Ugly and effective but into the next round
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (McCloughlin 20, 80)
Oldham Athletic 0
Attendance: 2,541
Match Rating: **
Form:
Newport County DLLWLWLDWL
Oldham Athletic WWWDDDWWLD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Oldham have been in reasonable form in the Conference National since new manager Micky Mellon took charge. County need to do the basics well and be prepared to scrap for the ball and be decisive when invited.
CONDITIONS
Sunny with some light rain showers and keen breeze. Pitch in decent condition despite recent rain but a little slippery in parts.
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Competed well and effective when passing kept neat, but had spells on the ropes dealing with pressure well
TURNING POINT
Oldham choking on a couple of gift wrapped chances
THE MATCH
County kept faith with the same side and 3–5–2 formation that gained a win at Gillingham last weekend in the league. The early stages were competitive with County edging it in midfield with some sharpness on and off the ball but Oldham absorbed the early pressure. Oldham operated with a 4–3–3 formation using wide areas and worked some decent moves left side to pinpoint Dickenson. County kept Oldham at arms-length and seized a grip on the game through midfield and Sheron was booked on 10 minutes for a clumsy foul near the half way line. On 13 minutes, County worked a slick move left side and as the ball sat up Morris struck an opportunist effort from 25 yards which Oldham keeper Hudson saved well in the left corner. Oldham opted for some long direct balls to test County but the defence remained vigilant to clear effectively. On 15 minutes, County put themselves under unnecessary pressure when Bennett turned back under pressure and his short pass to County keeper Townsend was seized upon by Norwood. He had time to adjust but his effort from the left side of the area went wide of the left post. County then had Morris somewhat needlessly booked when he held the ball to contest a decision on a throw in down the left channel. County kept pushing the right buttons and took the lead on 20 minutes from an excellent run by Bondswell left side and his cross was decisive being cut back early to the back post. McCloughlin anticipated well striking home low into the left corner from the right side of the area. County were settled by the goal and clever combination on 22 minutes saw Morris direct a pass through the middle for Evans who obstructed by Kitchener who was booked. County continued to probe away with Bondswell supplying some useful crosses left side which caused problems for the Oldham defence. On 30 minutes, County were close from a corner right side which Wildig took and despite the floated delivery Drysdale rose strongly to head from 8 yards but denied with an interception inside the six yard box. Oldham were force into a change on 35 minutes with Dickenson being replaced by Hogan. Oldham made efforts to stifle the momentum County had with some direct balls helped in behind right side but overplayed several passes. Oldham were closer on 38 minutes when they forced an earlier cross with Freeman switching play from right to left but the header from Norwood from 8 yards was well claimed by Townsend in the left corner. Oldham gained some confidence from their approach play and were close again on 45 minutes with Hope clipping in a decent cross which Nuttall glanced on from 10 yards but Townsend was again alert saving well in the left corner. In first half injury time, County had a decent situation working a low move through several players and Wildig caressed an inviting pass for Evans edge of the area. He had the chance to shoot first time but elected for an extra touch and find Bogle but the pass was intercepted by Hobson.
Oldham persisted with some direct high balls to test County but they marshalled the ball to safety. On 50 minutes, County snapped out of their shell with Baker winning the ball and Morris directed a quick pass left channel for Evans. His early cross caught the Oldham backline off guard and Bogle made a late run front post but his effort on the turn from 8 yards was mistimed and went wide of the left post. On 52 minutes, County were again put under pressure when Bennett was pickpocketed right side of the area by Norwood who drove goalside but denied by an excellent interception by Drysdale as he was about to shoot. On 56 minutes, County created a decent move right side with Wildig providing a teasing cross which flashed deep. Evans retrieved the ball and clipped back an inviting cross which Bogle met well under pressure from 6 yards but his header went over the bar. Oldham made a change on 60 minutes with Reid coming on up front for Nuttall. Reid wasted no time to get involved when he was first time to latch onto a direct ball right side. With County waiting for the offside call that never materialised, he struck a decent low half volley from 16 yards which Townsend did well to parry around the right post. County were forced into a change on 65 minutes with Baker pulling up and he was replaced by Wood. County were forced into another change due to injury on 70 minutes with Drysdale replaced by Payne. County appeared to adapt to a 4–2–3–1 formation with McCloughlin right back and Payne further forward. County then had Wood in the book soon after for an untidy challenge with County seeing less possession. Oldham upped their efforts for a time but were dealt a blow on 80 minutes when a neat low move through the middle saw Wildig supply a low pass for McCloughlin who expertly drilled a low shot into the left corner from 25 yards beyond grasp of Hudson. County were close to a third goal on 82 minutes when a good switch of play from right to left saw Wildig find Bogle left side of the area. He went for power rather than precision blasting just over the bar from 14 yards. County had some opportunities left side to break and punish Oldham. On 88 minutes, Oldham made a double substitution with Fondop-Talum and Gardner coming on for Norwood and Sheron. With Oldham committed, County had another chance on 90 minutes from a move right side and Evans carried his strong run inside the area. He had options inside the area but his cross flashed through the box and old Oldham escaped. On 90+2 minutes, County worked a decent low move right side releasing Payne who went for cross into the six yard box when he had the opportunity to shoot from an acute angle. County remained on top in the 7 minutes of injury time working some better cohesion from low moves and Bogle was booked for contesting a marginal offside call when he was put through on goal. County held out well to clinch their place in the second round cup draw.
Townsend (7) — stood tall to make a couple of important instinctive saves to keep County ahead. Claimed well under pressure on crosses. Distribution was a bit erratic.
McCloughlin (8) — defended well to avert danger but timed his runs well to get forward and provide crosses. Showed prowess to score with some precise finishes from distance.
Bennett (5) — did a job playing deeper role at centre back, coped well in aerial duals but got rushed into some clearances and got let off with some mistakes with delaying passes.
Drysdale (6) — was assured with his headed clearances and did a reasonable job to sweep up danger, making an important intervention to deny Norwood before pulling up with injury.
Delaney (7) — disrupted some of the best Oldham moves with some important headers and clearances under pressure. Kept defence focussed late on when under pressure.
Bondswell (7) — denied space well with alertness to squash danger. Had an excellent first half supplying some inviting crosses from difficult angles, forced deeper second half but passed well
Morris (6) — worked hard throughout, kept passing simple and tidy with some good switches of play and went close with a couple of smart shots in around the area.
Wildig (7) — at the heart of the best moves first half and made some strong runs the break the lines which were not picked out. Supplied several decent crosses which deserved better.
Baker (6) — quiet game but worked hard on and off the ball. dogged away winning some good tackles in midfield and was missed after he went off.
Evans (6) — turned provider roaming into wide areas but final ball was missing. Restricted on clearcut chances but did a lot of good work to hound defenders into mistakes
Bogle (7) — key outlet holding the ball and link play. Tended to drift outside the box a lot but was pivotal in some of the best moves and should have scored from some decent chances from close range.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Oldham Athletic)
Strengths — dealt well with set pieces under pressure and offered some threat in transition for a time
Weaknesses — lumped the ball long and hopeful on times overplaying several passes and lacked quality inside the box. Gave away several free kicks and got away with some bookings.
Opportunities — they opted for more patient approach to pass the ball for a short time which created more threat but lacked nerve to maintain.
Threats — Hope offered pace and legs right side. Reid got some shots in after coming on from distance. Nuttall aerial threat inside area.
OFFICIALS
D Middleton (7) — was consistent with lenient approach and probably should have booked some of the cynical play.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Shane McCloughlin — flourished in more advanced role and showed his prowess with shooting and intelligent to shift play quick final third
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County reaped their rewards from changing their system at Gillingham and again today both wing backs contributed well influencing the game higher up the pitch. County scrapped well which was important and when they were alert to win the second ball they recycled the ball efficiently. The most threatening patterns of play came from low decisive passing moves which Oldham struggled to manage, but County also created some good opportunities from early crosses, particularly first half when they got men inside the area quickly. County should stick with the formation, but may need to adjust next week should injuries dictate. Next up is Milton Keynes Dons at Rodney Parade who have played a more open game under new manager Mike Williamson with more patience to pass the ball. MK Dons are likely to adopt a 3–4–3 formation with plenty of thrust to support in wide areas with former County right back Norman forceful right side and main goal threat from Eisa up top who doesn’t need encouragement to shoot in around the box. County can’t ball watch in this game. They need to cut short momentum Dons can build with aggression and be bold final third to break the lines.
