County out-fought and out-foxed by Cobblers

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Northampton Town 1 (Guthrie 43)

Attendance: 3,168

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County WWLWLLWDD

Northampton Town WWWLdWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Northampton lost narrowly at Forest Green on the weekend and despite defensive injuries they have been solid at the back. See this a war of attrition, County need to keep concentration and wear them down.

CONDITIONS
Mild, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and fast on top after watering.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Lacked steal, too passive and lacked cohesion especially final third struggling to work the keeper

TURNING POINT
Sloppy County play in lead up to Northampton goal gave them uplift they needed and they were rarely troubled after that.

THE MATCH
County made several changes from the side that drew 2–2 at Harrogate on Friday with captain Dolan dropping to the bench, Bennett slotted in a three man defence allowing Aneurin Livermore to make his senior debut in central midfield. County also introduced Swansea City loanee Jake Cain in midfield in place of Oliver Cooper who was on the bench. County were also forced to adjust with Ed Upson not available so they went for 3–4–3 formation as he was replaced by Timmy Abraham who went up front alongside Lewis Collins who replaced the injured Alex Fisher. County started with purpose and energy with some low moves to test Northampton who marshalled the threat well. County opted for some direct balls to test Northampton down the flanks which centre backs Guthrie and Horsfall won strongly but the headers were loose on times but Northampton were able to mop up the danger. County worked a couple of decent crosses from either side of the area which forced Guthrie and Horsfall into some late interceptions. Northampton elected to play long using Kabamba and Rose who were quick to get across the defender and link play with Hoskins eager in support right side. County stepped off the gas allowing Northampton to ease into the game with Hoskins busy right side. On 15 minutes, Northampton worked a decent cross right side with Hoskins providing an early cross which Kabamba anticipated well at the front post but Demetriou did well to block the effort. Northampton came out of their shell after sitting back with full backs McGowan and Koiki more prominent and with County showing a reluctance to win the second ball the momentum they had early on was soon lost. On 18 minutes, Northampton again showed some eagerness to make things happen out of nothing when a move from right to left invited Pinnock to shoot but his ambitious effort went well over from 25 yards. County persevered with a direct approach with some cohesion right side involving Willmott who put in a couple of testing crosses which were only half cleared but again lack of alertness and desire saw Northampton pinch the ball and clear the danger. On 35 minutes, a better move by County saw them work several passes through the middle and find the run of Willmott right side. He dinked over an excellent cross to the edge of the area which Livermore read well but blasted wildly over from 25 yards. County continued to see plenty of the ball as half time approach but they became increasingly casual and untidy with their passes. On 42 minutes, Livermore was booked for an clumsy challenge on Sowerby after a loose pass in midfield by County put them unnecessarily in trouble. County failed to heed the warning with casual hold up play and poor retention from a move left side moments later when Abraham was prised off the ball by Horsfall. Northampton worked a quick ball right side to find Hoskins who was caught late by Haynes. From the resultant free kick by Hoskins, County struggled to clear their lines and despite there appearing to be a foul on Bennett who was clearing the ball, the referee ignored allowing Guthrie to hit a shot on the turn from 8 yards into the top left corner. Despite 5 minutes of injury time, County became increasingly indecisive allowing Northampton to build on their game. In 45+5, Pinnock again showed his eye for goal with a snapshot right side of the area which was well blocked by Bennett.

County were out early for the second half and they had a more assured spell of possession working some low moves but Northampton remained robust keeping them at arms-length. On 50 minutes, an inventive County move though the middle saw Bennett turn away well from challenge to exploit space through the middle. He threaded a good pass for Collins who darted forward but was crudely tripped by Guthrie. From the resulting free kick, Cain curled an effort around the right post from 30 yards which was well wide of the right post. County made a double substitution on 57 minutes with Ellison and replacing Collins and Cooper on for Cain. County switched to 3–5–2 formation with Ellison and Abraham leading the line and this settled them into a better rhythm. On 63 minutes, County worked a decent chance when Haynes linked well left side to overlap receiving a good pass from Cooper. He cut back a good pass to the edge of the area which Willmott latched onto and his effort from 25 yards was deflected just over the bar. On 65 minutes, County had a great chance to forge ahead when a quick move from right to left found Willmott who jinked inside and drive to the edge of the area but his effort from 20 yards was inches past the left post. Northampton were happy to soak up pressure and pick holes on the break and they had a decent situation on 67 minutes when left back Koiki drove forward left side with a strong run and cut back a cross which Kabamba met well in the air from 10 yards forcing Day to tip around the left post with a smart save. County were forced into a change with Bennett taking a heavy fall in the challenge with Kabamba and he was stretchered off and replaced by Azaz. County made efforts to pick up their game and Rose was booked for a crude challenge soon after on Norman as he threatened to break down the right flank. McWilliams was also booked moments later for another late tackle denying Norman in his tracks. County were keen to get Azaz on the ball and he was at the heart of good moves on the 78 minutes when he manufactured a cross from the left side of the area which Norman met back post but his downward header was well held by the keeper Roberts. Northampton made their first change on 85 minutes with Flores replacing Rose up top and Etete on for Kabamba. County were awarded a few free kicks right side from the momentum they found and were awarded another on 89 minutes in a decent position when Norman clashed with Koiki. Cooper took the dead ball which was well glanced on well by Ellison at the front post but again County had nobody alive to the situation allowing the ball to drop dead at the back post. Northampton made another change on 90 minutes with Sowerby replaced by Connelly. County pushed defender Farquharson up front in the 12 minutes of injury time to put more aerial pressure on their backline. County huffed and puffed with Cooper striking a shot well wide of the left post from 30 yards after some good work by Azaz. A third Northampton booking followed on 90+6 with Flores tangling with Farquharson but despite the handicap County were unable to lay a glove on a well drilled Northampton side. Etete showed his expertise holding the ball under pressure for Northampton to run down the clock and something in truth they did much better than County all night.

Day (6) — took decision to punch when he could have claimed but made a couple of good instinctive saves from close range. Kicking was a little erratic and slow with distribution.

Norman (7) — quiet first half but came more into the game when Willmott switched sides. Tackled well and linked play going close inside the area

Haynes (6) — couldn’t fathom why it took him over an hour to test the right back who was predominantly right footed. Did push on more later stages but too little too late

Bennett (6) — did his best to make things happen picking holes and spreading passes but started to look laboured before unfortunate injury

Farquharson (6) — put under pressure on times and needs to learn to put his foot through it on times. Did well in the aerial duals and made attempts to force play higher up

Demetriou (6) — tested throughout by Hoskins who he allowed to get across the ball too easily. Looks a yard short of fitness after injury and lacked sharpness with passing.

Cain (5) — thrown in the deep end a bit, struggled to make any real impact and went missing for large chunks looking anxious on the ball and wasteful in possession.

Livermore (5) — got on ball and did fine when passes kept short but tried too many complicated balls to lose possession. Had a couple of shots from distance but struggled with physicality and lost too many tackles.

Willmott (7) — was at the heart of the best moves and created the best chances supplying some decent crosses. Went close from edge of the area twice second half and should have buried second chance.

Collins (5) — struggled to make any impact and unsettle the defenders being too slow to get across. Looked way off the pace today failed to test keeper and was soon replaced after knock early in second half

Abraham (5) — could have been replaced at half time for clumsy passes and lack of care taken with ball. Did come more into game but lacks physicality to worry robust centre backs and looks better suited out wide.

Strengths — defensively solid and organised. Stayed focus under pressure which was important. Worked hard off the ball despite changes and had better work ethic than County which was key.

Weaknesses — both full backs very small but rarely tested in the air. They left plenty of space through the middle which better sides would have punished despite several bookings got away with it.

Opportunities — sat back early on but showed flexibility to attack when invited and were decisive doing it. Put in some good crosses late on with County committed picking holes well.

Threats — Rose was decent in the air and clever with touches, Hoskins busy right side and crosses accurate on set pieces.

OFFICIALS

T Hicks (7) — did well when he kept game flowing but constant slowing down to talk through decision was unnecessary. Got the key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

John Guthrie (Northampton 5) — dealt with the aerial duals efficiently winning all his headers and used ball well to clear danger. Took his goal well like a striker.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Despite both sides missing some key players, Northampton were comfortable winners in this game and the lateness of their substitutes underlined their dominance with target man Etete not needed until quite late in the game. The starting County line-up was far too inexperienced with both Livermore and Cain second best in far too many key battles and both Abraham and Collins making little headway final third of the pitch. Northampton started to impose their physical dominance very early in the game and County were frankly bullied in too many areas, outside passing which they probably had the edge. County did revert to 3–5–2 which gave them more balance late on, but they lacked sharpness and decisiveness with the ball at feet and a lot of the build-up play was far too laboured allowing Northampton to recover and regain their shape. Presently, County look way off the standard they set last season and at the moment they are also lacking physicality in some areas of the pitch which is also impairing their game. They have a quick chance to put the doubters in their place when Walsall visit Rodney Parade this Saturday who will offer a similar functional robust approach as Northampton. Walsall will be missing the influence of former County captain Joss Labadie in midfield so key County assert some dominance through the middle of the pitch to test Kinsella and Shade