U's v Newport

[taz]

Thought Newport did little barring the joke penalty and can probably count themselves a little fortunate to get a point. Although, like Eastbourne, they've played a lot of games lately, so were probably a bit fatigued.

Ref was an absolute disgrace. Lucky Frakey got to tell him exacly what most U's fans thought of him. First 15 mins looked like we were going to get a pretty good game of football, then he started blowing his whistle and ruined it.

As for events in the Plough, when I left to go see the missus in Lewes at about 5.30, there were plod everywhere! 3 cars and 1 van. Small group of about 6 Newport lads stood with 3 coppers at the entrance to West Sutton station, one of 'em was in a bit of a mess and looked like he'd had a right pasting.

[suttonview]

Having been on here earlier this season defending referees, I have to say that yesterday's idiot was just beyond the pale. How he gave a penalty for one of the best timed tackles I've seen all season was staggering and his general performance throughout the game was appalling. Please, someone send him back to the Essex Senior League!

(Note to The Editor: Liked the "Sarfend" on the Thurrock map in the Prog . )

[Del]

Yes michael.Not satantic,just cheats and divers especially your number 10 who was enciting the crowd with gestures!

[The Editor]

I don't think either side got the chance to play well once the ref decided to take centre stage. Both sets of fans have called each other physical, and save for the two tackles (which were probably the only deserved bookings in the game) it wasn't overly physical in my opinion. The melee after the tackles were due to poor management on the field by the official - the ref should've sent everyone away after Craig's tackle, booked him while the physio checked their bloke and then continued with the game. It wasn't malicious, but it was late and deserving of a yellow. Newport players shouldn't have got involved, but the ref handled it badly which probably wound them up.

He truly made his mark a minute before half-time. A tackle that reminded me of Bobby Moore on Pele. Perfectly executed. AJ was harshly done by on that. The taking of the penalty was debatable too, whether that was a feint (allowable in the rules) or a double movement (not allowed) is a tough call. Who knows what a proper referee would've called - I suspect most would allow it as they tend only to worry about encroachment nowadays.

All in all, what could've been a good game wasn't allowed to develop into one. The fact the game saw more bookings that shots sums it up. The penalty was incorrect. Most of the bookings were incorrect (though inevitable once he allowed a melee to ensue). The 'foul' by Jason when setting up a possible goal was incorrectly called (linesman's error). Appalling officiating. No wonder he legged it after the whistle.

[Gareth]

County's official report:

County extended the unbeaten run to 10 league matches and, while a point was as much as was deserved, this match lacked the flowing football from most of the previous nine.



The playing surface at Gander Green Lane made a lottery of any attempt to play a passing game or to run with the ball and sympathy is due to the home club who are still suffering as a result of the hosepipe ban imposed last summer which prevented the pitch from having its proper preparation.





The conditions appeared to suit Sutton more than County because their approach is more direct and physical but there could be no argument about their first goal inside three minutes.



Play was dragged over to the County left defensive flank where Paul Honey made space for himself. His cross had County chasing shadows and Warren McBean helped the ball along to the unmarked CRAIG TANNER on the left who gave Jacob Giles no chance. The pitch worked against Sutton on 10 minutes however when Ross Gaynor beat Ian Hillier only for the ball to take a bobble as he was about to shoot and Giles was easily able to save.



There were few chances at either end, though County gradually came into the game before an unsavoury incident in the 37th minute which showed have been dealt with much more decisively by referee Rob Whitton. Tanner was dangerously late with a challenge on Steve Jenkins which left the County full-back writhing in pain but the official, while stopping play and calling on the physio, did not appear concerned with dealing with the offender. The County players were clearly incensed and a melee started with Hillier and Gaynor facing up to each other.



Eventually when play restarted, three yellow cards had been issued - to the perpetrator Tanner, and also to Hillier and Gaynor for their unnecessary involvement. Firmer officiating would have kept that number down to one.



Supporters of both sides were bemused by a decision to award a penalty to County on the stroke of half-time after Alan Bray had made a clean tackle to dispossess Craig Hughes as the County forward advanced towards goal. Mr Whitton waved away home appeals before JASON BOWEN netted the spot-kick in his inimitable style.



The penalty decision understandably caused home anger but the comment from Sutton press officer Tony Dolbear in Non-League Paper warrants a reply. Mr Dolbear reports that: “… they had equal grounds for complaint over Bowen’s penalty as he stopped in his run-up and committed goalkeeper Phil Wilson to dive one way before rolling the ball into the opposite corner of the net.”



Sutton made a similar allegation that Bowen’s penalty was illegal when Luke Naughton dived the wrong way in the 3-1 home win at Newport Stadium last October. Perhaps Sutton keepers should compare notes or, now that custodians have the option to move before the ball is kicked, they believe there should be an extra law change to insist that takers inform the goalkeeper where they intend to place the ball. The fact is that Bowen is a very good penalty taker, with 10 successful conversions this season and he is an expert in winning the battle of minds with keepers with his great ball skill.



The home side did not mount a serious attacking threat throughout the second period except for a shot into the side netting from Tony Quinton on 59 minutes and the physical nature of their game came to the fore. Matt Gray and Lewis Gonsalves were both shown yellow cards before Bray took Bowen out with a dangerous challenge to follow them into the notebook. County showed commendable restraint in the circumstances and, while the referee did not have the best of games, the caution count of 5-1 to Sutton reflected the facts.



A 73rd Damon Searle free-kick from 25 yards looked to be heading for the top corner before an excellent reaction from Wilson to tip the ball over the bar, but County had to content themselves with a point courtesy of the generous penalty award.



Stewart Edwards was called in as a late replacement for skipper John Brough who was a flu victim and he performed very well in the circumstances against difficult opposition, but while no County player could be faulted for effort, this was an occasion when hard graft rather than exciting football won the point.



The match was the first watched by Over the Bridge Exile County fan Gary James since his massive stroke last season and thanks are due to Sutton United for their excellent co-operation with the authorities and the OBEs in facilitating his attendance.



Line-ups:

Sutton: Wilson, Palmer, Bray, Scarborough, Gonsalves, Quinton, Gray, Honey, McBean, Gaynor (Henry 70), Tanner. Subs not used: Blackwell, Alimi, Taiwo, Naughton.



County: Giles, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Edwards, Hillier, Bowen, Collier, Griffin (Alsop 72), Hughes, O’Sullivan (Bassett 86). Subs not used: Holdsworth, Simpson, Ovendale.



Scorers:

Sutton: Tanner (3)

County: Bowen (45+3 pen)



Cautions:

Sutton: Tanner (37), Gaynor (37), Gray (46), Gonsalves (53), Bray (63)

County: Hillier (37)



Man of the Match:

Sutton: Paul Honey

County: Stewart Edwards



Referee: Rob Whitton (Chelmsford)

Assistants: Ronald Albert, Andrew Roberts.



Attendance: 685



Match Rating: 2/5

[Paul L]

Most of that is quite a fair report.

But "an expert in winning the battle of minds with keepers with his great ball skill", do me a favour. He's a cheat.

It also conveniently misses the blatant punch to Tanner and their continuous falling on the floor as soon as a Sutton player got near them. But then you wouldn't exactly expect them to mention that.

[Millsy]

The author clearly put on his 'Les Dawson hat' mid-way through the report, what a wind-up merchant!

As you say Paul, head-butting and punching in the face clearly aren't overly physical or unnecessary in his opinion.

The penalty-taking rules seem to be a mystery to referees but this person is clearly an authority on the subject and may even be Yuri Geller.

[wiltshire]

The Wiltshire contingent were visiting for the season's last home game & stayed over in London on Saturday night. I can't add too much about the ref. he took useless to a new dimension. That really was one of the worst displays I have seen in years including my time as a Sunday league player. Over all though I am encouraged by this season. We are probably just a couple of players off being top 6. If we could add a good target man we could well be in business next year.

[Andy K]

I got the impression after the first 10 mins or so, Newport got a bit panic'd by it all, and tried to bully us out of the game. Didn't work for Brazil in the 74 world cup, and didn't work here. Credit to a lot of the Sutton players, I've seen them get wound up for a lot less. I think the best "attack" was IH on Matt Gray at the end of the first half, literally pushing him back to keep him away from the ref, and probably saved Matt a lot of trouble!

[medibot]

There, ladies and gentleman, we have the first and now doubt only comparison of Newport County to the '74 Brazil World Cup squad

[The Editor]

nc.predictions-league.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3503&sid=415c42a667da02e311fb2e957d3f94f5

Wonder if this will become more common in Blue Square South next season - not specifically against Newport, but larger crowds (if and when applicable).

[taz]

Depends on the clubs involved I guess. Thats only segregated because it kicked off last year.

[Nick the Greek/The Speshul One]

I'm quite shocked they have been given behind both goals.

[Andy K]

medibot said:

There, ladies and gentleman, we have the first and now doubt only comparison of Newport County to the '74 Brazil World Cup squad

Obviously I have a different way of looking at the world.....

[medibot]

Indeed

Saw Eastbourne v County last night, Eastbourne won with two marvellous goals after coming back from a hilarious own goal that put them 1-0 down just after half time. A drilled volley from the left side and a well finished passing move either side of the County keeper being sent off for bringing down a Borough player who had just broken clean through on goal.

A few of the County fans were already reverting towards see you next season rather than Saturdays optimistic see you whenever.

Two games with no goals from their Strikers is worrying.