Report by Mark Vickery at Spytty Park

Newport County 4 - Rogers (14), Buchanan (53), Rose (62), Rose (66)

Hayes & Yeading 0

Attendance: 1,519

Good response by County

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

It is more about the points tonight rather than performance. I expect County to be determined to put things right after Saturday

CONDITIONS

Partly cloudy, light breeze and mild - pitch looked a carpet and conducive to football     

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Very focussed performance which got stronger after a nervous start          

TURNING POINT

Potter save on the stroke of half time was important for morale

THE MATCH

County made a couple of changes with Paul Rogers replacing Paul Robson who had a slight knock. Craig McAllister stepped up from the place to partner Elliot Buchanan in place of Guillaume Velez who was named as a substitute. Hayes made the more probing start with direct play into the eager forward Nathan Elder who showed up with some good touches in the air and on the floor. County probed away without really threatening in the early stages and there were signs of encouragement when the Hayes defence was turned but County were a bit heavy with some of the passes forward. County were close on 10 minutes when a quick Jardim corner from the right side found Buchanan who caressed a good ball for Rogers who blasted a volley just past the left post from 14 yards. Hayes responded with a good move on 12 minutes when County were slow to close down allowing Cadmore the luxury to provide a good cross field pass to Joseph-Dubois on the right flank and great first touch took him past Baker and his low shot from acute angle was saved well by Potter. County took the lead on 14 minutes with an efficient move that caught Hayes on the hop. From the left side Docherty threaded a quick pass to Baker on the left channel and he adjusted well to provide an excellent cross into the box to find the header of Scott Rogers who made a great header into the roof of the net from 8 yards which gave the keeper no chance.  County settled down to create some decent moves after the goal forcing Hayes into some hurried challenges and County had a great chance to forge further ahead on 20 minutes from a Rose free kick on the left flank. He swung in a great ball which deceived the Hayes defence and Yakubi anticipated well to head firmly from 10 yards but it went just past the left post. County didn’t have it their own way by any means with Hayes effective on the break with some cutting moves from deep. Rogers found himself in the book moments later for a late challenge on Williams. County continued to cause problems for Hayes defending their left channel with full back John under pressure and County had another free kick on 27 minutes in a useful position near the right side of the box. Rose whipped in a vicious delivery which looked goal-bound and destined to be turned in by the head of Buchanan but catching it too thick the ball was deflected over the bar. County created a superb move on 30 minutes using the pitch to it full extent when Rose played a great cross field pass from right to left to finding Jardim on the left channel and he dinked a clever cross to the back post which offered Buchanan a chance of first time shot which he mishit from 10 yards allowing the keeper and easy claim. County went into their shell a bit towards the end of the half and some nervousness crept back into their game. Hayes were presented with a decent chance as a result on 36 minutes when Yakubi played a unnecessary pass to Rogers who found himself rushed and he lost possession to Williams. He was quick to cut a decent low cross into the six yard box which Miller did well to intercept ahead of Pacquette. Hayes stepped up their game as half time approached and another moment indecision by County saw McAllister left isolated dropping back to take responsibility for the ball in midfield and Hayes prised the ball away with Hand finding Elder on the right side of the area and Potter denied him with a great save with his legs.

Hayes made the forceful start to the second half with some decisive moves forward which the County defence marshalled well. Hayes were limited to a couple of snapshots from distance which failed to test County keeper Danny Potter. Hayes were rewarded with a couple of corner from their pressure and went close on 50 minutes from a corner on the right channel which Pacquette directly cleverly into the six yard box but McAllister made an important header to divert away the danger. County absorbed the pressure well and punished Hayes ruthlessly on 52 minutes when a slick ball down the middle by Rose found Jardim and he turned well before releasing a great pass to pick out the run of Buchanan who slotted home comfortably past the keeper into the right corner from 10 yards. Hayes were being run ragged by County when they turned defence into attack and another sweeping move on 62 minutes saw Buchanan do well retain the ball and play a great cross field pass towards Baker on the left channel. He continued his run, penetrating deep into the left side of the area before delivering a cute cross into the six yard box which Rose placed into the right corner with a clever header. County made their first change moments later with Jardim being replaced by Hughes who went left back with Baker moving into left midfield in front of him. County continued to use the ball well coming out after being under pressure and this way key in the fourth goal on 66 minutes. Hughes released a good first time ball down the left channel which McAllister won ahead of Cadimore and his cut back an excellent deep cross which Rose stabbed low into the left corner from 12 yards. Hayes then replaced Wishart replacing Joseph-Dubois as they looked to freshen up things up front. County made another change soon after with McAllister being replaced by Sam Foley and their final change with Rogers replaced by Velez. Hayes continued to probe away offering plenty of energy but their cutting edge was lacking. Hayes made another change on 72 minutes with Elder fading in influence and Bayley came on to replace him and Saville replaced Cadimore in defence. County continued to look the more likely winning a couple of corners and Yakubi was close heading just over from 8 yards under pressure. County had a couple of decent chances in injury time and looked certain to add a fifth when Buchanan escaped a challenge on the right flank and his low cross from the byline was stabbed low by Foley from 6 yards but the keeper made a great save with his legs. Foley was denied a certain looking penalty in the last minute when he appeared to upheld just as he was about to shoot but the referee and linesman were not convinced.

Potter (7) – kicked well in general, distributing well from inside his area, made a couple of important saves in the first half to protect lead.

Rodgers (7) – offered plenty of energy carrying the ball and despite not getting his way in every challenge made himself difficult to beat

Millar (7) – very sound in the air and made some well-timed challenges on the floor. quick with his use of the ball and clearing danger

Yakubi (8) – strong in the air and took responsibility when danger presented itself. Constant threat from set pieces        

Baker (8) – put under pressure in spells during the first half with direct running but stood up to well and played key role in two of the goals  

Docherty (7) – saw the ball early and was effective with his use of the ball. built on his sharpness from Saturday    

Rogers (7) – worked box to box, competed well throughout and made some good sensible passes. popped in box a couple of times and took goal well      

Rose (8) – probed throughout, kept ball immaculately under pressure, took his goals well and delivered several decent set pieces       

Jardim (7) – offered much more influence with the ball, took up some good positions and worked well of the ball          

Buchanan (8) – eager to make runs and demand the ball in the right areas, provided some neat exchanges and took goal clinically

McAllister(7) – busy game, was intelligent with his use of the ball and directed some good headers forward.              

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS

Strengths – the offered plenty of pace and honest endeavour and had an eye for a cross. Elder did well up front with some good positional play

Weaknesses – blew a bit hot and cold, they did leave a lot of space in behind and when the defence was turned they did look prone to mistakes.      

Opportunities – kept playing pretty much in the same vain although they did offer some flexibility with the wingers swapping positions

Threats – Elder did well up front and was most likely threat, Soares had an eye for a quick cross      

OFFICIALS

J Amey (7) – brought back a few fouls when he could have let play go on but got the key decisions right. 

MAN OF THE MATCH

Rose – showed a great range of passing, was at the heart of the best moves and took his chances very well

IF YOU WERE ANTHONY HUDSON WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were a little tentative in the early stages which was reflected by a number of overplayed passes but from the offset today their work ethic was good and they didn’t offer the charity in the final third as was evident on Saturday. The goal appeared to settle County down and they made some excellent exchanges, retained possession well under pressure and were effective with their delivery into the box today. County did get men forward quickly today and that was key to a number of their goals but just as important they were able to get back in numbers and they defended the channels a lot better when required.