Improved second half rescues some pride back for County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Telford pen 82)

Mansfield Town 1 (Pask own goal 68)

Attendance: 3,956

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LDLWWWWLLD

Mansfield Town WWLWWWWDWd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Mansfield have surged up the league being unbeaten since November. Expect their full backs to push high so key County block the channels and isolate their centre backs in transition.

CONDITIONS
Sunny spells, mild and gusty wind. Pitch in excellent condition after the storms and slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Passive first half allowed Mansfield to dictate possession but offered more urgency and passion to force issue late on

TURNING POINT
Half time changes and sending off made County stronger.

THE MATCH
County were forced into a change in midfield with Oliver Cooper absent and he was replaced by Jake Cain. There was a surprise change with Norman sacrificed to the bench in place of Aaron Lewis who went right back. Despite the benefit of the wind, County started indecisively overplaying several passes which ran out either side of the area allowing Mansfield to seek the initiative. County had to deal with some direct play with the Stags wasting little time to shift the ball long from deep with former Burton striker Lucas Atkins offering strength to hold the ball up top. Mansfield settled into their rhythm with Newport United loan Matt Longstaff coordinating some good low moves from deep. Mansfield were most cutting attacking right side and low move angled right side of the area on 8 minutes saw Clarke cut back a decent cross which Longstaff latched onto but his low effort from 12 yards was held well by Townsend. County made efforts to construct passes through the middle but their game was impaired by poor cohesion and meek retention up top. Mansfield worked hard to close down and snap up possession and with the encouragement County offered from untidy passing allowing them to break from the middle of the pitch. On 13 minutes, another snappy Mansfield move into the wind saw Atkins well placed to fend off a challenge from Dolan and he caressed a pass back to Longstaff who picked out Quinn in space but his snapshot from 16 yards was well blocked by Pask. County had a chance out of the blue on 15 minutes when Townsend launched a quick direct kick from inside his own area which Baker-Richardson glanced on well ahead of O’Toole and Telford ghosted in down the left side of the area but his effort from an acute angle went into the side netting. Despite being forced back, County gained some confidence with some sporadic breaks when Mansfield moves in wide areas broke down. On 20 minutes, County had a decent situation which they squandered when a quick through ball right was latched onto by Cain right side of the area and he had options to cross or shoot first time but delayed and ending up running the ball out for a goal kick. Mansfield continued to probe away with cohesive moves into the wind using Atkins as a battering ram and with County allowing him to turn to easily on times, they found themselves on the back-foot winning some corners which were hooked away. County were given another warning on 25 minutes defending a long ball by Mansfield right side very poorly. Clarke stole in right side and he cut back a decent cross near the flank despite some pressure from Haynes finding the late run of Maris but he scooped over from 12 yards which he should have worked the keeper. County had a presentable chance to take the lead on the half hour when they were more decisive in the build up with a slick move through the middle involving Azaz and Telford. He clipped an excellent ball in behind for Baker-Richardson who raced towards the edge of the area and with Mansfield keeper Bishop committed off this line he lofted his shot over just over the bar. Mansfield remained bold with their full backs pushing and Hewitt influencing some decent moves right side. On 32 minutes, Mansfield worked low move from deep with County ball watching and reluctant to close down. Longstaff combined well with Hewitt to cross right side of the area and Quinn was well placed but he stabbed his volley from 12 yards just over the bar. County became more threatening left side using the ball better in transition and making the ball stick and they won a corner on 35 minutes. Cain took the corner which dropped deep falling to Azaz who had a good opportunity to strike a first time effort from 14 yards but his shot was dragged just wide of the left post. Mansfield remained on top as half time approached despite some of the energy in the build dropping Atkins continued to cause problems pinching the ball with Dolan and Pask slow to make their clearances. On 43 minutes, Stirk stole the ball left side of the area and Clarke had time to address a shot left side of the area which was well blocked by Bennett.

County shook things up at half time with two changes that saw Dolan replaced by Willmott and Norman on for Haynes. County adjusted to 4–4–2 mirroring the Mansfield shape and Norman went right back with Lewis switching to left back. County worked a decent move on 48 minutes restricting the number of passes when Lewis found Telford left side in space. He cut back an excellent splitting pass finding Baker-Richardson in space between Mansfield centre backs O’Toole and Hawkins. He had an opportunity to shoot but some delay allowed Mansfield to recover but slipped a pass back to Telford but his snapshot from 25 yards was blocked well by Hawkins. From the resulting corner right side by Willmott which hung up nicely in a deep position Bennett directed his header from 8 yard just over the bar. Mansfield continued to gamble in wide pushing left back McLaughlin in advance positions but County blocked it out well. On 55 minutes, County were thwarted by a somewhat contentious offside when they worked a smart low move left side with Lewis pinpointing a strong run by Telford but was adjudged to be offside when about to cross. County had an even better chance on 60 minutes when they broke up play well through the middle through Cain who found Baker-Richardson who slipped a neat low pass for Azaz to chase down left side. He was invited forward into space with Hewitt tracking back but somewhat rashly hit his low shot early from 25 yards which Bishop claimed comfortably. Mansfield kept persisting left side and got their reward on 68 minutes from a somewhat fortuitous goal when Stirk held up play well to cut back a pass to McLaughlin and drilled a low opportunist effort from 25 yards which deflected off Pask and flatfooted Townsend going into the net. County made efforts to pick up the pace of their game with Willmott doing well to coordinate some intelligent moves right side and Mansfield were forced deeper defending some crosses inside their area. County won a couple of long throws right side of the box which Mansfield managed to hook to safety. County kept knocking the door and the game turned on 74 minutes when they won a throw in right side which they wanted to get on with. Baker-Richardson retrieved the ball but Mansfield centre back O’Toole held him back and become involved in an altercation putting Baker-Richardson in a neck lock. In the melee that followed, Baker-Richardson was shown a yellow card and Hawkins was booked for dissent contesting the decision. Mansfield made a substitution straight after to mitigate the handicap bringing on centre back Rawson for Maris and County responded with Waite on for Cain. County continued to push the right buttons with Mansfield forced to deeper and Willmott and Norman worked well in tandem right side to provide crosses. On 80 minutes a rare break by Mansfield them win a corner left side and with County struggling to clear their lines Longstaff stabbed a hopeful effort from 25 yards wide of the right post. Moments later, County worked a good low move to stretch Mansfield about and cut back a cross right side towards Bennett who drilled a powerful first time effort just inside the box which struck Hawkins outstretched hand and the referee awarded a penalty. Telford took responsibility with a well struck low effort left side with the keeper going the wrong way. Mansfield made another change soon after with Longstaff replaced by Bowery who went up top with Stirk dropping back in midfield and Quinn was replaced by Wallace who caused some commotion delaying his exit from the pitch which didn’t go to well with the County supporters. On 85 minutes, Mansfield were on knife edge when left back McLaughlin was booked for jumping into a challenge on Norman near the right touchline. County kept pressing having a couple of shots blocked in and around the area but looked more threatening when they made direct runs at the Mansfield defence. On 87 minutes, County were close when a precise low move on the face of the area invited a snapshot from Waite inside the “d” which was deflected wide of the right post by Hawkins. On 90 minutes, Norman did well to get outside McLaughlin near the right byline and cut back a decent cross front post which Telford reacted well to, only for his shot on the turn to blocked well Clarke. Mansfield made efforts to get forward on the counter and won a free kick right channel on 90+3 minutes. Stirk whipped in a decent cross which Hawkins rose well on back post but his effort from 10 yards was wide of the left post. County kept forcing the issue with Lewis ballooning his effort over the bar well over and were close to the winner on 90+5 minutes with Demetriou thrashing an excellent low effort from 25 yards inches wide of the right post. Mansfield held out for a deserved point overall with County reflecting on not putting another side with ten men to the sword.

Townsend (7) — kicked well under pressure and initiated best moves from deep with quick distribution. Made a couple of smart low saves and handling was secure.

Lewis (7) — tenacious and filled in to do a decent job showing versality to play left and right side. Threaded some good passes to Telford second half and went close with a couple of shots

Haynes (5) — never really tested Hewitt and indecisiveness killing his impact on times. Allowed to much freedom on crosses and easily bullied, needs to show more teeth and replace by:

Norman (7) — disciplined, dealt well with McLaughlin limiting threat and crept forward into useful positions to provide crosses near byline

Demetriou (7) — didn’t have his own way in the air but read game well knowing when to get tight and drop off. Made some good clearances when turned back and deserved a goal.

Dolan (5) — struggling in three man defence, slow to react and given problems in their air by Aitkins. Got caught in possession several times and replaced at half time by:

Willmott (7) — worked well with Norman keeping tempo of moves ticking over and picked his runs well to provide some decent crosses and useful direct runs with ball at feet.

Pask (6) — struggled to deal with Aitkins on times and allowed him to turn off challenges. Made some important tackles and passed well when he did it early but needs to sharpen up distribution.

Azaz (7) — struggled to settle and impact first half but still offered threat in centre when County went straighter with passes. Better decisions with shooting would have sent Mansfield packing.

Bennett (6) — firefighting for large parts first half, won aerial duals and key tackles but let down with some loose passes. Did well pushing up to get pen with bold shot and needs to do it more.

Cain (6) — frustrating game, never really got to force play final third and when did get forward took wrong decisions. Kept working off the ball and found more space later in game.

Telford (7) — had scraps to feed off first half and little ammunition inside box. Needs quicker ball into area and early cross to profit. Did best work turning provider with great vision on passes.

Baker-Richardson (6) — worked hard off ball to unsettle centre backs and won some good headers but control and link play untidy. Missed decent chance that should have been buried first half.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — composed control passing through the lines and full backs pushed on well to effect game first half. Took care of the ball final third and recovered well when County got in behind.

Weaknesses — full backs decent going forward but invited space and better sides would have punished them. Both centre backs poor touch and passing when pressed and prone to indiscipline

Opportunities — played largely direct first half into wind using Aitkens as a battering ram and only really played in County half. Got forced deeper and deeper as game progressed

Threats — Aitkens main outlet bringing in other threats, McLaughlin crosses left side, Clarke and Quinn eye for a shot, Maris late runs box to box.

OFFICIALS

W Finnie (7) — was keen to let game flow and clamped down on back chat. Got the sending off spot on but penalty looked 50 50

MAN OF THE MATCH

Matt Longstaff — showed premiership pedigree with quick mind and rarely wasted a pass and defended well. Best moves went through him going close with a few shots edge of the area.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were forced into a couple of changes and with Norman reportedly suffering from a slight knock, they never really looked balanced first half and needed more from Haynes left side but instead allowed Mansfield to build momentum somewhat cheaply down their weaker right side. County edged their way slowly into the game but by that point they could have been two down such was the possession they conceded. The half time changes made a big difference with Dolan continuing to struggle in a three man defence and with Bennett off the pace, Mansfield always had the edge with the crisp sharpness of passing they had final third. County need to make a choice in either playing Bennett or Dolan as they look too laboured with both in the side. To their credit, they responded very well to the challenge second half and will be kicking themselves a bit for not punishing Mansfield after they lost their discipline. County can profit if they improve the sharpness with the delivery of crosses and get quicker ball into Telford and Baker-Richardson in the next couple of games. Next up is Tranmere Rovers and a chance of the first double. County ground out a very patient 1–0 win at Tranmere working an ageing squad into areas they found uncomfortable. Tranmere are likely to play a 4–4–2 system with conventional width and work crosses with Morris an outlet right side. They have made a couple of new signings in the window, up top with Glatzel runs off Hemmings needing to be tracked. This is not likely to be one for the purists with Tranmere missing the finesse of Spearing in the middle County can expect a lot of the ball in the air. They will need to deal with direct ball quicker and turn defence into attack to shift Tranmere about and work them into submission.