Late goal pinches victory for County
Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (Amond 90+3)
Crewe Alexandra 0
Attendance: 3,712
Form:
Newport County DdWWd
Crewe Alexandra LWWWW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Crewe have started season will and will look to dominate on the ball. County have a few players but out so will need to stifle threat they will have in transition and be bold when they get opportunities.
CONDITIONS
Sunny very warm and humid. Pitch in excellent condition.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Starved of possession but resilience defending gave platform for late reward.
TURNING POINT
None pivotal but King save latter stages of second half was important.
THE MATCH
County were again forced into a couple of unsettling changes with Jamille Matt injured, Corey Whitley made his first full appearance after a summer move from Ebbsfleet United. County were able to call on Matt Dolan after injury and he replaced captain Josh Labadie who was on the bench with Mark O’Brien taking up the armband. Crewe settled into some early rhythm with former Bolton defender Nicky Hunt orchestrating some moves down the left flank to pinpoint Kirk who was busy with the ball at his feet. County were more direct in their approach with Abrahams doing to contest across the line but Crewe were quick to snap up the loose ball and spread play going forward. County dealt with some early Crewe moves left side and made efforts to take some care of the ball, but they did cause a couple of anxious moments from direct play. On 10 minutes, County worked a snappy move left side on the break with Haynes finding Amond and he span off a challenge from Lancashire who was booked. On 12 minutes, County created a better low move on the right side involving McNamara and Whitley who won a cheap free kick from Wintle right corner of the area. Dolan somewhat squandered the chance with it going beyond the defensive line and back into the hands of Crewe keeper Jaaskelainen. Crewe kept probing away with Porter target man but the best moves going through Lowery but County held firm. On 20 minutes, County snapped out of their shell with Amond directing a good pass through the middle for Willmott. He had options either side or advance but struck a somewhat ambitious effort from 30 yards which was well wide of the left post. Crewe were comfortable passing across the pitch but one or two casual passes at the back went astray but County were unable to capitalise. Crewe changed tact to switch play more on the right side using the robust frame of Powell but Haynes stood up well to challenge blocking the threat in the corners. On 40 minutes a more decisive Crewe saw Powell check inside from the right corner of the box and find a neat exchange with Green but his low effort from 14 yards was well blocked by O’Brien. Crewe upped their efforts at half time approached and an intricate move moments later instigated by Hunt opened up space in front of the County defence. Kirk did well to pick out a late run by Green but his first time effort from 18 yards was wide of the right post and bar. County went immediately on the offensive with McNamara bursting through on the right channel and his cross was cutting allowing Whitley to ghost in and glance his header from 10 yards inches wide of the left post. Crewe kept forcing the pace down the left side and on the stroke of half time Hunt was again up supporting a move from deep overlapping left side of the area. He threaded a decent low pass inside to find Kirk who drilled a low shot from 25 yards which King claimed well low down.
County made efforts to pick up their game with Abrahams carrying some threat on the left flank on the break testing Crewe right back Ng. On 50 minutes, Abrahams did well to cut back a decent cross from a tight position left side of the area which went deep but County had nobody alive to the situation and Wilmott to most close to the ball right side of the area. Crewe remained patient and thoughtful in their approach play with Ng the more advanced full back right side creating some moves. On 52 minutes, Ng supported a move low into the feet of Powell who returned a pass and his cross was cut back deep for Kirk but his half volley from an acute as scooped well over. On 55 minutes another move involving Ng and Powell invited some space for Lowery who jinked through the middle only to see his low shot from 20 yards well blocked by Howkins and cleared. County had a couple of good situations on the counter left side with Crewe leaving holes in behind but both Whitely and Willmott squandered chances to shoot first time allowing Crewe to recover. On 60 minutes, Crewe had an opportunity which looked suspiciously offside when Lowery chipped a cross back post for Kirk but his tame header was collected low down by King. County made a change moments later to bolster their midfield with Whitley replaced by Nurse. Crewe added to their corner count and had a glimmer of chance on 66 minutes when Lowery directed a deep cross which Nolan was stretching to but headed well over. Another County change followed straight after with Dolan replaced by Maloney in central midfield. County were forced to play deep on times with Crewe working low moves into the corners and Powell did well to shield the ball going into a more central role. Crewe were rewarded with some corners but the delivery lacked edge on times and County defended their lines well. Lowery was again at the heart of a move on 80 minutes when his snapshot from the edge of the area was blocked well by O’Brien. Crewe created their best chance of the game on 85 minutes when Powell protected the ball well under pressure and rolled a pass to Green who released a quick ball to Lowery right corner of the area. He checked back and curled a precise effort towards the left corner but King was alive to it pushing around the left post. There was a warning for Crewe on 86 minutes when County broke well left side after a Crewe move right side broke down involving Ng. Abrahams burst through a couple of challenges to drive down the left side of the area. His cross was chipped back across dangerously with the Crewe defence scrambling back and the ball eluded the late run of Willmott into the area. Willmott was replaced just after by academy graduate Lewis Collins. Then on 90 minutes, with Crewe pushing County burst down the right side with McNamara pivotal in the move. His deep cross was latched onto by Abrahams but his snapshot under pressure was saved low in the right corner from 14 yards. Crewe kept pushing for a winner from moves right side with Ng eager to support. They were punished severely by County three minutes into injury time when Haynes and Abrahams smothered a Crewe foray right side. Haynes slipped a quick pass for Abrahams to break down the left side of the pitch and he had vision to pick out a square pass inside for Amond who calmly stabbed the ball home from 12 yards into the empty net. Crewe went on the attack immediately with Powell again causing problems right side of the area peeling off a challenge and he struck an effort from an acute angle into the side netting. County held out for the win that looked unlikely until the latter stages of the game.
King (7) — kept defence focussed and alert to the snapshots. Kicked well in general and dealt well with kicks from pass backs, made some smart saves with the one from Lowery important.
McNamara (7) — did a good job containing runs of Kirk, stifled threat forcing inside. Reserved coming forward first half but grew into game and put in some good crosses late on when he was bold.
Haynes (7) — put under pressure by robust Powell but remained disciplined tracking danger well. Was bright coming forward later on in the match was instrumental in the move that led to winning goal
O’Brien (8) — did well to contest and limit direct threat into Porter. Won his fair quota of headers, tackled well and did well when turned back to clear danger.
Howkins (8) — dominated in the air, saw tackles early and kept passing efficient and ticking over which was important. Made some good blocks and interceptions late on keeping composure.
Dolan (6) — slotted back in alright after injury but faded after an hour. Was a little slow to the ball on times but when he had it used it well but restricted on set pieces.
Willmott (6) — worked up and down, had spells where got on the ball but let down by poor decisions. Kept plugging away and was close to getting on the end of a couple moves late on.
Sheehan (7) — alert to the ball and competed well but did his best work when he passed quickly rather than turning back. Forced deep for large parts of game and did his best to instigate play from deep
Abrahams (7) — never really got any change from defence first half trying to offer outlet and did better when space evolved late on angling runs wide. Dynamic run on the winning goal bursting through
Whitley (5) — bit of a learning curve, did alright when he dropped off to pick holes and coax fouls, but will be disappointed not able to get any shots or hurtful crosses in.
Amond (7) — had to contend with scraps for large parts of the game and did his best to craft moves in the final third getting close to Abrahams and showed great awareness to get into position on goal.
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were comfortable with the ball at the feet from back to front and organised defending. Created some thoughtful moves in transition turning defence into attack.
Weaknesses — for all their possession, they rarely troubled County keeper King. Not the tallest side in the league and showed some vulnerability when pressed.
Opportunities — they never really changed their tact with the three up front but they were flexible in positions. Surprising not substitutions were made late on in the heat.
Threats — a lot the threat went through Powell who was able to bring other players in. Lowery link play and shots from distance. Kirk offered width and invention left side.
OFFICIALS
L Doughty (7) — got the key decisions right, tried to play advantage best he could in the conditions which was so belated not always an advantage
MAN OF THE MATCH
Daniel Powell — was able to hold the ball at will with his strength and quick feer. Manufactured the best chances for Crewe and gave them an outlet throughout.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were below par for the majority of this match and with several enforced changes they struggled to create any sustained threat allowing Crewe too much dominance via their passing game. It was not the ingredients for winning this game and County will know they need to assert their own game better against Forest Green where they cannot afford to ball watch. Having said that County were resilient, determined and kept their concentration well defending and this platform was crucial allowing some good counter attacks to be mounted later in the game. Crewe were unable to get their left channel firing today forcing their hands to play out on the right side and County punished them ruthlessly on the goal from a move that exposed their right back. County will need to work on aspects of their attacking game as they missed the aerial presence of Matt and didn’t really get the best use out of Whitley to win corners. It is difficult to know what to expect from the West Ham game as much will depend on selection but the next two games County will know they need to do the off the ball work better before they can think about winning games.
