Report by Mark Vickery at Spytty Park

Newport County 1 (Knights 72)

Tamworth 2 (St Aimee 47, Christie 60)

Attendance: 1,310

Lapses prove costly for County

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

We need to build upon winning away mid-week and will look to end the sequence of not winning at home on a Saturday this season

CONDITIONS

Bright spells, quite warm with slight breeze, pitch looked in decent condition     

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Controlled large parts of game but let down by lapses in concentration

TURNING POINT

Half Time

THE MATCH

County made a couple of change with Potter replacing Thompson in goals and Elliot Buchanan suffering from a knock allowing David Pipe to return from injury. The early stages were competitive and County were given an early warning when a quick through ball by Green released St Aimee down the left side of the area but Potter was alert to the danger and smothered the ball bravely. County were forced back for a time but looked capable when they got the ball forward with some good exchanges in the final third. County went close on 10 minutes when Rose manufactured a cross from a tight situation on the left side of the area and a Foley glancing header from 10 yards forced the keeper to tip the ball around the right post. County ignited by some good moves down the left channel with Rose prominent in the build-up play. Docherty was prompting play well from midfield and County went close again on 16 minutes when Docherty played a good precise pass to Rose on the left channel and he skipped past a challenge to loft a great cross into the area which Warren headed straight at the keeper from 8 yards. Tamworth were reliant on direct play largely with St Aimee offering a good outlet in the air but County marshalled the threat well. Half way through the first half, County had a couple of decent opportunities from deep crosses from the right side with Hatswell making the keeper work at the back post to parry the ball away. County broke up the threat Tamworth offered well with Warren and Hatwell equal to threat offered in the air by St Aimee and Christie and they had a great chance to take the lead on 30 minutes. Docherty won a tackle in central midfield and released Foley with a quick pass and despite being held up by the last defender he had a chance to shoot but scooped his shot over from 20 yards. County were rewarded with several corners from their pressure especially down the left side and another opportunity went begging on 33 minutes when a Rose corner from the left was headed over by the unmarked Warren. Tamworth became increasingly impatient as half time approached with St Aimee booked for a late challenge on Docherty and Tait booked for a late challenge on Rose and soon after Bradley was booked for contesting a decision by the referee. County continued to be quicker to the ball and Lake-Gaskin was the fourth player booked for Tamworth for a heavy challenge on Rose. Instead of taking a grip of the game, County went into their shell as half time approached and Tamworth forced a couple of corners which were dealt with well.

Tamworth gambled by replacing two players booked at half time with Bradley and Lake-Gaskin being replaced by Smith and Kanyuka. Tamworth carried on where they left off and got their reward on 47 minutes with a gift of goal by County. A direct ball down the middle was glanced on well by Christie and will the County defence static, St Aimee ghosted past Warren before rounding Potter to slot the ball home. County responded with some better penetration in the final third especially down the right side with right back Rodgers coming into the game more. County were close on 52 minutes when Pipe drove to the right byline and saw his low cross diverted by Francis just past his right post. County had a good situation again on 55 minutes with Pipe doing well to link with Rodgers but the weak cross was cut out by the Tamworth defence. County were left exposed when the ball was moved to opposite flank with Cain making a strong run to the right side of the area and pinpoint Shariff with a square pass but his shot was well read by Potter. County failed to heed the warning and were punished for switching off on 60 minutes when they sat back inviting a cross into the area and Christie stole ahead of a static Hatswell to powerfully head home from 12 yards. County made efforts to get back into the game peppering the Tamworth defence with several crosses but they were strong in dealing with aerial pressure. County got a foothold back in the game on 72 minutes when Rose did well to centre a ball into the area to find Foley and he set up a chance for Knights who made no mistake volley home in the right corner from 10 yards. Tamworth made a defensive change soon after with Oakes replacing Cain on the right flank. County were restricted to largely direct play in the final minutes with McAllister doing his best to contest but in midfield County struggled to make the impact they had offered in the first half. Francis was booked soon after for Tamworth after a blatant push in the air on McAllister. County finally made a change on 85 minutes with Foley being replaced by Jarvis. Tamworth were happy to run the clock down in the several minutes of injury time played and there was a late effort by County when a cross from the left side by Jarvis dinked in a quick cross which deflected off a defender at the front post but the keeper made a good instinctive save to claw the ball away to safety  

Potter (7) – left exposed on both the goals, kicked and distributed well, made some good smothers at the feet to deny other chances

Rodgers (7) – did reasonable job defensively, cleared effectively and made several strong runs forward but final ball somewhat lacking  

Warren (5) – put under some pressure in the air and found himself in a battle for much of the match. Switched off for the first goal  

Hatswell (5) – made some strong headers and decent clearances but lacked concentration on times with marking       

Hughes (6) – did well in the air and dealt well with pace offered by winger getting tight to deny crosses. not saw much of him over half way line and distribution wayward on times 

Docherty (6) – still looks like he needs game, had an involved first half, seeing the ball early and prompting play well. went missing in second half   

Rose (7) – asked to do too much on times, had a bright first half and influence was only tamed after he was kicked several times

Pipe (6) – made several combative challenges but didn’t get to ball early enough especially in the second half and should have been replaced

Foley (6) – busy first half, took up some good positions to influence with ball but precision lacking on shots      

Knights (7) – seems to be getting back to full fitness. made several neat exchanges and strong runs, took goal well  

McAllister (6) – did his best to anchor play but had probably one shot on goal which was tame, needs to be more greedy and penetrative inside the box.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS

Strengths –the front two were a handful with their pace and presence in the air, worked hard across the pitch and effective with their use of the ball

Weaknesses – showed they would bite if you kept the ball, got away with several bookings and wasted time needlessly          

Opportunities – they broke well from deep exposing County several times, adapted well after replacing two booked players at the break.   

Threats – the front two were strong and lively and took their chances well, Cain strong runs on the right flank and Shariff box to box.

OFFICIALS

J Watkins (7) – booked a lot of cynical play and late challenges but was petty on times not allowing game to flow.   

MAN OF THE MATCH

Hedge – Tamworth keeper made a couple of important saves especially in the first half

IF YOU WERE JUSTIN EDINBURGH WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County are still struggling to find consistency to their game and although this was a better performance today, after a period of first half dominance it should have seen them in a position of strength. Both the goals conceded came from momentary defensive lapses and the difference today perhaps between the two sides was largely in their ability to take their chances. County offered plenty of verve in the first half and appeared to have Tamworth were they wanted with them biting at several challenges with County meeting the ball early. County let them off the hook as they just needed to maintain their drive to meet the first ball and keep play ticking over but as we seen often this season they went into their shell and sulked after conceding. On times in the second half, County wanted too much time on the ball and lost possession in decent areas when moment off the ball was not very evident.