County pressing the right buttons
Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (Gorman 69)
Morecambe 0
Attendance: 3,048
Form:
Newport County LLWLdLLWLL
Morecambe WLDWLDWLDD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
New father Josh Sheehan given the captains armband with Labadie serving his second game suspension. County side looks more balanced with Bennett back in a three man defence.
CONDITIONS
Mild, quite strong breeze and partly cloudy. Pitch was worn in parts and erratic bounce not recovered after rugby match previous evening.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Persistent, disciplined and the more cohesive side, energy levels were good
TURNING POINT
Goal on this pitch was not pivotal but made it hard for to comeback from
THE MATCH
County made a few changes with George Nurse replaced by Matt Dolan and Tristan Abrahams replacing Padraig Amond who was on the bench. There was another change with County switching to a 352 with Scott Bennett returning to the side in place of Otis Khan who was on the bench. County made the more assured start with some better precision to their passing and balance on both flanks. On 2 minutes, a move right side saw Matt burst down the right side of the area and despite being forced by Lavelle, he got in a decent shot from an acute angle which Morecambe keeper Mafoumbi held well low down. On 5 minutes, County directed a decent ball through the middle which hang back awkwardly causing hesitancy in Morecambe defence. Matt pinched the ball ahead of Lavelle and was threatening down on goals only to be held back and the referee showed some leniency to award just a free kick. Dolan executed a decent effort from 30 yards but it lost power into the wind and went straight at the keeper. Morecambe were keen to use their left channel as a release with Mendez-Gomes putting pressure on Willmott. Morecambe left back Cranston was keen to push on but looked uncomfortable on times with the ball at his feet and County played some good measured pass in behind right side to counter. On 12 minutes, Cranston found himself supporting a move deep inside the County half to win a corner which was only half cleared to Cranston who blasted well over from 20 yards. County kept plugging away down the flanks and a decent move on 14 minutes involving Willmott set up a cross into the six yard area which Matt glanced on well and Abrahams was unlucky to see his header blocked by Old. County continued to work some bright moves down either side of the area to stretch the Morecambe defence. Haynes did well to thread a pass for Sheehan and burst of speed took him down the left side of the area and despite low possession he appeared to be shunted down to the floor by Old but the referee ignored the penalty appeals. On 25 minutes, Slew and Gorman got involved in an altercation when Slew was holding up play deep inside the Morecambe and they both got booked. County kept plugging away with Willmott supporting well right side and eager to link up play. On 27 minutes, a useful ball right side by Gorman was glanced inside well by Matt and Willmott anticipated well to seize the ball and cut inside but his shot from the right corner was saved well by Mafoumbi. Morecambe were struggling to put five passes together despite having the wind behind them and become less patient opting for direct play especially from kick outs. On 32 minutes, a quick kick from Mafoumbi caught the County defence napping and the ball was allowed to drop dangerously in the wind forcing King to parry away for a corner with him exposed off his line. As half time approached Morecambe gained some better territorial possession but they conceded several free kicks often losing momentum. County had a couple of opportunities on the break and another sharp move right side on 38 minutes initiated by Willmott saw him overlap well to create a chance. He opted for a quicker lower cross to the front post which Abrahams read but he couldn’t manage to position himself to get the shot in accurately and dragged his shot wide of the right post. County were boosted by their energy in the final third and had an even better chance on 40 minutes. Sheehan showed good vision to work a move left side of the area which released Abrahams who drove forward to a decent position near the byline. With Morecambe stretched inside the box, there were options but his pass eluded the late runs into the area by Matt and Dolan near the edge of the area.
County started the second half purposively forcing Morecambe to defend deeper. On 48 minutes, a move right side picked holes well with Willmott instrumental and his pass inside found Demetriou who made a bold run forward and struck a long range effort well over the bar. County had a couple of decent situations when the ball was allowed to drop inside the Morecambe half but were a slow reading the situation. On 55 minutes, Abrahams got close to anticipate a header flicked on well by Matt through the middle but he allowed Lavelle to come across and pinch possession. Morecambe were forced into some direct play towards the left channel with Slew and Mendez-Gomez looking for bit and pieces from unforced errors by the County defence. County kept pressing the right buttons with some intelligent low moves to keep the ball on the park with the wind behind them. On 58 minutes, a move going through several players, saw Dolan supply Matt and he caressed a tidy pass to Gorman right side of the area and his snapshot was deflected just over the bar by Cranston. From the resulting corner right side, Dolan put in an excellent delivery which the Morecambe keeper struggled to hold but the referee penalised Demetriou somewhat harshly which looked like a collision. Morecambe were given another warning on 60 minutes when a Dolan cross following a corner was glanced wide of the left post from inside the six yard with the keeper this time staying on this line. On 62 minutes, County were close again when a Dolan corner right side flashed deep and Demetriou did well to react late and cut back a cross into the six yard box towards Abrahams but he was beaten to the ball by Old who cleared. County made a change soon after with Abrahams replaced by Green to maintain their freshness. On 65 minutes, with Morecambe struggling to clear their lines, County attacked the right side with a busy move and Sheehan struck a low effort from 25 yards which bobbled up in front of Mafoumbi but he held well low down. Morecambe made a change on 68 minutes with Mendez-Gomes unable to continue after a knock and he was replaced by Bradbury who went right side. County kept plugging putting in some testing crosses and got their reward on 69 minutes. Gomez had come for several crosses and not looked secure with his handling and when Demetriou swung in a decent cross it forced the keeper off his line but he was not able to hold the ball. The loose ball sat up invitingly for Gorman and his precise lob back into the six yard box dropped into the left corner of the net. Morecambe were increasingly direct in the final stages of the game with kick outs and ball from the defenders launched in behind. On 75 minutes, County were given a warning when some indecision by Innis and Willmott allowed the ball to drop and Wildig crept in to snatch the ball but Bennett did well to avert the danger and force him wide. On 78 minutes, Green did well to manufacture space when he tricked his way past two players in the right corner and set up an opportunity for Gorman to strike first time but his low effort was saved in the right corner. On 80 minutes, Morecambe made an another change up top with Oates replacing Slew. Morecambe remained most threatening from long balls through the middle which were held up on the wind. On 82 minutes, some indecision by Bennett allowing the kick out by Mafoumbi to drop gifted an opportunity for Bradbury but his stretching volley from the edge of the area was pushed wide of the right posy by King. County went into their shell in the final minutes dropping men deeper allowing Morecambe to seize the initiative. Morecambe made their final change on 87 minutes with Kenyon replaced by Brewitt. County had a couple of decent situations when they got Green on the ball quickly and he room to roam final third. On 90 minutes, Green made a strong run to burst through the middle and unsettle the Morecambe defence but delay on getting in his shot allowed Morecambe to recover and intercept the ball. There were six minutes of injury time for County to negotiate and Morecambe upped their game forcing County deeper with some better possession. On 95 minutes, Dolan was booked for obstructing a run inside from the right flank by O’Sullivan. Morecambe had another chance deep in injury time when County allowed a ball to be played out from deep with too much ease and Bradbury ghosted in behind and some indecision by County keeper King invited him to lob from distance but the effort was cleared inside the six yard box by Bennett. Bradbury was then booked for a clumsy challenge on Dolan as frustrations took hold. County held on for an important moral boosting victory and an altercation at the end of the game involving County manager Flynn and the Morecambe back-room staff added some spice to the affair.
King (6) — had some anxious moments dealing with the ball at the changing room on erratic surface but kicked well with distance into the wind. Made a couple of important saves second half
Willmott (7) — enjoyed the system, which brought out his strengths, tucked in when he had to defend and was bright coming forward with bold runs setting up some decent crosses into six yard box.
Haynes (6) — held his position well defending limiting threat and offered outlet to push on and show extra yard to find crosses which were most effective when he drove to the byline.
Demetriou (7) — was in no mood for charity today, won his headers, covered and mopped up danger well in behind. Tackled well to break up threat and provided fair quota of long throws.
Bennett (7) — did well in the aerial battles and quick to pick up the bit and pieces. Had a couple of anxious moments when ball allowed to drop but was always able to recover and get ball safe.
Innis (6) — won his headers comfortably but less assured when pulled out of position and delaying distribution. Got on the end of couple of set pieces with some useful headers to keep move alive.
Dolan (7) — one of his best games for a while, was competitive in the aerial and low battles. Won some good ball with alertness and shifted play well. Provided several excellent set pieces second half.
Gorman (8) — busy game, was well positioned throughout, read the flight of the ball and played some simple but effective passes. Got tight when he had and took his chance very well.
Sheehan (7) — offered more threat first half breaking through the lines and made some good runs either side of the area. Competed well and sharpness with passing was important keeping play ticking over.
Abrahams (6) — had some opportunities to get onto the through ball but allowed defender to get across him too easily. Did better when he got on the ball but needs improvement on quality of crosses.
Matt (7)– had a couple of chances inside six yard box from headers, won fair quota in the air and retained ball better second half to pierce openings, winning some free kicks after conceding a lot first half.
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — saw few of them today, central defender were strong in the aerial duals, they kept going as a unit despite not really offering any cutting edge.
Weaknesses — conceded a lot of fouls, wayward and impatient with their passes. Took the easy option to play direct and look for unforced errors. Both full backs were hesitant and could be got at easily.
Opportunities — they made attempts to shift play left side first half and keep ball lower. Went increasingly direct as game progressed.
Threats — Mendez-Gomez was robust and used ball well, Wildig and Diagouraga willing support in behind.
OFFICIALS
N Hair (7) — very lenient refusing to book and let game flow but was consistent. Sheehan penalty call looked valid but got main decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Dale Gorman — work hard throughout, did a good settling job in midfield and was comfortable on the difficult surface. Put in several decent shots and crosses getting his reward today.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County needed to put a few wrongs right today and bounce-back. To a certain extent they did that offering more energy and intelligence use of the ball and they worked hard off the ball to really limit Morecambe who were lacking a cutting edge with two key strikers injured. However, there was a much better balance to the side with the wing backs creative and able to pick their crosses but the best chances came from crosses when they shook hands with the byline. Gorman and Dolan had decent games in the middle and combined well in tandem to shape moves and link play. County switched off a couple of times today from very direct moves Morecambe constructed from deep when they allowed the ball to drop in behind. County need to switch the tap off better at source with the front players not always alert to closing down allowing defenders to ping the ball forward at ease. With the Carlisle away game up next on Tuesday and several games coming up in March, the key will be keeping up the energy levels and County may need to make some changes to the personnel but not the system. Carlisle will offer more bite and verve final third and it will be important track the runs of McKirdy and guile on the ball from Alessandra. County can hurt Carlisle from set pieces as they lack height but they need to make sure they have the legs to match their runners and pick holes to win their set pieces.
