County unable to derail Walsall title charge

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Bescot Stadium

Walsall 2 (Lowe 73, 90+5)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 6,707

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County dLLLddDdWL

Walsall DWDLWWWWWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Walsall have not lost in the league since early October and been strong at home. County need better vigilance on set pieces and take care of the ball to work openings.

CONDITIONS

Partly cloudy, mild and slight breeze. Pitch in reasonable condition but bobbly in patches.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Built moves well box to box but lack cutting edge to threaten before being punished.

TURNING POINT

Opening goal was always going to be key today.

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with Bryn Morris not in the squad allowing Kai Whitmore to stake his claim in the side. There was another change up top with Kyle Hudlin sacrificed to the bench in place of Luke Jephcott. County started well gain territory high up the pitch winning an early corner which Walsall were untroubled on. County worked some patient early moves from deep which Walsall were passive in pressing and they probed well with Whitmore and Kamwa offering plenty of energy. Walsall in contract played direct using former County striker as an aerial outlet. County were forced to defend some direct play with Matt winning some headers but County centre backs Brennon and Baker mopped up well in behind. County kept their nerve to pass the ball and they got some momentum left side with Spellman on the ball. On 10 minutes, Evans directed a good pass from the middle to left to find the feet of Spellman. He whipped in a searching early low cross which flashed through to the back post but Kamwa was not quite on the same wavelength to read it in time. Walsall made some efforts to steal possession off County and shift play to the flanks with some quick passes but County protected themselves well clearing the danger effectively. County kept moving Walsall around with some neat exchanges and some thoughtful passes but the final ball intercepted with Spellman and Kamwa roaming. On 20 minutes, County had Glennon in the book for a mistimed challenge on Barratt. On 28 minutes, Evans showed good vision to pinpoint a late run by Spellman who broke through with a run to time the offside trap but Walsall centre back Williams did just enough to infer and clear as the ball sat up near the edge of the box. Walsall continued to persist with direct kick outs from keeper Simkin which County did well to manage. On 32 minutes, County broke well left side with Glennon finding Spellman. This time he switched play well to cross finding Kamwa right corner of the area but his low shot from 16 yards was well blocked by Allen. Walsall picked up their game as half time approach with some snappier play from midfield with Lakin getting on the ball left side. On 33 minutes, Walsall threatened when Lowe made a piercing run through the middle and linked with Lakin but his shot from inside the “d” was well blocked by Baker. On 37 minutes, Walsall were closer when left wing back Gordon combined well with Lakin who drove left side and dinked back a decent cross which Matt glanced towards the top left corner but Townsend read it claiming well. County kept picking gaps well with Whitmore doing well to prise the ball and initiate some moves final third. On 42 minutes, County burst forward from deep with Whitmore supplying a low pass for Kamwa to attack through the middle and he was crudely blocked by Williams who was booked. On 44 minutes, Walsall won a corner a left side which Allen floated in deep and Lowe directed his header under pressure wide of the right post.

Walsall came out for the second half attacking their home fans determined to make a good start and County were forced deeper. On 47 minutes, Walsall were close when right centre back Okagbue was allowed room to roam right side and supply a cross into the area pinpointing Matt who glanced his header from 10 yards wide of the left post. Walsall maintained their drive with some forceful moves left side to push County back. On 53 minutes, Gordon drove forward brushing past a weak challenge from Kamwa which put Glennon under pressure. He directed a decent cross into the box which Matt anticipated well getting between Baker and Brennan but unmarked he could only head wide of the right post from 10 yards. County struggled for some cohesion with Walsall pressing harder and Kamwa seeing less of the ball and getting caught offside. Walsall made a triple change on the hour with Matt replaced up top by Adomah and both Lakin and Jellis replaced by Earing and McEntee to pep up their midfield. County kept their shape well to absorb the Walsall pressure and pick holes on the break. On 65 minutes, County won a free kick near the left corner of the area following a good move that was abrupted when Whitmore had his run disrupted by Okagbue as he cut inside. Evans took the free kick which he whipped in low but Walsall keeper Simkin held well. On 66 minutes, Walsall had Okagbue booked for a clumsy late tackle on Spellman as he darted forward left side. Walsall elected to play increasingly direct to test the alertness of the County defence winning some long throws either side of the 18 yard box. On 70 minutes, Williams launched a low throw right side which caused problems for County clearing and Lowe was quickest to the loose but the snapshot from 12 yards was well wide of the right post. Walsall got their reward on 73 minutes although the goal had an element of fortune about it after County struggled to clear a corner from the left side effectively. Walsall were quick to put a cross into the box which Allen headed back into the area and the outstretched leg by Lowe deflected the shot from 10 yards into the left corner with Townsend deceived by the deflection. On 75 minutes, County responded well with a bright move inside the Walsall half and Jephcott was crudely obstructed by Williams who was very fortunate not to receive a second booking. County made a triple change soon after with Jephcott, Spellman and Antwi replaced by Greaves, Miley and Kargbo with County going 4–3–3. On 77 minutes, County advanced well with a move left side with Glennon finding Greaves and he cut back a decent cross for Miley but his effort from 12 yards was blocked well by Williams. On 81 minutes, Walsall had Gordon booked for contesting a decision when County broke down the left side. Walsall persisted with direct moves to unsettle County and pick up the debris. On 83 minutes, Walsall were close to second well Stirk was quickest to a loose ball around the edge of the box but the low shot was parried around the left post by Townsend. County gambled were a late double substitution on 86 minutes with Hudlin coming on for Whitmore and Jameson replacing Kamwa and Walsall responded with defensive change to combat with Daniels on for Earing. County struggled for cohesion in the final stages lacking penetration despite having height on the pitch. Walsall added a late goal on 90+5 minutes when some indecision with the ball saw Allen pickpocket the ball left channel and his quick pass released Lowe who raced forward and slotted low into the left corner from 20 yards with Townsend static.

Townsend (6) — initiated best moves from deep with quick feet and good handling to save shots from distance. Can improve on speed of distribution, well beaten on both goals not reading quick shot

Baker (6) — was put under pressure by Matt on some aerial balls and when he got turned. Did better facing forward and was good with his feet and overall distribution.

Glennon (6) — needlessly jumped into challenge to get early booking but coped well after but played more reserved. Needs to be more assertive and take free kicks

McLoughlin (7) — had an excellent first half combined well with Kamwa and Whitmore to construct the best moves. Turned some chances to shoot early. Forced much deeper second half

Brennan (7) — did well in the air and was alert mopping up in behind when first contacts were missed. Made some good blocks and stayed alert to clear pressure effectively.

Whitmore (7) — effervescent first half, worked well box to box and when he limited his touches was very effective. Got coaxed into a couple of late tackles and less influence in Walsall half second half

Antwi (6) — made some bright runs left side into space supporting Spellman but needs to be bolder demanding ball. Got bogged down a couple of times losing ball cheaply which put team in trouble

K Evans (7) — key cog first half coordinating some of the best moves and was always thinking ahead. Worked hard box to box before fading. Needs to work on his free kick delivery.

Kamwa (6) — had a decent first half making some strong runs and opportunities to shoot or cross but over thought too often and chance was lost. Less influence after half time getting offside too much

Spellman (6) — used pace angling runs left wing but his crosses eluded late runs. Had chances to steal in on through ball but got bullied off challenge. Needs to be sharper to get on deep crosses.

Jephcott (6) — worked hard until fading, dropped off to link moves and when he got across defender was effective with his use of the ball. Not getting enough shots on goal

SWOT ANALYSIS (Walsall)

Strengths — showed their title credentials with covered well as a defensive unit and pressed mistakes well. delivered some precise crosses and were decisive inside box.

Weaknesses — centre backs no nonsense with several hurried clearances and relied on direct game.

Opportunities — sat in passively first half allowing County ball but played more aggressively to press after half time and up the tempo of their game.

Threats — Matt aerial prowess, Lowe quick feet and eye for a shot. Lakin created best moves and quality on set pieces. Williams provided some useful long throws

OFFICIALS

C Brook (7) — encouraged game to flow and generally got key decisions right although Williams was fortunate not to get a second yellow card not long after opening goal.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nathan Lowe (Walsall 7) — ultimately the difference on day with an opportunist effort and slick finish to kill the game. Runs were through the middle were a nuisance for County

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County boldly stuck to their principles and made a fist of the game right up to the first Walsall goal. Between the boxes County asserted their passing game and created several decent moves first half to eek opportunities from crosses wide of the 18 yard box. With better quality and players on the same wavelength inside the Walsall area, they could have scored when in the ascendancy and needed to do that against a side that was confident of their second half performances at home. County delivered several decent crosses back post and with more men in the box they may have punished Walsall, but ultimately the team lacks a cutting edge in the final third to capitalise on their neat approach play. In the second half, County got more embroiled in 1v1s which suited Walsall but when County were efficient and got their full backs involved they gave Walsall problems. County did not miss Bryn Morris as much as anticipated but they will need to adjust in his absence and ideally bring in more experience in midfield with Wildig also out for the season there is a big void. The January transfer window is going to be important as they could also do with a left back to cover and a striker that will help convert more chances. Ultimately, County need more experience and not kids brought in, be it via loans or signings. Next up is AFC Wimbledon under the lights on Thursday at Rodney Parade. Wimbledon will employ a 3–4–3 system and play direct with Bugiel a focal point in aerial duals and Stevens gambling with strong with runs in behind. County can expect an aggressive confrontational approach and they need to roll up their sleeves and use their quality to flood forward timing their runs and hurt their defence who lack pace when turned.