Gutsy point as the few chances go begging
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 0
Carlisle United 0
Attendance:
Form:
Newport County dLWWWLLLWD
Carlisle United WDLLLWWWDd
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Not a game for shrinking violets, Carlisle have been up inconsistent but have shown intentions of a late run at the play off so County need to stifle their direct approach and pick gaps final third
CONDITIONS
Cool, clear and light breeze. Pitch looked a little worn and dry in parts but held condition well.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Honest, hardworking but bit tentative with passing and lacked cohesion.
TURNING POINT
None pivotal, but Maynard missed chance on stroke of half time was a big let off
THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with Lewis Collins replacing Joe Ledley who was on the bench and Dominic Telford was sacrificed for Nicky Maynard up front. County started purposively with a direct ball from deep by Demetriou inside the first minute testing the Carlisle defence. Maynard did well to get in front of Hayden and brush off a challenge but his shot on the turn from 20 yards went well over the bar. County made intentions to use their right flank with Collins making some runs dribbling at left back Armer but the difficult surface made impetus difficult and Carlisle cleared their lines. On 5 minutes, Collins and Guy were forced into treatment for head injuries after a collision but both recovered to continue with Guy looking the more tentative. The game was competitive but scrappy with the ball spending a lot of time in the air and County winning the head tennis. Carlisle made efforts to counter left side with Mellish busy and they worked some long throws down the flank which County managed well. County continued to probe away with some direct play to test Carlisle with Maynard and Taylor robust in the aerial challenges causing some anxious headed clearances but County were unable to win enough second ball losing momentum. On 15 minutes, Taylor did well to shield the ball under pressure from McDonald and set up a glimmer of chance for Maynard but his snapshot from inside the “d” was blocked well by Guy. County created a more fluent move on 18 minutes when Shephard timed his run well right side and swept over a decent cross right side of the area which Collins read in a deep position but failed to make a connection after a late run. Carlisle set their stall out to stifle County attacks into the final third and counter from deep and created a decent move on 20 minutes when Riley switched play from right to the left flank to find Mellish. He set up a half chance left side of the area for left back Armer who crept forward from deep but his low effort was held well by Townsend. The game degenerated mid-way though the half with several fouls interrupting the flow and Alessandra was booked for low lunge on Sheehan. Carlisle persisted with work long throws down the touchline by Armer gaining some better territory. On 27 minutes, a long throw by Armer into the County area was only half cleared and Guy struck an opportunist effort from 30 yards which drifted wide of the right post. Carlisle had a decent chance on 30 minutes from a free kick right side which Guy swept in and McDonald was first to the ball but his header from 8 yards went inches past the right post. Carlisle gained some confidence from some tidier approach play forcing County to defend some crosses as half time approached but the defence remained vigilant. County snapped out of their shell in first half injury time and should have taken the lead from a bright tricky run by Collins left side of the area. He threaded a neat pass for Maynard to latch onto but his effort from an acute was lofted rather than blasted low allowing Carlisle keeper to block the effort and the rebound was hooked clear.
Carlisle were the more decisive outfit early in the second half and County put themselves in trouble on 47 minutes. Lewis received a pass and had the opportunity to push on left side but some hesitancy allowed Patrick to steal the ball and break. He carried a strong run right side of the area and struck a low effort which Townsend did well to block with his feet. The game continued to be littered with fouls and County struggled to put five passes together with ball retention poor on times. On 55 minutes, from a promising position, some anxious passing by County deep inside the Carlisle saw Taylor pickpocketed and a quick break by Patrick through the middle was crudely obstructed by Dolan who was booked. County edged their way back into the game to test Carlisle with direct play and Demetriou ask questions with some long throws. On 60 minutes, a long throw was headed away by Carlisle and Lewis anticipated by latching onto the clearance but his first time volley from 25 yards dipped onto the bar. Carlisle created their best moves right side in transition and bright low move edge of the area on 62 minutes saw Riley set up a snapshot for Patrick from 25 yards but his low effort was dragged well wide of the right post. County were the own worst enemy on times squandering possession being too precise and short with their passes allowing Carlisle to thief the ball cheaply. Carlisle issued another warning on 70 minutes when Collins got the ball stuck under his feet and Guy was quick to pick out the run of Alessandra left side. He set up Patrick but his effort from 25 yards was deflected wide by Bennett for corner. Guy put in a testing delivery which County could only half clear and Patrick smashed an ambitious first time effort well over the bar. On 70 minutes, Mellish was booked for dangerous play after a high tackle on Bennett and County made their first change on 72 minutes with Maynard replaced by Amond. Carlisle worked a decent move on 75 minutes down the left side of the area with Alessandra threading a clever pass into Mellish. He struck a low shot from an acute angle which Townsend was equal to parrying the shot away. Carlisle made a change soon after with Mellish being replaced by Anderton who went right back with Devine dropping to right midfield. County picked up their game again with some more forceful runs especially left side through Collins who started to trouble Hayden with his pace. On 78 minutes, Collins was close when he forced his way goalside from a break left side and a low shot left side of the area was well held by Farman. Patrick remained the main threat for Carlisle and bright snappy move on 80 minutes saw Riley link well to find Patrick but he effort from 20 yards was dragged well wide of the left post. County forced Carlisle deeper in the latter stages with some long balls causing some uncertainty. On 82 minutes, Dolan did well finding an early direct pass to the face of the area to pinpoint Amond. He showed good awareness to turn away from McDonald and direct a quick shot forcing Farman to parry around the right post. County made another change on 87 minutes with Ellison replacing Dolan and Carlisle introduced Kayode for Zanzala up top. On 90 minutes, Ellison did well to slip a pass in behind for Amond who angled his run left side of the area. He got outside the keeper but was forced wide and his cross into the area eluded runs by Taylor and Collins. County created a couple of decent chances in injury time and were close on 90+3 when Shephard clipped back a clever pass right side of the area to Taylor who blasted over from 16 yards. Carlisle kept pressing right side but were nearly caught out on 90+6 when Collins broke the shackles with a strong run past Hayden left side but the shot was blocked well by Anderton left side of the area. Carlisle asked questions with a couple of long throws by Kayode right side but County held out with a draw a fair outcome.
Townsend (8) — not overworked but stood tall to make some important saves from Patrick and Mellish. Kicked well under pressure and was sharp with some useful long kicks
Lewis (6) — defended well and forced back on times by Patrick. Found little headway final third and crosses were more hopeful having to check back ofte8. Struck excellent volley against bar.
Demetriou (8) — won his headers well and dealt well with player on his shoulder clearing effectively. Did a lot of good worked to mop up danger and distribution was solid.
Shephard (6) — made some sporadic runs to support but restricted on crosses. Did better well Collins went left side which prised open more space for him particularly late on.
Dolan (7) — tidied up in behind and showed composure when needed. Won some brave headers and took a few knocks from late challenges. Set piece threat was limited
Bennett (7) — read game well and broke up threat early, dominated on aerial duals and got passes safe if not cutting. Went close on a couple of set pieces front post with late runs.
Collins (6) — bright and offered pace to get in behind but can improve on shooting. Did his best work when testing last man but got bogged down dribbling in wrong areas on times.
Labadie (6) — looked a little jaded at the end but pick battles well. Saw less influence in and around the area, too slow reading 2nd ball and restricted to a couple of harmless snap shots.
Sheehan (6) — quiet game, competed well never really got on the ball inside the Carlisle half enough to hurt and was well tracked. Struggled to make impact and settle into any rhythm.
Maynard (6) — showed signs he could unlock defence when Carlisle were forced deeper and had a couple of shots blocked first half making some good runs off last man
Taylor (6) — did well in the air when he met ball from an angle rather from a standing position. Bit tentative with short passes but had a couple of chances in and around the area
Strengths — full backs denied space quickly and they worked hard collectively as a unit in central midfield. Had outlets on the break to relieve pressure and dampen County’s momentum.
Weaknesses — both centre backs were less comfortable when turned back and more error prone late on with tiredness creeping in. Lacked patience to pass relying on runs from Patrick.
Opportunities — played percentage game, sat back to stifle for large spells and opted to pick up 2nd ball and get crosses in from wide positions. Made some headway taking quick throws.
Threats — Patrick dynamic runs right side and put in fair quota of shots, Guy set pieces and Alessandra link play left side.
OFFICIALS
L Swabey (7) — got key decisions right, did his best to allow advantage allowing a lot of the clambering to go on with some players being kicked black and blue.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mickey Demetriou — Learnt from the game at Carlisle — was well positioned dealing with headers from quick direct balls and squashed threat well right clearing his lines well.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County matched up well to battle across the middle of the pitch but couldn’t get their wide game going and were restricted on set pieces and winning corners. Quality from crosses was limited and the moves they constructed final third lacked cutting edge and cohesion with Collins most advanced on times when it needed to be Taylor or Maynard. County did ask some questions from direct play but they weren’t always reading the second ball quick enough with Labadie and Sheehan both off the pace a little. County will undoubtedly need to get them both influencing the game more in the final matches so as to pin sides deeper in their own half and sustain momentum better. Next up is Cambridge United at home and key County keep the same shape and limit chances with Mullin capable of angling runs left side and also prepared to shoot from distance so gaps need to be closed quickly. Hoolahan is key cox that makes them tick and passing needs stifling in and around the box. Cambridge will push on in this match as they will have a point to prove after their defeat by Exeter, but they do have softness through the middle with both central defenders vulnerable to direct runs.
