Late goals becoming a theme for County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Ellison 90+6)

Port Vale

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LWLLWWWWLW

Port Vale LWLWWWLWLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Port Vale made a bright start to the season but their form has tapered off recently conceding goals. Expect them to tighten up so key County assert control and don’t force the game.

CONDITIONS
Light showers, mild and breezy. Pitch looked a little worn and erratic in parts but held condition well

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Purposeful, persistent paid off despite missing glut of chances

TURNING POINT
Port Vale going down to ten men tamed their threat

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes from the Leyton Orient cup match two weeks ago with Liam Shepherd returning after injury in place of Ashley Baker who was on the bench. There was another change in midfield with Scott Twine replacing Scott Bennett who was also substitute. County made a snappy start with some intricate low passing moves which tested the Port Vale rear-guard with Shepherd prominent right side. On 3 minutes, County were awarded a free kick when Cullen checked Cooper holding the ball right side of the area. Dolan took the delivery and put in a low vicious cross which Smith diverted well. County retained possession well with some good moves from deep and Port Vale worked hard off the ball with front three of Cullen, Rodney and Worrall denying space. On 6 minutes, County worked a good move across the face of the area and Abrahams was clattered from behind Legge who was booked. Twine took the free kick and curled in a decent effort which Brown did well to claw away from the top left corner. Port Vale struggled to clear their lines effectively and found the ball coming back immediately and were fortunate when Abrahams drove to the left byline and his low cross and Cooper had his effort blocked at the front. County were close again on 8 minutes when they stifled a Vale move right side with Demetriou tackling Rodney and he found Sheehan quickly. He delivered an excellent cross field pass to find Shepherd right side of the box who threaded a slide rule pass for Devitt wo broke into the area and his low shot from 14 yards was saved well by Brown. County maintained their energy with some thoughtful passes to turn the Vale defence around but they kept their resolve well and eased their well into the game. On 15 minutes, a long throw by Clark right side popped up invitingly for Port Vale and Cullen had his effort on the turn blocked but in the follow up Worrall anticipated well but his snapshot from 10 yards was parried well by Towsend. Port Vale gained confidence from their sporadic breaks with Worrall forcing some good moves left side. On 18 minutes, Worrall seized a direct pass out to the left channel and cut back a decent pass for Conlon who struck a first time effort from 25 yards but Townsend saved well parrying around the left post. On 20 minutes, Vale had a corner right side which Worrall directed to front post and Smith glanced a header under pressure wide of the left post. With Vale encouraged out, County still had opportunities especially on the break with Haynes coming into the game left side. On 22 minutes, Haynes did well to force his run to the left byline and his cross was cut back smartly and teed back to Sheehan edge of the area but his shot was wide and high of the right post and bar. County had another half chance on 25 minutes when Proctor turned smartly to run at the defence left side and his cross field pass picked out the run of Devitt but his effort from 18 yards was rising. Moments later Worrall was booked for tangling with Cooper but he was creating threat for Port Vale on the left side picking holes. On 27 minutes, an opportunist cross by Worrall was met by Cullen but his header from 10 yards looped over the bar. The game was ebbing from end to end and County remained a threat with Haynes enjoying space left side. On 30 minutes, County were close when Haynes provided an excellent cross into the six yard box and the late run by Proctor got him into position to finish but his effort from 8 yards went agonisingly just past the right post. Cooper gained some retribution on Worrall just moments later shunting him off the pitch near the half way line and he was booked. Port Vale continued to ask questions with the front three lively and another Worrall cross on the 35 minutes County struggled to get safe and a smart shot on the turn by Cullen from 8 yards was well held low down by Townsend. On 37 minutes, a more direct move by County caught Port Vale napping and Abrahams was left 1–1 against Smith but the defender managed to get an important block from the shot edge of the area. County created some more threat down the middle as half time approached with Proctor dropping off to pick holes and a keen eye for a pass. On 40 minutes, Proctor did well to shift play from left to right and pinpoint Devitt and with Shepherd overlapping well right side he slipped an excellent pass into him but his effort was tipped away by Brown. On 42 minutes, County looked certain to go ahead when Devitt again turned provider realising Shepherd who stole in right side of the area but his shot was saved by the legs of the keeper and the ball hit the bar. County had two excellent chances in first half injury with Abrahams curling an effort around the left post when well placed inside the “d”. Then moments later Devitt again showed good vision to pick out a run of Shepherd right side of the area and he blasted a low shot from an acute angle just pass the left post.

Port Vale made a change at half time with Fitzpatrick replacing Conlon and he went left back with Montano pushing forward to left midfield. County kept plugging away adding to their corner count and were close again on 50 minutes from a corner right side. Dolan whipped in vicious delivery towards the front post which Cooper read well but his header from 6 yards dropped just over the bar under pressure by Legge. Port Vale set their stall out to stifle County and remained a threat left side with Montano higher up the pitch linking well with Worrall who continued to pick holes to provide crosses. County responded with some counter moves right side with Shepherd prepared to push on and a bright snappy move on 53 minutes involving Twine released Shepherd right side of the box. He penetrated to the byline and drill a low cross which Abrahams met but his flick on was saved by Brown. Another bright County move moments later by saw Abrahams have shot diverted following a corner left side. Devitt snapped up possession and his cross was met well by Abrahams from 8 yards but the header drifted wide of the left post. Port Vale made a tactical change with Worrall switching to the right flank to offer an outlet and their defenders pushed up higher. County were thwarted by a couple of offsides on the hour and with better timing with their passes they may well have profited. On 65 minutes, Demetriou was booked for what appeared to be dissent when he wanted to get on with a long throw before the imminent substitution. County introduced Amond for Proctor and Labadie was introduced in place of Devitt in midfield to seek more control of the game. Vale responded with a change up top replacing Rodney with Robinson. The match then took another twist when Legge was sent off for Port Vale on 68 minutes for catching Labadie with an ugly tackle from behind which earnt his second yellow card. Vale adjusted with Robinson lone player up top and another change made on 70 minutes introducing central defender Brisley for Cullen up front. Port Vale were happy to slow game down and frustrate in the final stages and further indiscipline saw Montano booked needlessly for dissent. County made another change on 77 minutes with Willmott replacing Shepherd as right wing back. Willmott wasted little time getting into the game with some darting runs forward. On 80 minutes, County were close again when Willmott advanced right side of the area and cut back a low cross to the edge of the area which caught the Vale defence flat-footed and Labadie had time to pick his spot but blasted over the bar. On 82 minutes, Willmott was again pivotal with a marauding run right side and cut back this time on his left foot right corner of the box and his low shot was parried around the right post by Brown. County made another attacking change on 85 minutes with Ellison replacing Haynes. County kept probing away and were presented another decent chance on 87 minutes when Ellison clipped back an excellent cross left side of the area which found Amond but his header from 8 yards looped wide of the left post. County were left exasperated on 88 minutes when a Dolan corner right side was met well by Cooper inside the six yard box but his glancing header was inches wide of the left post. Vale made their fourth change on 89 minutes with Montano sacrificed for another defender Crookes. County retained their belief throwing the kitchen sink at Port Vale in the 6 minutes of injury time. On 90+2 another bright move right side by Willmott provide a decent cross into the six yard box but Cooper could only head over under pressure from Smith. Cooper was again denied on 90+5 with a looping header from 10 yards after a deeper cross provided by Sheehan. County got their reward in the final minute of injury time from a corner right side by Dolan that was allowed to drop dangerously and Twine set up Ellison for an instinctive finish half volley into the top left corner from 6 yards.

Townsend (7) — made a couple of important saves first half from inside the area and dealt well with awkward crosses from Worrall. Kicked and distributed well from deep

Shepherd (7) — looked sharp after knock and could have had a hat trick quite easily first half. Made some well timed runs forward working box to box despite being restricted on crosses

Haynes (7) — busy game up and down the line all game under fading, was well marked final third and despite not providing usual quota linked well to release Devitt.

Demetriou (7) — kept busy by Rodney but dealt well and limited chances clearing effectively. Provided usual quota of long throws and was neat with his distribution.

Dolan (8) — gave assurance in behind to pick up bits and pieces and made some good interventions. Provided several decent set pieces and pushed on late to influence final stages.

Cooper (8) — strong in the aerial duals and mopped up a lot of the danger. Had his hands full with Worrall but mitigated threat well and went close several times from set pieces.

Twine (6) — played a deep role today which didn’t serve him so well. Had spells in the game and did his best work keeping passes short and efficient. Went close from a couple of set pieces.

Sheehan (7) — competed well and got on the ball to effect play in spells and instigated some decent moves especially first half. Went close a few times in and around from distance.

Devitt (7) — worked hard and turned provider with several good passes which turned Port Vale back on their heels. Restricted on chances but missed a decent chance first half when well placed.

Abrahams (6) — provided some good crosses when he angled his runs into wide positions. Went close from distance and found it hard to break the lines getting offside on occasions.

Proctor (6) — opened up some opportunities first half for others when he dropped off and was effective when he got facing forward but suffered from poor touch on times with back to goal.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — created some decent moves in transition, front three were lively and worked hard as a unit to close down. Showed flexibility to adapt game despite ten men before fading.

Weaknesses — full backs were hesitant and hurried with distribution leaving gaps. Gave away a lot of free kicks first half especially middle of the pitch

Opportunities — 4–3–3 worked well for them and they were positive when invited but main threat came from wide positions and crosses. Lacked direct option to change tact
Threats — Worrall crosses left side and set pieces were cutting, Conlon shots from distance, Cullen guile in and around the area.

OFFICIALS

A Young (6) — was a little card happy and game threatened to boil over on times. Quite fussy on times and didn’t allow game to flow but got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Matt Dolan- composed throughout, knitted defence together and calmness key when County were pushed back. provided several decent set pieces

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County kept persevering and have scored several late goals this season at home to pinch the points. This is a testament to the character and belief in this side which could have accepted a point. The result should have been more comfortable with several decent chances carved out especially first half deep inside the Vale area. The game was very open on times with Port Vale set up to have a go and this caused problems for County largely left side with Worrall opportunist with his crosses. County asserted their game better after half time with the introduction of Labadie key. The approach play was cohesive, especially when they kept the ball and when County didn’t force their passes today they were effective but with several shots from the edge of the area off target when they were well positioned they let Vale off. County can improve on their play in transition with the timing on the final ball a little erratic and the efficiency of how they use the ball will be key in the winter months. Next up is Walsall at home who have been struggling for goals and wins recently. They are likely to employ a 4–5–1 system to frustrate County and suffocate the midfield with Sinclair key spoiler and look for direct play into Adebayo to build momentum. County need to keep their passing short, snappy and efficient and with the games coming thick and fast tempo and decision making will be key.