County graft but still missing that killer touch
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 0
Barnet 0
Attendance: 4,219
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County WLLLLDLDLL
Barnet WDLDdDDWLL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Barnet have slipped down the league and been punished for defensive lapses in recent games so will be interesting to see how attacking they set up.
CONDITIONS
Cold, sunny with keen breeze.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Started well but didn’t punish in key moments but showed resilience to get a point.
TURNING POINT
Two easy chances County choked on lifted Barnet out of their shell.
THE MATCH
County several changes from the 4–1 defeat away at Colchester last weekend with Thomas coming in right wing back for Evans who was not in the side. Davies slotted in the opposite flank in place of Glennon who substitute. Smith was also sacrificed the bench in place of Baker who slotted into central defence as County reverted to a 3–5–2 formation. There was a surprise change in central midfield with Brennan recalled with Lloyd sub. County also sacrificed Baker-Richardson and Kamwa to the bench to employ Spellman and Opoku up front for the first time this season. County started purposively with some good switches right side using Thomas as an outlet which forced Barnet deep and them struggling to deal with the aerial ball. Barnet responded with some moves right side to get Glover on the ball working some neat patterns right side of the 18 yard box. County kept probing away limiting their touches well and had a great opportunity to open their account on 10 minutes. Braybrooke did well taking a quick free kick left side to pinpoint Spellman in space right side of the area. In acres of space and with Barnet keeper Slicker committed off his line, he had the option to chip him from 14 yards but chose to bring the ball down and drill a low shot which the keeper saved with his feet. County remained the more thoughtful side with Barnet opting for direct balls to pinpoint Assombalonga which kept the defence worked. County persisted with moves right side using Thomas well as an aerial outlet. On 17 minutes, Thomas did well to support a move right side and his early cross into the box flashed deep stretching the Barnet defence. Spellman did well to seize the loose ball and cut back an early cross into the box which invited Antwi to shoot first time but he adjusted and the effort from 8 yards was cleared off the line by Tavares. Barnet responded with an increasingly direct approach and despite their lack of height Barnet caused problems for County in the air. On 25 minutes, County had a promising situation from a free kick right side which Braybrooke delivered with a teasing delivery to back post inviting Jenkins but his header under pressure drifted wide of the left post. On 28 minutes, County worked a decisive move inside the Barnet half forcing them deep. Antwi combined well right side to supply a cross right corner of the box and the loose clear was anticipated well by Davies but his volley from 20 yards fizzed just wide of the left post. Barnet had a better spell as half time approached going increasingly direct to the test and some moves unsettled County with then struggling to win the first contact. On 35 minutes, County had a warning when Barnet exploited space right side with Glover threading a pass right side of the box for Shelton. He cut back a decent low pass to the edge of the area finding Collinge unmarked but the centre back blasted just over the bar. Barnet were content with using the direct with goalkeeper Slicker getting forward to launch the ball. On 43 minutes, an aerial ball saw Assombalonga contest with Jenkins who appeared to be struck by a strayed arm but the referee ignored the protests to penalise and just gave a free kick. Barnet persisted with the long ball and pressed up higher as a unit forcing some late pressure in the half, but County recovered well and importantly had vigilance to deal with some cute crosses right side by Glover.
County came out for the second half looking tepid and struggled for the same cohesion with Opoku and Spellman weak shielding the ball final third. Barnet dominated the early stages continuing to persist with moves right side involving Glover which right back Kizzi extra belief to push on. On 55 minutes, County were given a “red light” warning when another Barnet move right side saw Kanu creep up left side into space. He received a switch of pass from Glover but his first time shot from the left corner of the box went just over the bar with County stretched. Barnet continued to be ping long balls from deep with little or no pressure applied by County despite the goalkeeper Slicker not looking very convincing with the ball at his feet. On 58 minutes, Kizzi gaining confidence by the second did well to ghost forward and cut back a neat pass for Ofoborh but his low effort from 20 yards was well held by Wright. County finally snapped out of their shell on the hour when a better move right side saw Thomas take a quick short throw just inside the Barnet half. He found Opoku who outfoxed Senior and cut inside past Tavares and set up Antwi but his low shot from 12 yards towards the left corner was weak and comfortable for Slicker. Despite County looking passive, Barnet were first to ring the changes on 65 minutes with Kanu and Assombalonga replaced by Adeniran and Stead. County made their first change soon after with Shephard coming on for Davies. Shephard went right wing back with Thomas switching to the left flank. Barnet persisted with direct kicks from deep with Slicker continuing to see plenty of the ball thrashing the ball long with little pressure from County. On 68 minutes, County were given another warning when a poor kick by Slicker through the middle was not picked upon. With County midfield sleeping, Senior made a clever touch to flick the ball through the centre and Stead ghosted goal side of Clarke but he could only poke his rushed effort from 16 yards wide of the left post. County made a much need triple change and tactical tweak on 70 72 minutes with Clarke, Antwi and Spellman replaced by Smith, Lloyd and Baker-Richardson with County switching to 4–4–2. Barnet responded with another change bringing the towering frame of Hawkins to replace Ndlovu. Barnet went increasingly direct in the final stages using Hawkins to pivot play and force County deeper. County dealt well with the aerial ball and with Barnet committed in getting men around Hawkins, there were options opening up to attack from deep. On 78 minutes, County were given a warning when a good switch by Barnet from right to left to pinpoint Hawkins saw the final touch just elude him with the defence struggling to recover back. County showed more nerve to keep the ball and worked some better patterns of play in the last ten minutes. On 85 minutes, County went close when a direct Barnet move broke down and a quick break initiated by Braybrooke saw him expertly pick out Lloyd in space. He carried a strong run forward and strike a decent effort from 25 yards inches wide of the right post. County made another change soon after with Opoku replaced by Kamwa. Barnet kept probing and were close again on 88 minutes when they worked a decisive move right side and Ofoborh angling his run right side and his deft cross floated back post was headed wide of the left post by Glover. On 90+3 minutes, County had a good situation to punish Barnet when Shephard won a free kick right corner of the box. Braybrooke swung in a decent delivery which was only half cleared to the edge of the area but Smith dragged a disappointing untidy effort well wide of the left post. The final stages saw both sides positive and County had Brennan in the book on 90+5 minutes recovering back to deny Adeniran dribbling right side. On 90+7 minutes , Barnet were close again when a cross invited into the area pinpointed Hawkins who caressed a header for Stead but his half volley from 10 yards was well blocked by Baker. County held out for a welcome point in the end but ultimately reflecting on their missed chances.
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Wright (7) — kicked well under pressure and distributed well. calm and composed made a couple of smart reactive saves low down.
Thomas (7) — did a solid job as wing back, prominent in main threat first half and useful outlet aerially. Needs to have belief to provide early cross
Davies (7) — forced deeper and had to deal with Glover instrumenting moves right side. Timed runs well to support and went close with shot from distance
Jenkins (7) — was strong and robust dealing with direct ball. Didn’t have his own way in the air but always got tight. Went close again from set pieces.
Clarke (6) — uncharacteristically lost a lot of the aerial duals but got his clearances safe and intelligent with passes. faded early and replaced
Baker (7) — steady ship at the back, well positioned and mopped up debris well to clear. Made some important blocks to deny second half.
Antwi (6) — started brightly and showed capability but went into his shell after missing easy chance. Needs to show more mental toughness.
Braybrooke (7) — saw less of the ball either side of half time when ball through midfield was bypassed. Provided some neat set pieces and eye for killer pass.
Brennan (6) — did a job alongside Braybrooke and compete but passing was erratic and nervous. Was anonymous for large parts and replaced early.
Spellman (5) — supplied some decent crosses but lacking confidence to finish easy chance. Retention weak and not alert to ball through middle.
Opoku (6) — had spells unsettling when he recycled ball and won first contact ahead of defenders but let down by indecision and struggled with back to goal.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Barnet)
Strengths — they overloaded well to work wide areas and supply crosses. Pressed up collectively to deny space and build rhythm
Weaknesses — centre backs gambled pushing high and got sucked in. full backs were ordinary in 1v1s and goalkeeper weak kicks when pressed
Opportunities — played 4–4–2 and elected to play direct and squeeze up to play in County half. Went increasingly direct when Hawkins came on.
Threats — Glover creativity and vision, Assombalonga robust and pivot moves with strength. Shelton angled clever runs right side to provide crosses.
OFFICIALS
B Atkinson (6) — turned a blind to crude play often 10 yards in front of him relying on linesman for decisions. Got the key bookings right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ryan Glover — best moves went through him and had vision to pick precise pass and supply crosses. Showed versality switching from right to left later in game
IF YOU WERE CHRISTIAN FUCHS WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County shuffled the pack and changed their formation to give them more balance with both Thomas and Davies adapting well. County were on top in the first 30 minutes and really needed to take one of their chances but their inability to punish at key moments allowed Barnet off the hook and they actually gained belief subsequently to push up higher as a unit and unsettle County. Despite County having three centre backs, Barnet did cause some problems from direct play with them winning the first contacts well and maintaining possession under pressure. To their credit Barnet did this well and much better than County. Either side of half time was again a big problem for County with them not doing enough work off the ball to deny long balls which started from their lax pressing front to back with the Barnet keeper barely closed down. Barnet were more aggressive getting tight to suffocate space and it was enough for them to press up higher as a unit. The by-product from this saw both Opoku and Spellman struggle to protect the ball under pressure and County found the ball coming back in their face (with momentum suffocated). The changes made were too late but they did settle County down, so that they were able to complete more passes in the final stages and win set pieces. County were carrying Spellman, Brennan and Antwi today and box to box Barnet were more decisive, but they were ultimately as toothless as County inside the box. This match followed a similar trend to many other games this with County flattering to deceive for 30 minutes before other sides up the tempo and aggression which invariably has seen County buckle. County need to have a plan B and plan C going forward and ultimately react quicker to effect the game. County are still searching for their first home win this season and have another opportunity when Crewe Alex visit next Monday evening. Crewe are likely to adopt a 4–2–3–1 formation and have limited options up front with March employed as a false number 9. Crewe have threat with O’Reilly strong carrying the ball right side and Sanders an eye for a neat pass and switches of play that needed stifling. County matched Crewe very well in the recent away game to exploit deficiencies in the Crewe defence (often from direct play) so they need to mix their game as variety will be key.
