Little to enthuse the home faithful

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Evans 20)

Tranmere Rovers 2 (Apter 25, 36)

Attendance: 4,549

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County LLWDDLLLLL

|Tranmere Rovers LLWdWWLLDL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Both sides are out of form and impaired by injuries in defence. County need to offer better retention and invention top end of the pitch and stay focussed at the back.

CONDITIONS

Mild, sunny spells and gusty wind. Pitch in excellent condition and quick on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Passive, lacking belief and creativity allowing Tranmere to dictate game either side of half time

TURNING POINT

Tranmere gifted equaliser gave them impetus to push on

THE MATCH

County shuffled the pack with keeper Maxted sacrificed for Townsend and switched back to 5–2–1–2 formation with Lewis suspended Evans deputised at left wing back. Youth academy graduate Nelson Sanca made his debut at centre back in place of Bennett who was not in the squad. County were also missing Bondswell through injury and introduced Jephcott in a three man attack alongside Palmer-Houlden with Bogle dropping in to play as a №10. Tranmere started positively with some moves right side with Apter angling runs to win some corners which came to nothing. On 9 minutes, County put together a decent move going through several players before switching back to Baker. He threaded a good low pass for Morris who turned into some and advanced before drilling a low effort which forced McGee to parry around the left post. Morris was on the ball again moments later when a snappy move saw Bogle short pass invite him to shoot from 30 yards but the shot was rising and cleared the bar comfortably. Tranmere opted for some direct balls in behind with Morris and Apter keen to chase down but the defence managed to scramble the ball safety. County made efforts to keep the ball working some efficient moves right side to invite Bright forward but some delay allowed Tranmere to recover. On 20 minutes, County were more decisive with Morris finding the feet of Bright and he cut back an earlier cross into the area and Evans made an excellent late run to steer his header past McGee from 10 yards. County had a great chance to forge further ahead on 24 minutes following a free kick right side of the area. Morris whipped over a teasing delivery into the six yard box which Tranmere struggled to clear and as at ball sat up Evans saw his snapshot blocked by McGee with an instinctive save from close range. County were punished moments later switching off defending their left channel with O’Connor pinpointing the run of Apter. He cut inside and despite County players in close proximity Apter, there was no aggressive to close down and Apter struck a low effort into the right corner with Townsend grasping thin air. Tranmere were buoyed by the goal with County going into coma and they were given a warning on 27 minutes when Jennings was first to the ball in the middle and his lofted pass was latched onto by Saunders. His run took him past the County back three and his crisp volley from 14 yards was well saved by Townsend. Tranmere kept asserting their game with County struggling for cohesion and overplaying several passes out of play in the wind. Tranmere took the lead on 36 minutes with a calamitous goal that came from County free kick in a decent position. Morris delivered the ball short allowing an easy clearance which Saunders was first to. He made the most of the charitable space offered to play precise pass over the top into the wind which Apter managed to win despite County having three defenders around the ball. Apter adjusted well and struck a low effort from left side of the area which appeared to deceive Townsend and creep into the right corner of the net. County made efforts to pick up their game with Palmer-Houlden making some strong runs and Bogle linking play well. On 40 minutes, County had a great chance to equalise when Palmer-Houlden forced his way towards the byline right side of the area. He cut back an excellent cross which flashed though the six yard box and was met back Jephcott back post but he was unable to keep his volley down. County then had Evans booked on 45+1 minutes for misjudging a tackle on O’Connor as he drove down the right flank. On 45+4 minutes, County flirted again with goal with Palmer-Houlden providing Jephcott a chance inside the area but his effort from 12 yards was well blocked by Hockenhull.

Tranmere started the second half in same vain forcing County on the back-foot. On 46 minutes, Saunders was invited space left side and went on solo individual run before dragging a low shot wide of the right post from 25 yards. On 50 minutes, Tranmere broke with ease right side with Apter again causing problems with his movement and decisiveness and he cut inside trying to repeat the trick of the first goal but his effort from the edge of the box was blocked by Jameson. County opted for some direct balls into the wind with Bogle and Palmer-Houlden contesting across the line but with Tranmere aggressively pressing up, County struggled to keep the ball and their momentum was stifled. The game degenerated with County struggling to get any grip of the ball and Tranmere the more thoughtful and accurate with their passes with Hendry and Jennings dictating some good moves. County offered little threat despite some hopeful crosses Tranmere were able to clear their lines. County made a much needed double substitution on 65 minutes with Palmer-Houlden and Jephcott replaced up top for Rai and Zanzala. County picked up their game with Evans the main thrust with runs from deep left side and he coaxed a clumsy foul from O’Connor on 67 minutes which got him a booking. Tranmere elected to play direct with some kicks from deep testing the County back three but they managed to divert to the ball to safety. County had a great chance to equalise on 70 minutes when a break right side stretched Tranmere and Bogle tricked his way past Norris right side of the area. He had the chance to shoot but cut back his pass for Rai but his low effort was saved by McGee. County then had Sanca somewhat harshly booked for checking the run of Norris just inside the County half. Tranmere made a double substitution on 74 minutes with Saunders replaced up top for Taylor right back Norris for Pike and County responded introducing another youth academy graduate Jack Norris for Charsley. Tranmere remained menacing from direct play with alertness to pick up the bits and pieces quicker than County. On 82 minutes, Norris managed to get a shot in out of nothing near the edge of the area forcing Townsend into save low in the right corner. Townsend then made a mess of his throw out with Hendry snatching the loose throw and set up Taylor but his shot right side of the area was high and wide of the right post and bar. Tranmere made a double substitution on 83 minutes with Apter and Norris sacrificed up top for Dennis and Hawkes. On 85 minutes, County had another chance to equalise when they switched play well from left to right with Bogle and Bright combining to cut back a pass for Baker. His run through took him inside the area and his low shot from 12 yards was saved by the legs of McGee. Tranmere were happy to run down the clock in the 6 minutes of injury time with County struggling for penetration. Hawkes was booked on 90+6 minutes for interrupting a run from deep by Bogle but Tranmere held on comfortably to go one point and one place behind County in the table.

Townsend (6) — kicking was a bit wayward into the wind and could have got distribution sharper. Looked at fault with the second goal going down very late and got deceived by the shot.

Bright (6) — had a good first half pushing on demanding the ball and his best crosses came from early delivery setting Evans goal well. Needs to show more aggression and tighter to force errors.

Sanca (7) — excellent debut, quick minded and kept passing efficient. Got tight when he had to dealing well with Norris but switched off to some direct balls allowing ball to drop.

Jameson (6) — dominated aerial duals but was forced to turn back too many times being put under pressure. Did well when he limited touches but got a little bogged down and slow releasing the ball

Baker (6) — got caught out by some quick moves left side not getting tight enough to win the first contact. Showed his capability to pass and influence higher up the pitch and unlucky not to score.

Evans (7) — deputised well at wing back offering plenty of energy and coped well with Apter. Made several good runs from deep, took goal well but forced deep and didn’t provide enough crosses.

Morris (6) — lost too many key battles not getting to the ball quicker. When he got on the ball used it well and had a couple of decent efforts from deep. set pieces were a bit erratic.

Charsley (5) — struggled to make an impact and lacked usual bite. Didn’t win enough of the key battles and faded quicker before being replaced after knock.

Palmer-Houlden (6) — had a good first half offered main thrust and verve right side supplying some decent crosses which should have been buried. Replaced early second half

Bogle (7) — effective as no.10, took up some clever positions and linked play well. happy to be provider when he could be more assertive inside the box especially on crosses when he was well advanced.

Jephscott (5) — disappointing game, didn’t show enough to demand the ball and when he did have it struggled to keep it. did better when he had runners and legs. Fluffed a couple of decent chances.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Tranmere Rovers)

Strengths — both full backs pressed up well to influence play and limit space in wide areas. Asserted game through the middle of the pitch and kept ball better than County.

Weaknesses — both centre backs erratic with distribution and were vulnerable on crosses. Looked anxious on set pieces but limited them well.

Opportunities — they mixed up direct play well with shorter precise game. Pressed up higher as unit second half to suffocate the life out of County.

Threats — Apter pace and eye for a quick shot, Hendry precise passes and set pieces, Jennings drove side forward from deep and passed well.

OFFICIALS

C Hicks (7) — generally managed flow of game well, let a lot go unpunished and encouraged advantage. Got the bookings right.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Rob Apter (Tranmere 25) — get out clause for Tranmere offering pace on the break, forced Evans deep and kept pressing the right buttons taking chances clinically.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Both sides were stretched defensively today with Tranmere without their regular main centre backs, but County failed to test their deficiencies as they struggled for territory again but their lack of teeth and aggression in the corners also saw them win zero corners. Blaming players tiredness is a poor excuse for a professional outfit playing at home in front of a decent crowd. County are not doing the basics particularly well to lift the fans with the first goal by Apter symptomatic of several cheap goals conceded this season when opposition players have cut across the face of goal untracked. Too often County were too slow to read, missed the first contacts and when changes were needed sharpish after half time, they came far too late by which point County were fortunate not to be chasing a two goal deficit and out of the game. County flirted with equaliser but ultimately there was not enough conviction to get players into the box and they were always vulnerable to the direct ball often switching off and lack concentration. County can take some positives from their 3 youth graduates who played well, Bright was positive first half, Sanca made a composed debut and Norris was confident with his range of passing. County have their final home game next Saturday against Salford and a chance to beat their points tally from last season. Salford have been impaired by lack of discipline on times this season but have plenty of capability playing a fluid 4–2–3–1 system with Smith a direct outlet up top who needs marking on crosses. County need to pick up the supporting runs in behind by McAleny and Hendry and be sharper getting men up the pitch in transition against an ageing side.