Southend United 0 Stockport County 1 ( Vanarama National League) Saturday 28 August 2021

 

 

 

 

 

And with one bound they were free!

Well, not quite but today saw County dispatch thoughts of last Saturday`s dispiriting performance to history`s back waters with a heroic showing against a Southend side that wanted it and more besides!

 

 Belters- every one of `em !

 

 

 

County were backed magnificently by 350 travelling County fans who for long periods comprehensively out sang the massive home following, thoroughly deserving the 3 points that a well earned 1-0 win brings them via another lethal strike from Rooney!

 

There was a whiff of something stirring even half an hour before kick- off as it was apparent that Simon Rusk had listened to criticisms of last week`s forgettable effort.

In came Palmer -arriving to a heroes welcome and departing at the end to an even better one- he was tremendous throughout, as was another returning County favourite Jordan Keane who gave us 90 odd minutes of utter excellence , shedding blood for the cause in the process!

 

 Keano- simply magnificent !

 

The rest of the team could not fail to be inspired by the aforementioned duo. I thought Southam- Hales did heaps of hard work drawing fouls all over the shop as he went. Not far behind was Hinchliffe – a model of calm common sense in a footballing theatre where almost every ball heading his way ended up with the home specs baying for a penalty- thankfully Referee L Smith largely did his job correctly.

 

 Andrew Machin captures the essence of Southam- Hales.

 

 

Last mention goes to new boy Arjan Raikhy. Arjan was on the park for 53 minutes and showed much that I was pleased to see, so I hope he gets many more minutes game time – he looked well worth a shout going forward!

 Arjan looking the part !

 

 

 

 

Back at 5.20 there was a big crowd in Roots Hall, and I could not resist the thought of what a great pity it would be if United moved elsewhere............

 

 Fantastic ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

............. it`s a belting traditional stadium and somewhere I cannot ever recall seeing a dull game of football in!

 Home specs here in numbers to see County !

 

 

County`s travelling fans were loud early as a snap raid saw Rooney`s header fly over the bar.

 

 Close from Rooney !

 

 

 

Madden was involved early doors tracking back to deny John White, but  Southam- Hales  showed to good effect too, and when Keano picked out Raikhy he found Madden quickly and the home specs were gasping loudly as a thumping drive by County`s number nine narrowly missed out.

 Keano spot on from the off ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

This wasn`t bad at all, but the referee responded in the negative to Quigley` appeals for a foul in the box.

 Just a glimpse today of Quigley ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

Five minutes had gone now with Raikhy looking good in an attacking midfield role. Southend were able to reply only to see Keane snuff their embryonic raid out nicely. However, Rhys Murphy`s impressive theatricals then had to be factored into the equation -rewarded by a free kick which Palmer saw off.

 Arjan again on the ball !

 

 

 

 

Then just 10 minutes in Quigley had to be replaced by Reid. It looked like a hamstring injury which is disappointing from several angles!

 

 Reid, on for Quigley.

 

 

 

 

Still, it was building into a decent game…typical Southend / County fare , and it was about to get even better and quickly as Rooney upped and leathered  a thunderous drive home from the edge of the box!

 

 Rooney peels off after delivering the goods !

 ....and they liked it too!

                                                         And 3 from Andrew Machin of that action :-

                                                               

 

  
 

 

 

Southend brought Terrell Egbri on for Abu Ogogo in response, and he would go on to offer his side good options out wide, but for now they had to defend as a Raikh / Rydel move ended with Rooney upended in the box. The ball flew wide though, and the Referee felt a goal kick was the upshot.

 Rydel in early action.

 

 

 

 

Back came County, after a period of lively attacking from the home side floundered on the rock that is Ash Palmer, Reid`s involuntary shot carrying the bar from Madden following more good work by Southam- Hales.

 

 Magic Hat anyone ?

 

 

 

Our hosts replied through Egbri but a good run down the right by him ended with no one in home colours on the end of his cross.

Again, play switched ends Rydel`s cross finding no takers in front of Steve Arnold`s goal- a Palmer header missing out not long after.

 

Ferguson shot wide for Southend, and Rydel did likewise at the other end in what was still an enthralling end to end tussle, but with half time approaching the pink shirted blues were indebted to Palmer and Hinchliffe as corners pinged in on County`s goal- Ben`s save at the foot of a post particularly praiseworthy as was his follow up punched clearance under pressure from the resultant corner.

 

 Great punch under pressure from Ben !

 

 

 

Much of the remainder of the half saw Southend attacking and County withstanding same with admirable resolve.

That said, it did look a tad iffy at one point as Hinchliffe again performed above and beyond, his dive seeing him push Demetriou`s lively effort round the post. Then with the home forwards queueing beyond the back post for tit bits from the corner, the home specs erupted insisting that a hand to ball moment ( involving Reid) had occurred. I could not say from where I was stationed. The Referee was much nearer and waved the appeals away.

Murphy twice fancied he had caught County out after this , going close on 44 minutes and closer in added time, but after being set up well by Egbri`s run and cross, he found himself ruled offside.

 

 Arnold v Reid ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

Add a neat bit of work by keeper Arnold to snuff a Reid run out and that was the first half put to bed- County going in to a rousing reception from the cream of the County fan base who had forsaken the blandishments of BT coverage to make the 4 and a half hour ( each way) journey to support their team. They really did deserve to witness their team win today!

And now some County crowd shots starting with old hedgies , but followed by some real belters from Andrew Machin :-

 

                                                                                  

And here`s those belters from Andrew Machin :-

 

 

                                                                                    

                                                                                     

 

 

                                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The re-start saw the mix as before with both teams taking the game to their opponents, Bridge and Egbri doing lively work down the flanks for Southend , Southam –Hales earning an early free kick for County which was kept out comfortably by our hosts.

 

 Southam- Hales still running !

 

Southam- Hales did well midst a period of home pressure to run the ball clear but as he beat his man he was hacked down by Murphy. Again the free kick that followed was cleared.

A pattern was emerging……Bridge and Egbri would work the flanks with feverish intensity for United, being repulsed by a combination of Palmer`s doggedly precise defending, Keano`s magnificent cover in front of the back line, and Southam -Hales willingness to leg it clear with the ball drawing umpteen fouls as he went!

 

 Palmer- spot on again !

 

 

 

County had the ball in the net again just after the hour, but everyone`s attention was elsewhere namely watching the outbreak of `handbags` at the edge of the home box. Madden had been enjoying a feisty relationship with those in dark blue in his vicinity, and some short fuses fizzed for a moment or two before it subsided with Madden in Mr Smith`s book.

 Handbags ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

It went on …the game fizzing and spluttering first at one end then the other, with sundry names joining Madden in the Referee`s book.

Southend began to exert much pressure on County, urged on by a partisan crowd who were backing them to the hilt and beyond. It called for quality reffing from Mr Smith to ensure justice was done. I am not entirely sure I would assess it as quality reffing today, but he did hold up well under sustained pressure from the home specs.

Palmer, Southam -Hales and Keane continued to inspire with some fantastic defensive work, and this was almost undone on 75 minutes when Matt Dennis threaded a dangerous ball into the box, where Murphy lurked, but the home number nine could not force the ball home.

 Keano takes one !

 

 

 

Back came Southend, only for more terrific defensive work by County to deny them with Southam -Hales and Palmer earning more accolades- Palmer was simply awesome!

 

 Palmer in control ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

 Oops( Andrew Machin )

 

 

We needed time on the ball, preferably at the home end, but instead Southend had a free kick which was promptly lifted high into the box.

 

 

 

 

 

 It looked to be a chance, but Egbri drilled his shot wide.

 

 County under pressure.

 

 

 

 

By this time Keano was awash with blood and had to leave the field and County had to stay afloat for 5 minutes or so before the blood was stemmed and Keano`s head swathed in bandages.

Deep into added time I could see Keano, Palmer and others knee deep in it as Southend sent aerial offering after aerial offering their way.

The defending continued to be of the highest order, and it was just excellent that their display got the result it deserved!

A fantastic result….well done County!

Great scenes at the end......

 

 

                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

Here`s to Boreham Wood next Saturday then, and the Flyer will get you there for £30. It leaves the Finger at 8.45/ Mercian Way 9am. Ring Lou on 07896536757 but not after 7 pm please !

 

 Lou ready for journey back!

 And a Flyer Pilot!( Andrew Machin )

 

 

Southend United line up:-

Arnold, Ralph, Ogogo ( Egbri 17) Coulson, Bridge ( Dennis 62), Murphy, Dalby, Ferguson, Phillips ( Kargbo 85), Demetriou, White.

 

Subs not used :- Seaden, Hobson.

 

Stockport County line up:-

Hinchliffe, Palmer, Barclay,Southam-Hales,Keane,  Rydel, Croasdale, Raikhy( Collar 53) , Rooney ( Whitfield 79), Madden, Quigley ( Reid 11).

Subs not used;- Ross, Pye.

Attendance : 5678

hedgegrower