County forced to scrap out point in a stop start game
Report from Mark Vickery at The Bescot Stadium
Walsall 0
Newport County 0
Attendance: 4,337
Form:
Newport County DdWW
Walsall WDLL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Walsall have been in some tight games this season but will be looking to get their season moving so County need earn the right to play in this one
CONDITIONS
Partly cloudy, quite mild and breezy. Pitch in decent condition
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Dogged and determined matched fight with fight but lacked quality to carve out many chances.
TURNING POINT
None that should out but County losing captain Labadie at half time was a setback.
THE MATCH
County were forced into a couple of changes with Mickey Demetriou sidelined after leg break, Kyle Howkins resumed in central defence. Scott Bennett was also suffering from an injury allowing Tristan Abrahams to continue in an attacking role so County started with the same side that finished the Plymouth game. County maintained their 4–3–1–2 formation with Abrahams up alongside Matt and Amond dropping into a more deeper role. Walsall had a spring in their step in the early stages with some moves peeling out wide to test County but the Haynes and McNamara were vigilant denying momentum. County were snappy in transition with Abraham making some darting runs but they were stifled well by the three man Walsall central defence. The game was combative in midfield and this set a precedent with a number of interrupting fouls across the pitch. Walsall were keen to play direct when invited using the tall frame of Adebayo and supporting runs from Lavery. On 10 minutes, Walsall chanced their arm with ball down the middle and Adebayo did well to shield and caress the ball into the path of Lavery but his snapshot from 20 yards was read well by King. Walsall set their stall out to close down and press but an overzealous aerial challenge by Norman on 12 minutes on Haynes in the air got him an early booking. County made efforts to pick up their game with Sheehan showing good vision to link play in the final and with Abrahams and Matt making some stretching to pull about the robust Walsall backline. On 20 minutes, County were more decisive when Sheehan broke through the middle and a splitting pass opened up a run for Matt right side of the area. He adjusted well to drill a low shot from 14 yards but the keeper Roberts claimed well low down. On 25 minutes, Walsall created a snappy move from deep catching County somewhat napping with former loanee Cameron Pring exploiting some space on the left channel. His pace took him to the left side and his neat pass inside got Hardy into a good position to shoot just outside the “d” but his low powerful fizzed past the left post. The game then degenerated with several infringements with Sheehan being clattered in an aerial challenge by Kinsella and both players needed some brief treatment. Haynes was then booked for County for delaying a Walsall throw in on the left channel as they looked to get on with things. County were struggling to play through Walsall but there were some better moments from direct play or kick outs by King. On 35 minutes, King directed a long kick from the back which eluded all three of the Walsall central defenders and Matt made a good run in behind to collect the ball. He angled his run towards the right side of the area and dinked over a decent cross but County had nobody inside the area to profit. The ball flashed deep and was retrieved by Abrahams but his shot on the turn was blocked by Clarke and cleared effectively. On 42 minutes, a poor kick out by Walsall keeper allowed Abrahams a chance to punish, seizing the ball left side of the box but he delayed his shot allowing Scarr to make an important interception. There was another hold up on the stroke of half time with Willmott being clattered again by Kinsella but no card was forthcoming this time which was a let for Walsall. County had a brief spell of pressure in first half injury time winning a couple of corners which were well dealt with Haynes having a decent volley from just outside the box well blocked by Scarr.
County were forced into a change at half time with Labadie forced off with a knock and he was replaced by Maloney in central midfield. On 48 minutes, Walsall won a corner left side which Norman curled into the box but Scarr saw a header go well over the bar under pressure from Howkins. The game remained scrappy with several fouls and little appetite for passing but County stuck to the task competing well in key positions. Walsall made a change on the hour up front with Lavery replaced by Gordon. County were somewhat frustrated by some of the holding and clambering being allowed a free reign by the referee Mr Handley and when no decision for them was forthcoming they were always at risk seeking retribution. On 65 minutes, Abrahams was booked for catching Clarke late after some decisions went against him. Pring then handled the ball right in front of the referee to deny Haynes a free run forward but no card issued and then Sheehan was correctly booked for delaying a quick throw by Norman on the right flank. Kinsella was finally booked on 67 minutes for clipping Sheehan as made a bursting run to drive right side of the box. County had a better spell for a time forcing Walsall to defend deeper after some patient moves to switch play and some crosses caused anxiety but County were not always alive to the second ball. On 78 minutes, County had a glimmer of chance from a throw in right side of the box which Haynes delivered to the front post and Howkins glanced on but Matt saw his rushed header from 6 yard loop harmlessly over the bar. On 85 minutes, Walsall made another change in midfield with Kiersey replacing Hardy. The final minutes saw Walsall make efforts to pick up the game forcing County deeper and Sinclair created a good situation on the left side of the area to open up an opportunity but his low effort was dragged well wide of the right post. County then had Howkins in the book for delay a quickly taken free kick deep inside the Walsall penalty box. Deep in injury time, Adebayo did well to turn off a challenge from Howkins but blasted a shot from the left corner of the box. County held out for a deserved point and no doubt one or two bumps and bruises.
King (7) — had few shots to deal with from open play, good organisation keeping defence focussed. Handled well to deal with some low crosses and some mammoth kicks deep that caused problems.
McNamara (7) — decent game, steady in defence, showed good awareness when to drop off and get tight. Made some good runs forward to support but switch was not always forthcoming.
Haynes (7) — dealt with threat down the flanks, timed his tackles well and was abrasive but disciplined. Put in some reasonable crosses and throws into box and unlucky with his volley first half.
O’Brien (8) — strong in the air and tackled well to pick up the second ball when he had to clearing effectively. Put his body across the line several times and took a few knocks tonight.
Howkins (7) — competed well in the aerial duals with Adebayo and kept his composure well. Did well inside the area to unsettle but marked well today and restricted on chances.
Labadie (5) — had a quiet first half, put in fair quota of challenges but struggled to make an impact before being replaced by:
Maloney (6) — did a reasonable job to fill in and compete. Did his best work when he got on the ball he sprayed some decent passes about with the best moves going through him
Willmott (5) — did a lot of running but seemed to get dragged in too narrow on times with the system employed and wasn’t able to stamp his authority final third.
Sheehan (6) — had some bright spells, got a little bogged down having to sit deep on times especially second half, but when he kept his passing ticking over it prised open opportunities.
Abrahams (6) — put his body between man and the ball and did some good work to protect but often delayed rather than taking chance on quick shot or cross.
Matt (6) — did his best to provide an outlet and sometimes did better turning provider, carried most threat from runs in behind and was well marked today especially on the aerial duals.
Amond (5) — having to drop and play deeper, his threat inside the box was limited but combative and worked hard off the ball but was restricted not able to test keeper.
SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — three central defenders played well squashing space and organised. They competed well and had good work ethic which ultimately earned them a deserved point.
Weaknesses — when wing backs were got at they looked ordinary, committed lot of fouls as a good as they were denying County space, they offered little momentum when they had some pressure
Opportunities — elected to play largely long into Adebayo and never really changed tact second half. If anything they went more direct and made efforts to get quicker crosses in.
Threats — Adebayo was good in air and gave an outlet, Lavery had pace and an eye for shot, Scarr and Sadler won headers on set pieces.
OFFICIALS
D Handley (5) — overlooked several decisions and consistency was poor, allowed the continual pulling and clambering and the game threatened to degenerate on times.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mark O’Brien — lot of the hard work pre-season paying off, was alert in the air and swept a lot of the danger leading defence superbly especially second half taking the captain arm band
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
The chances created by both sides were at a premium with both defences being on top and County struggled to build up any serious momentum today getting dragged into a somewhat confrontational in your face game. It was important County did the dirty work with Walsall giving them little space to operate and the best moves flowed when County kept the ball low and passes were kept decisive. County dealt well with the Walsall wing backs and showed nerve when dealing with crosses thrown in late on. However, County struggled to get both Amond and Willmott into the game with perhaps the formation not being conducive to their game. Abrahams was well marked and with Amond dropping off deeper negated some of the threat County had and you feel his best position is always on the back of the last man. Willmott was also restricted to more defensive work and not able to hurt with crosses and shots stifled quickly. County will need to assess their options with several injuries in midfield and possibly consider employing wing backs to freshen their approach to give energy. Next up is Crewe at home who have recovered well from a first game defeat to go top of the fledgling league table. Crewe have a robust back line but with have confidence to employ three man up top. County will need to stifle direct play into Porter and the wide play supporting often in transition from Kirk left side who crosses well and Ainley right side. Crewe full backs also push on but that can also present vulnerability so the key in this game will be timing for County.
