Dogged but well-earned point
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Bogle 43, 84 pen)
Stevenage 2 (Norris 3, Roberts 50)
Attendance: 3,486
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County WLDdDDLDWW
Stevenage LdWWWDDWLd
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County need patience and guile to breakdown Stevenage. They have been a consistent top 3 side for most of the season but have drawn a lot of away games and put an extra defender at the back to tighten up after losing Saturday.
CONDITIONS
Cool, clear with no breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Gave away sloppy goals but showed character to raise the bar and comeback twice
TURNING POINT
None significant but half time came when County were well on top.
THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes up front with McNeil and Zanzala sacrificed to the bench in place of Bogle and Kavanagh. County had the early territorial advantage but Stevenage fended off the challenge with some strong headed clearances. On 3 minutes, Stevenage switched play well from left to right with Smith getting on the ball quickly. He slipped a quick pass through the middle which March appeared to dummy deceiving Clark and Norris was allowed space to ghost in behind and calmly slot into the right corner. County responded well with some smart efficient moves to work Stevenage and they had a valid looking penalty appeal on 7 minutes when a snappy move low right side saw Bogle supply a pass for Aaron Lewis who made a bursting run from deep only to tangle with Tomkinson. The referee and linesman ignored the protests despite being well positioned to make a decision. On 10 minutes, County won a free kick across the right face of the area following another clever low move. Bogle took the free kick blasting low into the wall and the ball was cleared effectively by Piergianni. County kept the ball ticking over with some smart low moves and another free kick on 12 minutes saw Norman crudely fouled by Norris on the right channel which got him a booking. County maintained their intensity and offered some good retention which worked the Stevenage defence and were rewarded with a couple of corners. On 20 minutes. Lewis swung in a decent delivery left side which flashed deep and a stretching header by Demetriou dropped just wide of the right post. Stevenage were happy to absorb pressure and shunt the ball long at every opportunity but County were vigilant clearing any mess in behind. County offered more patience but complimented their play with some verve which continued to coax some free kicks in useful positions. On 32 minutes, County won a free kick right side of the area which Adam Lewis delivered with a teasing delivery towards the penalty spot and Farquharson clashed with the keeper Andresson. The keeper received several minutes treatment but was able to resume. The game remained competitive with County creating some good patterns of play inside the Stevenage half. On 43 minutes, County got their reward when they forced Stevenage to defend deep inside their own half. Farquharson was quick to press up and win an excellent headed clearance through the middle which caught the Stevenage defence flat-footed and Bogle stole in to slot into the right corner from 10 yards. County were close to taking their lead in first half injury time with some cutting moves that caught Stevenage on the back-foot. On 45+3 minutes, a bright move just inside the Stevenage area saw Kavanagh side step a couple of challenges and set up a snapshot for Bogle right side but his low effort was held at the second attempt by Andresson. Then on 45+5 minutes, Norman did well to forge a strong run right side and dink a deeper cross which Adam Lewis read well but his header from 10 yards fizzed wide of the left post.
Stevenage made four changes at half time replacing their injured keeper Andresson with Przybek, Forster-Caskey coming on in midfield for centre back Tomkinson, up front Norris and March were sacrificed for Reid and Rose. Stevenage switched to 4–4–2 and offered more determination off the ball with Reid chasing lost causes and Rose angling runs well left side. On 48 minutes, County were given a warning when Stevenage forced a move right side with Rose directing a header in behind right side of the area. Reid latched onto the loose ball and his low shot from an acute angle was saved by Townsend at base of the post. County failed to heed the warning conceding a cheap throw in right side of the area on 50 minutes. Smith launched a throw towards the front post which Piergianni glanced on but with County slow to react Roberts ghosted in to volley low into the left corner from 8 yards. County made efforts to pick up their game again with some searching crosses into the box and when they were decisive it gave Stevenage some discomfort. On 62 minutes, Stevenage worked a decent move from deep catching County with Roberts threading a neat pass for Rose. He adjusted well to thrash a low effort from the left side of the box which Townsend held well low down in the left corner. County freshened things up on 70 minutes with Evans on for Aaron Lewis and Zanzala replacing Kavanagh. On 72 minutes, County worked a decent move left side with Demetriou and Lewis combining well to set up an excellent cross near the flank which pinpointed Bogle but his header from 10 yards under pressure was glanced just over the bar. County picked up their efforts off the ball in remaining part of the game with Zanzala, Bogle and Evans working hard to close down and press higher up the pitch. On 77 minutes, Zanzala was nearly rewarded for his persistence unsettling Sweeney into a loose clearance. Bogle picked up the loose ball and threaded a square pass to find Zanzala who carried a run across the area and blasted a low from 20 yards which Przybek held well. County made a triple substitution on 80 minutes to maintain their drive final third with Wildig on for Charsley, Baker on for Clarke and McNeil on for Bennett as County switched to 4–3–3. Stevenage were reliant on direct play to test County with Reid offering an outlet and he coaxed a couple of free kicks which County defended well against. County kept pressing the right buttons and got their reward on 84 minutes following a mistimed tired lunge by Bostwick on Bogle just inside the area. Bogle stepped up and confidently placed his penalty into the right corner with the keeper going the wrong way. The match was in the balance in remaining minutes with both sides increasingly cautious but looking for options to counter. On 86 minutes, a Stevenage break left side exposed County and Baker was coaxed into a late challenge on Forster-Caskey which got him an early booking. Reid was then booked for a late clumsy challenge on Baker as he was clearing. County had a couple of good situations left side in the remaining minutes and when they kept the ball live they forced some throws ins. On 90+1 minutes, a long throw left side of the area was only half cleared by Stevenage and Wildig poked a low shot from inside the “d” just wide of the left post. Stevenage made a late change on 90+3 minutes with Taylor on for Roberts. County had a couple of chances on the break left side with Evans prepared to run in behind but they overplayed passes letting Stevenage catch their breath. Despite 6 minutes of injury time neither side could work the opposition keeper and a draw reflected the game.
Townsend (6) — well beaten low down on both goals, kicked well especially late on forcing play up the pitch. Made a couple of smart low saves and claimed well under pressure.
Adam Lewis (6) — got forward into some good positions first half but linking play and crosses were restricted and too short on times. Got forced deeper second half before finding more space late on.
Farquharson (7) — dominated in the air, tackled well and broke up play quickly. Did well setting up the goal lapping up the header to turn Stevenage around.
Demetriou (7) — won his headers, bold with his use of the ball and rarely wasted a pass. Did some good work second half to instigate and influence moves higher up the pitch.
Clarke (6) — got tight and limited space to turn ushering threat away from danger. Cleared well under pressure. Didn’t have his own way in the air and lost man on second goal.
Norman (6) — quiet game, suffered a bit with Clarke under pressure having to play deeper second half. Did his best work first half decisive with runs and crosses.
Bennett (6) — was well positioned edge of the area a couple of times and needs to put his foot through the ball. did well when he got to the ball and mopped up danger well before fading
Charsley (7) — never really got to effect game inside the Stevenage area but did a lot of good work to disrupt and win tackles. Worked tenaciously before being replaced
Aaron Lewis (6) — competed well, made some honest tackles and had a couple of decent chances when he timed his runs forward. Crosses and set pieces were a bit erratic lacking quality.
Kavanagh (6) — had an enterprising first half, took a few kicks but got up and kept persevering. Had a couple of decent shots in and around the area well blocked
Bogle (8) — got very little protection from referee but still caused problems with direct running and link play. Was always a handful when he built up a head of steam taking chances well.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Stevenage)
Strengths — centre backs dominated in the air, organised and composed defensively under pressure and worked hard on and off the ball collectively.
Weaknesses — when County increased the tempo they committed several fouls and become more untidy with their approach unable to play quick. Over cooked the direct play.
Opportunities — started with same 3–5–2 to match County but change formation at half time to ask more questions for a time before fading.
Threats — Piergianni and Sweeney headers set pieces, Reid was lively and bold with his run. Gilbey eye for a pass.
OFFICIALS
O Yates (6) — missed a stonewall penalty for County early on. Allowed pulling and tangling to persist but majority of decisions right letting scrappy game to flow best he could
MAN OF THE MATCH
Carl Piergianni (Stevenage 5) — was alert winning towering headers with good leap and swept majority of danger from crosses and stifle threat. Had a hand in the second goal as well.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County dug a bit of a hole with both goals conceded very early in each half but showed good character to comeback twice and put in an excellent first half performance. The tempo was key to forcing Stevenage on the back-foot for spells and with better execution inside the box, County would have been ahead at half time. Stevenage elected to play direct and hopeful to relieve pressure but County were quick in working patterns of play in attacking positions. The second half saw Stevenage change to four at the back and this caused more problems for County with the Stevenage full backs pushing up higher and more aggressively which meant Norman and Lewis had less influence on the game. The changes County made were effective, and a little late forthcoming, but they were able to draw on their reserves to force a late equaliser which they richly deserved. County can work on their efficiency of transition as when they did get the ball moving they looked threatening but got a bit bogged down looking for short passes when a quick long pass was on to stretch Stevenage. Wil Evans made attempts late on to angle his runs left side but County were unable to keep the ball live and crucially this lost momentum. Next up is Walsall away managed by former County manager Mike Flynn. Walsall are likely to mirror County in a 3–5–2 formation with former Forest Green pair Matt and Stevens up top and prepared to chase lost causes. County will need to marshal the creativity offered by Hutchinson linking play. Both sides have former players in their side most notably Clark and Norman in the County who can work in tandem to influence matters right side.
