County rue missed chances as Tranmere pinch late win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers 2 (Morris 57, Jennings 88)

Newport County 1 (Evans 22)

Attendance: 5,681

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWLDWLWdLD

Tranmere Rovers LLLLLWLDWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Tranmere have improved consistency of form since new manager Nigel Adkins has been appointed. Blustery conditions so key County take care of ball in possession and get basics right.

CONDITIONS

Very windy, cloudy with rain showers. Pitch in decent condition considering recent weather and held up well

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Asked questions and should have been further ahead but went into shell second half

TURNING POINT

Missed several presentable chances to go two up

THE MATCH

County made just one change with Scott Bennett sacrificed to the bench in place of Adam Wildig. County had the benefit of the gusty wind first half and Morris hit an ambitious effort from the kick off which went wide of the right post with Tranmere goalkeeper well off his line. County had the better of early possession but were nearly caught out on 5 minutes when Bogle had dropped deep to craft a low move but allowed himself to be pickpocketed in a dangerous area. Tranmere were quick to shift play with Walker supplying a pass to Apter on the right flank. He showed a yard of pace to provide a cross right side of the area and pinpoint Jennings who headed well over from 10 yards. On 8 minutes, Tranmere took a quick throw left side with Morris catching Payne asleep and he cut back a decent early cross which eluded everyone flashing deep and County cleared. Tranmere gained some confidence and worked a decent move on 10 minutes across the face of the area with Walker finding Hendy and his snapshot was deflected wide of the left post by Delaney. County set their stall out to play on the break and they started to build some momentum with Morris and Wildig combining well in the middle to shift play neatly. On 12 minutes, County had an appeal for penalty when Wildig supplied a quick pass Evans and he was shunted over by Davies but the referee ignored the appeals. On 15 minutes, County had an even better chance working the ball efficiently from the right side of the area. Bogle did well to spin off and drill a powerful low effort which was too hot for McGee to handle and Evans reacted first but skewed the rebound wide of the left post from 10 yards. County kept pressing with some low intricate moves to turn Tranmere around with Bogle at the centre of attention with some decisions going against him. On 22 minutes, Bogle did get a decision with Yarney clumsy in his challenge down the Tranmere flank with left back Wood out of position. McCloughlin took the free kick and the delivery caused problems in the wind looping to the back post but Wildig smartly reacted caressing his header into the path of Evans who slammed into the roof of the net from 8 yards. Tranmere made efforts to pick up their game continuing to spread the ball wide with Apter offering an outlet right side. On 26 minutes, County had another decent situation when Morris did well to win his header in midfield and find Bogle. He caused problems spinning off a challenge from Yarney and threaded a sharp low pass left side of the box which Evans latched onto but could only hit his shot from an acute angle in the side netting. On 28 minutes, Apter drifted into the middle to support a move and Walker set up a snapshot but he dragged his low effort well wide of the right post. County kept pressing with Palmer-Houlden coming more into the game and he had two opportunities inside two minutes moments later. On 33 minutes, he struck a difficult half volley well over the bar from the right side of the box following a loose clearance by Tranmere. Then from a similar position on 35 minutes, Morris did well to cut back a low pass and this time Palmer-Houlden hit a sweet effort from 25 yards just wide of the left post. Tranmere kept probing away with some patient thoughtful moves and were close on 37 minutes when Jennings manufactured some space through the middle but his low shot from inside the “d” was parried around the right post by Townsend. Tranmere had a couple of corners just before half time and were close moments later when a corner left side by Walker was glanced on a front post by Walker with County napping and clipped the top of the bar with Townsend scrambling across. County had another chance to extend their lead on 40 minutes following a quick break from deep with Evans suppling a pass to Bogle in space left side of the area. He had time to adjust but drilled a low effort which the keeper saved with his legs. Tranmere applied some pressure on the stroke of the half time with County conceding possession cheaply. On 42 minutes, Wildig saw his pass intercepted by Hendry who directed a pass left side for Wood but his cross come shot eluded Dennis at the back post. On 45+1 minutes, Tranmere had another situation presented to them by County with Evans snatching at a clearance right side of the area which went straight to Morris. His direct run left corner of the area saw him blocked by Baker but the referee booked Morris for simulation.

County were forced into a change at half time with Evans suffering from a knock and he was replaced by Charsley. Tranmere forced some early pressure but County remained effective on the break when they found the men efficiently. On 50 minutes, Payne did well to stifle a Tranmere move left side and thread a pass for Palmer-Houlden right side of the area. He cut back a decent pass to the feet of Bogle just inside the box who struck a first time effort from 14 yards which Davies got an important interception on. Tranmere were more direct with the wind encouraging them forward and a quick ball right side on 55 minutes saw Clarke tangle with Dennis and he got booked. The free kick from Tranmere was then squandered from a decent position. Tranmere were back in the game on 57 minutes when a penetrating move left side saw Wood find a chink of light to cross low into the area. Despite the cross looking hopeful, County were slow to react and Morris saw his first time effort from 14 yards go into the left corner with the aid of deflection of the back of Clarke. Tranmere were energised by the goal and were close again on 60 minutes with Hendry making the most of space invited by County in midfield with a pass right side to Apter. He jinked inside and drilled a low shot from 20 yards wide of the left post with Townsend having his view blocked with County defending very deeply. County made a change on 65 minutes with Bennett replacing Wildig. Tranmere were prepared to push players on with their full backs high and tested County with some crosses but they lacked quality on times. There were options for County to exploit on the break but some poor decisions with passing saw the hosts reassert control of the game. Tranmere made a change on 67 minutes with Apter sacrificed for Saunders who went right wing in a like for like change. Tranmere were close to a second goal on 75 minutes, exploiting some indecision by County when they had a decent situation attacking left side. Walker was quick to seize the loose ball and cut inside to find Morris who was allowed to roam and drill a decent effort from 25 yards which crashed against the bar. County were forced to play on the break with Tranmere pressing but with no real ball winner in the middle of the pitch, County found the ball coming back at them. County made another change on 83 minutes with Clarke replaced by Bondswell who went left back with County forced to switch to four at the back. Almost immediately, Bondswell then found him somewhat harshly booked following a direct move by Tranmere with Saunders colliding in a challenge through the middle. Tranmere kept forcing the issue and a neat low move right side on 88 minutes saw O’Connor thread a pass for Dennis. He had time to look up and curl a decent effort which struck the left post. County were slow to pick up the loose ball allowing Tranmere to lock in possession and a hopeful from the right side of the area by Wood was latched onto by Jennnings back post stabbing low into the left corner. County made a change on 90 minutes with Palmer-Houlden replaced by Wood to play out 6 minutes of injury time. On 90+2 minutes, Tranmere had Dennis in the book for a clumsy challenge to tackle back on Payne as he drove right side. On 90+4 minutes, County had a decent opportunity to equalise when a ball right side of the area towards Wood enticed Tranmere keeper Wood outside his area. With the keeper in no mans land, a pass inside to Bogle invited him to shoot first but he opted to set up McCloughlin who had his effort blocked by Davies. County then had Morris booked on 90+4 minutes for obstructing the run of Saunders down the right flank. County pushed Delaney forward in the final minutes but Tranmere held out running the clock down with a very late change that saw Jolley replace Dennis. He was then booked 90+7 minutes for a late tackle on Bennett but Tranmere held on for an important win to take them away from the relegation zone.

Townsend (7) — had few shots on target to actually make but kicked well in difficult conditions and made some smart low saves. Dealt well with crosses into the six yard box handling well.

Payne (5) — did alright first half containing wide switches of play but didn’t make enough tackles and struggled with his clearances. At fault with first goal allowing space to cross.

McCloughlin (6) — put under pressure by Apter but marked well and restricted crosses forcing inside. Delivered neat set pieces and distributed well but forced too deep second half to effect game

Delaney (7) — another consistent performance, stifled moves through the middle well winning headers and read the flight of the ball in the wind. Cleared effectively throughout.

Clarke (6) — swept up danger well in behind and was tenacious in the 1v1s. won his headers well but was always on a bit of knife edge after booking and replaced early

Baker (6) — put under pressure from runs by Morris, made some good interceptions and read game well but appeared to play Jennings on with the winning goal.

Wildig (7) — had a good hour before he was replaced. Directed some good moves first half which should have yielded more. Competed well in the air and set up goal well

Morris (6) — effective first half and worked well in tandem with Wildig creating some thoughtful moves but second best second half, didn’t get close enough to win drop downs and forced deep.

Evans (6) — frustrating first half, could have had a hat trick inside 15 minutes. Gave defenders plenty to think about with his movement and influence was missed after he was replaced by:

Charsley (5) — struggled to make impact, did his best to compete but never really got a grip of the ball which was lacking second half.

Bogle (6) — needs a goal, effective first half, seized on loose ball and prise open chances. Had another presentable effort saved by keepers legs and turned chance to shoot late passing when well placed.

Palmer-Houlden (5) — naïve on times with decision making, too many sloppy passes and didn’t offer enough aggression against left back. Went close with a couple of shots from distance.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Tranmere Rovers)

Strengths — played a conventional 4–4–2 spreading play wide well especially from deep. kept composure after going behind and maintained tempo late on in game was important.

Weaknesses — both full backs were weak in the air and didn’t always recover. goalkeeper come out of his area several times causing anxiety and County should really have punished from late chance.

Opportunities — they were opportunist and hopeful with a lot of crosses but got the ball down more second half and more thoughtful forcing County deeper with direct play.

Threats — Apter quick feet and crosses right side, Morris roamed left side and eye for a shot from distance, Jennings orchestrated several good moves second half pinching ball to turn County over.

OFFICIALS

S Stockbridge (6) — got the key calls right ignoring some hopefuls penalty calls but made some strange bookings which were no more than collisions

MAN OF THE MATCH

Connor Jennings — effective in a central role, key cog in Tranmere turning game around, picking up scraps when County didn’t take care of ball and used it effectively before getting the winner

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were effective first half but lacked ruthlessness to get the vital second goal and by the end Tranmere finished in the ascendancy. The enforced changes made by County also made them more defensive and introverted with Wood, Rai and Waite all ignored. Tranmere managed the difficult conditions much better and were also more decisive inside the boxes getting more quality with their shots and crosses. Bogle is short on confidence with his finishing and desperately needs a goal but they have struggled collectively as a team away from home this season and a lot stems from them not taking care of the ball top end of the pitch. When they did this in spells today they caused Tranmere big problems, but were always vulnerable to the turnover and prowess Tranmere had in wide areas. County have also been doing a botch job with their left back position and if they are going to get one new player in the January window then it should be a left back to give them better balance and arguably there is also a case for bringing in a new right back and push McCloughlin higher up the pitch. Payne struggled to make clean tackles and got caught in a catch 22 situation several times allowing Tranmere to create overloads. County desperately needed impact left side today but with no natural left sided player they struggled and that imbalance is impairing their gameplan so it would serve them better to play Bondswell as the preferred left wing back. Next up the FA Cup replay at Barnet next Tuesday. This is massive game for County now for several reasons. Barnet employed several experienced players to control the game at Rodney Parade and they were effective in wide areas to use more youthful willing runners to take a breather. County need legs across the board and plenty of random energy in this game. Maintaining tempo will be key.