Ellison seals an accomplished win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Globe Arena

Morecambe 1 (Songo’o 20)

Newport County 2 (Dolan 8 pen, Sheehan 45+1, Ellison 79)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LWLDLWdLWW

Morecambe LDDLWWLWWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County are just below Morecambe in the play off zone and will be wary of their good home form. Very difficult wind to master so key County show thought and care with the ball

CONDITIONS
Cold, bright spells and very strong wind. Pitch was in pretty decent condition but did degrade a bit

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Took chances well, moved ball with intelligence and efficiency of play kept Morecambe busy.

TURNING POINT
Morecambe sending off altered course of game but Sheehan goal on the stroke of half time pivotal

THE MATCH
County made one change up front with Ryan Taylor replacing Nicky Maynard who was on the bench. Morecambe made the more assertive start despite playing into the gale first half and move right side saw Phillips swing in a deep cross towards Gomez. He brushed off a challenge and head into the path of Stockton who struck a snapshot wide of the left post 12 yards. County were patient passing low and more thoughtful with the ball with Morecambe snappy on the break and they tested the County defence with a couple of early crosses. County were quick to shift play right side testing Morecambe left back Gibson and won some corners which were proving difficult to defend with swirling wind but Morecambe ushered the ball to safety. On 8 minutes, County worked another decent move right side this time with Bennett doing well to support right side of the area. He clipped an early delivery which appeared to take Morecambe defender Lavelle by surprise with his raised hand meeting the ball. The referee awarded a penalty and Dolan slotted comfortably into the right corner giving former Swansea goalkeeper Kyle Letheren no chance. County gained confidence from the goal dictating possession and efficiency with their passing worked some good moves into the corners pushing Morecambe full backs Gibson and Mellor deep. Morecambe remained a threat from some moves right side with Wildig coordinating some low moves and Phillips providing crosses. County kept probing from the back with Demetriou and Dolan influential passing and picking holes. On 16 minutes, Dolan crept forward to support a move through the middle and his low strike from 30 yards had the pace taken out of it a bit on the surface with the keeper claiming comfortably. Morecambe made efforts to get back into the game with Gomez bright left side with ball at his feet. On 20 minutes, Morecambe worked a corner right side with Wildig finding Gibson and played the ball inside for Songo’o who made the most of space offered blasting powerfully into the left corner from 20 yards. County remained with the wind encouraging them forward and Lewis made some bold runs left side. On 25 minutes, his strong jinking run opened up Morecambe when he cut inside and a decent low effort from 25 yards was held by Letheren. County kept pressing the right buttons and a patient move on 30 minutes across the face of the area saw Bennett set up a chance for Labadie but his low effort drifted just wide of the left post. County won a free kick on 33 minutes in a threatening position when Lavelle checked Labadie when he was wrong side of him. No card was forthcoming and Morecambe escaped without punishment when Dolan curled a low free kick from 25 yards which Letheren held at the second attempt. On 38 minutes, the game took a twist when a direct ball was well read by Taylor who flicked the ball in behind Lavelle who pressed up high on his shoulder but then pulled back Taylor when he got free. The referee issued a straight red card and Morecambe adjusted to 4–4–1 with centre midfielder Songo’o going into central defence. From the free kick, Dolan chanced him arm again from distance but curled wide of the right post from 30 yards. Morecambe were struggling to maintain possession with some brief spells of creativity involving Gomez and Stockton but they lacked quality final third. On 42 minutes, County created a decent move right side with Shephard supporting well to receive a pass from Sheehan. He drove to the byline and cut back an intelligent pass for Labadie right corner of the area but he clipped an effort wide and high of the left post and bar. County kept forcing play well into the corners as half time approached and got their reward in first half injury time when a dynamic run by Sheehan left side of the area exposed Morecambe with right back Mellor caught the wrong side of his man. Sheehan ghosted inside a blasted his shot from 14 yards into the right corner beyond the grasp of the keeper.

County started the second half where they left off and a bright move on 47 minutes saw Sheehan show good vision to pick out Demetriou who carried a strong run forward before blasting a shot just over the bar from 30 yards. Morecambe set their stall out to absorb pressure and break in numbers from deep with Wildig combining well with Phillips who provided a good outlet right side. On 53 minutes, Morecambe had a free kick on the right channel which Wildig delivered well and with County struggling to clear their lines, Songo’o scooped an effort wide of the right post from 10 yards. County created a couple of slick moves in transition right side with Taylor and Amond combining but the final ball lacked quality on times. Morecambe remained a danger from counter attacks when County moves broke down with Wildig and Phillips asking questions right side but Lewis did well to stem the flow. Morecambe made a triple substitution on 65 minutes with Stockton replaced by McAlinden who went left flank, Cooney came on right midfield in place of Phillips and Hendrie went right back for Gibson with Gomez roaming up top. County responded with a double substitution on 70 minutes with Amond sacrificed for Maynard and former Morecambe striker Kevin Ellison replacing Bennett. Morecambe made efforts to raise the bar with some bold moves on the break to use width well with McAlinden busy left side and Cooney on the right. On 75 minutes, Morecambe won a corner left side which Wildig swung into the six yard box. With County struggling to get the ball safe Davis hit an overhead kick on the turn from 8 yards forcing Townsend to tip over the bar. Moments later Morecambe with County forced to defend deep Cooney struck an opportunist effort from 20 yards which Townsend held well. County snapped out their shell on 78 minutes with a bright move left side with Demetrio pinpointing Ellison and he glanced a header beating Davis to the ball. Labadie anticipated well to seize the ball in behind but he could only poke his effort over the bar from an acute angle. Morecambe failed to heed the warning when a slick low County move moments later saw Maynard caress a neat pass to Ellison left side of the area. He drove past Mellor and clinically blasted low past the keeper from just inside the area. Morecambe made another change with Pringle on for Wildig and Denny replacing Diagouraga. County were forced to make a change on 84 minutes with Farquharson pulling up with a knock and he was replaced by Longe-King. Morecambe kept probing away and were close on 86 minutes when Gomez did well left corner of the area to evade a challenge and find Hendrie. His square pass across the face of the area found Denny who blasted a low effort which Townsend couldn’t hold and County were thankful that Lewis was able to mop and clear a certain goal near inside the six yard box. County had a couple of decent situations on the break with Maynard generously opting to play in Labadie when he could have shot himself near the edge of the area but the pass was overplayed. County made another late change on 88 minutes with Telford replacing Taylor up top. Morecambe kept pressing throwing some hopeful crosses into the box and a couple of efforts blocked but the County defence held out strongly to secure an important but good value win.

Townsend (7) — made a couple of good saves low down keeping concentration well and dealt with crosses securely. Kicked well under pressure and got distance into the wind which was key

Farquharson (7) — dealt well with Gomez keeping him at arms-length and restricting threat. Was strong in the aerial duals and sharper with passing releasing some good balls in behind.

Lewis (8) — defended well when asked to track back and did a good job to nullify threat. Effective timing runs with neat distribution. Made great intervention to deny goal inside 6 yard box.

Demetriou (8) — dominated in the air winning some brave headers and was quick to pick holes linking defence and midfield. Made several good interceptions and tackles to stifle threat.

Shephard (7) — played more reserved, competed well and did a good job to deny threat Morecambe offered left side. Had spells second half when he got forward but restricted on crosses.

Dolan (7) — solid game, assured defending and was quick in thought with passes. Put in some good corners and went close with a couple of shots from distance testing keeper.

Labadie (7) — worked hard box to box and got amongst it with several good tackles. could have had a hat trick, shots from distance were a little rash and needed a bit composure.

Sheehan (8) — got on the ball well to influence game and always thinking ahead with making side tick. Took goal very well and despite seeing less of ball second half kept working off the ball

Bennett (7) — did a lot of good work first half to break up play winning headers, despite not getting calls on some decisions. Passed and was bright to pick holes when invited.

Taylor (7) — got across marker better and neat with his touch finding support in and around him. Did well competing in the air and was close in and around the area but lacked sharpness

Amond (7) — angled some good runs right side and turned provider with several decent crosses. Restricted on clear-cut chances but did a lot of good work rarely wasting possession.

Strengths — they were most effective in transition and worked their best moves when ball kept low right side. Made a decent fist of game with ten men until Ellison goal.

Weaknesses — both full backs left gaps and squandered cheap possession cheaply. Struggled for cohesion, lacked cutting edge and aerial prowess

Opportunities — they were pretty one dimensional, did ask questions from wide positions and stuck with tact to counter from deep. Went more direct late on throwing in hopeful crosses.
Threats — Wildig was pivotal through middle coordinating best moves and decent set pieces. Gomez robust outlet left side, Phillips pulled strings right side.

OFFICIALS

A Haines (8) — rarely noticed, got key decisions right and played advantage well when he had to.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Aaron Lewis — improved on his last performance, was vigilant and tracked back to defend well but gave a good balance left side offering energy and guile.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This was important win for County and despite being pegged back after an early lead, they kept their belief to pass and were efficient working Morecambe into some uncomfortable areas. Taylor didn’t have many clear-cut chances but offered useful guile and awareness with the ball when he had supporting options and the moves to link between midfield and attack were well constructed and that was key. County need to maintain the mental and physical sharpness to their game and keep sides guessing. When they got thinking ahead for the next pass they offered problems today and with better finishing in and around the box the score would have been more convincing. Morecambe offered most threat in the turnover when County moves broke down deep cheaply inside their half. County will need to manage that better but the defence did well to recover limiting Morecambe to hopeful crosses. Next up is Port Vale away who are struggling at the wrong end of the table despite having a decent squad. It will be important County don’t treat this game lightly as they do have capability in the side especially right side with full back Mills forceful outlet and Worrall effective in transition. Despite missing a target man with Pope injured Cullen and Rodney need to be tracked. Vale Park is a big pitch so key County use it to its optimum with Vale prone to indiscipline and conceding set pieces.