County thrive with the Shackles off

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers 1 (Hendry 90+2)

Newport County 3 (Wildig 25, McNeil 30, Kavanagh 82)

Attendance: 5,496

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WWDDWLLDDD

Tranmere Rovers WLLWLLWWDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Tranmere have been inconsistent but their home form is decent. County need to adjust with a couple of key players out and deal with width Tranmere will offer but can get at them through the middle

CONDITIONS

Mild, bright and showery with slight breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Grew into the game after slow start, aggressive and focussed taking chancing well.

TURNING POINT

Never really looked back after scoring but second goal was key.

THE MATCH

County were forced into a couple of changes with Lewis and Farquharson not in the squad which gave the opportunity from Clarke and Wildig to stake a claim. Wil Evans deputised at left wing back in place of Lewis with Wildig slotting into central midfield. Tranmere made the more assertive start with some moves to probe left side with Hawkes demanding the ball with some purposeful runs. On 3 minutes, Hawkes cut inside near the left corner of the area and his shot from distance was on target but failed to trouble County keeper Day. With Tranmere pushing up, County were effective on the break with Evans busy left and they won a corner left side on 6 minutes. Wildig put in an excellent delivery towards the back post which Evans read with a late run but he couldn’t quite get enough contact on the ball. County worked some direct moves to counter Tranmere but struggled for retention in the early stages with McNeil seeing plenty of the ball but Tranmere centre backs Turnbull and Davies were quick to prise and interfere. Tranmere worked some good moves in transition offering width on both flanks with right back Dacres-Cogley and Chalmers working well together to force Evans back to defend. On 10 minutes, Tranmere won a corner left side which Hendry delivered to the back post but Chalmers directed a header wide of the left post under pressure from Clark. Tranmere had a series of corners around the 15 minutes mark with County struggling to clear their lines effectively but they failed to capitalise. County rode the storm and eased their way into the game with McNeil doing well to unsettle the defenders with some tenacious closing down. On 23 minutes, County won a free kick right side of the area which Wildig delivered precisely and Bogle won his header under pressure from 12 yards but the effort drifted wide of the left post. County maintained their drive and got their reward on 25 minutes with some excellent build up play through the middle. Bogle did well to turn away from Turnbull and supply a ball to feet with Wildig well positioned inside the “d”. He released Charsley who despite having his snapshot blocked, Wildig was quick to pounce on the loose ball and slot into the left corner from 10 yards. County gained confidence from the goal with more momentum with the ball at their feet. Tranmere pushed on but were caught out on 28 minutes when County broke well left side with Evans finding Bogle who clipped a clever pass for McNeil who made a dynamic run left side. He carried his run left side of the area but delayed his shot momentarily and his effort went wide of the left post. County kept up their efficient play and another decent move on 29 minutes left side saw Bogle do well to fend off a challenge by Turnbull and win a free kick in a threatening position left corner of the area. Wildig addressed the free kick and with Tranmere appearing to put their taller in the wall, his teasing cross to the back post stretched Tranmere and Norman stabbed a low shot which the keeper Murphy parried away but McNeil pounced to drive home from 8 yards. Tranmere made efforts to pick up their game pushing their full backs high but County maintained resolve dealing with crosses well. On 36 minutes, County absorbed a Tranmere move well and a fast break left side saw Evans release Bogle. He carried a strong run left side of the area but his low shot from an acute angle was narrowly wide of the right post. Tranmere were struggling for cohesion with County winning the tackles and loose balls and they were close again on 38 minutes following a move right side to win a throw in. Demetriou launched a teasing long throw into the six yard which only half cleared and Charsley struck a low shot on the turn from 10 yards which flashed wide of the left post. Tranmere applied some disjointed pressure in the lead up to half time with some better use of the ball. On 45+2 minutes following a patient Tranmere move they won a corner right side. Hendry delivered a good deep cross which Davies stretched to but his header was wide and high of the left post under pressure from Baker.

County were forced to defend in the early stages of the second half with Tranmere offering more energy and craft. On 47 minutes, Dacres-Cogley again showed his prowess attacking from deep right side and Bennett was forced into an untidy challenge right side of the area which got him a booking. Hendry dinked in a decent delivery which Davies stretched low for but his effort from 10 yards was comfortable for Day in the right corner. County dug with some determined defending with some decisions going against them and they remained a threat on the break. Tranmere made an early change on 57 minutes with Hughes coming on right side for Chalmers. County kept their shape well with some good blocks and worked some neat play in transition with Charsley and Wildig working some efficient areas to cross and there were options to pick out runners back post but Tranmere were able to recover. On 62 minutes, Tranmere had another warning when County worked an excellent move through the middle with McNeil slotting a good through ball for Wildig to race onto inside the area which he converted but the offside call went against him. Tranmere made another change soon after up top with Mumbongo replacing Burton. County kept recycling the ball well and Bennett was caught late by Saunders on 66 minutes which got him a booking. Tranmere went more direct in their approach play using Mumbongo as an outlet but Clark did well to fend off the threat with blocking well. County were close again on 68 minutes when a break left side saw McNeil drive forward cutting inside from the left channel and drive into the area but he was somewhat unlucky overrunning the ball and the keeper claimed the loose ball. On 70 minutes, Tranmere went for the long ball option with Mumbongo holding the ball and spinning into space but his shot from distance was rising going well over the bar. County remained an effective threat on the break with Tranmere forced to push on and they become increasingly vulnerable at the back. On 75 minutes, County made a double substitution with Charsley and McNeil sacrificed for Moriah-Welsh and Kavanagh. Tranmere upped their work rate using Mumbongo to pivot play and he struck an ambitious shot on the turn from 30 yards which went well over. On 82 minutes, County punished Tranmere ruthlessly with a neat move left side when Wildig anticipated a loose clearance and his low threaded pass released Kavanagh. He drove inside the area and curled an excellent effort into the left corner beyond the grasp of Murphy. County had to deal with some aerial balls in the final stages of the game. On 90 minutes, County made two late changes with Waite and Rai replacing Bogle and Wildig. Tranmere applied some late pressure with some crosses into the area and got a consolation on 90+2 minutes when they switched play with a cross from left to right and Hendy drilled a low shot past Day from an acute angle. On 90+3 minutes, Tranmere forced County deep and another snapshot from Bristow left side of the area was well held by Day. County held out for well earned win that put them within five points of Tranmere and up to their highest position this season in the league.

Day (7) — forced into a few smart saves and held well under pressure. Got some better distance on his kicks despite a couple of wayward kicks got the ball safe.

Norman (7) — worked the line with energy, blocked threat from wide play well and won some sturdy challenges. Did well on the opening goal and went close a couple of times back post.

Evans (7) — deputised well at wing back. Offered balance with neat distribution and link play. Missed some tackles but recovered well and showed capability to get to the ball when it was delivered deep.

Clark (8) — dominated the aerial duals and stifled threat well to limit runs outside the area. Did well dealing with Mumbongo when he came on and cleared effectively under pressure.

Demetriou (7) — was examined in the early stages and did well to recover and deny threats with some good interceptions. Provided fair quota of long throws and remained focussed.

Baker (7) — solid game, went quietly about his business and spotted danger quickly to squash the threat. Tackled well and went close a couple of times from set pieces.

Wildig (8) — started slowly but took a grip with his reading of the game and vision. Won some good tackles and anticipated well orchestrating best moves. Took his chance well and could have had more.

Bennett (7) — did well to stifle across the line and worked some neat passes to initiate several moves from deep. Coped well after booking, keeping discipline and focus.

Charsley (7) — bright and energetic, won some excellent tackles and create moves that sprung County into life. Made some good late runs into the area to link and went close with snapshots.

Bogle (7) — held up under pressure well winning several free kicks, did a lot of the spade work and showed capability inside when invited to attack crosses. Worked hard but faded late on

McNeil (8) — learnt quickly today, started slowly but his willingness to get on shoulder of the last man and press aggressively unsettled Tranmere throughout. Took chance well and could have had more.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Tranmere Rovers)

Strengths — they worked patterns of play into wide areas and supply crosses. Pressed up aggressively as a unit.

Weaknesses — as good as they were around the channels they had a soft centre and got exposed through the middle several times. Conceded a lot of clumsy free kicks especially first half.

Opportunities — persisted with overloading wide areas and hopeful crosses. Did offer some change of approach late on with some direct play to use Mumbongo.

Threats — Chalmers verve and crosses right side, Hendry set pieces and late runs into the area. Turnbull aerial prowess on set pieces.

OFFICIALS

D Drysdale (7) — missed some of the pulling and odd interpretation with some fouls which looked just like collisions but allowed game to flow pretty well and got the key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Adam Wildig — best game in a County shirt and showed today what he is capable of. Competed well, picking battles well, awareness and quality with passing was key

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County put in a hearty rounded performance, built on disciplined defending and focus but after a slow start they ramped up their aggression to win the 50–50s with efficiency and use of the ball key. McNeil showed some maturity today rolling up his sleeves to do a lot of the dirty work and retain better under pressure which gave Bogle some respite so he could effect and get inside the area more. However, the key moments came through the cuteness of play through midfield with Wildig, Bennett and Charsley tenacious, eager and complimenting each other well. County were also more effective also in transition with some neat patterns of play in and around the area and were menacing throughout on the counter. County need to keep building on their play to release the valve and exploit sides as they did especially after getting their noses in front. County have a bit of break now with players on international duty next weekend so the key will be maintaining match sharpness going into the Colchester away game in a fortnight. The U’s have improved their squad in the January transfer window with some signings to add more mobility but they have lost some of their more recent games. Colchester are likely to employ a 3–4–3 formation offer strength right side with pace through Tchamadeu, Chilvers happy with the ball at feet and Newby picking holes through the middle. County will need to retain the same work ethic to limit U’s fluency and passing game. Farquharson v Akinde looks a key battle but County do have the edge overall to concern the U’s on set pieces.