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Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Maynard 63)

Bolton Wanderers 0

Attendance:

Form:

Newport County LWdLWWWLLL

Bolton Wanderers WWWWDWWWWd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Bolton have been on unbeaten run, winning 11 out of the last 14 games. County need a big response after losing 3 consecutive games. Set pieces key today in difficult conditions

CONDITIONS
Cold, sunny and strong wind. Pitch looked greener and in better condition but quite dry in parts and a bit bobbly.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Resolute defending particularly late on, worked tirelessly and asked questions with some decisive moves.

TURNING POINT
Bolton miss by Lee was not pivotal but phycological factor right on half time

THE MATCH
County made a few changes with Mickey Demetriou injured, Priestly Farquharson came into the side and David Longe-King replaced Joe Ledley who was on the bench. County also made a change up front with Nicky Maynard replacing Padraig Amond who was substitute. County had the benefit off the wind first half and made a positive start with Shepherd prominent with a run right side and his early cross was held at the second attempt by Bolton keeper Gilks. Bolton were not happy to sit back and went close on 4 minutes from a decisive move right side involving right back Jones who threaded a pass into Isgrove. He clipped over a decent cross which was in-swinging and pinpointed Doyle who struck a deft volley onto the bar from 8 yards. County went immediately on the attack with a move right side and won a throw in right side of the area. Farquharson launched a long throw into the 6 yard box which appeared to deceive and the loose clearance was met by Maynard who hit an excellent shot on the turn from 10 yard forcing Gilks to tip over the bar. County wing back Lewis and Shepherd were lively and they worked some neat quick passes to ask questions off Bolton especially right side with Baptiste forced into some untidy clearances. On 8 minutes, a bright County move right side saw Maynard chance his arm with a shot from 30 yards which Gilks read low into right corner. Bolton elected to play long into the wind and a couple of balls caught County out somewhat with Doyle ghosting into some decent positions. On 10 minutes, Bolton created a good break on the counter with Isgrove again prominent cutting back a cross right side of the area and former Welsh u21 full back Declan John meeting the ball with a first time effort left corner of the area which was well blocked by Longe-Kinge. Bolton persisted with the right side with right back Jones pushing up high and another cross on 12 minutes to the front post was met by Lee but his effort under pressure drifted wide of the right post. County responded with some good moves right side which unsettled Bolton and County worked some penetrative moves which Bolton managed to scurry away. On 18 minutes, County won a free kick right side after good work by Maynard coaxed an untidy challenge from Williams. Sheehan took the free kick from about 35 yards and with the wind behind he curled a decent low effort which Gilks held in left corner. Both sides remained positive with County have some opportunities to break and exploit gaps. On 25 minutes, Bolton were given a warning when Sheehan broke from deep with a piercing run through the middle. He threaded a good pass to feet to find Maynard who carried a strong run across goal and had an opportunity to shoot but some delay allowed Baptiste to get an interception in. County were close to breaking the deadline on 27 minutes when Lewis did well to manufacture some space left side of the area and an early cross to the front post was well anticipated by Taylor. He span off a challenge by Santos but his effort was blocked by as Santos recovered well to divert the danger. County were rewarded with a couple of corners right side which Dolan delivered well but Bolton managed to do enough to squash the danger. Bolton were close on 37 minutes when Thomason was quickest to pick up a ball left side of the area after a corner right side was overplayed. He adjusted before striking a decent effort over the bar from 25 yards. Bolton gained some confidence pressing up higher and some charity by County on 40 minutes saw Sheehan play a dangerous back pass near the edge of the area. Lee did well to snap up the loose ball and cut back a cross near the right byline which Doyle got to ahead of Dolan but his effort was stabbed wide of the left post from 10 yards. Bolton had a great opportunity to go ahead on 42 minutes when Jones drove forward right side after an overlapping run and his cross right side of the area invited Lee to poke the effort home from just inside the 6 yard box but he couldn’t keep the effort on target. Bolton kept pressing and Bennett was forced into a clumsy challenge on Igrove in first half injury time as he was about to counter right side. Bennett was booked but the free kick by Bolton was well claimed by Townsend.

County made a tactical change at half time with Collins coming on for Longe-King as County reverted to a 4–3–3 formation with Collins wide right attacking role and Bennett slotting into central defence. Playing into the wind, County made some good in-roads left side with Lewis working well and Maynard was quick to benefit when his snapshot on the turn left side was deflected for a corner. County were effective down the right side with Bolton showing some signs of decisive clearing the danger. On 50 minutes, Collins did well to anger a run right side of the area and direct a low cross which forced Santos to clear ahead of Taylor. On 55 minutes, Collins drove into an even better position near the right byline but he under hit the cross somewhat allowing Baptiste to mop up the danger. County were forced into a change on the hour with Farquharson not recovering from an early knock and he was replaced by Ledley who went into central midfield with Bennett dropping in central defence. County kept plugging away offering plenty of energy and closing down Bolton quickly into some passing errors. On 63 minutes, the intensity paid dividends after Kee handled the ball right side of the area. Dolan whipped in a vicious delivery which ricocheted off Santos forcing Gilks to parry away in the right corner. Maynard pounced on the loose ball firing home from an acute angle into the left corner. County were energised by the goal and another bright move on 67 minutes saw Shephard time his run well and direct a deeper cross which Bolton managed to get to safe. Bolton made a triple change on 72 minutes with Afolayan, Maddison and Elbouzedi for Delfouneso, Isgrove and Williams with them shifting tact to mirror County with 4–3–3. Bolton gained some better control of the ball in the final 15 minutes with Afolayan offering an outlet left side with pace and dribbling. On 75 minutes, Afolayan set up a half chance left side of the area when he linked to find John but his effort from 18 yards was dragged wide of the left post. With Bolton committed to push on, County had a chance to kill the game on 80 minutes when a direct pass right side hung up on the wind and Labadie stole the ball ahead of Lee. He dinked a pass over the top to find Maynard who blasted an early shot just inside the area which Gilks saved well in the right corner. County made a change on 82 minutes replacing Maynard with Ellison who went left channel with Taylor going into the middle. Bolton kept probing away with Elbouzedi and Afolayan offering width. On 85 minutes, Maddison was close when he turned inside from the right channel and struck an opportunist effort from 30 yards which flashed just wide of the left post. Afolayan continued to cause problems with his direct runs left and Bolton went close on 87 minutes when his cross cut back was met by Elbouzedi who directed an effort wide of the left post. County kept working the right side well with Collins offering a good outlet but he was booked for kicking the ball away moments later when the ball was overrun in the right corner. County worked some good moves to retain possession and run down the clock with Collins and Taylor working well in tandem. The five minutes of injury time was frantic with Bolton pressing and Labadie was booked on 90+3 minutes for a late challenge on Maddison in the middle of the pitch. In the final minutes, John swept over a decent cross right of the area which Baptiste stole in to head at the back post which Townsend blocked with his legs. In the scramble that followed on the goaline, Bennett and Shepherd did well and Townsend reacted well to smother the ball. County held out for a determined but deserved and much needed victory given the circumstances.

Townsend (8) — put under pressure with some back passes and got majority of kicks safe using the flanks well. Showed safe hands under pressure and made important save at the death

Farquharson (7) — had a solid game until he was forced off. Dominated the aerial duals and dealt well with Delfouneso marking tight and denied space to cross quickly.

Lewis (7) — forced to play more reserved and put under some pressure first half by Isgrove. Adjusted well and made some good interventions distributing well second half.

Longe-King (6) — won some strong headers and cleared effectively. Showed thought with his passes but overplayed on times in wind but replaced at half time by:

Collins (7) — did a good job offering outlet right side to force John back and unsettle Baptiste. Held ball better under pressure especially late on using choice of passes effectively.

Shephard (8) — broke up play early and distributed well using wind effectively. Delivered some excellent crosses and did well to get around ball quickly to divert danger on late Bolton chance.

Dolan (7) — read game very well, saw less of the ball but competed winning some good headers and delivered some useful set pieces not least on the winning goal.

Labadie (7) — was dynamic coming forward to set up some good chances and did little wrong apart from late booking. Won some brave headers and was neater and more relaxed with passing.

Sheehan (7) — picked battles well pushed on to exploit space when invited and went close with a couple of shots from distance. Made few mistakes but needs to take more care with back passes.

Bennett (7) — timed challenges well particularly when he went deeper second half. Had a couple of chance in and around area but delayed shot. Made some key interceptions late in the game.

Maynard (8) — best game in County shirt, combined well with Labadie, had several shots before getting his reward through anticipation. Worked hard to close down centre backs which was key

Taylor (7) — improved game today, shielded ball better under pressure and won some good headers with alertness to get across defender. Neat link play but restricted on clear-cut chances

Strengths — they worked wide areas well and put in some decent crosses by overlapping or flooding areas out wide. Centre back decent in the air and prowess on crosses.

Weaknesses — both full backs left gaps and centre back were indecisive clearing on times. Baptiste very right footed. Lazy on times electing to play long rather than work moves.

Opportunities — they were organised getting wide players involved especially right side and late changes maintained momentum and some better possession for a time.
Threats — Jones and Isgrove crosses right side. Doyle shots on target inside area. Lee effectively passed ball well in transition. Afolayan pace and trickery left side late on

OFFICIALS

G Salisbury (7) — was consistent with approach and got key decisions right. Failed to blow up a few times allowing an advantage that was not there but read game well in general.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nicky Maynard — County don’t have a ginger Pele perhaps like Bolton but Maynard was a nuisance not letting defence settle and showed his capability today to take glimmer of a chance.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County had to adjust without Demetriou and they did this pretty well also coping with injuries enforced the match managing the game well. Bolton were persistent with attacking down their right side but County pretty much blocked this out second half and did a lot of good work off the ball, particularly second half, that enabled them to assert their own game better. The key was the timing and alertness today with Labadie and Maynard on the same wavelength and County clamped down on the Bolton centre backs well forcing them into some hurried passes. County were more decisive either side of the Bolton area and put in more quality with some earlier crosses which were effective. Collins had a decent game when he came as well showing some maturity to hold the ball better under pressure and work gaps with his energy right side. County showed composure today under some pressure to get a result and will know going forward that the first goal at Rodney Parade is going to be key and they just need to make sure they get that goal in the final games. Next up is Mansfield Town away this Friday and County will need to adjust without Maynard with Mansfield being his parent club. They have been struggling for goals lately and are likely to play 442 diamond formation with Lapslie key link box to box with late runs to box a threat. Lowery will offer an aerial outlet up which County need to squash quickly. County need to keep the ball low and sharp as this one could be a war of attrition they have the legs on Mansfield but also key they press their centre back Sweeney and Rawson into mistakes.