Saturday 22 March 2008

Blue Square South

The prospects of reaching the end of season promotion play-offs receded from a statistical probability to more of a possibility after County’s second home defeat in four days, and while all is certainly not lost, the loss of form at the so-called business end of the season is a serious cause for concern.  The playing conditions made this game extraordinarily difficult for both sides, but though there was a bizarre element to the winning goal scored by Eastleigh, their victory was fully merited. 

With Jason Bowen thankfully restored to the starting line-up after his one match suspension, there was a return to the right side formation that has served the club so well with skipper Steve Jenkins moved across to right-back.  Paul Cochlin, despite the number six on his back, played left-back to accommodate the recall of Mark Dodds at centre-back.  On the left side of midfield, Richard Evans dropped to the bench after a 29 match run, with Lee Fowler again asked to forsake his central midfield duties to play in a wide role, having played wide right on Wednesday, while Jermaine Clarke was given only his third start in place of Charlie Griffin in attack.

County won the toss and sensibly opted to take first advantage of the conditions by kicking towards the cricket pitch end, and Clarke caused immediate danger with a first minute break which combined his strength and pace.  Eastleigh then took command and Andy Gurney blocked a second minute effort from Paul Sales before Scott James made a very good save from Mark Marshall in the same attack.  Eastleigh were retaining possession effectively despite the strong headwind and there could be no complaints when they took the lead on 20 minutes.  MARSHALL found space inside the County penalty area and though Scott James will be disappointed to have allowed the shot to pass through his hands, the 18 year-old keeper has plenty to be satisfied about in his six appearances to date for the Exiles.

Clarke seemed determined to show what he could do given a place in the starting line-up, and Eastleigh had an amazing let-off in the 24th minute when his header from a Gurney free-kick hit the post with Jason Matthews beaten only for the rebound to hit the back of the keeper and roll along the line before passing out for a corner.  Clarke was then penalised when Matthews failed to gather a left wing cross under pressure from the big man and Nathan Davies fired into the empty net for what might have been the equaliser.  The Eastleigh keeper then made a fine save from a well-struck Clarke effort before the game exploded into controversy on the half-hour.

Spitfires defender Ashley Vickers tried to stop Bowen getting past him on the touchline but he appeared to be attempting to play the ball when he caught the tricky winger.  His leg was high but the challenge was not cynical and demanded no more than a yellow card though referee Paul Forrester was immediate in deciding otherwise, and Eastleigh were reduced to 10 men.  Gurney’s free-kick caught the wind and PAUL COCHLIN’S header was unstoppable though it was not clear why Matthews then argued with the referee and picked up a needless caution.

Cochlin soon followed into the notebook for a poor challenge though County were now looking favourites to win.  Lee Jarman headed another Gurney free-kick into the net but the whistle had already sounded for offside, before Craig Hughes rounded Matthews only to see his goalbound effort blocked by Chris Piper, while Hughes and Davies were both close to ensuring a home advantage at the break with other efforts.

The gale force winds of the first half intensified as a freak storm descended early in the second period, and as hailstones fell amid rumbles of thunder, the elements did their best to compensate Eastleigh for their unfortunate one man disadvantage.  A surprise attempt to back heel the ball to James by experienced skipper Jenkins led to the numbers being equalled as the keeper was left stranded outside his area and handled Paul Sales’ on-target effort.  Tony Pennock came off the bench to take on the goalkeeping duties with Fowler making way and that left a 36 minute 10-a-side contest with the elements in the visitors’ favour.

Eastleigh had much the better of the time remaining, though there were plenty of talking points with Peter Adiniyi picking up a caution for a nasty challenge on Davies, while Andy Harris was surely guilty of a worse offence than the one which curtailed Vickers’ participation, but Forrester deemed his two footed lunge on Clarke who was through on goal to be worthy only of yellow.   However, an away goal was looking more and more likely as Eastleigh kept the ball well and County had an unlikely let-off when the usually deadly Andy Forbes pushed the ball wide from a few yards out after a long throw-in caught the wind.

The experienced Pennock has seen it all in his long career, but he will not want to watch the video of his attempt to keep the ball in play when he advanced to the left touchline in the 80th minute.  Instead of aiming for the upper reaches of the Spytty grandstand, he tried to hit the ball down the line but did not get good contact and SALES showed composure to fire into the empty net.

Man of the Match:

County: Jermaine Clarke - his best display yet, and deserved a goal.

Eastleigh: Peter Adiniyi - the dominant force in midfield.

Special mention: Nathan Davies - non stop effort as ever, and might have had a rare goal.

© Newport County AFC