County reach League Cup 4th Round for the 1st time
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 3 (Abrahams 18 pen, Labadie 28, Amond 65)
Watford 1 (Penaranda 54 pen)
Attendance:
Form:
Newport County WLDWW
Watford WWd
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Watford are missing a couple of key strikers but have a large squad to choose from. County need manage the pace in the Watford side can stamp their authority from set pieces.
CONDITIONS
Quite cool and cloudy with slight breeze. Pitch in decent condition
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Defended meanly but assured with the ball and worked several decent moves to open up Watford.
TURNING POINT
The second goal knocked the edge out of Watford and lose composure
THE MATCH
County were forced into one change at the back with Kyle Howkins suffering from a knock and he was replaced by Matt Dolan. There were several other changes with Scott Bennett returning to the side after injury in place of Robbie Willmott and captain Josh Labadie replacing Scott Twine who was on the bench. County freshened the front pair up with Amond and Abrahams replacing Janneh and Taylor who were named as substitutions. County competed well in the early stages with both sides patient in their approach play. Watford were keen to utilise former Brighton striker Glenn Murray with some low passes but the County defence were quick to stifle their build up play. County were lively coming forward and found space final third with Watford mirroring their 3–5–2 formation. On 5 minutes, County showed early promise when a decisive attack down the left side saw Sheehan dart just inside the box and he had a chance to shoot but threaded a clever low pass for Abrahams but he didn’t appear to read it and the ball drifted out. County were menacing in the corners especially on the break with Watford wing backs up high. On 7 minutes, Labadie made a good run right side of the area to retrieve a pass and he cut back a decent cross. Haynes was alert to seize the loose ball and his deft cross back was set up for Labadie by Amond but his shot was intercepted by Dawson. Hungbo offered plenty of energy left side for Watford and County were forced to divert a couple of crosses at the front post. On 15 minutes, County were close when a neat move right side saw Shepherd combine well to find Cooper and his cross from a deep position was met well by Amond who hung in the air but the header from 8 yards dropped over the bar. Hungbo continued to be robust and competitive left side but he was fortunate not to be booked on 17 minutes for catching Sheehan late. From the resultant free kick, County were awarded a penalty when Stevenson tangled with Cooper who got booked. Abrahams took the penalty with a composed finish in the right corner. County were relaxed by the goal and Watford seemed less patient conceding several cheap fouls which referee Breakspeare was only too happy to give. On 26 minutes, County crafted an intricate move right side with Shepherd pulling the strings to release Sheehan. He dinked back an excellent low shot which Labadie latched onto but his snapshot from 10 yards was well held by Bachmann. County were close again moments later when Shepherd again caused problems to provide a cross from a tight angle right side of the area which Amond anticipated well with a run back post but his header was parried away by the keeper. County got their reward for persistence with an excellent goal on 28 minutes when Shepherd supplied a vicious cross which Watford could only clear to the edge of the box. Labadie controlled the ball and hit a smart sweet half volley into the top right corner beyond the grasp of Bachmann. Watford made efforts to pick up their game flooding forward but another break by County on 32 minutes this time left side saw Amond peel off and receive a good pass by Dolan. Amond wasted little time to strike a shot left side of the area but his shot was wide of the right post. Watford had a spell of more possession as half time approached but County worked hard to contain them. On 40 minutes, Watford central defender Agyakwa was booked for late tackle in the middle of pitch when was dragged out of position. On stroke of half time Labadie was booked for a mistimed challenge on Dawson when clearing his lines. In first half injury time, County were awarded a free kick left side of the area which Dolan delivered aplomb but Abrahams could only glance wide of the right post from 6 yards.
Watford made a double substitution at half time to pep up their approach with Murray replaced by Perica and Penaranda coming up front for Hungbo as Watford changed tact to play 4–3–3. Watford were keen to offer more width for a time with Penaranda offering an outlet left side and Sinclair on the right flank. County had to deal with a couple of cross left side where Watford were more penetrative but there were options for County on the break in transition. On 52 minutes, Sheehan took a quick free kick deep in the left side of the pitch and Haynes cross just eluded Cooper. Watford continued to press left side with Pussetto coming into the game and he coaxed a foul from Shepherd when he dribbled inside near the left corner of the box. There was little contact but the referee awarded a penalty. Penaranda took the spot kick and hit a powerful effort down the middle to score. Haynes was more prominent in the early stages of the second half forcing play up the pitch. On 60 minutes, Haynes and Amond worked well in tandem to find prise a move left side of the area and Abrahams pinched the ball ahead of Agyakwa and he raced into the area but dragged his shot wide of the right post from an acute angle. Watford continued to offer most threat left side with Pressetto showing plenty of tricks with the ball at his feet but Haynes tracked the danger well. On 63 minutes, Haynes was caught late in overzealous challenge by Penaranda and he was booked. County upped their game again closing down from back to front. Watford were punished for indecision on 65 minutes when some good work by Labadie unsettled Phillips on the edge of the area and the ball was worked wide to Amond. He adjusted well to blast a low powerful shot from 16 yards beyond the keeper. Watford had a better cohesive spell with Penaranda busy in and around the box. County remained a threat on the counter attack though and good move created on 70 minutes saw them shift play down the right flank with Sheehan going on strong run. His deft cross deep near the right byline dropped deep and Haynes had an opportunity to shoot but elected to cross but Watford managed to clear the danger. Watford were losing their discipline and another player was booked on 76 minutes when Pussetto was late tackling low down on Shepherd. County had Scott Bennett in the book on 80 minutes when he tangled with Sinclair tracking back to tackle Sinclair. County made a double substitution moments later with Collins and Willmott replacing Bennett and Labadie. Watford made their final change with Crichlow replacing Pussetto. County were happy to run the clock down and made attempts to retain possession final third. On 86 minutes, Watford broke from deep after County had lost the ball in the left corner. Garner threaded a good pass for Sinclair who turned off a challenge by Demetrio but blasted a shot just over the bar from 25 yards. Watford lost their discipline completely on 88 minutes when Perica outstretched arm caught Cooper in the face and he was sent off. Watford kept plugging away but County held on strongly to take place in the fourth round where they will face Newcastle United or Morecambe.
Townsend (7) — had few clearcut shots to deal with but positive coming for crosses and commanded his area well. Distributed effectively with his hands to get some good moves going.
Shepherd (8) — was prominent first half providing several decent crosses and forced play high up the pitch with his drive forward. Forced back by Pressetto after the break but kept focussed.
Haynes (8) — defended well throughout, saw the ball early and won his tackles. Passed well and offered more influence final third second half anticipating well to make some decent crosses.
Demetriou (7) — dominated in the air and was robust to break up threat final third and let little goalside. Cleared his lines well and neat with distribution.
Cooper (8) — assured performance was strong in the challenge, won his headers and was intelligent with his use of the ball. Probed forward to link play and went close on a couple of set pieces.
Dolan (7) — solid game, picked up bit and pieces and was alert to loose ball and direct play with some useful passes. Provided a couple of useful set pieces which deserved better
Bennett (6) — adjusted well in first game after injury, competed well in the challenge and worked ball into sensible areas. Went close on a couple of set pieces back post.
Sheehan (7) — was closely marked by Jones and found space was a premium. Had a better second half when more space opened up but influence in and around the area was lessened late on.
Labadie (8) — made some robust tackles, did some good work box to box but worked hard to unsettle in and around the box. Deserved his well taken goal and could have had a few more tonight.
Abrahams (6) — honest game, did a lot of good work off the ball to close down defenders. On the ball retention was not so good and should have done better with a couple of chances to work keeper.
Amond (7)– took up some excellent positions and complimented well with Abrahams. Kept ball and used it effectively and scored excellent goal to kill the game after going close with a couple of headers.
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — saw few of them tonight, they were flexible and offered good movement in transition but lacked cutting edge.
Weaknesses — lacked teeth all over the pitch, defenders were exposed on times and slow with decision making. Lost discipline and gave several fouls before the late red card.
Opportunities — they mirrored County first half and altered to a more attacking formation after the break which worked well for a time but were unable to sustain it.
Threats — Pressetto and Peraranda were most creative in finding openings. Garner did well in transition with some neat passes.
OFFICIALS
C Breakspeare (6) — both sides found him frustrating, got the key decisions right but booked harshly on some tackles which were just mistimed or collisions.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Josh Labadie — lead the side well, well taken goal, at the heart of the best moves, looked sharp tonight and when he shifted the ball from under his feet quickly Watford were often in trouble
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were last in the League Cup 3rd Round in season 62–63 when they succumbed 2–1 to Man City after Billy Herritty had put them ahead. County are playing with confidence presently and with Watford possibly underestimating their capability they were deservedly beaten tonight such was the first half dominance. The selection was good with several players sacrificed to the bench which kept the freshness from the previous game Saturday. Josh Labadie had a good game coming in more offensive role and enjoyed the freedom possibly not on offer in a traditional league two game. County kept the ball very well as they have done since the offset and showed tremendous work rate which never allowed Watford to settle. Next up is Bolton Wanderers away who have struggled for form in the opening games so County need to aware of some backlash and be prepared to battle to get a result. They have Eoin Doyle up front who will offer plenty of guile and been adopting a 451 formation with both full backs prepared to push on gung-ho. County will need negate that threat but can exploit in behind with some vulnerability Bolton have had in dealing with crosses.
