Telford pounces again as County pinch late win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Victoria Road

Hartlepool United 1 (Ferguson 63)

Newport County 2 (Baker-Richardson 32, Telford 90+3)

Attendance: 5,764

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWLWdDDWLL

Hartlepool United DLWWLWWLWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County can expect to be put under pressure with Hartlepool only losing one game at home this year. County need to deal with “fast” start and pick holes keeping passing sharp and precise.

CONDITIONS
Heavy rain showers and very blustery. Pitch in decent condition but ball got held back in some areas by excess water.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Robust defending under pressure dealing with crosses and dynamic going forward picking up energy again late on

TURNING POINT
County substitutions worked well to ask questions while Hartlepool ran out of ideas.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes from the side that lost narrowly in the FA Cup away to Morecambe last weekend with left wing back Ryan Haynes replacing Aaron Lewis who was on the bench. County were forced into a change in midfield with Robbie Willmott not available and he was replaced by Matt Dolan who slotted into central defence with County reverting to a 3–5–2 formation. There was another change in the heart of midfield with Ed Upson making a welcome return replacing Jake Cain who was on the bench. Hartlepool had the benefit of the strong wind in the first half and started quickly forcing a corner left side. Daly whipped over a decent cross which Liddle glanced on and with County struggled to clear effectively, Featherstone thrashed a first time effort well over the bar from a wide angle. Hartlepool were tenacious and looked to pickpocket County passing the ball and attack from deep and the defence did well to divert some early crosses through Ogle left side and Ferguson right side cutting in. County snapped out their shell on 12 minutes when Ogle dilly dallied in possession right side. Norman did well to switch play to left side of the pitch to find Haynes and his cross found Telford who set up Cooper but he scuffed his shot from 12 yards wide of the left post. Moments later, County broke well from deep with a move right side with Upson finding Cooper with a simple pass. He drove into vast acres of space right side and carried his run into the area but some delay in shooting allowed Liddle to come across with an important interception by Liddle. Hartlepool kept pressing from wide positions and a bright move on 16 minutes saw Ogle advance and cut back a decent cross to the back post which Byrne headed wide of left post from 10 yards. County had a great chance to capitalise on 20 minutes when centre back Liddle over-run the ball advancing up the pitch and Cooper found drove forward into space but Hartlepool were able to block his run. On 22 minutes, County were closer when Azaz broke through the lines and play a one two with Telford right side of the area and his shot deep inside the area was parried around the right post by Killip. County had a bit of a purple patch midway through the half and were close again on 25 minutes when a direct low move saw Upson find Telford. He peeled off a challenge by Liddle but his low shot from 25 yards was well held by Killip. Hartlepool kept pressing working some good situations from crosses to test the County defence who remained vigilant. On 27 minutes, another good move by County in transition saw Haynes feed Azaz early and his effort left corner of the box which was well saved. County were rewarded on 32 minutes after winning a corner right side which Dolan whipped in with venom and Baker-Richardson stole in ahead of his marker to plant a header in the top right corner from 6 yards. County were settled by the goal and settled in some neat passing offering patience to work Hartlepool about the pitch. The hosts sat off the play a bit allowing County to dictate possession but they still offered some threat on the counter with Molyneux and Cullen busy with their runs up top. On 40 minutes, Hartlepool were awarded a free kick in dangerous position left side of the area. Ferguson delivered a decent ball to the back post which appeared to catch County off guard with Ogle unmarked but his header from 8 yards drifted wide of the right post. Hartlepool had a better spell as half time approached forcing County deeper and throwing in a couple of opportunist crosses. On 45 minutes, Hartlepool were close when a more patient move opened up County with Daly pulling the strings and his pass on the edge of the area released Ferguson just inside the area but his low shot from 10 yards was intercepted by Upson who made a superb tackle tracking back to defend. In first half injury time, there was another warning for County when they allowed a cheap cross from the flanks following a corner left side but Byrne was unable to keep his header down from 10 yards under pressure from Demetriou.

Hartlepool maintained their drive after half time and increased their aggression in midfield to close down and use their front pair when invited. On 50 minutes, Hartlepool broke right side after some indecision by County deep in the Hartlepool half with Molyneux driving to the byline and his low cross was cut back to Daly who blasted just over the bar. County were forced to play direct and a quick kick out by Day on 53 minutes was well trapped by Telford and his snapshot from the left side of the area was well blocked by Byrne. On 55 minutes, Norman did well with a forceful run right side and was checked crudely by Ferguson but some leniency by the referee saw just the free kick but no booking forthcoming. Hartlepool set their stall out to sit in and stifle and were effective coming forward with some lively supporting runs. On 60 minutes, Cooper was booked for getting the wrong side of Molyneux in a challenge as he drove left side. County kept plugging despite being under some pressure and had a half chance on 62 minutes when Cooper slipped a pass across the face of the area for Haynes who blasted a low shot from 25 yards which the keeper read well. The game continued to ebb and flow with Molyneux offering a good outlet right side with his pace. On 62 minutes, he drove past Demetriou who was left exposed and forced to crudely tackle back right side cross the face of the area. Ferguson took the direct free kick and precisely curled his effort into the top right corner beyond the grasp of Day. County made efforts to seek more control of the game with Azaz and Upson taking responsibility to settle the play. County freshened the pack on 72 minutes with Cain replacing Cooper and Hartlepool responded moments later with Cullen replaced by Grey up top. County kept pressing the right buttons inside the Hartlepool half and excellent move on 75 minutes through the middle saw Azaz delicately chip a ball in behind for Telford and his volley on the turn from 16 yards fizzed just wide of the left post. Hartlepool remained a threat right side through the industry of Molyneux and another bright move on 78 minutes saw him escape the clutches of Demetriou and drive to the right byline only for the cross cut back from the byline to be well cleared by the Morecambe defence. On 80 minutes, Hartlepool made an attacking change with Fondop-Talom replacing Baker-Richardson. County made another change on 86 minutes with Ellison replacing Baker-Richardson. With Hartlepool pressing hard County were forced back and used Ellison well an outlet to stem some moves to relief the pressure. On 90 minutes, County had another player in the book when Upson checked the run of Molyneux left side. Hartlepool threw the free kick in direct testing Day but he punched well under pressure to win a free kick. County remained a threat on the break and caught Hartlepool asleep on 90+3 minutes when Haynes made a more advanced run outside the right back and his deep cross was anticipated well by Norman back post who directed a header towards Telford who stooped in with a header into the right corner from 8 yards. Hartlepool went increasingly direct in the final minutes to salvage something with Fondop-Talom putting himself about but County held firm to inflict only the second home defeat for Hartlepool this year.

Day (7) — wasn’t overworked but made some good claims under pressure late on and kicked well into the wind first half. Handled well to make some routine saves low down.

Norman (6) — got a bit bogged down denied momentum, struggled to make impact final third and got caught in two minds on times. Did well in defensive duties and let little goalside

Demetriou (6) — didn’t have his own way in the aerial duals and was put under pressure by direct runs from Molyneux. Instigated some good moves from deep, long throws well dealt with.

Clarke (7) — blocked well throughout with some excellent interventions and well timed tackles. Dealt well with direct play alert winning his headers and turned back to clear effectively.

Dolan (7) — swept up a few times to deal with the danger and was composed initiating several good low moves from deep first half. Set up goal well from corner and other set pieces were cutting

Haynes (6) — put under some pressure to defend deeper and was a but reluctant to get outside the full back but when he was bold he was effective no more than on the winning goal.

Azaz (8) — at the heart of best moves and was always thinking ahead spraying neat passes. Was denied on a few shots in and around box and linked well with Upson to build some good moves

Upson (7) — competed well throughout, got a grip of possession in spells to instigate some intricate moves from deep and did some good defensive work.

Cooper (7) — excellent first half and brightness on the ball coming forward in transition gave problems for hosts. Had some decent chances before booking which saw him play more reserved

Telford (7) — quieter game being restricted to efforts in and around the box which were blocked. Worked hard throughout, did well under pressure and anticipated well to grab the winner.

Baker-Richardson (6) — struggled with retention a bit and lacked usual sharpness but took header on goal well. Got back to goals a lot and needs to get more on the front foot running directly

Strengths — offered plenty of teeth and energy, created some good moves in transition and worked wide areas to supply crosses from tight positions.

Weaknesses — centre of the pitch they offered plenty of space and overcommitted numbers on times leaving defence exposed.

Opportunities — positive going forward and upped efforts off the ball second half not allowing County same luxury to pass. Opted to go more direct late on.

Threats — Molyneux was strong with runs, Cullen offered good movement, Daly creative and provided several good passes final third.

OFFICIALS

S Barrott (7) — didn’t allow advantage on times when it was on and did a lot of speaking to players. Got key decisions right and allowed for conditions well.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Fin Azaz — technically ahead of most players on the pitch, efficiency of passing was key and timed his runs forward. Denied with several shots and should have got on the scoresheet

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County knew they were going to have spells under the cosh tonight and in the main they dealt with what Hartlepool offered and were superior between box to box. The hosts were bright and breezy coming forward and their pace meant the County defence had little respite but they recovered well to dampen the threat with Dolan leading well. County did allow some crosses to thrown a bit cheaply on times and had nobody picking up back post on a couple of moves. When County were tidy with their build up play and efficient they gave Hartlepool problems final third despite the front two being well marshalled, it was good to see Azaz and Cooper stepping up to the plate. County were often put in trouble from unforced errors being a little sloppy with their passing deep inside the Hartlepool half and will need to stamp out charity going into the Swindon game next Saturday. Swindon are likely to play similar 3–5–2 system and will be happy to sit in and look to attack from deep using the pace of Welsh international Johnny Williams and former County player Harry McKirdy who will roam randomly. County need to stifle the runners and limit set pieces from Reed who can be precise with free kicks.