Day lapse costs County a point
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: One Call Staduim
Mansfield Town 2 (Maris 7, Clarke 43)
Newport County 1 (Willmott 9)
Attendance: 3793
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County WW
Mansfield Town WL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Mansfield got a late winner as County in the first game and expect them to offer plenty of energy final third not allowing County to pass from deep so flexibility and decision making key today
CONDITIONS
Quite warm, partly cloudy and light wind. Pitch in excellent condition but slick on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Struggled for creativity final third but matched Mansfield box to box but mistakes through middle proved pivotal.
TURNING POINT
Was always going to be a tight game but second goal on the stroke of half time gave hosts platform.
THE MATCH
County rang several changes after the win at Ipswich Town in the league cup mid-week but were forced into a couple of defensive changes from the last league game against Oldham with captain Matt Dolan and Mickey Demetriou both injured. Clarke slotted into central defence in a 4–5–1 formation with Scott Bennett taking the captains armband and Christopher Missilou made his debut in central midfield. County introduced Timmy Abrahams up front with Jermaine Hylton injured and Lewis Collins sacrificed to the bench allowing Finn Azaz to make his debut left midfield. Mansfield made their intentions clear from the offset using the towering frame of Hawkins up front as an outlet putting Norman and Farquharson under pressure. County were closed down quickly from playing out from deep with Mansfield full backs pushed up high and County were denied settling into any rhythm. County opted to play more direct using the pace of Abraham with runs in behind and he put Rawson under pressure. Mansfield were keen to use their left side with left back Mclaughlin and left midfielder Quinn busy in their exchanges. On 7 minutes, Mansfield took the lead from swift move left side and when they ball switched inside Maris was quick to exploit space invited by County through the middle. He opted to get in a low curling shot from 25 yards which appeared to be under control by Day but the ball crept under him and against the right post before dropping over the line. County responded well with some good energy using the direct ball well and equalised on 11 minutes when Day launched a long kick out which Rawson appeared to misjudge and Willmott nipped before lofting the ball over the stranded keeper Bishop from 12 yards. The game slowed down after the early intensity with County more thoughtful with their passing through the midfield with Azaz and Upson picking holes near the edge of the area. Mansfield persisted with the direct approach into Hawkins but County gained some better control breaking up the threat early and they started to menace of the break with Missilou lively. On 20 minutes, County had a great chance to go ahead when they worked a short free kick right side of the Mansfield across the face of the area and Upson first time effort was well blocked by Perch. Moments later Mansfield made a quick break from deep after County had lost possession cheaply and Abraham was booked tracking back to tackle McLaughlin from behind in the centre circle. Mansfield continued to cause problems with Hawkins robust in his approach and Oates offering pace in support. On 28 minutes, County were given a warning when a ball through the middle caused chaos with Hawkins brushing off a challenge from Clarke and Oates was alert picking up the knock down but his shot from the edge of the area was wide and high of the left post and bar. County kept persisting with some neat moves in the transition from central midfield and this looked the most likely way to unlock Mansfield with them gambling with runs final third but vulnerable to the counter. On 32 minutes, Upson was fouled neat the edge of the area after a clever which presented Haynes with a chance from a free kick but it went straight at the keeper. Mansfield showed their prowess in midfield with Clarke and Maris combining well and Missilou was booked on 34 minutes for a late tackle on Gordon as he threatened to attack final third. On 39 minutes, County created arguably their best move of the half initiated by Bennett who broke up play right side. He carried the ball out strongly from deep turning away from a couple of challenges to find Azaz who darted right side. With Mansfield stretched he directed a good cross field pass to find the late run of Haynes left side of the area and his shot low shot from 18 yards was inches past the right post. Mansfield forged ahead again on 43 minutes from a direct move which County appeared to have under control but both Bennett and Farquharson appeared to have under control but they allowed Hawkins to glance the ball inside into acres of space and Clarke was allowed a free run before firing past Day into the left corner from 12 yards. County made efforts to pick up their game as half time approached creating some good moves in transition but Mansfield were able to clear their lines.
County started the second half on the front-foot using their left channel well to exploit gaps and put pressure on Mansfield right back Gordon. On 52 minutes, a smart move saw Willmott roam left side and find Abrahams with a slide rule pass left side of the area. From an acute angle Abraham blasted a low shot from 14 yards wide of the right post with the keeper Bishop static. County were rewarded with a couple of corners left side and a decent delivery by Haynes on 55 minutes saw the ball drop dangerously deep but County had nobody back post alive to the situation. Mansfield were close on 55 minutes when a direct ball saw Hawkins wrestle away from a challenge by Farquharson to se up Clarke and his snapshot from 25 yards was well blocked by Bennett. County were close again on 57 minutes, this time from a move right side which saw Upson pick out Norman. He dinked in a decent cross which pinpointed Abraham and he glanced narrowly wide of the right post from 10 yards. Abraham was causing problems with his pace and more penetrating move by County on 60 minutes, saw Norman do well to link play right of the area and set Abraham free. He delivered an excellent low cross which fizzed across the six yard box but County had nobody anticipating back post. County were even closer on 62 minutes when Haynes did well to carry a strong run left side past Gordon and he threaded an intelligent pass across the “d” which Azaz read well and his precise effort from 20 yards was plucked out of the top left corner by Bishop. Mansfield went immediately on the offensive with right back Gordon exploiting some gaps right side and his cross come shot from the right side of the area drifted just wide of the left post. Mansfield made a change soon after with Oates being replaced by Lapslie and County introduced Fisher for Missilou. The changes appeared to settle Mansfield into a period of better possession with Lapslie getting more on the ball and County somewhat lazily option for the direct option. County kept probing left side and right back Gordon was booked for a mistimed challenge on Clarke on 68 minutes. County continued to work some good loves moves in and around the Mansfield area and had a decent situation when Bennett found Axaz who struck a low shot from an acute angle which the keeper saved low down. County then had Haynes needlessly in the book on 72 minutes when he mistimed a challenge on Gordon as he broke right side. County made another change soon after with Greenidge introduced up front to replace Abraham. With the game becoming increasingly feisty Hawkins was booked for a foul on Farquharson as he was about to clear the danger. Mansfield made a change on 78 minutes to mitigate threat County were creating left side with Gordon replaced by Hewitt and County responded with an attacking change that saw Clarke sacrificed for Collins who went left flank. The final stages saw Mansfield happy to sit in deep and protect their lead and they dealt well with the aerial threat County had with Hawkins dropping back to defend crosses. County kept plugging away but struggled to make the ball grip and Mansfield looked more capable on the break to threaten. On 87 minutes, Maris picked a gap with a low pass to Johnson left side of the area but his was denied when his low shot from 12 yards was saved by the legs of Day. Mansfield bolstered their rear-guard late on 90 minutes when Bowery replaced Quinn. County huffed and puffed in the final stages with Mansfield winning their headers and some nervous clearances and the closest County came was a snapshot edge of the area by Azaz which was well blocked by Rawson. Mansfield held on to gain two solid wins from two home games with County having just the one win from two away games.
Day (5) — basic error on the opening goal with lack of concentration. Distributed well with useful long kicks and made some good saves from distance.
Norman (6) — saw less of him attacking and limited with crosses but linked play well. Put under pressure by Quinn and McLaughlin but managed threat reasonably well getting tackles in early.
Haynes (7) — Had a good battle with right back Gordon and did well second half instigating several good moves and accurate with his passing. Delivered less crosses but went close from distance.
Clarke (6) — put under pressure in the air by Hawkins and did better when he stood off and had strength to stifle with ball at this feet. Got caught of position on the second goal
Farquharson (7) — disciplined performance, dealt well with Hawkins especially second half limiting his threat outside the area. Cleared the danger well in behind mopping up effectively.
Bennett (6) — did a solid job dropping back into the middle to defend aerial balls but didn’t have his own way in the air. Did his best work stifling play and instigating some good moves in transition.
Upson (7) — awareness on the ball to evade challenges and when get on the ball used it effectively. offered good range of passing and unlucky not to score first half from edge of the area.
Willmott (6) — had spells in and out of the game, did his best to support Abraham and was clever to pounce on the goal. Drifted wider to the left second half to build some momentum but crosses were limited
Azaz (7) — enterprising game, got caught in possession a couple of times but did a lot of good work to link play and prise openings higher up the pitch. Denied by an excellent save from the keeper.
Missilou (6) — started well and was at the heart of the best moves with some raids forward. Got needless booking and went into his shell a bit after that but competed well despite less influence.
Abraham (6) — did his best to lead the line and was menacing when he drifted into wide areas offering pace. Set up couple of good low crosses and denied on low shot from acute angle
Strengths — defensively they were composed and dealt with aerial ball. Both full backs were contributed well and pressed high. Worked some good moves following direct play into Hawkins
Weaknesses — Rawson untidy headers under pressure, right back Gordon vulnerable when attacks broke down. Gambled on the moves into Hawkins and better teams would have exploited in transition.
Opportunities — never really had to change their tact, used subs well and Lapslie gave them control of the ball later in the game with his alertness but remained compact to keep County at arms length.
Threats — Hawkins aerial prowess and strength, Clarke and Quinn linked play well with efficient passes. Oates energy and shots in and around the ball.
OFFICIALS
A Backhouse (7) — encouraged open play to flow as best as possible allowing advantage and got cautions right. Frustrated fans on times with the constant talking to explain decisions
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ollie Clarke — sat in the engine room and was intelligent with his passing and craft especially final third. Made some well timed runs none more so important than on winner which was not tracked by County
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County were missing several players through injury and opted for a back four which they never really looked to assured with. Hawkins was pivotal in a lot of Mansfield play first half and it took County until half time sort themselves out with Farquharson having the measure of him second half. County responded well after the early charitable goal but you feel with this formation it was always going to be a big ask for a young player like Abraham to lead the line. County created some excellent move in transition and should really have got a second goal in this match but the second changes weakened County from an attacking threat and the game become more scrappy with both Greenidge and Fisher not winning enough of their 50–50 duals. So overall, did County deserve a point? Probably yes as they matched the hosts toe to toe but did they do enough up front? No. At the moment, it is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from and you feel another loan striker potentially is going to be imperative for this side to set the house ablaze. County will complete their series away fixtures with an away match next at Tranmere Rovers who are under the stewardship of former manager Mickey Mellon. Tranmere are likely to play 4–4–2 with crosses big part of their game Feeney and Morris feeding Dieseruvwe. Supply will come from former County player in more advanced role in front of player Spearing. There is plenty of experience but an ageing side particularly through the middle pitch so efficiency and pace will be key for County to keep ball low and precise.
