Wrexham master the conditions better

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Stok Cae Ras

Wrexham 2 (Jones 64, Lee 87)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 12,095

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County DWLWdLDLWD

Wrexham WWWWLWDWLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Wrexham have been strong at home this season. Windy conditions are going to make football tough, so key County make intelligent use of the ball, stay compact but be bold in transition.

CONDITIONS

Bright spells, light showers and gusty wind. Pitch held up well but a slippery in parts.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Absorbed pressure from open play well, asked questions first half but went into shell more as game progressed.

TURNING POINT

Wildig missed header from 6 yards to equalise.

THE MATCH

County made a couple of changes with Payne sacrificed in place of Evans who went well left wing back with McCloughlin swapping to right wing back. There was another change in midfield with Charsley replacing Baker in a more advanced role. County had the benefit of the gale first half but took time to settle with Wrexham mopping up pressure with some direct balls to test the County defence. The early stages were scrappy in midfield and County created more verve when they kept their passing low and precise. Wrexham created some bright moves on the break initiated by Lee left side but the crosses were erratic. On 10 minutes, County had Wildig in the book when got the wrong side of Dalby as he drove forward near the centre circle. County remained focussed with Townsend delivering some good kick outs from deep which forced Wrexham into some hurried clearances but they managed to get the ball safe. County upped their game pressing harder further up the pitch and the game fell into a pattern with Wrexham shunting the ball long looking for the runs of Mullin but Clarke and Delaney were allowing little change in behind. On 20 minutes, County were given a warning when Lee switched play from left to right to find Mendy down the right flank. Evans did well to track his run right side of the area but he managed to find space to loop over a decent cross which flashed deep through the six yard box. County continued to stifle Wrexham moves well and had an opportunity on 25 minutes when they worked a decent move from right to left with Palmer-Houlden threading a pass left side for Evans. He adjusted well to strike a decent effort back across goal which Wrexham keeper Okonkwo did well to parry around the right post. From the resulting corner by Wildig, Clarke did well to anticipate front post clipping a shot which was blocked and Bogle saw the follow up from 10 yards diverted by Cannon for a corner. County grew in confidence with Charsley knitting some good moves top end of the pitch and County offered good movement which kept the Wrexham defence worked. On 28 minutes, County worked a decent move left side with Delaney supporting the move and he delivered an excellent cross from near the touchline which Palmer-Houlden pounced on front post but his header was parried around the left corner by the keeper. From the resulting corner, Wildig whipped in vicious delivery which Wrexham could only half clear to Charsley inside the “d”. He struck a decent first time effort which O’Connor diverted into the path of Delaney left side of the area and his low snapshot went narrowly wide of the right post. Wrexham continued to probe with some effective switches of play from left to right to use Mendy but Evans worked hard to contain the threat. On 33 minutes, Wrexham threatened from a counter attack left side with Lee finding McClean and he burst forward to cut back a pass to Cannon just outside the area. He directed a decent first time effort from 25 yards which was well blocked by Bennett. County worked some more patient moves as half time approached with Bogle seeing more of the ball, high up the pitch, but some decisions went against him and the ball was lost in promising areas. Wrexham set their stall to pickpocket the ball and break quickly. On 40 minutes, County were given another warning when some indecision in possession allowed Tozer to fire a direct long pass to Dalby and set up a pass to the feet of Cannon. He was again well positioned but blasted a rising effort just over the bar from 25 yards. On 45 minutes, County worked another good pattern of play this time through the middle with Charsley advancing right side of the area and adjust well but he was denied when his low shot was blocked by O’Connor.

Wrexham had the benefit of the wind behind them second half which saw them gain more territorial advantage and pin County back. On 52 minutes, Wrexham won a corner right side which was curling and forced County to into a clearance which flashed deep for a throw in. Tozer launched a long throw back into the six yard area which County struggled too clear and Bennett cleared off the line to Cannon but the header from 10 yards was well claimed by Townsend. On 55 minutes, County won a free kick deep inside their own half which Townsend launched forward to the edge of the area. Wrexham were forced into an untidy clearance which went to Clarke but as the ball sat up he found it difficult to keep his volley down from and the effort from 16 yards looped over the bar. With Wrexham pushing on boldly, County had some opportunities to advance on the break but made some poor decisions electing to pass short in tight areas when they needed the direct ball to work better into the wind. On 58 minutes, a loose pass by Morris in midfield was lapped up by McClean. He threaded a quick pass to Lee who made the most of the space invited through the middle and blasted a low powerful shot from 30 yards which Townsend turned around the left post. Wrexham gained confidence from their pressure and maintained their tempo with County struggling for cohesion and an outlet higher up the pitch. On 60 minutes, Wrexham worked a simple move right side with Jones finding Mullin just inside the right side of the box. He made space to turn inside Delaney and curled an effort from 14 yards just wide of the left post. On 62 minutes, there was another warning for County not defending a corner right side by McClean which flashed deep and Dalby dragged his first time effort just wide of the right post. Wrexham got their reward on 64 minutes with County struggling to clear their lines following a throw in left side by Tozer. Mullin directed a pass back for Jones who made the most of the space offered to drill low into the right corner from 10 yards. County had been warming up Baker for Charsley and were able to get him on straight after. County made effort to pick up their game and had a great chance to equalise on 70 minutes following a decent move left side involving Wildig and Bogle to thread a pass for Evans left side of the box. He delivered an excellent cross into the six yard pinpointing Wildig unmarked but he seemed to take his eye of the header when he just needed to make contact. County were forced back with Townsend struggling with some of his kicks into the wind which sailed out for a throw in right side. Wrexham made another change on 73 minutes sacrificing Dalby up front for Fletcher. Wrexham kept the tempo and Fletcher was quick to get involved with a snapshot from 14 yards left side of the parried away right side by Townsend following a neat exchange with Mullen. County made a change on 80 minutes with Payne coming on right wing back with McCloughlin going left wing back and Evans further forward. On 82 minutes, a move that typified County poor decision making on the day saw Evans get forward left side to support a low move left side and demand the ball off Bogle. He delayed the pass out to Evans and the momentum was lost allowing Wrexham to pinch the ball. County were forced deep in the final stages and Wrexham got the second goal to kill off their challenge on 87 minutes. The goal came from another long throw by Tozer left side which was hurled towards the front post on the wind and with Bennett and Baker sleeping, Lee ghosted in to glance his header into the right corner. Wrexham made another change soon after in midfield replacing Cannon with Young. On 90 minutes, Wrexham were close again from a quick throw left side by Tozer with County expecting a long throw, Mullin seized the ball and his shot on the turn from 14 yards was parried away by Townsend. Wrexham made a couple late change with Mullin and Lee replaced by Bickerstaff and Davies but held out for deserved win and dominant second half performance.

Townsend (6) — kicked well first half with wind behind him, but struggled with clearances second half keeping ball on pitch and needed to go short possibly. Made some smart saves from snapshots.

Evans (6) — did a job at left wing back to nullify Mendy and stifle crosses and made some well timed runs forward. Delivered some useful crosses second half which deserved better but starved of ball.

McCloughlin (6) — tackled well first half to support but crosses were too short on times. Put under pressure by McClean and Lee more second half and saw little of him top end of the pitch

Delaney (7) — dealt well with long ball winning headers and cleared effectively when rushed. Showed again capability to provide some neat crosses and went close to a long overdue goal off set pieces

Clarke (7) — did an excellent job to stifle Mullen and marshal into less threatening areas. Was strong in the aerial duals and cleared well. Had a couple of half chances at the front post.

Bennett (5) — under pressure when he allowed ball to drop. Won tackles but got rushed into too many loose passes and was at fault on second goal allowing smallest player on the pitch to get across him

Charsley (7) — had a good hour returning to match fitness, did well in more advanced role to link play and denied with a couple of snapshots around the edge of the box. Was missed when he went off.

Wildig (6) — bit unlucky with early booking was always on a knife edge. Kept passing tidy and recycled play well especially first half. Should have buried header to equalise and influence faded after.

Morris (5) — disappointing game, lacked bite losing too many key challenge, too many stray passes and lacked energy. Very reserved first half and sat even deeper second half.

Bogle (5) — had spells first half and when he recycled play to give and go he was effective. Still not getting in enough shots or crosses, just tippy tapping outside the box and forced deeper second half.

Palmer-Houlden (6) — got little change out of Cleworth on the floor with his runs and needs to show more aggression to turn his marker. Had a couple of half chances from headers before fading.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Wrexham)

Strengths — defended well with gale in their face, denying space and got depth with their clearances. Decisive using ball quick final third and got shots in quickly.

Weaknesses — left gaps through the middle first half and defenders untidy with passes when pressed.

Opportunities — they opted to play direct into wind getting ball safe but played with more thought second half forcing County back pressing up higher as a unit.

Threats — Best moves went through Lee and switches off play. Mendy eye for a cross right side and McClean set piece delivery was neat. Cannon shots in and around the box.

OFFICIALS

J Busby (8) — determined to let game flow which was probably important in the conditions and played advantage well. got key decisions right and ignored the diving.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Tom O’Connor — defend well under pressure from wind first half and made some important blocks. Lead well, got tighter second half suffocating space County had quickly and distributed well.

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County limited chances Wrexham had first half from open play, with Evans and McCloughlin matching Mendy and McClean which allowed County to take some control through the middle of the pitch. The gameplan worked well for a time with the wind giving County more territorial advantage and they really needed to take one of their decent chances. The conditions were always going to dictate matters today as Wrexham upped their game second half and showed their pedigree although County will be disappointed that the goals did succumb from long throws where they were slow to react to the second ball. County struggled for cohesion after half time, losing momentum and when they did get their foot on the ball they dithered allowing Wrexham to pickpocket them. Bogle was again marked too easily, often by two players on the throw ins and when he did retain the ball, problems arose when he was unwilling to recycle the ball to players set in decent positions. The first change made today was understandable to release Evans further up the pitch but County again only made one further change and that was too “defensive” with three attacking players on the bench ignored. Next up is Forest Green Rovers at home on Boxing Day. County need a quick response with Rovers struggling for goals and but they have improved form playing a 4–3–3 formation with Morton in the three up top to give them a physical presence and outlet and McAllister strong with runs right side and feed crosses. County need to play in Rovers half and get their midfield purring to dictate patterns of play and test their full backs which lack stature and composure.