Late rally not enough for County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Brunton Park

Carlisle United 3 (Allesandra 15 pen, Mellish 68, 81)

Newport County 2 (Devitt 84, Sheehan 90+2)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLWLLWWWW

Carlisle United WLWLWWDDWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Carlisle have decent home record and are workmanlike side, so key County match their work ethic and use their bench effectively to keep side fresh

CONDITIONS
Cold, clear and slight breeze. Pitch was a glossy on top but kept condition well

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Despite finishing strong got punished for passing in wrong areas and too often second best in 50–50s

TURNING POINT
Cheap second Carlisle goal made it difficult with game opening up.

THE MATCH
County were forced into a change at wing back with Liam Shepherd suffering from a knock and Robbie Willmott to make his first start of the season. There was another change in midfield with Scott Bennett replacing Scott Twine who was on the bench. County started well with a cohesive move inside 2 minutes switching play from right to left and Haynes overlapped to provide a deep cross which Willmott latched onto but his driving effort went over corner of right post and bar. Carlisle set their stall out to press playing 4–3–3 formation with the front three of Reilly, Allesandra and Kayode positioned high up the pitch to deny County passing freedom from deep. Carlisle were also keen to win their challenges and make intervention in central midfield denying County any rhythm. County had to deal with a couple of opportunist crosses thrown in left side with Riley and Allesandra combining well but County held firm. County made efforts to work passes from deep with keeper Townsend instigating some good moves but they were unable to make the ball stick. On 10 minutes, County were given a warning when some indecision passing out from the back saw the ball deflected into the path of Allesandra but Townsend did well to clear the danger. Carlisle gained confidence from their approach play forcing mistakes and punished County on 14 minutes when they tamely lost possession inside the Carlisle half and Anderton was able to launch a direct ball left side of the area which Kayode seized upon. Haynes came across to cover and appeared to tangle with him and it looked no more than a collision but the referee awarded a dubious looking penalty. Allensandra took the penalty and slotted low into the corner with Townsend getting a hand on the ball but it had just enough pace to go in. Carlisle were boosted by the goal pushing men forward with extra spring in their step winning some corner left side. County had a couple of anxious moments dealing with crosses and had opportunities to break but Abrahams and Amond were struggling to make the ball stick with the midfield sat too deep. Despite County having more possession they were not effective with their use of the ball getting bogged down in several challenges and Labadie was booked on 22 minutes for getting up to a knock down to Abrahams too late and he caught Mellish late. Labadie was keen to make an impact and went close on 25 minutes when he did well to win possession and forge through the middle but his low well struck effort from 35 yards was parried around the right post by Farman. From the resulting corner, Sheehan played a clever low pass to the edge of the area to pick out Dolan but his low effort was mishit and deflected to safety. County were forced into a change on 28 minutes with Labadie pulling up and he was replaced by Devitt. County kept forcing the issue in terms of possession but Carlisle remained a threat on the break with Kayode allowed to dribble with ease. County had a better spell with Amond and Devitt linking well in tandem but often vulnerable when they lost possession cheaply and Carlisle made them suffer from poor retention. On 40 minutes, Carlisle were close to a second when a heavy touch by Abrahams deep inside their own half invited Riley to pinch the ball and thread a quick pass into Kayode. He did well to penetrate through the middle and release a pass left side of the area for Reilly who struck a decent low effort against the right post from 18 yards. County became increasingly anxious as half time approached with some poor decisions with their passing allowing Carlisle to build momentum and break hard on them. There was another warning on 43 minutes, when Dolan got crowded out in the middle of the pitch and Mellish sprayed a quick pass right side to find Kayode in space. He cut back a decent cross to the edge of the box and the unmarked Riley struck a decent effort just over the corner of the left post and bar. With unforced errors creeping into their game, County were fortunate to go in at half time just one down and another passing error in first injury time saw Allesandra thief the ball off Willmott and his slipped pass found Reilly in space but his effort from left side of the box flashed just wide of the right post.

County made a change at half time to freshen up their front line with Abrahams sacrificed for Proctor with Dolan slotting into central midfield and Bennett playing deeper. County came out more determined in possession offering more verve final third. On 48 minutes, a decent move right side saw Bennett crudely checked by McDonald right side well inside the Carlisle half and the central defender was booked. County had series of corners on 50 minutes with Carlisle getting the intervention in to clear the danger at the front post. On 52 minutes, County were awarded a free kick right side of the area and Dolan curled in a decent delivery but McDonald was on hand to head clear. With County well on top and Carlisle forced deep, Devitt showed his capability to turn off a challenge just moments later and an ambitious effort from 30 yards went wide of the left post. With County forcing the issue, Carlisle were again effective in picking holes on the break and went close again on 54 minutes when Kayode set up Reilly who broke into space left side but his effort from the left corner of the box was blocked by Cooper. County kept pressing with Proctor doing well to lock the ball down and link play and Carlisle had to deal with some testing crosses with McDonald alert heading to safety. On 58 minutes, County forced Carlisle to defend deep inside the own area and some smart footwork by Proctor saw him drive to the byline before the cross was again cut out. Carlisle made a change to freshen their approach on 65 minutes with Patrick replacing Reilly which gave them more impetus on the break. On 67 minutes, County were given a warning when Carlisle worked a quick move in transition to the right side and Patrick delivered an early cross into the area which Cooper cleared well inside the six yard box. County failed to heed to warning and were punished on 68 minutes when Patrick switched play from right to left side of the area to find Mellish who stole in late and with Willmott backing off he made the most of the space invited blasting into the top left corner giving Townsend no chance. County made their final change on 70 minutes with Haynes replaced by Ellison with County gambling on a 3–4–3 formation with Ellison left wing and Willmott right side. Cooper was on the end of reckless challenge by Hayden on 70 minutes clearing near the edge of the area and required treatment but was thankfully able to continue somewhat gingerly. Carlisle kept pressing and prised open another chance right side of the area from a slick exchange with Anderton forcing Townsend to parry around the right post at acute angle. County had a better spell of control as the game entered its final stages and went close on 80 minutes when Proctor did well edge of the area and caressed a decent pass into Dolan. He wasted no time directing a precise low shot from 25 yards which crashed against the right post and the rebound was poked wide of the right post by Amond. With County forcing the issue they were punished ruthlessly on 81 minutes. The goal again came from a promising position deep inside the Carlisle half Demetriou took the throw left side of the area was cleared straight to Kayode. He exploited space offered by County and threaded a pass right side of the area for Mellish who struck a first time effort from a wide angle which appeared to catch Townsend out beating him at the near post. County refused to lie down and showed great in final ten minutes forcing the issue. On 84 minutes, an efficient move left side by County saw Sheehan find Ellision and he did well to drive to the byline and manufacture a perfect cross into the six yard box to pick out Proctor. Despite his header being blocked by McDonald, Devitt anticipated well to finish in the right corner. Carlisle made another change on 90 minutes with Obiero replacing Kayode. County went more direct in the final stages with Carlisle looking increasingly shaky at the back. They had another goal back on two minutes into injury time with Elllison again involved left side of the area. He showed good vision to pick out the late run of Sheehan who curled an excellent effort low into the right corner from edge of the area beyond the grasp of Farman. County pushed several players forward deep into injury time and were close to an unlikely equaliser four minutes into injury time when a direct ball by Cooper was allowed to drop and Amond caressed a neat pass for Devitt right side of the area but his snapshot was intercepted well by McDonald. Carlisle made their final change just after with Riley replaced by Furman. Carlisle had a late chance to kill off the game when a quick through ball on the break set Obiero free through the middle and his pace took him around Townsend but his shot from a wide angle was tame and cleared. Carlisle held out to climb up to third place with a victory they deserved despite the late pressure County applied.

Townsend (6) — put under pressure with distribution on times but passed well despite some hurried interventions. Bit unlucky not to save penalty but appeared to go down early on third goal

Willmott (5) — did well offensively picking holes but left too much room defending not closing space quick enough. Looked a little tentative and indecisive and got caught in possession too much

Haynes (6) — started well and probed well much of first half with some neat crosses. Saw less influence second half and allowed Kayode too much space to peel off challenges. Faded early and replaced

Demetriou (6) — had to contend with Kayode and didn’t have his own way in the air but made some good interventions. Long throws less effective and break on third goal came when he was out of position.

Dolan (7) — started deeper and made efforts to pick holes but got caught in possession when he forced issue. Delivered some decent set pieces but nobody alert front post and unlucky not to get a goal

Cooper (6) — put under pressure on some aerial duals and switched off on penalty allowing ball to drop in behind. Made some brave tackles, diverted danger well inside area and battled on well after knock

Bennett (5) — filled gap after Labadie went off and did his best to break up play and competed well in the air. Struggled to deal with some of the pace when side was left exposed later in second half.

Sheehan (7) — was the most threatening player and could have had a hat trick with more composure. Had less of the ball but had some good spells, best moves went through him and rarely wasted a pass

Labadie (6) — got involved early on offering energy box to box and booking came as a result of seeing ball late. Forced off early and replaced by:

Devitt (6) — made some neat exchanges and timed runs well in and around the box. Got brushed off a few challenges a bit easy but took goal very well and went close to another.

Abrahams (5) — looked in need of rest tonight, took the easy option too often playing with back to goal and found ball easily prised off him. Didn’t do enough running in behind and replaced at half time by:

Proctor (7) — looked sharp, offered outlet second half dropping off with some intelligent runs and was quick minded with ball at feet. Set up a couple of opportunities from crosses which deserved better

Amond (6)– building match fitness, played better second half when County forced more territorial possession and did well in a three. Worked hard but as restricted on clearcut chances

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were aggressive closing down and pressed high forcing mistakes. They got in some important interventions and were effective in transition with pace and power coming forward.

Weaknesses — both full backs were small and not really tested in the air until later in game. goalkeeper was slow to react and get down several times. Impetus and energy faded late on.

Opportunities — they set their stall out to thief ball off passing mistakes and use pace to flood numbers forward when County moves broke down. Never really changed tact and didn’t have to.
Threats — Kayode was outlet with pace and provided some decent passes. Mellish runs late in support and eye for goal. Riley shots in and around area. Allesandra intelligent use of the ball

OFFICIALS

S Oldham (6) — inconsistent, penalty looked uncertain and was lenient letting go several rash challenges and then not allowing advantage to flow when needed

MAN OF THE MATCH

J Kayode — pace and strength on the ball gave outlet for Carlisle to have a breather when they needed and was cutting making openings final third. Despite not scoring was at the heart of all the goals

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were forced into some changes in the starting line up which unsettled the team for the first time this season. The usual balance was missing and they were too open and expansive in wide positions with Carlisle set up to counter from passing mistakes or poor retention. Perhaps the usual verve was missing with some players looking in need of the rest with the midfield very flat first half as Carlisle picked up on the scraps quicker. Willmott came in at wing back but looked hesitant and lacked match sharpness and Carlisle threatened several times left side before finally punishing County second half. Carlisle had the fitness and energy to sustain their high pressing game restricting County not to settle into their passing game. To their credit, they maintained this, albeit from last ten minutes of the match but the game was already won. County were more effective and aggressive after the second half changes they made to go more direct. They will need this armour up their sleeve as they head into the winter months and pitches degrade. Ellison’s cameo late on was effective when he turned provider but also he unsettled from wide positions allowing Proctor to flourish and he is pushing for a starting pace. Next up is Leyton Orient away in the FA Cup and a chance to redeem themselves after some indifferent performances against the O’s in recent games. Orient are likely to mirror the Carlisle plan playing 4–3–3 and throw caution to the wind with Wilkinson key outlet holding with Johnson picking up bits and pieces. County will need to cut out the cheap passing errors and play low final third so they do not get turned over in the transition with Sotiriou also capable with pace offered on the break.