Oh and 1 more thing about yesterday.
Well done Newport, I thought you were easily the best footballing side we have faced this season, never stopped trying and a polar opposite of the side (and pitch) that you had with Flynn as manager, a very entertaining game and with a better striker alongside the in form Telford you could well have taken all 3 points.
Here are some views of County fans during and post game....
They’re a very good side, best I’ve seen here this season even without the suspended McKirdy. All even except we’ve had the better efforts on goal but this game is anybody’s
Very tough game as expected.
Williams making a difference to Swindon.
Excellent game. Pity about the result.
Excellent game but we gave it away with the Day **** up and when Paine shot there was 3 or 4 defenders around him but nobody challenged. I felt we were naïve towards the end, the writing was on the wall especially after Johnny Williams started making chances.
Considering 1141+, were Honda-wurzuls, bit disappointing. Not even cold yet!
Disappointed thought we just edged it
Very good game, two good sides a draw would have probably been a fair result although I think we may have just edged the game and conceded two softish goals.
Team are playing well set backs happen but I am confident this team will get us into play offs
Very disappointing and disheartening result, when believing a draw would have been a fairer result. Yet I thought a draw against Hartlepool would also have been a fair result. Trying to look at it philosophically. 3 points from the 2 games is therefore better than 2.
A high quality game for League 2. Long, long way to go this season yet.
We actually played some great stuff today and would win most weeks playing like that.I wasn’t sure of Norman as an attacking threat but,he has really come on under JR with another assist and some dangerous crosses second half.Certainly deserved something today,gutted to lose but,encouraged by the performance.
I'm normally a bit grumpy at home when we get beaten but not tonight. I thought that there were a lot of positives and we were unlucky not to come away with 3 points, a sentiment echoed on the Swindon forum by many of their fans.
Will there be sanctions against Swindon for the flare and /or pitch invader (or is the last one due to our stewards)?
Swindon could be in trouble as they have very recent form for the disturbance and damage caused at Stevenage. Didn't think the stewarding was adequate. The invader was obviously fitter and faster than the two stewards who gave chase. Might have been better if he had been intercepted from the other side of the pitch.
As stated, a Very Good game, with the outcome decided by two poor mistakes! Swindon were a very good side indeed, and will undoubtedly be in the automatic promotion positions on that performance....Joe Day made a couple of outstanding saves, but as seen, made a crucial error on the deck! Ed Upson, whilst a very good footballer should have prevented the run from Payne for the winner, alas whilst it wasn't to be there were some very good performances, and whilst Dom Telford and Courtney Baker-Richardson were well marshalled by the Swindon defence, I was impressed by Ollie Cooper and Finn Azaz, and moreover Cameron Norman!
Disappointed not to have got anything from today, and whilst there are no easy games in league 2, hope our returns from Crawley an Colchester are somewhat better!
Here is a match report from one of their fans....
(Please please put some paragraphs in and some sentence formatting, its the least you can do.)
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 1 (Telford 74)
Swindon 2 (Azaz own goal 73, Payne 88)
Attendance: 5,141
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County WLWdDDWLLW
Swindon Town dWWWDWLWWW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Swindon have been very good away from home so County need to manage the game well by playing in the right areas and be aggressive when not in possession.
CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy and light breeze. Pitch in decent condition and quick on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Had creative spells but didn’t make dominance count and paid the price with late goal.
TURNING POINT
Swindon substitutes gave them impetus late on to keep pushing the right buttons.
THE MATCH
County retained the same side and starting 3–5–2 formation which worked well at Hartlepool. Swindon were missing some key defenders and adjusted to mirror County 3–5–2. The early stages were even contested with Swindon neat and patient in possession but County despite having less of the ball were dynamic coming forward. On 5 minutes, County had a warning when Payne was allowed room to roam through the middle and supply a pass into Gilbert but his snapshot just inside the area was well blocked by Dolan. County worked some measured moves right side with Norman working left wing back Iandolo back into the corner but they dealt well with the crosses. Swindon set their stall out to counter with Payne and Gladwin neat and tidy in possession and Simpson offering robustness to keep the ball under pressure up top. County were untroubled and remained snappy going forward and Payne was fortunate not to booked when he scythed down Cooper on 10 minutes as he broke out from deep. County edged their way into the game and had a good situation on 15 minutes when Demetriou worked a more direct pass left side which Telford latched onto but his low shot left side of the area was saved near the left post by Wollacott. On 17 minutes, some casual play by Swindon centre back Conroy saw him lose possession and Baker-Richardson found Telford with Swindon exposed but his shot just inside the area was well saved by Wollacott. Moments later, a bright County move instigated by Cooper saw him find Norman right side. He drove forward and cut back a decent cross right side of the area which Telford headed back from a difficult just past the right post. County were well on top and had another great chance on 20 minutes when Haynes directed a long ball from the left channel which Telford pounced on just inside the area beating the offside trap. He was about to pull the trigger but denied by an important recovery by Conroy. On 22 minutes, County had a corner right side which Dolan whipped in with venom and with Swindon struggling to clear their lines Azaz thrashed a decent effort against the outside of the left post. Swindon snapped out their shell and caught County napping on 25 minutes with Odimayo ghosting forward unchallenged deep in County half and supply Gladwin left side of the box who directed a low shot just wide of the left post. Swindon settled back down with some intricate passing but County kept them at arms-length and the game went a little flat for a time. On 32 minutes, a snappy move by Swindon right side saw Kessler make a bold run right side which County left untracked and Demetriou was forced into an untidy challenge right side of the area which got him a booking. From the resultant free kick, Reed struck a decent effort which was deflected over the bar by Upson. County struggled to find the same momentum as half time approached with Swindon setting their stall out to stifle and counter. County had a couple of decent situations coming out in transition but some slowness in passing allowing Swindon to recover and re-group.
Swindon kept up their momentum early in the second half with Payne providing the impetus and nuisance to County with his intelligent use of the ball. County had another warning on 47 minutes when Payne threaded a good pass left side of the area for Gilbert who adjusted to drill a low shot from 20 yards which Day parried well away around the right post. County upped their efforts again with some better passing and patterns of play to work crosses which Swindon struggled to deal with. On 52 minutes, a decisive break by County saw Azaz slice through the middle and find Telford who had Swindon stretched leaving just defender back. He cut inside and was unlucky to see his show from 20 yards intercepted well by Hunt. County were rewarded with a couple of corners from their approach play and were close again on 56 minutes when Swindon struggled to clear their lines and Telford chipped a cross back into the area towards Baker-Richardson but his header was blocked. County then had Dolan in the book on 62 minutes for interrupting a snappy move involving Gilbert. Swindon replaced by Gilbert soon after replacing him with Welsh international Johnny Williams. Another cross into the area by County caused havoc on 62 minutes this time left side with Haynes combing well to find Azaz. He cut back and his in-swinging cross dropped deep for Cooper but his volley from close range was saved by Wollacott. Both sides remained committed and were bold coming forward and County were shot down on 70 minutes when Cooper broke through the middle but a crude trip by Gladwin interrupted the flow getting him a booking. County were close again on 72 minutes when a smart move right side of the area saw Baker-Richardson find Norman who overlapped but his low effort from 14 yards fizzed just wide of the left post. On 73 minutes, Swindon opened the scoring from a corner right side after County put themselves needlessly in trouble when Day misplaced his kick out and Payne saw his effort deflected for a corner right side. Payne delivered well and some confusion at the front post saw Azaz turn the ball into the net. County responded well and struck back immediately with Norman getting into a prominent position right side of the box moments later beating Iandolo with ease and his cross into the area was turned home by Telford inside the six yard box. On 78 minutes, Swindon were immediately back on the front foot with Williams escaping a weak tackle by County in midfield and his quick low pass found Simpson who bounced off a challenge by Clarke. He set up Reed who directed a first time effort from 25 yards which Day held well. County made their first change on 80 minutes with Cain replacing Cooper and County appeared to be getting on top with Reed booked for dissent moments later. On 84 minutes, County were causing problems again for Swindon from a cross into the six yard area, with Norman again pivotal right side pinpointing Baker-Richardson front post but his header drifted wide of the right post. Swindon kept asking questions pushing their full backs up high and got their reward on 88 minutes when County switched off defending through the middle of the pitch when Upson lost possession. Gladwin attacked and picked out the run from Payne who had the energy to drive left side of the area and his low shot from 20 yards appeared crept into the right corner beyond the grasp of Day. County made two late substitutions in injury time with Ellison and Abrahams replacing Upson and Baker-Richardson. Swindon responded with Payne sacrificed for Lyden. County huffed and puffed in the four minutes of injury time. On 90+3 minutes, a move that probably summed up their day saw Haynes drive left side of the area and put in a peach of a cross from a tight position which Swindon managed to scramble away at the back eluding Telford and Norman.
Day (6) — claimed well and made some good saves to parry away when left exposed. Poor distribution in lead up to first goal and could have done better with the low winner from Payne
Norman (
— had the measure of his opposite number Iandolo and timed his link intelligent putting in some excellent crosses. Went close a couple of times inside box and deserved goal
Demetriou (6) — got coaxed into some unnecessary challenges and put under some pressure by Gilbert. Provided some good long throws and distributed well from deep.
Clarke (6) — won his aerial duals and tackled well but forced back by Simpson on times and not allowed to relax. Had a couple of chances from crosses inside area.
Dolan (7) — swept up a few times to deal with the danger and was composed initiating several good low moves from deep first half. Set up goal well from corner and other set pieces were cutting
Haynes (6) — didn’t do enough to test right wing back especially second half. Passed well but too passive and needs to put in more crosses like the one he put in injury time.
Azaz (7) — at the heart of the best moves and was enterprising in spells going close in and around the area providing some excellent crosses. Saw less of ball at feet late on and forced back.
Upson (6) — had a bright spell first half getting on the ball and was precise with his short passing keeping it simple but effective. Indecision in build up to the late goal was costly.
Cooper (7) — put in some combative tackles and burst forward sporadically to link play but shots were restricted. When he drove to byline he caused problems but well tracked second half
Telford (7) — linked well and offered good movement, had some decent chances mid-way through the first half but denied by keeper. Took his chance well and needed quicker service late on
Baker-Richardson (6) — frustrating game, had a couple of bitty chances inside area from headers but couldn’t relax to find openings to shoot. Linked some good moves right side second half.
Strengths — remained composed under pressure, passed accurately and worked some patient moves through the middle often with an end product.
Weaknesses — full backs gambled high up on times leaving 2v2 which more direct sides would have exploited. Not a big side and degree of vulnerability in the air but escaped set pieces.
Opportunities — despite playing 3–5–2 they were flexible and used middle part of the pitch effectively. Late changes maintained their drive and cohesion making them bolder.
Threats — Gilbert timed runs well right side, Payne probed holes and knitted best moves together, Gladwin eye for a pass final third.
OFFICIALS
J Bell (
— got the main calls right and let game flow which made it good game to watch.
MAN OF THE MATCH
John Payne (Swindon 10) — bossed the midfield for large parts with alertness and link play being effective to carry play up high. Took his late chance very well
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County need to get the work done on extending the contract of Dominic Telford sooner than later as he has proved in the last few months given the right service he will score. Swindon knew this threat was a big red light flashing and opted to play inside the County half and were very bold on times using “attack” as the best form of “defence”. There was a spell midway through the first half when County had a real purple patch which may have finished Swindon off but in truth the game was evenly balanced with Swindon bossing the midfield. County are a good side and can pass with the best in league two, but they took possibly the wrong option to try and “out football” Swindon and with number of late goals they have scored away from County paid the price for passively sitting back ball watching on their winning goal. Swindon had a vulnerability throughout defending crosses but County struck rigidly to the game-plan to pass through them and need to mix their game up more. One big positive today was the patterns of play right side with Norman forceful with so many of the best moves but they didn’t real ask enough questions opposite side with Haynes too passive and not demanding enough of the ball which is frustrating as he quite capable of crossing often better under pressure. Next up are two long away trips to Crawley and Colchester where managing the squad will be key to maintain freshness. Both these game are winnable with poor indecisive home form being a common factor
