Persistence pays off in a niggly game

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Moor Lane

Salford City 1 (Clarke 44)

Newport County 1 (Sheehan pen 90+4)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WWLWWDWDWL

Salford City WWLWWLLWLd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County turned Salford over in the FA Cup so expecting a backlash so key County match their endeavour and have the belief to keep passing and work Salford about

CONDITIONS
Cool, damp, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch was fast and in decent condition

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Number of chances went begging but showed determination and character to gain a point.

TURNING POINT
Salford penalty miss was costly

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes from the team that lost 2–1 at Leyton Orient on Saturday with Ryan Haynes returning to the side in place of Aaron Lewis who was on the bench. County made another change up front with Tristan Abrahams replacing Jamie Proctor who was substitute. County started well looking to get the ball down and work gaps and an early pass from deep left side by Demetriou caused problems when the ball was allowed to drop and some confusion by central defender Eastham and keeper Hladky was forced into hurried clearance. County kept spreading play well with Salford very reserved in the early stages and the hosts committed several untidy fouls which set an early precedent. On 6 minutes, a busy County move saw Twine prominent with a run through the middle and he was blocked by Lowe. From the resulting free kick, with both Twine and Dolan over the ball, Twine struck a decent effort but the keeper adjusted to claim well. Another similar presented County on 10 minutes when Twine was again bulldozed over the ball by Bernard in a dangerous position. Twine struck a dipping shot which was blocked in the wall but with County slow to pick up the loose ball they allowed Salford to break on them. Henderson was quick to manufacture space and deliver a cross left side of the area which Hunter latched onto with a late run but his effort was well pushed away by Townsend and the weak header in the follow up claimed. County were keen to use their left channel and test Salford right back Clarke at every opportunity. On 14 minutes, Haynes was bold making a strong run left side of the area and his low cross was cut out by Eastham at the front post. From the corner left side, Sheehan played a clever low ball to front post which Amond read well and he cut back a pass finding Demetriou was stabbed a decent effort from 10 yards which was deflected onto the left post. Salford elected to play deep to relieve pressure with some balls right side to pinpoint runs of Asante right side. County were alert to the threat and worked some good moves in transition left side with Haynes enjoying space. On 16 minutes, Salford were given another warning when Cooper drove into space and cut back an excellent cross from left side of the area which Demetriou poked wide of the right post from 10 yards. A good spell for County saw Amond do well to seize a long kick out from Townsend and turn into space before striking a snapshot from 25 yards which the keeper saved well in the left corner. Salford made efforts to pick up their game pressing higher up the pitch and despite adding to their foul count, it did enough to stifle the momentum County had and they came more into the game using the pace of Asante right side and Hunter left side. County suffered a blow on 22 minutes when Dolan was forced off with a knock and replaced by Willmott who went into right midfield with Bennett dropping deeper with Sheehan just in front. Salford upped their game sensing some vulnerability in the County defence throwing in a couple of opportunist crosses right side. On 30 minutes, Salford broke well after a County move broke down cheaply with Hunter again pivotal left side and he cut back across to spread a pass right side of the area for Asante. From the right corner of the area he jinked inside and blasted a low shot which the alert Townsend did well to parry around the left post. Salford kept persisting a high line of press with Abrahams and Amond struggling to maintain possession and County allowed Salford to break again on them on 32 minutes. Henderson picked up the pass from Bernard and shifted play to right side of the area. Hunter made the most of the space offered and his effort from 16 yards well saved well in the right corner by Townsend. The game remained littered with free kicks but County were keen to get on with their game and kept working the ball low. On 40 minutes, a slick move right side saw Shepherd advance well and find Sheehan with a pass inside but his rising effort went well over from 20 yards. Moments later some indecision in the middle by County saw Sheehan pickpocketed by Hunter who threaded a quick pass into Asante who carried a strong run through middle but his low effort was well parried to left by Townsend. With Salford somewhat overzealous pushing on, County caught them napping on 42 minutes from a long ball left side which Amond seized upon and he played a super pass left channel for Twine to run onto. He drove into the area and had a chance to shoot but elected to pick out Abrahams who well positioned but he directed his shot low and Lowe was able to clear off the line. It was a big let off for Salford and boosted them to push on as half time approached with Asante picking holes right side with his pace. On 44 minutes, Salford won a corner right side which Hunter whipped in and Clarke rose strongly to head into the right corner beyond the grasp of Townsend.

The early stages of the second remained scrappy with Salford persisting with their interrupting approach and conceding several free kicks with Threlkeld testing patience of the referee who failed to punish. On 50 minutes, County worked a good opening right side when Shepherd made a weaving run and despite being well tracked by left back Touray he showed flexibility to cut back and deliver a decent cross on his left foot which eluded late run of Abrahams. On 55 minutes, Sheehan was clattered from behind by Henderson but the referee turned a blind eye to issuing a card. Salford encouraged by the leniency kept snapping away and a fast move in transition moments later saw them snatch possession in the middle and break left side to win a corner. From the delivery, Willmott was adjudged to have handled despite no obvious arm raised and Salford had a penalty. Henderson took the spot kick but Townsend read it well making a save to low in the right corner. County were lifted by the miss and were close on 60 minutes when a smart efficient move right side saw Willmott threaded a pass into Twine and his vicious effort from 25 yards was deflected over the bar. From the resulting corner, Willmott whipped in an excellent delivery which Salford struggled to clear and Twine had an effort at the back post well blocked by Clarke. Salford were forced into some hurried clearances on times allowing County to tighten their grip and another bright County move on 62 minutes across the face of the area culminated with Sheehan being denied by the outstretched leg of Eastham. County made a triple change moments later with Ellison replacing Abrahams, Amond on for Collins and Devitt for Twine. County kept plugging away with Salford happy to slow the game down and the fouls continued to reign in. On 70 minutes, County were agonisingly close when a move right side opened up space with Shepherd delivering a teasing deep cross which Ellison directed back into the six yard box which Willmott poked just past the left post. Then on 72 minutes a Demetriou long throw right side of the area was glanced on well by Cooper but Willmott had his snapshot blocked. Salford remained a threat on the break with County prepared to push on down the flanks and this left holes for Touray and Asante to exploit space left and right side but the defence did well reshape and clear. On 75 minutes, a snappy Salford move left side saw Hunter and Wilson combine well and a shoot from a narrow angle by Wilson struck the left post. Then moments later another strong run by Asante right side of the area took him past Demetriou and he blasted a low effort which Townsend parried around the right post. Threlkeld on his fifth life got a booking on 76 minutes for bowling over Sheehan in the middle of the pitch and Salford made a like for like change with Andrade on for Wilson. Salford had a decent situation on 78 minutes when Clarke made a rare foray up the pitch right side of the area and his cross was directed wide of the right post by Henderson from 10 yards. County were unfortunate not to equalise on 80 minutes when a long throw by Demetriou left side was only half cleared and Bennett pounced to strike a decent volley from 14 yards which crashed against the left post. Salford made a defensive change on 81 minutes with Turnbull replacing Hunter. County kept probing and Shepherd was booked for dissent on 82 minutes for appearing to contest an advantage not being played when the referee brought play back. On 85 minutes, County were close again when Willmott made a great run to support a move right side and he ghosted inside before striking a decent low effort from 25 yards which the keeper found too hot too handle but the follow up just eluded Ellison. County made another change on 86 minutes with centre back Longe-King replacing Haynes and he went up front with County forcing the issue. Salford keeper Hladky was booked soon after for what appeared to be time wasting with County turning the screw in the final minutes with Collins going close with shot left side from distanced which forced the keeper to tip over the bar. On 90 minutes, with County pushing on they were nearly caught out when a break right side saw Asante drive into space but the final pass was cut out well by Shepherd. Salford made a couple of late changes to run down time with Elliot and Deny replacing Asante and Henderson. In the second minute of injury time, County got their reward when a searching cross right side by Shepherd to the back post saw Devitt and Ellison challenge and a tug back by Bernard resulted in a penalty. The referee consulted with the linesman before sanctioning the spot kick and Sheehan dispatched confidently in the left corner. Touray was booked for contesting the decision as frustrations in the Salford team grew. County finished strongly throwing in a couple of late crosses but the game finished square and on merit that was fair.

Townsend (9) — made three or four fantastic saves to keep County in the game and did well on the penalty. Kicked well under pressure and was smart with his distribution.

Shepherd (8) — had a good battle with Touray who was forced deep to contain him. Showed flexibility to come inside on his less favoured when needed and set up excellent cross for penalty

Haynes (7) — had a productive first half putting Clarke under pressure and provided fair quota of crosses which deserved some reward. Forced deeper second half dealing with counter

Dolan (7) — was having decent game orchestrating some good moves but was replaced early on by:

Willmott (7) — did a good job attacking midfield and dropped into defend well working hard off the ball. Provided some decent crosses and close to getting on the end of couple of crosses.

Demetriou (7) — was tested throughout by direct play and industry by Asante. Strong in the aerial duals and got in several important interventions. Unsettled Salford with several long throws.

Cooper (7) — generally composed and passed well picking up bits and pieces. Was a little anxious with some of his clearances second half and got caught in possession a few times.

Bennett (7) — strong in the air and broke up danger smartly. did a good job when he dropped into defence but was left vulnerable to pace on times. Went close from a couple of set pieces.

Twine (6) — was involved in best moves early on but struggled to make same impact when Salford pressed up higher found space at a premium. Set up some decent chances in and around area.

Sheehan (6) — went into deeper role after Dolan went off but had less impact final third and lost momentum. Got bogged down in some tackles and was better when he kept passes ticking over.

Amond (7) — dropped off intelligently to pick holes and crafted some good moves final third when he had support. Got onto a few chances in and around box but limited inside six yard box

Abrahams (6) — work hard on and off the ball and effective when he got running at defenders, played to his strengths better today but got few shots in and best chance was squandered.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — front three behind Henderson were mobile in transition and got several shots in. Centre backs strong aerially, pressed hard as a unit and were effective in spells when they gambled

Weaknesses — despite the height in the side they were not that convincing on crosses and opted to kick long and often recklessly. Conceded several free kicks today in dangerous areas.

Opportunities — reserved early on and were happy to steal ball in midfield and look for sucker punch in transition. Forced to play longer as game progressed and created low moves final third
Threats — Hunter was lively on counter and neat delivery of crosses set pieces. Wilson energy in behind and Asante pace with eye for a shot. Eastham and Clarke aerial threat on set pieces.

OFFICIALS

R Joyce (6) — was lenient with several of the fouls and held up play not allowing advantage and game threatened to boil over on times. Both penalties looked contentious and not clear.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nick Townsend — several instinctive saves, was solid dealing with snapshots in and around the area and made some important saves at key times, not least the penalty.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County had chances to get ahead in this game before the Salford goal with some cutting well timed moves and crosses which asked questions but the enforced changed appeared to unsettle their rhythm. They needed to re-group at half time and they did that well retaining their belief to get back into the game by passing to work sides into submission. Salford pressed higher up the pitch and gambled to push players on in the turnover but you always felt if County could retain their passing game and keep their focus and discipline then they could force Salford about to commit mistakes. Salford conceded several fouls and seemed happy to do so with them having aerial prowess but it was only through a number of late interventions and blocks that they were ahead for so long. County can expect more sides pressing higher up to deny space so will need to keep other sides guessing. Next up Oldham Athletic at home who have improved this year with more scoring prowess but their Achilles heal has been their defending despite plenty of experience. They are likely to play a similar 4–5–1 formation to Salford but may be more cautious but do have threats from wide position with Bahamboula right side and former Wrexham striker Grant key retaining possession with Lowe and Dearnley bold from distance.