Frustrated County unable to make extra man count

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: One Call Stadium

Mansfield Town 0

Newport County 0

Attendance: 5,624

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County WWWLLLDWLW

Mansfield Town WdWLWDWWWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Mansfield have several key players out and a somewhat makeshift defence. County need to squash their threats early and take better care of the ball to pick gaps final third

CONDITIONS
Very mild cloudy, some light showers and breezy. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Solid first half, competed well but lacked quality to move ball and prise clearcut openings even when playing with extra man.

TURNING POINT
Sending off turned game into a stalemate with Mansfield putting 2 banks of 4 to defend.

THE MATCH
County kept faith in the same side that won at home Saturday employing a 3–5–2 formation with Mansfield changing tact due to injuries and suspensions to play 4–2–3–1. The early stages saw Mansfield show their intentions with some direct quick balls to test County with Atkins contesting across the line. County had a chance out of the blue on 2 minutes when a loose pass by Mansfield defender Hawkins through the middle was seized on by Moriah-Welsh and a quick pass forward released Evans through the middle but his shot the edge of the area was rushed and saved comfortably low down by Pym. Mansfield struggled for cohesion early on and County worked a decent move on 5 minutes when Demetriou played a precise pass to Bogle. He cut inside with his run brushing away challenge by Perch and unleashed a shot on turn from 25 yards which was deflected for corner. Mansfield offered some penetration right side through right back Hewitt who was decisive with his runs but County stifled the threat well to clear. On 12 minutes, Hewitt gambled with an opportunist cross right side after a strong run and Maris stole in to glance a header well wide of the left post from 12 yards. County kept probing away with some disjointed moves winning some throws ins either side of the area. On 16 minutes, this nearly paid dividends when Demetriou launched a long throw left side which Atkins could only half clear and Bennett struck a volley from 10 yards just past left post and bar. County were close again on 18 minutes when they switched tact with a more direct move from a free kick deep inside their own half. Demetriou directed the ball left side which appeared to deceive Hawkins with his header dropping in behind and Waite was lurking inside the area but he could only poke his shot wide of the left post under pressure from Perch. Mansfield came more into the game midway through the half with Boateng and Lapslie taking some responsibility with the ball at their feet to stem some good moves together. Mansfield continued to persist with direct playing using Atkins as a battering ram with Lapslie right and getting to the first ball quickly and Lewis forced back. County made efforts to counter with some runs left side in transition and Evans was caught late by a foot up challenge by Hewitt on 35 minutes which the referee ignored to the frustration of the players. County struggled to pressurise Mansfield from open play and were more effective attacking from deep. On 42 minutes, Norman did well to carry a strong run right side and draw a foul from Perch who was booked. Mansfield had a better spell as half time approached with some snappy bright moves through Lapslie and Maris down the right flank. On 45+1 minutes, Mansfield created a sharp low move right side of the area and a somewhat rash clearance by Lewis invited Lapslie to shot but the effort from an acute angle was dragged across the six yard box. There was another warning on 45+3 when County were forced to defend deep inside their own area and a snapshot by Lapslie from 10 yards was saved in the right corner by Day.

Mansfield made a tactical change at half time with left back Wallace replaced by Bowery who went left midfield as they switched to a 3–4–3 formation. County exploited some space left by Mansfield on 49 minutes when Norman jinked forward right side but was crudely checked by Boateng. Lewis took the free kick and delivered a decent ball to back post which Demetriou met well but his header went straight at the keeper. County kept probing right side with Mansfield struggling to plug the gap left by Wallace and they close again on 51 minutes when Waite penetrated to the right byline. He did well to drag back a decent low cross which Evans met at the front post but Hawkins was on hand to intercept the danger was an important block. Mansfield created the best move of the game on 55 minutes with a good switch of play from left to right and Boateng picked out Maris right side of the area in acres of space but his low shot was tame and saved comfortably by Day. Mansfield gained confidence from their approach play with Hewitt eager to support right side and he was caught late by Demetriou on 58 minutes who got a booking for his indiscretion. County made a change soon after with Wildig introduced for Waite. The pattern of the game changed on the hour when County worked a good quick ball through the middle with Moriah-Welsh supplying a low pass for Bogle who beat Perch but he checked his run and got a second yellow card. Lewis took the free kick but his effort was disappointing going harmlessly straight at the keeper. Mansfield made a tactical adjustment on 66 minutes with Boateng replaced by Swan who went up front and Atkins dropped in to play left wing with Bowery left back as they went 4–4–1. County made another change on 70 minutes with Nevers coming on Evans who had a slight knock. Mansfield set their stall out to frustrate and sit in but were still bold on the counter with Swan lively winning some corners from pressure on the ball. County won several long throws in the last 20 minutes but they closest they came was on 75 minutes when a throw left side was half cleared but Bennett scooped his effort well over from 18 yards. County struggled to breakdown Mansfield who became increasingly resilient despite the handicap. County did have a couple of decent situations from moves left side with Lewis coming more into the game but the crosses lack quality to pinpoint players in space. Mansfield made a further defensive change on 85 minutes to batten down the hatch with O’Toole on for Hartigan. On 86 minutes, County flirted with goal when a long throw right side of the area by Demetriou was glanced on by Norman and Clarke read it but his header from 8 yards under pressure dropped wide of the right post. Mansfield made another change on 90 minutes with Gordon replacing Maris. Despite seven minutes of injury time Mansfield held on comfortably and the closes County came was from a right side corner on 90+4 minutes. Lewis whipped in a decent cross into the six yard box which Bogle appeared to get a touch to but his effort looped wide of the left post. Mansfield held on for a deserved draw frustrating County with manager Nigel Clough content his gameplan worked to limit County

Day (6) — only really had one save to make from close range but stayed alert to keep defence organised. kicked and handled well under pressure

Adam Lewis (6) — got forced deeper by Lapslie. Had spells when he pushed up higher but let down by poor quality on crosses when running. Delivered good set pieces from standing positions.

Farquharson (7) — dealt well with the direct play keeping Atkins relatively quiet and got his clearances safe. Made some important interceptions and vigilant on crosses.

Clarke (7) — did well in the aerial duals and mopped up the majority of balls in behind. Pushed up higher later in the game to influence and went close on a couple of set pieces

Demetriou (7) — coped well in the air and distributed well from deep. Provided series of long throws without reward. Played quite deep on times and even more so after booking.

Norman (6) — quiet game struggled to impact and get crosses in. had a better spell after half time but found space hard to prise when Mansfield went down to ten men.

Moriah-Welsh (5) — played for too deep to effect game and would be better employed further up the pitch. Competed well in 50–50s but never really got firing and no shots on goal

Bennett (6) — won his headers and used ball effectively but didn’t pick up enough of the drop downs to influence and keep pressure on. Went close on a couple of set pieces.

Waite (6) — lots of running and effort but little end product with runs made late into area but kept arm-length. Replaced early in second half.

Evans (6) — had a decent first half and retention was missed after he went off, snatched at early chance but covered a lot of ground and didn’t shirk his challenges.

Bogle (5) — flat game, looked disinterested in some of the key battles allowing defenders time to recover. limited chances and put players in trouble with loose passes or poor touch

SWOT ANALYSIS (Mansfield)

Strengths — adapted well despite injuries and even with handicap of ten man they looked sharper in mind and body which was key to getting a draw.

Weaknesses — centre backs lacked pace and left back offered poor distribution. Over reliant on long ball and committed several fouls high up the pitch better sides would have punished

Opportunities — they were forced in changing their system a couple of times and were flexible. Worked hard late on to squash threat

Threats — Lapslie runs box to box and intelligent use of the ball, Maris and Boateng offered strength and vision in and around the area with eye for a shot.

OFFICIALS

S Barrott (7) — let some of the cynical play fester on times, ignoring some reckless tackles but got the key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

George Lapslie — worked hard to make things happen and the best moves went though him. Worked over time late on and was key cog in protecting area on limiting threat.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County went with the same starting line-up and would have been pleased with the first half performance but they were unable to find the extra gears to step up tonight and punish Mansfield who sat in effectively to protect their 18 yard box. It was surprising only two changes were made throughout and why one of the defenders was not brought off after the Mansfield red card. County were combative but lacked finesse especially on crosses and struggled to get men into positions at speed. County need to get more from Bogle as he is currently being let down by poor touch and slow reading of the loose ball allows sides to recover. Moriah-Welsh was also made to look poor on times playing a very deep passive role and unable to effect the game in and around area, which was sadly lacking, when he has the capability and guile to score but was being kept at arms-length. County need work on their tempo and quality to build patterns of play and ensure they give themselves the best chance inside the area. There was also a persistence with long throws when you felt some short quick throws would have served better after Mansfield had gone down to ten men. Next up is Northampton Town away who squandered a 2–0 lead at home to Sutton. County can expect a confrontational game in which discipline and quick thought will be key. Northampton are likely to play 4–5–1 formation and with their full backs prepared to overlap and provide width. County need to nullify their threat down channels, turn them inside and up the auntie through the middle of the pitch to pick holes.