Missed chances and lack of spine costs County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Greaves 90+2)

AFC Wimbledon 2 (Kelly 49, Sawyers 77)

Attendance: 4,405

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LLLddDdWLL

AFC Wimbledon LWLDWLWLDW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Wimbledon have some injuries in defence so key County get at them from offset and put in the hard yards of the ball to unsettle them and take their chances.

CONDITIONS

Clear very cold and calm. Pitch looked a little frosty of top but played well.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Missed a glut of chances first half and lacked leadership after going behind.

TURNING POINT

Period AFC Wimbledon first goal and second goal where performance dropped.

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with Nick Townsend nursing an ice pack after an injury at Walsall allowing Jacob Carney an opportunity to impress. There was another change up top with Jephcott unfortunate to be sacrificed in place of Hudlin. County made an assertive start knitting some patient low moves and gain territory deep inside the Wimbledon half. County worked some width left side with Kamwa angling his runs well to hug the touchline and put Harbottle under pressure. On 10 minutes, County did well switching play from left to right with a quick free kick from Glennon. The cross dropped deep and Spellman was quick to latch onto the loose ball and cut inside to shot from 25 yards forcing Goodman into a good save to tip the ball over the bar. Wimbledon responded with Smith getting on the ball in the middle and work some passes to turn County but they managed to recover and stifle the danger. On 13 minutes, County had an excellent chance to score when Evans found Whitmore with a straight low pass through the middle. His advanced position caught Wimbledon short at the back and he had the opportunity to forge through left side and switch play to Spellman in space right side. He cut in on his left foot and whipped in a decent effort from near the “d” which the keeper managed to claw over the bar. In a purple spell, County had another decent chance on 15 minutes when the broke well from deep left side with Whitmore threading a pass from Kamwa left side. He carried his strong run left corner of the area and cut inside but his curling effort from 18 yards was wide of the right post. On 18 minutes, County had another opportunity following a corner left side by McLoughlin the ball dropped deep and Brennan caressed the ball to Whitmore but his shot from an acute angle was blocked by Johnson. Wimbledon came out of their shell with Neufville making some strong runs right side in transition. On 20 minutes, there was a warning for County when Neufville powered down the right flank leaving Antwi in his shadows. His deft crossed into the six yard area was latched onto by Smith who had made a late run which was poorly tracked but thankfully the header was weak and well held by Carney. On 22 minutes, County had a half chance when McLoughlin delivered an opportunist cross right side which sat up and forced a loose clearance. Hudlin reacted the quickest but some delay on the shot on the turn and pressure by Reeves saw the effort dragged wide of the right post. On 27 minutes, County capitalised on a passing error right side and Spellman drilled a low shot from 30 yards which the keeper managed to recover a save low down. County continued to chip away left side with Glennon and Kamwa working well in tandem. On 30 minutes, Glennon overlapped left side to receive a pass from Kamwa and delivered an excellent cross into the area but with Hudlin and Whitmore inside the box the final touch to finish the move eluded them. On 35 minutes, Kamwa then went on solo run left side after an excellent cross field pass from McLoughlin. He adjusted near the left side of the box but Goodman was again equal it making a save in top right corner. On 37 minutes, County looked odds on to get the goal the play merited when Kamwa carried a strong run left side and this time the cut back was inch perfect finding Whitmore unmarked but his low effort from 12 yards was saved by Goodman. On 42 minutes, Wimbledon had Harbottle in book for checking the run of Spellman as he dribbled right side. Despite being backs against the wall for most of the first half, Wimbledon were close on 45+1 minutes when a quick break through the middle exploited County. Kelly threaded a pass for Stevens and he raced forward and attempted an opportunist effort from 25 yards which forced Carney to backtrack and tip over the bar.

Wimbledon were forced into a change at half time with centre back Harbottle not able to continue and he was replaced by Sawyers who went into midfield with Hutchinson reverting to centre back. The move settled Wimbledon into more composure at the back with County reluctant to press. County were caught out napping on 48 minutes when they squandered a set piece with the ball going dead right side. Wimbledon directed a quick move left side which exposed County with Baker and Brennan still out of position. Evans appeared to take control of the situation but he was pickpocketed by Kelly who was allowed to carry his run goalside. He composed himself well finishing low in the right corner from 12 yards with Carney exposed. County responded with some play right side with McLoughlin driving the side forward. On 53 minutes, McLoughlin was caught late by Tilley as he made efforts to recover and another booking followed soon after with Kelly booked for dissent. County struggled to find the same cohesion with Wimbledon pressing up higher and they were quicker in transition with Sawyer stemming some good moves through the middle to exploit space. County were passive on times which added to the frustration in the stands before they made a much needed change on 60 minutes with Hudlin replaced by Jephcott. The game became scrappy on times which suited Wimbledon and degraded with several fouls off the ball. County had some decent situations on the break but lacked nous to open up Wimbledon when in possession. On 70 minutes, County worked a move from deep with Baker threading a low pass for McLoughlin. He struck an opportunist effort from 35 yards which was well wide of the left post. Wimbledon kept plugging away dictating the middle of the pitch and work opportunities inside the box. On 75 minutes, Neufville made a strong run right side and his cross was cutting inviting Tilley to shoot from 12 yards but the effort was well blocked by Brennan. County made a double substitution on 77 minutes with Whitmore and Spellman replaced by Greaves and Miley. Before County could adjust they were further behind when Wimbledon switched play from left to right with Kelly ghosting in behind Glennon. He had time to pick out a cross from the right side of the area for the unmarked Sawyers who slotted low into the right corner from 12 yards. Wimbledon remained in control with County stuttering to impact final third and made another change on 85 minutes with Sasu on for Stevens up top. McLoughlin had been on the end of several late challenges and was forced off on 90 minutes after taking a knock inside the box and replaced by Jameson. County got a consolation goal on 90+2 minutes following a free kick left side which Glennon delivered with conviction. The loose ball sat up and Greaves drilled a low snapshot from 12 yards which appeared to deflect into the right corner flatfooting the keeper. Wimbledon held on in the 6 minutes of injury time despite conceding some clumsy fouls, County lacked teeth to punish them.

Carney (6) — was confident with his feet and passing to wide areas. Made a couple of good saves from close range but looked less assured dealing with crosses under pressure.

Baker (6) — rose strongly to win some good headers and was neat and tidy with his passing. Needs to get tighter and more aggressive with his marking.

Glennon (6) — had a bright first half and combined well timing runs to deliver some good crosses and set pieces asked questions. Sat back second and got caught in no man’s land on second goal

McLoughlin (7) — defended well and didn’t get the call on couple of late challenges. Made efforts to initiate moves from deep when Spellman went off but carried risk leaving space in behind.

Brennan (5) — got brushed off too many challenges allowing Stevens freedom to turn and pinch ball. Needs to get closer to marker inside the six yard box from cross field ball.

Whitmore (7) — played quite advanced role and worked hard box to box. Went close several times with shots inside the box. Needs more timing with his challenges.

Antwi (6) — had a decent first half playing on the break but no real impact inside Wimbledon half after half time and lost too many runners second half going missing.

K Evans (6) — quiet game, was suffocated and threat squashed quickly. Doing a job in the middle but playing too central to effect game and got brushed off too many key tackles.

Kamwa (6) — was prominent first half with some strong runs but lacked awareness to beat marker when space denied. Didn’t do enough to recover when possession was lost end up ball watching.

Spellman (6) — had a good first half and should really have scored. showed he can play both sides and was arguably more effective switching sides before fading second half

Hudlin (5) — bystander for large parts, struggled with retention and allowed defenders space to push up. Needs to do more off the ball and get across his man to win headers inside area.

SWOT ANALYSIS (AFC Wimbledon)

Strengths — despite having less recovery time than County between games they showed more desire and collective spirit. Worked ball efficiently in transition second half

Weaknesses — centre backs struggled for pace when turned and more aggressive sides would have pressed more passing mistakes. Got away with several clumsy fouls.

Opportunities — much like Walsall sat in passively first half allowing County ball but played more aggressively to press after half time and up the tempo of their game.

Threats — Stevens outlet in behind and eye for snapshot, Tilley creativity either side of box. Kelly runs from deep. Sawyers coordinated several good moves second half

OFFICIALS

W Finnie (6) — was consistently lenient and odd interpretation ignoring blatant fouls on McLoughlin and Hudlin.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Romaine Sawyers (Wimbledon 19) — played much higher than L2 and showed pedigree when introduced half time. Exploited County weaknesses defending through middle and took chance well

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County will look back on the game overall with frustration and especially the high energy first half when they squandered a glut of decent chances. To their credit they built on the patterns of play at Walsall to carry moves higher up the pitch with Whitmore having an impact but that left some vulnerability defending moves that broke down for Wimbledon to attack through the middle. The first goal came from a County set piece failing and Wimbledon switching play quickly left side to break and the second goal came from a counter right side which left Glennon exposed. County worked their best moves on the break but are struggling to open sides from general play when sides sit in and their set pieces were predictable and lacked threat with Hudlin well marshalled. There is also a bit of predictability about the pattern in the last two games with County having a good dominant first halves, but becoming passive and indecisive second half. The period between the first Wimbledon goal and the second was very disappointing and the changes were made too late. County are lacking spine and general leadership. This was obvious second half when it was badly needed after Wimbledon scored and it is imperative they bring in experience during the window to address this with a centre back, centre midfield and new striker to address this. Next up this Sunday at Rodney Parade is Morecambe who have shown some signs of awaking from their slumber in the relegation zone. County can expect a similar pattern with Morecambe sitting in to defend on the ropes but test County in transition with Slew a robust outlet left side and Hope chasing lost causes through the middle. This may not be a pretty game. Morecambe will look to slow the game down, clamber and play direct. County need to keep their discipline but be dynamic timing runs into the box when invited.