Enterprising County win Severnside Derby

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Memorial Stadium

Bristol Rovers 1 (Pitman 45+2)

Newport County 3 (Baker-Richardson 27, Telford 31, 61)

Attendance: 7500

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County WDDLWLWdDD

Bristol Rovers WWLLWLWLDD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County will feel they dropped points on Tuesday and with Rovers struggling for form they need to assert their game top end of the pitch but adjust with both Upson and Haynes suspended.

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and breezy. Pitch in excellent condition but quite slow on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Played to strengths, aggressive and bold coming forward and marshalled threats well

TURNING POINT
Second goal gave County cushion they needed

THE MATCH
County were forced into two changes with Haynes and Upson suspended, Lewis came in to deputise at left wing back and there were a surprise with new manager Steve Rowberry giving Swansea loanee Jake Cain only his second start of the season. County made their intentions clear from the offset with some forceful moves right side despite playing into the keen wind. On 2 minutes, there was a warning for the hosts when Norman drove well right side to receive a pass from Cooper and he cut back an excellent low cross from right side of the area which the keeper Belshaw held well. County were busy and enterprising final third and another slick move on 5 minutes saw them work the ball well through the middle with Willmott intelligent in his link up play to find Telford. He threaded a good pass left side of the area for Baker-Richardson who was in yards of space but he overplayed the cross. Rovers opted for long balls to take the heat off the defence with Pitman and Collins prepared to run in behind but County dealt with the threat well winning back possession quickly. On 13 minutes, County were awarded a free kick right side which Willmott delivered well and Demetriou glanced on well and Baker-Richardson was well positioned to strike a decent first time effort from 12 yards which the keeper saved with his legs. County were awarded a series of corners with Rovers struggling to clear their lines and they were close again on 15 minutes when a Willmott corner left side was met powerfully by Demetriou in the air from 10 yards but cleared off the line by Taylor. County were forced into a change moments later with Dolan pulling up and he was replaced by Azaz with County changing to four at the back and Azaz going into a more advanced role with Cain and Willmott deeper. Rovers edged their way into the game with Collins offering an outlet left side but County continued to break up the danger well and used the ball well in transition with Willmott and Norman busy right side. On 18 minutes, a more direct move through the middle by Rovers saw Pitman lay off well to Collins but he dragged his effort well wide of the right post from 20 yards. County immediately when on the attack with Norman making strong run from deep right side and his cut back squared across the face of the area was trapped well by Telford who fired a shot well wide of the left post. County kept pressing the right buttons and took the lead on 27 minutes with a slick move right side with Norman finding the run of Cain right side of the area. He drove to the byline and cut back an excellent low cross into the six yard box which was stabbed home Baker-Richardson who won the race ahead of Azaz to score. County were presented more space after the goal with Rovers coming more out of their shell and despite some good raids left side by Nicholson, County remained the more likely side to extend their lead. The ball was a bit of hot potato on times with County taking chances but they continued to work some good situations from wide areas with Lewis and Norman well advanced in support. On 31 minutes, County went further ahead catching the Rovers defence off guard when they won back the ball through the middle and quick pass by Cooper set Baker-Richardson for a first time shot which the keeper could only block and Telford reacted first to hit a shot on the turn from 8 yards under the keeper legs. Rovers made efforts to pick up their game with some moves left side involving Nicholson. On 35 minutes, Nicholson showed good awareness to cut inside and strike a shot from left corner of the area but hopeful effort was high and wide of the right post and bar. County kept pressing offering some good movement in transition with Lewis offering a good outlet left channel. On 38 minutes, County had a great chance to add a third goal when a snappy move across the face of the goal saw Azaz slip an intricate pass into Telford right side of the area and his low shot from 14 yards was well saved by Belshaw. Rovers kept looking for gaps on the break despite County’s dominance and a quick counter on 40 minutes saw Clarke tangle with Collins resulting in a booking. Rovers kept pressing left side and a more decisive on 42 minutes saw Nicholson provide a cross the left flank which drifted just wide of the right post with Pitman lurking. Moments later Rovers, prised their best opportunity of the half when they attacked from deep expositing County with a 2–2 situation. Evans showed good awareness to find Thomas who stuck a low effort from 20 yards but Day alert to save with his legs. With Rovers committed, County had another chance in first half injury time when a quick break left side saw Cooper find Baker-Richardson but his effort was saved well by the keeper from an acute angle. County then switched off in first half injury time when Willmott delayed the release of the ball in central midfield and was pickpocketed by Evans who slipped a pass to Nicholson in space left side of the area. His early cross stretched the County defence with Demetriou losing Pitman. He showed composure to volley home from 8 yards into the left corner beyond Day

Rover came out boosted for the second half forcing County deeper and some early crosses unsettled the County defence. On 50 minutes, Anderson broke well for Rovers right side getting beyond Lewis and his cross to the front post was met by Pitman but Demetriou did well to pressurise forcing the effort wide of the right post. County were forced back but a bright move on 53 minutes yielded a throw in right side of the area. Demetriou launched a decent throw into the area which Rovers only half cleared before Azaz a low effort from 10 yard which Belshaw saved in the right corner. Rovers set their stall out to attack from deep when invited and an efficient move on 57 minutes saw Thomas carry a strong run right side before cutting inside and his low effort from 20 yards untroubled County keeper Day. With Rovers overcommitted, County punished them ruthlessly on 61 minutes when under pressure they stole possession with Lewis finding Azaz on the right channel. He did well to exploit space and pick out a precise pass for Telford who buried the ball home with a shot from 12 yards with the Rovers defence left exposed. Rovers made efforts to pick up their game with focus right side to test County putting pressure in the air on Lewis. County remained focussed clearing their lines well under pressure. Rovers made a change on. Rovers made treble substitution on 70 minutes with Collins replaced by Westbrooke up top, Coutts was introduced for Anderson left side and Finlay dropped into a deeper role for Taylor. Rovers kept plugging using Thomas an outlet right side and he went close after a forceful run on 72 minutes when his run inside opened up space but the tame shot from 20 yards drifted wide of the right post. With Rovers forcing the pace of the game, another good break on 75 minutes saw Evans threaten right side but Willmott tracked back well to deny space with a clumsy challenge and was booked. On 78 minutes, Rovers were close when a corner right side by Evans pinpointed Kilgour but his header from 10 yards was saved well in left corner by Day. County made another change on 80 minutes to freshen the pack with Telford replaced by Ellison. Rovers opted for the more direct option in the final minutes testing County with some crosses. On 82 minutes a quick move left side of the area saw Coutts whip over a decent cross the front post which Pitman caressed into the path of Nicholson but his effort from an acute angle was well blocked by Clarke. County were happy to play on the break and a decisive move on 85 minutes saw Cooper break well right side and slip a pass into Azaz. He checked inside before blasting a low shot right side of the area which Belshaw saved low down. On 86 minutes, an altercation between Baker-Richardson and Finley saw them both in the book as tempered flared up. County remained composed and introduced Abraham for Baker-Richardson. Rovers huffed and puffed but County had further chances in the five minutes of injury time both through Abraham when a passing mistake by Rovers right side of the area saw him steel possession but he overrun the ball when well placed. In time added on another bright move by County in transition saw Abraham run off the last man but his chip from 16 yard went just over the bar with the keeper stranded.

Day (7) — quiet game overall and unshackled but was called on to make some smart instinctive saves, kicked well under pressure and was accurate with distribution out wide

Norman (7) — excellent first half at the heart of the best moves right side and provide useful crosses. Did well with defending well turned back and pressed using strength well to clear danger

Demetriou (7) — lead side well after Dolan went off, won his headers and cleared danger effectively inside the area. Went close on a couple of set pieces

Dolan (6) — was comfortable in early stages before picking up strain and replaced by:

Azaz (8) — influenced game well with some neat passing and exchanges with option to roam. Timed his runs well and precise with pass on the third goal.

Clarke (7) — was tested from some direct play but stood up well showing appetite to win his headers and tackles and passed efficiently.

Lewis (7) — was energetic first half ghosting into some good positions to provide crosses and competed well on less favoured foot.

Cain (7) — did good job sitting in the protect and link play final third. Showed presence to get early tackle in and initiate moves timing runs well.

Willmott (8) — did excellent job after Dolan knock sitting in protect hole and work space with good range of passes and crosses final third.

Cooper (7) — showed good awareness on the ball and made several dynamic runs forward to exploit space and was hard to track throughout

Telford (8) — gave problems throughout with his runs and guile to find quick passes. Took his chances well and was denied hat trick and possible penalty second half.

Baker-Richardson (7) — protected ball well, busy with the ball at feet and went close several times with shot inside the area but took his chance well on opening goal.

Strengths — they were better in transition of play working the ball from deep and worked wide areas well.

Weaknesses — struggled to put more than five passes together and got ball prised away cheaply on times. Left themselves exposed several times with bold approach and got punished.

Opportunities — they were passive for large spells but did push up higher second half looking to press space but quality was lacking.

Threats — Pitman finishing inside area, Nicholson runs left side and crosses, Evans eye for a pass and Kilgour aerial prowess on set pieces.

OFFICIALS

S Oldham (7) — got the key decisions right, missed some late tackles but generally allowed game to flow well keeping players in check.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dominic Telford — never allowed the Rovers defence to settle, always in position and was alert picking up scraps. Took his goals well and could have had more

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County had to adjust the starting team and he made a bold choice to introduce Cain who had a decent game as did Lewis and it will be difficult to change the side for the next match such were their dominance. County also adapted well to losing Dolan switching seamlessly to four at the back with the side if anything becoming more flexible in mind and positive. County took some risks in this game which perhaps they haven’t done previously but there was a fluidity to their game which always caused Bristol Rovers a problem and despite the hosts having a short rally either side of half time, County regained their control playing ruthlessly on the break. Rovers did present some problems when County were very advanced and were a little less sharp or untidy with their passing allowing them space to attack in transition but the defence were able to regroup and squash out the threat. County did get turned back more second half but they were still effective with the ball and that was key not passing back needlessly for no reason, but always looking for solutions and that will be key going into the Stevenage home next Saturday. They managed a goalless draw today after conceding several cheap goals in recent games so County can expect them be gritty and perhaps ugly certainly offering less time on the ball than Rovers so key County play in the right areas. Stevenage are likely to play uncomplicated conventional 4–4–2 and will press high as a unit to deny County space and use strength and guile of Norris up top to bring in other players like List who has pace. Centre backs Prosser and Cuthbert have aerial prowess but there is vulnerability to pace in their side with age against them so this one will be a war of attrition.