Cruel way to lose

Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Salford City 0

* EFL League Trophy Semi-Final: Salford won 6–5 on pens

Attendance: 4,070

Form:

Newport County LWWWLLWLdL

Salford City LWLWWDDdLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Better balanced 3–5–2 County side and boosted with Sheehan and Haynes back in the fire. Mind over matter on a difficult surface but key County deal with crosses and have the nerve to keep ball final third.

CONDITIONS
Windy, cloudy and mild. Effects of Storm Dennis clear with pitch erratic and heavy in parts.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Pushed the right buttons, lots of endeavour and defensive resolve lacking teeth inside the area.

TURNING POINT
None to note but Salford late changes gave them a boost but County’s worked against them in the shoot-out

THE MATCH
County a few changes from the Mansfield match Saturday with Jamille Matt replacing Jordan Green up top and Josh Sheehan making a welcome return after injury to replaced Dale Gorman who was cup tied. There was another change with attacking midfielder Billy Waters also cup tied but County changed tact to play 3–5–2 with Haynes available after a recent knock. There was another change with Matt Dolan replacing Tristan Abrahams who was on the bench. County tested Salford with some direct play in the early stages with Matt doing well to contest across the line with Baldwin toeing the line to drop in and interfere with the challenge. Salford set their stall out to sit in and absorb pressure and look to supply direct passes to find the runs of Thomas-Asante with able support from Jervis left side. On 10 minutes, Salford broke swiftly left side after a County set piece broke down with Touray driving forward and his pass found Jervis who forced his way to the byline and cut back a searching low cross which flashed deep. County were keen to push on the right side with Willmott prominent but left back Touray marshalled his runs well. On 12 minutes, Salford broke well in the counter left side with Thomas-Asante offering pace and Demetriou was forced into a clumsy challenge to get a booking. County kept probing showing more appetite to play football and work Salford about which yielded some free kicks. On 15 minutes, a sharp move right side saw Sheehan find Willmott with an efficient pass. He played in an earlier cross from the right corner of the area and this time County had players inside the area but Labadie poked his effort narrowly wide of the right post from 8 yards. Salford remained a threat on the break with some decent moves in transition and won a couple of corners right side. On 18 minutes, Touray whipped in a decent delivery right side which sat invitingly but Thomas-Asante struck a half volley from 14 yards over the bar. Salford gained some confidence from moves from deep persisting with the left side and Touray remained a force providing some crosses which opportunist and hopeful but County were switched on clearing the danger well. On 25 minutes, a bright move by Salford caught County napping when Elliot glanced a header on and Thomas-Asante seized possession right side of the box but his low effort well saved by King. The game remained scrappy on times in the middle with Salford stifling hard to pressurise and Burgess was booked soon after for pulling back Matt. Another clumsy foul by Baldwin on 28 minutes this time on Dolan went unpunished and this set a precedence as half time approached with several crude challenges not be penalised. Salford had some flurries left side with Jervis keen to get on the ball and some first time crosses into the area lacked precision and thought. On 40 minutes, County were close when they worked a decent move right side and Willmott provided an excellent cross which pinpointed Amond back post but under pressure his header drifted wide of the left post. On the stroke of half time, County had a half chance when space opened up for Labadie to shoot near the edge of the area but his effort was too high.

County had the benefit of the keen wind second half and forced Salford to defend deeper. On 50 minutes, they worked a quick short corner left side with Willmott receiving the pass of Sheehan and the whipped cross caused problems for Salford but Innis was stretching with his header. County maintained the tempo with some better moves right side involving Willmott and Sheehan. On 53 minutes, Willmott cut back a decent cross to pinpoint the late run of Dolan but he could only glance wide of the left post from 10 yards under pressure from Pond. Salford made efforts to find Jervis who had swapped sides to right but County were quick to break up their moves which kept up the momentum. County then had appeals for a penalty turned down on 62 minutes after a strong run back Ladadie right side of the area when he appeared to be blocked. County remained the more efficient side with the ball at their feet with Matt doing well to fend off challenges and bring other players in. On 65 minutes, Baldwin got his overdue booking for preventing a Matt run through the middle. Moments later, a Dolan corner by County right side caused problems for Salford and Demetriou did well seize possession when the ball flashed deep. His snapshot from 16 yards was blocked by Threlkeld and the rebound was smashed low by Sheehan from 12 yards but the keeper Neal held well. County made a change on 70 minutes to maintain momentum with Amond replaced by Green. County had a glimmer of a chance moments later when Green did well showing some quick feet around the edge of the area and he threaded a ball to wide angle to find Matt. He addressed his shot first time from 14 yards but it lacked venom to trouble Neal. Salford made a couple of changes late on to freshen their approach in the final third with Conway and Wilson replacing Elliot and Towell. County were forced on 82 minutes with Haynes replaced by Collins. On 85 minutes, County had a decent situation from a free kick right side of the area after Green had been checked by Jervis. Dolan took the free kick which had venom on it but it was let off for Salford with County having nobody back post and the ball went inches wide of the left post. County made a late change replacing Willmott with Abrahams and Salford asked some questions from some moves right side on the break involving Conway but the game petered out despite 5 minutes of injury time with both sides settling for penalties. Salford edged a tight penalty shoot out to claim their place in the final at Wembley against 2019 winners Portsmouth with County left now to focus on recovering their fading league position.

King (7) — rarely troubled, made some brave collections and interventions when forced off his line. Distributed well from deep with some neat kick outs despite having a man on him to apply pressure

Willmott (7) — quiet first half and was forced to track back to defend on times. More authoritative second half linking play intelligently and met the byline to win several corners, providing decent crosses

Haynes (6) — had a good first half, showed no signs of staleness after recent knock and got into some promising positions. Crosses were a bit erratic but tackled well before knock forced him off.

Demetriou (7) — coped well after early booking, swept up danger in behind with sharpness and did well in the air. Was close several times in and around the area.

Bennett (7) — pounced on the loose ball to mop danger and passed efficiently. Dealt well with the aerial duals with Elliot knowing when to drop off and get tight.

Innis (6) — dominated the aerial duals but less assured with ball at his feet. Got a foot with several decent tackles to deny threat from Thomas-Asante timing his challenges well.

Dolan (7) — did well when got on the ball and showed plenty of appetite to win his headers and compete. Provided several decent set pieces begging to be turned in from the right flank.

Labadie (7) — got kicked black and blue and given little protection in truth. Was most effective when he broke the lines from deep but was well marshalled inside the area and denied clearcut shots.

Sheehan (7) — decent game after his injury getting good ninety minutes under his belt. Played some measured passes and was effective in and around the area. Unlucky not to score.

Amond (6) — was forced out wide on times but did his best work when he made runs close to Matt inside the area but restricted on clear shots and chances.

Matt (6)– did a lot of good work with back to goal and link play. Brushed off several challenges despite being pulled back but was stifled inside the area with one weak shot to test the keeper.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — certainly knew how to play the referee. Were robust and physically uncompromising, central defenders dominated inside the area and they worked some good moves in transition.

Weaknesses — struggled to put five passes together. Got off on several untidy fouls in midfield. Hopeful and opportunist on crosses and left holes when full backs pushed on that more alert sides would exploit

Opportunities — never really changed their tact. Were disciplined and happy to sit with numbers and work crosses from wide positions in transition.
Threats — Thomas-Asante pace and strength eye for a quick shot, Jervis outlet and crosses from flanks. Elliot aerial prowess inside area.

OFFICIALS
A Backhouse (6) — lenient but consistent in approach, ignored the pulling and pushing but little hope from the linesman

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ibou Touray (Salford 3) — had to deal with main pressure from the County right side. Made some important blocks and interventions to minimise damage from crosses and got forward well to provide crosses

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

An unpleasant pill to swallow and not a match County deserved to lose as they contributed well in the 90 minutes and the 3–5–2 system made them a more composed unit but still lacking the killer touch in and around the area. County had spells today when they had the mental grit to keep ball and take a kick or two yielding a fair quota of free kicks but there was predictability with the six yard box often congested when they could have worked the ball short or to the edge of the box. At the moment, County too easy to pick off and there was vulnerability on times when their set pieces broke down allowing Salford a cheap route out to break at will. County did build some momentum second half and that will be key in the remaining games with pride at stake and a need to get back on the training pitch to work more chances from open play. They are not going to play a hundred mile an hour game for the whole 90 minutes but when they do have momentum they need to justify themselves. Next up is Bradford City at home in the league and a chance for County to end their barren spell in front of goal. Bradford have lost ground in the play off chase in recent weeks so are likely to be positive, if not open so key County pick their battles and be bold. Novak and McCartan will offer enterprise up front for Bradford but they do have some vulnerability to pace with ageing centre backs