Another indifferent performance short on quality

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1

Accrington Stanley 3 (Henderson 22, Leigh 46, Pritchard 67)

Attendance: 3,201

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLLWDDLLLL

Accrington Stanley DLLLLWDLLd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Both sides been on a poor run although Accrington have tightened up at the back recently. County need to play to their strengths up top and assert their game in the Accrington half

CONDITIONS

Cool, partly cloudy and breezy. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Imploded second half, lost too many physical duals and lacked braveness on the ball

TURNING POINT

Conceding sloppy second goal after leaving the changing room.

THE MATCH

County made a few changes after their defeat at Grimsby Town on the weekend goalkeeper Townsend sacrificed to the bench in place of Maxted. There were 2 changes up front Palmer-Houlden and Bogle replacing Evans and Zanzala who were on the bench. County also introduced Bondswell left midfield in place of Jeffcott who was a substitute with County adopting a 4–2–3–1 formation. County made another slow start that has typified recent home performance allowing Accrington to build momentum with some probing moves left side which tested County right back Bright. On 3 minute, Accrington issued an early warning when a throw left side of the area was weakly contested by the County defence and the ball flashed through to Connelly in acres of space. He adjusted to strike a decent first time effort from 12 yards which was well blocked by Jameson. County struggled to get a foothold in the game with Accrington forcing them tempo using Whalley left side. On 12 minutes, Accrington switched play quickly from right to left with Whalley forcing his way outside Bright. He cut back a low pass inside for Woods near the “d” inviting a low effort which Maxted saved low down in the right corner. County took the lead, against the run of play on 13 minutes with a direct low move from deep. Baker initiated the move with a good first time clearance which he kept low and went straight to the feet of Charsley. He made the most of the space invited to thread a pass inside for Morris who struck an excellent effort from 25 yards into the top right corner with the keeper grasping thin air. County had a better spell after taking the lead with some neat intricate low moves left side involving Lewis and Bondswell. Accrington remained menacing on the break with Nolan angling runs well right side and prepared to cross. On 22 minutes, Accrington equalised when a County move deep inside the Accrington half broke down cheaply with Bogle losing possession to Hills. A pass was threaded quickly right side which caught County napping and Nolan delivered a decent searching cross which Henderson anticipated the quickest at the back post to head low into the left corner. Accrington kept persevering away left side with Whalley offering an outlet. On 27 minutes, a simple switch of play by Accrington from right to left saw Henderson beat Baker to the ball and his glancing header in behind Bright was seized upon by Whalley. He carried his run to the byline but the low shot from an acute angle drifted wide of the right post. County had a better spell of possession as half time approached showing more desire on the ball to working openings but the final ball and delivery into the area was either too hopeful or lacking a cutting edge. Nolan continued to enjoy the freedom offered right side and tested the County defence with some crosses which they managed to scramble to safety. After pinning Accrington deeper for a time, County were put on the back-foot again on 45 minutes when they failed to protect the ball left side of the area. Nolan drove forward from deep and Bondswell tracked the run but got coaxed into an untidy and booked. County were forced into a change on 45+3 minutes with Bondswell not able to recover from the tackle and he was replaced by Evans who went right side with Palmer-Houlden swapping to the right side. On 45+5 minutes, County flirted with goal with Bright making a purposeful run right side of the area. He adjusted to whip in a cross with his left foot which was only half cleared to the edge of the area and Morris struck a rising effort over the bar.

County made a surprise change on half time with Bogle replaced early by Zanzala. Accrington went ahead on 46 minutes with County allowing too much space to work a low move left side of the area. Woods clipped in a cross into the area leaving the County defence flat-footed and Leigh ghosted to hit an shot on the turn into the left corner from 10 yards. Accrington continued to force some crisp moves right side with Nolan putting Lewis under pressure. On 50 minutes, County countered the threat with a decent move left side an individual run by Palmer-Houlden saw him cut inside near left corner of the area but his curling effort went wide of the right post. Accrington were close to a third goal on 56 minutes when the direct move left side saw Leigh win the battle of wits to seize the loose ball. His cut back a decent cross to the back post but Nolan rashly struck his effort from 12 yards over the bar. With Accrington forcing play right side, County needed an option right side but Evans and Bright were struggled to impose their game. Accrington made a triple substitution on 65 minutes with Leigh and Connelly replaced by Lowe and Martin. There was another change in attacking midfield with Pritchard introduced for Henderson. County struggled for cohesion and Accrington added a third goal moments later when Zanzala lost possession just inside the 18 yard box. With Accrington able to pick a pass a will, Whalley angled his run and his cross cut back deep was turned in by the unmarked Pritchard. Accrington opted for some more direct moves with Lowe contesting across the line putting Baker under pressure. On 72 minutes, Woods set up an opportunity for a fourth Accrington goal with a short pass to Pritchard who dragged a low shot from 18 yards just wide of the right post. County had their first shot of the second half on 80 minutes when Jameson crept up to support a move deep inside the Accrington half but his long range effort was comfortable for Vitek. County made a couple of late changes with Bennett and Charsley replaced by Jeffcott and Norris. County had more of the ball in final minutes but overplayed on times allowing Accrington to recover and the situation was lost. Accrington remained a threat on the break with Nolan forceful with his runs. Accrington made another change on 89 minutes with Gubbins replaced by Quirk in defence. On 90+1 minutes, County had a goal ruled out for offside following a quick short corner left side. Lewis supplied a decent cross into the six yard box and the shot by Jameson was blocked and Jeffcott directed a decent first time effort into the right corner but the Zanzala was deemed offside and interfering despite not touching the ball. County continued to see several decisions against them and frustration boiled over on 90+6 minutes when Lewis appeared to raise his leg and catch Martin high. The referee issued a straight red and the whistle was blown soon after with Jameson booked for protesting.

Maxted (5) — never got near any of the goals, was happy to stay on his line and handled shots well. kicking lacked depth and was erratic often going out of the play

Baker (5) — got bullied in the aerial duals and recovered too slowly. Switched off marking on both the first and second goals allowing time to shoot.

Lewis (4) — put under pressure first half but had spells getting forward and best moves went down his side. got forced too deep second half and given the runaround by Nolan before late red card

Jameson (6) — was strong in the air and denied space but forced into some hurried rash clearances. Did well on set pieces and kept positive linking play.

Bennett (5) — a yard off the pace, lost too many second balls and struggled to cover slick moves from deep. struggling for energy with two games in four days and replaced early.

Morris (6) — has some limited spells on the ball, best moves went through him, but forced back firefighting after too many passing errors by others. Took his goal well and kept going.

Charsley (5) — did a job in the hole though the middle but found space restricted. Lost too many key battles especially in the air and didn’t pick up enough of the debris.

Palmer-Houlden (6) — best striker on the day, worked hard to provide an outlet and looked most likely to score with some shots from distance but fed off little quality in the air.

Bondswell (4) — struggled physically, bullied off the ball in too many challenges. Did his best with supporting runs and link with Lewis but little end product. Replaced early by:

Evans (5) — quiet game, outlet needed right side but kept drifting inside and was anonymous for large parts, squandered opportunity late on delaying cross come shot right side.

Bogle (6) — gave some presence and an outlet but lack of sharpness saw him concede possession in some dangerous areas and lost ball in lead up to Accrington first goal. Replaced at half time by:

Zanzala (5) — never got goalside off defenders and allowed ball to pickpocketed far too easily. Did a lot of running but no end product.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Accrington Stanley)

Strengths — maintained high tempo and worked hard to protect lead. Pressed County into several mistakes and decisive with crosses final third.

Weaknesses — defenders jumped into several challenges and got away with a lot of the climbing and pushing off the ball.

Opportunities — worked left side well first half and switched to right side to ask questions second half. Supplied quicker crosses which got them reward with County sleeping.

Threats — Whalley angled clever runs left side, Nolan forceful right side supplying decent crosses. Connelly picked some neat passes to break the lines.

OFFICIALS

D Drysdale (6) — consistent but another lenient home official, ignored pretty much all the off the ball antics with the climbing taken to a new level, awarding more fouls against County.

MAN OF THE MATCH

J Nolan (Accrington 17) — continually punished County with moves in transition right side supplying crosses with quality and conviction.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Sadly another indecisive home performance lacking passion and organisation. County were just about in the game first half but never sorted the glaring issues they had defending their wide areas with Whalley and Nolan causing problems from the first minute. County are missing several key defenders but their inaction to change tact or offer a counter threat made the task much easier for Accrington who made the most of the lenient official to bully County weakly off several challenges. County have 5 different kind of strikers in their squad but cannot seem to find any momentum or quality to utilise them being let down by poor crosses or final ball which often ran tamely into the keepers grateful arms. They also failed to get either side of the 18 yard box with any conviction and won only one corner which is telling statistic on the territorial dominance Accrington had in this game which was not surprising when they kept turning back with their passes instead of going straigher. Next up is Tranmere Rovers at home this Saturday who outrun County at Prenton Park showing desire to win with a late goal. Tranmere are likely to play a conventional 4–4–2 system with wingers with Apter offering pace right side and Hawkes keen to dribble left side when invited. Tranmere will sit in and play on the break keeping ball low with Norris and Jennings more proficient with the ball at the feet. Tranmere have been vulnerable to direct play but County need to show more thirst to vice grip the ball and win the first contacts.