Gutsy team performance seals Cup win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: The Hive

Barnet 1 (Pritchard 37)

Newport County 4 (Payne 6, Bogle 13, Collinge 25 own goal, Palmer-Houlden 76)

Attendance: 1,451

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County WLDWLWdLDL

Barnet WDWWLLLLDW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Barnet caused problems at Rodney Parade with pace in wide areas and crosses so key County stifle ball and use it quicker. Retention and tempo key to turn Barnet around and exploit space.

CONDITIONS

Cloudy with some light drizzle and breezy. Pitch in decent condition but a bit slippery in parts.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Disciplined, focussed man for man stood up and varies passing game taking chances well

TURNING POINT

Bogle second goal settled County into a nice rhythm

THE MATCH

County were force into one change with Will Evans failing a fitness test despite being named on the bench and he was replaced by Bennett. County tweaked to a 3–5–2 formation with Barnet adopting the 3–4–3 formation that caused problems at Rodney Parade. County started with verve and issued an early warning inside the first minute when a direct ball left side was chased down by Palmer-Houlden left side and Barnet keeper came out of his area to clear but some indecision allowed McLoughlin to nip in and seize the ball left side of the area but his cross was weak allowing the keeper to recover. Barnet had some early possession but were caught out by a sucker punch on 6 minutes with County knitting an excellent move from deep going through several players. Morris supplied a pass to Bogle left side of the area and his low cross was slammed into the roof of the net by Payne who had made a great run from deep. County gained confidence from the early goal limiting their touches well and caused problems for Barnet with some direct moves. Barnet eased their way into the game with some neat passes using Kanu as an outlet left side but the crosses were well dealt with. Barnet also worked some moves right side with Cropper showing his prowess to provide long throws into the six yard area. County held firm an extended their lead on 13 minutes with Bennett instigating their move with a decisive break through the middle and he threaded a pass right side for Payne who overlapped well. He clipped a decent low cross into the area which Palmer-Houlden couldn’t quite get a touch to, but Bogle was on hand timing his run to stab home inside the 6 yard box. Barnet made efforts to pick up their game with Kanu seeing plenty of the ball and went close on 16 minutes when a pass from deep by Potter found Kanu who carried a strong run forward and powered a decent effort from 25 yards just past the right post. County continued to cause problems for Barnett when they shifted the ball quickly. On 18 minutes, Bogle won a free kick spinning off a challenge from Potter and Morris struck a decent effort from 35 yards forcing Walker to tip onto the bar. On 20 minutes, Kanu caused problems when he cut inside near the left channel and coaxed Payne into a clumsy challenge which got him a booking. County made a tactical change switching Payne to left back and McCloughlin going to right back. The change however settled County and they were close again on 23 minutes when a quick move through the middle saw Bogle released and he had support out wide but a minor delay with the pass to Wildig saw him flagged marginally offside. County kept probing away and they extended their lead on 26 minutes when Bennett clipped a smart measured pass in behind which Bogle chased down putting pressure on centre back Collinge and with the keeper Walker in no mans some indecision saw the ball headed over the keeper into the empty net. Moments later there was a controversial moment when Kanu lost the ball in challenge with McCloughlin and appeared to stamp on his stomach but the official failed to pick it a blatant red card. Barnet continued to play patiently and maintain possession working some moves right side with Cropper seeing more of the ball. On 32 minutes, Barnet delivered a decent cross right side of the area with Pritchard manufacturing some space to pinpoint Potter who hit a first time effort from 8 yards, but he was denied by an important interception by Delaney. Barnet kept pressing right side winning a series of corners which County dealt well with clearing their lines effectively. On 37 minutes, Barnet were back in the game when a long throw by Cropper right side was glanced on by Collinge at the front post. The appeared to be no danger but Pritchard anticipated at the back and got a somewhat debatable touch with his hand but the goal was awarded. County held the ball to maintain a better control of the game as half time approached but Barnet were close again on 45+1 minutes when Pritchard showed good vision to slip a pass to Kanu left side. He jinked inside and hit a decent effort left corner of the box forcing Townsend into an excellent parry over the bar.

Barnet made a change at half time with Stead coming on wide right in the three up top in place of Armstrong. Barnet made the early running with Pritchard and Kanu working well in tandem left side. On 47 minutes, Pritchard threaded a low pass for Kanu who carried a strong run across the face of the area and his shot near the “d” was deflected wide of the left post by Baker. County set their stall out to absorb pressure and play on the break with Morris and Wildig showing good vision with their passes. On 50 minutes, McCloughlin made a well-timed run to penetrate right side of the box and cut back a low cross into the area which Palmer-Houlden latched onto but his effort was parried away right side by Walker. On 52 minutes, County were closer when a neat exchange saw Bogle this time craft a move left side. He released Palmer-Houlden left corner of the box who blasted a decent effort which Walker tipped over the bar. In a series of chances for Palmer-Houlden he was close again on 56 minutes when he anticipated the drop down from a long kick out by Townsend but scooped his effort just over the bar from 16 yards. The game continued to ebb and flow with Barnet throwing in some testing crosses into the six yard box but County remained focussed clearing well. They remained a threat on the break and had another decent chance on 64 minutes when Wildig angled his runs left side of the area and his early cross was seized upon by McCloughlin but he was denied by a late intervention. Barnet continued to persist with the left flank using Kanu and he was close on 66 minutes darting inside near the left corner of the area and his curling effort struck the bar. County responded with some direct moves to test Barnet which unsettled their rear-guard. On 70 minutes, Bogle did well to draw a foul high up the pitch after some neat control under pressure from Okimo. The resulting free kick from 25 yards taken by Morris dipped viciously forcing Walker to parry the ball away left side. Barnet made another change on 72 minutes with Okimo replaced Stevens right side of defence and another soon after up front with Hooper replacing Cropper. County got their fourth goal with Palmer-Houlden finally getting his reward with some great anticipation to run through the middle following a clever pass by Bennett. He carried his run to the edge of the area confidently placing his shot from 14 yards into the right corner. County made a defensive change on 78 minutes with Wildig replaced by Charsley. Barnet continued to probe away with some moves right side involving Stead. On 80 minutes, Stead showed good vision when he got outside Payne near the byline and cut back a pass to Hooper in space. He hit a decent first time effort from 12 yards which fizzed just over the bar. With Barnet committed forward, County were close to a fifth goal on 85 minutes when Bennett saw space early to turn through the middle and slip a lofted pass to Palmer-Houlden left side of the area but his volley from 14 yards was saved by Walker. County then had Charsley in the book for a mistimed tackle from behind on Brunt as he advanced right side. County made another change on 90 minutes with Rai introduced for Bogle. Barnet showed spirit to keep plugging away in injury time with the lively Kanu seeking a goal but his day was summed up on 90+3 when he dribbled left side of the area into space but overran the ball. County had McCloughlin booked on 90+5 minutes for catching Kanu late but the foul was all the way back near the Barnet area and came to nothing. County held on for a deserved win and Barnet perhaps reflecting on a lost opportunity in the “first” game.

Townsend (8) — made a couple of big saves, tested on some crosses whipped into six yard box but was loud and focussed organising defence. Direct some useful kicksfrom deep which caused problems

Payne (7) — put under pressure by Kanu but got tight and limited crosses. Coped well after booking, stay composed and did well when he switched sides. Took his chance well following run from deep.

McCloughlin (8) — worked hard to contain Kanu and made several key recoveries when he was beaten. Offered counter presence to attack and make crosses timing runs and went close a couple of times

Delaney (8) — dominated in the aerial duals, kept Kabamba relatively quiet with some strong tackles and blocks. Nuisance on set pieces and distributed well under pressure.

Clarke (7) — swept up well in behind and was alert making some effective headers and clearances under pressure. Competed well shaking knock off early in the second half

Baker (7) — supported well defending right side and tracked danger when Kanu found space. Made several well times tackles, rushed some clearances but got ball safe.

Wildig (8) — easing back to match fitness after injury. Made several well timed runs and linked patterns of play intelligently final third. Generous on times going for assist when he had chance to score

Morris (7) — sat deeper but gave assurance rarely wasting a pass. A lot of the best moves went through him with the turnover effective. Went close again on a couple of shots from distance

Bennett (8) — played attacking midfielder role well picking gaps very well and had a hand in all the goals. Did a lot of good work to interrupt and stifle across the line and competed well in the air.

Bogle (7) — dropped off to link and when he got the ball from under his feet quicker Barnet were often in trouble. Contested direct balls well not always winning but latched onto second ball.

Palmer-Houlden (8) — nuisance throughout with his pressing off the ball and unsettled Barnet defence winning ball in behind. Went close several times but he got well deserved goal late on.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Barnet)

Strengths — they manufactured some decent crosses from tight areas out wide and passed well top end of the pitch

Weaknesses — lacked quality inside the area and were a bit predictable forcing wide areas. Centre back vulnerable when left 1v1 and goalkeeper flapped on some clearances.

Opportunities — never really changed formation. Kept passing and spraying ball wide at every opportunity but went closer with shot drifting inside.

Threats — Kanu industry and pace left side and eye for a shot. Best moves went though Pritchard. Cropper long throws into six yard box were challenging.

OFFICIALS

C Hicks (6) — lenient, let a lot go but generally managed game well playing advantage. Didn’t pick up on stamp by Kanu and handball on the goal.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Seb Palmer-Houlden — timely return to form with Evans injured. Work hard off the ball and was intelligent with his runs always a threat when defence was span. Could have had a hat trick today.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County learnt quickly from the first game, working well collectively to deny Barnet any sustained rhythm. The hosts main thrust came from early, sometimes hopeful crosses into the area but County were alert dealing with that threat and thoughtful with their use of the ball in the turnover. After Payne was booked they also adjusted quickly which was important to settle the side down. When County got the ball shifting quick today they caused problems but by varying their passes well, it always gave Barnet plenty to think about. Next up is Grimsby Town at home in the league. Grimsby have improved under new manager David Artell who has galvanised them into hard working outfit who will press aggressively. Grimsby are likely to play 4–2–3–1 formation with Eisa and Gnahoua eager with runs supporting wide areas on the break but will tuck in narrower defending. Rose offers guile as an outlet up-top to buy time to bring in able runners often outside the box, with Hunt a key cog to their link play and his runs need tracking. Grimsby have not won away from home this season so will be determined. County may need to remain patient in this one — Bogle can be key link to move Grimsby around but can’t be left too isolated.