Stockport County 1 Walsall 2 ( FA Cup- 3rd Round) Sunday 8 January 2023

County exited the FA Cup this afternoon at the hands of a Walsall team they had comprehensively outclassed at the Bescott just 10 days ago, signing off with a whimper via a most disappointingly negative showing in added time that cost them dearly.

A much-changed County side had struggled to maintain a rhythm for large parts of the match and might have gone in at the break one down had Referee Andrew Kitchen not dismissed the visitors late claim for a penalty.

I was looking for changes at half time- definitely Croasdale was needed and Madden also in my view, but the same 11 took to the park to try to put Mike Flynn`s side in their place.

But the struggle continued, and the situation worsened on the hour when Danny Johnson took advantage of some unattended freedom down the left to give his side the lead.

That was a jolt but there was no sign of Croasdale some 5 minutes later when DC made his first substitutions opting to replace Bardsley and Olaofe with Crankshaw and Evans.

Neither subbing seemed to work, and it was not until Madden came on for Rydel that matters started to improve and we thought another visit to the Bescott was on when Paddy unleashed the most excellent of shots to equalise and send the old place crazy with belated excitement.

County had put Walsall under a lot of pressure before that goal went in and just about deserved equality, so when 6 minutes added time was announced hopes were high that we might just nick that winner and avoid another weekday trip to WS1.

That seemed not to be an unreasonable view to take but somehow that was not the way County were going about it. OK Walsall did get forward, but did we need 11 behind the ball as we had for large portions of the 6 minutes?

It was so so disappointing to see after Paddy had set it up for a grandstand finish.

It was not to be and as Walsall`s late/late burst of attacking verve built and County struggled to break out- the inevitable happening deep in added time when , midst a welter of shots and crosses pinging over from Walsall, their luck held and the County number nine, back defending, was adjudged to have raised his boot dangerously high in the box by the Referee who pointed to the spot much to the delight of the travelling fans on the Railway End.

The penalty was put away by Andy Williams to end County`s interest in the FA Cup for another year.

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Earlier, with 2 o`clock nearing I found myself still in an enormous queue to get into the Cheadle End on Hardcastle Road.

the scene at 1.45 pm ( image-hedgegrower)

It was an appalling, and I would say unnecessary sight but one exacerbated by 3 of the turnstiles not being in use despite the queues almost filling Hardcastle Road.

Still massive queues , still turnstiles closed ( image- hedgegrower)

Now, the Club gets deserved praise for their superb work with the provision of the County Courtyard and lots more, but they do rather need to also address the basics and ensure supporters can get in the ground on time.

With 10 minutes to kick off the turnstiles were open but that was far…far too late so please can we have all the Cheadle End turnstiles operational particularly when we know the place is going to be full?

Rant over I made it into my seat just in time for the nicely handled memorial applause to County supporters who sadly deceased in 2022, and the kick off and despite County`s starting line up being much changed, I was not unduly concerned based on our showing at Walsall`s place 10 days ago.

But this complacent approach got a rude awakening as Walsall more or less dominated the first 6 or 7 minutes taking the game to County.

Comley found Wright and Hinchliffe in good nick as his early sortie deep into blue territory faded out under the County duo`s close attention.

Within a couple of minutes Comley was back in County faces again and this time it was more serious as his cross headed for Douglas James- Taylor who looked to have a simple task of opening the scoring from smack in front of goal. It was a real chance but not for long as Hinchliffe beat the shot out at point blank range in brilliant style to keep it at 0-0!

It went on with Wright blocking Danny Johnson`s run, 4 minutes in.

County`s first reply of any note came 8 minutes in coming from Hippolyte who was unlucky to see Liam Kinsella block his shot as it headed goalward. Sarcevic looked on to capitalise on this as the ball came out to him, but he sliced a poor effort wide.

County were still finding Walsall livelier than they probably expected but early half chances were coming the blue`s way nevertheless, Rydel`s good work teeing Sarcevic up next, but his volley flew over the bar on 11 minutes.

Rydel was to go close 5 minutes later his shot skidding just wide after some neat passing by Wootton and Hussey.

So there was no reason for great concern as yet even though the referee was looking to be no better than he should be, totally ignoring fouls on Wootton and Rydel as County worked to build attacks.

The upshot was that Walsall won possession and went at County Liam Gordon doing well to win a corner that Wright kept from a ring of red shirts at the back of the box.

Walsall were stirring though but not taking advantage of set pieces- Sarcevic able to head another corner clear on 21 minutes.

But the visitors were still looking for an opening- Isaac Hutchinson more than most and nis snap shot through a forest of legs in the box was heading in when Hinchliffe made his second vital save of the game flinging himself to his right to push the ball around the far post.

It was nip/ tuck for a while after this with neither side quite able to punish the other.

If Walsall had had the better chances and Hinchliffe had arguably kept County in the game, the blues were getting half chances it was just that they were making nothing of them- Sarcevic ballooning a shot high over the bar at one stage, seeing another shot charged down after good work by Rydel and Wootton.

We were into the last 5 minutes of first half normal time now and at last County were beginning to play it about with some confidence and Hippolyte was distinctly unlucky to see his header saved by Walsall keeper Owen Evans.

Into added time we went, and I found myself willing the whistle to end what had not been a great half, when things almost got worse.

It started with Knowles surging into the box. He had Hussey for company but was wide enough from the target to not be that great of a worry, but Knowles went to ground. It looked a dive, but a brilliantly executed one, and it looked to me that the referee had awarded a penalty as his left arm was extended outwards in the general direction of the penalty spot.

Thankfully I was mistaken…..there was no penalty only recriminations directed at Mr Kitchen by Knowles and sundry others in red.

No matter I soon had my wish – it was half time and time for the blues to re-charge and re-group!

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The second half opened with Walsall attacking but corners and free kicks, come as they might, were wasted by the men in red.

That said, the Saddlers really did think they had nicked a goal 53 minutes in as Gordon slammed the ball home to get the Railway End cheering, but their joy was short lived as the Pop Side liners flag told them the effort was offside!

Hmm…another let off, we needed to start to impose ourselves on the opposition and put this game to rights and Sarcevic`s ball to Collar looked what was required , but neither Olaofe or Wootton could apply a finish to the cross when it came over.

Olaofe then had his first run of any note chasing a decent ball by Wright, but although he showed good pace that ultimately might serve us well, this was not his moment and Walsall cleared their lines.

Wright has pace too and he showed it to good effect on the hour putting the visitors under the cosh. This raid looked to have possibilities and more so when Manny Monthe upended Sarcevic just outside the box.

Rydel and Bardsley conferred as to who should take the free kick. Bardsley took it eventually sending a superb kick into the box where Wootton dived to head the ball goal ward. It was on target, but Evans made the save to thwart County and keep it at 0-0.

County were not done however and magic in the box by Rydel and Hippolyte ( 2 players very much on the same wave length)almost saw one of Wootton, Olaofe or Collar score- somehow they didn`t but maybe the next attack would see County nick one!

Another couple of minutes saw the blues continuing to press, but the 64^th minute saw them lose the ball and in an instant we were wading waste deep in the brown stuff as the ball was slung long from the back to where Danny Johnson was in splendid isolation wide left.

No one was on him and he made us pay dearly for the folly sending a fierce shot goal ward that Hinchliffe got a hand too but could not keep out- we were 1-0 down and the Railway End thought Xmas and New Year was upon them again!

County responded piling pressure on Walsall with Crankshaw and Evans now on for Bardsley and Olaofe.

The fresh legs would maybe help County`s cause but where was Croasdale?

But County did shape up and Collar was unlucky to see his header deflected for a corner that saw Knowles run clear and into the County box in a tasty run. County looked to be caught out again but were saved by good work from Lewis who headed out from under the bar.

We were into the last 15 or 16 minutes now and County could not be faulted for effort but that telling finish was lacking instead both Sarcevic and Rydel had shots blocked with Walsall back in numbers. Midst a veritable blizzard of shots Hippolyte looked to be about to sort matters, but his fierce scissors kick came back out off a poleaxed Don Daniels who milked the moment for all it was worth and a fair bit more.

Madden came on for Rydel with 13 minutes left and his presence was felt immediately the subtlety of some of his passing- awesome.

It stayed 0-0 though – Hutchison dishing Collar with 10 minutes left……Kinsella somehow blocking an Evans shot 3 minutes later.

It went on building nicely to the moment when the ball ran out to Madden who then caressed the ball home with consummate style to set Edgeley Park alight with excitement!

What a goal….a real gem, and County were level!

Walsall replied in the one minute of normal time winning a corner but no more, but we went into 6 minutes added time with some confidence surely?

Not wanting another weekday away day at the Bescot would be encouragement enough wouldn`t it?

Well, I began to wonder as there were 11 blue shirts behind the ball now more time than was comfortable and this only served to embolden Walsall who pinged over cross after cross, corner after corner and within 2 minutes they thought they had their reward as Williams surged clear to thrash a fierce drive in on goal. It looked a belter but so did Hinchliffe`s reply, his dive to his left seeing him make a terrific save to deny the Saddlers number 11.

But the pressure was still on County who seemed to have no coherent plan to turn deep defence into attack- everyone in blue being behind the ball.

Twice Lewis did well under mounting pressure with time running out, but the red tide just kept flowing back Hinchliffe`s way- shot after shot…each blocked by hook or by crook and one such saw Madden, back defending, adjudged to have exhibited `dangerous play` with a raised boot.

The referee pointed to the spot, Williams did the rest putting the kick away off the woodwork, thoroughly spoiling County`s night.

There was time for Madden to shoot over from close in, but soon enough the game was over, and we were out of the FA Cup for another year.

That was not great, but I would sooner we lost today than repeat the experience in the league next Saturday, but we need to improve for sure and, if he is fit Croasdale must play for me!

Stockport County line up-

Hinchliffe, Wright, Lewis, Hussey,Bardsley ( Crankshaw 69) ( Evans 69), Rydel ( Madden 77), Sarcevic, Collar, Hippolyte, Wootton, Olaofe.

Subs not used: Jaros, R Johnson,Brown, Croasdale, MacDonald, C Johnson.

Walsall line up :-

Evans, White, Gordon, Daniels, Monthe, Kinsella, Knowles ( McEntee 82), Comley, James- Taylor ( Williams 52), Hutchinson, Johnson ( Wilmott 76).

Subs not used:

Wilkinson, Maddox,Allen, Menayese,Maher, Barrett.

Attendance : 9798.

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