Report by Mark Vickery at Spytty Park

Newport County 0

Forest Green Rovers 0

Attendance: 784

Chances go begging

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

We need to show a good reaction today after defeat midweek and will need to keep our focus defensively  

CONDITIONS

Cool light breeze, pitch was erratic in parts and cut up after a heavy rain

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Put a good shift in especially off the ball but quality missing despite some chances to seal it

TURNING POINT

Nothing noteworthy but series of missing chances

THE MATCH

County manager Justin Edinburgh retained faith in the same side that lost at Alfreton in the league midweek. Forest Green defended with low sunshine in their faces in the opening period but showed little concern creating a reasonable chance inside five minutes when a decisive move forward from deep saw Taylor pick out a good run by Uwezu on the right side of the area but he blasted well over the bar. County looked capable when they swung crosses into the box with Rovers struggling to defend effectively in the direct sunlight. On 8 minutes, there was a decent chance for County when Rovers failed to clear a long throw by Miller on the right side and when the ball flashed deep Warren was able to hook an effort over the keeper Bittner. Rose looked certain to score inside the six yard area but his stretching header was glanced just wide of the right post. Forest Green were organised in absorbing pressure and looked to push forward down the flanks given the opportunity. On 15 minutes, County were given a warning when captain Hodgkiss took responsibility pushing on to support a good move down the right side. His cute cross was glanced on and Taylor anticipated well but Potter was well behind the headed effort from 10 yards and smothered the ball well. County continued to probe away creating little threat from cohesive play but looked capable from crosses. On 23 minutes, Buchanan did well to link with Rose on the right side of the area and whip over a good in-swinging cross which went deep towards Matthews who was unlucky to see his downward header from 10 yards flash just past the left post. County went close again on 28 minutes when a long throw by Miller on the right channel was glanced on superbly by Matthews who showed good awareness to find Foley and he met the ball with a well-timed volley from 18 yards which went just over right corner of bar and post. Forest Green continued with their ploy of some snappy play going forward with some neat exchanges to release the pace of Uwezu but County kept their focus well making some good interventions. County continued to ask questions of the Forest Green defence from set pieces and crosses and went close from a free kick on 35 minutes on the right side. Foley swept in a decent delivery which Warren met powerfully in the air to find Rose but Turley got an important block to divert his shot from 12 yards. County were close again on 38 minutes from a similar situation when Rose found space on the right side despite being closely marked and his cross was volleyed just past the right post from 14 yards by Hatswell.  Forest Green had a better spell as half time approached again with their full backs offering some influence inside the County half and Rodgers was booked for County for a late foul on Stokes.

Forest Green showed more purpose after half time with a concerted effort to squeeze play further up the pitch. For a time, County found themselves under some pressure having to defend some crosses into the area which they defended well on. With a high line, there were opportunities for County in behind but their passing lacked sufficient quality to trouble the Rovers defence despite Foley and Buchanan showing a good work ethic. On 53 minutes, Taylor was booked for a late tackle on Warren near the left channel as Rovers continued to dictate matters. On 58 minutes, County were given a let off when some indecision by Yakubu defending a ball that hung up in the air allowing Taylor to snatch possession and race goalside. He struck a low shot just inside the area which Potter showed great reflexes to push away with his feet. Green made an offensive change on 63 minutes, a double substitution with right side Norwood and striker Griffin replacing Uwezu and Rowe. County had a better spell for a time with some better cohesion and well-timed runs forward winning a few corners. On 68 minutes, a Rose corner from the left side was met by Yakubu under stern pressure from Turley only to see his header from 8 yards go just past the left post. County continued to look most threatening from set pieces exploiting a degree of vulnerability in the Rovers defence. On 70 minutes, a Foley free kick from right side was not cleared effectively and Warren collected the ball at the back post but could only drag his effort wide of the right post from an acute angle. Rovers continued to look capable on the break looking to catch County cold as they pushed on for the winner with Norwood offering a good outlet. County made a change on 75 minutes with Matthews being replaced by McAllister. County created a couple of decent chances in the final ten minutes which should really have seen them ahead. On 80 minutes, a scramble inside the Rovers six yard area presented McAllister with a low header but the ball was hooked away near the line. County looked the more likely to snatch a late victory but a mistake by County deep inside their half on 83 minutes when Rodgers lost possession to Klukowski. He drove forward before a pass was released to Norwood on the right side of the area but Potter was again alert to make a good low save from 10 yards. County responded with a good move on 85 minutes getting men into the box well and Foley did well to pick out McAllister with a header inside the defence but his low volley was superbly smothered by Rovers keeper Bittner. County began to enjoy some space coming forward from deep when Rovers lost possession cheaply and there was another chance on 87 minutes when Rose picked out Buchanan on the right side of the area and he cut inside to drive a low shot from 16 yards just past the right post. County’s frustration was summed up in injury time when a good ball forward found Foley who managed to get goalside of Turley inside the area but wanted too much time and delayed allowing the defender to recover. Foley appeared to trample over the defender after losing the ball and was sent off by the referee and Graham was booked in the altercation that followed.

Potter (8) – stood tall to make some important saves to keep side in the game, distributed well through and safe pair of hands

Rodgers (6) – looked rushed in making passes today and overplayed several balls, made some good tackles back but sharpness lacking on times

Yakubi (6) – strong in the air but switched off a couple of times which could have been costly. Cleared effectively inside the area.  

Warren (7) – made some well-timed headers, always looked capable from set pieces and could have got a hat trick today with chances inside six yard box         

Hatswell (7) – dealt well with pace offered reading danger well and made some good interventions on the flanks marking tightly throughout

Miller (7) – worked hard to meet the ball and break up play and used ball effectively. Provided several long throws to cause problems inside six yard area      

Rose (7) – delivered several good set pieces and got more involved today, seeing ball early and took a couple players with him around the edge of the area

Pipe (6) – competed well with Foster in the middle of the park, kept things simple and won some biting challenges but stayed deep largely  

Buchanan (6) – worked hard on and off the ball, closed full back down well but finding chances at a premium. Should have done better with late chance          

Matthews (7) – worked the defence especially in the air and always looked capable with the right ball in the box but restricted on chances    

Foley (6) – couldn’t fault his effort and application and gave us a good outlet in the second half with some strong runs but frustration got the better

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS

Strengths – full backs squeezed play well and were keen to contribute with crosses. they closed down play well and the front two were busy with their pace

Weaknesses – full back small, didn’t look that comfortable on crosses to back post, played a very risky high line in the second half which County failed to exploit          

Opportunities – pressure play for a time either side of half time and changed their tact to be more direct in second half without reward

Threats – Uwezu looked for runs in behind and Taylor did well to retain possession. Looked capable from crosses when invited

OFFICIALS

Amy Fearn (6) – got key decisions right but was disappointing that a lot of climbing and cynical pulling was not picked upon but didn’t have much help from linesmen  

MAN OF THE MATCH

Joint award to the keepers

James Bittner/Danny Potter – made some crucial reflex saves and close angles quickly

IF YOU WERE JUSTIN EDINBURGH WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

On the face of it, County did have the better of the few chances today and you would normally expect a side at this level to take at least one of them. Whilst both keepers played very well, County continue to choke with presentable chances in the final third either with delaying the opportunity to shoot or not making the keeper work. County did well off the ball today largely, denying Rovers the opportunity to play balls out from deep and putting pressure on their full back whenever possible which are quite key to the way they play. When County did show quality to retain possession long enough and provide crosses they looked the stronger outfit and they had the aerial strength in my opinion which should have snatched a result. If they can build upon what they did well defensively and demonstrate a little more cuteness in the area they have every chance in the replay.