Labadie moment of madness proves costly

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Boundary Park

Oldham Athletic 3 (Kellor-Dunn 8, Grant 29, Demetriou own goal 74)

Newport County 2 (Scrimshaw, Gambin)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WDWLDLDLdD

Oldham Athletic WLWLWLDLLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Both sides struggling for form and introducing new signings. Oldham look a bit short of options off the bench up top so key County keep their shape and pick their battles.

CONDITIONS
Cold, quite breezy and bright , snow overnight cleared. Pitch in reasonable condition considering but looked heavy in parts..

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Made a honest fist of the game despite handicap but naivety and stupidity costing us points.

TURNING POINT
Sending off so early in game turned game on hits head.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with new loan signing from Colchester Mark Gambin making his debut in attacking midfield. Ryan Taylor returned to the side in place of Padraig Amond who was on the bench. County adjusted to 4–3–3 with Dolan slotting in central midfield and they started the game on the front-foot which some crisps moves to feet and took the lead on 3 minutes. Labadie did well to prise the ball away and find a quick pass into Gambin right side of the area. He cut back an early cross into the area which caught Oldham static and Scrimshaw ghosted in to place a neat header into the left corner from 8 yards. Oldham were a little slow getting into their stride but were keen to use their right flank with new signing from Northampton Nicky Adams initiating some moves from deep. On 6 minutes, he slipped a pass into Grant who made the most of the space offered right side of the area but he could only direct his shot wide and high of the left post and bar. On 6 minutes, Longe-King was alert in making a clearance right side but was caught late by Hilssner and he was booked for following through. County relaxed and conceded a cheap goal on 8 minutes coming from their own throw in left side. Oldham seized possession with Adams finding Bahamboula and his early cross flashed deep and retrieved by Kellor-Dunn. He adjusted well to side step Shepherd easily and blasted low pass King from an acute angle. Oldham gained confidence from their approach play right side with Bahamboula pulling the strings. County were forced back but still bright coming forward with Gambin picking holes. On 13 minutes, a decent move through the middle was somewhat wasted when Gambin found Dolan and he thrashed an ambitious wide of the right post from distance. On 15 minutes, Labadie did well to win a challenge ahead of Hilssner and appeared to be in control of the ball with a free kick imminent but he raised him arm and caught Hilssner in the face. The referee showed no mercy and sent him straight off forcing County to adjust to play 4–4–1 with Taylor lone man up front. Oldham kept persisting with their right flank with Adam more prominent and Bahamboula switching flexibility to switch to the left side. Oldham were closer again on 25 minutes when loose play by County in midfield allowed them to counter and switch play from right to middle and McAleny shot from just inside the box was deflected but King reacted well to parry away. County remained patient trying to build momentum with ball at feet but often got caught playing in the wrong areas which put them back in danger. Oldham were more keen to press with the benefit of the extra with both full backs Adams and Borthwicke-Jackson pushed higher. On 27 minutes, County were given another warning when Adams was allowed to roam right side and his searching cross was not held by King. The ball dropped deep and went for a corner but cut back to the edge of the area by Hilssner but Bahamboula struck a wild effort well over the bar. With County indecisive in their passing, Oldham kept sweeping forward when invited and they took the lead on 29 minutes when Kellor-Dunn threaded a neat pass to McAleny on the edge of the area. With County backing off, he got in a low shot which King couldn’t hold and Grant was quickest to seize the rebound and slot home. County made effort to pick up their game again with Gambin and Scrimshaw combining well with Taylor. On 35 minutes, County created a decent situation from a move left side with Haynes finding Taylor and his lay off found Scrimshaw precisely on the left flank. He ghosted past Adams and cut back and excellent cross into the area evading late runs from Gambin and Dolan into the area. Oldham remained a threat coming forward with Bahamboula and another move right side saw him evade a weak challenge by Haynes near the byline and his deft cross went back post but the effort from McAleny was well blocked King. County kept plugging sway with their best moves through the middle and levelled on 40 minutes when Taylor did well to caress a pass into Gambin. He carried a strong run forward to the edge of the area and curled a precise effort low into the left corner beyond grasp of Lilboe. County held a good shape after the goal keeping Oldham at arms-length and restricted Oldham to half chance in first half injury when a switch in play from left to right found McAleny and he dinked in a decent cross which Bahamboula glanced well wide of the right post from 10 yards.

Oldham made a change at half replacing left back Borthwicke-Jackson with Badan. Oldham created a bright opening on 48 minutes when Badan play a quick pass in transition to find the run of McAleny and he jinked inside near the left corner of the area and strike a decent low which King saved but couldn’t hold but claimed at the second attempt. Oldham maintained the tempo not allowing County to relax and won a corner on 50 minutes. They worked a quick short corner with Hilssner finding Kellor-Dunn edge of the area and his snapshot was well blocked by Demetriou. County were struggling to cleat their lines with Hilssner again causing problems when he supported a move right side of the area on 52 minutes. He threw an early cross in which pinpointed Grant but he glanced wide of the left post from 10 yards. County were forced to play sporadically on the break and they had a better spell for a time restricting Oldham down the flanks but some of the decisions continued to go against them. Oldham kept gambling right side flooding players forward. On 55 minutes, Adams burst forward right side and dinked over a hopeful cross which Grant anticipated but his header from 10 yards went well over the bar. County made a triple substitution on 58 minutes with Scrimshaw, Taylor and Gambin sacrificed for Amond, Abrahams and Baker who went right midfield. Oldham maintained the territorial advantage but County got a better grip of the flanks to deny space and Oldham were forced more inside with Bahamboula and Hilssner both striking ambitious efforts well over from distance. Oldham made their first change on 65 minutes with Barnes replacing Kellor-Dunn. County worked hard to restrict the threat and had some opportunities in transition when Oldham moves broke down right side with Adams continuing to press the right buttons. On 74 minutes, Oldham got their reward when Adams overlapped untracked right side to receive a pass from Barnes. He cut back a hopeful cross from the right byline which Demetriou intercepted inside the six yard box but could only poke into the right corner. County were forced to push on and commit players forward with Shepherd and Haynes more prominent but they become increasingly vulnerable at the back. On 77 minutes, Haynes made an effort to penetrate but got caught in two minds left side of the area and was robbed by Jombati. Oldham were quick to shift the ball forward with a direct pass into Hilssner and he drove forward forcing Bennett to commit a crude challenge to interrupt the run and he was booked. County made a couple of late changes in an attempt to effect the game out wide with Willmott and Collins replacing Shepherd and Haynes. On 82 minutes, County had good situation on the edge of the Oldham area but some indecision again allowed Oldham to thief the ball with Hilssner winning possession from Dolan. The direct ball forward saw County ruthlessly eposed at the back and McAleny chased a hopeful ball left side of the pitch. County keeper King looked favourite to get to as the ball drifted into the area but some indecision again proved costly with McAleny drawing a foul from King. The referee awarded the penalty but Oldham missed the chance to put them game to bed with Bahamboula scooping his effort over the bar. Oldham made another change soon after with Ntambwe replacing Grant. Oldham were happy to play direct in the final stages with King were forced into a couple of hurried clearances. County had a decent opportunity on the break crudely interrupted when Collins drove strongly left side from a neat counter but he was pulled back by Adams who was booked. On 90 minutes, County forced Oldham to defend deeper inside the own area and a patient move saw Abrahams dance past a challenge to supply Amond but his shot on the turn from 14 yards was comfortable for the keeper. Oldham made another change in injury time with McAleny replaced by Jameson. County kept plugging away but Oldham kept them outside the box at all costs with centre back Clarke obstructing another Collins run and he was booked. County threw in a couple of crosses deep into injury time but held to claim their first win since they beat County in December.

King (5) — Got himself in the record books for his goal mid-week but dropped his guard today. Sat down on first goal and should have got the second to safety. Too indecisive and handling was poor.

Shepherd (6) — started the game well and got forward brightly with some dynamic runs but sending off forced him to retreat and was less effective. Jumped in on the first goal allowing shot.

Haynes (5) — struggled to deal with Bahamboula missing too many tackles and got increasingly error prone when tiredness set in. Got caught in possession and never looked comfortable at full back.

Demetriou (6) — struggled to deal with movement and pace right side first half. Did well in the aerial duals and was left firefighting for majority of the game and his best to avert danger.

Longe-King (7) — easily the best defender, won his headers and was quick to intercept danger and get ball to safety. Marked well and restricted McAleny to chances outside the area

Dolan (6) — plugged a gap in midfield and competed well. Used ball effectively when he had it making efforts to push on and make thing happen edge of the area. Faded later in the game.

Bennett (6) — won his headers, sat deeper today especially after Labadie sent off, did his best stem the flow and made several good interceptions but got overrun on times.

Labadie (5) — did some work early in game and looked to have the better of Hilssner before stupid reaction to get sent off

Gambin (7) — good debut, settled in well taking some good positions to effect game and hurt Oldham several times despite handicap. At the heart of both goals and surprised to see him taken off early.

Taylor (5) — never really settled into any rhythm and seems to struggle for mobility on heavy pitches. Showed prowess to lay off accurately and got into some good positions but didn’t work the keeper.

Scrimshaw (6) — got into the game well in the opening quarter taking his chance well and got on the front foot but suffered after sending off but kept working well off the ball under tiring.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they offered some good efficient moves in transition and used the flanks well to stretch play with some decent crosses when invited.

Weaknesses — when forced deep defence got anxious and committed several untidy challenges. Left themselves exposed several times and better sides would have exploited lack of pace at back

Opportunities — they were quite reserved early on but after sending off showed flexibility to push both full backs up higher and gambled with more opportunist crosses.
Threats — Adams crosses and link play right side, McAleny pace and eye for a shot. Bahamboula direct runs and crosses right side.

OFFICIALS

C Sarginson (6) — got the penalty right but was lenient in allowing a lot of back chat and interruptions to persist. Missed a blatant corner for County left side in second half

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dylan Bahamboula — don’t think County have worked how to play him in two games now. Gave Haynes a difficult time with pace and was creative when he had the ball at feet as well.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County adjusted to play four at the back today and that was understandable as it had worked well second half in the Cheltenham game Tuesday. However, Haynes and Shepherd were less effective in the final third but the sending off did play a massive part in changing their approach to the game. Gambin had a good debut and showed his ability to make things happen in and around the area building a good understanding with Scrimshaw. County made a good fist of this game despite their handicap and did their best to manage to the threat Oldham employed in wide positions. In the end, it was enough for Oldham to persist with their right side to unsettle County with Haynes and Demetriou forced into some anxious defending. Admittedly Oldham did offer their main strengths right side with Adams and Bahamboula very prominent but County need to do better off the ball as they did not track back to defend well enough especially on the third goal. County will have to adjust again on Tuesday against Carlisle with both Labadie and Sheehan now suspended and will possibly need to revert to three at the back but can potentially play four across the middle rather than five. Carlisle have not played the last three games due to Coronavirus in their camp so County need to get at them from the offset and ask questions. Carlisle have been effective this season from setting a good pace and tempo often in tandem with direct play. Kayode has been their key outlet to hold the aerial ball, but also key County track link play from Alessandra and Mellish eye for goal right side.