A mad end to end game

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 5 (Wildig 12, 54, Lewis 18, Charsley 78, Palmer-Houlden 90+7)

Morecambe 3 (Edwards 31, 74, Stokes 70)

Attendance: 3,508

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County WLWWLWLWLL

Morecambe LWWWDLDWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Morecambe have beaten some sides in form but are missing some key defenders so key County match their work ethic but get at them when invited.

CONDITIONS

Light drizzle, very mild and keen wind. Pitch in decent condition and very slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Very unpredictable, enterprising on the ball and took chances well, but switched off several times defending with poor concentration

TURNING POINT

Payne chance to put County 4–1 up and make game comfortable but ended up being on a knife edge until injury time.

THE MATCH

Morecambe started the brighter with some persistence with moves right side involving Adams and Edwards. On 2 minutes, Edwards did well to angle his run right side of the County area and dink back a decent cross into the area which Slew glanced on towards left back Tutonda and his snapshot from 14 yards was rising over the bar. Morecambe were sharper with low intricate moves and continued to pick holes roles with Edwards causing problems. On 8 minutes, Morecambe won a free kick left side which was only half cleared by County and Garner was alert poking his shot from 10 yards towards the goal but it was well intercepted by Bennett. County eased their way into the game with some better control through the middle of the pitch and took the lead on 12 minutes with an efficient move from deep. Morris coordinated a neat switch of play from left to right finding Payne with a ball over the head of Tutonda. From an acute angle, Payne delivered an excellent cross into the six yard box which Wildig latched onto and slot home. Morecambe competed tenaciously but were over-reliant on direct play which County dealt with well. On 18 minutes, County extended their lead from another low snappy move with Morris angling run right side to receive a pass from Wildig. With Morecambe stretched at the back, Morris showed good vision to pick out the late run by Lewis who stabbed a low precise side footed volley into the right corner from 8 yards. Morecambe became frustrated jumping into several challenges and Tutonda was booked on 24 minutes for jumping in with heavy challenge on Payne right side. Morecambe caused more problems attacking from deep with Edwards and Adams offering plenty of verve to combine right side. On 26 minutes, County were given a warning when Edwards was allowed the freedom of the park cutting inside right side of the area and with County backing off, his snapshot from 16 yards crashed against the bar. Morecambe were back in the game on 31 minutes but there was a bone of contention around the goal when Evans was impeded by Bedau in an aerial challenge. The referee waved away the protests and Slew was given time to switch play from left to right finding Edwards. His strong run through the middle went unchecked with Jameson and Lewis both failing to make an honest tackle and he blasted low into the right corner from 12 yards. The game heated up with several feisty challenges and when another coming together went against County, Wildig caught Khumbeni late and got booked. County continued to play the better football collectively and when they got the ball shifting into wide areas Morecambe looked vulnerable. On 40 minutes, County created an excellent move through the middle limiting their touches well and Wildig set up a chance for Charsley but his powerful effort from inside the “d” was tipped over the bar. Moments later County had Evans in the book when frustration appeared to get the better of him when challenged another decision by the referee which went against him. County kept pressing the right buttons as half time approached and had a decent chance on 45 minutes with Lewis supporting a move well left side and his cross pinpointed Evans but his header from 10 yards went wide of the right post.

Morecambe came out energised after half time with the wind behind them encouraging them forward. On 48 minutes, a long ball through the middle appeared to deceive the County defence who switched off and Garner nipped in to challenge with Townsend who was committed but the caught him late. With Morecambe over-zealous committing several men forward, County punished them ruthlessly on 54 minutes with a good switch of play and Lewis delivered an excellent out-swinging cross into the area which Wildig stretched to poking his shot from 10 yards expertly in the top right corner. County had a series of corners on the hour but the delivery left side from Lewis lacked bite allowing Morecambe to clear their lines. Morecambe made another change on 62 minutes with Slew replaced by Hiwula to give thrust left side. On 65 minutes, Morecambe threatened again when a snappy move left side saw Payne left static and Edwards cut back a decent cross neat the byline for Hiiwula which he directed low in the right corner but Townsend saved well. Moments later, County had a great chance to put the game to bed when a quick break through the middle saw Morris slip a neat pass for Payne right side of the area. He brushed past Tutonda who was reluctant to tackle being on a booking and his low shot from 12 yards was saved in the right corner by the keepers legs. County made a double change on 68 minutes with Jeffcott and Evans replaced by Zanzala and Palmer-Houlden. Morecambe upped the tempo of their game which unsettled County and they had Jameson in the book on 70 minutes for obstructing Adams. Morecambe got their reward moments later following a move left side with County slow to close down and deny space and Edwards had an effort well blocked by Charsley. From the resulting corner, County switched off again allowing the ball to drop and Stokes squeezed a scrappy shot low into the right corner from 10 yards. Morecambe were energised by the goal with County increasing decisive and getting brushed off the ball with some weak challenges. On 75 minutes, Adams span with his run through the middle which left County exposed finding Hiwula left side of the area. He cut inside near the byline and despite his effort being saved by Townsend, he couldn’t hold the ball and Edwards was quickest to react and head home unchallenged from 6 yards. Morecambe caused problems again on 77 minutes when a quick break invited Edwards to shoot first time but his effort from 14 yards was high and wide of the right post. County punished Morecambe ruthlessly moments later with a smart move right side to exploit space right side of the area. Palmer-Houlden did well to drive to near the byline and cut back a quick cross finding Zanzala up against Bedeau. He did well to link with Charsley who made a great anticipative run and curl his shot into left corner from 12 yards beyond the grasp of the keeper. Morecambe picked up their game again with some forceful moves right side. On 82 minutes, County made a defensive change with Charsley replaced by Drysdale who slotted into central defence with Bennett reverting to central midfield. Morecambe made a double change on 85 minutes with Larsson coming on for Harrack and Brown coming on for Khumbeni to give energy right side. Morecambe continued to cause problems for County with crosses into the box asking questions and they were close on 88 minutes when Tutonda delivered a cross left side which sat up for Garner and he adjusted well but scooped his shot from 10 yards wide of the left post. County made another change soon after with Waite coming on for Wildig. With Morecambe committed, County had a couple of decent opportunities in injury time to kill the game from moves left side. On 90+1 minutes, Waite played a neat pass left side of the area for Zanzala to latch onto but from an acute angle he appeared to over-run the ball when he needed to pull the trigger. On 90+3 minutes, another break from deep by County saw Waite play a direct ball to Zanzala and he raced goalside but delaying his shot allowed Stokes to recover and make an important block edge of the area. Morecambe were forced into a change soon after with Edwards pulling up and he was replaced by Smith. County finally put the game to bed on 90+7 minutes when Lewis won a header near the centre circle which went into the patch of Palmer-Houlden. County had several players in support but Palmer-Houlden brushed past Tutonda who slipped and he his free run forward saw him finish well with a clinical shot from 20 yards low into the right corner.

Townsend (7) — kicked well throughout with accuracy into a difficult wind. Made some smart saves low down but may have done better on second goal not seeing the ball through the crowd.

Lewis (6) — put under pressure in the early stages allowing moves to be threaded around him. Did well in the Morecambe half supplying some decent crosses and denied space better second half

Payne (5) — did well first half, distributed effectively and showed prowess with cross on first goal. Never did enough to test left back who was booked and got forced to deep missing too many tackles.

Baker (6) — was competent in aerial duals but ball watched a bit, got bullied off too many challenges and didn’t do enough to stem momentum Morecambe built left side.

Jameson (7) — gave defence composure and did a lot of important work to stifle and pick holes. Got a bit flat footed on the opening goal missing tackle. Coped well after booking.

Bennett (6) — when he read flight of the ball and was in position he used ball effectively. Got caught out by some direct balls but recovered well. did better when slotted into central midfield.

Morris (7) — took control of the some good moves in spells switching play and made some clever runs. Showed capability to also cross well and worked hard to deny space.

Wildig (8) — took advantage of the freedom offered which was surprising being known to Morecambe. Was on a tight rope after booking but adjusted well and scored two well taken goals.

Evans (6) — a lot of aerial challenged appeared to go against him again and needs to focus frustration elsewhere. Worked hard off the ball but not saw enough with ball at feet, chances restricted.

Jeffcott (7) — got across defender well and did a lot of good work first half showing good touch with ball at feet. Got into six yard several times but unpicked. Faded early and replaced.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Morecambe)

Strengths — despite several defensive injuries they were bold and made efforts to get on front-foot and attacked well from deep with pace. patterns of play final third caused problems throughout.

Weaknesses — both full backs lacked positional sense and were exposed by pace. Kicked ball long on times and lacked thought.

Opportunities — they were quite direct first half but got the ball well playing into the wind keeping it live which gave problems to County

Threats — Edwards runs and anticipation in and around the box. Adams was disruptive and good with his feet. Hiwula gave an outlet with pace and guile left side

OFFICIALS

S Simpson (6) — some peculiar decisions first half not penalising cynical play and holding but better second half. Booked when necessary and got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Adam Wildig — the difference between the sides on the night, smart with his passing and link play, taking chances clinically. Kept driving side on after his booking which was key.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started the game very slowly but took a foothold for only a short time following some well worked play in wide areas and decisive finishes. Morecambe sensed some vulnerability when County allowed them to spin off too many challenges and they exposed some frailties with either missed tackles or lack of physicality that allowed Morecambe to get up a head of steam. Edwards caused problems all night with his dribbling with County ball watching too much. County lacked teeth but with the ball, they were much more dynamic, but didn’t always have players on the same wavelength to profit, with both Charsley and Wildig flooding forward to angle their runs but not being picked out. However when County did get their passes and switches of play functioning they caused problems. Next up is AFC Wimbledon away who have forced themselves into the top 7 pack with a tight defensive unit. Wimbledon are likely to employ a rigid 3–5–2 system and press up to suffocate play with Currie v Payne and Lewis v Neufville looking to be key battles. This match is likely to be confrontational and physical so County need to prepare for a battle royal, manage their 1v1s and use their guile to get in behind with smart runs from deep.