Resilience and focus seals important win
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Moriah-Welch 29, Bogle pen 38)
Tranmere Rovers 1 (Lewis 23 own goal )
Attendance: 4,070
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County DLWLL
Tranmere Rovers LWWdL
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County need to get the basics first and foremost and compete through the middle of the pitch. Bold starting line ups with full debuts for new loan signing Moriah-Welch and Nevers
CONDITIONS
Quite warm sunny spells and keen breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Determined spell turned game around and added much more steel and resilience to hold onto lead.
TURNING POINT
Getting early goal back lifted County again.
THE MATCH
County manager James Rowberry made a few adjustments from the mid-week match against Salford introducing two new loan signing for their debuts with Nathan Moriah-Welch replacing Sam Bowen who was on the bench and Thierry Nevers from West Ham came in for Lewis Collins who was substitute. County made some defensive tweak with Declan Drysdale returning from suspension to bolster central defence forcing left back Adam Lewis to the bench with Aarron Lewis going left back. Both sides started somewhat cautiously with Tranmere encouraged a little further forward with the keen breeze behind them. On 2 minutes, County gave away a bit of soft free kick in a decent position left side with Moriah-Welch clipping Merrie, but the Tranmere free kick was overplayed. County worked some good low moves up top with Bogle and Nevers putting a stamp on the game with some strong runs to work the Tranmere defence. Tranmere responded with some direct play using Hemmings up top to contest aerial balls but they couldn’t find cohesion. County had a warning on 13 minutes when they tried to play out in a congested area deep inside their own half. Demetriou short pass with snapped up by Lewis who threaded a quick pass for right wing back Dacres-Cogley and his early cross was met by Nevitt in the air from 10 yards but stretching the header looped over the bar. County kept plugging away with Tranmere persisting with direct play to test the County defence in a contrast of styles. The game remained competitive through the middle of the pitch where County were doing well to move the ball quickly with Moriah-Welch and Waite sharp to the ball. County had another escape on 15 minutes from another direct move this time from the keeper with Doohan put a high ball on the wind which appeared to deceive Drysdale and allowed to drop near the “d” allowing Hemmings to nip but his shot on the turn from 16 yards was held well low down by Townsend. Tranmere gained some confidence from their penetration with County dropping a gear they went behind on 23 minutes following a low move with the ball switched from middle to left side of the area. Lewis was left unchecked when he made the run left side of the area and his opportunist low cross into the six yard area was turned into his own net by Aaron Lewis when clearing. County showed a good reaction to clearing with some energy through the middle with Moriah-Welch getting on the ball to stretch play through the middle. Tranmere then worked another decent move moments later from a simple direct move which County failed to police on the Tranmere left side. Hemmings glanced the ball into the path of Nevitt and his cut back invited Dacres-Cogley to shoot right side of the area but Demetriou got in an important interception. County kept probing away with Nevers doing well to stretch play left side and County were back in the game on 29 minutes. Nevers made a tricky but strong run near the left by line and cut back a decent pass from Moriah-Welch who finished with precise low shot into the right corner from 10 yards. County raised the bar with Norman coming into the game right side winning some throws in deep inside the Tranmere and working positions to force crosses. On 33 minutes, Moriah-Welch made a neat turn past Merrie through the middle which exposed Tranmere and Lewis made a good supporting run to link play but his shot from 25 yards went wide and high of the right post. County upped the tempo with some good moves right side and got their reward on 37 minutes. Norman did well to combine with Clarke right corner of the area after he made a great run from deep and his forged his way between Lewis and behind Jameson who left his trailing leg in his path. The referee awarded a penalty after some brief consultation and Bogle slotted home with the keeper going the wrong way. County were lifted by the goal and may have put the game beyond Tranmere as half time approached with Norman influencing play right side with some forceful runs. On 42 minutes, County won a throw in right side of the box which Demetriou launched into the box and Bogle did well to lock the ball in and appeared to be held back by Byrne as he tried to spin off but the referee ignored the penalty appeals. Tranmere were forced to play on the break with County pushing for a third. County had a couple of good situations from free kicks but crosses were disappointing allowing Tranmere to clear their lines. In first half injury time, Tranmere flirted with goal when County struggled to clear their lines effectively and Dacres-Cogley looped a header left side of the 18 yard box but from an acute angle Hemmings thrashed his effort into the side netting.
Tranmere made a double substitution at half time to pep up their approach with Lewis replaced O’Connor and Nolan on for Merrie in midfield. They retained their 3–5–2 formation but the change settled them into offering more thought and better care of the ball final third but County marshalled the threat well. County were forced in conceding a few free kicks with Lewis catching Dacres-Cogley at bit late on 53 minutes but he escaped a card. On 55 minutes, with Tranmere forcing County quite deep in their half, Byrne slipped a pass left side for Nolan but his effort from over 30 yards was well wide of the right post. Tranmere won another free kick moments which broke down and County broke quickly with a long ball right side exploiting Tranmere. Bogle did well with a strong run past Jameson and force a weak clearance which Waite anticipated well to follow up but he couldn’t keep his shot down from 14 yards scooping over the bar. County made their first change on 58 minutes with Nevers replaced by Collins. Tranmere made efforts to pick up their game with some conviction right side to test County who were forced to play on the break. On 65 minutes, County had a glimmer of a chance when Collins latched onto a neat pass by Moriah-Welch left side but his effort from 25 yards was well blocked by Turnbull. County were struggling for retention on times allowing Tranmere to burst forward from deep and get up a head of steam. On 67 minutes, County had a warning when Tranmere switched play efficiently from right to left side and the early cross by Bristow into the box was deflected just wide of the left post with Clarke doing well to pressurise Nevitt. County made another change on 70 minutes with Waite replaced by Bowen as County set out to seek some control of the game. Tranmere then responded with another change in midfield with Hawkes on McClear. On 75 minutes, County had a decent chance from a long throw left by Demetriou which caused anxiety in the Tranmere defence with ball bouncing around and Clarke hit a shot on turn from 8 yards just wide of the left post. County had a better chance on 82 minutes when Demetriou did well to see the ball early winning a header left side deep in the Tranmere half. Bogle was alive to situation ghosting in left side of the area and his shot from 14 yards was parried around the right post by Doohan. Tranmere kept working County well in transition and Clarke was booked moments later for clipping the run of Nevitt left side. County had another call for penalty turned down on 84 minutes when they had pinned Tranmere back to defend deeply and Norman carried his run across Bristow and went down but the referee was unmoved. County made another change on 85 minutes with Bogle replaced by Zimba and Adam Lewis came on for Moriah-Welch and went left midfield. County held out well in the final minutes squashing the direct approach from Tranmere well and they worked a decent situation on 90 minutes forcing Tranmere very deep but Adam Lewis ballooned an ambitious half volley well over from 30 yards. Five minutes of injury time were played with County showing up better in retention late on with Collins and Zimba working hard to keep the ball.
Townsend (7) — had few clearcut shots to save but gave assurance with good handling and decent distribution. Made a smart save late on to come off his line early and deny Dacres-Cogley.
Aaron Lewis (6) — took a while to settle into game and checked back many times first half instead of finding early pass. Linked well with Nevers but forced back to defend more after half time
Drysdale (7) — switched off a few times early on allowing ball to drop but another one who grew into the game. Didn’t win all his headers but got some determined clearances in.
Norman (7) — did well to force the issue around the time of the goals with strong runs and forced Bristow deep. Can improve on crosses but did a good defensive job when turned back.
Clarke (8) — showed his value with several tremendous blocks and ushered danger away outside area. Cleared well under pressure and did well to win penalty with bold run
Demetriou (8) — won his headers well and was aware with his run linking play inside the Tranmere half. Resilient second half winning his tackles and provided several decent long throws.
Waite (5) — couldn’t really get a stamp on the game. Worked hard and offered plenty of running but didn’t really threaten. Will be a bit disappointed with his set pieces which went short.
Moriah-Welch (7) — decent debut, was bright and intelligent with his passing and use of the ball final third. Competed well and showed appetite to track and tackle back second half.
Bennett (7) — did an important job to break up threat and use ball wisely. Worked ball quicker from under him and linked play well around the box. Went close on couple of set pieces.
Bogle (8) — made the ball stick and showed good understanding with Nevers. Worked tirelessly and went close a few times when he was given service showing capability on shots.
Nevers (7) — stole in the area with some clever runs wriggling away from defenders and used his strength. Bit generous on times looking for pass and turned down opportunities to shoot.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths — centre backs decent in the air and mopping up the ball and they worked best moves in transition by passing the middle of the pitch.
Weaknesses — despite having a wealth of midfield players in the squad showed little appetite to pass the ball and only did it for a short spell after half time before fading.
Opportunities — stuck with 3–5–2 formation and changes at half time pushed an extra player forward from midfield to link with strikers.
Threats — Hemmings contested high ball well and had an eye for a snapshot, Nevitt pace with runs in behind. Dacres-Cogley demanded ball right side and eye for cross and shot.
OFFICIALS
T Nield (8) — quite lenient but consistent. Refused to book some decisions and let game flow allowing a lot of the pulling and clambering but got key decisions right.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Omar Bogle — was at the heart of the best and not sure what County would have done without him today. Took responsibility to shield ball and was lively in and around the box.
IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County offered more teeth and passion across the middle of the pitch and that was important squashing the threat Tranmere offered, largely in transition and some direct play for a time. County worked some smart moves first half and the bold selection of bring in loanee debutants Moriah-Welch and Nevers paid off. County needed a result today and showed the heart and knowhow to get the points which gives them something to build on next week. They can improve on their set piece quality with several corners or free kicks going short and headed away cheaply by the first defender. County did have one or two anxious moments from direct play which they switched off allowed the ball to drop but were more vigilant second half and stopped the by the time Tranmere had faded. County went close several times from long throws and are doing better reading the second ball with Bennett and Bogle going close. Next up is the 2nd Round League Cup match home to Portsmouth Tuesday which offers to chance to test their mettle against L1 opponents. Portsmouth have been in good form in the league and may choose to rest one or two players for this one but most likely will adopt a 4–4–2 system working the ball into wide players and convention wing play to test County. They may switch to more direct play to test County with Bishop acting as a battering ram up front. County need to retain the same energy levels and use their brightness to exploit gaps in transition picking their battles wisely.
