Mature performance yields first away win
Report from Mark Vickery at the New Lawn
Forest Green Rovers 0
Newport County 2 (Amond 4, Haynes 90+2)
Attendance: 2,897
Form:
Newport County DdWWdWL
Forest Green Rovers WDWWLWL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County have bolstered the midfield with return of captain Josh Labadie. County need to build on the West Ham and not allow Forest Green to gain any momentum.
CONDITIONS
Sunny spells, quite warm and breezy . Pitch in excellent condition.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Got on the front foot early, despite not having upper hand with possession carved out the best chances.
TURNING POINT
Forest Green keeper sending off on the half hour.
THE MATCH
County made three changes from the League Cup match against West Ham with keeper Tom King replacing Nick Townsend. County also drafted Ryan Inns on loan from Crystal Palace sacrificing Kyle Howkins who was named as a sub. County captain Josh Labadie also returned to boost the midfield in place of Corey Whitely who was also on the bench. County started on the front foot and won a free kick in a decent situation through the middle on 2 minutes. Dolan struck a decent effort from 30 yards which was encouraged on the breeze but Forest Green keeper Wollacott held firm. Forest Green were keen to play out from the back and left sided centre back McGinley got caught wanting that extra second on 4 minutes playing a ball to the keeper. Abrahams pinched the ball and slipped a neat quick pass to find Amond who stroked home into the empty net from edge of the area. Forest Green made efforts to get back into the game sweeping forward and created a decent move on 6 minutes down the right side instigated by right sided Bernard. He threaded a pass for Grubb who carried his run inside a saw his snapshot well blocked by O’Brien but the rebound was collected by Mills left side of the area. He adjusted and thrashed a low shot wide of the right post from an acute angle failing to test County keeper King. Rovers were patient in their approach play with the best moves going through Grubb right side. On 16 minutes, County were forced to defend deep and Grubb did well offering guile right side to pick out Bernard in an advanced position on the right corner of the box but his snapshot was well over the bar. County were quite direct on times with Abrahams and Amond working well in tandem to provide an outlet shielding well to produce some good opening in the final third. County dealt with the Forest Green threat well with Inns and O’Brien solid in the middle with full backs McNamara and Haynes distributing well. On 18 minutes, County broke well from deep with Dolan releasing Willmott right side. He drove forward beating McGinley and his strong run took him down the right side of the area only for his low shot to be intercepted by an important block from Winchester tracking back. County were sharp on the ball especially in the final third and continued to cause three man Forest Green defence problems who were coaxed into conceding some free kicks either side of the area. On 26 minutes, County were awarded a free kick left side when Adams clumsily caught Sheehan from behind. From the resulting free kick by Dolan, O’Brien won the header in the crowd and Amond directed a first time header just wide of the left post. On 28 minutes, a direct ball by Haynes coaxed Forest Green keeper Wollacutt forward to seize the ball but some indecision trying to pass out from deep saw him loose possession to Abrahams who brushed past him to run goalside. Wollacutt made efforts to recover the ball but impeded the run of Abrahams and the referee issued a straight red card. Forest Green adjusted sacrificing defender McGinley for former Swansea and Carmarthen keeper Lewis Thomas, with Barnard and Mills dropping back to full back. County became increasingly threatening on the break and were close on 32 minutes when Willmott drove through the middle but his shot was deflected by Mills. From the resulting corner right side by Willmott the ball dropped deep allowing Labadie to ghost in but his header from 8 yards was inches past the left post. Labadie was booked moments later for bowling over Bernard to deny a move right side by Forest Green. County remained organised despite Forest Green having some good possession they kept them at arms-length with some well worked moves from deep. On 40 minutes, County had a calls for penalty when McNamara did well to overlap right side and receive a pass from Amond. He dinked in an excellent cross into the six yard area which Abrahams looked favourite to win but clashed runs with centre back Mills but the referee played on. County were caught out somewhat on 42 minutes when Abrahams tripped over the ball in decent position deep in the Forest Green half. Mills slipped a quick long ball which went in deep beyond McNamara allowing Taylor to latch onto who struck a shot from the corner of the area but O’Brien did well to come across to block the danger. County kept probing away in the final third with the Forest Green defence overworked on times. Sheehan went close for County deep in first half injury time curling a shot right side of the area which Thomas parried around the left post. From the corner left side, Forest Green struggled to clear their lines and they managed to scramble the ball to safety.
County were forced into a change at half time with O’Brien replaced by Howkins in central defence. Forest Green had a spell of possession early in the second half which County managed well. County were more dangerous on the break and a bright patient move on 52 minutes cumulated in Sheehan blasting well over from 25 yards. Forest Green created some thoughtful moves in midfield with Taylor and Grubb at the heart of the best play. On 56 minutes, Grubb picked a hole in the middle of the pitch but his shot from 20 yards was well marshalled low down by King. On 58 minutes, Forest Green threatened from a snappy break left side with Allen getting into space and McNamara worked back well to tackle but caught the striker late and he was booked. Forest Green made their second change on the hour with Mondal replacing Taylor. County kept pushing the right buttons, patiently building some low moves to unsettle but they had to keep alert to the threat Forest Green carried on the break. On 65 minutes, County created a good situation through the middle with Amond doing well to fend off a challenge by Mills and find Abrahams but his snapshot was well blocked by Rawson. County created a couple of decent moves left side with Haynes coming into the game with some well timed runs. On 70 minutes, there was a warning for Forest Green when Haynes drove forward into a deep position left side of the area and his cross had venom on it dropping into the six yard box eluding late runs from Amond and Abrahams. On 72 minutes, County were closer when McNamara initiated a low move right side to find Labadie. He shielded well before squaring a good pass inside for Abrahams just inside the area but his low shot was disappointing drifting wide of the right post. Forest Green picked up their game again with Grubb and Winchester having more influence on the game and they were awarded a free kick in a threatening position right corner of the area. Mills took the free kick curling precisely towards the left corner but the ball struck the left post and went to safety. County made a change on 78 minutes with Dolan replaced by Maloney and Forest Green responded with a change up front that saw former County player Aaron Collins replace Taylor Allen. Haynes continued to persist left side causing problems for Forest Green from crosses. On 82 minutes, Haynes whipped an excellent cross into area which Abrahams went in for with a brave challenge but caught the keeper somewhat late. He was booked and Forest Green captain Mills was booked as well for confronting him aggressively after. County were forced into a change on 85 minutes with Labadie coming off for Whitely who went into attacking position left side. Forest Green had a glimmer of a chance on 87 minutes when County were forced to defend deep inside the box and a shot on the turn by Mondal from 8 yards went into the side netting. With Forest Green committed to pushing men forward, County remained a threat on the break and the hosts were dealt a further blow on 90 minutes when Mills was forced off and they had used all the substitutes. County kept probing away and killed the game off. Haynes had been right side to take a throw in and with Forest Green struggling to clear their lines, he seized upon the ball and advanced to drill a low shot into the right corner from 25 yards taking the keeper by surprise and much of the crowd. Forest Green to their credit kept pushing forward and Collins was close deep in injury time when his strong tricky run right side of the area took him past Haynes and his low shot from 14 yards was saved in the right corner by King.
King (7) — solid dealing with crosses and shots, distribution accurate and put in some kick outs through the middle. Kept defence focussed and organised saving late effort from Collins.
McNamara (7) — put under some pressure by Grubb but tracked danger well and made himself hard to beat. Well positioned to clear and was accurate with his distribution, crossing well.
Haynes (8) — had spells having to defend first half and limited threat well. Came alive on the hour and always keen to make himself available to cross. Scored excellent goal late on to quelle any nerves
O’Brien (7) — made some sturdy challenges and blocks first half in and around the area which was key. Did well in the air and was always a nuisance on set pieces before being replaced by:
Howkins (7) — dominated the aerial duals, got tight to deny space and kept his passing efficient. Went down a couple times second half with cramp but was determined to see game out.
Innes (7) — solid debut, settled in defence seamlessly, strong in the air and was quick to move ball at his feet. Cleared well in behind when he had turn back to avert danger.
Labadie (7) — did well in the combative duals winning most of them and was a threat when he turned off goalside. Kept his discipline well after booking going close with some late runs in around the box
Dolan (7) — building back some fitness after injury, won some good aerial challenges and tackles seeing the ball early. Passed well when he had it and some useful set pieces provided.
Willmott (7) — defended back to front well, was a nuisance when picked up loose ball and dynamic coming forward. Deserved a goal going close with a couple of strikes from edge of the area.
Sheehan (8) — busy game, controlled midfield for large parts and was able to dictate the pace of the game. Made some good tackles when needed and went close several times.
Abrahams (7) — did well to hold ball under pressure and bring in others. Forced several mistakes with his pressing and work-rate final third. Close on a couple of chances but rushed them
Amond (7) — good understanding with Abrahams and quickly developed a good partnership. Restricted on clearcut chances but worked hard on and off the ball doing some good work to track back
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were thoughtful in possession and showed good spirit with ten men. Best play was when ball was kept low.
Weaknesses — central defenders were laboured and never looked comfortably playing from deep. Small side and lack physicality in the middle and lacked cutting edge.
Opportunities — wide players were prominent in early stages but forced deeper after sending off but never really look comfortable as full backs. Never really changed tact, kept ball low.
Threats — Grubb offered enterprise with ball at feet, Taylor linked well between midfield and attack. Joseph Mills left side angling runs and shots from distance.
OFFICIALS
J Alcock (8) — read game well and kept it flowing, got key decisions right and booked when necessary.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Josh Sheehan — was always a problem for Forest Green when they switched off. Picked holes well and linked play well between the boxes rarely wasting ball. Went close several times.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County got the bit between their teeth from the offset and worked hard from back to front not allowing Forest Green to settle into any sort of rhythm. After getting the early goal, they kept pushing the right buttons without forcing the game and that was important today. County managed the game well after the sending off and kept their discipline and focus. The defence played well again with the full backs showing different sides to their game and their flexibility was a key part of the game. County have no mid-week action and a chance to freshen up a few tired limbs and also give some of the injured players a chance to recover. County do look a more balanced side this season with more depth but they may want to bring in another striker to give them a different option. Port Vale visit Rodney Parade next and they have improved their squad especially up front with Cullen and Amoo giving attacking options out wide to compliment direct play into Pope. They have been playing 4–3–3 and look less one dimensional and negative than last season, so important County assert their game and keeping doing the good off the ball work they did today before showing their full hand.
