County savour home comforts

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (C Evans 33, Baker 74)

Crewe Alexandra 1 (Thibaut 71)

Attendance: 4,273

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County LLWWWLLLWL

Crewe Alexandra LLLdWLWWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Crewe are in decent form so expect them to be positive. County need force them back in wide areas and assert their game to pick gaps in transition. Work ethic will be key.

CONDITIONS

Sunny, quite warm and light breeze. Pitch in decent condition but slippery in parts after recent heavy rain.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Creative spells with efficiency to create two quality goals and defended stoutly.

TURNING POINT

None but assertive first ten minutes built confidence.

THE MATCH

County made a couple of changes following their 2–0 away defeat at Barrow with the same four man defence but made some adjustments in midfield with Rai replaced by Antwi who went into central midfield with Kamwa swapping to the left wing. There was another with Hudlin sacrificed up top and captain Wildig returned after injury to bolster midfield. County adjusted to play a 4–5–1 formation with former Crewe striker Baker-Richardson the loan striker competing against former County player Mickey Demetriou. County made their intentions clear inside the first minute catching Crewe sleeping when a slick move through the middle saw Morris thread a pass for Kamwa left side of the 18 yard box but Sanders got an important interception in to divert the cross for a corner. County kept pressing with some strong moves and Crewe were in trouble again on 3 minutes when Rooney got pickpocketed right side. Wildig slipped a quick pass left side for Kamwa and some quick feet coaxed Knight-Lebel into a clumsy tackle which saw him booked. Crewe kept forcing the issue right side and were close on 5 minutes when a combination between Sanders and Cooney inside the box invited Cooney forward who was left untracked but his low effort from an acute angle was saved by legs of Townsend. County kept pressing the right buttons with both full backs contributing with Glennon left side and Cameron Evans right side. On 10 minutes, Cameron Evans made a dynamic run right side but was checked by Lankester inviting County to take a free kick in a decent position. Glennon whipped in a decent cross which Baker-Richardson rose strongly under pressure but his glancing header from 8 yards went just over the bar. Crewe eased their way into the game with patterns of play left side with left wing back Conway forceful with the ball at his feet but County kept a good shape to squash the danger. On 22 minutes, Conway threaded a low for Lankester and he was caught late by Cameron Evans who got a booking for his first real challenge. County were unshaken and kept probing in wide areas and when moves broke down they recovered well in midfield with Antwi and Morris picking up bits and pieces. Crewe continued to play largely direct with Hemmings an outlet up top but the County defence did well to stifle moves. On 25 minutes, County broke well left with Kamwa strong with his run to the byline and the cross to the front post was picked up by Baker-Richardson. Despite seeing his shot on the turn blocked, Wildig anticipated well but he couldn’t quite keep his effort down as it went past right post and bar. On 28 minutes, County were close when harmlessly looking ball from Baker bounced over the goalkeeper as he advances outside the box, but Demetriou recovered well to deny Baker-Richardson slotting home. With County well on top, they worked another decent situation on 30 minutes following a smart move right side and Kieran Evans found Wildig just inside and he cut back a neat pass to the edge of the area inviting Morris to shoot first time but he mistimed his half volley from 20 yards not testing the keeper. On 32 minutes, there was another warning for Crewe when a strong header from Jameson went in behind the Crewe defence and Kamwa pounced on the loose ball but his volley left side of the box went high and wide of the right post and bar. County got the goal they deserved moments later following a fast move through the middle with Antwi showing good vision to link with Cameron Evans and this time he adjusted before blasting a superb effort from 25 yards into the top left corner giving keeper Marschall little chance. Crewe made efforts to pick up their game with some bold runs from Tracey right side to pick up the debris but the County defence kept focussed clearing the danger well. On 38 minutes, Crewe had Lankester booked for dissent contesting a ball that had been run out near the right touchline. County kept pressing gaining some good territory with their efficient of play and won a corner on 45 minutes right side. Glennon whipped in a testing delivery and some hesitation by the Crewe defence saw Kamwa ghost in but his under pressure from 10 yards went wide of the right post. Crewe had glimmer of chance on 45+4 minutes when Lankester drilled a snapshot from the edge of the area after forcing County to defend deeply but the effort was well blocked by Morris. On 45+7 minutes, Crewe switched play well from left to the right side of the box and Glennon appeared to win the tackle against Cooney cleanly outside the box but he got a somewhat harsh booking.

Crewe continued where they left off forcing County deeper after half time putting in some testing crosses which were dealt with well. County continued to absorb pressure well and use the ball smartly coming forward. On 50 minutes, Antwi was again pivotal angling his run left side and cut back a pass to Morris. He had plenty of time to adjust but the effort from 25 yards was dragged wide of the left post. Crewe were forced into a change on 52 minutes with centre midfielder Tabiner injured and he was replaced by Breckin. On 58 minutes, County timed a good move left side with Glennon threading a neat pass to Kamwa and a neat exchange with Wildig invited him to shoot but he effort was blocked. Crewe raised the bar with some strong runs by Cooney right side which won some corners. On 60 minutes, Crewe worked a short corner right side with Tracey and he set up Lankester who drilled low powerful effort from 20 yards which Townsend reacted well to parry around the right post. Crewe were forced into another change on 62 minutes with Hemmings pulling up and he was replaced by Thibaut. County worked hard to protect their lead and with Crewe overzealous pushing numbers forward from deep there were options on the break for County. On 65 minutes, Wildig did well to exploit space when a Crewe move down and his low pass was cut out by Williams with Baker-Richardson marauding into a dangerous position. Crewe kept plugging away with some direct ball to wide areas putting County full backs under pressure. County had a great chance to kill the game on 71 minutes when a slick move through the middle saw Crewe short at the back and Wildig found Kamwa. He did everything right with a low fizzing effort from the edge of the box which struck the right post and went across the goal line. Crewe caught County napping with a quick break right side with Cooney finding an extra yard to beat Glennon and his precise cross was poked home inside the six yard by Thibaut. County made a change soon after to freshen the pack with Wildig replaced by Greaves and kept the fizz with some bright moves through the middle. On 75 minutes, they were back in front following a bold move left side following a throw in. Glennon overlapped well timing his run to receive a pass from Kamwa and his immaculate cross was met with a firm header by Baker from 8 yards with Marschall grasping thin air. County made another change on 82 minutes with left sided Spellman getting his first minutes this season coming on for Kamwa. Crewe gambled with a some late changes that saw left wing back Conway replaced by Anguis and Tracey replaced by Roberts with Crewe going 3–4–3. Crewe had more of the ball in the final ten minutes with County happy to play on the break using Spellman as an outlet left side. County had to deal with some forceful runs right side by Cooney and crosses into the area but they cleared their lines well under pressure. On 89 minutes, County made a double substitution with the towering Hudlin replacing Baker-Richardson and Antwi replaced by Mawene. There were 7 minutes of injury time played and the booking continued to reign in with Breckin catching Glennon very late on 90+2 minutes preventing his strong run left side. Baker was then booked on 90+4 minutes for crudely blocking the run of Thibaut as they broke near the left flank. County were in no mood to relinquish the lead another time and battled out the final minutes with some stout defending squashing some hopeful crosses into the area and gain a psychological victory.

Townsend (7) — made a couple of important instinctive saves at important times and was quick to clear danger in behind. Distributed well and handled well on crosses.

C Evans (8) — forced to defend in spells especially early on but kept Conway quiet. Performed very well after booking, timed runs forward scoring an excellent goal and defended well second half

Glennon (7) — had a positive effect carrying threat higher up the pitch and despite harsh booking competed well and provided several decent crosses no more important than on the second goal

Jameson (8) — lapped up aerial duals giving Hemmings little joy in behind. Got ball moving quicker today and improved distribution, speed of though. Made some key interceptions inside the box

Baker (7) — switched off a couple of times first half allowing space but kept focus timing tackles well. made some good clearances under pressure to mop up and took his goal well with leap back post

Morris (7) — continues to build back fitness, passed well and despite not every one coming off intention was there. Worked hard to cover danger and snapped at a couple of chance edge of the area.

K Evans (6) — worked hard to get into the game linking play and mobility box to box was good but needs to get more shots on goal. Dropped deeper as game progressed.

Wildig (7) — completed well and took a couple of knocks but unshaken. Was close with a couple of clever passes and despite not getting on the final ball was at the heart of the best moves.

Antwi (7) — much more involved game, saw ball early and moved it effectively into threatening areas. Work hard to deny space and showed a different side to his game today.

Kamwa (7) — did well to work Cooney deeper and was dynamic with well-timed pacey runs. can improve final ball and force some moves. Unlucky not to score after several shots

Baker-Richardson (7) — did well to retain the ball under pressure and kept his passing neat and tidy. Worked hard throughout and went close a couple of times inside the six yard box.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Crewe Alexandra)

Strengths — worked wide areas and mixed game up well with some good switches of play.

Weaknesses — overzealous with numbers forward on times and defence was left exposed. Plenty of crosses but a lot hopeful and were always vulnerable to turnaround

Opportunities — tried to test County full backs with several direct high balls and kept probing in wide areas. Went 3–4–3 late but looked fragile.

Threats — Lankester had an eye for goal and cross. Cooney runs and quality with crosses right side. Tracey offered pace and good movement. Demetriou aerial threat set pieces.

OFFICIALS

A Young (7) — bit harsh with some bookings and did not always pick up the shirt pulling and clambering. Got the key decisions right,

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cameron Evans — was steady and composed dealing well with direct balls. Passed well under pressure and broke well with intelligent runs. Took his goal very well.

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started the game on the front-foot and despite not getting early joy this set a precedent with County prepared to take the game to Crewe. Kamwa saw a lot of the ball early on catching Crewe napping several times with his pace and with better quality inside the box County would have been ahead but they forced it final third. Crewe were never going sit back with their wing backs bold using a 352 formation. County combated this well playing 4–5–1, attacking with width often staying high with Kamwa and Evans hugging their touchlines. The formation was complimented today as the wingers had three mobile central midfielders in Morris, Wildig and Antwi to cover, that were busy and combative but when efficient with their passing and final ball put Crewe on the backfoot. County had to show a different side to their game in the latter stages and were prepared to dog out the game, take the odd card in the right area and do the dirty work with defence keeping their concentration much better today. Next up this Tuesday evening is Salford City who have had the edge over County in recent league game and if there is one side they need to get their monkey of the back it’s Salford. They have been inconsistent this season, struggling for goals despite playing a positive 3–4–3 formation and no natural target man. N’Mai offers pace left side and Stockton and outlet to build momentum needs stifling. County may need to manage gametime of some players after a tough slog today but can fine tune with the same template