Late changes costing points

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Bogle 72)

Grimsby Town 1 (Rose 78)

Attendance: 3,809

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LDWLWdLDLW

Grimsby Town LLDWWDDLLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Another 3 game week has made it a tough week for County while Grimsby will be fresh with no game mid-week. Grimsby have been energised under new manager David Artell so key they match their work ethic.

CONDITIONS

Cloudy, some little drizzle and slight breeze. Pitch was slick on top but kept condition well.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Worked hard to match Grimsby and got deserved goal but lost momentum finishing weakly

TURNING POINT

Grimsby equaliser gave them lift and they bossed game late on.

THE MATCH

County retained faith with same starting side that won at Barnet mid-week in the FA Cup. County made a solid start to the game penetrating well inside the Grimsby half and won an early corner on 2 minutes right side. The short corner was worked neatly by Wildig finding Morris with a late run but his shot seemed to deflect off Clarke taking the sting out of the shot and the keeper Cartwright claimed easily. Grimsby were keen to work the ball out slowly from deep with keeper Cartwright initiating some intricate moves left side with left back Driscoll-Glennon probing and some early crosses which were well stifled by County. Gnahoua made some strong runs right side which were tracked well by McCloughlin but County were struggling to for cohesion to counter allowing Grimsby to build some momentum. On 10 minutes, following a good spell by Grimsby Gnahoua was again forceful right side of the area and cut back a decent cross which Clifton latched onto unmarked but his first time effort from 14 yards was well blocked by Clarke. Grimsby continued to play slowly from deep working some gaps but County responded with some more aggressive pressing in the middle of the pitch which yielded more threat. On 15 minutes, County had a great chance to take the lead from their first real opportunity following a corner right side by McCloughlin. He pinpointed Delaney who was free back post and his downward header was blocked by Conteh. Morris was quick to seize the loose ball left side of the area and dink back a decent across which caught Grimsby sleeping and County had three players unmarked back-post close to the ball but Clarke taking an extra touch allowed Driscoll-Glennon to divert the shot. From the resulting corner right side McCloughlin again caused problem for the Grimsby defence with his delivery with the loose clearance that fell kindly to Bennett inside the “d” but his low shot was wide of the left post. Grimsby made efforts to pick up their game again using Rose as an outlet to take care of the ball with County forcing them more direct they were less effective. On 28 minutes, in a purple patch for County, Bogle did well to take care of the ball high up the pitch and turn coaxing Maher into a clumsy challenge. Bogle took the free kick but his effort was scooped narrowly over the bar. County kept probing away with some neater possession through middle and top thirds of the pitch forcing some untidy free kicks from Grimsby. On 30 minutes, County had another decent chance following a free kick right side which Grimsby struggled to head clear. Delaney won a towering header near the edge of the area which looped goalside and Bogle shot on the turn from 12 yards was parried well by Cartwright. Grimsby persisted with their moves from deep which they constructed well with some good movement to test County but the defence remained focussed stifling the danger. On 40 minutes, a quick break by Grimsby saw Gnahoua get outside McClouglin and cut back a cross which Clifton picked up on quickly and he set up a snapshot for Eisa who couldn’t keep his shot on the turn from 12 yards on target. County created a good move from deep on 43 minutes stifling a Grimsby move right side and McCloughlin released a precise low pass for Palmer-Houlden who drove goalside left corner of the area. He directed a decent shot but Conteh recovered to make an important intervention with the Grimsby defence exposed. Grimsby worked some patient low moves as half approached but the closest they came was low shot from 20 yards by Clifton which Townsend saved into the right corner.

The early stages of the second half were passive with neither side in control of the game. County opted for some long balls to test Grimsby which Palmer-Houlden showed an appetite to chase down but he was thwarted with a couple of marginal offside calls. Grimsby were happy to take risk to push up high which saw County have less time to play in the middle and some of the cohesion went out of their game. On 55 minutes, County broke the press with a slick move right side with Payne releasing Bogle right side of the area. He cut back an excellent cross into the six yard box which Palmer-Houlden anticipated superbly and was unfortunate to see his shot crash against the bar. Bogle retrieved the loose ball right side of the area and cut inside right corner of the box and he low powerful effort fizzed just wide of the right post with the keeper scrambling across to save. From the resulting corner by McCoughlin the half clearance invited Morris to shoot first time but his effort was wide and high and wide of the left post. Payne grew into the game with some forceful supporting runs right side and got in a decent position right side of the area on 60 minutes but he scuffed his effort wide of the right post when well positioned. Grimsby reverted to playing from the back again to coax County high up and they worked some decent moves from deep with County slow to close down in tandem. On 62 minutes, County were given a warning when Grimsby worked a move right side from deep with Eisa threading a pass to the right back Mullarkey right side of the area. He adjusted but his snapshot was high and wide of the left post. Then on 65 minutes, another Grimsby move from deep was worked right side with Rodgers finding Gnahoua near the right touchline. With McCloughlin uncertain whether to press or hold his position the cross cut back for Clifton invited him to shoot right corner but the effort went wide of the left post. County kept pressing the right buttons right side with Payne bold with his runs. On 72 minutes, County got their reward with Payne the instigator right side of the area finding a chink of light to dink over a dangerous cross which flashed deep. McCloughlin did well to snap of possession and a neat quick combination with Palmer Houlden released him near the left byline and his low cross was stabbed home by Bogle inside the six yard box. Grimsby rang some changes on 76 minutes with Hoolahan and Green replacing Hunt and Conteh. County appeared to have Evans changed before their goal but the substitution was put on the back burner. On 78 minutes, County had a half chance when a corner left side by Wildig was well anticipated by Bennett at the back post but his header was wide of right post when he should have worked the keeper. Moments later, Grimsby broke quickly right side with Hoolahan finding space right side following a quick one two with Green. His cross near the touchline into the six yard was precise and Rose won the race ahead of Baker poking home past Townsend. County finally made their first change on 82 minutes with Evans coming on for Baker who appeared to be carrying a knock. County were forced to put Bennett in defence and sat increasingly deep in the final stages with Grimsby dictating proceedings. On 85 minutes, a snappy Grimsby move right side saw Rose turn provider right side of the area with the County defence ball watching Hoolahan blasted a powerful effort just over the bar. On 86 minutes, County made another change with Charsley coming on for Wildig but Grimsby kept the pressure on in the final stages. On 88 minutes, County had the ball in a decent position left side but failure to get the ball moving, allowed Green to pinch the ball and shift the ball from right to left and find Rose. He carried a strong run left side near the edge of the area and blasted a decent effort which Townsend reacted well to parry around the left post. Grimsby made another change soon after with Eisa sacrificed for Ainley. County were struggling to maintain the possession with some tired passes and with Grimsby pushed on their were opportunities on the break in the 7 minutes of injury time. On 90+2 minutes, Grimsby won a corner right side which Driscoll-Glennon looped in towards the back post which Rodgers stretched to head but Townsend was again alert saving low in the left corner. County then had Bogle booked on 90+4 minutes for a late challenge on Maher after not taking care of the ball. Grimsby forced late pressure but County had a chance to punish them on 90+8 minutes when they broke from deep and some smart low play by Evans and Bogle coaxed Maher into a free kick in dangerous position near the “d”. Bogle took the kick and had Palmer-Houlden in space left side to part the wall but he blasted an effort low into the wall which was well blocked but the rebound was fired well over. The game ended level with Grimsby forcing some disjointed and County clutching dearly onto a point at the end.

Townsend (7) — kicked well especially under pressure and directed some excellent long kicks which should have been lapped up in behind. Stood tall to make a couple of important saves late on.

Payne (7) — got passes worked around him too easily first half but showed some maturity with better decision making. Won some good tackles and useful crosses especially in the lead up to the goal

McCloughlin (6) — put under pressure by Gnahoua and forced deeper. Did make some sporadic runs from deep but crosses were too hopeful. Did better when got to the byline and set up goal well

Delaney (7) — strong with his headers and made some good runs left side to make things happen. Went close several times back post again. Got caught behind the play on the goal

Clarke (6) — had a solid first half and broke up play quickly but got rushed into some hurried clearances second half. Needs to impose himself more on set pieces in aerial duals.

Baker (6) — did well in the aerial duals and limited threat by Eisa left side. Got caught out on the goal letting Rose get across and replaced soon after in collision during the goal

Wildig (6) — looked leggy after recent games and never really got into advanced areas. Delivered some good set pieces and should have been replaced earlier.

Morris (7) — pick of midfield, passes well and was intelligent with his positioning. Went close several times in around the box and provided some excellent crosses wide of the area which deserved more

Bennett (6) — had a decent first half , passed well but faded after half time having limited effect second half. Too slow to the ball especially on the equaliser when he got sucked in allowing move right side.

Bogle (7) — did his best to recycle and link play and when he had supporting legs and was able to limit touches, best moves went through him. Took chance well and went close with a couple of free kicks.

Palmer-Houlden (6) — most effective from low moves left side and runs back post to get on cross. blowing hot and cold, with poor touch letting him down second half and should have been replaced.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Grimsby Town)

Strengths — composed and had nerve to pass from deep when invited and cohesive moves final third. Defenders recovered well several times when turned back

Weaknesses — gave away several free kicks in dangerous areas, left room back post several times and got beaten in aerial duals. Slow passing out but got away with it today.

Opportunities — set their stall out to play on the counter when County got press wrong. Went direct on times with little effect but persistency with crosses salvaged late goal.

Threats — Gnahoua strong dribbling, Clifton eye for a shot and killer pass. Driscoll-Glennon crosses and set pieces. Best moves went through Rose

OFFICIALS

T Nield (8) — made game flow well and offered advantage when he could. Ignored some of the pulling and holding down but got the key decision right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Arthur Gnahoua — gave Grimsby an outlet right side demanding ball and best moves went that side. Caused problems throughout with his pace and movement

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County performed much better than in the last home match against Barnet but the same pattern evolved and the reluctance to make changes earlier impaired any chance of 3 points today. Evans was being warmed up before the County goal and should have been brought on after the goal but then came indecision which is costing County points. The bench was decent today so there was no excuse not to trust it and use it in the circumstances and by the end County were hanging on by a thread. County took care of the ball well for 60 minutes and when they got their press firing correctly it forced Grimsby longer and they were made to look much more ordinary. When County got it right as they did at Barnet Tuesday they caused problems. Instead, Grimsby were able to slice several moves from deep playing a number of phases with too many players caught in between ball watching. There were a number of positives with the patterns of play whilst the energy and tempo was kept high and County worked several good crosses back post but their execution of first time shots in around the box needs improving. Payne had a good game today which was important with McCloughlin forced deeper and will need to replicate that kind of form in the next match away at Wrexham. The hosts have adapted well to life in League Two despite having an ageing defence, they use their experience well and get their technicians higher up the pitch to effect the game and lock the ball in. Wrexham are likely to play 3–5–2 with their best intelligent moves going through Lee and McClean who work well in tandem left side and Mendy offering pace right side to provide crosses. County need to stay compact, offer variety with their passes and not be afraid to play direct to test indecision in behind between stand in keeper Howard and the centre backs.