Evans above!

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: The New Lawn

Forest Green Rovers 0

Newport County 3 (Evans 1, 25, Lewis pen 88)

Attendance: 2,292

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWWL

Forest Green Rovers LLWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County need a response after a below par second half performance at Crewe mid-week. Both sides need to reshuffle after some injuries in their squad so midfield looks a key battle

CONDITIONS

Some very light showers, bright and humid. Pitch in decent condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Fast out of the blocks, enterprising through the middle upper thirds and kept focus to protect lead

TURNING POINT

Early goal settled County

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with Jameson injured but welcomed back James Clarke retaining the same 4–4–2 formation. The match exploded into life with County taking the lead with just 13 seconds played. A direct ball from Forest Green was headed powerfully down the middle of the pitch by Delaney and Evans ghosted in behind centre back Johnson slotting low into the left corner from near the edge of the area. Forest Green made efforts to work wide areas with Kadji left side and McAllister roaming right side. County kept moving the ball well final third with some good moves right side and won a corner on 10 minutes. Lewis whipped in vicious delivery which flashed deep and Charsely anticipated well with a late run stabbing just wide of the right post from 8 yards. Moments later another sweeping County move right side saw Wildig caress a clever pass to find Evans and his low snapshot from 14 yards was held well by keeper Daniels. Forest Green made efforts to combat County pressure right side by switching play to the opposite flank with McAllister busy with the ball at his feet. On 15 minutes, McAllister combined well right side of the area to dink in a decent cross into the six yard box which Stevens met with untidy header which was intercepted well by Clarke. On 20 minutes, Forest Green won a corner right side which McAllister took which Johnson met strongly under pressure but his header from 12 yards drifted high and wide of the left post. County lost a bit of momentum with Forest Green offering a better spell of possession with Robson and McAllister working some neat patterns of play. There was another warning for County on 23 minutes when Omotoye picked out McAllister in acres of space right corner of the area. He drilled in a decent low shot from 14 yards which was well blocked by Delaney and the follow up left side of the area by Robson was diverted away by McCloughlin. On 25 minutes, County stretched their lead with a good switch of play from right to left and Lewis pinged an excellent ball left side which appeared to catch Bernard unaware and Evans stole the ball. He carried his strong forward taking the ball around Daniels who was committed off his line and finished from a narrow angle into the right corner. County were energised by the goal with Forest Green looking increasingly indecisive and flat. On 30 minutes, County worked an excellent move across the face of the area with Wildig controlling play in the centre. He had the option to pick out the supporting run of Lewis left side but elected to find Bennett who saw his first time effort held well by Daniels. Forest Green kept plugging away with their best moves coming right side through the invention of McAllister and County were forced to defend some crosses which they managed well. On 42 minutes, County created an intricate move right side with McCloughlin combining well to find Charsley right side and he showed good vision to thread a pass inside for Evans but his effort on the turn from 14 yards was saved in left corner by Daniels. County remained on top as half time approaching asserting more control of the ball with Forest Green lax with distribution.

Forest Green made a triple substitution at half time to pep up their approach with centre back Johnson replaced by Robertson, Maddox on for Kadji left side and Taylor on for Stevens up top. Rovers adjusted with Robson going into defence and Bernard switching sides to left back and Robertson going right back. County continued to work and force some passing errors in the Rovers defence and won a couple of corners early in the half which Lewis whipped into the six yard but the keeper claimed well under pressure. Forest Green had a better spell of control and possession for a time but the closest they came was on the hour when McAllister worked some magic right side following a corner and his cross to the front post was anticipated by Taylor who glanced wide of the left post. Forest Green made another change on 62 minutes with new player coach Troy Deeney replacing Omotoye. County responded well with Wildig finding Charsley with a neat short pass. He threaded a clever low pass inside for Palmer-Houlden who had sight of goal but his effort from 14 yards was saved well by Daniels. Forest Green worked some better cohesion with Deeney and McAllister forging a partnership right side but County stifled the threat well. Forest Green then had Taylor in the book on 68 minutes for needlessly handling the ball when contesting a cross into the area. County made another change on 70 minutes with Wildig replaced by Waite. The game was a bit stop start on times and Forest Green had right back Robertson booked on 75 minutes for tangling with Evans as he carried a strong run down the left channel. County kept the changes ticking over sacrificing Charsley for Wood moments later. Forest Green had a half chance on 77 minutes following some good work again by McAllister who jinked inside and out and clipped a decent cross to the feet of Taylor. He adjusted to caress a pass into McCann who drilled a low effort from 16 yards which Townsend held well. County made another change on 80 minutes with Bondswell replacing Palmer-Houlden. County rose the bar again in the final ten minutes with Wood and Bondswell adding energy in wide areas. On 88 minutes, County worked a decent move right side with Waite shifting play to the right channel to find Wood. He curled in a decent first time cross which struck Robson’s raised arm and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty. Lewis took the penalty with composed finish into the left corner. Forest Green made another change soon after with McAllister replaced by Bendle. Forest Green frustrations told on 90+1 minutes when Robertson lunged needlessly into a low challenge on Bondswell and was sent off for what appeared to be a straight red card and Deeney was booked for dissent. The match end with County in full control and untroubled to gain their first away win of the new season.

Townsend (7) — kicked well under pressure and pinpointed some good moves from deep. had few clearcut shots to save but kept concentration well claiming balls into the area.

McCloughlin (7) — contributed to some efficient moves right side and when he got ball from under feet he used ball well. can improve distribution but got the ball safe with clearances

Lewis (7) — forced back by McAllister and didn’t always get tight enough first half but grew into the game. Distributed well throughout and provided a number decent crosses and corners.

Delaney (8) — dealt well with direct play into Omotoye, kept focussed and made some strong headers. Went close from a couple of set pieces from headers. Nullified Deeney when he came on.

Clarke (8) — needs to be wrapped in cotton wool. Composed throughout, stifled direct balls well and made some strong low tackles. Composure was key and blocked threat well.

Charsley (7) — at the heart of the best moves right side and turned provider several times when he could have shot. Worked hard off the ball to close down and limit space.

Wildig (7) — got on the ball well first half, making things happen in and around the box. Was intelligent with his use of the ball and turned down several shots when well placed.

Morris (6) — got wrong side of man on times but recovered well. did a lot a good work to cover threat and passed accurately prompting some good moves from deep.

Bennett (7) — competed well in the air and on the floor, took up some useful positions reading flow of game well. went close with a couple of efforts in and around the area.

Evans (9) — took his chances clinically and was always aware with his runs which were clever and well timed. Worked hard and off the ball and close to getting a hat trick before fading late on.

Palmer-Houlden (6) — worked tirelessly across the line and competed strongly in the aerial duals, struggled a bit with link play and restricted on chances from around the area.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Forest Green Rovers)

Strengths — thoughtful approach play and did utilise their right side well providing some decent crosses

Weaknesses — defenders switched on several times lacking focus and erratic with their passing and distribution. Lacked cutting edge and worked few shots on goal.

Opportunities — they were keen to use width and never really strayed outside conventional 4–4–2. Had spells upping tempo but lacked quality to sustain.

Threats — McAllister provided several decent crosses and linked play. Omotoye aerial prowess, Stevens alert inside six yard box.

OFFICIALS

S Jackson (8) — managed game well, kept it flowing playing advantage well and got the bookings and key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Wil Evans — scored as many goals now as last season and top scorer in EFL2. His intelligence with his movement and pace in behind never allowed Forest Green defence to settle.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County made another fast start to the game today and reaped the rewards from two long balls, but they did create several decent low moves which deserved better. They were also switched on defending with Clarke having a good partnership with Delaney which gave the solid platform for Lewis and McCloughlin who had much more influence than in the mid-week loss at Crewe. Going forward this will be key as side try to force them back in the cage. The combination and variety of play was pleasing, but Forest Green did only really threaten right side from the creativity of McAllister. County can improve on some of their distribution from deeper areas when they were sometimes happy to shunt the ball long and hopeful which allowed Forest Green to come back at them. Next up is Sutton United at home who started the season strongly with a 5–1 win over Notts County on the opening day, but have since lost 3 league games on the spin and were embarrassed losing 3–0 home win at Wimbledon today. The Sutton side is not short of quality or physicality so County can expect a backlash next week they need to be ready for. Sutton are likely to make the game ugly, bypass the middle of the pitch and will channel direct balls to the corners to force County deeper. County need to get their full backs more advanced in this game and not defending aerial balls in the corners which will play into Sutton’s hands.