County on top after first leg play off win
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Dolan 31, Collins 56)
Forest Green Rovers 0
Attendance:
Form:
Newport County LWDddWdWWD
Forest Green Rovers LdLLLLWddLW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Forest Green have picked up form under caretaker manager Jimmy Ball and been more flexible outfit. Not expecting much space in midfield so key County keep patience to work the ball and deal with counter threat.
CONDITIONS
Intermittent showers, cool with keen wind. Pitch was in decent condition if not a little slippery in parts and played quick.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Built on strong defensive foundation, worked several cohesive moves and shots on goal.
TURNING POINT
Opening goal opened up game and suited County
THE MATCH
County were forced into one change with captain Josh Labadie suffering from a knock and he was replaced by Matt Dolan. Priestly Farquharson made a welcome return to the side after injury and named as a substitute. County played into the wind first half with the rain driving in but made a snappy start creating a chance inside 2 minutes. Shephard measured a decent pass from deep which picked out Lewis right side of the area. He did well to caress the ball inside for Amond who drove through the middle but was unable to keep his shot from inside the “d” down under pressure from Stokes. County kept pressing the right buttons and worked some long balls to stretch the Forest Green defence in wide positions. Forest Green employed a defensive 4–5–1 formation with former striker Aaron Collins offering an outlet but he had little quality to feed off with poor quality distribution. County were the more thoughtful side and worked another decent move on 8 minutes when Amond took up a decent position near the left byline. He cut back a low pass towards Collins which Bernard appeared to cut out but Collins stole the ball back off him and his snapshot from 10 yards was well saved by the feet of keeper McGee. County gained confidence seeing plenty of possession and continued to cause problems left side with Haynes and Collins combining well. On 16 minutes, Sheehan was crudely pulled back by Bernard after a darting run through the middle earning the first booking of the match. On 20 minutes, Forest Green created their first real threat when Collins latched onto a loose ball edge of the area but Sheehan did well to recover with an important tackle. With County enjoying plenty of territorial possession Forest Green set their stall out to counter from deep and they eased their way into the game with Richardson busy right side. On 22 minutes, Richardson offered pace with strong run right side of the area and cut back a decent cross but Lewis was on hand to make an important clearance inside the six yard box. Richardson continued to offer an outlet right side and Rovers won a free kick right side on 28 minutes in a decent position. Collins took the dead ball but his effort was rash going well over when he should have tested the keeper. Forest Green kept pressing right side but County exposed them ruthlessly on 31 minutes. Haynes took the ball off Richardson and threaded an excellent low pass down the left flank which Sheehan seized upon. He showed quick vision to slip a pass inside for Dolan who struck a sweet effort from 30 yards into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance. Forest Green made efforts to raise the tempo of their game and a bright move on 37 minutes across the face of the area saw Bernard caught late by Sheehan. Bailey took the free kick from 20 yards and his curled effort struck the outside of the right post and bar. Forest Green kept pressing with Moore-Taylor showing a eye for a pass with some well-constructed moves left side which kept County worked but Shephard and Lewis worked hard to squash the threat. As half time approached, County opted to play some direct ball to relieve pressure which proved useful with Rovers switching off on times with both Amond and Collins unsettling the defence. In first half injury time, Forest Green worked a decent move from deep left side with Cargill finding Collins left channel and he was caught late by Sheehan who was booked.
County started the second half on the front-foot and worked another decent chance out of nothing on 47 minutes. Hartigan showed good vision to find Amond in space right side of the area and he got an early shot in from 20 yards which was rising and went well over the bar. Forest Green kept pressing right side with Wagstaff coming into the game and Richardson switching to the left side. On 52 minutes, Wagstaff drove to the right byline and cut back a decent cross which Bernard read inside the area but his touch was poor allowing King to make an easy claim. Forest Green had a decent opportunity on 55 minutes creating their best move of the game with Richardson combining well with Cargill. He clipped an early cross into the area which Collins anticipated well front post but his glancing header drifted wide of the right post. County caught Forest Green cold moments later when they opted for a more direct move through the middle. Lewis was vigilant picking up the ball smartly ahead of Moore-Taylor and his quick pass through the middle opened up the Forest Green defence. Collins read the pass well ghosting in to slot the ball over the committed keeper and into the empty net from 12 yards. County were forced into a change on the hour with Collins picking up a knock and he was replaced by Taylor. Forest Green responded with a double substitution that saw Bernard replaced by Sweeney and Cadden on for Richardson. Forest Green upped their game using Cadden as an outlet left side and County had to deal with some crosses which were well marshalled. On 68 minutes, County gifted an opportunity playing in the wrong areas when Shephard took risk with a short pass. Collins intercepted and his pass across the face of the area found Bailey who darted forward but was denied by an excellent save by King who closed the angle well. County kept working well off the ball to deny space for Forest Green to operate and build momentum. On 75 minutes, some good pressing by County deep inside the Forest Green area saw keeper McGee misplace a pass which Amond snapped up eagerly. He attempted to lob the stranded keeper from 35 yards but his effort went agonisingly onto the roof of the net. Forest Green made another change soon after with former County striker Jamille Matt replacing Wagstaff and Davison introduced for Collins up top. County introduced a defensive change soon after with Farquharson replacing Dolan and they continued to probe away with some direct play to test Forest Green who had committed men forward. On 82 minutes, County were close to a third when a quick break left side saw Haynes supply Sheehan with a neat pass. He angled his run well left side before cutting back inside to curl an excellent cross towards the penalty spot which Lewis read well but his effort fizzed just wide of the left post. County had to deal with some Forest Green crosses late in the game with Cadden bursting a gut to get the byline but the defence remained vigilant clearing effectively. On 88 minutes, a quick direct move by County stretched Forest Green with few number back and Amond did well to steal the ball of Godwin-Malife near the edge of the box. He set up a snapshot for Collins but his effort was intercepted well by Stokes. County made another change on 90 minutes with Amond replaced by Maynard. County were happy to keep the ball in the corners in the 7 minutes of injury time using their strength well to run down the clock. On 90+5 minutes, a stray pass by Forest Green was seized on quickly by Hartigan. He neat pass into Maynard edge of the area who had the option to shoot but he delayed and the effort from 18 yards was blocked by Stokes.
King (7) — put under pressure with some back passes but kicked well getting ball safe. Put under pressure on some crosses and punches were a bit erratic. Made excellent save to deny Bailey
Shephard (7) — composed and distributed well from deep winning some good headers and tackles to break up danger. Played a bit too much on times in and around and needed to clear ball
Haynes (8) — was robust defending letting little goalside and timed tackles well. Passing precise initiating the first goal and forced deeper second half but defended area well denying space
Demetriou (8) — strong in the aerial duals and brave in the tackles clearing his lines well. Made some key interceptions and was bright with passing from deep. Well marked on set pieces.
Bennett (8) — was robust, won his headers and stifled much of the threat with alertness and quick minded to get ball safe. Did well late on holding the ball when he slotted into midfield.
Lewis (7) — ghosted into some decent attacking areas and was close to a goal several times. Boundless energy and tracked back to make some important interceptions.
Dolan (8) — didn’t get on the ball as much as normal but picked battles well. competed well in the air and dropped into the holes to link played and scored exquisite goal from distance.
Sheehan (7) — had a busy first half probing play well at the heart of the best moves. Forced deeper second half and managed being on a booking well. provided neat crosses from wide areas.
Hartigan (7) — offered quick mind with passes final third and after quiet first half came more into the game second half winning the ball earlier and went close in and around the box.
Amond (7) — took up some intelligent positions and combined well with Collins. Went close a couple of times with shots from distance. Worked hard off the ball second half dropping in to defend
Collins (7) — busy game, hard to pick up with industry on ball never allowing central defenders to rest. Got reward for persistent after a couple of decent chances before being replaced early
Strengths — offered agility in transition from wide play and crosses later in the game. Had spells passing the ball well but not sustained.
Weaknesses — left gaps through the middle on times with central defenders switching off to direct play. Struggled for cohesion final third and squandered set pieces.
Opportunities — quite defensive starting line-up and never really changed tact until second half. Asked more late on in game from crosses but left open on times.
Threats — Collins was forceful with ball at feet, Bailey and Richardson pace box to box. Cadden crosses late on with Matt aerial prowess.
OFFICIALS
C Breakspear (8) — decent game, managed conditions well allowing game to flow and got all the key decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Matt Dolan — won’t hit many sweeter strikes in his career. Range of passing gave problems throughout and did well to temper threat when County got forced deeper.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
It was a very solid performance tonight but the job is only half done for County and even though they may have scored more goals today, the wider view is that they have only conceded three goals now in the last 10 games. The foundation was set and County were also enterprising in spells particularly first half with the variety in patterns of play giving Forest Green plenty to think about and the direct ball giving some unexpected joy. County did have chances to add to their score but often delayed the strike or the timing wasn’t quite there but they did get in a lot of shots today to their credit. County can also improve on their efficiency in clearing their lines as the main threat from Forest Green came from overplaying deep inside their own half. County dealt well with the moves Forest Green offered in transition especially when their own set pieces broke down and will need to carry the same vigilance into the 2nd leg at the New Lawn on Sunday. Forest Green are likely to gamble and play both left wing Cadden and Matt from the offset, so key County limit the supply of crosses and deal with the aerial threat of Matt inside box. They will also have the suspended Adams back in central midfield and it will be important to deny him space to dictate higher up the pitch. The next 45 minutes of the game are likely to be key and County can’t afford to relax on the laurels.
