Salford crosses drain momentum

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Peninsular Stadium

Newport County 1 (Morris 31)

Salford City 2 (25 Lund, 46+6 own goal)

Attendance: 2,006

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County WLWWLDLDL

Salford City LWLWLLLLLL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Both sides are impaired by injuries and poor form. County persist with four at the back, so key they show more aggression in wide areas with defending and win tackles

CONDITIONS

Rain, cloudy and keen breeze. Pitch quick in decent condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Competed and matched Salford box to box but ultimately decision making inside boxes proved costly.

TURNING POINT

Sloppy second Salford goal in first half injury time

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with James Clarke injured but had captain Ryan Delaney back after suspension. County retained faith with the same 4–2–3–1 formation and were passive in the early stages with Salford working some low moves and switches of play. Salford were keen to get the ball into wide areas using the pace of Bolton right side and N’Mai left side to test County full backs Lewis and McLoughlin. County had Wildig somewhat harshly booked on 5 minutes following his first honest tackle clipping Smith only just inside the County half. On 7 minutes, Salford created a decent move switching play quickly from left to right with Smith finding Bolton in space hugging the right channel but he was adjudged offside. After looking a bit shaky County settled into a better spell with some low moves to test Salford. On 10 minutes, County worked a decent opportunity from the left side with Waite dinking a cross into the box which flashed through dangerously but nobody anticipated back post. On 12 minutes, County were closer when a direct move right side saw Bogle do well to fend off a challenge by Tilt and thread a low pass to the feet of Wildig. He showed good vision to find Morris left side of the area in space but his rising shot from 16 yards went well over the bar. Salford were forced into several passing mistakes with County pressing well and another loose pass on 15 minutes by Tilt saw Wildig seize the ball but he rushed his shot from 20 yards dragging wide of the left post. Salford were keen to play direct using Smith as an aerial outlet with Lund and Bolton gambling to win the bits and pieces in behind. On 20 minutes, County worked a decent move right side with McCloughlin accurate in finding the run of Evans. He manufactured some space right side of the area beating John but his low shot from the right side of the box was just wide of the right post. After being on top, County switched off on 25 minutes conceding a corner right side following a quick break by Bolton. John took the corner whipping a cross to the front post and Lund made the most of the charity offered with no marking burying his header from 8 yards. Salford were boosted by the goal and with County increasingly indecisive they were close to another goal moments later. Bolton was again given the freedom of the park jinking inside past Lewis and with no tackle forthcoming Mallan curled a low shot from 25 yards which brushed the outside of the right post. Salford continued to make unforced errors with passing deep inside their own half and County had another chance on 30 minutes with Bogle setting up an opportunity for Wildig but his effort from inside the “d” was wasted clipping his shot high and wide of the right post when he should have worked the keeper. County got their reward for persistence moments later when they won back the ball well with Waite angling his run left side to set up Morris who was in space left side of the area. This time his shot was low and precise with a neat finish in the right corner beyond grasp of Cairns. Salford continued to cause problems with their switches of play and worked another good moves on 33 minutes in transition. Bolton did well to time his pass across the face of the area and Mallan blasted a shot just over the bar. The game remained open with County making headway final third with some intricate low moves. On 35 minutes, County had a great chance to go ahead when the forced Salford to defend deeply and Wildig caressed a good header left side of the area for Bogle in space. He drilled a low shot from 14 yards which Cairns managed to get a foot to and deflect the ball over the bar. Salford made efforts to pick up their game as half time approached with N’Mai influencing some pacey moves right side. On 40 minutes, N’Mai broke well from deep and with McCloughlin exposed his searching cross left side of the area was just beyond a touch from Lund. County were forced into a change soon after with Lewis pulling up defending the move and he was replaced by Bondswell. County opted for some direct moves to relieve pressure and Bogle forced Tilt into a clumsy challenge on 42 minutes near the right side of the area which got him a yellow card. On 45+1 minutes, County worked another decent low move with Bennett finding Morris in an advanced position left corner of the area. He slipped a quick pass for Waite who blasted a shot from an acute angle which Cairns saved in the left corner. Salford ramped up some pressure again in injury time with N’Mai seeing plenty of the ball. On 45+3 minutes, John overlapped left side to receive a pass from N’Mai that left McCloughlin standing and he cut inside the area but he shot from an acute angle was well saved and held by Townsend. Salford got their reward on 45+7 minutes with N’Mai allowed too much freedom with his run down the left flank. He got outside McCloughin and elected to cross first time into the area and Drysdale intervened to block the cross but could only poke the ball past Townsend.

Salford came out for the second half looking to put the game to bed continuing to work wide areas with ease and put pressure with runs right side to test Bondswell. On 50 minutes, County were given a warning when Bolton ghosted into space right side of the area and his deft cross was picked up on by Smith but as the ball sat up he could only poke it wide of the right post from 10 yards. Salford maintain their grip with possession with County struggling to take responsibility with ball in midfield and long balls up front giving Bogle and Evans scraps to feed off. County managed to ride the storm and apply some pressure higher up the pitch but Morris was booked on 56 minutes for catching Tilt late with a challenge near the edge of the box. With some better nerve on the ball and retention by County they started to coax some untidy fouls by Salford. On 62 minutes, County had a good situation from a free kick left side of the area and Wildig chipped an excellent delivery into the area pinpointing Bennett. He won his header well glancing it with power from 10 yards and despite it hitting the right post Evans was on hand to sweep the ball home. Evans was then somewhat harshly adjudged to be offside when it looked a very marginal call with John playing him onside near the edge of the six yard box. Evans was then booked for protesting with the linesman over the decision. County kept pressing gaining some momentum with more energy in the final third which was added with Wood coming on for Waite. County had a great chance to level on 67 minutes with Wildig again the architect with a measured cross into the area from the right side but Evans unmarked could only head over the bar from 6 yards. Salford made a change soon after in an attempt to regain some authority over the game with Watson coming on Ingram. Salford remained a threat on the break left side largely through the industry of N’Mai who continued to haunt McCloughlin with some strong runs. On 72 minutes, a low efficient Salford move left side of the area saw Watt find N’Mai and his crisp shot from an acute angle was parried away well by Townsend. County made some much needed changes on 80 minutes with Bennett replaced by Rai with them changing to 4–3–3. On 82 minutes, County created a cohesion move with Bogle doing well to retain the ball under pressure and he threaded a pass right corner of the area for Evans. He cut inside and elected to shoot but the effort was disappointing going well over the bar when he should have worked the keeper. Salford threatened a third goal on 85 minutes, when the pinched the ball through the middle with Watson the more alert and his strong run took him goalside but his effort from the edge of the area was rushed going wide of the right post. County had another chance to equalise on 87 minutes when a good switch of play from right to left saw Bondswell overlap well to receive a pass from Wood. His deft cross into the six yard box was met well by Evans but the header was caught too thick and went over the bar. County won some late corners from their pressure and were close again on 90 minutes when a corner right side was only half cleared and Wood hit a neat shot on the turn from 12 yards which fizzed just past the right post. Salford made a late change on 90+1 minutes to run down the clock with Mallan replaced by Berkoe. On 90+2 minutes, County had their final opportunity to make things count but failed to punish Salford. Following a corner right side by Wildig which flashed deep, Bondswell did well to collect the loose ball and chip a neat cross back post which Rai met well in the air from 6 yards but the header went straight at the keeper who saved low down. Salford held on for a somewhat flattering but important win to narrow the gap on County in the league.

Townsend (7) — kicked well first half into keen wind with distance, made some good instinctive saves front when left exposed and handled well in slippery conditions.

McCloughlin (5) — struggled to deal with pace of N’Mai and reluctance to tackle or close cross invited pressure higher up the pitch. Saw little threat inside the Salford half and played deeper second half

Lewis (6) — was tested by switches of play by Salford and pacey Bolton runs but managed them relatively well under his injury and was replaced by:

Bondswell (6) — put under pressure on times defending and lost track of the runner but grew into the game and set up some decent crosses late in the game. Should be used as a wing back or left winger

Drysdale (5) — was competitive in aerial duals but lost too many against Smith allowing space to turn. Lacked composure with distribution and slow to adjust position on the own goal.

Delaney (7) — the more assured defender by far, won his aerial duals and cleared effectively. Pushed further up the pitch late on to unsettle and won some good headers.

Wildig (7) — did well supporting moves in around box and coped well after harsh early booking. Provided excellent crosses which should have yielded a goal. Wasted a few shots just outside the box.

Waite (6) — did well when got on the ball and was quick to shift play. Had a couple of useful shots from wide areas. Needs to be more robust in tackles and stronger to retain the ball

Morris (7) — worked hard, has come close several times in recent games with shots and got his reward with well taken goal. Timed his runs well and linked play smartly before fading late on.

Bennett (6) — competed well in the air and was unlucky with header hitting the post from free kick. Needs to be more assertive on set pieces. Untidy with some tired pass late on.

Evans (5) — worked hard off the ball forcing several passing mistakes and had three presentable chances second half which he somehow missed. Heading was poor, needs to get over the ball more.

Bogle (6) — some good work across face of the area and when he got facing forward asked questions. Denied first half by smart save but needs to get inside six yard box more assertively to win headers

SWOT ANALYSIS (Salford City)

Strengths — transitional play was effective and switches of play to work wide areas

Weaknesses — centre backs took several touches and untidy with passes. Allowed space out wide and both full backs were vulnerable. Conceded a few free kicks when County kept nerve to retain ball

Opportunities — they played on the counter for large periods gambling to win flicks on and switch play. Never really waivered but went increasingly direct second half.

Threats — Smith aerial duals, N’Mai dribbled well and crosses left side and Bolton strong runs. Watt eye for a pass in and around the box.

OFFICIALS

S Stockbridge (6) — harsh with some of the bookings but generally consistent in the approach encouraging game to flow. Let down by linesman disallowing the Evans goal.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kelly D’Mai — was always available as an outlet for Salford to either give them a breather or make things happen. Set up some crosses and put a fair quota of shots in from difficult angles.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County kept faith with four at the back but they remain vulnerable to sides that ask questions in wide areas and have pace. Their reluctance to close down aggressively, tackle and restrict crosses was their Achilles heal today and despite deserving a point and facing some adversity with decisions they need to face up to address their defensive frailties. Both full backs look lightweight and County will need to show more mettle to stifle crosses in forthcoming game with both Swindon and Harrogate offering prowess in wide areas. At the moment they are simply not reacting collectively well enough to recover and deal with the danger. Salford also threatened today with switches of play when County switched off momentarily when moves broke down. Despite this, County still had their moments, with some good patterns of play final third and if Evans had his shooting boots on they may have pinched a win. Morris and Wildig worked well in tandem and provided plenty of ammunition but ultimately Salford were better inside both boxes. Next up is Colchester United at home who had a good result to beat Notts County today. Colchester have improved after a poor start and likely to play a 3–4–3 formation to utilise their mobile front three unit of Chilvers, Taylor and Tovide who caused an ageing Notts County defence big problems. County need to get an assert grip of the ball in midfield and take care with their passes. They are yielding chances but need to be more ruthless to punish sides.