Back to basics

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Prestfield Stadium

Gillingham 0

Newport County 2 (Baker 16, Hudlin 33)

Attendance: 5,262

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County LLLWLWWLLL

Gillingham LLWWLWWLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Gillingham are under a bit of pressure after a series of defeats. County need to up their defensive focus, win more of the 1v1 battles and have the nerve to play when they get the ball.

CONDITIONS

Mild, partly cloudy with light breeze. Pitch in good condition but a bit bare in the corners.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Clinical with moments of quality complimented by resilience under pressure

TURNING POINT

Opening goal created more space for County to punish.

THE MATCH

County made four changes with Hudlin coming in for Baker-Richardson up front and centre back Baker returning after international duty to replace Clarke who was a substitute. There were two midfield changes with Antwi and Kieron Evans sacrificed to the bench with loan signing from Newcastle Jamie Miley making his first league appearance and Cameron Evans returning to the side. There was an interesting change in formation as County adjusted to a 4–2–3–1 with Cameron Evans going left back and Glennon given the licence to push into left midfield. Gillingham made the more assertive start forcing County deep but they snapped out of their shell on 3 minutes when a quick direct ball sat up awkwardly with Masterston misjudging the bounce and Hudlin glanced the ball on neatly to Wildig in support. He wasted little time in getting a shot from 16 yards which was well blocked by Ehmer. Gillingham made their intentions clear with long backs from deep with goalkeeper Turner also testing County centre backs Jameson and Brennan but they got the ball safe. On 7 minutes, County squandered possession cheaply when a loose pass from Jameson was snapped up by Nolan who found Lapslie but he appeared to slip at the key moment. Gillingham persisted with lofted balls through the middle of the pitch and the game was untidy on times with County trying to get the ball down and play but found space at a premium. On 10 minutes, County had a good situation to break right side with Kamwa finding space but some indecision allowed left back Clark to pinch the ball. Gillingham shifted play quickly from left to right pinpointing Clarke in space near the right corner of the area but his shot was deflected wide of the left post. The game settled into a pattern with Gillingham playing direct and County the more thoughtful and patient. On 13 minutes, County had a warning when a Gillingham free kick right side by Clarke went to the back post but Dieng headed into the side netting under pressure from Baker. County settled into a better spell with Kamwa offering an outlet with his pace right side to test left back Clark. On 16 minutes, Kamwa did well near the right byline with quick feet to beat Clark who scythed him down. Clark was booked and from the resultant free kick by Glennon, Gillingham were caught napping with Baker striking an immaculate volley from 10 yards into the top right corner giving Turner no chance. Gillingham were forced into an early change on 22 minutes with Lapslie not recovering from a knock and he was replaced by former Wales international Jonnie Williams. Gillingham continued to probe away with direct moves using Wylie up front and he did well to coax Brennan into an untidy challenge on 25 minutes which got him a booking. Gillingham were given another warning on 27 minutes when Kamwa darted forward leaving Clark in his shadows down the right flank. With the Gillingham defence struggling to recover the cross delivered back post was anticipated well by Glennon who made a late run forward only for Ehmer to divert his goalbound effort. The match continued to flow well end to end with Nolan coming into the game left side but County did well to stifle the crosses. On 32 minutes, County broke quickly when a Gillingham free kick broke down and Baker did well to carry the ball forward with a strong run. He released Kamwa right side with a precise pass and the first time cross into the area found Hudlin who span off a challenge from Masterton to finish low in the left corner from 10 yards. Gillingham were forced to push on which suited County who worked the ball well in transition with Miley and Morris combining well. On 37 minutes, County broke at speed right side and Miley was caught late by Coleman who got himself a yellow card. Gillingham made efforts to raise the bar as half time approached forcing some free kicks. On 42 minutes, Williams delivered a decent cross from a free kick right side which Dieng met back post but his effort was well blocked by Brennan. Gillingham threw in some crosses to test County in first half injury time and flirted with goal on 45+2 minutes when Hutton picked up on a loose but blasted an opportunist shot well over. On 45+4 minutes, County had a useful situation following a short throw right side by Evans to Miley. He struck a quick volleyed cross into the area which flashed deep just beyond the reach of Hudlin.

County were forced into a change at half time with Morris replaced by Whitmore. Gillingham ramped up the pressure winning some early corners. On 48 minutes, Gillingham worked a quick cross following a corner right side with Clarke inviting Nolan to glance a header at the front post but he caught the ball too thin. On 50 minutes, Gillingham won a corner right side which caused some contention and Jameson was booked for debating it with the referee. On 52 minutes, Gillingham created a forceful move left side with Nolan attacking the byline and the cross cut back was latched onto by Clarke but his effort from 14 yards was well blocked by Baker. County resorted to some direct play to relieve pressure but struggled for accuracy on times with Hudlin and Kamwa drifting out of the game. Gillingham kept probing away and worked a neat low move on 57 minutes with Nolan and Dieng the architects. The ball was threaded inside for Wylie but his snapshot from 12 yards was beaten away smartly by Townsend. County made a double substitution on the hour with Hudlin and Kamwa replaced by Baker-Richardson and Kieron Evans. Gillingham responded with a triple change with Hawkins coming on up front in place of Dieng, Gbode replaced Nolan and left back Clark on a booking sacrificed for Ogie. Gillingham switched to 4–3–3 with Gbode and Hawkins partnering Wylie up front. Gillingham continued to win free kicks with some penetration to their moves right side involving right back Hutton. On 67 minutes, a free kick right by Clarke was glanced on by Masterson and Hawkins struck a decent first time effort from the left corner of the box which Townsend held well. County saw a bit more of the ball mid-way through the half but struggled to retain the ball under pressure allowing Gillingham to come back at their faces. County made another change to pep up their approach play on 70 minutes with Antwi coming on for Miley. Gillingham continued to threaten from moves right side with right back Hutton forceful with his runs. On 73 minutes, Hutton jinked past Evans and cut back a decent cross which Hawkins met deep and caressed his header into the path of Williams. He adjusted well to direct a low shot from 12 yards which Townsend did well to parry away with a strong arm. Gillingham made another change on 75 minutes sacrificing centre back Masterton for Wakeling with them switching to 3–4–3. County made their final change on 80 minutes with Spellman coming on for Glennon. Gillingham threw the kitchen sink at County in the final minutes and were close again on 83 minutes following a set piece near the right by line when Gbode appeared to lie on the ball under pressure from Jameson. The free kick itself was questionable but the delivery by Williams was precise into the six yard box but Gbode headed over under pressure. Gillingham persisted with moves right side to release Hutton, but County dug in well in the 6 minutes of injury time with the crosses lacking quality to trouble. Gillingham ran out of ideas with County maintaining their discipline and determination to see out an important away win.

Townsend (8) — kicked well under pressure and made some important instinctive saves at key moments. Kept defence focused and organised throughout

Brennan (7) — worked hard, defended stoutly dealing well with several crosses back post to clear danger effectively. Coped well after booking, limiting crosses left side

Baker (8) — broke up and stifled well especially first half and was effective with his distribution. Did well to contain Hawkins later in game and deal with direct play. Took his chance expertly.

Glennon (7) — adjusted well in more advanced role linking play and probe some good moves. Got forced deeper second half and defended back well to cover threat.

Jameson (7) — strong in the aerial duals and was stronger in 1v1 duals to fend off threat with some stern challenges. Forced back in some hurried clearances and can improve distribution.

C Evans (6) — did a job at left back but never looked assured. made some sporadic runs forward first half but played very deep and put under pressure by Clarke second half but competed well

Morris (6) — saw the ball going over his head a lot but did a lot of good work to pick up debris and composure was missed when he went off early to be replaced by:

Whitmore (6) — worked hard off the ball to deny space through the middle and made some strong runs to carry the ball but never really asserted his game.

Wildig (7) — quiet game, had spells first half when he linked and prompted moves final third but got forced deeper and deeper. Did a lot of good work to organise and mopped up danger well.

Miley (6) — had a good first half, was bright with the ball at feet but lost ball in some areas which put side in trouble. Showed capability with quick crosses and passes.

Kamwa (7) — had an excellent half an hour which was damaging for Gillingham. Took his runs from box to box and at the heart of both goals with decisive crosses and trickery on the ball.

Hudlin (7) — well marked in aerial duals but wasn’t static which gave the Gillingham defence plenty to digest. took goal well with late run but given poot service second half and replaced early

SWOT ANALYSIS (Gillingham)

Strengths — full backs were bold and contributed well second half. Delivered some decent set pieces from dead ball

Weaknesses — lot of the play was direct and hopeful. Lacked appetite to build moves and work space. put in fair quota of crosses and shots but lacked cutting edge.

Opportunities — started 4–2–3–1 but lacked appetite to press. Went increasingly direct as game progressed throwing in opportunist crosses.

Threats — Nolan crosses left side and Hutton offered verve right side. Dieng runs box to box and Williams offered some quality from set pieces.

OFFICIALS

F Halllam (8) — managed game well. got all the bookings right and was able to let the game flow.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Matt Baker — another valuable goal but his composure and awareness to clear threat efficiently was important especially late on when County were forced deep.

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County did the basics very well today and also showed quality to finish their chances at key times in this game. In the second half they showed another side to their game with gritty determination and had to contend with a lot of pressure from direct play and crosses. The changed system worked relatively well with Glennon playing a more advanced role although Cameron Evans struggled to contain the runs of Hutton on times which meant second half County couldn’t counter pressure to attack left side and Kamwa was less effective right side. Gillingham pressed up more higher and aggressively and County did lose some composure when Morris left the pitch early, but they did regain a better foothold in the game late on. To their credit, County showed stern resilience considering they had less control of the game second half. They can improve on their release under pressure to build moves and punish overzealous sides. Despite Gillingham just leaving their two central defenders back and their full backs pushed very high, County couldn’t find the same precision to turn Gillingham around and when moves broke down they found the ball coming back at them quickly. County have been hard to beat when they get ahead in games, so the key over the winter months as pitches degrade will be to not give other sides a quick leg up. They may need some caution in some games but their game management will be pivotal to make other sides chase games. Next up are Fleetwood Town at home this Saturday. Fleetwood are likely to employ a 3–5–2 systems with Newport born Ryan Broom a key engine in central midfield. Their wing backs are influential but they do also leave vulnerability for players like Glennon and Evans to get in and punish them back post.