Late comeback but yet another home defeat

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Bennett 72, Bogle 75)

Salford City 3 (Bolton 54, Norman 57 own goal, Leak 83)

Attendance: 3,678

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DLWL

Salford City WdLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Salford look set up to attack with three up front and will take risks. County have been impaired by slow starts to games and need measure their attacking threat but be bold in transition.

CONDITIONS
Mild some light rain petered with a light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top after the rain.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Another abject passive home performance, too much ball watching allowing Salford to build too much momentum

TURNING POINT
None

THE MATCH
County were forced into a few of changes with Declan Drysdale suspended for one match and he was replaced by James Clarke. County were also missing the experience of both Adam Wildig and Robbie Willmott who were suffering hamstring injuries allowing Sam Bowen and James Waite to stake a claim in the side. County made another change with Aaron Lewis coming in at right wing back for Matt Dolan who was on the bench and Cameron Norman shifting to central defence as County maintained a 3–5–2 formation. Salford started on the front foot forcing County to defend deep inside their own half and this set a precedent with County on the ropes for much of the first half. County were struggling to get a foothold in the game with the Salford midfield controlling matters through the industry of Watt and Lund linking play well box to box. On 9 minutes, Salford Lund was allowed too much freedom to build a move right side and thread a low pass into Asante. He span and directed a low shot from the edge of the area which Townsend read well low down to safe in the left corner. County snapped out of their shell moments later when a direct ball was contested well by Bogle who forced Nartey into a clumsy challenge left side which got him cautioned. From the resultant free kick, County squandered a decent position with Bowen elevating his kick straight out of play. Salford kept their passing ticking over with County forced to defend deeply but their was a brief moment of optimism for County on 13 minutes when Collins cut inside near the right corner of the area but he snatched at the shot blasting well over the bar. Salford were effective shifting play and another decent move on 15 minutes saw them move the ball left side in transition with Touray ghosting past Bowen and his low pass into Hendry left corner of the area. He cut inside making the most of the space invited by County but blasted his shot inches wide of the right post and bar. On 18 minutes, Demetriou was booked for needlessly jumping into a tackle on Asante down the left touchline and he was booked. On 23 minutes, Salford has a half chance when a free kick was only half cleared by County and Touray struck a first time effort from inside the “d” just over the bar. Salford continued to work their left side with ease with County doing little to close the space. There was a glimmer of chance for County on 28 minutes when they built a move from deep and Lewis overlapped right side. He received a good early pass from Waite and drove forward but his effort from right side of the area fizzed wide of the right post. Salford kept plugging dominating possession with County watching shadows through the middle of the pitch. On 35 minutes, with County forced back extremely deep a weak clearance to the edge of the area sat up for the unmarked Watt but his first time volley drifted just wide of the right post. County were struggling to make an impact by open play but they created a half chance on 38 minutes when a Demetriou long throw right side of the area was glanced on by Norman towards Bogle. He adjusted well but his low from 10 yards towards the left corner was cleared inside the six yard by Lowe. Salford remained in control with some excellent retention of the ball often encouraged by County were continued to lack teeth and pressurise in key areas such as throws in and wide areas. On 40 minutes, Lewis was booked almost as after thought in making a challenge late on Bolton as he turned inside from the right flank. With both Demetriou and Lewis booked on the County left side Salford went in overdrive as half time approached with Lund and Bolton busy in their approach but County somehow managed to get into the changing room all square.

County made efforts to pick up their game with some direct play to test Salford. On 46 minutes, Norman was caught by a very late aerial challenge by Hendry which the referee somehow ignored a caution. County made their first change on 52 minutes with Bournemouth loanee Nathan Moriah-Welch replacing Sam Bowen. Salford took the lead on 54 minutes with a move right side that caught County napping. A simple passing exchange by Lund and full back Bolton was enough to undo County with the full back Bolton roaming past both Lewis and Demetriou and with nobody coming across to cover in central midfield, Bolton placed a low precise shot into the left corner from 20 yards. Salford were energised by the goal with County sapping in confidence and another similar on 57 minutes saw Bolton maraud right side of the area to overlap past Lewis. He struck an opportunist low cross into the six yard box which appeared deflect off Norman and into the net. County made a change soon after with Will Evans replacing Adam Lewis at left back. County made efforts to raise the bar pushing higher up the pitch and attack wide areas. On 63 minutes, County had a decent situation worked between Norman and Lewis right side and the cross drifted back post with Collins lurking but he was a yard slow to react stabbing his effort from 8 yards wide of the left post. Another decent cross on 66 minutes by Norman saw Bogle this time arrive deep but his effort was poked just wide of the left post. Salford made a change on 68 minutes with Leak on for Nartey. County got a goal back on 72 minutes from an initial move down the left side with Moriah-Welch providing a neat through ball for Collins. He drilled a decent cross through the area which forced Lund into a hurried clearance and a corner right side. Evans took the corner and a decent delivery into the area caused problems for Salford to clear and Bennett thrashed home from 8 yards. Moments later County had Bogle somewhat harshly in the book for bowling over Touray in a challenge right side. County were boosted by the goal and some anxiety crept into the Salford defence with clearances going astray. With the game getting somewhat fractious, Salford had Vassell in the booked for a clumsy challenge on Evans. From the free kick Evans delivered an excellent cross into the six yard box which Bennett pounced on but despite his effort being blocked Bogle reacted well to stab home near the right post. Salford persisted with attacking right side to test County and won a couple of corners. On 83 minutes, Watt delivered a corner right side and with County switching off inexplicably, Leak ghosted in unchallenged to head into the left corner from 10 yards. Salford made another change soon after with Lund replaced by Smith. County made some vain efforts to salvage the game pushing men up but became increasingly vulnerable with Smith contesting direct balls from deep and bullying the County defenders. On 87 minutes, Salford were close to a fourth with Touray exploiting space through the middle to find Asante in acres of space and his low shot on the turn was held well low in left corner by Townsend. On 90 minutes, Bolton crept forward right side and chipped a cross in the six yard for the towering Smith but his effort on the turn was well held by Townsend. County had 6 minutes of injury time to have a go and made another change on 90+1 with Zimba on for Waite. Salford made a final change on 90+4 minutes with Berkoe on for Hendry and they were happy to run down the clock. County developed a couple of good moves with Moriah-Welch getting on the ball but Salford held firm for a deserved win that sent them top of the embryonic league table.

Townsend (6) — made a couple of smart saves low down and kicked well under pressure. Stayed on his line on first and second goals and distribution was a little wayward on goal kicks

Aaron Lewis (6) — got stretched a bit first half but denied Asante space competing well. Contributed to some good moves second half and broke more into the Salford half.

Adam Lewis (5) — let too many runs goalside putting side under pressure and stupid booking first half put him on a knife edge and got caught ball watching on Salford opening two goals.

Norman (6) — did a job at centre back but never really settled and was anxious clearing on times allowing ball to pinched too easily. Did better second half influencing play higher up the pitch.

Clarke (6) — was left firefighting on times and did a good job to stem the flow. Did well in aerial duals and cleared effectively under pressure from Asante.

Demetriou (6) — needless booking first half jumping into challenge and had to manage game carefully after that. Made some strong clearances to avert danger and fair quota of long throws.

Waite (5) — struggled first half to get into game, plenty of running around but defensive positioning was poor. Offered some influence after the break but turned chances to shoot on times.

Bowen (5) — got worse and worse as game progressed. Lazy off the ball on times allowing raids by Touray left side to develop and never really got on the ball, replaced early.

Bennett (6) — let down by poor passing and struggled to get to the first and second ball. Had a better second half getting well taken goal and close to another before fading.

Bogle (7) — did well to hold the ball under pressure and when he had movement around him, County created their best moves. Always looked the most likely to score and took chance well.

Collins (5) — off the ball work and desire to close down defenders lacking. Improved second half playing wider and provided some neat crosses but doesn’t look capable of hurting sides.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — very composed passing and efficient with their link play. Worked hard to deny space as a collective unit and force mistakes.

Weaknesses — crosses into the six yard area caused uncertainty between keeper and defenders, did a lot of falling over looking for fouls

Opportunities — bold 3–4–3 system and kept the same tact for majority of game using width well. Went a bit more direct late on when Smith came on.

Threats — Asante was strong and explosive with eye for goal, Lund knitted play though middle with both full backs Bolton and Touray forceful.

OFFICIALS

S Gill (7) — got key decisions right and wanted to let game flow. Missed some late aerial challenges and ignored some of the pulling.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Matthew Lund (Salford 8) — gave County problems throughout with quick though, dropping into holes and linking play on both goals and should have scored first half.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were played off the park first half but somehow got into half time all square. Salford had over 70% possession at half time but it was the percentage of completed passes that is troubling for County who were forced into ball watching and then squandered possession cheaply when they had the ball. For a side that the manager professes to crave possession and work sides, there was little evidence but until there is acceptance that you need to do more off the ball and show teeth to unsettle sides County are always going to be chasing games. It is not enough to play for 10 minutes in league two and expect results but even when County got back into this game, they still looked vulnerable with the porous midfield. With the transfer marker coming up, there needs to be some “ins” and “outs” activity and some steel added to the side. With Zanzala also struggling for fitness they may need to bring in an outlet to vice grip the ball because at the moment the midfield is not taking responsibilty to put five passes together. Next up is Tranmere Rovers at home who will role the dice and push up high to test County. Tranmere will play a 3–5–2 formation with both full backs Dacres-Cogley and Bristow key to their approach. County need to compete first and foremost, stifle the early ball into Nevitt up top and punish Tranmere in transition when they gamble in the turnover.