Rovers end County’s winning run
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: The New Lawn
Forest Green Rovers 2 (Stevens 33, 61)
Newport County 0
Attendance: 3,817
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County DWWLDLWWWW
Forest Green Rovers LWDWDWDWWD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Forest Green are leading the pack and strong at home, not conceding since October in the league. County need to stifle their prowess in wide areas, take fouls and raise tempo final third.
CONDITIONS
Mild, light rain showers with gusty wind. Pitch in excellent condition and quick after rain earlier
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Had moments of creativity with the ball but lacked teeth up front and got exploited in the turnover
TURNING POINT
First goal was always going to be key in difficult conditions and settled Rovers
THE MATCH
County made just the one change with John Pask returning after injury in place of James Clarke who was on the bench. County had the benefit of the strong wind behind them first and had some early territorial dominance which yielded some throws ins right side which Rovers deal well with. County made some headway right side but were let down with some poorly overplayed passes which Forest Green were able to marshal out for a goal kick comfortably. The game was competitive through the middle with County working some low intricate moves but Rovers defended well with Adams and Stevenson blocking the runs from Axaz and Cooper. County worked a better move on 12 minutes left side going through several players and Demetriou whipped in an excellent cross from the left flank but Baker-Richardson and Telford were not alive to the cross which flashed through dangerously. Despite being forced back deep, Rovers showed more menace on the break building some momentum left side with Cadden and Cargill influential. Rovers were happy to launch some direct balls to turn County but they dealt well with ball when it dropped clearing effectively. On 20 minutes, Forest Green were close when they worked a low move left side and Cadden whipped in a decent ball front post but Stevens could only head wide of the left post from 8 yards. County kept chipping away right side winning some corners and were close on 22 minutes when Cain delivered a decent cross right side which Baker-Richardson rose well on back post but his header from 8 yards was saved low in left corner by McGee. Forest Green edged more into the game with Wilson offering an outlet right side and crosses fed in to pinpoint Matt but County held firm. County worked another opportunity on 25 minutes through the industry of Norman who linked well with Bennett right side of the area. He had the chance to shoot but his cross into the area got caught on the wind and drifted wide allowing Rovers off the hook. Rovers remained a threat left side and won a corner on 28 minutes which was lofted into the wind and Cargill directed a smart header to the feet of Adams. He adjusted well but could only thrash his effort wide of the left post from 10 yards. County worked some better chances on the half hour, going more direct for a time with Telford picking up the ball smartly. After forcing the hosts to defend deeper, County suffered a set back on 33 minutes when a move right side of the area broke down. Wilson snapped up possession left corner of the area and despite being on his wrong foot he brushed off a challenge to counter. County failed to put in a honest tackle and cover effectively and Wilson was able to get into the County area and square inside for Stevens who flicked low past Townsend from 6 yards. County were forced into conceding several cheap free kick with Stevens causing problems with his link play. On 42 minutes, Pask was booked for County for a bit of wild challenge left side of the area on Stevens born out of frustration. From the resultant free kick by Wilson, County struggled to clear their lines and Matt saw his header from 10 yards saved well by Townsend. County were fortunate not to go in two down on 45 minutes when some indecision by County in the middle saw Rovers pickpocket the ball and Adams slipped a quick pass through the middle for Aitchison. He drove goal side and stuck a low shot from 12 yards but Townsend made an excellent save low in the left corner to keep County in the game.
Forest Green continued to probe away with some neat low moves and with the wind encouraging them forward, County had to deal with some early pressure after half time. On 50 minutes, Baker-Richardson tracked back to defend right side of the County area and appeared to win the ball fairly but the referee awarded a free kick on Aitchison. Cadden on his favoured foot whipped in a venomous free kick which Townsend held well inside the six yard area. County stepped up their efforts to role up their sleeves and battle for possession but Rovers continued to work some measured passes from deep especially right side putting Demetriou under pressure in the air from Matt. County were given a warning on 57 minutes when Wilson stole forward right side of the area and his dinked cross was met well by Stevens from 12 yards but again Townsend read it claiming well. County made a change on hour with Baker-Richardson replaced by Robert Street. County worked a couple of decent moves left side using the frame of Street well but were caught out in from another move in transition on 61 minutes. Street appeared to have the ball under control but some indecision between him and Haynes allowed Wilson to drive into space right side. His cross from near the flank appeared to go a bit behind Stevens but he did enough to glance on from 10 yards using the wind to assist as the ball looped against the left post and into the net. Cain was then booked for a mistimed challenge on Wilson near the right flank with County off the pace. On 66 minutes, Forest Green were close to a third when another free kick was won right side which suited Cadden to a tee. His delivery was measured finding Cargill who was County allowed a free header from 12 yards but Townsend made a superb low save to parry away low in the right corner. County made efforts to pick up their game with some better energy final third and Azaz and Cooper in the last quarter of the match. On 68 minutes, County were close when a more decisive move through the middle saw Cooper slice through and direct a good pass for Telford right side of the area. He drove outside evading the challenge from Cargill but his low shot from an acute angle was well saved by McGee. County then had Street in the book for clashing with Godwin-Malife left side with tempers boiling over but no other cards issued. County maintained their drive left side and had a honest looking call for a penalty on 75 minutes with Haynes doing well to find Cain. His searching cross low into the six yard invited Street who looked favourite to finish but appeared to be tugged back by Moore-Taylor inside the six yard box but the referee ignored the appeals. Moments later, Rovers made their first change with Aitchison replaced by March. Despite not getting some parity with some of the decisions, County were galvanised and were closer again on 77 minutes when a neat efficient move across the face of the area, caught Rovers flatfooted. Telford caressed a neat pass back into the feet of Azaz and he sidestepped before curling a shot just over the bar from inside the “d”. County made another change soon after with James Waite on for Cooper. Rovers remained a threat from set pieces and were testing the resolve of Townsend again on 82 minutes this time from a free kick near the half way line. Cadden whipped in a vicious delivery which Cargill met well from 10 yard but the County keeper was equal to it tipping over the bar. Rovers made a couple of late defensive changes with Sweeney coming in central midfield in place of Stevens and Bernard on for Cadden. County had another penalty appeal late in the game after an excellent low move going through several players and Waite slipped a ball in behind which Telford raced onto but appeared to be shoved over by Moore-Taylor. County worked some better control of the ball and kept asking questions in the 5 minutes of injury and another half chance saw them thread a low move left side with Cain doing well to find Telford left side of the area. He was forced wide but his shot was somewhat rash going wide and high of the left post. Forest Green held out for a deserved if not dominating win to cement their position at the top of the league.
Townsend (8) — kicked well and cleared danger effectively in difficult conditions. Safe with hands and made several smart saves, when left exposed to keep County in the game.
Norman (7) — got into some positive positions high up the pitch but crosses got overplayed a bit on the wind. Dealt well with Cadden throughout limiting the supply
Haynes (5) — Put under pressure by Wilson in key spells either side of half time. Didn’t really demand ball enough first half when County had the wind and territory.
Demetriou (7) — didn’t have his own way in the aerial duals but coped well with Matt taking good decisions when to drop off and prise ball to clear effectively. Carried ball well to pick holes
Pask (6) — composed with ball at feet and won some strong headers, forced deeper to cover runs from Cadden. Got punished for not recovering quicker on the second goal.
Azaz (6) — saw a lot of the ball but was unable to break shackles closely marked by Adams until later in the game when he enjoyed more space. Went close a couple of times in and around box.
Bennett (7) — combative throughout, made some strong tackles and strong headers, linked play well to spray some good passes but forced deeper second half.
Cain (6) — got on the ball first half but got caught in possession when quick pass was on. Got coaxed into several untidy challenges but kept his discipline well and kept probing late on.
Cooper (6) — quiet game, got a bit bogged down looking for short pass and lost out on too many headers. Was more effective picking up bits and pieces with some late supporting runs.
Telford (7) — when hosts moves broke down took up some good positions and quicker long ball was on but not always used effectively. Restricted on clear-cut chances in and around the box.
Baker-Richardson (5) — another fairly non-descript game, flirted with goal with one header but never seemed alive to the loose ball and lacked aggression to get across the defenders.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths — centre backs marked well and as a unit what they did to recover ball back was possibly the difference between the two sides. Provided some quality crosses and passed well
Weaknesses — very few chinks of light in their armour, got away with some crosses into six yard box and with a bit more alertness County may have punished them more for persistent fouling.
Opportunities — quite direct first half into the wind but offered more thought and care with the ball after half time striving to win set pieces / free kicks.
Threats — Wilson runs and crosses right side, Cadden outlet left side but set pieces right side were key. Matt aerial threat and Stevens predator inside area. Cargill aerial prowess off set pieces.
OFFICIALS
D Rock (6) — could have rocked the boat if he had given the penalty for the tug back on Street. Made some peculiar decisions choosing not to book when he should and vice versa.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kane Wilson — Stevens will get all plaudits for the goals but Wilson had a hand in both and County never really got to grip with his pace and trickery on the ball and his crosses were cutting.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County knew this was going to be a tough ask but never really stamped enough authority first half with the wind encouraging them forward. Rovers managed the conditions better and chose to sit in and stifle and break in transition. County dealt well with Cadden but allowed Rovers right back Wilson space to roam box to box without a whiff of challenge on the first goal and if County have ambitions of promotion this season they are going to need to stamp out moves earlier and higher up the pitch. The stats from this game may not show much difference from “expected” goals but it was the sharpness to win the ball to feed the alert men up top with a willingness to get on the edge of crosses that was the difference. County did have some bright situations in transition finishing the game strongly, but were often thwarted by the immense “recovery” Rovers had to win the ball back with Adams and Moore-Taylor in tandem giving Rovers just the assurance they needed to gamble men forward. Forest Green are much improved side from than last year, Matt has improved his all-round game and they are destined for League One and perhaps it is now up to County to strive to push to meet that standard. Next up is Northampton Town away which looks a bit of a six pointer. The Cobblers have been tenacious this season working effectively as pressing side with both full backs happy to push on and the centre backs offer physical aerial prowess. Hoskins is a key creative outlet right side but if County can win the middle of the pitch and get Northampton turned back on their heels they can reap their rewards.
