Blunt County given a lesson by students

Team Bath 2 (Llewellyn 10 – Abbot 71)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 563

 

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

We need to be more switched on defending direct play and compact as a unit to have any chance today. The omens aren’t good with defender Martyn Giles pulling out late and some questions are being asked why Nick Skelton has returned to the side after being released

 

CONDITIONS

Dry and bright but when sun came it was quite warm, although there was a strong wind assisting Team Bath in the opening period

 

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

We looked most threatening from set pieces but impotency and a tendency to switch off at vital moments is costing.

 

TURNING POINT

Ian Hillier missed header inside the six yard box was the last of our chances and Bath got stronger towards the end.

 

THE MATCH

County made one change with previously released Nick Skelton standing in for the injured Martyn Giles in central defence. Team Bath started well using the wind behind them to good effect to turn the County defence and they won a couple of early corners which County did not look that comfortable with. From the goal kicks, Team Bath were keen to test the County full backs in the air and on 3 minutes County were giving a warning when left midfielder Ake snatched the ball ahead of Stephens and he threaded a low cross towards the back post towards Abbot but Hillier did enough to put the striker off and his effort from 10 yards went over the bar. County responded well on the break and won a free kick in a good central position on 6 minutes which saw Collins pinpoint Skelton inside the area and his firm header from 12 yards crashed against the bar with the keeper rooted to the spot. Team Bath were quick to get forward from the back and County were given a warning on 8 minutes when keeper Meredith launched a direct kick from his hands down the middle and with nobody prepared to take responsibility Stephens was on hand to clear the danger. County failed to heed the warning when a move broke down on 10 minutes and Meredith kicked from his hands straight down the middle and with Skelton appearing to switch off and allow the ball to drop over his head, Llewellyn was quick to pounce in behind a lob the committed County keeper Thompson from 14 yards. County responded well after the goal with some good approach play but were still lacking a cutting edge to worry Team Bath. The best threat came from set pieces and they went close again on 18 minutes when a Harris corner was glanced on well by Walsh inside the six yard area but the ball was wide of the right post. Team Bath were insistent on using their left channel to test County with Ake quick to anticipate the ball they always had a good outlet. On 25 minutes, Ake angled his run well to receive a diagonal ball and brushed past the challenge of Stephens before racing goalside into the area but Thompson did well to stand up and deny him from 12 yards. County created their best moves down the left channel with Walsh and Hughes linking well together but County struggling to find a threatening final ball to worry the Team Bath defence. Ake continued to menace and Stephens found himself booked on the half hour for a mistimed challenge. Team Bath continued to play largely directly but with the County defence unable to clear effectively when turned the hosts continued to add to their corner count. Eld-Abd found himself booked on 40 minutes for a late challenge on keeper Thompson inside the six yard box. County had a better spell on the stroke of half time with Hall coming into the game on the right flank. On 43 minutes, Stephens did well to support Hall and return a pass inside the full back before crossing dangerously into the six yard box but a Walsh header was smothered by Warren who did enough to put him off.

County made a very bright start to the second half winning a couple of early corners which gave some hope despite them not being able to win the ball cleanly. On 50 minutes, County had a great chance to make amends when they forced Team Bath to defend deeply inside the area after some good approach play by Hall and Walsh. The ball was laid back towards Church on the edge of the area who struck a well hit effort but it fizzed just past the left post. County stretched their opponents around for a time with Hall offering more influence on the right flank and County created an excellent move on 56 minutes when they switched play well from left to right with Collins finding Hall and his cross forced the keeper to backtrack on tip the ball away for a corner. County had a great chance on 63 minutes which they should have really scored from when a loose clearance by Team Bath from a corner was returned back into the six yard box perfectly by Rose and the unmarked Hillier appeared to misdirect his header over the bar. Team Bath made a tactical change soon after with substitute Cooper coming onto the left channel and Ake swapping to right channel. County made a change soon after with Jamal Easter replacing Craig Hughes. Team Bath regained some control of their game with Ake becoming more influential again and with County forced to push they began to enjoy more space going forward. County got caught out on 71 minutes when they forced the ball unnecessarily on the left channel when Easter was crowded out of it and a quick release towards Ake down the right flank saw him do well to manoeuvre a first time cross. Abbot was quick to seize upon the ball and turn the committed Skelton before firing home low beyond Thompson from 10 yards. County made efforts to step up their game again forcing a couple of corners but there was insufficient quality there to concern Team Bath who were strong in dealing with balls in the air. County made a late couple of substitutions with the hardworking Church being replaced by Nathan Davies and a tired looking Walsh being replaced by Robert Duffy. County found it difficult to find any momentum in the final 10 minutes with Rose doing his best to offer creativity in around the box. In truth, County looked well beaten at the end with them struggling to win the aerial ball and second to any bit pieces offered by the hosts.          

 

COUNTY STATS

Thompson (6) – kicked well in general and showed good handling throughout. left exposed from direct balls on several occasions.

Stephens (6) – got pulled about a bit but made a number of stern challenges and showed an appetite for a battle despite being put under pressure

Collins (4) – put under pressure in the air struggling to win headers and lacked confidence with distribution on times  

Hillier (6) – did his best to meet the ball with some positive headers but often put on the backfoot. Should have scored in second half

Skelton (5) – had one or two costly lapses allowing ball to drop but made some good recovering challenges. Struggled to clear effectively with back to goal

Church (7) – read game well and showed his eye for some good passes down the side of the area. unlucky not to score.   

Harris (6) – put in his fair quota of challenges but often second best today and found little time to make things happen

Rose (6) – saw plenty of the ball and made efforts to make things happen with intricate passes. produced few shots to worry the opponents.

Hughes (5) – struggled with control on times, not getting into the game enough on the left channel and never in sight of getting a goal.

Hall (6) – quiet first half but offered more conviction in the second half creating many of the best moves but little end product.

Walsh (6) – worked hard throughout, offered plenty in the air and unsettled defenders on times but kept at arms length and did not look like scoring.

 

Referee: P Forrester (8) – kept game ticking over well in general and got the key decisions right. Was lenient with time wasting    

 

OPPOSITION

I expected them to play more football between the 18 yard box and with the benefit of full time training and coaching thought they would be a better footballing outfit. They get men forward quick though and change the tempo well often resorting to direct play and were clever in their approach play down the flanks.

 

MAN OF THE MATCH

Takumi Ake – left sided attacking midfielder gave Stephens plenty to think about in the first half. Showed plenty of flexibility swapping channels later

 

IF YOU WERE DEAN HOLDSWORTH WHAT WOULD YOU DO

We failed to learn some of the lessons from the Dorchester match and urgently need a commanding centre half to deal with direct play. The difference perhaps today between the sides was the quality of defending because Team Bath were largely able to clear effectively with their backs turned and under pressure. We simply don’t do that enough. Craig Hughes is doing a bit part job on the left channel and not getting into the penalty area enough to worry sides. We did have chances today and with a bit of luck could have got a draw but we need a poacher who score at vital times in the game.