Strong finish digs out a point

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Bescot Stadium

Walsall 1 (Hutchinson 32)

Newport County 1 (Norman 78)

Attendance: 5,927

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LDdDDLDWWD

Walsall WLWWDLLdDd

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Walsall have been drawing a lot of recent games of low scoring tight games so not expecting a goal feist. County need to maintain their defensive resolve and use their bench well to manage game.

CONDITIONS

Mild, cloudy and keen breeze. Pitch in reasonable condition but a bit weathered in the corners.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Dropped standards first half but showed good character to fight back and could have nicked it late on.

TURNING POINT

Half Time.

THE MATCH

County made just the one change in midfield with Moriah-Welsh replacing Aaron Lewis who was on the bench. The early stages set a precedent with both sides winning free kicks in decent positions but the delivery fell short with the defence on top. Walsall work some good switches of play from left to right to test County with Adam Lewis under pressure. On 10 minutes, Walsall were quicker to the ball with Knowles bright with his feet right side which coaxed Demetriou into a late challenge. From the free kick, County were caught sleeping with Low first signalling to take free kick, but he allowed Knowles to take it. County failed to pick up Low inside the area when the ball delivered and Townsend did well to smother the low effort from 8 yards. County had a couple of sporadic moves left side winning throws left side of the area. On 15 minutes, Demetriou launched a long throw to the front post which Clarke met but his header under pressure looped over the bar. Walsall were largely direct in their approach using former County striker Jamille Matt as an outlet and another loan signing from Forest Green Rovers Matt Stevens alert with supporting runs. County contrasted the style with some more patient thoughtful moves but struggled for cohesion. On 22 minutes, Charsley appeared to be bowled over holding the ball in the right corner which was ignored by the linesman in close attendance and he was booked for contesting the decision. Walsall kept persisting with direct play which County encouraged on times with them slow and unreactive to close down. On 26 minutes, Walsall prised open a decent chance when Knowles dinked a ball right side which Stevens latched onto but was forced wide to an acute angle and his effort from 10 yards was well blocked by Farquharson. County had some opportunities to pick holes when they won possession but were let down by some poor passing and lack of energy was crippling their momentum allowing Walsall to counter. Walsall kept persisting with direct play and got their reward on 32 minutes from a more patient move involving several players. Monthe crept up to support from defence and allowed to chip in a cross into the area pinpointing Matt and his presence caused County to panic clearing and Hutchinson was well positioned inside the “d” hitting a crisp first time shot which appeared to get a slight deflection before nesting in the left corner with Townsend grasping thin air. County made efforts to pick up their game and Knowles was booked on 35 minutes for checking the run of Norman as he drove strongly through the middle of the pitch. On 42 minutes, another Demetriou long throw left side caused problems for Walsall when they allowed the ball to drop and a loose clearance was met by Bennett who poked his shot from 10 yards wide of the left post. On 44 minutes, Walsall were quick to exploit some loose play by County in midfield when Bennett was lax with his pass. Walsall were quick in transition getting Hutchinson on the ball and feeding Stevens through the middle. He adjusted well and directed a low shot from 20 yards which was well held again by Townsend. Walsall finished the half on top with County off colour in body and mind.

It was no surprise County made changes at half time and they made four to pep up their approach with Baker coming on for Bennett in midfield, Zanzala on for Kavanagh and Evans coming on for Charsley and Aaron Lewis replacing James Clarke. County also changed their formation to give Walsall a different challenge reverting to 4–4–2 with Evans left midfield, Norman right back with Aaron Lewis right midfield. Walsall went increasingly direct after half time using the wind behind them to test County when invited. On 46 minutes, County were given a warning when White launched a ball from deep which Demetriou contested well with Matt but the ball dropped in behind and Farquharson made a great recovery to mop up the danger. Walsall repeated the trick a moment later with County slow to close down but they managed to get the ball safe and the long throw was cleared effectively. County responded with some snappy moves from deep and won a corner right side on 50 minutes. Adam Lewis whipped a decent delivery which Walsall ushered to the edge of the area and Baker direct a decent fist time effort just wide of the right post. County began to cause problems for Walsall offering more verve in wide areas with Aaron Lewis and Will Evans demanding the ball. On 55 minutes, a neat low move by County saw them penetrate down the left flank and Walsall right back White was clumsy with his challenge on Evans which got him a booking. Walsall persisted with forcing play right side flighting the ball on the wind and won a corner on 57 minutes. The corner delivery was teasing with Matt well positioned to glance a header which Stevens anticipated but his header from 8 yards was tame with Townsend making an easy save in the left corner. On 60 minutes. County caught Walsall napping when they sparked into life with a great move from deep left side. Evans did well to thread a pass across the face of the area for Zanzala but his effort was well blocked by Low. County had an even better chance on 67 minutes with Walsall getting the wrong side of the ball. Moriah-Welsh burst forward to exploit space through the middle but his shot from just outside the box was high and wide of the right post. Walsall made a double substitution on 70 minutes to freshen their approach with James-Taylor replacing Stevens up top and Riley on midfield for Gordon. Walsall had a better spell of possession for a time following their changes and Norman was forced into an untidy challenge on Knowles on 72 minutes which got him a booking. The game continued to be interrupted with several fouls with County not always getting the rub of the green especially left side with Evans on the receiving end of tackles by White and Low which went unpunished. On 77 minutes, Evans was given advantage to carry his run inside near the right corner after a good pass from Zanzala but his low shot in left corner was well held by Evans. County kept pressing a got their reward on 78 minutes following a corner right side by Lewis which put in second time towards the back post and Norman directed his header into the right corner. County went for the kill with an attacking change on 82 minutes that saw McNeil replace Adam Lewis as County went to 4–3–3. The front three pressed well in the final minutes and County had a great chance on 85 minutes when Zanzala charged down a tired clearance by Monthe and supplied a pass left corner of the area for Evans but his Walsall were thankful for a good interception by Low. Walsall maintained their direct approach and a ball from deep on 90+1 minutes caused problems for County with James-Taylor cutting inside with a dynamic run which coaxed Demetriou into a late tackle from behind and he was booked. Knowles addressed the free kick with a decent effort over the wall but Townsend was alert parrying around the right post. On 90+2 minutes Moriah-Welsh was booked for a tired looking challenge on James-Taylor tracking back to recover near the half way line. County kept pressing in the 4 minutes of injury time and had a great chance to win the game at the death when they had 3 v 2 situation. Moriah-Welsh drove through the middle and had options either side with McNeil and Zanzala right side but opted to play in Bogle left side of the area but Monthe made a vital interception and the Walsall managed to clear effectively.

Townsend (7) — kicked and distributed well under pressure and made a couple of smart low instinctive saves to deny Stevens and the late one to push away a free kick.

Norman (7) — quiet first half, distribution was untidy and forced back to defend. Played less deep after changes, despite going full back working well in tandem with Lewis. Took his headed chance well.

Adam Lewis (6) — put on the back-foot for much of the first half under pressure from direct play but adjusted well when formation changed improving delivery and set up the goal.

Farquharson (8) — dealt well with aerial bombardment keeping Matt quite, didn’t have his own way but marshalled threat well and made some good clearances to mop up danger left side.

Demetriou (7) — put under pressure in the air but recovered well when turned and forced back clearing effectively. Took a booking for the team but held firm after. Limited with long throw threat.

Clarke (6) — kept right side solid first half and was alert in making clearances and tackles before being sacrificed at half time by:

Aaron Lewis (7) — did a good job defensively but add verve and energy right side with some bright runs. Got into some good areas late on to effect game and his runs caused problems.

Bennett (5) — looked leggy and was untidy with simple passes. didn’t get to enough of the key second balls and replaced by:

Baker (7) — excellent game, alert and made some sturdy challenges and well timed tackles. Looked capable in around the area from set pieces as well reading play well.

Charsley (5) — started slowly and never really got a firm grip of the ball. Struggled to impact after booking and was replaced by:

Evans (7) — gave an outlet in transition left side when Walsall were overzealous supporting direct moves. Worked the right back and put in a couple of decent snapshots edge of the area.

Moriah-Welsh (6) — poor first half and was fortunate not to be replaced. Lacked teeth and desire to win the ball but when he got the ball second opportunities arose but let down by decision making

Kavanagh (5) — frustrating first half, ran into too many dead ends and let down by bad touch before being replaced by:

Zanzala (6) — enjoyed his role to face up at defence and support runs from deep. did some good work chasing lost causes and unsettle defenders. Had a couple of shots from distance blocked.

Bogle (6) — had scraps to feed off first half, got bogged down with ball under his feet but got moving second half shifting ball around quicker but restricted on clear-cut chances.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Walsall)

Strengths — centre backs was composed until they tired late on. Played to their strengths which was direct play and the Forest Green triangle of Matt, Stevens and Hutchinson had a good understanding

Weaknesses — over cooked the direct play, didn’t show enough appetite to pass the ball and lacked cutting edge. Committed several untidy fouling getting away with a few by lenient referee.

Opportunities — stuck rigidly to 3–5–2 and maintain shape. Hutchinson was a key link up top and James-Taylor gave some much needed creativity late on.

Threats — Matt aerial prowess, Stevens runs in behind. Hutchinson picked holes well and eye for a shot. Knowles didn’t waste many passes.

OFFICIALS

S Purkiss (6) — was keen to let game flow which was understandable as it was littered with fouls but gave very few, if any, of the 50–50s to County ignoring clambering and pinning down.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Tom Knowles (Walsall 10) — with Kinsella out, he did a good job to steady the Walsall midfield and shape play. The best moves went through him, accurate and consistent with distribution.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County started the game slowly at Barrow and the same passiveness saw them get punished today. Walsall had much the better of the first half and County would have struggled to recover if Walsall had their shooting boots on. County caused problems for themselves not winning enough of the second balls and despite there being plenty of space through the middle of the pitch, some poor passing and general lack of sharpness meant County couldn’t assert their game or strengths. There were also some situations where Walsall were allowed space to work quickly taken free kicks, long passes from deep or throw ins with County sleeping at the wheel. The changes made at half time were bold, but necessary and the formation change certainly asked different questions. County had a great chance to win the game at the end but the move perhaps summed up their day with decision making letting them down. County made the right changes today, but the key for the manager in a busy February schedule is being proactive with changes before games as well as being reactive during games. Next up is the long trip to Hartlepool United on Tuesday evening. The hosts are in a precarious position having drawn a lot of recent games but they have improved since the January window and will be galvanised by their late comeback away against Wimbledon. Hartlepool are likely to mirror County in a 3–5–2 with left sided crossing threats from Ferguson and Jennings key to using target man Umerah. Hartlepool are a very left sided unit so key County deal with that first and foremost and have patience and discipline in this game. They have the flexibility and tools to change their shape and personal if required.