Scrappy County win and another clean sheet
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Lamex Stadium
Stevenage 0
Newport County 2 (Street 47, Haynes 70)
Attendance: 2,733
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County WWWLLDDWDW
Stevenage WDWLDLdLLD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
New Stevenage manager Paul Tisdale is under a bit of pressure with them near the foot of the table. Expect Stevenage to be combative and direct so key County deal with the aerial ball and pick holes
CONDITIONS
Sunny spells, keen wind. Pitch in decent condition but slippery in parts.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Struggled for cohesion, but showed teeth and a bit of quality on goals to make the difference
TURNING POINT
Street pouncing to score straight after half time.
THE MATCH
County made one defensive change with James Clarke returning after suspension in place of Ryan Haynes who was on the bench. Norman reverted to right back with Clarke centre back and Lewis switching to left back. County played into a gusty wind first half but started with purpose attacking the right flank and went close on 2 minutes when Norman drove to the byline getting outside Wildin. He cut back a vicious low cross into the six yard box which Cuthbert intercepted just ahead of Telford finishing and the ball was sliced just over the bar. County chanced their arm with some direct moves to test Stevenage but found the ball hanging back in the wind and Stevenage centre backs Prosser and Cuthbert were quick to clear up field. Stevenage made an attempt to press up higher with the wind encouraging them forward pushing left wing back Wildin into some advanced positions but County marshalled the threat well. On 7 minutes, Stevenage won a corner right side which County could only half clear and Taylor hit an ambitious first time effort dragging it well wide of the left post. The game was scruffy on times with Stevenage overplaying passes and County struggling for cohesion final third. County made efforts to play from deep with some patient moves and some promise with Telford offering intelligent range of passes. County had a couple of good situations from direct play with Street chasing down the ball in behind but Stevenage recovered with Prosser and Cuthbert averting the danger. On 20 minutes, County worked a better move switching efficiently from right to left and Lewis pushed into space before finding Telford inside. He jinked past Vancooten and drilled a low shot edge of the area which Cuthbert got an important intervention on. County worked a couple of smart moves right side in transition with Norman testing Wildin. On 25 minutes, Norman burst goalside of Wildin and was pulled cynically back but the advantage was on to let the move continue but the referee inexplicably blew up for a free kick and the failed to book Wildin. County had a decent spell midway through the half getting more penetration with some snappy moves from deep. On 28 minutes, Azaz did well to angle his run left side and turn inside off a challenge by O’Neill. He curled a decent effort from the left corner of the box just wide of the right post. Stevenage made efforts to press higher and win the ball but despite more possession they were let down by their distribution on times. County offered more threat from direct play and a more efficient move on 35 minutes saw Bennett pinpoint Street who did well to fend off Prosser and caress a good pass to the feet of Telford. He jinked inside and powered a low shot from 18 yards which Vancooten blocked well with a late intervention. Stevenage created their best chance of the half on 36 minutes from open play when some sluggish play by County allowed the ball to be stolen by Reid who picked the run of Taylor left side of the area. He struck a decent forcing Townsend into a good parry around the left post. Stevenage had their tails up and were close on 38 minutes when a poor clearance by Townsend was snapped up by Upson who set up Westbrooke who struck a decent effort from just outside the “d” but Townsend recovered well to tip over the bar. Stevenage were boosted by some disjointed pressure inside the County half and had a couple of shots well blocked by County around the edge of the area. County were forced into a change on the stroke of half time with Cain being replaced by Dolan.
County made another change at half time with Haynes coming on for Lewis at left back and they started the second half well winning a free kick left side with Dolan forcing a clumsy tackle from Stevenage right back O’Neill. From the resultant free kick, Stevenage struggled for distance clearing into the wind and Bennett saw his volley from 25 yards deflected wide of the right post by Upson. County took the lead on 47 minutes, exploiting space left side of the area with Azaz finding Telford. He crept into a good position near the byline and his low cross was pounced on by Street back post with a finish into the top right corner. Stevenage responded with some direct play and crosses into the area to test County but they remained vigilant limiting and taking the sting out of the moves well. On 50 minutes, County worked a good move in transition with Stevenage overcommitted in midfield and Azaz worked a good low pass for Haynes to latch onto forcing Prosser into a late tackle. From the resultant free kick, County had both Waite and Dolan on the ball and Dolan went close when curled his effort from 25 yards narrowly wide of the right post. Stevenage responded with some urgency off the ball and some indecision by County clearing on 53 minutes saw Reid glance on a hopeful header left side which Norris latched onto right side of the area. He hit a first time volley but it was a rash effort going well wide of the left post and into the crowd. Stevenage made a double substitution on 55 minutes with Upson and Reid sacrificed for Carter and List in a like for like change. The move settled Stevenage with them offering more energy and guile through the middle of the pitch. On 58 minutes, Stevenage worked a patient move deep inside the County half which was somewhat ruined with Wildin latched onto a pass left side and cut inside on his more favoured foot blasting well over from 25 yards. On 62 minutes, Stevenage worked a decent move right side with Westbrooke clipping a decent cross but under pressure Norris could only glance wide and high of the left post from 10 yards. County continued to cause problems right side and carve open space but overplayed on times allowing Stevenage to recover and block shots in and around the area. On 70 minutes, County got the important second goal but it came from an unexpected source with Waite bright with feet threading a low pass to Haynes left side. He jinked inside a curled an precise low effort into the right corner from 25 yards beyond the grasp of Pym. Stevenage responded pushing men forward to support but were left vulnerable when moves broke down and Townsend set up a couple of decent moves kicking accurately to the right flank. Stevenage gambled with another change on 75 minutes sacrificing centre back Cuthbert for Reed who slotted into midfield with them switching to 3–4–3. County then had Haynes somewhat harshly in the book when he slipped left side of the area and the referee deemed it as simulation… County freshened things up top on 82 minutes with Telford replaced by Collins. Stevenage to their credit kept pressing and created some better approach play in the final minutes of the match and worked a decent move right side on 85 minutes with Taylor find accuracy to release List right side of the area. From a difficult acute angle, he adjusted well and struck an ambitious powerful effort well over the bar. Stevenage launched some direct hopeful balls through the middle forcing Townsend off his line but he held his nerve to make some good collections under pressure. On 88 minutes, Stevenage worked a better move with Norris linking well to find List but he dragged his effort on the turn from 10 yards well wide of the right post under pressure from Haynes. On 90+1, Stevenage worked a decent low move right side with Carter finding Westbrooke who supplied a pass for Read right corner of the area. He turned inside a curled a decent effort over the corner of top left post and bar. Stevenage kept plugging away in the 5 minutes of injury time with Westbrooke and Read getting on the ball well but County were in no mood to concede and kept them at arms-length.
Townsend (7) — Kicked well under pressure, distributed neatly to wide areas and when done quick caught Boro napping. Made excellent save first half to recover and dealt well with crosses launched in
Lewis (6) — defended well and saw a lot of the ball first half when County switched ball well but never really made the most of it, checking back too much on times and was replaced at half time by:
Haynes (7) — took the bate second half, offered balance and bold going forward with his movement putting Boro on back-foot. Took his chance well, not the first goal he has manufactured from distance.
Norman (7) — crept forward into some useful positions and provide some decent crosses. Did his best work when coming forward from non-standing position and put Wildin under pressure throughout.
Demetriou (8) — positioning was key, alert to the direct balls and resolute with headers well under pressure from Reid. Broke up threat well and cleared effectively under pressure
Clarke (8) — came back into the side and added strength in the aerial duals marshalling threat from Norris very well. Focussed throughout, tackled and stifled well when he got turned back
Cain (6) — bright start and found space hard to find and run into too many dead ends. Appeared to take a slight knock or dead leg and replaced just before half time by:
Dolan (6) — did well in the part that lead up to the opening goal and had spells when he shifted ball well from under feet but erratic game never really suited him. Flirted with a couple of set pieces
Azaz (7) — created menace in around area taking players out of position. Overplayed a bit on times and needs to get an earlier shot in when invited. Made some clever runs through the middle in transition.
Waite (6) — worked hard throughout, bright with his runs but was well tracked and got a bit bogged down on times not releasing earlier pass. did well to set up Haynes on the second goal
Bennett (7) — recovered well after falling heavily. Did a lot of good work in defence to stifle and clear danger. Went close with a few shots edge of area and can improve on his range and accuracy of passing
Telford (6) — frustrating game, bit off colour at the moment and restricted to shots in and around the box. Kept working hard to retain ball well under pressure and link play intelligently
Street (7) — well deserved overdue goal with good anticipation. Won some good headers and although a bit predictable with his hold up play, when he got across defender to win ball he caused problems.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths — they pressed play well and centre backs were strong in the aerial duals. Had spells in possession when they passed well
Weaknesses — were a little one paced on times, over reliant on direct play and only really asked questions late in the game. got away with several crude fouls and full backs always looked vulnerable.
Opportunities — started 4–3–3 and largely direct for an hour with Taylor directing play final third. Did get the ball down better late on but largely kept at arms-length.
Threats — Norris offered guile and link play, eye for snapshot, List pace in behind right side. Carter and Read got ball down and used it effectively.
OFFICIALS
B Toner (7) — very lenient but consistent allowed a lot of the clambering and off the ball antics to go unpunished. Missed opportunity to play advantage a few times
MAN OF THE MATCH
James Clarke — showed his experience to deal with direct play knowing when to get tight and stand back. Broke up and cleared danger effectively under pressure.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were good value overall for an important win today despite not firing on all cylinders. They were put under some pressure from direct play especially first half with the wind hampering their clearances out from deep but their vigilance, teeth, determination to win the ball early was key. County were bold early in the second half and ultimately they picked their battles very well today with spells of quality which won the day. Stevenage did ask some questions late on but County kept snapping and denying space despite the hosts offering more care and thought with the ball. Dolan came on to plug a gap with Cain injured, but this did mean County did lose a bit of edge final third and will need to look at improving their transition getting Street across the last man quicker as when County didn’t overplay too much, they were threatening final third. Next up is Carlisle United away who have forged away from relegation concerns after four wins on the bounce under new manager Paul Simpson. Carlisle have adapted to play a more fluid 3–5–2 system under Simpson with Mellish dropping into a much deeper role at centre back and veteran left back Dickinson getting more value in a holding position in midfield. Guy offers quality on set pieces but it comes with risk as Riley is being employed as a unconventional right wing back and although effective in attacking positions, it will yield space for County to attack left side with Haynes ability to stretch play which County can profit from.
