County win loss sequence continues

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Valley Parade

Bradford City 3 (Cooke 39, Walker 75, Pointon 85)

Newport County 1 (Hudlin 65)

Attendance:

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WWWLLLWLWW

Bradford City WLLWLLWdLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Bradford have not won in the league for a month and under some pressure but their home form is good. County need to take care of the ball to limit their momentum.

CONDITIONS

Mild, partly cloudy with light breeze. Pitch in decent condition and quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Jekyll and Hyde, indifferent first half but had decent spell before equaliser before changes which backfired.

TURNING POINT

County substitutions.

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with centre back Matt Baker on Wales U21 duty allowing Brennan an opportunity to regain his place after suspension. Bradford made the most assertive start with some moves left side to test County with left wing back Wright seeing a lot of the ball. Bradford mixed up their play well with some long balls targeting Cooke up front and former County loanee Kavanagh bright with his runs in behind. On 10 minutes, Bradford sent out another warning with a neat switch of play from deep with Bryne finding Wright left side of the area. He provided a decent cross which County nervously cleared the edge of the area and Smallwood blasted his shot over the bar from 20 yards. County came out of their shell and were close to taking their lead from their first real decisive move when a cross from right to left found Kamwa left corner of the box. He jinked his way forward and set up Hudlin for a snapshot from 8 yards which Shepherd managed to get an important interception and the ball rolled agonisingly past the right post. Bradford persisted with moves left side with Wright busy and throwing in some crosses which were hopeful and County cleared well. On 20 minutes, Bradford switched focus to the right side with right wing back Benn which flashed towards the back post towards Cooke but his header was claimed comfortably by Townsend. County then picked up a couple of unnecessary bookings with Glennon jumping into a challenge left side on Odour and Townsend was booked for delaying a goal kick. County made efforts to pick up their game with some direct play using the towering frame of Hudlin but cohesion was lacking allowing Bradford to counter with Walker and Smallwood pulling the strings. On 30 minutes, County put themselves in trouble forcing some moves from deep with some untidy passes out. On 30 minutes, Jameson under no pressure saw his low pass intercepted and Odour was quick to react with a low shot from 14 yards was well blocked by Brennan. Moments later, County had a great chance to forge ahead catching Bradford sleeping with a quick break left side involving Kamwa. From a tight position, he supplied an excellent cross to the back post which Wildig anticipated well bursting late into the box but his volley was directed just wide of the left post from an acute angle. Bradford were keen to test County from direct play with Cooke robust but they limited the space well stifling the threat. County continued to look vulnerable inviting pressure from some poor passes inside the own half. On 35 minutes, there was another warning with Glennon loose with pass and this was intercepted well by Odour who found Walker with slick pass. He attempted a shot from 25 yards low in the right corner but Townsend alert parrying around the post. On 35 minutes, a rare foray forward by Morris coaxed Bryne into a clumsy tackle and he was booked. Bradford kept chipping away in wide areas and took the lead on 39 minutes. Benn crept forward catching Glennon flat footed right side of the area and his cross into the area was glanced on by Cooke and appeared to deceive County keeper Towsend which the header going in off the underside of the bar. County had better spell as half time approached winning a couple of free kicks in decent positions but the set piece delivery lacked a cutting edge. On 45+1 minutes, Hudlin did well to get across Byrne before being shoved over by the centre back. The referee awarded a free kick to County and Bradford manager Graeme Alexander got a booking for his protestations.

County out for the second half with a renewed focus with Cameron Evans and Kieran Evans working well in tandem right side. On 47 minutes, Bradford had a warning when a good low near right touchline saw Kieron Evans manufacture space to cross from a tight angle. Mamwa was alert anticipating well back post but his downward header lacked power to trouble Bradford keeper Walker. County were rewarded with a couple of corners left side which Bradford managed to hook clear but they found the ball coming back at them. On 50 minutes, County broke up a direct move by Bradford well with Mawene threading a quick ball to Mamwa. He drove through the middle and linked well with Hudlin who turned away from Bryne and blasted a decent shot from 25 yards just wide of the right post. County remained on top offering plenty of energy box to box and were close again on 55 minutes when Glennon overlapped well to receive a pass off Mamwa left side. He curled a decent cross into the area which Kieran Evans read well but glanced his header from 8 yards just wide of the left post. On 57 minutes, County had a valid looking appeal for penalty with Glennon whipping in an excellent cross which flashed deep and Cameron Evans stole in to head the ball but was caught by the high boot of Shepherd with ball flashing just wide of the left post. County made their first change on 62 minutes with Mawene replaced by Antwi in midfield. County kept plugging away and were deservedly level on 65 minutes following another bright move with Morris switching play well to the right side to find Kieran Evans. He delivered a great cross near the right corner flag and Hudlin stole in with a powerful header into the roof of the net from 8 yards. County then had Hudlin booked when recovering back to tackle Walker as he drove forward to exploit gaps through the middle. Bradford made a double substitution on 70 minutes with Pointon and Smith replacing Odour and Kavanagh. County continued to show some frailty defending with poor passes inside their own half and had another warning on 72 minutes with Brennan seeing his short pass snatched left corner of the box by Wright. He showed good vision to set up Smith for a snapshot from 14 yards which was just wide of the right post. With County forcing the issue right side they were caught out on 75 minutes when Pointon was given a chink of light left side of the area. With County slow to recover in midfield, the pass inside the box was anticipated well by Walker who drilled home from 12 yards. County made a change straight after with Hudlin replaced by Baker-Richardson. County lost some impetus left side allowing Bradford some space to roam right side with Benn coming more into the game but the crosses were overplayed. On 80 minutes, County were close to an equaliser following another snappy move right side and Kieron Evans pinpointed Brennan but his header under pressure from 6 yards went just over the bar. Bradford were forced to replace Bryne following a clash of heads with Brennan. With County committed forward, Bradford added a third goal on 85 minutes following a quick break right side. Benn had put in several hopeful deep crosses second half but this time he delivered towards the front post and Pointon won the race to stab home ahead of Antwi who got caught the wrong side of his man. There was a late change for County with Spellman coming on left side for Mamwa. County huffed and puffed in the final stages and Shepherd was booked on 90 minutes for delaying a throw in. Bradford made an injury time change with Evans coming on for Walker. Five minutes of injury time were played but Bradford kept County at arm’s length to gain a somewhat flattering win but took their chances when it mattered.

Townsend (6) — wasn’t overworked and appeared to be deceived on the opening goal. Kicked well and cleared his lines effectively making some good decisions.

C Evans (6) — put under pressure in spells by Wright and tested in the air. After a passive first half came alive second half and initiated some good moves. Unlucky not to score.

Glennon (6) — put himself under pressure after early booking and was out of position on first Bradford goal. Provided some decent crosses second half and asserted game better.

Jameson (7) — dealt well with aerial duals and kept Cooke relatively quiet apart from one lapse getting wrong side on the opening goal. Generally kept passing tidy and cleared well under pressure.

Brennan (6) — struggled on some direct moves and got bullied off the ball a bit. Panicked with some short passes. Went close a couple of times from set pieces

Morris (6) — tracked back to cover danger and limit space but looked overworked on especially later in game. Had a good spell after time picking some neat passes but was unable to sustain it.

K Evans (7) — best game to date, was bold and decisive with runs and provided several inviting crosses which were cutting. Showed good awareness under pressure and took care of ball

Wildig (6) — did a lot of work box to box but struggled to assert his game and faded early. Went close a couple of times with intelligent runs into the area and should have scored.

Mawene (7) — decent game and surprised he was sacrificed early as impetus to break up play was lost after that. Made several dynamic runs and tackled well alert to danger.

Kamwa (6) — quiet first half but still created the best couple of moves. Lacked awareness with marking on first Bradford goal but saw more attacking threat for a spell second half before fading.

Hudlin (7) — passive first half, often left isolated and not on the same wavelength as others. Caused problems for a time before booking taking chance well dropping off to link and vary threat.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Bradford City)

Strengths — both full backs had spells asking different questions, efficient in transition and worked some intricate low moves

Weaknesses — centre backs looked rusty and they struggled to clear some crosses. Passing was untidy through the middle and were reliant on direct play

Opportunities — switched back to 3–5–2 and got wing backs firing. Never really needed to change tact and kept working wide areas

Threats — Cooke aerial prowess. Benn and Wright supplied crosses with Walker key cog in behind.

OFFICIALS

B Toner (7) — was keen to use advantage and let game flow, got the bookings right but missed a possible penalty when Evans was caught head high.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jamie Walker — worked hard box to box out running most other players, intelligent with use of the ball final third and took his chance well

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will look back on this match as one that got away after having Bradford on the ropes for a spell after half time. They started the game slowly allowing too much space for Bradford to supply crosses and build momentum left side. County were poor in retention first half leaving Hudlin far too isolated and it left a problem when they were slow picking up the debris. The moves lacked conviction, but they responded well after the break with the midfield three more mobile and aware. Unfortunately, the changes subsequently made backfired with Mawene replaced too early and his replacement Antwi at fault with his tracking back on both the second and third goals. County need to get the midfield three tuned to the optimum level, as how they cover and stifle will give assurance to the wide players to effect the game. To their credit County did this better second half which built momentum allowing Kieron Evans to get forward offering quality with his crosses. Mamwa was left on too late and looked jaded well before his replacement Spellman came on. There are still question marks over the away form but in truth they were often the better team box too box, but Bradford ultimately the more decisive inside the box and that got them the points. County have not drawn a game this season you can see why again tonight with them prepared to take chances and risks with some passes inside their own half. Next up is Harrogate Town away this Saturday. Harrogate favour a 4–2–3–1 formation often operating with a false number 9 with Muldoon up-top. Harrogate have a tight pitch so key County limit their touches and work patterns of play to move the hosts around.