Deserved and important win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Labadie 4)

Cheltenham Town 0

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LLLWDddWdW

Cheltenham Town LWLWDWLWWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Cheltenham were promoted mid-week but still have title ambitions so key County manage game well. Important tame the threats with long throws but be bold final third

CONDITIONS
Partly cloudy, cool with keen breeze. Pitch looked improved and less erratic.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Effervescent first half, creating several chances and defended area well to protect lead.

TURNING POINT
Opening goal gave the platform needed.

THE MATCH
County kept the same starting side and had Ryan Taylor back in contention who was on the bench. Cheltenham employed an attacking 3–4–3 system but County took the early initiative with a bust move right side and Hartigan had a snapshot blocked right side of the box by Long. County dominated the possession in the early stages with the keen wind behind them and they used the ball intelligently to shift the Cheltenham defence into some uncomfortable areas. County forced Cheltenham keeper into some hurried clearances which unsettled Cheltenham and they took the lead on 4 minutes from an sweeping move right side. Lewis found Hartigan and he threaded a low pass to find Labadie who danced past Raglan and blasted a powerful shot into the right corner beyond the grasp of Griffiths. Cheltenham made efforts to respond with some penetration left side and were close on 6 minutes from a long throw left side of the area by Tozer. Raglan glanced on an untidy header which County struggled to clear and Thomas struck a low effort from 8 yards which Shephard cleared inside the 6 yard box. Cheltenham attempted to work some moves from deep with Tozer getting on the ball and they worked some measured passes from left to right but the County defence stifled the moves well. County remained a nuisance from direct play turning Cheltenham back on their heels and a bright move on 15 minutes saw Amond angle an intelligent run right side of the area. His cross into the six yard box was useful but Long did well to snuff out the threat clearing front post with Collins lurking. On 17 minutes, County were awarded a corner left side after a loose back pass by Raglan. Sheehan delivered a low cross to the edge of the area which appeared to catch Cheltenham asleep and Lewis stole in with a late run but his effort from inside the “d” was mistimed and dragged wide of the left post. Cheltenham struggled for a fluency despite playing three up top and County tightened their grip with some forceful moves left side with Labadie doing well under pressure. On 20 minutes, Lewis delivered a long throw left side of the area which Demetriou glanced on well front post but Griffiths reacted well to claim the ball. Then on 23 minutes, Haynes did well to thread a low pass left channel and find Collins who got on the front-foot quickly to attack Blair who he beat with ease. From the left side of the area his cross pinpointed Amond but his shot from 12 yards went just over the bar. Amond and Collins continued to wort well in tandem and Amond turned provider on 28 minutes when he forged to the right byline and cut back a neat cross to the front post. Collins anticipated well but his header under pressure was saved comfortably by Griffiths. On 30 minutes, County had a warning when another long throw by Tozer caused some anxiousness clearing and Long fired in a low shot from 16 yards which King held well low down. Cheltenham opted to play direct on times but their distribution was untidy on times and County continued to deny them space to settle working hard off the ball. On 38 minutes, County had a decent situation when Demetriou won a tackle and countered through the middle to develop options either side of him. He had an opportunity to shoot but somewhat generously opted to pass out to the right flank but the passed was overplayed which let Cheltenham off the hook. County had a great chance to extend their lead on 44 minutes when a swift break right side saw Shephard pick out Amond and he clipped a clever pass right side of the area for Collins. He steadied himself well before striking a low shot but it went straight at the keeper. County kept pressing and in injury time a long throw by Lewis left side of the area was glanced on well by Demetriou towards the top right corner but Griffiths parried the effort away.

Cheltenham made a change at half time introducing Wright into central midfield in place of centre back Raglan. Blair and Hussey tucked in as full backs and the move appeared to settle Cheltenham down defensively. County kept plugging away left side with Haynes coming more into the game but the game became more scrappy with both sides conceding several fouls. Cheltenham persisted with long throws to test and had a glimmer of chance on 53 minutes when Tozer delivered a looping throw which Lloyd picked up edge of the area but his effort was well blocked by Bennett. County had to stay focussed to deal with some direct play from Cheltenham from kick outs with May offering an outlet left side. On 56 minutes, Bennett was booked when he tangled with May but the free kick came to nothing. County worked a decent move on the hour when they picked holes well right side and Lewis cut back a neat ball to feet to find Labadie who set up Hartigan for a low shot right side of the area who Griffiths held near the right post. Cheltenham offered some better penetration with full backs Hussey and Blair pushing on but the crosses into the County area were more hopeful and well marshalled to safety. Cheltenham made a triple change on 65 minutes with Williams on for Smith up front and he went up front. Another change saw May and Lloyd replaced by Vassilev and Azaz in midfield. On 68 minutes, Cheltenham again posed questions from a long throw left side which Tozer launched into the six yard box which sat up and Williams directed a header from 8 yards towards the left corner but Lewis was on hand to clear the danger. Collins had been on receiving end of a few knocks and was replaced by Maynard on 80 minutes. County set their stall out last ten minutes to stifle pressure and play on the counter attack. They had a good chance to kill the game on 84 minutes when Lewis and Labadie combined well from a decisive move through the middle but some slight in getting the early shot allowed Cheltenham to recover and intercept the danger. Cheltenham got more sustained possession in the final minutes with Azaz coordinating some good low moves. On 87 minutes, he set up an opportunity for Wright from 20 yards but he dragged his shot well wide of the left post. County worked some good moves in transition right side and a direct move moments caused problems with Maynard turning away from Tozer deep inside the Cheltenham half. The referee deemed there was a covering defender and he got just a yellow card. Haynes took the free kick in a central position but the shot went well over when he should have worked the keeper. County were forced to contend with 6 minutes of injury time and were content to buy time and hold the ball right side with Maynard offering an outlet. Cheltenham threw in a couple crosses from wide areas but County looked the more likely side to score. On 90+5 minutes, Sheehan darted forward and his dynamic run right side of the area was crudely interrupted by Long before he could play in Amond in acres of space right side of the area. Long was booked but County turned down the chance to shoot from a distance position opting to play the ball into the right corner to run down the clock. County held on for a richly deserved win and Cheltenham now need a win to clinch the title next week at home to Harrogate Town.

King (7) — kicked well under pressure from back passes, put under pressure with some long throws and forced to punch but got ball safe. Made some good saves low down.

Shephard (7) — was alert to win some good headers and limited May to few opportunities. Distributed well and kept composure when forced deeper second half clearing danger well.

Haynes (8) — solid defensive display today, saw less of him in the final third but made some excellent tackles and did well in the air. Set up some efficient moves first half passing accurately.

Demetriou (8) — strong in aerial duals, denied twice at front post and did well when turned back to clear his lines. Turned down a few chances to shoot from runs through middle and free kicks

Bennett (7) — rarely troubled in the air, dealt with the direct play and let little goalside breaking up threat, was alert with his use of the ball and neat with distribution switching play well.

Lewis (7) — offered plenty of energy and craft which forced Hussey back and set up some neat moves first half. Was asked to drop deeper second half but marshalled danger well.

Labadie (8) — got on the front-foot from the offset, took his goal very well with sweet strike and picked up second ball very well. took a few knocks but kept driving forward with well timed runs.

Sheehan (7) — had an excellent first half, getting on the ball early and instrumental in several good moves. Saw less influence in and around the area and forced much deeper after half time.

Hartigan (8) — best game for County, was intelligent with movement and offered variety rarely wasting a pass. Did well on goal and went close a couple of times edge of the area. Deserved goal.

Amond (8) — worked well with Collins and provided several decent crosses first half angling his runs which Raglan found hard to cope with. Retention and efficiency of link play was key.

Collins (8) — despite not getting goal he threatened, always menacing on the ball. Provided neat crosses from tight areas out wide and with more power on shots, game would have been killed

Strengths — didn’t come out today but defenders were comfortable passing from deep and variety of long throws kept County worked.

Weaknesses — some vulnerability dealing with direct balls and defenders struggled when turned back. Overplayed a lot of passes opting for direct ball too much and lacked quality final third.

Opportunities — changed from regular 3–5–2 formation to 3–4–3 which backfired somewhat. Offered more balance when they went 4–4–2 getting more possession and full backs in game.

Threats — May outlet left side guile with ball at feet. Hussey crosses left side and Tozer long throws were effective.

OFFICIALS

S Oldham (8) — managed game well and kept lid on the back chat. Did his best to keep game flowing and allow advantage and got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Padraig Amond — coming into form at just the right time. Despite not getting goal he deserved, his intelligence and experience to pick holes and set up chances was key.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County are not quite there yet after the late Exeter goal but they are doing their uppermost to get the play-off position they deserve secured. This was an important win, given the other results and you can only look after yourselves in these situations. Frustratingly, County are now just four points off automatic promotion spot, but if they can maintain at least fifth position it will give them a firm advantage should they extend their season. County created some smart moves final third and the intensity of their game from the offset was a big factor. Amond and Collins worked well together and it was their work ethic on and off the ball that never allowed the Cheltenham defence much respite. County did well to restrict the threat Cheltenham employed out wide and they took responsibility when the ball went through the middle with Hartigan and Labadie doing well in tandem to carve opportunities in and around the box. County can’t relax going into the Southend game next Saturday despite their relegation from the Football League confirmed today as they will have no pressure on them, so it will be key County manage the game vigilantly. Southend will have nothing to lose and are likely to play a 4–5–1 with veteran defender Halford often employed as target man up top and Holmes picking holes final third. Southend will be missing experience in the heart of their midfield with Jason Demetriou suspended and in the turnover they do have some vulnerability County can exploit the middle.