Blitz of early set piece goals bury County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: County Ground

Swindon Town 4 (Tshimanga 4, Glatzel 18, Baker own goal 21, Cotterill 45)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 6,857

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LLWWWLL

Swindon Town DLLdLLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County will need to employ a makeshift defence due to suspension and injuries. Swindon have not won this season so key stay focussed and not offer any charity.

CONDITIONS

Sunny, warm and calm. Pitch in decent condition and quick on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Limp up top, lacked physicality in key battles and switched off in set pieces

TURNING POINT

Swindon never looked back after early gift.

THE MATCH

County retained their 3–5–2 formation but were forced into the three defensive changes with McLoughlin injured and both centre backs Jameson and Brennon suspended. Morris deputised in central defence alongside Cameron Evans who dropped back from midfield to right centre back. County were able to call on centre back Baker returning after international duty and they introduced both Greaves and loaning signing Mawene in midfield. There was another change up front with Kamwa surprisingly sacrificed to the bench in place of another loan signing Kieron Evans who went right wing back. Swindon made their intentions clear inside the first minute when a long throw ball was not cleared effectively and Wright hooked a cross back in but Freckleton saw his from 10 yards drift past the left post. Swindon took the lead on 4 minutes when County conceded a cheap free left side with Glennon attempted block on Wright was late. The free kick curled in had venom on it and with County struggling to react, Tshimanga was given space to hit a shot on the turn from 10 yards which went low into the left corner with Townsend slow to anticipate. County made efforts to respond seeing plenty of the ball and although their passing was neat, Swindon kept them at arms-length. On 7 minutes, County were given a warning when a loose pass from Morris was intercepted in midfield by Tshimanga and his quick pass found Butterworth who dragged his low shot from 20 yards wide of the left post. With County in coma, Swindon were close to repeating the trick on 8 minutes with Kieran Evans bowled off the ball by Cox and quick break invited Cotterill to run through the middle but the shot from 25 yards was wide of the left post. The match followed a similar theme with County indecisive and losing possession in dangerous areas and Swindon looking to break in packs. Swindon won some long throws either side of the 18 yard box which caused problems for County with them lacking presence in aerial duals. County responded with a better move on 17 minutes which caught Swindon short when Baker-Richardson killed the ball smartly just inside the Swindon half. He showed good vision to pick out a well timed run for Wildig who drove into the left side of the area. Some delay in getting in this shot from 14 yards allowed Sobowale to recover and make an important block. County were punished severely turning defence into attack and Kilkenny switched play from right to left to find Cox in space. With County slow to track his run he darted forward and delivered an excellent cross left side of the area which pinpointed Glatzel who headed into the top left corner from 10 yards with the County defence static. Cox continued to torment County with some strong runs coaxing Kieron Evans into a mistimed challenge 21 minutes as he attempted to recover back. Cox took the free kick and with the County defence indecisive a late rushed clearance by Baker appeared to deflect inside the six yard box flatfooting Towsend. County appeared to adjust their system soon after going 4–2–3–1 with Glennon left back and Cameron Evans right back alongside Baker and Morris. County settled into a better spell of possession and shape with Antwi and Mawene sitting deep allowing the front three of Kieron Evans, Wildig and Greaves to apply more pressure. County continued to be impaired by weak retention and despite more of the ball they were always vulnerable when Swindon pickpocketed the ball in midfield. On 32 minutes, Swindon were close again when they were slow in their press allowing a move to build from deep. Kilkenny crafted the move right side threading a neat pass for King. His cross from right side of the 18 yard box threatened with Glatzel lurking but Baker did well intercept the danger. Swindon kept pressing with Cox prominent left side with his runs and they added a fourth on 45 minutes which was again self-inflicted with Glennon losing possession high up the pitch. The ball was switched from right to left and Cox curled in a decent cross inviting Glatzel to shoot from 10 yards. Despite Townsend making a good instinctive save Swindon again first to the loose ball and the untracked Cotterill slotted into the left corner from 10 yards.

County made two changes at half time with Jephcott replacing Antwi and Kamwa coming on for Greaves with Wildig dropping deeper. Swindon made a surprise change with Cox sacrificed early giving Mintun an opportunity to impress at left wing back. County were forced into an early change on 48 minutes when a clearance appeared to strike Wildig in the head and he was forced off despite being alert and able to continue. County introduced Rai who went right side just behind Kieron Evans. Swindon were close to a fifth on 53 minutes when poor retention up front allowed Swindon to snatch possession and the quick turnover again put County in trouble with a move left side. Butterworth did well to angle his run left side of the box and his cross looked to be marshalled well by Baker but he slipped allowing Glatzel to steal the ball but his snapshot from 10 yards was parried by Townsend. County upped their efforts with some sporadic breaks from deep and Evans was caught late on 56 minutes by Kilkenny who was booked. On 63 minutes, County flirted with goal when their first corner right side by Glennon was met by Baker-Richardson back post under pressure by Wright but the header drifted harmlessly wide of the left post. Swindon made another change in midfield soon after with Ofoborh replacing Cotterill. County won some throw ins left side from some disjointed pressure with Glennon launching some throws front post but they gave little concern with Swindon clearing effectively. Swindon made another change on 72 minutes with Drinan coming on up front for Tshimanga. Further Swindon changes maintained their freshness on 86 minutes with Cain coming on for King and the robust McGurk replacing Butterworth. County huffed and puffed in the final stages with Jephscott doing his best to knit moves final third but County lacked cutting edge to break into the area. Swindon looked the more likely and were close again on 89 minutes with a decisive move that saw Freckleton supplying a pass to the feet of Glatzel but his effort left corner of the box went well over. County fans had to endure four minutes of injury time but by then many were on the M4 and had left early such was the clarity of the result.

Townsend (6) — may have done better on first goal beaten low down but given little protection on other goals. Made a couple of smart saves second half to keep score respectable.

K Evans (5) — started at wing back but never looked comfortable, got bullied off too many duels losing possession cheaply. Did better when formation was changed but little influence final third.

Glennon (5) — got shunted off the ball too many times putting side in trouble. provided some decent crosses and pushed on more second half but didn’t demand the ball enough.

Baker (6) — did his best to lead winning his headers but looked nervous on times making some rash clearances. Unlucky with the own goal and made some good recoveries to clear danger.

Morris (6) — fell short marking on first goal and never looked assured in aerial duals. Distributed well and tried his best to lead from the back but got overworked

C Evans (5) — slow to close gaps and allowed Cox to much freedom on two of the goals when he needed to come across to cover. Passing was wayward and got bullied off too many 50–50s

Mawene (6) — did his best with some dynamic bursts forward but ran into too many dead-ends. Put himself about but overplayed too many passes and never settled.

Wildig (6) — decent first half and looked the most likely player to score. Worked hard off the ball but was never on the same wavelength with others not pressing collectively

Antwi (5) — anonymous and looked disinterested in working off the ball. Daydreaming on times, needs to show more passion and teeth to win the ball and was replaced at half time by:

Jephscott (6) — showed capability to knit play when he had energy around him but restricted on chances and getting on the end of crosses.

Greaves (5) — did a lot of running around but got bounced off making several runs when blocked. Needs to take better care of the ball and show awareness with runs, was replaced at half time:

Kamwa (5) — made efforts to get outside his man but got little change from Sobowale and ran into too many dead ends. Did better when he carried his runs from deep.

Baker-Richardson (5) — did alright first half and worked well with Wildig to craft best opening and give an outlet desperately needed. Failed to show up second half and work defenders.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Swindon Town)

Strengths — defenders were robust and broke up moves quickly to release neat passes. worked several decent set pieces and crosses following quick turnover.

Weaknesses — few came such was the dominance they had but when County show an appetite to apply pressure they overplayed several passes

Opportunities — matched up to County 3–5–2 despite some defenders injured. Man for man had the better and won the key 1v1 duals. Never really changed tact and took off players early.

Threats — Cox was prominent runs left side and quality crosses. Glatzel got on the end of several crosses. Kilkenny dictated the midfield spraying passes around at will

OFFICIALS

S Mather (8) — easy game to manage, was little contention with decisions and got key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Gavin Kilkenny — just sat in and dictated play, was quick to read and won some key battles using ball well. best moves went through and gave side confidence to push on

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started another game extremely slowly allowing Swindon to dictate matters and pinch an early goal which saw them fold conceding three goals in 15 minutes. Unfortunately, County didn’t learn from their handicaps in the Port Vale game, but Swindon certainly did, putting them under pressure from long throws, crosses and set pieces. County did have mitigating circumstances today with several defenders missing but they have been a player short in this area for over a month and have bulked up on too many similar midfield players who lack bite and this is coming home to roost now. The side also looks too inexperienced and naïve with decision making. Swindon set their stall out to press up, pickpocket the ball and effectively bullied County, hitting them hard in the turnover exploiting poor marking. In the first half, this happened too many times in midfield with Kieron Evans and Oliver Greaves not strong enough and the retention was weak. When County did vice grip the ball they did coax some set pieces and throws but these were also limp and predictable. County had a better shape when they went 4–2–3–1 putting the extra man in midfield and there is a case to maintain this if (and it’s a big if) they can collectively do more off the ball as a unit and be more aggressive with their high press. Swindon were able to work too many moves from deep and caught them napping on two of the goals. Next up is Barrow away who will play 4–2–3–1 formation and will utilise their full backs to overlap to force them back. County will need to do much better in wide areas especially defending their right side and offer a counter element right side to force Barrow left back Jackson much deeper. Barrow do have an aggressive top front three but they do leave gaps through the middle which can be punished.