County slip ups derailing promotion challenge
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Holker Road
Barrow 2 (Quigley 56, Barrow 84)
Newport County 1 (Bennett 24)
Attendance:
Form:
Newport County DLWdLWWWLL
Barrow LLWLLWWWLL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Barrow are just above the relegation zone and been in inconsistent form. County gone with an experience side so key they stamp their authority but do the off the ball work as well.
CONDITIONS
Cool, sunny and breezy. Pitch looked dry and erratic bounce in parts.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Took care of the ball first half but undone all good work with poor retention and bad decision making on and off the pitch
TURNING POINT
Half Time — wasn’t pivotal but Barrow equaliser put them on the front-foot.
THE MATCH
County made a few changes from the side that last played nearly a fortnight ago against Leyton Orient. They were forced into a change in central defence with Priestley Farquharson not in the squad and he was replaced by Joe Ledley. County made two changes up front with Padraig Amond and Ryan Taylor replacing Jake Scrimshaw and Nicky Maynard who were on the bench. County made the more assured start with a keen breeze encouraging them deep into the Barrow half and they won a couple of early corners which Barrow managed to scramble away to safety. County looked to measure some straight passes in to Taylor but some poor ball retention allowed Barrow to steal possession cheaply but they were quickly denied space to threaten by the County defence. After dominating the early territory, County were nearly caught out on 8 minutes when a long throw left side of the area by Thomas was allowed to drop inside the area and despite Demetriou getting the ball clear Devitt seized the loose ball. From an acute angle he adjusted well but his low went into the side netting. Barrow persisted with long balls to relieve pressure using Quigley as an outlet but found possession difficult to maintain. County were patient in the approach play building possession well from deep with Barrow happy to sit off and County worked a couple decent moves left flank with Lewis seeing plenty of the ball but the final cross was too floated and lacked edge allowing Barrow to clear. On 12 minutes, County worked a more decisive through the middle with Demetriou threading a clever low pass to Sheehan. He drove into space and struck an opportunist effort from 30 yards which fizzed just wide of the right post. Some of the challenges in midfield were combative with Barrow not shirking and Taylor was lucky to escape after catching Dolan and Labadie late. Barrow set their stall out to sit in and counter when invited with James busy right side but County were quick to work the ball to the left. On 20 minutes, Lewis did well to force his run past Barry and dink in an early cross which Thomas headed clear to the edge of the area. Amond took control of the ball but his lofted volley dropped over the bar. County kept probing away with some neat exchanges through the middle with Sheehan spreading some excellent passes around. On 24 minutes, County got their reward from another move left side when Taylor was fouled by Thomas. From the resultant free kick Sheehan whipped in a vicious cross which sat up for Taylor and despite his snapshot from 10 yards box being blocked, Bennett was quick to rifle in a shot which deflected into the left corner from 12 yards. Barrow made efforts to pick up their game winning some throws either side of the 18 box, which gave concerns with the County defence indecisive with their headers. County worked another decent move on 28 minutes down the left side with Lewis and Sheehan working a low intricate move and the snapshot by Sheehan from an acute angle was blocked inside the six yard area. On 30 minutes, Sheehan repaid the compliment, setting an opportunist effort for Lewis which was dragged just wide of the left post from 25 yards. Barrow made efforts to pick up the intensity of their game as half time approached pressing up higher and mistakes crept into County’s game. On 35 minutes, Ledley played a short pass deep inside his own half which Devitt was quick to latch onto. He picked out a quick pass right side of the area for Quigley who was offered acres of space but his effort from right side of the area was thrashed well over the bar. With Barrow forcing the issue, County had opportunities on the break to get a second goal but were let down by poor quality with the final ball. Barrow had another glimmer of chance on 41 minutes when Devitt was allowed to roam inside from the right flank but his effort from 25 yards was well wide of the left post. On 43 minutes, County broke well when Ledley broke up play to find Labadie with a quick pass. He turned well near the right corner of the area and his low shot was saved in the right corner. Barrow kept pressing on the stroke of half time and Labadie was booked for kicking the ball to delay a free kick. Moments later, Quigley again showed his eye for goal striking an half volley wide of the left post.
County started the second half being sloppy in possession and were given a warning on 46 minutes after Taylor lost possession cheaply deep inside the Barrow half. Banks were able to seize the loose ball and his quick pass found James right side. He showed pace to get outside Lewis and drive to the right side of the area and his low shot was well saved by Townsend. The game degenerated as a spectacle with several untidy fouls interrupting the flow on the game which suited Barrow to a tee. County continued to offer most threat left side with Lewis prominent with support from Demetriou but the final ball into the area was eluding Amond and Taylor. County struggled for same cohesion as in the first half with Barrow easily prising the ball away and they gained confidence to attack from deep. On 56 minutes, County were ruthlessly punished with some naïve approach left side inside the Barrow half. Demetriou lost control of the ball and Taylor played a neat first time pass for Quigley to latch onto. With County left exposed, Bennett did well to track back and force Quigley wide but got coaxed into a sliding tackle and Shephard then sat on the floor in the challenge allowing Quigley to blast home from 10 yard with the help of deflection. County made efforts to respond with Dolan slotting into central midfield to influence some better control of the ball but Barrow remained robust and continued to pick County off with some direct play. On 67 minutes, County had another warning when Barry won an aerial challenge with Taylor and the ball was allowed to drop through the middle for Quigley. He had a clear run through on goal and elected to shoot early near the edge of the area but Townsend made a smart low instinctive save to deny him. On 68 minutes, Barrow won a free kick left side after some indecision in meeting the ball early by County. Devitt whipped in decent free kick but stabbed an effort wide of the left post under pressure from Ledley. County were limp and struggled to find cohesion with poor touch especially final third and made a change on 75 minutes with Maynard replacing Amond. On 77 minutes, County created their first real chance of the second half when they went more direct shifting play well right side with Shepherd find Ledley inside but his first time effort from 20 yards went just wide of the right post. On 79 minutes, Barrow were quick to exploit some weary play by County left side with Barry making a dynamic run from deep and he was caught late by Demetriou who was booked. County kept probing away left side and carved out a half chance on 82 minutes through the industry of Sheehan left side of the area. He danced past a couple of challenges and struck a low shot from 14 yards which the keeper held well low down. Barrow remained a threat on the break with committing players forward and they were caught out again on 84 minutes when James was allowed far too much space right side and Sheehan mistimed his tackle tracking back. Devitt took the free kick from 20 yards and with County wall parting the ball the ball crept into the right corner just beyond the grasp of Townsend. County made a triple substitution immediately with Ellison, Scrimshaw and Collins replacing Ledley, Bennett and Taylor. Barrow made a defensive change with Beadling replacing Devitt. County made desperate to force play higher up the pitch with some direct balls but lacked cohesion to trouble Barrow. To make matters worse, Demetriou got a second booking on 90 minutes for catching Ntlhe marginally late and was sent off. County huffed and puffed offering little concern to Barrow and the hosts went closer on 90+2 minutes when Banks blasted a free kick from 30 yards just over the bar. Barrow held on for a deserved victory and some valuable points to steer themselves away from their relegation zone.
Townsend (6) — made some good claims on crosses and was not overworked but made important save to keep score level. Kicking was erratic on times, did better with throw outs.
Ledley (6) — had a decent first half, broke up play a picked early pass to feet but error prone with some lose passes and still looks short of match fitness.
Lewis (6) — was arguably the best outlet and put in fair quota of crosses which were more hopeful than cutting. Battled well and went close with a couple of shots from distance.
Demetriou (5) — did well first half, cleared his lines well and linked play left side in tandem with Lewis. Jumped into challenges late with some tired tackles which were costly.
Shephard (6) — quiet game, got outside Brough very occasionally but crosses restricted. Defended well enough but dived on the challenge to deny Quigley allowing shot to score.
Dolan (6) — neat and tidy passing first half working ball and picking gaps. Provided some decent set pieces which deserved better outcome. Offered less influence late on and faded.
Labadie (6) — needed pick out a quicker pass and got bogged down into several untidy tackles instead of breaking shackles. Stupid booking on the stroke of half time impaired side.
Sheehan (7) — offered rare moments of quality with passes and made side tick first half. Offered less time second half but still had best moments and looked most likely to score.
Bennett (6) — was busy first half and timed his runs forward getting box to box. Took his goal well but got exposed second half for lack of pace when ball was lost deep inside Barrow half
Amond (6) — never really clicked with Taylor, did his best work when we he went individual ghosting into wide positions to take control. Had few clear-cut chances with poor ammunition.
Taylor (5) — made to look poor on times, struggled to retain under pressure and bullied in aerial duals. Offered no threat or shots on goal and was a surprise he was not replaced earlier.
Strengths — saw little of them until second half when they came out of their shell. They set their stall out to counter from deep and were effective at it. Battled tenaciously off the ball.
Weaknesses — committed several fouls through the middle of the pitch. Relied on direct ball as an outlet and were predictable but effective.
Opportunities — they mirrored County and pretty blocked out the wide play forcing it back into the middle. Changed to press up higher and more aggressively which paid dividends.
Threats — James pace right side, Quigley aerial prowess and eye for a shot. Banks and Taylor were effective with their direct passes.
OFFICIALS
L Mason (6) — lenient for most of the game, ignored much of the cynical play and afters so late bookings went a bit against the grain
MAN OF THE MATCH
Luke James — punished County time and time again second half with an outlet right side and pace was key. At the heart of the best moves and was intelligent with his movement.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County again flattered to deceive and are running out games now where they can drop points so timidly from a winning position. It should have been a draw today at the very least but naivety pushing players recklessly forward cost them dearly after Barrow had issued several warnings on the break before they scored. The changes made were far too late and hopeful more than planned with County over committing in the latter stages and they lacked the same care with the ball as they showed first half. Taylor was effective at Plymouth when he had effervescence around him with players like Carey and Sarcevic intelligent in their link play, but such was the isolation between the midfield and attack second half, Barrow were allowed to pick off County at will countering from deep. County had better possession overall again in a match, but were not as threatening as the hosts who were more decisive and direct. County also struggled for quality today from wide positions with Shephard unable to penetrate right side and despite Lewis seeing plenty of the ball, but crosses were hit and miss. Next up is Bolton Wanderers at home who have crept into the top 3 in recent weeks. After consecutive defeats, County really need to show a response to bounce-back and make a statement with Tranmere and Forest Green Rovers being impaired by injuries they still have a big opportunity this season. Bolton are likely to adopt a 4–2–3–1 attacking formation with Doyle goal threat up top and three in behind who will work hard to press and unsettle. Bolton full backs Jones and John are key offering energy to their game but something County can exploit if they are too gung-ho. County need to match or better their energy out wide and press home the key battles in midfield Williams v Labadie and Lee v Sheehan.
