Two points dropped as Walsall pinch late goal
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 3 (Morris 4, 67, Evans 45+4)
Walsall 3 (Draper 16, 53, 90+6)
Attendance: 3,896
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County LDLDLLWLWL
Walsall DWWLLWdLLW
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Walsall have conceded several goals in away games but go into this game on the back of a handsome win. County need to offer more quality in the box but stifle threat Walsall energy high up the pitch
CONDITIONS
Mild, rain showers and quite breezy. Pitch was in decent condition and slick on top
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Charitable defending undermined three handsome well worked goals
TURNING POINT
None but number of goals conceded after half time not helping matters
THE MATCH
County made a couple of changes with Drysdale returning in central defence in place of Seberry who was on the bench. There was another change in midfield with Wildig returning after injury in place of Wood who was on the bench. Walsall started positively issuing a warning inside the first minute with County caught napping defending their right side. Hutchinson manufactured some space to get past Payne left side of the area and dink back a cross into the area and with County slow to react Draper glanced a header wide of the right post from 10 yards. County responded with some bold low moves and took the lead on 4 minutes. Payne measured a good pass right side to find Bogle who had roamed right side of the area. He cut back a neat precise pass for Morris to latch onto and he blasted a superb first time effort into the top right corner beyond the grasp of Evans. County were lifted by the goal and were enterprising with some efficient low moves deep inside the Walsall half. County unsettled Walsall with their approach play and some of the clearances were erratic but County were unable to punish. Walsall eased their way into the game with Knowles offering an outlet right side. On 8 minutes, Walsall were quick breaking from deep and Stirk set up an opportunity for Hutchinson left corner of the box. He cut inside and blasted an opportunist shot which was well blocked by Drysdale. Knowles continued to cause problems on the break with pace and County were forced to defend some crosses which they did well. On 15 minutes, County were again under pressure when Walsall snatched the ball in midfield and McEntee released Knowles. His cross was picked up by Allen who set up a snapshot for Draper from 20 yards but Maxted parried the shot away. County failed to head the warning allowing Walsall to build momentum right side and they got their reward on 16 minutes. Knowles penetrated right side of the area and his low cross cut back caught the County defence static and Draper hit a low shot from 10 yards which Maxted appeared to have under control but failed to hold in the left corner. County responded with some purposeful moves right side with Payne and Wildig showing a good understanding. County had a series of corners right side and had a penalty appeal turned down on 20 minutes when Daniels appeared to raise his arm blocking a cross inside the six yard box. Walsall set their stall out to attack from deep and with County slow to put in an honest tackle they continued to cause problems with Hutchinson busy left side and Knowles offering pace right side. On 25 minutes, Walsall had a half chance from a corner right side which Stirk delivered to the back post and some slack marking by County invited McAntee to head from 10 yards but the effort drifted wide of the left post when he should have hit the target. County tamed the threat Walsall offered in wide areas better as half time approached but struggled to take care of the ball on times allowing Walsall to put them into some uncomfortable positions on the back-foot. County opted for direct play to test Walsall with Bogle and Evans working tenaciously but the desire to win the second ball let County down. Walsall persisted with the counter attack and won a free kick in a decent position on 40 minutes after Hutchinson was checked by Bennett who got the wrong side defending. Knowles took the free kick but wasted the opportunity blasting well over from inside the “d”. On 42 minutes, Walsall were neat passing final third with a move across the face of the area and Riley set up a snapshot for Williams which went low towards the right corner but Maxted held well. County had a better spell in first half injury time showing more decisiveness to cross early into the area and Walsall were somewhat erratic with their clearances. On 45+2 minutes, County were close when Payne and Wildig combined well right side and the early cross was only half cleared untidily. Bennett seized on the loose ball and his goal-bound effort from 12 yards was intercepted by Daniels. County got their noses in front again on 45+4 minutes following a free kick right side which was quickly taken by Wildig. Walsall were caught offguard and Evans curled an immaculate effort into the left corner from the right corner of the area with Evans grasping thin air.
Walsall made a change at half time with McEntee being replaced by Comley. Walsall worked some early moves left side to test County with Hutchinson seeing more of the ball but County held firm with Payne stifling the threat well. Walsall were back in the game again on 53 minutes with a simple move right side with Riley finding space to pick a pass right side which was precise. Draper was quick to anticipate first leaving the County defence static when he cut inside and slotted calmy into the left corner from 20 yards. County sprung into life with some dynamic moves left side involving McCloughlin. On 62 minutes, he brushed his way past Riley with a strong near the left channel coaxing Riley into a clumsy challenge to earn him a booking. County were close to second goal on 65 minutes following a corner left side after some good forceful play by McClouglin. Wildig took the corner and pinpointed Evans in a deep position unmarked but his header from 8 yards was timid going past the right post when he should have hit the target. County kept plugging away with a better spell of possession and they got their reward on 67 minutes from a neat move right side involving Payne and Evans who carried a strong run into the right corner. He cut back an excellent cross from an acute angle and Morris burst in to finish at the back post beating Riley to the ball. Walsall made a change soon after up front with Johnson replacing Tierney and County responded with their first change on 72 minutes with Seberry on for Baker. Seberry went right back with Payne tucking into right midfield. Walsall made another change soon after with Gordon coming on as left back in place of Allen. Walsall ramped up their pressure left side getting Gordon on the ball and County had to deal with some crosses thrown in hopefully. On 82 minutes, Walsall worked a more thoughtful move left side with Stirk finding the run by Johnson off the last man left side of the area but Maxsted did well to smother the effort. Walsall made another attacking change soon after with Riley sacrificed for former County striker Jamille Matt as they gambled on 3–4–3 formation. County were struggling for control of the game with some hopefuls balls being launched forward and with Bogle and Evans visibly tiring. County made a much needed change on 85 minutes with Rai and Bondswell replacing Wildig and Payne. Walsall forced some late pressure to force County deep in 6 minutes of injury time with Gordon causing problems. There was a late County change to run down the clock with Thomas replacing Evans. County were dealt a blow on 90+6 minutes following some poor defending from a corner right side. Despite the corner being overplayed to the back post Daniels was given too much freedom and allowed to turn away from a weak challenge left side of the area. With County slow to react his low cross into the six yard area was poked home by Draper to claim his hat trick and the match ball.
Maxted (5) — should have held shot on the equalising goal. Did command his area well enough and come off his line to punch. Kicked well but well beaten on the second goal.
McCloughlin (6) — as good as he was coming forward his defensive resolve was lacking. Was given the run-around by Knowles first half but adapted better second half and timed runs well.
Payne (7) — decent game and not sure why he was replaced. Started slowly but grew into the game providing some good crosses and got tight when needed stifle Hutchinson.
Drysdale (6) — strong in the air, but lacked sharpness on times with closing down but recovered well. Took too many touches on times and need to be sharper with mind.
Delaney (6) — needs to be more forceful and aggressive aerial duals. Did well when concentrated but switched on some of the direct moves and crosses. Went close again on set pieces but lacked finish
Morris (8) — best game in a County shirt, was given freedom to push on and thrived taking chance well from distance and back post. Did well when he kept ball moving and switched play well.
Bennett (6) — got spooked with a couple of challenges when ball was taken off him blind. Competed and tackled well winning majority of the aerial duals. Getting closer to first goal this season
Wildig (7) — frustrated by lack of possession and did lots of good work of the ball. Threatened a few times with intelligent runs through the middle which were ignored. Provided several decent set pieces
Baker (6) — did a job in midfield to break up and intercept, tracking runs well and tackles. Competed well but passing was wayward on times and faded early.
Evans (7) — was marked closely and given little time but still found space with some tricks to turn off defender when they got tight. Scored excellent goal from distance and set up the third goal.
Bogle (6) — roamed and caused some problems when he was efficient with the use of the ball limiting passes. Never really got a head of steam to run at defenders and restricted on chances.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Walsall)
Strengths — their patterns of play in transition caused problems with pace and some patient passes. had endeavour to keep going despite being behind three times.
Weaknesses — full backs offered plenty of space and centre back panicked with several loose clearances better sides would have punished. lacked height in the middle of the pitch.
Opportunities — started 4–4–2 and used width to get at County with some counter attacks. Went 3–4–3 late on, more direct with hopeful crosses.
Threats — Draper eye for a shot and finished well. Stirk passed the ball well and Riley decent with set pieces. Hutchinson and Knowles were effervescent in wide areas providing decent crosses.
OFFICIALS
S Gill (8) — managed game well and the key decisions including bookings and game flowed well.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Freddie Draper — possibly dug a point out for Walsall with some instinctive finishes and looks to good for league two. Took up some good positions and second goal was clinical.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County had some good enterprising spells in this game and scored some excellent goals but they never really looked comfortable defending their lead. The main problem was giving the ball back cheaply to Walsall allowing them to build momentum in wide areas and County invited too many crosses either side of the 18 yard box. Payne had another decent game and it was good to see Morris get two goals which he took well and his intelligence in and around the box always gave Walsall food for thought. County still have some vulnerability when they switch off in midfield and allow sides to slip quick balls in behind. However, when they did get the ball shifting and were decisive with crosses they caused problems and with better alertness around the edge of the area they could have added more goals. The changes felt late again with County under pressure late on and not able to find five passes and with Wildig and Payne the wrong choices as they both were playing well. Next up is Notts County away who have carried on where they left off since promotion from the Conference. Notts are likely to play a 3–4–3 formation with much reliance on McGoldrick and Langstaff to dictate play to carry the ball into the final third. Notts do have an ageing team particularly in defence areas so key County are bold when invited with both wide centre backs Brindley and Rawlinson vulnerable to pace and taking too many touches on the ball.
