Fine goal by Mickey seals play off position for County
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Roots Hall
Southend United 1 (Hobson 11)
Newport County 1 (Demetriou 56)
Attendance:
Form:
Newport County LLWDddWdWW
Southend United DdWLDddLWW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Despite having relegation from football league confirmed last week not expecting any change from Southend with Phil Brown getting them organised. County need to match their work ethic and be dynamic final third
CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and keen gusty wind. Pitch in decent condition but a little bobbly in parts.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Faced adversity after slow start but responded well keeping composure when it mattered.
TURNING POINT
Halford miss that could have extend Southend’s lead
THE MATCH
County retained the same starting line and bench but a somewhat tentative start allowed Southend to assert some early pressure with some good moves out wide. Southend worked hard to press and restrict County building comfortably from deep and they were made to earn possession working gaps through the middle. On 7 minutes, County swept forward from deep after absorbing a Southend move right side. Haynes timed in run and cut back a decent cross left side of the area which floated deep and Lewis was alive to the loose ball. He adjusted well and struck a decent effort near the right byline which forced Southend keeper Oxley to tip over. Southend were forced into an early change with left back Hart replaced by Kyprianou. Southend responded with some direct play to test County and had a half chance on 10 minutes from a corner left side by Taylor. County got the ball clear to the edge of the area but Halford was well positioned and his half volley was well saved by King in the left corner. Southend kept pressing the ball especially left side with Olayinka busy and were rewarded with another corner moments later. Taylor delivered a decent cross into the six yard box and despite winning the header, the clearance was weak allowing Hobson to pounce with a low finish into right corner from 10 yards. County made efforts to pick up their game with the strong wind behind them encouraging them out of their shell but they were struggling for cohesion. On 20 minutes, a direct ball by County right side by Shephard was well measured and Amond stole in right side of the area ahead of Hobson but he was a bit slow getting his shot in which allowed the defender to intercept. County were patient in their approach play working some neat low moves but Southend remained vigilant and used their pace out wide well with Olayinka left wing offering pace and Egbri forceful right side. On 25 minutes, Southend created a good move on the break when Haynes was pickpocketed in a decent position left channel just inside the Southend half. Egbri carried a strong run to the right side of the area and his low cross was met late by Halford at the back post but wasn’t able to keep the effort down as the ball sat up. Southend maintained their work ethic to press high and deny County space to work the ball out cheaply from deep. County were let down by some poor distribution when forced to play long but started to assert their game better through the middle with Sheehan getting on the ball. On 32 minutes, Sheehan was clattered by a late challenge by Halford who was fortunate not to get booked by the referee and several decisions started to go against County. Southend kept pressing determined to unsettle but were dealt a warning on 35 minutes when County worked the ball through several players slicing through the middle. Sheehan and Labadie worked well in tandem before finding Lewis and his early cross was cleared by Hobson. Another bright move moment saw County go even closer when Lewis stole forward and checked back on his left foot and his cross found Collins who direct a decent header from 12 yards which Oxley saved in the bottom right corner. County gained confidence and a neat break on 40 minutes again saw them exploit space well through the middle when Sheehan advanced and find Amond edge of the area. He had the option of pulling the trigger but some indecision allowed White to recover and stifle the shot. Halford was then in the book on 42 minutes for persistent fouling as County continued to probe away with some better cohesion offered. Haynes took the free kick which was teasing causing some anxiety for Southend clearing to the “d” and Bennett was close with a low first time volley which fizzed just past the right post.
County started the second half purposively and darted through the middle with a neat move from the kick off which forced Taylor into a late tackle on Sheehan. The free kick came harmlessly to nothing allowing Southend off the hook somewhat. Southend become increasingly direct with the wind behind them and Halford contesting well in aerial duals across the line kept the County defence worked. On 50 minutes, a direct kick out by Southend keeper Oxley saw Halford and Bennett contest but the ball dropped loose and Olayinka to seize the ball but his snaphot from 25 yards was well read by King. County worked a good direct move moments later with Amond turning off an overzealous challenge by Hobson right side and he was booked. Sheehan took the free kick from 25 yards forcing Oxley in a decent save in the left corner. Southend were keen to work crosses into the area with some well worked moves on both flanks but County remained focussed clearing the danger well. On 55 minutes, County turned defence into attack well right side winning a corner right side of the area. Lewis launched a long throw towards the front post pinpointing Demetriou and he glanced a neat header into the top left corner. Southend were in no mood to sit back and raised their game again with some well worked moves right side. On 60 minutes Southend right back Bwomono drove right side to win a corner. Bwomono took the corner which Hobson leapt high to win well from 10 yards but his header was saved well by King in the left corner. From the resultant corner Southend worked a short corner to the back post which Lewis appeared to have dealt with it well despite being tugged back by Taylor. Despite no appeals the referee inexplicably awarded a penalty for handball as it struck his hand as he cleared. Rush took the penalty but there was majestic justice with King saving the low shot in the right corner. Southend kept plugging away peppering County with crosses to defend in a difficult wind which yielded corners. County kept their composure well despite being under some pressure from crosses which were worked efficiently by Southend. County made efforts to test Southend more from direct play with coaxed some nervous clearances and headers from the Southend defence. On 75 minutes, County were forced to make a change when Labadie was caught late in as he was clearing the ball. After some treatment, the stretcher was employed but Labadie was able to walk somewhat gingerly. County introduced Dolan into central midfield and the game became more structured in the final stages with both sides offering more patience to pass the ball. On 80 minutes, County made another change with Taylor introduced for Amond and Southend responded soon after with Goodship on for Rush and Hackett-Fairchild on for Olayinka. County were keen to use Taylor as an outlet in the final stages and they created some thoughtful moves left side to force play more inside the Southend half. Southend made another later change on 88 minutes with Coker on for Egbri. County took few risks in the four minutes of injury time with Taylor getting on the ball and he was denied by an offside call after a neat quick low pass by Hartigan. County held out strongly, content in holding the ball in the left corner to secure their place in the play offs.
King (8) — kicked well under pressure especially first half and got distance well when into the wind. Was alert to make some important saves low down and superb instincts to save penalty.
Shephard (7) — was put under some pressure in the air but made good decisions timing his tackles well and cleared effectively. Forced deeper second half but contained threat well.
Haynes (6) — kept busy was forced to contend with pace from Olayinka but was bright in transition but crosses lacked usual bite. Put in some good set pieces from stationary ball.
Demetriou (8) — dealt well with aerial duals when Halford roamed right side. Cleared well when forced back and picked his moments well when to push on. Took his goal well with precision.
Bennett (7) — was alert to deal with ball when it dropped and was effective with his clearances. Won his headers, broke up threat well and close again to a deserved goal reading set pieces
Lewis (6) — battled well, saw plenty of ball first half but some indecision with crosses took wind out of moves. More effective when offered less time and put in early cross or shot from wide areas.
Labadie (7) — probed away winning some good possession but restricted on threat inside the area. Took a couple of knocks after brave challenges before picking up injury.
Sheehan (7) — bright first half and got on the ball to link play with some intelligent runs. Free kicks from wide areas asked questions. Forced deeper second half forced into some good defending
Hartigan (6) — compered well and when he got on the ball he show capability with some neat efficient passes but found it hard to get a foothold with a lot of direct play by passing him.
Amond (6) — best moves went through him and he took up some good positions. When he got ball early he was effective in link play but some indecision inside area allowed shots to be blocked.
Collins (6) — work hard on and off ball but strengths came out less, offered some threat when he went on dynamic runs from deep but needs to be more bold sometimes and put foot through ball.
Strengths — they were bold and effective in wide positions with both wingers asking questions and organised working crosses. Effective on direct play and worked hard off the ball.
Weaknesses — pressed high but often were left vulnerable leaving gaps through the middle. Panicked with headers and some clearances inside area which should have been punished.
Opportunities — played conventional 4–4–2 with wide players and never really changed tact until late on pushing extra man on. Played direct in spells and gambled on bits and pieces.
Threats — Halford aerial outlet and link play, both Olayinka and Egbri were busy out wide. Hobson and White headers on set pieces.
OFFICIALS
J Brooks (5) — very inconsistent with decisions especially first half not knowing which way they were going to go. Poor interpretation on penalty which could have been costly.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mickey Demetriou — leadership and composure was vital second half. Got tested but stood up to the direct play and instigated several moves from deep. Took his goal very well
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were made to fight hard for their point today with an improving Southend side asking questions throughout which was a credit to them after suffering relegation. Southend worked hard to deny County getting into any sort of rhythm from wide positions but County did work some cutting moves through the middle. There were options for County in and around the area but they delayed the shot or final pass. Amond and Collins were less joined up today and sometimes too generous for their own good and need to be bolder to get the keeper worked when chances arise. County wing backs have been influential this season but got forced back in more defensives dirty roles which meant less threat from wide positions. County now know their will meet Forest Green Rovers in the play off with the first leg to be played at Rodney Parade. Forest Green have switched tact under temporary manager Jimmy Ball to play a more simplistic 4–4–2 with former County player Aaron Collins slotting into left wing position with Cadden injured and he will offer a key outlet to carry the ball from deep. They will also have Ebou Adams back from suspension to tighten up in central midfield who can roam but equally prone to lapses in concentration. Rovers offer less attacking threat from direct play with Jamille Matt injured but they do have an aerial vulnerability defending their box. County need to nullify the wide play, be more alert with their movement and win the second ball to pick holes and they will carry threat from set pieces and crosses in and around the Forest Green area.
