Late collapse as County throw it all away
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Glennon 5, Whitmore 7)
Peterborough United 4 (Odoh 27, Randall 71, Jones 89, 90+3)
Attendance: 2,941
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County LWLWWLLLWd
Peterborough United WDLLWWDLWL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Peterborough have been blowing hot and cold this season. They have plenty of flexibility up front so key County manage their threats but be bold in transition to ask questions.
CONDITIONS
Cloudy, mild with light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Took the foot of the gas after early lead playing too open and nice.
TURNING POINT
Baker-Richardson chance to go 3–1 up on half time.
THE MATCH
County were forced into a couple of midfield changes with Morris injured Kieron Evans slotted into right midfield and captain Wildig sacrificed to the bench in place of Whitmore with Jameson taking the captains armband. County made another change introducing Baker-Richardson in place of Kamwa who was on the bench. Peterborough had the early impetus with Poku angling runs right side of the area and checking back inside to deliver some testing crosses. On 5 minutes, County snapped out of their shell seizing on a poor touch by Fernadez as he came him out of the area and caught Glennon with a late challenge. Glennon took the free kick and curled an immaculate effort low into the left corner from 25 yards. County were energised by the goal and created a snappy move on 7 minutes across the face of the area with Baker-Richardson linking well with Evans and his low threaded pass caught the defence static. Whitmore was quickest to anticipate and ghosted past Fernandez to finish well with a shot in the right corner from 10 yards. Peterborough raised the bar with Odoh getting a head of steam up left side which Baker did well to block and intercept the flow. County struggled for cohesion on times with Hudlin well marked and some loose passing crept into their game allowing Peterborough to regain the initiative. Peterborough pressed up higher gambling on winning some first contacts with centre backs Fernandez and Nevett comfortable with the ball at feet. This settled Peterborough into a better spell with Dornelly and Poku working some decent moves right side with Poku offered pace and trickery. On 18 minutes, a move right involving Poko saw the cross only half cleared and De-Havilland struck a snapshot from 20 yards which Townsend held well. On 20 minutes, County had another decent chance when a free kick right side by Glennon was whipped low to the front post which was blocked and Kieron Evans was quick to seize the loose ball but his shot on the turn from an acute angle was blocked. Peterborough kept plugging away in wide areas with some slick exchanges and became increasingly menacing right side with Poku offering verve with his runs. On 27 minutes, Peterborough were back in the game when they punished a loose pass by Glennon and broke right side with Poku outsmarting Cameron Evans and his cross to the back post was seized on by unmarked Odoh and slotted home from 8 yards. Peterborough gained confidence from the goal with County increasingly hesitant and they were close again on 30 minutes when Poke evaded some weak challenges to carry his run from the half way line towards the right side of the box forcing Towsend into a good parry around the right post. Peterborough continued to control matters in midfield with County giving them far too much freedom and De-Havilland orchestrating some good moves. On 35 minutes, County were given another warning with Peterborough move going through several players as County struggled to press in tandem. Randall advanced to receive the ball edge of the area but his low effort was parried around the right post by Townsend. Peterborough persisted with moves right side using Poku as an outlet and right back Dornelly pushing on but there was an element of risk when their moves broke down with space right left for Glennon to attack. County worked a couple of decent moves left side with Glennon supporting but the crosses into the area were well gathered by Peterborough keeper Bilokapic. County had a great chance to regain their two goal advantage on 45+1 minutes when they broke quickly right side with a switch of play and Whitmore supplied a pass left side for Baker-Richardson. He drove forward into space left side of the area and his low shot from 12 yards fizzed just wide of the right post.
County started the second half well winning a couple of corners right side. On 47 minutes, a corner left side by Glennon caused problems when delivered to the front post and Baker-Richardson glanced on well ahead of Nevett and into the net but he was penalised for handball when the contact appeared to be minimal with arm On 52 minutes, County had a promising move left channel with Evans playing a pass to the feet of Baker-Richardson but his run appeared to be impeded by Dornelly. The protests saw Baker-Richardson booked for contesting the decision and frustrated grew on 56 minutes when Odoh was checked by Baker as ran near the left touchline and he was also booked. County pressed up higher to force Peterborough to play more direct and coped well limiting the threat on crosses with Poku continuing seeing plenty of the ball. Peterborough made a like for like swap on 63 minutes with number 9 Mothesille replaced by Jade-Jones. County defended the crosses thrown in well but lacked punch up front and they made an early change on 65 minutes with Baker-Richardson replaced by Kamwa. County appeared to have rode the storm but switched off on 71 minutes when a low move left side saw Odoh angle his run to stretch play and measure a pass in behind left side of the area for Randall. He showed composure with a neat finish into the roof of the net from 8 yards with County slow to recover. County responded with another change on 75 minutes with Jephcott coming on for Whitmore with Miley dropping deeper. Peterborough dominated the final stages of the match forcing a series of corners which County managed to get safe but they lacked an outlet on the break to cause concern. County had a couple of decent situations to counter from deep but were let down by some stray passes allowing Peterborough to recover possession quickly. On 86 minutes, Peterborough made another change with De-Havilland replaced by O’Brien-Brady. Peterborough got a third goal on 89 minutes which had a suspicion of offside when a corner was only half cleared O’Brien-Bray had a shot blocked but the ball sat up conveniently for Jade- Jones right side of the six yard box and his shot from an acute angle crept inside the right post. County made efforts to pick up their game again in the four minutes of injury time but failed to work the keeper. Peterborough added a fourth goal on 90+3 minutes when a quick move left side exploited space and Sparkes delivered a low cross to the front post pinpointing the unmarked Jade-Jones who directed a shot into the right corner from 6 yards. Despite a poor start to the game, Peterborough ended up comfortable winners to claim their place in the 2nd Round of the cup.
Townsend (7) — made a couple neat instinctive saves first half to keep County ahead. Kicked and distributed well with ball at feet. Put under pressure on some crosses but claimed well.
Baker (6) — did his best to contain Odoh but never looked comfortable and got decision making wrong several times but distributed well. Was always on a tight rope after his booking.
C Evans (5) — got run ragged by Poku first half and failed to put in enough tackles allowing space when he sat off. Does a job at left back but not robust enough.
Jameson (6) — the most assured defender and read danger to mop up threat from runs right side. Made some attempts to bring ball more advanced but took too many touches.
Brennan (6) — did a decent job blocking runs through the middle and kept Mothesille relatively quiet. Distribution was wayward when ball went direct but built well with short passes.
Glennon (6) — indifferent game, did well to win free kick on opening goal and took free kick to score well. Put in some decent set pieces but let down forcing some passes which put team in trouble.
Whitmore (7) — gave some thrust and energy throughout the first half and took goal well. competed well and was prepared to do the dirty work when needed. Faded and replaced early.
K Evans (5) — should have been replaced, started well and was bright with his runs and passes but lost too many key battles and never appeared to be enough appetite or desire
Miley (6) — quiet game, ended firefighting and never really asserted a foothold in the game. Did his best to compete and recover back but got bowled off too many challenges.
Baker-Richardson (6) — had a good first half and needed a couple of chances to go in. worked hard off the ball and often pressed when others were watching. Faded after booking.
Hudlin (6) — frustrating game, won some clean headers but didn’t appear to be on same wavelength with others and allowed himself to be pickpocketed too easy. Chances restricted with poor supply
SWOT ANALYSIS (Peterborough United)
Strengths — both centre backs coped well in aerial duals and were assured passing with ball at feet. Worked several low efficient moves wide and got balance right varying passes.
Weaknesses — both full backs were ordinary when put under pressure distribution erratic, but never really tested and were able to put high. Lacked height but County lacked quality to punish.
Opportunities — stuck to 4–2–3–1 with false No 9 and always had the flexibility to keep County worked. Late changes maintained edge up top with front 3 behind key to keeping County pinned back
Threats — Poku and Odoh made strong runs in wide areas. De-Havilland and Randall pulled stings in midfield with movement and alertness.
OFFICIALS
S Martin (6) — some peculiar bookings second half and consistency raised questions over some key decisions .
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ryan De-Havilland (Peterborough 8) — many of the best moves went through him and offered composure in midfield. Read danger well to break some County moves as well.
IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
The different between the teams were the full backs and their decision making. Arguably the weakest part of Peterborough side but their full backs needed to be on their game to allow their clever pacey four players up front play their natural game which never allowed County to relax. County snapped into a quick two goal lead but soon lost the initiative in midfield and after that Peterborough largely dominated with Poku and Odoh seeing a lot of the ball and having too much time on the ball. To their credit, County did have a better more assertive spell for 20 minutes after half time until the inevitable equaliser but they finished the game very timidly for a one off FA Cup match. County sat back at Gillingham on a two goal lead but their resilience got them the win, but this game Peterborough had more quality and composure to finish them off. This game was far too open, when County needed to press more aggressively, as a collective. They did that for a brief time after half time but the County changes again made them weaker especially when Baker-Richardson and Whitmore went off, with Hudlin increasingly isolated. There needs to be more energy to press sides and force errors and not allow technical sides like Peterborough to boss matches. County played into Peterborough’s hands and ended up looking like the away side, being too passive and too nice which cannot be said for the cup performances seen by Tamworth and Kettering. Next up for County is Tranmere Rovers away and one they can respond to. This looks an important game for both teams for different reasons. Tranmere are likely to play a conventional 4–4–2 system with wingers and will test County with crosses. County need to match their work ethic and find better balance in wide areas to get in behind them.
