Report by Mark Vickery at Spytty Park

Newport County 2 (Rose 6, Matthews 18)

Histon 2 (McCrae 28, Okay 65)  

Attendance: 1927

County fail to put game to bed

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Histon have lost their manager in the week and I expect us to get at them from the start but we still need to defend better to get anything.

CONDITIONS

Intermittent showers, warm and windy, but despite being glossy pitch looks in good condition. 

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Plentiful chances to have wrapped game up but let down by lax defending

TURNING POINT

The gifted Histon first goal gave opponents some belief

THE MATCH

County made a couple of changes with Robbie Matthews replacing Sam Foley who had to be content with a place on the bench. Scott Rogers returned to the side in place of Giuseppe Sole who was surprisingly not in the squad. County made a determined start with some direct play which Matthews did well to contest against a nervous looking Histon defence. County created a decent chance as early as 5 minutes, when a piercing ball down the middle was seized upon by Reid who threaded a good ball forward for Matthews. He showed a good turn of pace to get in behind the defence only to see his shot from 16 yards parried away by the keeper and Henry looked certain to score but scooped a hurried looking shot over the bar from 8 yards. County took the lead on 6 minutes when Histon failed to clear effectively and Rose struck a terrific half volley from 20 yards which went beyond the keeper into the left corner. Histon were content to play directly using their target man Mills who gave a good outlet down the right side. Histon were awarded a couple of throws down the right channel from persistence with direct play but County were able deal with the threat comfortably. County continued to look the most threatening side especially attacking from deep with Henry influential down the right flank. County went close again 13 minutes with another ball down the middle which went flashing through and despite Reid not getting in a position to threaten he did enough to direct the ball into the patch of Henry who saw his low shot from the edge of the area smothered by the keeper. County went two up on 18 minutes when Histon failed to deal with a ball down the right side of the area and Reid cut back an excellent cross from byline and Matthews squeezed the ball home from 6 yards. Histon were in disarray at this point and playing a high line they always looked vulnerable. On 20 minutes they were lucky not to be a man down when Reid and Matthews made a snappy exchange near the centre circle and Clerima diverted the ball with hand to stop Henry getting in behind. Clerima was booked and from the resultant free kick by Rose, Warren rose strongly but the keeper Welch made a vital save to deny him heading home from 8 yards. County were in complete control at this point but conceded a sloppy goal on 28 minutes when Histon were able to release quick ball forward and Mills chased down the ball as it hung up in the wind and Collins left his header back short for Thompson allowing him to lob the ball over the keeper and McCrae was able to hook the ball on acrobatically from 6 yards into the empty net. County went close on 35 minutes when Attwood was booked for a late challenge on Bignot and the free kick from the right channel caught on the wind and was allowed to drop dangerously and bounced against the bar. Histon continued to show plenty of courage committing men forward to support the hardworking McCrae and Mills but looked vulnerable on the break. County were always a danger down the right flank with Henry making several darting runs and he was unlucky not to score on 38 minutes when he cut inside near the right corner of the area and his powerful shot was parried well by the keeper around the left post. Mills continued to cause problems with his strength and guile with the ball bringing other players into play. On 42 minutes, Mills went close with a piece of individual skill when he turned away from a couple of weak County challenges and his snapshot from 25 yards was just wide of the left post. County had a good situation again on the right on the stroke of half time when they moved play well from left to right and Henry delivered an excellent cross which Clerima did well to head away with Matthews about to pounce. County had another great chance in first half injury time when Henry was played into on the right side of the area and Welch made a crucial save palming the shot from 12 yards away to safety.

The second half started much quieter with Histon continuing to employ their strengths with Mills a handful with some strong runs down the right channel. County were awarded a couple of early corners and had a decent chance again on 50 minutes when a Rose corner from the right side was not cleared effectively and Todd saw his low shot from 12 yards blocked by keeper Welch. Henry remained a threat down the right channel but was well marshalled after the break but he was to add to the corner count. The game became increasingly scrappy for a time with both sides conceding several free kicks and County lost the cohesion they had in the first half with Histon working hard to deny them space. County made an early change with Eddie Odhiambo being replaced by Kerry Morgan who had returned to the club on loan from Swansea City. Morgan went left midfield and Rose went into central midfield to partner Rogers. Histon repaid the compliment with Pavett being replaced by Adjei. Histon continued to play without caution and got their reward on 65 minutes when County were forced deep and a very lax clearance was allowed to drop near the edge of the area and Okay had plenty of time to drill a low pinpoint shot into the left corner. County made efforts to pick up their game but were lacking their usual fluency in the final third. Histon made another change soon after with ex-Chelmsford City midfielder Antonio Murray replacing Clerima as they continued to work the ball well into the corners to test County and pressed County into mistakes. County made another change on 68 minutes with Matthews receiving a good applause being replaced by Knights who partnered Reid up front. County went close on 72 minutes with a surging move from deep that saw Rose find Morgan on the left side and carried the ball forward to manufacture space for a shot from 20 yards which the keeper could not contain but the ball was hooked clear by a defender. On 78 minutes, County created an opening from a tight situation on the right side of the area when Knights made a direct run before crossing into the area but Reid saw his header under pressure from 10 yards go wide of the left post. County made another change soon after with Sam Foley replacing Henry. County had a better spell in the final ten minutes but Histon continued to give them problems with their pace and use of the ball in the final third. County created their best chance of the half on 86 minutes when Rose manoeuvred well to fend off a challenge and cross deep from right channel and Morgan read it beautifully but stroked his volley from an acute angle just past the right post. Histon were not out of having a say in the match and were rewarded with a couple of corners late in the game which County managed to clear at the second attempt. Histon received their fourth booking in injury time with Wooton receiving a caution for unsporting behaviour. County were close again with Rose providing a great delivery from the right flank in injury time which Bignot met with well timed header but the keeper tipped the ball over the bar   

Thompson (6) – made some composed collections and kicked well in difficult conditions but seemed a bit indecisive in coming for ball.

Bignot (8) – marshalled threat well and read the loose ball when others were watching it. Provided some good links going forward

Collins (6) – was dealing with threat well until his lapse with header. Put under pressure today and forced back for much of the game     

Warren (6) – made some commanding challenges in the air but was often slow to the ball and struggled with clearances  

Todd (7) – did well contesting headers and marked well despite not being given much protection on times    

Odhiambo (5) – never really settled today, couldn’t keep the ball on the pitch with his passing and second to the ball  

Henry (8) – deserved a good for his efforts but denied several times by keeper. Set up fair quota of chances as well with his quality on the ball  

Rose (7) – Took his chance really well and had a productive first half. Delivered some great set pieces which deserved better             

Rogers (6) – was neat and tidy with his passes but often second to the ball especially after the break and offered less influence on the game       

Reid (6) – restricted on chances and got caught up in too many sapping duals. When he moved into space and took of the role of provider he did well   

Matthews (7) – had an effective first half winning several good flicks on and plenty of good movement for a big man. Took his chance well     

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS

Strengths – The must have been told to play to their strengths and without fear because going forward when they used their front pair they always gave County plenty to think about

Weaknesses – The more they pushed on, the vulnerable they become and more clinical sides would have buried them

Opportunities – They lacked confidence early on but had plenty of heart and soon realised that they had the pace and fitness to cause problems  

Threats – No 12 Mills provided a good outlet and brought a lot of players into the game. Long throws they offered were always difficult to deal with

OFFICIALS

Mr L Collins (8) – kept game flowing in general, got the key decisions spot on and handled contentious moments well  

MAN OF THE MATCH

Joe Welch – denied Henry on three occasions alone and made several good reflex saves

IF YOU WERE DEAN HOLDSWORTH WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This game reminded very much of the Lewes game last season as we were playing a young determined side we were expected to beat hands down. We started purposively and got ourselves in a good position which should have seen us win today but lax moments on the ball and our general mental sharpness is becoming a little concern. It seems we are still adjusting to the pace of the game at this level and despite the many decent chances we created we did not go out and make enough combative challenges today and protect or dictate play. Histon were able to edge possession today as a result and we need to become more robust and utilise the ball better when we have it.