Indecision proves costly
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Crown Arena
Rochdale 3 (Beesley 2, 72 pen, Kelly 89)
Newport County 0
Attendance: 2,232
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County DWLLWLDDWW
Rochdale LDDWddDLLL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Rochdale have blown hot and cold this season and drawn a lot of games. Despite losing heavily last week they are an agile side and will carry threat County need to marshall.
CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and calm. Pitch in excellent conducive to football
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Naïve, despite seeing plenty of the ball didn’t hurt them and vulnerable throughout .
TURNING POINT
Cheap early goal didn’t help but Baker-Richardson chance which went begging mid-way through the second half was a key moment.
THE MATCH
County kept the same team but appeared to tweak the formation playing 4–2–2–2 formation with Dolan slotting into holding role in centre midfield alongside Robbie Willmott. Rochdale made the faster start and were ahead with County fans still taking their seats when a lofted ball through the middle was allowed to drop and with Dolan and Demetriou both leaving the ball to one another, Grant seized possession. He did well to pull back a pass to the edge of the area for Beesley who had made the most of space invited a calmly slotted low into the left corner beyond. The goal settled Rochdale and their movement early on gave County plenty of problems especially right side with wing back O’Keefe influential. On 5 minutes, another well crafted move right side saw O’Keefe thread a good pass in behind for Dooley and he dragged a shot wide of the left post from right side of the area. County were given another warning moments later with Dooley again ghosting in behind Lewis and his cross come shot from the right corner of the box was turned home at the back post by Beesley who was deemed offside. Rochdale continued to push on for a second goal with County struggling for cohesion. County did work some better moves right side with Norman pressing left wing back White but he did well to limit the threat. County worked some better moves through the middle with Azaz and Cooper snapping at possession. On 15 minutes, County squandered a decent chance when Azaz drove through the middle and link efficiently with Baker-Richardson. He had options to shoot or play a ball to feet into Telford who had peeled off with a great run left side but some dwelling on the ball allowed O’Connell to intercept. Rochdale continued to cause problems right side winning the ball well off some disjointed County moves left side with O’Keefe and Newby combining well in tandem. On 20 minutes, County were given another warning when they backed off defending a slick Rochdale move right side and Grant flicked a ball in behind for Newby. He adjusted well before blasting a decent shot just wide of the left post from an acute angle. County eased their way into the game with some better moves and more territorial dominance to force Rochdale to defend more. On 28 minutes, a more decisive County move left side saw Cooper find Telford and his caressed a good pass inside for Azaz to latch onto. He run in behind took him to edge of the area but the low shot from 20 yards was comfortably held by Coleman. On 30 minutes, Newby was allowed to roam into the right corner untracked and his snapshot was well blocked by Demetriou. Rochdale kept persisting right side with O’Keefe initiating some decent moves when the ball was switched from left to right. On 35 minutes, Dooley made a strong run forward for Rochdale exploiting acres of space offered cheaply by County. He threaded a ball wide to the right side of the area for Newby to latch onto and his snapshot from 20 yards was parried away by Day. County did create more of a threat as half time approached forcing Rochdale to defend deeper and some anxious clearances by the hosts gave County some opportunities to punish them. On 40 minutes, County had some half hearted appeals for a penalty when Cooper made a dynamic run from deep and his low pass found Azaz who played a quick pass into Telford just inside the area and he was shoved over as O’Donnell broke up the ball but the referee ignored the appeals. Rochdale continued to cause problems on the break and won a free kick on 42 minutes when Grant was caught late by Clarke. O’Donnell took the free kick but blasted well over from 30 yards when he should have tested Day. County then had their best chance of the half on the stroke of half time when Telford did well to set up a chance for Lewis who made a good supporting run but he could only drag his effort wide of the left post from just outside the “d”.
County came out more forceful second half with a couple of decent moves right side involving Norman. On 46 minutes, Norman did well to overlap right side of the area and cut back a low ball to front post to find Telford. He caressed a decent ball into Azaz who saw his shot from 8 yards well blocked by Dorsett. Moments later another bright move right side involving Norman saw him deliver an earlier cross into the area which Baker-Richardson read but his effort poked towards the right corner from 10 yards was claimed comfortably by the keeper. Rochdale set their stall out to absorb pressure but remained bold and positive on the counter. They showed their credentials again on 50 minutes with Kelly angling his run into the left corner and his shot on the turn from 25 yards drifted narrowly wide of the right post. County needed a change and they freshened things up on the hour with Dolan replaced Cain. County upped their game for a time with Norman influential right side and some crosses into the box caused problems for Rochdale but they managed to hook the ball to safety. On 64 minutes, Rochdale keeper Coleman was booked for time wasting as the hosts caught their breath. County kept probing away testing Rochdale with some long throws which they dealt well with and they broke quickly on 70 minutes from deep using their right side well. County appeared to have the situation under control with Demetriou in possession of the ball but he got drawn into a clumsy challenge on O’Keefe who pickpocketed the ball just inside the area. The referee awarded a penalty and booked Demetriou before Beesley slotted his penalty into the top right corner beyond Day and Norman was booked for dissent contesting the decision. County made efforts to pick up their game with Cain offering some much needed spring through the middle. On 75 minutes, Grant was booked for tangling with Cain as he penetrated down the right side. County made another change soon after with Abraham replacing Lewis as County switched to 3–4–3. County maintained their drive offering better cohesion and should have had a goal back on 77 minutes. A good switch from left to right saw Abraham find Azaz who made a piercing run through the middle. His precise pass to feet released Baker-Richardson free right side of the area but some delay in getting the shot in early allowed the keeper to smother. Rochdale made a double substitution on 80 minutes to pep up their midfield with Morley and Broadbent replacing Grant and Dooley. County had a series of corners on 85 minutes right side as they continued press the right buttons but Rochdale remained resolute dealing with the aerial ball inside their own box. With County committed, they were lucky to escape on 86 minutes when Rochdale broke well left side with left wing back White given the licence to run from box to box. He hit an ambitious effort from left corner of the area which Day could only beat into the path of Newby but he blasted over from 14 yards when he should have hit the target. County were ruthlessly punished on 87 minutes when they lost possession cheaply right side when a move broke down and Willmott was left exposed. His loose pass was intercepted by Beesley who drove down the left side and the cross cut back was struck home by Kelly who time to pick his spot from 12 yards. Rochdale made a change soon after replacing White with McNulty. County huffed and puffed in the final minutes and were close on 90+3 when Norman did well combine with Azaz who struck a decent curling effort from the right side of the box which Coleman did well to tip around the left post. Telford had another chance from a similar move deep in injury time after a good snappy low move and he got an early shot away from under his feet but again the keeper was alert to push away and protect the clean sheet the Rochdale worked hard for.
Day (5) — kicked well under pressure but well beaten on all the goals and slow to react on the opening goal. Beat away a couple of efforts from distance but couldn’t get ball safe.
Norman (7) — had a quiet first half but did his best to force the issue second half forcing White to defend deeper. Set up several decent opportunities through crosses which deserved better.
Demetriou (5) — struggled to deal with the flow of the moves right side for much of the first half, did well in aerial duals but looked laboured on times today and delay clearing lead to penalty.
Clarke (6) — dealt well with Beesley in the air and generally cleared well under pressure but gave away too many unnecessary free kicks when could have stood his ground.
Dolan (5) — another player that looked a yard off the ball and let down by alertness. Never looked comfortable in the holding role and even his usual reliable delivery on set piece was missing.
Lewis (6) — struggled in spells first half not knowing whether to get tight or back off and restricted on crosses. Had a better second half and made himself harder to beat before being replaced
Azaz (7) — battled well and the best moves went through him and was unlucky late on not to score. Set up some good chances when he had options on with runners.
Willmott (6) — offered composure and coordinated some decent low passing moves. Got on the ball well for a time second half with County pressing but left vulnerable defending when exposed.
Cooper (6) — firefighting on times, forced deep for much of the game and unable to get into positions to threaten and assist. Needs to get more shots in and be bolder final third.
Telford (6) — linked well with Azaz and did his best to hold up and coordinate moves across the face of the area but restricted to a couple of blocked shots in and around the area.
Baker-Richardson (5) — struggled for confidence, reluctant to get early shot in and get across the defender. Ball retention poor on times and should have been replaced mid-way through 2nd half.
Strengths — patterns of play right side constant headache for County, they took their chances well using pace on the break and worked hard to protect lead.
Weaknesses — when forced deeper centre back panicked with clearances which better sides would have punished. Left gaps throughout and left back lacked pace to recover
Opportunities — they didn’t over use the direct ball and showed flexibility to sit in and flood players forward on the counter second half which County struggled to deal with.
Threats — Beesley intelligent runs and aerial ability. Newby combined well with O’Keefe right side. Grant picked holes well on the break.
OFFICIALS
C Boyeson (6) — allowed the game to flow refusing to book for much of the game before late flurry of cards. Missed foul on Demetriou in lead up to penalty.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jake Beesley — looks capable of stepping up a division, was decent in the air but showed a lot of capability today with ball at feet to unsettled County and took his chances well.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were well beaten today and their reluctance to show teeth in the challenge and get on the backs of Rochdale allowed them to build momentum. They are not the side you really want to play chasing a goal from behind with the pace and power they offered on the break. However, the difference between the two sides was the decision making and alertness to the ball inside and use of the ball in and around the boxes and the hosts always had the edge there. County did have their moments, largely through the middle of the pitch and needed to take one of their chances, but they snatched at their opportunities. County left themselves far too open on times and despite them having the more experienced side, you would never had known it and they were second best in too many areas of the pitch. Game management is going to shape things going forward. Clean sheets are becoming a rare commodity for County and they need to start making themselves harder to beat and not rely on the magic of Telford or complex goals by Azaz, especially away from home. Next up, is Forest Green Rovers at home on Boxing Day where bouncebackability will be key. County have not had a very good record at home in matches against Forest Green and need to start the game faster. Rovers have strengths in transition from wide positions so key County nullify the threat from crosses supplied by Cadden and Wilson. If they can do that, first and foremost, they do have the edge to turn the screw through the middle of the pitch and across the face of the area.
