Infuriatingly inconsistent — despite harsh decisions
Report from Mark Vickery at Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient 2 (Haynes 81 own goal, Sotiriou 89)
Newport County 1 (Matt 90+5)
Attendance: 5.084
Form:
Newport County LDLLDDLWWW
Leyton Orient DDdWLDLDLD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Orient been struggling for form and not won at home since October. County will need to adjust after some injuries in the warm up so a test of their resolve and capability.
CONDITIONS
Cool, cloudy and calm. Pitch looked in reasonable condition but a little slippery on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Unbalanced and tentative unable to sustain momentum or grip of the game.
TURNING POINT
Matt chance to go one nil up proved costly.
THE MATCH
County had named the same starting side in their line up but were forced into two unsettling changes after the warm up with captain Labadie feeling unwell and Innis struggling with a calf strain. Mike Flynn introduced Matt Dolan in midfield and Robbie Willmott made a surprise start after recent injury as County reverted to a 4–4–2 formation. Orient made the more assertive and confident start which set a precedent and they created some good early moves right side with right back Marsh keen to push on. County elected to play long with some hopeful balls down the flanks to pin back the early Orient enthusiasm but were let down with their distribution. On 12 minutes, Orient created a more decisive move right side with Marsh overlapping well to exploit acres of space right side. He cut back a low cross to the face of the area which former County loanee striker Conor Wilkinson did well to shield and thread a pass into Sotiriou. He did well to clip a ball inside the box for Maguire-Drew who struck an first time shot on the turn from 14 yards just wide and high of the left post and bar. County were able to find pockets on the break with some intricate moves through the middle involving Dolan and Sheehan but they were struggling to work the flanks. On 15 minutes, Sheehan did well to dart through the middle and coax Ekpiteta into an untidy challenge in a threatening position. From the free kick from 25 yards, Dolan curled a decent effort low towards the left corner but the keeper Sargeant held well. Orient kept pressing committing their full backs forward at every opportunity and worked some testing crosses from out wide but the County defence held firm. On 22 minutes, a corner left side by Orient by Clay was glanced on well by Wilkinson but cleared away inside the six yard by Haynes. County had a couple of decent situations on the break when Orient moves broke down and with both full backs high up the pitch, they precariously left 2 v 2 situations with central defenders Ekipiteta and Happe against Matt and Abrahams. County sensed some anxiety with some poor passing by Orient at the back. On 25 minutes, Sheehan gobbled up a loose pass by Cisse in middle and drove forward and struck an opportunist effort from 25 yards which fizzed wide of the left post. The game lacked quality on times with both sides showing little care with the ball and the game was littered with several fouls which the referee did little to temper keeping his cards firmly in his back pocket. Orient were close again on 30 minutes from a cutting move from deep left side involving Cisse and his pass invited Maguire-Drew to shoot after exploiting space left corner of the area but King reacted well to tip the shot over the bar. County made efforts to pick up their game as half time approached with some better urgency but they failed to exploit on some indecision with Orient passing short inside their own half. County worked a couple of long throws either side of the area from some disjointed pressure but the Orient defence dealt well with the aerial threat. In first half injury time, County had a glimmer of chance from a free kick right side of the area which was whipped by Sheehan and Orient struggled to clear but were slow to pick up on the loose ball inside the six yard area and Clay hooked the ball to safety.
County started the second half more on the front foot forcing Orient deeper and some hurried clearances into row z. O’Brien was forced into some treatment early on after falling back awkwardly when making a clearance left side of the area. County held firm and forced a couple of corners left side and went close on 53 minutes when a loose clearance by Orient was latched onto by Dolan left side. He dinked over a decent cross into the area and Matt threw himself forward to win the header from 10 yards ahead of Lappe but blocked by Cisse. On 55 minutes, Demetriou released a trademark long throw right side of the area and O’Brien glanced a header wide of the left post from 10 yards. County made a change on 60 minutes with Abrahams replaced by Green and soon after Dolan was replaced by Nurse who appeared to go left midfield in a 4–3–1–2 formation with Green playing through the middle. Orient remained a threat especially on the break with Sotiriou the main outlet left side with some menacing runs. County matched the hosts tempo and had a great chance to forge ahead on 68 minutes from a corner left side. Willmott whipped in tantalising delivery into the six yard box which pinpointed Matt in an unmarked position but he could only glance wide of the right post. County were keen to push with Green lively chasing down the in behind but Orient were positive on the break with some direct moves to test County especially right side. On 72 minutes, County were given a warning when the lost possession cheaply on the left flank. Cisse directed a good pass down the touchline for Marsh to latch onto. He cut back a decent cross into the area which County managed to scramble away at the front post. The game ebbed and flowed and moments later County went close from a long throw right side of the area which Matt glanced on at the front post by Seargant showed good hands to hold. Orient were happy to play on the break and another decent move from deep caused problems for County on 76 minutes and Green tracked back well but caught Brophy from behind to earn himself a booking. County kept plugging away with Green getting into some promising positions but some indecision final third and delay in crosses let Orient off the hook. Orient made a change on 78 minutes with Angol replacing Maguire-Drew to pep up their approach final third. Orient kept persisting right side with Marsh prominent some strong runs to force County back. On 81 minutes, Orient won a corner right side from a somewhat debatable award from the referee. Brophy delivered a decent cross which was not dealt with by County and the ball dropped to the back post but Haynes could only head the ball into his own net under pressure from Ekpiteta. County made another change soon after with Baker sacrificed for Amond as County gambled in a 3–4–3 formation. Orient remained the more threatening side with Sotiriou in position quickly to provide an outlet left side forcing Willmott back into the corner to defend. On 85 minutes, Sotiriou was given too much freedom left side roaming into the middle and his hopeful shot from distance was deflected for a corner right side. Clay took a quick corner which caught County napping and Brophy manufactured space to shoot low from the right side of the area just wide of the right post. On 87 minutes, Sotiriou was again causing a nuisance with a run right side this time but lost possession and kicked the ball away in frustration to earn a booking. County failed to head the warning and a quick move on 89 minutes from Orient saw them work the right channel and despite Wright looking suspiciously offside the linesman failed to pick it up and his cross from a wide position was turned in by Sotiriou at the back post despite the attention of Willmott. Orient made a double substitution on 90+2 of the seven minutes of injury time played due to the O’Brien injury. County got a goal back out of the blue on 90+5 from an excellent cross left side from Willmott following a free kick which Matt headed home firmly at the back post. County kept plugging away forcing the hosts into a couple of hurried clearances and they threw in some hopeful crosses but it was too little too late and Orient held on for a deserved win.
King (7) — kept County in the game with a couple of smart saves first half and cleared well under pressure from back passes. Didn’t have that many saves to make but showed safe hands.
Haynes (5) — had a steady first half despite being put under pressure from Marsh when not set in position. Lacked confidence on times to push on and indecision on times heading the ball proved costly.
Demetriou (6) — forced into a lot of fire fighting left side and sweeping up danger. Distributed well under pressure, did well in the aerial duals and provided some decent long throws
O’Brien (6) — had a good first half breaking up danger well and won his headers and marshalled threat in front of him well. Seem to recover after nasty knock but put under pressure from pace late on.
Baker (5) — defended well first half but allowed too much space for Sotiriou on times allowing him to get facing forward. Won some good headers but got caught out not picking up on times second half.
Bennett (7) — did a good job winning the physical dual with some strong headers and kept playing ticking over well with some good runs box to box. Had a honest looking call for a penalty second half
Dolan (6) — looks short of match fitness and sharpness but did a decent job competing well until he faded. Provided some decent crosses and kept his passing neat and tidy.
Sheehan (5) — off colour today and unable to influence game. Went close with a couple of shots from distance but let down on time by control and bad decision making with ball at feet.
Willmott (6) — provided some decent opportunities from crosses, had some spells first half doing well to link play with craft and guile but forced deeper second and never looked comfortable defending.
Abrahams (5) — should have been replaced at half time, got crowded out of it on times, poor awareness allowed ball to be stolen too easily. Lots of running but failed to work the keeper or create any threat.
Matt (6)– missed an easy chance on the hour and lacked control to make ball stick on times which was needed especially second half. Had the best chances today from headers but restricted on shots.
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — offered plenty of appetite and spirit. They worked some good moves across the face of the area and were decisive and bold final third.
Weaknesses — both centre back were uncomfortable with ball at feet and when pressed they were anxious with passing inside their own half. Left holes in the corners when full backs pushed on.
Opportunities — were positive from the offset with wide play in transition and sharp final third working the ball direct and picking holes.
Threats — Sotiriou was key outlet and got facing forward when invited. Wilkinson hold up play and aerial prowess, Marsh provided crosses right side and Wright linked well.
OFFICIALS
D Rock (5) — some puzzling decisions especially second half, kept his cards in his back pocket encouraging cynical play and inconsistency dealing in some of the decisions especially the pulling.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ruel Sotiriou — skilful player, was prepared to roam and manufactured space when invited which unsettled County and got crucial second goal
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were forced to reshuffle very late today with the Labadie and Innis forced out after the warm up but opting for a four man defence upset the applecart. The confidence and brashness County had built up in the last few games dissolved, allowing Orient to dictate the tempo of the game and they end up looking like a side of strangers on times first half. It was too easy for Orient to press their full backs high up the pitch and County struggled to maintain any momentum with poor retention final third. County need to get back playing square pegs in square holes as they have a looked a more balanced side playing 3–5–2. There may be doubts over O’Brien’s fitness Tuesday for the Macclesfield game but regardless of this outcome, County have the option of playing Bennett in central defence to mitigate any injuries. County need to develop better patterns in transition as there were opportunities for them to punish Orient when their full backs were left high and dry up the pitch leaving 2v2 but slow inefficient passing allowed the hosts to regroup too easily. Next up is an improving Macclesfield Town outfit who gained a morale boosting win over free passing Forest Green Rovers. Macclesfield are likely to set themselves up to frustrate playing 4–5–1 with Ironside key target up top but they will suffocate the midfield with Harris combative key in breaking up play. County don’t need frills and to overpass in this game, it will be about dealing with set pieces and being more assertive from crosses to turn and get in behind the hosts weary back line.
