Report by Mark Vickery at Spytty Park

Newport County 1 (Rose 31)

Stockport County 1 (Elliot 82)

Attendance: 1,205

Good work undone in second half

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County are desperate for a win and we should not need any motivation tonight  

CONDITIONS

Showery spells of rain, mild and light breeze, pitch was glossy but remained in decent condition     

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Enterprising first half but soon went into our shell and struggled to get back out of it

TURNING POINT

Half Time

THE MATCH

County made just one change with Sam Foley replacing Tommy Docherty. County started well and their game was encouraged by a glossy surface from the heavy rain before the game. County flirted with goal in the opening minutes when they forced Stockport to defend deeply and a loose clearance was lashed a volley past the right post by Rose. County were bright coming forward with new signing David Pipe instrumental in several good moves down the right channel. On 7 minutes, County were close when Pipe initiated a move on the right channel and the ball was swept quickly to the opposite channel to find McAllister who jinked inside to set up Robson who made a good run from deep on the right side of the area.  He won the ball ahead of the keeper but as he narrowed the angle his shot was chipped just past the right post. Stockport were reliant on direct play with County denying the space to operate down the channels and German did his best up front with a strong presence in the air but County were able to clear their lines effectively. County continued to probe away offering plenty of energy and creativity with Rose at the heart of a number of good moves. County were awarded several corners from their pressure especially down the right flank but were let down by the delivery on times. Stockport were given another warning on 20 minutes with Pipe and Robson combining well to find Jarvis near the right corner of the area. His neat turn saw him open up the defence and despite his shot being blocked Foley had a second bite of the cherry but saw his striker from the “d” well blocked by O’Donnell. County continued to cause problems coming forward from deep with Foley influential with some driving runs to the byline. County finally got the goal their play merited on 31 minutes when Foley made a strong run past McCann to reach the byline and cut a good ball back flat-footing the defence. McAllister looked certain to score but his shot was blocked and Rose hammered the ball into the roof of the net at the back post. County were boosted by the goal enticing an over eager Stockport side into several late challenges and Piergianni was lucking to escape the book with a high challenge on McAllister. Another enterprising County move on 35 minutes looked certain to produce a goal when they again penetrated well down the right flank with Pipe linking up well with a low pass to find McAllister. He did well to manoeuvre past the defender and set up a chance for Foley near the edge of the area but his curling effort fizzed just past the left post. Stockport were forced into a change soon after with right back McCann being replaced by Halls. County continued to absorb pressure well and attack with conviction and McAllister drew another challenge from Blackburn which earned a booking as a tackle from behind. County were quick to get men in the box and looked capable of another as half time approached but for all their dominance they were close to gifting a goal in injury time when a loose clearance was headed back into the area by Blackburn and German didn’t seem to realise he had time to hold the ball but he failed to make contact with the ball   

Stockport were not likely to be a reserved in the second half and made their intention clear in the first few minutes with some searching crosses and McConville persisting down the right flank. County adopted a more patient approach that allowed Stockport to tighten their grip on the game and Stockport started to look more threatening in the final third with County inviting crosses. On 53 minutes, County were given a warning when some indecision inside their own half saw Stockport prise the ball away and move the ball quickly to the right channel and Nolan provided a decent cross into the area which County were not alert to but German was unable to keep his shot down at the back post. Stockport continued to force play further up the pitch pressing play well which County found difficult to operate in. However, a quick bright move by County on 57 minutes opened up Stockport when Rose played a super pass forward splitting the defence and McAllister forged past the last defender and into the area only to see his effort smothered by the keeper. Pipe then hit a great opportunist effort from 25 yards which went narrowly over the bar. County made a surprise change on 60 minutes with Pipe being replaced by Ryan Gilligan. County picked up their game again for a time raising the bar and Gilligan was close on 65 minutes when a snapshot from the right corner of the area which fizzed just past the left post with the keeper rooted to the spot. Stockport made a change up front moments later with Holden replacing German. Stockport had won several free kick in the early stages of the second half, some debatable with them going to the ground lightly and Nolan was booked on 70 minutes for diving. Stockport continued to play at a good tempo with County too weak in holding the possession they found the ball coming back in their face quickly. Stockport looked certain to score on 73 minutes when County were again slow to close down off the ball and a cross from right side flashed deep towards Blackburn. He lofted a ball inside the six yard box which appeared to be cleared off the line by Miller despite the protests from Stockport and McConville was booked for dissent. County made another change soon after with Knights replacing Foley and he went to the right channel. Stockport were insistent with attacking the County left channel and got their reward on 82 minutes when McConville was persistent in reaching the byline and County appeared to have the danger covered but somehow he managed to find space to loft a cross into the six yard despite the attention of Hughes. Elliot met the ball with well-timed header to beat Thompson who was rooted to his line. County made a late change with Buchanan replacing Jarvis but it was Stockport who looked the more likely in the final minutes but County held on for a deserved point  

Thompson (6) – was reluctant coming to meet some crosses, showed safe pair of hands with safes low down but kicking wayward on times

Robson (7) – did well especially in the first half, quick to read play and make tackles and combined well with Pipe going forward

Warren (6) – did not have his own way in the air, made several brave challenges and came out on top when he saw the ball early

Miller (7) – made some good headers under pressure, several important clearances inside the box and distributed effectively       

Hughes (5) – got a bit caught in two minds on times making challenges, passed well when he had the ball but slow to close down cross on goal 

Pipe (7) – read game well making several strong but fair challenges and moved ball into some good areas, kept game ticking over well  

Rogers (6) – had a bright first half, saw the ball early winning several challenges and got box to box

Foley (7) – did well when he was allowed to offer width and provided a good outlet, had a couple of decent chances coming inside. Faded after the break when asked to play deeper      

Rose (7) – made us tick early in the game, got forward into the box well to support front men and provided several decent set pieces          

Jarvis (5) – offered plenty of good movement and did a good job moving defence around but let down with touch and strength holding the ball

McAllister (6) – at the heart of several good moves in the first half doing well in the air and linking play, should really have scored today                

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS

Strengths – they were fairly robust in the air, central defenders were strong dealing with crosses and their work ethic on and off the ball got them a point

Weaknesses – they offered space down the flanks, were reliant on direct play for much of the first half and lacked cutting edge to finish off several decent crosses        

Opportunities – they changed their tact at half time, forcing play further up the pitch and offered more patience getting the ball down.  

Threats – McConville had a lot of energy and eye for a cross, Elliot made several well timed runs into the box and they did get men into the box effectively

OFFICIALS

G Horwood (7) – kept game moving which was important in conditions and was reluctant to book unless he had to  

MAN OF THE MATCH

Sean McConville – his persistence alone was enough to earn a point and County never really got to grips with him even when they were on top in the first half

IF YOU WERE ANTHONY HUDSON WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County probably put in their best half this season but were unable sustain and make the most of their dominance and get the important second goal. After an enterprising first half it was somewhat disappointing that County reverted to their reserved shell after the break that has hindered progress this season. The formation didn’t really need changing but it allowed Stockport gain the initiative and their persistence with providing crosses paid off. County were bright in spells, creating some enterprising moves but as good as they were with the ball the problems continue to hinder them off the ball. County were slow to close down crosses from the flank and Stockport exposed that after the break. It was enough for them to squeeze play further up the pitch and to be truthful County really needed more of vice like grip to hold the ball with Jarvis struggling for much of the second half he should have been replaced earlier.