Frustration as clearcut chances go begging

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 0

Grimsby Town 0

Attendance: 4,298

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WWLLLWdLLL

Grimsby Town LLWLWLLLWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Grimsby have lost four of the last five games but have a decent away record. Expecting to sit in compact and play on the break so key County keep the nerve and patience to pass the ball.

CONDITIONS

Sunny spells, mild with light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Resilient, had spells on top working ball efficiently box to box but couldn’t find magic touch.

TURNING POINT

None but another penalty miss at home felt a low point.

THE MATCH

County were forced into a couple of changes following a narrow 2–1 defeat at Tranmere last Saturday. Kyle Jameson was suspended but they were boosted by the return of McLoughlin who went left back with Cameron Evans going right back. There was another change in midfield with Jamie Miley suffering from a knock in the EFL Trophy game at Reading mid-week giving Whitmore an opportunity to impress. County made another change with Michael Spellman sacrificed for Kieron Evans who went right midfield and Bobby Kamwa adjusting to the left side. County started assertively with a neat move inside the first minute with the Evans combination right side Cameron measure a ball for Kieron right side of the area. He was decisive with an early cross well intercepted by McJannet. Grimsby shifted some long balls from deep to test County but they recovered well to clear the danger. On 5 minutes, County created a bright move from deep with Whitmore fending off a challenge from McEachran down the left flank. He clipped a pass inside for Hudlin who switched play well with a pass to Kieron Evans who burst into the right side of the box but appeared to be shunted over by McJannet but the referee ignored the appeals for a penalty. County gained confidence from their snappy approach play and were close again on 8 minutes following another penetrative move left side. This time McClouglin overlapped well to support Kamwa and latch onto his low pass before cutting a decent early cross into the area. County had men in the box quickly and despite Whitmore having a first time shot from 14 yards blocked, the loose ball was seized on by Kieron Evans but his shot from inside the “d” went over the bar. Grimsby made efforts to pick up their game flooding forward with some runs from deep but they were thwarted with some offside decisions. County continued to menace left side, especially in transition when Grimsby moves broke down but they were let off the hook on times with the ball overplayed. Grimsby worked some better moves left side to test County with Green easing into the game with some strong runs from deep. On 18 minutes, Grimsby broke smartly from deep with a move through the middle which County were slow to react to and McEachran worked a smart pass left side of the box for Green. He adjusted quickly and hit a snapshot but the effort was well wide of the left post when he should have worked Townsend. County continued to build play well often playing through the Grimsby press and Kieron Evans was set up neatly by Wildig on 25 minutes but his effort from 20 yards was parried away by Grimsby keeper Wright. Hudlin anticipated well to seize the loose ball but his effort from 12 yards was beaten away by Wright. Grimsby had a goal ruled on the half hour when a move right side saw Green again creep forward with run to the right byline and his cross was bundled home by Rose inside the 6 yard box but he was offside. County continued to probe away with some moves left side but were forced into a change on the stroke of half time with Kamwa pulling up and he was replaced by Spellman. There was 5 minutes of injury time due to a number of interruptions but neither side saw the goalkeeper worked.

Grimsby made a change at half time with attacking midfielder Svanthorsson replaced by Luker. County made a slow start to the second and were given a warning on 47 minutes when Grimsby snapped up possession through middle with Green unchallenged and Rose caressed the ball towards Luker but he shot narrowly wide of the left post from 14 yards. County snapped out of their shell on 54 minutes with smart low move initiated by McLoughlin who showed good vision to find Morris. He was decisive in releasing a pass left side of the area for Spellman and his pace took him past Warren. From an acute angle Spellman drilled in a decent shot which Grimsby keeper Wright push away but with ball loose it deflected and appeared to evade Hudlin who was well positioned to finish inside the 6 yard box. There was another warning for Grimsby on 56 minutes when a pass from the edge of the area by Whitmore invited Spellman to shoot but the keeper was alert again to smother his shot from 10 yards. In a purple patch for County they had a great chance to take the lead on 58 minutes when Green was coaxed into a late but clean tackle on Willdig to concede a penalty and McJannet was booked for protesting. Hudlin took the penalty but his low effort into right corner was parried away for a corner. From the resulting corner by McCloughlin, Grimsby could only half clear and Morris saw a decent first time effort well blocked. Grimsby rode the storm and County suffered a blow on 62 minutes when Wildig suffered an impact challenge tracking back to defend and stifle the run of Green right side. Both players received treatment and Wildig got a somewhat harsh booking as well as being forced to limp off and he was replaced by Antwi. Green continued to enthuse with 50–50 tackles and he was booked on 65 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Spellman as he broke from deep. County lost the wind in their sails for a time with Hudlin struggling to impact the game and cohesion lacking with some untidy passes and Baker was booked on 70 minutes for covering when they got stretched. Grimsby made another change on 72 minutes with Thompson coming on the bolster midfield in place of McEachran. Grimsby picked up their game and threw in a couple of crosses to test County which they managed well. On 77 minutes, County had another warning when Green stole forward right side of the area and his cross into the box was clipped wide of the left post by Rose. County made a much needed change moment later with Keiron Evans replaced by Baker-Richardson who went up front with them adjusting to 4–3–3. The game remained competitive in midfield and both Thompson and Whitmore were booked on 79 minutes for an altercation as tempers boiled. Grimsby made another change soon after with Obikwu replacing Rose up front and maintain their freshness with Davies coming on for Green on 85 minutes. County created some good moves from deep in final minute shifting the ball efficiently. On 90 minutes, County had a great chance to win the game when Hudlin glanced on a direct ball well and Antwi anticipated well with a strong run right side of the area. He had the chance to get in his shot but some reason delayed and opted for a cross which went just beyond Baker-Richardson who well positioned to finish inside 6 yard box. County kept pressing the right buttons and another break from deep on 90+2 minutes put Grimsby in trouble but was Baker-Richardson saw his run blocked when he was obstructed by Rodgers near the half way line. Rodgers was booked but the free kick in a decent position was disappointing. 8 minutes of injury time were played with both sides jockeying for position and going for the result but the match ended all square which was probably fair overall.

Townsend (7) — acted as a sweeper on times and forced to kick or pass under pressure several times. Turned down chances to kick left side several times. Made some good punches under pressure.

Baker (7) — kept concentration well and coped well with press to shift ball from under his feet. Did well in the aerial duals and made some bright runs to pick gaps when invited.

C Evans (7) — much more adept in the right back role and made some good combinations with Kieron Evans. Can improve on his positional awareness but had confidence to push higher second half

McLoughlin (7) — had a bright first half and worked well with Kamwa until he went off. Got himself in position quickly and defended well in general limiting crosses but faded early second half.

Brennan (7) — worked well with Baker to limit threat and dealt well with Rose. Missed a couple of direct balls but managed to recover and clear but needs to keep switched on.

Morris (6) — easing back to match fitness, offered variety of neat passes when he got to the ball first. Still a yard off the pace but went close with a couple of shots which were blocked edge of area

Whitmore (8) — key cog in midfield, competed well, broke shackles to break away and set up some decent chances. Did an important job late on in the game and squash threat after Grimsby subs.

K Evans (7) — quite comfortably his best game this season. Was at the heart of the best moves first half and always a problem with switches of play. Can improve crosses either side of the area.

Wildig (7) — played slightly deeper and read game well wasting few passes. competed well, made some intelligent runs in and around the box before injury saw him forced off.

Mamwa (6) — had some bright spells but can improve decision making and quality of final ball. Was in space several times in transition and needs to demand ball more. Replaced early by:

Spellman (6) — got in behind a few times and with more conviction would have scored. was bright with runs from deep and pace kept Grimsby defence worked.

Hudlin (7) — frustrating game things didn’t fall for him. Won some good headers when he dropped deeper but final ball or cross evaded him. Placed penalty too low and game went flat for a time after

SWOT ANALYSIS (Grimsby Town)

Strengths — kept their defensive shape well and created some neat patterns of play on the break. Centre backs did well in aerial duals.

Weaknesses — didn’t always get their press functioning and got away with it several times when County got in behind. Gave away several clumsy fouls in decent positions.

Opportunities — started 4–5–1 and were happy to pick up on errors and break. Went 4–3–3 later in the game and gambled but got away with County lacking killer instinct.

Threats — Rose knitted play well and awareness in six yard box. Green timed strong runs well right side. Barrington pace left side and provide crosses.

OFFICIALS

J Oldham (6) — missed more obvious penalty early on for County and not clear if Green made any contact on Wildig for missed pen. Got on top other key decisions well.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jordan Wright (Grimsby keeper) — aside from the penalty save kept alertness, kicked well and made some good reactive saves to deny County.

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County had a nice freshness about them today which they lacked in the previous two games and the general play from box to box was decent. Grimsby were keen to press but County played them at their own game forcing some passing mistakes and they worked some good opportunities but lacked the killer touch. It is baffling on times as they had the nerve to work the ball in tight situations and showed composure to do that well, but when they had chances to punish inside the box they either got too excited or bottled it. The Antwi chance late on was as good as chance as you will see to finish the game off, but he opted to cross behind when he should have took responsibility and buried the shot low in the left corner. The changes today were also left far too late with Hudlin clearly struggling on his own with tiredness setting into his game and when the belated change was made, Grimsby had already missed two decent chances to punish County. To their credit, County were more focussed and resilient defending as a back four today with both full backs bold and able to impact both end of the pitch. County can improve on their transition play as they often turned down chances to break left side from kicks out or slow play with Mamwa and McLoughlin already engaged in good positions. Notts County away next Saturday will be a tough challenge, but presents another opportunity to impress under the sky cameras. Notts were missing the influence of key playmakers today in a 2–0 loss at Crewe with right sided winger Jones equally comfortable on both feet and able to cut in to shoot or cross. Crowley is another key cog with his invention through the middle and veteran McGoldrick eye for a quick shot. County need to tame there threats quickly as if they end up ball watching and standing off it will play into the hosts hands.