Frustration as County wasteful in attack and sloppy in defence

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 3 (Haynes 14, Telford 40, Demetriou 89)

Oldham Athletic 3 (Keillor-Dunn 28, Fondom-Talom 49, 82)

Attendance: 3,901

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County WLDLWWWWLL

Oldham Athletic LDLddLLdWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Oldham manager John Sheridan has revitalised the team since taking over but expecting them to sit in and counter using their prowess up top. County need to pick their battles wisely.

CONDITIONS
Mild, heavy rain on and off with strong wind. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Very Jekyll and Hyde performance but showed spirit to keep going

TURNING POINT
Glut of missed chance to go 3–2 up after sending off

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with captain Matt Dolan and Ollie Cooper replacing Robbie Willmott and Jake Cain who were on the bench as the changed to 3–5–2 formation. County played into the wind first half but made an explosive start with a slick move from the kick off through middle with Telford neatly flicking inside to Azaz. He showed good vision to pick out the run of Cooper who pieced through near the “d” an his snapshot fizzed just wide of the left post. County created another chance on 3 minutes from an overlapping move right side of the area pinpointing Baker-Richardson at the front post but his glancing header drifted just wide of the left post. County keep the heat with the efficiency of their passing key and another bright move on 7 minutes saw Norman caught late by Hart when he was clearing the ball. Hart was booked for the challenge with the referee showing little grace to account for the slippery surface. County kept probing and Oldham set their stall out to attack from deep using the guile of Adams left side. On 11 minutes, some untidy play by County right side allowed Oldham to break with Hart making a bold run forward box to box and he was checked by Bennett near the flank and he was booked. County came into the game more left side with Haynes contributing well and they took the lead on 14 minutes when they switched play well from right to left with Azaz the cog through the middle. He threaded a deft pass to the left side which Haynes read well and he darted inside before unleashing a low effort from 25 yards which fizzed into left corner beyond the grasp of the keeper. Oldham made efforts to pick up their game with Bahamboula making some tricky runs through the middle which County stifled well. County remined a threat in transition especially when Oldham lost the ball high up the pitch and Haynes did well providing some useful crosses into the area which flashed through dangerously. County worked a patient move on 22 minutes through several players and Bennett chanced his arm with a shot from 30 yards which skimmed off the surface forcing Oldham keeper Rogers to parry around the right post. Moments later, with Oldham struggling to contain County, Baker-Richardson and Azaz combined well to find Telford but his snapshot from 12 yards was well blocked by Piergianni. Oldham snapped out of their shell on 25 minutes when Clarke was allowed space to advance right side and link with Keillor-Dunn. He showed his eye for an early shot but dragged his bold effort wide of the left post from the right corner of the area. Oldham gained confidence from their sporadic raids forward and were back in the game on 28 minutes when a move left side caught County napping. Adams started the move left side and showed good vision to find Bahamboula inside in acres of space. He span and delivered an excellent cross which dropped over Demetriou and Keillor-Dunn struck a well timed low first time shot to tuck his shot under Townsend who was rooted to the spot. County were unshaken by the goal and continued to pass from deep shifting the ball effectively with Pask and Demetriou creeping up to orchestrate play inside the Oldham half as they sat back. On 30 minutes, Bahamboula was booked for unnecessary challenge tugging back Demetriou as he drove into space near the half way line. Oldham remained disciplined sitting in quite deep on times but made some effective runs on the break but County marshalled them well to deny the cross. County continued to penetrate well right side and a forceful move on 40 minutes saw Norman pick out Telford who dug the ball out despite being under pressure but his shot from 12 yards was blocked by McGahey. County went ahead again on 42 minutes when a neat snappy low move forced Oldham to defend deep inside their own area and Telford snapped onto the loose ball smashing a volley into the left corner from the right side of the area. County had a couple of decent chances to extend their lead on the stroke of half time with Azaz curling an effort from inside the “d” just over the corner of right post and bar. County had an even better chance on 45 minutes with Norman again pivotal supplying the ammunition to find Baker-Richardson at the front post but his deft header drifted wide of the left post when he should have worked the keeper. Oldham were forced into a change in first half injury time with Fondop-Talom replacing Luamba who pulled up with a hamstring injury.

County had the benefit of the wind second half but Oldham made the intentions clear to push on forcing some good moves left side. This carried risk and County had an opportunity on 47 minutes to punish them when they broke from deep with Cooper supplying a quick pass to Baker-Richardson. He had a 1–1 situation and elected to carry his run right side of the area having the pace to get outside McGahey but his shot from 16 yards was well blocked. Oldham remained bold pushing both full backs higher up the pitch and another move moments later saw Bahamboula make the most of space invited to find right back Clarke right side of the area. With County reluctant to close the space, Clarke struck an opportunist low effort just wide of the left post. Oldham kept pressing right side and won a corner on 49 minutes. Adam delivered a decent cross into the six yard area and Fondop-Talom stole in unchallenged to head past Townsend. County went back on the offensive working some good low moves right side testing left back Hart and Cooper was unlucky when he jinked inside only for his low shot from acute angle to be saved by the legs of Rogers. Oldham continued to ask questions with Bahamboula supporting in and around the box. On 57 minutes, a direct move saw Fondop-Talom fend off a weak challenge by County and caress the ball into the path of Bahamboula struck a first time effort from 20 yards which Townsend read well. County made a change soon after with Willmott replacing Bennett. Oldham were determined to force moves left side with Adams offering an outlet and confidence for Hart to push on. On 60 minutes, a decent low move left side saw Hart ghost up from deep but his low shot left corner of the box was saved well by Townsend. County were forced to play on the break and had a great chance to get their noses in front again on 63 minutes when they decisively broke left side and Telford did well to angle his run left side of the area. He dinked in excellent cross which Azaz anticipated after a late run but his header from 10 yards went over when he should have worked the keeper. County upped the tempo of their passing game through the middle stifling space in wide positions offered much quicker. On 66 minutes, Oldham had Missilou in the book for a late challenge on Pask and Oldham were dealt a blow on 70 minutes when Bahamboula was sent off for raising his foot high challenging Dolan in a low tackle which was a straight red card. County had another chance from a header on 72 minutes when Haynes made a strong run left side and his cross was glanced just wide of the right post by Telford from 10 yards. County went for the jugular and looked certain to extend their lead moments later with a slick move right side involving Willmott and Cooper who slipped a pass right side of the area for Telford. He struck a powerful effort from 10 yards but the effort crashed against the right post and bounced away safely allowing Oldham to clear. Another chance followed soon after when Haynes again supplied an inviting cross from the left side of the area which flashed deep and Norman looked certain to score but his downward header from 10 yards was parried away by Rogers. County kept applying pressure deep inside the Oldham area but some brave defending saw them get vital interventions and hook the ball clear. Oldham made a change on 78 minutes which was bold like for like replacement with Adams replaced by Stobbs. The move lifted Oldham with Stobbs offering energy and an outlet to keep the ball left side. On 80 minutes, County had a warning when Stobbs was given too much space to deliver an early cross into the area picking out Fondom-Talop but he glanced wide of the right post from 10 yards. Despite the handicap of ten men, Oldham were encouraged forward and won a debatable throw left side on 82 minutes. County appeared to lose concentration not marking off the throw which Hart took he linked with Stobbs who drove to the byline and cut back a low cross and Hart ghosted in to poke low into the left corner past Townsend. County made an immediate change replacing Norman with Waite. County peppered the Oldham goal in the final minutes as they desperately fought to salvage something from the game. On 85 minutes, County worked an excellent low move right side through the industry of Cooper. He cut back a decent pass to Azaz in space near the edge of the area and his low shot was saved in the left corner by Rogers. County kept passing and worked some opportunities off crosses and Azaz denied again on 87 minutes when he combined well with Waite and struck a decent effort from just inside the area but McGahey made an important intervention. County were close moments later with Oldham having their whole team inside the area, Dolan struck an opportunist half volley from 25 yards fizzing just wide of the left post. County finally got their reward on 89 minutes when Demetriou did well to influence a move through the middle and hit a thunderbolt striking into the top left corner beyond the grasp of Rogers. County went for the winner and bright low move on 90 minutes coordinated by Willmott invited Cooper to cross from near the byline and his deep cross offered Baker-Richardson another chance but the header from 8 yards was tame going straight to the keeper. County made another change on 90+2 minutes with Baker-Richardson replaced by Street. County forced some late disjointed pressure and threat from crosses but Oldham dug in very well to get a hard-fought share of the spoils and maintain the Shezzaerrection.

Townsend (6) — kicked well into gale but distribution was little slow second half not exposing gaps out wide. Stood on his line on both goals second half but made a few smart saves low down

Norman (6) — key runs first half demanding ball, providing several headed chances. Forced back into shell after half time by Adams before coming alive again. Switched off marking on 3rd goal.

Haynes (7) — had a bit more belief getting forward well and delivered some inviting crosses asserting himself final third. Took his chance very well and needs to shoot more often.

Demetriou (8) — drove the side forward in adversity, defended direct ball and was quick in mind creeping into gaps. Made some excellent tackles and the goal he scored typified his attitude.

Dolan (6) — filled in at the back, but never assured with positioning and looked rushed on the ball. Provided some good set pieces and did better moving into more advanced role in midfield.

Pask (5) — won majority of tackles, got put under pressure on some headers especially when Fondop came on but his distribution was a bit casual on times and needs to sharp up his game

Azaz (7) — worked box to box and was effective passing low to turn Oldham on their heals. Did his best work when he got into positions wide left to support Haynes. Should have scored today.

Bennett (6) — competed well in the air but less assured on the floor with Bahamboula causing him problems through the middle. Looked a bit tired after mid-week game and replaced early.

Cooper (7) — did a lot of good work with dynamic runs and provided outlet forcing issue late on without reward. Needs to keep pulling trigger in and around the box and goals will come.

Telford (7) — worked hard throughout, had several chances in and around the area blocked and not quite sure how he just got the one goal, drifted into some wide positions to turn creator.

Baker-Richardson (5) — missed a series of presentable close range headers but lacked belief to get outside defender. Did his best work when he turned provider showing vision on crosses

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — they had a belief about them and showed a lot of spirit after the sending off. Full backs were bold going forward in wide areas and got men in the box.

Weaknesses — centre backs struggled for pace when turned back and slow to react in centre midfield. As good as they were on counter they offered space better sides would have punished.

Opportunities — they didn’t press to much final third and choose to sit in and break from deep. Forced play further up pitch for a time after break when full backs were more assertive.

Threats — Fondop-Talum ,Piergianna set piece threat, Keillor-Dunn crosses from wide positions, Bahamboula trickery and link play through the middle.

OFFICIALS

R Lewis (7) — quite strict but consistent, but fussy on times but got the key decisions right, couple of penalty calls County had got turned down possibly correctly.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mickey Demetriou — dug County out of a bit of hole, kept driving side forward when things went against them and gave Oldham little to work on right side stifling threat early

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will be left frustrated they were unable to put Oldham to the sword such was the number of shots they had and possession. After getting the early game, Oldham were in a precarious position being forced to push on and County had the tools to add more goals. The equaliser was very well crafted goal by Oldham but County can pinpoint to not being tenacious enough to close down earlier from wide areas of the pitch. After getting their noses in front again they got forced back with Oldham showing more belief and their full backs played pretty well second half. Both Norman and Haynes had good spells in this game but momentary lapses of concentration impaired County today also not helped by poor finishing. After the sending off, County had ample chances to kill the game off before Oldham pinched the goal on the break. County may need to look at defensive shape with Dolan doing better in holding role centre midfield organising the fizzy players in front of him. Clarke was somewhat harshly dropped and would serve better in a three man central defence. County need to polish up on their finishing and particularly the headers that went begging today and does beg the question whether Street deserves his starting chance. Next up in series of five home games is Mansfield Town who have rallied since the turn of the year despite manager Nigel Clough putting square pegs in round holes due to enforced injuries. Mansfield are likely to play 442 diamond system, but will have several players potenntialy out of position next week with striker Hawkins and O’Toole operating as emergency centre backs and they have a degree of vulnerability defending right side with midfielder Hewitt right back. Mansfield main creative threat will come left side with veteran left back McLaughlin and Quinn flexible in swapping roles down the left side. County need to stifle that and in the switch be prepared to use Haynes to counter threat. Early crosses and quality will be key to catch the Stags offguard.