Lost opportunity as County outbattled

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Vale Park

Port Vale 2 (Conlon 12 , Rodney 75)

Newport County 1(Scrimshaw 55)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLDLWdLWWW

Port Vale LWLDdLLLdL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Port Vale have been on a barren run despite appointing new manager Darrell Clarke. Despite their perilous position expecting them to be positive so key County stifle threat and be dynamic coming forward

CONDITIONS
Cool, clear and calm. Pitch looked a bit erratic and slippery in patches

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Slow disjointed first half, looked weary and didn’t do enough off the ball despite better spell for a time second half

TURNING POINT
Opening goal gave Port Vale big boost and something to hold onto

THE MATCH
County kept their same starting side but Nicky Maynard was not in the squad but Luke Gambin was named a substitute in his place. Port Vale adopted a 4–3–3 attacking formation and showed their intentions from the offset winning a free kick right side inside the first minute which County managed to get safe. Vale pressed their front three up high in attempt to unsettle County into any early rhythm. County were forced to play long with some hopeful balls forward that gave Amond and Taylor little to work off. County were more effective when they worked long balls either side of the 18 yard box with both Vale full backs prepared to push up. Vale left back Montano was prominent in some good moves left side but Lewis found some room in behind on the opposite flank when Vale moves broke down. County kept probing away but got caught napping on 12 minutes when a harmless looking ball right side found Worrall who span away from Demetriou who jumped into the challenge. He drove right side of the area and some slacking marking by County edge of the area allowing Conlon to stab low into the left corner. Vale were energised by the goal increasing their grip of the game with Worrall, Robinson and Rodney menacing in the final third. Montano continued to pick holes left side with County down on alertness. On 18 minutes, Montano was blocked by cut inside by Labadie left side of the area. Conlon struck a decent free kick which forced Townsend to tip over right side with an instinctive save. County eased their way into the game registering their first real threat on 20 minutes when Labadie drove well right side of the area to exploit space left by Montano and his low cross went straight through the six yard box. County forced play further up the pitch with some decent low moves but Vale continued to ask questions on the break with Worrall quick to exploit gaps. On 30 minutes, Vale were presented an opportunity when Sheehan got pick-pocketed just yards outside his own area by Worrall and he found Conlon left side of the area only for his snapshot to blocked. County were being impaired by indecision and another opportunity for Port Vale came when a County move left side broke down on 33 minutes. Mills was quick to anticipate and provide a decent cross right side of the area which Conlon glanced on but Rodney read the loose ball but his effort from 14 yards was well blocked by Farquharson. County had a better spell as half time approached working the ball sharper to feet and Vale were penalised giving away some free kicks. On 43 minutes, Joyce was booked for clumsy challenge on Labadie but the free kick by Dolan from 30 yards went over the bar.

County made a double substitution at half time with Amond replaced by Scrimshaw and Bennett sacrificed for Gambin who went into attacking role right side and Dolan slotting in midfield in a 4–3–3 formation. County were lifted by their changes with Scrimshaw and Gambin getting on the ball. On 48 minutes, County were close when Gambin constructed a bright move left side and despite his cross come shot being well blocked by Mills it only went into the “d” and Taylor struck a sweet effort against the underside of the bar but rebounded to safety. Port Vale were happy to sit in and play on the break with Mills and Montano. On 52 minutes, Labadie under pressure held the ball left side and appeared to be pushed down not once but twice by Mills but with no free kick forthcoming, Mills broke and hit an ambitious shot from 25 yards just wide of the right post. County kept probing away working the ball more efficiently with Sheehan and Dolan working well in tandem to pick gaps. On 55 minutes, County created a move through the middle taking Vale by surprise with Sheehan finding Taylor near the “d” and a return pass saw him link to find Scrimshaw inside the area. He span off a challenge by Legge and drilled a shot low past Port Vale keeper Brown from 8 yards. County were lifted by the goal with both Scrimsham and Gambin offering verve in wide positions. On 58 minutes, County had a valid looking appeal for a penalty when they worked a good move right side of the area with Gambin delivering a cutting cross which sat up back post and struck Mills outstretched arm but the referee waved play on and Lewis had his snapshot blocked. Port Vale made a change on 63 minutes with Amoo replacing Oyeleke. County were decisive getting the ball to feet well for a time and were close to a second goal on 68 minutes when Gambin tricked his way past Montano near the right line. He showed good vision to pick out late run by Scrimshaw front post who denied by an important interception by Smith. Port Vale elected to play more deeper to take the sting out of the pressure County were applying. On 72 minutes, Vale directed a long ball through the middle forcing Townsend to come outside his area and make a clearance with Worrall and Rodney closing in. Port Vale had offered little threat second half but a rare break on 75 minutes when County allowed too much space for Worrall right side of the area. He cut back a decent cross despite the attention of Lewis into the six yard box which Farquharson did well to block but somewhat unfortunately his clearance ricocheted into the path o Rodney who fired home inside the 6 yard area. County made a double substitution moments later with Ellison replacing Taylor and Telford on for Taylor. Port Vale responded with a defensive change with Brisley on for Robinson and they adjusted to play 5–4–1 with Rodney false number 9 up. County lacked the same punch and thought with the ball in the final ten minutes with some tired passes drifting out of play. On 86 minutes, Lewis did well to penetrate left side but his rash effort from the left side of the area when well over the bar. On 90 minutes, County won a corner left side which Lewis delivered well to front post and Ellison appeared to get his header in from 8 yards under pressure but Brown held well. County forced some late disjointed pressure with some crosses and long throws thrown in but Port Vale who in no mood to relinquish their lead and some vital points to drag themselves away from the relegation zone.

Townsend (7) — kicked well under pressure from back passes, handled crosses well and made a couple of smart instinctive saves first half to keep County in the game.

Farquharson (6) — got pressed into some passing errors, did well in air, swept up danger but marking was a little lax on times. Unfortunate on6goal but was in trouble allowing man to come him

Lewis (6) — got outfoxed by Worrall several times, won some brave tackles but final ball lacked quality. Had a better spell after half time and got more on the ball before fading.

Demetriou (6) — did his best to time runs out and initiate moves, was comfortable in aerial duals but got forced to turn back and was well behind play on second goal being caught up the pitch.

Shephard (7) — quiet first half and was forced to track back to limit crosses from Montano. Came into the game for a spell after half time slick with his passing but looked leggy later on.

Dolan (6) — struggled to get on the ball first half and offered more influence going in midfield for a time before being replaced.

Labadie (6) — restricted on clear-cut chances, and looked in need of rest but did his best to hold ball despite very little protection from the referee.

Sheehan (7) — very quiet first half playing far too deep and put side in trouble on times with wayward passes. Did a lot better after half time but unable to sustain impact.

Bennett (5) — didn’t win enough of the 50–50s and took a knock first which appeared to impair his movement before being replaced by:

Gambin (7) — had a good spell after half time and was creative joining up play well through the middle

Taylor (6) — did well when he won the ball and was able to use it effectively in link play. Got brushed off challenges a bit too easy and need to be playing in and around the area.

Amond (5) — looked short on energy and uncharacteristically allowed ball to prised off him to easily. Restricted on clear-cut chances.

Strengths — they were bold playing 3 up top and work ethic was key closing down as a unit winning the 50–50s. Both full backs had good spells forcing play higher up

Weaknesses — were somewhat fortunate to escape with just one booking as lot of the cynical play was ignored. Left gaps in the corners which better sides would have exploited.

Opportunities — they set their stall to close down and win the loose ball. Went more direct late on and went frustrate playing 5 at the back.
Threats — Worrall demanded ball right side and set up both goals, Conlon runs box to box and Rodney offered pace left side playing through middle late on

OFFICIALS

M Edwards (5) — inconsistent decisions with clambering and was lenient on the time wasting. Made several odd decisions in the second half even deciding to get involved by blocking passes

MAN OF THE MATCH

David Worrall — gave assurance right side and quick outlet to relieve pressure. Put in several good crosses at the heart of both goals and worked back off the ball which was key

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will look back on this match as one that got away. Despite playing poorly first half they responded well after half time with the changes, but they paid the price again on the second goal for allowing Worrall opportunity to make crosses. County have conceded too many cheap goals defending their left side and it they are to remain in the top positions they are going to need to lockdown this part of the pitch much better. They started this game too slow allowing a fragile Port Vale side to build confidence and in the truth they outbattled County in key areas despite not outplaying them but it was their collective work ethic that won them the game. County looked laboured on times and the key in the remaining games is going to be managing tired legs with two games a week. They say never change a winning side but sometimes this may become a necessity such is the demands this season. Next up is Leyton Orient and a chance for County to draw a line under this match very quickly. Orient have appointed veteran Jobi McAnuff as manager since Ross Embledon left but have possibly lost some of the calming influence McAnuff had in central midfield with him on the touchline. Wilkinson will offer an outlet right side and key County stifle crosses into Johnson better. County need to assert their passing game and get ball quicker to feet to turn shift ageing Orient side about