Report by Mark Vickery at Kingsmeadow

AFC Wimbledon 2 (Kedwell 15 pen, Jolley 55)   

Newport County 2 (Reid 25 pen, 80)

Attendance: 3,828  

County refuse to lie down

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

We can expect to be put under pressure today on times but with the line-up announced we will always create chances

CONDITIONS

Sunny spells with a light breeze assisting the hosts in the first half. Pitch looks in a decent condition.  

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Full of character and spirit and never knew when we were beat

TURNING POINT

We were on top when Morgan was on the pitch and did lose our momentum after he went off

THE MATCH

County made one change with Kerry Morgan replacing Darryl Knights who had to be content with a place on the bench. County took the game to the hosts with a bright start and inside the first couple of minutes were awarded with a couple of long throw ins on the right side of the area which Wimbledon dealt with. Wimbledon were keen to use their strengths down the left channel and forced County back for a short spell with some slick moves forward. County were forced into conceding some free kicks as a result which they dealt well with. On 7 minutes, Wimbledon had a free kick awarded on the left side of the area after Wellard had caused some concern for County with darting run. From the resultant free kick, Thompson held well under pressure from Kedwell who was keen to make his presence felt. County snapped out of their shell with Morgan making a good break down the left channel which enticed Hatton into a reckless challenge which saw him booked. From the free kick, Morgan attempted a cross come shot which the keeper read well and Wimbledon were quick to mount another break to the left side but Bignot recovered well to force Main away from danger. Wimbledon continued to get forward in numbers testing both flanks and were awarded a somewhat fortuitous penalty on 15 minutes when Moore appeared to have won a corner after a sliding challenge from Odhiambo but the referee deemed that he got more of the man than the ball and he was booked. Kedwell placed a low firm penalty into the left corner just beyond the grasp of Thompson. County responded well with Henry making some strong runs down the right channel to test the Wimbledon defence with left back Blackman keen to push on. On 20 minutes, Henry got the better of Blackman after he had pushed on to support a move which broke down and the defender was forced into a late challenge which earned a booking. Rose swept a good delivery over from the free kick from right corner of the box which Collins got to ahead of Johnson but caught his header a little too thickly from 8 yards and the ball looped over the bar. On 25 minutes, County made a decisive break down the left channel with Morgan initiating the move and despite receiving a late challenge play was allowed to continue with Matthews chasing the ball down well near the left side of the area. Matthews appeared to outwit Johnson with a clever piece of skill just inside the box and was hauled down giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. There was an anxious delay whilst Morgan was treated but Reid stepped to stroke the ball into the net. County were boosted by the goal and created another good situation on 30 minutes when a direct ball was not dealt with by Wimbledon and Reid latched onto the ball just inside the right side of the area but his low shot under pressure lacked power to beat keeper Brown. County worked hard off the ball and Wimbledon were careless with the fourth full back in the book for no more than a mistimed challenge and the referee was starting to test the patience of the supporters. County were unshaken and a quick move decisive move on 36 minutes saw Collins find Morgan on the left side of the pitch with right back Hatton in no man’s land. Morgan raced forward and blasted a low effort from 20 yards which fizzed just past the right post. Wimbledon defender Johnson was forced to leave the pitch on 43 minutes and was replaced by Minshull. County were forced into making a change moments later with Morgan not able to run off a dead leg and he was replaced by Tony Taggart. As half time approached both sides appeared to be content to absorb pressure and look for the direct ball but defence remained on top.

The early stages of the second half saw both sides measuring each other out with the best play coming down the flanks. County created a decent looking opportunity on 48 minutes when Bignot did well to initiate a move on the right flank and find Henry who got the measure of the full back to deliver an excellent out-swinging which Taggart met with a header from 8 yards but the keeper read well. Wimbledon to keep the County defence busy with almost three up front on times and a persistent run from Jolley on 50 minutes saw him threaten when coming inside but his shot was skewed high and wide of the left post. Wimbledon made efforts to pick up their approach again but found County often uncompromising and determined. On 53 minutes, a melee broke out when Wimbledon striker Jolley left his foot in on a low challenge with Warren which the centre back showed his displeasure to. In the skirmish that followed Wimbledon striker Kedwell took it upon himself to get involved with Warren and joined the other pair in the book. Wimbledon got their noses in front again on 56 minutes with a trademark goal when they attacked the right channel with conviction and Kedwell burst past a weak challenge by Odhiambo and delivered a searching cross to the back post which Jolley stabbed home from 6 yards despite the best efforts from Thompson. Wimbledon maintained their drive for a time after the goal with County struggling to build any momentum going forward. On 60 minutes, County were given a warning when ball watching in midfield and a neat move saw Wellard exploit space before unleashing a low shot from 25 yards which went past the right post. County came back into the game with some better possession and patience on the ball. On 63 minutes, a neat move by County in midfield saw Reid pick out a good run from deep by Rose who stole into the area but lost control of the ball at the vital moment. Then on 65 minutes, a clever more direct move by County released Reid on the edge of the area and with little time on the ball he hit a snapshot which the keeper got well behind. Wimbledon then made a change to freshen their approach with Yussuff replacing Wellard and Moore replaced Main up front. County had some opportunities with Wimbledon often careless with their passing but were struggling to keep the ball in the final third and the hosts were let off the hook on occasions. County made their second chance on 73 minutes with Knights replacing Henry. Wimbledon appeared content to protect their lead and play patiently from the back but they were caught out on 80 minutes when caught in possession a direct ball was well contested by Matthews and glanced into the path of Reid who showed clever feet to beat the keeper and roll the ball into the net. Both sides seemed uncertain in the final ten minutes with them tiring and the tempo dropped significantly. County looked most threatening when they made the ball stick and play patiently. On 86 minutes, Collins manoeuvred himself well on the right channel to pick up a long throw clearance and deliver a good cross towards Todd who headed just past the right post from 12 yards. Wimbledon persisted with attacking their right channel and full back Huddle did well on 90 minutes to retrieve a deep cross and adjust himself to curl a shot in from 18 yards but Thompson made a great claim under pressure from Moore. County made a late substitution with Rogers replacing Reid but they saw the game out well to make it five games unbeaten.    

Thompson (7) – made some composed collections under pressure and saves low down. Unlucky with penalty but kicking a bit wayward on times

Bignot (8) – put under pressure early on but dealt with it and got stronger as game progressed. made several good linking runs going forward with his pace.  

Collins (8) – was determined in the challenge in the air and on the floor and kept passing bright and snappy throughout       

Warren (8) – strong in the air and fended off arms and late challenges well. cleared effectively when necessary   

Todd (8) – tracked direct play well and won some good headers from set pieces with his ability to take up good positions.    

Odhiambo (7) – had spells under pressure and in truth dealt with it well but got caught in possession too much and distribution erratic   

Henry (8) – provided plenty of endeavours on the ball and some decent crosses. Worked hard throughout attacking and defending  

Rose (7) – quiet game, competed well and made sure his opposite did not have the better of him but lacked his usual creativity             

Morgan (8) – was proving to be a handful until he was replaced exploiting space well and always had an eye for a quick pass       

Reid (9) – dropped off in midfield when needed and worked very hard to support the play. held the ball better today and took his chances very well  

Matthews (8) – won fair quota of headers and was often allowed space to operate with defender backing off. Handful with direct running and strength on the ball      

SWOT ANALYSIS OPPONENTS

Strengths – They utilised the channels well with the full backs often contributing to their best play and had lively three up front

Weaknesses – had small defenders who dwelled on the ball on times and when closed gave the ball far too easily  

Opportunities – think they worked out that their best form of defence was attack   

Threats – Kedwell was direct and worked the defenders throughout and Sam Moore had an eye for a pass.  

OFFICIALS

Mr I J Cooper (7) – decided he needed cards to control the game, was consistent but it was surprising nobody was sent off by the end  

MAN OF THE MATCH

Craig Reid – all round performance today and was much sharper with his use of the ball 

IF YOU WERE DEAN HOLDSWORTH WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

We showed great determination and spirit to come back twice and fought tooth and nail for a much deserved draw. We had marginally the better of the first half dealing with the pace and movement Wimbledon had offered going forward and played some intricate football especially in midfield exploiting spaces that Wimbledon left as their full backs pushed on. In the second half we had less possession and did not make the ball stick so well in the final third and saw the ball coming back in our faces. On times the ball was a bit of a hot potato today and when we were prepared to hold it and not force play we looked the better side.