Worth the Waite
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (Waite 33)
Bristol Rovers 0
Attendance: 6,237
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County WWWWLLDDWD
Bristol Rovers WWDLdWWWDW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Bristol Rovers are an improved side and quietly crept up the table since the turn of the year. Expecting them to have a go so key County pick their battles but use ball efficiently final third.
CONDITIONS
Sunny and clear, mild with little breeze. Pitch in excellent condition after recent rains.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Managed threats well when forced deep and enterprising in the other thirds.
TURNING POINT
Waite’s goal wasn’t pivotal but gave platform to fight for.
THE MATCH
County were forced into a defensive re-shape with James Clarke suspended and they introduced Ryan Haynes at left back with Aaron Lewis swapping to right back with Cameron Norman centre back. County manager made a surprise change in midfield with James Waite making his first full start replacing Oliver Cooper was on the bench. County made a good start getting on the front-foot and Haynes provided an outlet left side to test the Rovers a couple of crosses that venom on them. County were forced to defend a decent low move by Rovers on 5 minutes with Whelan winning possession early and finding the run of Elliot Anderson through the middle and he found Evans but his snapshot from 20 yards was well blocked by Norman. County continued to probe away left side and carved out a decent chance on 7 minutes with Hayes again instrumental linking with Cain and his early cross pinpointed Street in a deep position but he stabbed narrowly wide of the right post from 10 yards. County were lifted by the move and created some smart snappy moves left side with Rovers struggling to contain the movement but they managed to defend their box well. Rovers countered with some better penetration right side with Nicholson offering a good outlet and retention. On 15 minutes, Nicholson escaped the clutches of Haynes and cut back a decent ball to the edge of the area and former County striker Aaron Collins saw his low effort blocked well by Demetriou. County kept pressing the right buttons with some efficient exchanges winning some corners but Rovers held firm with some robust defending. On 20 minutes, a loose ball in midfield offered County a chance to capitalise but Rovers won possession with Evans getting ahead and attacking the space left. He threaded a pass to the left side of the area to find Anderton who struck a decent effort from an acute angle forcing Townsend into a good parry around the left post. Rovers gained some confidence forcing play higher up the pitch and some indecision by County clearing inside their box on 25 minutes, invited Anderton to head into the path of Nicholson who stole in goalside but his lofted effort from 12 yards went over the bar. County enjoyed plenty of space through the centre of the pitch, which they didn’t seem to be aware of on times. On 27 minutes, Bennett broke forward shifting his pass quickly to left side and Waite whipped in a decent first time cross which Telford read well but Connolly got in an important intervention to block the shot from 8 yards. On 30 minutes, Waite was again turning the screw when his deep cross sat up inviting Azaz to head first time but his header drifted wide of the left post. On 33 minutes, County issued another warning resulting from a good run by Lewis right only for him to be checked by Anderton. From the free kick, Waite provided a teasing cross and Demetriou stole in front post to clip a low shot which feathered the outside of the left post. County took a deserved lead moments later with Cain snapping up possession early and a slick low move found Waite left side. He winding run opened up space inside and just inside the “d” he drove an excellent effort into the left corner beyond the grasp of Belshaw. County worked another decent move on 37 minutes catching Rovers sleeping such was the slickness with Street winning the direct ball. He caressed a decent pass back into Cain but his effort from 25 yards was somewhat rushed with the difficult half volley going wide of the right post. Moments later, County created a great counter attack when they stole the ball off Nicholson right side deep inside their own half and Haynes released Telford who was impeded by a clumsy tackle by Evans. Cain took the free kick but his curling effort from 30 yards went just wide of the left post. County were close to a second goal on 43 minutes when some quick thinking saw Azaz combined with Waite and his powerful shot right side of the area was well blocked by Whelan. County kept plugging away and there was some delay in first half injury time with Street being caught late by Taylor and he received some treatment after tangling awkwardly in the challenge.
Rovers manager Joey Barton made a change at half time with centre back Taylor not recovering and made a tactical adjustment with Loft coming on up front. Anderton went centre back with Anderson dropping back to left back. Rovers changed from 4–5–1 to 4–4–2 but County had a great chance to go further ahead before they could settle on 47 minutes when a bright move saw Azaz angle his run left side of the area. He provided a deft cross into the six yard box which Street met well but his header was parried away by Belshaw in the top right corner. County kept pushing for the second goal and a patient move on 50 minutes saw them work Rovers well and force them quite deep. Cain did well to pick out Bennett edge of the area but his effort lacked conviction being punched wide of the left post. Rovers created their best move of the game on 52 minutes with Evans slotting a clever through ball for Loft who struck a shot on the turn forcing Townsend into a good save and the follow up by Collins was parried away well and hooked clear by County. On 56 minutes, Loft was booked for a clumsy aerial challenge catching Bennett late near the half way line. County made an early change with Street being replaced by Fisher up front. County kept causing problems left side a had a great chance to further their lead on 58 minutes when Cain found the run of Azaz. He clipped in an early cross from a tight position near the left corner which Fisher anticipated well at the front post only for header to strike the left post. With Rovers struggling for cohesion, County worked another decent move on 60 minutes across the face of the Rovers area and there was an opportunity for Bennett to hit a first time shot but he went for an extra touch and got caught in possession. Rovers set their stall out to attack from deep using their left side well in transition with Anderson showing attacking prowess. On 60 minutes, Anderson made a forceful run left side and cut inside before blasting a decent shot from 25 yards which was deflected by Lewis. County kept plugging away despite less possession with options right side when Rovers moves broke down. On 63 minutes, Waite delivered a decent cross right side of the area which Fisher got to at the front post but was deflected over by Hoole. Rovers made a double substitution on 65 minutes to pep up their approach in midfield with Finlay replacing Whelan and Nolan on for Evans. The game was more even with Rovers asserting the passing game better with Finley offering some neat touches but County remained resolute and focussed defending. County made another change on 78 minutes with Cooper replacing Waite. County opted to stifle and counter with some bright moves down the flanks and Cain saw his run crudely halted on 80 minutes being pulled back by Nicholson who was booked. County made their final change on 82 minutes with Dolan replacing Azaz. The game became increasingly frantic in the final stages with Rovers upping the pace and committing men forward. County were forced into some untidy play often direct and there was another booking for Rovers on 85 minutes with Connolly raising a high boot catching Fisher in the face. On 87 minutes, Rovers created a decent low move prompted by Finley left side who found Nicholson. He cut back on his more favoured left foot and drilled a low shot from the left corner of the box which Townsend held well low down. County worked a snappy move on 88 minutes on the break exploiting space left side with Cooper pivotal near the byline. His quick footwork found Cain who struck an excellent half volley from an acute angle which forced the keeper into a good parry and the ball was cleared. Rovers kept pushing offering plenty of energy on the ball in the 7 minutes of injury time with Finley pulling the strings for them through midfield. County did have opportunities to counter right side but some indecision with their passing allowed Rovers to maintain their pressure. On 90+5 minutes, Rovers had a decent chance when Finlay delivered a good cross towards the front post and Hoole saw his header pushed away with instinctive save by Townsend. County were forced to defend some late pressure but kept Rovers at arms-length with some determined defending and the closest they came was Nolan blasting an effort from distance well over from a corner.
Townsend (8) — quick distribution was key first half setting up some good moves from deep. Showed safe hands with a couple of smart saves low down and excellent save late in injury time.
Lewis (7) — good first half despite being under some pressure by Anderson distributed well. Forced deeper later in the game and forced runs inside blocking and tackling well.
Norman (8) — stood in admirably to do excellent job, won his headers well and was precise with his clearances. Made some important interventions under pressure late in game.
Demetriou (8) — focused and determined winning headers early and dealt well with Loft in the air when he came on. Cleared effectively throughout rarely wasting a pass.
Haynes (7) — more influence first half showed capability with some well timed crosses. Forced deeper second half in spells but sharpness and accuracy with passes was key.
Cain (8) — competed well and was dynamic coming forward. Ghosted in some great positions and so close to richly deserved first goal. Provided fair quota of set pieces which were accurate.
Azaz (7) — a bit off the pace today, had some bright spells and provided some deft crosses but restricted on clear-cut chances. Worked hard before fading and replaced late on.
Waite (8) — was a menace for much of the first half with his energy and craft and quick mind. Kept passing ticking over winning several free kicks and took his chance very clinically.
Bennett (7) — competed well in the air and on the floor and shifted his passes efficiently. Had a couple of chances in and around the area and just needs to put his foot through it on times.
Telford (7) — well marked and restricted to a couple of chances inside the area which were intercepted. Did well to pick space outside the box and turned provider with some clever crosses
Street (7) — did well in the air when picked out with early ball and had guile to use it effectively when it was worked quick. Went close in and around six yard box showing good anticipation.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths — centre backs were decent in the air and as a unit they offered neat build up play, carrying strong runs and pushing full backs on with well-timed runs
Weaknesses — left gaps through the middle of the pitch and despite carrying attacking threat left side it carried risk as they were always vulnerable to transition County offered.
Opportunities — they started 4–5–1 playing a bit of false 9 with Collins up top and switched to 4–4–2 at half time. Late changes gave more balance when Nicholson went left side cutting in.
Threats — Collins strong carrying ball and eye for a snapshot, Elliot Anderson runs through middle, Nicholson outlet in wide areas.
OFFICIALS
D Handley (8) — managed game well, kept it flowing and didn’t over do the talking. Got key decisions right and offered advantage when needed.
MAN OF THE MATCH
James Belshaw (Bristol Rovers keeper) — made several instinctive point blank saves to keep his side in the game and kicking was accurate throughout.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were good value for their win today and created several chances but couldn’t quite get the second goal which meant the game was left on a bit of a knife’s edge. Bristol Rovers were chasing shadows on times first half such was the clever use of the ball with the sharpness County had through the middle to break in transition. Waite had an excellent game providing value with his cuteness of finishing and set piece delivery before he faded which was not a surprise after the shift he put in. County then had to deal with some late pressure which they stood up to very well and the defence coped well with enforced injuries and suspensions. If County can start putting sides to bed and get that second or third goal then they will be firmly looking upwards. They manufactured several shots from decent positions in and around the box but were denied either by the keeper or recoveries. There were also opportunities today from direct play with a quick ball into Street working chances from some good combinations. Next up is Stevenage away and James Clarke will be back available. His experience will be key and will almost certainly be needed with a series of three tough games to manage freshness. Stevenage are fighting relegation despite an experienced side that play 3–5–2 but they do not have age on their side. County can be expected to be tested by more direct play with List up top outlet they need to stifle early, but when they do get the ball they need to have patience to work them with switches of play between fast and slow.
