County denied win in a chaotic finale

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Bescot Stadium

Walsall 3 (Wilkinson 53, 90+5, Dolan 65 own goal)

Newport County 3 (Telford 4, 66, Wilkinson 56 own goal)

Attendance: 4,946

Match Rating: *****

Form:

Newport County WLLWLDDWWL

Walsall WLLdWLLLDW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Walsall have a decent squad and underperformed this season. They have attacking capability County need to stifle threat and use their attacking prowess to get at their full backs.

CONDITIONS
Very mild, cloudy and breezy. Pitch a bit slippery in corners but largely in decent condition

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Menacing going forward and should have scored more but lacked composure dealing with direct balls.

TURNING POINT
Walsall changes made them stronger second half. County changes backfired.

THE MATCH
County were forced into a couple of changes due to Covid protocol with goalkeeper Joe Day replaced by Nick Townsend and Scott Bennett slotted in for Mickey Demetriou in defence. County maintained their 3–5–2 formation and started on the front foot pinning Walsall to defend deep inside their own half. County worked some good moves right side with Norman pivotal and he coaxed an untidy foul on 4 minutes right side of the area when he was checked by Phillips. From the free kick, Dolan swung in a venomous delivery which Walsall struggled to clear and despite Axaz having his shot from 8 yard blocked, Cooper was alert to find Telford who finished clinically low into right corner from the left side of the six yard box. County gained confidence from the goal refusing to sit back and continued to enjoy some good possession. On 6 minutes, another bright decisive move right side saw Norman overlap a sweep back an excellent cross which Richardson met from 12 yards but he couldn’t keep his header down. Walsall were reliant on direct play into Miller up front but a lot of their passes were hopeful rather than precise and County were quick to apply pressure. On 10 minutes, County were awarded a free kick left side of the area after Telford was caught late by Kinsella. With both Dolan and Willmott on the ball, the latter looked the more likely but Dolan took the dead ball and curled an excellent effort narrowly wide of the left post from 25 yards. Walsall persisted with their direct approach but did show some better thought with their passing inside the County half with Kinsella and Phillips looking to link play. On 15 minutes, Kinsella set up a half chance for Earing from distance but he thrashed his effort well over from 25 yards. County continued to build some good low moves with Azaz and Cooper sharp with their passing and Walsall gave away several free kicks with Kinsella lucky to escape a booking. On 18 minutes, Walsall had a half chance after an erratic kick out by Towsend was seized upon by Khan. He played a quick pass to feet of Osadebe right side of the area who blasted an ambitious effort wide of the left post from 16 yards. Walsall made efforts to press and push higher up the pitch using their right flank but County continued to stifle well and pick holes on the break. On 20 minutes, there was another warning for Walsall when County broke up play well right side and broke quickly with Norman supplying a deeper cross. Lewis did well to seize the ball and dink a cross back into the six yard box just eluding runs from Telford and Baker-Richardson. Moments later with Walsall disorganised, County worked a quick throw right side with Norman finding Baker-Richardson and he showed his prowess to cross pinpointing Telford who stooped with a header from 10 yards which Rushworth saved in the left corner. County were effective in the air as well as on the floor and some direct moves saw Baker-Richardson do well in the aerial duals. Walsall had a better spell for a time winning some free kicks higher up the pitch. On 30 minutes, County conceded a cheap free kick right side which Khan delivered well into the area and Miller saw his header from 8 yards under pressure go wide of the left post. Walsall kept probing right side winning some corners which County were able to get safe but not always convincing in their clearances. County had another couple of decent chances on the stroke of half time to extend their lead. On 40 minutes, Norman again caused problems beating Walsall left back with ease and his cross to front post was met well by Telford who glanced just over the bar from 10 yards. County were close again on 42 minutes, this time going decisively through the middle with Willmott finding Azaz and his reverse pass set Cooper free with a darting run to the right edge of the area and his low shot was saved by Rushworth in the right corner. Walsall forced County deeper in first half injury time with a couple of crosses near the right byline but County kept their focus to clear their lines.

Walsall pressed up higher as a unit at the start of the second half getting away with a couple of close calls for offside with Baker-Richardson marginally offside. County were forced to defend deeper and deal with a couple of crosses right side as Walsall stepped up their approach. On 52 minutes, County conceded a somewhat sloppy corner when Bennett sliced clearance left side of the area. Walsall made a change before the corner with Wilkinson replacing Phillips. Khan took the delivery whipping in a decent low cross and with County switching off and no marker for Wilkinson he ghosted in to stab home into the right corner from 8 yards. Walsall were boosted by the goal winning another corner on 56 minutes after a rash clearance by County but when the move broke down County ruthlessly drove down the right side with Telford timing his run to latch onto pass by Norman. He cut back an excellent cross from the right by line towards the back post and Wilkinson tracking back to deny Baker-Richardson could only divert the ball into the left corner. County then had Baker-Richardson needlessly in the book on the hour for a clumsy challenge from behind on Kinsella after losing possession cheaply inside the Walsall half. Khan caused problems for County switching from the right to the left flank and there was another warning for County on 62 minutes when Khan dribbled forward left side of the area and with no County tackle forthcoming he was able to thread a pass for Osadebe left side of the area but his low shot was dragged wide of the right post. Walsall made another moments later with former County captain Josh Labadie replacing Osabade. Walsall persisted with the direct approach to unsettle County and a melee near the edge of the area saw Labadie kick out at Clarke to earn a booking on 65 minutes. County committed suicide not making the ball stick from the clearance and allowing Walsall to punt a simple ball down the left side which Clarke could only divert for a corner after Dolan slipped. The delivery from left side by Khan was venomous but lack of composure saw Dolan hook his clearance into his own net despite not being under no pressure. County were unshaken and immediately went on the offensive attacking the vulnerable Walsall left side. Lewis did to support the move near the right corner flag and his deep cross found Azaz who saw his snapshot deflect onto the bar but Telford anticipated well to put County ahead again… Walsall made efforts to get a firmer grip of possession with some better passing movements but continued to cause more problems from direct play and crosses with Khan supplying the ammunition. On 75 minutes, County struggled to clear their lines from Khan cross left side and Earing followed up to stab a low effort from 14 yards which Lewis cleared well off the line. County made their first change moments later with Norman surprisingly replaced by Haynes who went left side with Lewis switching to right back to deal with the threat of Khan. County kept pressing the right buttons and had a brilliant chance to finish the game on 77 minutes when Azaz slipped a low pass right side of the area for Baker-Richardson who carried his run into the area but his effort from 10 yards was parried away by Rushworth. Walsall made another change on 82 minutes with Shade replacing Earing and County responded by sacrificing Baker-Richardson for Fisher. Walsall continued to throw in crosses and turn County back in behind with Wilkinson offering a good outlet right side and Khan busy down the left flank. County made a defensive change on 87 minutes with Farquharson replacing Telford. On 88 minutes, County were close again to killing the game when a teasing clearance through the middle was not dealt with by Walsall keeper Rushworth. Willmott pinched the loose ball and curled a low effort from 30 yards towards the goal and the ball drifted inches wide of the right post with Fisher chasing the ball down in a race with the keeper. Walsall to their credit kept up their intensity in the six minutes of injury creating chaos inside the area with crosses which County managed to hook away. Walsall got their reward on 90+5 minutes when a nervous clearance to the edge of area was latched upon by Wilkinson who adjusted well to clip a volley from 16 yards into the top right corner. Walsall applied some late pressure to steal a win with Labadie glancing a header wide of the left post and Miller had a snapshot on the turn inside the area well saved by Townsend but County held out for a deserved draw.

Townsend (6) — put under pressure from opportunist crosses, kicked well in general getting distance but couldn’t do much about any of the goals and handled well throughout.

Norman (7) — excellent first half putting left back Ward under pressure and provided several decent crosses. Forced back second half when Khan switched sides before surprise substitution

Bennett (6) — mopped up well first half and was bright with his distribution. Put under aerial pressure from direct ball and appeared to tire late on struggling to deal with Wilkinson

Clarke (6) — did well in the air, marked well denying space but got turned back on times second half allowed ball to drop and slowness distribution put side on back-foot several times.

Dolan (5) — saw plenty of the ball first half to link intricate low moves from deep. Put under pressure defending deeper second half and never looked composed defending his own area.

Lewis (6) — did a good job first half to mark Khan, tackle and deny crosses making some well timed runs forward and provide crosses. Forced back second half and defended well.

Azaz (8) — instrumental in several good moves first half and set up several decent chances. Got restricted on clear-cut shots but hit the bar and deserved goal for his efforts.

Willmott (6) — busy first half, used ball efficiently at feet with sharpness of mind but never settled when forced deeper missing several tackles. Unlucky with low shot from distance late on

Cooper (7) — did a lot of good work box to box, industrious and won the ball early being the most fouled player. Created most threat from late supporting runs but forced back after the break

Telford (8) — sharpness back that was missing in last game, worked hard when he got ball early to feet he caused problems and would have had a hat trick with better placement on headers.

Baker-Richardson (5) — did well first half offering aerial prowess and ball retention was good. Missed chance to kill game off similar to Rochdale when ball needed to be slotted low past keeper

Strengths — had physicality second half to force play further up pitch and offered some better quality on crosses. Showed spirit to keep going to dig out a hard earned point.

Weaknesses — conceded a lot of fouls, showed little patience to play often going direct. Both full backs were left vulnerable especially the left back and centre backs anxious with headers.

Opportunities — went more direct and press up higher after the break throwing in crosses at will. Got Khan more into the game when he switched from right to left flank.

Threats — Khan crosses and set pieces, Miller decent in the air, Wilkinson technical ability and alertness to finish in and around the box.

OFFICIALS

R Walsh (7) — got the key decisions right, very lenient but consistent in her approach allowing several cynical fouls to go unpunished deep inside each half.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Conor Wilkinson — turned the match around second half after County controlled large part of the first half. Took up good positions inside area to hurt County and took chances well

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County had ample chances first half to be two goals ahead at the break and despite not winning this match there were a lot of positives with their patterns of play and quality of movement inside the area. Walsall were forced into some tactical tweaks and despite County showing more teeth to stifle man for man they were lacking their usual composure dealing with aerial balls with both Day and Demetriou missing. There are going to be very few sides that can “out football” County this season such is their technical prowess, but opponents are now opting to be more direct and forceful to combat this threat as Rochdale and Walsall have demonstrated in the last two games. The defence was asked some questions from crosses and direct play especially late on and some of this build up pressure stemmed from County’s inability to retain the ball up top and as a result they lacked an outlet to work the corners and buy time. However, it is unlikely that sides will be able to employ this direct pressing tact for 90 minutes so key County have a better plan or option to counter this and vice grip the ball final third. County are going to need to reshuffle the squad to maintain their position in the top 7 and with some key additions in the January window they can be realistically challenging for automatic promotion. “Quality” rather than “Quantity” will be key. County do need some defensive cover with a left sided player most preferrable. They also need a striker to challenge the front pair but perhaps a more robust dynamic option they are clearly lacking at the moment. Next up is Salford City at home which is likely to be played behind closed doors so County will also need to adapt to having no home support. They should have no issues with motivation for this one after being brushed aside by Salford earlier in the season. Salford are likely to opt with the “direct” counter option at some point during the game with Elliot target up top with McAleny and Hunter alert runners in picking up bits and pieces. County will need to maintain their intensity, keep their passing low and precise to turn centre backs Eastham and Turnbull around who lap up the aerial duals.