Stockport County 1 Weymouth 0 ( Vanarama National League ) Saturday 26 February 2022

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

There was a distinct sense of deja-vu about at Edgeley Park today as for the second match on a trot County had to settle for a 1-0 winning margin against a side struggling in the lower reaches of the division.

The similarities did not stop there either as another late session of handbags saw another County player see a red card- Kitching this time, it was via a second yellow, but the effect was the same we were down to 10 men albeit for only a few minutes.

This element pinpoints something of a concern that is cropping up namely County are shipping too many free kicks- their discipline …the element that usually marks us out from other `less particular` teams is now threatening to undermine us when we can least afford it too.

That said this was County`s 15<sup>th</sup> win in 16 games, and any run of that kind usually has a `blip` somewhere along the way, so let`s hope this is just that and that DC gets a grip of the discipline element!

For all my criticism of the blues approach today, due recognition should be given to the opposition, and it must be said, that after a modest start the Terras did their small but thoroughly excellent band of supporters proud- pushing County hard for much of the second half!

 

 Siting Terras Flag- Andrew Machin.

 

 Early shot from Andrew Machin of some of the 61

 

 ....and a few more ( Andrew Machin )

    

 

 

 

 

 

  Despite County`s impressive form, I never viewed this game as a foregone conclusion. Having been at the rain swept Bob Lucas back in October and seen how the Terras had made a real game of it then.

 Weymouth took the lead thanks to a goal by Sean Shields in the first half and, with better finishing might have been 2 up at the break. They weren`t and second half goals from Madden and Crankshaw saw County home, but today`s opponents now had a new man in charge- David Oldfield and he had got the Terras on the move again, and they showed a bit of that to us today- thank good ness County were able to tough it out and keep their impressive run going!

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At 3 o`clock another large crowd greeted the teams onto the park- County`s line up showing a couple of changes- Ollie Crankshaw and Jordan Keane coming in for Hippolyte and Hogan.

 

 Crankshaw - back & lively !

 and a welcome return for Keano !

 

 

 

 Cheadle End- in excellent voice ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

I must say how good the support was particularly from the Cheadle End again today- fantastically well done- definitely a vital part of our winning ways! 

 

 Early County pressure( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

Keane was involved early linking with Southam- Hales who was flagged offside in the blues first push towards the Terras goal.

 M.O.M Madden ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

Madden was next to show, and he was to deservedly take the M.O.M  award for another excellent performance, but for now…disappointment as Mnoga cut his path to goal off abruptly!

County looked to be well up for this one -Drewe doing well for the visitors to block Southam- Hales from another prompt by Keano.

Then a three man tangle ensued in the box involving Crankshaw, Madden and keeper Ross Fitzsimons ( who we had here for a short while I think).

 

 3 in a box !

 

 

 A corner was the outcome of this which saw Madden fire over the top.

 

 Close from Madden !

 

 ...and Andrew Machin`s view of that action.

 

 

The first 10-12 minutes had simply flown by, and it looked just a matter of `when` not `if` County would score, but again the 13^th minutes just brought disappointment as a fierce effort by Crankshaw just missed out! 

 

 Crankshaw -so close !

 and here`s the shot ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

On it went….Bearwish blocking Southam- Hales….Fitzsimons performing small miracles to keep a cross cum shot from Collar out on the line.

 

 Small wonders from Fitzsimons!

 

 

 

 

 

It really did look like County`s day…. If only we could get past Fitzsimons , and he was there again on 14 minutes holding on to Rydel`s teasing ball under pressure.

 

 

 One more from Fitzsimons!

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile Weymouth, when they could, tried to play football but it seemed to lack the required thrust- McQuoid doing well to make it to the by-line but foiled by Palmer`s goal line clearance!

Back came County at the double though- Fitzsimons just able to beat Madden to a through ball in the box…….Bunker doing well to head out with Southam- Hales running onto a neat pass by Keano!

 Southam -Hales on the charge ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

That was 19 minutes in…..County kept the foot on the accelerator – Harfield twice making near miracle saving blocks with the blues rampant. Corners came for County…Palmer and Collar fancied them, but could not make them count.

 

 Collar thwarted !

 

 

 

Then….the ball reached Rydel, and another teaser was just too much for Weymouth`s Cameron Murray  who got a touch on the ball sending it beyond Fitzsimons into the net- County had the lead !

 Rydel`s effort glances off Murray`s head ( Andrew Machin )

 

 ...and into the net ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would the flood gates now open?

Well , County kept attacking- but Madden headed over from a Johnson cross.

Then the keeper saved from Croasdale, and was on hand again moments later to push a shot from Quigley around a post.

 

 Ooo err...County close again !

 

 and again ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

Nothing came from the corner…or one gained by the Terras at the other end by McQuoid. This was met encouragingly by the advancing Mnoga but he put the ball wide.

 

 Quigley looks for an opening.

 

 

County replied quickly- Quigley winning a corner after  Fitzsimons had thwarted Collar….and then a second following fine work by Crankshaw cutting inside from  the left.

 

 Fitzy again ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

Corners came and went for County in what remained of the first half , but the teams went in with the score still 1-0 to County.

 

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Kitching was on for Johnson when the teams returned for the second half .

 Southam- Hales- in excellent form !

 

 

 

 

 

 County opened as brightly as in the first half with Keane and Southam- Hales linking up well down the right- twice Southam- Hales stretched the visitors back line to the limit….and twice they held out with commendable resolve- delighting the 61 who had made the trip from Dorset, and were singing loudly.

 Most of the 61 up from Dorset (Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

That said …..it looked a 2-0 shoo-in next as Madden and Quigley charged through the middle onto a lofted cross- but somehow the moment passed with the score still 1-0.

 

 Shoo in.....not !

 and this of that from Andrew Machin.

 

 

 

Just beyond the hour, we saw a reply by Weymouth via Tyler Cordner and Hinchliffe had to go full stretch to keep the shot out.

It was still the visitors goal that was seeing more action though- Drewe booked for a foul on Rydel- Madden headed over from the free kick.

 Madden heads over the top....

 

 

 

 

 

 Harfield continued to make vital interventions for the Terras who began to ring the personnel changes .

They began to press more too, and County did not look all that clever in response – conceding free kicks in dangerous positions that just put us unnecessarily under the cosh. Palmer`s next action typified this as a push in the back on Mnoga gave Weymouth another possible window of opportunity- in the event Madden headed the ball clear and the Terras did not take advantage of the situation, but we did not learn from it as a foul by Collar put us back defending deep.

Thankfully, Weymouth lacked a decent striker and again County were able to work the ball clear – Quigley shooting wide having caught the visitors napping on the break.

 Wide by Quigley on the break....

 

 

 

Weymouth kept the pressure on County- Kitching getting a booking teeing up another Terras free kick in a handy position, with a foul. Again County defended the kick well, but………….

In no time Weymouth were back in County faces with Mussa running the County back line ragged , but failing to apply a proper finish, sending his shot wide of the target!

 

 Mussa misses out.

 

 

 

 

The pressure on County continued – Palmer a busy lad fending off a clutch of corners.

We were into the last 15 minutes now and Newby and Hippolyte were on for Quigley and Rydel.

 

 Rydel off after getting a knock !

 

 

 

County looked to re-assert their earlier authority, but Madden was offside following a corner won by Collar.

Into the last 10 minutes we went then with Terras attacking and Blair drilling one low into the box for Mampola- but he could not force it home.

County were having to defend with increasing intensity – we needed a goal to sort this – but Weymouth were defending well in response and just would not oblige us.

In fact Terras were back attacking again, with 5 minutes left- Palmer doing well  at one point to head out, but just watching as Mampala`s header cleared the bar.

 

 Palmer heads out ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

There was a half hearted appeal for a penalty from County, with 2 minutes left, but I did not see it clearly having to move at this point to get a decent position with stewards pitch side at the empty Railway End.

I could see Weymouth attacking however and Southam-Hales did really well to stop Goodship on the end of a tasty looking ball!

 

 All Southam -Hales cylinders still firing !

 

 

 

 

 

County were under pressure, but tried to run it clear only for Crankshaw to foul his man and put the pressure back on us.

Cue handbags …. We are getting all too familiar with this pattern of play are we not- and something similar to last Saturday`s panto looked on the cards for a moment or 2 , but Mr Miller took far less time to come to a conclusion which was – yellows for Blair and Goodship…..and a second yellow and red for Kitching.

 not quite the panto of last week !

 

 

 

 

I cannot claim to have seen what went down there, but what is plain to see is that we need to stop giving Referees license to dish us- we again managed to weather the storm thereafter , but that should not have been necessary- instead some of the gloss  from a decent achievement by County  was  off.

County were under pressure for much of what remained of the game as 3 minutes added time stretched and stretched for ever it seemed- Southam -Hales ending the game as he started it doing excellent work.

Eventually Mr Miller ended proceedings and County had extended their run and maintained their position at the top of the table.

No mean feat that- so well done- but sort the discipline please lads!

See you at Aldershot!

 

Stockport County line up:-

Hinchliffe, Keane, Palmer, Johnson ( Kitching 45), Southam-Hales, Collar, Croasdale, Rydel ( Newby 76) , Madden, Quigley ( Hippolyte 72), Crankshaw.

Subs not used :- Whitfield, C Jennings.

 

Weymouth line up:-

Fitzsimons, Cordner, Goodship, Mussa, McQuoid ( Smith 57), Mnoga, Bearwish, Drewe ( Blair 57), Bunker ( Mampala 72), Murray, Harfield.

Subs not used: Ash, Scott.

 

Attendance 7418 ( 61)

 

hedgegrower