County slow the Orient express
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 0
Leyton Orient 0
Attendance: 4,313
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County dDWLLWLWLD
Leyton Orient WWWLLWWWWd
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Leyton Orient have been top of the league since late August and will be out to avenge a rare defeat against County in October. County need to show the steel as against Wimbledon on Boxing Day but improve quality final third.
CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy with a keen breeze. Pitch in decent condition after heavy rain this week.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Competed well, kept focus to limit threats to probe openings but final touch missing.
TURNING POINT
None to note.
THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes from the Wimbledon match Boxing Day with James Waite sacrificed to the bench in place of Adam Lewis who went left wing back with Aaron Lewis slotting into a central midfield. There was another change up front with Omar Bogle returning to the side in place of Will Evans who was on the bench. Lewis settled in well at left wing back stringing some early low fluent moves to test Orient. County competed well across the middle in the early exchanges having the better of the ball but Orient worked to stifle with centre backs Happe and Beckles vigilant. On 12 minutes, County worked a good situation from the middle of the pitch with Aaron Lewis stealing the ball off Moncur deep inside the County half. He worked a quick ball to expose Orient with Bogle left 1v1 against Beckles but he was somewhat harshly penalised for a shoulder to shoulder challenge. Orient remained patient in possession playing from deep with some well worked moves which County monitored well with Lewis and Bennett working in tandem to stifle. The game settled into a pattern with Orient thoughtful probing with their passes but County the more bold in transition. On 22 minutes, Norman did well following a forceful run right side cutting inside on his less favoured left but the effort from 25 yards flashed well wide of the left post. On 25 minutes, Orient were given another warning when Norman drove right side to attack the byline and his cross into the area had venom but eluded late runs by Bogle and Zanzala. County opted for some direct balls to test Orient with Bogle and Zanzala forced into some wresting to keep the ball but they found decisions continue to go against them. Orient opted for a more direct approach and were close on 28 minutes catching County asleep when right back James picked out the run of Drinan right side of the area. He carried his run right side of the area but dragged a low effort from 16 yards just wide of the left post. Orient gained some confidence from their approach play and were close again on 32 minutes when a corner right side was glanced on by Beckles and Kelman followed up but could only head over from 6 yards under pressure from Farquharson. Orient created another snappy break on 36 minutes using their right side efficiently and Drydale got coaxed into an untidy low challenge to prevent the run of Kelman. County sat off a little as half time approached allowing Orient to ping ball direct from deep. County responded with some counter attacks and crafted a decent chance on 42 minutes following a corner left side by Aaron Lewis. Norman anticipated leaping well under pressure but his header from 10 yards dropped wide of the right post. On 45 minutes, County had an even better chance following a low corner worked smartly right side. The ball was played out to Bennett who delivered a decent deep cross which Drydale directed firmly with a strong header and the ball appeared to go overline the but the lineswomen saw otherwise. The rebound was followed up by Bogle but the keeper Vigouroux recovered to save in the left corner.
Orient came out more determined early in the second half testing County with some direct play with some quicker balls worked from the middle of the pitch with Moncur and Archibald seeing more of the ball. On 52 minutes, Farquharson was caught in possession delaying a clearance and Moncur struck a low shot from 25 yards which Drysdale blocked well. On 54 minutes, Orient worked a low smart move right side with James accurately finding Archibald right side of the area but his low shot on the turn was well held by Day. County opted for some direct moves to counter with Zanzala working hard to keep the ball but he didn’t get the rub of the green on some decisions. County shackled the direct balls from Orient well and upped their efforts again with some better moves to shift Orient around the pitch. On 65 minutes, Zanzala coaxed Beckles into a clumsy late challenge deep inside the Orient half which got him a yellow card. Orient made a change in midfield soon after with Moncur replaced by Brown. County kept probing right side with Norman eager to provide an outlet and he was close on 66 minutes when he stuck a bold ambitious half volley from 30 yards which fizzed wide of the left post and bar. Orient introduced another change 68 minutes with Wareham on for Kelman. Orient maintained their energy and worked a smart low move on 72 minutes down the right flank through the industry of Brown who found El Mizouni but his snapshot was well blocked by Demetriou. County responded with their first change on 78 minutes with Wildig on for Adam Lewis. Wildig slotted into central midfield with Aaron Lewis going left wing back. Orient had their best opportunity of the game 80 minutes with a good move from deep with El Mizouni again driving right side of the area and he had an opportunity to shoot but opted to pass inside to Archibald but the ball was overplayed. It was a let off for County but they responded well in the final minutes forcing Orient deeper. On 82 minutes, Orient made another change with Ogie on for Hunt at right back. County responded with a double change up front replacing Bogle and Zanzala with Evans and Collins. County had an appeal for a penalty on 88 minutes when a slick passing move just inside the Orient area saw Evans find Wildig and his snapshot struck Beckles but the referee was unmoved. The referee continued to frustrate ignoring a blatant handball by Clay in the middle of the pitch and allowed play to continue but the County defence were thankfully able to recover and clear the danger. In the five minutes of injury time, both sides jockeyed for positions but neither were able to test the keeper and the matched ended even.
Day (7) — hurried on some kicks but coped well. bit erratic with some kicks from standing positions. Made a couple of important saves low down when left exposed and handled well/
Adam Lewis (7) — decent game back after injury, offered plenty of variety with low accurate passes. got forward into good positions in transition and needs to demand ball more back post with late runs
Farquharson (7) — dominated in the aerial duals but lost concentration on some direct balls and loose with clearances. Recovered well to avert danger and made some important interceptions.
Demetriou (7) — did well in aerial duals winning majority and dealt with loose balls in behind to deny Davidson. Provided usual quota of effective long throws.
Drysdale (6) — was tested by direct play but made some good decisions to go tight and drop off winning headers well. coped well after booking and went close again from set pieces.
Norman (7) — steady game, won some good headers and offered outlet to add verve right side. provided best crosses when drove to the byline and showed prowess shooting from distance.
Bennett (7) — competitive won his aerial duals, made some stern tackles to stifle and interrupt rhythm. Provided some excellent crosses off from some short corners.
Moriah-Welsh (7) — kept popping up with some strong dynamic runs and competed well winning his tackles. Played a bit deeper later in the game and took control with some neat passes.
Aaron Lewis (8) — adapted well dropping into midfield and was alert to break up play with some tenacious challenges and used ball very well when he got it before switching to left wing back late on.
Bogle (6) — worked hard to fend of challenges but given little protection again. Found chances limited but went close a couple of anticipating inside six yard box and needs to do more of that.
Zanzala (6) — did well to get across the defender but often let down by poor touch. Did better when he span off the man and got goalside. Frustrated as chances were limited but worked tirelessly.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Leyton Orient)
Strengths — composed and robust defending, passed well from back to front creating some neat patterns of play.
Weaknesses — lacked cutting edge, persisted with hopeful direct balls in behind and got away with several cynical challenges.
Opportunities — struck rigidly with 4–2–3–1 formation working the ball wide. Went more direct in their approach after half time and lost appetite to pass
Threats — Moncur picked a ball from deep, El Mizouni box to box energy and best chances came through him.
OFFICIALS
P Wright (5) — unfortunately got some key decisions wrong rather than right. Most notably two handballs which could have cost County a win or a draw. Consistent but ignored some of crude challenges which warranted bookings.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Aaron Lewis — showed flexibility to play in more central midfield role and did a decent job with and without the ball. Allowed County to counter press several times and work opportunities.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County matched Orient toe to toe and did a good job to temper their strengths and not allow them to build momentum with their passing game. County had some good situations to flip the ball around after winning it quick and early in midfield but often lacked conviction or quality to punish Orient. County also had some opportunities when Orient left 1v1 in this match but didn’t always get the rub of the green with some of the decisions. County can work on their patterns of play final third and execution but they did show promise today when they worked the ball low and smart. If they keep working on their crossing and anticipation of the ball back post goals will come. Next up is Crawley Town at home on Bank Holiday Monday who will travel with some uncertainty with their playing squad due to internal political wrangling. It is difficult to predict which side or formation Crawley will opt for but most likely to be a 4–5–1 counter attacking formation with former County striker Dominic Telford leading the line. County can expect a fired up side with a point to prove and will need to match their work ethic but can exploit their defensive fragilities from set pieces.
