Late winner puts County into mid-table pack

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Eco Power Stadium

Doncaster Rovers 0

Newport County 1(Palmer-Houlden 90+3)

Attendance: 5,899

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County LDLWDLWDDD

Doncaster Rovers WLWdLLLDWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Doncaster have introduced some new signings and County have made some changes to give fringe players opportunities to impress. County need to stay compact and offer more quality final third

CONDITIONS

Cold, sunny with light breeze. Pitch was in excellent position but a little slow on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Resilient team performance, had spells with the ball and under the cosh but kept belief late on to pinch win.

TURNING POINT

Triple County change second half gave shifted momentum back.

THE MATCH

County freshened the side with three players sacrificed to the bench with Payne replaced by Lewis who went left back with McCloughlin reverting to left wing back. There was another change in midfield with Waite introduced for Charsley and Rai taking the place of Palmer-Houlden up front. County settled well with some thoughtful low moves and supplying some neat crosses to test the Doncaster defence. Doncaster were less tactful in the early stages helping some direct balls in behind to test County which untroubled the defence. Doncaster were keen to use width with Waters left side offering an outlet and Molyneux eager right side to chase down the long ball. On 10 minutes, County created a decent opportunity following a free kick right side just inside the Doncaster half. Morris lofted a neat delivery right side of the area which was read well by Evans and he shot on the turn from 12 yards was deflected for a corner by Craig. Following the corner right side, Morris delivered a useful cross back post which Delaney directed back into the area and Clarke poked home from 6 yards but was adjusted offside which looked marginal. County gained confidence from their early pressure with Lewis influencing some good moves left side to make crosses into the area but Doncaster remained focussed clearing effectively. Doncaster persisted with some direct moves through the middle overplaying some passes which went straight back to Townsend in the County goal. Doncaster edged their way into the game creating some more threat right side with Close and Molyneux showing a good understanding. On 22 minutes, Close stole forward to support a move right side and cut back a decent cross right side of the area which Waters met under pressure from Clarke met his header from 8 yards untroubled Townsend. County kept pressing the right buttons advancing well into positions either side of the 18 yard box with McCloughlin coming into the game right side but the crosses were played low and cleared front post by Doncaster. On 28 minutes, Doncaster worked a decent chance when a cross field cross went towards the back post and Ironside cut back a decent cross into the six yard box but Clarke did well to prevent Waters and the danger was cleared. County continued to enjoy a foothold right side forcing left back Rowe into some hurried clearances. Despite Molyneux seeing more of the ball right side, County shackled the danger well and some frustration some him booked on 33 minutes for kicking the ball away when a decision went the other way. On 38 minutes, Doncaster worked a decent move right side with new signing Broadbent threaded a pass inside for Molyneux right side of the box and his low shot was parried around the right post by Townsend. On 42 minutes, County won a free kick right side in good position to threaten and Morris floated the cross into the area and Delaney collided with the keeper Jones and had to receive some treatment before continuing. With Doncaster showing more sharpness as half time approach, County had Morris in the booked on 45+1 minutes when County squandered a chance to break and losing possession he mistimed a tackle on Broadbent. On 45+5 minutes, Doncaster were close from a set piece right side which Molyneux delivered into the six yard box and Ironside was denied by Townsend from close range and Bailey dragged the rebound wide of the left post from an acute angle.

County made a change at half time with Lewis replaced by Payne who went right wing back and McClouglin swapping to left wing back. Doncaster kept up their pressure with Broadbent orchestrating some good moves and a long ball on 47 minutes was latched onto by Waters. He cut inside and blasted a low hopeful shot which was well held by Townsend. County worked to deny space with Rai and Evans closing down well but County struggled for cohesion through the middle with Doncaster limiting time on the ball. On 55 minutes, County played them at their own game counter pressing well right side and Morris slipped a pass for Payne right side of the area but his cross lacked precision going straight into the arms of the keeper. On 58 minutes, County made a triple change with Waite replaced by Charsley, Wildig on for Bennett and Palmer-Houlden on for Rai. The change energised County into a better spell of possession. On 60 minutes, County had a decent situation moving to the ball from right to left with Wildig finding McClouglin. He adjusted well and dinked a deeper more thoughtful cross finding Evans but his shot from an acute angle was thrashed into the side netting. Doncaster continued to probe away with Close looking for some runs in behind but County held firm and Baker had to receive treatment after tangling with Ironside defending a move left side. Doncaster made a double substitution on 65 minutes with Biggins and Hurst replacing Broadbent and Waters. Doncaster went more direct in the final stages of the game using Ironside to stem some moves further up the pitch and getting their full backs to push higher. County held firm and had options to punish in transition with McCloughlin and Payne advancing with some well timed runs but the crosses lacked precision and Doncaster cleared the danger. On 75 minutes, County were forced to replace Baker after struggling to recover from his knock and brought on Wood who went up front with County adjusting to 4–3–3. Doncaster were keen to get on the front-foot and County had Wildig booked on 77 minutes when some indecision in midfield saw him get to the wrong side and tangle with Biggins. Doncaster worked their best chance of the game on 77 minutes when a quick move right side saw Molyneux chip a pass forward which caught County napping and as the ball sat up invitingly for Ironside his first time volley from 20 yards was tipped over the bar by Townsend. On 85 minutes, County had a great chance on the break when a Doncaster move broke down left side. Left back Rowe was left exposed and Wildig did well to release Evans right side of the area. He had the opportunity to shoot but elected to cross into the area and McGrath cleared the danger. On 87 minutes, Doncaster had a half chance switching play well from right to left and Hurst cut inside but the low shot was from 20 yards was comfortably held by Townsend. Doncaster made some late changes on 90+1 minutes with Taylor and Carty replacing Molyneux and Craig. County kept plugging away right side with Payne busy supporting moves and winning some throws right side of the area. On 90+3 minutes, County got their reward when a quick throw was worked between Payne and Wood. Payne did well to manufacture some space in the right corner providing a vicious low cross into the six yard box and Palmer-Houlden stole in past Taylor to volley low into the left corner. Doncaster applied some late pressure forcing County to defend deeply and Townsend dealt well with some crosses thrown in. On 90+6 minutes, Doncaster had a half chance following a cross, but Bailey could only direct his header wide of the left post from 10 yards under pressure from Clarke. County held out to gain an important win despite the ten minutes of injury time added and distance themselves more from the lower reaches of the league.

Townsend (8) — kicked well under pressure and was neat with distribution. Made a couple of vital saves at key moments and remained alert under pressure from crosses.

Lewis (6) — made a good impression first half and added some balance and quality from crosses left side but was a little lax closing down crosses from Molyneux and replaced by:

Payne (7) — had deal with some pressure early in second half from direct play but adjusted well growing into the game and was dynamic with his runs. Provided a great cross for the winner.

McCloughlin (7) — defended well throughout, limited threat first half and got into good positions but crosses lacked venom. did well again switching sides and clever with supporting runs in transition.

Baker (6) — switched off one or two long balls allowing ball to drop. Won some strong headers and robust tackles clearing danger and got a knock after brave challenge.

Delaney (7) — dealt well with direct play and stifled Ironside runs well and dominated the aerial duals. Coped well after knock and getting ball safe under pressure.

Clarke (7) — focussed on long balls and won his headers. Put under some pressure from Ironside second half but kept focus well after Baker went off. Unlucky with decision to chalk off goal on set piece.

Bennett (7) — intercepted well and stifled direct moves, did a good job to mop up danger and was efficient with his passing before being replaced early.

Waite (6) — offered plenty of energy in and around the area and kept moves ticking over. Did well when got on the ball but turned down a couple of chances to shoot and was replaced early

Morris (6) — supplied some good crosses from set pieces and eye for pass in behind. Needs to get on the ball and was missing a bit of sharpness to exploit with counters and pick up the loose ball

Rai (5) — ran hard and pressed but saw little from him with the ball and lost possession to meekly on times. Worked hard but frustrating game and unable to get a shot on target.

Evans (6) — competed well in the air and made intelligent runs to forge in behind but got a bit excited with finish lacking composure. Had three good chances and will be frustrated failed to work keeper.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Doncaster Rovers)

Strengths — worked hard off the ball, they kept a good shape and were intelligent with their approach play. Created some neat moves in transition.

Weaknesses — both full backs struggled with distribution and were vulnerable turning back to recover. lacked cutting edge and gave away a lot of free kicks.

Opportunities — they were eager to offer width first half and went more direct second half pushing full backs higher but become more exposed.

Threats — Molyneux crosses right side and set pieces. Ironside was robust and eye for a shot. Best moves went through Broadbent who was quick to read.

OFFICIALS

A Chilowicz (8) — American referee who has recently moved here. Read game well, allowing it to flow and got bookings right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nick Townsend — made some key saves to give County the platform to win this game, focussed throughout, handled and reacted well to snapshots.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County managed this game well giving several fringe players some much needed gametime and made intelligent changes to regroup and maintain their momentum. County had some good situations first half but their delivery from crosses lacked thrust and you felt if they could improve on that second half they could unlock the door. They learnt from their mistakes and put in earlier crosses second half and despite not all of them coming off, the one provided by Payne was pivotal. County can work on their sharpness and alertness in midfield as they also had some chances squashed when the counter was on, but delayed allowing Doncaster to recover. Evans had some presentable chances again but snatched at a couple of shots and needs to flick the switch to compose himself when he gets the chance. County have a big week ahead of them with the Eastleigh cup replay next up away on Tuesday. Eastleigh were bold in the first game and played very well after going down to ten men adapting to play 4–2–3 with Taylor and Atangana holding protecting the defence. Eastleigh were effective using Maguire as an outlet and craft moves with McCallum robust in the air. County need to keep their vigilance dealing with direct play not allowing the ball to drop. County can build on their delivery from wide areas but add creativity through the middle with dynamic runs to unsettle Eastleigh.