County edge closer to the bullseye
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Poundland Stadium
Walsall 0
Newport County 3 (Morris 4, Evans 15, Charsley 38)
Attendance: 5,454
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County LWDDDWWWLW
Walsall WWLWWWLLDD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Walsall have lost a bit of form in January window but their home form is strong. County need to deal with their prowess in wide areas and use their guile to work chances through the middle.
CONDITIONS
Mild, bright spells with slight breeze. Pitch was a bit worn on the sides but in reasonable condition after mid-week postponement .
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Fast start suffocated Walsall first half and resilient defending maintained lead
TURNING POINT
Never looked back after early goal by Morris
THE MATCH
County made one change with Bennett returning in place of Charsley who was on the bench. County settled quickly with some well measured passes in behind with Palmer-Houlden and Evans present and Walsall were forced into some untidy passes. On 4 minutes, County took the lead following a good move right side involving McCoughlin and Wildig cut back a decent cross near the byline which dropped deep to Lewis. He neatly played a pass inviting Morris to shoot first time from 14 yards and his shot went past Walsall keeper Evans with the aid of a slight deflection. Walsall made efforts to pick up their game with Hutchinson getting on the ball in midfield. On 8 minutes, Walsall threatened switching play with a free kick left side which they directed to the right channel catching Lewis out as the ball went over his head. Comley drove forward and cut inside and drilled a decent shot from 20 yards which was well blocked by Clarke. County kept plugging away and looked threatening with Wildig orchestrating some good moves to link play. On 11 minutes, Walsall had a good situation develop when Gordon cut inside from the left flank and found Hutchinson right side of the area but his shot from an acute angle was comfortable for Townsend. Wildig was forced to receive treatment soon after a challenge when in advanced position but he recovered briefly to continue. County kept pressing the right buttons and there was another chance on 14 minutes when McCoughlin made a tricky run near the right byline leaving Gordon in his tracks and his low cross into the six yard box was cleared by Daniels. Walsall failed to heed the warning and County extended their lead on 16 minutes when they pressed Walsall right side of the area into a loose clearance. Evans was alert to steal the ball and cut inside the area and finished clinically with a smart shot into the top left corner. County were forced into change soon after with Wildig unable to continue and he was replaced by Charsley. County maintained their drive with Palmer-Houdlen threatening left side working Okagbue into some uncomfortable positions but Walsall managed to recover and clear the danger. Walsall opted for some direct play using the tall frame of Faal as an outlet but County managed the threat well. On 23 minutes, Walsall were presented an opportunity when County were slow clearing their lines and Delaney had his pass charged down by Gordon. Faal seized on the loose ball but then thrashed his effort wide of the right post when well positioned but he should have worked Townsend. County kept plugging away with some neat crisp moves inside the Walsall and when they took care of the ball they worked opportunities. Walsall remained a threat on the break. On 30 minutes, Walsall threatened from a free kick right side which Hutchinson delivered with venom into the six yard box. County struggled to clear effectively and Gordon set up a snapshot for Faal but his effort under pressure went over the bar. County maintained their tempo with neat moves and won a free kick on 37 minutes in a dangerous position when Comley checked the run of Palmer-Houlden near the “d”. Lewis curled a decent effort towards the left corner but Evans read it well pushing it away and the ball was cleared for a throw in left side of the area. Lewis looped his throw towards the front post which Clarke won well glancing back for Charsley who powered a header from 10 yards over keeper Evans who was off his line. County were close to a third on 42 minutes when McCoughlin ghosted forward and his early cross flashed deep and Lewis mase a great run to anticipate but dragged his snapshot from 14 yards wide of the left post. On 45 minutes, Walsall won a free kick in a useful position right side of the area and Knowles attempted a crafty low shot around the wall forcing Townsend scurry across but the effort was just wide of the right post. Walsall kept pressing in first half injury time with Gordon driving moves left side with his pace and vision. On 45+2 minutes, Gordon was given room to cut inside from the left flank and slice through the middle and find Knowles but his low powerful effort from 20 yards was well blocked by Bennett. County had caused problems throughout the first half from set pieces and were close to a third goal on 45+4 minutes. Lewis supplied an excellent cross from the left side of the area which Clarke met well in the air glancing his header from 10 yards against the bar.
Walsall made a double substitution at half time with Gordon and Stirk replaced by Oteh and Earing. Walsall forced County deep in the early stages of the second half using Faal as an aerial outlet but County nullified the threat well with Charsley picking up bit and pieces. On 52 minutes, County had a half chance following a quick throw left side with Lewis finding Morris. He cut inside and attempted an ambitious shot from 30 yards which was rising and went well over the bar. There was warning for County on 56 minutes as they were forced to defend deep inside the own area with Faal latching onto a direct ball. He span off a challenge by Baker but the powerful shot was diverted by an important block by Delaney. County worked hard to protect their lead and despite Walsall having more of the ball they were coaxed into some untidy passes in midfield. Walsall were keen to use their left flank with Oteh and Gordon combining well but County stifled the threat well. On 65 minutes, Walsall worked a better move through the middle with Hutchinson finding Knowles in an advanced position but his effort from 25 yards was deflected over the bar by Clarke. Walsall made another change on 70 minutes with Tierney coming on for Hutchinson. County were forced into some direct play having less influence through the middle and were frustrated by some marginal offsides. Walsall built some momentum and continued to play in the County half and supply crosess but a lot were hopeful and wayward allowing County to clear their lines. County made a double substitution on 80 minutes to freshen their frontline with Palmer-Houlden and Evans replaced by Jephcott and Zanzala and Walsall made a like for like with former County striker Jamille Matt replacing Faal up front. County worked some direct balls into Zanzala in the final stages of the game and when he got across his marker he caused problems but Walsall were quick to push up and press mistakes. On 86 minutes, County had an opportunity left side with Zanzala in a decent position but he lost the ball to Okagbue near the touchline. He threaded a pass to Knowles who cut back a decent pass to Daniels but his effort from 25 yards was well blocked by Bennett. County kept plugging away and a long searching ball on 86 minutes caused problems with Daniels left isolated with Zanzala and in a rush of blood Walsall keeper Evans came out of the area but handled. The referee had no option to send the keeper off and Walsall brought on reserve keeper Smith sacrificing Knowles. County also made a change at the same time with Morris replaced by Waite. County played out the seven minutes of injury time with no further concern and were close to a fourth goal on 90+5 minutes when a quick break right side saw McCloughlin release Zanzala right side of the box but his low effort from 18 yards was just past the left post. County were given a warm applause by their fans at the end for securing their fourth league win in a row.
Townsend (7) — had a couple of low shots on target to deal which he was alert on. kicked well with depth and made some strong collections on crosses. Kept focus well and cleared well under pressure
Lewis (8) — busy first half at the heart of 2 goals and was close to setting up more. Directed precise passes in behind, timed runs and provided useful set pieces. Played deeper 2nd half but defended well
McCloughlin (8) — caused problems first half prompting clever moves and provide crosses. Forced back by Oteh and Knowles combination after half time but defended stoutly with some good blocks
Delaney (7) — won majority of the aerial duals coping well with Faal but allowed some ball to drop when he needed to clear quicker. Made some important blocks in around the area
Baker (7) — solid game much sharper and focussed composed with clearances. Made some several well timed tackles and passed well under pressure.
Clarke (8) — good game against his former club, strong in the air and mopped up danger in behind. Made several important interceptions to block shots and unlucky with header against the bar.
Bennett (7) — tracked danger and organised well to recover when ball was lost by strikers. Competed well in the air and moved ball efficiently which was key.
Wildig (7) — had an excellent fifteen minutes initiating some bright early moves before early injury and was replaced by:
Charsley (8) — did a good job after Wildig went off, pressing and tackling which allowed little momentum for Walsall. Took his chance very well and despite being forced deeper second half coped well
Morris (7) — excellent first half, decisive with his goal when well positioned and prompted play with some neat switches of play. Struggled to get on ball 2nd half but showed his defensive capabilities
Palmer-Houlden (8) — got on the shoulder of defender and forceful outlet first half. worked tirelessly off the ball forcing mistakes and despite being restricted on chances was menacing with his movement
Evans (8) — bright with ball at feet, alert to win ball and his link play caused problems throughout. Took chance clinically and was at the heart of best moves. Dropped deeper to defend well second half
SWOT ANALYSIS (Walsall)
Strengths — they offered some neat combinations of play from low passes and were strong in wide areas when they got their wing backs firing.
Weaknesses — centre backs struggled under pressure and despite plenty of height in the team they struggled on set pieces. Goalkeeper was anxious before sending off.
Opportunities — they mixed up their play with some direct moves to test County but changes second half gave them more impetus left side. pressed up higher which got them more possession.
Threats — Knowles and Gordon were effervescent with runs and crosses. Best moves went through Hutchinson and Oteh added some verve left side for a time.
OFFICIALS
L Swabey (8) — manage game well letting it flow, encouraging advantage and kept cards in book until the sending off
MAN OF THE MATCH
Seb Palmer-Houlden — didn’t get on the scoresheet but his movement and tenacity to provide an outlet was important. Did a lot of good work off the ball, intelligent with his link play.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County got the benefit of good start in this game and with both sides playing 3–5–2, it was important County matched up in key areas and let their strengths shine through. Walsall have prowess in wide areas but County dealt well with their wing backs and you always felt when they got Palmer-Houlden and Evans on the ball chances would come. County took their chances very well first half which was pivotal in this game but despite seeing less of the ball second half they continued to work hard off the ball and limit Walsall clear-cut chances. Walsall gambled and pressed up higher second half and County didn’t quite find the same cohesion and thrust, getting offside several times but they made changes up top and finished the game strongly. County were clever again with their set pieces but the alertness and decision making was spot on today and they will need to take the same energy into their match at home to Notts County on Tuesday. Notts have struggled with consistency since their manager Luke Williams left for Swansea and despite having plenty of attacking capability they have vulnerability defensively with an ageing defence. Notts have favoured a 3–4–3 formation with Jones a key outlet with assists left side and most goals from Langstaff inside the area. County need tame their outlets and be dynamic to get in behind them with pace when their defence pushes higher up.
