Chances go unpunished but another battling point
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Crown Oil Arena
Rochdale 1 (Rodney 34)
Newport County 1 (Adam Lewis 46)
Attendance: TBA
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County WLLWLWLDdD
Rochdale DLLWLLLLLd
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Rochdale have not been in great form and conceding goals but expecting them to come out and be positive. County need to start fast, stifle crosses and pick gaps they leave in behind.
CONDITIONS
Mild, bright spells with keen breeze. Pitch seemed to have drained well after two pitch inspections.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Started slowly, showed character to keep on pushing but need to be more ruthless.
TURNING POINT
County changes after half time strengthened their hand
THE MATCH
County started positively winning a throw in right side of the area inside the first minute but some lax play allowed Rochdale to break quickly with Ball shifting play from left to right to find Kelly. He cut inside to set up a snapshot for Rodney but his low shot from 20 yards was comfortably held by Day. County failed to heed the warning pressing Rochdale again on 3 minutes deep inside their own half but when they failed to retain the ball Kelly broke right side forcing Norman to shunt across to cover and he was coaxed into a late challenge which got him an early booking. County enjoyed plenty of the ball but Rochdale set their stall out to stifle and play on the counter. On 5 minutes, Dale worked a decent chance when Kelly again was pivotal jinking inside to thread a pass for Lloyd and his low shot from 16 yards was well saved by Day. County created some good patterns of play deep inside the Rochdale half with Norman putting pressure on left back White. On 12 minutes a patient low move saw Norman cut back a decent low pass for Bogle right side of the area. He span and despite his effort being blocked Bennett was seized well but he was unable to keep his effort down from 25 yards. County gained confidence from their approach play right side and had a great chance to forge ahead on 14 minutes. Norman suppled a cross right side which drifted deep, but Evans did well anticipate and his cross from left side of the area had venom on it inviting Bogle to head powerfully from 10 yards but O’Donnell parried the effort to safety. On 15 minutes, County had another throw right side which Demetriou launched front post and a weak clearance was seized upon by Moriah-Welsh but he sliced an effort wide of the right post from 16 yards. Rochdale were keen to work width at every opportunity with Lloyd and Kelly eager outlets. On 23 minutes, Rodney did well to angle his run left side and a burst of pace took him past Drysdale and his first time cross caused problems but County were able to recover and clear the danger. County responded with a decent move which was decisive cutting through the middle with Bogle did well lay off neatly for Moriah-Welsh just inside the area but his powerful effort was too hot to handle for O’Donnell but the rebound went begging allowing Rochdale to clear for corner. County stretched play well with some intricate moves with Rochdale in contrast going increasingly direct using Quigley as an aerial outlet. Rochdale kept plugging away in wide areas and took the lead on 34 minutes although there were some valid looking claims for handball in the build-up to the goal. Lloyd linked with Rodney who roamed inside and despite raising his hand to keep ball down the referee play on and he struck a low shot from 20 yards into the right corner beyond the grasp of Day. County were incensed by the goal and their impatience with the referee was heightened when Lloyd appeared to bowl over Norman in a challenge left side. He jinked inside and set up Kelly for a snapshot from 20 yards which fizzed wide of the right post. Day was then booked for remonstrating with the referee over the decision.. Lloyd and Kelly combined well again on the stroke of half time with County sleeping near the edge of the area and the effort by Lloyd was saved well by Day. On 45 minutes, County had a valid looking appeal for a penalty when Norman tangled with White near the right byline but the referee was unmoved. County took better care of the ball in first half injury time with some patient low moves but Rochdale remained focussed defending.
County made a change at half time with Bennett replaced by Wildig and they started with a bang forcing a free kick right side when Norman edge past White coaxing him into a foul. From the resultant free kick Adam Lewis whipped into a vicious low delivery which appeared to deceive the keeper and drift low into the left corner. Rochdale responded persisting with balls into wide areas to ask questions but County were more resilience and stifled well. Wildig was influential with a couple of neat passes to knit play but County were thwarted by some marginal offside goals with Rochdale keen to press up at every opportunity. On 56 minutes, Rodney again caused some problems for County with his pace coaxing Drysdale into a clumsy late challenge and he was booked. Kelly took the free kick which was delivered low and Rodney saw his low header from 10 yards saved well in left corner by the alert Day. The game was scrappy on times being interrupted by several challenges but when County got the ball from under their feet and took less touches they were effective. On 63 minutes, Ebanks-Landell was booked for what appeared to be dissent contesting a foul on Quigley who received treatment for a head injury after a clash with Farquharson. County made another change on 65 minutes with Bogle replaced by Evans. County kept plugging away winning some long throws. On 67 minutes, Rochdale struggled to clear their lines effectively and a move left side saw Adam Lewis provide an excellent deep cross to the back post which Drysdale stole in late with a header which O’Donnell saved low in the right corner. Rochdale made a double substitution to pep up their game on 70 minutes with Quigley replaced by Henderson up top and Diagouraga on for Ball in central midfield. On 72 minutes, County worked a decent move left side with Zanzala winning the aerial dual with Ebanks-Landell and he caressed the ball inside for Evans. He read the flight well and had the opportunity to shoot left corner of the area but some delay in shooting allowed Rochdale to pinch the ball and break right side. County were put on the back-foot but a good recovery by Demetriou denied a chance to shoot. County made another change on 75 minutes replacing Zanzala with Collins. County continued to prise openings and turned down another chance to shoot on 78 minutes when Aaron Lewis darted inside near the “d” but delay allowed Rochdale to counter. Moments later Aaron Lewis was booked for a mistimed challenge on Seriki who burst through the middle from the right flank. Dale made another change soon after with Odoh coming on for Kelly. County continued to threaten left side with Lewis offering quality with his delivery. On 85 minutes, Lewis overlapped to receive a pass from Evans and dinked back a decent cross to pinpoint Norman back post. He cut inside and drilled a low shot towards the right corner but O’Donnell got a finger to parry the effort around the post. Rochdale introduced another two late changes on 87 minutes with Campbell on for Lloyd and Sinclair for Lloyd. Rochdale asked a couple of questions in injury time with Odoh using his pace but County held firm having to settle for a point.
Day (7) — made some smart saves low down first half showing safe hands when exposed. Kicked well under pressure and dealt well with crosses.
Adam Lewis (8) — probably his best game for County so far. Showed maturity defending and passed well winning his tackles. Clever goal with the cuteness of delivery and set up some decent chances.
Farquharson (7) — dealt well with Quigley and did well when turned back to defend clearing effectively. Monitored on set pieces when he went front post and offered more back post.
Demetriou (7) — solid in the air and cleared safely when turned back. Made a couple of mistakes forcing passes inside his own half but learnt quickly. Long throws were largely dealt with.
Drysdale (6) — comfortable in the air, made some good blocks and went close with a couple of headers back post stealing in late. Struggled a bit with pace from Rodney when left exposed.
Norman (7) — unshaken after early booking and had the better of opposite number White. Timed runs well, effective in and around the area being denied a penalty and stole in back post a few times
Bennett (5) — had to turn back and recover a lot, seemed a bit off the pace first half, did well when he met the ball early but second best competing for loose ball. Replaced at half time
Moriah-Welsh (6) — pushed on first half to influence some of the best low moves first half right side. Denied with a couple of decent shots but played deeper second and covered counter threat well.
Aaron Lewis (6) — competed well and made some stern tackles but never really got a grip of the ball first half. Timed his runs better second half and needs to put his foot through the ball and shoot more
Bogle (6) — showed capability when given decent ammunition and denied with a couple of headers. Did some good work with the ball keep low in around the area having strength to spin off challenges.
Zanzala (6) — worked hard off the ball, but cross eluded him several times. Runs were effective in stretching Rochdale defence and giving them something to think about even when he didn’t get the ball
SWOT ANALYSIS (Rochdale)
Strengths — effective with counter and working wide areas and provided decent crosses when invited.
Weaknesses — overcooked the direct play. gambled flooding men forward but left plenty of opportunities. Both full backs were vulnerable back post and centre back panicked with clearances.
Opportunities — they sat in to pickpocket County in deep positions and counter first half which worked well but lost impetus after the break going more direct but lacked accuracy with passing.
Threats — Quigley decent in the air, Lloyd and Kelly worked well in tandem to manufacture crosses. Rodney pace left side and direct runs
OFFICIALS
A Haines (5) — got arguably two key decisions wrong with handball leading up to the goal and stonewall penalty on Norman. Let game flow well but some of the clambering ignored was puzzling.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Adam Lewis — showed defensive and attacking attributes with energy box to box and delivered some quality crosses and set pieces which deserved more.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County worked hard but will be somewhat frustrated to settle for a point and will reflect on several chances inside the area where they were denied by the keeper or not reactive enough to finish off the quality they had today from crosses. Rochdale set their stall out to counter from deep either from long throws County had which failed or by their sloppy passing. Rochdale did this effectively first half and may have added more goals, but County adjusted and did well to squash the threat out second half. They cut out mistakes with their passing and were more alert in midfield. When they limited their touches and denied Rochdale the chance to pickpocket the ball they caused them problems. County can work on their efficiency of play to shift sides around and ultimately be more ruthless inside the area especially back post. If they are to add to the squad in the January transfer window a taller physical enforcer in midfield and a striker that will pounce on chances inside the six yard box will help their cause immensely. Next up is the long trip to Carlisle United next weekend. Carlisle had a blank weekend, but were off colour in their last performance losing to Doncaster. County can expect a reaction and Carlisle are likely to also play 3–5–2, so key County match up man for man. They will need to marshal Moxon runs box to box and limit Guy set piece delivery which is precise and stifle Gibson strong runs right side. County need to take care of the ball box to box and not allow Carlisle to counter in transition. The next step is being more decisive and bold final third so they can punish sides.
