Mad five minutes pegs County back

Report from Mark Vickery at Rodney Parade

Newport County 2 (Labadie 7, Amond pen 34)

Mansfield Town 2 (Pearce 47, Rose 49)

Attendance: 4,481

Form:

Newport County

Mansfield Town

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County lost three nil to Mansfield first game last season so will be wanting to show up better but much will depend on how the new signing bed in against a strong Mansfield side.

CONDITIONS
Warm, humid and partly cloudy with light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Number of positive, incessant until the break pressing all the right buttons but defensive lapses gave Mansfield the impetus second half

TURNING POINT
Mansfield goal straight after half time.

THE MATCH
County introduced several new signings in defence with goalkeeper Tom King protected by a back four with Ryan Haynes deployed as left back and Danny McNamara right back alongside centre back Kyle Howkins and Mickey Demetriou. The midfield four was familiar with Matt Dolan and Josh Labadie central to the diamond with Willmott and Sheehan operating out wide. County had top scorers Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt resuming their successful partnership up front. County started quickly as new Mansfield manager John Dempster predicted and some unforced passing errors by the Mansfield defence. County were quick in transition turning defence into attacking and a promising move on 7 minutes through the middle invited Sheehan to shoot and his shot from 20 yards was parried away by keeper Logan. Dolan was quick to seize on the loose ball left side of the area and whip back in a low dangerous cross into the area which Labadie stole in to glance into the right corner from 8 yards. County gained confidence from the goal swarming over the Mansfield midfield and continued to pepper Mansfield with some testing crosses which were ushered to safety. On 15 minutes, Labadie was pulled back under pressure holding the ball but the referee chose to ignore appeals and McDonald pinched the ball ahead of him before being caught late from behind. Labadie was booked for his challenge from the referee much to the frustration of the crowd. County kept working the ball around effectively low to pick holes in behind on both flanks earning long throws and some corners. On 18 minutes, County had a corner on the right side which Willmott took on his right foot and the out-swinging cross was read well by Amond who peeled off his marker and his snapshot from 18 yard fizzed just over the bar. Mansfield were reliant on long balls to relieve pressure with McDonald offering an outlet in support and Rose working hard on and off the ball. County remained a threat in and around the area with their verve in the final third and Sweeney was booked for a mistimed challenge on Willmott as he darted down the right side of the area. Mansfield created a decent move on 20 minutes when Rose chased a ball in the left corner. He cut back a neat pass for Benning to chip back into the six yard box which Bishop anticipated with a late run but Howkins did very well to divert under pressure. County kept working Mansfield around and when they did that well they become increasingly vulnerable adding to their corner count. On 25 minutes, County were close to extending their lead when a corner from the left by Sheehan had venom on it and Mansfield struggled to clear their lines. Labadie was again quickest to read blasting a first time volley towards goal from 10 yards but it struck Amond inside the six yard box deflecting wide of the left post. Mansfield offered some better cohesion playing on the break and a swift move saw them work an opening on 30 minutes when Mellis found space but his shot from 25 yards was wide of the left post. County continued to work some useful balls to the corner of the area and Matt coaxed a foul from Benning on 32 minutes when he turned neatly away from challenge. The referee issued a yellow card which was somewhat harsh but consistent with his approach. Dolan took the free kick and he whipped in a decent effort which struck the bar with the keeper scrambling back. County continued to menace with their approach play on the right side and a long throw by Demetriou on 34 minutes was only half cleared. Demetriou was alert to retrieve the ball and put in a excellent cross from near the byline which pinpointed Matt but Pearce was adjudged to have held down preventing a scoring opportunity. Amond stepped up confidently to strike into the left corner giving Logon little chance. Mansfield had one or two forays down the left side as half time approached with Benning influential in supporting moves and his snapshot on 43 minutes over the bar from the left side of the area was about the closest Mansfield came in the first half. In first half injury time, Mansfield were dealt a blow when right wing back Hamilton was forced off and replaced by Gordon who went right back.

Mansfield made a tactical change at half time with left sided midfielder Otis Khan replacing central defender Sweening. Mansfield adopted a 4–3–3 system with McDonald going right side supporting Maynard and Rose. Mansfield won a cheap free kick right side near the half way line on 47 minutes after Sheehan caught Rose late. Mellis took the free kick and the depth appeared to catch County off guard and the unmarked Pearce headed into the right corner from 8 yards. Mansfield had their tails up and another bright move on 49 minutes saw them switch play from right to left quickly with Bishop picking out Khan in space on the left flank. He was allowed too much space to roam forward and cut inside with McNamara missing his challenge and his low cross pinpointed the run of Rose. He scuffed a low shot from 10 yards which appeared deceived King and the ball went through his body and low into the net. County were left stunned with Mansfield finding the extra step in their legs but they were nearly caught out on 55 minutes when Willmott broke up a Mansfield move and slipped a quick pass through the middle for Sheehan. He drove beyond Mellis and Bishop who were left near the centre circle before drilling a low shot from 25 yards but Logan held it this time. County had another bright move moments later on the right side with McNamara taken out by Khan. The referee allowed advantage and the first time cross into the area caused anxiety allowing Labadie to snap up the loose ball but his shot from 8 yards was deflected away by Logan with an instinctive save with his feet. Mansfield kept their momentum final third with some measured passes down the right side to test Demetriou and Haynes. On 50 minutes, a punt forward by Pearce split the defence and Khan was caught late by Demetriou just inside the area. The referee awarded a penalty which Maynard took but King made a great to parry around the right post. Mansfield were happy to play on the break and look for the sucker punch. On 66 minutes, County somewhat played into their hands forcing play but when they lost possession Khan did well to exploit gaps and find the run of Maynard but he blasted well over from 25 yards. The game remained competitive in the middle and Mellis was sent off for what appeared to be stamping on Labadie after an untidy challenge. County made their first change on 73 minutes with debutant Corey Whitley replacing Matt Dolan. County made effort to pick up the tempo again with Mansfield happy to sit back and protect a point. On 75 minutes, Pearce obstructed a Willmott run inside from the left flank and he was booked. With the crude challenges flowing Whitley was then taken out by Rose on 82 minutes as he looked to break through the lines and take on Pearce who was in s vulnerable position. Rose was penalised with a booking but the free kick by Willmott was overplayed allowing Mansfield off the hook and a chance to breath.. Mansfield made their final change moments later with Cook replacing Maynard. Amond was then booked for County for a late challenge on Gordon on the right side as he looked to advance. County made another change on 85 minutes with Abrahams coming on up top to replace McNamara with County reverting to 4–3–3. Abrahams was soon in the action with a measured pass by Sheehan down the left side of the area but from an acute angle he was unable to keep his shot down. County had a decent opportunity to seal the game on 88 minutes when they won a corner right side. Willmott took the delivery and with Hawkins and Matt being well marshalled Demetriou ghosted in at the back post only to see an effort stabbed inches wide of the left post. County kept pressing in the four minutes of injury time with Mansfield sitting deep on times to defend crosses which they did well. Willmott had a glimmer of a chance in third minute of injury time when he dragged a shot wide of the left post from 25 yards. Mansfield remained focussed and held out running the clock down but reward for being bold in their changes and they celebrated their point at the end.

King (6) — had little to do first half but found him getting ball from net twice in minutes. Kicked well but should have done better with the second goal but made up for it with excellent save on penalty.

McNamara (6) — did a job at right back, had a good first half, alert to the loose ball and distributed well to move ball on efficiently. Got outfoxed on second goal and saw less influence after the break.

Haynes (6) — had a good first half, positioned well and got set to play some precise passes in behind. Closed down quicker second half and forced back for a time but needs to demand ball final third.

Hawkins (7) — strong in the aerial duals and was quick to suffocate and break up play. Did his best work when he moved ball on quicker but got caught under his feet a bit.

Demetriou (6) — won fair quota of headers and was overworked on times second half when County allowed balls to be telegraphed in behind. Provided several good long throws and set up second goal

Labadie (8) — lead side well, worked box to box and was always a threat in and around the area. Won majority of his challenges and adapted well after his booking. Could have had a hat trick.

Dolan (7) — excellent first half pressing the right buttons and a lot of the best play went through him. Provided some quality with set pieces but faded somewhat after break when less space to operate.

Willmott (6) — roamed and was hard to pick up but most effective when he was dynamic making runs from deep. When he checked back he was less threatening but provided fair quota of crosses.

Sheehan (7) — linked play well especially around the box and put in some decent shots first half. Saw less of the ball after half time but was bright when he got it. looks sharper physically this season

Matt (7) — nuisance in air and his presence alone unsettled Mansfield into giving away several free kicks. Made some useful runs when he went out wide to the corner of the area and set up link play

Amond (6) — worked hard to protect ball and got in behind from wide positions but perhaps a little slow to get in shot and cross. Kept looking for gaps in between defenders but faded late on.

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS
Strengths — they kept their belief to get back into the game, showed resolve and composure with ten men, robust breaking up play and work crosses from wide positions

Weaknesses — despite having three centre backs they all looked vulnerable at points in the game. Gave away several free kicks and were always vulnerable to direct runs

Opportunities — couldn’t get wing backs in game first half and were flat on energy. Made changes with three up top and held ball better prising more openings.
Threats — Mellis shots from distance and set pieces. Rose and McDonald did a lot of the spade work and retention which was key. Pearce and Preston aerial threat on set pieces.

OFFICIALS
J Adcock (7) — some of the bookings were harsh but was generally consistent and got the key decisions right.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Konrad Logan — made some important saves to deny certain goals in the second half and kept the score down first half when Mansfield defence was all at sea.

IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County didn’t perhaps get the result they wanted and also looked likely to get but in a blink of an eye found themselves on the back-foot. Despite a new looking defence, they looked comfortable in the first half, being the more assertive and creative so much that Mansfield could have had few complaints at half time. Mansfield were bold and were forced into changing their 3–5–2 system playing a less conventional 4–3–3 system but on times County encouraged them and were too relaxed allowing them ping balls in behind turning Demetriou and Haynes back on their heals. County reasserted their game late on, but with Amond and Matt well marked inside the area, the introduction of the players off the bench came a little too late to effect game. County may need to get used to this and have options up their sleeve but they will have O’Brien back returning from suspension to bolster and perhaps settle the new defence to bed in. County will now travel to Cambridge next Saturday where they have a decent record but there is no room for complacency with the hosts gaining a good result at Bradford today playing with ten men with central midfielder O’Neill sent off. County can apply pressure on their ageing central defence but they will need to take care of the direct hold play into Ibhere and link play of Maris key to their approach play