Disciplined and focussed

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Shepherd 19, Taylor 48)

Barrow 1 (Hardcastle)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLDW

Barrow LLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Barrow won the Conference last year so expecting them to be organised at the back and bold coming forward. Key County remain patient and keep building on the promise shown the last few games.

CONDITIONS
Quite warm, sunny periods and very breezy. Pitch in decent condition

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Stuttered a bit first half but upped edge to regain lead and held out strongly.

TURNING POINT
Taylor goal straight after half time wasn’t pivotal but forced Barrow to change tact.

THE MATCH
County made three changes from the side that defeated Cambridge in the league cup mid-week with goalkeeper Nick Townsend replacing Tom King who was on the bench. There were 2 changes up front with Taylor and Janneh replacing Abrahams and Amond who were named as subs. County started positively with Janneh making a strong forceful run left side inside the first minute and he cut back a useful low cross into the six yard box which Taylor got just ahead of Hird but his flicked shot was held low down by Nixon. County wing back Shepherd make a couple of prominent runs right side and directed his crosses well but Barrow managed to reshape and clear effectively. County created a good patient low move on 7 minutes working the ball well from right to left and Sheehan teed up a pass for Twine. He killed the ball well before hitting a decent snapshot from the edge of the area which was blocked by the outreached arm of Barry. From the resultant free kick Twine curled his effort narrowly past the left post. Barrow were happy to keep their shape mirroring the County 352 formation and they sat in deep trying to shackle any enterprise. County keep pressing the right buttons but some casual play inside their own half allowed Barrow some chinks of light. On 12 minutes, a mistake in the middle of the pitch by Twine allowed Angus to break through the middle and Howkins mistimed his challenge saw the first yellow card issued. Barrow were positive from deep with keeper Dixon distributing some kicks or throws to wide positions and with both wing backs prepared to push on County had to keep their awareness. On 14 minutes, County were given a warning when some indecision by Haynes allowed Barry to pick a hole right side of the area and his cross was met by Beadling but the shot from the edge of the area was well blocked by Demetriou. County kept plugging away right side with Shepherd penetrative and when County worked the ball either side of the area they looked dangerous. On 19 minutes, County came alive on the left flank with Haynes manufacturing some space in tight position. His early cross into the area was key as it is picked out Twine who showed quick feet to evade a challenge and set up Shepherd who blasted home low into the left corner from 10 yards after a well timed run. County were energised by the goal and another bright move on 20 minutes saw them counter effectively with a ball supplied by Willmott from left to right to find the run of Janneh right side of the area. He was able to again deliver a decent cross low into the six yard box from a tight angle but Taylor headed wide of the right under pressure from Hird. Barrow centre back Ntlhe pulled during the defending of the move and was replaced soon after by Wilson. On 25 minutes, County overplayed dangerously inside their own half with Shepherd put under pressure and his weak pass was seized left corner by James. He set up quick square pass for Beadling who struck a decent effort from 18 yards which Townsend parried away. County failed to heed the warning and a weak clearance from Demetriou left side was snatched by James who drove into space invited and set up a neat pass inside for Hardcastle who finished expertly into the left corner from the edge of the area. Barry gained confidence from the goal and had a better spell of possession with Jones breaking up play in midfield and Hardcastle pulling the stings final third. On 35 minutes, Barrow created a decent passing move left side with left wing back Brown in a prominent position high up the pitch. He cut a pass back inviting Hardcastle to shoot first time from 25 yards but his effort was well blocked by Howkins. County were struggling to make the ball stick with keen wind behind them they overplayed some of their crosses and passes. Barrow ended the half the more threatening side and another decent low move right side presented Angus an opportunity to go on a solo run and brush off a challenge by Demetriou but his shot on the turn went well over. In first half stoppage time Barrow corner left side was whipped in dangerously and it dropped deep but County did well to negate the threat back post by James.

County came out more determined to be on the front foot working hard in tandem to close down from back to front. On 47 minutes, they were ahead again when they pressed Beadling into an anxious pass back on the Barrow right. Twine got to the ball ahead of Hird and played a quick ball inside to pick out Watson in place inside the “d” and he advanced to curl an excellent effort into the left corner from 16 yards. County boosted by the goal with some better possession and creativity offered in the middle of the pitch. On 57 minutes, Taylor advanced to make a strong run through the middle and Barrow were exposed but Jones cynically pulled him back and was duly booked. Barrow continued to play an expansive game from deep on times a short back pass by Wilson to the keeper was nearly stolen by Janneh but keeper Dixon managed to clear just ahead of him. Barrow were keen to push on to make amends but County were posing problems on the counter. On 63 minutes, Twine seized upon a loose pass and set up Janneh on a piercing run through the middle but his shot was well from the edge of the area was well blocked by Wilson. On 65 minutes, Taylor did well to shield the ball with back to goal and showed vision to release a pass clipped in behind for Janneh left side of the area. His pace took him well inside the area beyond the last defender but his shot from an acute angle on his left foot was pushed away for corner. Barrow made a tactical change on 67 minutes replacing centre back Hird with midfield Cribbin who went right wing in a 4–4–2 formation. County continued to cause problems on the right side with Shepherd orchestrating some good moves deep inside the Barrow half. On 72 minutes, Shepherd was caught late by a low tackle by Brown and was forced into some treatment but recovered to continue. Barrow were keen to use their left side with Angus offering an outlet to hold up the ball. On 74 minutes, Angus showed guile to win a free kick in a threatening position left side of the area after a cheap foul by Howkins. The free kick by Cribbin was poor on quality though being overplayed and it drifted harmlessly to safety at the back post. County made a change on 77 minutes with Abrahams replacing Taylor. Barrow keeper directed some long kicks from deep to test the County defence but they kept their focus well to clear first time or dispatch anything that dropped in behind. Another Barrow change followed on 82 minutes with left back Brown replaced by Hindle who went up top as they evolved again into a 3–4–3 formation. County were forced back last ten minutes but there were some opportunities for Janneh and Abrahams from wide positions when they made the ball stick. Barrow persisted with using the left flank to test County and they were forced to turn back and defend from some direct play. County made a couple of late changes to settle things down with Labadie replacing Twine and Shepherd was succumbed to his earlier knock and was replaced by Baker. The game degraded in the final moments with Barrow committing several fouls through frustration and County struggling for momentum with some untidy passes. In the fifth minute of the 8 minutes of injury time Barrow defender Jones was booked for dissent after another late low challenge on Haynes. In the last minute, Abrahams had a half chance when a direct through ball was glanced on well by Janneh but his volley was somewhat half hearted and looped well over the bar. Barrow pressed to the end with Abrahams booked for time wasting but they held on for a hard-fought but deserved win.

Townsend (6) — didn’t have a lot of saves to make but generally did well with handling and distribution. Kicks were a bit short on times but dealt well when ball passed back to get ball safe

Shepherd (8) — was at the heart of the best moves, had to vigilant dealing with runs from opposite number Brown but showed intelligence to time his runs and got well deserved goal.

Haynes (7) — switched off on a couple of headers but forced to play more reserved defensive role on times but nevertheless had some good spells setting up goal well and provided some decent crosses.

Demetriou (7) — was strong in the aerial duals and had his work cut out with Angus but marshalled it well. Rare mistake led to Barrow goal but he kept his focus and led defence well.

Cooper (7) — was composed with the ball at his feet and dealt effectively with the direct ball well. Did well to drive into the space offered and edge play up higher.

Howkins (6) — kept his focus despite being put under some pressure, bit rash with some tackles and was on a bit of knife edge late in game. dominated the aerial duals and went close on couple of set pieces.

Willmott (6) — quieter reserved game, did a lot of good defensive work box to box and when he got the ball he used it well. starved of possession final third to influence game

Sheehan (7) — was closely marked by Jones and found space was a premium. Had a better second half when more space opened up but influence in and around the area was lessened late on.

Twine (6) — had some productive spells but got a bit bogged down when space was limited sometimes taking an extra touch. Had a couple of chances from set pieces but were tame

Janneh (7) — closed down defenders tenaciously and got into some good position and turned down an opportunity to shoot earlier on times. Provided several decent crosses from the byline

Taylor (8)– continues to build fitness and was clever with his use of the ball today with the best moves going through him. Had a couple of half chances before he got the key goal with a composed finish.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they struck to their game-plan of stifling County’s strength and looking for suck punch. Both full backs were bold and they had the edge in central midfield first half.

Weaknesses — over reliant on direct balls for much of the game and lacked quality from set pieces. Centre backs were slow with decision making when pressed.

Opportunities — they showed plenty of flexibility to change their shape and formation but most of the threat was opportunist looking to exploit indecision by County.
Threats — Angus and James were agile upfront and quick to loose ball. Hardcastle made strong run box to box and prepared to shoot.

OFFICIALS
R Lewis (7) — got the key decisions right but missed some rather late crude challenges

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ryan Taylor — had little pre-season and looks to be benefiting from game time now. Was always in the right position and at the heart of the best County moves. Took his chance well

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County got a hard-fought win today as Barrow were never going to bowl over at any point despite going behind. They also took a few knocks for their troubles when they had the nerve to hold the ball up under pressure. After gifting Barrow a goal to get back into the game, it enabled Barrow to lift their game for a spell up to half time. County responded very well after the half time and upped the tempo but then had to show a different aspect to their game to grind the win out. Barrow matched the 352 County formation and it meant they found space hard to find on times with both sides matching up players 1 v 1. The best moves came when County worked passes low either side of the 18 yard box. County can improve their set pieces and free kick delivery as they did squander some situations. Next up is Watford at home in the League Cup which will be another test of the capability they have this season. After a few knocks today, County may need to keep the side fresh to give the championship side something to think about. Watford have signed former Brighton front man Glen Murray who can play lone role target man and offer plenty of guile despite lack of pace. County will need to match their physicality and track the athletes they have in their side who will flood forward from deep.