Late Vardy brace puts County out of the cup

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: King Power Stadium

Leicester City 3 (Justin 44, Vardy 70, 82)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 15,081

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LLLDWLWdDW

Leicester City LLLWLdWWLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Leicester are in much better form and picked a strong starting squad which will press up and work hard. County need to track their movement, match their work ethic and counter efficiently.

CONDITIONS
Mild, Light rain showers petered out and keen wind. Pitch in decent condition, bit slippery in parts and very slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Worked overtime to defend admirably but lacked quality and cohesion to threaten in transition.

TURNING POINT
Leicester goal on half time wasn’t terminal but blow to moral.

THE MATCH
County made a few changes with Nick Townsend replacing Joe Day who was on the bench. County brought back Aaron Lewis into the side replaced James Clarke who was rested. County retained the 3–5–2 formation with Lewis going right back and Norman slotting into central defence. County made another change in midfield with Matt Dolan coming in for Scott Bennett who was a named substitute. There was a final change up front with Lewis Collins partnering Omar Bogle sacrificing Wil Evans to the bench. Leicester set a precedence from the start forcing wide areas aggressively with some slick low moves. On 2 minutes, County were given a warning when Barnes combined to slide in a low pass for Praet near the right byline. He cut back a decent pass towards the edge of the area which Justin latched onto but his effort was deflected for a corner. Leicester kept probing left side with Barnes pivotal with his movement off the ball forcing Lewis and Norman into some hurried clearances. On 6 minutes, another Leicester move left side instigated by left back Thomas who linked well to find Barnes on the left corner of the area. He cut inside and his snapshot was well diverted with an important interception by Farquharson. On 10 minutes, County had to avert danger when a ball through the middle saw Farquharson and Norman get in way of one of another. Ndidi picked up on the loose ball and threaded a pass through the middle for Praet who attempted to round Townsend but Lewis was alert to pick up the loose and clear inside the six yard box. County made effort to relieve pressure with some direct play but a lot of their moves lacked cohesion and quality with Leicester stifling play quickly through centre backs captain Johnny Evans and Waet Faes. On 16 minutes, Leicester threatened again when a busy low move right side involving right back Justin and Perez right side. He found Ndidi who cut inside near the right corner of the area but his effort was rising over the bar. County won a couple of free kicks deep inside the Leicester half and this offered some promise with Farquharson winning some good headers but Leicester managed their clearances well. After riding the early Leicester storm, County made efforts to settle into some passing moves but they always looked more capable from direct moves with Collins giving an outlet left side. Leicester continued to close down and pick up passing mistakes by County and they had a great chance to go ahead on 27 minutes. Moriah-Welsh made an attempt at a short pass deep inside his own half which left side but Vardy intercepted quickly and his strong run left side of the area put County in trouble. Vardy threaded a clever pass inside for Barnes who struck a low effort from 10 yards but Townsend made an excellent save low down to smother the effort. County had a little more territorial possession on the half hour with some good moves left side involving Lewis and Collins but turned to some opportunities to cross into the area and Leicester were able to recover and break up the move. Leicester kept pressing as half time approached switching the ball from left to right and vice versa and they pushed their full backs very high influence the game. County marshalled the threat well but were dealt a blow on 44 minutes when Praet made a tricky run right side and cut back a pass for right back Justin. County switched off momentarily with Justin ghosting inside pass Lewis and with no challenge or cover forthcoming Justin showed flexibility to curl a precise effort into the top left corner with his less favoured left foot beyond the grasp of Townsend. Leicester was energised by the goal and were close to another goal in first half injury time when Bogle got caught dwelling on the ball deep inside his half and Ndidi set up Justin for a snapshot but it was well blocked by Demetriou to safety.

Leicester started the second half like they meant business and putting the tie to bed. County were forced to defend a couple of early corners which they dealt with well getting the ball safe. County created their best move of the game on 53 minutes with inch perfection precision moving the ball well down the right flank. Lewis chipped a good lofted pass over the head of left back Thomas and Bogle ghosted in to seize possession and find Waite who as alive to the move and angled his run right side of the area. He cut back an excellent low cross into the six yard box inviting Collins to pounce back post but Soumare made an important intervention. County gained confidence from some better approach play and won a free kick on 57 minutes on the left flank after a handball. Dolan whipped in an excellent which Demetriou anticipated well back post and his header from 10 yards crashed against the left post but the very marginal offside call went against County. On 60 minutes, County were close again when a probing move right side saw Norman advance in support to deliver a cross into the area that flashed deep and Adam Lewis stole in with a first time header but it was weak going straight at the keeper. Leicester made a triple substitution soon after to pep up their game in midfield with Albrighton on for Justin, Tielmans for Soumare and Iheanacho on for Perez. Leicester asserted their game again with some forceful moves right sides involving Barnes and Iheanacho. On 65 minutes, they both combined right corner of the area and cut back to Vardy inside the “d” but the low shot was held well by Townsend. County were caught out on 67 minutes when a poor pass through the middle and Tielmans was quick to release a slide rule pass right side of area for Thomas who carried his run untracked. His snapshot tested Townsend but again he was equal to it claiming well. Leicester maintained their energy with slick runs and were close again movements later when a move left side saw Praet release Barnes who tricked his way into the area but his effort was tipped over well by Townsend. County made a triple substitution on 70 minutes with Nevers replacing Waite, Zimba and Evans on for Bogle and Collins up front. County relaxed allowing Leicester too much space right side moments later when Albrighton overlapping down the right flank and his early cross pinpointed Vardy at the front post who glanced into the left corner leaving Townsend rooted to the spot. Leicester made another change on 75 minutes with Ndidi sacrificed for Braybooke and Vestergaad coming in central defence for Faes. County responded with another change on 77 minutes with Bowen on for Moriah-Welsh. On 80 minutes, County had a glimmer of chance on 80 minutes from a long throw right side by Demetriou which looped towards the front post and Norman did well to unsettle Leicester into a loose clearance edge of the area. Aaron Lewis was alive to the loose ball but unable to keep his effort down. Leicester added a third on 82 minutes from a swift counter attack from deep when a County corner broke down. Barnes drove forward through the middle and escaped the clutches of Farqushson and Lewis before playing in Vardy who rounded Townsend and slotted into the empty net. County made efforts to push for a consolation goal with some verve final third to force Leicester deeper in final stages. On 85 minutes, Demetriou launched a decent long throw right side of the area and Farquharson met well with a firm header from 6 yards which flashed over the bar. County had an even better chance on 87 minutes when Evans contested a direct ball well in the air beating Vestergaard to the ball and he clipped a good pass for Nevers to run inside and his strong run exposed Leicester. He drilled a low shot from 16 yards which forced Iversen into a good save in the right corner. County made a late substitution in injury time giving youngster Harrison Bright a run out in place of Adam Lewis. Leicester regained some of the initiative in the 3 minutes of injury time, but County got a great applause at the end for their efforts by their large following.

Townsend (8) — kept busy, made some excellent saves to deny Leicester first half and keep County in the game until the second goal. Kicked well getting the ball safe despite restricted outlet.

Adam Lewis (5) — difficult game, under pressure from wide play and struggled to track movement getting caught out on first goal ball watching. Made some links final third but crosses restricted

Farquharson (7) — made some towering headers and coped well to block and intercept. Went close several times to getting his first County goal which can only be around the corner.

Demetriou (7) — did his best stem flow left side, won his aerial duals and made some important interventions. Caused problems with long throws throughout and inches from scoring with header.

Norman (7) — quiet first half and found it hard to break shackles but got stronger as game went on being more decisive in an around the box. Did well on opening goal to unsettle keeper.

Aaron Lewis (5) — put under pressure by Barnes and got caught out by pace and movement several times. Had a better spell after half time but missed too many tackles standing off.

Dolan (6) — did his best to cover across the defence but spent time firefighting and got pulled about with lack of movement. Delivered some decent set pieces when he was asked of.

Moriah-Welsh (6) — worked hard and did a lot of running and tracking trying his best to compete but never really got on the ball. Passing was erratic when he got the ball.

Waite (7) — roamed and offered plenty of energy supporting moves into the corners. Got caught wrong side of the man several times but did well with his recovery competing well.

Collins (6) — the best outlet for much of the first half and ran hard to offer but never really got an quality ball. Restricted on shots and needs to be bolder and work the keeper in around the box.

Bogle (5) — passive game, not eager enough off the ball, won some aerial duals but found Evans and Faes difficult to shrug off. Did better roaming flanks rather than stiffly playing too central

SWOT ANALYSIS (Leicester City)

Strengths — aggressive work rate and offered lot of clever movement, guile either side of the area. Countered well from deep and when exposed recovered back well to defend

Weaknesses — few of note on the night, County did cause problems in the air from set pieces and crosses. full backs took risks to press up and better sides would have punished in behind

Opportunities — never really changed tact, kept working the ball to flanks with neat exchanges and pressed up to suffocate County. Played more on break second half.

Threats — Barnes and Perez invention and creativity in wide areas and eye for a goal, Vardy pace in behind and shot on goal. Both full backs were prominent in making things happen.

OFFICIALS

D Bond (6) — blew up for several free kicks for meek challenges and were no more than collisions. Got the key decisions in and around the area.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Harvey Barnes — movement and timing of runs left side caused problems getting in behind providing crosses and neat cut backs at the heart of the best moves.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County made a fist of the game but Leicester City showed their credentials as a premier league side with their technical ability and skill but it was their movement and runs that kept County worked overtime and they struggled to sustain any momentum. It also showed up some of the weaknesses in the side and exposed the lack of an outlet County often have when Norman is played in more introverted role with only Bogle and Evans late on winning headers. County are not going to have to deal with same intensity in League Two matches but they need to have better options to hurt sides in transitions especially when opponents press up high often with both full backs committed. There were times when Leicester left two v two at the back, but County were either too slow with their decision making, opting for the short pass inside the own half when a direct ball to channel served them better. Bogle did pick up on this in spells second half and it did develop more options and threat for County final third. County can take the learnings with what Leicester offered with their patterns in wide areas to coordinate some smart well timed moves. Next up, back to the bread and butter of league action with National Conference Champions Stockport County the visitors. Stockport started this season slowly but have only lost once since the end of September. Stockport are likely to mirror County with a 3–5–2 formation but are quite flexible with Hussey and Rydel both capable from wide areas and Wootton key cog up top to hold up play and buy time. County will need to be on their mettle to deal with crosses and track runs with Sarcevic and Madden prepared to flood forward from deep