Demetriou pounces to pinch late win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Holker Street

Barrow 0

Newport County 1 (Demetriou 90+5)

Attendance: 2,804

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLWLDdDDLD

Barrow LLDLdWdLLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Barrow have been out of form recently after a decent start to the season and not won at home for a couple of months. County need to stifle their energy up top and take care of the ball final third.

CONDITIONS

Mild, cloudy with slight breeze. Pitch a little worn in parts but maintained condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Focussed defensively to squash early threats and grew into the game picking holes well.

TURNING POINT

Barrow sending off late on in the game forced them deeper.

THE MATCH

County kept faith with the same starting side that beat Swindon and started positively getting the ball in the net inside the first minute. However, the close range effort was ruled out for offside with Zanzala slightly over eager to get in front of McClelland and turn in a cross from 6 yards after a good work from McNeil left side of the area. Barrow set their stall out to soak up pressure County applied and switch the ball quickly wide with some direct play to stretch County. Barrow won a couple of throw ins right side of the area which right back Feely launched into the area but County were well organised clearing effectively. Barrow kept stifling County play deep inside their own half with centre backs Canavan and McClelland making some forceful challenges and they persisted with good moves on the break. Barrow worked some good moves in transition from left to right using the pace of Newby. On 15 minutes, another switch from left to right saw Brough find Garner who jinked past Demetriou coaxing him into an untidy challenge which got him a booking. On 17 minutes, Barrow worked another decent move right side with Neal clipping in a decent cross and Garner directed a header from 10 yards low in the left corner but Townsend read it well. County were struggling for cohesion and moments later invited another cross right side from Newby which sat up and McClelland scooped an effort from 10 yards just over the bar. The game was competitive in the middle with Barrow edging the battle picking up bits and pieces quicker but County gradually eased their way into the game with some more efficient moves getting Zanzala and McNeil on the ball. On 27 minutes, a snappy County move left side caught Barrow on the hop with Adam Lewis finding McNeil left side of the area. He span well past McClelland to drill a low shot on the turn from 12 yards forcing Farman to parry around the left post. County upped their efforts collectively winning more of the second balls with Zanzala winning some free kick right side. On 36 minutes, County won a free kick right side which invited Lewis and his delivery was decent but nobody was alive to the ball inside the six yard box and Canavan had a comfortable header to clear the danger. On 38 minutes, County repeated the trick with Zanzala again pivotal with a dynamic run to beat Brough to the ball and he won a free kick near the right corner of the box. This time the free kick by Adam was whipped in deeper causing problems with Farquharson winning the header but County had nobody alive to the second ball and Barrow hooked the ball clear. On 43 minutes, County worked a better more patient move deep inside the Barrow half and Charsley did well to set up Demetriou for a snapshot from 25 yards but his powerful effort was well blocked by Neal.

Barrow upped their efforts again at the start of the second half and County had to deal with a couple of crosses into the area. On 47 minutes, Farquharson made a brave header to clear danger inside the six yard box and had to receive attention before recovering. County made efforts to build momentum but Barrow remained vigilant breaking up their moves efficiently. On 50 minutes, County lost possession cheaply just inside the Barrow half and a burst forward left by Whitfield forcing Aaron Lewis to track and recover with a tackle from behind which got him a booking. County opted to play from deep playing Barrow a bit at their own and become more menacing with Norman finding space right side. On 55 minutes, County defended a busy Barrow move with Townsend claiming the ball and he was impeded by Neal as he trying to take a quick kick out from inside the area who was booked. Barrow kept persisting with moves from deep and went close on 57 minutes when Bennett was caught in possession by White. Barrow worked a decent move right side to find Waters who threaded a pass for Newby who cut inside a his low shot from 20 yards was curled around the left post. County worked some better moves right side in transition and were close on 60 minutes when a direct ball was chased down well by Aaron Lewis. He ghosted in behind Canavan and flicked an effort from an acute just past left post. Barrow failed to heed the warning and County had an even better chance on 62 minutes from a surprise source after a direct pass from Farquharson right side. The ball was snatched by Zanzala who drove goalside of the last man but some delay with the shot saw his effort from 14 yards diverted by Brough who managed to recover. County responded with a double substitution on 65 minutes with Zanzala and McNeil replaced by Bogle and Kavanagh. County upped the pressure and tempo of the game and were close again on 72 minutes when the pinned Barrow to defend deeply. Demetriou ghosted forward to support and blasted a decent effort from 25 yards which appeared to be deflected over the bar but no corner was given. County worked another decent situation on 75 minutes with Adam Lewis influential and his cross field pass found Bogle who stuck decent effort from 25 yards forcing Farman into a good save in the top left corner. With County forcing the issue, Barrow made a triple substitution moments later with Gotts on for Neal in central midfield, Bennett coming on up front for Garner and Young replacing Newby right side. County remained on top and were close again on 77 minutes creating an opportunity from a slick low move. Norman did well to support a move and clip in a decent cross towards the penalty spot which Kavanagh read well but his header was parried around the right post for a corner. On 78 minutes, County had Charsley in the book for a tired looking challenge on Gotts as he threatened to break forward from deep. County kept their discipline and focus well dealing with pressure and caught Barrow on the hop on 80 minutes breaking quickly from deep. Adam Lewis won the ball right side of the area and with Feely overzealous his late high challenge was penalised with a straight red card. Barrow adjusted with Young going right back and Gotts right midfield in a 4–4–1 formation with Bennett up front. Barrow were forced into another change moments later with Waters suffering from cramp and he was replaced by Warren. County kept pressing with some move right side involving Norman but they had plenty of space offered left side with Adam Lewis timing his runs well. On 85 minutes, County were close when Bogle did well to hold a challenge and find Norman who threaded a low cross inside for Kavanagh who drilled a low shot from 12 yards forcing Farman to save in left corner. Barrow made their fifth change on 86 minutes with former County midfielder Sam Foley replacing White and County introduced Evans for Charsley as they pushed three up front. County kept pressing in 5 minutes of injury time with Bogle doing well to retain possession and thread some clever moves. On 90+5 minutes, County finally got their reward following a corner right side. Adam Lewis delivered an immaculate delivery which Demetriou anticipated well to bury home with a header into the roof of the net from 6 yards. There was very little time left on the clock and County held on for an important three points.

Townsend (7) — made a couple of smart instinctive saves early parts of the game and claimed crossed well under pressure. Kicked and distributed efficiently switching defence to attack.

Adam Lewis (7) — put under pressure early on with some switches of play but settled down well to effect game. Put in some excellent crosses and set pieces late on and great delivery on winning goal

Farquharson (8) — dealt well with direct play mopping up danger and dominated the aerial duals. Cleared well under pressure with some neat passes and went close on a couple on set pieces.

Demetriou (7) — worked overtime to cover some of the early pressure and made some good interceptions. Showed prowess with shots from distance and got reward late on with well taken header.

Clarke (8) — composed throughout, let little goalside, gave assurance working well with Norman, time tackles well and anticipated danger to clear early and effectively.

Norman (7) — won some good headers and gave outlet right side. got forced deep for much of the first half but grew into game and crosses into the area were more cutting and menacing.

Bennett (7) — steady game, played quite deep but reacted well to clear danger and picked his battles well winning some strong headers and kept passing tidy but effective.

Charsley (6) — forced deeper today and struggled to build momentum in early stages. Got to the second ball better after half time and was brighter box to box until booking fading.

Aaron Lewis (6) — offered plenty of verve and energy carrying some of the more forceful runs. Tackled well but had to take more care with decisions making after booking.

McNeil (6) — needed to be playing more inside the box and when he got close to goal offered promise with some snapshots. Struggled with retention outside the box and failed to read second ball

Zanzala (6) — made some brave challenges but struggled to keep ball, got caught offside when he could have held back runs. Did better when read second ball and won free kicks in useful positions.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Barrow)

Strengths — they were most effective breaking up play and coordinated some effective moves from deep. Both centre half were strong dealing high ball and crosses.

Weaknesses — pushed both full backs high gambling on times and got punished for being overzealous. Took little care of the ball though the middle opting for direct play, often untidy and chaotic.

Opportunities — they struck to the same hymn sheet, playing largely direct and winning long throws when invited. If anything became more direct as game progressed.

Threats — Newby was busy right with an eye for a shot, Whitfield and Garner effervescent with runs in behind. Canavan strong on aerial duals off set pieces.

OFFICIALS

S Stockbridge (7) — missed some challenges with players being held down or pulled back. Generally managed game well keeping the flow but the red card seemed a bit harsh.

MAN OF THE MATCH

James Clarke — reliable measured performance, quietly went about his tasks, reading danger and clearing early. Did well to cover threat late on gave assurance for team to push on.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were asked different questions for the first 20 minutes and most of the problems came from deep positions when they couldn’t vice grip the ball or work positions in behind. Barrow gambled on winning the ball and getting it forward quickly, especially to work their right side but County reacted well to temper the threat. County needed to pick up the second ball quicker and they did this much better for the remainder of the game. The changes second half also ramped up the pressure with both Bogle and Kavanagh offering a different dimension. County needed to improve their quality inside the final third and there were good signs their today with delivery of crosses and moves in and around the area going up a notch. The midfield had less influence of the ball, such was the chaotic nature with the ball a bit of a hot potato on times. County adjusted and started to turn the screw before the sending off, with some clever moves from deep to pick off Barrow in transition. Next up is Stevenage at home on Tuesday, who have spent most of this season in the top 3. They have introduced several new players during the January window, which has given them more flexibility. County need to police he switches of play Stevenage will offer with balls played long to the back post or wide of the penalty box. Gilbey v Charsley looks a key battle and if County can assert better through the middle of the pitch they have the industry and creativity to open up a stubborn Stevenage defence.