Plenty of industry but missing the magic touch

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Field Mill

Mansfield Town 2 (Keillor-Dunn 4, 52)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 6,877

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLWLDWLWdL

Mansfield Town ddWWWWLLLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County are stretched again with injuries. Both sides have some players coming back from injury on the bench. Pitch looks erratic and slippery in parts so key County limit mistakes.

CONDITIONS

Cloudy and mild with keen breeze. Watered an already heavy pitch before making it hazardous.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Can’t fault the effort and spirit but ultimately lacked quality and turned over meekly too often

TURNING POINT

Second goal settled Mansfield

THE MATCH

County kept their defensive unit used against Bristol Rovers mid-week in the EFL Trophy with Matt Baker on Wales U21 duty with McCloughlin deputising at centre back. James Waite was selected in midfield alongside Nathan Wood and Bryn Morris as County retained a 3–5–2 formation. County worked a decent move on 2 minutes with a quick direct ball that pinpointed Evans run on the edge of the area. He linked well to find Bogle but his ambitious snapshot from 25 yards went wildly wide of the right post and bar. Mansfield were keen to work wide areas focussing some moves right side to test Bondswell with Johnson bold with his runs. On 3 minutes, County were given a warning when Johnson found a yard of space right side of the box and his cross into the area flashed through dangerously. County failed to learn and were punished on 4 minutes when Morris lost the ball cheaply deep inside the Mansfield half. County were slow to recover and Reed pinged a quick ball right side for Johnson. He cut back an early cross into the box and with County slow to recover, Keillor-Dunn jinked past Waite and slotted low into the right corner from 10 yards. County responded well with snappy low moves to move the Mansfield rear-guard around which gave some hope. On 6 minutes, Bondswell did well to support a move left side and cut back a decent cross which flashed deep and with Payne well positioned his first time effort was disappointing being dragged well wide of the left post from 12 yards. On 12 minutes, another decent low crisp move by County saw Morris find Evans near the edge of the area but his shot on the turn was well blocked by Brunt. Mansfield offered plenty of movement to keep County worked and opted for some direct play using Bowery as an aerial outlet. On 16 minutes, Mansfield were again creating menace right side prising the ball and spinning County around. Lewis found Johnson wide right in space and he jinked free before whipping in decent cross which Bowery glanced on and Keillor-Dunn was quick to anticipate with a late run but saw his stabbed effort well blocked by Delaney. County lacked cohesion on times with Morris and Waite struggling to maintain possession in key areas and they found the life sucked out of some moves. Bogle offered an outlet in some aerial duals but Flint was quick to stifle and County found the ball coming straight back at them. On 30 minutes, Mansfield broke from deep down the left side with County not at the races with Payne caught in two minds to make a challenge on Oates. Bennett was forced to come across but mistimed the tackle inside the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Oates took the penalty but Townsend smartly read the kick parrying the effort to the left side and County hooked the ball to safety. County continued to probe away with some direct moves and had Bogle in the book on 33 minutes for a late aerial challenge on Brunt. Mansfield kept persisting with their right flank and were close again on 40 minutes when Lewis found Keillor-Dunn who struck a half volley from 20 yards just wide of the left post. On the stroke of half time, another opportunist effort by Mansfield right side saw Oates clip his looping shot from 20 yards onto the bar.

County came out for the second half with some good intentions and a bright low smart on 46 minutes through the middle saw Wood thread a pass into Evans near the “d”. He carried a tricky run just inside the area but his low shot went straight at the keeper when it needed power. Mansfield remained a danger when County were slow to move the ball and find their men with a clean pass. On 50 minutes, there was another warning when Bennett was put under pressure by Oates right side of the area and his early effort was dragged wide of the left post. County made a change soon after with Palmer-Houlden replacing Wood with them adjusting to 3–4–3. County imploded on 52 minutes, again following a move inside the Mansfield half when they lost possession. Morris played a poor pass to Evans in the centre circle and he was put under pressure losing the ball cheaply. Maris was quick to pass right side of the area finding Keillor-Dunn in space who slotted low into the right corner from 12 yards. County made another change on 55 minutes with Bondswell being replaced by Clarke who went central defence with McCloughlin going left back. The change settled County into a better shape with Palmer-Houlden coming into the game with some strong runs. On 60 minutes, County won a corner left side after some good work by Palmer-Houlden chasing a lost cause. McCloughlin took a decent corner which dropped deep and Delaney rose strongly back post to direct his header back into the six yard box. The ball was crying out to be rifled home but County could only get an outstretched leg from Bennett on the end of it which was comfortably blocked by Flint. County had Bennett in the book on 58 minutes for obstructing Reed as he broke the shackles inside the centre circle. County kept pressing with some better retention and fluency and had a great chance to get back in the game on 60 minutes. County switched play well through the middle and Payne drove forward well right side of the area. His low cross found Bogle who teed up a chance for Evans and his snapshot from 12 yards was parried away by Pym. County then had Morris in the book moments later for tangling with Lewis. On 65 minutes, County worked another decent move right side with Evans finding Payne who cut inside the area. There was an opportunity to shoot first time from an acute angle but he cut inside only for the effort to blocked by Brunt. The blocks continued to reign in on 68 minutes with Evans seeing his effort inside the box diverted. In a purple patch of pressure, County were close again on 70 minutes when Payne did well to penetrate right side of the area and find Morris who caressed a pass for Waite inside the “d” but his snapshot went over the bar. Mansfield made a change on 75 minutes with Atkins coming on for Oates. On 77 minutes, a move that typified the day for County saw them squander possession deep inside the Mansfield half. Following a corner, Morris floated a nothing cross into the area which was cleared and Mansfield broke from deep and Reed suppled Atkins but his shot on the turn from 18 yards was well held by Townsend. Mansfield made a double substitution on 80 minutes with Boateng and Quinn coming on for Maris and Lewis. Mansfield opted for some direct play in the final minutes using Atkins to unsettle in the aerial challenges. On 82 minutes, County had Clarke in the book for a mistimed challenge on Atkins near the edge of the area. Mansfield had a half chance moments later when a direct cross into the area saw Atkins caress a header towards Boateng on the edge of the area and he thrashed a low effort just wide of the right post. County kept pressing the right buttons with Palmer-Houlden doing well to string some good moves inside the Mansfield which built some momentum with County passing better. County had some late corner and free kicks from some late pressure but struggled to find the quality to punish inside the area. There were some late changes for Mansfield to run down the clock with Bowery and Keillor-Dunn replaced by Gale and Swan. The 6 minutes of injury time saw Mansfield reassert some control with Quinn offering an outlet to keep the ball and Atkins chase down long balls and they protected their lead to go second in the table.

Townsend (7) — kicked well under pressure and handled well. well beaten low down on both goals but smart instinctive save on penalty kept hopes alive of revival for a time.

Payne (6) — seemed to get caught in catch 22 between pressing and reading the play first half and did neither. Did much better second half and instigated some good moves to provide crosses late on.

Bennett (6) — gave assurance reading high ball and swept up danger well to clear but less comfortable when ball went low and got wrong side of the player to concede penalty

McCloughlin (7) — coped well centrally and was alert making some good tackles and passing effectively. Did a good job deputising as left wing back late adding better balance.

Delaney (7) — made some important interventions to nullify crosses and dominated aerial duals. Showed prowess again on set pieces generously setting up chances when he may have scored.

Waite (5) — ran hard but got bullied of too many key challenges. Needs to start winning his 1v1 and not getting drawn into physical duals. Lost too many key battles today and was sleeping on first goal.

Bondswell (5) — targeted for much of first half and Johnson was given far too much space to whip crosses into area. showed capability with crosses but looks lightweight and frail defending the box.

Morris (5) — sloppy with some crosses putting players under pressure. Made efforts to take control, when he limited touches passed tidy, but when he delayed and got pickpocketed left team in trouble

Evans (6) — angled runs well across the face of the area and offered good movement but restricted on clear-cut chances. Did best work when recycled ball but got brushed off too many challenges

Bogle (6) — started game well offering plenty of aggression and energy but lost his edge after booking. Found again a lot of decisions go against him but ended up sulking.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Mansfield Town)

Strengths — the varied play well between direct and low intricate moves and crossed well. centre backs gave little change and strength of bench allowed them maintain momentum.

Weaknesses — both full backs were hesitant and County did make some headway in wide areas. Gave away some cheap free kicks in threatening areas which they escaped on.

Opportunities — never really changed tact and didn’t have to. Gambled on winning the turnover which worked for them. Went more increasingly direct after Atkins came on.

Threats — Bowery had a good reach in aerial duals, Oates runs in behind and eye for a shot. Keillor-Dunn anticipation for loose ball and pass inside area and calmness to finish chances.

OFFICIALS

T Kirk (6) — gave little to County throughout penalising some odd challenges which looked nothing more than collisions, but got the key decisions right

MAN OF THE MATCH

Davis Keillor-Dunn: his link play and intelligence to see ball early final third was key in both goals and County struggled to track him all game.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County certainly put in the yards today and no lack of endeavour, but ultimately lack of quality inside the box and some poor decision making in midfield made this game comfortable for Mansfield. County did have opportunities after the penalty save to get back into the game and even after the second goal the game was alive, but they could find the killer touch to make the game nervy for the hosts late on. County finished the game stronger and need to go into the next game with the players that influenced some better control last 20 minutes or so. Bondswell is struggling for confidence in defensive areas and allowed too many crosses and Payne was also exploited first half when he got decisive. When County kept their passing sharp, low and decisive they were effective, but when they dwelled there was always a vulnerability with the Mansfield set up to steal and counter with the gaps left in behind. County had several free kicks and corners but apart from the reliable “McCloughlin” delivery the crossing was hopeful and too floated allowing Mansfield to clear their lines too easily. Next up at Rodney Parade is league leaders Stockport County who are not likely to deviate from their successful 3–5–2 formation. Stockport focus a lot on crosses into Wootton who has aerial prowess, picking up the debris and they are happy to play in transition if required. County will need to stifle the wide areas tenaciously with Cardiff born Southam-Hales effective with ammo right side and Touray on the opposite flank. Collar will make strong runs box to box which need tracking as he can finish. County need to win their 1v1 duals, build on their cohesion and apply better finishing to punish in key moments that arise.