County forced to accept a point

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Twine 23)

Walsall 1 (Adebayo 21)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County WLLWWWWLWW

Walsall DdDLDWLLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Walsall are usually a stubborn outfit to breakdown so not expecting anything different tonight. County need to match their work ethic and take their chances when they come.

CONDITIONS
Cool, partly cloudy slight breeze. Pitch looked in a need of a good roll, erratic in parts but held condition well

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Defended well but restricted on chances, lacked usual rhythm and creativity

TURNING POINT
None to note

THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with Amond and Labadie replacing Devitt and Abrahams who were on the bench. County started the game slowly and this set a precedent with Walsall working hard off the ball to deny and sustained momentum. Walsall operated with a 4–5–1 atypical to many sides County have faced this season pushing three up front to defend from back to front. Walsall worked some early moves into target man Adebayo with Scrimshaw lively runs left side and Holden energy right side. County made efforts to build from deep but Walsall hurried them into rushed clearances not finding the runs of Proctor and Amond. County snapped out of their shell on 10 minutes with a bright move from deep with Haynes twisting inside from the grips of Norman to find Labadie who was obstructed left corner of the area. Twine took the free kick which had venom on it but was blocked by the wall and cleared. Walsall fired the ball long when invited and County allowed this on times with Amond and Proctor second best against the Walsall centre backs Scarr and Clarke. County made efforts to get into their stride of passing low to work openings but Walsall worked hard to contain and deny space in the corners with the midfield dropping back. County were more effective when they worked straight patterns through the middle and had a good situation on 18 minutes when Labadie broke through the middle and threaded a pass for Amond near the “d”. He had options to the left but delayed his pass going to right side which allowed Clarke to recover. County continued to probe away but their passing mistakes from deep allowed Walsall to build momentum with Bates picking up bits and pieces too easily. Walsall gained confidence from the indecision by County with some good breaks into wide positions with Scrimshaw left side and Holden right. On 21 minutes, County were punished when Holden won a tackle right side and was allowed to roam brushing a couple of weak challenges. He slipped a good pass right side of the area and Adebayo made the most slotting low from an acute angle. County made efforts to pick up their game with Sheehan driving them forward and he was clipped by Adebayo on 23 minutes in a seemingly unthreatening position 35 yards out. Dolan took a quick free kick into Twine who lashed a dipping effort which appeared to deceive Walsall keeper Roberts and crept over the line. Walsall were undeterred and kept up their high pressing game and the game become a little confrontational with a few late challenges which went unpunished. On 25 minutes, County were nearly punished when they were playing deep inside their own area and Dolan got caught in possession by Adebayo who adjusted before striking his effort wide and of the right post and bar. It was a let off for County but indecision continued to impair their game with Proctor struggling to hold the ball a quick break by Walsall left side forced Cooper into a mistimed challenge on Scrimshaw and he was booked. On 28 minutes, another poor pass by Dolan allowed Norman to move forward in transition right side and cut back a cross to the face of the area which Scrimshaw met but his header was well blocked by Demetriou. Walsall won a couple of corners from their sporadic but effective raids forward but they were options for County on the break with them committing several defenders forward. On 32 minutes, a Walsall corner broke down allowing County to break and Twine picked out Proctor through the middle who had the opportunity to pull the trigger but delay on the ball undermined another promising move. County had a better spell as half time approached working the corners better but Walsall remained stubborn breaking down. On 35 minutes, County had a free kick into a decent position right side of the area which Dolan delivered immaculately into the six yard box and Scarr was fortunate his deflection went wide of the left post. Then on 37 minutes, County worked a short corner right side to the edge of the area and Twine hit a rising effort wide and high of the right post. Walsall continued to pick holes on the break especially right side with Holden and Norman working well in tandem. On 42 minutes, Norman stole forward to overlap and receive a pass from Holden and he was caught late by Demetriou who was booked. On 43 minutes, Walsall won a corner right side which Holden took but Scarr headed over from 8 yards under pressure from Cooper.

County were out early for the second half no doubt on the end of dressing down after their lacklustre first half and they started to work some better possession and control to their game. Shepherd created some threat right side. On 54 minutes, Twine made a snappy run from central midfield to break the lines and was caught late by Clarke who was booked. Walsall remained positive in transition and Osadebe made a rare break through the middle on 58 minutes but his low effort from 25 yards was well saved by Townsend in the right corner. County did well again on 60 minutes down the right side with Shepherd turning provider this time to link with Amond who angled his run right side of the area. He dinked back in a decent early cross to find Twine but his crisp shot on the turn from 10 yards went straight at Roberts. County made a change on 65 minutes with Proctor replaced by Abrahams to add some energy lacking up top. County asserted their game better with some better cohesion final third but Walsall remained vigilant and trained making some good interventions to frustrate County. Walsall were largely direct using Adebayo with some increasingly direct play. On 75 minutes, another Walsall direct ball seized up by Osadebe who caressed a pass into Adebayo but his snapshot flashed wide of the right post from 16 yards. On 77 minutes, County created a more cutting move when they shifted play well from left to right with Sheehan finding Shepherd in space. He clipped over a decent cross towards the front post which Amond read well but his header was blocked well by Clarke. Walsall made a double substitution moments after with Adebayo and Scrimshaw replaced by McDonald and Lavery. County responded replacing both wing backs as Haynes and Shepherd were replaced by Devitt and Willmott. County finished the game well forcing Walsall deeper and winning some corners.. County looked certain to score on 82 minutes after some patient build up play saw them switch play from left to right. Willmott showed his prowess again providing a decent cross cutting inside on his left foot with a teasing delivery which Twine anticipated well with a late run but unmarked planted a header from 8 yards wide of the right post. On 85 minutes, County made another change with Ellison replacing Amond. County kept plugging away with space continuing to open up especially through the middle. On 87 minutes, County switched the ball intelligently from the right flank which was blocked off and Twine jinked past a challenge near the edge of the area but was crudely tripped by Holden who was booked. Dolan took the free kick which he blasted low through the wall but the ball went narrowly wide of the right post after a deflection by Scarr. There was another chance on 90 minutes for County when Willmott drove into a prominent position right side of the area and cut back an intelligent ball towards the edge of the area. Labadie was well positioned but after adjusting his effort was blocked by Bates. Walsall made a late change in 90+2 minutes with Osadebe replaced by Nolan. Walsall continued to show good spirit testing resolve with a couple of late corners and crosses to test County but the match end in a stalemate but fair result.

Townsend (6) — distribution was a little sluggish on times allowing Walsall to press play. Kicked long and handled well with shots from distance but sat down early on the goal

Shepherd (7) — was forced back first half dealing with Scrimshaw but gradually started to turn the screw second half with some well timed runs and earlier crosses.

Haynes (6) — did well when he got to the ball first but struggled to get goalside of Norman and distribution was little laboured allowing defence to recover.

Demetriou (6) — put under pressure by Adebayo and forced into some rushed clearance. Adapted well after booking though keeping his discipline and timing his tackles.

Dolan (6) — gave assurance in behind to pick up bits and pieces and made some good interventions. Provided several decent set pieces and pushed on late to influence final stages.

Cooper (7) — got unfortunate booking after first honest tackle but coped well after. Took a few knocks from brace tackles, made some key interventions to deny and get tight when necessary.

Twine (7) — main threat on the night, got into some decent shots and the goal came out of nothing. Did a lot of good work in and around the edge of the box benefiting from quick passes to feet.

Sheehan (6) — got forced deeper tonight and was marked tightly by Kinsella. Was more dynamic later in the game with his runs picking holes well but restricted on shots.

Labadie (6) — worked tirelessly and did well when he got on the ball but slow to the bits and pieces edge of the area. Had a couple of chances in and around area but shots were erratic.

Amond (6) — was starved of possession first half and got brushed off the ball. Got into some better positions after half time with more momentum but denied by some blocks

Proctor (5) — got into the gaps and holes but let down by poor touch and decision making allowing Walsall to break dangerously on times. Had no shots on target.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — work ethic closing down tenaciously and defensively sound. centre back denied space well and stifled threat quickly. Full backs limited crosses

Weaknesses — lacked cutting edge, happy to help ball on in behind and play percentage game. Committed several fouls when County did work them about

Opportunities — switched between 4–5–1 and 4–3–3 and never really changed tact which limited threat from County and maintained energy to create chances.
Threats — Adebayo was decent in the air and strong holding ball. Holden enterprising right side and difficult to read. Scarr , Clarke aerial threat on set pieces.

OFFICIALS

C Breakspear (6) — frustrated players with inconsistency, slowed game down giving several free kicks when he could have let game flow. Couple of the bookings were harsh

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cameron Norman — Walsall right back, gave defence assurance, made himself hard to beat and overlapped well with some well timed runs.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were frustrated for large parts of the game with them unable to settle into any rhythm or build up any sustained tempo to their game. To their credit, Walsall were well organised and work extremely hard from the offset to limit County chances forcing them to kick long. County had to dig in to win the ball back tonight and really needed to take care when they regained possession as Walsall were prone to giving away free kicks when they were worked. The distribution from deep also needed to be quicker to wide positions as Walsall pressed up high to block the flanks. However, there were options through the middle for County which were not always exploited but they did make things happen later on with some intelligent crosses cut back and Sheehan got into more advanced positions as the runs became more dynamic. The Proctor — Amond partnership was comfortable for Walsall when pace in behind was needed tonight to turn a side that pressed high around on their heels. County turn the attention to the FA Cup this Saturday with the visit of Salford City who have picked up their form in recent matches. Salford are likely to adopt 4–2–3–1 system with former Rochdale striker Henderson up top and Hunter picking up bits and pieces. Salford employ a largely direct approach so Cooper and Demetriou likely to be busy but this is game that can be won or lost down the flanks. This is likely to be more expansive open game than tonight with crosses key to Salford games and Salford left back Touray prominent and providing energy.