County blowing hot and cold

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Grimsby Town 2 (Morris 63, Clifton 83)

Attendance: 4,251

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DLWLLWWWW

Grimsby Town LDWWdLWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Grimsby look set up 4–5–1 to stifle through the middle and will be combative. They haven’t lost since the first game of the season and been in decent form away so County need to manage their threat and take care of the ball.

CONDITIONS
Mild, cloudy with keen breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Sluggish passing with the ball, lost too many of the 50–50 key challenges and didn’t work the keeper enough.

TURNING POINT
Norman header cleared off the line wasn’t pivotal but lifted Grimsby again.

THE MATCH
County made several changes from the mid-week EFL cup match with manager James Rowberry maintaining faith with the side that won at Harrogate last weekend playing 3–5–2 whilst Grimsby in contrast played 4–5–1 with former County striker Ryan Taylor up top. Grimsby started with purpose using the wind behind them to force pressure inside the County half. On 2 minutes, County were backtracking when Grimsby created a simple move through the middle and Taylor span off a challenge to thread a ball right side for Kiernan to latch onto. His cross from the right side of the area asked questions with Richardson glancing a header wide of the left post from 10 yards under pressure from Clarke. Grimsby gained some confidence from their early approach play with Hoolahan benefiting from space deeper in midfield. There was another warning for County on 10 minutes when they stood off and ball watched a low move through the middle of the pitch involving Clifton and Morris before Hoolahan struck a first time effort which Towsend saved well. With Grimsby well on top, they were close to forging ahead moments later when Etete linked well right side to find Clifton inside and his shot from inside the “d” was tipped over by Townsend. Grimsby kept forcing play right side with Kieran busy putting Lewis under pressure but County had opportunities to counter when moves broke. On 13 minutes, Moriah-Welsh did well to recover and pinch the ball back from Kiernan as he threatened right side. His quick pass found Nevers left side and he had the opportunity to shoot but carried his run inside before blasting wide and high of the right post and bar. Grimsby kept probing away in transition with County continuing to be wasteful with the ball in midfield and Bogle being well marshalled up top. County worked some better moves left side to counter the Grimsby verve right side and were close to taking the lead on 20 minutes when an individualistic run by Bogle opened up gap near the edge of the area but his shot was read well and claimed by Grimsby keeper Crocombe in the top right corner. County made efforts to hold the ball higher up the pitch with Bogle and Nevers working hard to retain the ball under pressure from Grimsby centre back Waterfall and Smith. Grimsby remained disciplined defending and remained a threat with Clifton and Richardson busy in behind. On 22 minutes, Bennett was booked for clipping the legs of Richardson as he jinked through the middle of the pitch. On 26 minutes, County were close again when Demetriou launched a long throw left side of the area which Bogle brought down immaculately and his half volley from 10 yards was inches past left post. The game degenerated as half time approached with Grimsby persisting with the right side but County marshalled the threat well. Despite lacking momentum, there were gaps on the break for County but they were struggling to shift their passes often getting caught in possession and the game was interrupted by several free kicks. On 40 minutes, Bogle was caught late as he span off a challenge by Hoolahan through the middle which warranted a booking but the referee ignored it. County had some better possession on the stroke of half time but were unable to penetrate high up enough to worry the Grimsby rear-guard.

County made a change at half time with Willmott replacing Bennett. Grimsby remained bold pushing both full backs up high often leaving just their central defenders back and County struggled to gain a foothold in the game. On 50 minutes, County flirted with goal when a bright move through the middle saw Waite release Nevers left side of the area but his shot from 25 yards went over the bar. Grimsby kept pushing from wide position with left back Driscoll-Glennon offering some verve to link moves and they were close on 52 minutes when Clifton drove forward getting outside Norman and thread a pass inside for Morris. He had time to cut inside and address a rising shot from 25 yards which Townend held well. County then worked a decent situation on 55 minutes when a long throw by Demetriou was only half cleared and he swept up the ball before whipping back in decent cross which Clarke was closing to turning in back post. Grimsby kept pushing and had a decent chance to forge ahead moments later with Driscoll-Glennon cutting back a decent cross left side of the area which Taylor anticipated well but his header looped just past left post. Grimsby then won a corner on 58 minutes right side which Driscoll-Glennon curled into the six yard box and Waterfall met under pressure from Clarke with his header going wide of the left post. On 62 minutes, County worked a more direct move through the middle and Bogle caressed a good pass to the feet of Moriah-Welsh but his rash effort from 25 yards was well wide of the right post. On 63 minutes, Grimsby took the lead from a free kick left side of the area which was smartly moved low with Driscoll-Glennon finding Morris who drilled a low shot from 25 yards into the left corner beyond the grasp of Townsend. County made a change soon after with Nevers replaced up front by Evans. County picked up their energy levels and should have equalised on 66 minutes when an efficient move left side involving Evans who drove past right back Efete and cut back a deep cross for Norman to head home a certain looking goal but Hoolahan cleared on the goal-line. County made another change 71 on minutes sacrificing a defender with Drysdale replaced by Collins. Grimsby responded with a change that saw Simmonds go just behind Taylor in place of Richardson. Grimsby remained in control through the middle of the pitch with Hoolahan breaking up threat well and passing effectively. County gambled on 80 minutes replacing another defender with Collins on for Lewis and they finished with a 3–4–3 formation. Kiernan booked moments later for an altercation with Clarke in the right corner after he did well to come across and dent a move right side and run the ball out. With play stretched and County pushing on, Grimsby caught them cold on 83 minutes when a move right saw Kieran again cause problems with his pace and alertness winning the tackle ahead of Demetriou. He cut a neat pass across the face of the area and Clifton was on hand to slot home unchallenged as County’s midfield parted. County made efforts to salvage something in the final minutes and worked a better move on 85 minutes with an intelligent ball right side of the area to turn Smith and Bogle cut back a decent cross into the area which Grimsby could only scramble away. Collins anticipated well but blasted over the bar from 10 yards when he should have buried his shot into net. Grimsby made another change soon after with Orsi on for Taylor. County kept probing away and a good break right side on 88 minutes saw Willmott dart forward only for his run to be crudely checked by Smith who was booked. On 90 minutes, County had another decent opportunity from a long throw left side by Demetriou which Grimsby could only hook clear and Collins reacted well but his snapshot from 8 yards was blocked by Efete. On 90+2 minutes, County tested Grimsby following a corner and Willmott cross into the area was glanced on by Demetriou from 8 yards but the keeper saved well in the right corner. County then had Evans in the book for tracking back to defend when he caught Simmonds from behind. Grimsby made a double substitution soon after to run down the clock with Kiernan and Hoolahan replaced by Maher and Green. On 90+5 minutes, a move that characterised County on the day saw Evans thread a good pass into Bogle edge of the area and he struck a decent effort which the keeper couldn’t hold and the shot was begging to be turned in but Bogle was the only player to react but he was denied by Smith clearing. County had another free kick right side deep in injury time which Willmott delivered superbly but Bogle had his header from 10 yards saved in the left corner. It was all too little too late for County and Grimsby held for a deserved third away win of the season.

Townsend (7) — made some smart reactive saves first half to keep County in the game when defence exposed and safe with his hands. Kicking to wide areas was a little erratic

Aaron Lewis (5) — put under pressure by Kiernan and never really got beyond the half way line to assert game. Did better when Nevers went off and Evans took up the mantle left side

Demetriou (6) — won his headers well and limit threat by Taylor by pinching the ball. Did a lot work to cover threat right side and forced back into some hurried clearances.

Drysdale (6) — did his job in the aerial duals, less comfortable when Grimsby attacked through the middle and didn’t react soon enough on times to get in tackle

Norman (6) — quiet game, forced back by the left back especially after half time and only really got into gear late on. Needs to get on the end of crosses back post more using heading capability

Clarke (7) — was the most proficient defender in breaking up play and threat and stood up when turned back to make some good clearances under pressure. Went close on couple of set pieces.

Bennett (6) — exposed by pacey runs through the middle and got the wrong side of player too often. Replaced at half time by:

Willmott (7) — did a better job at holding, protecting defence and put in several excellent crosses late on which really should have yielded a goal.

Moriah-Welsh (5) — naïve on times with too many runs into dead ends and got caught in possession a lot. Needs to learn when to shift ball and when to buy time. Wasted chances edge of the box.

Waite (5) — offered a lot of running and energy with little influence but got bullied off several challenges putting side in trouble. Failed to get a shot or pass in around the box to hurt Grimsby.

Bogle (6) — forced back to goal and was closely marked. Manufactured a few half chances from some individual skill but left far too exposed and offered most threat from runs outside the area.

Nevers (5) — was far too lazy allowing ball to be pinched and dribbled to the point of extremity on times instead of picking out an early pass. Restricted to one chance that he blasted over the bar

SWOT ANALYSIS (Grimsby)

Strengths — played 4–5–1 but very aggressive attacking wide positions forcing County deep. Centre backs were robust and strong in aerial duals. Some good combinations final third.

Weaknesses — took risks with both full backs pushing high and left gaps in wide areas when moves broke down. Got away with several cynical clumsy challenges which warranted bookings.

Opportunities — quick to switch from 4–5–1 to 4–3–3 and were even more aggressive 2nsd half pushing left back up as high as the right back which paid dividends.

Threats — Clifton and Driscoll-Glennon worked well in tandem left side and Kiernan crosses right side and eye for a pass. Morris shots from distance.

OFFICIALS

S Oldham (6) — lenient but consistent missing several off the ball challenges and had he booked Hoolahan (as he should) first half things might have been different.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Brendan Kiernan — made well timed runs right side to expose gaps and never gave Lewis a moment of rest. At the heart of the best moves offering verve and aggression to win his challenges

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started with three centre backs against a side playing just one player up top and it was surprising County didn’t sacrifice one of the centre backs earlier, such was the dominance Grimsby had through the middle of the pitch first half. County lacked balance today especially their left side with Nevers and Lewis not on the same wavelength. It was enough for Grimsby to overload the right side with Kiernan a reliable outlet but they also ramped up the pressure after half time with left back Driscoll-Glennon also forcing the issue. County lacked bite across the midfield and Grimsby were also allowed to slice through the middle at will. County have been effective building momentum through Bogle but when he is left exposed in possession or not winning the first ball to provide an outlet, County are getting too easily turned around by sides. County had options to punish the high press by Grimsby working the ball into wide areas either side of the 18 yard box but didn’t seem aware of this as they were either too slow shifting the ball or did too much dribbling into dead ends. Willmott had a good game when he came on and deserves an opportunity in next away game at Swindon Town where he can use his crossing expertise to effect this game. Swindon are likely to play 4–3–3 formation to test the mettle of the County defence. Swindon will offer plenty of energy and craft with Williams and Gladwin comfortable on the ball. County need to match their work ethic first and foremost and be prepared to shift play direct if needed to test a Swindon side that is agile but lacks height.