County work hardest and get their reward
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Opoku 8, Thomas 57)
Harrogate Town 1 (Evans 39)
Attendance: 4,337
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County LdWLWLLWLL
Harrogate Town WdDLLWLLWL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Harrogate have been better on the road this season when they played with more freedom. County decision making will be key in windy conditions and defending their box.
CONDITIONS
Quite cool, sunny periods with very gusty wind.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Gutsy, kept focussed and alert showed resilience to protect lead
TURNING POINT
Harrogate chance just before half time, to get in reassess was key
THE MATCH
County made a few changes with Crole coming in for Garner who was omitted from the squad. County also made a midfield swap with Evans coming in for Smith who was on the bench. Central defender Delaney also came back into the side in place of Davies who was named as substitute. County opted to play 3–5–2 with Thomas right wing back and Lloyd the more advanced left side. County made an effervescent start with the wind behind them encouraging them forward and Harrogate were forced into some hurried clearances. Inside the first minute, County were threatening when a slick move left side saw Lloyd angle his run well before setting up Biggins but his snapshot from 25 yards was well blocked by Heffernan. County were bright attacking their right flank with Thomas doing well to overlap and County won a corner right side on 3 minutes. Lloyd whipped in a vicious cross into the six yard area and Biggins rose strongly but his header looped just over the bar. County kept probing and took the lead on 8 minutes when a Harrogate throw in left side broke down with Thomas winning a good header inside his own half. Opoku did well to glance the ball and Crole made a clever run to drag Heffernan out of position and the loose ball was seized on well by Lloyd. He made a defence splitting pass to play in Opoku who raced goalside and finished well with a shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards. County were boosted by the goal and continued to cause problems with Wright directing some useful kicks left side to pressure the Harrogate defence. Harrogate were happy to absorb County moves and look for balls in behind with former County midfielder Bryn Morris crafting some decent moves right side. On 15 minutes, County had a penalty call when another quick move left side saw Sprangler advance left side of the area but this time Heffernan got his tackle in which appeared to be well timed. On 23 minutes, County worked an excellent move going through several players and they switched play well from left to right and Biggins chipped a deft cross into the box which Crole met well under pressure but his header from 12 yards went just wide of the left post. Harrogate came more into the game midway through the half with Taylor getting more on the ball right side and his delivery caused problems for County with ball hanging on the wind. On 25 minutes, Harrogate won a corner left side which McKenna curled in viciously and Headman glanced wide of the right post from 10 yards under pressure from Delaney. Harrogate upped their aggression levels as half time approached with Gibson fortunate not to be cautioned after catching Crole late. County became increasingly untidy with their passing and helping the ball on too much which allowed Harrogate to gobble up in the aerial duals. On 39 minutes, County switched off defending a Harrogate throw near the half line which McClousky won ahead of Thomas. Jenkins was forced to come across but missed his tackle allowing Slater to poke the ball him and attack left side of the box. He cut back a precise pass for Evans who ghosted past Spranger to finish low into the right corner from 12 yards. Harrogate were energised by the goal with County going into their shell as half time approached. On 43 minutes, County had a big let off when Harrogate broke quickly left side with McKenna being invited space. He cut back an awkward ball into the six yard box which County appeared to have covered but a loose clearance by Lloyd went straight to Brenan. He threaded a quick pass right side for Taylor but his low first time effort from 10 yards went narrowly wide of the left post. On 45 minutes, County had created a useful situation when they attacked right side from deep and Jenkins was crudely bowled down by Evans who got booked. There was 5 minutes of injury time played and the game remained competitive with Morris and Evans receiving attention for a head injuries but they both recovered.
Harrogate started the second half purposively with some moves right side to get Taylor on the ball. On 48 minutes, County were given an early warning McKenna switched play with a cross from left to the right corner of the box. Taylor showed quick feet to cut inside but the snapshot was well blocked by Delaney and cleared. On 53 minutes, County worked a patient low move near the edge of the area which unsettled Harrogate and Biggins was unfortunate to be denied when his snapshot from inside the “d” was well blocked. County won a series of corners and were close again on 55 minutes when a corner right side by Lloyd was floated deep and Baker unmarked directed a decent header into the six yard box. Harrogate could only half clear the danger and Lloyd played a smart low ball into the 6 yard box which Evans got a foot to, but the shot went inches past the left post. Harrogate made a change on 57 minutes with Faulkner replacing Headman at right back. County kept plugging away forcing Harrogate to defend deeply and they were ahead again moments later. Evans initiated the move providing an excellent cross left side into the box and Thomas went close with a header back post which forced the keeper Gray into a loose punch. Spranger did exceptionally well to hook the ball back first time into the area forcing an anxious clearance and Sprangler reacted first to head back into Crole near the edge of the area. He caressed a precise pass into Thomas and his rasping effort from 25 yards went into the top right corner with Gray grasping thin air. Harrogate made efforts to pick up their game again and a direct move on 62 minutes saw Evans make a clumsy challenge near the centre circle on McClousky which got him a booking. On 68 minutes, County were forced into a change when Thomas took a knock and he was replaced by Davies who went left side with County reverting to four at the back. On 70 minutes, Harrogate made a double substitution with Acquah coming on up top to replace Brenan and left back Slater was replaced by Cass. Harrogate adjusted to play 4–3–3 and force County deeper and use the wind behind them to test their nerve. On 76 minutes, Taylor found space to deliver a searching cross back which Baker could only clear back into the area. Evans appeared to have the situation under control but he slipped and but manged to recover blocking a McKenna first time shot from 10 yards. On 78 minutes, County had a great chance to kill the game when they broke well from deep to stretch Harrogate with a move right side. With 2v1 Lloyd set up Evans near the byline and his cross into the box was cleared by Heffernan with Crole lurking. On 83 minutes, County Crole in the book for a late tackle on the keeper near the edge of the area as he chased down the ball in pinged cleverly in behind by Sprangler. On 85 minutes, County made a double substitution with Kamwa and Brennan coming on for Opoku and Sprangler. County were forced to protect their lead in the 7 minutes of injury time and made another change on 90+1 minutes with Jarvis coming on for Crole. Harrogate went increasingly direct in the final stages using Acquah as a robust outlet to pivot play and worked some better moves left side. On 90+3 minutes, Harrogate had a half chance when they flooded forward left side and the cross come shot by Taylor left side of the area was dragged past the right post. Harrogate made another change soon after with Thomson replacing Taylor and forced the issue testing County with crosses into the box but defence held firm. County had a couple of good situations to break with Kamwa in transition but were let down by the final ball. On 90+8 minutes, Harrogate had their last chance following a free kick which was only half cleared but an opportunist effort from 20 yards by Heffernan went well over the bar. County held out for dogged but deserved win which roused a nervy crowd and put them level on points with Tranmere and Crawley.
Wright (7) — struggled with some kicks into wind but got the ball safe. Cleared well under pressure and clever with quick distribution first half. Managed box well and took no risks.
Thomas (8) — won some strong headers and crisp with distribution. Defended back well to limit threat from Taylor. Went close in the build-up to goal, and excellent finish on winner
Lloyd (8) — played wide roaming role box to box. Was efficient with use of ball and showed good awareness to pick passes and set up others. Provided some neat set pieces.
Jenkins (8) — lead defence well, dominated the aerial duals and won his first contact well especially on set pieces clearing danger effectively. Dealt well with Acquah late on.
Baker (7) — competed well in the air and was measured with passes. recovered well to make some good interventions. Got away with loose header late on.
Delaney (7) — solid game, astute reading and aggressive winning majority of first contacts. Went close a couple of times back post with runs but needed more measured pass.
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Evans (7) — did ugly work to stifle and well positioned to supply some neat crosses wide of the box and higher up the pitch. Can improve on first touch to get ball down quicker.
Biggins (7) — got into some good positions in and around box without reward. Went all out to score with strong runs but equally effective when he sat deeper to knit moves.
Sprangler (8) — best game in a County shirt, competed well in the air and on the floor. Intelligent reading and was pivotal on picking up and recycling ball that led up to winner.
Opoku (7) — much improved and took his performance at Notts second half into the game. Won some good headers and got foot across defenders well. took his chance clinically.
Crole (7) — nuisance first half for half an hour getting across defender well. another clever assist and won some good headers and needs to get across defender at front post quicker.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Harrogate Town)
Strengths — Shifted play accurately from deep under pressure to get wide players on the ball. Supplied some decent crosses to ask questions.
Weaknesses — always looked nervous when forced deep defending and rash with several chances. Got away with some late tackles when they got press wrong.
Opportunities — stuck with 4–2–3–1 system for over an hour but went three up front late on. Went increasingly direct and hopeful with crosses into the box.
Threats — Taylor inverted winger right side and supplied some decent crosses. McKenna forceful runs left side and pace.
OFFICIALS
N Hair (7) — lenient but consistent, ignored much of the clambering and gave some strange advantage but got all the key decisions correct
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ben Lloyd — taken chance since new year and played a big part uplifting form. Seamlessly worked box to box, set up opening goal with superb pass and set up the best chances.
IF YOU WERE CHRISTIAN FUCHS WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County had to deal with some erratic windy conditions again, but ultimately managed them better and defended their box superbly. They started the game quickly showing they meant business but allowed Harrogate to sneak back into game for a time either side of half time. Playing three centre backs was the right call in the circumstances but it didn’t hinder them creating opportunities final third. Harrogate did have a spell forcing County deeper when they were won their first contacts more aggressively but County cleverly sat off and started to win their second ball and used it very effectively (as what happened on the 2nd goal). County can improve on their delivery but need more quality with their set pieces and crosses. Crole did well impact again contesting across the front line and got stifled outside the box, but it was different ball game when he took up positions inside the area when defenders sat off. To their credit, Harrogate kept forcing the issue late on, but County showed collective resilience to put their body on the line and show they cared which was missing first half at Notts County. County need to take this “collective responsibility” into the final three league matches to ensure their safety. They can’t carry any players and need to dog out the remaining matches against sides that will also graft and roll up their sleeves. Next up is Cheltenham Town away on Saturday who are likely to persist with a 4–1–4–1 formation. Since Steve Cotterill took charge at Whaddon Road, they improved their league position and have a good compliment of players who will scrap and add enterprise final third with Hutchinson creative in around the box and wide area mobility through Bickerstaff left side and Thomas forceful with runs right side. County need to match their work ethic and stifle in wide areas to restrict crosses. Crole v Wilson looks a key battle inside and outside the box, but County can hurt in transition if they break their aggressive press to break the lines.
