County spin the game on its head

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 3 (Baker-Richardson 47, Whitmore 66, Baker 69)

Doncaster Rovers 1 (Bailey 30)

Attendance: 4,755

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County LL

Doncaster Rovers WW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County have made some tactical changes and need to cut out sloppy goals. They need to get the balance right between attacking and defending against an in-form Doncaster side.

CONDITIONS

Warm, partly cloudy and breezy. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Another comeback but this time stepped up the gears with clinical finishing and focussed defending.

TURNING POINT

Half term and early equaliser by Baker-Richardson.

THE MATCH

County brought back several players that were on the bench in the mid-week league cup at Leyton Orient. There were 2 changes from the Cheltenham game with centre back Baker replacing Jameson who was on the bench. Greaves was suffering a knock and Whitmore came in central midfield as County switched from 4–2–3–1 format to a 5–3–2 formation with Kamwa partnering Baker-Richardson up top. County started well with purpose and Doncaster had an early warning when a poor touch by Doncaster centre back Anderson was latched onto by Whitmore. He darted forward to near the edge of the area and supplied a pass left side of the area for Kamwa who adjusted with a decent shot from 14 yards which Wood cleared off the line. Wildig met the rebound but was unable to keep his effort from 12 yards down under pressure from Anderson. County kept pressing with alertness in midfield key and a decent move left side saw Antwi scythed down by Bailey who was booked. Doncaster made efforts to pick up their game with some moves right side in transition with Molyneux getting on the ball. On 8 minutes, Doncaster right back Sterry advanced right side and his angled run invited a shot right side of the box which was deflected and Clifton dragged his snapshot wide of the right post. County were keen to get Kamwa on the ball left side but Doncaster remained firm recovering back to avert the danger. On 12 minutes, County were given a warning when Molyneux drove forward near the right flank and delivered an early cross towards the front post. Baker did well to read the danger and limit the space offered to Gibson and his shot on the turn was parried away well by Townsend. Doncaster gained confidence from their raids forward and were close again on 14 minutes when Clifton was allowed the luxury to attack space through the middle. He cut inside and drilled a low shot from 20 yards which Townsend held well low in the right corner. County elected to play direct with Baker-Richardson contesting well across the line and put pressure on Wood when he was left isolated but Doncaster managed to recover and clear the danger. On 17 minutes, Glennon was somewhat harshly booked when he closed down and pressed a Doncaster move deep inside their own half and appeared to clip Molyneux with the minimal of contact. Then in a contraction of interpretation by the referee, Townsend was caught extremely late by Bailey in an aerial challenge and was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card. County snapped out of their shell on 22 minutes with Kamwa driving near the left byline and he cut back a decent cross which caused anxiety in Doncaster area as they failed to clear their lines. Baker-Richardson pounced with a shot on the turn from 10 yards which was well blocked by Wood. Doncaster kept persisting right side and another bright move on 23 minutes saw Bailey whip in an opportunist cross near the flank which Clifton glanced from 10 yards but Townsend was untroubled and claimed well. The game become scrappy for a time with County struggling to maintain possession and Wildig jumping into a couple of challenges through frustration. Doncaster kept plugging away and got their reward on 30 minutes when they switched off defending a long ball. With Senior and Gibson combining well left side, the cross into the area was glanced on by Ironside to Bailey and he wasted no time as the ball sat up invitingly blasting into the top right corner from the right side of the area. Doncaster swung in some crosses to keep the heat on County using Ironside as an outlet but the kept their focus and discipline well to squash the danger early. On 39 minutes, County had a great chance to get back level following a corner right side by Glennon. Antwi did well to caress the ball to Baker-Richardson and his effort was blocked by deflected goalside and Kamwa anticipated the loose ball first but was denied when his low effort from 6 yards was blocked by Doncaster keeper Sharman-Lowe. County were close again on 42 minutes with McLoughlin making a dynamic run right side of the area. He directed a clever low cross towards the front post which was read by Kamwa but his stooping header fizzed just wide of the right post. County had a better spell of control as half time approached but were dragged back by some crude Doncaster challenges but the referee seemed determined to keep his cards in pocket.

County kept pushing the right buttons early in the second half offering some good energy with Kamwa and Baker-Richardson. On 47 minutes, Antwi did well to win the ball high up the pitch and feed Kamwa left corner of the box and despite his effort being blocked he was wasted no time to curl in an immaculate cross into the area which Baker-Richardson was quickest to read and poke low into the right corner from 8 yards. County were lifted by the goal and worked some efficient low moves through the middle which caught Doncaster on the hop. On 50 minutes, another late challenge went unpunished, this time by Broadbent denying Wildig as he went on menacing run and chance to break forward. The game was evenly balanced with both sides positive with Kamwa lively left side and Doncaster using Clifton to pick gaps well which did through the middle. On 53 minutes, Clifton was denied again after linking well with Bailey his low shot from 25 yards was saved well by Townsend low in the right corner. On 55 minutes, County broke forward from the middle pitch with a quick move when Wildig released Baker-Richardson and he attempted an ambitious shot from 35 yards which went just over the bar with the keeper well off line scrambling back. County had a warning on 62 minutes when Clifton neatly passed inside catching the County defence flat-footed. Townsend was committed but Ironside was forced wide and his shot from an acute was wide of the right post. Doncaster made a change soon after with Sbarra coming on for Broadbent. County kept probing with some thoughtful moves from deep and creating more threat right side. On 64 minutes, a decisive snappy move saw Antwi find the run of McLoughlin right corner of the area but he was pulled back by Senior who was booked. County raised the bar again and took the lead on 66 minutes from a direct move through the middle which saw Kamwa do well to link a pass into Whitmore. He drove into space through the middle and struck a fantastic effort from 25 yards into the top right corner which saw the keeper grasping thin air. County maintained their pressure with some moves left side involving Kamwa who forced Senior deep. On 69 minutes, Kamwa made a tricky run left side which coaxed Senior into a late tackle. Glennon whipped in a decent free kick into the area which caused anxiety for Doncaster clearing with the headed return from Whitemore going over a static defence and Baker unmarked had time place his shot low into the left corner from 8 yards. Doncaster made efforts to respond forcing a corner right side on 72 minutes. Molyneux delivered a decent cross which Wood anticipated well back post but his header under pressure was pushed away by Townsend. Doncaster made a triple change soon after replacing left back Senior with new loan signing Fleming, Yeboah on for Gibson and Sharp for Clifton up front with Doncaster going 4–3–3. Doncaster forced County deeper with Fleming forcing some good moves left side and were close on 76 minutes following an intricate low move which saw Sharp tee up a snapshot for Molyneux but his low powerful effort from 25 yards was well held by Townsend. County made a change on 78 minutes with Wildig replaced by Jephcott who played just in behind the front two. Doncaster kept forcing the play and another change on 83 minutes saw Kelly replace Bailey. County introduced Cameron Evans on 90 minutes to bolster the midfield in place of Baker-Richardson and another change saw Rai come on for Kamwa as they looked to run the clock down. County had to defend some late pressure with Doncaster forcing some corners but they held out well under aerial pressure. On 90+7 minutes, Fleming again caused problems with a mazy run left side cutting inside and he was caught late by Evans. Molyneux blasted a low free kick from inside the “d” but Townsend was again alert saving low down. County held on for an important win to end a 9 match losing sequence in the league and first win since early March.

Townsend (8) — had no chance with the opening goal but showed calmness with ball at his feet. Instigated some good moves and safe hands denying several times from headers and shots from distance.

McLoughlin (8) — defended well limiting threat and timed runs forward providing some cutting crosses. Did a lot of good work to clear and mop up danger taking a few knocks.

Glennon (7) — put under pressure early on and coped well after booking keeping his concentration. Made several good recoveries to track back and intercept and supplied some excellent crosses.

Baker (7) — started tentatively but grew into the game. When he stood firm and won the first contacts he did it well but needs to get closer to marker on times. Took his opportunist goal very well.

Clarke (8) — dealt well with aerial balls and limited space from direct balls into Ironside. Took a few knocks but durable and stood up well clearing effectively throughout

Brennan (7) — did a good job dropping into deeper role and looked more assured than in midfield. Worked hard and got some good blocks in to avert danger. Distribution a bit wayward on times.

Wildig (7) — quiet game and got bogged down a bit first half jumping into some challenges. Found more space to hurt second half and picked passes well before fading.

Whitmore (8) — tackled well and fended off challenges. Showed good awareness to break and link play. Worked hard box to box and scored an excellent goal from distance.

Antwi (7) — worked hard to track and was intelligent reading game. Has quick feet to prise out some good moves from tight situations and passed well throughout.

Kamwa (8) — busy game forced Sterry deep for large parts and was bold when he got near the box. Set up two of the goals and will be scratching his head how he has still not scored for County.

Baker-Richardson (7) — contested direct play well especially when he angled runs right side to test Wood. Won some good headers and protected ball well under pressure. Took his goal well.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Doncaster Rovers)

Strengths — they were effective in transition and strong with runs right side and through the middle. Supplied some decent crosses from tight spots.

Weaknesses — both centre backs were competent in the air but less assured to low moves. Left back Senior struggled in aerial duals and gave away a lot of free kicks.

Opportunities — forced play right side for much of first half and Clifton caused some problems through the middle. Went increasingly direct as game progressed. Ended up with three up front

Threats — Bailey and Molyneux combined well right side to provide crosses and eye for a shot. Clifton direct runs and shots from distance.

OFFICIALS

S Simpson (6) — gave out a couple of harsh early bookings and then decided to ignore all the rest of the crude fouls. Inconsistent but made game attractive, letting it flow.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kai Whitmore — pocket dynamo for County. Tenacious with his tackles and bright with his runs linking play well. His sweetly hit strike ignited the ground.

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County made the right calls today with the personnel and more importantly the change of formation which brought the best out of the players. The midfield trio of Antwi, Wildig and Whitmore complimented each other well with a combination of technical guile and determination to pick gaps which was always a problem for Doncaster especially when they became over-zealous pushing players forward and their moves broke down. Kamwa may have not got his deserved goal today but he was nuisance throughout and an outlet that Doncaster couldn’t really switch off. County put in several decent crosses today and also had the alertness on the second ball which was heartening. County also needed to up their resilience and apart from on the opening goal when they allowed the ball to drop cheaply, they defended their box resolutely not allowing players to spin and maraud. County can improve on their efficiency of passes final third with CBR well positioned, but they maintained a good energy today especially second half and that was telling. Next up is an important home against Accrington Stanley which they need to build on. Accrington were denied a win today by a late Harrogate equaliser and should not be underestimated as they work hard collectively to press employing a 4–2–3–1 formation with Whalley offering craft right side and Connelly disruptive in midfield. County need to maintain the same energy and enterprise to work Accrington and use every blade of the pitch.