Stockport County 5 Bolton Wanderers 3 ( FA Cup Ist Rd Replay) Wednesday 17 November 2021
Stockport County 5 Bolton Wanderers 3
(All words by hedgegrower, images by hedgegrower & Andrew Machin )
Wow …..….just Wow !
That was just an amazing football match, and all 10084 present were massively privileged to have witnessed it!
What an exhibition of total commitment and …ultimately… quality from Dave Challinor`s team, and they gave League One Bolton a start too……going 3-1 behind in a first half littered with bad goals- conceded by County!
Thankfully in the dying embers of the half the excellent Scott Quigley nicked a second for the blues adding to Madden`s penalty earlier after Isgrove had done his team no service at all by upending Rydel just inside the box.
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| Quigley- unstoppably wonderful ! |
3-2 down at the break was a decent position bearing in mind the depths we were looking like plumbing in the early part of the first half, but County showed us some real metal in the second half totally dominating play as they attacked the Cheadle End who were in magnificent voice throughout.
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| Passion ! |
Palmer then brought the house down with a superb equaliser with 5 minutes left of normal time ushering in extra time which saw more amazing play from County who ended up not being at all flattered by the 2 further goals they notched, one in each half of extra time by Quigley and Crankshaw.
One of the best County displays I recall seeing in 8 decades of watching them ended with the crowd on the pitch ( not great as this banjaxed any chance of supporter/ team celebrations at the end which would have set the event of as it deserved to be)- if it took a while to actually clear the still singing throng, no one was complaining the place packed with supporters basking gratefully in a welcome glimpse of something good…something worth going out of your way to see!
If there were defensive issues needing attention I would expect that DC will have taken note and will hopefully sort in due course, meanwhile he has got them playing in their opponents half and the days of ` sideways…sideways…back` look consigned to County`s own `horrible history` and no one I know is unhappy with that!
The atmosphere was way beyond electric at kick off time and the Cheadle End had been giving it some magnificently for what seemed like forever come that time- what a setting for our team!
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| Cheadle End `on it ` early ! |
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| Flags in close up by Andrew Machin. |
But then within a minute it went sadly skewed and it was the 1468 from Bolton who were singing as confusion rained at the back for County with Elias Kachunga bearing down on goal at speed- the ball going in off Kitching with Ross nowhere.
This was the trigger for smoke bombs from the away end that held the game up for 4 or 5 minutes- a real pain but they got it out of their systems!
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| Did you really need to guys ? |
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| This view of that from Andrew Machin | |
But…..less than 2 minutes after the delayed resumption and the Railway End were celebrating again as the Trotters doubled their lead with a second goal as Sheehan`s cross profited from a massive communication gap at the back for County, the ball this time going in off Palmer.
That was just about the worst start imaginable, and the stay at home nay sayers watching the Beeb`s broadcast would have been writing us off already - there was an eery quiet for a brief time from the previously ebullient County following, but this would change soon, but for now we had to watch Bolton looking for a third but Bukayoka`s route to goal was blocked this time!
Eventually County revived- Sarcevic in the action and blocked at the edge of the box much to the away fans delight. They were less happy at the corner County forced not long after, but it was cleared so it stayed 0-2.
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| Quigley with half Bolton team for company.... | |
It was still mainly Bolton on the front foot though, but gradually DC`s men began to build some momentum culminating in some crass defending from the Lancastrians first from Johnston who came bearing possessional gifts, and then through Isgrove who made contact with Rydel just inside the box after Southam-Hales had taken the game to the opposition.
Referee Sam Barratt pointed to the spot and Madden put the penalty sweetly away to make it 1-2!
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| this is the best old hedgie could do with that Madden pen.... |
County were rejuvenated with Quigley opening up and showing us what he could do, but Croasdale`s shot from Scott`s lay off was saved by Dixon in the Bolton goal.
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| Quigey too hot for Bolton to handle! |
That was encouraging, but the good feeling lasted just a couple more minutes when another implosion at the back for County put them 3-1 down, Kitching`s headed back pass eluding Ross in alarming fashion allowing Bakayoko a simple tap in- that was a total bummer and the lack of communication truly awful!
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| Another `oops` moment for County ( Andrew Machin ) |
It seemed like all was lost, but this was to prove the falsest of illusions.
It did not immediately seem so as Kitching`s reply saw his drive carry the Bolton bar just after the half hour, but County started to stir noticeably…they did not wilt and fade away instead Bolton were forced to more `indiscretions` faced with building blue attacks and Southam -Hales duly found himself in an accustomed position – laid out on the ground after his nippy run had been cut short just outside the box by Sheehan who joined Madden in Mr Barratt`s book.
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| Madden shoots ( Andrew Machin ) |
Southam- Hales hit the wall with his free kick and Dixon snaffled the follow up comfortably to keep it at 1-3.
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| Dixon claims it ! |
County continued to press, but without success, and they had to be wary of breaks from their opponents who still looked dangerous with the ball going forward- Croasdale doing well to stop a run by Apolayan , a prime mover in the original tie at their place.
It was undeniable though…the County momentum was slowly building- they went close from a free kick after Kachunga had fouled Keane, getting the reward their efforts deserved when Rydel`s high cross from the left picked out Quigley whose deft header beat Dixon by a distance- it was 2-3 and game on…….possibly!
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| Rydel on the charge ( Andrew Machin ) |
And Andrew Machin sees what comes from that :-
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| and Andrew Machin captures the silence too ! |
Bolton were under massive pressure in what remained of the half with shots thudding into yellow shirted defenders in numbers but without altering the score.
Dixon and Sarcevic went 1 on 1 interestingly only for the referee to award Bolton a free kick which was disappointing
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| Sarcevic v Dixon ( Andrew Machin ) |
- a block on Quigley`s late/ late run by Aimson was the last meaningful action of the half, and after what had earlier gone down, to go in 2-3 was a decent performance!
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| Close from Quigley ! |
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| Andrew Machin`s view of that ! | , |
At the break County supporter Sam Pavitt presented the brilliant Aaron Wilbraham with his SCAN Certificate .......
And some crowd shots:-
County were attacking the Cheadle End on the resumption of play, and they were up for it too- Madden and Santos in a tasty collision of egos on the edge of the Bolton box early on.
It was handbags really but credit to Madden, he was not cowed by the earlier booking and his growing determination and will to win reflected what was to emerge from all his teammates as the game progressed.
Against all the odds not only were County `in it` they were dominating play igniting wave after glorious wave of emotion from County supporters in all 3 stands!
Bolton were under the cosh as Quigley`s latest sortie had Dixon scrambling feverishly to recover and push Southam -Hales shot for a corner having blocked Quigley. Madden headed over from this but already real chances were being created by County with little coming back in reply from our League 1 opponents.
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| Oooooo...errrrrr.... |
On it went in an atmosphere way ..way beyond electric- it was amazing to witness it…to feel it….neutrals could not have failed to have been impressed with the passion coming from the County supporters and the way it was spurring the team on.
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| Brilliant support ! |
The 49th minute saw a shot from Quigley scream inches wide of the target…..the 53rd had Santos heading out under pressure after Quiggers had been kept out at the back post ( just)…and 55th saw a Quigley lay off almost tee up that equaliser County wanted with a passion.
It was the Bolton fans who were deathly quiet now with Keane and Madden doing good work to get County`s following singing and chanting again on the hour!
It was all County …Palmer up with the forwards….Rydel firing a missile inches over……Madden down in the box without reward!
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| "Come on ref !" |
Raikhy was now on for Collar and he was to do well, but Quigley was still County`s main man just now going close yet again after more dangerous work by Southam- Hales.
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| Quigley blocked.... |
Midst the veritable blizzard of attacking from County, Bolton could only muster a limp effort from Aimson who lifted the ball towards the new development on Bergara Close, with 18 minutes left of normal time.
Quigley meanwhile continued to terrorise the heck out of Bolton who did really well to keep him to one goal at that point as he looked about to add a neat finish to Crankshaw`s ( on now for Sarcevic) excellent approach play!
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| Quigley v Santos. |
Crankshaw was having an immediate impact linking neatly with Southam-Hales on the right one moment…turning up on the left the next to good effect.
It was a brilliant County showing, just a goal was missing, every other element was in place.
It was great to see Raikhy in the mix and doing so well after so long left to stew by the previous manager- he and Quigley went close again as County kept a level of pressure on Bolton that was frankly frightening in its superb ferocity!
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| Raikhy on and doing well ! |
County just would not go away- Quigley`s lay off seeing Kitching`s shot ricochet off a defender for a corner , that saw a massive appeal for a County penalty turned down by the referee!
It was impossible to take your eyes off the action, it was compelling stuff and more so as Dixon just beat Southam Hales to a through ball on the edge of the box…..and Quigley went ever so close once more with Dixon struggling – the effort being blocked by Dixon`s colleagues.
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| Quigley again.... |
On it went with the blues still pushing on via Southam- Hales whose efforts produced a corner with 5 minutes of the game left!
Could County at last get what their relentless pressure deserved namely an equalising goal? We soon knew the answer to that one as the kick from Rydel hovered just long enough in the cooling night air for Palmer to put head to ball and make it 3-3!
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| Palmer makes it 3-3 and signals extra time ! |
That was simply brilliant and fitting reward for County`s efforts.
Bolton tried to avoid extra time in the few minutes that remained, only to find County`s defensive resolve in better order than earlier in the evening, the half ending almost inevitably with Quigley going close again.
Minihan had replaced Keane in added time, but It stayed 3-3 though, and extra time was on!
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| Minhan on for Keane ( Andrew Machin ) | |
Bolton opened extra time brightly winning a free kick that saw Kitching booked, and the kick was in a scoreable position, but County defended it well, Crankshaw running the ball clear with a terrific run.
That was as good as it was going to get for the Trotters now as County had the bit between their teeth again and set about rewarding the relentless onslaught of support emanating from 3 of the stands, with some vibrant attacking play unseen in these parts for months!
It took the blues just 5 minutes to turn their massive dominance into a fourth goal, and it came via a neat through ball from Madden that Quigley converted in an instant into the required goal with the deftest of lobs that left Dixon hopelessly beaten, and the score now Stockport County 4-Bolton Wanderers 3- what an amazing comeback…simply brilliant!
Time for Raikhy to clear off the line for County….and for Southam- Hales to haul himself off the deck again after more yellow shirted indiscipline, but the picture still unfolding before our eyes was still one of County dominance.
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| 90 odd minutes of the right stuff from Madden ! |
Southam-Hales gave way to Barclay before half time in extra time, and Reid replaced Quigley when play resumed with Bolton seeking an equaliser but seeing Ross punch clear under pressure, and it was clear to see that whilst County were doing most of the attacking, they were also defending like tigers now too- Kitching personifying this with a diving headed clearance to block a cross from Isgrove, with 2 minutes left.
Surely County could not put their supporters nerve ends to rest with a further goal…could they? Well-read on as Reid won a header wide left that saw Raikhy surge clear picking Crankshaw out with precision and the rest is County history as County`s number 27 fired the ball home to make it a remarkable 5-3 to County!
Cue pitch invasion by County fans and simultaneous flare / smoke bomb throwing from the away end.
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| Bolton fans frustration shows ! |
Both, if understandable, were regrettable and the pitch invasion ended any likelihood of supporters and team being able to celebrate what was a great victory in style.
That said this had been a wonderful occasion….a marvellous performance by County to come back as they did and perform so brilliantly throughout against a supposedly superior team who clearly came with a lucid and workable game plan.
Well done team and management , this one will live long in the annals of County history!
See you at Woking then!
Stockport County line up:-
Ross, Southam-Hales, Keane ( Minihan 89), Palmer, Kitching, Collar ( Raikhy 67), Croasdale, Rydel, Sarcevic ( Crankshaw 74), Madden, Quigley ( Reid 105).
Subs not used: Hinchliffe, Hogan, C Jennings, Pye.
Bolton Wanderers line up:-
Dixon, John, Santos, Johnston, Sheehan ( Aimson 45), Bakayoko ( Delfouneso 73), Apolayan ( Ameachi 77), Lee, Isgrove, Kachunga, Thomason.
Subs not used : Gilks, Baptiste, Gordon, Tweedley, Henry, Pettifer.
Attendance ; 10084 ( 1468)
hedgegrower
An Additional Gallery from Andrew Machin :-
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