Topsy Turvy game see County dig out battling point

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Azaz 3)

Forest Green Rovers 1 (Aitchison 55)

Attendance: 4,448

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWWWWLLDDW

Forest Green Rovers WLWWDWWDLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Forest Green have uncharacteristically lost their last two games so could be a bit raw. County need to stifle rhythm and cut out supply to the front pair but be bold final third.

CONDITIONS
Light rain showers, mild with little breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and fast on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Despite less possession carved out the better chances but ended backs against the wall after sending off.

TURNING POINT
None specifically but series of bookings took the wind out of County.

THE MATCH
County were forced into one change with Robbie Willmott injured and he was replaced by loanee Timmy Abrahams who has not figured to any extent since the away match at Bristol Rovers. County started well using the ball wisely with some efficient moves and there was a warning for Forest Green inside the first minute when a direct move left side involving Street saw him peel off his marker and link well inside to find Telford. He showed good vision to supply a pass right side into Norman who struck a decent first time effort from the right corner of the box which was rising over the bar. County remained forceful and took the lead on 3 minutes from an excellent move right side with Norman getting outside Bernard and cut back precise pass to find Azaz just inside the area. He calmed slotted low into the left corner giving Rovers keeper McGee no chance. Rovers responded with some sporadic moves from wide areas with Bernard prepared to gamble left side in support of Cadden. County worked hard off the ball to deny momentum closing down opportunities and they remained effective on the break. On 10 minutes, County had another good situation develop from a move left side with Street against pivotal finding Lewis who curled a good in-swinging cross which was measured but just beyond Telford getting his head on it ghosting in behind Moore-Taylor. On 12 minutes, Forest Green responded with Barnard bulldozing his way down the left flank in support of move and his shot from an acute angle inside the box was pushed around the left post by Townsend. With County having the edge over the low passing moves, Rovers opted for more direct play to unsettle County using the aerial prowess and hold up play of former striker Jamille Matt. County were vigilant dealing with the threat and continued to probe away with some thoughtful moves through the middle which caught Forest Green napping. County had a great chance to extend their lead on 22 minutes with Street providing a neat lay off for Azaz who drove goalside of the last defender and into the area, only to see his low shot saved low down by the keeper. Forest Green kept chipping away right side with Godwin-Malife and Wilson providing energetic runs from deep. On 32 minutes, Lewis was somewhat unluckily booked for his first honest challenge blocking a run from Wilson right side. Cadden took the free kick which Sweeney won well in the air and Adams read it well poking an effort from 10 yards was well blocked by Bennett. With County sitting deep inside their own area, Cadden had a snapshot from 30 yards deflected over the bar moments later. County continued to intercept and stifle rhythm well and penetrated well left side in transition with Lewis and Demetriou finding gaps left when Wilson had pushed on. On 36 minutes, County were close when Demetriou drove into space left side and curled an effort from 25 yards just over the right post and bar. County had a great opportunity just after to punish more lax defending by Forest Green on their right flank. Cain did well to win an interception and quick pass found Azaz. He played a low pass to Telford left side of the area only for his low shot to be palmed around the left post. On 38 minutes, Bennett and Matt were booked for an altercation after contesting an aerial ball. Forest Green had a better spell as half time approached finding some more space in wide positions and more time on the ball. On 45 minutes, Forest Green had a half change after Cadden made a strong run left side of the area and his cross into the area invited a stretching header from Matt from 10 yards which went well over the bar.

Forest Green continued where they left off with some bright moves and Cooper found himself in the book for a mistimed challenge on Adams on 46 minutes. With County struggling to clear their lines, Rovers worked a decent move moments later down the left side of the box with Cadden finding Aitchison who wasted no time finding Stevens but his effort from a wide angle was deflected wide of the right post by Demetriou. County broke from their shackles again on 50 minutes with Cooper this time winning the ball early in the heart of midfield. He released a great pass through the middle and adjusted his run towards the right side of the area but dragged his effort wide of the post. Rovers kept pushing right side with Wilson dribbling forward and they won a free kick on 55 minutes right corner of the box. Cadden delivered a decent delivery into the area which sat up edge of the area but Aitchison scooped his effort well over under pressure from Clarke. Forest Green got the goal they threatened on 55 minutes when some indecision by County defending right side allowed Cadden time to pick out Aitchison inside and he had time to drill low past Townsend from an acute angle. County made efforts to play more direct using Street as an outlet who received next to none protection from the referee. County remained positive when chances formed to break with Adams forced into a couple of untidy challenges but no card forthcoming. On 65 minutes, County won a free kick in decent position left side but the somewhat wasted the opportunity to put a cross into the back and the effort from Lewis was well over. Wilson continued to cause problems for County with direct runs and supply of crosses into the area but County remained solid dealing with the aerial ball into Matt and clearing effectively. On 67 minutes, County broke well from midfield and had players overloading but lack of sharpness allowed Moore-Taylor to pinch the ball and his shot from 35 yards was parried over well by Townsend. Then with the game on a bit of a knife edge, on 69 minutes, Clarke was booked for barely any contact when pressing up to deny Matt who turned like Bambi on Ice. County became increasingly frustrated by some of the consistency with decisions and Cooper was taken off on 75 minutes as a caution in place of Waite. Forest Green responded with a like for like change in central midfield as Stevenson replaced Aitchison. On 78 minutes, County were close again with a well worked low move involving Telford who showed a good understanding with Street who angled his run right side of the area. He adjusted well but his shot fizzed just wide of the left post with the keeper scrambling across. On 84 minutes, County suffered a cruel blow when Matt span off an innocuous challenge from Clarke near the centre circle and the referee issued a second yellow. Street was booked for venting his frustration and if the eager stewards had cards they would have run out of them. County made a tactical change immediately with Haynes replacing Telford with Haynes going left side and Lewis reverting to the right flank. Forest Green forced some late pressure and were close on 87 minutes when they won a free kick in a decent position through the middle. Cadden took the dead ball and curled a decent effort forcing Townsend into a good parry around the right post. Forest Green made another change on 90+1 minutes with March coming on for Adams. With County forced to defend deep inside their own box, Barnard scooped a hopeful effort over the bar from 10 yards. County made a late change on 90+3 minutes with Fisher on for Street. County won a late free kick right side on 90+5 minutes with Azaz again pulling the strings and the free kick by Cain had venom on it but was defended well and cleared. County held on for a deserved point and reflecting on some of the missed chances.

Townsend (6) — kicked well under pressure and made a couple of smart instinctive saves but little anxious with handling dropping some crosses under no pressure.

Lewis (7) — dealt well with Wilson especially after booking but got forced back more after half time. Made some good tackles and offered more balance when he went right side late on.

Norman (7) — enterprising first half, put Cadden back to defend deep and won some good headers. Set up goal well with cut back and can be a real influence with variety of crosses.

Demetriou (7) — stood up well in aerial duals with Matt and was tenacious clearing effectively to break up threat early. Went close again from distance with eye of cross come shot.

Clarke (6) — had an excellent game, put under pressure by Stevens but ushered him into low risk areas, timing tackles well and was cheated with first booking by blatant dive.

Cain (8) — did a lot of the dirty work and closing down which allowed County to get on front-foot. Won some great tackles and put in some decent crosses on the right peg.

Azaz (7) — saw less of the ball at feet, but got into several good positions final third with his reading and anticipation. Took goal well but could and should have got a hat trick.

Cooper (7) — snappy tackles, covered a lot of ground defending well and working box to box. Restricted on chances but did a lot of good work in transition and kept discipline well after booking

Bennett (7) — did well to track back and competed well in the air to spoil any direct play. Passed well and kept side solid late on with good shape after the sending off.

Telford (7) — turned provider several times with some exquisite passes taking defenders into uncomfortable areas. Had a couple of chances but denied by keeper.

Street (7) — varied his tact well sometimes dropping deeper to link play and play off last man which gave Rovers defence problems throughout. First goal can’t be too far away

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — high energy game and worked some good combinations final third. Provided good crosses from wide areas when marked through industry

Weaknesses — centre backs lacked height and vulnerable from direct ball, Bernard struggled when put on wrong foot. Strikers went down cheaply several times which less forgiving officials would have punished.

Opportunities — they forced moves right side first half to win free kicks. Pressed up a bit higher as a unit second half but still left opportunities better sides would have punished.

Threats — Matt aerial threat and robustness on ball, Stevens held ball under pressure and eye for a shot. Cadden crosses and Wilson pace and craft right side.

OFFICIALS

C Breakspear (4) — made several puzzling decisions to book first challenges and then allow clambering and cynical play to manifest. Got completely mislead by the falling down cheaply.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Luke McGee (Forest Green keeper) — made several very important saves especially first half to keep his side in game, kicked and handled well throughout.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County improved on the away match at Forest Green, restricting their threat from crosses and working harder to stifle their momentum. Even though County had less shots and possession than Forest Green they worked more presentable chances and with better finishing the game would have been done and dusted by half time. The range and efficiency of passing by both sides was worthy of a high league and the key for County going forward will be finding that consistency as when they do shift the ball smart in the turnover they look very menacing. County got quickly into some excellent positions but dragged a few shots wide of goal when they angled their runs out wide when perhaps they sometimes can check back inside to shoot from more central positions such was the space and time available. Telford and Street showed a developing partnership with the top scorer turning provider which bears well. Forest Green were always going to have moments in the game as leaders in League Two, but in adversity County showed great character again to hold on and show robustness late in the game. Next up is the Bristol Rovers home derby who have only lost once in the league since the turn of year. Although not guaranteed, Rovers are likely to stick with four at the back with three attacking players behind Clarke or Loft up top to give energy and press space. This could be a game of chess with Rovers likely to work hard off the ball from front to back. County will need to solve the puzzle to open them up and attack their full backs when invited with Whelan and Evans prone to cheap fouls.