Frustration as 10 man Crawley let off the hook

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Broadfield Stadium

Crawley Town 1 (Demetriou own goal 32)

Newport County 1 (Haynes 5)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LWWDWDWLDL

Crawley Town WDLLWDDWDW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County will need to stifle top league scorer Max Watters and pace in their team. With Storm Bella approaching, key County manage conditions well and offer quality final third

CONDITIONS
Cold and very blustery wind with increasing rain. Pitch looked in decent condition after wet December.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Started well, had chances to go further ahead but energy and quality was lacking for large spells second half.

TURNING POINT
Crawley equaliser galvanised them despite handicaps.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with Matt Dolan returning in place of Robbie Willmott who was on the bench. There was another change up front with Tristan Abrahams replacing Jamie Proctor who was also sub. County started with vigour and purpose dominating the early possession to work the Crawley defence who elected to play long to relieve pressure. County marshalled the threat well and build on their early play to take the lead on 5 minutes. Twine did well breaking up play inside the centre circle and sliced through the middle of the pitch finding the overlap of Haynes well left side. He showed flexibility to beat Crawley right back Davies cut inside near the left corner before striking an excellent effort into right corner beyond the grasp of Crawley keeper Morris. County were boosted by the goal working both channels well with Shepherd coming more into the game right side to test left back Dallison. Crawley showed their prowess to pass the ball with some intricate low moves further up the pitch but County were still dangerous on the break. On 16 minutes, Shepherd broke up play well to counter and he was pulled back by Hessenthaler who was booked. County kept probing away left side with Haynes prominent and from another decent situation on 18 minutes, Haynes saw his cross cut out at the front post with County too slow to react. From the resulting corner, Dolan worked a smart low corner to the front post which Twin caressed smartly into the path of Shepherd and his snapshot from 20 yards was well blocked by Tunncliffe. County were in charge working some decent moves with Crawley uncertain whether to press or sit back in. On 22 minutes, County caught out Crawley with a smart move from deep initiated by Dolan who found Sheehan well positioned to continue the move through the middle. He threaded a neat pass left side for Bennett who linked with Abrahams through the middle who adjusted with a curling shot from 25 yards towards the left corner which Morris read well. Crawley made efforts to find Watters from direct play but Demetriou stifled the threat left side and County maintained their grip to counter and cause problems. Another decent opportunity for County on 26 minutes, saw them switch play well from left to right with Abrahams in space right side of the box. His effort was on target but deflected left side of the area and Haynes anticipated well but could only trash his effort into the side netting. Crawley made efforts to pick up the bar with some questionable tackles off the ball which the referee ignored. They maintained their direct approach and it paid off on 32 minutes when a hopeful ball was launched forward by Davies which got caught on the wind. Demetriou took responsibility to head back towards goal and with County keeper Townsend caught in no mans land the ball dropped into the empty net and despite Townsend trying to recover near the goal-line. Townsend appeared to be struggling for mobility somewhat after and was examined by the physio before resuming. County had another decent chance almost immediately when a break left side exposed Crawley and Abrahams picked up the ball before picking out Collins in space across the face of the area. He showed quick to dance past a challenge before hitting a decent effort which looked goal-bound but was blocked by Powell. Crawley were bolder as half time approached with some more forceful moves left side involving Powell but the crosses were well dealt with. County were forced to play longer but with Collins and Abrahams struggling to maintain possession their earlier momentum dried up, allowing Crawley to settle into a rhythm with their passing. On 40 minutes, County were given a warning after a Crawley corner left side and they were slow to pick up on a knock down before Powell struck a half volley over the bar from 20 yards. County were forced into a change on the stroke of half time with Townsend not recovering from his knock and was replaced by Tom King. The game become increasingly scrappy in first half injury time with County making efforts to retain possession but were left frustrated with some off the ball indiscretions not picked up on.

Crawley were forced into a change at half time with Watters replaced by Matthews who went right midfield with Nicholls false number 9 behind a five man midfield. County had the strong wind behind them and struggled for cohesion on times overplaying several passes. The game continued to be stop and start with several fouls in midfield and County were more effective when they kept their passing low and short. On 58 minutes, County had a free kick right side which they worked quickly with Shepherd advancing but the cross was hopeful rather than problematic allowing Crawley to advert danger back post. On 60 minutes, Crawley were dealt a blow when Allarakhia rose his foot high in a challenge on Shepherd catching him in chest and he was given a straight red card. County began to enjoy more of the ball but their decision making and passing let them down on times opting for long 50 yards passing which were overplayed on the wind. Often this gave Crawley the breather they need to regroup and pick out passes on the break into Nicholls to chase down. County made a change on 62 minutes to freshen their approach with Abrahams replaced by Proctor. Crawley responded with like for like change with Hesketh replacing Nadesan in attacking midfield. Hesketh was then booked on 68 minutes for a late challenge on Cooper with Crawley working hard off the ball to deny County space. On 73 minutes, County had a corner right side which Dolan delivered well into the six yard box and Crawley managed to usher the ball to safety. County made another change on 75 minutes with Amond replacing Collins and Willmott came on for Bennett. County opted for width in the final ten minutes with Crawley setting their stall out to sit in very deep and deny opportunities. County created a couple of decent situations right side from overlaps with Shepherd and Willmott working well in tandem but the final ball was being dealt with by the Crawley centre backs who remained alert. County worked a couple of decent crosses left side with Haynes driving to the byline but the Crawley defence were able to get the ball safe with some late interceptions inside the six yard box. Crawley made another defensive change on 85 minutes with Francombe replacing Davies. County created their best chance of the half moments later when a smart counter saw Twine feed Haynes left side of the area and he adjusted well to shoot but the effort fizzed just over the bar. On 88 minutes, in a move that possibly summed up County on the day, Haynes did well to cut back across left side from an unlikely position and it dropped dangerously at the back post but it eluded late runs from Amond and Proctor. County kept probing away in the 4 minutes of injury time with Sheehan directing some better moves further up the pitch. On 90+1 minutes, Sheehan manufactured some space to strike a low effort from 25 yards which Morris reacted well to saving low down. Deep in injury time Sheehan and Twine combined well in an intricate move through the middle and Twine saw his snapshot from 20 yards well held by Morris. County made efforts to find the late goal atypical of their season with Sheehan and Willmott carrying some strong runs but there were forced into some dead ends and Crawley held for a deserved but dogged draw.

Townsend (6) — was never really troubled and clear his lines well distributing effectively with ball at feet before his injury and replaced by:

King (6) — had no shots to save and little threat to deal with but kicked well from deep when he had to be alert.

Shepherd (7) — was prominent in the early stages making a lot happen and despite being restricted on crosses he used ball well. competed well, took several knocks and faded late on

Haynes (8) — was arguably most threatening player, crafted some good moves left side and crosses from tight situations and took his goal well going close to getting another.

Demetriou (7) — had a good game apart from the unfortunate own goal. Dominated the aerial duals, broke up play well, kept Watters quiet and was neat with his distribution.

Cooper (6) — Didn’t always have his own way and got shunted off a few challenges. Made efforts to push on and influence further up the pitch but sometimes went for the wrong pass.

Dolan (7) — did very well before their equaliser coordinating some good moves but went into a bit of a shell second half. Picked out some good passes to stretch defenders and pick holes.

Bennett (6) — when there was more space he did a good job reading game and picking up holes to link play. Got a bit bogged down in congested midfield when Crawley sat back.

Twine (7) — had some good spells in the game particularly first half but was tracked well, restricted on shots and denied space final third. Did better late on when he dropped off to pick holes.

Sheehan (6) — was very effective early in the game when game ebbed and flowed, was tidy with his passing, but was marked out of the game second half and ran into too many dead ends

Abrahams (6) — plenty of legs, got some decent shots in and when got facing forward he was effective, but much less comfortable playing with back to goal allowing ball to be prised too easily

Collins (5) — never really influenced game final third and slow to get across his man. Was unlucky with one decent shot but saw very little threat and didn’t work the defenders enough.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — strong work ethic, they were organised after going down to ten men and keep their discipline and concentration well. passed well to feet.

Weaknesses — right back was ordinary when pressed, they offered little cutting edge or quality final third even before sending off despite spells of patient play were too predictable.

Opportunities — started with conventional 4–4–2 to offer width but changed to five man midfield at half time to stifle County. Sat in compact and frustrated after sending off.
Threats — Watters glimpses of pace, Nicholls link play final third with eye of pass. Allarakhia bursts left side, pace on break.

OFFICIALS

D Rock (6) — made some puzzling decisions first half, not giving clear fouls off the ball and was lenient throughout but consistent.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ryan Haynes — offered verve and determination left side with well-timed runs, took his chance well and should have had another goal. provided several decent crosses which deserved better

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started the game positively and were in firm control until the equaliser which came out of the blue with the defence limiting the Crawley threat well. Early on County were enterprising and they worked some decent moves from both flanks and you felt to maintain their momentum they had to keep their passing short but snappy. Despite the dominance in midfield, they were not as convincing inside the box and not quick enough to some of crosses allowing Crawley to clear. Several crosses were provided back post but they was nobody gambling to get on the end of things. Crawley became more tenacious after their equaliser pressing play harder and forced County to play longer and in truth, they didn’t have enough physicality up top to keep the ball and sustain possession. Despite their handicap, Crawley maintained their discipline and did well to pick up the loose ends in and around the edge of the area. County kept plugging away but they were not always alert enough today and the hosts deserved a share of the spoils for their endeavour to contest and win each challenge. Next up is Exeter City at home who are a more flexible outfit this season adopting more passing to their game after being quite direct on times last season. Exeter will offer threat from wide positions in transtion with Randall playing in a more advanced role left side and Williams right side. County need to stifle direct outlet into Bowman and be more dynamic coming forward.