Reading 1 Stockport County 3 ( Football League 1 ) Saturday 18 January 2025

 

 

I was thinking this week- if Wild Bison can be successfully reintroduced to the UK in Kent as they recently have been, after over 6000 years absence......

 

 image courtesy of Geographical !

 

 

..... why cannot County dip into some of their irresistibly alluring history  - applying maybe some of that `bites yer legs`…..`play way above our allotted station` approach that  we had as a club and served us so well  in the 90`s ,and for a time when last we were in what is now the Championship?

County`s performance at Selhurst Park gave an indication that this hope could, with application, be County`s upcoming reality!

And so to Reading……..where County more than hinted that their excellent showing against Premier League Crystal Palace the week before was no fluke , and that they were fully cognisant of our glorious past.

It remains to be seen how they will shape up in the hurly burly of life at the top of League 1 ,in the run in towards the season`s conclusion, but today`s performance , against Noel Hunt`s Reading side, is a good start- a start that saw the high flying Berkshire side toppled from sixth place- replaced there by the blues via a well merited 3-1 win!

It was a fine showing built on the firm foundations of a first half in which Reading failed to give Ben Hinchliffe a shred of work to do.

This was no surprise though as from early doors our hosts were in trouble- forced into error by a County team keen to continue where they left off at Selhurst Park

The result was some scintillating attacking football from County that  Tanto and Connolly took full advantage of with a goal each in a period when DC`s boys could have nicked 4 or 5.

It stayed 2-0 until after the break when Reading pulled one back via a free kick, but despite the home side looking to excite their supporters with a fight back, this never materialised- County scoring their decisive third goal through Jack Diamond, thereafter seeing out the game with the minimum of fuss and superb game management.

A fine team performance that augurs well for the rest of the season!

……………………………………..

 

 

As early as the second minute County were sensing glory- Collar`s pass sending Wootton clear, but his effort went wide.

That seemed to set the mood perfectly…..County were alert and on the look out for chances- Reading by contrast were moving from one error to another, and Tanto was quick to take advantage snapping up a loose ball just outside the box.

A goal looked on as Tanto entered the box, but his progress was halted by a great tackle from Garcia that saved the home team`s bacon.

But not for long ,as the next County raid saw them win a corner – a kick neatly directed by Norwood to Southam- Hales whose goal bound header was assisted over the line in finest predator fashion by Tanto.

County now led 1-0 and fully deserved to.

 

 

 

 

 

The game continued in the same vein- County dominating…Reading struggling to survive.

That said the Reading corpse twitched noticeably11 minutes in when they gained a free kick in an attacking position.

It was a possible chance- if Reading were serious about winning this match they needed to make this count, but instead the kick flew across goal and  harmlessly out of play.

Within a couple of minutes County emphasised the difference twixt the 2 teams – winning a free kick , and making it count, as Norwood found the on rushing , and massively impressive, Callum Connolly who  doubled County`s advantage from close in.

Two nil up inside 15 minutes was an excellent start- and County looked oh so capable of adding further goals – Tanto in particular -ever forcing mistakes  , and again profiting from one such situation- lobbing the keeper only to see his shot cleared off the line in improbable fashion.

County were first to everything now- Tanto again unlucky – the massed ranks of the Reading back line, that had hastily re-booted mid raid somehow keeping Tanto out after he had fed hungrily on the poorest of passes from keeper Casto Pereira !

County continued to dominate a one-sided game- going close a couple of times, and never in danger of letting their grip slip- defending well with Ethan Pye, Callum Connolly and Kyle Knoyle in imperious form behind a rampant front line, their work amply supplemented by excellent defending from Tanto and Collar as Reading`s light  briefly flickered .

It flickered again in the half`s  last 5 minutes as Campbell was sent clear down the County left- enter Connolly whose top-notch slider saw the danger off to applause!

The half ended with Reading`s discipline in total disarray – Garcia deservedly booked for some inglorious antics near the away bench.

No matter it was 2-0 , and half time!

…………………….

 

The second half opened with a scare, as Tanto pulled up with a leg issue, and it was not long before he was substituted, Jack Diamond coming on in his place.

The game was progressing as in the first half however -Camps stinging Pereira`s hands with a shot 6 minutes in.

Another 5 minutes and another chance  came County`s way- a better one as Diamond`s run won us a corner via a desperate last ditcher from one of a line of home defenders.

The chance came from the corner, and fell to Connolly, but his goal bound header was kicked off the line by one of the same line of defenders!

Pereira was forced into action twice further in this period determinedly keeping his side`s deficit at 2.

Significantly perhaps, Reading were now getting a run of free kicks – if I was relying on them to continue failing to take advantage from the kicks, I initially thought I had the situation sussed nicely as Savage hit the County wall with a kick that was very decently placed near goal.

But I was wrong as Reading squared the circle with their next free kick- Smith volleying home beyond Hinchliffe`s dive into the net from a much better offering from Savage.

It was 2-1, and from `no-hopers` Reading were probably eyeing an epic comeback!

But within minutes the next real chance fell to County and to Diamond , but one on one with the keeper , he hesitated fatally ,his shot hitting the keeper and staying out- chance gone!

I was still mourning that one, minutes later when Camps shot wide when presented with a gift by the home defence- more of this and Reading would be fancying their chances against all the odds!

Then, Diamond answered my concerns in the best way possible beating the keeper with a nerveless finish that  put County 3-1 up  with Collar and Wootton earning plaudits for setting the goal up. It will hopefully  see Diamond`s County career take a turn for the better too!

There was a sign that Reading had not completely given up after this - but their finishing had not improved – Campbell fluffing a real chance with County`s goal gaping with under 20 minutes left to play.

A raft of substitutions  by both sides did nothing to aid continued cohesion on the pitch, but it has to be said that ,despite Reading looking to get back into the game, County never looked likely to let their hegemony slip – enjoying much possession but without adding to their lead.

Reading had their time on the ball… their free kicks to feed off, but I never once saw County`s back line remotely close to wilting.

Six minutes added time came and went…..Diamond lacking support on the break ( 91 mins) for County…..Wootts annoyingly and erroneously flagged offside ( 92 mins)….Reading pressed a bit ( 93 mins)…won a corner ( 94 mins)but it ended badly for the home side County emerging with the ball ( 95 mins)….end…(96mins).

 That was an excellent win , well crafted, brilliantly managed throughout, and absolutely deserved!

Sets us up well for what`s to come this season- some tough challenges but on this evidence, County are well prepared for whatever comes their way!

Well done County!

 

Meanwhile ….anyone seeking more information on Wild Bison in the UK, please go here:-

https://geographical.co.uk/wildlife/bison-return-to-the-uk-a-success

 

Reading line up:-

Pereira , Dean , Knibbs , Savage , Smith , Rushesha ( Ehibhationhan  60), Campbell ( Abrefa 77) , Binden , Wing , Garcia( Craig 60) , Kanu ( Dorsett 46).

Subs not used : Button , Wareham, Sackey.

 

Stockport County line up:

Hinchliffe , Knoyle , Connolly , Pye , Southam-Hales , Touray , Camps , Collar ( Fiorini 73) , Norwood , Wootton , Olaofe ( Diamond 47 ).

Subs not used: Addai , Mingi , Andersson , Rydel , Gardner.

 

Attendance 11019 (779)

hedgegrower

 

 Additional Gallery by hedgegrower