Great response by resilient County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Vale Park

Port Vale 1 (Garrity 51)

Newport County 2 (Haynes 3, Azaz 72)

Attendance: 9,048

Match Rating: ****

Form:

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Port Vale WWdWWWWWLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Port Vale been on a decent run to get back with a chance of automatic promotion but all the pressure is on them. County are out the promotion frame so hopefully they can express their game

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy with little breeze. Pitch in excellent condition but a little slow on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Focussed and determined defending, effervescent and creative final third

TURNING POINT
County changes second half strengthened their resolve but Port Vale changes went against them

THE MATCH
County made several changes with goalkeeper Nick Townsend replacing Joe Day who was on the bench and with centre back Mickey Demetriou injured James Clarke returned after injury. There was another defensive change with Ryan Haynes returning to the fold in place of Aaron Lewis who was substitute. County also sacrificed both James Waite and Rob Street to the bench in place of Jake Cain and Courtney Baker-Richardson. County manager James Rowberry reverted to a 3–5–2 formation with Dolan slotting in the middle with Pask switching to left centre back and Clarke on his conventional right side. County settled in well with some forceful moves right side and Norman competing well to force Port Vale left back Benning deep. On 3 minutes, County shocked the large expectant home crowd when Norman released a good pass right side of the area. He darted to the by line and cut back an excellent cross that zipped through the 6 yard box just evading Telford but Haynes anticipated well to stab home at the back post with an excellent finish. Port Vale made efforts to respond with some moves right side using former Salford City player James Wilson as an outlet but County marshalled the threat well. On 8 minutes, Wilson made a run from inside his own half and a neat exchange with Worrall right side of the area invited him to cross into the area but Clarke read the danger clearing ahead of Proctor. County were effective from deep with Townsend kicking well to put pressure right side and Norman doing well in aerial duals. County were close to adding to their lead on 10 minutes when Norman won his header with Benning and picked up the loose ball. From a wide position, his cross to the front post had venom on it but Martin was alert to clear with Telford lurking. With County forcing the right side well, Vale made an effort to counter in transition switching play from left to right and Haynes was forced back to defend working well in tandem with Pask to track the runs of Wilson. County remained the more composure controlled side in possession with Cain and Azax combining well through the middle and Cain was on the end of heavy challenge by Charsley. County kept plugging well being bold in the Vale half of the pitch and a decisive move on 18 minutes saw Azaz thread a neat pass to release Haynes left side. He drove forward and cut inside to exploit space but his shot from 20 yards was comfortably saved low down by Stone. County gained confidence from their approach play and created a couple of decent midway through the half. On 25 minutes, a direct ball from deep by Norman was glanced on well by Baker-Richardson and the alert Telford seized the ball. He did well to slip a low pass for Azaz to run onto right side of the area but his low powerful shot from 16 yards was well held. County worked another presentable chance moments later from a smart direct move left side with Azaz again the instigator seeing the ball early and threading a pass in behind for Telford. He had the option to carry his run but struck a low effort from the left corner of the box but Stone was again equal to it. County kept plugging away and another decent move on 30 minutes, this time from deep on the left side saw Haynes overlap and his early cross was well anticipated by Telford front post but the keeper managed to squash the danger. Port Vale won a free kick on 32 minutes just inside the County half which they launched into the area. County got a header in to clear the danger but some loose marking allowed Garrity time to adjust but his effort from 20 yards drifted wide of the right post. Vale had a better spell as half time approached with some disjointed pressure and former County striker Jamie Proctor offering an outlet which set up some crosses from wide areas but the County defence remained vigilant to clear the threat. In first half injury time, Vale had another free kick in a decent position right side of the area which Garrity whipped in but Clarke made an excellent header to clear the danger.

Vale were sent out early for the second half, after a half time dressing down by interim manager Andy Crosby. County were given a warning on 49 minutes when some sloppy passing inside their own half invited Benning to drive forward down the left flank. He delivered a decent early cross into the area which sat up awkwardly for the County defence and Garrity scooped his effort over the bar from 10 yards. Vale maintained their momentum with Proctor dropping off deeper to link play and cause a nuisance. On 50 minutes, County invited another cross to easily when Charsley angled his run left side brushing past a weak challenge by Pask. He dinked a decent cross into the area which Wilson read but his header from the centre of the box looped over the bar not troubling Townsend. Port Vale kept chipping away and got their reward moments later from some untidy play by County passing inside their own half. Dolan under played his low pass to Cain allowing Pett to pinch the ball and find Wilson left side of the area. With County slow to recover, Wilson did well on the left to find the unmarked Garrity in the middle of the box who chested the ball down and fired a shot past Townsend to level the game. County made a change on 53 minutes with Cain being replaced by Cooper to pep up their intensity in midfield. Vale were keen to force County back left side with Hussey and Benning combining well and another corner on 57 minutes left side by Wilson was only half cleared by County and they managed to hook the ball away to safety. County made another change on 60 minutes up top replacing Baker-Richardson with Street and the move gave a different dimension and better cohesion for a time. Vale continued to press being encouraged forward by the home support and County were forced into conceding several free kicks which defended well on. Vale made another change on 67 minutes with left wing back Benning replaced by Gibbins and soon after their final change introduced Harratt for Charsley. County kept pressing right side with Norman reasserting his game and County won a corner on 71 minutes. Dolan whipped in an excellent delivery to the front post which appeared to catch the Port Vale defence napping and Martin was close to stabbing his clearance in as an own goal but it went for a corner. From the resultant corner, Dolan whipped over an excellent delivery into the six yard box which Vale could only half clear to the edge of the area and Azaz well positioned drilled a smart low volley into the right corner beyond the reach of Stone. County were forced into another change on 75 minutes with Haynes pulling up and he was replaced by Lewis. With Vale committed to push on, County became increasingly threatening on the break and they had a good situation soon after with Azaz making a piercing run through the middle and pick out the run of Lewis left side. He jinked inside and blasted a decent effort from 25 yards which was well blocked by Martin for a corner. Vale made their final change on 80 minutes with Amoo coming on left side for Wilson. On 82 minutes, Vale created an opportunity through the industry of Worrall who weaved his way forward right side and picked out Amoo who struck a first time effort from 12 yards which Townsend reacted well to save low in left corner. County worked some decent moves in transition with some determination to retain the ball under pressure with Street and Telford doing well to fend off challenges. On 86 minutes, Street did well with his back to goal inside the centre circle to hold off a clumsy challenge from behind by Martin who was booked. County worked a quick move right side with Norman doing well to unsettle Hussey with a direct run. He threaded a clever low pass for Azaz who drove into the area and his low shot from 10 yards was saved by legs of Stone and the ball appeared to strike the arm of Gibbins but the referee ignored the calls for a penalty. County stifled the threat Vale offered well and had another chance to put the game to bed on 90+1 minutes with Azaz linking well through the middle to find Telford. With Cooper making an intelligent run left side, gaps opened up but his shot from inside the “d” was diverted by Smith. County held out strongly despite 6 minutes of injury time with Street doing well to maintain possession under pressure and link. County worked the corners well to run down the clock and gain a thoroughly deserved win which damaged Port Vale promotion aspirations.

Townsend (8) — smart and efficient with distribution from deep with good kicks often with depth. Made some good decisions on crosses to punch and made a couple of key saves low down.

Haynes (7) — offered balance and timed his runs well left side to provide several decent crosses front post. Did well when turned back to defend and did a good job to stifle crosses

Norman (8) — pushed up higher and won several headers against Benning. Strong in the challenge and quick minded with his link play. Did well initiating steps in both the goals.

Clarke (7) — put under some pressure by Proctor but fended off challenges well and broke up play early tackling well. Recovered back several times to clear danger on crosses.

Pask (7) — did well on his less favoured side and built on sharpness from last game. Mopped up loose ball quickly and won some good headers but caught out a bit with marking on Vale goal.

Dolan (7) — sat deeper and offered composure and thought with passes. Won some good headers under pressure and supplied some excellent deliveries on set pieces including the winner

Azaz (9) — constant menace with his awareness to make runs and link play. Provided several decent opportunities, superb technique on the winner and could have had a hat trick today.

Cain (6) — had some good spells and was quick to react and win tackles but stayed largely deep and reserved competing well. replaced early in what looked a tactical change.

Bennett (7) — excellent first half, broke up threat early and kept passing neat and effective. Competed well in air and on the floor and only really digressed late on with some tired passes.

Telford (7) — busy game, movement was clever and was close on couple of situations front post. Held ball well final stages of the game and went close with blocked shots edge area.

Baker-Richardson (6) — seems to be getting sharpness after knock. Restricted on clear-cut chances, offered robust outlet in air and worked hard the ball before fading and being replaced.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — offered verve down both flanks and crosses into the area asked questions. Passed well inside County half.

Weaknesses — centre backs were laboured and left a little flat footed on times by movement County had. Distribution from deep was erratic and lost them momentum.

Opportunities — persisted with left side much of the first half but struggled for cohesion and adapted better after half time with Proctor dropping off to link play taking better care of ball.

Threats — best moves went through Proctor and Wilson. Garrity eye for a shot and late runs into the area. Worrall creativity right side and crosses.

OFFICIALS

C Brook (8) — managed game well and let is flow despite several competitive challenges which went a bit against the grain with his record of 9 red cards and 100+ bookings this season

MAN OF THE MATCH

Fin Azaz — probably his best performance in a County shirt and showed why he was voted EFL 2 young player of the year. Intelligent use of the ball and should have got more goals

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County made a great start which settled them down, but the balance and focus that was missing in some recent games was there in abundance today. Townsend came back in between the sticks and gave assurance but the key was the efficiency of his distribution to put County on the front-foot. After getting the early goal, County were also resilient but when they got the opportunity to push on they were bold and effective with their passes final third with the movement and variety key. County got to the byline well and put in some excellent crosses that were set early, rather from stand in positions and they had both Telford and Baker-Richardson in good positions to join up and knit moves. After Vale equalised, County also dealt with the storm well and asserted their game well after the changes to punish the gaps that evolved with the hosts forced to push on. County are a difficult side to play against when sides are chasing games due to the way they are set up and the only thing that let them down today was some untidy short passes deep inside their own half. Next up is the final league match at home to Rochdale which they will be keen to finish well on. County need to keep the same bite and shape but don’t waiver their approach. Rochdale are a mobile outfit who lean towards a 3–4–3 formation. County need to mirror their effectiveness from wide areas with O’Keefe prominent right side in transition and Charman robust and prepared to drop into gaps up top. County need to stifle their movement early and keep building their momentum.