Gritty, hungry, important win for County
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Norman 54, Kavanagh 78)
Swindon Town 1 (Adeloye 90+1)
Attendance: TBA
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County LWLWLDdDDL
Swindon Town DLLdWLWLWD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Swindon have new manager Jody Morris and new signing Charlie Austin key to their link play. County have introduced two of their new signings and kept two on the bench which long strong.
CONDITIONS
Mild, partly cloudy with slight breeze. Pitch seems to have retained condition well through the winter.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Alert and persistent early on, patience and discipline well to get reward
TURNING POINT
Sending off put Swindon on the back-foot
THE MATCH
County made several changes from the side that was edged out losing at Carlisle three weeks ago. Nick Townsend replaced Joe Day in goal who was on the bench. James Clarke made a welcome return after injury replacing Declan Drysdale who has a long term injury. There were changes in midfield with Arron Wildig, Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Will Evans sacrificed to the bench with Scott Bennett. Adam Lewis and new signing Harry Charsley starting. Adam Lewis went left wing back with Aaron Lewis slotting into central midfield. There was another change up top with new loan signing from Manchester United Charlie McNeil replacing Lewis Collins who has gone out on loan at National Conference outfit Torquay United. County started the game with purpose with some forceful moves right side involving Charsley and Norman. On 2 minutes, Norman did well to coax a foul following a bright run right side just inside the Swindon half. Aaron Lewis took the free kick and provided a decent delivery into the area and Farquharson rose strongly from 10 yards but his header went straight at keeper Brynn. Swindon were forced back defending their left side but worked some good combinations in transition to give County plenty to think about with Austin and Iandalo combining well. On 10 minutes, Swindon combined well again with low move left side of the area involving Hepburn-Murphy and as the ball sat up to Austin his shot from 14 yards was deflected over the bar. On 15 minutes, County were again advanced with a snappy move right side and Norman was caught late by Iandalo. In the altercation that followed Hepburn-Murphy pushed Norman over as he was getting to his feet. The referee took time to consult and sent off Hepburn-Murphy and booked Clarke. Swindon adjusted switching from 4–3–3 to 4–4–1 with Austin up front. County continued to cause problems right side and a low move on 20 minutes saw McNeil hold up play well to thread a pass right side of the area for Norman. His deep cross found the extra man with Lewis in acres of space but his effort from 16 yards was thrashed wide of the left post. County used the extra man well playing patiently with some moves from deep to stretch Swindon around the pitch. On 26 minutes, County were close again when a Norman right side of the area pinpointed the late run of Charsley but his header from 10 yards looped just over the bar. Swindon were forced to play on the break but offered something from snappy quick moves to keep the County defence on the hop. On 28 minutes, there was a warning for County when a quickly taken free kick left side worked a cross from Iandolo which flashed deep near the right post but Swindon were slow to react. On 30 minutes, Charsley was close again when he combined well with McNeil to support around the edge of the area but the half volley was scooped just over the bar. County kept pressing and Charsley was even closer moments later following an efficient low move but his snapshot from 16 yards was well diverted by Iandolo. After a good spell, County lost some of their intensity and some mistakes crept in their game with some sloppy passing. County won a couple of set pieces and corners but the delivery was left short and lacked venom allowing Swindon to catch their breath. On 38 minutes, County lost possession needlessly gambling with a pass across the middle which Williams pinched and stole forward into space and Farquharson checked the run to earn a booking. Swindon had another player in the book on 42 minutes when Kadji was dragged across to cover a piercing run by Charsley down the flank but mistimed the challenge. Swindon were happy to play the ball from deep but varied their tact with some direct play to test County. In first half injury time, a move from deep by Swindon caught County napping when Brennan picked out the run by Austin and some indecision forced Farquharson into an untidy header to clear the danger which Townsend mopped up.
County started the second half looking to regain the initiative with Zanzala and McNeil offering plenty of running off the ball to keep the Swindon defence worked. On 50 minutes, Charsley did well to support a move right side and drive in near the byline. He chipped in a decent cross which found Aaron Lewis in space but his header from 10 yards was saved in the right corner by Byrnn. County got their reward on 54 minutes from an excellent low move left side involving Adam Lewis who overlapped timing his run to precision and the cross back post was anticipated well by Norman who stole in with a header to score. Swindon made a double substitution on 60 minutes with Williams replaced by Darcy and Clayton coming in central defence to replace Wakeling. Swindon adjusted to match County playing 3–5–1 with Hutton right wing back and Iandolo left wing back. Swindon were keen to use their left side and County had Norman in the book moments later when he made a tackle to recover tracking back to defend after a run from deep by Blake-Tracy. Swindon made another attacking change on 68 minutes with Jephcott coming for Kadji. Swindon had a better spell of possession with Jephcott sitting just behind Austin and pick holes. County responded with a double substitution on 70 minutes with Moriah-Welsh replacing Charsley and another new loan signing from Middlesborough Calum Kavanagh replacing McNeil. Moriah-Welsh was keen to get on the ball and was on the end of a couple of challenges which went unpunished much to the frustration. He recovered well and County were close to extending the lead on 76 minutes when they worked the ball from left to right with Kavanagh finding Moriah-Welsh but his low drive from 20 yards was well held by the keeper. County extended their lead on 78 minutes with a slick counter from deep inside their own area. The ball was shifted wide to the right channel and Norman did well to ghost his run right side creating space for Moriah-Welsh to cut inside. He threaded an excellent low pass through the middle for Kavanagh who cleverly dummied the ball in front of Brennan and Aaron Lewis profited picking the loose ball and returning the pass to Kavanagh to slot home from 10 yards. County made another change on 80 minutes with Evans replacing Zanzala and Bogle came on for Adam Lewis with County switching to 3–4–3. Swindon kept forcing play to use their left side with Clayton coordinating some moves from deep. On 86 minutes, Clayton was given time to thread a pass left side for Iandolo who found Blake-Tracy and cut a clever pass inside for Jephcott. He turned smartly past Clarke to drill a low shot from 16 yards which Townsend held well low down. On 89 minutes, County worked a good move in transition right side exploiting space with Kavanagh coaxing a foul right side of the area. From the resultant free kick by Lewis, Farquharson did well to protect the ball and set up a half chance for Moriah-Welsh but he scooped his effort from inside the “d” high and wide of the right post. Swindon made a change on 90 minutes with Austin replaced by Adeloye. County switched off on 90+1 minutes with Swindon getting their reward for persistence left side. Iandolo released Darcy left side of the area and his low cross was seized upon by Adeloye who was given space to turn and poke his shot into right corner from 10 yards. County had a great chance to kill the game on 90+3 with Kavanagh again doing well to find a great position off a set piece but his snapshot from 10 yards was claimed well by Brynn. County then had keeper Townsend booked for running down the clock delaying his goal kick. On 90+6 minutes, County had another chance to kill game when they worked a direct move through the middle and with Bogle and Kavanagh well positioned to score Bogle placed a low shot against the base of the left post from just inside the area. Swindon threatened to spoil matter with some late pressure in the 8 minutes of injury time played but were unable to test Townsend and County held on for an important win.
Townsend (6) — had few clearcut saves to make apart from the shot on turn by Jephscott. Kicked and distributed well and perhaps unsighted on the goal but could have done better.
Adam Lewis (7) — saw less of the ball than Norman but when he got forward he was decisive and provided some excellent crosses. Set up opening well and always a menace back post with late runs.
Farquharson (8) — dealt well with Austin kept him quiet and decision making was good when to go tight and drop off. Was a nuisance on set pieces crafting chances for others and should have scored.
Demetriou (7) — strong in the air and cleared safely when he checked back. Did well first half to knit play and force moves further up the pitch. Long throws went shorter but were effective.
Clarke (7) — excellent game after lay off, did well in aerial duals and made some well timed challenges to avert danger. Read play well and distributed well from deep.
Norman (8) -busy first half, at the heart of best play winning several free kicks. Put in several crosses and stole in superbly to score. Forced deeper after booking but remained disciplined under pressure
Bennett (6) — solid game, gave assurance to pick up bit and pieces and used ball effectively. Competed well in the air and on the floor
Charsley (8) — good debut, settled in well giving verve right side and went close several times with shots in and around the area. Did some good work to drive the byline before fading.
Aaron Lewis (7) — made some stern tackles and when he got the ball from under his feet quicker he used it well. made some good runs into the area and but let down with finishing.
McNeil (6) — had few if any clearcut chances but his link play was slick and when he retained the ball gave problems. Pressed defenders well and kept working before being replaced.
Zanzala (6) — frustrating game, quite narrow with his runs and did better when he had freedom to run wide. Limited with chances but kept persevering to close down and press defenders which was key
SWOT ANALYSIS (Swindon Town)
Strengths — they worked some good moves in transition and offered technical ability to pass and move. Kept spirit up despite the red card and made a honest fist of the game.
Weaknesses — committed several silly fouls early on and always looked vulnerable off set pieces and quick crosses. Both full backs were bold but gave opportunities in behind.
Opportunities — they adjusted well second half to match County changing formation a couple of times and persisted with left side moves which got them a goal.
Threats — Austin link play, Jephcott eye for a shot, Darcy and Blake-Tracey gave verve left side. Williams was clever knitting play through the middle.
OFFICIALS
N Hair (7) — tried to let game flow and play advantage, ignored some late tackles and penalty claim by County but got key decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Harry Charsley — intelligent reading of the game, brave and determined in the tackle. Could have had a hat trick and did very well considering limited gametime last couple of months.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County manager Graeme Coughlan was carving out a modest career in the Leinster Senior League when County chairman David Hando galvanised Newport AFC to reform and play in the Hellenic League in their inaugural season 89–90 season after reforming. County put on a fitting tribute to the late David Hando and a gutsy performance he would have approved of and reminded us to never relax or take things for granted. County can be pleased with large parts of their performance and you felt they were just missing that extra bit of quality and guile from crosses and set pieces to punish Swindon. Charsley had a bright debut, the midfield three worked well in tandem and hunted in packs to win the ball. After Swindon went down to ten men, County had more dominance in possession and territorially, but needed to keep their discipline and composure. Their best moves came when they shifted the ball quicker from under their feet, often limiting touches and Kavanagh increased the goal threat with his ability to bounce off challenges and pick good positions early. The late goal made this feel less comfortable and despite Swindon changing tact late on when County sat much deeper, they were good value for this win. Next up is Barrow away who are in a bit of a slump after a strong start to the season. Barrow are likely to play 4–2–3–1 and may use Waters up-top as a false 9. Barrow will press hard off the ball as a unit and often opt for direct play via kick outs by keeper Farman or moves from deep. County need work hard to defend from front to back and punish their lack of height inside the box.
