Stockport County 2 Cambridge United 0 ( Football League One ) Saturday 10 August 2024

 

 

 

Scientists at the Royal Vetenary College in North Mymms, ended a painstaking study on the Hippopotamus recently by concluding that when the hefty herbivores reach max speed whilst hurtling after some unfortunate prey or other, they actually take off- they fly!

As far as I am aware there`s been no similar scientific study of Stockport County`s current team undertaken, but hedgegrower can save the relevant scientific authorities unnecessary trouble and  confirm that  Dave Challinor`s team most definitely achieved `lift off` today against Cambridge, their first challenge in League 1 giving more than a hint in the process that they might just fly this season in the division!

It was a cracking opening from the blues -primed by some early Louie Barry magic, sustained by a fantastic match-long tour de force of a performance from Kyle Wootton and very good showings from almost everyone in blue on show .

Louie Barry is rightly the apple of every County eye just now, but watch out for Jayden Fevrier who took less than 5 minutes  to lay on a goal- hypnotising the visitors back line en-route!

Loads of good  individual performances added up to a near perfect team showing- a massive statement ahead of a potentially difficult season in a tough division!

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Addai for Hinchliffe twixt the sticks for County, was something of a shock as a near 10000 crowd ,which included 666 from Cambridge, had the old place buzzing as the blues got the game going attacking the Cheadle End – an early irritation  but by no means the only one as Sebastian Stocksbridge was in charge of the whistle today!

 

 

 

 

 

Within a minute Garry Monk`s side may just have regretted opting to `turn us around at the start` ,as the blues were piling forward – a shot from Jack Diamond fizzing out off a defender after Addai went long.

Sadly, Barry was flagged offside from the throw but it took him little time to make up for it with a bit of pure Barry magic as again Addai had involvement , his ball down the middle being headed on by Wootton, who played majestically throughout the game, to Barry  who ,spotting keeper Reyes off his line, launched a delightfully weighted lob over his head into the net to give County the lead after only 5 minutes play!

That was simply excellent, and the buzz was now upped considerably !

As for Barry, he looked back to the very best we remembered before the injury last season , and he kept nibbling away, helped and cajoled by Wootton and Collar – his best work only nullified by superb defending by Okedina & Gibbons for Cambridge.

Cambridge were looking to play their way out of their difficulties, which was both a pleasant change from visiting teams and a surprise.

We needed County to be tidy  in response and disciplined ,instead Camps gave away a free kick putting us under pressure . The offside flag came to our rescue from the kick, but we had been warned.

No matter, at the other end County were firing on full cylinders- a neat move involving Camps that had the U`s defence stretched  was sadly spoiled when Diamond`s shot was held comfortably by Reyes.

Barry shot wide next before County almost breathed life into United`s game plan as Addai was forced to make a top save to deny Zeno-Rossi after the County keeper had gifted the chance to him with some thoroughly loose play.

County were under pressure for a while from the corner that followed until an `indiscretion` by the U`s defence stopped the rot for the blues via a free kick.

But if Cambridge looked to want to make a game of it, it was County who looked by far the team `most likely to`- specifically if Woots had anything to do with it, and excellent work from him saw County gain a free kick for a foul on Diamond. The kick was nicely central….scoreable even….but it disappointed, flying out of play unattended!

By the time the game passed the midway point in the first half Cambridge were back on the front foot pushing County back , and we were not quick to clear our lines – Pye upending a Cambridge player who was threatening down the left getting booked for it – cue my first rant of the early evening as Mr Stocksbridge had looked on impotently as Jay Mingi had spent more time on the deck courtesy of the men in yellow than upright so far, with no card being shown to the offender!

The U`s free kick hit the County wall meanwhile, so immediate danger sorted as the follow up effort from Kaikai went wide.

Cambridge were trying for sure, aided in their efforts by a welter of free- kicks as Mr Stocksbridge warmed to refereeing County once more!

Cambridge could not capitalise on their good fortune however- the latest free kick ending with Kaikai again shooting wide.

But eventually County reasserted their control as good work by Mingi and Touray teed up more magic from Barry whose shot was curling inside Reyes` far post when the keeper flung himself to his left to save at full stretch- an excellent save!

Thoughts of  a 2-0 lead came anew as once more , with Wootton and Barry in the van of the action, the visitors were forced to defend a series of corners – Wootton denied by a post from the second one as County pummelled their opponents !

It stayed 1-0 but just how was a mystery as , with the fouls on Mingi mounting, Wootton almost squeezed a shot home after he had bullied Rossi into surrendering possession.

Then with County attacking it was 2-0 as Wootton found Collar who buried the ball in the back of the net.

Great stuff but wait on- the liner had his flag up and the ref concurred -no goal presumably for offside but I saw only Diamond remotely offside and he wasn`t involved in the attack at that point- it was still 1-0 though and that was that.

Kaikai carted Barry with 5 minutes left getting booked , and the free kick though wide, offered opportunities if handled correctly. It was a decent kick from Bate but the ball flew out off the head of Horsfall.

There was some excellent play from County as we went into added time- the neatest of moves saw Barry and Collar carve a hole in the visitors cover – a fine reverse pass aimed at Wootton smack in front of goal, kept from him by a brave save from Reyes.

More good work by Barry and Collar in the minutes that remained of the half almost squared the circle for the blues – the final ball reaching Diamond who saw his header neatly saved by the United keeper.

We were 1-0 up at the break, and perhaps worth more than that, but we`ll take it for sure and look for more of the same in the next 45 minutes!

 

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There was an early shock for the blues when the game resumed after the break with the U`s attacking and Kaikai bearing down on goal with intent and some speed – it was a real goal chance until it wasn`t when a terrific saving tackle by Horsfall stopped Kaikai and saved the day for County.

It was 5 minutes before the blues replied ,and again I gasped in disbelief to see the ball stay  in play out of the visitors` goal as Wootton set Barry up with a gilt-edged chance that somehow slipped away- great defending…probably….luck maybe, but what was obviously true was it was still 1-0!

Cue a reply by U`s and the correct response from Addai whose firm intervention kept Lavery from a tasty ball by Gibbons.

Back came County through Collar who was needlessly brought down as he chased what looked like a lost cause down the left for the blues. Bate`s kick was headed for a corner by someone in yellow and big County pressure followed as a result, which somehow the U`s were able to withstand.

County looked to have picked the U`s lock however just beyond the hour, but when Diamond  was played clear down the right ,he contrived to shoot wide when well set.

That was disappointing as was the upraised liners flag when Collar was brought down on the edge of the box next- he was apparently flagging offside !

The pressure was building from County- Cambridge still looked like they might have something to offer if allowed the wriggle room , but the blues were not readily going to oblige – indeed were pressing for a second goal still- Collar`s glancing header just missing out after Camps had nicked possession   with just over 20 minutes left.

It began to get a tad infuriating next, as in rapid succession clear fouls on first Mingi then Wootton were ignored by the referee, allowing U`s to fashion a chance . Thankfully when it came Lavery`s way, he screwed his effort wide but the reffing was rank!

Into the last 15 minutes we saw Tyler Onyangu on for Mingi and Jayden Fevrier for Diamond- I was suitably excited at what Jayden might do to Cambridge!

Within 5 minutes we had a hint of the answer as Fevrier took the visitors defence to the cleaners with a dazzling run that teased his opponents unmercifully before the release  of the cross which he lifted perfectly onto Wootton`s waiting head in front of goal with precision .

Wootton made no mistake crowning a superb performance with a deserved goal , that now arguably put the game beyond the U`s.

Cambridge looked to show us that they were still on the park and Onyangu did well to block Kachunga as he threatened in front of goal.

Onyangu was only on for a relatively short time but what I saw of him impressed me !

Bailey replaced Barry on 83 minutes who left to an ovation , but the County pressure continued – a sweet  move somehow missing out  on 84 minutes.

Addai had work to do 2 minutes later pulling off an excellent save to keep Lavery`s shot out from Richards` pass – strong hands ensuring there was no follow up effort to contend with!

With Gardner on for Collar deep into added time ….Addai going long again, and Fevrier engaged terrorising the U`s back line prodigiously County were in no danger of seeing their lead reduced, the game  ending to warm applause with County having secured a fine opening day win- well done lads!

If I thought that Wootton deserved the M.O.M award on the form he is exhibiting just now, I expect him to get the nod sooner rather than later from future sponsors!

Meanwhile congrats to the whole team for tonight!

In conclusion though I would like to wish a pox on  Sky and the EFL-5.30 pm being just one of the kick- off time abominations to be imposed on us by same this season.

When, just when will the powerful men in charge at the top of our National Game realise their actions continually effect football supporters ( particularly travelling supporters) adversely.

Rant over…for now….

 

Stockport County line up : 

Addai, Pye, Horsfall, Touray, Collar (Gardner, 92), Bate (Hughes, 93), Camps, Mingi (Onyango, 72), Diamond (Fevrier, 72), Barry, (Bailey, 82) Wootton

Subs Not Used: Hinchliffe, Okeke

 

Cambridge United line up : 

Reyes, Okedina (Digby, 45), Ibsen Rossi (Bennett, 73), Watts (Barton, 84), Smith (Morrison, 73), Gibbons, Brophy (Richards, 62), Kaikai, Andrew, Kachunga, Lavery

Subs Not Used: Stevens, Njoku

 

Attendance: 9457 ( 666)

 

hedgegrower

 

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