Wildig goal sparks County

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 3 (Wildig 63, Evans 76, Palmer-Houlden 80)

Charlton Athletic 1 (Kanu 43)

League Cup 1st Round

Attendance: 2,600

Match Rating: ****

Form:

Newport County L

Charlton Athletic W

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Both sides have made a few changes from Saturday with Charlton putting former Cheltenham striker Alfie May on the bench. County need to cut out defensive lapses and be more cutting inside the box.

CONDITIONS

Partly cloudy, quite humid and keen breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slick on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Defensive shape and discipline under pressure, punished mistakes late on.

TURNING POINT

Wildig goal energised team and fans.

THE MATCH

County rung the changes with Waite and Charsley earning a starting place after impressing late on in the league opener at Accrington. Wing backs McCloughlin and Lewis were sacrificed to the bench and Clark also not available, County adjusted to a 4–2–3–1 formation with Seberry making his debut at right back and Evans deputising at left back. Charlton made the more purposeful start flooding players right side to test County. On 5 minutes, Charlton broke well following a steal in midfield left side with Camara finding Kirk who slipped a quick pass left side for Kanu. He was given space near the left corner of the area but the low shot from 18 yards was well read and held by Townsend. Charlton expressed themselves well with the ball at feet, limiting their passes and good move through the middle saw Chin find Payne but his snapshot from 12 yards was dragged wide of the left post. Charlton were forced into an early change following an injury to Chin who was replaced by Campbell. County eased their way into the game was some disjointed pressure from a couple of corners which lacked a cutting edge allowing Charlton to attack from deep with some more penetrating moves left side involving Kirk and Edun who escaped some suspicious looking offside calls. On 25 minutes, County were given a warning when Edun raced free left side of the area but the cross eluded late runs by Kanu and Campbell. County made efforts to play more direct with Charlton dictating possession through the middle using Palmer-Houlden working hard to retain the ball. On 28 minutes, Palmer-Houlden coaxed Hector into an clumsy tackle from behind which got him a booking. County had more of the ball as half time approached but seemed reluctant to play on the front foot turning back and relinquishing possession cheaply. On 40 minutes, County had a decent chance from a corner right side which Wildig floated from the right side pinpointing Seberry and his header from 10 yards was well saved by Isted. On 42 minutes, Morris misplaced a poor pass allowing Charlton to break left side with Payne finding Kanu in space but his shot from 20 yards was well blocked by Delaney. Charlton got their noses in front on 43 minutes but the goal had some controversy when the cross by Edun left side flashed deep. Campbell directed a shot on target from an acute angle but it appeared to take an unfortunate deflection off Jameson and Kanu poked home inside the six yard box. The referee consulted with the linesman and the goal was allowed to stand despite Kanu standing in an offside position. County had Wildig somewhat harshly booked on 45+5 minutes following an aerial challenge with McGrandles which looked no more than a heavy collision.

Charlton were forced into another change at half time with Campbell replaced by Anderson up front and Camara was sacrificed for Taylor. County started well with some good pressing further up thee pitch and it nearly paid dividends on 47 minutes when Morris stole the ball and supplied Palmer-Houlden but his snapshot left side of the area was blocked by Hector and went for a corner. The corner by Wildig caused problems for Charlton at the near post and Palmer-Houlden teed up a pass for Seberry who clipped a shot against the left post from 6 yards. After a series of corners won by County, Charlton re-asserted their control of the game with County going into their shell and struggling to put five passes together through midfield. County made a tactical change on 57 minutes with Bennett replaced by Lewis who went left back with Evans left midfield and Waite swapping to the right side and Charsley tucking inside. The change settled County as they pushed higher to press more aggressively and deny space for Charlton to play and errors crept into their game. On 63 minutes, some good pressure by County right saw Charsley pressure Hector on the ball and Wildig stole the ball right side of the area. He cut inside from an acute angle to calmly slot home in the right corner past the unprotected keeper. The goal galvanised County to push forward, but they were nearly caught out on 66 minutes when Taylor drove forward from deep to find Anderson left side and he cut inside and directed a decent shot from 25 yards just over the bar. County had a great chance to go ahead on 69 minutes when Morris timed his pass to perfection releasing Palmer-Houlden down the right side of the area and his low effort from an acute angle fizzed just wide of the left post. Charlton made a change soon after with Thomas replacing Edun in left midfield. County responded on 74 minutes with Bondswell coming on for Wildig. Bondswell went left midfield with Evans pushed to a more advanced role up front supporting Palmer-Houlden. The change paid dividends on 76 minutes following a move right side with Waite supplying an excellent cross into the area which unsettled Charlton. The ball flashed deep and Bondswell was the instigator picking out Evans with the cross who drilled a low shot on the turn from 8 yards beyond the grasp of the keeper. Charlton made an immediate change sacrificing McGrandles in midfield for May up top. Charlton picked up their game and were close on 79 minutes when they shifted play well from right to left with Thomas hugging the channel. He threaded in a low pass for Kirk who powered a shot from 12 yards which Townsend held well. County punished Charlton again on 80 minutes with some forceful play to press high up left side and Mitchell slipped in possession of the ball. Charsley made the most of the error to pick a pass right side of the area for Palmer-Houlden who showed composed to slot low into right corner from 10 yards. Charlton forced a series of corners from some late pressure which County defended well on clearing effectively. On 87 minutes, County broke well from deep with a move through the middle with Seberry showing good vision to find Evans. He turned goalside and blasted a decent low effort from 25 yards which the keeper held well. Charlton kept pressing left side with Kirk and Thomas advanced and they also pushed centre back Hector forward to salvage something from the game. On 88 minutes, Waite was caught in a clumsy challenge with Kirk and was booked by the referee. On 90 minutes, Charlton were close again when a free kick left side of the area caused problems for County clearing and Kanu scooped over from 8 yards. County were forced to play 7 minutes of injury time and made a triple change on 90+2 minutes with Waite, Palmer-Houlden and Seberry replaced by Rai, Bright and McCloughlin respectively. Charlton caused problems for County on 90+4 minutes when they completely switched off defending a long ball. Townsend appeared to have the situation in control but a misplaced clearance found May who had his shot well blocked by Thomas and the rebound by Hector was scooped over te bar from 25 yards. County then had Charsley booked for recovering to make a late challenge on Anderson as the game continued end to end. County were close to a fourth on 90+9 minutes when a slick move left side saw Bondswell release Lewis in space and his cross to the near post was met by Evans but went just over the bar.

Townsend (7) — kicked and handled well under pressure, reacted smartly to make some instinctive saves from close range and dealt well with set pieces.

Seberry (7) — was tested with switches of play and grew into the game to contain pressure keeping concentration well. Cleared effectively and was unlucky not to score from set piece.

Evans (7) — good response following the Accrington game. Showed value of flexibility to play in three different positions. Worked hard box to box and took his chance well.

Delaney (7) — dominated the aerial duals and was neat with his distribution. Read game well and was alert dealing with crosses. Well-marked on set pieces.

Jameson (7) — much improved, switched on looked sharper in mind, cleared danger in behind. Did well to break up play and was bold with some runs to knit play.

Charsley (7) — did a lot of the ugly work to cover the ground and battle for possession. Come alive following changes and was influential higher up the pitch pressing play and creating chances.

Wildig (7) — played quite deep for large spells and did his best to stake a foothold with possession but struggled for momentum. Provided some decent set pieces and took his chance well.

Morris (6) — saw plenty of the game but didn’t take care of the ball well enough on times, turning back into trouble. Did much better when he got facing forward and on the front-foot with passing

Bennett (6) — did a lot of covering danger, competed well in the air and on the floor and did his best to drive forward when space was invited but replaced early

Waite (8) — swapped positions but coped admirably. Did a lot of good defensive work today, something he is not noted for and timed runs forward well to knit play especially on the second goal

Palmer-Houlden (7) — did well when he got across defender and was tidy with his link play to pass low and head. Worked hard off the ball and got his reward after going close several times.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Charlton Athletic)

Strengths — they were decent through the middle, dominating possession and were quick to recover and deny County space. Patient and composed working wide areas well.

Weaknesses — defenders were coaxed into several errors with ball at feet. Overplayed a bit, lacked cutting edge up squandering some decent chances inside area

Opportunities — played patient thoughtful passing game and never really changed tact. Switched from 3–5–2 to 3–4–3 late on

Threats — Kirk and Edun combined well left side to provide crosses and Anderson right side. Kanu shots inside area.

OFFICIALS

S Simpson (7) — some offside calls first half were not picked up, made the game flow and seemed happy to dish out cards when prompted.

MAN OF THE MATCH

James Waite — has been criticised in the past for lacking defensive awareness but was robust tonight, did an excellent job box to box protecting wide areas and was dynamic coming forward

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County managed Charlton well first half despite their opponents having clear technical prowess and ability to use every blade of the Rodney Parade pitch. County were somewhat unfortunate to behind at half time and they had a passive disinterested spell just after half time conceding possession to cheaply which allowed Charlton to gain momentum. Palmer-Houlden had a decent game again taking up good positions and when County provided ammunition into the box, they always looked capable tonight. County had a good shape throughout trialling a different formation, that was enforced, but this bodes well for the future if it is needed. The equaliser changed the game but the changes also made on the hour gave County that little bit of extra momentum they needed final third. County can improve on their sharpness of passing in midfield to limit their touches and not to turn back but be more bold. They were often at the most vulnerable when they gained possession and sometimes lost the ball straight away which allowed Charlton to attack in transition and work crosses. Next up is Doncaster Rovers at home who have bolstered their squad close season. They are likely to play a 4–4–2 formation with wingers to attack wide areas and supply crosses at will. County will need to track wide areas well and stifle crosses into former Cambridge United striker Joe Ironside with Lee Molyneaux offering guile and vision in behind.