Report by Mark Vickery at Spytty Park

Newport County 0

Forest Green Rovers 0

Attendance: 1,325

Dogged County grind out valuable point

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Even though much of the talk about the state of the pitch, County need to master the gusty wind 

CONDITIONS

Mild and partly cloudy with strong wind, pitch looked alright but soon became chewed and uneven

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Battling and showed great discipline in adversity of decisions and having ten men

TURNING POINT

Yakubu sending off

THE MATCH

County made just the one change with Ryan Charles suspended allowing loan signing from AFC Wimbledon Lee Minshull to make his debut. The early exchanges were competitive with both sides keen to get on with the game. County went close on 5 minutes after being pushed back they broke well down the middle and Sandell drifted inside to rifle a low shot past the right post from 25 yards. Early on both sides struggled to settle down and find any cohesion to their game with the swirling wind forcing the ball out of play. County were forced into an early substitution after 12 minutes when Pipe made a brave aerial challenge with Stokes which saw him leave the pitch for stitches. Stokes recovered after treatment and Forest Green stepped up their approach forcing a couple of corners. They went close moments later when Thompson floated a corner from the right side and Stokes saw his stooping header from 10 yards brush the outside of the right post. The follow up by Norwood from an acute angle went into the side netting.  County brought Knights on as replacement to operate down the right channel and he saw a lot of the ball after coming on but was well marshalled by Stokes at left back. On 17 minutes, County caused problems for themselves delaying on the ball inside their own and Taylor set up a snapshot for Henderson who drove a low shot from 16 yards which Thompson held immaculately. Forest Green continued to look the more likely side to open the scoring with some neat build up play and strong runs down the left channel. On 22 minutes Oshodi was cynically blocked by Yakubu and received a yellow card for the foul as Forest Green pressed. County flirted with goal with some shots from distance by Jarvis and Buchanan which were weak in precision and power to worry the keeper Russell. County were forced to defend some long kick outs by Russell but Forest Green continued to offer most threat when carrying the ball forward with pace. On 30 minutes, there was controversy when Yakubu appeared to tangle arms with Norwood who made a strong run from deep and the referee sent the defender off for a second bookable offence. Andy Sandell dropped back as left back and Andrew Hughes went into central defence as County adjusted. County were not particularly happy with decision and were then let down by a number of decisions by the referee who refused to pick up on pulling and shoving off the ball. County awoke from their shell despite their handicap forcing a couple of corners and went close on the stoke of half time when Sandell whipped a good corner from the right side and Minshull looked certain to score but his low stabbed effort from 8 yards was saved by the keeper. County were forced to defend in the four minutes of injury time played but kept their focus and cleared effectively.

The blustery wind continued to cause problems in the second half and County were first to show with a low shot from distance by Buchanan which was comfortable for Russell. County kept their shape well with Forest Green having the territorial and possess advantage and they developed some chinks of light in the Forest Green midfield with Jarvis and Buchanan working hard to unsettle the defenders. On 53 minutes, Mishull threaded a great low pass forward towards Jarvis who got in between the central defenders and carry the ball into the area but he went for the extra yard and got caught in possession after an important tackle from Turley. County gained some confidence from their sharpness on the break and were denied calls for a penalty on 60 minutes when a Foley and Buchanan exchanged neatly on the left corner of the area and Foley found himself obstructed inside the area. Forest Green looked most threatening attacking their right channel with captain and right back Hodgkiss prepared to come forward to support moves from deep. On 62 minutes, Hodgkiss did well to overlap with Norwood and reach the right side of the area and in a promising position cut back a cross which eluded everyone and County escaped. County had a great opportunity on 65 minutes, from a counter attack which they constructed efficiently with Foley making a strong run down the right channel and he delivered a great ball into the six yard area which Jarvis met well but unfortunately went straight at the keeper. County made a change soon after with Jake Harris replacing Elliot Buchanan and Uwezu replaced Henderson for Rovers up front. County were immediately on the back foot and Foley was forced into a late challenge on Thompson when tracking back to avert a dangerous break. County had a decent situation on 70 minutes when Sandell again ruthlessly exposed space making a drive run down the middle of the pitch. However, it was unfortunate that the ball sat up on a divot just as he was about to shoot from distance and the ball went well over. Stokes was then booked for Rovers after a dreadfully late aerial challenge on Warren who recovered after some treatment. Forest Green made another change soon after to pep up their approach in the final third with Griffin replacing Taylor and soon after Norwood departed for Allen. County continued to keep their resolve well defending crosses into the box and looking for holes on the break and Forbes was booked for Rovers on 87 minutes when impeding Sandell. County had a couple of good situations deep in injury time with Forest Green committed, they worked the ball well down the left channel to expose them. On 90 minutes, Thompson was forced to block Jarvis who made a strong run with the ball at his feet. From the resultant free kick, Sandell floated the ball into the area but Rovers were able to clear the danger at the back post. In the last minute, Harris managed to get last man of the defender down the left side of the area but delayed in attempt on goal allowing Rovers to make an important intervention     

Thompson (7) – dealt well with low shots, handling was reliable and kicking a little erratic in the wind but defence looked settled in front of him  

Rodgers (7) – put under some pressure in the opening period but stood up to it well with some stern defending. Came forward in second half but passing wayward on times

Yakubu (6) – got wrong side of the man a couple of times and was punished for it with two bookings  

Warren (9) – won everything in the air making some brave headers, kept defence focussed throughout was a nuisance from set pieces           

Hughes (8) – put under some pressure particularly in second half but showed flexibility going into central defence and cleared ball effectively throughout.        

Pipe (6) – was at the heart of several early challenges and was forced off with head injury

Foley (7) – worked hard throughout, did a good job playing in a deeper role and made some strong runs to link going forward

Sandell (8) – did well deputising a left back and made himself difficult to beat and got forward well to contribute going close from distance

Minshull (7) – strong in the air, anticipated loose ball quickly and got back well to defend danger when necessary

Jarvis (7) – delayed on couple of shots but did well despite being isolated and gave defenders problems with his pace especially running between two central defenders

Buchanan (7) – restricted on chances, worked exceptionally hard and forced to defend deeper after sending off but stuck to the task.  

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS

Strengths – the full backs were steady and pushed on well to support play, they showed they could play good football at a decent tempo but kept at arms-length

Weaknesses – tendency for full backs to push left holes on times, lacked cutting edge in truth and quality from set pieces lacking           

Opportunities – few to note, used full backs well and keeper to good effect with kicking from deep

Threats – Norwood did well on the right side and Forbes pulled the strings in midfield but offered little today

OFFICIALS

A Davies (5) – another referee looking to make the big decision, lost it after sending off for a time failing to pick up on the cynical play such as pulling and nudging off the ball    

MAN OF THE MATCH

Gary Warren – was well positioned today to deal with every threat into the area and put his head on the line with a number of brave challenges

IF YOU WERE JUSTIN EDINBURGH WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

We started the match far too slowly today considering we were at home and the conditions favouring us, allowing our opponents to dictate the early play. After the sending off we were up against it and showed much spirit and determination to deal with the minimal threat they offered in the final third. The second half was a much better performance and we showed good shape and an eye for a clever pass coming forward from deep. On times today, we took to many touches and needed to perhaps keep the ball moving to feet but this was not always possible with the handicap we faced. When we did have a glimpse of goal inside the area there was reluctance to shoot possibly and we sometimes got caught with ball under our feet.