Sluggish County flattered by three goal defeat

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Stadium MK

MK Dons 3 (Kemp 12, Payne 23, Gilbey 29)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 6,354

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DDWWWLWWLW

MK Dons LWLWWDWLWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

MK Dons are missing a couple of defenders but have been strong home so key County are focussed defensively, disciplined and press from front to back.

CONDITIONS

Cool, sunny spells with light breeze. Pitch looked a bit heavy after recent rain and slippery parts

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Collectively the worst 90 mins of the season allowing MK to build momentum and kill the game early.

TURNING POINT

MK never looked back after first goal.

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with Charsley not recovered from a knock and introduced Waite in midfield. County started purposively and a snappy move inside 2 minutes down the right flank saw McCloughlin find the run of Evans. He showed quick feet to cut inside right side of the area but his low searching cross was intercepted by Norman. MK made their intentions clear with some switches of play from left to right to test County with right wing back Lofthouse seeing plenty of the ball. On 5 minutes, a move right side saw Norman release Lofthouse in space and his pace took him outside Lewis and the long cross into the six yard box was only half cleared to edge of the area. Tomlinson was first to the ball with County lacking alertness, but the snapshot was well blocked by Bennett. MK were patient and intricate in possession with County half-hearted in their press and they continued to ask questions with some moves right side. On 8 minutes, another low cross from Lofthouse right side of the area invited pressure and Wearne set up a snapshot for Kemp who struck a low effort inches wide of the left post from 14 yards. Lofthouse continued to see plenty of the ball right side and his solo run on 10 minutes invited space but his effort right corner of the box drifted wide of the left post. County failed to heed the warning and MK took the lead on 12 minutes from another move right side when the cross into the area unsettled the defence and Wearne was quickest to react and caress a pass to the feet of Kemp. He adjusted before calmly slotting low into the right corner from 12 yards. County made efforts to get on the ball with Wildig taking up some good positions deep in the MK half but County failed to make the ball stick. On 18 minutes, County were dealt a blow when McCloughlin appeared to pull up stretching to clear another cross invited into the area which flashed to the back post. County replaced McCloughlin with Payne in a like for like change a right wing back as they maintained their 5–3–2 formation. County struggled for a foothold in the game being let down by a number of stray pass and MK continued to look dangerous in transition with Payne and Kemp picking holes and Gilbey making some intelligent runs. On 23 minutes, County were forced into an clumsy foul with Wildig denying the run of Payne through the middle. Payne took a short free kick from 30 yards with low pass to find Kemp left side of the area. With Baker slow to deny space Kemp caressed a low return pass for Payne who was left untracked and he finished clinically with a low shot left side of the area which went in off the right post. County then compounded the issue with Wildig booked on 26 minutes for another late challenge on Bate. MK added a third goal on 29 minutes following a quick move from deep that saw County ball watching with Clarke getting dragged out of position marking Lofthouse. The ball over the top left the gap for Wearne to drop into and his run took him goalside of the Bennett. From the right side of the area, Wearne cut back a simple pass for Gilbey to race onto unmarked and he slotted low past Townsend from 8 yards. County struggled to get a grip of the ball with several loose passes and Morris was booked on 32 minutes when the ball was lost cheaply in a decent position well inside the MK half and he caught Gilbey late. MK remained in control as half time approached despite some hesitant passes from deep by MK keeper Kelly. With County allowing far too much space with Wearne dropping off to pivot moves with ease. On 45+1 minutes, MK were close again when Wearne span off a weak challenge by Bennett and threaded a pass inside for Tomlinson who drilled a low shot from 14 yards which Townsend held well in the right corner. On 45+2, MK won a corner right side which Kemp delivered deep and with County struggled to clear effectively, Norman was left unmarked back post but his shot on the turn was saved by Townsend. County made efforts to push up and play in the MK half but they were poor with retention. On 45+5 minutes, a passage of play that typified their lack of control allowing MK to pickpocket the ball near the edge of their own area. With men over MK had options on the break to add a fourth goal but some indecision saw them caught offside which was let off for County.

County made a double substitution at half time with Baker replaced by Jameson and Waite sacrificed for Jephcott. County switched to a 4–3–3 formation with Bennett slotting into central midfield alongside Morris and Wildig and Jephcott adding their extra man up top. County had a brighter spell for a time with Payne seeing more of the ball right side to force MK back. On 50 minutes, Payne did well to anticipate and deliver a cross right side towards the front post which sat up awkwardly and Palmer-Houlden flicked a ball into the six yard box which Jephcott read well but his header went straight at the keeper who made a comfortable save. County had a better spell of possession but remained vulnerable when their moves broke down with MK efficient moving the ball from deep. On 55 minutes, MK attacked right side with ease with Lofthouse timing his run in behind to receive a pass from Payne. His cross into the area was anticipated well by Wearne but his low first time shot from 10 yards was saved by the legs of Townsend. County made a double change on 58 minutes to mitigate the threat right side with Bondswell coming on left midfield in place of Bennett and Palmer-Houlden replaced by Zanzala. MK responded with their own double substitution with Kemp and Wearne off early for Tezgel and Newport born Harrison. Tezgel wasted little time to influence the game coordinating a neat move on 62 minutes which left County chasing shadows. Bate raced forward untracked and blasted a decent shot from 25 yards which forced Townsend to tip over the bar. MK continued to cause havoc right side despite the County changes with plenty of energy and craft. On 65 minutes, Lofthouse was again causing problems when he darted past Lewis and cut back a cross only for Tezgel to have his snapshot from 14 yards well blocked by Jameson. County made efforts to attack from deep using Zanzala as an outlet but his runs right side were well tracked. On 75 minutes, Zanzala drove forward with a strong run from just inside the County half beating a couple of players but his shot from 20 yards was dragged wide of the right post when he should have worked the keeper. MK made another double substitution on 80 minutes to maintain their tempo with Robson on for Payne and Williams replacing Bate. County had a better spell of possession in the final stages and a couple of bookings followed with Gilbey for MK and Evans kicking out in frustration. On 86 minutes, MK replaced Gilbey with Dennis and they had opportunities to add to the score with quick moves from deep but some indecision saw them caught offside. On 88 minutes, MK had Tomlinson in the book for dissent. County prised open a chance out of nothing moments later when Lewis advanced left side of the area and his low cross was brought down well by Jephcott. He adjusted well with a neat turn curling a low shot towards the right corner which Kelly parried around the post. The match was played with 3 minutes of injury time and MK held on comfortably with a win that took them closer to the pack for automatic promotion.

Townsend (7) — was forced into some kicks under pressure which were erratic. Handled well low down and made a couple of smart saves to keep score respectable.

Lewis (5) — run ragged by Lofthouse first half an hour, positional play and awareness was lacking. Saw little attacking threat and failed to get tight and make an honest tackle

McCloughlin (6) — restricted threat well and distributed well before being replaced early by:

Payne (6) — limited threat defended well, turned back several times when he chance to push on and put Townsend under pressure with back passes. crosses he did have the nerve to put in were decent.

Baker (5) — lacked alertness and aggression, allowing players five yards to spin and turn off. Lost too many battles and was at fault with second goal not picking up run by Payne. Replaced at half time by:

Jameson (6) — alert on the aerial balls headed well and cleared danger. Marking was lax on times but distributed well under pressure. Had a good 45 minutes to build back match fitness

Clarke (6) — got pulled about on times doing the job for others in midfield who were not tracking runs. Better second but often put under pressure and rushed making clearances and left firefighting

Bennett (5) — didn’t win enough first contacts and never looked comfortable when turned struggling to recover. did better when he slotted into midfield seeing ball early.

Waite (5) — anonymous first half, lost too many key battles, lacked teeth and offered poor support to Lewis not getting to the ball. Replaced at half time by:

Jephcott (6) — looked most likely to score, read ball inside the air and manufactured a couple of chances out of nothing. Lacking sharpness but did well with ball when he got it.

Morris (6) — playing far too deep to effect game and County need to find a method of play to get him further up the pitch to release tension. Forced into some untidy passes defending deep.

Wildig (6) — made efforts to link play in and around the area but made to look poor with poor retention by strikers first half. Restricted on set pieces but corners he put in asked questions.

Palmer-Houlden (6) — well off the pace, lacked usual verve, did his best to hold up and provide an outlet but made too many runs outside the area when needed to get on the end of crosses.

Evans (6) — did his best in the aerial duals not always getting decision but had little quality to feed off losing ball cheaply. ended up chasing too many lost causes and looked jaded by the end.

SWOT ANALYSIS (MK Dons)

Strengths — thoughtful and used the ball efficiently throughout limiting touches. Offered variety with short and long passes to keep County worked.

Weaknesses — saw few today, good all-round performance. Goalkeeper was hesitant with ball at feet and when County did press they forced some mistakes

Opportunities — they persisted with overloads and switches of play to the right side first half which caused main damage. Played more on the break after second goal.

Threats — Wearne contested direct ball and linked play well. Lofthouse runs and conviction to cross right side. Gilbey runs box to box to link play. Payne killer pass, Kemp eye for a shot and set pieces

OFFICIALS

B Atkinson (8) — didn’t get much wrong, managed flow of game well, allowing some grace but booked when necessary.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dan Kemp — rarely wasted the ball, at the heart of two of the goals but his intelligence to read game, move ball efficiently was key and something County struggled to get a grip with.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were never in this game and the result was effectively killed in the first 30 minutes giving MK Dons far too much respect. County struggled on the big pitch and there was not enough pressing or aggression and this allowed the hosts to build momentum. County have not learnt lessons from the last two games with sides overloading their right side at will, putting the defence under pressure with strong runs and they looked even more lightweight today with Waite and Lewis failing to win their tackles and close down early. County ball watched too much box to box and were indecisive on whether to press or not to and MK Dons kept them guessing with a combination of long and short passes which often left them in a catch 22 situation. County had opportunities to get forward in wide areas but fear also crept in their game with them checking back when they didn’t actually need to, often putting Townsend under pressure with back passes. The whole feel of the approach today felt too negative and safe but they missed the leadership and tenacity of their captain Delaney. County adapted better second half playing four at the back and may need to reevaluate their tactics if McLoughlin is injured as their wing backs carried little threat today. Next up is Harrogate Town away who have moved away from 3–5–2 to play a 4–2–3–1 formation which has served them well this season with combination of experience and younger legs. Muldoon brings guile and an outlet up front mixed with energy in behind of former Rochdale livewire Odoh left side and Thomson right side. County need to release the fear and get back on the front-foot getting Morris and Wildig to influence play higher up the pitch.