Shackles well and truly off

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 5 (Telford 12, 28, 48, Baker-Richardson 34, Azaz 50)

Stevenage 0

Attendance: 3,439

Match Rating: *****

Form:

Newport County DDLWLWdDDW

Stevenage DLLdWWDLLd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Stevenage have been struggling for form but showed more defensive resolve in recent games so key County keep their nerve to pass and stretch play but be dynamic when invited.

CONDITIONS
Mild, showery and breezy. Pitch in excellent condition but played fast.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Solid focussed defensive unit, creative and energetic in possession finishing game early with quality strikes

TURNING POINT
Never looked back after opening goal.

THE MATCH
County retained the side that finished last week at Bristol Rovers adopting a 4–3–3 formation but had Ed Upson and Ryan Haynes back from suspension on the bench. Stevenage also kept identical team playing a 4–4–2 formation which yielded them a point at Orient. County started well winning a couple of corner inside the first few minutes which were cleared effectively. Stevenage were keen to press up the pitch with their full backs prepared to push on but County responded with some bright moves in transition especially through the middle of the pitch with Cain and Cooper offering some neat interplay. Stevenage were given a couple of warnings with Azaz breaking through left side but he was marginally offside but they countered with some bright moves right side using the pace of List up front as an outlet. On 10 minutes, a more direct move by Stevenage saw Norris caress a tidy header into the path of Barry right side who struck an ambitious snapshot from 30 yards well over the bar. County kept their sharpness coming forward to exploit gaps left side and took the lead of 12 minutes when a quick throw found Willmott. He delivered a venomous cross into the six yard box which Coker appeared misjudged and his heavy touch found Telford who buried home inside the six yard box. Stevenage made efforts to pick up their game continuing to work the right side well winning some free kicks in decent positions. They had such an opportunity on 17 minutes but the effort from Lines went straight into the wall from the right corner of the box. Taylor offered plenty of craft and guile for Stevenage down the right side with some intelligent link play forcing Lewis to defend deeper. On 25 minutes, Taylor did well to find a precise low pass for Norris right side of the area but the effort from an acute was parried around the right post by Day. After being forced back, County exploded out of their shell on 28 minutes with a fast break from deep. Cooper was at the heart of the move with a piercing run down the left flank and his neat low measured pass found Telford. He did well to get on the front foot by passing Cuthbert and the low shot from 16 yards went inside the left post with the aid of a slight deflection. County were settled by the goal, passing well to stretch play and kept the ball well under pressure. Stevenage made attempts to stem the flow using the pace of List on the break but County marshalled the threat well. County went further ahead on 34 minutes from an excellent direct low move with Cain finding the run of Telford. He carried his run forward and he an opportunity to shoot but showed good vision to feed Baker-Richardson right side. He struck a bolt out of the blue from 25 yards which arrowed into the left corner beyond the grasp of Smith. County were boosted by the goal and had another good situation on 37 minutes with Norman doing well on the left flank after a long throw was only half cleared. He drove to the left byline and delivered a dangerous low cross which was intercepted by Cuthbert. From the resultant corner, County showed enterprise with a short corner to the front post and the alert Telford cut back an inviting pass for Cain who was well positioned but appeared to scuff his shot from 10 yards. On 40 minutes, County were close to a fourth when a Willmott corner right side was anticipated well by Demetriou who headed just over from 10 yards. Stevenage elected to play long to relieve pressure as the half time approached with kicks right to test Lewis in the air but County remained robust clearing well under pressure.

Stevenage made a double substitution at the start of the second half with Vancooten replacing Prosser and Andrade on for Lines. A change of formation to 3–5–2 saw Vancooten drop right of central defence with Wildin going right wing back and Reeves left wing back. County continued where they left off with some decision moves across the face of the area with Telford and Baker-Richardson combining well. On 47 minutes, Telford looked certain to grab his first hat trick of the season when a move deep inside the area saw Azaz find him with a slick pass and his first shot from 10 yards was blocked by Coker and he snapped on the rebound but the shot on turn was well held low down by Smith. He was not to be denied moments later when Baker-Richardson exchanged a quick pass and Telford cut inside to curl an exquisite shot into the left corner from 25 yards. Stevenage were left demoralised on 50 minutes when Azaz added a fifth goal timing his run well to receive a pass from Cooper. He still had work to do but struck a powerful effort from 20 yards into the top right corner beyond the keeper. County exerted a confidence with their passing which forced Stevenage to chase shadows on times and went close to another goal on 58 minutes. After turner provider, Cooper went on an individualist run right side and was unlucky to see his curling effort from 25 yards parried around the right post by Smith. County were forced into a change on 63 minutes with Baker-Richardson suffering a knock and he was replaced by Ellison. Stevenage made a change at the back with Melbourne replacing Coker which appeared to settle them down at the back. County lost a bit of their impetus and Stevenage upped their efforts with some bright moves right side involving Vancooten and Wildin. On 65 minutes, Barry did well to supply a cross from a tight position right side which Norris read well but his effort under pressure from 10 yards drifted harmlessly wide of the left post. Stevenage had another decent situation on 70 minutes when another cross right side by Reeves was cut back into the area and Taylor snapshot from 12 yards was diverted by good block by Demetriou. County made another change on 76 minutes with Fisher coming on up top for Telford. County were forced back but remained a threat on the break and were close again on 78 minutes after a sweeping move right side with Willmott and Norman instrumental finding a pass inside for Azaz. His first time effort from inside the “d” looked goal-bound but Wildin did well to make an important block. Moments later with Stevenage struggling to clear their lines, Fisher shielded a good ball into the path of Cain who saw his effort from right side of the area deflected wide of the left post. County made their final change with Upson replacing Willmott who got a fantastic reception coming off. Stevenage to their credit kept probing and created some concerns for County with List offering pace to chase down right side. On 88 minutes, a short back pass by Lewis was seized upon by List who rounded Day right side of the area. From a very acute position he picked out the late run by Reeves who was denied by Demetriou blocking the effort from 10 yards. County had another decent chance on 90 minutes from a decisive move right side involving Norman. He did well to drive to the byline and cut back an excellent cross into the six yard box which Ellison stroked across towards the left corner from 10 yards but Smith read it well. Norris summed up Stevenage’s day in injury time striking an ambitious effort from 30 yards which was drilled powerfully low but Day with in no mood for charity showing good hands low down.

Day (7) — was on hand to make a couple of smart saves low down but untroubled largely. Kicked well under pressure and handled well, moved the ball efficiently from deep.

Norman (7) — played quite reserve first half but broke up threat smartly and distributed well under pressure. Came more to fore after half time showing capability with crosses.

Demetriou (8) — Dominated aerial duals and marshalled Norris into less comfortable areas. Distributed well and covered in behind especially second half. Went close on a couple of set pieces

Clarke (8) — Faultless display, won his headers and remained alert. Let little goal-side stamping out threat early and made some excellent challenges clearing effectively.

Lewis (6) — put under some pressure by aerial balls but competed well. Delivered some decent crosses but found little joy goalside. Was forced back second half when Stevenage changed formation.

Azaz (8) — came alive in the formation instigating some excellent moves left side and range of passing. Was alert to the loose ball and kept his passes efficient. Excellent strike from distance.

Willmott (9) — stood in superbly to play holding role and took responsibility to build moves from deep passing accurately. Provided vicious cross on first goal and provide some decent corners.

Cain (7) — busy game, competed well and plenty of energy, timed his runs very well in transition. Had a couple of decent chances but lacked composure to finish.

Cooper (8) — got amongst it with determination to be first to the ball. Quick minded with some dynamic runs from deep and was at the heart of the several goals. Deserved a goal for his efforts.

Telford (9) — got into some advanced positions reading game and got a long overdue hat trick taking his chances clinically and could have had more goals getting several shots on target.

Baker-Richardson (7) — had a quieter game but his link play and sharpness to find the early pass was key. Worked hard off the ball to unsettle and struck an excellent shot from distance.

Strengths — crafted some decent low moves right side and had some bright spells late on showing spirit not to get walloped.

Weaknesses — both full backs were asked to push on but got crudely exposed in wide positions. Lacked pace in key areas of the pitch and cutting edge lacking.

Opportunities — very one dimensional first half but they looked more accomplished switching to 3–5–2 which gave them more balance

Threats — List offered pace right side, Norris hold up play and guile final third. Taylor knitted some good moves right side.

OFFICIALS

W Finnie (8) — was determined to let the game flow and made allowance in the greasy conditions refusing to book. Got the key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Robbie Willmott — very mature performance, took responsibility to initiate moves from deep, always gave assurance and decision making was good rarely wasting a pass.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County stuck with same side that performed in the last league game but made some slight tweaks with Willmott playing in a deeper role which he revelled in giving the team balance and menace going forward. Stevenage made efforts to press high up the pitch, somewhat overzealously and paid the price with County showing intelligence with the timing of their passes and sharpness in their movement final third which was always a problem for the Stevenage defence. County were in control from the opening goal and had spells when they went up through the gears you always felt there was more to come with the front unit putting in fair quota of shots and crosses. Stevenage did offer some threat right side with Lewis put under pressure and County did not always have the same balance to pressurise them down their left flank as the right side. Next up is the FA Cup with old foes Morecambe hosting the first round tie. Morecambe are a much changed from the side that battled to win promotion last season with a new central defence pairing which has been struggling to adapt to the rigours of league one. Stockton will provide the key outlet up top and will need stifling with McCalmont and Phillips able energy in support so County may need to call on Dolan if required. County won’t want to make this into a basketball match, so it will be key they assume some control as both full backs are aggressive and push up high but do create risk which County can exploit from early crosses.