Weary County punished for unforced errors

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Bogle 16 own goal, Street 71)

Hartlepool United 3 (Sterry 35, Molyneux 45+3, Byrne 73)

Attendance: 4,768

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLLDDWDWWW

Hartlepool United WWWdWLWLdL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Hartlepool have improved under new manager Graeme Lee and recent away form is good. This is County’s 3rd game in 6 games so they need to manage it carefully and pick their battles.

CONDITIONS
Mild, clear and calm. Pitch in excellent condition and fast on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Slow in mind and body, predictable build up play allowed Hartlepool to regroup

TURNING POINT
Hartlepool 2nd goal just on half time gave them platform to fight for.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with goalkeeper suffering from a slight knock, Joe Day replaced him with 17 year old academy prospect Evan Ovendale on the bench. Hartlepool made the more assured start which set a precedent with them find their men well. On 5 minutes, Hartlepool created a move left side starting from deep with left back Ferguson allowed far too much space to roam nearly 40 yards. He threaded a pass inside for Bogle who adjusted well and thrashed a low shot from 25 yards which Day held well. County created some snappy breaks through the middle with Azaz and Cooper working well in tandem. On 5 minutes, Azaz was set free through the middle with a quick low pass by Cooper but his shot from just outside the “d” was dragged wide of the left post. County made some good interventions in the middle and caused problems when they stole the ball and worked it quickly to feet. On 10 minutes, County were close from such a situation when Azaz won possession and shifted a pass left side for Street. He showed good vision to throw in a cross near the left corner of the area which Cooper anticipated well with a late run but the final touch just eluded him. Hartlepool kept their defensive shape well denying County with some good interventions to break up their momentum and attack with purpose. County were given a warning on 12 minutes when Ferguson swept forward from deep and his early deep cross pinpointed Molyneux who directed a header just wide of the left post from 12 yards. County worked some better moves right side with Norman forcing left wing back Ferguson back deeper and they won a free kick on 15 minutes after Ferguson tangled with Norman right side of the area. Dolan took the free kick and whipped in an excellent delivery which Hartlepool striker could only head under pressure into the right corner of the net. County kept plugging away with some moves from deep but some sloppiness on 19 minutes saw Demetriou lose control of the ball just inside the County half. Molyneux stole the ball and drove right side of the area and directed a decent low cross which Bogle clipped just over the bar from 10 yards under pressure from Clarke. Hartlepool were comfortable in possession working some patient moves and also effective using Bogle an outlet up top to buy time and hold the ball. County were close to a second goal from a counter attack when they stifled a Hartlepool move winning the ball from deep. Bennett released a good pass to Haynes left side and he linked well with Azaz. He cut inside and directed a powerful effort from the left corner of the box which forced Hartlepool keeper Killip into a good parry. County had Hartlepool just where they wanted on 28 minutes with Azaz coaxing a foul by Liddle right side of the area and he was booked. Dolan whipped in a vicious delivery which Hartlepool managed to divert to their edge of the area and Cooper saw his snapshot well blocked by Byrne. Hartlepool continued to cause problems for County with some effective play in wide areas with Molyneux offering plenty of energy right side. On 35 minutes, Hartlepool were level from a decisive move right side Kerry pushing on to support Molyneux right side of the area with County ball watching. Sterry side stepped a challenge from Haynes with a neat turn and slotted low into the left corner from an acute angle taking Day off guard. County went off the boil as half time approached with indecision creeping into their game. Hartlepool remained positive and gain confidence with some forceful runs through the middle. County were given another warning on 44 minutes when Norman delayed his clearance allowing Bogle to pickpocket the ball. He slipped a decent cross back near the byline which Crawford latched onto and his shot from 14 yards was deflected wide of the left post Demetriou. Hartlepool edged ahead on 45+3 minutes when they showed more eagerness to snap up possession through the middle of the pitch. County were left exposed and Ferguson made the most of the space by driving forward and threading a pass inside for Molyneux who curled a low effort into the right corner from 16 yards beyond the grasp of Day.

County made a change at half time with Cooper replaced by Waite. Hartlepool remained composed with the ball at feet using wide areas well with wing back Sterry and Ferguson prepared to push on. County were a more effective threat in transition with Hartlepool quick to recover and deny space. On 50 minutes, a better County move saw Haynes push on into the space left by Sterry and dink in an early cross which Liddle managed to clear ahead of Street for a corner. County were forced into another chance moments later with Clarke replaced by Lewis who went right back with Norman reverting to centre back. County were close on 52 minutes when a decent cross left side by Dolan was won well by Demetriou at the front post and his glancing header into the six yard box caused problems for Hartlepool clearing and Bennett had a half chance but couldn’t get a clean connection. Hartlepool made a change in midfield on 63 minutes with Fletcher replacing Smith which galvanised their game and they continued to stifle the threat County offered but use their right side well in transition with Molyneux and Sterry mobile. Hartlepool made another change on 68 minutes with Bogle replaced by Carver up front. County upped their efforts again with Norman doing well to gain penetration and win a couple of free kicks but Hartlepool remained stubborn clearing the danger well. On 71 minutes, County were level when they pressed up quicker to win possession and put Hartlepool on the back-foot. Waite did with a weaving run right side of the area to find Street and he slammed his shot into the top right corner from an acute angle. County undermined all the good work conceding again on 73 minutes when Dolan made a rash attempt to clear and Ferguson seized the loose ball. He delivered a cross from left to right pinpointing a run from deep by the centre back Byrne who was left totally unmarked to finish stab home at the back post. County made a change on 76 minutes with Willmott on for Dolan with County switching to 3–4–3 with Lewis right back and Bennett dropping deeper. County huffed and puffed in final stages and having plenty of the ball outside the Hartlepool but finding little penetration to concern them. On 87 minutes, Hartlepool had Sterry booked for a clumsy challenge on Azaz as County built some disjointed pressure. On 89 minutes, County won a corner left side which Hartlepool could half clear and Bennett struck a decent first time effort on the turn from 10 yards which the keeper held well. County failed to make Hartlepool keeper work in 5 minutes of injury time and they were happy to hold the ball in the corner to frustrate County and gain a deserve win.

Day (6) — prepared to initiate moves from deep with ball at feet but lack distance with some clearances. Made a couple of smart saves low down but rooted to the spot on third.

Haynes (5) — uncertain game rarely got beyond half way line and reluctant to push on. Ended up neither defending or attacking often in no mans lands.

Norman (6) — had spells when he made things happen and won several free kicks with his industry but some indecision and tiredness crept into his game

Demetriou (6) — did well in the aerial duals and timed tackles, but got turned back to often and become more error prone with distribution late on.

Clarke (6) — struggled to deal with Bogle and clearances were erratic, never really settled down before being replaced early second half due to injury.

Dolan (5) — made efforts to coordinate moves from deep but too many sideways and was always vulnerable to pace defending. Put in some good set pieces.

Azaz (6) — struggled to get foothold in game and forced to drop deep for the ball stamping on other shoes. Snatched a couple of decent chances before fading late on.

Cooper (5) — never really got going, lacked usual spring and energy final third and was replaced at half time by:

Waite (6) — offered plenty of energy and carried ball effectively doing well to set up second goal. Put in some good crosses late on to force game

Bennett (6) — competed well in the air but struggled to see ball early. Forced very deep on times, especially second half and ended up dropping into defence to cover late on

Telford (6) — had two defenders marking him and found chances restricted. Did his best work when he dropped deeper and pulled defenders about acting as a decoy

Street (6) — did well in aerial duals but needed a much quicker ball and made to look poor picker up on scraps and after thought. Took his chance well and looked capable when given service.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — sturdy at the back and vigilant with marking. Both wing back played well compressing space and forcing moves final third. Intelligent with passes and worked hard off the ball.

Weaknesses — didn’t defend crosses particularly and better sides would have punished them off set pieces. Clearances were erratic when forced deep.

Opportunities — changed formation to play 3–5–2 from conventional 4–3–3. Gamble of pushing full backs high was enough. Never really needed to change tact.

Threats — Molyneux outlet and energy right side with eye for goal. Bogle robust and linked well up top. Both Sterry and Ferguson offered verve down channels and decent crosses.

OFFICIALS

A Young (7) — let a lot go in truth but consistent in approach. Missed a possible penalty first half when Azaz tripped deeming outside.

MAN OF THE MATCH

David Ferguson (Hartlepool left back) — made them tick down the left flank, defended well and at the heart of all the goals, provided some excellent crosses.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started slow and never really asserted their game for any significant spells allowing Hartlepool build momentum and control matters. After getting their noses in front, County didn’t manage the game well at all with some indifferent defending and poor awareness, Hartlepool were able to run riot especially down the flanks with both their wing backs influencing the game. County were leggy undoubtedly with this being their third game in 6 days, but the starting line-up worked against them and ultimately the formation they played. It was surprising to see Dolan and Bennett both start after the rigours of the last week and with Hartlepool employing 3–5–2, County had the option to change and match them up if needed by sacrificing a player at half time. Hartlepool also did a job marking Telford employing three centre backs allowed them to double up on Telford and leave one free to mark Street. County never really used this to their benefit as they didn’t have enough energy to carry them higher up the pitch but with runners flooding through the middle it could have been different. County never really homed in enough on Hartlepool’s weakness of defending crosses and set pieces. By overplaying or overdoing the square passes allowed Hartlepool to re-group and as a result many moves fizzled out. Next up is Bradford City away who have started to improve under former Wales manager Mark Hughes. Bradford are likely to employ a 4–5–1 formation with Cook (ala Hartson) up front but they have plenty of guile in behind with Cooke and Watt. Bradford have been short of centre backs with Songo’o deputising and a position County attack is through the middle. County need to soak up the direct play, nullify the charity in wide areas and and be dynamic to attack the centre backs with direct runs.