Nouble thunderbolt lights the touchpaper
Report by Mark Vickery from Rodney Parade
Newport County 4 (Nouble 55, 66, 68, Amond 82)
Chesterfield 1 (O’Grady 37)
Attendance: 4,332
Form:
Newport County DWDWL
Chesterfield LLLW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Leeds match should be out of mind and matter. Decent looking surface and quite warm so important to assert possession and work Chesterfield
CONDITIONS
Warm, sunny spells and keen breeze. Pitch in excellent condition although several players slipped during game
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Ball watched and left room first half but came alive after equaliser with energy and desire
TURNING POINT
Chesterfield missed chance to go two up was key but Nouble strike turned the tide
THE MATCH
County kept the same 4–2–3–1 formation with same back four and two in front but made three attacking changes with McCoulsky and Reynolds made substitute in place of Nouble and new signing from Amond up top. County also recalled Reece Cole in midfield in place of Sean Rigg who was on the bench. Chesterfield made a positive start with some well worked moves in the County half to manufacture space. County had to deal with a couple of clever balls in behind from Sinnott but O’Brien and Demetriou were on hand to deal effectively. County were patient in their approach play using the left side well but Chesterfield worked hard to contain threat from Nouble. On 10 minutes, Willmott provided a decent corner from the left side which O’Brien met with a stretching header from 12 yards but the keeper Lee held comfortably in the right corner. Chesterfield were effective on the break and moments later Dennis did well angling his run to the right channel and cut inside near the right corner to shoot but Day read it comfortably. Chesterfield gained confidence from their approach short passing game with some intricate moves down the middle to test County but the defence got some important interventions in to clear. County persisted with the left side to attack and Chesterfield mirrored the tact with quick balls and kick outs to test County right back Pipe. The game remained competitive in the middle and Chesterfield right wing back Barry was on the edge of heavy challenge with Labadie on 22 minutes which went against him. Barry received lengthy treatment and was stretchered off being replaced by left back Kellett with central defender Wiseman going right back. From the resultant free kick by Willmott, Labadie ghosted in at the back post with a downward header but it was pushed wide of the right post by Lee. County made efforts to step up their approach with Amond coming into the game with some good link play with Cole. On 28 minutes, Amond got ahead of Evatt and brushed off a challenge before setting up Cole for a first time strike from 25 yards which the keeper saved well low down. Chesterfield continued to nuisance on the break with some snappy moves down the middle but they took the lead on 37 minutes from some indecision by County. Nouble did well to track back and defend a ball slipped in behind down the right flank. Reed chased down to unsettle Nouble in the right corner and steal the ball and carry his run to the right byline and his low cross into the six yard area was stabbed home by O’Grady. County attempted to raise their game with some more efficient exchanges across the face of the area. Chesterfield worked hard to stifle the threat but County were awarded a free kick on 40 minutes in a decent position near the left side of the area after Cole tangled with O’Grady who was tracking back. Cole took the resultant free kick but his dipping effort from 25 yards went over the bar. Chesterfield continued to frustrate County with some of their antics of slowing the game and fouling down cheaply under challenges in the 7 minutes of first injury time. However, there was a warning for Chesterfield 3 minutes into injury time when Amond was well positioned down the middle to receive a direct ball from Pipe. He adjusted well and cut inside past Evatt before curling a decent effort from 18 yards against the left post. Chesterfield remained a threat on the counter and had a great chance to punish further moments later when Sinnott was allowed space to penetrate down the middle. He played a quick combination pass with Dennis and Weir before striking low effort from 16 yards against the left post. County responded with O’Brien creeping forward to support a move and receive a pass from Cole only for his powerful low effort from 25 yards to be claimed at the second attempt by Lee.
County came out with more conviction in the early stages of the second half with some energy down the flanks. On 48 minutes, Willmott cut back a decent cross from the right side of the area which dropped dangerously inside the six yard box and Nouble got amongst the loose ball but his effort dropped wide of the left post. Chesterfield persisted with bursts from deep down the middle predominantly and Flores dragged an effort well wide of the right post on 50 minutes after a smart exchange with O’Grady. County kept plugging away with Nouble coming more into the game with some strong runs down the left flank. On 55 minutes, Nouble got his reward when he burst down the middle and hit a thunderous strike from 30 yards into the roof the net beyond the grasp of keeper Lee. County made a change soon after to maintain their momentum with Rigg replacing Cole with County reverting to a more balanced 4–4–2 with Rigg going left flank. Chesterfield opted for a more direct approach second half using target man O’Grady to shield and bring in support from midfield. County marshalled this better but were forced into a change on 62 minutes with O’Brien picking up a knock and he was replaced by Butler who went left back and White left centre back. This settled County into a shape of playing with Nouble increasingly menacing down the middle to pick holes. County added to their corner count and went close on 65 minutes when Dolan whipped in a decent delivery to the back post which Demetriou met well but his header was directed just wide of the right post. Nouble then dragged a shot narrowly wide of the right post from 16 yards with County forced Chesterfield to defend deep inside their own area. County continued to cause problems down the left flank and it paid dividends on 66 minutes when Butler overlapped to receive a neat pass from Rigg. His cross was thoughtful and floated deep to pick out the run of Nouble and he caressed his header from 10 yards into the left corner with the keeper rooted to the spot. County were effervescent and continued to pepper Chesterfield with some strong runs. On 68 minutes, Chesterfield failed to heed the warnings when Rigg made a strong run down the left flank. He provided an excellent deep cross from the left side of the area which Amond read well back post directed a good header back into the six yard and Nouble stole in ahead of Hird to head home and complete his hat trick. Chesterfield made a change soon after with left back Kellett sacrificed for Ugwu. County remained a threat and were close to a fourth when a free kick on 72 minutes from the right flank by Dolan flashed deep and met well by Demetriou and Rigg anticipated well at the right post but dragged a difficult effort into the side netting. Chesterfield made another change on 75 minutes with McCourt replacing Sinnott. County kept attacking and looked certain to score on 77 minutes when Rigg made a tricky run down the left side of the area and beat Hird with ease when skilfully carried the ball inside. With the goal at his mercy he scooped his effort from 14 yards over the bar with Chesterfield ruthlessly exposed. On 80 minutes, Chesterfield flirted with goal when Dennis jinked inside and struck a left footed shot high and wide of the right post. County put the icing on the cake on 82 minutes after good work by Nouble down the left side of the area. He did well to fend off a challenge from Hird and Weir before threading a good pass into the area for Amond. He adjusted taking the ball on his chest and beyond Evatt before placing a low shot into the right corner from 10 yards. County made a change soon after with Pipe being replaced by Bennett who went right midfield. The game tailed off somewhat in the latter stages with County happy to keep possession and Chesterfield remained positive when they got forward. On 90 minutes, Reed was booked for a late challenge on Dolan and Rigg was booked for County soon after tracking back to prevent a run of the Flores down the left flank. County played out the five minutes of injury time holding firm and they were given a warm home applause at the end for their efforts.
Day (7) — needed to keep focussed with some snappy shots from distance. Kicked, punched and claimed well under pressure despite less to do second half
O’Brien (7) — solid game, did well in the air dealing with O’Grady and was sensible with decisions making challenges. Cleared effectively throughout before injury
Pipe (6) — put under pressure first half with some balls in behind telegraphed to left flank. Timed tackles well in general provided some decent crosses when he got forward.
Demetriou (8) — took a knock early to his head but unshaken and won some good headers and cleared danger well. Lead well after O’Brien injury and always a threat from set pieces.
White (7) — was tested in early stages of first half but kept focus and concentration well to make some well-timed tackles. Distributed very well under pressure to relieve danger
Labadie (8) — made several sturdy tackles and brushed off challenges to link play well. Took more control second half leading well and used ball efficiently.
Dolan (6) — found space hard to find first half and struggled to get a foothold in game. Saw more influence after the break seeing ball earlier and provided some good set pieces
Cole (6) — made some sporadic runs forward in support to link and showed an eye for goal but needs to do better off the ball when going gets tough.
Willmott (7) — busy game, worked hard box to box, made several bright runs forward and provide some good crosses to the back post which kept Chesterfield on the hop.
Nouble (9) — exquisite strike from distance which lift County at key moment. Fared better in some respects when he played down the middle and took his chances very well.
Amond (7) — Grew into the game was perhaps a little of the pace but took up some good positions and linked well. Showed good composure to finish with late goal.
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they manufactured some decent moves first half down the middle and worked hard to close down. Passed well before tempo of their game dropped.
Weaknesses — both full backs were ordinary and they struggled to defend their right side as game progressed. Became more laboured and untidy with passes late on.
Opportunities — they went down the middle first half and were neat in their approach play. Took left back off half way through second half for striker but made little impact
Threats — O’Grady was prominent in the best moves and Sinnott with the creativity down the middle. Dennis shots from distance
OFFICIALS
D Webb (8) — was keen on letting game flow as much as possible read game and got key decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Frank Nouble — Quiet first half but come alive when he went was allowed to drift inside. Always a menace in and around the area and took his chances very well
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were a little slow in their approach play first half and allowed Chesterfield to put a stamp on the game with their ability to pick holes through the middle and they were slick on the counter. County pressed as a unit much better after the break especially in the final third with the Chesterfield defence tiring. Nouble did well playing down the middle today and able to get a more decisive shot or pass in. Once County equalised they turned the screw and the substitutions made were effective with better balance on the left side. County were the more flexible outfit and finished stronger and this will be key going forward this season. There are elements of their game which they can improve with closing down and work of the ball but in the end they ran out worthy winners. County next travel to league leaders Exeter City and it will be imperative not to ball and admire their passing game. If County can do the ground work they have plenty of options to hurt Exeter but may need to be patient and not get caught on the break.
