Small margins but fine Evans strike seals it

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Evans 63)

Gillingham 0

Attendance: 4,724

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County DDDWWWLWWL

Gillingham LWWLWDLDWD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County need a response after their passive mid-week performance. Gillingham will ask questions boosted by their January window signing which give them more physical presence so key County match their work ethic and do the dirty work.

CONDITIONS

Mild, light rain showers with keen breeze. Pitch very quick on top and maintained excellent condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Resilient dealing with direct ball, lacked fluency final third, but worked hard to protect lead

TURNING POINT

First goal was always going to be key today in a game of few clearcut chances.

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change with captain Delaney injured but they had attacking midfielder Wildig back from injury. Scott Bennett took the armband slotting into central defence with James Clarke switching to left central defence. County retained their 3–5–2 formation with Gillingham adopting the same system. County tested Gillingham with some direct play in the early stages with Evans getting the better of Hutton in aerial duals but they managed to intercept the delivery back into the area. Gillingham had the benefit of the keen wind first half and elected to play direct off the towering frame of Hawkins up top but the County defence remained vigilant dealing with the debris to clear their lines. On 8 minutes, Gillingham had a half chance when right wing back Hutton manufactured some space right corner of the area cutting inside and clipped a cross on the wind pinpointing Hawkins. He glanced his header back post and Dieng reacted smartly but his snapshot from 6 yards was well blocked by Baker. County eased their way into the game with Lewis making some territory with some brave runs left side. Gillingham countered with another smart move on 12 minutes with Hutton again stretching play and his deep cross was latched onto again by Dieng with a stretching header from 10 yards which Townsend saved well in the left corner. County had a great chance to take the lead moments later when a bright move left side saw ghost forward to receive a pass from Charsley. He delivered a superb cross from a tight position in the left corner which Palmer-Houlden stole in unmarked but his glancing header from 10 yards went wide of the right post. Gillingham set their stall out to stifle and attack from deep with Mahoney and Lapslie driving forward from deep. On 18 minutes, County had another warning when Mahoney broke away from a couple of weak challenges by County in midfield and burst through the middle. He linked well with Hawkins who span and directed a low shot from 14 yards which Townsend claimed well. County kept pressing left side offering plenty of energy and won a corner 20 minutes. With Gillingham having plenty of big men back, County opted for a short corner with Lewis finding Wildig. He danced past a challenge left side of the area but his shot from an acute angle went well wide of the left post. Lewis continued to ask questions with some forceful runs and coaxed right wing back Hutton into a late change on 25 minutes as advanced left side of the area. Hutton was booked for the clumsy foul but the free kick came to nothing with Gillingham defending set pieces well. County worked some more direct moves right side with Evans having a battle centre back Ogie but he was finding little protection from the referee who allowed a lot of the clambering go unpunished. The game became increasingly scrappy as half time approached with Gillingham going increasingly direct using Hawkins as an outlet but they struggled to put five passes together. County were forced back and had chances to counter in transition but too often turned down the opportunity turning back allowing Gillingham to recover. County continued to be thoughtful and work some moves across the face of the Gillingham area but the final ball or cross lacked quality to open them up.

Gillingham made a double substitution at half time with Lapslie sacrificed up top for former Crawley striker Nadesan. Gillingham maintained their energy from midfield persisting with moves right side through the runs of Hutton and industry of Mahoney. On 52 minutes, Gillingham had a decent situation and Hutton saw his cross come shot right side of the area well blocked by Clarke. County switched play well moments later with an efficient move from deep with Wildig threading a pass to the feet of McCloughlin. He showed good vision to find Morris with a low pass and powered a decent effort from 25 yards which was heading towards the top right corner but Turner reacted well to claw it away. County then had a decent spell playing more inside the Gillingham half and offered cohesion to work the Gillingham defence around. County continued to pick gaps left side working some good moves in transition with Charsely and Lewis working well in tandem. On 61 minutes, County got their reward when an efficient move saw Charsley check inside near the left corner of the box and his in-swinging cross was expertly caressed into the right corner by Evans from 10 yards. County were buoyed by the goal and maintained their energy and boldness to play inside the Gillingham half. On 64 minutes, County were close to second goal following a neat move right side and McCoughlin crossed into the area and a clever header on by Wildig released Palmer-Houlden back post. With his back to goal, he spun off challenge well but his snapshot was closed down by the well-positioned Ehmer. Gillingham made efforts to pick up their game again with Hutton carrying some strong runs right side. On 68 minutes, Gillingham won a corner right side which Mahoney delivered out-swinging pinpointing Hawkins but his header from 10 yards under pressure from Clarke went well over the bar. Gillingham made another change on 72 minutes sacrificing centre back Ogie for former Wales international Johnny Evans in attacking midfield. Gillingham went 4–3–1–2 in the remining part of the game with Williams seeing plenty of the ball and probing moves. County were forced exceptionally deep on times but did have some moments to break in transition but were let down by some loose passes. On 77 minutes, Gillingham were close to an equaliser catching County napping with a move worked from deep worked right side by Ehmer to find Hutton in advanced position near the half way line right side. With County slow to suffocate the space Hutton crept forward and his run took him past Lewis and the cross into the area was anticipated well by Dieng following a late run but his low shot from 10 yards was kept out by Townsend who made an instinctive save. Gillingham made triple substitution on 80 minutes to maintain their momentum with Hawkins, Clark and Dieng replaced by Walker, Malone and Clarke. County made their first change on 82 minutes with Wildig replaced by Jameson who went in central defence with Bennett holding in central midfield. Gillingham forced County to defend deeply in the final stages and they chanced their arm with some shots and crosses which were well intercepted. County worked hard to stifle and deny momentum and made another change on 88 minutes with Zanzala on for Palmer-Houlden. On 90 minutes, County had Charsley somewhat harshly booked in a collision with Hutton left side of the area when he put his body bravely between the player and the ball. Charsley was forced off on 90+1 minutes with Bondswell coming on in left midfield. County had to anxiously defend out 6 minutes of injury time and Gillingham had Masterton booked for dissent as time started to run out. Townsend was then booked in the final minute for time wasting on a free kick but County hung on for a hard-fought win that took them just 2 points off the play offs.

Townsend (8) — kicked well first half into the wind and made a couple of smart saves handling well. Handled well on crosses thrown into the area. Superb save made second half proved crucial

Lewis (7) — put under some pressure by Hutton but countered well to ask questions. Provided fair quota of crosses first half which deserved better. Combined well with Charsley with bold runs.

McCloughlin (7) — got forward well first half and linked up some of the better more thoughtful moves. Forced deeper second half by long back but provided several decent crosses.

Baker (6) — did well in the aerial duals and made some good interceptions. Got bumped off too many challenges and needs to sharpen up to win first contact and take of the ball

Clarke (8) — key cog organising defence and dealt well with Hawkins on the aerial challenges picking battles well. made some important blocks and cleared well under pressure.

Bennett (7) — lead defence well, swept up danger particularly first half reading danger. Was composed and thinking ahead which was key and kept defence focussed.

Charsley (8) — improved on his energy levels mid-week, much more alert and squashed threats well. angled his runs well left side second half and provided excellent assist on the goal.

Morris (7) — had spells where he took the bull by the reigns but needs to do more sustained spells. Kept passes neat and tidy with some good switches of play. Restricted to shots outside the box.

Wildig (7) — offered influence in around box and probably the most fouled player on the day, not always getting the decision. At the heart of the best moves and took up some good positions inside area

Palmer-Houlden (6) — worked hard to get into game but got little joy in wide areas, offered more concern inside the box and had arguably the two best chances of the game.

Evans (8) — impressed the Cardiff scouts in the stand no doubt with his work on and off the ball. Did well in aerial duals and despite being restricted on chances, took his one opportunity very well

SWOT ANALYSIS (Gillingham)

Strengths — defended box well and shaped some efficient moves from deep when they had the nerve to play. Best moves came right side.

Weaknesses — less assured left side, forced ball long first half, impatient and overplayed several passes. lacked cutting edge up front and pace.

Opportunities — largely direct first half but offered more thought with the ball when they went four at the back and pushed full backs higher to influence play.

Threats — Hawkins aerial prowess, Mahoney orchestrated best moves, Hutton verve right side and crosses. Dieng late runs into the box getting on the end of crosses.

OFFICIALS

O Yates (6) — refused to penalise persist fouling and ignored the pulling off the ball. Got the key decisions right but only seemed interested in booking dissent.

MAN OF THE MATCH

James Clarke — his role was always going to be important today, seamlessly slotted into Delaney’s position. Dealt well with the direct play, robust clearing effectively under pressure

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

It was a game of very fine margins today, won by a very well taken goal, complimented by some stout defending. The first half was a poor spectacle for the purists, but importantly County kept their focus defensively and had a much better period either side of the goal. In this purple patch, County were brave with the ball at feet, inside the Gillingham half working patterns of play and their persistence to keep knocking on the door of a stubborn Gillingham defence saw them rewarded on one of their few chances. Gillingham made several early changes to maintain their energy that put County on the ropes and the County changes eventually made felt very late when more verve was needed in midfield to keep the ball as there was no natural outlet. County also defended very deep late on, leaving no player up when defending corners and Evans forced to drop deeper and deeper. County pinched the 3 points and will know they will need to improve on their performance to keep rising up the league. Next up they face MK Dons away who have pushed up the league since new manager Mike Williamson joined in January. MK are likely to play 3–4–3 with new midfield signing from Gateshead, Wearne playing as a false №9. County can’t afford to ball watch in this one and need aggression to deny space through the middle and get close to their ball players like Gilbey and Payne in the middle, who keep them ticking but it does leave opportunities for set pieces as they invite space in wide areas.