Tight at the top

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Brunton Park

Carlisle United 1 (Patrick 80)

Newport County 2 (Demetriou 15, Azaz 65)

Attendance: 4,445

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WWLLDDWDWW

Carlisle United LLLLDLWWWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Carlisle have won their last four games under new manager Paul Simpson so will be confident. County don’t need to force game but need to be bold when invited and get at them in wide areas.

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy with slight breeze. Pitch in reasonable condition but looked worn in the corners.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Controlled large parts of the game, stifling Carlisle energy and always threatening going forward

TURNING POINT
Azaz goal gave County space to breath.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with Haynes coming in at left back in place of Lewis who was on the bench. County were also missing Cain and he was replaced by Dolan in central midfield. County started well with some patient thoughtful moves from deep and kicks to wide areas to stretch Carlisle about. Carlisle showed less finesse with some direct play using Patrick as outlet right side with Sho-Silva in close support. County enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages, balanced with some excellent movement to work the Carlisle defence. On 10 minutes, County created a snappy move left side with Haynes overlapping well and his first time cross was met in air by Telford but he was unable to keep a difficult header down from 12 yards. County worked some intricate moves right side and Dickenson was fortunate not to be booked moments later taking after scything down Norman near the right flank. Carlisle were given a warning on 13 minutes when County built a clever move through limiting their touches with Dolan and Telford pivotal in finding Azaz. He carried his run forward before blasting a low effort from 25 yards which the keeper Howard held well. Carlisle responded with a good break left side with Dickenson finding Patrick left side of the area. He clipped back a decent cross into the box which invited Sho-Silva in at the back post but his stretching header from 8 yards was well held by Townsend. County continued to cause problems attacking their right side and won a corner on 15 minutes. Dolan took the corner and an immaculate delivery was anticipated well by Demetriou at the front post glancing into the top left corner with the keeper rooted to the spot. County were purring after the goal taking a firm grip of the game working some efficient low moves. On 18 minutes, another decent move right side saw Norman win a good header finding Telford inside. He jinked onto his left foot and blasted a vicious effort from 25 yards which was deflected by Feeney taking the sting out of the shot. On 23 minutes, Azaz threatened from a switch in play when Telford did well to work the pass to the left side of the area but his shot from an acute angle was intercepted by Simeu. County continued to probe away controlling the game with Azaz pulling the strings and Waite doing well to pick gaps and link play. Carlisle made efforts to test County with some kicks from deep but Clarke and Demetriou remained vigilant winning their headers and clearing well under pressure. County were close to extending their lead on 30 minutes when a direct move saw Street do well win a header right side ahead of McDonald. Waite latched onto the ball carrying a strong run right side of the area and from an acute angle his shot was parried by Howard and Street was close to putting in the rebound but the keeper managed to recover and smother the ball. Carlisle caused some more concern for County from direct moves to relieve pressure with Patrick angling his runs left side but County stifled the crosses well. On 40 minutes, Patrick did well to cut back a cross from tight possession left side of the area finding Gibson who thrashed a low shot wide of the right post from 25 yards. County were close again on 43 minutes with cutting low move which caught Carlisle napping when Azaz found Haynes left corner of the area. He cut back his cross into the path of Telford who blasted just over the bar under pressure from Simeu who did just enough to impede his run without conceding a penalty. County were energised from the penetration they were getting and another good move on the stroke of half time going though several players invited Dolan to shoot and his powerful effort from just outside the “d” was blocked by Feeney. On 45+2 minutes, Carlisle created a rare threat on the break when Guy linked well with Dickenson who struck a decent effort from 25 yards wide of the right post.

County picked up where they left on after half time continuing to cause problems right side and had a good situation on 46 minutes to punish Carlisle. Norman darted outside McDonald right side of the area and pick out a low cross into the six yard box but Street was adjudged to be offside with Telford close to applying the finish. County won a couple of corners right side which they threatened on with the delivery from Dolan measured. On 51 minutes, County had a great chance to go further ahead when they worked a smart short corner right side with Dolan finding Azaz. He curled an excellent deep cross pinpointing Clarke who directed his header against the bar and the rebound was a point blank range by Street who headed wide of the right post. Carlisle made a tactical change moments later with Omotoye replacing left wing back Roberts. Omotoye went left wing with Carlisle reverting to 4–3–3. On 58 minutes, Carlisle won a corner right side which was glanced on deep inviting McDonald to hit a first time shot from 14 yards but his effort was rising well over the bar. Carlisle moved Patrick to the right side as a result of their change and eased their way into the game with some forceful moves right side to testing Haynes. County made a change on the hour with Telford replaced by Collins. Carlisle continued to probe away with some good shifts of play moving the ball from left to right to use their right side with Patrick an outlet with his strength on the ball. On 62 minutes, Carlisle won another corner right side which Guy delivered well into the area. County were unable to clear their lines effectively and Feeney glanced a header back into the six yard box which Patrick headed straight at Townsend. County remained a threat on the break with Carlisle leaving gaps and they were close again moments later with a neat move left side when Haynes won a good tackle and threaded a quick pass down the left side of the pitch which Azaz latched onto. He advanced into a decent position through the middle and his struck a powerful effort towards the left corner forcing Howard to tip around the post. County finally got the goal they play merited on 65 minutes from a decisive counter right side with Norman slipping a quick pass to find Collins. His pace took him past a static looking defence with McDonald left reeling and his cross near the byline was precise in finding the late run of Azaz who slotted into the roof of the net from 10 yards. Carlisle made a double substitution on 68 minutes with ex-Chesterfield forward Kristian Dennis replacing Sho-Silva up top and Devine for Gibson right side of midfield. The changes maintained the energy for Carlisle to keep chipping away at County but predictable on times with Patrick the main outlet right flank. County were tested with some direct play with Carlisle happy to by-pass the midfield. County were forced into a defensive change on 75 minutes with Clarke replaced by Lewis who went full back with Norman going to centre back. On 77 minutes, Carlisle were closer to working Townsend when a more decisive move left side saw Patrick exploit space ahead of Bennett. His quick pass in behind invited Omotoye to shoot from an acute angle but his shot went wide of the left post and bar under pressure from Norman. County remained a threat attacking from deep with Collins dynamic with his runs and McDonald was fortunate to escape a booking for crudely denying him a chance to shoot on 79 minutes. From the result free kick, Dolan somewhat ambitiously went for goal from 30 yards with the keeper saved comfortably in the right corner. Carlisle kept plugging away with some direct play to test County and got a goal back moments later when County dithered clearing their lines just inside the box. Bennett and Dolan had chances to clear but some indecision allowed Patrick to pickpocket the ball and his low shot on the turn from 14 yards appeared to deceive Townsend with ball nestling into the left corner. With Carlisle committed especially down their right side, County had another presentable chance to kill the game on 85 minutes when Waite did well to snap up possession and find Azaz who forced his way left side of the area beyond the last man but his low effort from 10 yards was saved by the keeper. County made their final change on 89 minutes with Fisher replacing Street. Carlisle put County under some late pressure in the seven minutes of injury time. Carlisle came close when a direct run by Omotoye left side saw him drive to byline and the low cross into the six yard box was well held by Townsend with Dennis breathing down his neck. County held out strongly with Carlisle forced into some direct but untidy play which they dealt with very well.

Townsend (7) — concentrated and focussed, made some good claims, safe hands under pressure and kicked very well. Got a bit caught out on the goal with early shot going through the crowd.

Haynes (6) — decent first half, bold runs and forced Riley back. Showed capability with crosses and did better under pressure but some lacked cutting edge. Forced to defend deeper second half put under pressure by Patrick.

Norman (8) — caused throughout with his determination and drive getting outside full back. Provided several decent crosses and throws before dropping back to cover in central defence.

Demetriou (8) — won his headers well timing his jump and dealt with ball in behind efficiently. Broke up threat early when he could and shifted play well. Took his goal very well.

Clarke (7) — did well dealing with direct play and getting some important interventions in. Unlucky not to score and stood up well to pressure second half before late knock.

Dolan (7) — was faultless apart from error in not clearing on Carlisle goal. Provided some decent pieces, intelligent range of passing going close with a couple of shots edge area.

Azaz (8) — busy game, protected ball well under pressure and was creative with ball at feet. Could have quite easily had a hat trick today but got the important second goal.

Waite (7) — was at the heart of the best moves first half, competed well and when he got ball was quick to put Carlisle on the back-foot. Went close with a couple of shots from wide angles.

Bennett (7) — did a good job to squash out direct ball and won some important headers and tackles. Passed well throughout but looked a little short on energy late on and sat in deeper.

Telford (6) — on a bit a drought currently with main shots from distance being blocked. Not picked out sometimes with runs late into box. Worked hard and work to link play before fading.

Street (6) — won some good headers getting across McDonald and did well to maintain possession sometimes with little protection from referee. Restricted on shots but kept working defenders.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — centre back decent in the air but main strengths never really came out but put in some testing crosses and set pieces.

Weaknesses — both full backs were indecisive and left gaps either through bad positioning or lack of pace. Never really took enough care of the ball with defenders erratic clearing.

Opportunities — started 3–5–2 but switched to a more balanced 4–3–3 formation to create more threat from direct play, but always left them vulnerable.

Threats — Patrick was flexible and strong with runs right side. Guy set pieces were accurate, Dickenson eye for a pass and Gibson pace right side.

OFFICIALS

M Coy (7) — very lenient but consistent, refused to book which made game flow but got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cameron Norman — worked right side well, had stamina to burn unsettling defenders and was always a problem with his direct runs and crosses.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

With just 9 game now left, keep the belief and everyone level headed. County had to endure some late pressure from Carlisle but it would have been a travesty if they had not won this match with them limiting the hosts to 2 efforts on goal. County were always the more fresher inventive side and ultimately took much better care with the ball which allowed them to carve out several decent chances. Telford was well marked again and Street had less influence but County were unperturbed as they took the bull by the horns through the middle third with some intelligent use of the ball. For an hour, County were very dominant and when they shifted ball from under their feet, Carlisle were often left reeling but managed to scramble or block efforts on goals. As a unit, County came improve on their defending of the left channel as the main Carlisle threat was in transition when they shifted the ball from left to right. Next up is Hartlepool United at home this Friday evening, before they get a well-deserved 8 day break. Hartlepool have had an indifferent season and after a better spell after Christmas under new manager Graeme Lee, they have slumped a bit in the last month. Hartlepool main attacking strength is right side with full back Sterry mobile and Molineux main goal threat right wing. County need to stifle this first and foremost but be prepared to use the middle of the pitch with direct runs to slice through with Featherstone and Byrne prone to fouls.