County pinch another win after late changes

Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Hudlin 76)

Carlisle United 0

Attendance: 3,721
Match Rating: **


Form:
Newport County WLLLLLDWWW
Carlisle United dLWLLLWLLL


PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Expecting a bounce from Carlisle despite them struggling with new manager Mark Hughes at the helm. County need to match their work ethic and keep their patience not to force game.

CONDITIONS
Cold, partly cloudy with light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition for the time of year. Groundsman deserves a beer.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Started slowly, defended box well but lacked spark and creativity until changes made

TURNING POINT
Two decent Carlisle missed chances

THE MATCH
County kept the same team that won at Crewe on the weekend but they were immediately on the backfoot with Carlisle the more eager side in the early stages. On 2 minutes, Carlise weaved a decent low move right side allowing Williams too much space and his low cross into the box was poked wide of the right post by Hugill from 12 yards. County responded with a direct move soon after with Baker pinpointing Baker-Richardson who span off a challenge from Lavelle. From 25 yards, he hit a decent half volley but the effort went high and wide of the let post and bar. Carlisle continued to probe away right side with Wearne and Williams strong with their combinations. On 10 minutes, County were caught napping when another move right side saw Williams thread a low pass to Wearne right corner of the area and his snapshot was parried around the right post by the alert Townsend. With Carlisle forcing the issue right side, County had opportunities to counter into space left side Kamwa well positioned but they struggled to find the efficient pass needed. On 16 minutes, Carlisle created a better opening as Hugill appeared to come back into play from an offside position to retrieve the ball. He broke through the middle and fed Wearne to the right but as he cut in and shot, a combination of a deflection and a sharp Townsend saved denied him. County grew into the game with some neat moves left side in transition getting Kamwa on the ball. On 20 minutes, County were close to an opener when a deep cross right side found Kamwa left side of the area but his volleyed cross could not be converted by Baker-Richardson as he and Ajiboye appeared to get in each other’s way. Carlisle remained positive and worked a quick move on 23 minutes with left centre back McArthur given too much space to make a run from deep inside his own half. His cross into the area caught the County defence asleep but Embleton unmarked header over the bar from 8 yards. Carlisle asserted better control of the ball with County slow to the ball they were reliant on counter attacks with Kamwa starting to force Williams deeper. Carlisle kept plugging away working wide areas well with Harris making some strong runs left side to test Thomas and Cameron Evans. On 33 minutes, a passage of play that summed up the first half and indecision by County saw Evans was slow to anticipate the loose ball and he caught Harris late to earn a booking. Ajiboye then responded with a strong run from deep right side using his pace well to coax McArthur into a late challenge which got him booked. County had a better spell as half time approached sniping the ball better in midfield to build some momentum. On 38 minutes, McLoughlin did well to win the ball off Embleton and drive through the middle. He switched play quickly to left flank finding Kamwa who made a strong to the byline and cut back a decent cross to Baker-Richardson but his header from 10 yards drifted wide of the left post. On 44 minutes, Carlisle worked a decent opportunity with Harris linking with Hughill but left side of the area but the shot from an acute angle was well held by Townsend.

Carlisle started the second half on the front-foot but were nearly caught on 47 minutes when County used the direct ball well with Ajiboye facing off with Whelan who interrupted his run when he turned into space. County were boosted by some better approach play and had a half chance on 50 minutes when they were a yard sharper with their touch. McLoughlin had the vision to find the run of Thomas right corner of the box but his first time was drilled well wide of the left post. On 55 minutes, Carlisle had another decent chance but again failed to take it, as they pressed high up the pitch right side and Wearne then weaved into the box with a drop of the shoulder his low shot from 12 yards was pushed away by Townsend who then smothered Harris’s follow-up. County struggled to create much from open play and were more effective on the break exploiting gaps. On 63 minutes, a good break left side saw Glennon pinpoint Kamwa in space and his strong run was cynically checked by Williams who was booked. On 67 minutes, County worked a decent chance with a move right side which Antwi initiated with a deft chip in behind which Baker-Richardson seized upon right side of the area but his shot from an acute angle was pushed around the right post by Carlisle goalkeeper Breeze. County made a much needed double substitution on 70 minutes with Baker-Richardson replaced by Hudlin up front, Martin coming on right midfield for Thomas and Ajiboye sacrificed for Patten who slotted into defensive midfield alongside McLoughlin with County switching to 4–2–3–1 with Martin right side and Antwi more advanced. The move settled County into more possession in the final stages and more control of proceedings. Carlisle responded with a double change with Bevan and Scott replacing Hugill and Embleton. County punished Carlisle on 76 minutes when Kamwa carried the ball from deep and cut inside past Williams. He showed great vision to measure a pass through the middle for Hudlin who angled his run right side of the area before slotting nearly low into the left corner. Carlisle pepped up their approach again with a double substitution on 80 minutes with Dennis and Fusire replacing Patching and Wearne. With Carlisle committing men forward, County became increasingly menacing on the break. On 83 minutes, County worked a direct ball left side and Hudlin glanced his header in behind. Kamwa reacted well seizing the loose ball and he cut inside near the left corner of the box to shoot but effort was well wide of the right post. Carlisle kept probing away and had a half chance on 85 minutes when a quick switch of play from the left flank invited Williams to shoot but the effort from 16 yards was wide of right post. County had a great chance to kill the game on 87 minutes when they broke from deep with Kamwa slipping a neat low through ball was latched onto by Martin. He checked back near the “d” before shooting but the delay allowed Thomas to recover and intercept the low shot. On 90 minutes, Carlisle made another change with Williams sacrificed for Harper. On 90+2 minutes, Carlisle had Lavelle booked for impeding Hudlin as he got up from the ground with the ball at his feet. On 90+3 minutes, County had an excellent chance when a slick combination right side saw Martin combine with Antwi right side of the area. He clipped back an excellent cross near the right byline to the unmarked Kamwa but he headed over the bar from 8 yards when it seemed easier to score. To their credit, Carlisle kept forcing the issue but County held firm with Clarke making some good intervention to clear the danger.

Townsend (8) — kicked and distributed making some good decisions when to kick and go short. Made a couple of instinctive low saves and safe with hands throughout.
Thomas (6) — got forced back deeper dealing with pace from Harris for most of first half, but limited threat well. saw more attacking threat for a time before being replaced.

Glennon (6) — put under pressure by Williams and made little headway beyond half way line. Got closer to deny early crosses second half but struggled to impact final third

Baker (8) — made some strong headers defending direct ball and covered well in behind. Mopped up pressure and made some important blocks and clearances.
C Evans (7) — was forced back firefighting on times not getting close enough to marker allowing space to turn. Had a better second half and got ball safe when he had clearing well.
Clarke (8) — got his body across man and ball to limit threat and won some strong headers. Lead and organised well which was key when County were under the cosh.
McLoughlin (6) — lacked usual punch and drive. cover coped well after booking and was at the heart of the best moves. Influenced some better moved late
Antwi (7) — played quite deep for large spells and was brighter second half after changes. Passed well and restricted to a couple of snapshots in and around box.
Kamwa (8) — had a good game with Williams and arguably won the battle staying to influence latter stages with neat passes. Needs an early sharper ball on times and missed simple header.
Baker-Richardson (6) — contested across the line and did his best to unsettle before fading. Restricted to a couple of rushed shots and headers inside the box.
Ajiboye (6) — quiet game with Carlisle moves left side and got pickpocketed several times when needed quicker. Restricted to a couple of wayward shots and replaced early.


SWOT ANALYSIS (Carlisle United)
Strengths — worked ball wide effectively to force County deep and worked hard collectively to deny rhythm. Mixed up game well and kept focus defending despite bookings.
Weaknesses — lacked killer touch inside box fluffing lines with some presentable chances. Left gaps either side of the 18 yard box which better sides would have punished.
Opportunities — matched up to play 3–4–3 and arguably had the better of the wide areas. Had opportunity to go more direct but lacked physicality.
Threats — Harris verve and pace left side and Williams strong runs right side delivering some good crosses. Wearne and Embleton knitted some good low moves.

OFFICIALS
P Howard (6) — found some of the leniency in decisions frustrating and ignored several clear fouls when no advantage was forthcoming. Got key decisions right.


MAN OF THE MATCH
Nick Townsend — wasn’t overworked but made a couple of key saves and always gave assurance with handling and neat distribution.


IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started the game too slowly and allowed Carlisle some space and gave invitation to deliver crosses from wide areas which put them on the back-foot for most of the first half. Although, County did improve second half the changes made were extremely late, but they did impact and gave County more balance late on. Carlisle were able to force County back with wing backs Williams and Wearne dictating and winning their battles with Glennon and Thomas. County had several good opportunities in transition, especially left side but they were flat on energy reserves and it took until the hour for Kamwa to start turning the screw with Ajiboye running into too many dead ends. Whilst County struggled to build momentum they needed better control in midfield, but some lethargy to pick up the second ball and debris stalled their threat to punish through the middle. Next up are Bradford City who have risen to third in the league after winning 8 out of their last 9 games. Bradford are likely to match County in a 3–4–3 formation with Halliday employed higher up as a right wing back to provide ammunition and Pointon equally effective left side with Sarcevic probing patterns of play through the middle. County need to work collectively to stifle their wide game and limit touches to speed up their transition game to turn them on their heels and test an ageing side.