County frustrated by the dogged 10 men of Eastleigh

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1(Clarke 56)

Eastleigh 1 (Maguire pen 82)

Attendance: 4,966

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County dLDLWDLWDD

Eastleigh DWWLWLWWLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Eastleigh have rested a few players in recent games and brought them back fresh so key County match their work ethic, assert their game box to box to create opportunities.

CONDITIONS

Cold, sunny spells and light breeze. Pitch was in excellent position and quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Disciplined and controlled first half but took foot of the gas allowing Eastleigh to build confidence.

TURNING POINT

County change replacing Payne for Bondswell saw momentum lost.

THE MATCH

County retained the same side that drew 1–1 at Sutton United on New Years Day keeping their 3–5–2 formation which Eastleigh mirrored. The early stages saw County sharp with their use of the ball and Eastleigh late with 3 challenges inside the first 5 minutes. County won a couple of free kicks in useful positions but the delivery lacked venom allowing Eastleigh easy clearances. Eastleigh worked some balls in behind looking for the runs of McCallum right side and Quigley left side but they came to nothing with Delaney and Clarke mopping up well. On 7 minutes, County had a great chance to forge ahead from a move right side with Charsley doing well to angle his run and find Bennett right side and his cross to the front post was anticipated by Palmer-Houlden but his header from 8 yards went wide of the right post. Eastleigh were keen to use Maguire as a focus who made some clever supporting runs forward. On 10 minutes, Maguire again stole into a decent position right side of the area but McCloughlin did well to pickpocket him. He threaded a clever low pass left side behind right wing back Boldewijn which Palmer-Houlden latched onto. He adjusted well and his cross caused problems for Eastleigh clearing back post and as the ball sat up Evans hit his shot on the turn from 10 yards over the bar when he should have worked the keeper. County continued to enjoy a foothold in the game winning some corners right side with Payne causing problems with his industry high up the pitch. On 16 minutes, County won a corner right side which McCloughlin delivered well pinpointing Delaney. He directed a decent header from 8 yards which was blocked and Palmer-Houlden was first to the rebound but Eastleigh managed to intercept the goalbound effort. In a glut of decent chances, McCloughlin whipped in inviting cross the front post but Bennett saw his header drift wide of the right post. Eastleigh made efforts to get more on the front foot with some balls directed in behind which were hopeful more than precise and County remained in control. On 20 minutes, Baker cleared the ball under pressure but Quigley caught him late but the referee continued to ignore some of the late challenges. County directed some useful balls from deep with Townsend pinpointing Evans and he was caught late by Langston on 26 minutes as he span off a challenge. Eastleigh came slightly more into the game with Maguire switching from right to left to take up some good positions. On 30 minutes, Payne got himself booked following his first honest tackle mistiming the challenge on Maguire as he roamed near the left flank. Payne was unshaken and set up another decent chance moments later when he got his cross in earlier for Palmer-Houlden to latch onto but his header from 8 yards under pressure from Croll went just over the bar. County had a decent spell as half time approached moving the efficiently and playing with more tempo with crosses into the area which just eluded the final touch. On 38 minutes, Eastleigh suffered a blow when Langston received a straight red for a violent behaviour with Charsley taking a blow to head. Eastleigh adjusted to play 4–2–3 with Maguire dropping back left side and Quigley right side with McCallum roaming up top. County had continued to ask questions from crosses into the box and were close again 45+1 minutes with Payne penetrating right side leaving Maguire standing and his first time cross found Evans back post but his header drifted over the corner of right post and bar with the keeper scurrying anxiously back across.

Eastleigh made a defensive tweak at half time replacing Hodson with Francillette who offered more height at centre back. County started well with Payne continuing to cause problems right side with his decisive runs. On 47 minutes, Payne drove to the byline and cut back a decent low cross which flashed deep and McCloughlin saw his snapshot from 6 yards blocked and Palmer-Houlden was denied with Croll getting in another vital block to divert for a corner. On 48 minutes, Eastleigh caught County napping when a direct kick by the keeper McDonnell was allowed to drop with neither Baker or Payne taking responsibility. Maguire ghosted in an directed a neat shot from an acute angle which struck the outside of the left post. On 55 minutes, County created a decent move left side with McCloughlin doing well to get in an early cross and this was pivotal which Clements just doing enough to take the ball away from Evans as he was about to pull the trigger. From the resultant corner, McCloughlin varied the deliver with a low ball to the front post and Clarke read superbly drilling low into the right corner from 8 yards with Palmer-Houlden and Evans taking away the markers. On 62 minutes, County were close to a second goal when they broke from deep with a move left side and McCloughlin did well to cut back a cross to the edge of the area. County had both Charsley and Morris advanced into good positions beyond Atanga and Taylor but they appeared to both go for the ball and Morris low strike from inside the “d” lacked power to concern the keeper. On 63 minutes, Eastleigh responded with a direct move right side with Quigley ghosting in right side of the area but his shot from an acute angle was dragged wide of the left post. Eastleigh then had McCallum in the book for dissent contesting a clear foul which went again them. County made a double substitution on 66 minutes with Bondswell and Waite replacing Charsley and Payne. Bondswell went left wing back with McCoughlin swapping to the right side. Eastleight had another player booked on 68 minutes with Croll disputing a decision which went against him. On 70 minutes, County had a great chance to kill the game off following a bright move right side. McCloughlin overlapped well to receive a pass from Waite. His cross into the six yard box was intercepted but the loose clearance invited Bondswell to shoot and his goalbound effort was deflected over the bar by Croll. On 75 minutes, County forced Eastleigh to defend deep inside the area and McCloughlin had an opportunity to shoot but rushed the effort scooping over from 14 yards. Eastleigh gambled with a triple change moments after with Taylor, Atangana and Clements sacrificed for Harris, Nwabuokei and Clampin. Eastleigh upped their efforts forcing some corners from direct play which unsettled County. On 78 minutes, County had Baker in book when he got the wrong side of Quigley and was forced into a tackle to recover. Eastleigh kept plugging away and won a corner right side on 80 minutes which County cleared left side. With no pressure to close down by County, Evans directed a hopeful ball into the box and Clarke appeared to tangle with McCallum who went down lightly. The referee pointed to the spot to the dismay of Clarke and Maguire made no mistake blasting into the top right corner. County made efforts to pick up their game with Bondswell getting on the ball and he coaxed Evans into an untidy challenge on 83 minutes as the booking continued to mount. The free kick was disappointing by County with them having the option to go short and use the extra man and Eastleigh hooked to the ball to safety. County made late changes on 87 minutes with Rai and Wildig introduced for Clarke and Palmer-Houlden. Quigley using his quota of cat’s lives was finally booked on 88 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Bondswell as he cleared under pressure. County won some late corner which were disappointing with quality allowing Eastleigh to clear unchallenged. On 90+3 minutes. County had another decent opportunity with an overload of players left side and Bondswell drove to the left by line but his cross came to nothing with Boldewijin clearing at the front post. There was a late booking for County with Waite getting the wrong side of the tackle on Harris. Eastleigh held out for an unlikely draw celebrating with their fans at the final whistle with both sides going into the draw for Round 4 on Monday.

Townsend (7) — kicked well from deep pinpointing Evans first half, had no shots on target to save. Put under pressure by some kicks second half and found less precision but organised well.

Payne (7) — decent game, put under pressure from McGuire but coped well after booking to assert and influence game to end of the pitch. Should never have been replaced

McCloughlin (8) — arguably did better left side than right following switch and went close with a couple of shots back post that were blocked. At the heart of the move the lead up to the goal and the cross

Baker (6) — needs to be more aggressive winning first contact because he did that he was assured. Got bullied a bit by Quigley but made some good tackles and interceptions clearing well.

Delaney (7) — solid in the aerial duals limiting McCallum to scraps, pushed forward to occupy spaces making extra man in midfield. Went close again on set piece to a goal which is long overdue.

Clarke (7) — excellent game, gave little change in behind, marked McCallum well and cover runs by McGuire left side. Took goal very well and a tad unfortunate with the penalty call going against him

Bennett (7) — anticipated well and saw ball early to win tackle which was key, won his aerial duals and shifted pass efficiently to set up moves wide. Should have done better with header back post.

Charsley (7) — can only assume replaced early as they nurture his time back after injury. Did well to angle runs wide of the area and had a couple of decent chances following late runs through the middle

Morris (5) — frustrating game, effective linking moves higher up the pitch switching play well and threatened from shots around the “d”. lost too many tackles and defensive positioning was poor on times

Palmer-Houlden (6) — did better turning provider and supplied some decent deep crosses that were not read. Missed a couple of presentable headers inside the area and needs to find his mojo again

Evans (6) — frustrating game, got excited on two decent chances with lack of awareness when he time to pick his spot. Strong in aerial duals and can improve on his reading to pick up second ball

SWOT ANALYSIS (Eastleigh)

Strengths — centre backs kept their composure at key moments and they were resilient defending crosses. Showed a lot of spirit with man down and kept shape well.

Weaknesses — gave away several clumsy fouls, over-reliant on direct play helping it on hopefully. Both wing backs never looked assured in the system they started with and vulnerable when ran at.

Opportunities — did better with 10 men and going to four at the back with 2 holding midfield players. Went increasingly direct late on test County’s resolve.

Threats — Best moves went through Maguire left side. McCallum and Quigley robust and contested well in the air.

OFFICIALS

E Duckworth (5) — stepped up from the Conference to referee and it showed. Took ages to get his cards out but didn’t stop. Penalty looked six of one and half a dozen of the other.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Luke Croll (Eastleigh 15) — was such an important cog after the sending off. Kept concentration well and made several key blocks and interceptions to keep Eastleigh in the game.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County managed the first half well getting on the ball and working some good situations, which should really have been put to bed before the red card influenced the game. Eastleigh changed their shape to sit in 4–2–3 and frustrate County and despite County getting the goal, they never got firing second half and become increasingly indecisive. Putting all players back to defend set pieces seemed non sensical given the situation and they had pace to counter which they didn’t use. In the Crewe home game, County lacked quality on crosses, often delaying the delivery allowing them to recover but today it was not improved. The change introducing Bondswell for Payne second half also backfired when County needed somebody to really assert play in wide areas. County had a number of decent opportunities to switch the play from right to left but were laboured and are clearly missing balance that side of the pitch. Eastleigh ended up gaining belief sitting off with a good shape and chanced their arm late on with direct moves to test County and got some reward. The Eastleigh centre backs dealt well with the lame delivery into the area throughout and tracked the runs of the front two very well, but there were also opportunities for County to punish through the middle with Taylor and Atangana slow to press and lacking pace to recover when turned. County will now face Doncaster Rovers away next week before the replay a week Tuesday and should use this to bring players back from injury into the equation and improve their play final third. Doncaster are struggling for form and confidence but will employ a 4–3–3 formation with reliance on Ironside for presence up top with Molyneux a creative outlet right side in tandem with full back Sterry. County need to match their work ethic and use their pace better to get men inside the area with runs from deep.