County dig deep in their reserves to peg Dons back

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Evans 45+2, Bogle 55)

AFC Wimbledon 2 (Tilley 9, 30)

Attendance: 4,008

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County LWWLWWL

AFC Wimbledon dWDWWDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Wimbledon are unbeaten in the league and not conceded an away goal. County need to manage the game carefully, key they match Wimbledon’s high work ethic but keep passing low and efficient.

CONDITIONS

Very warm, sunny with light breeze. Pitch in quick and in excellent condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Matched Wimbledon toe to toe but made to dig deep after two bits of magic by Tilley.

TURNING POINT

Evans goal on the stroke of half time was a huge lift.

THE MATCH

County made a few changes from the tough league game match mid-week v Brentford with Seberry and keeper Maxted sacrificed in place of McCloughlin and Townsend. There were also some midfield changes with Waite and Bondswell both named as subs with Bennett drafted back into central midfield and Evans returning from injury to partner Bogle up front. County started with purpose probing away patiently with Wimbledon in contrast showing little finesse shunting it low for Al-Hamadi to chase down. County had a decent chance on 5 minutes when they switched play well from the left side using the middle as a cog and Wildig picked out Bogle right corner of the area with a fine pass. He caressed a neat low pass into Charsley who had made a great run from deep but he unfortunately turned down the chance to shoot first time allowing Johnson to recover and intercept the shot from 14 yards. County were keen to use Bogle to pin their moves but Wimbledon were quick to stifle and set out their stall pickpocket the ball and turn County with some long passes from deep with Bugiel and Al-Hamadi lively with their robust runs. On 9 minutes, it paid dividends when a neat Wimbledon move right side area saw Al-Hamadi, bowl of a weak challenge by Lewis and Tilley cut inside and took the chance well curling a low shot into the corner from 14 yards. County responded well from the setback and kept their intricate passing game ticking over. On 13 minutes, there was a warning for Wimbledon when County won a corner left side which Wildig delivered with venom but Evans couldn’t quite get his shot on target from an acute angle at the back stick. On 15 minutes, County threaded a useful direct ball left side which Bogle snatched ahead of Lewis who fortunate not to be penalised inside the area for pulling Bogle back. The game followed a predicable pattern with County the more intelligent and patient with their passes but Wimbledon measured some neat direct ball to Bugiel right side which kept McCloughlin busy but he limited the threat well. Wimbledon were compact in wide areas despite County the grip of the possession and the crosses into the area were well dealt with by keeper Bass. Wildig continued to orchestrate some good moves through the middle and were close again on 25 minutes when he found Bogle in space and his snapshot from the right side of the area was well blocked Lewis. Wimbledon continued to menace right side with Tilley offering trickery with the ball at his feet. On 30 minutes, County were slow to close a move right with Lewis again being outfoxed to the loose ball. Tilley made the most of the space invited across the face of the area and fired low in the right corner with Townsend seeing it late. County were left frustrated by several decisions being ignored by the lenient referee and the advantage that was offered giving crumbs to County. On 35 minutes, Delaney was booked for dissent for a decision not given when Bogle was held down by Lewis in a decent position final third. In adversity, County kept pressing with McCloulghin asking questions of left back Brown and were close again on 42 minutes with decent low move going through several players right side and Bennett was unlucky to see his shot from 16 yards clipped onto the bar. County were close again moments later when Lewis ghosted forward left side to cross front post and this time County were well positioned but the header from 6 yards was claimed well by Bass. County got reward for their dogged persistence on 45+2 minutes with Wildig doing well to angle his run in support right side and he clipped an excellent cross which flashed deep but this time Evans buried it firing home from an acute angle. County finished the half well with some better penetration in wide area but Wimbledon remained disciplined defending crosses.

Wimbledon made a change at half with Bugiel sacrificed and he was replaced by Pell who went right midfield with Wimbledon adjusting to 4–5–1. Wimbledon maintained their direct approach with Al-Hamadi working hard to chase lost causes. On 50 minutes, Wimbledon had a half chance from a corner right side by Williams and Pell met strongly under pressure but couldn’t keep his header down from 6 yards. County switched tact to use the middle to coordinate some better moves for a time with Wildig and Bennett working well in tandem. On 53 minutes, County did well to unsettle with a quick move through the middle and despite Johnson making the headed clearance it went straight at Wildig and his low shot from 14 yards was tipped around the right post. County their equaliser on 55 minutes which came from an unexpected source with Wimbledon struggling to clear their lines and Delaney powered a header right side of the box for Bogle to latch onto. With the keeper Bass committed off his line Bogle calmly lobbed the ball into the roof of the net with the Wimbledon defenders vain attempts to clear off the line. Wimbledon responded with some more territorial possession with Pell adding some robustness in aerial duals in midfield. On 65 minutes, Tilley was close to his hat trick with him supporting a busy move right side and Pell glanced a useful header inside but the low shot from an acute angle clipped the base of the right post. On 68 minutes, County were struggling to clear a Wimbledon set piece effectively and Johnson put back a decent cross into the area which Tilley met well from 10 yards but Townsend held comfortably. Wimbledon made another change soon after with Lemonheigh-Evans replacing former County loanee Neufville. Evans went left wing with Pell going into a more central area. County kept pressing the right buttons through the middle forcing Pell into some disruptive challenges. County worked some long balls in the final stages of the game to test the Wimbledon defence who remained disciplined but one or two passing mistakes crept into their game. County made another change on 77 minutes with new loan signing from Bristol City Olly Thomas replacing Bogle. Wimbledon responded with a like for like change that saw Davidson come on for Al-Hamadi and Lakin coming on in central midfield for Williams. The game degenerated in the final minutes with both sides struggling to raise the bar again in the heat. County made a couple of late changes on 86 minutes to freshen their approach with Waite and Wood replacing Charsley and Wood. County forced Wimbledon deeper in the 7 minutes of injury time with Thomas doing some good work to anchor play and win some throw ins. On 90+5 minutes, County may have pinched the game when a long throw left side by Lewis was met well by Delaney at the front post with the Wimbledon defence static. His glancing header dropped to Evans and he set up McCloughlin to shoot first time inside the “d” but the rising effort went over the bar. There was a late booking for Pell for clattering into Wood but the game finished level which reflected the game overall.

Townsend (6) — kicked well under pressure but never really got near the Tilley goals when left exposed. Made some good blocks and saves second half claiming well

McCloughlin (7) — timed runs well right side and despite being closely tracked he managed to find the best opening. Showed prowess dribbling in and around the area and went close a couple of times

Lewis (6) — difficult first half, never really got to grips with Tilley runs. Needs to improve tackling and decision making. Had much better second half but crosses to front post were tamed by Dons defence

Delaney (7) — focussed game, stood up well to the direct aerial play and cleared effectively when turned back. Was a nuisance on set pieces and something County need to maximise on small teams

Clarke (7) — dealt well with Al-Hamadi, timed his headers well and got the ball safely. Passed effectively from deep and looked to be building his sharpness back well after injury

Charsley (7) — had a decent chance early in game, made several intelligent runs to link through the middle and with better decision making would have scored. Worked tirelessly off the ball until fading

Wildig (8) — possibly his best game for County, when he took control in the middle the side got firing. Provided fair quota of quality crosses but needs to be more greedy on times and shoot.

Morris (7) — read game well and did his best work through the middle with vision to pass and pick holes. Another won who can shoot more and use capability with ball from standing position.

Bennett (6) — did a lot of firefighting and was competitive in the air and on the floor. When got to the ball early, used it effectively and very unlucky with effort against the bar.

Evans (7) — possibly lacking a bit of spring after knock but worked tirelessly dropping deeper in the game to track Tilley. Always a threat back post with his anticipation and took chance well.

Bogle (7) — got little sympathy from the referee, did his best to focus play and set up some good chances caressing passes in and around the area. Took his difficult chance expertly.

SWOT ANALYSIS (AFC Wimbledon)

Strengths — they were compact and disciplined defending crosses. Created some good moves in transition mixing it up between direct ball and Tilley trickery right flank

Weaknesses — despite gritty determination to defend wide areas, left huge gaps through centre which more clinical sides would have punished. got away with a few crude challenges that were ignored

Opportunities — started off 4–4–2 combining direct play with neat moves. Put Pell into the middle later in the game to tame some momentum County built through the middle

Threats — Tilley good with feet and eye for a shot from distance, Al Hamadi aerial threat, Bugiel pace left side.

OFFICIALS

J Miles (5) — encouraged the clambering, just let everything go and sometimes failed to use advantage effectively when play should have been brought back.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Adam Wildig — was important cog getting County back into the game when they needed something different, he anchored some excellent moves through the middle and excellent crosses.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

At 2 nil down, this was arguably County’s most difficult challenge this season, in the heat and some adversity, with some questionable decisions not going their way. Wimbledon did a A1 job of blocking the channels and the slowing the prowess County have in wide areas. Having said that Macca showed his ability to step up right side and ask questions with excellent runs with the ball at feet several times which should have yielded a goal. County needed to ask more questions through the middle of the pitch and they did this well either side of half time with Wildig, Charsley and Evans working well in tandem. County also went close with some intricate low moves around the edge of the box with Bogle neat with his passes. Wimbledon gambled on working direct balls when Bogle was pickpocketed, much in the vain Accrington did on the opening day but County marshalled their aerial threat well, but switched off not making tackles earlier. County need to keep building their variety of patterns of play so they can hurt sides that block their wide game. Next up is Crawley Town away who have performed much better than the pundits predicted this season. Crawley are likely to employ a conventional 4–4–2 with two little men up top to offer pace with former Rochdale striker Orsi and Campbell from Gateshead. County need to impose their game through midfield with Gladwin an outlet with good vision to find passes and link play. The midfield battle seems key in this one.