County Capitulate against Wombles

Newport County (Collins 80)

Wimbledon (Main 39, 60, 70 - Finn 74)

Attendance: 2,546

 

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Dean Holdsworth begins a new era at County and to his credit he has already put his stamp on the side that will step out today against Wimbledon. County will introduce several new signings with only half a dozen players remaining from last season. AFC Wimbledon have also upgraded their squad since their promotion from the Ryman League and the gate today will be boosted by the big Wombles support. The first game of the season is likely to be frantic affair and with the weather wet the pitch is likely to induce entertainment.

CONDITIONS

Warm rain for most of the morning although the new pitch looks in good condition, the surface is greasy with ball flashing across the pitch. There was also a keen wind coming from the cricket end on the prevailing south westerly. County have the advantage of the wind in the opening period. Rain got worse again in the second half.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

We started the game well retaining the ball better than our opponents who took time to settle but we punished severely today after making several bad mistakes at crucial moments.

TURNING POINT

The Wimbledon second goal – we looked the brighter side after the break but were punished severely and became increasingly anxious after this in defence.

 

THE MATCH

County started this match with only three players in the team from last season, goalkeeper Glyn Thompson, central defender Ian Hillier, the new captain and central midfielder Nathan Davies. In truth, County started this game well moving the ball around with precision with Adie Harris and Nathan Davies compressing play well in central midfield to prise openings down the pitch. County looked most effective down the left channel with Danny Rose signed from Oxford providing plenty of enterprise and ex-Cardiff player Kevin Cooper delivering some inch perfect passes. County created an excellent move on 12 minutes, with new left back Dave Collins lofting a good ball forward towards striker Rob Duffy signed from Oxford. Duffy did well to glance the ball on ahead of Inns and Rose was quick to seize upon the loose ball before scooping a low cross into the box from the left side of the box but Goodliffe was on hand to avert danger. Wimbledon looked for holes on the break through the runs of striker Main and Finn but County timed their challenges well early on. County created another good move on 18 minutes down the left channel with Inns getting sucked into a challenge again with Duffy. Despite the attention, the former Oxford striker did well to flick a good ball outside to Rose and his cross was converted by new signing Jamal Easter only for the referee to bring play back inexplicably for the foul on Duffy. Wimbledon offered their first signs of threatening on 23 minutes when Godfrey struck an opportunist effort from 30 yards which deflected off Hillier causing the ball to balloon up in the air and a static looking County defence was second best to the loose ball. Main was denied from 8 yards when he poked a low shot which Thompson did well to parry away. County created a bright counter attack on 30 minutes when Easter dropped off well to find space and he turned to hit a good low shot that skimmed off the greasy surface but keeper Little did well to parry for a corner. Wimbledon then took the lead on 39 minutes when indecision by County on their right flank saw Finn snatch the ball and given time to cross into the area and Main ghosted in between Hillier and new central defensive partner Martyn Giles to place a firm downward header past Glyn Thompson from 10 yards. Wimbledon were boosted by the goal and snapped out of their shell to win a batch of corners. They went close again on 42 minutes, when loose defending by County allowed Inns a free header from 10 yards and Thompson was forced into a smart save to his right.

The second half saw County make efforts to raise the bar with Wimbledon happy to absorb pressure and sit back to play on the counter. County threw a couple of decent balls into the box with Cooper showing his intentions but the connection was proving to be elusive. Wimbledon worked hard to close County down after the break forcing them into more direct play which the Wimbledon defender were strong in dealing with. A corner on 50 minutes from right channel by Collins nearly paid dividends with new right back Kevin Stephens heading wide from 6 yards at the front post. Martyn Giles found himself needlessly in the book on 55 minutes when he pushed Davis off the ball. County were anxious to push on but were caught cold on 60 minutes when Collins jumped into a challenge and slipped at the crucial moment allowing Main to snatch the ball. He raced to the right side of the box before unleashing a powerful effort from 18 yards which went into the top left corner beyond Thompson. County were forced to push on further and Rose had an effort which went wide from 25 yards. County made a couple of changes with Cooper and Duffy being replaced by Paul Hall and Phil Walsh. County gifted the Wombles a third goal on 70 minutes after some deep defending they had several bites at the cherry to clear the ball and a deflection took the ball conveniently into the path of Main who slotted home from 10 yards to complete his hat trick. With County all at sea they allowed Finn the luxury of space to carry the ball forward without being challenged before passing a low shot into the right corner from 20 yards. Wimbledon made a couple of changes late on and County introduced their final sub with Ian Hillier being replaced by new signing Nick Skelton. County got a late consolation goal through some good industry by Paul Hall on the right side of the area and when the cross flashed deep Collins did well to read and anticipate smashing the ball home at the back post. Wimbledon held on strongly in the final minutes playing the ball into the corners and holding possession well to run down the clock.

 

COUNTY STATS

Thompson (7) – kicked and handled well in conditions but left exposed on goals

Stephens (5) – offered plenty of pace and strength but got stretched about in the second half and distribution needs improving

Collins (6) – took both corners and delivered some good cross which deserved better. Jumped in a bit on challenges

Giles (4) – had a reasonable first half but made some costly mistakes with the ball at his feet and silly booking.

Hillier (6) – was strong in the air and anticipating danger. Went off late on looking to pull up

Davies (6) – had a good first half won the ball well in air and on the floor  

Harris (7) – anticipated well, strong in the air and passed well in general.

Rose (7) – took up some good positions and was intelligent with his use of the ball

Cooper (5) – bright start pinpointing play well but faded in the second half

Duffy (6) – was well marshalled in the air and kept quiet throughout. linked well when he got the ball

Easter (5) – reacted poorly to the second ball and looked most effective turning in behind the defence.

 

Referee: P Forrester (6) – made some odd decisions to bring back play and missed a lot of challenges for climbing. He kept game well marshalled and ticking over well.

OPPOSITION

They started slowly and the difference possibly between the two sides today was the front pair in each side. They attempted to play football and were clever with the use of the ball and also looked threatening when their big defender came up for set pieces.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jon Main – had probably four attempts on goal and scored from three of them. Showed quick feet and good awareness throughout

 

IF YOU WERE DEAN HOLDSWORTH WHAT WOULD YOU DO

County perhaps did not commit enough men forward into the area when they had the elements behind them today to make things count. The central midfield did well but County need to work upon defending and attacking down the channels. Going forward it was often the final ball that was lacking and defensively we need to be more resolute. Stop the aimless long balls when sides press you.