Complete away performance puts County back in the pack

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Cherry Red Records Stadium

AFC Wimbledon 0

Newport County 2 (Morris 10, Jameson 55)

Attendance: 8,307

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWWLWLWLLW

AFC Wimbledon dWLDLLWdWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

AFC Wimbledon have edged into play-off contention with some resolute defensive performances. County will need to improve their defending of the box following the win over Morecambe mid-week and time their runs forward.

CONDITIONS

Cloudy, bright spells, very mild with light breeze. Pitch in reasonable condition but a little worn on sides.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Took chances clinically, kept focus and absorbed everything Wimbledon threw at them

TURNING POINT

Opening goal gave foothold.

THE MATCH

County made just one change from the mid-week win over Morecambe with Zanzala replacing Jeffcott up front. Wimbledon had the benefit of the wind first half and made the early running with some direct play left side. Inside the first minute, they won a throw in left side of the area which Balmer launched into the area and a loose clearance to the edge of the area sat up for Little but his volley was driven over the bar. Wimbledon maintained their drive shunting long balls at every opportunity to test the County defence which kept focus clearing well. On 6 minutes, County had a good situation with Zanzala dropping deep to win possession but some indecision with the pass allowed Wimbledon to steal the ball and break through the middle. Reeves elected to shoot from inside the “d” but the low crisp shot was well held by Townsend. County worked some accurate passes from deep to pinpoint runs by Evans and Zanzala and they got their reward on 10 minutes. Zanzala did well to bring down the ball played in and caress into the path of Morris. He adjusted well and struck a precise low effort from 20 yards into the right corner beyond the grasp of Bass. County were settled by the goal and created some good low moves especially left side with Charsley and Zanzala being thwarted by some marginal offsides. Wimbledon persisted with some direct aerial play using Bugiel as a battering ram but County remained vigilant dealing with the drop downs well. County responded with some direct moves to counter with Evans contesting well across the line and he was on the end of heavy challenge on 20 minutes which saw O’Toole booked for raising his hand. County worked hard to protect their closing down hard from front to back with Evans and Zanzala give Wimbledon centre backs little time on the ball and some clearances went astray. County continued to probe away well in wide areas with Wildig coming into the game to link play which kept Wimbledon worked at the back. On 26 minutes, Wimbledon worked a half chance from a move right side which saw Neufville cross deep and Currie returned a pass back inside for Little but his snapshot from 25 yards was high and wide of the right post and bar. County kept dogging away in midfield to deny Wimbledon rhythm and they were effective in transition. On 32 minutes, Morris did well in midfield to combine with Wildig and thread a pass left side for Lewis. He played a neat low pass for Zanzala left side of the area and he burst past Balmer before striking a decent effort from an acute angle forcing Bass to parry over the bar. Wimbledon responded with some increasingly direct play as half time approached with persistency to launch aerial balls for Bugiel left side. On 35 minutes, Bugiel put Baker under pressure in an aerial challenge and Reeves was quick to pick up the loose ball but his effort from 25 yards was deflected by Charsley for a corner. Moments later another long ball left side by Wimbledon caused some anxiety for County defence with Bugiel coaxing Jameson into a mistimed challenge and he got a booking with Lewis also booked for contesting the decision with the referee. From a dangerous position near the left corner of the box Curtis struck a low effort which Townsend held well in the right corner. Wimbledon had a better spell of possession as half time approached offering more patience to put five passes together. On 43 minutes, Wimbledon switched play well from left to right and he cut back a decent cross finding Little in space but his effort was rash going well over the bar. County then had Bennett somewhat harshly in the book in first half injury time when he won the ball ahead of Kymani-Gordon.

County started the second half on the front-foot with some intricate low accurate passes and a decent move right side of the area on 46 minutes invited Evans to attack inside the box. He got in an early powerful effort which was goal-bound but deflected off the back of O’Toole for a corner. Wimbledon were quick to turn defence in attack and continued to probe away with some direct moves. On 48 minutes, County were given a warning allowing too much space defending left side and Neufville cross from the byline was cut out by Bennett ahead of Bugiel. Wimbledon elected to throw in some early cross to test the resolve of the County defence but the centre backs were alert denying the threat well. County set their stall out to absorb pressure and play from deep with Zanzala offering an outlet left side. On 55 minutes, a smart break from deep saw Zanzala get an extra yard on Balmer who was coaxed into an untidy tackle near the left touchline. Lewis took the free kick and his cutting delivery dropped deep but Jameson anticipated superbly placing his half volley from 8 yards past Bass. Wimbledon upped their efforts again but County matched their work ethic closing down well and limit the threat from some long throws by Balmer into the area. Wimbledon made a double substitution on the hour with Brown and Gordon replaced by Sasu and Kelly. Wimbledon persisted with direct play to unsettle County and some intention to attack through the middle. On 62 minutes, a long ball lofted forward saw Bugiel win a strong header which Kelly latched onto but his effort from inside the “d” went against the top of the bar with the County defence recovering. County responded with their first chance on 65 minutes with Zanzala replaced by Palmer-Houlden. On 70 minutes, Wimbledon again caused problems with a high ball through the middle which Bugiel won ahead of Bennett. Kelly picked up the loose ball and dragged his low shot just wide of the left post from 16 yards. County then had Payne in the book for handball from a block at close range but the free kick came to nothing. Wimbledon made another change on 72 minutes with Ball coming on for Little in midfield. County remained focused under pressure and they were on the end of a couple of heavy challenges with cards being kept in the referees pocket. On 78 minutes, Wimbledon were close when a long throw in from Balmer right side was allowed to drop deep and Curtis hit a shot on the turn from 8 yards but Baker got an important block in to deny a certain goal. County kept probing away on the break and became increasingly threatening in the last 10 minutes. On 80 minutes, County were close when Morris dinked an excellent pass left side which dropped over the head of the defender and Evans ghosted in but his low crisp shot from 20 yards was well saved low down by Bass. County made a double change on 83 minutes with Waite and Jephcott introduced for Wildig and Charsley with Evans dropping deeper into midfield. Wimbledon forced some late pressure but County did well to deny space forcing them into some hurried shots which were skewed wide. There were some 6 minutes of injury time played but County held out strongly with some determined tackles and they held the ball well in the corners to run down the clock.

Townsend (7) — kicked well first half into wind with accuracy and held a couple of good saves low down. Kept more busy by some crosses second half but claimed well under pressure.

Lewis (7) — limited threat by Neufville well tracking his runs and won some good tackles. Was effective when he had chance to push on and link play. Excellent cross from set piece on second goal.

Payne (7) — had a good battle with Currie but had the pace to match him and deny space. Worked hard box to box and kept his defensive focus tackling much better today.

Baker (6) — put under pressure in aerial duals but Bugiel but kept his composure well to recover and make some good clearances. Got some important blocks in and around the box.

Jameson (8) — important cog in defence, dominated the aerial duals and coped well under pressure clearing effectively. Read game well throughout and immaculate finish on second goal.

Bennett (7) — swept up most of the danger well and moved on ball efficiently which was key. Lost out on one or two headers with Bugiel but recovered well and went close from a couple of set pieces.

Morris (8) — took his chance clinically, covered a lot of ground and was robust with his challenges. Sprayed passes around to keep Dons thinking and put a couple on a penny when runs were made

Wildig (7) — got on the ball well in important areas to take pressure off and angled some good runs in wide areas to effect play. Worked hard and delivered some neat set pieces.

Evans (7) — had a couple of decent chances inside the area when he limited touches. Took up some clever positions and worked hard off the ball to unsettle defenders.

Zanzala (7) — link play was effective and was bright with his runs working space left side which forced Dons back. Restricted on clear-cut chances but worked hard until fading.

SWOT ANALYSIS (AFC Wimbledon)

Strengths — pressed up as a unit quickly to work opportunities, worked hard off the ball throughout

Weaknesses — tried to play quick tempo but lacked quality with passes often overplaying and over-reliant with direct play. Lacked

Opportunities — persisted with direct approach first half and made more concentrated effort to work crosses second half

Threats — Bugiel aerial prowess, Kelly link play edge of the area. Both Little and Reeves were alert, best moves and shots came from them.

OFFICIALS

T Parsons (6) — had a better second half but dished out some odd harsh bookings first half which looked like collisions.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kyle Jameson — lead defence well, stifled threat down Wimbledon right, coped well especially after others got booked and composure under pressure played a big part in clean sheet.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County put in arguably their best away performance of the season and stood up to everything Wimbledon threw at them. Physically they matched up but importantly they also mentally showed strength to do the dirty work and then be brave with the ball final third. County worked some good efficient moves in transition, with some clever runs to break the lines which didn’t always come off but they kept Wimbledon guessing and that was key. The transition improved today and the lead up to second goal typified that with Zanzala getting ahead of the defender as he did on the first goal, but quick feet and thought played a part as well. Wimbledon asked questions from direct play mainly with switches of play left side which put Baker under aerial pressure and if anything Wimbledon went more down the centre second half and prised out their best chances when County were slow to pick up the debris. Next up is Barrow away and the hosts are in the middle of a series of home games, but their pitch has not always been conducive to flowing football this season. Barrow are likely to play a 3–5–2 formation with former Morecambe striker Cole Stockton an outlet up top to bring other players in. Barrow won’t shift the ball direct and hopeful, so key County track the runners and do the dirty work first and foremost before thinking about opening up and playing. County need to pick their battles in this game, match their work ethic and keep variety off set pieces.