Defensive focus provides platform for much needed County win

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Bescot Stadium

Walsall 0

Newport County 1 (Labadie 71)

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County DLdDLLWLDL

Walsall WLLLDDDWDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Walsall appointed caretaker manager after Darrell Clarke left last week. Expect Walsall to press high and not allow County to settle so key they remain patient and bold when invited

CONDITIONS
Mild, partly cloudy and keen wind. Pitch looked in decent condition but a bit worn in parts.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Determined, lacked edge up front despite some good spells in possession showed but showed defensive resolve when it mattered

TURNING POINT
First goal was always going to be key today.

THE MATCH
County welcomed back Matt Dolan sacrificing Anthony Hartigan the bench as they reverted to more successful 3–5–2 formation. There was another change with Scott Bennett returning after suspension in midfield of Jake Scrimshaw who was substitute. County started with the right intentions probing some decent low moves which Walsall stemmed will pressing high up at every opportunity. County worked hard off the ball to win it back when they lost possession and worked an early corner right side on 5 minutes. Dolan swung in decent delivery and Telford set up snapshot for Shephard but his effort from 12 yards was dragged wide of the left post. County kept passing to find gaps with Farquharson contributing well right side. On 8 minutes, County had a throw in right side of the area which Farquharson launched into the box but Walsall won possession well with Scarr heading clear and Walsall broke quickly from deep using the wind behind them to benefit the move but Dolan did well to avert the danger with a good tackle. Walsall were keen to work their right side with White and Norman working some passes to turn County back. On 10 minutes, a ball right side by Walsall was well read by Demetriou who cleared ahead of a late tackle by Gordon who was booked. County offered some enterprise through the middle with Sheehan and Labadie and they were rewarded with a free kick on 12 minutes when Scarr handled a ball that dropped in behind. No card was issued but from the resulting free kick just outside the “d” Dolan could only curl his effort straight into the hands over keeper Roberts. Walsall set their stall out to stifle County in the middle of the pitch and flood forward in transition but the defence did well to recover. County did little to help their cause on times with some poor quality distribution finding their front players with Maynard and Telford getting few touches and when they did they were heavy on the touch and possession was lost. Walsall sensed some opportunity to punish County with their retention poor especially down the middle with kicks from keeper Townsend won easily by Scarr and Sadler. On 20 minutes, County worked a good move right side with Farquharson and Shephard combined well right side of the area and the cross the front post was begging to be turned in but Scarr was vigilant to clear inside the six yard area. On 28 minutes, County were again forcing a move right side with Farquharson picking out the run of Maynard right side of the area. His early cross cut back inside the box forced an anxious clearance by Walsall which Labadie seized upon edge of the area but his shot drifted wide of the left post. Labadie grew into the game with some darting runs right side into decent positions but some delay on the ball forced him into some dead ends. As half time approached Walsall made a better fist of the game with some disjointed possession with Gordon and Osadebe picking up some loose ends but the County defence kept focussed to clear effectively. County kept working the right side and Walsall were given another warning on 36 minutes when Shephard carried a strong run to the right byline. From a difficult position, he cut back an excellent cross which appeared to deceive Roberts but he managed to claw the ball away from very near the goaline. On 38 minutes, County worked another decent move in transition when Haynes showed good vision to cut inside and find Labadie edge of the area. He adjusted well before striking a low effort just wide of the right post with the keeper scrambling across. When County got on the ball final third they were effective and they carved out their best chance of the first half when Labadie made a strong tackle to win the ball in the middle. He burst explosively through the middle which opened up space with County have two against one and found Maynard but his effort from 18 yards was parried around the right post by Roberts. County kept plugging away and another move left side saw Haynes time his run well to link with Bennett. He cut back an early cross which Walsall struggled to get safe and the loose ball was retrieved by Maynard but the cross was not read allowing Walsall to break dangerously from deep. Then in first half injury time, a hopeful ball forward from deep got caught on the win and County switched off allowing Osadebe to control the ball inside the area but Townsend did well to force him away from goal and the shot was smothered well.

Walsall came for second half looking to reassert their game forcing County deeper but Townsend was untroubled. On 48 minutes, County broke well left side with Demetriou finding the run of Labadie and he did well to find a quick pass to Telford. He had time to pick his spot being unmarked in the area but a weak effort from 8 yards was saved and held by Roberts. Walsall were keen to use their channels and offer width with Norman prominent right side with some strong runs. On 50 minutes, Norman did well to pinpoint a ball in behind right side for Lavery to chase down and his low snapshot from the right corner of the box went just wide of the left post. The game remained competitive in the middle with Labadie, Sheehan and Bennett putting their bodies across the line. On 53 minutes, Labadie did well to win possession and his piercing run through the middle was interrupted by Vincent who was booked. Dolan took the free kick from 25 yards forcing Roberts to tip the ball over the bar and from the resulting corner by Dolan right side Walsall just about managed to clear the danger with in-swinging delivery on the wind playing havoc. Walsall made a substitution on 62 minutes with McDonald replacing Osadebe. County responded with Amond introduced for Telford with raised the bar with some more conviction final third. The game remained scrappy in the middle with Haynes and Demetriou on the end of some late challenges but County were unperturbed. On 70 minutes, they finally got their reward from a quick corner left side taken by Sheehan and Haynes hit an excellent early cross into the six yard area. Despite Maynard not making firm contact his effort, Labadie read the loose ball and stabbed his effort from 6 yard against the underside of the bar and follow up to ensure the effort went over the line. Walsall made a change soon after to gain some better control of the midfield with Sinclair replacing Vincent. Walsall persisted with wide play to test County and there was a warning for County on 75 minutes when McDonald made a strong run left side. With County ball watching somewhat and unable to make a claim on tackle, McDonald checked inside but his shot from 20 yards was well blocked by Dolan. Then from a corner left side, County were caught sleeping when Bates picked out Sadler front post but the header drifted wide of the left post. Walsall made an attacking change on 80 minutes with Osei Yaw replacing centre back White. County responded with Taylor on for Maynard and they made efforts to work some direct balls to relieve pressure. Walsall remained on top with County struggling to take a grip of the ball and were close on 83 minutes after Haynes got bowled off the ball left side by Norman. A cross was worked from the right side of the which by Lavery and despite being overplayed Melbourne did well to retrieve the ball. His shot just inside the area was well saved low down in the left corner by Townsend. County were happy to work the corners and run down the clock with Amond doing well to hold the ball under pressure. County found the ball coming back too easily with McDonald causing problems left side. On 89 minutes, with County forced very deep inside their own area, Sinclair set up a snapshot for Gordon but he could only scoop tamely wide of the left post. There was a delay just after when Demetriou won a brave header but appeared to be caught late in an accidental challenge. 3 minutes were added onto the 6 minutes of injury time in which County had to defend several crosses into the area. On 90+5 minutes, Norman was again causing problems the right byline stealing the ball off Haynes. His deft cross went deep but was seized upon well by Melbourne who set up a cross into the area pinpointing Sadler but he stabbed an effort from 12 yards wide of the left post. County held on for an functional but important win with some resolute defending which saw them back in the play off zone.

Townsend (7) — held his nerve to make some good claims and punches under pressure and safe hands when tested. Kicked well throughout often kicking long.

Farquharson (7) — had a decent first half, defended robustly to break up threat and assured with ball at feet passing well to set up moves right side. Forced deeper second half

Haynes (6) — no doubts on ability final third and set up goal with quick thought but less aware defending, got brushed far too easily off the ball putting side in trouble on times

Demetriou (8) — lapped up their aerial duals and took a fair few knocks for his bravery. Did well first half to set up bright low moves in transition but forced back after goal.

Shephard (7) — excellent first half was at the heart of the best moves setting up some decent crosses which deserved better. Forced back and do dirty work late on.

Dolan (7) — was composed picking up bits and pieces and won some good headers to clear danger. Put in some good delivery from set pieces but got on ball less 2nd half.

Labadie (8) — worked hard to box and prepared to drift out wide when invited. Strong fending off tackles to break up play and got deserved goal after going close a few times

Sheehan (6) — in and out of the game, had spells first half when he sat deep making side tick with some neat moves and was competitive but influence less effective second half.

Bennett (7) — made several well timed challenges to track back and avert danger and looked fresher after suspension. Won some good headers and picked battles well.

Maynard (5) — ball retention was lax being impaired by heavy touch and didn’t do enough off the ball. Much better when he got facing forward but denied on one decent chance

Telford (5) — offered movement and picked holes but struggled to lock the ball down often left too isolated. Missed easy chance just after half and replaced early

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they pressed up in an organised unit to deny space and worked channels well. centre backs were commanding on the aerial duals.

Weaknesses — distribution from deep was erratic particularly right side. Lacked cutting edge and crosses were hopeful rather than adding quality.

Opportunities — they played on the break first half looking to exploit mistakes by County but offered more conviction later in the game working ball wide with shorter passing
Threats — McDonald was robust left side and got shots in. Norman bold runs late on right flank. Scarr, Sadler aerial threat set pieces.

OFFICIALS

S Allison (8) — one of the referees you didn’t notice much. Got key decisions right, let game flow well and blew up when necessary

MAN OF THE MATCH

Josh Labadie — with space squashed down the flanks, he did an important job today picking holes through the middle and went close several times before he got his goal

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County needed a win anyway, anyhow today and they did enough in this match without being spectacular. The bedrock was the defensive unit which was largely untroubled and they worked decent low moves first half from deep using the midfield well. Walsall were keen to press but County worked some cohesive moves to open up Walsall and win their corners. The front two were less effective and that is a concern with them both looking rusty with poor touch and the general sharpness when they got chances was missing. This allowed Walsall to break on County in transition too easily but importantly the defence were switched on and able to recover. County did find space blocked especially in wide positions and need to keep their flexibility to pass through the middle and pick holes. They also need better movement up front to drag central defenders out of position and into the changing room if necessary to work gaps in behind. Next up is Stevenage at home who have improved results and performances since County won away in October. Stevenage are still in deep relegation trouble with Southend and Grimsby breathing down their necks so they will be positive from the offset. Stevenage are likely to play 4–4–2 and are likely to adopt an aggressive high pressing game but how long they can persist with that on the Rodney Parade pitch is questionable. With the pitch drying out, County need to pick their battles but not allow themselves to countered on. Stevenage will look to absorb pressure with veterans Lines and Cuthbert big time spoilers and they do have useful pace on the break Newton an outlet right side with List and Stevens offering pace in wide areas.