Misfiring County miss chance to go top 3

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Southend United 1 (Clifford 74)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LDLDLdDLLW

Southend United WWDWLWLLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Southend had a decent December but have been in poor form since. County need to get at them from the offset and assert them game across the middle of the pitch better.

CONDITIONS
Very cold, partly cloudy and keen biting wind. Pitch was drier but more erratic and bouncy making control difficult.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Despite late chancers, never got into gear, stood off too much allowing Southend space to play

TURNING POINT
First goal was always going to be important but after Dolan went off lost control of the game.

THE MATCH
County made a few changes with Scott Bennett suspended, they put an extra man in midfield switching to 4–4–2 with Anthony Hartigan back in the side and Priestley Farquharson replacing Ashley Baker at right back. There was another change up front with Padraig Amond replacing Dom Telford who was on the bench. County started well with the wind behind them encouraging a move right side with Gambin working well with Sheehan to win a corner. Sheehan swept over a decent delivery which drifted deep just beyond a clean touch by Farquharson. Southend adopted a bold 4–3–3 formation with central defender Halford up top alongside Nathaniel-George left side and Hackett-Fairchild right side. Southend elected to play direct in the opening changes using Halford as a battering ram and pick up the bit and pieces. With County slow on the uptake, Southend were able to sustain some possession with Fergusson and Dieng busy in behind. County worked a couple of patient moves right side with Gambin probing well and some searching crosses were dealt with by centre backs White and Hobson dealing well with headers to clear. County used the kick out by Townsend to their benefit with wind causing problems but Amond and Maynard found the ball running on. Southend were comfortable with the ball at feet and were able to manufacture some crosses into the box from the right side. County kept pressing to use the right corner with Gambin getting on the ball but Southend worked hard to defend either side of the 18 yard box. On 20 minutes, County had a half chance when Amond seized a long ball lofted forward and cut back a decent ball to Maynard edge of the area but his snapshot was blocked by White. County were dealt a blow on 28 minutes with Dolan pulling up and he was replaced by Swansea loanee Jack Evans. County showed some promise with a couple of moves in around the edge of the box when they clipped the ball over a static looking Southend defence but were thwarted by offside. The game degenerated as half time approached with Southend working hard to stifle County across the middle. Southend showed some intent right side with Dieng probing but this offered County some opportunities in transition left side but the distribution and decision making was poor allowing Southend to regroup. On 43 minutes, County created their best move of the half when Farquharson initiated a move right side to release Gambin right corner. He checked back to find Sheehan who threaded a pass inside and Hartigan struck a hopeful shot wide of the left post from the right side of the area. The game remained disjointed with several free kicks interrupting the flow and Halford was fortunate to escape a booking when he caught Demetriou late in an aerial challenge.

County made another change at half time with Taylor on for Amond. County continued to force their best moves right side with Farquharson making a good contribution and Gambin supplied some early crosses which were lapped up by the Southend central defenders. On 52 minutes, County created a move with more threat when a quick throw left side of the box found Haynes. He delivered a decent cross which flashed deep and Farquharson directed a header narrowly wide of the right post from 8 yards. County worked some better moves from direct play with Taylor winning some good headers but Southend remain superior picking up the 2nd ball. Southend made an attacking change on 60 minutes with Akinola replaced Halford up front and this picked up their approach final third. On 62 minutes, Southend worked a patient move left side with County ball watching and standing off their challenges. Akinola did well to combine with Dieng who released Nathaniel-George. He forced his way to the left byline and had the opportunity to cut a pass back into the six yard box with men free in the area but his shot was saved well low down by Townsend. Southend found a new level with plenty of energy final third and were close again on 67 minutes from a corner left side. Demetriou picked out the unmarked Akinola but his glancing header went wide of the right post. County made a double substitution on 72 minutes in an attempt to reassert some authority on the game with Scrimshaw replacing Gambin and Telford on for Hartigan. Dieng continued to cause problems with his dynamic runs box to box and he won a free kick in a dangerous position inside the “d” on 75 minutes after being checked by Demetriou. Clifford took the free kick and with wall parting the ball deflected into the net flat footing Townsend who had move the other way. County made efforts to step up their game with the clock ticking down and Southend were happy to slow their game down. On 76 minutes, County a decent situation when they forced Southend to defend deep inside their own half and the flick on by Farquharson dropped in behind the last man. Maynard got the ball earlier but his shot from 10 yards was diverted by White. With County pushing on, Southend remained a threat on the break and they worked a good move left side in transition on 80 minutes with left back Clifford allowed freedom to roam left side. He cut back a decent cross to neat the penalty spot and Hackett-Fairchild saw his snapshot well blocked by outstretched foot of Long-King. County kept forcing the issue with direct play and should really have equalised on 82 minutes when the ball sat up inside the area and Taylor did well to glance a header in behind. Sheehan was well placed but dragged his effort wide of the left post from an acute angle. County made another change moments later with Haynes replaced by Lewis. On 85 minutes, Townsend directed a decent long kick through the middle which deceived the Southend defence allowing Taylor to ghost in behind the last man but he delayed the shot and when he checked back his effort from 12 yards went just wide of the left post. Southend made a late second change when Hackett-Fairchild was sacrificed for Cordner, In injury time, there was another decent chance for County when some anxious defending by Southend was seized upon by Telford and he showed good vision to head in behind finding Maynard. He struck a low first time effort from 8 yards which the keeper Oxley reacted to saving smartly with his feet. Southend held on for a win they arguably merited for sheer determination and work ethic.

Townsend (7) — distributed well from his hands with some smart direct kicks second half through the middle. Made a couple of saved low down but was left exposed on goal when wall parted

Farquharson (7) — was stout defending and comfortable with ball at feet. Distributed well and made some contributions forcing play right corner with Gambin. Went close on couple of set pieces

Haynes (5) — never looked certain on the surface, dribbled when he should have cleared and was poor with distribution. Put in a couple decent crosses second half but too passive today.

Demetriou (6) — put under pressure and forced to turn back. Got unsettled by Halford on times in the aerial duals. Made efforts second half to be more bold and initiate moves further up pitch

Longe-King (6) — was strong on headers, made some good interventions and short passing was tidy but long distribution was inconsistent lacking composure when rushed.

Dolan (7) — directed some decent moves early and team lost shape after he was forced off and replaced by:

Evans (6) — looked short of match fitness and never really stamped authority on the game being forced to track back rather get on front-foot.

Hartigan (5) — found surface difficult and anxious on the ball, was second best in too many tackles and allowed ball to be prised off him too much. Struggled to make impact getting forced deep

Sheehan (6) — bright in early stages but seemed suffer after Dolan went off from lack of supply. Would have been better served playing from deeper positions. Missed decent chance late on.

Gambin (6) — started well but faded. Put in some decent crosses and did his best work when he kept ball ticking over. Got bullied off the too easily on times putting side in trouble.

Amond (6) — took up some good deep positions often unpicked and loitered in behind but was restricted on chances inside area. Took a knock just before halt time and was replaced by:

Telford (6) — came into the game more late on but forced to pick up scraps second half. Did his best work turning provider when he roamed across the face of the area.

Maynard (6) — not able to get in behind really until last ten minutes and was let down by poor supply. Was effective when got facing forward and had the best chances but denied by blocks

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — despite their perilous position they were bold when invited and kept composure to pass and think about their passes. Both full backs were disciplined and restricted space well

Weaknesses — both central defenders were slow when turned and switched off to long balls. Panicked inside defending inside their own and better finishing would have seen them punished.

Opportunities — they put Halford up front and had the legs and work ethic to cover the ground with three up top. Akinola change late on boosted energy and prompted goal.
Threats — Dieng was forceful box to box. Nathaniel-George and Akinola offered pace and kept ball well. Halford aerial pro

OFFICIALS

P Howard (7) — was reluctant to get his cards out but was consistent. Could have allowed more advantage to be played and game end up being quite stop start.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Timothee Dieng — had a field day after Dolan went off, kept ball with ease on difficult surface and gave outlet Southend needed to buy time and work patient moves box to box.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were far too passive starting this game and it allowed Southend to settle into a rhythm when they have struggled for form this season. Too much of the play was laboured and County looked tired in body and mind possibly suffering after the Grimsby game. Despite the late rally in which County should have at least equalised, Southend were good value for the win as they offered more care in possession and worked exceptionally hard off the ball. County made it too comfortable allowing time to think and build confidence and when they did get into threatening positions they clamped up, often overthinking their passes in the final third with a reluctance to shoot in and around the box. The last few home matches have seen County less dominant in possession and territorial terms and they need to find another way to unsettle sides. Their left channel continues to be a problem and there was very little cutting edge to compliment the good moves first half right side by Gambin which Southend stifled better second half. Lewis has been pushing for a spot in team and should be under consideration for starting. Next up is Port Vale away and a chance to prove the doubters wrong. County did not look that balanced playing 4–4–2 so may need to revert to 5–3–2 with Port Vale likely to employ three up top. Their main threat will come through the middle from Guthrie who is robust and creativity by Rodney left side with Worrall outlet right side. County played an effective counter game against Port Vale at home to exploit wide positions.