider options on the bench. Should have buried late chance.

Amond (6) — had a couple of good situations in behind first half which he didn’t seem alive to and forced to pick up on scraps before being replaced by:

Abrahams (5) — won some free kicks when he got to the ball early but failed to work the keeper and needs to offer better work ethic when things not going for him.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they played the conditions well and managed game well, were always a little sharper with their movement and passing accurate. Both wide players got into prominent positions to dictate play

Weaknesses — wing backs left gaps that better sides would have exposed. Central defenders were not commanding on aerial duals and despite territorial possession they put in few shots to work keeper.

Opportunities — never really changed tact but didn’t need to. Got both wing backs involved as often as they could and had assurance of Atangana to sit deep in holding position to sweep up and stifle threat
Threats — Sparkes was busy left side and put measured crosses, Williams pace right side, Law linked well final third, Bowman gave County defenders little respite.

OFFICIALS
B Huxtable (6) — generally got the key decisions right and tried to allow game flow but not sure why so many players were booked and could have managed it better.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Jack Sparkes (Exeter 22) — quick minded player, willing outlet left side and provided quality with his crosses and link play. Got several shots in as well when invited.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Possibly get the players in tomorrow and Saturday to analyse the game and discuss the way forward. He may also need to swallow his pride and recall goalkeeper Tom King to the side because there was always a vulnerability playing out from deep today with poor distribution from the back to front that gave Exeter confidence. County also need to start getting cohesion back into the game as they have stopped putting those 6–8 passes together needed to work sides that press and the quality from crosses when they did get in advanced positions was below the required standard. County are under-performing in certain aspects of their game but also some of the summer signings are not exerting the same influence on matters. Both full backs were again forced back into a passive role, but much of the blame lies with the narrow formation and allowing Exeter to dictate from wide positions. County could have done with a player offering same calming influence as Atangana offered in the holding role for Exeter, but at the moment the preference seems for Labadie to push on when should be deeper when it should be reversed with Sheehan pushed on. County are missing quality from the flanks especially right side with Willmott injured but Collins did enough in the final stages to warrant a start in right midfield in the next game. Next up is Leyton Orient at home and a chance to redeem themselves and get back into the top half of the table. Orient have been struggling for consistency but have capability to dig out wins with some determination and resolve. County need to match their work ethic first and foremost and starve their threat from direct opportunist play into Maguire-Drew and Harrold. With better use of the ball and sharpness final third County can work the ball low to test centre backs Turley and Ekpiteta to turn them on their heels.