Stalemate but grit and stamina not lacking

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Valley Parade

Newport County 0

Bradford City 0

Attendance: 14,716

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County LLDDWDWWWL

Braford City WWLLLLLWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Bradford have recruited former Wales manager Mark Hughes and shown more appetite to mix up their game recently. County need to stay compact to deal with direct play and be bold when invited.

CONDITIONS
Quite warm, sunny clear and calm. Pitch in excellent condition but a bit slow on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Focussed and determined defending, kept pressing the right buttons without reward.

TURNING POINT
Nothing to note

THE MATCH
County made a couple of tweaks with Aaron Lewis and Robbie Willmott back in the team replacing Ryan Haynes and Matt Dolan who were on the bench. Bradford showed an appetite to keep possession in the early stages with some persistence through the middle of the pitch but County worked a couple of clever balls in behind to pinpoint Street but Bradford centre back O’Connor was able recover. Bradford were keen to use their right flank and won a couple of set pieces right side but County held out well dealing with crosses. County their stall out to stifle and attack from deeper positions and they did this well working an opportunity on 11 minutes. Waite found Telford through the middle and he threaded a good pass right side for Azaz overlapping right corner of the area. He checked back inside evading a tackle from Foulds and saw his effort blocked by O’Connor. Bradford remained determined with some gutsy play in the middle and they made efforts to work the ball quickly to Cook up top as an outlet but lack of cohesion saw County usher them away from danger. County kept probing away and another bright move on 15 minutes from a deeper position saw Azaz shift play to find Norman right side. He drove forward and clipped back a decent low cross which Telford thrives on but his effort from 8 yards was poked wide of the right post under pressure from O’Connor. Bradford opted to go more direct to test County with the patience pass the ball fading. On 20 minutes, Songo’o and Hendrie were given room to work a quick move from deep and Cook did well to win a flick on ahead of Demetriou. Cooke read the loose ball but his first time volley right side of the area was well blocked by Lewis. County kept focussed with Street an eager outlet chasing some neat low passes in behind which kept O’Connor and Songo’o occupied. On 22 minutes, County were closer when Waite darted into space through the middle and released Street right side of the area. From an acute angle near the byline, he dinked back with Telford reading well but his low effort from 10 yards was blocked by Watt. With County having more possession, Bradford went increasingly direct to counter using the aerial prowess of Cook up top but Demetriou and Lewis restricted the threat well. County worked some pressure right side winning some throws deep inside the Bradford half and Norman launched some decent throw ins to test Bradford but they managed to limit County to scraps outside the box. On 30 minutes, County created a good move going through several players with Bradford catching their breath. Waite did well to probe through the middle right and despite being closed by Watt, his pass inside invited Bennett to shoot but his effort from 30 yards was high and wide of right post and bar. With County having a more sustained spell of press on the stroke of half time, another long throw by Norman on 37 minutes right side of the area was only half cleared and Willmott anticipated well drilling a low from 25 yards which Bass held well. Bradford persisted with the direct approach and were close on 40 minutes when Cook contested well and despite not winning the header, Walker snapped up the loose ball right side of the area. The former Rangers striker struck a decent first time effort which Day parried away well and saved at the second attempt. Bradford rallied swinging in a couple of opportunist crosses right of the area on the stroke of half time but County held firm clearing their lines efficiently.

County started the second half on the front-foot with more conviction with runs either side of the area. On 47 minutes, County had a great chance to forge ahead from a snappy move left side with Lewis finding Bennett and his neat pass invited Waite to attack Songo’o and his pace took him to the byline. His cross back into the six yard area just eluded Street but the Bradford defence occupied marking Telford, Norman stole in back post only for his shot to clawed off the line by Bass. Bradford responded with a quick move right side with County switching off and Walker direct pass found Cooke in space right side. He was forced wide well by Clarke and his shot from an acute angle was parried low down by Day and reclaimed. County kept asking questions right side with Norman pushing on well in support and County had a good situation on 55 minutes through the industry of Waite. He linked well near the right corner flag to find Norman and his cross just eluded the late run by Street. On 57 minutes, County were nearly caught out when O’Connor launched a punt forward releasing Walker through the middle but his low edge of the area was smothered well by Day. County responded immediately and had a valid looking claim for a penalty when a bright low move right side of the area saw Norman ghost into area and Gilliead appeared to shunt him over as he was about the address his shot. The referee waved play on and with Bradford struggling to clear their lines another move on 60 minutes saw Azaz slip a pass inside for Lewis but his shot from 25 yards was well over the bar. Bradford made a double substitution moments later to freshen their midfield with Evans replaced by Pereira and Vernam on for Cooke. The move settled Bradford down with Vernam offering an outlet left side. On 62 minutes, Vernam was quick to influence play finding room to cross left side of the area finding Cook but his effort under pressure from Clarke was wide of the left post. Bradford continued to press left side with Vernam influential and County were turned back to defend some crosses. On 67 minutes, Telford held the ball well under some overzealous pressure from O’Connor and with no foul forthcoming from the referee allowed a situation boil with Telford and O’Connor ending up the book and Street also booked for standing up for Telford.. Bradford kept forcing and had a couple of snapshots well blocked by County around the edge of the area and were close when Watt supplied a pass to Pereira right side of the area but his effort was well intercepted by Demetriou. County adjusted with a double substitution of their own on 73 minutes with Haynes coming on for Clarke and Fisher replacing Street. Haynes went to his conventional position at left back with Lewis reverting to right back. A clever move by County manager Rowberry settled County and they became more balanced threat left side. Bradford created a neat move right side on 77 minutes with Gilliead finding Pereira in some space but his effort from 25 yards was rash going well over the bar. Bradford made another change moments later with Walker replaced by Lavery. County responded with their final change on 82 minutes with Dolan on Bennett. County crept forward again right side on 84 minutes with a direct straighter move causing problems for Bradford. Telford did well near the edge of the area under pressure from O’Connor who was on a knife edge being booked and dinked a neat pass in behind for Fisher. As the ball he went for a precise lob from 14 yards which the keeper read well when he should have put his foot through the ball. Bradford went increasingly direct in the final stages to unsettle County with Bradford keeper pinpointing some long kick outs to wide areas. On 88 minutes, Bradford work a pass from deep quickly forward and Hendrie supplied a pass inside for Vernam but his scruffy shot on the turn from 20 yards was wide of the left post. County had another half chance on 90+2 from a bright bold move left side with Haynes doing well to influence and his pass released Azaz near the left byline. His low cross into the six yard box flashed deep and Telford saw his effort from an acute angle intercepted by O’Connor. From the resultant corner Waite pinpointed Fisher but the header from 10 yards under pressure looped wide of the right post. 90+6 minutes of injury time were found but County held out well for a deserved share of the spoils

Day (8) — distributed well in the main getting kicks safe, made some good collections under pressure and two important saves when left exposed.

Lewis (7) — made some good blocks averting danger when ball dropped in behind and distributed well. Had moments pushing on more bold but did well when swapped sides late to temper runs by Vernam

Norman (8) — was strong fending off challenges under pressure, won some good headers in wide areas and was dynamic coming forward crossing well. Not sure how penalty for bowling was missed.

Demetriou (7) — put under some aerial pressure by Cook first half but recovered well to tackle or block shots. Distributed well, focussed and was close on a couple of set pieces.

Clarke (7) — showed no issues after recent knock. Won majority of headers and dealt well covering threat from crosses and balls in behind before being replaced.

Azaz (7) — had spells where he was on his game, passing efficiently and showed flexibility with runs going left and right. Turned provider and restricted on clearcut chances.

Willmott (6) — bit rusty after injury but showed good vision to pick out quick passes and was quick in mind. Forced deeper late on but defended well with some intelligent clearances under pressure

Waite (7) — started slowly but turned the screw in spells setting up some decent from crosses and moves across the face of goal. At the heart of the best moves and kept ball recycled well

Bennett (6) — switched off to a couple of direct balls with positioning but won several important tackles and kept passing ticking over well. Had a couple of efforts in and around box.

Telford (6) — frustrating spell for him presently, needs a goal, had some shots blocked from inside the box but kept working defenders and giving them something to think about

Street (6) — played a bit more advanced using pace and made some useful runs in behind getting on the shoulder of last man. Did well in the air and needs to gamble to get across defender quicker on cross.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — they mixed their game up a bit and were most effective when going direct getting bit and piece off Cook. Passing was neat and tidy but not sustained

Weaknesses — when County shifted them about they were lethargic and did allow space in wide areas either side of the area. Both centre back encouraged to pass but struggled when pressed

Opportunities — got the ball down early on to match County through the middle but went increasingly direct as game progressed. Put on Vernam left side quite early to counter threat County had.

Threats — Cook robust and decent air, Walker eye for a shot, Cooke made some good supporting runs box to box. Gilliead clever range of passes

OFFICIALS

M Edwards (5) — peculiar leniency on times, didn’t seem to want to give free kicks allowing bad temper to manifest and missed a pretty honest penalty call for County

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cameron Norman — boundless energy, unsurprising he is one of the most fouled players in EFL2 with his forceful approach and deserved goal for his efforts. Dropped deeper later on and did a good job

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Both sides had busy spells in this game, but County offered much more threat from open play. Bradford started with the right intentions but their play become increasingly direct to combat the extra edge County had through the middle before the game become disjointed. When County moved the ball efficiently they again caused problems with several snappy moves in transition and although the crosses were thoughtful, they did allow Bradford to get their body across the lines. Street gave a different dimension with runs in behind on the shoulder on the centre backs, which caught Bradford off-guard on times when they were looking to track Telford. County had a couple of decent situations off Norman long throws which often seemed to be half cleared to the edge area and with better conviction the net would be bulging. County offered plenty of flexibility with their bursting runs final third and going forward this will be instrumental with the randomness and energy key to unsettling L2 sides. County can improve on stamping out direct play earlier as they allowed Bradford to work play down their right side too cheaply. Day had a good game making important saves but can improve his handling not allowing any sniffers to net the rebound. Next up is Exeter City at Rodney Parade and they bolstered their promotion hopes today winning at Stevenage. Despite having numerous centre midfield injuries, Exeter have managed to work around it and will most likely adopt a 3–4–3 formation using the energy of their front three Zanzala, Jay and Brown to lock the ball high up the pitch. County need to break that grip the three have on the ball and build momentum to play in Exeter half of the pitch. County can hurt them in wide areas but need to take the wider centre back Hartridge and Sweeney out of their comfort zone.