Quick fire County goals turn game on its head
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Keepmoat Stadium
Doncaster Rovers 1 (Hurst 12)
Newport County 3 (Farquharson 64, Wildig 71, Norman 79)
Attendance: 5,490
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County LDDDWdWLWL
Doncaster Rovers dWLDLLLLDL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Doncaster have been struggling for goals and wins so some pressure on them to perform at home. Young Doncaster, so key County match their enthusiasm and take care of ball final third.
CONDITIONS
Quite warm, sunny spells and light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and a bit slow on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Error ridden and flat first half but changes just before the hour span the game to blitz home three quick goals.
TURNING POINT
County changes
THE MATCH
County were forced into a change at the back with Declan Drysdale injured, Matt Baker returned to central defence. There two midfield changes with Scott Bennett not in the squad, Aaron Lewis reclaimed his place and Adam Wildig replaced James Waite who was named substitute. County made another change up top with Omar Bogle returning and Calum Kavanagh was the unfortunate one to be sacrificed to the bench. County made a slow paced start to the game which appeared to suit Doncaster who were patient passing low with Close coordinating some good moves. Doncaster were anxious with several untidy clearances in the early stages which County were slow to pick up on and punish. County searched for openings right side with some high balls contested by Norman but left wing back Molyneux managed the threat well. On 10 minutes, County worked a better move switching play well to the left flank and Wildig delivered a decent cross to pick out Norman but his low effort was diverted for a corner. Evans put in an excellent delivery to the front post which Demetriou anticipated well but he could only head over from 6 yards. It was a left off for Doncaster and they reaped their reward on 12 minutes when Barlow switched play well from right to left to find Hurst and his opportunist effort from 25 yards appeared took a harsh deflection before the ball settled in the right corner flatfooting County keeper Day. County made efforts to step up their approach and Doncaster continued to make some unforced passing mistakes. On 15 minutes, Bogle picked up a stray pass lleft side of the area from Faulkner but appeared to slip at the key moment and he shot tamely went out for a goal kick. To their frustration, County then had Lewis somewhat harshly booked for a mistimed challenge on Miller inside his own half. County worked some better moves keeping the ball low and were asking questions on 25 minutes from an efficient move right side involving McNeill. He did well with some verve on the cross right side of the area which Bogle could only glance on but County had nobody bursting a gut back post to profit. County got a bit bogged down on times with slowness of their passing and playing themselves into trouble. On 30 minutes, Norman was booked for a late challenge on Molyneux when he appeared to be in control of the ball but couldn’t keep the move flowing. On 32 minutes, Doncaster showed the capability to threaten on the break when Ravenhill caught Moriah-Welsh in possession and a quick switch of play left side released Brown but his effort from 20 yards drifted harmlessly past the right post. Ravenhill was determined in tackle but an overzealous challenge on McNeill inside the centre circle got him a booking. Moments later some indecision by County clearing saw Farquharson lose the ball cheaply and Hurst supplied a quick pass to Miller left side of the area but the snapshot was well blocked by Baker. On 40 minutes, County had a great chance to score following a corner left side by Wildig. He whipped in an excellent deep cross which Norman caressed into the path of Bogle unmarked at the front post but he could only hit his shot on turn from 8 yards wide of the right post.
Doncaster started the second half determined and despite not winning every ball they showed appetite to pick up the second ball. County had Moriah-Welsh booked on 50 minutes when he lost a ball he appeared to have under control but ended up catching Barlow with a late lunge. On 52 minutes, County worked a move cohesive move right side and won a free kick after a handball by Barlow. Wildig supplied a teasing cross which hung up deep and Demetriou rose strongly under pressure from Williams but his header from 8 yards looped over the bar. County needed some freshness and made some early changes on 53 minutes to freshen the pack with Kavanagh replacing McNeill and Charsley on for Moriah-Welsh. County kept plugging away with Charsley offering more impetus but a loose pass put Evans under pressure to make his tackle on Hurst right side which got him a booking on the hour. Doncaster made a change soon after with Biggins on for Ravenhill in midfield to maintain their energy in midfield. On 62 minutes, a Doncaster move right side saw Hurst again show his eye for a goal with an opportunist volley from distance but it was well wide of the left post. County kept pressing in wide areas using their left flank well to gain territory. On 64 minutes, County won a throw left side of the area which Demetriou launched a high throw into the box and Farquharson expertly glanced into the top right corner from 8 yards with the keeper grasping thin air. The goal lifted County and another positive change soon after upped the tempo with Waite coming on for Lewis. On 67 minutes, County worked a decent move left side with Farquharson doing well to pick out Kavanagh. He danced inside a couple of challenges near the left corner of the area but dragged his low effort wide of the left post. County kept pressing down the left flank and another fluent move on 70 minutes saw Evans do well thread a pass for Bogle left side of the area. He adjusted well and drilled a low powerful effort towards the left corner but Doncaster keeper Mitchell parried for a corner. County added a second goal on 71 minutes following a break from deep which was instigated by Kavanagh who did well to pickpocket the ball off Close. His pass found Waite who showed good awareness to find Bogle left side of the area and cut back an excellent pass for Wildig who struck an excellent shot from 18 yards into the roof of the net. Doncaster were back on the offensive immediately and snapshot on 73 minutes by Biggins from 25 yards was narrowly wide of the right post with Day scurrying across to cover. Doncaster were keen to use their right channel to force County back with Brown showing the art of dribbling but County held firm. On 79 minutes, they killed the game following some good work by Kavanagh to press and chase the lost cause in the right corner and win a throw in. Demetriou launched a lower but teasing long throw and Norman reacted superbly to glance into the right corner. Doncaster made a double substitution moments later with Rowe on for Hurst up front and Westbrooke replacing Barlow. County managed the final stages well despite some pressure by Doncaster right side involving Brown. County made their final change on 87 minutes with Wildig replaced by Bowen and Doncaster responded with Goodman replacing Brown who went left midfield with Molyneux swapping to the right flank. On 90 minutes, Doncaster had Biggins in book for an overzealous challenge on Bowen in the middle of the pitch. Doncaster applied some late pressure with Molyneux making some strong runs right side. On 90+5 minutes, Doncaster won a corner left side which County struggled to clear effectively but as the ball sat up, Long struck a snapshot which Day held firm. County held out despite the 6 minutes of injury time as they continue to rack up some good away wins.
Day (6) — forced to hurry a few kicks but aside from one that was charged down got the ball safe. Made a couple of good saves from snapshots inside the area but rarely troubled.
Norman (7) — saw less influence top end of the pitch but did well to match Molyneux and stifle threat. Made a couple of decent runs back post going close before neat header on long throw.
Evans (7) — played quite reserved first half passing well from deep but came more into the game after the changes to pick some intelligent passes and crosses.
Farquharson (7) — solid game, dominated aerial duals and kept Miller subdued tracking direct runs. Stifled well and made some good direct passes from deep. took his header very well from long throw
Baker (7) — kept focus and limited threat offered by Doncaster left side after one or two chances early on. strong with his headers and pressed up more aggressively second half
Demetriou (8) — untroubled on aerial duals and cleared danger effectively when he was turned back. Aerial threat on corners and provided fair quota of long throws and two key assists.
Moriah-Welsh (5) — looked well of his usual standard, struggled to impact game and put side in trouble several times with indecision on the ball was replaced early
Wildig (8) — competed well throughout, got a big bogged down first half but still provided a fair quota of crosses. Influenced and made County tick second half showing quality finishing on second goal
Lewis (6) — a bit of the pace and looked leggy getting drawn in an early booking. Kept working off the ball but saw little inside the Doncaster half before being replaced early.
Bogle (7) — roamed a lot and was strong holding ball under pressure. Shook off his poor miss at the end of the first half to influence play higher up pitch second half and at the heart of the best moves.
McNeill (6) — struggled to unsettle the centre backs and did better when he angled his runs wide. Restricted on shots at goal but provided some decent crosses which deserved better.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Doncaster Rovers)
Strengths — they passed well and were intricate in their build up play. Box to box they were worked some decent moves in transition.
Weaknesses — centre backs clearances were erratic. Direct play was too hopeful. Left gaps in wide areas and struggled to contain set pieces throughout.
Opportunities — were direct and predictable for much of the first half but showed more nerve to stem some low moves second half working their right side more.
Threats — Hurst angled runs left side well and had an eye for goal. Brown and Molyneux were effective dribbling and pivoting play in wide areas
OFFICIALS
S Mather (8) — didn’t realise notice him, let game flow well and despite a flurry of cheap bookings got key decisions right
MAN OF THE MATCH
Adam Wildig — won’t be wanting the season to end. Showed his influence again seizing ball well to direct play and passed well. Scored an excellent goal made it look like a tap in
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
The first half performance was a concern with County looking disinterested and the game lacking passion. To their credit, County span the game around with some effective changes which were made early and at the right time. County were a little right sided and one dimensional first half and the game was crying out for them to switch play to the left flank but too often they slowed the game down or checked back allowing Doncaster to recover. County were more decisive after the changes and both Kavanagh and Waite made a positive impact. It was the work Kavanagh did off the ball which set up both the second and third goals. County also offered more balance and variation second half using their left side more effectively. The side that finished looker stronger and assuming Bennett is not fully fit, it should be the starting side for the Harrogate home match this Tuesday. Harrogate are still not safe from relegation so County will need to take due care over this match. Harrogate have switched their system since the turn of the year to play 4–2–3–1 with new centre backs Eastman and O’Connor making them less porous through the middle and Armstrong is robust up front with support from runners Thomson and Folarin. County need to break their press and be bold to get at their full backs with decisiveness.
