New low for disjointed County

Report from Mark Vickery at Boundary Park

Oldham Athletic 5 (Rowe 25, Dearnley 27, Rowe 52, Hamer 62, Smith 83)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 2,912

Form:

Newport County WLLWLdLLWL

Oldham Athletic DdDDWWLLDD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Oldham have off the field issues and missing both regular full backs. Bennett not fit and Green injured in the warm up and County sticking with a four man defence doesn’t enthuse the travelling support.

CONDITIONS
Cold, cloudy and very windy. Pitch a little slippery but looked in decent condition despite recent deluge

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Not seen such a poor defensive and attacking display for a few years, lacking cohesion, belief and passion.

TURNING POINT
Calamitous opening goal gifted to Oldham gave them the lift and never looked back

THE MATCH
County were forced into a couple of changes with Scott Bennett injured George Nurse came back into the side but playing in five man midfield with four at the back and Matt the lone player up front. Despite Jordan Green selected to start he picked a knock in the warm up and was replaced by Padraig Amond who played in attacking midfield role. Oldham had the advantage of a strong wind behind them in the first and made a positive start pushing their full backs forward which set an early precedent. County were given an early warning when they conceded a cheap corner defending their left flank on 5 minutes. Smith swept in a decent in-swinging delivery into the six yard box which Dearnley got up to well ahead of a static County defence and he glanced a header against the left post. Oldham kept pushing with County very hesitant and moments later another slick move left side caught County ball watching when Dearnley flicked a pass into the path of Smith left corner of the box and he dragged his shot just wide of the left post. Smith was to get his reward later in the game from a similar but continued to menace on the left side causing stand in County right back Willmott problems as they struggled to clear their lines. County were direct in their approach with Amond doing his best with some supporting runs to link with Matt and pick up bit and pieces. Oldham stifled the threat well and continued to bombard County down the left flanks despite not having their main full backs available with Hamer prominent right side. On 12 minutes, a passing error by Willmott right side saw Oldham snap up possession and Rowe elected to shoot from distance with King off his line but the effort was well over the bar. County created an opportunity out of the blue on 15 minutes from a direct move when Demetriou hit a good ball from deep for Amond to latch onto ahead of Wheater. Despite being forced back left side of the area, he set up an opportunity for Nurse to shoot and his first time effort was cleared inside the six yard box by Piergianni. Oldham kept plugging with their moves from wide positions with some intricate play and some opportunist crosses from either side of the area. Nepomuceno came more into the game right side working well in tandem with Hamer and County were forced to make a couple of hurried clearances from crosses. On 25 minutes, County worked their best move of the half on the right side with Willmott finding Amond and his neat pass was anticipated well on the right corner of the area but he volleyed well over the bar. Moments later, Oldham got their reward when a hopeful punt right side of the area turned the County defence back on their heels and miscommunication by Haynes and Demetriou saw them collide in the clearance. Rowe seized on the loose ball and finished from an acute angle with King committed off his line. County were still recovering from the set back when a move right side broke down cheaply when Matt lost possession. Borthwick-Jackson played a slick one two with Smith and made a penetrating run down the left flank and a first time cross was turned home by Dearnley ahead of Innis with the County defence struggling to deal with the speed of the move. County made efforts to pick up their game for a time with some better tempo and accuracy of passing for a time. On 32 minutes, County won a free kick after a good move through the middle when Sheehan was obstructed by Piergianni. Sheehan took the free kick but struck a disappointing effort straight into the wall from 20 yards. Oldham remained positive but there were chances for County to break with space left in behind but their decision making and slow response to shift the ball allowed Oldham to recover. County had some disjointed pressure as half time approached but it was all too comfortable for Oldham with the crosses put in lacking a cutting edge or precision. Oldham showed again to be more the decisive outfit with Smith causing problems and his snapshot on 42 minutes from 20 yards was dragged wide of the right post.

County came out early for the second half with a change introduced that saw Otis Khan replaced by Lewis Collins. On 47 minutes, a County move left side saw Nurse get forward to penetrate down the left side of the area and his deep cross caused problems. County had two men deep but nobody in the middle to finish and Collins could only header wide of the right post from an acute angle. A short lived spell of County was broken and the game killed off on 52 minutes when County had pushed up high left side of the pitch with Haynes in no mans land and when a move broke down, Hamer found Nepomuceno on the right touchline. His quick cross into the area ruthlessly exposed County with just Demetrio back inside the 18 yard box to defend and Rowe turned him with ease before finishing low into the net from 8 yards. Demetriou was then booked on 55 minutes for handball denying a move through the middle as Oldham threatened to break. County made another change on 57 minutes bringing on another central defender to make up a three man defence replacing Willmott. Haynes shifted to the right side in a wing back role and Nurse left wing back. Oldham were comfortable creating some good passing moves with County struggling to get an honest tackle in. On 62 minutes, Oldham added a fourth goal which was initiated from deep with the goalkeeper De Le Paz spreading the ball to left side to find Borthwick-Jackson. He made the most of the space invited by Haynes to thread a pass to Smith. He cut inside and spread play well to find the run of Hamer right side of the area who overlapped well before striking a hopeful effort that deflected off Nurse into the right corner. Oldham gained confidence from their approach play and County were forced into chasing shadows on times with Sylla coordinating play through the middle. On 65 minutes, County had their first shot on goal when Demetriou burst forward through the middle to support a move and his effort from 25 yards was well held by De Le Paz. Oldham made a change moments later with Dearnley sacrificed for Maouche. On 70 minutes, County had numbers over Oldham from a move through the middle with Nurse finding Matt who turned to find space but his overplayed pass to find Amond ran harmlessly out. Matt was replaced on 75 minutes by Dolan which settled County a bit in the middle of the pitch with better control but they snatched at a couple of chances from distance with Sheehan blasting well over the bar when well placed. Oldham rubbed it in on 83 minutes adding a fifth goal from a slick move right side when McCann danced past a couple of weak challenges and set up the run by Smith who broke through the lines and finished low into the left corner from the right side of the area. County kept plugging away with Collins making some forceful runs right side which were well marshalled and he blasted well over on 87 minutes. Oldham were more efficient in getting shots in as they had been all game and were close again on 90 minutes when right back Hamer threaded a low pass for Nepomuceno who struck a decent first time effort on the right corner of the box which King saved low down. Oldham made a late change with Sylla replaced by N’Guessan. In the third minute of injury time, County had a glimmer of chance when Nurse crossed from the right side into the area but Dolan struck a first time half volley wide of the left post from 8 yards.

King (5) — could have done better to react to the first two goals and caught off his line on the fourth goal. Kicked well into the wind and generally distributed well with ball at feet.

Willmott (5) — never looked comfortable at full back and was too easy to work ball around. Got in few tackles and lost confidence when he was able to push on.

Haynes (4) — got overloaded defending left side and was made to look worse when switched right side. Stood off far too many challenges and tackles allowing too much space to play

Demetriou (5) — got dragged about into areas he didn’t want to be and rushed into several clearances. Tried to make things happen and lead with moves from deep. Had few long throws today.

Innis (6) — was solid with his headers and did a reasonable job to stifle Rowe. Cleared effectively when was put under pressure and probably the most composed defender on the day.

Nurse (6) — had some good opportunities from wide positions first half but delayed or under-hit crosses. Had a couple of decent efforts in and around the area but well tracked second half.

Gorman (6) — put in some of more robust challenges but often second best dealing with Sylla. Passed generally well and was tidy when he did get on the ball.

Khan (5) — another player who looked to be playing in square pegs in round holes. Left sided but forced to play on the right and never looked comfortable and slow tracking back to defend.

Sheehan (5) — got brushed off to many challenges. had a decent first half, the best County moves went through him but influence diminished after half time although looked more likely player to score.

Amond (6) — kept working and chasing lost causes. Offered some energy first half with some runs in behind from deep positions but unable to get on the end of things inside the area.

Matt (5)– played back to goal too much, struggled to retain ball when pressurised. Failed to work the keeper but in truth given little quality to feed off inside box from crosses and replaced early after fading.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were organised working the ball in wide positions, energetic and accurate with their passes. Recovered well to defend clearing danger in behind.

Weaknesses — left holes in behind down both flanks which better sides would have punished when full backs gambled. Both centre backs were slow when turned back to defend.

Opportunities — they were composed and rigidly stuck to their gameplan to work the flanks and provide early crosses or get shots in from distance. Happy to play from deeper positions second half
Threats — Rowe ad Dearnley were busy and alert inside the box taking chances well. Smith and Nepomuceno crosses and craft from wide positions.

OFFICIALS
T Bramhall (8) — decent game, prepared to let game flow but in truth was easy to manage with little contention or controversy in the match

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jonny Smith (Oldham 26) — versatile player, worked hard to close down and unsettle off the ball and was creative with the ball providing menace on crosses. Got deserved goal late on

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Arguably the most disorganised defensively and blunt attacking perspective performance by a Newport County side since they were beaten 6–1 at Plymouth in the “Great Escape” run in in 2017. County are a shadow of the side that won at Forest Green early in the season and the position is not being helped by poor choice of formation fitting round pegs in square holes. The persistence to play four at the back was revealing today with both full backs struggling and ruthlessly exploited by an Oldham side who were missing both first choice full backs that County were not able to hand a glove on. County were then made to look even more disjointed when they did finally go with three central defenders but Haynes was uncomfortable switching to the right side. County now have 12 games left to regain some pride in their season and reclaim trust. It was not just the result today that hurt supporters but the lack of belief to turn the game around at half time and their performance was lacking anger and passion. They need to give themselves a better footing in game playing to their strengths with three centre backs and utilise wings backs Nurse and Willmott who can cross. The other positions should slot in naturally and they have flexibility to change things around if need be. The nature of dominance Oldham had over County was not just evident by the chances but how few long throw ins Demetriou launched into the area. Morecambe will visit Rodney Parade next Saturday and on current form will feel quietly confident of a result if they can keep the ball final third with Slew a key outlet and Stockley guile final third of the pitch. County need to show more teeth in the middle of the pitch, impose their game better in wide areas and test their ageing full backs driving to the byline.