Draw papers over cracks for County
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (Moriah-Welsh 30)
Carlisle United 1 (Whelan 76)
Attendance: 3,876
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County WLLWWWWLLL
Carlisle United DLDLWLDdWW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Carlisle are stretched with some injuries, including influential outlet Patrick up top. County changes look attacking but they will need to offer more quality and intent final third to get anything.
CONDITIONS
Sunny, quite warm with light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Flattered to deceive, had better of the game first half but lost control after timid second half performance
TURNING POINT
County subs had little effect in comparison to the Carlisle changes which made them stronger.
THE MATCH
County were forced into one defensive change from their last league match against Barrow with Priestley Farquharson suffering from a knock allowing James Clarke to regain his position in central defence. There was another change with Will Evans coming in up front for James Waite with County switching tact to play 4–3–3. The game started slowly with both sides feeling their way into the game and Carlisle the more forceful with some direct play to test County. This became a pattern of the first half with County patient in their approach play and Carlisle happy to stifle but using their keeper Holy launch long balls through the middle to test Clarke and Demetriou. On 3 minutes, Carlisle raced forward from deep with a counter attack that caught County napping around the edge of the area but Moxon struck his shot wide and high of the right post. Carlisle were quick to anticipate the loose ball and County struggled for cohesion with Gibson stemming some good moves in transition down the right side. County made efforts to press up the pitch but found them running into dead ends and were fortunate not to go behind on 14 minutes. Carlisle swept forward from deep with Guy finding Moxen left side of the area in acres of space but he thrashed a shot just wide of the right post from inside the “d”. After a slow start, County eased their way into the game with Norman popping up right side. On 16 minutes, Norman overlapped well and dinked in a decent cross pinpointing Nevers back post but the header from 8 yards under pressure was too weak to trouble Holy. County gained some confidence and a better move on 20 minutes again down the right side of the area saw Norman cut back a cross to the penalty spot but Bogle was unable to keeper header down. County won a couple of long throws either side of the area from some disjointed pressure which Demetriou launched in but the same inherent issues were setting County back with them not winning the first header or picking up the second ball. On 22 minutes, Carlisle broke smartly when a County long throw broke down with Moxon releasing Armer left side of the area and his shot from 14 yards was well blocked by Clarke. County had a spell of pressure mid-way through the half winning some free kicks as they gripped the ball better. On 27 minutes, Nevers did well left side to coax a foul from Back after a strong run near the touchline. From the resultant free kick, Lewis whipped in a decent cross to the back post which Norman anticipated with a late run but his header from an acute angle drifted wide of the right post. County gained some confidence from their approach play left side and took the lead on 30 minutes with the quick ball by Lewis releasing Nevers left side. He cut back an early cross into the area which Moriah-Welsh read after a smart late run into the area and clipped the ball expertly over Holy from 10 yards and into the net. Carlisle responded quickly with an effective move right side of 32 minutes with Lewis caught in two minds to commit to make a tackle. Back made the most of the space right side of the area to drill a low shot which Townsend held well. Carlisle kept picking holes on the break and another decent counter on 37 minutes saw County chasing shadows with Mellish driving left side into space to find Dennis and his low shot from 12 yards was intercepted by a late block by Clarke. Carlisle kept pressing as half time approached working their right side well with Gibson and Back working effectively in tandem. On 45+2 minutes, with his confidence up Back drilled a decent effort from distance but it flashed wide of the left post.
Carlisle upped their efforts on and off the ball second half and won a couple of early corners from some endeavour left side with County clearing their lines but not finding a man. Carlisle worked a decent move left side on 48 minutes with Gibson carrying a strong run forward but Moriah-Welsh did well to win possession and was taken out crudely by Gibson who was booked. Carlisle kept pressing with Mellish pushing forward from deep left side to effect the game and he was close on 52 minutes with a shot wide of the right post from 25 yards. County struggled to hold the ball under pressure with Bogle and Nevers getting pickpocketed and they found the ball coming back in their faces. On 57 minutes, Nevers was forced to drop back and recover the ball in midfield with Guy exploiting space but got a stupid booking for dragging him back. County made efforts to pick up the pace of their game but were let down by some poor passes and lack of momentum was evident. Carlisle made a tactical change soon after with Mellish pushing into midfield from defence as they switched to 4–3–3 to mirror County with Gibson going up front. Carlisle made a double substitution on 65 minutes with Harris replacing Moxon in midfield and Hilton on for Gibson. County remained passive unable to break from their shell with distribution untidy and Bogle exposed. On 67 minutes, Bogle struck an ambitious shot from 35 yards in frustration which dropped harmlessly wide of the left post with the keeper untroubled. County made a change on 70 minutes replacing Nevers with Waite. County huffed and puffed with Evans offering some verve right side but he was then booked for tackling back to prevent a run from Stretton through the middle. Carlisle kept plugging away with some moves right side involving Hilton that put Lewis on the back-foot and they got their reward on 76 minutes following a corner right side. Guy whipped a low corner which County struggled to clear effectively and Whelan reacted to stab the ball home with a shot from 8 yards. County made attempts to pick up their game but were struggling to unlock Carlisle from open play. On 80 minutes, a long throw by Demetriou right side of the area was glanced on inside the six yard box but Huntington reacted first to clear at the back post. Carlisle remained the more alert side especially the middle and Bennett was booked on 83 minutes for a late tackle on Harris. County made efforts to press up higher in the final minutes but a lot of the moves were half hearted and lacked cutting edge. On 87 minutes, a County move broke down allowing Carlisle acres of space to counter right side. Hilton made a decent run from the halfway line and ghosted past Lewis but his cross from the right side of the area was overplayed with Dennis and Stretton lurking. Carlisle made another change on 90 minutes with Bollado replacing Stretton but looked the more likely side to win the game forcing a couple of corners which County struggled to get safe and Huntington was close when his half volley from 10 yards struck the top of the bar. County made another change on 90+3 with Zimba on for Bogle and another to run down the clock with Willmott on Lindley but they hung on for the point.
Townsend (6) — kicked and handled well under pressure from some crosses, but distribution was either too slow or deliberate. Made a couple of smart saves low down but not overworked.
Adam Lewis (5) — surprised he got sponsors man of the match. Solid first half linking well with Nevers but put under pressure by Gibson and had a difficult time after Carlisle went three up front.
Clarke (6) — dealt with the aerial duals well and made some important blocks first half to keep County ahead. Was forced deep second half and cleared effectively but often rushed.
Demetriou (7) — got caught out on some direct balls but recovered well to avert danger. Forced into a number of clearances which he got safe. Provided fair quota of long throws without reward.
Norman (6) — dropped off from the level he set last season and didn’t get outside opposite number enough to deliver crosses. Ended up firefighting to squash danger second half
Lindley (6) — quiet game, had spells on the ball but passing was untidy on times especially first half and never saw him second half being forced deep.
Bennett (5) — struggled to meet the ball on times, too slow and unreactive. When he got the ball first, he generally won it and used it well but influence waivered.
Moriah-Welsh (7) — showed capability to finish again but given little chances other than on the goal. Made some good tackles but got forced back second half and struggled to make impact.
Evans (6) — worked hard off the ball and tackle back well, but unable to get into threatening positions and restricted on shots. Did a lot of running second half but kept at arms-length.
Bogle (5) — made to look poor on times when left exposed and often looked disinterested with lack of service dampening enthusiasm. Restricted to one shot from distance and a looping header
Nevers (6) — was best player on the pitch first half and as the team went into their shell he did. Did his best work when hugging the flank and turn provider but lacked threat inside area.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Carlisle)
Strengths — despite missing their main striker, they were able build momentum and carve out chances. Organised defensively and quick to turn defence into attack.
Weaknesses — both full backs left opportunities in behind, Armer less convincing. Missed several decent opportunities and it took a defender to get them back into the game
Opportunities — abandoned wing backs on the hour to match County’s 4–3–3 pushing Mellish higher up which paid dividends and force County full backs deep.
Threats — Moxon runs box to box, Guy set piece delivery was decent and Gibson strong runs right side.
OFFICIALS
K Stroud (7) — did his best to let a poor quality game flow. Ignored some of the pulling and holding down but got key decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
John Mellish — showed versality to defend well and then pushed on to influence game late on, coordinating some good moves box to box.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were thoughtful with the ball at feet first half and had the upper hand in spells with possession stakes but never really worked the keeper. County got their noses in front following a decisive move, but they had three warnings in the first half when they were picked off on the counter but Carlisle fluffed their lines. After getting in at half time the focus should have been on keeping the intensity final third and working hard off the ball to protect the lead but another poor disinterested second half performance allowed Carlisle to recover and they could have won the game late on. By the end, County were hanging on and looked devoid of ideas to change things. It is unclear what is being said at half time but they did not match the work ethic of Carlisle and there was also no outlet or plan to mitigate this. The passing on times second half was atrocious and weak poor ball retention allowed Carlisle to keep coming back in waves especially right side totally unopposed. The substitutions also did little to address this and do anything to counter the threat which Carlisle were posing. The build-up play was tedious often lacking quality and again there was no threat from set pieces and crosses. The persistence with long throws must be a dream for opponents who can win headers at will and pick County off on the counter. Next up is the daunting trip to league leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday who are a cohesive outlet but tight outfit. They have been transformed by new manager Richie Wellens with work ethic centre to their approach and Archibald and Smyth a key outlet up top with guile and physicality. County need to match their endeavour first and foremost before they think about opening up, but they also need a better gameplan to hurt them in transition as that was lacking today.
