Stockport County 3 Eastleigh 0 ( Vanarama National League) Tuesday 18 January 2022

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

An assured performance by County saw them ease into third place in the National League last night with a well merited 3-0 win against a gritty Eastleigh side.

Ben Strevens` team gave every impression of wanting something from this game but, in the vice like grip of a blue back line that just could not be passed, this was always a forlorn hope for the Spitfires, and elsewhere the fire power down the flanks of Rydel and Kitching and Southam-Hales ensured that the visitors defence had plenty to think about match-long.

 Kitching on the ball ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

County`s goals came via an early ( Southam- Hales induced)own goal by Andy Boyce, and one each for Madden and CJ both of whom did top jobs , the latter as substitute for Scott Quigley who picked up a knock in the first half!

Add the man of the match award that Collar took, and you begin to get a picture of another competent County team performance, one that no doubt DC will build on in what will be an exciting run in to the end of the season.

Newby for the injured Crankshaw on the bench, was the only change in County`s  line up from the last league outing as a decent Tuesday night gathering of over 4000 settled into their seats- 49 100%   genuine football supporters made the trip from Hampshire- RESPECT!

 RESPECT for sure ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

The Cheadle End Upper Tiers got excited early as Kitching hit the deck just inside the Eastleigh box, but Mr Woods was not impressed, and the excitement abated.

 Upper Tiers C/E ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was some early activity for Hinchliffe next, and he did well to advance quickly to the edge of his box to clear into the Danny Stand with Smart showing.

Play switched about for a time….Rydel`s corner putting pressure on the Spitfires , and Hinchliffe saw off a possible threat via a Spitfires free kick comfortably enough.

 

 Hinchliffe solid ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

Soon enough, 10 minutes had gone by and for much of the time Southam-Hales could be seen probing the visitors defences down the right- his latest run won a corner only for Joe McDonnell to end County`s ambitions for the moment with a solid stop from Sarcevic`s kick.

 Eastleigh under pressure.

 

 

 

 

 

Madden then tested McDonnell with a drive following a pacy run- the keeper was up to the task, as the early `end to end` bit continued with Smart and Whelan busying themselves deep in blue territory.

 Run + shot from Madden.

 

 

 

 

 

The blue back line looked largely unflappable though, and this encouraged Southam- Hales to more exploits and his next run saw him check back before pinging a tasty number into the box where Quigley lurked with malice aforethought! 

 Southam- Hales on the ball !

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ball never quite reached Quiggers but the fear of that happening, and the perfection of Southam- Hales delivery, induced Andy Brice into a diving header that dispatched the ball into the net for County`s first goal!

 

 OG from Boyce makes it 1-0.

 Another angle from Andrew Machin.

 

 

 

 

 

That was 14 minutes in. Another 3 and I glanced right to see Southam- Hales doing some brilliant work relieving the pressure on County at the back…bringing the ball forward out of defence….earning applause- great stuff!

Maghoma gave those present a taster of what was to come with a clunking foul on Collar. Unfortunately County did not make the visitors pay for this from the free kick, so it was back to defending as Eastleigh forced a corner, and they defended well, well enough for Rydel to burst clear at speed. 

 

 Rydel flying now ( Andrew  Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

It looked interesting, and I did think that the `coming together` of Rydel and Hare indicated a foul by the latter, but the Referee thought otherwise – break dished!

 More pressure on Eastleigh !

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 24^th minute made me wince as a poor challenge by Sarcevic earned him another booking. The free kick from this was from a decent position for County`s opponents, if just outside the box, but Hinchliffe dealt with it well to keep it at 1-0.

Ben did even better next pinging a lovely long ball deep into Spitfire territory. The most ginormous melee followed with McDonnell claiming the ball with firm assurance to end it!

 

 Catch under pressure from McDonnell( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

I have mentioned the free kick situation and County  were giving away their share , in fact rather more than in my view , and this only encouraged Eastleigh  . Whelan looked suitably encouraged to me and his neat run offered his team a glimpse of maybe something better, but it was an illusion as his shot came out to safety off Kitching on 33 minutes.

It was at this point that Quigley had to be substituted having picked up a knock earlier, and CJ came on in his place to applause.

The next action saw Maghoma again blot his copy book, but County did not make their free kick count which was sad as a reply was not long in coming from Spitfires, and this saw County briefly lose their defensive grip as the ball was passed straight to Whelan ( who should have taken full advantage , but didn`t). The blue back line covered their tracks only to then give a free kick away in another scoring position. Thankfully Spitfires were firing blanks and the kick hit the blue wall before being run clear by Sarcevic.

 

 Sarcevic  turns defence into attack !

 

 

 

 

 

It took just 2 minutes for County to fully clear my attack of the grumps from that last action, and again it came via Sarcevic whose tenacious run saw him refuse to lose the ball, releasing it neatly eventually to Madden. Madden opted for placement rather than power and the slightest of touches on the ball from the defender, that and a late run from CJ distracted the keeper just enough to see the ball into the net for County`s second!

 CJ makes sure....it`s 2-0 !

 

 The scoring shot from Madden ( Andrew Machin )

 

 and CJ  makes sure ( Andrew Machin )

  

 

 

 

 

But for a foul by Boyce on Sarcevic , and a free kick that did not add to the score line, that was the last meaningful action of the half- not a massively exciting 45 minutes  but we`ll take 2-0 will we not!

Now some crowd shots from

 Andrew Machin..... 

 

 

 

The second half got underway with Mc Donnell in action for Eastleigh fending off a snap-shot from the lively CJ.

 

 CJ in good nick just now !

 

 

 

 

The visitors stuck to their task with some zeal, but despite getting forward a fair bit in the period that then followed they did this largely without troubling Hinchliffe too much.

Meanwhile Collar was earning his M.O.M tag working hard to convert defensive positions to attacking one`s, along with Croasdale and Sarcevic. In one these attacks Rydel  was clattered when looking in a decent position to do something to no redress, and another saw McDonnell just manage to keep a curler from Southam- Hales out!

 

 Croasdale threatens ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

This was the pre curser to some sweet /sweet moves from County and then a response from Spitfires that had the doughty 49 on their feet- they really did want something from this game!

But…..so did County and particularly Hinchliffe and he was unpassable in this period  -out quickly and decisively to thwart Hill on the end of Whelan`s neat through ball ……and a rock on his line as Hill got his head to a dangerous cross from Smart!

The game was not over then…..but County had intent to make it so none more so than Sarcevic  but he was brought down by Maghoma as he threatened the visitors goal. Collar won a corner from the free kick, but in the time-honoured County fashion this finished up with Hinchliffe having to do the biz at the back with all his defensive battalions up the park!

He did the biz brilliantly sending the ball long for Collar to run onto ( in the box I thought) at which point the unfortunate Maghoma`s discipline took a walk and he upended the County man giving Mr Woods no option other than to second yellow and red him.

 

 Well, call me Mr Magoo....but.....

 

 ok...maybe...( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

No pen though…a free kick and more disappointment followed as this skimmed the bar from Rydel!

The flood gates could well now open for County, but would they…………CJ went close again, and Kitching and Rydel were unlucky not to make further progress- their raid ending with the Referee somehow penalising Rydel as the duo bore down on McDonnell`s goal.

 

 Close from County !

 

 

 

 

The pressure built up steadily now from County- CJ closest to another goal his header clearing the bar from Southam-Hales cross. But then Collar went closer still with an effort that had the County crowd gasping as it came out ( off the woodwork I think). 

 

 So close from Collar ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

Chance gone?

Nah……enter CJ again and he leathered a peach home with minimum fuss….3-0….top job !

 

 CJ....it`s 3-0 ( Andrew Machin )

...and boy does he like that one! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

Eastleigh got a roasting next via Rydel and Kitching and a real escape as a screamer from Croasdale ( one of those that neither dips nor rises throughout) smashed into an upright with McDonnell nowhere!

 

 Kitching and company....

 

 

 

 

Rydel and Southam- Hales took the lead next down the right and the Cheadle End bid a succession of County players to “ shoot” but it stayed 3-0.

There was time for 10 minutes or so from Newby and Rooney as Collar and Sarcevic took  to the bench…..time for McDonnell to make another diving save to keep it at the same score…..and for Croasdale to buff up his growing reputation as a striking force  with a late /late one that fizzed mere centimetres wide.

Mc Donnell was still making saves deep into added time- Spitfires M.O.M by a country mile for me!

 

 McDonnell again !

 

 

 

 

Well done County, that was always going to be a toughie but the game plan worked well I thought combating Eastleigh`s traditionally  abrasive and combative approach.

On to Daggers with confidence- see you there!

Before that though a word on matters Cheadle End Upper Tiers, and it is alarming to note that the habit of some from there who persist on throwing bottles down on County supporters in the Lower Tiers.

This is totally unacceptable behaviour and has got to stop. Unfortunately I doubt that the perps read this blog, but if you know who I  am talking about please have a word before the situation gets totally out of hand and someone gets hurt!

 

 

Stockport County line up:-

Hinchliffe, Hogan, Palmer, Kitching, Southam-Hales, Rydel, Croasdale, Collar ( Rooney 79), Sarcevic ( Newby 79), Madden, Quigley( C Jennings 35).

Subs not used: Minihan, Johnson.

 

Eastleigh line up:-

McDonnell, Hare, Kelly, Boyce, Smart ( Broadbent 66), Pritchard, Hill, Hollands, Whelan, Maghoma, Harper ( Barnett 66).

Subs not used :Smith, Flitney, Bragg.

 

Attendance: 4634 ( 49)

 

hedgegrower