Nantwich Town 1 Stockport County 2 ( Cheshire Senior Cup-Quarter Final) Tuesday 1 February 2022
(Words and images by hedgegrower)
County secured a semi final place in the prestigious Cheshire Senior Cup with an amazing comeback win at the wind and rain swept Weaver tonight against a battling , brave Nantwich Town side.
CJ to the fore ! |
County were deservedly 1-0 down at half time to a Tommy Montefiori goal, having been second best throughout the first 45 minutes- at that point all hope of progress into the last four looked the stuff of pipe dreams.
But if many might have given it all up as biting winds were supplemented by swirling driving rain, the big County following most certainly did not and I commend them heartily for driving their team on when all looked lost.
It wasn`t, and the hero was Alex Reid who won the day for the blues with 2 quality sniffers goals in the last quarter of an hour- I could not be more pleased for Reidy…let`s hope these are the first of many more!
Alex Reid- well done that man ! |
County fans spread out around the windswept surrounds of this interesting Cheshire stadium- the scene of many epic encounters over the years as the game got underway. If County have done well at this venue, winning the trophy under Jim Gannon`s tutelage , the Dabbers have also won well against us in the competition so it was no surprise to see them opening on the front foot with minimum respect to County- it was ever thus!
Dabbers enterprising play got its reward 16 minutes in when Montefiori exchanged passes with Mwasile before comprehensively beating Ross with a neat finish.
That must have stunned County and Nantwich gave every impression for a time after the goal that another might be on the way soon.
County tried to respond….Newby was lively and looked to bring others into it, as did CJ, but there was no end product at all and it was in dismal spirits I trudged wearily to the other end at the break with County still 0-1 down.
CJ looking for an opening... |
Thankfully, County upped the pace and effort after the break. Newby was still producing the goods trying to coax stuff from others, and I liked the attitude of Josh Edwards as well.
The County fans were in excellent form nicely backed by the drum. Many times in the 2000`s I have heard `Arthur Brownlow sung in entirely inappropriate moments ( when we are winning) tonight the choruses started 20 minutes into the first half and were still being aired as added time threatened in the swirling driving rain- that was fantastic and definitely contributed to what was a devastating finish by County.
Goal coming ! |
First off it started with Barugh`s cross being helped on neatly by CJ to Reid who did the rest…..1-1 !
Reid puts Dabbers under pressure..... |
That was the 74th minute – could we….would we ?
Well, it took much effort from team and fans but…YES WE COULD and this time it fell to Newby to start if off, his cross picking Reid out in familiar territory smack in front- the winner resulted…it was 2-1 as Reid headed home to win the game for County!
....and the product...Reid makes it 2-1 ! |
That was a good win in the end bravely dug out of impending defeat to a Nantwich side who, whilst disappointed, will be pleased with their performance.
For County though, and their magnificent supporters …the spoils…a place in the Cheshire Senior Cup Semi Finals- excellent !
Oh , and Riichi was at the game prior a return to Japan ( do not worry he is coming back!)
Nantwich Town line up:-
Wycherley, Sinclair, Edwards, Bourne, Mitchell, Heath, Montefiori, Raffie, Malkin, Mwasile ( Bell 78), Huxley ( Cooke 66).
Subs not used : Pope, Stair, Hawkins.
Stockport County line up:-
Ross, Minihan, Edwards, Keane, Holding (Johnson 59), Pye, Newby, Nock ( Barugh 59), Reid, Alli, C Jennings.
Subs not used: Osifo, Harrison.
Attendance : 373
hedgegrower
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