County run out steam but still in the hat
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (McCloughlin 44)
Barnet 1 (Collinge 89)
Attendance: 2,707
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County WLWLDWLWdL
Barnet DWWDWWLLLL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County bench looks stronger but same starting side after two tough matches gives assurance. Barnet are 3rd in Conference and despite a poor run recently shouldn’t be underestimated.
CONDITIONS
Very cold, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch covers have kept frost at bay and retained excellent condition.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
A yard off the pace and poor cohesion middle top end of the pitch kept putting County on the backfoot.
TURNING POINT
Bogle chance to kill the game lifted Barnet again in the final stages
THE MATCH
County retained the same side that fought out a valuable away win at Morecambe mid-week despite a stronger looking bench with Adam Wildig back in the squad. County started on the front-foot penetrating right side when Evans burst through right side of the area. His early cross into the six yard box was diverted away by Collinge with an important challenge ahead of Bogle and Walker was thankful to claim low down. Barnet operated with a bold 3–4–3 system to match County and were keen to use the flanks. Barnet left centre back Okimo saw a lot of the ball in the early stages and this set a precedence with some strong runs left side working in tandem with Pritchard. County were forced defend some good low moves with Kanu forcing free kicks left side but County defended their box well on set pieces. County were forced back with Kanu winning some throws left side but they had a great chance to punish Barnet on 18 minutes following a Barnet through left side by right midfielder Cropper. Delaney made a towering header to clear the throw which Bennett seized upon and directed a quick pass left side for Morris. With Cropper out of position and the defence stretched Morris had a free run from the halfway line but appeared to overrun the ball allowing Brunt make an important recovery inside the area. On 22 minutes, a move right side by County saw them limit touches well and Bogle found Evans but his snapshot from the right corner of the box was comfortable for Walker. Barnet retained possession well with County looking increasingly flat and when they did win the ball back they were inefficient with their passing. Barnet persisted with the left side using the trickery of Kanu and with Payne under pressure Evans was forced back to defend deeper. Barnet switched attention to the right side with Hooper dictating some moves with County allowing far too much freedom in midfield. On 32 minutes, Barnet sent out another warning with Brunt combining with Hooper who threaded a pass right side for Cropper. He found the extra yard right side of the area to deliver a decent cross which flashed deep but Barnet had nobody reading it. On 40 minutes, County worked their best move of the half finding some composure and nerve to work the Barnet defence around. Morris clipped in a decent cross left side into the area and Evans did well to get across Collinge but his glancing header from 10 yards drifted wide of the right post. On 43 minutes, County won a free kick left corner of the box when Delaney rose strongly Oluwo completely mistimed his challenge. Morris addressed the free kick well and curled an excellent effort from 25 yards which crashed against the left post and to safety. County were energised from their snappy spell of pressure and took the lead on the stroke of half time catching Barnet napping following a quick counter. The source was surprising when a quick pass right side was seized upon by Clarke. He showed prowess deliver a precise cross towards the back post pinpointing McCloughlin who stabbed the ball home.
The second half saw Barnet resume control of the game with some neat low passes and switches of play. County prised a half chance on 50 minutes from a direct move with Bogle unsettling Oluwo in an aerial challenge. He was quick to pull off into space and scooped a decent pass through the middle for Palmer-Houlden. He burst through but somewhat rushed his effort from 20 yards which Walker claimed and held well. Barnet were happy to work the ball from deep with County struggling to apply pressure collectively they were able to carry moves up the pitch forcing County to defend inside their own half. On 53 minutes, another bright move left side by Barnet saw Kabamba manufacture space to hit a shot on the turn left side of the area which was well blocked by Clarke and the follow by Kanu was blasted over the bar. County made efforts to pick up their game but lacked fluency and had to settle for scraps they could feed off. On 62 minutes, Kanu was forced back to defend and handled right side of the area. McCloughlin whipped over a decent free kick which Clarke met well from 10 yards but his looping header went just over the bar. County made a much needed double substitution moments later with Bondswell coming on for Payne and Palmer-Houlden sacrificed for Charsley. Barnet responded right wing back Hall-Johnson coming on for Cropper and Armstrong replacing Hooper. The changes did little to ingnite County with them forced deeper in the last 20 minutes and seeing little of the ball. On 72 minutes, Barnet made a decisive break right side with Hall-Johnson dribbling right side and his early cross flashed through eluding late runs into the area by Kabamba. County made another change on 75 minutes in an effort to seek to assert some balance and control again. On 78 minutes, County worked a better move with Bogle setting up a move right side. McCloughlin delivered a decent cross which Barnet could only half clear and Morris was alert getting in a decent shot from 25 yards which fizzed just over the bar. With Barnet forced to push on, County had a great chance to kill the game on 80 minutes when a direct clearance by Delaney released Bogle left side. He drove forward into acres of space but his low shot was saved by the legs of Walker. The miss lifted Barnet and they were close again on 82 minutes when Hartigan released a neat through ball for Kabamba right corner of the area and his low shot was parried around the right post by Townsend. County had another good situation on 86 minutes with Barnet stretched following a move broke near the edge of the County area. Wildig found Charsley who had space to drive the middle but looked to find Evans left side of the area. He won the ball ahead of Oluwo and raced goalside but some indecision allowed the defender to recover. Barnet made a late change sacrificing defender Oluwo with Potter coming into right midfield. Barnet had a series of late corners with County struggling to clear their lines effectively and got an equaliser on 89 minutes. Brunt whipped in a low delivery and Collinge was the more alert bursting through to head home from inside the six yard box. Barnet made efforts to win the game in the four minutes of injury time with County indecisive and inviting corners. On 90+3 minutes, Kanu hit an opportunist shot on the turn just outside box which was well blocked Baker. The game finished level with Barnet giving a good account of themselves with their adventurous play going unrewarded.
Townsend (7) — wasn’t overworked but made a couple of important saves to retain lead at the time. got rushed into some kicks but when he directed kicks long they did cause some problems.
Payne (6) — put under pressure by Kanu but did well to track and stifle, limiting supply. Made some good tackles to track back and recover preventing crosses. Saw little of him beyond the half way line
McCloughlin (7) — best moves came left side and County lost impetus when he was switched. Showed intelligent to get back post and finish goal well. Provided several decent set pieces again.
Delaney (7) — dominated the aerial duals and was effective inside the Barnet box when County did manage to work free kicks high up the pitch. Made some good blocks inside the area and cleared well
Clarke (7) — got rushed on times and coaxed into some untidy fouls on Kabamba and needed to stand ground. Ghosted in well on a couple of set pieces again with Delaney being closely marked
Baker (6) — comfortable in the air and made some good blocks and interceptions. Forced deep on times fire-fighting Barnet moves left side having to come across and assist Payne.
Bennett (5) — disappointing game, slow to react to loose ball and desperately needed an outlet to keep the ball and buy time with the front three struggling but hided. Look tired and replaced early
Morris (5) — another player well off the pace, looked leggy throughout in body and mind with veteran Hooper running circles around him. Went close on couple of shots from distance.
Evans (5) — ran into so many dead ends today and when he got goalside was down on the spring and energy allowing Oluwo to recover. got forced deep instead and unable assert his normal game.
Bogle (6) — the best of the front three, did his best with ball at feet and looked inside the “pass” when he went straight through in two mind instead of burying his chance. Running on empty at the end.
Palmer-Houlden (5) — poor game, lacked usual aggression and verve with ball at feet and lost possession cheaply. Restricted to no clear-cut chances and replaced early.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Barnet FC)
Strengths — they were composed in possession and worked wide areas well with strength to keep the ball and pick crosses. Back three recovered well when exposed.
Weaknesses — took risks playing from deep and were able to work some good moves but more aggressive pressing sides would have punished them. Invited space defending their right side
Opportunities — they kept belief despite going behind and passed well. never really changed tact. They were not interested in direct play but showed prowess to pass through County on times.
Threats — Kanu verve left side often chaotic but effective, Kabamba runs into six yard box. Brunt set pieces were useful and Pritchard got into position well left flank to link with Kanu.
OFFICIALS
J Miles (7) — gave several fouls with players going down cheaply and just collisions often confusing players but got key decisions right and played advantage well.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Nicke Kabamba — roamed around and unsettled County defence with some robust challenges and linked play to end of the pitch forcing County deep which was key.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Despite losing 4 games on the spin, Barnet were bold today and caused County problems despite not working that many clearcut chances. They say often the best form of defence is too attack and Barnet asked questions throughout which County struggled to counter threat on. The drop off in performance of the top 3 will undoubtedly get a lot of focus, but it was not helped by lack of control in midfield with Bennett and Morris having indifferent games. Barnet gained confidence with right midfielder Cropper taking long throws either side and when he did go left side, Barnet were left exposed several times, but County were too slow and inefficient to punish Barnet. The “Morris” chance in the first half was a classic case of not punishing a side and Barnet were happy to leave 1v1s and the Bogle chance to kill the game was frustrating. Ultimately, County were collectively flat as a unit, too laboured in transition and as a result errors crept into the game. Did County “run out of steam” today? Possibly — but it is clear the starting side cannot play two tough games in one week and this needs looking at by the manager before a game becomes beyond them. County need to get their players coming back from injury some gametime as there was clearly not any trust to start them today and as they return to match fitness County should become more a more well oiled unit that can put sides to the sword. Next up is Tranmere Rovers away who have shown some improvement under new manager Nigel Adkins. Tranmere are likely to play a functional 4–4–2 formation with Morris offering an outlet left side and Apter quick footed right side who will need tracking. With Tranmere not in FA Cup action today they will be missing aerial prowess of left centre back Turnbull so this invites County to use their aerial height advantage if they can prise out set piece situations.
