County undone by scrappy late goal

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Sixfields

Northampton Town 1 (Horsfall 82)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 4,255

Match Rating: **

Form:

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Northampton Town WWWLLDDdWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Northampton have been stuttering and made a number of loan signings to pep up their frontline. County need to deal with their set pieces but use their strength through the middle of the pitch

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and keen wind. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Got punished for one lapse on set piece, chances were limited, main creativity through the middle

TURNING POINT
Telford miss late on was a big let off for Northampton.

THE MATCH
County made just the one change with Robbie Willmott replacing Oliver Cooper who was on the bench. Northampton made a determined winning an early corner left side which Hoskins whipped in and the ball sat up for McWilliams but leaning back his effort right corner of the area went well over the bar. Northampton playing into the wind made efforts to turn County with some telegraphed balls in behind but these were mopped up well by Pask and Demetriou. County had some joy through the middle with Azaz and Cain getting on the ball but were let down by some overplayed passes which drifted out. Northampton kept probing away with some quick moves from deep initiated by their keeper Roberts winning some throws right side. On 8 minutes, Pinnock launched a long throw into the area which Horsfall glanced wide of the left post from 10 yards. County eased into the game with some better cohesion inside the Northampton half. On 12 minutes, County had a decent chance from a move right side of the area when the ball was kept low and smart. Baker-Richardson slipped a good pass to Azaz but his shot from an acute angle was saved in the bottom right corner by Roberts. County were encouraged forward with some better possession but Northampton were effective on the counter with Hoskins busy right side with some strong runs. On 18 minutes, Northampton caught County off guard when they worked a quick short throw left side and Pinnock had time to deliver an early cross into the area which Guthrie won well under pressure from Demetriou but well blocked. The game remained a contrast in styles with County persisting with low intricate passes and Northampton launching the ball long for Appere to contest. On 25 minutes, County broke well from deep when they stole the ball off Appere and Norman drove through the middle but was crudely checked by Pinnock who was booked. County became more enterprising taking advantage of some indecision in the middle of the pitch and were close again on 30 minutes. Demetriou did well to link and support a move left side and his cross had venom on it drifting deep and Telford picked up the loose ball. His low shot on the turn from an acute was going in but blocked by Guthrie inside the six yard box with the keeper beaten. Moments later, County had another decent situation when a Demetriou long throw left side was only half cleared and Willmott anticipated well with a first time shot from 10 yards which Magloire got a vital block in. Northampton remained a threat in transition with Appere seeing more of the ball with some better passes right side to latch onto. On 35 minutes, Northampton worked a low move right side of the area with McWilliams threading a pass inside near the byline for Hoskins and his low effort was cleared off the line by Bennett in the left corner. County had another decent situation on 43 minutes after winning a throw in right side of the area. Norman delivered the long throw which was some anxiously cleared straight to Demetriou but his looper header from 10 yards went just over the corner of left post and bar. On the stoke of half time, County were close again when an opportunist cross was whipped in right side of the area by Norman and with Northampton unable to clear their lines effectively with Telford menacing, Cain was close to stabbing home but Guthrie managed an important intervention.

County were put under some pressure early in second half with Northampton winning a couple of corners right side which Pinnock delivered well. On 48 minutes, a direct ball by Northampton caused problems for County not dealing with the header and the ball was allowed to drop. Hoskins threaded a pass inside for Appere who found space through the middle but his effort from inside the “d” was rash going high and wide of the left post. Northampton were keen to get Lubala more into the game after a quiet first half and his movement left side kept County occupied. County dealt well with energy and some questionable claims for fouls left side involving Lubala and Northampton manager Jon Brady testing the referee’s patient. County set their stall out to stifle and attack from deep with Norman and Haynes timing their runs well. On 57 minutes, Norman did well to supply a pass right side of the area which Azaz killed and chipped an excellent cross towards the back post which Baker-Richardson met well in the air from 8 yards but his header was held well by Roberts in the left corner. Northampton made a change on the hour with Lubala replaced by Kanu. County remained effective in transition and prised open another half chance on 62 minutes when they shifted play from right to left with Azaz finding Haynes. He drove forward and cut inside to drill a low shot which was well cleared by Horsfall inside the six yard box. County made their first change on 64 minutes with Cain replaced by Cooper. County kept pressing the right buttons and had a great chance to take the lead on 66 minutes when a slick move through the middle opened up Northampton. Azaz was pivotal with a low pass left side for Telford to latch onto but his shot inside the area was pushed away by the keeper. County then had Cooper somewhat harshly booked for his first honest tackle just inside the Northampton half clipping the wings of McWilliams. Pinnock took the set piece pinpointing Guthrie but his header under pressure from 10 yards drifted harmlessly over the bar. In a bit of purple patch for Northampton they created a better chance on 70 minutes when Pinnock angled his run right side and cut back inside to cross back post picking out the late run of Koiki but his rash effort from 10 yards went over the bar. With Koiki gambling with his runs left side, there were opportunities for County on the break and they had couple of appeals for fouls right side of the area turned down by the referee. On 73 minutes, Norman was booked after a challenge on Koiki, somewhat born out of frustration when he didn’t get the call with a decision. On 77 minutes, County were nearly punished when some untidy passing from deep allowed Pinnock to pinch the ball from Bennett. He elected to hit an ambitious effort from 30 yards which Townsend claimed well low down. County kept pressing the right buttons with some clever exchanges through the middle and Northampton had Magloire in the book on 78 minutes for obstructing a run through the middle by Baker-Richardson after good work by Azaz. Northampton manager Jon Brady then got himself needlessly in the book for contesting the decision which could have been worse for the hosts. Northampton made another change on 80 minutes with Felix-Eppiah replacing Hoskins. Northampton took the lead on 82 minutes with a somewhat fortunate goal when a corner right side by Pinnock was glanced at the front post and Horsfall managed to squeeze home with a mistimed effort at the back post. County made a change soon after with Willmott replaced by Street with County going 4–3–3. County forced Northampton deep in final minutes and were close on 85 minutes when Cooper clipped in a decent cross right side which Pask met well from 10 yards but Roberts tipped the effort over the bar. Northampton opted to play on the break and had a chance to finish game on 87 minutes when County left 2 v 2 at the back. Koiki threaded a good pass left side for Eppiah to latch onto and he cut inside near the left corner of the area but his shot on the turn was well blocked by Pask. Northampton made another change soon after with Koiki replaced by Mills. County kept pressing in the five minutes of injury seeing plenty of the ball but the closest they game to getting some reward came on 90+4 minutes. Norman made an excellent run and dinked over an early cross which dropped deep and Haynes stole in late with an excellent run but his downward header saved in the bottom left corner by Roberts. The teams left the pitch with County clearly unhappy with some of the decisions and James Rowberry getting a friendly shove in the chest by Northampton manager Jon Brady.

Townsend (7) — had few clear-cut shots to deal with and main concern was from crosses which he dealt well with. Kicked solidly under pressure with some neat ball to the flanks.

Norman (7) — had a good battle with Koiki and finished game driving forward, despite not getting calls on decisions. Provided best crosses when overlapping rather than standing position.

Haynes (6) — played quite reserved but did decent job stifling Hoskins. Had brighter spells second half taking bull by the horns and made a couple of effective late runs which deserved more.

Demetriou (7) — put under aerial pressure by Appere but limited threat forcing runs outside box. Should cross more as the crosses he put had venom on them. Went close on a few set pieces

Pask (7) — Solid with his headers, got close on a couple of set pieces, and made some well-timed tackles. Calm with ball at feet under pressure but let down with some sloppy passing.

Azaz (7) — provided the main thrust and creativity through the middle and set up a few decent chances with quick thought. Needs to put his foot through chances inside the box

Bennett (6) — competed well in the air and marshalled threat from direct play pretty well covering across the line. Looked a bit jaded second half and passing errors crept in.

Cain (5) — frustrating game, found it hard to break through the lines and another player that looked a little flat with energy. Provided a couple of decent set pieces but restricted on chances.

Willmott (6) — slotted in well and used ball effectively but never really got into positions to cross and use his strengths. Went close with effort inside the box reading knocks well.

Telford (6) — struggled to find clear-cut chances, did well with hold up and link play but often roamed too wide. Did best work seizing quick ball down middle and denied when clean through

Baker-Richardson (7) — worked very hard to close down and track back to defend. Had a couple of half chances from headers when he drifted back post but needs to put more shots on goal.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — functional, kept focus, solid defending aerial balls and pressed up hard to stifle County. Crosses from free kicks or corners were decent and their main weapon

Weaknesses — lacked creativity through the middle and very reliant on set pieces. Got away with a lot of untidy tackles and got anxious when defender deeper.

Opportunities — quite direct first half into the wind and played on the break. Gambled and pressed up high second half but better sides would have exposed gaps through the middle.

Threats — Pinnock main creative source and decent set pieces. Hoskins outlet right side for crosses. Appere contested direct balls well, Horsfall and Guthrie aerial prowess set pieces.

OFFICIALS

B Speedie (6) — some strange decisions, ignored several crude fouls which warranted yellow cards such was the cynical nature but seemed more interest in disciplining the coaches and explaining the rules

MAN OF THE MATCH

Liam Roberts (Northampton keeper) — definitely the more busy keeper and made a couple of instinctive saves low down, none more important than denying Telford second half.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County have had two tough away games and no reward but they were somewhat unfortunate not to get a point tonight despite not firing on all cylinders. Northampton were functional and focussed, but in much the same vain as the home game, County will be scratching their heads how they didn’t come away with something. County did concede too many fouls possibly in the wrong areas allowing Northampton to use some of their strengths but apart from on the goal, they coped well with the set piece offering. Sides are sitting increasingly deep against County, to mitigate their effectiveness to pass through them and opting to get at County from deep with bold dynamic runs. Despite County being quite reserved, they managed the game well and when Northampton started to gamble more, County began to find holes but couldn’t quite get their noses in front. County need to start playing other sides at their own game if needed and entice them out into a bit of a false sense of security. Next up is Oldham Athletic at home who will sit in for 90 minutes if they have to and not change their tact. They have been improving of late but this is a chance of a first double of the season for County. They will need to be prepared for some confrontational aspects in this game and take a few fouls through the middle with Oldham a much sterner outfit under former County manager John Sheridan. Oldham are likely to play 4–5–1, but have made some tactical tweaks pushing wing back Adams and Kellor-Dunn into more advanced roles to make crosses with Bahamboula athletic with runs through the middle. This one could be feisty so discipline and patience will be key.