Air raid warning by County precedes the blitz

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 6 (Morris 12, 16, 46, Kamwa 23, 47 81)

MK Dons 3 (Offorde 45+2, 75, White 71)

Attendance: 3,887

Match Rating: *****

Form:

Newport County LWdLLLddDd

MK Dons LWWWLWLWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

MK Dons are in decent form and carry threat middle and top end of the pitch. County need to stifle their wide game and pick holes in transition. Not a game to ball watch.

CONDITIONS

Sunny spells, mild with blustery swirling wind. Pitch in decent condition and slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Clinical and decisive final third to work gaps and squashed threats well.

TURNING POINT

Second County goal so soon after the first goal knocked the stuffing out of MK.

THE MATCH

County made a few changes from their goalless draw at Colchester last weekend with Luke Jephcott a surprise change in for Kyle Hudlin who was on the bench. Anthony Glennon also returned to the side at left back in place of Joe Thomas who was substitute with Shane McLoughlin reverting to right back. There was another change up front with Geoffroy Bony not in the squad allowing Bobby Kamwa an opportunity. County played into a keen wind first half and were patient in the early stages building moves through the thirds. MK were keen to press up to deny County rhythm, but they had a warning on 5 minutes when County burst through left side with Spellman finding Antwi left side of the area. He had time to adjust but his shot from outside the box went over the bar. MK were keen to get men forward with the wind encouraging them forward and they had an opportunity on 7 minutes when a long kick by keeper McGill was trapped by Gilbey. He directed a hopeful shot from 25 yards, but it went high and wide of the left post and bar. MK built some steam up with some moves right side getting Nemane on the ball, but County kept focussed to deal with crosses. On 12 minutes, County took the lead when MK attempted to play from deep with the keeper unselling a pass to Maguire. Morris was quick to press and win possession and carry the ball forward before striking an exquisite effort into the top left corner from 20 yards. MK responded with some moves inside the County half with Gilbey pivotal in the approach play and forcing some corners. On 16 minutes, County broke quickly left side when a MK move broke down. Spellman did well to thread a low pass for Kamwa left side of the area and his low cross was met by Jephcott from 8 yards forcing McGill to parry the shot away. Morris anticipated well to make a supporting run into the area and smashed the rebound home from 6 yards. MK made efforts to pick up their game but forced some moves in decent positions overplaying passes with the wind behind them. County kept working hard to close down MK moves from deep with the central defensive pair struggling for cohesion. On 24 minutes, County added a third goal when a MK move from deep left side stalled when Jephcott pickpocketed the ball off Lawerence. He supplied a quick neat pass inside for Kamwa who coolly slotted low into the left corner from 10 yards. MK kept persisting with moves right side using Nemane as an outlet, but they remained vulnerable when the ball was lost with Spellman and Antwi working well in packs. On 30 minutes, County had a great opportunity for a fourth goal when a fast move left side saw Antwi fend off a challenge by Offorde left side of the area. He burst forward into the area but was unable to keep his effort down well it looked easier to score. On 35 minutes, another efficient move by County saw Spellman attack from deep coaxing Nemane into a clumsy tackle from behind which got him a booking. County continued to cause problems with their switches of play and McLoughlin probed some well-timed moves right side. On 36 minutes, County were awarded a penalty when a cross right side by McLoughlin sat up inside the box and Offorde reached out to handle the ball. Morris stepped up to strike a low shot into the left corner beyond the grasp of the keeper. MK had a better spell of control and territory as half time approach with Kelly angling some supporting runs right side. On 40 minutes, Kelly supplied a pass for Wearne who cut a decent cross back from the byline which Hogan met but his effort from 10 yards went well wide of the right post. County were close again moments later when a good break saw McLoughlin slice through the middle. He threaded a neat pass ;eft side for Spellman in space and his low cross into the six yard box was cleared by Maguire with Kamwa lurking. County were forced to defend deeper as half time approached but kept their focus well to clear effectively. On 45+4 minutes, MK won a free kick down the right flank with Nemane clipped by Spellman. From the resultant free kick White whipped in a vicious delivery which Offorde rose strongly glancing his effort from 10 yards into the roof of the net.

County started the second half positively with no sign of going into their shell. On 46 minutes, a precise move left side saw Glennon supply Jephcott who directed a clever header inside which caught on the wind. Kamwa anticipated well to carry the ball forward left side of the area but he rushed his effort slicing it well wide of the left post. MK failed to heed the warning and County extended their lead again moments later when a quick move from deep saw Glennon supply Kieron Evans who combined well with Antwi. His through ball into Jephcott was measured and the clever pass inside released Kamwa and his strong run took him past Maguire and lob the advancing keeper from 16 yards. County were energised by the goal and were close to a sixth goal on 52 minutes when McLoughlin slipped a clever low pass down the right side of the area for Antwi to latch onto. Despite being under pressure, he managed to get a decent shot in from an acute angle which McGill held well. MK remained a threat right side with Nemane making some probing runs to test Glennon. On 53 minutes, Nemane floated a cross right side following a darting run which Hogan met well but his header from 10 yards went over the bar. MK made a double change on 55 minutes in midfield replacing Pritchard with Carroll and Hendry in attacking midfield for Wearne. The change settled MK into a better spell of possession forcing some corners left side, but County kept their focus well to clear effectively. County made a double substitution on 60 minutes with Mawene and Hudlin replacing Antwi and Jephcott. MK made another attacking change with Newport born striker Ellis Harrison replacing Kelly. County continued to cause problems left side in transition with Glennon getting into some promising positions, but the final ball was intercepted. On 63 minutes, a snappy County move left side saw Spellman make a strong carry from deep and thread a pass for Mawene left side of the box, but his low fizzing effort went into the side netting. On 65 minutes, there was a warning for County when they lost possession cheaply left side allowing MK to break and Gilbey supplied a pass into Harrison. He made a strong run towards the “d” but dragged a low effort wide of the right post. County made another change on 66 minutes with Spellman sacrificed for Jameson with County adjusting to 3–4–3 to match MK. County kept working hard to protect their lead and were close again for a sixth goal on 70 minutes, Evans did well to prise the ball away from Carroll and his opportunist half volley from 25 yards fizzed narrowly wide of the right post. County were caught napping moments later when they allowed space right side for Gilbey to roam into. With County stretched Gilbey showed good vision to cut back a deep cross and White unmarked thrashed his shot home from 10 yards. County kept on the front foot and there was another booking for MK on 73 minutes when White cynically tackled Kamwa as he burst forward left side. MK added a third goal on 75 minutes when a cross into the area left side by Carroll who flicked on by Harrison to Hogan. He glanced a header into the six-yard box for Offorde to stab home and there was a suspicion of offside, but the linesman ignored the appeals. County picked up their game with some better control final third and more patience to work low moves. On 78 minutes, County were close again when a corner left side by McLoughlin invited Mawene to shoot near the edge of the area, but his effort went well over the bar. On 80 minutes, County had Kamwa in the book for a collision with Maguire who had pushed up from defence to attack. Maguire was also booked for his part in the altercation. County finally got the sixth goal they threatened on 82 minutes following a direct move left side. Kamwa started and finished the move with a neat exchange inside with Mawene. The return pass inside set Kamwa free, and his strong run left side saw him composed with a finish in the top right corner from the left side of the box. County made another change soon after with Glennon replaced by Thomas. On 85 minutes, County worked a decent low move through the middle and Kamwa whipped in a decent curling effort from 25 yards forcing McGill to save. There were four minutes of injury time played with MK offering some threat on the counter from some strong runs by Harrison. On 90+2 minutes, MK won a free kick in decent position when Harrison was bowled over by Morris. Gilbey took the free kick but his effort from 25 yards ballooned well over the bar which characterised their performance on the day. County held out well dealing with crosses into the box with Maguire playing up front in the final stages.

Townsend (7) — kicked well in the wind first half with precision but struggled overplaying some kicks second half. Made some good collections on crosses but not tested especially.

Baker (7) — was strong with his headers and cleared effectively reading danger to mop quickly. Put under some pressure later in the game but recovered well to make tackles.

Glennon (7) — was tested by Nemane but kept vigilance to squash threat and limit crosses. Was effective with his distribution but can improve on crosses and final ball.

McLoughlin (7) — defended well first half and timed runs from deep with some bright runs to unsettle MK. Forced back second half and got turned back to defend more.

Brennan (7) — dealt well with direct balls winning first contacts and covered threat second half when MK had more verve left side. Went close on a couple of set pieces.

Morris (9) — superb first half hat trick, clinical with first goal and anticipated well in around the box. Directed several moves and despite being forced deeper second half made several key tackles

Antwi (7) — worked well in tandem with Spellman to prise ball and moves left side. Bright box to box and had three decent chances in advanced areas and deserved a goal for his efforts.

K Evans (8) — was a thorn in the MK side with his speed of thought and exchanges to set up moves final third. Went close a couple of times from distance and provided some good crosses.

Kamwa (9) — unplayable on times with his pace and verve to get at and unsettle defenders intelligently linking play. Took his chances very well and could have had more goals.

Spellman (7) — was his best game in a County shirt. Had awareness to press and win ball in key areas and used it efficiently to turn MK defenders around. Provided some decent first-time crosses.

Jephcott (7) — took up some good positions across the line to coordinate moves and take defenders out of comfort zone. Had a couple chances inside the area but denied first goal.

SWOT ANALYSIS (MK Dons)

Strengths — used width well and build patterns of play through the middle and final thirds.

Weaknesses — backline laboured on times playing from deep and slow to recover when turned back on heels. Overplayed several passes first half from deep.

Opportunities — made changes late considering abject first half but changes did make them assert better control for a time.

Threats — Nemane outlet and crosses right side, Gilbey runs box to box and assists. Kelly prompted some good moves right side. Offorde threat set pieces inside area.

OFFICIALS

S Mather (8) — was keen to let game flow and reluctant to bring out cards unless necessary. Got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Bryn Morris — looked sharp throughout probing with intricate passes and looks back to best after injury ridden season. Showed his prowess with shots from distance and took chances clinically.

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County never looked back after the excellent goal which ignited them, and they kept looking to get on the front foot even when both sides jockeyed for possession. County were the sharper unit final third and they caused problems throughout left side with both Antwi and Spellman influencing the game and Evans probing moves intelligently through the middle. When County limit their touches and turn sides around they are very effective unit, and it was the tempo and care they took of the ball that gave them the upper edge over MK today. Morris and Kamwa can take pride from their performances, but it was very much a team performance and that was the bedrock and standard they have set. Next up is Bromley away on Boxing Day who will pose a completely different question with plenty of aerial prowess and direct play to test County with Sowunmi and Reynolds strong with headers on set pieces. Bromley have dragged themselves away from trouble in recent weeks and have been effective using top scorer Cheek as a direct option but have able runners in behind that need tracking with former County player Corey Whitley picking up the debris and eye for a snapshot. New Bromley signing Imray offers plenty of verve right side, but they do have vulnerability defending low passes especially right side which County can exploit.