Sloppy County forced to accept a point

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Telford 27, 30)

Carlisle United 2 (Riley 1, Clough 67 pen)

Attendance: 2962

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWDDLWLWdD

Carlisle United LWWLDLWLLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Both sides have caretaker managers but Carlisle have lost 5 leagues in a row scoring just one goal. County need a fast start and get on their backs and don’t allow them to settle into any rhythm..

CONDITIONS
Mild, heavy rain showers and gusty wind. Pitch remained in excellent condition but glossy on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Responded well after charitable goal before calamitous second half that allowed Carlisle to assert their game

TURNING POINT
Half time team talk made Carlisle stronger and County weaker

THE MATCH
County retained the same starting side that drew 2–2 at Exeter City on Saturday and an early move which had promise inside the first minute had the wind taken out of it when Upson was caught in possession by Clough. He made the most of acres of space offered through the middle by County and carried his run right side of the area and with no County challenge forthcoming his cross back into the six yard was blasted home Riley. County were patient in their approach play but worked some good moves final third with Telford and Baker-Richardson offering some good movement. On 7 minutes, County were close to a quick response when they worked a neat short corner left side with Willmott finding Dolan at the front post. He showed good vision to pick out Telford who struck an excellent first time effort from 16 yards which fizzed just over the bar. County gained some momentum from moves left side with Haynes coming into the game and they constructed an excellent move on 10 minutes going through several players before Haynes shifted a low pass inside for Willmott. He adjusted well and was unlucky to see his powerful effort deflected just over the bar by McDonald. Carlisle were happy to sit in and stifle and used their attacking players well with Riley and Guy picking passes well and Gibson lively right side. On 15 minutes, County caught Carlisle napping when a direct move saw Baker-Richardson drop off to glance a good header right side which Telford latched onto ahead of McDonald who cynically brought him down and he was cautioned. Dolan took the free kick from the right corner of the box Howard did well to claw out of the top right corner. Carlisle elected to play direct on times with keeper Howard using the wind well to test the County defence. Carlisle remained lively coming out from deep and a decisive move on 20 minutes saw left back Dickinson carry a strong run inside and his cross field ball was weakly defended in the air by County. Clough was alert to the knock down and his effort from the edge of the area was well blocked by Demetriou. Carlisle then had Mellish in the book for a clumsy challenge on Upson as he turned away from a challenge. County kept persevering left side adding to their corner count and their pressure paid off on 27 minutes when Haynes played a neat one two with Cooper and drove down the left flank before directing an excellent cross to the face of the area pinpointing Telford. He expertly span away from McDonald before blasting into the right corner beyond the grasp of Howard. County took the lead on 30 minutes when they again sprung forward from deep with Cooper finding the run of Telford right side. He didn’t seem to have a lot on but cut inside past McDonald and ghost into the area before placing a low shot from 12 yards precisely into the right corner. County were boosted by the goal with Carlisle looking increasingly shaky under pressure. On 37 minutes, County had a great chance to extend their lead from a move left side which saw Haynes find Cooper. He cut inside and smashed a shot left side of the area which was deflected onto the left post by Feeney with the keeper rooted the spot. County were quick to work a cross back into the area through Willmott which was only half cleared and Dolan saw his low effort from 14 yards saved by Howard. County had another decent chance on 40 minutes when some indecision through the middle allowed Upson to seize possession and a quick low pass invited Baker-Richardson to break through from an onside position but he lost control as he was about to pull the tigger edge of the area. County worked the ball around well as half time approached with Carlisle forced deeper with shirt pulling back in fashion. On the stroke of half time, County were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position inside “d” after Baker-Richardson was pulled back. Dolan took the free kick but his precise curling effort went narrowly over the bar.

Carlisle made the more assertive start to the second half which set a precedent with County going back into their shell. On 48 minutes, Haynes was booked for some persistent challenges with an untidy tackle from behind on Gibson. Carlisle maintained their energy with some cohesive moves right side which unsettled County and with the ball becoming a bit of a hot potato, County lost control of the game. On 53 minutes, a poor pass from Demetriou was picked up by Guy and he threaded a good pass right side for Clough and the cross caused problems back post for County but the effort by Feeney was blocked. County created an opportunity on 57 minutes when they closed down better left side with Cooper doing well to harass and chase the ball down left corner of the area. His cross cut back to edge of the area found Willmott but his rising effort went well over the bar when he should have worked the keeper. Carlisle made a double substitution on 62 minutes with Allessandra and Mellish replaced by Armer and Young. Cooper continued to be the most creative threat for County and he presented a half chance for Telford moments later when he angled his run left side to receive a pass from Hayes and his cross to the front post was stabbed wide of the left post by Telford. On 65 minutes, County were caught asleep when Dickenson drove down the left flank and his early cross was allowed to dangerously drop deep and Gibson with all the freedom to attack right side struck a decent effort from acute angle which Day parried away. With County struggling to clear their lines, Young was alert and smashed a volley from 10 yards towards the left post which Upson appeared to chest away but was penalised for use of the arm and sent off with the referee awarding a penalty. Clough took the penalty with a decent finish right side beyond the grasp of Day. County made a change on 70 minutes sacrificing Cooper for Azaz with County adjusting to 432 and Dolan dropping into central midfield. Carlisle became increasingly threatening with the extra man and put County in trouble on 73 minutes when Gibson broke from deep with a piecing run through the middle. He linked well to find Clough and his snapshot from 14 yards was well claimed by Day. County were forced to play on the break and were close on 75 minutes when Baker-Richardson went on an individual run left side of the box before cutting inside but his dipping effort struck the top of the bar. Carlisle threatened to ahead on 77 minutes when a bright move saw them switch play well from the centre to left side with Clough finding Dickenson. He curled a decent effort from left corner of the box which Day did well to parry around the right post. County made another change on 83 minutes with Telford replaced by Fisher but Carlisle looked the more likely side to score with County prone to passing errors. On 85 minutes, County had a second man sent off when Haynes had a second booking after a mistimed a challenge right side on Gibson who did little to enthuse the crowd with the theatrics. County made a tactical change on 87 minutes with Baker-Richardson replaced by Lewis who went left back to fill the void left by Haynes going off and Dolan reverting to defensive duties. Carlisle kept pressing with County forced extremely deep and Carlisle made their final change with Fishburn on for Clough. County elected to play direct using Fisher an outlet to run down the time but Carlisle were close again in injury time when Dickenson was set up for snapshot by Gibson but his effort was well blocked by Clarke. County held out in the five minutes of injury time despite conceding the territorial advantage.

Day (8) — kept focus throughout, kicked well under pressure and saved County’s blushes with several smart instinctive saves second half from shots in around the area.

Norman (6) — had a good first half when he got on the front foot and linked well with Willmott to make things happen. Played much deeper second half conceding the initiative.

Demetriou (5) — did alright in the air but struggled to contain pace offered by right side and put side in trouble several times with untidy passes in the wrong areas.

Dolan (6) — got on the ball first half and coordinated some good moves from deep. Went close with a couple of set pieces but saw less influence in the opponents half as game progressed.

Clarke (6) — switched off on some direct balls but also made some good recoveries to deny or intercept. Made some good blocks inside the box late on and distributed well.

Haynes (4) — had decent spell first half turning provider but indecision continues to impair his defensive game. Stood off challenge with opening goal and lapse late on could have proved costly.

Upson (5) — looked lethargic from the offset and dwelled in possession too much. Did have a good spell before half time intelligently passing before the red card.

Willmott (6) — offered energy and some decent set pieces left side after bright enterprising first half his performance tailed off forced into defensive duties

Cooper (7) — best midfielder on the day and was prepared to press mistakes and set up several decent crosses when he carried some dynamic runs forward.

Telford (8) — link play well clever and showed his capability when he got the service and a travesty he was not able to complete his hat trick with side sitting off far to deep second half.

Baker-Richardson (6) — won some good headers when he dropped off but chances were restricted to in and around the area. Worked hard off the ball to unsettle and hold up under pressure.

Strengths — shackles seemed to be off and they played with energy and no fear. Had pace and were decisive final third keeping their moves tidy.

Weaknesses — both centre backs were troubled by direct balls and pace in behind. Not the biggest side and better sides would have punished them from the cheap free kicks they conceded.

Opportunities — played a conventional 4–4–2 and used the wide areas well to force Norman and Haynes back. Changes early second half were bold but kept momentum going.

Threats — Gibson was lively with pace right and cutting crosses. Clough and Guy eye for precise pass and Dickenson crosses / shots left side.

OFFICIALS

D Rock (6) — first red card didn’t look convincing, refused to punish a lot of the pulling shirts and grabbing but generally got the other cards right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jordan Gibson — gave County bit of a headache with his decisive runs and pace forcing Haynes back. Worked hard off the ball to unsettle and was bold with crosses

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County showed their Jekyll and Hyde tendencies again all in the course of one match changeable as the weather. County started the match too slow and allowed a Carlisle side short of confidence to build momentum particularly after half time which was disappointing. County have had spells where they have gone inexplicably into their shell, more than often in the second half as was evident at Barrow and they need to stop allowing sides the freedom to slice through the middle of the pitch. On the face of it, on the ball County do a lot of good work and are inventive but off the ball on times their application and focus is missing. Carlisle were able to put both wing backs Norman and Haynes back in their hole second half and going forward they will need to be more bold and have trust in their game-plan. Next up is Bristol Rovers away and with both Haynes and Upson suspended they will need to adjust. Lewis has shown previously to cover the wing back position admirably, but it leaves an headache in the heart of the pitch so with Missilou not being considered perhaps he should fill that void. Bristol Rovers have shown signs of awakening from a bad run of form with manager Joey Barton under continual pressure and they are likely to adopt an aggressive 4–2–3–1 formation with former County striker Collins likely to play through the middle with runs and be prepared to shoot on sight. County need to stifle the middle better and limit the Rovers set piece threat with Kilgour decent in the air. Where County can be effective is with their quick mind and use of the ball and be dynamic to break through the press and get at the Rovers full backs.