Defiant County push Newcastle all the way

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Abrahams 5)

Newcastle United 1 (Shelvey 87)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLDWWWW

Newcastle United WLWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Newcastle have picked a pretty strong squad so key County tame their threats but when they do get opportunities they are bold with their delivery

CONDITIONS
Cool, showers petered out and quite windy. Heavy rain preceding the kick off has made the pitch slippery and fast

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Gave everything, organised, robust defending but showed plenty of invention final third.

TURNING POINT
Changes off the bench gave Newcastle the impetus late on.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with captain Josh Labadie suspended and he was replaced by Scott Bennett in midfield. There was change up front with Ryan Taylor sacrificed to the bench in place of Padraig Amond. The early stages were lively on the wet pitch and Newcastle flirted with goal on 2 minutes with Longstaff driving forward to hit a shot from 25 yards over the bar. County responded well and took a shock lead on 5 minutes after Abrahams did well to pick out Twine across the face of the area. He showed quick feet to adjust before clipping a dipping shot against the bar but Abrahams followed up slot into the right corner from 16 yards with Gillespie slow to get across. Both sides were keen to work the corners with Murphy penetrating well for Newcastle with some pacey runs. On 8 minutes, County were given a warning when Murphy drove down the right side of the area and cut back a low cross near the byline but Demetriou was on hand to clear. Newcastle made efforts to pinpoint Carroll playing as a lone striker and bring in Murphy right side and Fraser left side with Almiron playmaker through the middle. Newcastle upped the tempo of their game with keeper Gillespie quick with his release and Murphy was alert on the right side offering a good outlet. County made efforts to play and work opportunities from the back and a late challenge from behind by Shelvey on Twine saw the first card of the game. County crafted some good moves with Twine picking holes in around the box. On 20 minutes, Twine showed good vision to pick out Bennett back post from a deft cross right side but his effort from an acute angle dropped wide of the left post. Murphy continued to cause the main threat for County and he was close again on 22 minutes when Manquillo shifted a pinpoint pass to feet. He did well to seize space inside and struck a powerful effort from 25 yards which Townsend held well. Newcastle squashed space well in midfield having the extra man on times and County found space hard to find. However, when County did escape through the lines they were threatening with some patient moves. On 28 minutes, County were awarded a free kick right side of the area and Dolan curled a decent effort just wide of the right post. Newcastle kept pressing but County worked hard to contain their energy with Sheehan tracking back well to deny Almiron and Bennett keeping Fraser at arms-length. On 32 minutes, Amond received a somewhat unfortunate booking when his outstretched arm caught Manquillo accidentally in the face. Newcastle remained menacing from direct runs with Longstaff making some forays forward from deep and Murphy darting forward right side. On 38 minutes, County worked a short corner right side with Sheehan opting for a lower cross and Amond ghosted in late but his shot was smothered at the front post. With play opening up a bit, Newcastle had a glimmer of chance on 40 minutes when Shelvey latched onto a pass edge of the area but his shot on the turn went well over. County were close to a second goal on 42 minutes when Shepherd manufactured a decent move right side and his pass inside was met by Bennett from 10 yards but the scooper shot drifted just wide of the left post. Newcastle had another opportunity just before half time when Murphy drove forward right side and from a wide angle dragged a shot past the left post. With both sides going for it hammer and tongs, County created an excellent chance in first half injury time from the right side with Sheehan threading an inch perfect pass for Shepherd. He cut back a vicious cross which Newcastle allowed to drop deep and Amond seized the ball superbly and stuck a sweet half volley from 12 yards which fizzed just over the bar.

Newcastle were back on the front-foot early in the second half and move in transition caught County napping on 47 minutes. This time Fraser broke left side of the area and dinked back a decent cross to the back post and Murphy was denied by a great block from Demetriou. County were enterprising when they got on the ball with Twine continuing to cause problems. On 50 minutes, Twine went on a solo individualist run to prise open space across the face of the area but his low shot lacked power to trouble Gillespie. On 53 minutes, Newcastle threatened from a more direct ball when Longstaff played a quick through ball which Townsend blocked ahead of Murphy and Townsend recovered well to save the shot by Almiron from near the “d”. Newcastle swung in a couple of crosses in an attempt to unsettle County and both Demetriou and Bennett receiving treatment after clashing heads inside the area. They were able to resume after treatment and County went back on the offensive looking for a second goal. On 58 minutes, an excellent move by County right side involving Sheehan and Shepherd cut Newcastle open. A neat low pass inside found Abrahams in plenty of space and his shot on the turn from 14 yards was well blocked by Fernandez. Newcastle made a double substitution on 62 minutes with Wilson and LoeLinton replacing Carroll and Almiron. Newcastle picked up their game again with plenty of craft and direct runs causing problems for County. On 65 minutes, Wilson broke through the middle and threaded a neat pass to Murphy right channel. He carried his run into the area but dragged a rash effort wide of the left post from 12 yards from a wide angle. With Newcastle pressing, County were on the end of couple of challenges which went unpunished. With Newcastle prepared to push on County had opportunities to break and Abrahams squandered a chance on the right corner of the area blasting well over when he had time to adjust. Newcastle made their final change on 72 minutes replacing centre back Krafth with Schar. County responded with a double substitution with Amond replaced by Taylor and Willmott on for Bennett on 80 minutes. Newcastle continued to persist away left side and Wilson picked out the run of the Fraser left side of the area but he was denied by a great tackle to intercept the shot by Cooper. County made efforts to relieve the pressure with some direct play but found it difficult to make the ball stick. Newcastle forced County deeper in the final stages of the game and put in some hopeful crosses which County dealt well with. Newcastle got their reward on 87 minutes with Joelinton and Shelvey working in tandem left corner of the area. Shelvey showed some quick feet to turn Cooper and made the most of him slipping before curling an inch perfect shot into the top right corner beyond the grasp of Townsend. In the 2nd minute of injury time, Murphy struck a powerful effort from 25 yards which Townsend reacted well to parry around the left post. County made a late change with Twine replaced by Collins. Newcastle were close to pinching the victory deep into injury time when but some dogged County defending deep inside their own area saw shots by Fernadez blocked well by Demetriou and the follow up shot by Longstaff blocked by Dolan. County held out to have a deserved crack at the penalty shot with Townsend making a great save from Joelinton to put County in the driving seat but missed pens by Taylor and Cooper saw Newcastle win 5–4 pens.

Townsend (8) — made some smart instinctive saves from distance and was efficient with his distribution from deep. Cleared his lines well under pressure, dealt well with crosses and handled well.

Shepherd (8) — was at the heart of the best moves especially first half and set up some good chances with his vision and intelligent use of the ball. Forced deeper second half but made himself difficult to beat

Haynes (7) — made inroads first half, marked well and drove forward with some well timed runs and provided some decent crosses. Put under pressure second half by Fraser and Joelinton but stood tall.

Demetriou (8) — was strong in the aerial duals and well positioned to clear effectively when he had to. Made several brilliant blocks to deny Newcastle inside the area and brave challenges.

Cooper (7) — made some good tackles to deny threat and track danger. Headed well but had less time to with ball at feet but made some good decisions with the ball. Unfortunate slip on goal

Dolan (8) — assured for large parts of the game, sweeping up danger and threaded some good passes to switch play. Got put under pressure second half but made several interceptions to frustrate Newcastle

Sheehan (8) — did a lot of good defensive work tracking Almiron through the middle. Picked his battles well and made some well timed runs forward to link and orchestrate moves in the final third.

Bennett (7) — read game very well and was sharp with his use of the ball when he won it. Made very few errors, put in some good headers to clear danger and work hard before tiring late on

Twine (8) — gave Newcastle plenty of food for thought. Took up some clever position and needed eyes in the back of his head on time with some of the challenges. Passed well and put some decent shots.

Abrahams (8) — took his chance well and may have had more if he had been more aware. did a lot of important work off the ball and despite being forced deeper second half did help out well.

Amond (7) — looked sharper today with his movement to pull defenders out of position. Had a couple of decent chances going close and retention was missed when he went off the pitch.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — snappy, bright in midfield and efficient in transition exploiting space in the corners well. Maintained energy throughout and had the persistence to keep going despite being frustrated by County.

Weaknesses — despite getting in quite a few shots they were not convincing with accuracy and delivered a lot of wayward hopeful crosses.

Opportunities — flexible unit, played more of the three up front second half to pin County centre backs deeper. Energy from late substitutions gave them the edge late on.
Threats — Murphy offered plenty of direct running and shots. Fraser was busy with ball at feet and eye for a cross. Joelinton penetrative left side and Wilson on the end of things in the box.

OFFICIALS
John Brooks (7) — got the key decisions right but missed some of tangling and clambering especially in the second half.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jacob Murphy — In terms of attacking play and threat he was the key player building momentum. Put in several shots and should have scored but never really allowed County defence to relax

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County made it a very difficult night for Newcastle United and were very close to going through to the quarter finals. It was only in the last 20 minutes when Newcastle made their offensive substitutions to effect the game that they really got a grip of the game. County were enterprising and worked the ball around well as they have done this season but they had less time to build from deep in the second half with Newcastle pushing three up more aggressively to pin the County centre backs deeper and have less influence to build up play. County will look to mitigate this happening in League Two games should sides play three up top as a means to stifle County playing out. With legs tiring late on it became more difficult with the ball coming back into their faces as soon as they cleared. County thoroughly deserved their crack at penalties and despite faltering they can be extremely proud of their run in the League Cup. Even under pressure they were still positive and looking for the second goal and that bodes well for the rest of the season. Next up is Mansfield Town at home who will be very determined to get their first win of the season. They are likely to match up 5–3–2 against County with Cook outlet from direct play and legs provided by Maris left side and Bowery right side. County need to do their defensive work, track the runners and punish them in the turnover.