Shoots of a County recovery

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Colchester Community Stadium

Colchester United 0

Newport County 2 (Labadie 30, Amond 78)

Attendance:

Form:

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Colchester United LdLdDLLLWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Same settled starting County line-up, Colchester have won just 1 game in 14 but they did beat Carlisle mid-week so key County match their work ethic and have nerve to keep ball better.

CONDITIONS
Cool, bright spells with light breeze. Pitch was a little damaged in parts and bobbly but held up reasonably well.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Started slowly but assumed better control as game progressed working intelligent low moves.

TURNING POINT
Opening goal was always going to be important but Nouble sending off for Colchester mid-way through second half was pivotal

THE MATCH
County manager Mike Flynn kept belief with the same 3–5–2 and starting side as at Tranmere which they had lost to a very early goal. Colchester were slightly on top in early stages with some snappy challenges in midfield as they looked to get on the ball. County were a little untidy in possession early on allowing Colchester to recover and they worked some good moves from deep with full backs Clampin and Tchmamadeu eager outlet from keeper George. When County retained the ball they were effective with Amond and Maynard working well in tandem. On 10 minutes, County snapped out of their shell with Haynes got outside 17 year old full back Tchmamadeu and cut back a decent cross left side of the area which caused problems back post with Amond challenging well. Maynard seized onto the loose ball and hit a shot on the turn from 6 yards which he scuffed a bit and George made a comfortable save low down in the left corner. From the resulting corner Sheehan put in a decent early delivery which Farquharson met strongly from 8 yards but his header under pressure drifted wide of the right post. Colchester made efforts to play direct using former County striker Frank Nouble as at an outlet but lack quality with their distribution on times. County continued to have some good situations but with Labadie being pressed hard several passes went astray allowing Colchester to break in transition but the County defence remained resolute. On 20 minutes, a Colchester break from deep was efficient and they had a glimmer of chance when Harriot carried a strong run through middle to thread a ball to Oteh edge of the area but his shot was well blocked by Dolan. County continued to probe away with some thoughtful low moves especially right side and Colchester had a warning on 22 minutes when Sheehan did well to find Shephard right side of the area. His low early cross into the front post just eluded Amond and Maynard before drifting to safety. On 25 minutes, Harriot was booked for Colchester for a clumsy challenge denying Sheehan making a dynamic run left side. County took a firm grip of the game through the middle of the pitch with Bennett breaking up the threat well and Labadie working in tandem with Sheehan to pick gaps. Colchester were coaxed in several fouls and Dolan put in couple a decent free kicks which Colchester just about got clear. On 30 minutes, County penetrated well left side of the area with Haynes linking well with Maynard and his low shot from 14 yards was blocked inside the six yard box by Eastman. County took the lead just moments later, catching Colchester when a move broke down in the middle and the ball was switched quickly left side of the area for Sheehan. He cut back an excellent low cross which Labadie anticipated well stabbing home into the right corner from 10 yards. County were boosted by the goal visibly settling into a better rhythm with some intelligent well crafted moves with Amond and Maynard causing a nuisance with their link play. Colchester made efforts to pick up their game pushing players on but were left increasingly open at the back. On 37 minutes, County created a decent counter left side with Haynes overlapping well and he cut inside the link with Amond before thrashing a low shot from 14 yards which George held low down at the second attempt with Amond lurking. Then on 42 minutes, County won a corner right side and Dolan directed a decent cross to the front post which Bennett read but caught his header a bit thick and the header went wide of the right post and bar.

County continued where they left off after half time winning some good possession in the middle of the pitch with Labadie eagled eyed to the loose ball. Colchester made efforts to work the left channel with Clampin neat with his distribution and Folivi tested Farquharson who was forced into a couple of hurried clearances. County were bold coming forward when invited with Shephard contributing well right side. On 50 minutes, County had a decent situation when Shephard ghosted forward to threaten through the middle and his quick low pass into Amond edge of the area offered a chance to shoot but Smith was able to recover just in time to tackle. On 52 minutes, Labadie let frustration get the better of him as he was booked for a late challenge on Chilvers just after he was bowled over by Folivi and nothing was given. County kept working well off the ball keeping their discipline with some snappy but well timed challenges. When they broke up play they were effective and worked a couple of useful searching balls from deep to find Amond and Maynard who took up some good positions. On 57 minutes, County created an excellent move through the middle open Colchester up with ball to feet and Sheehan was checked by Harriot. Dolan took the free kick from some 30 yards and his low powerful effort was held well by George. Colchester created a chance on 60 minutes exploiting some indecision by County right side when Farquharson saw the ball prised off him by Chilvers. He found Nouble with a quick pass to the left side of the area who played a square pass across the face of the area to find Harriot and his first time effort was parried around the right post by the alert Townsend. Colchester made a double substitution on 62 minutes to pep up their frontline with Oteh sacrificed for Brown who went right side and Senior came on for Folivi. He went into the middle with Harriot changing to the left side. County responded with a change up front with Maynard replaced by Taylor. Colchester were forced to push on with intentions to use Brown right side but Demetriou did well to avert the danger quickly. County continued to work the corner well with Haynes and Shephard contributing well and they won some throws ins either side of the area. County worked some short throws well even in the corners giving Colchester plenty to think about. Colchester made efforts from wide positions throwing in some hopeful crosses but the County defence were strong in averting the danger. Colchester made efforts to raise the bar with some overzealous often tired challenges and Harriot was fortunate not to be sent off for a late aerial challenge on Dolan left side of the pitch. With the game threatening to boil over, on 75 minutes, Nouble was booked for a cynical challenge on Shephard as he threatened to break right side with positive run. Then moments later Nouble in a moment of madness kicked out at Sheehan and was sent off by the referee. Another booked followed for Colchester on 77 minutes when Clampin was booked for bowling over Labadie right side of the area. County punished Colchester moments later when a quickly taken free kick in the right corner saw Dolan find Labadie. He cut back a quick low cross through the six yard box which caught the defence napping and Amond read well poking home at the back post. Colchester made another change straight after with Sowunmi replacing Clampin. Colchester made efforts to put County under pressure despite their handicap and worked a half chance on 82 minutes from a corner left side which Harriot delivered and a clearance to the edge of the box found Chilvers but his effort was well blocked by Demetriou. County kept closing down the flanks well with Haynes and Shephard pressing play early forcing Colchester backwards. On 86 minutes, County were nearly undone switching off a direct cross field ball from right to left and Harriot ghosted in behind Farquharson but his chip over Townsend was cleared well by Dolan who covered well. County made some late triple change on 90 minutes with Scrimshaw on for Amond and Hartigan replacing Labadie and Lewis going right wing back for Shephard. Colchester made another change with Sayer on for Harriot. Colchester kept plugging away and County struggling for retention up top on times, they made some raids right side. On 93 minutes, Taylor lost out in challenge left side allowing Eastman to drive forward and he made a strong on the flank before finding the run of Brown right side but Demetriou was in no mood for charity breaking up the threat. County held out to win a deserved victory and get themselves back in the fire.

Townsend (7) — Quiet game, just had the one save which was comfortable. Made a couple of good claims on crosses under pressure. Distribution could be quicker on times but was accurate

Farquharson (6) — won headers and when he was decisive broke through to set up some neat moves. Switched off a couple of times dealing with long balls and ball got stuck under his feet a bit.

Haynes (7) — much better game, imposed himself with some well timed runs and pick his battles. Put in several decent crosses when he got outside full back and tracked back to defend well

Demetriou (8) — dominated aerial duals and made some important blocked, was bright picking gaps to carry side higher up the pitch. Passed well and dealt with Brown late on winning ball early

Shephard (7) — was bold getting to the byline, won several corners and supplied decent crosses. Was a threat for much of the second half forcing Colchester into several untidy challenges.

Dolan (7) — was composed moving the ball low with some efficient moves and improved his set pieces today. Mopped up danger well in behind and picked his battles well.

Labadie (8) — was a bit tentative early on with some passes going astray but grew into game. Got pressed but dealt with it, brushing off challenges and took chance well, setting up second goal

Sheehan (8) — slow start but got more on ball as game progressed. Made useful dynamic runs to pick holes and linked well in corners. Turned down a few chances to shoot in and around the box

Bennett (6) — competed well in the air and on the floor. Was alert to the danger and had licence to push on when invited. Went close first half with brave header at the front post

Maynard (6) — more involved game, got across defender quicker and took care of ball better under pressure. Well positioned on some quick balls from deep but scuffed a bit at his only chance.

Amond (7) — useful outlet from direct balls ghosting into some intelligent positions. Kept ball well to link play with some low slick passes and took his chance well after going close a few times.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they had brightness and energy in wide positions. Centre back were decent in the air and comfortable with ball at feet.

Weaknesses — both full backs were slight and error prone. Lacked discipline in the middle of the pitch giving away several fouls and lack cutting edge to trouble County.

Opportunities — played Nouble up top as outlet but three behind were left too isolated. Brown and Senior offered more energy late on but never really changed tact.
Threats — Harriot eye for a snapshot pace through middle. Chilvers was bullish left side. Brown and Senior pace late in game.

OFFICIALS

A Coggins (7) — was quite lenient for spells and was keen to play advantage, could have sent Harriot off before issuing several late bookings. Got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Josh Labadie — got a bit targeted early on game but brushed it off retaining ball despite a few kicks. Kept his discipline well and at the heart of both goals which were executed efficiently.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County kept the same starting side and despite an indifferent start to the match with the midfield off the pace early on, they grew into the game with a steely determination. County worked more variety final third with Amond and Maynard showing promise of decent partnership beginning up front. County took better control of the game a long time before the Colchester sending off and that was key with them having the nerve to work gaps and they were intelligent with their use of the ball, getting both Haynes and Shephard more into the game and the corner count was much higher today. County were more flexible and industrious which played a big part, mixing up their game well and doing things quicker giving Colchester plenty to think about. County can improve on their distribution from deep with Townsend sometimes reluctant to play the ball quickly to feet and when the ball was kicked long their retention was more erratic. Taylor came on for a late salvo in the match and despite having the extra man they were less cohesive late on in the game. Next up is Bradford City where County will sacrifice home soil to play at the pristine Cardiff City Stadium pitch. The conditions are likely to encourage more football from both sides than at Rodney Parade. Bradford have picked up their form since appointing new manager Mark Trueman and are likely to adopt a positive 4–2–3–1 formation with aerial prowess up top from Cook and Cooke key creative in behind with Rowe eye for a quick snapshot. Bradford have plenty of prowess up top but there is vulnerability at the back despite height with pace not a strength. County need to use every blade of the pitch to turn Bradford on their heels and stretch them about the pitch into uncomfortable areas.