Determined County seal consecutive home wins

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Bogle 17, Demetriou 44)

Hartlepool United 0

Attendance: 4,521

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLLDDDWdWL

Hartlepool United DLDDDDDWWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County got a bit of lesson in their last match at Stockport so expecting a response but not an easy ride against a resurgent Hartlepool side under new manager Jon Askey. Warm day so tempo key on and off the ball

CONDITIONS

Quite warm, sunny periods with slight breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Incessant and creative in spells, could have been more but showed resilience to retain clean sheet.

TURNING POINT

Timing of 2nd County goal on the stroke of half time to underline first half pressure.

THE MATCH

County freshened the side up following the defeat at Stockport on Easter Monday with Wil Evans returning at left wing back in place of Callum Kavanagh who was on the bench Aaron Lewis slotted back into his central midfield role with County reverting to their more customary 3–5–2 formation. County set a precedence with a quick start pressing Hartlepool into some mistakes and there was a warning on 2 minutes following a heavy touch by centre back Pruti with McNeil closing down well. Lewis seized on the loose ball and his quick pass right side of the area found Bogle in space who curled a decent effort towards the top left corner but Hartlepool keeper Stolarczyk did well to parry around the left post. County kept up their momentum with some good moves left side to test right back Dodds but they threatened again on 6 minutes following a free kick right side by Lewis. The cross drifted dangerously deep and Evans anticipated well to kill the ball quickly. but he scooped his shot from 12 yards over the bar. Hartlepool responded with a quick move from deep on 8 minutes working the left channel well Kemp cutting back a decent cross from the left side of the area which flashed through the six yard box just beyond a touch by Jennings. County maintained a good tempo to their game working plenty of territory and won a throw in right side of the area on 10 minutes. Demetriou launched a long throw to towards the front post which Norman did well to glance back into the six yard box which Evans anticipated well but he stabbed a first time half volley just wide of the right post. Hartlepool made efforts to relieve pressure with some direct play using the strength of Umerah up front but County stifled well. On 15 minutes, they broke quickly winning the ball well just inside their own half with Lewis sniping the ball. His quick pass found McNeil who linked well to find Bogle but his snapshot from 12 yards drifted just wide of the left post. County had threatened on several long throws and they got their reward on 17 minutes when Demetriou forced an anxious headed clearance. Norman was again alert to set up Bogle who hit an excellent low precise shot on the turn from 10 yards into the right corner with the keeper static. Hartlepool were shaken by the goal with some indecisiveness creeping into their game. On 19 minutes, County were close to another when a quick move left side instigated by Evans and Bogle struck a decent volley left side of the area which the keeper parried for a corner left side. On 21 minutes, County worked an excellent move switching play efficiently from right to left with Norman showing good vision to find Wildig. He directed a superb cross to stretch the Hartlepool defence and McNeill ghosted in back post and struck a well timed side footed volley which the keeper made an instinctive save with his legs. Bogle was quick to the loose ball setting up a chance for Wildig inside the “d” but his snapshot was charged down but the calls for a handball were ignored by the referee. Hartlepool were forced into a change on 27 minutes with centre back receiving a knock in a challenge with McNeil and he was replaced by Foran. Hartlepool made efforts to get some cohesion to their game going but were finding little joy with County snapping into challenges. On 30 minutes, a move that typified the first saw Evans do well to aggressively pickpocket the ball off Jennings near the half way line. His quick pass found McNeill who showed his flexibility to cut inside and his shot from the left corner of the areas fizzed inches over the bar. Hartlepool were keen to get their right side flowing with Jennings making some eager runs but Evans and Demetriou worked hard to stifle and clear effectively. County kept up their intensity with some fluid moves right side and were close again on 35 minutes when McNeil sprung forward with a run right side of the area cutting back an excellent low cross but Pruti did well to intercept with Bogle lurking. County added the second goal their play deserved on 44 minutes following a free kick right side. Wildig delivered a teasing cross which Drysdale met well in the air and despite the effort being blocked he clipped a neat pass which Demetriou slotted into the right corner from 8 yards under pressure from Foran.

The early stages of second half were benign with Hartlepool offering more patience on the ball keeping the ball lower to test County. On 50 minutes, County snapped out of their shell when they worked a precise move right side and McNeill did well to shield the ball near the right corner of the area. He picked out the run outside by Wildig but his effort from an acute went narrowly over the bar. Then moments later, County sliced through the middle when Bennett did well to combine with Wildig and despite the effort well blocked by Foran, Lewis anticipated well but the follow up was also well blocked by a determined Hartlepool defence. Hartlepool gained some confidence stifling County and gained some momentum right side with Jennings coming more into the game. On 55 minutes, Hartlepool worked a decent low passing move through several players and Jennings crossed well near the byline to the front post but Demetriou did well to pressurise Umerah and his shot drifted wide of the right post. County offered less fluency with their passing but used Bogle well with some direct play and Sylla was booked on 58 minutes for preventing a Bogle run inside through the middle. Wildig took the free kick which was again cleared untidly and Drysdale struck his half volley from 10 yards just over the bar. On 62 minutes, Bogle was in the book for dissent protesting over a challenge despite County getting the free kick. Evans whipped in a decent free kick which again Hartlepool struggled to contain but Drysdale could only direct a difficult shot on the turn from 10 yards straight at the keeper. Hartlepool made a double change on 62 minutes to add some much needed energy with Cooke replaced by McDonald who went left wing and Finney came into central midfield in place of Kemp. County kept plugging away and were close to another goal on 68 minutes when Norman did well to pinch the ball off McDonald and headed into the path of Bogle. As the ball sat up, Bogle addressed a decent volley from right side of the box which fizzed just wide of the right post. County made their first change on 75 minutes with Kavanagh replacing McNeill and Hartlepool gambled with some attacking changes replacing Umerah with Hamilton and Crawford on for Sylla. Hartlepool worked some better moves in the final stages of the game offering width with McDonald hugging the left channel and Jennings right side working well with Finney. On 80 minutes, Hartlepool forced County to defend deeply and Featherstone struck a decent effort inside the “d” which was well blocked by Drysdale. County freshened up again on 82 minutes replacing Wildig with Waite and Moriah-Welsh on for Lewis. County then had Demetriou somewhat harshly booked for slowing down his long throw when Bogle was being wrestled off the ball which was not picked up by any of the officials. Hartlepool created their best opportunity of the game on 85 minutes with Dodds and Jennings setting up an intricate move right side of the area. County appeared to get caught ball watching and the cross was met by Hamilton only for Norman to make a miraculous clearance near the goaline and clash with the right post. Norman was forced off following the incident and replaced by Farquharson. Hartlepool applied some late pressure but County remained menacing on the break. On 90 minutes, County won a corner left side which Waite delivered well into the six yard area but Kavanagh unmarked headed over the bar when he should have worked the keeper. On 90+4 minutes, Hartlepool were close when some lax marking following a corner invited Featherstone to shoot first time but he drilled a low effort just wide of the right post with the aid of a deflection. From the following corner, County struggled to clear their lines effectively and Hamilton poked an effort straight at County keeper Day. County maintained their focus in the 7 minutes of injury time and earn another clean sheet at Rodney Parade.

Day (7) — had few clearcut saves to deal with, especially first half. Kicked well under pressure with some decent distribution left side to set Evans free. Got distance when needed to get ball safe

Norman (8) — defended stoutly, brave clearance to deny certain goal. At the heart of the best moves and did well on long throws having a hand in the opening goal and limited crosses well from Ferguson.

Evans (7) — gave side balance that was missing at Stockport and made some good decisions to tackle and break up play with some decent crosses. Snatched at a couple of half chances.

Lewis (8) — excellent game, combined well with Bennett to press and deny space. Got forward when invited and was prepared to shoot. Worked tirelessly before being replaced

Drysdale (7) — did a stern job to keep Umerah quiet and won his aerial duals, clearing effectively. Missed a couple of tackles but was effective on set pieces going close a couple of times

Demetriou (7) — dominated in the air and was bright getting forward to link play left side especially first half. Forced deeper after half time but cleared danger well. provided some excellent long throws

Baker (7) — kept focussed throughout and covered well in behind well to get ball safe. Got tight with his marking and was a big part of limiting threat offered left side.

Wildig (7) — broke up play well with some good challenges in the air and on the floor. Had a couple of decent shots in and around the box. Delivered some neat set pieces and crosses to stretch play

Bennett (7) — was alert to win some well timed tackles and shift play effectively forward getting team on the front foot. Did well in aerial duals and kept passing simple but tidy

Bogle (9) — was always a problem for Hartlepool, roamed wide and held ball in tight situations with strength to link play. Took chance very and despite not getting decisions kept discipline well.

McNeill (7) — key movement running off the shoulder of last man, pressing defender well. linked well angling runs to drag defenders about. Deserved a goal and went close with some decisive shots.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Hartlepool United)

Strengths — they were composed with ball at feet and showed capability with passing. Showed good spirit late on to force County deeper.

Weaknesses — bit sluggish with some of their build up play and struggled to deal with set pieces and crosses. Lacked cutting edge

Opportunities — largely direct first half but changed formation to offer more width and work crosses later in the game keeping ball lower.

Threats — Umerah aerial threat, Jennings angled runs right side and cute with crosses. Kemp and Featherstone eye for a shot.

OFFICIALS

D Handley (7) — missed some of the holding and pulling particularly on Bogle and had to do a lot unnecessary talking. Got the key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Omar Bogle — best game in a County shirt, coaxed fouls with strength on ball. Took goal well, didn’t get the rub with some decisions worked well in tandem with McNeill who is flourishing alongside.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County responded well following their Stockport set back with another decent home performance and such was their dominance first half, they should have been further ahead. County pressed Hartlepool into several mistakes but also took care of the ball to create good opportunities with some quality on their crosses. It wasn’t a surprise that both goals came from a set piece with the throws and crosses County offered having more conviction. The level of performance dropped off last half an hour with Hartlepool asking more questions in wide areas with some patient build up and if there was one criticism it would be that County dropped off deeper, ball watching on times, allowing their opponents to build momentum and play around them with low passes. County held out with some excellent recoveries which will be key when sides attack in transition. Next up on Tuesday is Mansfield Town at Rodney Parade who were pegged back to draw at Grimsby today. Mansfield are likely to play adopt a 4–3–1–2 formation with Atkins an aerial outlet up top and former Oldham striker Keillor-Dunn a key worker off the ball just in behind. County need to deal with direct balls but also be on their mettle to stifle their low passing game with Quinn and McLaughlin a key outlet to force play left side. Mansfield have been transient in their defensive personnel constantly changing and County have the tools to get at their full backs