Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Yeovil Town 6 (Arquin 20, Green 38, Jaiyesimi 45+2, Green 48, Olomola 68, Dickinson 76)

Attendance: 4,167

Form:

Newport County        LWWDWWLWW    

Yeovil Town               LdLWdWWL      

Humiliating

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County have players back after being rested mid-week in the Checkatrade trophy but need to tame an improving Yeovil side who have shown pedigree thumping Notts County away

CONDITIONS
Mild, breezy with sunny periods. Pitch in decent condition but several players slipped during the course of the game after heavy watering before kick off.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Charitable, error prone across the pitch and second to the ball

TURNING POINT
Yeovil second goal made it hard but the calamitous third killed any comeback.

THE MATCH
County made several changes after the Swindon Checkatrade Trophy match on Tuesday but just one change from Oldham with Mark Harris returning after Welsh U21 duty replacing Jamille Matt who was on the bench. Yeovil had the benefit of a keen wind first half and offered plenty of energy early on with County getting a warning on 2 minutes when Green darted through the middle and despite his shot being blocked Arquin was first to the loose ball but blasted well wide of the right post from 25 yards. County eased their way into the game with some low passing moves to test Yeovil working the right side well with ex-County captain and centre back Gary Warren scrambling away the danger. County were rewarded with a couple of free kicks in decent positions which Yeovil cleared but County were slow sometimes to read the loose ball and they relaxed their grip on the game. Yeovil set their stall out to absorb pressure with D’Almeida snapping up possession quickly and quick turnover to find the runs of Green right side and Arquin left flank. County had a couple of decent moves right side continuing to stretch play well with left back Dickenson and Warren working in tandem doing just enough to clear the danger. On 18 minutes, Sheehan was booked somewhat harshly for his first challenge when D’Almeida span off a challenge deep inside his own half. County went behind on 20 minutes somewhat against the run of play when a harmless looking ball into the right corner appeared to have been dealt with by Bennett covering the corner. Unfortunately he slipped allowing Jaiyesimi to steal the ball and he played a good low pass pinpointing the run back post of Arquin who stabbed the ball home from 10 yards. County responded well after the goal with some better link play involving Harris left side and Butler and were rewarded with a couple of corners left side. On 27 minutes, a corner by Sheehan caused problems inside the six yard box and the ball pinballed about before Amond struck a shot on the turn which was cleared off the line by Mugabi. County were close again on 30 minutes when Mugabi lost possession on the right side with Harris doing well to prise the ball away. He drove down the left channel and cut back a dangerous cross into the box which D’Almeida tracked back to make an important clearance. On 32 minutes, County created a good move left side with Butler overlapping well to receive a pass from Dolan and his cross back post was headed just over the bar by Amond from 6 yards. On 38 minutes, Yeovil extended their lead after a throw in went against County on the right flank when Butler was adjudged to have put the ball out in tackle which clearly went off left back Dickenson. Yeovil took the throw quickly with Arquin allowed the luxury of space to return a pass to Dickenson and he opted for a loft pass down the middle. County were static defending allowing Green to ghost into the box and despite appearing to nudge Day he made the most of the fortune slotting the ball home with a shot on the turn from 8 yards. County made efforts to pick up their game with Harris coming into the game dragging a low shot wide of the right post. Two minutes into injury time Harris with his back to goal well inside the Yeovil half did his best to stem possession but D’Almeida was quick to pinch the loose ball. He threaded a quick pass into Pattison who cut through the middle like a butter into knife before slipping a pass left side of the area for Arquin. He escaped the attention of Pipe before blasting in powerful effort from 16 yards which Day pushed away but the ball looped back towards goal and Jaiyesimi ghosted in to head home from 6 yards with the County defence static.

County were out early for the second half looking to regain some foothold in the game and a double substitution saw Pipe sacrificed in defence and Sheehan in midfield for Willmott. County adjusted to an attacking 4-3-3 and probed well in the stages  but all thoughts of this were banished on 48 minutes when the lost possession cheaply on the left flank. With Butler out of position, Mugabi was able to loft a pass on the wind down the right side of area and Demetriou and Bennett both appealing for an offside which was not forthcoming Green raced in to collect the ball and slot through the legs of Day from an acute angle. The goal appeared to knock the stuffing out of County with the energy and enterprise going out of their game. County had a couple of free kick in decent positions which were marshalled to safety and with Pattison enjoying more space in the middle there was always a threat on the break for Yeovil with Green and Arquin able runners. Yeovil continued to give away free kicks and were happy to do so with the referee reluctant to book any cynical play. On 57 minutes, Dolan was bowled over by Mugabi in a dangerous position near the “d”. Dolan took the free kick forcing Baxter into a good reactive save tipping over the bar. On 60 minutes, another free kick was yielded by Yeovil when Arquin tracked back from deep to check the run of Franks but still no booking. Dolan took the free kick which was a little further out but his effort from 30 yards went just over the bar. Yeovil made an attacking change soon after to pep up their approach with Olomola replacing Jaiyesimi. County kept plugging away with Marsh-Brown making some darting runs across the face of the area but County were struggling to get their dangerman Amond and Harris involved in the game. On 65 minutes, Marsh-Brown went on an very individualist run left side with Yeovil sat deep and he cut inside before blasting a low shot from 25 yards straight at the keeper. Yeovil were organised and happy to pick County off on the counter and added a fifth on 68 minutes which was also individual in nature. This time thought it had a cutting edge with Somolo allowed to cut inside from the right side of the box too easily by Butler. Demetriou tracked the run but another slip on the glossy surface proved costly for County with space opening up for the low shot into the right corner from 14 yards. Yeovil made a defensive change on 72 minutes with Donnellan replacing Warren. County kept plugging away with Wilmott making some determined runs right flank but Yeovil remained vigilant dealing with crosses clearing effectively. On 75 minutes, County again lost possession cheaply inside the Yeovil half with Pattison snapping up play to release Green and his direct run through the middle was abrupted by Franks. Left back Dickinson took the free kick and a low free kick curled around the left side of the wall went under the body of keeper Day summing up a thoroughly miserable day. On 80 minutes, County created arguably their best move of the game when Butler made a penetrating run left side of the area and his cutting cross had venom on it but Marsh-Brown saw his volley from 12 yards go just over the bar. Willmott then received a straight red card for raising his foot in a low tackle on Olomola on the flank. County made their final change on 85 minutes with O’Brien replacing Harris and Yeovil introduced Rogers for Green who got a decent ovation for the crowd. The final stages were played out in almost surreal fashion with County eager not to concede further goals and keeping possession and Yeovil happy with their lot in embarrassing County on home turf.                   

Day (4) –  aside from mistake on last goal, put under pressure with kicks and never looked comfortable. Should’ve claimed ball before the shot on third and got beaten far too easily  

Pipe (5) – made some forays forward in support but never looked confident. Had trouble dealing with Arqui throughout and got caught in no mans land on second goal.

Butler (6) – probably the most assured defender, was at fault losing ball cheaply on the fourth goal but did his best steady ship and the brightest moves came through him

Demetriou (4) –  did well in the air dealing with Fisher but got dragged about and always looked vulnerable defending the area and out of position on two goals

Bennett (4) – struggled to deal with pace and switched off allowing Green goalside on third goal. When he went into the middle had more ball but got caught in possession too often.

Franks (5) – was strong in the aerial duals and made some bright runs forward to distribute but invited a couple of crosses second half playing right side

Bakinson (4) – poor game by his standard recently, struggled to retain possession and ran into dead ends. Let down by bad decision making today and lacked composure  

Dolan (4) – sluggish game, just not reactive enough to win enough of the ball. Was a bystander for large parts and despite going close on couple of free kick influence waivered.

Sheehan (5) –  quite half, offered little threat apart from corners and lacked usual intervention. After getting cheap booking saw very little of him often forcing passes

Amond (5) –  restricted to one header and blocked shot. Had little ammunition admittedly but looked laboured today and perhaps still feeling the effects of his knock

Harris (4) –  forced to chase lost causes today and couldn’t get up a head of steam. Did his best to offer outlet but left too isolated and when he lost ball County were often in trouble.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths – defence was composed and precise with their passing from deep. Midfield were alert and competed well and they were ruthless taking their chances.

Weaknesses –  gave away a lot of free kicks and some of the clambering was not punished. Warren and Dickinson lacking pace which better sides would have exposed.

Opportunities – they rarely used direct option for Fisher up top and used the foil of Green and runners from midfield to attack from deep positions often going down the middle.
Threats –  Fisher aerial threat, Green strong with ball at feet and pace. Arquin and Jaiyesim were strong in hold up play. Pattison runs down the middle and killer pass

OFFICIALS
P Wright  (6) – keen to keep game flowing as much as possible to the point where it became frustrating but generally consistent.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Sessi D’Almeida – complimented the midfield and foreign influence they had. Made the tackles and tracked danger well something County were sadly lacking today

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were left battered and bruised after a performance lacking ambition and flat but crucially it was error ridden defensively with a trio of the goals conceded that a Sunday league side would be disappointed with. County lost the midfield and heart of the battle today with D’Almedia and Pattison pulling the string to release the energy Yeovil possess in abundance and they are not the side you really want to play chasing a game. County ended up playing into their hands with poor decision making and concentration but several of the goals came from good situations County had when they lost possession well inside the Yeovil half. There was not a lot in this game for 20 minutes and the debate will be over whether this was a reality check or freak result but it is something we will learn about as the fledgling season unfolds. For now the most important thing is getting the side geared for the Tranmere away game next. County have shown when written off as they were after Mansfield, it is about how they respond and will need to do their talking on the pitch. Tranmere have settled in well back in League Two but have had much reliance on ex-Forest Green forward James Norwood who can be nomadic over the pitch so will be important to stop his game but test an ageing defence.