Flicker of hope

Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Innis 28, Bennett 33)

Bradford City 1 (Donaldson 26)

Attendance: 3,439

Form:

Newport County WWWLLWLdLL

Bradford City WDLDdLDLDWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Both sides are desperate for a league win for different reasons. Expect Bradford to come out so key County maintain their defensive resolve but offer more urgency and tempo final third.

CONDITIONS
Cloudy, some bright spells but very windy. Pitch was a little unstable and erratic in the shadier parts of the ground.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Persistent, energetic, dogged performance, took chances well and showed defensive resolve late on.

TURNING POINT
Innis goal soon after Bradford equaliser was key

THE MATCH
County freshened the pack after their draining encounter in the EFL Trophy Semi-Final midweek with Dale Gorman replacing Matt Dolan who was on the bench. County were also missing captain Josh Labadie after a knock and introduced Otis Khan to the left side of midfield and top scorer Padraig Amond was also sacrificed to the bench in place of Jordan Green. County had the benefit of the strong wind first half and County keeper Tom King tested the Bradford defence early in with a couple of useful long kick outs. Bradford had a glimmer of a chance on 5 minutes when Reeves to charge of the ball in midfield and clipped in a deft pass on the wind which Reeves read well ahead of Innis but his snapshot from 14 yards well was read well by King. County were keen to use their right side and worked a good move on 10 minutes with Green doing well to maintain possession near the byline. He cut back a pass for Gorman who was well positioned to cross first time into the area but Innis glanced wide of the right post from 8 yards when he should have worked the keeper. Bradford were keen to their right side with Mottley-Henry testing Haynes in the air and on the floor. On 13 minutes, Mottley-Henry made a strong run right side of the area and his cross was flicked on by Middleton inviting Donaldson to head from 8 yards but King was comfortable saving in the low in the left corner. County kept probing finding gaps well when Bradford moves broke down. On 15 minutes, Sheehan made a piercing run through the middle and his low shot from 25 yards zipped and bounced up in front of keeper O’Donnell who held well. Bradford kept plugging away down the right side with Mottley-Henry busy and giving Haynes some problems in the aerial duals. On 20 minutes, Bradford gave County a warning this time from a move left side with a Middleton cross dangerous holding up in the wind at the back post but it eluded a late run by Novak. County failed to heed the warning and Bradford went ahead on 26 minutes when Wood was able to come inside too easily evading a tackle by Sheehan. His cross to the back post was met by a towering header from the unmarked Donaldson who guided the ball into the left corner. County showed a good response to the goal going on the attack immediately and maintaining their energy final third. On 28 minutes, Haynes well to exploit space left side when overlapped and provided a deep cross from the left side of the area which Khan seized on but his snapshot from the right side of the area was diverted for a corner by Richards-Everton. The corner was cleared but Sheehan did well to supply another quick cross to pinpoint Innis who finished well guiding his header into the left corner from 10 yards. County were boosted by their first goal in just over 400 minutes with crowd jubilant and they pushed on using the wind to their benefit with Green menacing with his runs right flank. On 32 minutes, County were close to second goal when a neat efficient right side saw Willmott move forward into a prominent position and his cross was cut back well to the edge of the area inviting Green to shoot but his low effort was diverted by Anthony O’Connor. From the resultant corner by Sheehan, Bradford nervously cleared and Bennett did well to caress a difficult half volley into the right corner from 14 yards. The goal settled County and they crafted out some good moves at half time approached. On 36 minutes, another decent move right side saw County go more direct a Matt did well glance into the path of Gorman but his shot from 20 yards was rising over the bar. Bradford attempted to play more direct using Donaldson as a battering ram but County marshalled the threat well. On 38 minutes, Innis and Donaldson were involved in an altercation following an aerial dual and both players were booked. Bradford persisted with forcing play right side using the robust Mottley-Henry as an outlet which kept County left back Haynes busy. On 40 minutes, Haynes crept forward into space left by Bradford to support a move left side and receive a pass from Sheehan and his powerful shot from the left side of the area flashed inches wide of the right post. Bradford made efforts to pick up their game as half time approached with some crosses left side which were teasing when they hung back on the wind but County keeper King marshalled his six yard box well. County had a good situation deep into injury half time after Sheehan had been bowled over by Akpan through the middle of the pitch. Khan took the free kick and curled a decent effort from 25 yards narrowly wide of the right post.

Braford were forced into a change at half time with right back Henley replaced by Paudie O’Connor. Bradford pushed on with the wind behind them encouraging them forward but lacked patience on times. On 50 minutes, with County sitting back deep inside their own area and Reeves blasted an opportunist effort from 30 yards which clipped the top of the bar. County were keen to use their right channel on the break with Willmott eager to get on the ball and County won a few throws in right side of the area. On 56 minutes, Demetriou took a long throw which was only half cleared and he was quick to put back in a useful cross which caught the Bradford defence napping. Khan was quick to direct a shot on the turn which was blocked and in the follow up Bennett saw his effort cleared off the line by O’Connor. County kept pressing and close down well off the ball to protect their lead and had a great chance to punish Bradford on 60 minutes when Akpan got caught in possession by Matt in the middle of the pitch. He turned goalside and had options either side to break with Willmot right side and Khan peeling away to the left but delay passing allowed Bradford to recover and block the move. Bradford made efforts to pick up the tempo of their game with some moves right side and test County with some opportunist crosses from wide positions. On 68 minutes, O’Connor swung in a quick cross from the right touchline which Mottley-Henry glanced wide of the left post from 12 yards when he should have worked County keeper King. The game remained scrappy on times with several fouls and despite Bradford having the territorial advantage County remined firm. On 75 minutes, County made a change introducing Abrahams for Green. County were keen to limit their free kicks but put themselves under pressure moments later when Sheehan clipped Novak on the left side of the area. From the resultant free kick by Akpan, County struggled to get the ball to safety and Middleton saw his low effort well by blocked by Demetriou and the follow up by O’Connor was also well diverted by Innis and the calls for a penalty by Bradford ignored by the officials. Bradford made a double substitution on 77 minutes with McCartan replacing Middleton and Pritchard on for Akpan. County responded soon after with a defensive change to firm up their rear-guard with Howkins replacing Gorman. McCartan was soon in the action striking an ambitious effort from 30 yards wide of the left post. County were forced into direct play to relieve pressure with Matt contesting well but the wind unpredictable, the hold up play was not as cohesive and County found the ball coming back in their faces. County had opportunities on the break especially left side with Khan finding gaps. On 83 minutes, a direct ball by Haynes was shielded well by Matt and settled into the path of Khan. He carried a strong run forward before cutting inside and blasted his shot over the bar from the left corner of the box. On 87 minutes, County keeper King was booked for delaying his goal kick and County were happy to run down the clock with another change on 89 minutes with Dolan on for Khan. Bradford applied some later pressure in injury winning some corners right side which were menacing in delivery but came to nothing. Reeves was booked deep into injury time for pushing Abrahams away when collecting a ball for a throw in. Bradford had a glimmer of chance in fifth minute of injury time when County struggled to clear their lines and Pritchard dragged his effort from 25 yards well wide of the right post. County held on for an important morale boosting victory.

King (7) — had few saves to make from open play, kicked and distributed well with the wind behind keeping ball on park and against wind got distance. Safe with his hands in saves low down

Willmott (7) — made a lot happen first half and put in fair quota of crosses with some useful balls to the edge of the area. Forced more deeper and reserved second half and did some good defensive work.

Haynes (7) — put under some pressure in aerial duals standing off headers too much but grew into the game. Timed his runs well to exploit space and showed good awareness defending threat right side.

Demetriou (8) — lead the side well, mopped danger in behind and won his headers well taking some knocks in brave challenges. Kept focused under pressure late on getting ball safe.

Bennett (8) — gave assurance in front of centre backs, did a key job picking up bits and pieces and broke the lines timing runs forward. Took chance very well and may have had more goals from set pieces.

Innis (8) — solid game and good response after set back mid-week. Strong with his headers and dealt well with Donaldson. Had several chances again from set pieces and got his reward.

Gorman (6) — got a bit bogged down in congestion in the middle but competed well, broke up and stifled play and directed some measured passes in behind to relieve pressure.

Khan (6) — never really got on the ball for sustained period, made himself available in transition play first half but shots were wide of the mark. Forced back to defend second half and worked hard.

Sheehan (7) — won several free kicks in decent positions and linked play well in around the area. Put in some good set pieces and did some good work defensively late on in the game picking up loose ball.

Green (7) — carried threat in behind first half and had several opportunities when he got goalside but indecision in delaying shot was a let off for Bradford. Kept working but starved of chances after half time.

Matt (7)– was prominent in the best moves first half and when he made ball stick, gave options. was well marked inside the area but gave options for others to ghost in behind to edge of the area.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they kept going despite not really creating anything clear-cut. Central defenders were strong facing forward and aerial duals.

Weaknesses — very right sided — created little on the left flank and game was littered with several overplayed passes and crosses. Both full backs were ordinary when pressed and distribution poor.

Opportunities — they persisted with patterns of play right side and never really changed tact. Late subs introduced maintained energy.
Threats — Donaldson aerial prowess, Reeves set pieces were accurate and had an eye for a pass or shot when invited. McCartan shots from distance

OFFICIALS
J Smith (8) — one of the better referees this season, allowed game to flow taking decisions to stop at the right time and got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Scott Bennett — showing his value with some important goals this season. Did a lot of good work to break up play and was composed throughout, accurate with his passing.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County needed a win to boost morale and despite not climbing the table much, if they keep playing with the some focus and energy they will keep building. They were quick in mind and thought first half and competed well picking up bits and pieces much better than in recent home games. Bradford were in need of a result and this possibly suited County with them able to absorb pressure well and making some good decisions when coming out with the ball. Matt did well first half to find some wide positions in transition and when County made the ball stick, Bradford were often in trouble in the turnaround. County will have a few tired legs after 3 games in the last week so will need to manage the squad effectively for the Grimsby away match on Tuesday. Blundell Park will offer a decent playing surface and opportunity to get the ball down and chance to possibly relax after playing on a difficult Rodney Parade surface. However, they will need to keep doing the basics right and compete with Grimsby side that will be fired up by new manager Ian Holloway. The hosts main threats will come from crosses and aerial prowess of Hansen and link play craft by Vernam around the area and pace in behind by Green.