County show plenty of resilience

Chelmsford 0 Newport County 0

Attendance: 1093

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

To have any chance today, we need to defender better especially down the flanks and in the air and we may have the ability to pinch something. The pre-match news of captain Ian Hillier and striker Craig Hughes returning to the side lifts the spirits

CONDITIONS

Warm sunshine and dry throughout the match although the pitch looked a bit firm. There is a strong breeze assisting County during the first half.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

A very determined and resilient display gave us a good platform and we could have stolen the points today.

TURNING POINT

None

 

THE MATCH

County made several changes with Ian Hillier returning to the side in place of Nick Skelton, Kevin Cooper had a knock and was replaced by Paul Hall on the right flank and Richard Evans was replaced by Danny Rose. Robert Duffy had to be content with a place with a bench with Craig Hughes returning from suspension. County played a 4-2-3-1 format today with Phil Walsh spearheading the attack. Chelmsford started positively lofting some quick balls forward down the channels to test County and they were rewarded with a couple of early corners with Glyn Thompson standing tall to make a solid save from 12 yards by Brayley on 5 minutes. County settled well with some good approach play down the left flank with Hughes making the ball stick with some good runs. County were rewarded with a couple of corners and went close on 10 minutes when a Harris corner from left side was anticipated well by Giles but he could only poke the ball wide of the left post from 10 yards. On 15 minutes, Chelmsford caught County square when they launched a long ball forward which caught up on the wind and Brayley won the race ahead of Giles but under pressure his effort from 14 yards flashed past the right post. Chelmsford persisted with their direct approach with County working hard to deny them space but a number of their moves fizzled out. County came increasingly confident coming forward with Paul Hall showing plenty of craft on the right channel. On 22 minutes, County went close when Collins timed his run well to receive a pass from Hughes and his low cross went straight through the six yard box and dangerously to the back post but beyond the reach of Walsh. Chelmsford made effort the raise the tempo and were awarded with a batch of free kicks. On 25 minutes, Chelmsford went close from a free kick down the centre from 25 yards buy Thompson read it well tipping it onto the bar and to safety. County continued to look promising on the break with Hall doing well to snatch the ball on 33 minutes and he did well to pick out Rose but his first time effort lacked precision from 25 yards. County were forced into a change moments later with Davies being replaced by Church after a head injury. County had a decent situation on 38 minutes which should really have paid dividends when Hall again caused problems on the right side of the area with a direct run and his inviting cross into the area went just beyond Walsh as it caught on the wind. Chelmsford went close again from a free kick just before half time from 25 yards which Thompson did well to tip over the bar

Chelmsford made a change at half time with the left back being replaced and County continued to look bright testing the substitute defender. On 53 minutes, Stephens did well smother a Chelmsford move and release Hall, who raced forward and chipped over a great cross which Walsh met well from 10 yards but it appeared to be deflected away crucially off a defender just past the right post. Chelmsford struggled to maintain possession with the wind behind them on times but forced several corners which County were strong in dealing with. On 63 minutes Chelmsford had a glimmer of chance from a cross on the right channel and a snapshot from Holmes from 14 yards forced Thompson to tip the ball over. County continued to look for holes on the break with Walsh doing his best to contest direct ball forward and provide a link forward. On 67 minutes, County had a good opportunity coming from deep with men over with Harris doing well to prise the ball away and find Hughes but he could not find the killer pass to find the unmarked Rose on the right side of the area. Chelmsford made a couple of changes to raise their game with Keeling offering a good outlet down the left channel. County did well though to keep them at arms lengths despite the increase in tempo. County followed suite with a change on 78 minutes with Duffy replacing the hardworking Walsh. Chelmsford continued with their largely direct approach as the game reached it finale testing County with long throws which they dealt well with. Easter then came on as a late substitute for Hall on the right channel. Chelmsford went close on 90 minutes when a long wind assisted throw from the right channel was allowed to bounce dangerously inside the area and went just over the bar. County had a couple bright moves late in the game with space offered by the hosts and Collins did well to find Easter but his shot from the edge of the area lacked bite and was cleared.

 

COUNTY STATS

Thompson (8) – was solid with handling throughout and made some good saves from distance. Kicked well against the wind

Stephens (7) – looked sharper today and let little goalside of him with some well timed challenges. Recovered to clear balls in behind well.

Collins (7) – held his position and defended well in general. Distributed well and delivered some good set pieces.  

Giles (6) – did not his own way in the air allowing ball to drop too much but kept concentration well and cleared well in general

Hillier (8) – swept up danger very well and was strong in the air. Kept defence focussed throughout

Davies (6) – was replaced by:

Church(7) – encouraging debut, anticipated ball well and prepared to challenge, recycled ball efficiently     

Harris (7) – worked hard to stifle play but was forced into conceding a lot of free kicks. Took some good corners

Rose (6) – made efforts to support moves and held ball well when he had it but not in the game enough.

Hall (8) – provided plenty of enterprise and always looked capable with his crosses. worked hard to support coming back.

Hughes (7) – saw a lot of the ball and looked sharp with the ball at his feet. Needs to improve his passing and link play.

Walsh (7) – had a good first half often winning the aerial dual with much support. Faded in the second after going close a couple of times

 

Referee: SP Ferrick (6) – infuriated both sides on times slowing the game and awarding some free kicks that weren’t there.    

 

OPPOSITION

Largely direct in their approach and probably used to bullying sides at home. Looked most threatening from free kicks and set pieces and were keen to push on. They got frustrated as the game went and the defence does leave holes which some sides will punish.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Paul Hall – had the measure of his man throughout and his thought with the ball was ahead of most the players on both sides. Worked hard to get back for the team as well

 

IF YOU WERE DEAN HOLDSWORTH WHAT WOULD YOU DO

Tell the defence that they need to keep this resolve and the striker to shoot more from distance. The side looked a lot more balanced today and we just need to get players like Rose into the game more often. Being critical County still have plenty to work on in the final third with the timing of their runs and better use of the ball may have seen them snatch it today.