County forced to accept a point
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: One Call Stadium
Mansfield Town 1 (Sinclair 84)
Newport County 1 (Labadie 75)
Attendance:
Form:
Newport County WdLWWWLLLW
Mansfield Town WLLWLDDdDL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Mansfield have drawn a lot of matches recently but have some scalps at home beating Cheltenham and Morecambe so key County manage this game and pick their battles.
CONDITIONS
Cold, rain showers and keen breeze. Pitch started ok but cut up readily and was erratic in parts.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Chances were restricted, put under pressure being forced deep but dug in tenaciously to get deserved point.
TURNING POINT
Ledley going off early second half was not pivotal but Mansfield gained firmer grip late on.
THE MATCH
County made a few changes with Priestley Farquharson suffering from a knock, he was replaced by Mickey Demetriou returning after suspension. Joe Ledley came back into the side in place of David Longe-King who was on the bench with Scott Bennett slotting into central defence. There was another change up top with Nicky Maynard unable to play against his parent club allowing Dominic Telford an opportunity. County started the game positively playing into a keen breeze and direct move right side on 2 minutes carved open a half chance. Taylor did well to win a header ahead of Sweeney and glance the ball into the path of Lewis who had crept forward in support. He wasted no time blasting a first time effort from 30 yards which was well held low down by Stone. Mansfield elected to play some direct balls to test County with Sinclair offering pace and movement in behind. On 4 minutes, Mansfield created a decent move left side with McLaughlin finding Quinn. He chipped in an early cross from left side of the area which Sinclair read to head from 6 yards but Townsend reacted well to parry the ball away to safety right side of the post. Mansfield were busy in their approach play with some well-constructed moves left side coordinated by Quinn and County were forced into some clearances front post. County worked some precise low moves despite being forced back with Sheehan picking some clever passes. County were most effective left side with Lewis finding space and County won a free kick on 13 minutes when Lewis was checked by Lapslie. From the resultant free kick, Lewis delivered a teasing cross which Telford anticipated well to glance at the front post and Rawson got in an important block to deny Bennett finishing inside the 6 yard box. The game remained competitive and even in the middle of the park with several fouls interrupting the flow of the game. Mansfield were quick to get on with the game and County had to stay focussed to deal with the long kicks by Stone which held on the wind. County were able to manufacture some better moves when they worked the ball either side of the 18 yard box with Taylor doing well in air. On 25 minutes, County created the best move of the half working some thoughtful low passes left side with Lewis and Sheehan instrumental before he was obstructed by Maris left side of the area. Sheehan took the free kick and whipped in an excellent delivery and Ledley ghosted in with a late run and looked certain to score but his effort from 6 yards went inches past the left post with Stone flat-footed. County kept probing away with Mansfield coaxed into some untidy passes from deep which allowed County to assert more control of the game. On 30 minutes, another Mansfield move left side saw Quinn tee up a cross for McLoughlin and his cross flashed dangerously through but went to safety. On 32 minutes, County worked an opportunity from a direct ball which Mansfield could only half clear. Labadie was vigilant mopping up the loose ball and his quick pass found the run of Telford left side of the area and his well struck effort from 14 yards was parried around the left post by Stone. County gained confidence from some better cohesion and approach play and another move on 35 minutes saw Mansfield catching their breath. Sheehan did well to find Ledley and his showed good awareness to pinpoint the run of Shepherd right side. Despite having two players on him, he did well to find a chink of light and cut back an excellent cross in behind which eluded late runs by Telford and Taylor. Mansfield made efforts to up their game again as half time approached but overplayed several passes with the wind behind them. Quinn continued to be a nuisance with intelligence and movement left side and went close on 38 minutes when he was allowed to cut inside from the left flank. He had time to address his low shot from 16 yards which was curled through the crowd but went just wide of the right post. County worked a couple of decent situations as half time approached from long throws either side of the Mansfield 18 yard box. On 43 minutes, Demetriou launched an excellent throw right side which caused anxiety for Mansfield defending and dropped towards Labadie but the ball sat up allowing Mansfield enough time to smother the danger. Mansfield showed their prowess to counter on the stroke of half time with Sinclair slipping a quick pass into Lapslie who darted through the middle but his effort from 25 yards was well blocked by Dolan.
Mansfield asked questions early in the second half wasted little time on the ball and some direct kicks to pinpoint pace on show by Sinclair kept the County defence worked. Mansfield coaxed some free kicks from some cheap tackles put in by County which maintained their momentum but the defence remained robust clearing the crosses well. On 53 minutes, County were given a warning when Perch was allowed space to roam right side and his low cross to front post was well cleared by Dolan ahead of Bowery who was lurking. On 55 minutes, County had a free kick in a threatening position left corner of the area after Telford was bowled over Rawson. Sheehan delivered an excellent cross towards the back post which was begging to be turned in but Stone was able to get a fist on the ball and do enough to clear the danger. Mansfield kept persisting with their left flank with Quinn lively with his supporting runs. On 57 minutes, Mansfield worked a low intricate move left side of the area with County sitting very deep and a deft pass by Bowery invited Quinn to shoot from a narrow angle but his effort crashed against the right post and County managed to clear their lines. County were struggling to pick up the 2nd ball on times but when they did Mansfield were coaxed into some untidy challenges. Moments later, Lapslie was booked for cumbersome challenge on Labadie in the middle of the pitch with County threatening to bulldoze through the middle. County made a change on 62 minutes to freshen their front line with Scrimshaw on Telford and another change followed soon after with Collins on for Labadie. Collins was soon in the action with a piercing run to break through the middle exploiting gaps and despite being forced right side of the area he cut back a good pass to Labadie in space but his effort from 20 yards went well over the bar. It was a warning for Mansfield but they remained positive forcing County to defend deeper sustaining pressure from moves left side. On 70 minutes, Quinn was close again when the struck a first time rising shot from 25 yards which Townsend held well. Mansfield failed to heed the warning with County picking holes well on the break and they were punished on 75 minutes when Taylor caressed a good pass inside for Labadie who had made a dynamic run from deep untracked. He steadied himself to carry the ball into the area and his low shot went through the legs of keeper Stone. Mansfield kept pressing winning territorial advantage from some moves left side. On 80 minutes, a free kick left side by McLoughlin was only half cleared by County and Perch seized on the loose ball but his rushed effort from 16 yards went well over the bar. Mansfield made another change just after with Reid replacing Clarke as they adjusted to 4–3–3. Mansfield kept the heat on County in the final stages winning some corners left side and got their reward on 84 minutes although the goal did have some controversy to its validity. Shepherd appeared to be clearing his lines inside the box and was caught off the ball by Sinclair and with no decision forthcoming Sinclair made the most of the space blasting into the roof of the net from 12 yards. Mansfield applied some late pressure and Labadie was booked on 88 minutes for some retribution catching Lapslie with a mistimed challenge. From the resultant free kick, Sinclair chanced his arm blasting just over from 30 yards with a dipping effort. County had to dig in the five minutes of injury time with some suspect decisions not given with some off the ball challenges being ignored. County had a glimmer of chance on 90+5 minutes when a Demetriou long throw left side of the box was only half cleared and a Lewis anticipated well with a rasping volley from 14 yards but Rawson got an important interception in. Mansfield applied some late pressure forcing County deep inside their own area and a shot on the turn by Reid just outside the “d” was well blocked by Dolan. 8 minutes of injury time had been played by the referee when he blew up with a draw a fair result with both sides evenly matched on the night.
Townsend (8) — made some key saves from close range and dealt well with crosses swung. Kicked well from deep and delivered some useful kicks which were measured well in conditions.
Lewis (7) — defended well throughout and ghosted into some good positions. Provided some decent crosses and set pieces and went close a couple of times from shots in and around area.
Demetriou (7) — broke up the threat well and dealt with Bowery when he switched sides. Cleared well under pressure and provided usual quota of long throws which deserved better.
Shephard (5) — didn’t look comfortable when asked to defend deeper and was stifled quickly when he got forward being restricted on crosses. Got pickpocketed on the goal delaying clearance
Dolan (7) — won his headers well and made some important blocks to stifle threat and shots edge area. Saw less of the ball second half and had less opportunity from set pieces today.
Bennett (5) — was overworked for spells second half and put under much pressure by Quinn with his movement final third. Struggled in some of the aerial duals but dealt well with ball in behind
Ledley (7) — sat in and organised well across the 18 yard box allowing Sheehan and Labadie to push on and influence was missed after he went off. Should have scored first half after late run.
Labadie (7) — sides targeting him with several afters on him going unpunished but kept discipline well. was always a threat when made his runs dynamic and picked up 2nd balls. Took goal well.
Sheehan (6) — decent first half demanding ball and best moves went through. Lacked appetite to win second ball on times and influence waivered meaning County had less control of the ball
Telford (5) — didn’t protect ball well under pressure, made most impact when he was brave and got facing forward. Restricted on chances but showed capability winning headers on set pieces.
Taylor (6) — got into good positions first half floating out to wider positions to win headers and move around the centre backs. Drifted inside 2nd half and less effective losing possession cheaply.
Strengths — they were effective in transition and crafted some good counters especially left side. Put in some cutting crosses and kept belief to get something from game.
Weaknesses — persisted with left side and although they were effective it was predictable with no outlet right side. Gave away fouls cheaply when forced deep and were anxious defending box.
Opportunities — they used ball well and were quick passing into wide positions. Gambled late on pushing three up front to maintain momentum.
Threats — Quinn offered guile and set up crosses left side with eye for goal. Bowery outlet up top and intelligent use of the ball. Lapslie runs box to box.
OFFICIALS
C Pollard (5) — took ages to leave pitch at the end, made some puzzling decisions 2nd half ignored several mistimed challenges inside the County half only. Did get key decisions right and will give benefit of doubt on Mansfield goal
MAN OF THE MATCH
Stephen Quinn — on loan from Burton Albion and clearly has better pedigree. Gave County headache with runs angled left side setting up several crosses. Deserved goal for his efforts.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Mansfield have been perceived as draw specialists this season and despite not winning perhaps as many games as they should have, they showed their capability in spells. County were forced to defend much deeper tonight and not able to release their wide players with Shephard having a very introverted game right side. County really needed to assert better control of the ball second half but elected to play too direct and were unable to pick up enough of the second ball with Mansfield more alert. County were always vulnerable to the sucker punch today and overall they did manage that threat well and prise open some opportunities themselves with some dynamic runs by Labadie and Sheehan with Ledley patrolling well in behind to protect the defence. County were not always on the same wavelength when crosses were put, particularly back post, they lacked anticipation to get somebody in position allowing Mansfield to break too cheaply. Next up is Carlisle United at Rodney Parade, who are showing late signs of recovery and a game County can make a real statement on and set back their play-off ambitions. Carlisle are likely to gamble and play 4–3–3 as they will need a result more than County with their game backlog. Carlisle have an honest outlet up to with Patrick robust down the flanks but their main threat comes from quickness from goalkeeper kick outs and guile through the middle by Alessandra and Guy who have an eye for a killer pass. County need to nullify threat through middle if it means making the game dirty and draw effect from wide positions with better quality on crosses.
