Clinical Maynard strike seals win for 10 man County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Maynard 51)

Grimsby Town 0

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLDLDLdDLL

Grimsby Town LWLLdLLdLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County last win was against Grimsby early December and both sides have had to re shape their squad but neither are in great form. Key County play conditions and use quality from set pieces.

CONDITIONS
Cold, cloudy and slight breeze. Pitch was damaged after rugby match last night and cut up readily apart from the corners.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Disjoint, passive first half but recovered well after sending off, defending resolutely to protect lead.

TURNING POINT
Sending off changed dynamics of game but the first goal was key today.

THE MATCH
County made several changes some enforced with Liam Shepherd suspended, Ashley Baker came into the side at right wing back. There was another change in midfield with Josh Sheehan returning after his suspension in place of Anthony Hartigan who was named as a substitute. County also introduced new front pairing with loan signing from Mansfield Nicky Maynard partnering new signing from Plymouth Dominic Telford forcing Jake Scrimshaw and Ryan Taylor to the bench. County start well with some penetration inside the Grimsby half forcing them into a few hurried clearances. County made efforts to pick holes with Sheehan making some determined runs right side but Grimsby were quick to stifle the threat. Grimsby eased their way into the game showing an intention to keep the ball low and pass patiently through the middle with Clifton and Matete sharp to pick up the loose ball. On 10 minutes, County were given a warning when Grimsby smothered a County move left side with Waterfall winning his tackle ahead of Telford. The ball was launched long and through the middle forcing Townsend off his line and he did well to intercept near the edge of the area with Hanson loitering. County returned the compliment to test Grimsby with a few long searching balls to pick out runs by Maynard and Telford but the Grimsby defence remained vigilant. On 15 minutes, Grimsby were quick to turn defence into attack breaking right side with Hewitt allowed the freedom of Rodney Parade carrying his run from deep and his cross right side of the area was headed over by Hanson from 12 yards from a stretching header. County worked some low moves left side with Haynes prominent but the crosses were diverted with Menayese and Waterfall dominant on the aerial duals. Grimsby maintained a better control of the game with more cohesion through the middle and County became increasingly passive in midfield losing the second balls. On 25 minutes, Grimsby caught County napping when Menayese broke up play quickly and with County reluctant to close down he directed a long ball right side of the area which El Mizouni latched onto but his shot from an acute angle was saved well by Townsend. On 28 minutes, another bright Grimsby move right side involving Hewitt and Adams saw him dart into the right corner and the cross found Payne but his header from 10 yards was comfortable for Townsend. Hanson and Payne gained confidence with some of the best moves going through them with County firmly on the back-foot. County were more effective on the break when Grimsby set pieces broke down after they had pushed defenders up. On 32 minutes, County had a decent chance on the break when Demetriou directed a decent pass from deep which pinpointed Telford’s run left side. With Grimsby exposed it was two on two and Maynard was in support right side but Hewitt recovered well to cut out the pass to release Maynard. Grimsby remained quicker to the ball and burst through the middle with ease on 35 minutes when Clifton released El Mizouni and he blasted a low powerful effort from 25 yards which Townsend held well low down in the left corner. County remained indecisive on times especially in midfield and paid a heavy price on 37 minutes when Bennett was late with a tackle from behind on Payne after the ball appeared to have been run out of play. The referee showed little sympathy and sent Bennett off for dangerous play. Grimsby remained on top as half time approach with County rudderless and unable to make an impact in the final third. On the stroke of half time Matete won a free kick in a threatening position right side of the area. Bunney took the free kick which was bent low around the wall but Townsend again reacted well to save low down. County showed they were still in the game in first half injury time when Telford did well to retrieve a ball right side of the area which kept in play well. He dragged a neat pass back into the path of Baker and his first time cross flashed deep finding Haynes but his snapshot from 14 yards was deflected for a corner. Dolan took the corner left side which lacked edge with Waterfall showing his appetite to win the early header not for the first time as Grimsby continued to dominate the aerial duals.

County got into half time and introduced new signing from Connah’s Quay Nomads Priestley Farquharson in place of Ashley Baker. County made a tactical change with Matt Dolan going into central midfield and Dominic Telford dropping deeper in a 4–4–2 system. The change settled County with Farquharson adapting well making some strong clearances under pressure. County had a couple of long throws which Farquharson took and showed another weapon in his armoury with the long throw caused problems for Grimsby clearing their lines. On 50 minutes, County had a half chance from a neat move right side started by Farquharson who found the Gambin right corner of the box. He cut back inside side stepping a challenge by Bunney but his effort was rash and well wide of the left post. County went ahead moments later when a Farquharson throw right side was only half cleared to the edge of the box. Dolan was quick to react and he blasted a low effort which appeared to deflect off Menayese and Maynard pounced slamming the ball home into the left corner from 10 yards. County boosted by the goal continued to ask questions and they had a goal ruled out on 55 minutes when a smart break left side saw Dolan release Telford who angled his run left side of the area before slotting into the right corner but the flag was up for offside. Grimsby made efforts to work the ball low and find the extra man but County kept a good shape about them limiting space for Grimsby to operate in final third. County were reliant on direct play with Maynard the sole striker and he did his best to maintain possession. Grimsby worked another low move on 57 minutes going through several players before El Mizouni found a chink of light near the edge of the area but the rising effort went well over the bar. County made a change on 61 minutes with Scrimshaw replacing Telford and Grimsby introduced new signing Lamy who went right side in place of Adams. Grimsby reasserted their game with some better moves right side with Lamy offering energy. On 72 minutes, a slick move saw Lamy overlap in the right corner to receive a pass from Matete and he cut back a decent low cross from a difficult angle which Payne got a touch ahead of Demetriou but Townsend made a smart low save and smothered the loose ball efficiently. County made a double substitution moments later adding some freshen up front with Amond replacing Maynard and Gambin sacrificed for Lewis who went left midfield. On 80 minutes, Matete was booked for a clumsy challenge from behind on Dolan with County threatening through the middle on the counter after a Grimsby wasted a pass right side. Grimsby made another change on 82 minutes with former striker Lennell John-Lewis replacing Hanson up front. Grimsby kept plugging away but County remained stubborn to break down with Farquharson, Longe-King and Demetriou quick to intercept anything thrown into the area. County had to deal with a couple of moves from deeper positions with Hewitt showing an eye for a pass but County remained vigilant clearing the danger well. Grimsby chanced their arm with a couple of shots from distance in the final stages with El Mizouni dragging an effort well wide of the left post from edge of the area. Grimsby kept persisting right side but Lewis did well for County backtracking to avert the danger and marshal runs by Lamy. County had a great chance to seal the game on 89 minutes when some indecision by Grimsby passing across the face of the area allowed Scrimshaw to seize possession but his effort from 12 yards was saved parried away by Eastwood. Grimsby forced County deeper in the five minutes of injury time throwing in some crosses to pinpoint John-Lewis but County were resolute dealing with the threat. On 90+3 minutes, Grimsby had a half chance when Bunney ghosted forward left side and his deft cross was met well by Payne but his stretching header from 10 yards went well over the bar. County held out with Townsend making some good collections under pressure for a very valuable three points taking them back up to fourth in league.

Townsend (8) — kicked the ball long and was generally tidy under pressure on difficult surface. Made several smart saves low down first half, dealt well with crosses and safe hands throughout.

Baker (6) — did decent job defensively and denied space. Put under some pressure in the air but provided some decent first time crosses when got forward before being replaced by:

Farquharson (7) — settled in quickly, made some strong interventions and work he did clearing balls in behind quickly was key. Passed well under pressure, provided some decent long throws

Haynes (7) — got brushed off too many challenges first half but was forceful coming forward with some well-timed runs until the sending off. Defended well second half working well with Lewis.

Demetriou (7) — dealt well with the long ball dominated the aerial duals and when forced to turn back he recovered well clearing danger. Distribution was little erratic but got the ball safe.

Longe-King (7) — got caught out several times second half with slowness reading the play and gave away several unnecessary free kicks. Did well in the air but longer pass were untidy.

Dolan (8) — put under pressure on headers but remained composed and cleared effectively. Did a very job dropping into midfield and used experience to meet ball early and pass efficiently

Bennett (4) — was not having the best game before sending off. Struggled for mobility on sapping surface and not always reactive enough to second ball.

Sheehan (6) — was busy for first half an hour getting into some good positions with dynamic runs. Forced deeper after sending off and did a solid job playing more defensively to track runners.

Gambin (5) — was anonymous for much of the first half and appeared to struggle on surface. Didn’t get enough tackles in and very little end product with one shot well wide of the mark

Telford (6) — showed glimpses of promise with partnership with Maynard. Angled his runs well left side and when he got on the ball he was effective. Had a couple of effort blocked inside area.

Maynard (7) — did well when he got the ball quick and forced his way through with smart direct runs. was sharp with passing and despite being restricted to shots took his chance very well.l

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — central defenders were proficient in the air and breaking up play. they some capability to pass and constructed some decent low moves but very little end product.

Weaknesses — both full backs offered little from crosses and the midfield was quite lightweight and small. They lacked cutting edge final third and majority of moves were devoid of tempo

Opportunities — never really changed their tact. Made efforts to work space and find the extra man but run out of ideas and missing quality
Threats — Hanson and Payne offered aerial threat inside box, El Mizouni shots from distance. Waterfall aerial threat set pieces.

OFFICIALS

C Hicks (7) — did his best to kept game flowing on trying surface and got key decisions right. Ignored some of cynical antics off the ball but was consistent.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Matt Dolan— composed at the back and was key cog second half, giving much needed balance when he dropped into midfield after sending off

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will be scratching their heads why the passion and intent was missing when they had eleven men on the pitch but they certainly made up for it second half carving out some decent chances despite the handicap, but crucially they remained resolute and focused under pressure. County have had to adapt their game because of the degrading Rodney Parade surface and to be fair Grimsby looked more at home first half being more decisive and alert especially across the midfield. County became increasingly untidy with their passes and lost control of the game even before the sending off. County have a decent defensive set up and shape but the problem currently is in midfield with them not picking up enough of the second balls and drop downs in and around the front two. The four red cards in five games are a symptom of indecision across the midfield they have had in spells which has cost them points. That does not mean going into every challenge like Nobby Stiles but picking battles and they will need to be more quick minded and combative in the remaining games for sure. The front pair of Maynard and Telford showed promise today but for them to flourish County need to be more dominant between the boxes and sustain more momentum. Next up is Southend United at home who did show some shoots of recovery in December but have struggled to keep clean sheets since the new year. Southend have operated with 3–5–2 system and do have experience with veteran defenders White and Halford robust and generally comfortable facing forward but vulnerable when turned back on their heels. Akinola will offer some relief final third with pace and ability to roam final third and needs to be well tracked.