Solihull Moors 0 Stockport County 1 ( Vanarama National League) Tuesday 28 December 2021

 

 

 

( All words by hedgegrower, images by hedgegrower & Andrew Machin )

 

There are moments when you just know something special has just happened, and County gave their large body of supporters who made it to the midlands just such today at Damson Park where they secured 3 invaluable points by beating high flying Solihull Moors 1-0.

You knew before the start that this was going to be a cracker….and it was……. both teams playing high quality football at speed creating chances. For a long period neither could find the finish to end their supporters growing anguish.

In the second half I lost count of the times County went close and closer to scoring, but didn`t. Ryan Boot the Moors keeper played a major part in that …him and a large element of good fortune, particularly after the break when County might have had 3 or 4 with a modicum of luck.

 

 the utterly amazing Boot ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

As the match progressed so we felt that the first chance to be put away would settle it, and it fell to County – more specifically to Paddy Madden whose magnificent looping header gave the white shirted blues the 1-0 lead their play merited.

 

 Madden- M.O.M for me !

 

 

That was entirely appropriate as Madden had again given us 90 odd minutes of hard graft laced with more than a dash of inspiration. 

 

 Madden- excellent ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

I made it his best game yet for us, and others were not far behind him….Crankshaw was all impish enthusiasm from minute 1 to the 90 oddth, and the almost entirely  unsung Croasdale was simply terrific in the middle of the park where and when it mattered!

 

 Croasdale continues, under the radar, to shine ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

All that said, it was not all County. Moors played their part making it by no means certain for long periods just which of the 2 teams would nick it.

That DC`s men had the nous and wherewithal to claim the prize, and then crush any late responses from Neil Ardley`s team for the remaining 17 minutes of the match, speaks volumes for them and the way the manager has turned things around in such a short period in charge!

Back at 3 o`clock County, kitted out in that great white shirts/ black shorts gear again, were welcomed onto the pitch by a big following who were in good voice.

 

 County emerge to applause from 720 +

 

 

 

There were a couple of changes on view- Hogan was in for Keane, whilst Crankshaw took the suspended Sarcevic`s place.

 Hogan back ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

Crankshaw was in the mix straight off , his pacy run being cut off by James Clarke`s beautifully executed last gasper as he reached the edge of the box.

 

 Ollie v Clarke ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

That was a lively start and only 60 seconds had elapsed since the start. Another 60 and play switched ends with Barnett setting Sbarra up nicely with a neat ball- the chance went begging as Sbarra lifted his shot wide.

Both teams then set about building something but without anything of real value materialising- Quigley did have ambitions, 8 minutes in, but Ball made a meal of going down in a one-on-one situation impressing the referee and stopping Quiggers` gallop in the process.

 

 Great balance, great shot of Quigley by Andrew Machin.

 

 

Madden began to emerge as a potent force next sending County clear after winning possession from nothing. Play went left to Rydel but again foundered on another neat saving tackle from Clarke.

 Rydel v Clarke

 

 

 

 

Pressure mounted from County after this- Kitching shooting wide from Rydel`s pass, and Quigley foiled at the last gasp for the first of many times in the afternoon. Corners came and went for County in this period but somehow our hosts held out without conceding.

 

 close from County

 

 

 

Barnett looked to be the one likely to offer Moors options to stem the tide of County attacking, him and Rooney but a break by the Moors number nine ended with Sbarra shooting wastefully wide.

Back came County through Rydel who won a corner- the ball screamed inches wide via Southam- Hales and Collar from this going out off a defender. Palmer headed over the top from the second kick.

 

 County go close again!

 

 another view of that from Andrew Machin.

 

 

It was hard to see how County would not score eventually, via the shear volume of their attacking, but for now….only anguish as both Rydel and Quigley had shots saved in rapid order by Boot who was having  a belter!

Croasdale`s follow up from the last action missed the target, but the 24 th minute saw him and Quigley again in the firing line at the sharp end but both denied again by awesome saves from Boot!

Understandably this high octane stuff had to ease off a touch and it was 10 minutes before anything else surfaced and it came from ex Hatter Jimmy Ball, but after he had slinked in behind County`s cover down the right, and seen his shot deflected for a corner, he saw this wasted as County cleared their lines comfortably.

But County were not done…..neither was Madden  …or that man Ryan Boot  and another stunning double save from him dished County big time. Palmer did have the ball in the net from the subsequent corner, but this was ruled out and County did not protest that I could see.

The half ended with a spirited reply from Moors via Rooney and Barnett , but despite winning a couple of corners the duo were left unrewarded as Southam-Hales clearance ended play for the first half.

 

 Last act of the half by Southam-Hales !

 

 

 

 

 

And now some crowd shots from hedgegrower ( there`s also some towards the end of the report):-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here`s some from Andrew Machin :-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Into the second half then and there was barely enough time to catch our breath again after that crackerjack of a first 45, when Crankshaw , mirroring his action 45 minutes earlier was in at the sharp end straight away- so close to nicking one!

Then he was back again his cross setting up the mother of all melees in front of Boot`s goal where it seemed either Madden or Quigley would score, in fact I thought they had ….twice….only for the ball to come out off  defenders on the line - then Boot saving Moors again with his umpteenth save of what for him had been an epic performance!

 Somehow this stayed out !

 

 ...and this one too!

 This & the next shot of same action from Andrew Machin.

 

 

 

 

 

On it went…County attacking in numbers but Ball in position to thwart Quigley on the break.

 Quigley v Ball.

 

 

 

 

The Moors goal had a charmed life for sure confirmed again as Clarke almost nicked an OG on the end of a Quigley shot- another frenzied period of County attacking ending with ….you guessed it…Boot going full stretch to keep a Kitching shot out!

 

 Boot again !

 

 

 

It continued….Crankshaw blocked by the amazing Boot  from  Quigley`s pass in front of goal.

 Amazing indeed !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moors meanwhile were still trying to play football and push County back it was just that Croasdale and company weren`t having any of that- Moors did press and Ball did ping one from distance onto the top of the bar but the sharper stuff, where it mattered, was coming from County- but we needed a goal!

 Ball pings bar ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

Crankshaw and Madden thought they might have nicked one next but again that did not count!

It went on….Quigley heading over from Kitching`s corner…..seeing Boot save another effort. Crankshaw went close as shots rained in on the Moors goal his shot coming out off an upright- and did I see a hand to ball moment in there too!

 Moors under the cosh !

 

 onto the woodwork from Ollie !

 

 and here`s the hand !

 

 

There was no end to the attacking from County as Crankshaw sent Quigley clear only for the chance to disappear as the Moors cover redoubled their efforts.

Surely there was respite somewhere……but no Southam – Hales shot could not beat Boot with 20 minutes left.

 

 Late tester from Southam-Hales.

 

 

 

And again a minute later after Croasdale had sent Crankshaw surging through the middle again only for his shot to skim the bar and go out!

This was serious stuff now….and Palmer was up with the forwards, not for a header but to place a pass usefully and he did…and Southam -Hales continued to push our opponents back…..and then….and then….

Up steps Will Collar with the neatest of crosses from the right...........

 

 enter Will Collar!

 

 

 

......... that Paddy Madden met with perfect timing beyond the back post- his looping header at last beating the excellent Boot to give County the lead they craved, and their play merited!

 

 on its way in !

 

 ....and....in !

 Andrew Machin`s view of the goal .

and the start of the celebrations ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

Solihull came at County in the fifteen or so minutes that remained of the game- met by the sternest of defensive responses from Palmer in particular but not exclusively.

Boot still had a save or two to make, and County kept looking for a second clincher as DC made late personnel changes.

 

 orders is orders( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

County remained as solid as ever in the face of determined efforts from Moors to salvage the game, but it was not to be….County got the 3 points that they came for that sees them into the play-off positions and well set for the seasons run in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That was massively good to witness if more than slightly wearing on the nerves, but it was ever thus….part of the fabric of following County around the UK….and we would not swap the experience for anything….anything!

Well done County…all of you!

See you all at Alty for more of the same!

Oh.....and I did not want to end this report without adding my congratulations to Paddy Madden for taking time out when leaving the field to fulfill an earlier promise of a selfie to a young County fan...brilliant again Paddy!

 

 

 

 

 

Solihull Moors line up:-

Boot, Clarke, Gadger, Sbarra, Maycock, Rooney ( Dallas 73), Osborne ( Newton 67), Barnett, Boyes, Ball, Landsstram.

Subs not used: Cranston, Storer, Ma Nally.

 

Stockport County line up:-

Hinchliffe, Southam-Hales, Hogan, Palmer, Kitching, Croasdale, Collar ( Rooney 85), Rydel, Madden ( Keane 93), Quigley ( C Jennings 78), Crankshaw.

 

Subs not used: Minihan, Newby.

 

Attendance: 2984 ( 720)

 

hedgegrower