Something to build on for much improved County
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Demetriou 9, Clarke 87)
Walsall 1 (Shade 45+2)
Attendance: 3,825
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County WWLWLLWDDL
Walsall LLLDWDWW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Walsall have picked up form after a slow start to the season but will be missing influence of Wilkinson and former County captain Joss Labadie. Key County start well and impose their game.
CONDITIONS
Warm, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Angry but disciplined performance, dominated first half before being pegged back but found a way to win the game
TURNING POINT
Missed County penalty gave Walsall a temporary lift before regained control again.
THE MATCH
County made a eight changes to the side that were beaten at home by Northampton midweek. Goalkeeper Joe Day was replaced by Nick Townend and Ryan Haynes was sacrificed to the bench in place of Aaron Lewis at left wing back. Ed Upson made a welcome return to take the place of the injured Scott Bennett in central midfield who sustained a broken foot midweek. There were another 3 changes with former Walsall captain James Clarke, Oliver Cooper and Matt Dolan drafted in to replace Priestley Farquharson, Robbie Willmott and Jake Cain who were not named in the squad. Dolan slotted seamlessly between Clarke and Demetriou as County reverted to a 3–5–2 formation. There was another change up-top with Alex Fisher and Dominic Telford replacing Timmy Abraham and Lewis Collins who were named a substitutes. County started with determination looking to brush off the cobwebs from Tuesday. Some early energy saw County work positions wide of the 18 yard box with Norman and Lewis delivering useful crosses into the area that Walsall hooked clear. On 5 minutes, a neat crisp low move by left side saw Lewis prise an opening getting beyond right back White and his low dangerous cross was intercepted by Menayese. County kept shifting the ball around efficiently making Walsall work hard and an excellent move on 9 minutes saw them shift play well from right to left with Lewis the architect forcing a nervous clearance by Walsall to concede a corner. Dolan swung over a decent delivery which hung deep and Upson directed a useful header back into the 6 yard box. The ball in caused anxiety in Walsall and despite Demetriou seeing his first effort blocked he pounced on the rebound to slam home near the line. County went into another gear after the goal with some excellent movement and thought with the use of the ball in midfield through Livermore and Upson. County worked a couple of decent moves final third with Fisher and Telford combining well to unsettle Walsall centre back pairing with Telford close to breaking through. On 15 minutes, County won a free kick through the middle after Cooper did well to protect the ball under pressure. Dolan took the free kick from 30 yards but his curling effort went just over the bar. Walsall made efforts to play from deep but Fisher and Telford were quick to deny space and passing errors crept into their game. County then had Upson in the book 18 minutes somewhat harshly when his first real tackle tracking back to defend saw him catch Osadebe late. Walsall used the long ball to tame the flow game with Miller offering a robust outlet but County were quick to stifle and squash their direct moves and Walsall found the ball coming back at them. On 22 minutes, Livermore did well to pinch the ball in midfield from Kinsella and supply a short pass to Fisher. He looked to see the keeper off his line but the ambitious effort from 35 yards was well over the bar. Telford and Fisher continued to work well in tandem to press and unsettle and County were close to another goal on 25 minutes when Telford chased down a ball slid in behind which Monthe dithered on. Telford raced goalside and was struck a shot from an acute angle into the side netting when he should have worked the keeper. Walsall used their left channel well as outlet to break with Osadebe and Shade working well together and County had to deal with some direct runs by Shade. On 32 minutes, County created their best move of the half when they worked the ball from a throw in left side the to right channel with Livemore finding Norman. He elected to find Clarke edge of the area who curled a low shot from 20 yards which Rushworth saved well in the bottom right corner. Moments later, with Walsall sitting deep, Upson scooped his shot from 14 yards well over the bar as the ball sat up. On 36 minutes, Kinsella was fortunate not to be booked when he lunged into a tackle right side catching Norman late. Walsall persisted with the direct approach using Miller who was prepared to challenge across the line but County remained in control and looked certain to add to their lead. Walsall had another warning on 40 minutes when Lewis initiated a decent move left side driving to the by line and he cut back a cross to find Cooper near the edge of the area only for the low snapshot to be saved in the left corner. Norman continued probe away right side with some forceful runs winning some throw ins. On 45 minutes, after a quick throw right side Norman whipped in an excellent cross pinpointing Demetriou which drew a foul from Hayden. The referee pointed to the spot and Dolan stepped up but the effort towards the left corner was parried away by Rushworth. Walsall were boosted by the goal and from a rare break they were back in the game on 45+2 minutes when Upson was caught in possession and a good move in transition left side saw Osabade find Shade. He was allowed too much space and roamed inside unchallenged before blasting into the left corner catching Townsend by surprise.
County were out early for the second half seeking to make amends with Lewis getting on the ball well and another tantalising cross on 47 minutes towards the right side of the back stick flashed through dangerously. Walsall made efforts to pusher higher up the pitch to deny space but County remained threatening when kept their passing snappy. A neat passing move on 54 minutes saw Upson find Fisher and he did well to hold off Monthe and reverse pass to pick out the intelligent run through the middle by Telford. He carried the ball forward and struck a low effort from 12 yards which Rushworth managed parry away to safety. Walsall were able to squash some of the flow County had in the first half with Kinsella and Earing seeing more of the ball but their passing remained erratic on times and became increasingly untidy. County made an early change with Baker-Richardson replacing Fisher and Walsall responded replacing Shade with Kieran who went left wing. The change lifted Walsall’s game for a time with Kieran providing an outlet to test Norman left flank. On 65 minutes, Norman was caught in possession allowing left back space to creep forward and exchange a pass with Kiernan. From the left side of the area, the cross was cut back first time and Phillips saw his header from 10 yards deflected and the ball crashed against the top of the bar. County responded with their second change soon after with Azaz replacing Livemore to pep up their approach play. County picked up their game final 20 minutes regaining control and more energy. On 72 minutes, County were close when Lewis did well to stretch play left side and clip back a cross into the area towards Richardson and his early lay off found Telford. He side-stepped a challenge from Ward and the shot from 16 yards was parried away right side by the keeper. Walsall had a glimmer of chance on 75 minutes when corner left side by Earing pick out Phillips in a deep position but the header drifted harmlessly wide of the right post. Walsall were forced into a change on 78 minutes with Kinsella pulling up and he was replaced by Perry. County responded by introducing Missilou for Upson to add drive through the middle of the pitch. County were close again on 85 minutes, when move right side sliced through the Walsall rear-guard with Cooper checking back to find Telford. He cut inside a curled a decent effort from the right corner of the area but Rushworth denied him with an excellent save parrying away left corner. County kept plugging away forcing Walsall deeper again and got their reward on 87 minutes from some quick awareness left side. Norman having gone over to take the throw in working it short exchanging a pass with Lewis and his excellent first time cross was anticipated superbly at the back by Clarke who steered his header into the top left corner beyond the grasp of Rushworth. Walsall made efforts to pick up their game in the five minutes of injury time forcing County to defend deeper with Kieran and Earing seeing plenty of the ball. County had to deal with some crosses swung into the area but Townsend remained untroubled as County held out for a thoroughly deserved win.
Townsend (7) — kicked well and was swift with his distribution. Was alert to clear danger in behind and claimed crosses well. Seemed to see ball late on the Walsall goal going down a bit late.
Norman (8) — produced the goods against his former team. At the heart of some decent moves first half and used intelligence when to cross and check back. Superb cross on winning goal
Lewis (7) — offered verve and eager link play throughout delivering decent variety of crosses. Ran into a few dead ends second half when forced onto his less favoured foot but kept persevering
Dolan (8) — composed throughout and eagle eyed picking up danger passing efficiently. Dealt well with Miller knowing when to get tight and drop off. Put in several decent set pieces.
Clarke (7) — assured performance, won his aerial duals and tackles under pressure, accomplished with his distribution. Took his goal very well with precise header.
Demetriou (8) — easing his way back to fitness and looked sharper today in mind and body passing wel. Was a nuisance on set pieces in around box and did well to win penalty
Upson (7) — got on the ball to influence play with fine range of passes and adapted well after early booking. Went close a couple of times from set pieces.
Livermore (7) — excellent first half, saw ball early and challenged well to win tackles and shift play quickly with some clever short and long passes rarely wasting the ball.
Cooper (7) — busy game, alert to the loose ball and was inventive when he had it. Restricted chances but turned provider with some clever link play to pick holes and find front runners.
Fisher (7) — had a decent first half getting across central defenders well to unsettle and showed a good understanding with Telford. Had a couple of decent shots from distance before fading.
Telford (8) — retention and technical use of the ball was key, nuisance throughout with his off the ball pressing and movement and went close several times but denied by keeper.
Strengths — they coordinated some well worked moves in transition when they had the nerve to pass the ball but it was sporadic.
Weaknesses — both full backs has difficult first half and they elected for easy long ball more than often. Both centre backs slow with decision making. Apart from Earing little quality on passes.
Opportunities — sat back playing 4–5–1 and stayed deep first half inviting pressure but pushed up higher for a time but effect faded late on with several players looking jaded.
Threats — Shade offered pace and trickery left side. Earing eye for a pass and Phillips was decent in the air.
OFFICIALS
L Swabey (7) — one of his better games at Rodney Parade. Bit inconsistent with bookings, but got the key decisions right and made efforts to let game flow
MAN OF THE MATCH
Dominic Telford — did everything but score today, got several shots in and his general play was very effective from first minute, awareness to make runs was key and make ball stick.
IF YOU WERE MICHAEL FLYNN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County needed to respond after the off-colour tepid performance mid-week and the changes made were spot on with the defensive unit doing an accomplished job apart from the one lapse just before half time. The 3–5–2 formation gave County fluidity and they got their wide players influencing matters well with several crisp low moves that Walsall found hard to deal with. Telford put in the best performance from a County striker for some weeks and his partnership with Fisher looks to be blossoming. County should have had this game put to bed at half time and despite not having so much dominance they still found a way and will to win this match. When Walsall pressed up higher second half, for a time County were flatter but they learned and opted to play more in transition to effect the game. Late on it became clearer and when County broke from deep they had the legs and intelligence to cause damage which was evident with the winning goal which was worked from a quick throw. Going forward this should be a big weapon for County and this performance gives something to build on with sides that are keen to high press. Next up is Barrow away this Friday who have started the season positively under the stewardship of former Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper. Barrow are likely to play a 4–2–3–1 formation with a keenness to play out from the back. County need to close down from front to back and track runs of former Carlisle striker Zanzala when the ball is shunted long.
