County win the fight to punish Chesterfield
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Biggins 50, Spellman 63)
Chesterfield 1 (Markanday 85)
Attendance: 4,355
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County LDLDLLdWLL
Chesterfield LLDWWWLDDd
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Chesterfield have added players in the transfer window so expect them to be positive. Key County manage threats in wide areas but assert their game in the middle and final third.
CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and light showers with gusty wind.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Road luck first half but knuckled down and took chances well to punish.
TURNING POINT
Chesterfield missed chance first half by Ladapo.
THE MATCH
County made one change with Jenkins sacrificed to the bench in place of Brennan who slotted in defensive midfield with them flexing into a 4–1–4–1 formation. Chesterfield had the wind behind them first half and made the more assured start showing plenty of prowess to keep the ball. On 6 minutes, Chesterfield built a more direct move right side when right back Curtis advanced beyond the half way line. He probe space down the right channel and Biggins was alert with a solid tackle which looked well timed which got a somewhat harsh booking. County had opportunities to counter the Chesterfield moves right side with Kamwa making some dynamic runs towards the box which ran out of steam when the move was slowed down. On 11 minutes, County were given a warning when they flattered to deceive attacking the left flank with Kamwa attempting a risky ball inside for Biggins. Chesterfield intercepted the pass and Braybrooke switched play quickly to the left side and find Berry. His early cross from the left side of the area caused problems for County with Baker missing his clearance and Ladapo saw his first time shot from 8 yards well saved by the feet of Wright. Chesterfield had a series of corners that followed which were menacing in the swirling wind but County managed to get the ball safe. County responded with some better cohesion and moves right side to make the ball stick with Shepherd and Spellman connecting but Chesterfield defended their area well. County continued to probe away building some momentum left side through Kamwa but the final ball lacked or cross lacked quality in finding the man. On 23 minutes, County paid tribute to Exiles 1912 podcast Oliver Allen who died tragically this week at the tender age of 23. In the build to the minute applause, County went close when Spellman fed Kamwa who darted towards the left corner of the box and this carrying his run inside the box it unsettled the Chesterfield defence and his shot from 16 yards clipped the outside of the right post. Chesterfield continued to cause problems on the break sometimes when County lost the ball cheaply with some direct low moves left side using the pace of left back Pearce. On 28 minutes, County had another warning when Pearce supplied a pass wide left for Berry to latch onto ahead of Shepherd. This time he cut back a decent low cross left side of the area pinpointing Mandeville who made a late run untracked but his effort from 14 yards went over the bar. Chesterfield kept their patience well to keep the ball alive with Braybrooke spraying some neat passes and diagonal switches of play with those hit left side causing more problems for County. On 40 minutes, County had a great chance to forge ahead when they showed more teeth and conviction to carry the ball left side of the area. Kamwa played a clever low pass into Opoku and he showed excellent vision to thread a pass inside for Biggins who blasted a powerful low shot first time from 10 yards which Swinkels diverted for a corner inside the six yard box. On 45 minutes, County put themselves in trouble when a loose pass deep inside their own half by Biggins coaxed Smith into an untidy challenge on Berry to get him a booking. County kept pressing the right buttons in injury time getting forward with sprightly moves from middle to final third. On 45+2 minutes, Biggins was progressive with a great pass to find Spellman right side of the area and his low shot from 20 yards was saved well by Hemming in the right corner.
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County were encouraged higher up the pitch in the second half with some early moves right side involving Shepherd and Spellman. On 49 minutes, County were close when a neat exchange deep inside the Chesterfield half saw Smith play a neat first time pass to Biggins. He curled a dipping effort from yards forcing Hemming to tip the shot over the bar. From the resulting corner right side, Glennon whipped in a vicious delivery into the six yard box and Biggins was alert fending off a challenge from Stirk to steer his first time shot home. Chesterfield made efforts to pick up their game with some moves left side which County marshalled better and they did well to stifle the partnership of Grigg and Lapako up front. County worked some clever direct moves using Opoku and when they made the ball stick they built some promising patterns of play. On 60 minutes, County were close again when Opoku protected the ball well under pressure from McFazdean and caress the ball back to Smith. He showed good vision to find Shepherd who burst forward right side and cut inside with a slicing run and his shot from 20 yards went narrowly wide of the left post and bar. Chesterfield stifled this better for a time pressing up aggressively to force mistakes with Opoku not getting his way with some decisions. On 63 minutes, County extended their lead with a move that caught Chesterfield napping with Wright taking a free kick deep inside the County half. His long ball forced Chesterfield defender Swinkels into a hurried header and Smith did well to head into the path of Spellman who took the ball on his chest and span to direct a superb shot from inside the “d” into the left corner flatfooting Hemming. Chesterfield rung the change on 66 minutes with Bonis coming on for Ladapo and County responded on 70 minutes with Crole replacing Opoku up top. On 75 minutes, County threatened when Kamwa did well left corner of the box dancing past a tackle from McFazdean but no booking was forthcoming. Smith took the free kick delivering a vicious cross into the box which caused havoc inside the six yard box and a bicycle kick from Kamwa fizzed just over the bar. Chesterfield gambled with a triple substitution soon after with Dobra coming on left wing in place of Grigg and Duffy went into attacking midfield with Berry sacrificed. Markanday came on right wing for Mandeville to give Chesterfield more menace and balance in wider areas. Chesterfield made their final change on 80 minutes with Naylor replacing Stirk in central midfield. County were forced into a change soon after with Biggins pulling up with cramp and he was replaced by Jenkins with County changing to a defensive 5–4–1 formation. Chesterfield had better control of the game in the final stages with County more reserved and reliant on direct hopeful balls into Crole who was often left too isolated. Chesterfield worked some good switches into the wind with some precise ball to wide areas finding Markanday right side. On 85 minutes, Chesterfield got a goal back following a corner right side by Pearce that dropped deep and dealt with. County invited pressure when Swinkels saw his free header parried away by Wright but the ball went straight to unmarked Markanday who tapped home from 6 yards. On 90 minutes, County made a double substitution with Kamwa and Spellman replaced by Thomas and Nyakuhwa. On 90+3 minutes, Chesterfield had a good situation when a long hopeful ball from Hemming was allowed to drop in behind right side of the box and Baker made a great recovery to tackle Markanday as he was about to pull the trigger. Chesterfield kept probing away with Braybrooke seeing more of the ball and Glennon was forced into a clumsy late tackle on him as he span away to attack space right side. County remained resilient denying space well with some stern tackles in the 7 minutes of injury time to get back to back wins at home for the first time this season.
Wright (7) — vital save with feet in first half and distributed well in general but more assured kicking long setting up 2nd goal. Parried on Chesterfield when it could’ve been held.
Shepherd (7) — put under pressure first half from runs by Berry and forced back but got more assertive second half stifling threat early and was bold with his runs box to box.
Glennon (8) — responded well after criticism last week, defended well first half but got forced deeper late on but recovered well to squash threat. Immaculate delivery on 1st goal.
Delaney (7) — dominated aerial duals and built some good moves first half varying between wide and more central passes. went agonisingly close again on a couple of set pieces.
Baker (8) — won some strong headers, marshalled danger to safety and was neat with passes. Made several interceptions, none more vital than the late one to deny Markanday.
Brennan (7) — did a good job in central midfield to cover and suffocate threat across the line. Good leap to win headers and kept passes simple and efficient.
Smith (8) — at the heart of the best moves, competed well and was alert picking up danger to knit play efficiently. Went close a couple of times from set pieces.
Biggins (8) — busy game, went close a couple of times inside and outside the box and steadied himself well after very early booking before cramp forced him off.
Kamwa (7) — had spells when he was on his game and offered more threat when he carried direct runs to get inside the box. Unlucky with clever measured shot against post
Spellman (7) — saw more of the ball first half and carried more threat but took his chance decisively with first touch key. needs to shoot more as many shots had venom on them.
Opoku (6) — picked gaps well between centre backs to be available when wide play got blocked. progressive when he recycled ball and needs to do it more and not get ball stolen
SWOT ANALYSIS (Chesterfield)
Strengths — composed and kept belief, they were slick in transition especially left side and varied crosses well to keep County worked.
Weaknesses — didn’t fire final third, offered a lot of good build up play passing from deep. overplayed a lot of passes first half.
Opportunities — played on the break for much of first half looking for sucker punch. Asserted their own game better late on with better balance in wide areas.
Threats — Pearce and Berry pace left side to supply crosses. Markanday creativity right side and Naylor aerial threat set pieces.
OFFICIALS
D Brown (6) — some inconsistency with bookings and missed a lot first half but got key decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Michael Spellman — didn’t get drawn in to many 1v1s. kept ball moving and his efficiency of decisions with passing and shooting was pivotal. Excellent strike on second goal.
IF YOU WERE CHRISTIAN FUCHS WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County road their luck a tad first half when Chesterfield broke quickly in transition gambling with bursting runs in behind. However, there was a trade-off as County also had decent opportunities and were quick to get the ball moving between the middle and final third. County improved after half time denying space better in wide areas and caused problems often when they went more direct and showed an urgency to battle and win those key second balls. This was evident in both goals although they came from different circumstances. Chesterfield were forced to change their tact with County offering a good defensive shape to keep them at arms-length and it was only in the last ten minutes that Chesterfield were able to force more territory, despite having the overall dominance in possession. Opoku continues to be a bit of enigma as when he did kill the ball and recycle play efficiently County came alive, but they were times when they needed to recover quickly when he lost the ball cheaply. With the package of three games in a week, it will be important for County to manage their legs and recovery, even if there is a drop off in energy on Tuesday when Accrington visit Rodney Parade. Both Smith and Biggins combined well but faded late on so maintaining their freshness for the Saturday game will be key. Accrington are likely to play a 3–5–2 formation and tend to be a very aggressive but honest side, so it will be interesting to see how hard they work off the ball as they like to press from front to back. Whalley is key component right side with creativity and endeavour with Madden up top experience to knit moves, but they do lack covering numbers up front. Heath offers a brash youthful outlet left side with pace and vision for crosses. This could be an attritional game where subs and flexibility will be key. County can hurt Accrington in wide areas but they need to make the ball work and don’t need to force the issue.
