Disciplined County back to winning ways
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (Janneh 25)
Tranmere Rovers 0
Attendance:
Newport County WLDWWWWLWLL
Tranmere Rovers DDLdLdWWD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Tranmere have invested in their squad and have had some players affected by Coronavirus but showed character to peg back Salford last week so expecting a battle
CONDITIONS
Cool, with sunny spells but calm. Pitch in decent condition after several games recently.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Creative when ball was shifted efficiently and kept Tranmere at arms-length despite some late pressure
TURNING POINT
Tranmere sending off changed pattern of the game
THE MATCH
Tranmere made the more purposeful start and won a free kick inside two minutes when former player Otis Khan who had spent a loan spell at County last season coaxed a free kick on the left flank by Labadie. Khan took the free kick but it was poorly executed and cleared at the front post by Cooper. County eased their way into the game with some neat approach play from deep and they worked a decent move on 7 minutes when Janneh angled his run well left side before threading a low pass into Twine. He jinked inside and curled an opportunist effort from 20 yards wide of the left post. County kept pressing the right buttons with Tranmere working hard to contain and press man for man with Banks and Spearing snapping at challenges in midfield. On 10 minutes, Banks made a clumsy challenge on Twine dragging him to the floor and was lucky to escape without a card. County were patient building play from the back with centre backs Dolan, Demetriou and Cooper assured but Tranmere were keen to stifle with Woolery, Khan and Morris working hard to deny space. On 15 minutes, Tranmere robbed possession from Sheehan on the right side and broke well with Morris overlapping right side to cross into the area and Cooper did well to usher the ball to safety. On 18 minutes, Haynes did well to support a move left side and get in behind full back O’Connor and deliver an early cross. Tranmere struggled to clear effectively and the loose ball sat up for Janneh who was denied when his volley was blocked well by Monthe. Tranmere gained confidence from their robust defending and tested County with some direct play to use Woolery up front who was proficient in the air. County marshalled the threat well and started to turn the screw with some measured passes from deep especially left side with Janneh finding chinks of light in behind. The game was competitive in the middle with County determined in possession and Tranmere continued to toe the line with some robust challenges and contention. On 22 minutes, Banks was booked for a crude challenge on Twine as County ramped up the tempo of the game. On 24 minutes, County won a free kick in a decent position from a cutting move through the middle forcing Woolery to track back and deny Sheehan. Twine executed the delivery precisely forcing Murphy into an excellent save in the top left corner tipping the ball over. County were purring and another good move moments later saw Abrahams carry a clever run right side of the area. He clipped a clever pass inside for Twine who struck a great first time effort from 14 yards forcing the keeper to parry around the right post. Dolan took the corner and picked out Labadie in space in a deep position and he directed a neat header into the six yard box to find Jannneh who fired into the net with a slick volley. Tranmere made efforts to pick up their game with left back Ridehalgh pressing higher up the pitch. County were forced back for a time but this invited opportunities in behind with Janneh and Abrahams picking holes in behind well. Tranmere persisted with using their flank to test County with kicks from deep but the defence held firm with Cooper and Shepherd working well in tandem. On 32 minutes, County had a good situation left side of the area when Abrahams did well to shield under pressure from centre back Clarke and he coaxed a foul. From the resultant free kick, Twine again showed his capability but Tranmere managed to escape with clearing at the second attempt. On 36 minutes, Sheehan received a somewhat unfortunate booking when he tangled legs with Woolery. Tranmere remained a threat from the left channel with Khan supportive to Woolery who was difficult to read with the ball at his feet. On 43 minutes, Woolery flirted with goal when he linked with Lewis after a late run into the box but his snapshot was well blocked by Dolan. On the stroke of half time, County had a decent situation with Abrahams at the heart of the move across the face of area. He showed good vision to time a pass for Labadie who struck a first time effort from 20 yards which was on powering towards the goal but hit Janneh.
Tranmere made a tactical change at half time replacing Banks with Feeney who went into a more advanced role supporting Woolery up top. The game remained competitive and untidy in some respects with the ball spending a lot of time not on the pitch. County continued to pick passes to unsettle Tranmere and were close on 50 minutes when a seemingly harmless direct pass from Cooper was allowed to drop by Monthe near the edge of the area. Some indecision with keeper invited Abrahams to ghost in and his looping header was cleared off the line by Clarke. Tranmere made efforts to get Feeney on the ball left side but County were in no mood to relax with Cooper stifling the danger well to clear. On 52 minutes, Lewis lost control of the ball in central midfield and in attempt to regain the ball he lunged late on Labadie. The referee issued a straight red card and Tranmere adjusted with Feeney slotting back into left midfield. County kept plugging away making the ball work and shifting Tranmere around the pitch. On 56 minutes, a quick break by County from right to left saw Twine expose the Tranmere left side with a pass into Haynes. He did well floating inside and struck a decent low effort on his right foot from 18 yards which Murphy held well. County were more threatening when the worked their passes low and prised open a decent chance on 65 minutes through the industry of Sheehan. He fed a low pass for Janneh and it was the quick pass left side of the box which opened up a chance for Abrahams but his extra touch allowed Murphy smother at his feet. Tranmere made a change to freshen up their game on 65 minutes with Young replacing Khan. Tranmere gambled pushing Young left midfield and Feeney up front. Tranmere were increasingly direct in the remaining stages of the game using the aerial prowess of Woolery and they upped their efforts winning their tackles well in midfield. County continued to add to their corner count and had a great chance to kill the game on 70 minutes. Dolan whipped over an excellent corner right side which was only half cleared and Demetriou struck a thunderous low shot but Clarke managed to clear just off the line with the keeper beaten. Feeney remained a threat with his alertness and trickery on the ball for Tranmere and was closer to a goal on 75 minutes. Morris orchestrated the move angling his run well to the left side to find Feeney who burst through a tackle with Shepherd but his low shot from left corner of the area was well blocked by Cooper. On 80 minutes, County had a half chance from another corner from Twine right side which dropped deep and sat up but Sheehan did well to manufacture a quick half volley but it went just over from 16 yards. With Tranmere committed to pushing on, County should have sealed the game on 85 minutes when a quick break right side saw Shepherd advance well down the right side. Tranmere were exposed 3 v 1 and the cross into the middle found Twine who elected to play in Janneh left side but his shot from close range was well saved by Murphy. County made a change soon after with Jannneh replaced by Amond and Tranmere made their final change to maintain their energy with another striker Burton on for Spearing. Despite their handicap, Tranmere asked questions in the final minutes forcing County to defend deeper with the full back bold coming forward. On 90 minutes, County threatened from a break when Shepherd again exploited space right side to pass inside to Twine had space through the middle but his shot was blocked well by Clarke. Another move moments later left side of the area invited space when Amond picked out the run of the Abrahams but his low effort from a very acute angle was dragged wide of the right post. Tranmere forced some late pressure in the 5 minutes of injury time and County were happen to absorb and run down the clock to gain a hard-fought but nevertheless pleasing win.
Townsend (7) — solid game, didn’t have a lot to do but came for his collections well and distributed equally well with ball at his feet and hands.
Shepherd (6) — saw more attacking intention first half and provided some decent crosses from well timed runs. Lost out on few tackles second half but generally made himself hard to beat
Haynes (7) — defended well ghosted forward into some good positions. Delivered could be improved when he beat man, but showed flexibility coming inside to shoot.
Demetriou (7) — won his headers and was strong clearing under pressure mopping up balls in behind. Was close on couple of set pieces and denied goal with great strike.
Cooper (8) — stand out defender today, composed with ball at feet, passed well and dealt well with Woolery. Made some great interventions to stifle and exterminate the danger.
Dolan (7) — was vigilant picking up danger, didn’t have his own way in the air but picked his battles well. Drove forward well to exploit gaps in middle after sending off.
Sheehan (6) — was marked well and found space hard find even with extra man. Did better when he dropped back deep to face up and initiate moves
Labadie (7) — mature performance, was targeted in early stages having to deal with some crude challenges but kept his discipline and went close edge of the area several times
Twine (7) — productive first half and was quick in the transition to link some of the best moves. Went close several times from distance and dropped deeper to defend late on.
Abrahams (7) — was more restricted on chances but a lot of good work outside the area to provide an outlet and won several free kicks getting a few kicks at the same time
Janneh (7) — had spells in and out of the game but when he was on his game he gave problems with his pace and anticipation. Retained ball well, took his goal well and missed easier chance to kill game
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they stuck rigidly to their game and adjusted well after the sending off. Some determined defending always kept them in game.
Weaknesses — both centre backs were vulnerable to pace and nervous when ball dropped in behind. Lacked quality and cutting edge final third.
Opportunities — showed some flexibility to alter their tactics especially late on and were quite bold but failed to work Townsend.
Threats — Woolery offered aerial prowess and strength with ball at feet, Feeney offered pace and eye for a shot. Clarke headers set pieces.
OFFICIALS
T Bramall (7) — stood in late for Anthony Coggins and got the key decisions right allowing game to flow as best he could despite a lot of cynical challenges.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Brandon Cooper — missed his presence last week and gave assurance throughout. Was quick breaking up play with some excellent interventions and passed well
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Being his 40th today, it would rude not to celebrate a good but hard-fought win but the overall assessment was County did enough to win the game and it probably should have been more comfortable. They dominated the first half but had less possession second half despite the extra man and this handicap appeared to galvanise Tranmere to find an extra step and win their tackles late on the game. County worked some clever moves today either side of the area when Tranmere made space tight in the middle and innovation final third will be key with Janneh and Abrahams alert. When County made the ball stick they were effective and coaxed several free kicks. County next up visit Stevenage who have been improved since Alex Revell took over as manager. They have been struggling for goals recently despite playing three up top but County can expect the front three to contest across the line and deny County space playing out with any comfort. County will need the same patience and resolve to pick holes with Stevenage having some vulnerability through the middle of the pitch
