Patient and disciplined County get late reward
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Victoria Park
Hartlepool United 0
Newport County 1 (Demetriou 90+1)
Attendance: 3,908
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County DdDDLDWWDD
Hartlepool United DLLWLLWDLD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Hartlepool have improved since making some January window signings, but have some technical players out. Not expecting a cultured game so County need to be resilient and offer quality in transition.
CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy with keen breeze. Pitch in decent condition but a bit bobbly in parts.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Resilient under pressure but ramped up tempo and efficiency of play late on
TURNING POINT
Late changes gave County the impetus and belief late on.
THE MATCH
County were forced into a couple of changes with both goalkeeper Nick Townsend and Adam Lewis suffering from slight knocks but were able to call on Joe Day and Adam Lewis respectively. There was another change in midfield with Matt Baker replacing Nathan Moriah-Welsh who was on the bench. County started well seeing the ball early and Hartlepool were fortunate to escape with a booking inside the first couple of minutes with Norman caught late by Jennings. The referee appeared to have his back to the play and missed the indiscretion but allowed Norman to receive treatment before he recovered. Hartlepool set a precedent with direct play from deep positions and keeper Stolarczyk putting his foot through the ball. On 5 minutes, Hartlepool chased down a direct move with Kemp anticipating well but his shot from 25 yards was hurried and flashed well wide of the left post. The game was chaotic on times with the ball a bit of a hot potato but County made efforts to settle and calm play with some moves through the middle of the pitch. On 15 minutes, Hartlepool had a series of corners which flashed through and they struggled in their transition play, but they held firm nullifying the danger. Hartlepool were keen to use their right flank with left back Ferguson switching sides but he showed flexibility to use both feet well. County prised open Hartlepool out of the blue on 20 minutes when a direct ball through the middle by Bennett who well glanced on by Bogle ahead of Hartley. Kavanagh was alert picking up the loose ball near the edge of the area but as the ball sat up his shot on the turn from 14 yards was well blocked by Foran. County eased their way in more fluency with some better moves right side involving Norman and won a corner right side of 22 minutes. Lewis directed a good ball into the six yard box which caused some anxiety for Hartley clearing and Bogle pinched the ball before scooping a shot over the bar. Hartlepool persisted with direct play using Umerah as a target up front but County did well to stifle and break up play. On 27 minutes, County choked a Hartlepool move left side and Norman broke decisively coaxing left back Pruti into an untidy challenge which got him a booking. Hartlepool increased their efforts to press play but continued to give away fouls but they did offer some composure when they worked some low moves right side with Ferguson influencing play. The game remained scrappy as half time approached with the ball in the air a lot and neither side gaining momentum. On 45 minutes, Baker was booked for a late challenge on Sylla and Hartlepool had a bit of spell inside the County half in first half injury but lacked quality with their final ball to worry the County defence.
County started the second half well maintaining their energy on the ball and a low move right side on 47 minutes saw Norman do well to cut back to Lewis edge of the area. He adjusted well to find the late run of Baker left side but his crisp effort was blocked by Hartley. County were quick to get the ball forward and were rewarded with some throws either side of the area which Hartlepool managed to hook clear. On 50 minutes, County won another corner right side which Lewis whipped into the front post and Norman did well to manoeuvre a shot under pressure from 10 yards which went over the bar. Hartlepool continued to offer more from their right channel with Ferguson creeping into some good positions. On 50 minutes, Ferguson did well to cut back a low pass right side of the area which found Kemp but his snapshot from 20 yards was high and wide of the right post. County kept pressing the right buttons and when they got the ball down quickly inside the Hartlepool half they worked some good areas to attack. Hartlepool responded with a change on 63 minutes with Clarke replacing Finney. He went up alongside Umerah with Jennings dropping back to left midfield. Norman remained a menace with some dynamic runs right side and his industry forced Jennings into an untidy challenge on 67 minutes which got him a booking. County upped their game in the final 20 minutes with some well structured moves from deep with Lewis and Norman supporting wide areas. On 72 minutes, County were close when Lewis overlapped left side and cut back an excellent cross into area which Charsley read well with a late run but his header from 10 yards was parried away low in the left corner. County introduced their first changes moments later with McNeil and Zanzala replacing Bogle and Kavanagh up top and Evans on for Charsley. Hartlepool had a rare moment when they threatened on 75 minutes when a direct ball right side was contested well by Umerah, He span off a challenge and caressed the ball into the path of Ferguson near the “d” but he was denied by a important block by Demetriou. Hartlepool introduced another change on 82 minutes with Hamilton on for Jennings. The game remained on a knife edge with Hartlepool forcing the ball direct and pushing players on but County the more patient and thoughtful with the ball. On 84 minutes, County had Bennett in the book for a tired a looking challenge on Sylla. County created an excellent move from deep on 86 minutes, exposing Hartlepool with their pace when they shifted play with a quick low pass left side. Lewis did well carry a strong run past Ferguson and his shot from an acute angle was tipped over the bar by the keeper. County gained confidence from their counter play and were close again on 88 minutes when Norman drove to the right byline and his deft cross was contested well by Zanzala back post but his header flashed wide of the right post. Hartlepool made another change soon after with Kemp sacrificed for Trusty. County were close again on 90+1 minutes when McNeil did well to right side to retain the ball and eek some space. He cut back a decent cross switching play to left side of the area and Lewis was denied when his snapshot from an acute angle was parried around the left post. Lewis took the corner and this time the delivery had venom on it with Demetriou glancing superbly into the top right corner. With Hartlepool committed to push on salvage something, County were close to another goal on 90+3 minutes when a smart low move saw McNeil show good vision to pick out the run of Zanzala in behind. He carried his run forward but his low shot from just inside the area was saved by the keeper legs. County held on strongly in the 90+5 minutes of injury time holding the ball in the right corner to gain a deserved valuable win.
Day (7) — kicked well under pressure and distributed accurately. Had few if any real clearcut chances and claims to make and kept concentration well
Norman (7) — defended stoutly and was vigilant clearing danger. Grew into the game and influenced some of the best moves late on and crosses from the byline
Aaron Lewis (8) — did a good job defensively marshalling runs of Ferguson well. made strong tackles and went close with a couple smart shots after runs back post. Set up winning goal with neat cross
Farquharson (7) — put under aerial pressure by Umerah but did well to marshal danger and cleared effectively under pressure. Marked tightly on set pieces
Demetriou (8) — started a bit shaky but grew into the game. Made some brave headers and tackles, alert to the danger and delivered fair quota of long throws. Expertly took his header late on.
Clarke (7) — dealt well with direct balls that were dropped in behind and was well positioned to mop up threat. Went close on a couple of set pieces at the front post.
Bennett (6) — did his best to kill the ball and offer composure to build patterns of play. Did well when he got on the ball but let down by some untidy passes.
Baker (6) — competed well in the air and on the floor and coped comfortably until he got his booking but became more vulnerable after riding his luck with one or two challenges.
Charsley (7) — decent game, did a lot of good work box to box and was quick to pick pockets with some good link play. Went close a couple of times following late runs into the area.
Kavanagh (6) — did his best in a chaotic first half to angle runs in behind and was lively to the second ball but starved of any really quality ball. Went close with snapshot inside the area.
Bogle (6) — quiet game, was well marked, did better when he didn’t contest from standing positions coming across marker to win late headers. Got rushed on few chances inside the six yard box.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Hartlepool United)
Strengths — they worked hard off the ball and pressed up collectively as a unit. Created some limited threat when they had the patience to put passes together
Weaknesses — bit like Walsall over did the direct play and lack quality final third especially on crosses and awareness, overplaying several passes. committed several untidy challenges.
Opportunities — opted to play direct for large parts of the game and chase down bits and pieces. If anything went even more direct when Clarke came on late on.
Threats — Umerah aerial prowess, Kemp creativity in around the box. Ferguson offered influence to shape the best play right side.
OFFICIALS
B Speedie (7) — managed game well especially when it threatened to get feisty before half time. Missed some late challenges but got key decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mickey Demetriou — lead well, defended with discipline and kept focus throughout despite the aerial bombardment. Took his chance with a trademark finish.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County showed plenty of tenacity and resilience to deal with aerial bombardment and found it hard to settle into any rhythm. Having said that, they restricted Hartlepool to zero shots on goal such was their discipline defending their own 18 yard box. The second half was a bit more structured with County the more thoughtful and you always felt when they kept the ball sharp and low they were going to create opportunities and just needed blend the quality and timing to profit. County have put a decent run together which they need to keep going and they have showed good fitness levels in all these games finishing stronger with game management key and use of the bench. Next up is Sutton United at Rodney Parade, who have improved since before Christmas and been strengthened by the return of lively right winger Ajiboye. They will also have selection headaches with captain Eastmond and striker Bugiel returning from two match ban but a couple of other players close to suspension. Sutton compliment play well between direct play and verve in wide areas. County need to track the determined runs and dribbling to break up play and keep patience. Transitional play and cuteness to provide assists in around the box can unsettle a robust Sutton defence who are comfortable in the air but less assured when the ball is low.
