Mad game in mad weather

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 3 (Collins 53, Baker-Richardson 64, Dolan pen 90+3)

Sutton United 2 (Ajiboye 24, 42)

Attendance: 3,368

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County dDDWLLWLDD

Sutton United LWLWWWWWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Sutton have taken to life in League Two like a duck to water but have some injuries in key areas so key County assert their game through the middle and adapt without top scorer Telford.

CONDITIONS
Cold with very gusty wind and heavy showers. Pitch was in immaculate condition considering the recent deluges.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Very Jekyll and Hyde, had all the possession and territory first half but switched off defending before a storming comeback.

TURNING POINT
The Sutton sending off should dictated the pattern but Collins early goal back in second half really lifted the side.

THE MATCH
County were forced into one change with Dominic Telford isolating under Covid protocols and he was replaced by Lewis Collins. There was also another change with captain Matt Dolan returning to the side in the heart of defence in place of Scott Bennett who was on the bench as County reverted to 3–5–2 formation. County started well forcing a couple early corners from some well worked moves into the corners with Haynes and Norman prominent. On 4 minutes, County had Sutton pinned back defending inside their own area and another corner from Dolan right side dropped for Azaz but his effort left side of box flashed wide. Sutton were keen to work the flanks with some thoughtful build up play left side but they were more direct right side pinpointing the pace of Ajiboye. County were industrious going forward and were close on 6 minutes when a decisive break through the middle by Azaz exploited space and his low pass left side was latched onto by Collins who trashed a decent effort just over the bar from left corner of the box. Sutton were happy to sit in stifle the threat conceding possession and they worked some measured passes left side with lack back Wyatt playing balls in behind for Bugiel to chase down. County kept their passing low and sharp shifting Sutton around and were close on 12 minutes when Azaz set up an opportunity for Cooper left side of the area but his shot from an acute angle went into the side netting. Another bright move by County moments later saw Norman time his run well latching onto a pass from Willmott with pace and his excellent cross was anticipated well by Azaz but it seemed to get stuck under his feet allowing Sutton keeper Bouzanis to smother his effort from 8 yards. Sutton maintained their direct approach using their mobility well up top with Bugiel and Wilson combining well. On 24 minutes, Sutton took the lead with their first real sight of goal which evolved from some very slopping defending by County. Davis was given time to turn into space and find Ajiboye right side. He dribbled with pace cut inside beyond Haynes and with Demetriou left exposed he ghosted into the box and slammed a low shot from 12 yards beyond the grasp of Day. County responded well continuing to ask questions especially right side with Norman and Willmott working well in tandem. On 26 minutes, Norman cut back another decent cross into the area which found Azaz and his first time volley from 10 yards lacked power to beat the keeper who saved low down. On 30 minutes, County created a patient move across the face of the area and Clarke cut back a good ball for Azaz who saw his powerful effort from 16 yards well blocked by Goodliffe. County kept pushing the right buttons with the slickness of their passing and Sutton were dealt a blow on 34 minutes when Willmott reacted quickest to snap up an intercepted pass but was caught late by Eastmond who slide in with raise studs. The referee had no option to send him off under the current rules and Sutton were forced to adjust to 4–4–1 with Milsom dropping back as centre back and Wilson dropping a bit deeper in midfield. County made efforts to make their advantage count but found less space with Sutton sitting in with two banks of four. On 40 minutes, a move that characterized County in the first saw Haynes receive the ball in a good early pass left side but he checked back turning down the opportunity to get outside the right back. Sutton added to their lead on 42 minutes when a direct kick out by Sutton goalkeeper Bouzanis found Ajiboye on the right flank. With Haynes out of position, he was allowed far too much freedom to cut inside and curl a shot into the left corner from the right side of the area. County applied some disjointed pressure in first half injury time with a couple of shots being blocked inside the area and Sutton were dealt another blow on 45+2 with centre midfield cog Davis forced off through injury and he was replaced by Boldewijin who went left midfield with Bugiel dropping into midfield.

County made a tactical change at half time with Haynes replaced by Lewis. Sutton remained stubborn to breakdown playing 4–5–0 on times to protect their lead. County worked some early moves into wide areas to test Sutton but they remained robust breaking down the threat in wide positions. County were more effective when they shifted play inside with Cooper, Azaz and Willmott probing well. County got a vital foothold back in the game on 53 minutes when they shifted play well left side with Cooper getting on the ball but this time they reversed the logic going inside with Collins piercing run. He struck an excellent curling effort from 25 yards into the top right corner beyond the grasp of the keeper. County were energised by the goal and the crowd and kept their passing precise and limited touches well. On 56 minutes, another decent move through the heart of the pitch saw Willmott pick out Collins and his snapshot from 25 yards fizzed just over the bar. It was a warning for Sutton and they were fortunate to be ahead on 58 minutes when Dolan stole forward to receive a pass inside from Norman right side. He advanced but his effort from 30 yards was rising when he should have worked the keeper. County made a change moments later sacrificing a defender with Clarke replaced by Cain as they adjusted to a 3–4–2–1 formation. On 64 minutes, County worked a decent move right side with Norman providing a deeper cross which Lewis retrieved well left side of the area to keep the move alive. He cut back a decent early cross which appeared to catch out Sutton with an arm raised inside the area to block the ball County had a honest appeal for a penalty. The referee ignored the protests but Baker-Richardson pounced to scoop a shoot from 10 yards into the top right corner over the stranded keeper. County kept their passing ticking over well and worked a decent move on 68 minutes going through several players before Baker-Richardson struck a rising effort over the bar from 12 yards when well placed. County worked some better moves left side with Willmott stealing into some good positions and he coaxed Barden into an clumsy challenge on 72 minutes which earnt him a booking. Sutton made efforts to raise their attacking game with Ajiboye offering an outlet right side which continued to cause problems inside the final third. On 75 minutes, County constructed a clever move left side with some one touch football and Lewis released Azaz left side of the area. He cut inside near the left byline but his shot at the front post was well saved by the keepers feet. Moments later, a bright move right side invited Norman to cross into the area and as the bouncing ball sat up, Dolan made a late run but his header from 12 yards went well over the bar. Sutton made another change on 77 minutes to pep up their front line with Bennett coming on for Wilson. Sutton launched the ball increasingly direct in the final 10 minutes using Bennett as an outlet but County marshalled the threat well. On 86 minutes, County had a half chance when Sutton struggled to clear their lines and a smart shot on the turn by Baker-Richardson from 10 yards was saved well low down by the keeper. County made another change on 88 minutes with Baker-Richardson replaced by Fisher. County kept pressing in the four minutes of injury and got their reward on 90+3 minutes when they worked a move right side and Norman clipped a teasing deep cross to back post and Cain was bowled over by Boldewijin. The referee pointed to the spot and Dolan made no mistake blasting low into the right corner with the keeper going the wrong way. Sutton forced play further up the pitch in injury time winning a free kick right side of the area when Boldewijin was checked by Lewis. From the resultant free kick by Milsom, County were thankful the cross went straight into the arms of Day and the referee called time for what could be a big win for County.

Day (6) — Not overworked, kicked well under pressure, safe hands in conditions and dealt with the few balls put into the area.

Norman (7) — saw a lot of the ball first half and when he came onto moves late to provide crosses he was menacing. Less effective from a standing position but set up winner well.

Demetriou (6) — got put under pressure by Ajiboye and looked a little off the pace on times. Did his best to influence game second half pushing up to instigate moves from deep.

Clarke (6) — got beaten in the air too much and had problems dealing with Bugiel on times. Distributed well when he had it and on the end of the scraps inside the box but rushed efforts.

Dolan (7) — covered a lot of ground but showed no signs from previous knock. Swept up well and pushed forward more second half to influence driving into gaps to unsettle through the middle.

Haynes (5) — had options to push on but hesitant on times appearing to lack confidence and gave Ajiboye too much respect. Crosses he provided were decent but replaced at half time by:

Lewis (7) — took his chance well, put in sturdy challenges in the air and on the floor. Linked play well second half offering boldness final third and was at the heart of the second goal.

Azaz (7) — had an excellent first half and must have been scratching his head how he didn’t score. Created several chances and always a problem with his guile final third and quick mind.

Willmott (7) — kept his passing efficient and anticipated loose ball well to link play with range of passing through the middle. Was restricted on crosses but when able to do so they were good.

Cooper (7) — got on the ball well first half and played better through the middle when he was dynamic with his runs. Had a couple of decent chances in and around the box which were blocked.

Collins (7) — peeled off last man well staying just onside and had a couple of decent chances when he got facing forward. Took his chance very well and needs boldness to shoot more.

Baker-Richardson (6) — took on the mantle to hold up ball and bring in others but struggled a bit with his sharpness losing possession cheaply. Denied with a couple of efforts inside area.

Strengths — made themselves hard to break down for a time and kept composure to dig in. worked some decent moves in transition largely right side.

Weaknesses — both full backs were reserved and become even more defensive after sending off. Struggled to put five passes together on times and set pieces lacked cutting edge.

Opportunities — played a conventional 442 sticking to script until the sending off and had to adjust again at half time but had no outlet. Went direct late on but offered little threat

Threats — Ajiboye trickery and direct running with ball, decent shot. Bugiel and Wilson pace in behind.

OFFICIALS

O Langford (8) — generally let the game flow well and issued fair quota of free kicks. Seemed reluctant to book throughout but got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Fin Azaz — did everything but score but his willingness to keep moving and offering options never allowed Sutton to rest. Got on the end of several crosses without reward today.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County had 17 shots first half but only one made the target, whilst Sutton had three attempts on goal but two went in. By the end County had put in 30 shots and got their reward for persistence in the end to pinch a win. County were comfortable in possession throughout, even before the red card, but in a way this lead to a false sense of security with them not being ruthless enough inside the box and switching off to direct balls. County worked their best moves when they attacked from deep via non-standing runs to deliver crosses with Sutton either getting the last second block in or County fluffing their lines. Both Sutton goals were avoidable when they ball watched allowing Ajiboye acres of space and they certainly need to offer more teeth defending their left side. County worked some good moves through the middle second half to turn around this game with Sutton blocking the flanks and this will be key in the next few games, which are likely to be open with Port Vale, Rochdale and Forest Green all adventurous units prepared to gamble. Port Vale are up next this Saturday and despite injuries, they have options to carry a threat despite a makeshift front pair of Politic and Garritty. Vale are unlikely to deviate from 3–5–2 and it will key County don’t allow their ball players like Conlon to settle into any rhythm and marshall crosses from Worrall right side. Variation in passing and tempo will be key in this match.