Fortuitous but important ugly win

Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Cameron 70 own goal)
Barrow 0

Attendance: 3,989
Match Rating: *


Form:
Newport County dDdWLLLLLD
Barrow DLWLDDLLWL


PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Barrow have been defensively tight but lack of cutting edge has seen them drop down the table. Expecting Barrow to stifle so key they match their work ethic and use their quality final third

CONDITIONS
Mild, partly cloudy with sunny spells and light breeze. Pitch in decent condition and maintained well.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Down on energy and lacked edge to collectively press and carve out real opportunities from open play

TURNING POINT
None

THE MATCH
County were forced into one change with Tom Davies ruled out with a hamstring injury, County made a surprise introducing Joe Thomas for his third start in defence. There was another change with Anthony Glennon replacing Kieran Evans who was on the bench. County switched to a 3–5–2 formation Cameron Evans slotting in alongside Baker and Clark with Glennon going to his customary left wing back role and Thomas right wing back. The early stages were passive with both sides feeling their way into the game and this set a precedence with Barrow opting for direct aerial balls using Acquah and County more thoughtful and precise working the ball from goal kicks with short passes. Barrow operated with a 5–4–1 formation but were keen to push up and press high when County were initiating moves from deep. The game was stop start with several untidy free kicks interrupting the tempo and both sides struggling for cohesion. County got bogged down into several dead ends with Whitmore and Ajiboye seeing plenty of the ball but running into dead ends. Barrow were disciplined and came into the game with some moves left side testing Thomas and Evans. On 10 minutes, Carlisle won a free kick left side which Spence took but his effort from 25 yards was wide of the left post. County had some situations to move the ball from deep left side with Kamwa in space but delayed the early pass allowing Barrow to press and suffocate the build-up quickly with right wing back Duru alert and tenacious. Barrow kept probing away with Gotts seeing more of the ball which forced County deeper. On 20 minutes, Barrow worked a decent situation from a more direct move with Acquah given too much freedom and his lay off invited Spence to shoot low from 25 yards but Townsend held the shot immaculately. County struggled to build momentum with the space at a premium especially in midfield. Barrow kept their organisation well and were close again on 27 minutes when County were slow to shift their passes in midfield and Spence angled his run right side to find Duru. He was allowed space carry his run and cut inside near the right corner of the area but his low shot from 16 yards lacked power to trouble Townsend. County remained patient passing from deep but made little headway but were close on 30 minutes from a direct move. Townsend arrowed a long pass through the middle which Kamwa did well latch onto ahead of Canavan. With Barrow caught on the hop and stretched Kamwa fended off a challenge but his low shot on the turn from 25 yards was dragged wide of the left post. The game drifted towards half time with County slow winning their first contacts and Barrow largely on top. On 42 minutes, County had another warning following a Barrow move right side with Spence outwitting Glennon. He whipped in a decent cross pinpointing Acquah but his header from 12 yards under pressure from Baker was well read by Townsend. The game had been interrupted by several injuries and Thomas received attention in first half injury time but was able to continue.

Barrow resumed on the front-foot with Spence continuing to cause problems with his alertness and efficient use of the ball. On 48 minutes, Campbell was given freedom to angle his run inside from the left and find Spence but his low shot from 25 yards was parried away by Townsend in the left corner. Jackson seized the loose ball and his early cross back into the box was glanced on by Spence from 10 yards but the ball drifted wide of the right post. On 50 minutes, County made a good break from midfield with Whitmore having strength to fend off a late tackle but the referee made a peculiar call to ignore appeals for a free kick when he was caught late. County had a more cohesive spell with some moves left side and Duru was booked on 55 minutes for delaying a quickly taken free kick by County. Moments later, County had a half chance when they kept their pass low but straighter. Whitmore did well right side to find Ajiboye and his low shot from 25 yards was held comfortably by Farman. On 58 minutes, County made a triple substitution with Whitmore unable to continue after his knock and Kieran Evans came on and Baker-Richardson replacing Ajiboye. There was another change with Antwi adding some much needed energy in midfield replacing Martin. Barrow responded with some changes on 62 minutes with Mahoney coming on for Spence. On 64 minutes, County caught napping when Acquah was allowed freedom to seize a ball right side of the area. He checked inside to combine with Gotts who directed a low pass right side of area for Mahoney but his low shot went into the right side netting. Barrow were keen to keep their temp and made a double change on 69 minutes with Newby replacing Duru and Pressley on for Acquah up top. County took the lead out of the blue on 70 minutes when a quick pass left side released Kamwa and this time he manufactured space to set up a pass for Antwi. He delivered a quick teasing ball into the box which exposed Barrow and with Baker-Richardson lurking Cameron was forced to hurry his clearance but under pressure the ball dropped into the empty net with Barrow keeper Farman flat-footed. Barrow kept pressing forcing County deep leaving 2 at the back which carried risk but County struggled to hurt them in transition with some poor passes and retention. On 80 minutes, Barrow worked a patient move deep inside the County half with Newby firing a shot from right side of the box well wide of the right post. Barrow made a change soon after with Campbell replaced in midfield and Smith came on up front allowing them to play 3 up front with Smith alongside Pressley and Newby. On 82 minutes, County had a glimmer of chance when McLoughlin made an intelligent run from deep angling his run left side and slip a neat pass to Evans. He wasted little time getting in a low shot from 25 yards but Farman was equal to it. County were forced very deep in closing stages, offering very little outlet in transition and Barrow threw in some hopeful long balls to test them. County forced to deal with 7 minutes of injury time due to various interruptions and injuries. On 90+2 minutes, Barrow worked a decent move right side of the box with Mahoney combining well with Newby and his low from 14 yards was parried around the right post by the alert Townsend. County were forced into another change on 90+4 with Kieran Evans pulling up and he was replaced by Mawene. Barrow tested County with some crosses late in injury and were close on 90+6 minutes when Newby whipped in a decent cross right side but stretching Pressley unmarked directed his header from 10 yards wide of the right post. County held out for an important and moral boosting first win in just over a month.

Townsend (8) — dependable again when it mattered making some important low saves and held low shots well. kicked well under pressure from press through the middle.
Thomas (6) — was solid defending, did well in the air but offered little inside the Barrow half, put under pressure early on but grew into the game and limited threat better second half.

Baker (6) — didn’t have his own way with Acquah and allowed him to check and turn back to easily. Had a better second half learning quick winning more of the first contacts.
C Evans (6) — did a job at centre back but never looked comfortable and got rushed into several untidy clearances. Struggled in the aerial duals but mopped up well to clear.
McLoughlin (7) — best player in midfield, offered assurance and looked for variety with passes. ended up playing very deep second half firefighting and faded late on.
Glennon (6) — played very reserved and was tentative going forward. Never looked comfortable sitting in and needs to be more aggressive winning first contacts.

Clarke (7) — contested well in the air and stifled threat well. lead defence and gave assurance with decision making to rid the danger when necessary or go short
Whitmore (6) — never got firing, competed well and had moments to punish but got bogged down trying to find extra touch and lost possession. Replaced early after knock
Kamwa (7) — quiet first half, positioned himself wide but didn’t get efficient passes so ended up drifting more central. When he got across marker quickly and recycled ball he was effective.
Martin (6) — took responsibility with the ball at feet and got head up but let himself down with some indifferent passes. needs to get more shots on goal and be greedy
Ajiboye (6) — frustrating game, run into too many dead ends with strong runs which were well marshalled. Needs better service to hurt sides with balls to run onto in behind..


SWOT ANALYSIS (Barrow)
Strengths — defensive resolve to limit shots on goal and they were organised higher up pressing well as a unit working hard off the ball
Weaknesses — left gaps through the middle which County were slow to pounce on. Lacked cutting edge and reliant on direct long balls from deep which were predictable.
Opportunities — played 5–4–1 for large part of game to compact midfield. Left just 2 defenders back late on which carried risk but County couldn’t punish.
Threats — Acquah aerial prowess. Gotts runs and guile left side. Spence got several decent shots in from decent and supplied crosses.

OFFICIALS
S Tallis (6) — another lenient referee at Rodney Parade. Turned a blind eye to several sly challenges and just the one booking for impeding a free kick.


MAN OF THE MATCH
Nick Townsend — was always there even Barrow had the rare moments to break through and was safe with his hands, anticipating well and kicked well under pressure.


IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

With the transfer window closing Monday, County still need to add steal in with a central defensive midfielder and a striker to give them a different dimension so they can affect the penalty box moments more. On the first requirement, it was crystal clear today the lack of midfield presence when Barrow centre backs were allowed free runs of 50 yards unchallenged. County lost out on too many key 1–1 challenges which meant the momentum was stalled and they lacked penetration especially when Whitmore went off. On the second point, when sides like Barrow nullify the County wingers and release into wide areas which they have in abundance, they are lacking a threat to assert and unsettle defenders in central positions. Baker-Richardson did this better following the changes but they lack a player to vice grip the ball and buy time and fouls. County struggled to get their wide game functioning today mainly due to the system. Kamwa was often ready in a position to receive a quick direct pass between the Barrow centre back and the Barrow wing back who was gambling on pushing aggressively high to press, but Baker and Clarke often took the option that side to play short precise passes when the early ball was on. Cameron Evans deputised well at centre back, but his lack of aerial prowess carries a huge risk and they need to look at introducing new signing Warner in the next game if they retain a 3–5–2 system. Morecambe are the next visitors at Rodney Parade this Tuesday and it will be similar template to Barrow with them opting for long balls from deep from either the “goalkeeper” or “defenders”. Morecambe are showing some fire in the belly with a good 4–2 home win today over Fleetwood with loan signing Dallas given them a different option from direct moves and Slew a robust outlet left side in transition and Hope latching onto bits and pieces in behind. County need to keep their patience and discipline in this game and choose those key moments of when to be dynamic with their runs and when to keep ball final third so they don’t get suckered into the counter attack which Morecambe do well.