Labadie header enough to clinch the points
Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (Labadie 34)
Macclesfield Town 0
Attendance: 3,354
Form:
Newport County DLLDDLWWWL
Macclesfield Town DDDLDWDLDW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Important to get back on track after Saturday, Macclesfield are missing a couple of defenders so key County set a precedent .
CONDITIONS
Cold, cloudy and slight breeze. Pitch looked a little firmer but unstable in parts
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Had enough chance to make result more comfortable but remained vigilant defending well.
TURNING POINT
Opening goal was always going to be key.
THE MATCH
County made a few changes with captain Josh Labadie replacing Matt Dolan who was on the bench and Tristan Abrahams sacrificed for Padraig Amond returning after injury. Mark O’Brien had not recovered from his knock Saturday, so Scott Bennett slotted into central defence with Jordan Green introduced to make his first full appearance up front in a 4–3–3 attacking line up. County made the more assured start to the game with some moves left side to test Macclesfield. County were patient in the approach play feeling their way into the game with some good moves from deep. Macclesfield were happy to absorb pressure with a five man midfield protecting the defence and they looked to pinpoint Ironside long man up front. On 5 minutes, County had a good situation prised through the middle when Labadie won possession and threaded a good pass left side of the area for Willmott. He got outside full back Kirby and cut back a low cross but it lacked edge and Kelleher was able to clear to safety. Willmott continued to enjoy plenty of possession playing on less conventional left side with Haynes supplying some decent passes. On 8 minutes, Green did well to pick up the ball in the middle and thread a low pass for Willmott who forged to the byline but his cross was overplayed allowing Macclesfield off the hook. Macclesfield continued to play directly but a more measured move on 15 minutes, saw Osadebe intricately link to find Gnahoua and his run down the left side of the area caught County napping. He was forced wide by Bennett but the shot from an acute angle was parried away well by County keeper King. County continued to enjoy plenty of the ball and were able to work some good situations from wide areas and force a few crosses but Macclesfield centre backs Kelleher and Horsfall were able at winning the aerial duals. County gained a corners after some efficient moves final third with Green providing plenty of pace and enterprise right side. On 25 minutes, Willmott delivered a decent corner from the left side but Labadie was stretching to meet and headed over from 8 yard when well placed. On 28 minutes, County were close again when a Demetriou throw right side caused problems for Macclesfield and Matt showed quick feet to find Green who struck an excellent half volley from 10 yards which Horsfall got a important block to divert. Macclesfield were sporadic coming forward with Gnahoua the most effective outlet left side but County worked hard to break up their moves and remained threatening in transition when they attacked the left channel forcing Stephens back to cover right back Kirby. On 32 minutes, Macclesfield had Whitehead in the book for a late lunge on Sheehan in the middle of the pitch. County kept pressing and a corner soon after by Sheehan fell kindly to Labadie and his snapshot from 10 yards was saved by Macclesfield keeper Mitchell. On 34 minutes, Labadie got his reward for his endeavour supporting several moves inside the area. Green was instrumental pushing left back Fitzpatrick into the corner and Baker did well to overlap and provide an excellent ball near the byline which Macclesfield struggled to clear and Labadie pounced with a header from 8 yards into the left corner. Macclesfield were forced into a change on 38 minutes with Archibald replacing Stephens. County kept the heat on with Green menacing with runs right side and County were very close to another goal moments later when Labadie seized upon a Green cross and blasted a shot against the right post from 10 yards. County had gone close several times left side and carved out another chance on 40 minutes when a quick ball by Haynes released Amond who got in behind the last defender and his volley from the left corner of the area was well parried by Mitchell. On 43 minutes, Macclesfield swept forward from deep and Gnahoua was tackled from behind by Baker was tracking back to defend and he got a booking. Macclesfield were boosted by gaining more possession of the ball with County sitting back as half time approached. In first half injury time, Macclesfield caught County sleeping when Fitzpatrick was given time to release a ball from deep and Ironside latched onto the ball but County were thankful that King read the situation and was able to smother the low effort. Whitehead then blasted an opportunist effort well over the bar from distance as Macclesfield gained confidence from some indecisive County play to pick up the loose ball.
County kept plugging away early stages of the second half with Green seeing a lot of the ball. On 47 minutes, his quick feet near the right flank coaxed Fitzpatrick into an untidy challenge. From the resultant free kick by Sheehan, Bennett was well positioned to shoot first time from 14 yards but his effort was well blocked by Harris. On 50 minutes, County did well to close down and force Macclesfield back on their heels and Archibald was caught in possession by Amond. His clever ball found Matt who was able to carry his strong run goalside of Kelleher and into the area but his shot was tame allowing Mitchell to smother the effort was ease. Macclesfield continued to direct the ball long with Ironside combative in the air. On 52 minutes, Macclesfield worked a low patient move across the face of the area with Gnahoua creating the space and Whitehead struck an opportunist effort well over the bar from 20 yards. County remained most effective when the broke from the middle of the pitch with Labadie and Sheehan picking holes well. On 55 minutes, Labadie did well forcing a move left corner and cut back a decent cross from a tight angle but it just eluded Matt and Amond inside the area. On 60 minutes, Amond turned provider with a cross from the right side of the area to pinpoint Matt back post but stretching to make the header it went over the bar. Another cohesive move moments later this time from left side saw Haynes do well to overlap with a timed run down the flank and thread a low ball inside for Matt. He set up an opportunity for Labadie who struck a shot on the turn from 14 yards which the keeper tipped over the bar. Macclesfield were struggling to put five passes together with County giving them little time to settle on the ball and another move in transition on 65 minutes saw Willmott dart out wide left side of the area. His deft cross found Amond who headed pass found Green right side of the area but his low shot was just wide of the left post. On 68 minutes, Macclesfield had a glimmer of a chance from a free kick in the middle by Whitehead was glanced on by Horsfall but King was untroubled with effort. County kept plugging away and had another chance to kill the game on 72 minutes when Green weaved his way down the right side of the area and his accurate cross was met in the air by Amond who uncharacteristically placed his header from 8 yards wide of the left post. County made a change soon after with Green replaced by Waters and Macclesfield gambled with an attacking change replacing Harris with Blyth up top. Macclesfield had a better spell of possession in the last ten minutes with Blyth offering an outlet right side. County made another change on 86 minutes with Amond replaced by Abrahams. County were happy to run down the clock holding the ball under pressure well to frustrate Macclesfield and Fitzpatrick was booked on 88 minutes for crudely preventing a strong run by Labadie through the middle. The final minutes were played out with little concern for County holding the ball in the corners and both sides looked spent at the final whistle playing on a difficult surface.
King (7) — made a couple of important saves and blocks first half, had little to do second half but kept defence organised and switched on. Kicked well from deep and distributed effectively.
Haynes (7) — won some good tackles and when he got the ball was able to thread some good passes especially first half. Struggled on some headers but let little goalside today
Demetriou (7) — was asked questions in the air but when was not winning the ball was quick to get back into position and either clear or marshal danger. Provided usual quota of long throws.
Bennett (7) — put under some pressure with headers by Ironside but read game well mopping danger in behind. Got in good positions on a couple of set pieces and getting closer to his first goal this season.
Baker (7) — had deal with main threat left side from Gnahoua but stifled threat well with some robust challenges. Got forward well with some well timed runs and coped well after booking.
Labadie (8) — busy game, got on the ball and made some good tackles to win possession. Kept passing simple and effective, carried main threat through the middle but also did well to effect wide positions.
Sheehan (6) — easing his way back to fitness, played more deeper role and offered assurance in front of defence showing different side to his game winning some good tackles. Passing a little wayward on times
Willmott (6) — did a job left side box to box and saw a lot of the ball first half but crosses lacked quality. Did his best work when he pinpointed crosses from stationary position.
Green (8) — gave problems throughout with his pace and ability to get a cross in from tight positions, had opportunities to shoot and struck the ball when he had the chance. Unlucky not to score.
Amond (7) — did well with intelligent use of the ball in the final third and went close a couple of times. Worked hard to close down off the ball and unsettle defenders into mistakes.
Matt (6)– will be frustrated with a couple of presentable chances he missed but got little protection today from referee. Struggled a bit with his ball retention but kept plugging away
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — saw few evident today, their most effective moves came from deep in transition, both centre backs dominated in the air
Weaknesses — both full backs lacked confidence, right back was slight and vulnerable when exposed. Struggled to work few if any chances and never looked comfortable on the ball.
Opportunities — elected to play long but too hopeful on times, did better later on when they had patience to work some better passing moves
Threats — Gnahoua offered the best outlet and pace in behind, Ironside was decent in the air and Horsfall / Kelleher able on set pieces aerial threat.
OFFICIALS
G Salisbury (6) — frustrated crowd ignoring the pulling and cynical play until it became intolerable but got the key decisions right
MAN OF THE MATCH
Josh Labadie — dominated the midfield with quick thought and combative style but showed his capability today getting on the end of things. Could have had a hat trick quite easily.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were comfortable winners in this game once they had scored and should really have put the game to bed with the spell they had after half time. There were a lot of positives to take into the Plymouth game with the enterprise final third and chances created inside the area but County need to improve on their finishing to keep climbing the league. The front three worked hard to keep the ball and maintain possession and that was key allowing County to build play and push up as a unit. Labadie did well anticipating and breaking up play in the middle and the key moving forward will be getting everyone tuned to switch on in winning the second and third balls. Macclesfield did offer some threat from long balls and space left through the middle but both full backs for County had more assertive games making things happen final third. Plymouth away promises to be a different encounter as County will face a side who are composed in possession playing on a decent surface and they have three centre backs comfortable dealing with crosses so County will need to offer more questions from open play. When County do have the ball, it will key they do not squander it cheaply and they cannot switch off to direct threat offered by Moore and Jephcott.
