Defensive lapses on set pieces prove costly
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Hayes Lane
Bromley 5 (Sowunmi 27, Reynolds 35, Cheek 53, Arthurs 70, Thompson 90+3)
Newport County 2 (Evans 72, Whitmore 79)
Attendance: 3,320
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County WdLLLddDdW
Bromley WDLDDWWWdW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Bromley are in good form moving up to mid table. County need to deal with Bromley route one play and tame threat off set pieces. Not a game to overplay and need to be streetwise with use of ball.
CONDITIONS
Cloudy, mild and dull with little breeze. Pitch in reasonable condition but slippery in patches.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Casual defence performance, got out muscled in too many key aerial duals and didn’t do enough of the hard yards to cover threats.
TURNING POINT
Bromley second goal knocked the stuffing out of County
THE MATCH
County made just one the change Hudlin replacing Jephcott who was on the bench. Bromley started on the front foot with some telegraphed moves right side which set a precedence for much of the first half. Bromley won a couple of set pieces and throws in right side which caused problems for County defending the high ball but they managed to usher the ball to safety. On 5 minutes, County snapped out of their shell with a decent move left side when Bromley midfielder slipped and Morris and Glennon combined to chip a decent ball in behind for Hudlin but he marginally offside. Bromley persisted with direct abrasive approach kicking balls right side with Cheek causing problems in the air with flicks in behind and link play but County dealt well with second ball. County had some decent position with some patient moves and Bromley happy to let them play from deep but they were more aggressive through the middle denying space well and looked dangerous when they span County around with Imray offering plenty of verve right side. On 12 minutes, County worked a thoughtful low move with McLoughlin initiating and nearly finishing the move but the cross in behind from Kamwa was delayed and his was caught offside. Bromley kept probing away and the match followed a predictable pattern with County enjoying plenty of the ball but lacked territorial advantage and Bromley opting for direct balls into Cheek and were dangerous with deep runs from Congreve left side and Whitley right side. On 18 minutes, County were given a warning when some sloppy play in midfield invited Bromley to break right side and Whitley cut back a decent cross which flashed deep and Congreve saw his first time effort from 14 yards deflected over the bar by Brennan. Bromley worked a replica move on 22 minutes when Imray drove forward right side and slipped a low pass for Whitley right side of the area. He cut back a decent cross which Congreve latched onto but his first time shot from 14 yards fizzed just over the bar. County made efforts to relieve the pressure with some direct play into Hudlin but lacked cohesion in wide areas with Spellman and Kamwa passive. Bromley raised the bar especially right side with County struggling to deal with Imray and won a corner right side on 27 minutes. Congreve whipped a vicious delivery and Sowumni stole in front post to head home beating Hudlin to the ball. On 30 minutes, County flirted with goal following a free kick which was half cleared Morris latched onto the loose ball his effort from 25 yards was wide and high of the left post and bar. Bromley were keen to apply further pressure and torment County with some strong runs adding to their corner count. On 35 minutes, Bromley extended their lead with County failing to learn from their mistakes. Thompson delivered the corner this time from the left side and Reynolds left unmarked powered his header home from 6 yards with Townsend rooted to the spot. On 38 minutes, County won a free kick through the middle when Antwi was tackled from behind by Sowunmi but no yellow card was forthcoming. Glennon took the free kick but his effort from just outside the d” went well over the bar. On 43 minutes, Bromley were close to a third when a corner left side from Thompson was met by Sowunmi but Baker did just enough to put him off and his looped just over the bar. County had their first shot on target on 45 minutes when they switched play from right inside and McLoughlin blasted a low shot from 20 yards which the keeper held well. On 45+2 minutes, Bromley caused problems again with a decisive move again right side involving Imray. He drove past Glennon leaving him static and cut back a deep cross from Cheek who caressed his header back towards Thompson but he could only direct his shot wide of the right post from 6 yards.
Bromley continued to dominate in the early stages of the second half with menacing moves right side often put on a plate when County were slow to move the ball. On 50 minutes, Bromley worked a bright move right with Whitley combing well with Imray and his bold effort right side of the box was parried around the right post by Townsend. Bromley added a third goal on 53 minutes when a corner left side. Thompson delivered a cross which flashed deep and with Reynolds in acres of space he directed his header across the six yard box for Cheek who rose unchallenged to power his header into the roof of the net. County made at triple substitution on 60 minutes when Antwi, Spellman and Hudlin were replaced by Miley, Whitmore and Jephcott. County had a better spell of pressure following changes swapping Kamwa left side and Evans going right side with Whitmore and Miley going into the centre. On 62 minutes, County had a decent situation with a move from deep when Kamwa broke and carried his run left side of the area. County had extra numbers in the box but his cross into the box was intercepted by Odutayo covering across. Bromley added a fourth goal on 70 minutes when a loose header by Evans was latched upon by Thompson right side. He struck an opportunist effort from 25 yards which struck the bar and Bromley were alert to the loose ball with the initial header from Odutayo blocked but the rebound fell conveniently for Arthurs who headed into the top left corner from 6 yards. County got a goal back on 72 minutes when they created an efficient move limiting their touches with Kamwa switching play well from left to the right side of the box to Evans. He did well to cut inside beating Odutayo and bury his shot from 10 yards low into the right corner. On 77 minutes, Bromley replaced top scorer Cheek for Amantchi up top in a like for like change. County made another change soon after with Morris replaced by Greaves. County maintained their tempo with some better exchanges final third and got another goal back on 79 minutes when McLoughlin broke quickly right side and threaded a straight pass for Whitmore who ghosted in behind a slot home from an acute angle. County huffed and puffed in the final stages of the game being thwarted by some marginal offside decisions. Bromley made another change on 87 minutes with Congreve replaced by Leigh. County were caught out again on 90+3 minutes when a direct ball left side left them stretched and Baker jumped in coming across to cover and obstruct the run of Arthurs. Thompson took the free kick and with County have small players in the wall he was able to guide into the top left corner from 25 yards with Townsend grasping thin air. There was a late change by Bromley on 90+5 minutes to run down the clock with Whitely sacrificed for Olomola but the score reflected the hosts dominance.
Townsend (6) — left exposed on several corners by bad marking and awareness to clear danger. Made a couple of routine saves but needs to be more assertive inside his six yard box.
Baker (5) — struggled to deal with Cheek in aerial duals and got dragged across several times mistiming tackles. Lost marker on several set pieces.
Glennon (5) — put under pressure for an hour by Imray runs right side and didn’t do enough in recovery to stifle threat from crosses. Had brief spells inside the Bromley half second half.
McLoughlin (6) — did his best to absorb pressure and time runs forward, At the heart of the better moves second half gaining more territory. Went close with some shots from in and around the box
Brennan (5) — went missing defending back post on several set pieces and ball watching. Not aggressive enough winning first contacts and struggled with his clearances under pressure.
Morris (6) — never on it today and spent game passively firefighting. Did his best to build from deep but found ball coming back in face. Restricted to half hearted shots from distance.
Antwi (5) — another player way off his performance in the last game and was not prepared to track back and do enough of the dirty work. Got dispossessed several times putting side in trouble.
K Evans (6) — started off in middle and was very passive first half unable to assert game. Did better when he went wide and had finished strongly taking his chance well.
Kamwa (6) — quiet first half when County needed an outlet to compliment threat Bromley had right side. Came into the game more second half and did better for a short time when he swapped flanks.
Spellman (5) — bystander for much of the first half and slow to track back and support. Lacked bite and got shoved off too many challenges cheaply. Needs to offer more tenacity and teeth.
Hudlin (5) — was made to look poor and was left far too isolated. Given little quality and ammunition to feed off and crosses. Did his best to drop in and link play but never looked comfortable.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Bromley)
Strengths — played to them effectively using direct ball to turn County around are were quick to provide crosses into the box. Defensive back four were solid and strong in their recovery.
Weaknesses — centre backs lax with some short passes and less comfortable when pressed.
Opportunities — never really had to change tact. Used set piece threat effectively and opted to pickpocket ball and turn County around which they did at will right side.
Threats — Cheek aerial prowess and link play. Imray strong runs and crosses right side. Reynolds and Sowunmi aerial threat inside six yard box on corners and long throws. Thompson set pieces
OFFICIALS
S Gill (7) — consistent with decisions but let a lot go with lenient interpretation not pushing some cynical tackles.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Daniel Imray — on loan from Crystal Palace, showed pedigree with pace and movement. Decisive carrying ball and had quality and awareness. Be surprising if he is not in L1 come January window.
IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were undone by very abject defending on set pieces yet again and the back four put out today were also brittle as a collective unit and not able to stand up to deal with the aerial duals. Despite criticism, Hudlin was drafted in to give County that extra height they needed to cover those defensive situations but even then Bromley always had the physical edge or found the extra man. County have two young inexperience centre backs learning their trade but they got bullied today and the left back deficiencies were again ruthlessly exposed. Bromley set their stall out to sit in, set traps in the middle of the pitch and pickpocket the ball, working passes quickly in behind right side for Imray to work his magic and win the set pieces. County buckled and despite a brief rally second half, the belated changes were made far too late to effect the result. The application in many “away” performances this season has not been too the same standard and level of the home performances which leaves fans frustrated. County played for a short spell second half by which time the damage had been done and was unrepairable. County have three big games coming up against sides which will be aggressive, play direct and press errors as well as chasing down the debris hard. County have let in 8 goals in two games and will be better served playing 3 centre backs with Jameson and Clarke available. Next up is Walsall away and a chance to test that template which will be needed against AFC Wimbledon and Morecambe as well. Walsall have improved their squad this season to set the pace at the top and will employ 3–5–2 with former County striker Jamille Matt giving them an aerial outlet with Lowe and Jellis strong in behind with their supporting runs. County need to match up 3–5–2 to pair up their against their wing backs and set Glennon v Barrett and Gordon v McLoughlin as the key battles they can win.
