Much needed and appreciated home win
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 3 (Bogle 43, 90+1 pen, McNeill 90+6)
Northampton Town 0
Attendance: 4,982
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County DDWLLDDDWd
Northampton Town dLWDWDWWWD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Northampton are missing some key players and stretched defensively, but coped well in recent games. County need to stay focussed dealing with direct play and use ball efficiently in transition.
CONDITIONS
Quite warm, clear sunny with slight breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Put on the ropes in spells but stayed resilient and took chances clinically.
TURNING POINT
County goal on the stroke of half time was a huge lift going for the half time chat.
THE MATCH
County made a few changes following the goalless draw at Colchester with Farquharson not in the squad but Clarke made a welcome return. There were a couple of changes in midfield, one enforced with Charsley not named in the squad and he was replaced Lewis and Bennett was sacrificed to the bench with Moriah-Welsh back in the side. There was another change up top with Kavanagh replacing McNeill who was a substitute. Northampton made the more assertive start with some direct play to test County and force some territorial advantage. County were reliant on some hopeful clearances with Bogle offering an outlet and strength with back to goal but found some early decisions going against him. Northampton were keen to work wide areas and worked a decent move on 7 minutes when they swept forward right side with Appere caressing a good cut back near the edge of the area which Pinnock struck well but Wildig made superb block to divert the danger. County were dealt a blow on 12 minutes when Clarke pulled up with a knock and he was replaced by Declan Drysdale who was returning from injury. Northampton had a corner right side moments later which Leonard delivered well to front post and Lintott glanced just over the bar after some good pressure by Baker. County worked some better cohesion left side forcing Linton and McGowan into some hurried clearances but the crosses into the area were hopeful and well dealt with comfortably by keeper Burge. Northampton set their stall out to close down forcing County into some passing mistakes and look for gaps in transition. County had a glimmer of change on 20 minutes when Norman cut inside from the right flank and drilled a low effort from 25 yards which was blocked by Guthrie. Northampton kept play ticking over well adding to their corner count and were close on 25 minutes catching County asleep from a short corner left side. Leonard showed good vision to pinpoint the late run of Haynes who blasted a rising effort from 25 yards just over the bar. County continued to look more dangerous left side and McGowan was forced to make a late intervention on 28 minutes right side of the area. He appeared to recover after treatment but was forced off the pitch soon after and replaced by Odimayo. County had a better spell as half time approached vice gripping the ball higher up the pitch and bringing in players from midfield. On 33 minutes, a patient County move across the face of the area saw Northampton clear the cross but Wildig anticipated striking a decent from inside the “d” which was saved low in the left corner. Northampton responded with a smart low move on 35 minutes which opened up space through the middle and Pinnock drilled a low shot from 30 yards towards the right corner but Day reacted well to save and hold the ball. County kept plugging away lifting the tempo of their game and won a free kick left side on 43 minutes when Lewis outfoxed Leonard. Lewis dusted himself down to take the free kick and the delivery caused problems for Northampton. Drysdale did well striking a first time volley from 12 yards which Baker poked towards the goal and despite Burge parrying the ball away, Bogle reacted smartly to smash home from 6 yards. On 45+2 minutes, County won a free kick in dangerous position right side of the area when Norman was pulled back by Guthrie. Lewis took the free kick which was cutting but Northampton were quickest to first and second ball to clear the danger effectively.
Northampton made a like for like midfield change at half time with Sowerby forced off the pitch with a knock and he was replaced by Hondermarck. On 47 minutes, County worked a decent snappy move in transition with Evans slipping an excellent pass in behind for Kavanagh but he ruled offside in a very marginal decision. County worked another intelligent move on 52 minutes when Norman threaded a decent pass right side of the area which Bogle won ahead of Haynes. He adjusted well to pick the late run of Moriah-Welsh edge of the area but his low first time shot was well blocked by Guthrie. Northampton responded after a benign spell of play with Pinnock making a tricky run through the middle but he appeared to scuff his low effort from 25 yards well wide of the left post. The game remained competitive and an altercation in midfield between Lewis and Bowie saw them both booked. Northampton made efforts to pick up their game with Hoskins offering width right side to test Evans. On 58 minutes, Evans got coaxed into a late challenge when some quick feet from Hoskins saw him drift inside. Evans was booked and the free kick by Leonard caused problems with County unable to clear their lines. Bowie was quick to exploit with strong run left side of the area getting outside Norman and cut back a decent low cross which Hoskins poked just wide of the right post from 8 yards. County continued to threaten with some good moves right side involving Bogle who manufactured some openings. On 62 minutes, he turned provider supplying pass for Kavanagh to latch onto but his shot from an acute angle right side of the area went into the side netting. Moments Kavanagh retuned the compliment with County forcing Northampton to defend deep inside their own area and Bogle struck his effort from 20 yards straight at the keeper. County freshened the pack on 65 minutes with Moriah-Welsh replaced by Waite in attacking midfield. The game threatened to boil over midway through the half with the referee inexplicably ignoring some late tackles. On 70 minutes. Baker was booked for County when he mistimed his header clattering into the back of Bowie. County created some good moves in transition in the final stages and a bright move on 72 minutes saw Kavanagh show good awareness to pick the late run of Waite inside from the right corner of the area. His effort under pressure appeared to be deflected wide of the left post but the decision went against County. Northampton made a double substitution moments later with Appere replaced by Hylton and Bowie sacrificed for Wright-Phillips. Northampton were keen to use Hylton to pivot moves with strength on the ball and he shaped an efficient move on 76 minutes with a header caressed into the path of Hoskins near the edge of the area. He adjusted well and struck a bold first time effort just over the bar with Day well positioned. County made another change on 78 minutes with Bennett replacing Lewis and McNeill coming on for Kavanagh. Northampton offered some impetus right side with Evans forced into some hurried clearances and they were close on 80 minutes when Hylton again coordinated a move right side threading a pass to the feet of Pinnock. He delivered a decent cross into the area which County struggled to clear and Leonard thrashed a low effort which Day reacted to save well in the left corner. With Northampton committed to push, County had a couple of presentable opportunities to kill the game but delay with the final ball allowed Northampton to recover. On 88 minutes, County were close again when McNeill broke through the lines but a lax first touch allowed Odimayo to recover and make an important intervention. County kept pressing the right buttons and got the important second goal on 90 minutes when a bright move right side saw Haynes come across to cover but an unfortunate slip allowed McNeill to gather the ball. His early cross was key finding Wildig who drew a clumsy foul from Lintott. Bogle took the penalty and a composed finish low into the right corner with the keeper going the wrong way. Northampton keeper Burge was booked for protesting over the decision and they made another change on 90+2 minutes with Yengi on for the injured Odimayo. County pressed for more goals in the 6 minutes of injury time and Hylton was booked for a crude late tackle on Wildig on 90+5 minutes. County put the icing on the cake on 90+6 minutes when a slick move left side saw Bogle play in McNeill and he finished smartly from an acute angle with a low shot into right corner beyond the grasp of Burge. County got a warm applause at the end of the game for their efforts and arguably their best home win of the season.
Day (8) — made some good aerial claims under pressure from crosses and safe hands saving well from several shot low down. Kicked well under pressure and maintained concentration.
Norman (7) — was well marked by Haynes but stole forward well into some useful positions. Strong in the aerial challenges, tackled well and went close with a couple of snapshots edge of the area
Evans (7) — had spells when he had to defend but did well to stifle threat from Hoskins. Distributed well from deep but made some tired clearances late on and had to dig in.
Clarke (6) — put under some early pressure competing well in aerial duals before being replaced by:
Drysdale (8) — excellent game and showed no effects from recent injury. Dominated the aerial duals assertive with strong headers and cleared effectively. Did well to anticipate on opening goal.
Demetriou (7) — remained focussed throughout. Won his headers and was neat with distribution. Played deep on times but provided fair quota of long throws
Baker (7) — disciplined performance, one lapse got him a booking but he did well in aerial duals and read game well clearing early and effectively.
Wildig (8) — put in several brave sturdy challenges and drew several fouls, his alertness to squash danger and pivot moves in transition was key. Went close a couple of times in and around the area
Moriah-Welsh (7) — started slowly but got into the groove, bright with ball at his feet and crispness of passing was key. Restricted on shots but kept passing ticking before going off
Lewis (8) — competed well, some excellent tackles to recover when ball was lost cheaply further up pitch. Did well to meet the ball early and provided some decent crosses, especially the opening goal
Bogle (8) — got little protection from the referee but kept persevering. Made some strong challenges and showed good awareness turning provider, selfless performance at the heart of the three goals
Kavanagh (7) — worked hard to get on shoulder of the defender but struggled to find space first half but came alive after half time angling runs into some good positions and was unlucky not to score.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Northampton Town)
Strengths — technically some good players and created some good moves final third and worked hard to press off the ball before fading.
Weaknesses — gave away some clumsy fouls and overzealous in dangerous areas getting away with some as well. impetus went out of the game late on before County added goals in injury time.
Opportunities — they opted for four at the back rather than matching County 3–5–2 and despite offering threat in transition there was vulnerability on times defending especially late on.
Threats — Appere and Hylton were robust and clever with passes. Hoskins clever runs and link play. Pinnock crosses were accurate and shots from distance
OFFICIALS
L Doughty (6) — got the key decisions right and bookings but made some strange decisions ignoring a lot of the cynical holding and pulling
MAN OF THE MATCH
Omar Bogle — never got anything off the rest but showed patience, determination and discipline. At the heart of all the goals and offered guile and strength final third.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County gave Northampton a run for their money in the away match and it only finishing that let them down, but this time they had the cutting edge to finish the job. They started the game somewhat slowly which has become a trademark in their home games, but this time showed resilience and began to ramp up their approach play as half time beckoned. After getting their noses in front, Northampton had a spell when they put County on the ropes, but they were disciplined with some neat play in transition to counter. Northampton offered some threat from shots in and around the area when County were slow to close down and read play. County can also improve on their anticipation inside the area from set pieces as they were not always alive to the second ball. County are a difficult side to play against once they lead games and again this showed with great stamina and fitness against their high riding opponents to finish the game strongly. Next up is Stockport County away who were dominant in the match at Rodney Parade despite a late rally by County. Stockport are on a decent recent run and have stick rigidly to a 3–5–2 system with Horsfall a key cog winning aerial duals through the middle, but their main threat comes in transition in wide areas. Hussey was rested in the Sutton match today but he is likely figure at left wing back and his contest with Norman will be pivotal. Knoyle compliments well on the right side but is less proficient on set pieces and crosses. County need to stifle the threat Stockport from wide areas and force them to play long into Wootton. They will need to track the runs of Collar and use the middle of the pitch efficiently in transition.
