Indifferent County outfought by Salford
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 0
Salford City 2 (Azaz 44 own goal, Thomas-Asante 52)
Attendance:
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County LLWLDDWWLD
Salford City LWWDWDWLLW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Salford are missing several key attacking players and look set up to compact the midfield and counter. Key County win their battles and keep their passing low and set a good tempo.
CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and breezy. Pitch was fast and glossy but in excellent condition.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Indecisive, stood off too many challenges got outfought and outwitted
TURNING POINT
Salford second goal early in second half knocked the stuffing out of County.
THE MATCH
County were forced into one change with captain Matt Dolan injured and he was replaced by Jake Cain but Mickey Demetriou returned in defence in place of Scott Bennett who was on the bench. County made a surprise switch in formation changing to 4–4–2 with Cain in central midfield. Salford had the benefit of the keen breeze in the opening period and made the more forceful start to the game which set a precedent. Salford were keen to press up high and won a couple of early throws either side of the 18 yard box which County dealt well with. Despite being forced back, County channelled a couple of decent long balls from deep to turn the Salford defence around but they were able to clear effectively. Salford played 4–5–1 using the pace of Asante up top and looked to measure some direct passes but they got overplayed on the wind allowing County to recover. On 12 minutes, County worked a decent opportunity right side when Cooper drove into the right corner and cut back a decent cross near the byline which Telford latched onto inside the six yard box but appeared to stumble under the shot allowing King an easy save low down. Salford were keen to press up in middle to deny space using their five man midfield well. On 15 minutes, Vassell stifled a half hearted County move left side and his quick low pass into feet found Asante right side of the area and his low shot on the turn from 14 yards was held well by Townsend. County eased their way into the game with some better cohesion through the middle but Salford worked hard off the ball to restrict the flow with Lowe and Lund snapping at challenges. County created a half chance on 18 minutes when Norman got forward in support right side of the area to receive a quick throw and cut back a pass to Cain edge of the area but his weak shot was deflected allowing King an easy claim. County worked a decent move on 20 minutes again from the right side when Norman jinked outside Love and cut back a low pass for Azaz right side of the area but his snapshot was wide of the left post. County had a decent chance on 24 minutes when they broke well from the middle of the pitch with Azaz slicing through the middle. His pass out wide picked out the run of Cooper who clipped back a neat cross to front post which Baker-Richardson read well but could only poke his effort against the outside of the right post. Salford kept looking for the long ball to exploit County in transition with Asante using his pace and awareness well to snap up possession. On 26 minutes, a neat exchange by Lowe set up Oteh but he blasted well over from 25 yards. Salford worked some better moves from deep using left back Love who despite being predominantly right footed was able to link up play well inside. Salford gained some confidence from better passes moves with County becoming more indecisiveness and allowing build some momentum. Salford were forced into a change on 32 minutes with former County right back Liam Shephard not recovering from an injury and he was replaced by Golden. On 35 minutes, Salford were again the more alert and tenacious winning the ball well in the middle and Lowe struck a powerful effort from 30 yards which Townsend saved well. County stuttered into the half time break lacking conviction and desire on times especially in the middle of the pitch and when they did get opportunities to cross the delivery was short and tepid. Salford sensed their opportunity and took full advantage on the stroke of half time when County lost possession cheaply in the right corner. Asante won the ball despite having two County players around him and switched play well from left to right to pick out Vassell in acres of space. He cut back a deep cross from near the right byline which looked harmless but some slacking marking by County allowed Morris the freedom to cut back an hopeful cross into the area which deflected against Azaz and went into the net.
Salford came out for the second half determined to protect their lead and their eagerness to win the first and second ball stifled County. On 47 minutes, the indifference in the County side was shown up when a cross into area saw the smallest player on the pitch Oteh glance a header from 10 yards unmarked wide of the left post. With County remaining indecisive, Salford punished them ruthlessly on 52 minutes but this time it was the centre back Turnbull being allowed the freedom of Rodney Parade when his run through the middle went unchallenged. He dinked a pass into Asante who span into acres of space offered a drove low into the net from 10 yards past Townsend. County made a change on 56 minutes with Lewis replaced by Haynes to give more thrust left side. Haynes offered more balance and a better move on 58 minutes saw him support a move deep in the Salford half and link inside to find Cain who struck an effort from 25 yards wide of the right post. Salford remained in control with Lund and Lowe winning the ball and using it effectively in transition. County made a double substitution on 67 minutes with Collins introduced up front in place of Azaz and Bennett on for Cain as they switched to a 4–3–3 formation. On 70 minutes, County forced Salford to defend deeper with a move around the edge of the area and Bennett set up Demetriou for a half chance but his effort from 20 was deflected wide of the right post. Salford responded with a change soon after with Oteh replaced by Wright. County made efforts to pick up the tempo and lift spirits but Salford remained robust slowing the game cynically at every opportunity. On 73 minutes, Norman was booked for an altercation with Lund who prevented the throw from being taken quickly and he was booked as well. County had a decent chance on 76 minutes to get a foothold back into game when a Willmott free kick through the centre of the pitch was met well by Telford who made a late run in but the header from 10 yards fizzed just wide of the left post. Salford were lucky to keep a full compliment on the pitch moments later when they ran the ball out for a goal kick and Lund kicked the ball towards out of the perimeter but none of the officials appeared to be paying attention. County created another bright move on 82 minutes with Willmott again having a hand in it and his low intricate clever pass found Telford right side of the area but his low effort was held well by King. County kept plugging away with Salford happy to sit back and protect their lead and Cooper dragged an effort well wide of the right post and bar on 86 minutes after a patient move. County huffed and puffed seeing plenty of the ball inside their own half but very little penetration to worry Salford and they used Asante well as an outlet to relieve pressure. Salford saw out of the remaining minutes with County lacking ideas or creativity to open them up and they held out for a comfortable win.
Townsend (6) — kicked well and handled well. Shifted ball efficiently from deep using his feet but wasn’t overworked, got well beaten on the second goal
Norman (5) — Got bogged down into some untidy confrontations when he broke and lost too many key tackles. Best work came when he delivered crosses moving rather than standing positions.
Demetriou (6) — looked a bit rusty after lay off but did well in aerial duals and won majority of tackles clearing effectively. Made efforts to link and support late with shots and crosses.
Clarke (6) — worked hard to contain Asante but switched off on times allowing ball to drop. Looked vulnerable to pace especially second half in transition when Salford worked left side.
Lewis (5) — struggled to adapt to formation, lacked composure and lost too many tackles and aerial duals. Saw little of him in the Salford half playing reserved.
Azaz (6) — had a decent spell midway through first half setting up chances and should have scored. Got brushed off ball too easily in tackles and needs to stay out of the six yard box defending.
Willmott (6) — saw little of the ball and when he did get it was sat far too deep to effect any threat. Missing too many tackles but did offer some quality with passes and crosses that side lacked.
Cain (5) — should have been replaced at half time for pulling out of challenges. Struggled to make impact losing too many headers and tackles. Had a couple of tame snapshots edge of the area
Cooper (6) — linked well and made some sporadic runs forward angling his runs to set up some decent crosses. Needs to be more solid in the challenge and improve shooting.
Telford (6) — took up some good positions but often unpicked such was delay with the cross or pass today. Had two decent chances inside six yard box intercepted first half.
Baker-Richardson (5) — has gone completely off the boil in recent games. Poor retention and playing too much back to goal. Needs to get facing forward and putting more shots in.
Strengths — you wouldn’t know they were missing several key players but made up with it by working like trojans off the ball and were efficient with passes in transition taking chances well.
Weaknesses — when forced deep their headed clearances were wayward and they conceded several fouls when County did grip the ball.
Opportunities — started off quite direct using Asante as an outlet but soon worked out County were going to offer them luxury to play and were effective in transition.
Threats — Asante offered pace and ability with both feet. Lund and Morris linked well final third with well timed runs.
OFFICIALS
B Huxtable (6) — Got the key decisions right but allowed crude antics off the ball throughout and should have sent Lund off for second yellow.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Brandon Thomas-Asante — worked tenaciously and gave Salford assurance picking up on long ball and was always a problem with his pace. Took his goal well adjusting to finish clinically.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
The warning signs in the Walsall game when County got outmuscled by direct play and were weak in retention were not heeded. Despite Salford missing five key players, it was enough for them today to sit in and choke the supply County had from midfield and force them outside the box by pressing high. County didn’t play well in the first half and never really adjusted to 4–4–2 with both full backs struggling for penetration. Despite this handicap, County edged the chances first half, but the goal conceded on the stroke of half time highlighted their vulnerability defending in transition allowing Salford acres of space to counter as they switched off. The second goal then came from their reluctance to put in an honest tackle with the centre back being allowed to roam unchallenged through the middle of the pitch. County are a decent side on the ball but they are becoming too nice to play against and will need to show more teeth to have any ambitions of staying in the hunt for promotion. Salford had attacking limitations today but set their stall out to outmuscle and ultimately outwit County and were the bolder more decisive outfit despite that handicap. County clearly need to add freshness to the squad but they cannot allow such indifferent performances to creep into their game with or without crowds. Next up is Harrogate Town who will be looking for a double over County next week when they visit Rodney Parade. Harrogate like to use width but with Diamond returning to Sunderland after his loan may switch back to conventional 4–4–2 with wingers from 4–3–3 they have played recenty. County need to stifle the wide play and limit the crosses into Armstrong and track the runs of Muldoon.
