Goalless but far from dull

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Bradford City 0

Attendance: 4,089

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County WLLWDDLWLW

Bradford City WWLLDLDLLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Bradford have been inconsistent and struggled for goals of late. Not expecting much charity from them and key County retain sharpness with their passing and be decisive when they break.

CONDITIONS
Warm, partly cloudy and little breeze. Pitch in excellent condition but a bit slow on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Deserved a goal, offered a good shape defensively and always had edge with sharpness of passing

TURNING POINT
None to note although enforced tactical change at half time reaped more possession.

THE MATCH
County retained the same 3–5–2 formation and starting side that beat Scunthorpe last weekend and Bradford were also unchanged playing 4–2–3–1. County probed in the early stages testing Bradford with a couple of early crosses which were cleared well. Bradford set their stall out to absorb the threat but were bright coming forward especially left side with left back Ridehalgh pushing forward to link with Vernam attacking the left corner. County stifled the moves well and used the space in behind at every opportunity with Norman and Willmott intelligent with their timing. On 5 minutes, Bradford created a more threatening move right side with Gillead pivotal with a forceful run right side and his cut back invited Cook to shoot from 16 yards but Day was well positioned to make the save. County upped the tempo of their game shifting Bradford about which yielded some corners. On 16 minutes, County were close when a corner left side was directed deep by Willmott picking out Upson. He directed a good header into the six yard box which Clarke headed straight at the keeper O’Donnell. Bradford maintained their verve going forward with Vernam busy left side in transition which County were vigilant dealing with and this allowed them build some good moves to counter. On 22 minutes, Bradford pushed up high but some untidiness with their passing allowed Upson to steal the ball. His quick pass released Cooper who made a strong run through the middle and his pace took him goalside of the last defender O’Connor. From a position just outside the box, Cooper released a shot but under pressure appeared to scuff his effort allowing the keeper an comfortable collection. Bradford continued to pick gaps well on the break with some well worked low moves going through Gillead but their approach left side was more random and wayward. On 32 minutes, Gillead set up a half chance for Cook but he blasted well over from 25 yards. County maintained their intensity from wide positions with Haynes coming more into the game and the early cross looked more productive. On 35 minutes, County were close when Norman whipped in an excellent cross from a more reserved position which Upson anticipated well with a brave header from 10 yards under pressure from Threlkeld saw his effort blocked. Both players received treatment after the collision but able to continue somewhat tentatively. On 36 minutes, Ridehalgh was booked for contesting a decision with County looking to get on with the game. County won a corner left side moments later which was only half cleared to the edge of the area and Cooper was alert but his first time effort drifted wide of the right post. Then, from a similar move on 39 minutes with Bradford forced to defend deep inside their own area, Dolan thrashed an effort wide of the right post from 20 yards. County had a great chance to go ahead on 42 minutes when Haynes threaded a neat pass left side of the area which Baker-Richardson. County had options being a 2v2 situation with Telford making a supporting run inside but some indecision by Baker-Richardson allowed Songo’o to make a recovering tackle. On the stroke of half time, County were close when a corner left side by Willmott was hooked clear the edge of area and Haynes pounced to direct a decent rising effort which fizzed just over the bar. County kept probing well from deep and Bradford were put in trouble on 45+2 when Cooper penetrated through the middle and was cynically tripped by O’Connor who was booked.

Both sides made a change at half time with Upson and Threlkeld not able to continue after their aerial clash and County introduced Azaz in midfield. Bradford adjusted with Robinson coming on for Threlkeld with Sutton deputising at right back and Robinson went attacking midfield with Gillead dropping deeper. County also made a tactical change with Dolan slotting into midfield as they reverted to a 4–4–2 formation. Bradford opted for some early crosses to test County which were well marshalled but they did work County keeper on 50 minutes when Cooke dinked in a cross wide of the18 yards box which Cooke met in the air from distance forcing Day to tip over the bar. County upped the pace of the game constructing some good low moves with Azaz and Cooper probing gaps. On 55 minutes, a more decisive move across right side of the area saw Norman cut back a clever ball to Dolan who directed a low shot from 25 yards forcing O’Connell to save in the right corner. County gained confidence from their approach play and a sweeping move on 60 minutes saw Haynes overlap well left side receiving a pass from Azaz. His cross flashed deep but Baker-Richardson anticipated well to head back across goal but Songo’o was on hand to head clear near the goaline. On 62 minutes, County looked certain to score when a quick free kick by Azaz pinpointed Baker-Richardson and his header into the six yard was headed against the bar by Clarke from point-blank range. Bradford made efforts to pick up their game with Robinson providing an outlet right side which County managed well. County kept turning the screw with some accurate passing and another neat move on 66 minutes culminated with Cooper blasting well over from 25 yards. Bradford made a change on 68 minutes to plug some gaps in the middle with Evans coming on for Vernam. County then had Cooper in the book on 72 minutes for a tackle from behind on Sutton as he threatened to counter from deep. County were keen to use their right side with Norman forceful with runs forcing Ridehalgh increasingly deeper. On 75 minutes, Norman did well to link with Cooper threading a good ball inside and his square pass invited Haynes to shoot first time from 25 yards but his effort went just over the bar. County continued to add to their corner count which Bradford dealt with well but their distribution was erratic allowing County regain the initiative. On 82 minutes, Watt was third player in the book for Bradford taking out the sting of a strong run by Cooper through the middle of the pitch. The free kick was played short finding the run of Demetriou left side of the area and his drilled a low powerful effort into the side netting from left corner of the box. County made a change soon after with Telford replaced by Fisher. County were more direct in the final minutes using Fisher to test the Bradford resolve. On 90 minutes, Baker-Richardson was booked for a clumsy challenge on O’Connor. County kept forcing the issue in 5 minutes of injury time but were nearly caught on 90+1 minutes when some indecision defending allowed Cook to caress a header inside “d” to Gillead. He adjusted well and directed a low shot from 16 yards which Day reacted well to save low in the left corner. County were close again moments later winning another corner right side which Dolan delivered immaculately to front post and Demetriou ghosted in late but his header went just wide of the right post. Both sides kept trading blows deep into injury time but were forced to settle for a point in an entertaining game which was a good advert for league two.

Day (7) — was not overworked but kept focus, made a couple of smart saves early on and late on in the match. Kicked well and distributed effectively from deep

Norman (8) — forced quite deep first half managing bursts forward by Vernam well. Came more into game second half, adapted well to formation change and had vision to find quick ball inside

Demetriou (7) — put under some pressure first half by Cook and took a couple of knocks on aerial duals. Passed efficiently and made some forceful runs second half going close late on.

Dolan (7) — swept up majority of the threat in behind and made some good interceptions when Bradford broke through. Did well reverting to midfield role pulling strings second half.

Clarke (7) — could have had a hat trick today from chances off set pieces. Was put under some pressure from direct ball but grew into the game and did well with initiate some good moves from deep.

Haynes (7) — quiet first half, bit hesitant but made his mark after half time providing some excellent crosses. Most effective when he drove from deep and went close with a couple of shots from distance.

Upson (7) — had some bright spells first half and passing was neat and tidy to switch play well. Made several decent runs into the area to get on the end of crosses but forced off at half time and replaced by:

Azaz (8) — certainly made his presence coordinating several decent moves which should have yielded a goal. Quick thought and accuracy with passes always a problem for Bradford.

Willmott (7) — worked well in tandem with Norman and often played behind him second half to cover working hard off the ball. Had options to get a shot but often turned it down.

Cooper (8) — did everything but score, competed well and dynamic on runs. Released some neat quick passes to turn Bradford on their heels, pace caused problems especially in transition timing effectively.

Telford (6) — retained ball well under pressure and slipped some clever reverse passes. Was restricted on chances and well-marked but needed an earlier ball as positioning was good.

Baker-Richardson (6) — worked hard on and off the ball winning some good headers on set pieces. Went for glory a few times when he could’ve picked out Telford or Azaz and delayed shot when well placed

Strengths — absorbed pressure and made some good raids forward from deep pressing up as a unit. Showed capability with some neat passing in wide areas.

Weaknesses — full backs took gamble to push up and left gaps in behind leaving 2 v 2. Lost impetus right side second half and despite some good moves in transition lacked cutting edge to worry County.

Opportunities — stuck pretty rigidly to their formation and general gameplan despite being forced to play more direct second half.

Threats — wide players Gilliead and Vernam offered outlet, Cooke accuracy on crosses and aerial prowess and link play up top by Cook.

OFFICIALS

S Purkiss (7) — elected to allow a lot of the pulling and clambering and missed some of the clear handballs, but got the key decisions right allowing the game to flow.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ollie Cooper — always thinking ahead, clever with his passes and verve coming forward gave problems. Burst through several times and with better finishing would have got him a brace.

IF YOU WERE WAYNE HATSWELL WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were the more fluid mobile unit and set a good tempo in this match getting numbers into box and despite Bradford asking some questions there was always the option available to counter for County. They created the more clear-cut chances today and the purple patch they had midway through the second half should really have yielded a goal. The changes made at half time also caused problems for Bradford which gave them something different to think about. County had several shots in and around the box today and with better execution they would have been well ahead in this match. Baker-Richardson and Telford were well marked but when they did have chances to pick each other out, they often went for the more difficult individual option. County need to take aggression and high tempo into the forthcoming away matches and not revert to their shell. Next up is Exeter City away who have started the season well but despite scoring more goals this season they have developed a bit of an achilles heel conceding several soft goals to undermine their bright attacking work. Exeter front three Nombe, Jay and Brown are lively trio and will influence how high they decide to press but conversely this can leave them exposed and presents options for County to expose them with gaps in behind. Numbers in the box will be key.