Disciplined and focused County pinch late win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Brisbane Road

Leyton Orient 0

Newport County 1 (Norman 85)

Attendance: 3,413

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County LDDWWLDLWW

Leyton Orient WDLLWWLLLd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County are missing a couple of key players so will need to manage game with care. Not a must win game for Orient but they will need to come out so key County manage threats but be bold when invited.

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy with little breeze. Pitch in decent condition but a little bobbly in parts

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Lacked normal cohesion but robust, determined defending gave platform for win

TURNING POINT
County substitutions worked well in their favour.

THE MATCH
County were forced into a couple of changes with Fin Azaz not in the squad and top scorer Dominic Telford suffering from a slight knock. Robbie Willmott slotted into midfield and Alex Fisher partnered Courtney Baker-Richardson up front as County maintained their 4–1–3–2 formation. County worked an early low smart inside the first couple of minutes with Cain getting on the ball and his cross went across the face of the area inviting Cooper but his snapshot was blocked by Beckles. Orient were patient with their passing from deep opting to go back and use keeper Vigouroux to build and he directed some kicks right side for Khan to latch onto. County marshalled the threat well and had the better of the early possession but the game was scrappy with Orient closing down hard through the middle. County gained some penetration down the flanks and were awarded a couple of throws in but they struggled to build momentum with the game very stop and start. Orient were keen to exploit mistakes and were most effective picking up on some untidy passes by County with Kemp and Drinan supporting the towering frame of Smith up front. On 15 minutes, a County move broke down and Kemp supplied a low pass for Smith but his from outside the box was rising. County worked a decent move on 17 minutes using their left flank well and Cain chipped in an early cross which Baker-Richardson stole in with a late header from 10 yards against the left post but he was adjudged to be marginally offside. County made efforts to pick up their game with some sharper moves right side involving Norman and Cooper but Orient remained stubborn to breakdown. Orient went more direct as the half progressed using Smith in transition with some defensive clearances to turn the County defence around but they remained vigilant with Pask making some strong clearances under pressure. On 27 minutes, County flirted with goal when a move efficient decisive move saw them switch play well from the right flank into the middle and Cooper threaded a good pass for Cain to latch onto. He checked inside but his low shot from just outside the “d” was well blocked by Mitchell. County kept plugging away but the fouls continued to disrupt the flow and quality of the game and Smith was fortunate to escape without a booking for clattering into Haynes late. County worked a couple decent moves out from deep with Townsend kicking the ball wide and Norman and Haynes did well to win the aerial duals. On 32 minutes, County were close to edging ahead after another free kick from near the left flank which favoured Willmott. He put in an excellent cross into the area which Fisher met well in air from 12 yards but Vigouroux was alive to parry the ball away in the top left corner. From the resultant corner by Cain the cross dropped deep picking Bennett in an unmarked position but the chance went begging with Baker-Richardson appearing to go for the same ball. With Orient struggling to clear their lines effectively, Haynes blasted an effort from distance straight at the keeper who held well. Orient had a better spell as half time approached offering more energy with Khan getting on the ball. On 37 minutes, Khan set up a snapshot for Brown from distance but his powerful effort went over the bar. On 42 minutes, Orient had another warning inviting space through the middle and this time Fisher caressed a pass to Cain who ghosted past Brown but his low shot from 20 yards was comfortable for the keeper. Orient worked a couple of neat short throws on the stroke of half time catching County napping and had a decent chance in first half injury from the right side of the area. Khan took the quick throw to find Kemp and he threaded a pass inside for Brown right side of the area but the low shot went well wide of the right post.

Orient made a change at half time with Drinan replaced by Smyth who played just behind Smith. The game continued to be competitive but scrappy with neither side in their ascendancy as the challenges off the ball continued to interrupt the flow. On 50 minutes, Brown was booked for mistimed challenge on Haynes as he darted down the left touchline with a smart break from deep on. Orient pushed up a bit higher forcing County deeper but they were stern dealing with the pressure clearing their lines but found the ball coming back with some poor retention. On 57 minutes, County had a decent situation when they worked a neat move inside the Orient half but Fisher turned into danger and lost possession cheaply. Orient were quick to turn defence into attack with Kyprianou slipping a pass right side for Smyth to latch onto but his run was interrupted by late tackle from Demetriou who was booked. Fisher appeared to be struggling and County conceded a cheap corner on the hour in the left corner when tracking back to defend. County made a change on soon after with Fisher replaced by Collins. County snapped back into action and created a decent move on the break on 65 minutes from a kick out with Cain latching onto the ball after a quick exchange with Haynes. He cut back a decent cross low cross which cleared well at the front post by Mitchell with Baker-Richardson lurking. Orient made another change on 70 minutes with Kemp sacrificed for Sotiriou who went left side. Orient raised the bar again with Smyth offering energy to support Smith up top and the County defence did well to squash a couple of shots near the edge of the area. Orient kept probing down the left flank with Wood and Sotiriou working well in tandem and a decent cross on 75 minutes left side of the area was glanced wide of the left post by Smith from 10 yards. County continued to bright in midfield and snap up the loose ball and Kyprianou was booked for Orient on 82 minutes for a crude challenge on Cain. Orient made their final change with Moss replacing Wood. With Orient still keen to force their left side County worked a couple of smart moves on the break right side of the area with Baker-Richardson doing well to find chinks of light to provide crosses. On 84 minutes, Baker-Richardson darted into space offered down the right flank and held up play well to delay cross and pinpoint Cooper’s late run left side of the box but his stretching header from 8 yards was wide of the left post. County kept pressing and won a corner left side on 85 minutes after Collins snapshot from edge of the area was deflected. Willmott whipped over a teasing delivery which Pask did well to glance on front post and Norman anticipated superbly at the back post to slam his half volley into the net. Orient forced play deep into the County half and were close to equalising on 87 minutes when a cross into the area was held up by Smith and threaded to the right byline. The cross come shot by Moss was parried away well by Townsend and Khan seized the loose ball but his low effort was cleared near the line by Pask. County made a defensive change on 87 minutes with Farquharson replacing Willmott who came on to mark Smith. County followed this with another change on 90 minutes with Cain replaced by Dolan. In the six minutes of injury time, County held out strongly holding the ball well in the left corner to run down the clock and Dolan spraying some intelligent passes in behind. Orient threw in a couple of hopeful long throws from the right side of the box, but County defended the aerial ball well and were in no mood to relinquish the lead they worked hard to attain.

Townsend (7) — quiet game but kept concentration well kicking effectively under pressure with some neat distribution the flanks. Stood tall to make smart save from acute angle late on.

Norman (8) — very disciplined performance, let little goalside, won some good headers under pressure and linked well. Dealt well with Sotiriou when he came on and took his chance clinically.

Haynes (7) — made several good tackles getting tight and some stern challenges. Timed his runs forward when invited and despite being restricted on crosses showed prowess to shoot cutting inside.

Demetriou (7) — was put under some aerial pressure by Smith but coped well, reading game when to get tight. Cleared his lines well when turned back and adapted well after booking.

Pask (8) — did well in aerial duals showing good leap and was vigilant throughout to mop up any danger. Played reserved largely but did link well when gaps arose and great assist on winning goal.

Willmott (6) — lost out on few tackles and a little rusty with his touch but kept plugging away and linked play well through the middle. Set pieces were restricted but the crosses he did make were good.

Bennett (7) — competed well and did good job to protect defence and intercept direct ball with some strong headers. Kept passes tidy and could have got on the mark with late run from set pieces.

Cain (8) — built on his performance Saturday, was at the heart of the best moves having a licence to push on. Offered quick thinking to win the ball earlier and went close with a couple of shots in around area.

Cooper (7) — played more reserved and did a lot of good work defending winning some good tackles. Supplied some neat low passes and was more effective threat when he made late runs.

Fisher (5) — generally used ball when he showed teeth to take care of it and went close with the one header. Let himself down on times with poor touch and looked short of match fitness and replaced early.

Baker-Richardson (7) — took up the mantle to hold the ball and worked hard to get across and press defenders. Won some good headers and supply crosses from tight positions.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — Not many came through today. They pressed hard across the middle and were competitive. Passed well but in deeper positions.

Weaknesses — bit one paced and predictable in build-up play and conceded several free kicks. Lacked control through the middle of the pitch and both wing backs were poor in the air

Opportunities — Never really got their 3–5–2 system firing and lot of the build up play lacked cohesion. Went to 3–4–3 late on but became increasingly vulnerable.

Threats — Smith aerial threat, Smyth and Kemp linked well in support with shots from distance. Khan showed capability with crosses.

OFFICIALS

J Bell (8) — managed game well and barely noticed his presence. Got key decisions right to allow game to be competitive but not boil over.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jake Cain — continues to develop, saw ball early in the middle winning some key battles and was creative when got the chance. Deserved a goal for his efforts going close several times.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County managed this tricky game very well as they needed to be disciplined and vigilant but bold when they could prise openings. Despite this not being a game for the purists, the performance and result will probably please the manager more than any other game since he started his tenure. County have been doubted for not showing enough teeth in some situations, but it was there in abundance tonight and they have now kept three clean consecutive sheets winning three in a row. County also adapted well without the creativity of Azaz and predator instinct of Telford, showing a different side to their game. County will need to win specific games ugly this season and the template was shown this evening. There were few concerns as they dealt with the aerial ball or cut out its supply at source. County can work on their defending off quick throws as they did switch off on some deep inside their own half and can also improve variety from their own throws which Orient squashed well. Next up is Barrow at home and a possible score to settle after losing so tamely at Barrow earlier this season at the tail end of the Flynn era. Despite having invested in their squad this season, Barrow have dropped back in recent weeks with manager Mark Cooper under pressure. Barrow are likely to play a 3–4–3 formation and like to play from deep with Banks a key cog in midfield to provide link play and Kay a lively outlet up top. County need to keep their passing low and sharp with Barrow likely to sit off but they will press hard through the middle of the pitch. Set pieces could again be key with centre backs Platt and Jones showing some vulnerability on aerial duals.