Sutton United 0 Stockport County 1 ( Football League 2 ) Friday 7 April 2023

 

 

 

 

 

( All words by hedgegrower and all images via hedgegrower`s phone camera)

  County answered any lingering doubts as to their promotion credentials with a top notch win away to Sutton United today.

The margin of victory might have just been 1-0 but there was a fair bit of daylight between the two teams for most of a game that the Londoners did well in to stay in touch.

How Rydel didn`t get on the scoresheet I will never know! There`s no doubt however that the Sutton woodwork will need some attention so many times did the County number 17 hit it. He was unlucky, thank goodness Jack Stretton wasn`t as he marked his first start in his current County life with his first County goal, and it was a belter put away with nerveless professionalism!

If that won the match for County, there was much else in their performance to be pleased about- I particularly liked the input of Knoyle and Wright who both had terrific games in a back line that worked universally well, in front of just about the best keeper in the league ( any division) who gave another incredible performance today to earn yet another clean sheet- Hinchliffe was excellent!

That back line had Byrne, Horsfall and Wright at the back and the re-shuffle by Challinor worked a treat with all the constituent parts in imperious form against a Sutton side that although lacking in terms of finesse made up for it with raw energy- maybe a touch too raw at times but County held their nerve to claim a vitally important win sending over 700 County supporters home deliriously happy- mission accomplished!

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There were 4 changes on show for County with Byrne, Hippolyte, Collar and Stretton in for Hussey, Camps, Evans and Madden with Byrne taking his place on the left of a back 3 which I thought was interesting.

It was swelteringly hot as the match kicked off, and the blazing sun made it almost impossible to view proceedings with any degree of comfort, but I could see that County were defending a free kick, action that ended with Ajibaye`s shot missing out at the angle of bar and post.

The early minutes were the same old rough and tumble I recall coming across on previous visits to these parts and Wootton was getting his usual `share` from todays` opponents with no redress at least at this point, but he bucked up a tad on 8 minutes as Hippolyte sprung into action reaching him with a neat ball that he got his head to only to miss out narrowly.

Sutton`s keeper Rose was in action again next keeping County out with a confident save after Hippolyte and Rydel had forced a corner in association with Croasdale.

That was 15 minutes in, the 16 th saw County get a free kick in a prominent position after Wilson had fouled Byrne. The kick was good and Wootton should have done better but a poor header missed the target with the goal gaping!

The 20 th minute saw Collar in the mix forcing Rose to make a save after a marauding run by Wright had set him up.

Then we had a potential fly in the County ointment as Horsfall played Byrne into trouble allowing the home side a run on goal- the County angst ending with a decent save by Hinchliffe to keep a shot by Kizzy out.

Croasdale then went into Referee Hair`s book for a foul on Bugiel, Smith wasting no time returning the compliment for Sutton joining Croasdale in the ref`s book within a minute.

County were under pressure for a short period after that last action and Wright together with Wootton did just enough to put Wilson off on the end of  a lofted free kick. It was a throw in instead of a goal conceded and Hinchliffe again ensured the action ended happily for his side diving to snaffle Rowe`s lofted effort.

Then Hinchliffe sent it long and how the away end enjoyed the moment as Hippolyte took aim for the top corner- but it was not to be the shot just missing out.

That was disappointing and more followed as Stretton was denied by Rose with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.

County were looking sharp where it mattered just a little something was lacking from the mix!

Back came Sutton though and Knoyle made a vital block as Randall threatened to capitalise as he charged down a would be County clearance on  a loose ball. Pressure ended ? …..not a bit of it as Ajibaye surged through County`s cover with some intent. It was a definite chance as his run continued inside the box but only until Byrne intervened and stopped the rot with a brilliant defensive tackle that brooked no argument.

County replied only for Wootton to be inches away from reaching Wright’s cross.

Hart did well next for Sutton ending a neat move by our hosts by winning a corner. This had potential to perhaps embarrass County but not for long as Wright did excellent work to block Bugiel at the sharp end- Hinchliffe again ending the episode on a happy note by making a sound catch under pressure to ease the blues pain.

We were in added time now with Sutton attacking and Wright in action blocking an effort from Smith being there also to tidy up from the resultant corner.

Then Sutton got an iffy free kick in a tasty spot after the otherwise interesting Ajibaye went all vaudevillian on us when challenged by Hippolyte just outside the box.

Collar then Rydel made good defensive headers as the kick came across the box, the ball eventually finding its way to Ajibaye again who brought a smile to proceedings by leaning back before lifting a lulu of a shot into the away end.

There was just time for more attacking from Sutton and for Wright to give us an example of his brilliance and awesome speed as he gave Wilson a couple of yards start before outpacing him comprehensively to the ball which he dispatched where it should be- up the park!

That ended the half and just one happy element awaited us at the re-start as County would be attacking the away end.

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With rain amazingly threatening……. 

 

 

 

...............County went straight onto the attack through Rydel, but when he set things up Wootton disappointed by ballooning  a poor effort way over the top.

Rydel was on fire, that much was clear, and within a couple of minutes he had turned the right side of the home defences asunder before slipping a lovely ball inside to Knoyle who was massively unlucky to see Rose push his shot around the post. County`s luck continued to be out as Horsfall headed wide from the corner that followed.

Enter Hippoyte with a shot on the turn that perhaps deserved better being kept out by keeper Rose after good work by Wright.

Then we got some Karma as County won a free kick for a clear foul, and then with Sutton arguing the toss with the referee, County went ahead and took the free kick sending Rydel on his way down the left. A trademark cross followed from our prized number 17 dropping appetizingly for Jack Stretton.

There was still much for Jack to do, the chance was missable, but with defenders vying to dish him he held his nerve and slammed a fierce drive into the net beyond the beaten keeper.

County had the lead and the away end went ever so slightly AS – and righty so( the same away end had behaved brilliantly during the half time break giving a young local team a “CAMPEONES OLÉ OLÉ OLÉ” accolade that made the youngsters day and won the Club some kudos too. This was their ( our) reward!

The wind was now in County`s sails and they went close again within a minute without adding to the score line.

The County attacking was interrupted on the hour by Randall who fired a tasty drive in from outside the box that Hinchliffe did well to keep out. Sutton were definitely trying a bit, but despite the communal ooo`s and ahhrs…from the otherwise silent home specs it stayed 1-0.

Three minutes later we saw Wootton win a somewhat fortunate free kick, but this signalled another opportunity as Rydel stepped up to take it and he did not disappoint his kick smashing into the angle of bar and post before bouncing down along the line  where Stretton and Byrne did there best to force it home.

They couldn`t unfortunately – and as I said earlier, I was thinking just what Rydel needed to do to get the reward of a goal!

Rydel was certainly on song and had Sutton at 6`s and 7`s at this point forcing a corner that came to nought.

Both teams commenced personnel changes after this Tanto and Ryan Johnson on for Stretton and Collar- Hinchliffe punctuating the procession of players on and off the park with a neat save to thwart a quick Sutton break with 15 minutes left.

But it was mainly County doing the attacking, piling it on in fact and racking up the free kicks now as the home side`s discipline took a dive.

Beautiman had just hooked the ball clear under pressure for Sutton, and Wright had just then snuffed out the home side`s break that followed, when he sent Tanto clear on a run.

 But he was hauled down on the edge of the box giving County ( and Rydel) another free kick.

It was another cracker from Rydel and was heading for the top corner of Rose`s net when the keeper clawed it out via the woodwork- a brilliant strike and a fine save!

Somehow Sutton managed to survive some fierce County pressure, managing in their inimitable way to coax unlikely free kicks from Referee Hair.

One such came with 5 minutes of normal time left – bringing a fine response from Hinchliffe who produced a fantastic double save ,beating out the kick and then holding onto a very decent follow up effort from Kouassi.

Another minute and Evans and Sarcevic were on for Hippolyte and Knoyle.

A further   4 and Tanto could be seen earning applause with 2 excellent defensive tackles with Sutton looking for that elusive equaliser.

Into added time we went with Sutton still trading on the referee`s good nature winning free kick`s of a doubtful nature- Hinchliffe stretching to punch the latest one out under pressure -Ajibaye`s follow up  flying harmlessly over the bar.

On it went- Sutton attacking – Hinchliffe in the frame saving from Angol 5 minutes into added time.

As time kept teasing us by denying us the final whistle Sutton went long more and more, but they couldn`t keep a lid on the discipline and a late/ late County free kick signalled the game`s end as Mr H at last blew for time.

County had fully deserved this victory which sets them up again for a decent shot at the run-in games.

Many will see this as evidence of Collar`s value to the side and I would not demur from that but point to a team effort with special mentions for Stretton, Knoyle and Wright as I mentioned earlier and Hinchliffe  – he had another cracker- well done and thank you Ben!

On then to Monday where we go again, take nothing for granted and seek 3 more vital points.

See you at Edgeley Park then!

 

Sutton United line up :-

Rose , Kizzy , Rowe , Goodliffe , Hart , Ajibaye , Eastmore ( Beautiman 7), Smith , Randall ( Boldewun 74) , Bagiel  ( Angol 69), Wilson(Kouassi 69)  

Subs not used : House , Milsom , Neufville.

 

Stockport County line up :-

 

Hinchliffe , Wright , Horsfall , Byrne , Knoyle  ( Evans 86), Rydel , Hippolyte ( Sarcevic 86), Croasdale , Collar ( R Johnson 78) , Stretton (Tanto 78) , Wootton .

Subs not used : Jaros , Madden , Hussey.

 Attendance : 4253 ( 702)

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