Incessant hunger for possession pays off

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Telford 69, Azaz 75)

Port Vale 1 (Garrity 25)

Attendance: 4,074

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DDWLLWLDDW

Port Vale WWWDLLWLWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Despite missing some key players Port Vale have been in decent form. They look set up quite defensively so key County keep patience in possession and be decisive when invited.

CONDITIONS
Cool, damp and drizzly with light breeze. Pitch was in excellent condition and fast on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Unshaken by going behind, persistent and enterprising second half with quality to finish off the game.

TURNING POINT
Telford goal sparked side into another gear.

THE MATCH
County made just the one change with top scorer Dominic Telford returning after Covid protocol replacing Lewis Collins who was on the bench. County started well with Norman doing well to influence matters right side and win some throws ins right side of the box which Port Vale managed to hook to safety. County switched attention to the left side with Lewis coming into the game and he got himself into a clever position on 7 minutes, supporting a neat move through the middle. He adjusted well to strike a decent effort which was well blocked by Walker. Vale sat in and were largely direct using the robustness of Garrity up top but County were quick to stifle any momentum. County offered a couple of promising moves in transition switching play to the left side with Azaz making some intelligent runs forward but Vale tracked his runs well with Walker and Pett crowding him out. County kept pressing the right buttons with Norman forceful right flank and he impeded winning a couple of free kicks for County. On 8 minutes, Walker was booked for pulling Norman back as he drove strongly for the half way line to the edge of the area. Port Vale were given another warning on 13 minutes when Norman forced his way past left wing back Gibbons and his cross near the byline was well cut out by Jones. With Vale struggling for cohesion, County went close on 15 minutes when a move inside from the right side released Telford who curled a decent effort from the right corner of the area just over the left post and bar. With County dominating territory, they worked an intricate move on 18 minutes across the face of the area and Azaz struck an excellent effort just over the bar from 20 yards. Vale eased their way into the game with some sporadic raids forward from deep using the link play of Conlon and industry of Garrity. On 25 minutes, Vale threatened when a County corner broke down cheaply and Conlon drove dangerously through the middle on the break forcing Lewis into a clumsy tackle from behind which he got booked for. Vale gained confidence and shook County moments later when centre back Jones was allowed drive forward left side from deep and he hit a stinging shot from 35 yards which Day appeared to have a clear view but could only push the ball into the path of Garrity who reacted first to stab home. County made efforts to pick up their game but found space at a premium with Vale working hard to protect their lead and sitting back. County opted to play from a deeper position snapping up play well with better alertness. On 33 minutes, Willmott did well to snap up possession deep in the County half after Vale had lost possession of the ball but he was caught by Pett who was booked. County kept probing away right side with Norman influential and he continued to win free kicks but Vale remained resolute dealing with the aerial ball clearing effectively. County were close again on 38 minutes when they worked the ball smartly from a quick free kick and Cooper threaded a pass inside for Lewis hit a rising shot from 25 yards just over the bar. On 42 minutes, County looked certain to equalise when they worked a neat low move left side with Dolan pinpointing the run by Azaz. He ghosted past Walker and his precise curling effort from left corner of the area was plucked out of the top right corner by the outstretched arm of Port Vale keeper Lucas. Port Vale looked grateful to get into the changing room and Lucas was booked soon after for time wasting on a kick by the referee.

County ramped up the pressure after half time forcing Vale deeper and they become more untidy with their clearances. On 48 minutes, County won a corner right side which Dolan whipped into the six yard box which Clarke reacted to but could only stab a low effort which went straight at Lucas. County kept the pressure up right side with Norman and Willmott working well in tandem and were rewarded with another corner on 50 minutes. Dolan changed the tact this time whipping into the front post and Demetriou stole in but his header under pressure went wide of the right post. County were close again moments later when a swift break left side invited Azaz to shoot but he elected to cross with both Telford and Baker-Richardson in support but the shot by Baker-Richardson from 10 yards was well blocked by Jones. County made their first change soon after with Baker-Richardson being replaced by Collins. County maintained their drive and a remaining menacing right side with Norman forcing Gibbons into the corner. On 60 minutes, Willmott did well to link with Norman and provide a vicious cross into the box which was just beyond the vital touch by Cooper. There was another warning for Port Vale on 62 minutes when they allowed space across the face of the area for Telford. He span before directing a curling effort from 25 yards just past the left post. Port Vale made a change on 65 minutes to add steal to their game with Burgess replacing Walker. County kept their focus and a snappy move from deep finally paid dividends on 69 minutes with Collins finding the run off Cooper left side of the area. His low cross pinpointed the late run of Telford superbly who stabbed low into the left corner beyond Lucas. County were galvanised by the goal and their hunger to maintain possession caused problems for the Vale defence which looked increasingly weary. Vale made a change up top on 74 minutes with Politic replaced by Bailey. Vale were keen to work their right side and offered some penetration with Cass prepared to push on but they were ruthlessly caught moments later when Collins broke well down the left side brushing past Cass and a clever ball inside found Axaz. He showed expertise to kill the ball and clip a curling shot into the top corner from 25 yards giving Lucas no chance. Vale made a defensive change on 78 minutes with Legge replaced by Benning who went left back with Gibbons going right back. County made a defensive change on 82 minutes replacing Telford with Bennett which conceded some territory with Vale having some penetration left side which tested County. On 85 minutes, Cooper was booked for a clumsy challenge on Pett as he attempted to drive Vale high up the pitch with a run through the middle. County were forced back but kept snapping at challenges to deny space and offer dynamic runs on the break. On 87 minutes, Port Vale were dealt a blow when Cooper was the more alert winning a ball through the middle and Jones went through dangerously late catapulting him into the air and the referee had no choice but to send him off. County made another change on 89 minutes with Azaz being replaced by Ellison who went left side with Collins switching to the right. In the 7 minutes of injury time County were happy to defend and look for gaps on the break. They were close to a third on 90+4 minutes when a great run by Collins in behind down the right flank opened Vale up and the low cross to the back was latched onto well by Ellison but he was denied by good save by Lucas. There was a late booking for Gibbons born out of frustration as County stifled a break right side with some robust defending. County held out strongly for a well earned win which moved them to one point off the automatic promotion places in the League Two…

Day (6) — had few problems to deal with from open play, distributed well from deep and kicked well under pressure but appeared to be deceived on shot from distance and slow to react

Norman (8) — prominent in best moves especially first half and won several free kicks in decent positions which were unpunished. Forced Gibbons deep and delivered some decisive crosses

Demetriou (7) — dealt well with Garrity and cleared danger in behind effectively. Drove forward when invited to add extra man in middle and went close on a couple of set pieces.

Clarke (7) — composed throughout, showed good understanding with Norman, won his aerial duals and tackled well. Went close a couple of times inside the area with snapshots.

Dolan (7) — busy game, rarely troubled and was able to initiate some good moves from deep. Put in fair quota of quality free kicks today and miraculously none reaped a reward.

Lewis (7) — defended stoutly and was bright coming forward with his link play. Restricted on crosses but went close a couple of times in and around the area striking ball with venom.

Azaz (8) — was well marked first half but still found chinks of light. Took up positions to threaten better second half and set up several good chances before getting goal he deserved.

Willmott (7) — offered composure playing from deep, competed well, bright and alert winning his challenges and added value with some cutting crosses into the area.

Cooper (8) — had a pretty quiet first half but gradually turned the screw winning ball earlier and timing runs from deep. Coped well after booking getting Jones sent to the changing room early.

Telford (7) — looked unaffected by lay off, worked hard throughout, restricted to shots from distance and despite finding less space inside the area took his one chance well.

Baker-Richardson (6) — struggled a bit with his retention and sharpness on ball. Got into some decent positions with late runs but denied with a couple of blocks inside area and replaced early.

Strengths — organised and compact defensively keeping composure under pressure, best moves came in transition

Weaknesses — resorted to direct play and never showed enough nerve to get on the ball. Wing backs were ineffective and conceded several free kicks and lacked discipline.

Opportunities — they switched tact to mirror County 3–5–2 but never really used the system that well. Did offer some better thought with the ball late on putting extra man in midfield.

Threats — Conlon was busy with ball on feet and Garrity linked well box to box. Legge headers off set pieces.

OFFICIALS

P Howard (7) — was a bit lenient with some of the time wasting first half and encroaching on throws ins but got key decisions right allowing game to flow well.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cameron Norman — did some vital work when play was squeezed and set up several good opportunities first half. His persistence driving forward characterised the County performance today.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

It was déjà vu for County having to comeback today after being dominant in territory and possession for large parts of this game, but again not getting their reward first half. Port Vale set up quite defensively from the offset and were happy to sit in and counter, but County soon learnt they could be just as effective winning the ball deeper and when they were dynamic Vale struggled to cope especially late on with tiring legs setting in. County were enterprising through the middle and much more decisive second half offering quality on both goals which was key. Both Norman and Lewis contributed very well and that was important on times with Vale happy to stifle and man mark through the middle. County need to keep their flexibility going into the important festive games with the bench likely to be key. Next up is Rochdale away who have drawn a lot of matches recently and got punished very late in their match at Bristol Rovers today. Rochdale are likely to play 3–4–3 with Beesley pivotal up top in aerial duals and Andrews picking up scraps and Odah pace left side. They will gamble, but do switch off defensively with their marking and set pieces inside the six yard box.