County send out the perfect response

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 4 (Palmer-Houlden 6, Evans 14, 49, Wood 21 own goal)

Doncaster Rovers 0

Attendance: 3,989

Match Rating: *****

Form:

Newport County LW

Doncaster Rovers LW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Both sides had a lift mid-week with league cup wins against sides above them in status. County will be keen to underline their performance and set a precedence to improve their home form this season

CONDITIONS

Bright light showery spells, quite humid and gusty wind. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Incessant first half taking chances ruthlessly and showed determination to keep a clean sheet.

TURNING POINT

County didn’t look back after the opener

THE MATCH

County reverted back closely to the side that played in the opener with Accrington with full backs McCloughlin and Lewis replacing Seberry and Waite who were on the bench. Charsley retained his place in the midfield and with Clark injured County adopted 4–2–3–1. With the strong wind encouraging County forward they put pressure on the Doncaster from the offset who were tested with a couple off useful crosses left side from Wildig inside the first 2 minutes. County kept pressing left side with Lewis delivering a cross into the six yard box on 4 minutes which was well cleared by Olowu. County took the lead on 6 minutes when Palmer-Houlden chased a lost cause left side of the area which caused problems for Olowu. He attempted to shield the ball out for a goal kick, but Palmer-Houlden pinched the ball and slotted calmly into the top right corner from left side of the 6 yard box. County maintained their energy and look increasingly threatening right side with McCloughlin and Evans causing problems with their movement unsettling Doncaster centre back Wood and left back Maxwell. On 12 minutes, Doncaster had another warning when Bennett made a piercing run through the middle and threaded a good pass for Palmer-Houlden left side of the area but his low drive from 14 yards fizzed just wide of the left post. Doncaster made efforts to counter with some direct play into Miller who was robust shaking off challenges but County were alert sweeping up in behind to clear effectively. Doncaster were more menacing with some moves right side Sotona offering plenty of pace. On 14 minutes, Sotona made a darting run inside from left channel and County were a little slow to close down which invited the shot from 30 yards which went just wide of the right post. County punished Doncaster again moments later when McCloughlin overlapped right side leaving Roberts static and he jinked inside the box past Maxwell. Despite the effort being saved in the right corner by Lawlor, Evans reacted first to stab home from 6 yards. County energised by the goal and they continued to recycle their passes well keeping them low and on the pitch. On 20 minutes, County were again asking questions with a snappy move left side involving Bennett who threaded a clever pass to Morris left side of the area. His deft cross from a tight position flashed dangerously through the six yard box just eluding the late run by Palmer-Houlden. On 21 minutes, County increased their lead from a corner right side by Lewis which Doncaster struggled to clear and following a scramble inside the six yard area, the clearance appeared to deflect of Wood and into the empty net. Doncaster made efforts to increase the urgency of their game with Molyneaux and Miller working hard up top to retain the ball. On 24 minutes, Miller was bowled over by Jameson near the right channel which got him a booking. Doncaster made a tactical change and double substitution on 30 minutes with Ironside coming on up top with left back Maxwell sacrificed. There was another change with Anderson coming on slotting into centre back in place of right back Bailey. Doncaster adjusted to a 3–5–2 formation with Roberts going right wing back and Sotona left wing back. The move settled Doncaster into a better shape but they had Broadbent booked moments later for a late challenge on Evans inside the centre circle. County kept pressing Doncaster into mistakes as they attempted to build moves from deep and Anderson was soon in the book for a late lunge on Charsley. Doncaster had a better spell as half time approached and went close on 34 minutes following a corner left side. Molyneux delivered well cutting a cross back and Wood was left unchallenged but his header from 10 yards was well saved in the top left corner by Townsend. County were close to a fourth goal on 36 minutes following a sweeping move right side with McCloughlin working a neat pass for Palmer-Houlden. He cut back a decent cross which flashed deep across the six yard box and Morris stole in ahead of Roberts but he stabbed a low effort wide of the right post. Doncaster were increasingly direct in their approach play using Ironside as an outlet to link play but County stifled play quickly. On 39 minutes, they broke well left side with Lewis leaving Roberts stranded and his cross was anxiously cleared by Wood towards Morris who couldn’t keep his first time volley down from 20 yards. On 42 minutes, Doncaster worked a short corner right side with Molyneux and Roberts combining to pick out Sotona but his effort from the edge of area drifted wide of the left post. On 44 minutes, County were close again from an excellent move with Wildig finding Charsley right side of the area and his cross was met late by Morris but the effort went narrowly past the left post from 6 yards. There was six minutes of injury time played and both Charsley and Lewis were on the end of heavy challenges from strowith County shaper to the ball but no cards were forthcoming.

County were forced back a bit second half with the wind dictating play but they worked wide areas well in transition. On 49 minutes, County added a fourth and arguably their best goal following a break right side with Evans instigating the move. Despite being under pressure by Anderson with back to goal he did well to measure a pass into McCloughlin. He showed a yard of pace to get outside Sotana and provide an excellent cut back to Evans who finished smartly with a low finish into the left corner from 12 yards. Doncaster were most threatening right side with Roberts and Molyneux combing well to work wide areas. They manufactured an efficient move on 52 minutes with a low cross cut back to the edge of the area which Broadbent hit first time but Delaney got in an important block. Doncaster made further changes on 53 minutes with Rowe on for Molyneux and Faal coming on up top for Miller. The game was littered with fouls with both sides struggling for momentum but County remained the more threatening from set pieces. On 55 minutes, a free kick right side of the area by Wildig got caught on the wind and Palmer-Houlden rose strongly but couldn’t keep his header down from 10 yards. Despite Doncaster having a bit more control, County kept their shape and pressed well forcing passing mistakes. On 62 minutes, Bennett was booked for tracking back to deny the run of Roberts right side. Doncaster made another change on 67 minutes replacing their captain Wood with Senior with Doncaster switching to 4–4–2. Roberts was again switched moving back to the left wing with Senior going left back. The cards continued to reign with Roberts then getting booked on 70 minutes for a late challenge on McCloughin as he cleared the ball and McCloughlin was in the wars again moments later when his run was impeded by Rowe. County were close to a fifth goal on 73 minutes when Charsley did well to pickpocket Olowu and his quick pass right side of the area invited Palmer-Houlden to shoot from a wide angle but the shot went into the side netting. Doncaster were keen use the tall frame of Faal up top who protected the ball well under pressure. On 75 minutes, Lewis was booked for a late clumsy challenge on Faal and Sotana got a stupid booking for simulating a yellow card at the referee. County made their first changes on 76 minutes with Wildig replaced by Waite and BOndswell came on for Charsley. Doncaster continued to probe away right side and were close toc consolation on 80 minutes when Sotona stole a yard over Lewis. He showed good vision to pick out Rowe in space but his snapshot from 20 yards was tipped over the bar by Townsend. County then had Delaney in the book on 82 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Faal as he attacked down the left side with verve. County tightened the rear-guard with another change soon after with McCloughlin replaced by a new loan signing Lewis Payne from Southampton. County had less possession in the final third as the game ticked down with Doncaster stifling quicker and direct in their approach. On 85 minutes, Doncaster had another player in the book when Biggins made a crude challenge on Bondswell as he drove though the middle. County made a couple of late changes with new signing Wood replacing Evans and Rai on for Palmer-Houlden. Wood was soon influencing play with a good move right side to combine with Payne and carry his run right side of the area. He drove inside near the byline and the low cross was only half cleared by Doncaster and Rai hit a shot under pressure from 8 yards just past the right post. County held on strongly in the 8 minutes of injury time to seal and important win and statement after being written off by some critics already this season.

Townsend (7) — kept concentration well and dealt well with kicks into the wind getting distance. Distributed effectively throughout and made smart save to protect clean sheet.

McCloughlin (8) — made some well-timed robust low tackles and was intelligent with runs and link. At the heart of two goals with endeavour providing quality into the box.

Lewis (7) — got forward into advanced positions first half and put venom on his crosses. Provided some neat set pieces and despite getting forced deeper after the break coped well after booking.

Delaney (8) — towering performance winning majority of aerials duals and dealt well with Ironside when he came on tackling well. Went close a couple of times inside the area

Jameson (7) — improved on sharpness and adapted well after early booking. Met his headers early, improved his distribution and thought with the ball clearing effectively

Charsley (8) — busy game box to box, offered energy final third and pressed defenders into several mistakes. Played deeper second half but broke up threat well.

Wildig (8) — thriving in his position to influence play more top end and provided fair quota of quality crosses and set pieces. Kept passing simple and rarely wasted a pass.

Morris (7) — worked tirelessly, tenacious with tackles and made side tick first half with bright intelligent runs. Went close twice back post and deserved a goal for his efforts

Bennett (7) — was dynamic with runs picking gaps well and link play. Competed well in the air and on the floor and worked hard box to box playing deeper second half

Evans (8) — was efficient with his link play and got across defender well to retain under pressure. sharpness with his passing was key and reacted well on both goals to finish clinically

Palmer-Houlden (8) — closed down defenders aggressively and angled his runs intelligently taking up some excellent positions. Took the opening goal well and should have added to it.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Doncaster Rovers)

Strengths — they didn’t really show up today, offered energy in wide areas and mixed up play well

Weaknesses — both full backs struggled and were replaced early. Lethargic in body and mind at the back and lack of discipline gave away several stupid fouls / bookings

Opportunities — switched formation several times with little success. Went increasingly direct with Ironside and Faal on which offered better retention.

Threats — Molyneux and Roberts supplied energy and decent crosses. Sotana eye for goal. Faal aerial threat and strong runs.

OFFICIALS

T Kirk (7) — consistent approach overall letting game flow but not sure how the game got 10 bookings.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Wil Evans — a week on from a bad day at the office at Accrington, he was a constant menace with his work off the ball and did well to take care of the ball. Took his chances very well reacting quickly.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County built on the Charlton game adding verve and quality in the final third. They took the chances ruthlessly, but the bedrock was built with the pressing top end of the pitch. Palmer-Houlden and Evans worked well together today and showed a good understanding positionally which never allowed the Doncaster defence to settle. County forced Doncaster to change their tactics several times and had the beating of them through the middle and forced them to play increasingly direct. County looked were sharp in body and mind which shows the pre-season rigours are possibly starting to pay off, so the key will be maintaining that freshness with several games in August. When they did labour late in the final game with both Evans and Palmer-Houlden tiring up front they did lose a bit of control of the game allowing Doncaster some momentum to turn them back around. County are still waver thin up top and do require another striker to be brought in soon before the window closes so they can make changes earlier in the game if they need to. Next up is Crewe Alexandra away on Tuesday. Crewe are likely to a 3–4–3 system with energy in wide areas from Long and Adebisi key to retention. Crewe can switch up their game well using former County striker Baker-Richardson as a direct outlet. County need to stifle wide areas and switch on to prevent long direct balls in behind. Concentration and timing to get in behind them will be key.