Stockport County 1 Doncaster Rovers 0 ( Football League 2 ) Saturday 7 October 2023

County stormed into second place in League 2 today on the back of an excellent win over Doncaster Rovers at Edgeley Park.

The score might have been 1-0 but forget the margin of County`s win, this for me was the best win of the season so far- not so much based on quality of football but the pure undiluted graft and effort put in over 90 odd minutes by the whole of the team against a Rovers outfit that might not have been that great but did show us rather more than we expected them too.

The trouble was from the Yorkshire team`s point of view, that County had more in their tank and were better equipped to bring it out albeit latish, but on my way out it was suggested to me that `last season we would have drawn that one` and I cannot find any fault with that opinion at all.

Even as the game headed into its later stages, we sort of knew that they would produce something and so they did -Tanto continuing to plunder defences in this division with impunity today`s match winning offering a smart goal from an even smarter pass from Will Collar.

Credit to Grant Mc Cann`s side for making a real game of this and County for showing us that they really do have what`s required to make the kind of progress we need to be making if we are to exit this division- and…we saw Kyle Wootton back in action….how absolutely wonderful is that?

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Over 9000 were inside Edgeley Park for what was likely to be a muck and nettles encounter between 2 teams boasting unbeaten runs.

904 made the trip from Yorkshire packing the far end of the Pop Side. But one neutral (Rotherham fan Ian Bradley) was drawn to Edgeley Park and watched from the Danny Bergara Stand but before he took his place offered `thumbs up` for the County pies!

Thumbs Up for the pies from Ian !

Down to business though and there was an electric atmosphere in the old place as the game kicked off, but much of what went on pitch side was less than wonderful early on with the ball seldom on the ground at all in the first 5 or 6 minutes with neither side claiming bragging rights as a consequence.

The first real action came 7 minutes in when Tom Nixon received the ball wide right in space. Alarm bells were gently ringing as he drifted inside and then they fell silent as Ryan Croasdale came to County`s rescue seeing the danger off with measured calm.

County, who were attacking the Cheadle End, replied through Southam -Hales but Joseph Olowu saw that his pass to Collar went unrewarded.

Collar was not done however latching onto the subsequent throw only for the ball again to be leathered towards Hardcastle Road, this time by Tom Anderson.

So, things were stirring so much so that Luke Molyneux felt the need to foul Southam – Hales going into Referee Adam Herczeg`s book for his pains. Bailey took the kick lifting the ball midst a swarming multitude in the box, but Rovers`, keeper the rather good Louis Jones, was first amongst equals claiming the ball under some pressure!

The pressure continued from County -Collar sending Tanto clear with a neat pass on 12 minutes. He was running at speed, but had company but he got his shot in. This drifted towards the back post where the onrushing Louis Barry was sliding in for it- sadly he could not force it home and the ball flew wide.

Another 6 minutes elapsed before anything of note disturbed our peace and it was courtesy of Southam -Hales who snaffled a loose ball winning a corner that again ended in disappointment when Collar miss hit his shot wide.

It went on with Pye firing a first-time effort over the bar after good work by Tanto and Bailey.

And more followed- Barry running onto Croasdale`s pass only to be foiled at the foot of the near post by a clutch of black shirted defenders. Southam- Hales` follow up was charged down-Barry being beaten to a further through ball moments later by keeper Jones.

A promising break by Barry next was cut short by good work from Owen Bailey for Rovers. Some around me saw the hint of a hand to ball moment on Bailey`s part in that action but I did not see it that way for certain and neither did the ref so the pressure on Doncaster eased.

Coming up to the half hour mark we got a warning and Hinchliffe had to be on his very best form to sort what went down as first Tom Nixon and then Modou Faal had efforts bravely denied by the County keeper!

Tanto responded quickly but his break came to nothing- Rovers taking the opportunity to then hit County down the right and we looked exposed, and Hinchliffe again did terrific work racing out almost to the first row of the Pop Side to nullify the obvious danger.

And the danger had far from gone away as Faal ran and ran at us in a rangy dribble that only just failed to deliver.

Sarcevic interrupted the Rovers pressure sending Southam -Hales clear only for a fine intervention by Olowu to stop the rot for the visitors.

But Doncaster kept at it- Ben Close heading wide from a corner- Ironside seeing Hinchliffe push his header for a corner not long after- Olowu firing over the bar from this.

That was a good period of attacking from Rovers but the next 5 or 6 minutes up to half time were all County- Barry making it in time honoured fashion to the by-line with time running out fast– it looked good and then even better as his cross was met brilliantly by Croasdale whose first-time effort headed goal ward. Jones was on his line and then he wasn`t as he hurled himself to his left, but he maybe misjudged it as the ball seemed to be passing him to his right but Jones brilliantly pushed it over the bar with his `wrong hand` the right- an amazing save simply amazing!

Croasdale was probably still cursing his ill fortune when the resultant corner was wellied clear by Zain Westbrooke!

County kept attacking-Barry wriggling elusively beyond man after man only for a defenders outstretched leg to put paid to his chances deep into added time.

It was half time and at 0-0 the game was notionally anyone’s!

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For Half Time Entertainment today we have 2 fantastic contrasting pieces from Stockport`s own Kyla Brox…..

https://youtu.be/n-e1NHBylRA?si=zx1ImhEC4HpmmKPB

https://youtu.be/xGUdIF3nj5A?si=2LVPGnJ57zcx0dgd

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The second half rather mirrored the first in that the first 5 or so minutes were largely forgettable.

The 52nd ensured we were paying attention however as with Faal in close proximity Horsfall short changed Hinchliffe with a flimsy excuse for a back pass that invited Faal onwards. It looked a goal all day long but somehow Hinchliffe kept it out, only to better that excellent work immediately as Ironside latched onto the loose ball from that action before leathering the ball goal ward. It was going in for sure, but Ben would have none of it brilliantly tipping the goal bound shot over the bar- simply superb keeping!

That action must have had an unsettling effect on Horsfall as he lost possession a couple of minutes later in the very next Rovers` attack letting Ironside in but thankfully he could not make anything of the chance.

There were 2 on Barry now so Sarcevic went for goal himself 2 minutes later seeing Jones dive to push the shot to safety.

We had passed the hour mark now and it was still 0-0 but County enjoyed increasing possession from this point just a goal eluding them.

Tanto took advantage of a break by Southam- Hales next -excitement levels mounting midst the County faithful as he bore down on goal. Instead of a shot though he chose to pass and that seemed a good option until Bailey lifted the ball way over the bar.

It was beginning to build now from County- Sarcevic`s lob comfortably kept out by Jones- Barry unable to nick a goal after Collar had kept an unlikely ball in play.

It was at this point that the blues made 2 personnel changes bringing Wootton and Madden on for Barry and Croasdale. I assumed Croasdale had picked up a knock as he had done well, but I was not alone in being well pleased to see Wootton back in action!

It made no immediate change to the blues play, they kept attacking, Wright treating us to a fine run that set something good up for County as from Wright the ball went to Tanto and then Madden who was unlucky to see Jones in top nick dealing with and keeping out his shot!

With 20 minutes left a reply by Rovers was overdue and it looked not that great for County as the ball flew in from the right. It was heading Ironside`s way but so was Southam -Hales and he did excellent work to keep the ball from him albeit at the cost of a corner. Olowu headed this firmly goal ward only for Hinchliffe to spoil the moment by clutching the ball equally firmly to his chest!

Cue a run from Tanto as County started to up the revs somewhat- Wootton in the mix and contributing for sure- deftly winning a corner that was then wasted.

Brilliant play from Madden followed next and his cross was not bad either picking Wootton out nicely. Sadly, Kyle’s header flew wide, but the blues were beginning to motor now.

A pause whilst Pye was treated for a knock might just have taken the edge off the excitement. Pye went off replaced by Pond as for 4- or 5-minutes play meandered along with both sides looking for answers.

Then suddenly matters came to a head as Collar had the ball quickly replicating his work in the previous match with a lovely ball to where Tanto lurked at the back post. He had work to do but did it emphatically- beating Jones from close him with precision!

Much joy followed from County supporters; we were 1-0 up in the games dying embers.

Camps was on for Collar not long after the goal but whilst Hinchliffe had work to do after this keeping Nixon out with 5 minutes to play of normal time- County still looked to attack which I was pleased to see- Jones wasting little time and effort in keeping Bailey`s effort out from a Camps pass 3 minutes later.

Time was running out and perhaps Rovers were getting desperate- Nixon hoiking one up and into the box from wide to the back post where Ironside , Molyneux and Faal lurked. They lurked in vain however as the ball bounced out of play.

Wootton was still looking strong meanwhile, his run missing out when Sarcevic `s route to goal was blocked.

That was 2 minutes into 5 minutes added time, another minute and Doncaster replied – Madden doing well to volley Molyneux`s cross clear- Sarcevic intervening further to block Molyneux`s progress moments later.

County ran it clear from this winning a clutch of throws down the left while keeping a hold on possession in the right half of the field ( Doncaster`s).

But Rovers kept trying – Horsfall doing well to prevent Roberts` cross from reaching Marsh, There was more good work from Southam-Hales to foil Nixon as we saw from the score board that the 5 minutes were up .

It was all brought to a happy conclusion in a crescendo of cheering as Hinchliffe caught the latest high ball into the box to the accompaniment of several blasts of the Referee`s whistle.

The game was over…the points were County`s- 3 excellent points and well deserved.

Another very good team performance – their best I thought although I would expect many to think otherwise.

It sets us up nicely for Tuesday`s visit to Salford. No points at stake there so it will be interesting to see our approach to team selection.

Hope to see you there then!

Stockport County line up :-

Hinchliffe , Southam -Hales , Wright . Horsfall , Pye ( Pond 77) , Croasdale ( Madden 68 ) , Collar ( Camps 84) , Sarcevic , Olaofe , Barry ( Wootton 68 ) .

Subs not used : Smith , Cotterill , Richardson.

Doncaster Rovers line up :-

Jones , Anderson , Olowu , Molyneux , Rowe ( Broadbent 77) , Nixon , Bailey , Ironside , Westbrooks ( Marsh 86) , Close , Faal ( Roberts 90).

Subs not used; Lawlor , Sotona , Faulkner , Goodman.

Attendance : 9522( 904)

hedgegrower

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