County comeback to punish indisciplined Rovers

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 4 (Evans 60, 63, Payne 69, Delaney 84)

Forest Green Rovers 2 (Delaney 2 own goal, Stevens 33)

Attendance: 4,576

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County WLWdLDLWDL

Forest Green Rovers LWDdLLWLLd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Forest Green new manager Troy Deeney has galvanised side employing bolder 4–3–3 set up, so key County match their work ethic and punish them when invited testing their full backs

CONDITIONS

Very mild, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch was in decent position but a little slippery in parts.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Very Jekyll and Hyde, showed spirit and determination to dig themselves out of a big hole at half time

TURNING POINT

Forest Green midfielder Jones sending off just after half time.

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with Adam Wildig not making the squad but this allowed Harry Charsley to reclaim a place in the team after recent injury. There was another change up front with Seb Palmer-Houlden surprisingly sacrificed to the bench in place of Lewis Payne who went right wing back and Shane McCloughlin switching to left wing back with County reverting to 3–5–2. Forest Green employed an attacking 4–3–3 formation with Stevens in middle up top with Morton supporting left side and McAllister right side. Forest Green made the more decisive start which set an early precedent with County still in the changing room. There was warning with a couple of sharp moves by Forest Green left side to use the Morton who offered pace and strength to unsettle Payne right side. On 2 minutes, Forest Green won a free kick left side with Stevens winning the first contact and forcing Baker into a belated late challenge. McAllister whipped over a decent delivery into six yard box and with County taking no responsibility in the air the ball flashed deep and appeared to brush off the knee of Delaney flat footing Townsend and the ball dropped into the right corner. County made efforts to pick up the game but the ball spent a lot of time in the air with County helping the ball on hopeful and cheaply but Forest Green equally untidy but they got the ball safe. County coordinated some better moves switching play from right to left, keeping the ball low to test Forest Green right back Dabo. On 15 minutes, County were given another warning, despite having the ball in a decent position in centre midfield, indecision by Morris allowed Jones to pinch the ball and thread the ball to McAllister who broke quickly left side. With Forest Green having an overload, he squared his pass left side of the area to Morton in space but his low effort from 12 yards was well saved in the left corner by Townsend. County were eager to get on with the game with Forest Green persistent with slowing it down some indiscipline crept into their game with McAllister booked on 16 minutes for preventing a quick free kick left side. County continued to probe away with their best moves left side and they had a decent chance on 18 minutes with McCloughlin threading a neat pass for Bogle left side of the area. He cut inside near the by line and had opportunities to shoot or cross but did neither passing the ball back to the keeper. County then had Bogle and Evans in the book inside a minute for contesting decisions with referee who was in no mood for a loose talk. Forest Green gained confidence from some direct moves with Stevens and Morton putting themselves about to unsettle and coax errors from the County centre backs. Forest Green kept persisting with direct moves left side to test County with Morton causing chaos and Baker forced into some hurried clearances. On 22 minutes, Forest Green won a corner left side which McAllister crossed pinpointing Innis who rose strongly but his header was well blocked by Clarke. Forest Green worked a decent move left side moments later with Jones setting up a snapshot for Morton edge of the area but Townsend was alive to save low in the left corner. County made efforts to build some cohesion to their game with Payne pushing on right side but the crosses lacked quality often allowing Forest Green to recover. On 33 minutes, County failed to heed the warning when they failed to take care of the ball right side. Forest Green worked a quick move left side with McAllister switching to left side leaving Baker static with his run. He had two players inside in support and with County slow to close down he picked out the late run of the Stevens who drilled his shot low into the right corner from 12 yards. Forest Green continued to work hard to stifle but had Morton in the book on 38 minutes for time wasting. County made a tactical change moments later with Baker sacrificed for Palmer-Houlden who went up front with County matching up to the 4–3–3 Forest Green formation. The change settled County into a better spell as half time approached with Payne coming alive right side to provide some crosses which were hacked clear. On 42 minutes, Payne did well to see the ball early and drew a clumsy tackle from behind by Jones which got him booked. There was a warning for Forest Green just after when a quick low move by County right side opened up space with Bogle caressing a clever first time pass for Clarke to latch onto right side of the area but the County centre back saw his shot from an acute angle parried for a corner. With County increasing the tempo, Forest Green had another unnecessary booking on 45+1 minutes when McCann delayed a quick free kick by Bogle. Despite 5 minutes of injury time and much more territorial advantage from County, Forest Green kept their defensive resolve dealing with crosses well to get the ball safe.

County started the second half on the front-foot forcing some early pressure deep in the Forest Green half but some indecision allowed Forest Green to cut through them again on 48 minutes with McAllister set free right side and his shot right side of the area was well blocked by Clarke for a corner. McAllister took the corner which was delivered deep and with County again sleeping on a set piece Moore-Taylor saw his free header blocked and Dabo was unable to keep his shot on the turn from 8 yards down. Forest Green continued to work some clever direct moves and County had Payne in the book on 50 minutes when he bowled Stevens down near the half way line protecting a pass from deep. Forest Green were dealt a blow on 52 minutes when Payne did well to carry a forceful run down the right flank and with right back Robson out of position, Jones came across to make a reckless late challenge and was sent off for second booking. Forest Green made a tactical change on 56 minutes sacrificing Stevens up top and introduced Brown who went left midfield in a 4–3–2 formation. Payne kept persisting right side giving right back Robson little respite with his strong runs. On 58 minutes, there was another warning for Forest Green went a neat move by Charsley and Payne in the right corner saw the cross cut back deep just eluding a touch from Palmer-Houlden inside the 6 yard box. County were back in the game on 60 minutes but the assist came from an unlikely source with Payne initiating the move and Clarke did well to ghost forward right side of the area and receive the pass. He cut back a superb cross into the six yard box and this time effort made no mistake stabbing home at the back post. The goal ignited the atmosphere inside the ground with County increasingly confident on the ball and working it efficiently with some good switches of play. On 63 minutes, County were level when they moved the ball from left to right with Bogle pulling the strings dropping off deeper. The ball was worked wide to Payne and his burst of pace took him past Robson right side of the area and the low precise deep cross was slotted into the left corner from 8 yards beyond the grasp of Daniels. Forest Green made efforts to pick up their game with some direct moves using the energy of Brown left side and won a corner left side on 65 minutes. McAllister again caused problems with his delivery into the box found Moore-Taylor in space but his header from 10 yards was wide of the right post. Forest Green made a double substitution on 68 minutes to freshen tired legs with centre back Bernard coming on for McCann and another change up top as Morton was replaced by Omotoye. County continued to probe away with some neat low thoughtful moves and they were ahead on 69 minutes with Morris dinking a quick ball right side to Payne. He had the option to control and cross but took the bold option to hit shot first time and his effort from 20 yards looped into the top left corner beyond the grasp of Daniels. County kept the heat on limiting their touches well inside the Forest Green half and coaxed some untidy fouls. On 73 minutes, County won a free kick right side of the area and McCloughlin whipped in a decent cross which Bogle latched onto see the ball late but his low shot from 8 yards was saved in the left corner. On 75 minutes, Bogle did well to turn inside from the right flank off a challenge from Moore-Taylor who got a booking. On 77 minutes, County made another change with Charsley replaced Bondswell who went left midfield with McClouglin slotting into right midfield. County maintained their tempo with some better moves left side but Forest Green recovered well with Inness making some late interventions to get the ball safe. On 82 minutes, Forest Green won a corner right side which caused some concern for County with McAllister finding Moore-Taylor who rose well under pressure from 10 yards but Clarke did just about enough to intercept the danger. County kept plugging away right side and won another corner on 84 minutes with McCloughlin putting venom on the delivery and despite Clarke having hit header blocked, Delaney was on hand to stab home inside the six yard box. Forest Green made a double substitution moments after with defenders Innis and Dabo replaced by Welch and Lavinier. County forced some late pressure and were close to fifth on 88 minutes following a snappy move left side with Evans being obstructed. McCloughlin took the free kick pinpointing Delaney inside box and caressed his header to Clarke who drilled a difficult half volley from 14 yards straight at the keeper. County made a late change on 90 minutes with Payne replaced by Lewis who was returning after injury and he went left back with McCloughlin reverting to right back. On 90+2 minutes, County had a chance for a fifth goal following a free kick right side which McCloughlin delivered well pinpointing Palmer-Houlden who directed a header back inside for Delaney but he was unable to keeper his header from 10 yards down. 8 minutes of injury time was played out without further incident with County sealing an excellent fightback.

Townsend (7) — put under pressure on set pieces but made some important saves to keep County in the game first half and kicked well under pressure distributing neatly from deep.

Payne (9) — saw plenty of the ball first half but quality was lacking on crosses but really matured second half taking a grip of the game, bold and forceful with the ball and having a hand in three goals.

McCloughlin (8) — showed his versality again playing in several positions and provided several excellent set pieces. Showed intelligent use of the ball throughout and tackled well.

Baker (5) — given a difficult time by Morton being shunted off too many challenges and not winning the first contact and was replaced early by:

Palmer-Houlden (7) — restricted on clear cut chances but showed value several times to turn provider with aerial prowess on set pieces. Chased lost causes and kept defenders worked

Delaney (7) — didn’t have his own way in the air first half, switching off to direct balls but grew in focus after time. went close on several set pieces and finally got his reward being alive to 2nd ball

Clarke (7) — put under some pressure by Morton but stood up well keeping threat at arms-length. did well on set pieces going close a few times when well positioned. Provided superb cross on first goal

Bennett (6) — off pace for a large periods first half but grew into the game moving passes well after half time. Got caught in between winning neither first or second ball and needs to pick his battles better

Charsley (7) — needed more gametime and got it today as sharpness returns. Made some snappy tackles and did better when County went three up top with the vision to time runs box to box.

Morris (6) — was yard of it for much of the first half and needs to go out hunting the ball more, because when he got on the ball he used it well. provided some good switches of play and set pieces.

Bogle (7) — quiet first half and roamed with little effect despite some penalty claims, none seem to be going for him presently. Got his head down second half and went close with late runs on set pieces

Evans (8) — didn’t see so much from him with ball at feet and did much better when he went left side second half. Can improve crosses but showed great anticipation to get in back post and finish chances.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Forest Green Rovers)

Strengths — started bold and were aggressive with their runs and patterns of play were thoughtful. Centre back dealt with aerial duals well and high crosses

Weaknesses — struggled to deal with low crosses and both full backs were slight, weak dealing with ball back post. Gave away several stupid fouls and back chat which cost them.

Opportunities — employed three up top to ask questions in wide areas but switched to more defensive format after sending off sitting deeper. Gambled on crosses and long throws to cause problems

Threats — McAllister had a hand in both goals and delivered excellent set pieces, Morton aggressive energy left side. Stevens runs box to box and outlet. Taylor-Moore headers back post set pieces.

OFFICIALS

S Martin (7) — waved the cards about a bit, clamping down hard on dissent but let a lot of the clambering and off the ball pushing go. Got the key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Lewis Payne — Had a hand in 3 goals, drove side on when other waivered and really impressed how he forced the tune 2nd half. Not sure if he intended the strike on the 3rd goal but it was a brave choice.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County came out too slow and passive, so much that this game could have been over by half time as contest. Forest Green caused problems throughout this match from set pieces with several chances going begging when they were unmarked. It was long throws that caused problems at Wrexham but today it was from crosses across the six yard box with players left unmarked front and back post. County made a brave change to match Forest Green up man for man, going 4–3–3, and this paid dividends with the County front three influencing play further up the pitch winning free kicks and set pieces. The red card undoubtedly was a game changer today, but credit to County for spinning the game on its head with perseverance. When they upper their decision making, quality and variation inside the box they caused problems and Delaney got his reward from a corner which was long overdue. Next up is Crewe Alexandra at home Friday evening who have been rejuvenated this season playing an attacking 3–4–3 formation successfully with their front three influencing games higher up the pitch to lock in play and Tracey probing moves box to box with strong runs. However, they do have several defensive injury problems presently which has forced former County defender Demetriou to play in a more central defensive role rather than his accustomed left side. Crewe are likely to persist with 3–4–3 formation with Baker-Richardson effective battering ram from direct play and Long forceful dribbler with ball at feet. County need to stifle runs, win the first contact better and move the ball sharper as Crewe do have vulnerability with lack of height to deal with set pieces currently.