County pegged back by battling Rovers

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: The New Lawn

Forest Green Rovers 1 (Matt 77)

Newport County 1 (Abrahams pen 45)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LWWWWLWWDW

Forest Green Rovers LWLWLWLLDW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Expecting a competitive but open game with both sides carrying threats. Key County do the off the ball work and limit crosses into Matt but be decisive when they get forward.

CONDITIONS
Cool, dry with a slight breeze. Pitch was in decent condition and played fast

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Played cohesive football in spells but couldn’t put the game to bed which could have been more costly.

TURNING POINT
Forest Green substitutions made them stronger but changes for County worked against them.

THE MATCH
County made four changes from the Salford cup match Saturday with Nick Townsend replacing Tom King who was on the bench. Captain Josh Labadie returned to the side in place of Robbie Willmott and Jamie Devitt was sacrificed in place of Tristan Abrahams up front. County made another defensive addition with Matt Dolan recalled in place Scott Twine who was sub as they reverted to 3–5–2 system. Forest Green started with relatively defensive 4–5–1 set up with former County striker Jamille Matt up front and the early saw them surprisingly cautious sitting back to stifle County but they were tenacious closing down. County enjoyed some good early possession and had a half chance on 5 minutes when Haynes drove down the left side of the area and got outside the full back Richardson. He dinked in a decent cross into the six yard area which Proctor met well but he could only glance wide of the right post when he should have worked the keeper. Forest Green were largely direct in their approach using Matt as an outlet but County broke up play well turning the ball and forcing the Rovers defence to turn back. On 8 minutes, County had another decent chance from a corner right side which Sheehan took and the out-swinging delivery appeared to catch Rovers out. Dolan stole in with a late header front post which went just past the left corner of post and bar. Forest Green elected to play on the break but were struggling for cohesion and with County on top a late challenge by Labadie on Matt earned him a booking. The impetus was lost by County for a time with Rovers asserting some confidence after breaking up play quickly in midfield and Haynes had to deal with some runs right side involving Richardson and Godwin-Malife. County did well to counter this with Haynes making some strong runs left side and they were close again on 15 minutes from a throw left side of the area. The delivery by Demetriou appeared to deceive the Forest Green defence and Cooper glanced on well into the six yard box but Proctor clipped his volley just over the bar. Rovers remained disciplined in defence and eased their way into the game with some good moves in transition left side involving former County striker Aaron Collins who worked well with Cadden to supply some opportunist crosses. County nearly presented a chance out of nothing on 27 minutes when a short kick by Towsend went straight to Adams near the edge of the area. He slipped a quick pass to Collins who drilled a low shot wide of the left post. Rovers gained confidence from their approach play and another move on 32 minutes saw them snap up some untidy play by County in the middle. Winchester found Richardson who overlapped right side of the area and his cross cut back found Collins who saw his snapshot from 10 yards well blocked by Demetriou. Forest Green created a more clearcut chance on 35 minutes catching County cold when they worked a quick move from deep when Kitching was allowed space to play a ball long. Collins ghosted in behind Cooper and his effort was well parried by Townsend who narrowed the angle well. The game remained competitive in the middle with Sheehan under scrutiny several times from late challenges and Adams fortunate to escape a booking. On 38 minutes, County did well to force a mistake right side of the area when Kitching was caught in two minds and tackled by Abrahams. His effort was blocked and Labadie hit a decent effort on the turn from 12 yards which the keeper McGee parried away right side. On 42 minutes, Sheehan appeared to be clattered in a challenge by Cadden and Winchester drove forward with an opportunist break but could only blast well over from 25 yards. County had caused problems throughout the half from throws ins and crosses and another Demetriou in first half injury time right side caused anxiety in Forest Green area. Labadie did well to shield the ball ahead of Kitching who made a clumsy challenge to concede a penalty. Abrahams took the kick and although it was not precise the power took it through the middle beyond the keeper.

County started the second half on the front foot asking questions from wide positions with both Haynes and Shepherd prominent in supplying crosses. Forest Green made efforts to force play further up the pitch with central defender Stokes creeping into some positions to link play. On 50 minutes, Stokes continued his run further forward with County inviting too much space but he blasted an ambitious effort well over from 30 yards. With Forest Green more ambitious, County continued to enjoy opportunities especially left side and they had a decent chance on 56 minutes when Haynes made a well timed run to overlap after some good work by Proctor to hold up the ball in the build up. Haynes combined well with Abrahams left side of the area and his cross was latched onto by Proctor at the front post but the keeper reacted well to save low down. Forest Green continued to work the left side with Cadden testing Shepherd but County contained the moves well. On 58 minutes, County broke up play well right side with Cooper finding Proctor and he did well to caress the ball into Bennett right side of the area but his low shot went wide of the left post. On 62 minutes, County created a sweeping move left when Haynes again penetrated well and showed good vision to find Sheehan inside but he was clipped by Godwin-Malife in the “d”. Sheehan took the free kick but the curled delivery was too central allowing the keeper to claim easily. Forest Green continued to force play high when invited with Stokes initiating moves through the middle from deep. On 65 minutes, a more patient Forest Green across the face of the area saw Winchester drill a low shot on the turn from 20 yards which Townsend held well low down. County made a change soon after with Amond replacing Proctor and Forest Green responded with an attacking change with Bailey replacing Cadden. County asked questions with some direct balls and had a reasonable opportunity on 70 minutes when Cooper pinpointed a run by Abrahams right side of the box but some indecision not getting in early shot allowed Moore- Taylor to get back with a vital interception. County made a double substitution on 75 minutes with Twine and Janneh replacing Labadie and Abrahams and Forest introducing another attacking change with Stevens on for Winchester. Forest Green kept pressing with Godwin-Malife influencing play well right side with robust defending and determined runs in transition, On 77 minutes his boldness paid dividends when he initiated a quick move right side which was latched onto Stevens right side of the area. His cross into the six yard box pinpointed late run by Matt who steered his effort low into the right corner from 8 yards. The goal energised Forest Green and County had to work hard to contain their threat late on with crosses more prominent. On 83 minutes, County had another warning when Godwin-Malife was allowed to roam right side brushing off a tackle Haynes and his cross from a wide position was met by Adams from 10 yard but held well by Townsend. On 83 minutes, County were awarded a free kick left side near the half way after Sheehan was again taken out by Adams but no card was forthcoming. Sheehan took the free kick and Cooper did well to glance a header into the path of Twine but his shot from an acute angle went into the side netting. Then moments later a through ball by County caused problems for Forest Green with nobody taking responsibility but Janneh and Amond around the ball, County were unable to punish a defence out of position. On 86 minutes, Matt was booked for a late aerial challenge on Cooper as he was clearing the danger. Forest Green had a couple of late efforts from distance with Godwin-Malife persistent right side and Collins chancing his arm but Townsend was untroubled. There were a couple of late bookings after an altercation between Shepherd and Kitching with County showing determination to keep the ball near the flank but the game ended all square with hands being shaken

Townsend (7) — did well to deny Collins first half and made a couple of smart saves low down. Claimed and punched well under pressure from crosses and distributed effectively.

Shepherd (7) — was put under some pressure by Cadden but limited crosses and had the stamina to keep forcing the issue. Put under some pressure late on but stood up to it marking well

Haynes (6) — had spells where he made things happen and provided fair quota of crosses. Was tested in the aerial duals and seemed to struggle late on from a couple of knocks sustained.

Demetriou (6) — dealt well aerial threat and broke up play well first half instigating some bright moves. Got pushed back later in game and forced into some untidy clearances

Cooper (7) — did a good job dealing with Matt, tackled well and limited clear-cut chances winning ball and alertness was key. Got forward on set pieces and turned provider

Dolan (7) — read game well, organised defence and when side was pressed late was composed making decisions. Had less of the ball second half and was not marked on a couple of set pieces.

Labadie (7) — went close to getting deserved goal, can only be a matter of time, will be frustrated with unnecessary early booking but recovered well, his presence was missed when he went off.

Sheehan (6) — worked hard to find gaps but was tightly marked by Adams. Got brushed off a few challenges too easily but didn’t get much protection from referee. needs to get more shots in.

Bennett (6) — competed well throughout and won some important interventions working box to box. got a good 90 minutes under his belt but faded late on

Proctor (7) — decent game and was surprised he was replaced so early. The best moves went through him and despite missing some presentable chances he offered the most threat on the night

Abrahams (6) — ball retention was erratic. When he got between the ball and defender he was effective in unsettling defence but too often it was an afterthought. Needs to get a quicker shot in.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were disciplined defensively and full backs were quick to deny space and prepared to overload flanks when invited. Spirit and determination got them late goal

Weaknesses — centre backs often drifted out of position and better sides would have punished them. Struggled to deal with long throws and set pieces despite height in their side.

Opportunities — they played like the away side for an hour sitting in and sporadically breaking in numbers. Overloaded wide positions late in game which paid dividends.
Threats — Matt aerial prowess and predatory six yard box. Collins shots from distance. Cadden and Godwin-Malife worked the flanks well.

OFFICIALS

B Toner (6) — game was niggly on times with reluctance to book and allowed a lot of the persistent fouling to go unchecked but got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Udoka Godwin-Malife — composed defending and worked hard to contain Haynes making several key interventions. Got forward himself late on to influence momentum with strong runs.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will look back on this match as one that got away as they carved out enough chances to win by half time but they couldn’t get the second goal to kill the game off. The first half was largely comfortable for County as they worked the ball around effectively but the midfield sat increasingly deep later in the match when Forest Green made changes to effect the game. Proctor had a decent game today and it was surprising to see him substituted early and perhaps making too many changes too quickly unsettled things. When sides force Sheehan back into deeper positions, County do sometimes lose momentum and later in the second half they became impatient often electing to play direct but they couldn’t make the ball stick. A fired up Morecambe outfit are next up this Saturday at Rodney Parade who will be confrontational and look for the sucker punch. County will need to be disciplined but persistent. Morecambe are likely to play 3–4–3 formation with Stockton a robust outlet supported by Phillips and Carlos Gomes. They have a strong work ethic so County need to be smart especially down the flanks with Mellor and Hendrie bold but vulnerable to fouls when exposed.