Spirited fightback gets County a deserved point

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Blundell Park

Grimsby Town 1 (McAteer 36)

Newport County 1 (Farquharson 55)

Attendance: 4,851

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DLDWWDDWLL

Grimsby Town WWLLWWdDWL

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Grimsby are just ahead of County in the league so not expecting them to bowl over after their cup heroics reaching the FA Cup QF. County need energy to work and stretch them on the big pitch

CONDITIONS

Cold, clear and frosty with little breeze. Firm looking pitch but held up in decent condition

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Energetic, tenacious and enterprising, responded well after conceding but couldn’t quite find the KO.

TURNING POINT

County were largely on top after equalising.

THE MATCH

County made a couple of changes to freshen the pack with Bennett replacing Clarke who was on the bench and Kavanagh starting up front in place of McNeil who was a substitute. Matt Baker reverted to his more accustomed defensive role at right centre back with Bennett going into central defence. County started the game with a spring in their step and they were determined early on making some competitive challenges. County worked a couple of decent moves either side of the 18 yard box from some thoughtful low moves involving Moriah-Welsh. On 5 minutes, County had a decent chance following a long throw right side which Demetriou which was only half cleared to Bennett and he directed a good ball in behind for Kavanagh. He did well to adjust and direct a low shot on the turn from an acute angle which the keeper Crocombe saved in the right corner. County were tenacious holding the ball despite Grimsby pressing up high and they were rewarded with a couple of free kick in useful positions which Lewis took well and the delivery was menacing but County couldn’t quite get the final touch. Grimsby were largely direct in their approach using Lloyd as an outlet but the County defence kept focus to clear effectively despite pressure off the ball. County had a great chance to take the lead on 10 minutes when they created a snappy move through the middle with Moriah-Welsh initiating the move inside the centre circle. His alertness to play the pass low and direct to Kavanagh set up Charsley who played in Bogle right side of the area but his low effort was parried away by the keeper. County maintained their verve with Norman advancing into some good positions right side to provide some deft crosses but Grimsby managed to get the ball safe. County kept building some clever patterns of play winning free kicks right side. On 18 minutes, this nearly paid dividends when Lewis whipped in an excellent cross which Demetriou anticipated well but his glancing header from 10 yards went wide of the left post. Grimsby persisted with their direct approach with Lloyd and McAtee chasing lost causes. On 28 minutes, County were given a warning when Farquharson slipped making a clearance allowing Clifton to pinch the ball and slip a pass right side for McAtee but his snapshot from inside the “d” was well blocked by Demetriou. On 32 minutes, Grimsby won a free kick left side of area which Holohan took and the ball flashed deep finding Waterfall unmarked but his low first time effort from 12 yards was well blocked by Farquharson. County kept pressing the right buttons winning their tackles and created some snappy play in transition with Moriah-Welsh finding some openings. Grimsby set out their stall to stifle and persisted with hopeful balls to chase down which paid off on 36 minutes with a long ball down the left channel. County appeared to have the situation under control when Farquharson came across to usher the ball to safety, but Lloyd managed to steal the ball. He cut back a quick pass to McAteer who cleverly lifted his shot over Day from 25 yards and into the right corner catching him off his line. County made efforts to pick up their game again as half time approached with some penetration right side. On 45+1 minutes, there was another warning for Grimsby when Norman chipped in a decent cross which Kavanagh headed somewhat tamely wide from 8 yards when it should have been buried but he was ruled offside.

County came out strongly after half time determined to get back into game forcing Grimsby deep inside their own half. On 48 minutes, Lloyd was penalised for a late foul on Farquharson and Waterfall was given a yellow card for contesting the decision. County were rewarded with some long throws right side from some disjoined pressure which Demetriou launched a low angle but Grimsby dealt well with the threat. County kept pressing setting a good tempo and got their reward on 55 minutes following a corner left side by Lewis. He delivered a teasing cross towards the back post and Farquharson reacted superbly to stab into the right corner from 6 yards. County were energised by the goal and became increasingly menacing with Kavanagh on the shoulder of the last man. On 58 minutes, County created a promising move right side with Norman assertive winning the ball and clipping an excellent ball for Bogle to latch onto. He had the option to get an early shot in right side of the area but some delay allow Grimsby to recover and smother the cross come shot. Grimsby made a double substitution on 62 minutes with Taylor replacing Emmanuel and Smith on for Khouri with Grimsby changing from 3–5–2 to 4–3–3 with Smith going right back. County maintained their sharpness with some good movement and intricate play and Kavanagh being thwarted by a couple of marginal offside decisions. Grimsby went increasingly direct in the final stages of the game using Taylor an outlet to link play and work opportunities to cross. Grimsby offered more threat from some crosses with County a bit slow to close down on times but they kept their vigilance well clearing effectively inside their area. On 70 minutes, County forced Grimsby to defend deeply and were close when Moriah-Welsh blasted a powerful effort from 20 yards which Crocombe held well. In a series of busy County moves they had a better opportunity on 72 minutes when Charsley offered support left side of the area with a strong run and cut back a decent ball near the byline to pinpoint the late run of Moriah-Welsh but Efete made an important intervention. County had another promising move on 75 minutes with Bogle finding space through the middle after a strong run and blasted an ambitious effort well over the bar from 30 yards. Grimsby were able to catch their breath and a bright move moments later saw Clifton repeat the trick with a rising effort from 30 yards fail to test Joe Day. On 78 minutes, County were put in trouble losing possession in a promising position left side inside the Grimsby half. The hosts broke well with a switch of play left side and Driscoll-Glennon supplied a deep cross near the byline which Smith stabbed wide of the left post from 12 yards. The chances continued to present themselves for County and snappy move on 82 minutes saw Bogle wrestle free of challenge right side of the area to open up space. He somewhat generously tried to set up Moriah-Welsh with a pass inside but the shot from 12 yards was saved in the right corner. There was a flurry of substitutions on 84 minutes with Bogle and Kavanagh replaced up top by Evans and McNeill. Grimsby responded with three changes with Orsi, Amos and Khan replacing McAtee, Driscoll-Glennon and Lloyd. County remained positive in the final minutes with Lewis delivering some inviting crosses but the lack of anticipation and reaction to read the flight of the ball allowed Grimsby off the hook. In 90+2 minutes, Grimsby were close to pinching a win when a cross following a free kick left side caused problems for County and Taylor span well to hit a low shot on the turn which Day saved well in right corner. County remained focused in 3 minutes of injury time but had to settle for a well earned point.

Day (7) — quiet game, came off his line well to claim or punch clear and stayed alert to make a smart low save late on to deny Taylor. Kicking out of hands was a little erratic but fine off the floor.

Norman (7) — made some strong headers under pressure, timed his runs well to knit play and provide ammunition which deserved better. Made some good recoveries to track back and avert danger.

Aaron Lewis (8) — upped his game, squashed threat with braves tackles and quick with his use of the ball passing accurately. Supplied some excellent set pieces today which should have been buried.

Farquharson (7) — strong in the aerial duals and settled well after a short spell under pressure when he panicked making clearances. Always a threat on crosses and took chance expertly

Demetriou (7) — alert making strong headers and tackled well. made a couple of important recoveries to deny opportunities. Provided fair quota of long throws but throws to front post were ineffective

Baker (6) — did a good job, limiting threat from runs left side by Driscoll-Glennon and Clifton. Dealt with the majority of balls in behind well but indecision clearing presented Grimsby their goal

Moriah-Welsh (7) — improved his performance from the weekend upping work-rate and being more decisive and not overdoing dribbling. Went close a couple of times with late runs into the area.

Bennett (7) — solid game, competed well in heart of the pitch winning some good headers and mopping up danger. Effective on second ball from set pieces reading game well.

Charsley (8) — effervescent game, worked tirelessly from box to box, won tackles to shift ball quickly into some good areas and was a nuisance with link play and crosses into the box.

Bogle (6) — did well with hold up play and when he got into area unsettled the Grimsby defence. Needs to improve decisiveness on finishing and opt for power as too many low shots are being saved.

Kavanagh (7) — best game, manufactured shots on goal and got amongst it with some sturdy challenges to get on the shoulder of the last man. Needs to keep springing offside trap as goals will come.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Grimsby Town)

Strengths — their work ethic collectively was strong and they pressed well forcing mistakes. Centre backs were sturdy facing the ball and cleared their lines well.

Weaknesses — bit left sided in their approach play and predictable with too many direct hopeful balls. Never really looked convincing dealing with set pieces.

Opportunities — started quite defensively matched up 3–5–2 with County and switched to 4–3–3 late on in the game going increasingly direct and opt for early crosses

Threats — McAtee technical and eye for a shot, Clifton runs and crosses left side in tandem with Driscoll-Glennon. Waterfall anticipated well on set pieces

OFFICIALS

B Madden (8) — was reluctant to book anything but was consistent and played advantage well. Got key decisions right ignoring the diving and antics to

MAN OF THE MATCH

Harry Charsley — certainly put in the yards but it wasn’t headless. Made several intelligent runs and broke up threat early to instigate the best moves and provide some excellent crosses.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County put in a good response today after the Salford game and box to box they were the better side, always more thoughtful and intelligent with their passing and switches of play. The only thing missing was the clinical edge inside the area, to take those chances as sometimes they were not on the same wavelength to finish the moves. County improved their quality of crosses today with their patterns of play to supply a fair quota of opportunities and you always felt a goal would come from a set piece rather than a throw in. Bogle is getting his chances but he needs to put his foot through the ball and break the net rather than be precise. He has tendency to roam on times and you felt if he had been better positioned for one of the crosses by Norman and Lewis he would have been rewarded. Next up is Bradford City at home this Saturday. Bradford have edged their way into the top 7, built on discipline with clean sheets and majority of goals via top scorer Cooke. Bradford are likely to operate 4–3–3 or 4–5–1 formation depending on their ambitions. Their full backs Ridehalgh and Halliday are key, suffocating play by pressing up high and are keen to overlap. County need to win the battle in the wide areas and build on the variety of passes through the middle to turn them around.