Quality Shines Through

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Amond 30, Cooper 88)

Harrogate Town 1 (Smith 44)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WWLWLLWWW

Harrogate Town LDLdWWWWLd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Harrogate have been undeterred by the step up since promotion and will come organised. County are missing influence of Dolan but key they keep patience to play and work through openings.

CONDITIONS
Heavy rain showers and difficult blustery wind. Pitch was a little slippery on top but held up well

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Played better before Harrogate sending off but maintained belief and perseverance to pinch win

TURNING POINT
Harrogate missed chance to go 2–1 up.

THE MATCH
County named the same side that won mid-week but were dealt a blow with Matt Dolan pulling up in the warm up and he was replaced by Scott Bennett with Bristol City loanee defender Bradley Webb added to the bench. County started well offering plenty of energy to sting some moves final third with Sheehan and Twine doing well through the middle. Inside 2 minutes, County carved open a good chance when they shifted play well from left to right with Shepherd well positioned right side of the area. He cut back a low cross into the feet of Abrahams who controlled well before striking an effort from 18 yards which was curling into the top left corner but unfortunately struck the back of Twine. Harrogate operating a 4–4–2 system were keen to get wide to develop patterns of play but County were quick to stifle and break the lines. On 5 minutes, Haynes did well to advance left side and deliver a good ball into the six yard box but Jones was alert to make a headed clearance. County gripped the ball well in the early stages forcing Harrogate to concede several untidy fouls with Thomson and Falkingham overzealous in tackles. On 10 minutes, Harrogate showed their intentions from wide positions when Jones dinked over a quick cross but Martin could only glance wide of the left post from distance. County playing into a strong win mixed play well with some measured balls either side of the area with Abrahams and Amond getting in to steal the ball but Harrogate centre backs Smith and Hall did well to recover and clear. On 15 minutes, Harrogate won a free kick left side in a decent position and Thomson put in a testing delivery which County got a half clearance on but Falkingham snatched a bit striking a half volley well over from 20 yards. County continued to pick holes well especially through the middle and Kerry was booked moments later for handball when Labadie threatened to break through near the centre circle. On 17 minutes, Shepherd got blocked but did well to feed Twine inside who made a dynamic run forward but could only drag his shot and it was going wide but Abrahams read well but could only stab wide of the right post from 10 yards. Harrogate were struggled to get a foothold passing in the game and elected to go direct to test County with keeper Belshaw kicking with distance. County kept pushing the right buttons with some neat low exchanges and had a very good situation on 20 minutes from a patient build up and Abrahams slipped a quick pass for Twine to run into the area left side. He had the opportunity to strike first time but the extra touch saw the ball overrun for a goal kick. Harrogate were keen to work long throws to gain territory using Martin as a battering ram and take some sting out of the County game. On 23 minutes, another clumsy tackled by Harrogate in the middle saw Falkingham catch Twine with a stray arm and he was booked. On 28 minutes, County were close to the opener from a good switch from right to left with Twine prominent slipping a pass to find Abrahams. He provided a good quick cross into Amond who poked a shot into the right corner which Belshaw held well. County continued to press well in the corners forcing the Harrogate full backs deeper. On 29 minutes, Harrogate had another warning when an efficient low move initiated by Twine released Sheehan through the middle. He had the chance to shoot but played a good pass out wide to find Amond who advanced to the right side of the area and his dangerous low cross was cut out at the front post by Hall. County got the goal they play merited on 30 minutes from an excellent passing move involving Sheehan who played a low pass to feet to find Abrahams edge of the box. He showed good vision to pick out the overlapping run of Shepherd right side. He cut back a precise cross to find Amond who made no mistake slotting into the right corner from 10 yards. Harrogate made efforts to pick up their game with Muldoon picking up some bits and pieces from drop downs but County squashed the threat well. On 37 minutes, a move through the middle by Harrogate saw Muldoon supply a ball inside for Falkingham to run onto and he advanced into the area but was given a second yellow card for simulation. On 41 minutes, Harrogate made a tactical change to adjust to their handicap sacrificing Kieran left wing in place of Kirby who went into centre midfield. Harrogate went more narrow to deny County space and increasingly direct in their approach play using Martin as an outlet. County were forced a little deeper with Harrogate using the conditions well and caught County napping on 44 minutes from a corner right side by Muldoon. The delivery into the six yard box was cutting and Jones did well to rise strongly with a downward header and in the scramble Jones reacted first to hook into the top left corner. The first half end with Harrogate having a spring in their step and County in need of some inspiration.

County made early inroads at the beginning of second half working some good moves right side by the industry of Shepherd. Harrogate set their stall out to sit in and frustrate and they game become a little disjointed on times and interrupted by fouls. Harrogate persisted with direct play from deep with keeper Belshaw called into some hurried clearances under pressure but they began to put the County defence under some aerial pressure. County were more effective when they shifted the play to open space and went close on 56 minutes from a move instigated from deep by Cooper. He exploited some space through the middle carrying the ball out strongly and his cross field pass picked out Haynes left side of the area. He jinked inside on his less favoured right foot and struck a rising effort well over the bar from 16 yards. County made a double substitution on 60 minutes with Proctor replacing Abrahams and Willmott replacing Shepherd. Harrogate created a chance out the blue on 62 minutes when a direct move found the alert Muldoon who seized the loose ball edge of the area and he slipped a pass into Kirby who made a good run from deep but his snapshot from 20 yards was wide and high of the left post. County responded with a move right side moments later when Bennett drove into space offered by Harrogate and find Twine in a decent position right side of the area. He threaded a pass inside for Proctor who struck a first time effort from 25 yards which the keeper held well. Harrogate gained some confidence from their direct play with Martin unsettling contesting across the line. County had opportunities to break from deep but some of their build up play was too slow and predictable allowing Harrogate to regroup. On 65 minutes, County had a glimmer of a chance when Willmott darted down the right flank beating Jones and his cross was glanced just over the bar from 10 yards. On 68 minutes, Harrogate had a good chance to take the lead when Martin caused problems with his robustness holding off a challenge by Demetriou right side of the area. He made the most of the space to pick out Muldoon who set up a chance for Thomson edge of the area but his low shot fizzed wide of the right post. County had a better spell of possession for a time working the right side well with Twine and Sheehan having half chances inside the area but their efforts were off target. On 75 minutes, another spritely run by Willmott right side of the box coaxed Jones into a late challenge and he was booked. County upper the tempo in the final stages of the game and another forceful move on 80 minutes saw Cooper do well to link play deep inside the Harrogate half. He caressed a neat header towards Sheehan edge of the area but his effort was somewhat rushed with this half volley going well over. County made their final change on 81 minutes with Devitt replacing Bennett with County reverting to 3–4–3. County kept plugging away with Proctor and Devitt offering good movement and County added to their corner count. On 85 minutes, Haynes took a decent corner from right side which Proctor met inside the six yard box but stretching his header drifted wide of the left post. Harrogate made another change just after with Beck replacing Martin. County started to turn the screw more left side with Devitt influential with his link play. On 86 minutes, Devitt did well to brush off a challenge by Burrell left side of the area and cut back a decent cross into the area which Amond glanced on expertly but keeper Belshaw reacted well to push away towards Willmott but he couldn’t get a firm connection seeing the ball late. County kept pressing and got their reward on 88 minutes from a corner won left side. Twine delivered immaculately into the six yard area and Cooper rose strongly with a towering header into the roof of the net. To their credit, Harrogate kept pushing and won a free kick left side on 90 minutes when Demetriou was somewhat harshly punished for winning a tackle on Muldoon. Thomson swung in a decent delivery which flashed deep but Hall couldn’t keep his header on target from an acute angle. In the third minute of injury time, Devitt again showed his guile to prise openings from nothing spinning away from Smith left side of the box and his low effort fizzed wide of the left post. County held on despite some late Harrogate pressure dealing with some long throws and crosses swung into the area.

Townsend (7) — not overworked by any means, had to deal with some opportunist crosses swung into the six yard box. Kicked well in the strong wind and was largely accurate with distribution.

Shepherd (7) — was sacrificed quite early in the game but did quite well setting up opening goal, timed runs well but was possibly struggling from knock with clash from Kiernan.

Haynes (8) — very prominent in early stages and always had the upper hand over Burrell. Put in several decent crosses and corners from the right side and was sharp with his distribution.

Demetriou (7) — dogged in the aerial challenges and despite not having it all his own way made some good decisions when to get tight and drop off. Cleared his lines well when turned back.

Cooper (8) — majority of kicks went to his side and got into a good battle with Martin never shirking his duties. Did well to link play and pick some neat passes before getting the winning goal.

Bennett (6) — got pulled at last moment to cover for Dolan and did a decent job, won some good headers, stifled well and made some forays forward to instigate moves further up pitch.

Sheehan (7) — influential in early stages and enjoyed more possession before sending off. Less impact when less space was invited through middle but stepped up game late with dynamic runs late into box.

Labadie (6) — worked hard and passed well when he had ball but never really took grip of the game and played quite reserved today with less influence in and around the box.

Twine (8) — delivered some excellent set pieces and shifted ball well rarely wasting it. Gambled with some runs to unsettle and won several free kicks. Got into decent positions and should have scored.

Abrahams (6) — looked a little jaded and didn’t get across defenders enough, was replaced early second half. Saw less influence from wide positions but his hold up play well good

Amond (7)– had the best chances, was always creative in and around the area, made some intelligent runs, took his chance well and got denied further goals by a couple of smart saves and blocks

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were keen to work the ball high and wide and despite going more narrow after the sending off remained competitive. Fit side, set pieces asked questions and were effective from direct play.

Weaknesses — both full backs were bold but left room, they lacked height and physical presence in the middle conceding several fouls. Lacked cohesion on times to pass through the middle.

Opportunities — they played a system to offer width and freedom but went more direct and deny space through middle after sending off which frustrated County for large spells.
Threats — Martin aerial prowess and hold up play, Muldoon picked up bit and pieces, Thomson set pieces, Smith and Hall decent in the air on set pieces.

OFFICIALS
P Howard (8) — got rarely noticed, kept up with game well, got the key decisions right and allowed game to flow well

MAN OF THE MATCH

Brandon Cooper — stepped up game with Dolan missing and he contributed well to take responsibility with ball at feet. Did well dealing with Martin and got his reward finally with richly deserved goal.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County may look back on this game as key win with Harrogate proving to be no mugs and they showed their capability despite the handicap of playing with ten men for an hour. County were comfortable in the early stages dealing well with Harrogate wingers and they dealt with the long ball well moving it effectively from deep to create a number of early chances before the opening goal. County struggled a bit against Tranmere when they had ten men and similarly today found it a difficult nut to crack and find the same space but they picked up the energy of the game well late on. County can look to improve on their transition from deep as when Harrogate direct moves broke down they were a little static getting forward allowing Harrogate to recover too easily. County were enterprising when they got into the final third and with better delivery on crosses the win may well have been more comfortable. Next up is Carlisle United away who have been on a decent run until their narrow 1–0 defeat at Exeter today. Carlisle have been effective employing three up top but may need to adjust with Toure sent off today but still key County deal with aerial threat from Kayode and Alessandra who is key calming outlet. Carlisle also have former County centre back Aaron Hayden in their ranks who is solid in the aerial duels but less comfortable with ball at his feet.