Telford brace fends off gutsy Barrow

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Telford 2, 12)

Barrow 1 (Demetriou own goal 63)

Attendance: 4,080

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DDWWLDLWWW

Barrow dWWLdLLWLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County are boosted by return of top scorer Telford and Azaz in midfield. Game is a bit of banana skin with them struggling for form against lower sides they have taken some scalps beating Swindon and Ipswich

CONDITIONS
Mild, bright spells with keen wind. Pitch in excellent condition and quick after rain earlier

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Had to dig in, fizzy start took chances well but took foot of the gas

TURNING POINT
None to note once Barrow got one back got forced back deeper

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with Dominic Telford replacing Alex Fisher who was not named in the squad. There was another change in midfield with Finn Azaz replacing Robbie Willmott who was on the bench. County made a bright start with some low intricate moves to work Barrow and won a long throw on 2 minutes left side of the area. Norman took the throw which he launched long and Baker-Richardson did well unsettle and to get between Jones and Platt. Despite not getting a touch, the ball sat up and Telford ghosted into to plant a precise header into the top left corner beyond the grasp of Farman. County maintained their effervescence and won a free kick on 5 minutes in decent position right side of the area. Cain curled in a vicious lower delivery than anticipated which Barrow again struggled to clear but Brough managed to hook the danger away at the second attempt. Barrow made efforts to work the ball wide from deep with left wing back Driscoll-Glennon offering an outlet. County were effective stealing forward with bursts from the centre of the pitch and they punished Barrow ruthlessly on 12 minutes. Banks was caught in possession with Cooper snapping at his heals. He slipped a quick short pass to Azaz who slicing through the middle and played a pass to pick out the run of Telford right side of the area. He cut back inside onto his left foot and clinically finished aplomb with a shot into the top left corner. Barrow made efforts to pick up the tempo of their game using the wing backs in transition with Hutton making some strong runs right side. County had a chance to extend their lead on 18 minutes when Haynes made a decisive run left side and darted inside with a strong pacey run. He had the opportunity to shoot but elected to play a low pass to Telford down the left side of the area and his low shot was well intercepted by Platt only for Azaz to pounce on the rebound but his low effort from 8 yards went straight at the keeper. Barrow were keen to use new signing Amadi-Holloway up front who contested well in the aerial duals. On 22 minutes, Holloway caused some problems in an aerial dual with Clarke brushing off a challenge and Barrow were able to work an easy ball to the right side of area. Hutton stole in late catching Haynes off guard and hit a decent first time effort from 20 yards just wide of the left post. It was a warning for County and Barrow gained confidence with Banks pulling the strings with some neat moves in central midfield. On 25 minutes, Banks was allowed too much room threading a low pass left side and link up with Holloway. He caressed a return pass to Banks who was left untracked and his snapshot with the outside of his foot from 20 yards was deflected wide of the left post by Clarke. On 30 minutes, Barrow worked a decent chance when some weak collective defending by County down the left side allowed Hutton to spin off brushing past Cain. He delivered a decent cross into the area picking out Holloway who headed narrowly wide of the right post from 8 yards. It was a let off for County but Barrow continued to enjoy some good possession from wide areas winning some corners which County defended well. County snapped out of their 42 minutes with a neat counter attack right side with Barrow leaving 2v2 and Cain was caught from behind by Brough who was booked. Despite being forced deeper, County had another chance to kill the game on 44 minutes when they broke with venom with a great move through the middle when Azaz played a quick pass for Cooper and he drove forward who held the timing of the pass well finding Telford right side of the area. He had time to adjust but dragged his effort wide of the left post when he should have worked the keeper. With Barrow somewhat overzealously pushing on,, County had another chance out of nothing on the stroke of half time. A Barrow move broke down and quick by Haynes left side was seized upon well by Telford ahead of Jones. He span inside and sprayed an excellent pass to find the run of Cain through the middle and link with Azaz but the shot was well blocked by Platt. Barrow kept pushing in first half injury with some determined runs left side.

Barrow made a substitution at half time with right side centre back Platt replaced by Brown who went right side with Jones going into the middle. Barrow continued to probe away working some passes from deep with County reluctant to press in either the final third or middle third of the pitch. County conceded a couple of free kicks down the Barrow left with them struggling to stem the flow on times. Barrow created a bold move on 53 minutes when they burst down the right flank with Hutton invited to much space. He dinked back a hopeful cross which flashed deep and the opposite wing back Driscoll-Glennon stole in hitting a first time shot from the left corner of the area which Baker-Richardson did well to divert. County opted to play on the counter with Barrow pressing up high and this was more effective in creating chances. On 56 minutes, County were close when they broke from deep stifling a Barrow move right side with Demetriou getting to the ball early. He slipped a pass to Telford who released Baker-Richardson left side and his pace took him past the last man Jones and despite being wide his effort from acute angle was saved in bottom left corner by Farman. On 60 minutes, Barrow had Banks booked for some confrontational play off the ball with Haynes when the throw in went out. On 62 minutes, County slipped a hopeful ball through the middle which got caught a bit on the wind who appeared to favour Baker-Richardson but he didn’t seem alive to the situation allowing Jones to recover and clear the danger. Barrow kept pressing and got some rewards for their efforts on 63 minutes although there was a degree of fortune in the goal. From some weakly contested defending by County down the left side, Driscoll-Glennon made a good run to overlap and support a moved near the left flank an deliver an opportunist cross which Demetriou appeared to have under control but end up shielding into the net under little pressure. County made a change on 65 minutes with Willmott on for Cain in central midfield and they pushed Cooper into a more attacking role. County came back more into the game with some disjointed pressure and Norman seeing more of the ball right side. On 70 minutes, Norman did well to manufacturer a cross right side of the area pinpointing the late run of Telford but his header from 10 yards dipped just over the bar. County made efforts to prevent Barrow playing out from deep pushing three up high to press but Barrow remained bold finding wide positions but County defended the crosses better stifling earlier. On 75 minutes, there was a booking for Barrow when Brown caught Azaz late in a challenge right side. County freshened things up top on 77 minutes with Baker-Richardson replaced by new loaning signing from Crystal Palace Rob Street. On 80 minutes, County won a throw in right side of the area which Norman launched to the front post and Street did well to fend off a challenge by Brough who appeared to pin him down as he was turning away from the challenge. The referee appeared to have a decent view but turned down the loud appeals. The game remained a bit of cat of mouse in the final stages with Barrow showing no fear committing players forward but County had increasing chances to punish them and get the third goal. On 82 minutes, another Barrow booking followed when a strong run through the middle by Street was crudely checked by Hutton who was booked. County worked a better sharper move moments later across the face of the area with Telford teeing up a snapshot for Cooper but his shot from 12 yards was saved by Farman. Barrow remained a threat from crosses in transition and were close on 87 minutes when central defender Brough linked well left side with Driscoll-Glennon and his cross was met well by Banks from 10 yards but his header under pressure from Clarke was wide of the left post. Barrow made another change soon after replacing White with Harris. County responded with a defensive change sacrificing Telford for Dolan to put an extra man in midfield. With Barrow committed to push men on, County had a couple of opportunities in injury time with Cooper driving forward to exploit space with purpose. On 90+3 minutes, Cooper sliced through the middle and found Haynes left side but his effort from 20 yards was well blocked by Brown. County held out for an important win, limiting the threat well in the six minutes of injury time and Willmott was booked late on for showing his teeth at Driscoll-Glennon after a minor altercation.

Townsend (7) — saw less of the ball but kicked well under pressure, not overworked by any means but stayed alert to make a couple of smart saves from close range.

Norman (6) — got forced back deeper for large spells and offered more from counter attacks often breaking from well inside his own half. Won some good headers and tackles to limit crosses.

Haynes (6) — frustrating game, worked hard but never really got going and put under pressure by Hutton. Did his best work in transition supporting Cooper or Azaz but restricted on crosses.

Demetriou (7) — despite the unfortunate goal he defended well winning some strong headers and dealt well with Holloway. Forced deeper second half but limited threat well.

Clarke (6) — took a couple of knocks but was able to recover. Competed well but looked a little weary on times struggling to get distance with his clearances and often rushed.

Azaz (7) — had an excellent first half and was definitely at the heart of the best moves and should have scored. Got less on the ball final third but did offer some craft with counter moves.

Bennett (7) — broke up play quickly early on, winning tackles and dropped deep to deal with aerial threat second half tracking Holloway but struggled to get a really foothold in the game.

Cain (6) — saw ball early and was quick in turnover first half with technical work shining through but got brushed off too many key challenges and needs to improve his marking

Cooper (7) — made well-timed robust tackles and did better late on when given licence to roam on counter picking holes intelligently. Needs to put his foot through more shots from distance.

Telford (8) — clinical early strikes showing flexibility to use both feet but his presence and awareness in around the box was always problem for Barrow.

Baker-Richardson (6) — frustrating game, looked a bit weary and restricted to just one real chance in transition, lost ball too cheaply and needs to be more aggressive getting across defender.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — after early damage, they used every blade of the pitch to work some intricate low moves and decent crosses. Both wing backs were bold and forceful

Weaknesses — when County put in set pieces or throws centre backs less assured inside box than outside it. Left themselves exposed on times flooding players forward.

Opportunities — they were largely direct first half and used wind well. showed more patience and intelligence to pass ball lower second half

Threats — Amadi-Holloway offered physical presence, Beadling and James busy in link. Both Hutton and Driscoll-Glennon bold when invited and crossed well.

OFFICIALS

C Hicks (7) — missed some of the advantages on choosing to stop and book and potential penalty for County but game flowed and got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dominic Telford — his goals were a crucial platform today but did a lot to influence by getting across defender and happy to turn provider when he had support.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County looked comfortable for the first half an hour or so and the early lead appeared to lead them into a bit of a false sense of security. Barrow have played well against the better sides this season and with their league position still perilous they were never going to throw in towel on this one. County became more hesitant and stepped off the gas either side of half time allowing Barrow too much space to build momentum from deep and not close down aggressively enough in wide positions. As a result the full backs got forced back and chances were restricted in the final third resulting in much less possession. County worked their best moves from either the middle of the pitch or when they stole the ball just inside their own half. Barrow were able to throw in too many crosses after advancing from positions deep inside in their own half . Admittedly, some were opportunist but they need to stop the ammunition at source better starting next week at Forest Green and not allowing the luxury from wide positions with the Cadden having prowess cross left side and Wilson equally capable right side to supply Matt inside the six yard box. Rovers are likely to have Ebou Adams back from international duty who is key cog but one County can prosper from but they will need to turn the play back into the middle and let the fizzy men influence play better.