Breathless cup encounter as County edge out unbeaten Portsmouth
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 3 (Evans 14, Wildig 49, Waite 74)
Portsmouth 2 (Curtis 9, 25)
Attendance: 3,866
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County DLWLLW
Portsmouth DdWWWW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County have rung the changes giving the basis of the side that beat Luton in the previous round another chance. Portsmouth have made several changes so key County get in their faces and not allow them to settle
CONDITIONS
Humid, cloudy and little breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Effervescent and persistent, creative spells mixed up some determined defending.
TURNING POINT
Wildig goal straight after half time gave belief.
THE MATCH
County made several changes from the side that beat Tranmere on Saturday with Joe Day coming for Nick Townsend who was on the bench. In midfield, County also had Robbie Willmott and Adam Wildig back after injury replacing Nathan Moriah-Welch and James Waite who were also on the bench. There was another change seeing Will Evans drafted in for Scott Bennett who was rested. County also made three defensive changes with Priestly Farquharson making a welcome return to action at Rodney Parade in place of James Clarke and Adam Lewis came in at left back for Mickey Demetriou who was substitute. County also sacrificed strikers Omar Bogle and Thierry Nevers to the bench in place of Chanka Zimba and Lewis Collins. County adjusted to play 4–2–2–2 formation and from the first minute they set a precedence with the starting fast and offering energy box to box. Portsmouth opted to play direct in early stages with some balls pinpointing former loanee at County Joe Piggot. On 4 minutes, a fast move saw Portsmouth scoop away a hurried clearance of a long throw which Norman expertly hooked back into the area and Farquharson was first to the ball planting his header from 8 yards low but the keeper Griffiths made a good parry which Zimba couldn’t quite get to and the ball was cleared. County kept pressing and another move moments later left side saw Adam Lewis adjust well to supply an early which Evans glanced just wide of the right post from 8 yards. There was another warning for Portsmouth on 6 minutes when Wildig stole forward into the box with a late run to meet lofted pass forcing Mnoga into a nervous clearance which was close to an own goal. After pinning Portsmouth to defend deeply, County were caught out by a sucker punch on 9 minutes when Lowery drove forward from deep through the middle and hop past a weak challenge by Bowen. He slipped a neat pass through which Curtis latched onto timing his run well goalside of the last defender and free to slot home from just inside the area. Portsmouth were boosted by the goal with Curtis and Scarlett causing problems left side for County with their movement. On 13 minutes, another bright move left side between Curtis and Scarlett opened up County near the left by line. Scarlett jinked inside and his low shot come cross was parried away by Day. County remained bold with some neat low exchanges and got an equaliser on 13 minutes with Zimba winning the ball well ahead of Swanson. He lofted a great pass inside for Evans who calmly slotted home prodding a volley into the top right corner from 10 yards. County gained confidence from the goal playing some efficient football to test Portsmouth and prise open gaps. On 18 minutes, an excellent low County move going through several players culminated in Wildig slipping a clever pass inside for Collins. He jinked inside and drilled a low shot wide of the right post from 25 yards which he should have worked the keeper. Portsmouth were ahead again on 25 minutes when they broke from deep with centre back Mnoga forcing his way forward through the middle. County appeared to jump into a challenge with both Willmott and Bowen taken out of the equation allowing Hackett-Fairchild a free run right side of the area. His deft crossed was deep and inviting for Curtis to volley expertly into the top corner from 10 yards. Portsmouth had a decent spell with some forceful play which should have yielded another goal on 30 minutes with Lowery doing well right side evading a weak tackle from Lewis. He showed good vision to pick out the late run of Piggot into the area but his first time effort from 14 yards crashed against the bar. Portsmouth were forced into a early change on 33 minutes with right back Swanson pulling up and he was replaced by Freeman. County kept pressing the right buttons working space well either side of the area and they won a corner right side on 36 minutes. Bowen whipped over the corner which was only half cleared and Norman did well to retrieve the ball and clip over a cross right side of the box which dropped back post to Farquharson which looped just over the bar. Portsmouth remained a threat in transition with some good combinations and were close again on 42 minutes. Lowery made the most of slip by Drysdale and threaded a low pass for Scarlett left side of the area forcing Day into a good save. County were close to capitalising on a mistake by Portsmouth on 44 minutes when Collins pickpocketed Lowery right side of the area. Wildig picked up the loose ball but his scooped effort was well wide of the mark.
County started the second half on the front-foot and Freeman was fortunate to escape a booking on 47 minutes after a cynical tackle to obstruct the run of Lewis down the left channel. Lewis dusted himself down and moments later was the architect with a venomous cross left side which Wildig anticipated superbly ghosting in to glance low into right corner from 12 yards beyond the grasp of Griffiths. Portsmouth made efforts to pick up their game pressing County into some mistakes. On 52 minutes, this nearly paid dividends when a short kick by County keeper Day was gobbled up in midfield by Mingi. He threaded a quick pass inside for Curtis who carried his run outside Farquharson but his low shot from 14 yards was parried around the left post by Day. Some of the pace went out of the game for a time with Portsmouth having a better spell of possession but County marshalled the threat well. On 62 minutes, Portsmouth had a half chance when they won a corner right side which Lowery delivered well to the back post but Ogilvie directed his header wide of the right post and bar. County made a change soon after with Demetriou coming on for Farquharson and Portsmouth introduced a surprising four changes in one go with Pack on for Lowery, Jacobs on for Scarlett, Dale replacing Hackett-Fairchild and Raggett on for Robertson in defence. County upped their game again and Norman coaxed a clumsy foul from Raggett almost immediately right side of the area getting himself booked. County then won a corner on 70 minutes right side which was only half cleared before Willmott thrashed a difficult half volley well over from 25 yards. County made a double substitution on 71 minutes with Moriah-Welch replacing Bowen and Waite came on for Wildig. With County in the ascendancy, there was another warning for Portsmouth on 73 minutes when Norman dinked over a teasing cross from the right flank which flashed deep and Evans stole in with a late run to head just past left post. County got their reward on 75 minutes with an excellent move orchestrated by Evans left side. He carried his strong run inside and found Waite who sprang forward to exploit space near the “d” before calmly slotting low into left corner. Portsmouth responded with some low moves to test County but the defence remained firm with a good shape about them. On 82 minutes, Dale caused some anxiety for County turning inside with a run though the middle which coaxed Willmott into a late challenge and a booking. County were happy to sit back and use their strength on the counter with Evans and Collins offering plenty of energy to unsettle left side. County made another change on 84 minutes with Bogle replacing Zimba up front as County strived to keep the ball final third. Collins was on the end of heavy challenge by Mingi moments later and booked as some frustration crept into Portsmouth’s game. Evans was then booked for a late tackle on Curtis as he threatened through the middle. County were close again on 88 minutes when Waite combined well with Evans through the middle before drilling a low shot from 20 yards which the keeper claimed well low down in the right corner. Portsmouth kept pressing in the 6 minutes of injury time with Drydale booked for catching Curtis high and he was then booked for shoving in the altercation that followed the incident. County held out strongly to claim their place in the 3rd Round much to the satisfaction of the partisan crowd.
Day (7) — made a couple of smart saves low down and handled well. put under pressure with some kicks and generally distributed well under pressure but some goal kicks went short.
Adam Lewis (7) — put under some pressure first half and got caught in a bit of catch 22 not knowing when to get tight or drop. Grew into the game, competed well and excellent cross on 2nd goal
Drysdale (6) — got a little anxious on times and slipping in key areas didn’t help his confidence. Got better as game progressed doing well positionally and made some strong headers
Norman (7) — was well marked first half by Ogilvie but broke through with strength to deliver some good crosses. Upped his game second half asking questions and competed well.
Farquharson (7) — another decent game gaining match fitness. Was sharp with ball at feet and won the aerial dual with Piggott. Went close on a couple of set pieces before fading.
Bowen (6) — can see what he was trying do and although it didn’t always come off, kept his composure and did much better off the ball marking effectively. Set pieces were a little short on times.
Willmott (7) — kept thinking ahead with his passes and looked sharp in spells with his movement and passing. Played quite reserved on times but made some good recoveries and tackles back.
Wildig (7) — busy game, knitted play well through the middle and always had awareness with his passes and positional play, going close several times before well taken goal.
Evans (8) — great engine left side and well suited to formation. Was excellent stretching play to test both full backs and took goal very well and at the heart of the winner.
Zimba (6) — early run through the middle were effective but looked a bit unsure on times. Did some good work to chase and harass defenders prising out some opportunities either side of area.
Collins (7) — much better game, worked hard in tandem with Evans to unsettle defence and stretch play left and with better shooting would have scored.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths — showed some good combinations up front and effective counter attacking.
Weaknesses — off the ball they dropped off the intensity early second half and poor finishing first half may have cost them. Got away with much of the cynical play pulling back at will.
Opportunities — started 4–4–2 and were aggressive but went 4–3–3 later in the game which left them more open late on.
Threats — Scarlett showed pedigree and crafted several decent moves. Curtis clinical with finishing. Lowery provided several decent set pieces and neat passes.
OFFICIALS
J Busby (7) — refused to book some clear cynical fouls until later in game when he got his cards out. Consistent in approach if not frustrating
MAN OF THE MATCH
Wil Evans — showed his best position and offered immense stamina to work left side with some strong runs to effect game. Took his chance well and linked the best cohesive moves.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County changed their formation which seemed to take Portsmouth a bit unexpected and although Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley will probably feel a little aggrieved about their wasted chances first half, he could have no complaints second half with County the more inventive side and determined side. The changes late on solidified County but somewhat worked against Portsmouth and the team have again shown they can cause problems when sides invite space as both Luton and Portsmouth have done. Wildig and Willmott did effective jobs tonight in midfield showing experience with their range of passing and positional play which ensured County always had a decent shape about them. Next up, County return to the bread and butter of the league playing Harrogate Town away where they will keen to build momentum. Harrogate are likely to play 3–4–3 offering width and crosses into Armstrong but could revert to conventional 4–4–2 if their full backs are available. County need to act with vigilance to stifle the wide areas and use their prowess to pick holes to work and turn their centre backs on their heels.
