Less polished but County still find a way to win.

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 3 (Quirk 12 own goal, Baker-Richardson 52 pen, Wildig 63)

Accrington Stanley 1 (Whalley 38)

Attendance: 4,437

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LLW

Accrington Stanley LLD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Accrington have conceded 10 goals in the last 3 games so not expecting an open game. County need to match their work ethic and keep their focus defending crosses.

CONDITIONS

Sunny spells, quite warm and very gusty wind. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Had less time to make decisions, struggled for cohesion but ultimately mastered conditions better.

TURNING POINT

Penalty just after half time to regain lead.

THE MATCH

County were missing Kai Whitmore who was suffering a knock but were able to bring in Bryn Morris for his first start this season. County were facing a very gusty wind in the first half which made passing direct difficult so opted to play patiently with some moves from deep early on. County worked some good moves left side to test Accrington with Kamwa giving right back O’Brien plenty to think about. Accrington held firm with Whalley countering the effect with some busy runs right side and an eye for a quick pass. County opted for some direct passes from keeper Townsend but found even less joy with ball hanging back in the wind allowing Accrington centre backs Rawson and Awe to press up higher to win the ball. County kept their belief and patience to work move from deep and Accrington were given a warning on 10 minutes when a neat combination by Antwi and Glennon released Kamwa down the left flank leaving O’Brien static but Accrington were saved by a late offside call. Accrington continued to persist with the tact of pinching the ball high up the pitch and work quick crosses with Whalley right side and Walton left side busy but their delivery lacked quality. Accrington failed to heed the warning with their high press misfiring on 12 minutes with Baker-Richardson getting on the ball near the byline and this time Glennon supported to provide a deep cross which McLoughlin read superbly and his opportunist first time volley from 10 yards was deflected off Quirk and went low into the left corner. Accrington made efforts to raise their game with more aggression to push higher and force County deeper. On 18 minutes, Accrington created a snappy move in transition to break forward with Knowles cutting back an opportunity for Whalley near the edge of the area but his first time shot was deflected over the bar by Brennan. On 25 minutes, Accrington worked an efficient move right side with O’Brien prising the ball away from Kamwa and his quick pass down the flank caught County napping. Knowles was able to roam inside but his low effort from 25 yards was well wide of the right post. County had a promising situation on 28 minutes following a move right side involving McLoughlin who made a bold run forward beating Quirk and County had men in the box to exploit but some indecision allowed Accrington to again steal the ball and break. Walton made a strong run left side but McLoughlin made a superb tackle in recovery to squash the threat. County continued to play from deep with some thoughtful passes but struggled to master the blustery wind allowing Accrington pick up on errors. On 30 minutes, County had Clarke booked for delaying a move from deep which the referee ruled as time wasting. Accrington kept persisting with some snappy patterns of play final third often when County moves broke down cheaply with Whalley the main thrust right side. On 35 minutes, Whalley cut inside near the right corner of the box but his hopeful cross into the area eluded everyone. Accrington were back in the game on 38 minutes, with County too slow to react to the loose ball in midfield allowing Love the charity to help a ball in behind left side. Whalley was quickest the ball and despite Clarke getting close to deny space he manufacture space to adjust and finish well in the top left corner from 10 yards. Accrington gained confidence from the goal with County more hesitant and were close again on 42 minutes when Whalley released a pass right side of the area for Walton to latch onto but his shot from an acute angle his the right post. On 45 minutes, Love was again causing problems with an untracked run through the middle and his opportunist effort from 25 yards tipped over the bar by Townsend.

Accrington were forced into a change at half time with Khumbeni replacing right back O’Brien. Khumbeni went into central midfield with Love deputising at right back. County won a corner early in the first half following a panicky clearance by Awe. McLoughlin put a useful delivery into the box which Clarke anticipated well and despite his effort being blocked, he clipped a decent effort from 10 yards just over the bar. Accrington continued to probe away right side with direct balls to test Glennon in the air. On 49 minutes, a slick low move by Accrington right side saw Knowles thread a pass to the right side of the area and Whalley struck a decent effort from a very narrow angle but Baker was alert to intercept. From the resulting corner, Accrington had a shot blocked and County broke with venom left side. The early pass from Antwi was key which found Kamwa in space and he took Whalley back with him into a less assured position. Kamwa darted inside the left corner of the box and was clipped by Whalley to earn County the second penalty of the season. Baker-Richardson stepped up with a composed finish sending the keeper the wrong way. On 55 minutes, County had McLoughlin in the book for an untidy tackle on Walton as he roamed inside from the left flank. Knowles struck a decent effort from 35 yards which clipped the top of the bar and the referee awarded a corner when there appeared to be little contact by Townsend. Whalley whipped in a decent delivery right side which Rawson rose to under pressure from Clarke but his header from 10 yards was well wide of the left post. County were encouraged forward but the wind and McLoughlin did well with some forceful runs to test left back Quirk. On 58 minutes, County won a free kick right side and Glennon produced a teasing delivery into the box and Baker-Richardson glanced his header from 10 yards just wide of the left post with Accrington keeper Kelly rooted the spot. County made a change on the hour with Cameron Evans replacing Morris in central midfield. County extended their lead on 63 minutes with a move that had quality and neat exchanges. A quick throw right side by McLoughlin saw Baker-Richardson shield the ball and link with Antwi. He showed good vision to pick out the late run by Wildig into the box and despite Conneely getting an interception Wildig ruthlessly smashed his volley into the top left corner from 10 yards. County were close to fourth goal on 68 minutes when a direct efficient move right side involving Cameron Evans caught Accrington asleep and Baker-Richardson combined to flick the ball inside for Antwi and his strong run saw him penetrate goalside and around the keeper but the shot was smothered. Accrington made another change on 75 minutes to pep up their game replacing Knowles with Woods. On 78 minutes, a bright low Accrington move through the middle caused problems for County with Khumbeni finding the luxury to attack space. His low pass was latched onto by Whalley but again from an acute angle he was denied with Townsend making a smart save with his legs. County made another change on 82 minutes with Rai replacing Kamwa. Accrington kept plugging away in the final 10 minutes offering more penetration left side with Quirk making some strong runs. On 85 minutes, Accrington had a decent chance when Quirk overlapped well left side of the area and his deep cross was anticipated well by Love who made a late run into the area but his side footed volley from 10 yards was tipped over the bar by Townsend. There was a flurry of change on 88 minutes with Accrington bringing on Woods and Coyle for Walton and Conneely. County introduced Jephcott for Baker-Richardson up front and new loan signing from Cardiff City Kieran Evans in midfield for Wildig. Accrington forced County deep in the 6 minutes of injury time with County defending stoutly but struggling with their distribution to make the ball stick and they found the ball coming back at them. There was late booking for Accrington with Khumbeni getting booked for a late challenge on Antwi but the menacing free kick by Glennon was hooked clear by Accrington. County were determined and held on for back to back wins leaving the pitch to a warm applause.

Townsend (8) — initiated thoughtful moves from deep but found wind difficult to measure passes. Kept focus on crosses and stood tall to make some big saves from Whalley and late volley from Love

McLoughlin (7) — made some strong raids forward and had better of Quirk until booking. Bold with runs and provided some decent set pieces. Well positioned to pull the trigger on the opening goal

Glennon (7) — put under pressure from runs by Whalley and tested with defending aerial balls. Got stronger second half and provided some excellent deliveries from set pieces and crosses.

Baker (7) — was forced to repoint and clear some direct balls but won his headers well. stayed alert to make some good interceptions front post and got the ball safe.

Clarke (7) — dealt well with aerial balls and mopped up danger well. kept defence organised and managed game well after booking. Went close again on set piece without reward.

Brennan (7) — solid game, was a bit overworked with moves right side involving Whalley and did a lot of good working firefighting danger. Distribution can be improved.

Wildig (8) — quiet first half but pulled strings second half and was always a threat picking gaps down middle. Switched play intelligently and despite seeing less possession worked hard to contain

Morris (6) — played quite deep and passive but decent first game back after injury to build match fitness. Faded early and was replaced

Antwi (7) — worked hard throughout, came alive after half time seeing ball early and when he protected ball he was effective. did well in the build up to the third goal and denied on decent chance.

Kamwa (6) — saw less of the ball at his feet and always did better when ball was switched or received early. Threatened in spells but restricted on shots but won the penalty with a bit of magic.

Baker-Richardson (7) — struggled to make ball stick first half and did his best to knit moves but left too isolated. Got across defender better second half and went close a couple of times from crosses

SWOT ANALYSIS (Accrington Stanley)

Strengths — offered some neat combinations of play final third and put in crosses with conviction. Full backs got forward well when invited.

Weaknesses — both centre backs left gaps and got rushed into anxious clearances. As good as their attacking front three were they left opportunities in behind which County punished.

Opportunities — upped their aggression to press high after County scored and force territory higher up the pitch. Remained bold second half but always vulnerable.

Threats — Whalley crosses and snapshots right side. Knowles coordinated some good moves and eye for a shot, Dalton strong runs with pace. Rawson headers on set pieces

OFFICIALS

A Bannister (8) — was keen to let game flow and managed it well in general. Blew up a couple of times when advantage could have been played but got key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Aaron Wildig — awareness with runs played a big part in unsettling Accrington second half. Worked extremely hard and saw a different side to this game today getting important third goal.

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will look on two big moments in this game with McLoughlin getting their noses in front and the late save by Towsend to deny Love. Accrington had more of the ball and more shots but County were the more alert and vigilant side inside the box both defending and attacking. There was an element of fortune with the first goal but the execution was spot on breaking the Accrington press that they employed for much of the first half. County fans are adjusting a different style of football this year which offers a more thoughtful passing style and even though they didn’t get it working to plan today, especially into the wind first half the intentions were there and it now requires fine tuning and patience. County can expect sides to high press them further in forthcoming games but there is always an element of risk with this play by opponents. Accrington kept Kamwa relatively quiet but he still had the tools to hurt them at key moments when some over-zealous attacking by Accrington yielded the County penalty. County upped their attacking intent right side as a result and the added bonus was they started to win free kicks right side which meant that Accrington always had the issue of dealing with deliveries from Glennon which gave them problems throughout. As the transfer window draws closer, County need thought to how they add to this squad as we go into the winter slog. There is a lot of reliance on Baker-Richardson as an outlet and another target player to give presence up front and potentially defensive cover left side could be necessary. Next up is Morecambe away who despite not getting any points on the board will offer a similar threat to Accrington looking to unsettle with crosses and create moves in transition if County don’t take care of the ball. Morecambe are likely to play 4–2–3–1 system with Slew left and Edwards right offering energy and thrust to protect the ball but they have vulnerabilities at full back with both left back Tutonda and right back Hendrie