Fizzy, entertaining game just missing a goal

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

MK Dons 0

Attendance: 3,777

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County LLWLWLDWLW

MK Dons WDLdLDLWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County looked stretched with just 5 subs including 2 youth team players. Key they work off the ball to deny MK Dons rhythm and conserve energy to keep the ball when they have it.

CONDITIONS

Partly cloudy mild with slight breeze. Pitch was in excellent condition considering recent rainfall.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Resilient focussed defending and created some snappy patterns of play without reward

TURNING POINT

None

THE MATCH

County were into another defensive change with Drysdale suffering from a knock and Wildig was also forced out of the squad. They adjusted with Payne coming in at right back and McCloughlin slotting into right central midfield and Wood operated in an attacking role left midfield. MK Dons offered plenty energy in the early stages which set a precedent with Dean making some busy runs up top to chase down clearances but County tracked the threat well. On 5 minutes, County were given a warning when former County defender Norman switched play well from right to left to find Grant left side of the area. He found a chink of light to provide a cross into the area which Delaney did well to intercept with Dean lurking. On 10 minutes, MK Dons created a break left side with Tomlinson getting past Payne following a neat low exchange. He chanced his arm with an early cross which Gilbey anticipated but his shot from 12 yards failed to trouble Townsend. County eased their way into the game with Bogle making some strong runs to get County on the front-foot. On 12 minutes, County had a great chance to forge ahead from their first real chance with Payne cutting back an excellent right side of the area to find Bogle. He adjusted blasting a low shot goalwards and MK Dons were thankful from an important block by O’Hora. With County on top, and pressing the right buttons Bogle picked up an unnecessary booking on 15 minutes when he tangled with Payne but the card appeared to be for dissent. MK Dons made efforts to push up higher but some overzealous pressing put them in trouble on 18 minutes when Morris won a good tackle and pierced through the middle. He picked out Wood well who angled his run left side of the area but he could strike the side netting from an acute angle with Evans screaming for the ball back post. County maintained their tempo with some forceful runs left side to stretch MK Dons with Wood and Bondswell working well in tandem. On 20 minutes, County won a free kick left side which Morris clipped into the area and Delaney directed his header back across the area. The clearances was untidy and Bennett saw his snapshot from 16 yards blocked only for the rebound which Wood seized onto quickly being dragged wide of the left post. MK Dons opted for some direct play to test County and nearly got some joy on 22 minutes when Dean stole to ball ahead of Payne. He was quick to direct an ambitious first time lob from 25 yards which cleared the bar. County worked some good situations from throw ins when they went direct down the touchline. On 27 minutes, Bondswell launched a good long throw left side which Bogle won and turned off challenge from Leko and carried his strong run left corner of the area. He had options again to pick out Evans well positioned back post but delayed and the cross come shot was diverted. MK Dons had their best chance of the half on 30 minutes when Norman advanced right side to slip a pass right side of the area for Leko. He cut back a decent cross which Gilbey anticipated well and stabbed a low effort from 8 yards which Townsend saved in the right corner. County kept pressing the right buttons with some decisive moves from deep and crisp low move on 35 minutes culminated with Morris hitting a wild shot wide from 25 yards high and wide of the right post and bar. There was another warning for MK Dons on 37 minutes when Wood did well with a strong positive run left side and set up Bogle but the snapshot from 20 yards was blocked. On 38 minutes, Bogle was close when he went on an individual run left side cutting inside following a powerful and curled his shot from 25 yards just wide of the right post. MK Dons continued to persist with moves right side with Leko offering plenty of pace. On 42 minutes, his run to the byline offered an opportunity but the cross was hopeful and flashed deep allowing County to clear their lines. County were frustrated by several peculiar decisions first half, none more so than when Evans was booked on 43 minutes for slamming his fist against the floor when clearly impeded by Harvie. County kept pressing in the final minutes of the half with Payne seeing a lot of the ball right side and when his crosses were decisive they caused problems. On 45+2 minutes, Payne delivered a low cross right side which Bogle read front post but his effort front post under pressure went wide of the right post.

MK Dons continued to beaver away right side after half time with Loko forceful but Bondswell did well to limit space and force dead ends. MK Dons were keen to play out from deep but some casualness on 52 minutes was close to undermining them. County did well to press aggressively with Payne caught in possession by Morris. Wood seized the loose ball and found Evans in space left side of the area but he could only drag his shot wide of the left post with the keeper scurrying across. County were forced to turn back to defend on occasions with MK Dons persistent with some long balls through the middle from deep. On 54 minutes, Townsend did well to come off his line and deny Dean the opportunity to pull the trigger. County had a half chance moments later when Delaney made a great assist with a looping header beyond the last man, but from a wide angle Baker directed shot was mistimed. MK Dons picked up their game again with Payne and Gilbey getting more of the ball but County managed the threat well with a good defensive shape. In transition, County created a couple of decent snappy moves to break the high press but were thwarted with a couple of marginal offside decisions. There was another warning for County on 60 minutes when MK Dons centre back O’Hora was given time to pump a ball from deep through the middle. Tomlinson ran through left side to snatch the ball but Townsend did well to force him wide and the shot was rushed blasted well over the bar from 20 yards. County had less of the ball but continued to cause problems when they got into the final third. On 65 minutes, snappy break saw Bogle do well to slip a quick pass left side and despite being forced wide Evans clipped back a decent shot which dropped just over the right corner of post and bar. MK Dons had Norman in the book on 67 minutes when a good break from deep by County saw Wood scythed down in full glory. MK Dons offered some better cohesion in the final stages and were close on 75 minutes when Tomlinson did well to manufacture space and drive left side. From a difficult angle his cross flashed deep with Gilbey again ghosting in untracked but his low effort from 10 yards was well saved by the alert Townsend. County responded with another bright move from deep cutting into space offered through the middle and Bogle caressed a neat pass for Morris inside the “d” and his fierce effort was crucially blocked by Norman and despite the calls for penalty the referee played on. On 78 minutes, Tomlinson was closer when some ball watching by County allowed him to penetrate down the left channel and stretch the run to the left side of the area. He linked with Payne on the left corner of the box and curled a decent effort which Townsend saved at the second attempt with Dean sniffing for the loose ball. County had a couple of free kicks in the final stages but squandered with delivery lacking and MK Dons continued to press in the final stages forcing County deeper. On 85 minutes, MK Dons worked the right side with Leko who set up Grant but the snapshot was blocked and Tomlinson was again denied when he shot left side was parried and claimed by Townsend near the line. MK Dons made a change soon after with Eisa coming on for Dean and County responded with Waite replacing Wood. County kept working hard to deny space with MK Dons offering more verve final third but with players committed County had options on the break but they struggled to find the killer pass. On 88 minutes, Harvie pushed on for MK Dons left side to support a break, but the move lost impetus and County had the chance to attack from deep with Evans occupying space vacated right side but the switch of pass was delayed allowing Dons to recover. County went close on 90+4 minutes from a free kick left side which was only half cleared and Bennett anticipated well to blast a low shot from 20 yards which O’Hora got an important block on. The game somehow finished goalless which was fair reflection overall.

Townsend (8) — made some instinctive saves late on to deny and safe with his hands. Kicked well under pressure and was asked to deal with some direct balls channelled through the middle

Payne (6) — put under pressure by Tomlinson and forced deep for large spells but when he got either side of the 18 yard box crosses were effective and offered variety.

Bennett (8) — did well with Dean tracking runs and stifling passes early. Won his headers and tackled were timed. Went close several times in around the box. Goal is well overdue.

Delaney (8) — lead well, sharp defending stoutly when turned back and dominated the aerial duals. Went close to assisting on a couple of set pieces and needs to be bolder back post.

Baker (7) — building match fitness after injury, strong in tackles, did the basics well and when he got himself adjusted he made good choices with distribution.

Bondswell (7) — put under some pressure by Loko and tightened grip second half marking closer and more tenaciously. Played quite inverted today and saw little prowess from crosses.

Morris (8) — alertness key, bossed midfield in spells before fading late on. took responsibility with ball and provided some decent set pieces. Went close in around the area and looked most likely scorer

McCloughlin (7) — did a good job in the middle showing versality and competed well. saw less threat in offensive areas but showed maturity to defend and do the dirty work today when it was needed.

Wood (7) — best game in County shirt. worked hard to hurrydefenders into mistakes picking moments to press. lacked composure to finish chances.

Evans (6) — frustrating game, worked hard to unsettle and stole in back post several times but didn’t get the ball. Missed easy chance after half time and forced into wide areas too much.

Bogle (7) — best player on the pitch first half. Caused problems with power and link play. Possibly picked the wrong pass on times and lacked clinical finish. Looked tired final stages and influence faded

SWOT ANALYSIS (MK Dons)

Strengths — offered some technical prowess on the ball and pace in wide areas. Centre backs were vigilant and recovered well despite some lapses at the back.

Weaknesses — overplayed several times at the back but got away with it. left gaps through the middle and got bullied off some challenges lacking height. Finishing wayward on times.

Opportunities — mixed play up with some direct play and switches off play. Left centre back Harvie and right centre back Norman pushed up higher late on which left gaps which carried risk.

Threats — Dean runs in behind and eye for goal. Tomlinson and Leko penetrated well and provided crosses. Payne made play tick. Gilbey late runs into the area.

OFFICIALS

B Atkinson (6) — made some puzzling decisions first half ignoring impeding and slow to penalise which caused frustration. Got key decisions right inside area.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nick Townsend — the cat — made some excellent instinctive saves and made good decisions to parry and clear his lines.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were stretched to breaking point today but dug out a valuable point with a brave and determined performance. They had spells under pressure but thoroughly deserved their share of the spoils. With more composed finishing they may have pinched this match. Bogle gave MK Dons various problems first half and with better decisions with the ball at his feet, County would have been ahead. County didn’t get their wing backs firing today as they perhaps wished, but they didn’t need to do as they worked some decent moves through the middle with penetrative runs and it was unfortunate Evans was not picked several times in space back post. County were under pressure in the final stages with MK Dons overcommitting defenders high up the pitch, there were options several times for County to punish them in transition but they couldn’t manage to find the most effective pass. County did have one or two concerns defending long balls punted through the middle when they switched off but all in all the defence remained focussed. County had several free kicks in this game and you feel with better quality to the back post Delaney is going to assist or score from such situations, Next up is old advisories Mansfield Town who have crept into the top three with some big wins recently. Mansfield will operate with a 4–3–3 formation using Bowery as a battering ram uptop with top scorer Atkins going under the knife. County need to track the enterprise of Keillor-Dunn just in behind the front two and get at Mansfield forcefully in wide areas. Both full backs are small but keen to push high but this will carry risk which County can benefit from.