Improving County dent Crewe promotion hopes

Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Gresty Road

Crewe Alexandra 0

Newport County 3 (Antwi 33, Ajiboye 45+2, Baker-Richardson 82)

Attendance: 4,472
Match Rating: ***


Form:
Newport County dWLLLLLDWW
Crewe Alexandra dLdWWdWLDD


PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Crewe are missing some players through injury so key County play to their strengths. Pitch looks very erratic so care needs to be taken so they find the right balance with passing.

CONDITIONS
Cold, cloudy with some light rain and keen breeze. Pitch look quite bare in parts and was bobbly not helping control.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Road luck early on but turned the screw after scoring with some well taken goals.

TURNING POINT
Ajiboye goal on the stroke of half time

THE MATCH
County manager Nelson Jardim had the rare luxury of keeping the same team that won mid-week against Morecambe. The hosts settled the quicker and County were given an early warning when Crewe right back Cooney made a bold run right side leaving Glennon static and his early cross flashed deep across the area eluding the late run of Tracey. County elected to play direct using Baker-Richardson as an outlet but Crewe managed the threat well and were quick to turn defence into attack. On 8 minutes, Crewe worked another decent move right side Cooney threading a low pass right side of the area for Tabiner. He cut back a decent cross into the area which caught County napping and Holicek anticipated well but the header from 10 yards went straight at Townsend. County made efforts to pick up their game but some indecision allowed Crewe to prise the ball away and pick holes with Tabiner and Cooney busy together right side. County had some better penetration right side with Thomas easing his way into the game with some efficient passes down the flank. On 12 minutes, County had a throw right side deep in the Crewe but some poor retention put them in trouble with Crewe switching play quickly from left to right finding Cooney in space. He found Tabiner who set up Sanders for a snapshot shot from outside the box which went high and wide of the right post. County put themselves in trouble on times playing football in the wrong areas with the pitch erratic in bounce. Crewe continued to probe away right side and won a corner on 16 minutes which was taken quickly and Powell delivered a decent cross into the box but Holicek could only direct his stretching header wide of the left post from an acute angle. County eased their way into the game with some better efficiency using the ball quicker inside the Crewe half which unsettled them into some untidy passes. On 25 minutes, Crewe again threatened from a cross following a corner left side which Powell delivered well but the header from O’Riordan inside the six yard box went over with Baker-Richardson doing well to pressurise. On 33 minutes, County punished Crewe following a corner right side by Glennon and with the hosts struggling to clear their lines Cameron Evans caressed a neat pass for Antwi who drilled a low shot from 12 yards into the right corner. County gained confidence from the goal settling into a better rhythm and had a couple of decent situations from crosses right side by Ajiboye and Thomas with them working well in tandem. On 42 minutes, Crewe were close to an equaliser following a move left side initiated by Conway and he drove deep into the left side of the box but his low shot was well cleared by Baker inside the six yard box. County extended their lead on 45+2 catching Crewe asleep when a direct kick by Townsend was glanced on well by Antwi. The loose ball was read well by Kamwa and showed great vision to adjust and clip a pass through the middle and Ajiboye ghosted in to take the ball around the keeper Marschall and slot into the empty net.

Crewe shook things up at half time making a double substitution with midfielder Finney on for left back Conway and Lowery a like for like change for Sanders in attacking midfield. Crewe kept probing away setting a good tempo. On 48 minutes, Crewe were close following a move in transition left side with Holicek find space and his cross was deflected to outside the box and Lowery in acres of space inside the “d” thrashed a low effort wide of the left post. County responded with some direct moves using Baker-Richardson who caused problems winning his aerial duals and when County made the ball stick they unsettled Crewe. On 55 minutes, Baker-Richardson did well left side to fend off a challenge by Cooney and carry a strong run left side. From an acute angle he blasted a decent effort just past the corner of the right post and bar. Crewe kept pressing right side with Cooney supporting some moves but there were opportunities for County attack left side exploiting gaps in behind with Glennon getting more forward to supply crosses. On 60 minutes, County put themselves in trouble when Thomas appeared to have the ball under control defending near the byline. Some indecision allowed Holicek to pinch the ball and his quick cross found Lowery inside the “d” but his low shot went wide of the left post when he should have worked Townsend. Crewe made a change straight after with Thibaut replacing centre back Knight-Lebel with them switching tact to play a 3–4–3 formation to match County. Crewe made efforts to raise the bar again and Ajiboye was booked for tangling with Lowery as he drove forward left side to exploit space invited. On 66 minutes, County had Thomas booked when he checked the run of Holicek and Antwi was booked for dissent protesting over the decision. Crewe had a great chance to peg County back on 73 minutes when Cooney angled his run right side of the area to manufacture some space. His deft cross dropped and with the County defence ball watching Thibaut unmarked headed wide of the left post from 8 yards. County made a double substitution on 75 minutes with Martin replacing Antwi and new signing from Barry Town Keenan Patten replacing Ajiboye with County adjusting to a 3–5–2 formation. On 78 minutes, Crewe worked a decent low move right side when Tabiner broke from deep and with no tackled forthcoming he elected to cross early pinpointing Holicek but the header from 10 yards was weak and Townsend claimed well. With Crewe overzealous coming forward, County punished them ruthlessly on 83 minutes when a fast break right side saw Thomas make a tricky run right side of the area and his neat side step created space to cross near the byline. The precision of the cross pinpointing Baker-Richardson back post left him with a simple task of heading into the top left corner beyond the grasp of Marschall. Crewe were forced into a change on 87 minutes with Finney pulling up and he was replaced by Billington. Count responded with a double substitution on 90 minutes with Jameson replacing Evans and Kamwa sacrificed for Spellman. In injury time, Crewe introduced a youngster Agius in midfield in place of Holicek. On 90+2 minutes, Crewe forced a move from deep with Thibaut booked for dangerously contesting an aerial ball with Clarke after he was caught late. County looked capable of extending their lead in injury time on were close on 90+4 minutes following a set piece and Clarke hit his shot on the turn from 12 yards fizz just over the bar. On 90+7 minutes, County were close again when Thomas drove into space right side and he cut back a cross which McLoughlin anticipated well but the header from 12 yards looped just over the bar. County held out strongly to claim a double over a Crewe side chasing promotion and got a warm appreciation from the travelling away support.

Townsend (7) — distributed well with kicks from deep under pressure, safe hands saving some headers from crosses and set up second goal well with neat pass.
Thomas (8) — solid defending, key outlet first half when side under pressure. Coped well after booking, produced superb cross for third goal putting ball on a plate for Baker-Richardson

Baker (7) — won some strong headers facing forward and got tight quickly to stifle threat when Tracey was on the ball. Has prowess in the air and needs to be more dominant on crosses.
C Evans (7) — did a good job reading the danger and mopping up threat in behind. Got ball safe with clearances and continues to offer value on set pieces and crosses
McLoughlin (8) — played an important role to steady ship in the middle of the pitch seeing ball early and was clever with his link play. Went close with a couple of late runs into the box.
Glennon (6) — put under pressure defending first half with Cooney prominent and didn’t get tight enough. Came more into the game second half and showed capability with crosses.

Clarke (8) — forced to deal with several direct moves and coped well with aerial balls stifling impact and cleared the ball efficiently. Organised and lead the defence well under pressure
Antwi (7) — had a good first half, competed well and shaped some good moves with quick feet taking goal well. was put under pressure after unnecessary booking and replaced earlier.
Kamwa (7) — worked hard but found space at premium when game was messy first half. came more into the game when play was stretched and clever touch to find Ajiboye on second goal.
Baker-Richardson (8) — seemed to have point to prove against former club. Did well contesting across the line winning some good headers and press errors. Well positioned on third goal
Ajiboye (7) — struggled to make impact first half until he got the goal and improved level of performance after half time timing his runs from deep until replaced.


SWOT ANALYSIS (Crewe Alexandra)
Strengths — produced some neat combinations of play final third and crosses from tight areas.
Weaknesses — struggled to recover when turned back and lacked pace. Overzealous in wide areas and got punished. Despite creating some decent chances finishing wayward.
Opportunities — went for the jugular in early stages before costly lapsed. Changed to three at the back later in the game to match County but had little impact.
Threats — Tracey fended off challenges and offered pace in behind. Lowery shots from distance and both Tabiner and Cooney crossed well right side.

OFFICIALS
J Oldham (8) — rarely noticed him, kept game flowing well and punished with bookings at the right time.


MAN OF THE MATCH
Joe Thomas — positioned well with intelligent link play timing runs perfectly especially second half. Supplied some excellent crosses again and moment of magic on third goal.


IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started the game slowly and struggled to adjust to the poor pitch playing in the wrong areas on times and poor decision making impaired their flow. Crewe should have been ahead before County scored, but paid the price despite getting a number of goalscoring opportunities they fluffed their lines. County learnt fast and produced much more threat when they went direct with Baker-Richardson showing his credentials. When County seized on the debris or retained the ball they were menacing with Kamwa and Ajiboye making snappy supporting runs. County need to keep working on their resilience to limit crosses and defend their six yard box because they allowed Crewe some free hits from close range. County are a difficult side to tame when a side is chasing down a deficit and they punished Crewe ruthlessly in wide areas to exploit gaps in behind with Thomas again revelling right side. Next up is Carlisle United at Rodney Parade and the key now is to prevent any complacency. Despite losing today, Carlisle will be a different animal under new manager Mark Hughes with less emphasis on playing from the back and using more direct play to test the concentration of opponents. Carlisle are likely to play a 4–2–3–1 formation with Hugill hardworking up top and Harris offering pace left side with Wearne guile to link play on the right side. County need to match their work ethic and protect when moves break down. County need to maintain variety with their passes but also be bold and use Baker-Richardson as a key outlet in transition.