County dig deep to go top of the league

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Twine 78, Dolan pen 88)

Mansfield Town 1 (McLaughlin 69)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLDWWWWL

Mansfield Town LLdDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Mansfield are still searching for their first win. County can expect a battle today especially after the Newcastle game mid-week which was demanding so substitutions will be key today

CONDITIONS
Cool, light rain showers quite windy. Heavy rain yesterday but the pitch looks in reasonable condition but was glossy and slippery in parts.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Dug deep, despite energy levels down showed great character to comeback to win.

TURNING POINT
Twine equalising soon after Mansfield goal was key.

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes to freshen the pack with Ryan Taylor replacing Padraig Amond and captain Josh Labadie back after suspension in place of Scott Bennett who was on the bench. County made in-roads down the left channel early on with Haynes prominent but the stout Mansfield central defence were alert to cut out crosses. County made efforts to play out from deep using keeper Townsend but Mansfield front pair Maynard and Reid worked hard to press. County created a couple of decent moves through the middle with Labadie linking up play through the middle but again the Mansfield defence were vigilant. On 7 minutes, Twine made a piercing run through the middle coaxing Mansfield captain Clarke into a late tackle in a threatening position. Twine took the free kick from 25 yards but it was blocked well by the advancing wall. Mansfield mirrored County playing 3–5–2 and were happy to match up man for man and look for the sucker punch. On 8 minutes, they showed their first real threat when a quick break by Reid right created an overlap but he switched play left side for McLaughlin well inside the County half but his snapshot from 30 yards was rash and went well over the bar. County mixed their passing game with some direct play forward with Taylor doing well in retention despite getting pulled left right and centre. Mansfield continued to press with Townsend showing show quick feet to maintain possession and build play from the back. Mansfield were keen to get former Bury striker Maynard on the ball and they worked a couple of decent situations out wide and flung in some hopeful crosses which County cleared effectively. On 17 minutes, County had a corner right side which they worked short but lost possession cheaply allowing Mansfield to counter. Maynard again was pivotal and he carried a strong run forward before passing low into Maris. He checked back near the edge of the area and curled a precise effort which Townsend did well to parry away in the right corner. County made efforts to pick up their game with Twine and Sheehan busy but they were finding less joy from wide positions with Shepherd and Haynes well marked. On 20 minutes, Twine was caught late by Perch but the referee showed a degree of leniency not booking the cynical tackle. County created a decent opportunity on 23 minutes from another move left side with Haynes passing low to Taylor and he clipped a deft pass inside for Twine to latch onto. He showed good vision to set up a shot from Demetriou who had stole forward but his powerful shot from 25 yards was pushed away by Stone but County had nobody reading the loose ball. Mansfield continued to work opportunities through industry of Maynard who drew a few fouls in decent positions but the delivery into the area lacked quality. County kept plugging patient in possession with Mansfield working hard to minimise the threat. On 35 minutes, a clever move involving several passes culminated with Twine exploiting a gap through the middle and his dipping effort from 30 yards was pushed to safety. Mansfield maintained their work ethic riding a few decisions with tackles and clambering and the referee turning a blind eye. County created their best move of the half on 40 minutes with Taylor glancing well into the path of Sheehan who jinked past a couple of players before slipping a pass right side of the box for Labadie. He directed a first time effort but it went high and wide of the right post when he should have worked the keeper. Mansfield kept snapping away forcing a couple of passing errors by County when they overplay. There was a warning on stroke of half time when Maynard swept forward left side and cut inside but this shot was well wide and high of the right post.

Mansfield started the second half on the front foot with Maynard the main instigator carrying his runs deep but County marshalled the threat well. There were options for County in transition and a good move on 50 minutes saw Sheehan make a dynamic run through the middle and pull the trigger but Rawson did well to intercept. County had the benefit of the wind behind them and they were more adventurous coming forward with Twine striking a decent effort narrowly wide of the left post on 53 minutes. County kept adding to their corner count and were close to taking the lead on 55 minutes from a corner right side. Dolan put in a vicious delivery which dropped into the six yard box and Cooper saw his effort pushed over the bar by Stone. Mansfield were enjoying some space County offered in behind when moves broke down. On 60 minutes, Clarke did well to exploit space for Mansfield through the middle and his low pass into the feet found Reid. He turned away from a challenge well but fired well over from 25 yards. On 63 minutes, Shepherd did well to force a move further up the pitch from a quick throw and his cross back into the six yard box was met by Cooper but blocked by Sweeney. Mansfield had a couple of decent efforts inside a couple of minutes midway through the half with their shot on shoot policy. Reid had a snapshot well blocked near the edge of the area by Dolan and before County could clear their lines effectively another quick pass right side by O’Keefe released Maynard right side of the area but his shot from acute angle was parried well by Townsend. On 65 minutes, Perch was in the book for a late aerial challenge on Labadie and County made their first change moments later with Taylor replaced by Janneh. County made efforts to pick up their game but were caught cold on 69 minutes when poor retention right side allowed Perch to pinch the ball and drive forward down the left flank. He threaded a low pass to McLaughlin who showed some clever feet to cut back inside with a change of pace and his well struck effort from the left corner of the box went into the top right corner. County kept plugging away looking dangerous through the middle with Sheehan and Twine pick holes. On 75 minutes, Sheehan was crudely taken out when carrying his mazy run to just outside the box. Twine took the free kick but it was again blocked by the wall and Mansfield regrouped with another change to swap Maynard for Bowery. County continued to work the right side when invited and a well worked move on 78 minutes caught the Mansfield defence static. Shepherd was the architect and he drilled a low cross into the six yard which was only half cleared to Twine who punished with a neat low finish in the left corner. County were lifted by the goal with Janneh getting more on the ball they began to stretch the Mansfield defence. Mansfield went more direct to relieve pressure with some balls into Bowery and carved open an half chance moments later when Bowery linked find Reid edge of the area but his neat shot on the turn was diverted by an important block by Haynes. County made another change on 83 minutes with Amond replacing Abrahams. Mansfield were dealt a blow with captain Clarke being replaced by Smith. County kept plugging away forcing Mansfield to defend deeper and some rash clearances by their central defenders saw the ball coming back at them. On 88 minutes, County worked an efficient move left side with Haynes pinpointing Amond who took up a decent position left corner of the area. His run unsettled Menayese who mistimed his clearance and Amond seized the ball and took on Menayese but his outstretched arm caught the ball mid-flight and the referee pointed to the spot. Dolan took the penalty confidently with a low finish into the corner sending Stone the wrong way. County made a late change with Twine replaced by Bennett. County had another opportunity on 90 minutes exploiting Mansfield when Demetriou showed good vision to pick out Amond with a long ball and he caressed a good pass for Janneh who cut inside who generously set up Labadie to shoot from 20 yards but his first time effort went past the left corner of the post and bar. Mansfield made a late gamble to replace right wing back O’Keefe with Cook. Mansfield put in some first time crosses into the area but County held out strongly holding the ball well to run down the clock and gain a hard-fought win.

Townsend (7) — put under pressure with a couple of back passes but did well to maintain possession. Made some good saves to deny Maynard and shots from distance. Distribution from feet was a bit erratic.

Shepherd (6) — looked tired today, crosses a bit wayward and forced back especially first half by Perch. Got caught a couple of times in possession but became more prominent later in the game.

Haynes (7) — got into less advanced positions but when he got the byline he was productive. Had a good battle with O’Keefe and kept plugging away. Influenced late on threading some measured passes.

Demetriou (7) — perhaps lacked his usual drive and energy, Had to track robust runs of Maynard but kept concentration well and cleared effectively. Went close with a couple of shots from distance.

Cooper (7) — did well in aerial duals, kept passing efficient despite having less time and distributed well from deep. Went close again to getting his first goal being denied twice inside six yard box.

Dolan (8) — saw a lot of the ball and directed moves from the back with some pinpoint and crept a little further forward late on to influence game. delivered some decent set pieces and calm with penalty.

Sheehan (8) — picked battles well despite being well marked. perhaps lacking usual verve he stole into decent positions to win free kicks and unsettle. Got denied few times with blocks in and around the box

Labadie (7) — played deeper today and got a bit bogged down in the middle. Made some well timed runs in support to link up and denied a couple of times with interceptions edge of the area.

Twine (8) — competed well, got stronger as game progressed put in several decent shots and always looked most likely to score. With the channels less effect did a lot of good work today through the middle.

Abrahams (6) — Did his best with back to goal to retain the ball lacked his usual spring and struggled to get outside the last man. Kept plugging away often dropping deep but threat from shots restricted.

Taylor (6) — did some good work first half to bring other players in, offering guile final third. Flirted with a couple of half chances inside six yard but lacked sharpness to the ball and faded early.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — strong dealing with crosses and aerial threat, full backs did well to press high and restrict space. Created some good moves in transition to release Maynard

Weaknesses — defender were rash with some clearances under pressure. A lot of their game was opportunist and hopeful with crosses and lacked cohesion to maintain the ball and momentum

Opportunities — the mirrored the same 3–5–2 formation as County and never really waivered from it. They were largely direct and intent on getting early crosses in and changes never really effected game.
Threats — best moves went through Maynard who dynamic with runs and worked Townsend. Reid was lively and prepared to shoot from distance. Maris pace in behind. McLaughlin shots from distance.

OFFICIALS
S Allison (7) — frustrated both sides on times, some inconsistency with interpretation the middle of the pitch but got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Matt Dolan — kept driving the side on today when it was needed especially late on when he got forward to support and move play further up the pitch. Slotted home penalty confidently late on.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

September has been a tough but rewarding month for County with two games a week and the capability of the squad being tested. After the terrific effort against Newcastle mid-week today was always going to be a bit of a banana skin and County did look flat in spells despite enjoying some good possession. Mansfield were well drilled with the front two denying time to play out from the back and County lacked their usual verve down the flanks. There were opportunities through the middle for County and they become more threatening from these positions late on in the game. County are going to face challenges especially at home with sides suffocating the corners as Mansfield did but they always carried a different type of threat through the middle. With the pitch becoming less conducive to short passing, County will need to mix up their game more in the coming months. Next up is the Norwich League Trophy game and this will give the opportunity for some of the fringe players to impress before the Cambridge away league game next Saturday. Cambridge have made a solid start to the season but suffered their first defeat at Exeter today. County dominated possession in the League Cup game against Cambridge earlier in the season. Former Eire international Wes Hoolahan has made them tick but County will need to track Ironside who offers guile in and around the area and Mullin shots from distance.