Solid start to the new season

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Abrahams 7, 45)

Swansea City 0

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County

Swansea City

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Swansea have some defenders out so will need to adjust. Despite not having their usual backing from the home crowd, important County start well and be bold when they get the chance.

CONDITIONS
Quite cool and breezy but sunny spells. Pitch looked revitalised and in excellent condition after six months of inactivity .

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Enterprising final third, took chances well and despite lack of possession worked tirelessly to protect lead.

TURNING POINT
Early goal settled County down but the second goal was pivotal

THE MATCH
County introduced a couple of new signings with right back Liam Shepherd joining from Forest Green Rovers and attacking midfielder Scott Twine on loan from Swindon playing in front of Labadie and Sheehan. County started with Nick Townsend in goals with Tom King deputising and operated with 3–5–2 formation with Matt Dolan slotting into central defence alongside Kyle Howkins and Mickey Demetriou. Lewis Collins partnered Tristan Abrahams up front in a surprising untested partnership. County started positively and early break down the left channel caught Swansea napping with Haynes in advanced position and his low cross just outside the box was diverted away by Roden at the front post. County were keen to use their left flank and test stand in right back Jay Fulton and another cross on 5 minutes by Collins was dragged wide of the right post by Abrahams who well placed just inside the area. Swansea struggled to find cohesion in the early stages and were caught cold on 7 minutes when they squandered possession cheaply deep in County half. Haynes darted down the left channel and despite his cross drifting deep Abrahams did well to retrieve the ball right side of the area. His lofted cross caused problems for Swansea clearing and the cross cut back was glanced on by Haynes and stabbed home cleverly back the alert Haynes from 6 yards. Swansea made efforts to pick up their game passing from deep with Roden and Fulton orchestrating some moves but County were snapping at their heels which forced passing mistakes. On 15 minutes, County had a free kick in a decent position right side of the area after a promising run by Shepherd was crudely interrupted by Gibbs-White. Dolan took the free kick on his favoured left foot but an infringement by Howkins let Swansea off the hook. Swansea were keen to utilise front pair Andre Ayew and new signing Jamal Lowe to gain a foothold in the game but the County defence marshalled the threat well with Dolan and Demetriou making some good interceptions. County worked a couple of decent moves right side with Shepherd measuring some neat passes for Abrahams to latch onto and Swansea found themselves forced back. On 20 minutes, Demetriou launched a decent long throw from the right side of the area which Swansea struggled to clear and Howkins was penalised for clambering inside the six yard. Swansea offered some threat from a couple of direct moves when County were a little slow with their clearance or finding the next pass. On 23 minutes, Lowe was quick to seize on a moment of hesitancy by Dolan but his shot from 25 yards was wide of the right post. With Swansea pushing a little further up the pitch, County remained a threat on the counter attack with Haynes overlapping well down the left channel. On 30 minutes, a good move by County saw them shift play well from right to left with Sheehan finding Haynes. He drove down the flank before cutting inside and blasted a low decent effort from 25 yards which forced Woodman to parry around the left post. County took a quick short corner with Sheehan finding Shepherd and he showed good awareness to find Abrahams who was in space near the penalty spot. He span neatly but his low shot was deflected wide of the right post by Fulton. County worked another quick corner right side with Dolan finding Haynes but he powered a rising shot well over the bar from the right corner of the box. Swansea has a better spell of possession as half time approach with Grimes and Ayew pulling the strings but County maintained their defensive discipline and focus making some good interventions. In transition, County remained effective coming forward with Collins and Abrahams lively. On 42 minutes, County had chance to extend their lead when Collins drove down the left flank past Fulton and dinked in a great cross into the area which Abrahams glanced wide of the right post when he should have worked the keeper. On the stroke of half time, Labadie was booked for a mistimed tackle on Gibbs-White in the heart of the pitch. With Swansea pressing in first half stoppage time, County broke up play well with Collins finding Twine and his slick through ball was latched onto by Abrahams who despite overrunning the ball regained possession ahead of the advancing keeper and slotted home into the empty net.

County continued where they left off early in the second with a penetrative on 47 minutes with Abrahams angling his run to left channel. He did well to find a cross from a wide position and pinpoint the run of Collins but his low shot from 10 yard was well blocked by Roden. Swansea responded with a quick break from deep and exploited some space County left through the middle with Grimes finding Ayew. He worked an efficient pass right side of the area for Routledge who struck a decent first time effort from 16 yards but Townsend reacted well to parry to safety. Swansea were patient in their approach play with Gibbs-White probing around the edge of the area for gaps but County remained robust clearing the danger well. On 55 minutes, County absorbed a Swansea move well and Labadie set up Twine on a direct run through the middle and his excellent effort from 25 yards fizzed just wide of the right post. The game struggled to flow on times with both sides conceding fouls but County remained more of a threat in the final third. On 62 minutes, Twine showed good vision to advance into space and threaded a neat pass down the right side of the area for Abrahams. He had time to adjust his shot or pick a pass but somewhat rushed his effort with a weak shot from an acute angle which untroubled Woodman. Swansea made efforts to raise the bar and had a goal by Routledge ruled out for offside but County held firm. County were struggling to make the ball stick in the final third on times with tiring legs and this allowed Swansea to build some momentum forcing them deep. On 68 minutes, Lowe was then booked for a clumsy challenge on Haynes as he was about to clear his lines left side of the area. County made a double substitution on 72 minutes to pep up their approach play with Padraig Amond and Robbie Willmott replacing Lewis Collins and Josh Labadie. Swansea responded using all their substitutes with changes in midfield that saw Dhanda and Asoro replace Smith and Bidwell. Peterson was also introduced right side in place of Routledge. The substitutes were keen to influencing better movement and energy for Swansea but the County defence remained stubborn to breakdown. On 75 minutes, a patient move by Swansea across the face of the area culminated with Grimes producing a decent curling effort from 25 yards which clipped the outside of the left post. County were forced to play long with Amond and Abrahams doing their best to maintain possession but County lost some of the earlier cutting edge they had in play. On 78 minutes, Swansea worked an opportunity right side with Dhanda combining well to find Asoro who cut inside with a strong run but his low shot from 20 yards went just wide of the right post. Ayew remained the main threat for Swansea with his abrasive approach and ability to find a gap and County were forced into a couple of hurried clearances. County made their final change on 85 minutes with Twine replaced by Taylor. County were forced to deal with some Swansea pressure late on with some persistent moves left side but they kept their concentration well to clear. On 90 minutes, Ayew went on solo individual run but his shot from the edge of the area went well over the bar. County were happy to run down the clock with Abrahams and Taylor holding the ball well under pressure in channels. The spirit was typified in the fifth minutes of injury when Abrahams tracked back to defend deep in the left corner and won possession back off Naughton. He slipped a good pass to Sheehan who released a quick through ball to Amond who was denied when the keeper came out to clear his lines. County held on for a deserved win to take their place in the next round

Townsend (7) — decent game, kicked well under pressure and was assured claims crosses. Made a good save from Routledge early in the second half but was not overworked.

Shepherd (7) — was prominent in some enterprising moves first half and was quick to the ball. Distributed well under pressure. Got forced deeper second half but kept tight to deny space on crosses.

Haynes (8) — defended well throughout but was very effective going forward especially first half timing his runs effectively. Did well on the opening goal to assist

Demetriou (8) — calm composed, saw the ball earlier to break up play and got a number of key interventions in. Won some decent headers and provided some useful long throws.

Dolan (8) — showed flexibility to drop into a more defensive role, read game well and won some good headers to clear danger. Offered a range of passing from deep positions which kept Swansea worked.

Howkins (7) — dominated in the air and was strong stifling play to qualm threat. Generally cleared well but a bit rash with some clearances. Got into some good areas on set pieces but got penalised too much.

Labadie (7) — decent first half and was a nuisance to Swansea breaking up play and momentum. Stole forward into some decent positions with his run. Forced to play more reserved after booking.

Sheehan (7) — eager to get on the ball and had some strong spells in the game. At the heart of several penetrative moves first half but got forced deeper to defend more as game went on.

Twine (7) — did some useful work in behind the front two probing for gaps and looking for a killer pass. Worked hard to drop back to defend and went close with a couple of decent shots from distance.

Abrahams (8) — work rate was key and endeavour final third not allowing defenders to settle. Not afraid to drop back and defend for the team. Took his chances well and should have had more

Collins (7)– bright with the ball at his feet and efficient with his passes to link up play in transition. Went close with a couple of half chances inside the area and worked hard throughout before tiring

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they were comfortable in possession and technically skilled. always posed more threat advanced positions through the middle but struggled for momentum

Weaknesses — they were unbalanced at the back, both full backs never really got on top of their game. lacked talisman up front to make the ball stick and perhaps lacking desire to get back into game.

Opportunities — seemed to be playing too many round pegs in square at the back. Late changes offered more energy but too much reliance on Ayew
Threats — Ayew was a livewire and offered most threat inside area. Grimes and Peterson late on got on the ball more to effect game.

OFFICIALS
K Johnson (7) — got the key decisions right and game flowed pretty well. Game was a bit stop start first half with fouls given too readily

MAN OF THE MATCH

Tristan Abrahams — one of this best games for County. Tracked every blade of the pitch, worked hard on and off the ball to get into some decent positions and more venom with shots it could have been more

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

First games of the season are difficult to judge but there was no fluke in this well deserved victory for County. They got the bit between their teeth early on and after the first goal the game really opened up which suited their game and the way they were set up. With the defensive resolve and creative threat County offered in final third it became difficult for Swansea to maintain any real momentum. After conceding, Swansea pressed harder but County but they were strong holding the ball and worked some clever thoughtful moves in transition. Dolan had a decent game showing assurance in a central defensive role and Swansea were given few crumbs to feed off in truth from hesitancy. Swansea were restricted to shots from distance in the main when they cut inside to shoot and the only real concerns came from some gaps allowed through the middle of the pitch. Next up is Cheltenham Town away in League Trophy and County can expect a different sort of test with the Robins likely to mirror and adopt a 3–5–2 formation. Cheltenham progressed to the L2 play offs last season and have a solid central defensive three strong in the air but strong reliance on wing backs Hussey and Thomas. County will need to deal with them likely to press the flanks but through their boldness they will leave holes in behind. County were very effective today in transition and they will need to build on that quality and how they pick out the final ball.