County saviour that home winning feeling again
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Baker-Richardson 28, Braybrooke 76)
Crewe Alexandra 0
Attendance: 3,925
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County LLLLDLDLLd
Crewe Alexandra WWdDLLDWDL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Crewe are not in form and missing several key attacking players. County starting line-up looks attacking so key they press from front to back and are bold when they get chances.
CONDITIONS
Cold, partly cloudy with slight breeze.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Started slowly riding luck but gained belief and upped impetus after taking the lead.
TURNING POINT
Crewe header back post saved early on.
THE MATCH
County freshened the side up following the quick turnover from Barnet home draw on Boxing Day with Glennon coming in for Davies who was not named in the squad. There were some tweaks in midfield both Brennan and Antwi sacrificed to the bench in place Smith who slotted into central midfield and Kamwa left wing. There was another change up front with Baker-Richardson replacing Opoku who was substitute. County switched to a 3–4–3 formation with Kamwa and Spellman either side of Baker-Richardson. Crewe made the more controlled start with some thoughtful moves from deep with their centre backs getting on the ball and some intricate low passes to work wide areas. Crewe enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages testing County with some balls pinged in behind using the pace of Rankine left side and Moult up top picking pockets of space. On 6 minutes, Crewe worked a half chance from another direct move which caught County napping when a loose headed clearance from Baker inside the area was seized upon by Sanders. He was quick to direct a first time volley from inside the “d” which was deflected wide of the right post by Jenkins. County were restricted into some direct play using Baker-Richardson as an outlet to pivot play but County were often in slow in support in central midfield and several moves stalled. Crewe persisted with passing from deep which County encouraged on times with their reluctance to press collectively. On 18 minutes, Crewe had a decent chance to take the lead when Sanders delivered a decent free kick right side which went deep and Hutchinson directed a header left side to the back post finding Connolly in space but his header from 6 yards was superbly parried away by Wright. Connolly was quickest to rebound and his shot from an acute angle was half cleared to the edge of the area and the follow up from O’Reilly was dragged wide of the right post. County eased into the game with Kamwa seeing more of the ball left side and when he got the ball early to his feet he was able to test right back Mingi. On 22 minutes, Kamwa did well to angle his run left side and receive a pass from Glennon. He carried a strong run left corner of the area to find a promising position to threaten but the cross lacked precision. County kept plugging away with some direct ball using Baker-Richardson and started to assert their game higher up the pitch with better retention final third and Kamwa asking questions of right back Mingi. On 28 minutes, County won a corner left side which Braybrooke delivered neatly into the box and Baker-Richardson powered a firm header from 10 yards which the keeper parried away but Baker-Richardson reacted smartly to poke the rebound into the left corner from 6 yards. County were buoyed by the goal and settled into a better rhythm passing the ball more efficiently and limiting their touches. On 32 minutes, County had another good situation when Braybrooke was quick the snap up a loose ball and spray a pass left side for Kamwa. He jinked inside left corner of the box but his effort from 16 yards lack verve to trouble Crewe keeper Waller. Crewe responded with long balls but were thwarted by some offside decisions with Moult and Rankine gambling with their runs in behind. Crewe continued to cause problems with some hopeful long balls with County slow to pick up the debris. On 35 minutes, Lunt won the race ahead of Smith to snatch possession deep inside the County half and his pass invited Moult to shoot but the low effort from 12 yards went wide of the right post. On 40 minutes, County were put on the backfoot when Kamwa lost his battle ahead of Connolly who cleared danger right side of the area. His pass found Mingi who had space to attack right side and Glennon recovered was coaxed into a untidy challenge which got him a booking. Crewe kept plugging away and had a half chance on 42 minutes when they forced County to defend deeply and Lunt again was smarter setting up a low snapshot for O’Reilly from 20 yards forcing Wright to parry around the left post. There was only a couple of minutes injury time at the end of the first half and County were content to get into the changing room and review matters.
Crewe continued to be positive in wide areas with Mingi getting forward right side. On 50 minutes, County did well to snatch possession with Glennon intercepting a pass and Kamwa broke from deep coaxing Mingi into pulling him back and he was booked. On 52 minutes, County unsettled Crewe following a free kick right side which Braybrooke executed well right side. His curling cross into the box was only half cleared to the edge of the box and Smith struck a bold first time volley forcing Waller to top around the left post. Crewe made a treble substitution on 54 minutes with Lunt, Rankine and Powell replaced by Holicek, Agius and former County striker Omar Bogle. County remained on top and won another on 56 minutes right side which Glennon took. His curling delivery to the back post caused problems for Crewe with Jenkins winning a strong header which was deflected deep and Clarke read the ball drop but his low effort from 12 yards went wide of the right post. County kept causing problems left side in transition with Kamwa seeing a lot of the ball with Braybrooke quick with his release to find him a yard of space. On 60 minutes, County were close to extending their lead when another corner was only half cleared by Crewe and Jenkins was denied back post and in the follow up inside the six yard box Clarke saw his effort saved on the line by the keeper. With Crewe forced to push on, County became increasingly menacing on the break with Crewe struggling to recover and they had another great chance to put the game safe on 66 minutes. Kamwa did well to carry the ball from deep beating Mingi for pace left side of the area. He tricked his way into the box and his cross come shot from an acute angle drifted wide of the right post. Crewe made another change on 70 minutes with Finney coming on Mingi at right back but the change did little to squash the County moves left side. Crewe were reliant on some direct moves to force County back with Bogle contesting the line well but Jenkins and Clarke stifled the threat well. On 73 minutes, County were close again when another corner right side by Glennon was met back post by Clarke but Connolly intercepted well. With County finding their passes better, Crewe had another player booked moments later with Moult mistiming his tackle as Smith drove forward left side. County made a double substitution on 75 minutes with Spellman and Baker-Richardson replaced by Lloyd and Opoku. County got the important second goal moments later with Opoku wasting no time to latch onto a direct ball which he killed expertly and turned to find Lloyd edge of the area. Despite him being inside and his shot from 14 yards being blocked, Braybrooke was alert to the rebound and drilled a superb low effort from 12 yards past the keeper. County kept pressing with some good moves left side and Lloyd working hard right side in support box to box. On 82 minutes, County won a free kick left side of the area which Glennon delivered neatly towards the back post and Clarke was unfortunate to see his header from 10 yards fizz just wide of the right post. On 85 minutes, County had a great chance to extend their lead when Glennon released Kamwa in space left side and his strong run left corner of the box saw him jink inside and curl a shot narrowly wide of the right post. County made a double substitution moments later with Glennon and Smith replaced by Shepherd and Brennan. Shepherd went right back with Thomas reverting to left back in the final stages of the game. On 88 minutes, County were close again with Opoku again turning provider caressing a neat pass back to Braybrooke who hit a powerful rising effort from 30 yards just over the bar. Crewe kept plugging away with some better moves left side involving Sanders and Hutchinson. On 90 minutes, Crewe worked a low move left side of the area and Sanders cut inside but his low shot from 20 yards was well read and held by Wright. On 90+2 minutes, Crewe then had Connolly booked for crudely pulling back Kamwa as dribbled away from left corner. County made their final change soon after with Kamwa replaced by Antwi. With Crewe looking a tired outfit, there was another half chance for County on 90+4 minutes when Opoku burst forward left side of the area to exploit space and he poked a low shot from 14 yards forcing Waller to save in the left corner. County held out for a richly deserved win, the first at home this season and celebrate with the fans who had not since them win at home since March.
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Wright (8) — made an important double save early on from close range, kicked well under pressure and was safe with his collections low down
Thomas (7) — offered verve right side first half and won some good headers. Limited threat well and got forward with some well-timed runs second half to supply crosses.
Glennon (7) — put under pressure first half when O’Reilly got the ball and forced back. Distributed neatly and coped well after early booking providing some neat set pieces.
Jenkins (8) — won some towering headers and got ball safe under pressure. Pushed on well to exploit gaps when invited and getting closer his first goal being denied on set pieces
Clarke (7) — strong in the air and stifled quickly timing clearances well. swept well in behind and went close back on some set pieces ghosting with some clever late runs.
Baker (7) — alertness and quick use of the ball helped build some good moves from, got tight when needed and timed tackles well under duress.
Smith (6) — easing back to match fitness, struggled to impact first half and pace of game. Missed too many first contacts impacted game better second with better control of ball
Braybrooke (8) — started slowly but grew into game finding solutions to pick gaps quickly and sprayed passe for others. Excellent strike on 2nd goal and supplied useful set pieces
Kamwa (7) — quiet early on but saw a lot of ball as play opened up and had many good situations to threaten. Needs to be more decisive with shot or cross to punish in key moments
Spellman (6) — played right side and had spells carrying run inside but didn’t quite come off. Held ball better under pressure and took a few kicks to buy free kicks which was key
Baker-Richardson (7) — did well to contest across line and when County had players in support they were effective in pinning Crewe back. Took the his chance well after rebound
SWOT ANALYSIS (Crewe Alexandra)
Strengths — they were precise moving the ball from the back and created some good combinations final third to break the lines.
Weaknesses — never looked comfortable defending their box and despite starting brightly appeared to run out of gas. Lacked cutting edge and physicality up front.
Opportunities — played 4–2–3–1 and were happy to push on but always struggled to recover. Went more direct second half but created less impact and faded.
Threats — Sanders coordinated best moves and some shots from distance. Lunt and O’Reilly offered good vision in behind.
OFFICIALS
A Bryne (8) — allowed some leniency on some decisions not to book but generally got the key decisions right and encouraged to let game flow well.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Sam Braybrooke — wasted few passes and had spring to exploit space quickly and feed supply final third. Took this chance well to kill game and free kicks were excellent.
IF YOU WERE CHRISTIAN FUCHS WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were a touch slow starting this game allowing Crewe to play with freedom passing from deep and their early movement caused problems. County needed to press more aggressively from front to back and they managed to up their energy levels off the ball after scoring against the run of play getting more influence from Braybrooke and Smith who still seems to be off in match fitness. Kamwa saw plenty of the ball today but the end product was often missing and Spellman was largely passive, so County were perhaps not as effective as they could be in wide areas. This win was attritional with County putting in a strong second half performance and it was surprising that the second goal took so long, but it was a richly deserved and important win. County were effective today when they took a few kicks for their endeavours showing determination to protect the ball. They were always threatening when they won free kicks with their set pieces and back post crosses a problem throughout for Crewe. They were also more menacing in the final thirty minutes when they had the legs over Crewe and the changes worked well to keep momentum. County played 3–4–3 formation today which worked well in the main, but they will need to consider personal and tactical changes again when they visit league leaders Bromley on New Years Day. Bromley are likely to play 4–1–4–1 with top scorer Cheek a key pivot with deep runs to link play so County will need vigilance to squash the long ball. When they are not getting stiff necks they will also need to stifle delivery from wide area with Pinnock able with early crosses left side and Whitley ball carrying skills right side. Bromley will gamble on winning set pieces and throws with Sowunmi and Cheek have aerial prowess inside the six yard box. County may need to switch to 5–4–1 in this game to minimise threats along the flanks. It’s not a game to overplay but they will need to mix their game up, keep them thinking and if they can’t win the first contact — make sure they win the next one.
