Passive home form undermining County’s promotion hopes

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Waite 59)

Crawley Town 2 (Nadesan 15, Francillette 21)

Attendance: 5,137

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DWDWWWLdLW

Crawley Town WDdLLLWWLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Crawley have had some positive results and County can’t take them lightly. First and foremost, County need to do the off the ball work and let the football shine through.

CONDITIONS
Warm sunny and slight breeze. Pitch looked in excellent condition and slick on top after pre-match watering.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Too little too late, went into shell for large periods allowing Crawley to build patterns of play.

TURNING POINT
Second goal conceded made an already difficult task suiting Crawley system.

THE MATCH
County made just the one enforced change with Robbie Willmott out for the season with a knee ligament strain and he was replaced by Jake Cain. The early exchanges were even with Crawley showing an appetite to pass the ball inside once inside the County half but happy to ping the ball long from clearances. County broke well on 5 minutes with a decisive move left side with Lewis pinpointing Baker-Richardson and he shifted a good pass to Azaz left side of the area. He cut in near the byline and direct a decent low cross into the six yard but Francomb was alert to clear ahead of Telford. Crawley were keen to test County with direct play using Appiah as an outlet which gave County problems with them slow to read and react to the second ball. Crawley keeper caught the bug launching some direct kicks which County were slow to stop at source and then allowed Crawley the luxury to seize the ball inside the County half. On 13 minutes, Crawley were pushing again when Ferry built up some steam left side and his deep cross was cleared for a corner by Lewis at the back post with County stretched. Despite the corner coming to nothing, County struggled to gain cohesion and Crawley took the lead on 15 minutes failing to heed the warning and Ferry dinked in a decent cross which was anticipated well by Appiah the back post. He directed a header across the six yard box and the defence static and Day uncertain Nadesan took advantage to poke home near the left post into the right corner. Crawley were energised by the goal with County go further into their shell and another bright Crawley move which saw County ball watching coaxed Waite into a late challenge on Appiah which got him a booking. Nicholls took the free kick from 25 yards which was deflected for a corner right side. Crawley extended their lead on 21 minutes from the corner that followed when slick move left side instigated by Francomb saw Appiah and Nadesan combine. The cross from the left side caught County sleeping and unmarked centre back Francillette made the most of the charity slotting low into the right corner from 10 yards. County had a chance out of the blue on 23 minutes when a high ball was allowed to drop by Francillette and pounced on by Telford and his first time volley from 25 yards was saved in the right corner. County made efforts to pick up their game and Crawley countered with some direct play using robust frame of Appiah with support from Nicholls and Nadesan. County worked a decent opportunity on 30 minutes with Norman make some headway right side getting behind Ferry and his cross into the six yard area was caused problems for Crawley clearing. Baker-Richardson was able to help the ball back into the six yard box and with Crawley slow to clear, County had nobody to capitalise before Crawley keeper Morris gratefully claimed the loose ball. County huffed and puffed as half time approached with some better possession but their reluctance to close down and allowing Morris to thrash kicks from deep stifled any momentum County had. Crawley continued to dictate matters with Crawley centre midfielder Hessenthaler win the bits and pieces and Payne pinging passes about at will. On 45+3 minutes, the half was summed when a cross from the left side by Ferry was cut back to the edge of the area and Crawley centre back was allowed space to roam and hit a shot wide of the left post from 25 yards.

County were out early for the second half and it was a surprise no changes were made but they offered more passion and industry. On 50 minutes, a promising move across the face of the area going through several players invited Lewis to shoot but his low effort from inside the “d” was comfortably saved low down by Morris. Crawley set their stall out to stifle and attack wide areas with some forceful moves right side involving Tilley and Nadesan. On 52 minutes, Crawley worked an opportunity from a neat exchange right corner between the pair and Tilley blasted an effort high and wide of the left post. County made a change on 58 minutes to pep up their attack with Baker-Richardson sacrificed for Street. The change paid dividends moments later when County held the nerve well to keep the ball through middle and time a pass right side with Telford evading the offside trap. He cut back an excellent cross in behind the recovering Crawley defence and Waite smartly finished from 10 yards blasting through Morris. Crawley responded with a decent move on 60 minutes with Ferry again causing problems getting behind Norman and his low cross into the area was clipped well over by Nadesan from 12 yards. Crawley were dealt a blow on 62 minutes with Appiah pulling up and he was replaced by Matthews up top. County ramped up the pressure and worked a presentable chance on 65 minutes from a decisive move left side of the area. Lewis did well to find Telford who threaded an excellent low pass for Azaz with the Crawley defence flatfooted. From an acute angle, Azaz drilled a low shot come cross wide of the right post with County having nobody anticipating with a late run. Crawley made a defensive swap on 70 minutes to shore up their left side with Lynch replaced by Tunnicliffe. County had a better spell of possession working some moves right side with Norman doing well in the aerial duals and County getting to the ball quicker. On 75 minutes, County were close when the broke swiftly from deep with Waite finding Telford. He had little on and struck an ambitious effort from 35 yards which Morris was just about able to recover and parry away inside his six yard box. County kept probing away and worked an intelligent move on 82 minutes catching Crawley off-guard when Demetriou did well to ghost forward supporting a move down the left flank. He curled in an immaculate cross pinpointing Street in a deep position but his header from 10 yards flashed just wide of the right post. County made another change soon after with Cain replaced by Collins. On 87 minutes, County were close to an equaliser when a bright move from deep saw Azaz thread a pass inside for Demetriou and he hit a rasping shot from 30 yards which Morris managed to claw away from the top right corner. From the resultant corner right side with Crawley somewhat anxious clearing Demetriou was again denied when he reacted well to the loose ball and his header from 8 yards was cleared off the line by Francomb. County kept pressing in the final minutes with some penetration right side and won a corner on 89 minutes. Azaz curled in a decent cross the front post which Norman won just ahead of Ferry but his header drifted wide of the left post. Crawley made another change soon after with former Forest Green player Isaac Hutchinson replacing Nadesan. County forced Crawley deeper in the 6 minutes of injury time throwing in hopeful crosses which Crawley were vigilant dealing with. County had another decent situation on 90+6 minutes when they switched play well across the face of the area with Lewis seeing the run of Waite but his pass was a little heavy into Waite allowing just enough time for Tunnicliffe to block his shot from inside the “d”. Crawley held for a win they deserved as much for their first half performance with County dropping just outside the play off positions.

Day (5) — didn’t have a poor game but slowness of distribution and blaming defenders did help the positivity. Kicked and claimed well but could have been more alert on the opening goal to deny shot.

Lewis (6) — put under pressure by Nadesan and Tilley on times and didn’t seem to know whether to press or not. Got forward to effect game better second half and close with a couple of shots from distance

Norman (6) — got pulled about a lot first half and slow to stifle crosses from Ferry. Had a better second half, more combative and decisive in the Crawley half but crosses was hopeful rather than cutting.

Demetriou (7) — put under some aerial pressure by Appiah but by far the best defender. Did his best lead and make things happen late on and had a hat trick of difficult chances denied on excellent shot.

Clarke (6) — wasn’t robust enough in aerial duals and let himself get turned to cheaply on times being forced to turn back too often second half. Pass and distributed well when he got ball shifting quicker.

Azaz (6) — had spells but struggled to make impact first half and seemed uncertain whether to push on or stay back. Saw more influence second half but well-marked by Payne restricted on shots

Cain (5) — got bullied a bit, never really got any foothold with the ball and spent too much time firefighting far too deep to effect game. Let down with several stray passes and crosses lacked bite.

Waite (7) — quiet game but still caused problems more especially late on after his well taken goal. Did his best to stifle and effect game well despite booking and went close with blocked shots late on.

Bennett (5) — tough run of games seem to be catching up with him, never seemed alert enough and when ball was there to be won missed too many crucial tackles and second balls.

Telford (7) — getting closer to end his drought. His general game was excellent, intelligent with link play when he had eager runners and denied twice by Morris from smart efforts from distance.

Baker-Richardson (5) — looked disinterested in spells not chasing down balls through the middle, poor retention and lacked sharpness after injury. Replaced early and should have been taken off at half time.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — showed prowess attacking and were efficient passing the ball. None of this would have been relevant if it was not for their work ethic and desire they had over County first half.

Weaknesses — Centre backs panicked on several clearances when County forced them deeper. Left plenty of space in behind when flooding players forward and less assured dealing with direct ball

Opportunities — bold gamble playing 3–4–3 paid off. Dominated through the middle with most of the best play going through Payne. Adjusted well after Appiah went off using left side as an outlet.

Threats — Appiah aerial prowess, Nadesan energy and reading off the game with eye for goal. Ferry and Tilley made them tick down the flanks and ensure supply of crosses.

OFFICIALS

S Mather (6) — lenient but consistent, allowed the clambering and pulling and let game flow. Made some puzzling decisions to bring back play with drop balls and negate the advantage.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ashley Nadesan — worked hard, roamed about freely and caused problem throughout with his movement and guile final third. Took chance well first half and set up the second goal.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Lift the players and get them to bounce back as they still in the promotion race. County were punished again at home for an indifferent spell early in the first half and never really recovered from it despite the late rally. As effective as County are on the ball, the passive approach off the ball allowing sides to build momentum is impairing them and it certainly silenced the expectant crowd. It is not enough to play for just 30 minutes in League Two and expect to win games. There are no sides on the beach. There have been times this season when County have had the platform in matches, often through Telford’s clinical finishing and Azaz’s brilliance but without them firing on all cylinders they looked incapable of working the keeper for much of the first half. County sat very deep and ball watched as they did in the first half at Swindon, but this time Crawley were a bit more streetwise and had the sharpness to take their chances. County looked flat on energy on times especially through the middle with Bennett a bystander and the slickness of the crisp low Crawley passing was enough. County need to energise the side up for the away game at Sutton United this Monday which increasingly looks likes the game that could define their final position. Sutton gained a respectable away win at Mansfield today who got bogged down into playing them at their own direct game. County can expect an aerial bombardment and you feel they need more resilience at the back potentially with Pask an option to play 3–5–2 and Haynes to offer more balance left side. Sutton also have running threat with Ajiboye lively right side and capable cutting inside and they reverse the logic left side with Boldewijin coming inside from the left on his right foot. However, this does carry risk though as Sutton do get exposed through the middle and with holding midfielders Eastmond and Davis both one game from suspension, it is something County need to exploit ruthlessly when invited.