MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 4 - 2 AFC Telford

Tunnicliffe scored a fine headed goal

By Chris Larkin

Why do we watch County? Is it for the lukewarm Steak and Gristle pies? Is it for the feeling of dread after every opposing foray into our half or is it to hope that maybe we can finally turn things around?

While we're still a long way from the Football League, you couldn't be blamed for cracking a smile as County comfortably beat a strongly fancied Telford United team 4-2.

Clearly unfazed by the visitor's superior league position, the Hatters started well - winning a corner in the first 2 minutes. But the chance went begging as the ball hit a sea of Telford players.

The opening goal wasn't long in coming though with Rhys Turner latching onto a defence-splitting through ball from Kyle Jacobs, running through and placing it beyond the Bucks goalkeeper to give County the early, crucial, 1-0 lead.

Just five minutes later though County were astounded and furious as the man in black awarded a very  penalty to the visitors,  one so dubious that home fans could have been forgiven for checking which Telford postcode covered the referee's home address.

Ryan Jones, making his County debut for the ill Ian Ormson, saved the penalty with a stunning one-handed save pushing it to safety from just an inc or two under the bar.

But just a few minutes later and County fans were once again questioning the referee's parents marital status as he gifted the visitors an equally dubious free-kick on the edge of the box.  This time Telford made no mistake and the ball was curled into the top corner out of reach of Jones' despairing dive.


On the 30th minute mark the hosts won a corner that was only headed back as far as Nicky Platt who's cross found Kieran Charnock, the defender squeezing the ball home to give County a 2-1 lead. Minutes later the referee, clearly resigned to the fact that his beloved Telford were not going to level matters before half time, blew his whistle for the break.

County started the second half clearly determined to put the game to bed early.

The third goal came on the hour mark, from an unlikely source. County won a free-kick in a good attacking position. Left back Scott Duxbury whipped in a peach of a dead ball cross directly onto the head of James Tunnicliffe, whose header guided it like an exocet past the Telford stopper to give the Hatters a two goal cushion going into the final third of the game.

County's dominance began to show with Telford simply unable to deal with the Hatters attacking threats. The best chance fell to Kyle Jacobs who worked the keeper from distance. Then, with just under 15 minutes remaining County made the game safe with a 4th goal, courtesy of Kristian Dennis, who was on hand to rifle a deflected Kyle Jacobs cross into the net on the half-volley.

County's elation only last 2 minutes as the travelling Bucks pulled a goal back in bizarre circumstances with the ball looking for all the world like it was fired into the side netting but taking a deflection off the unfortunate Tunji Moses into his own goal.

Then, with just five minutes remaining Adriano Moke made a welcome return to the fray, coming on as a substitute and almost immediately winning County a good chance from a throw-in. And, despite the four minutes added time, neither side could add to their scores and County held on for a wonderful if unexpected three points against one of the better teams in the division.

Attendance: 2,710

County: Jones, Jacobs, Charnock, Tunnicliffe, Duxbury, Moses (Gossett), Platt, Howard, Turner (Moke), Jevons, Dennis.

Unused Subs: Lofthouse, O'Halloran, Fagbola

JEVONS OUT FOR UP TO THREE WEEKS

Phil Jevons - 3 weeks out of action?

Phil Jevons is likely to be out of action for Stockport County for between two and three weeks following his injury on the weekend.

Jevons limped off with a suspected hamstring injury after just 15 minutes of the shock FA Cup defeat to Evo-Stick league minnows Rushall Olympic at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

If the injury heals quickly, the striker, who has been banging them in for fun since Alan Lord was put in charge of the team following Ian Bogie's resignation, could be back as soon as the away game against high-flying Histon on October 26.

But club sources today said it was more likely he would return to first-team action in time for the home match against Telford on Saturday November 2nd.

FA CUP MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 0 - 1 Rushall Olympic

Phil Jevons: injured and his experience will be missed

By Chris Larkin

Caernarfon Town, Stevenage Borough, Staines Town and now Rushall Olympic - they have all knocked Stockport County out of the FA Cup against the odds and despite being from a lower league.

County lined up with more or less the same team that beat Barrow so convincingly in the week, and within five minutes, they had the first real chance;  Iain Howard trying to find in-form Rhys Turner with a pass across the back. Unfortunately for the Wiganer, his cross was cut out by the Rushall defence.

Again County pressured down the left hand side through Howard but once again his cross couldn't find anybody - a scenario that ended up being a bit of a theme for the day.

With about 15 minutes played Rushall had their first real chance of the game but, mercifully for the Hatters, the ball went sailing over Ormson's crossbar.

County and Rushall both continued to carve out half-chances but neither side could find the first goal though, the closest anyone came was a well struck free-kick from Phil Jevons that was well saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

With 25 minutes of the half played there was a worrying sign as in-form veteran striker, Phil Jevons, had to be replaced due to picking up a knock. The bright side was that he was replaced by Kristian Dennis, himself coming back from injury, with the former Curzon star looking to add to his goals so far this season.

As the half progressed and the crowd became more and more frustrated at County's lack of creativity,  Rushall had two free-kicks in decent positions but the County defence dealt with them comfortably and the game remained scoreless.

The next real chance didn't arrive until just before half-time when Dennis cut in from the right of the box and had a shot that sailed an inch over the crossbar. The final action of the first half really should have seen County at least force a save as some great work from Jacobs saw the ball land at the feet of Howard who blazed over by a couple of inches.

Half Time: County 0 - 0 Rushall Olympic

County made a substitution at half-time with Irish international, Stephen O'Halloran replacing youngster, Scott Duxbury, who just didn't seem to be at the races for the first 45 minutes.

Two great chances for either side in the opening five minutes saw County win a free-kick just outside the area. Dennis did manage to beat the wall but his effort was easily saved by the goalkeeper, before Rushall went up the other end and shot just wide of Ormson's post.

On the hour mark County gave away a free-kick 30 yards out and Rushall's Jimmy Turner stunned the 2,000+ crowd as he fired his strike beyond everyone dropping over a stranded Ian Ormson into the top right corner to give Rushall a 1-0 lead. More worrying for County, it wasn't particularly against the run of play.

For the next 20 minutes, the game was almost all Rushall, thankfully for County though the underdogs couldn't get a second goal to put the game to bed.

County didn't really have a sniff at goal until the last 10 minutes when they got their first corner of the game. Sadly though no-one could get on the end of it. Just two minutes later County had another corner, the ball falling to Ian Craney who couldn't get his shot away, much to the frustration of the crowd.

County had their final chance of the game with a minute to go from a corner but, yet again it went begging.

The minnows from the Evo-Stik league - who wouldn't have even been playing had Gainsborough not fielded an ineligible player in the the previous round - scored a thoroughly deserved victory in a game that County simply couldn't get hold of.

Line-up: Ormson, Jacobs, Charnock, Tunnicliffe, Duxbury (O'Halloran), Moses, Bateman (Craney), Lofthouse, Jevons (Dennis), Turner.

Unused subs: Jones, Fagbola, Windsor, Hand.

Attendance: 2,135 (55 Away fans)

HAVE COUNTY TURNERED THE CORNER?

Jevons is mobbed after notching County's fourth goal

By Adam Moss

BARROW 2 - 4 STOCKPORT COUNTY

We Won.

Again.

Rhys Turner scored two, as did co-striker Phil Jevons.

And we're up to 11th place in the league table.

Alan Lord is the new God.

Praise be the Lord.

(Our match reporters were too drunk to post a second-by-second account of the match minutiae and....for once...I can't really say I blame them).

PICTURE: Mike Petch

COUNTY C.H.A.O.S AT CHRISTMAS

Stuck for a gift for a fellow County fan this Christmas, or perhaps even an sneaky present to yourself?

Then look no further.

Our good friends over at County Heaven have put together a book compiling sporting stories (the majority of which relate to County) collected by their members over a period of several months in 2012.

C.H.A.O.S – County Heaven’s Anecdotes of Sport - is an A-Z anthology ranging from memories of players past and present, amusing tales from attending matches home and away, and even their own recollections of playing in (and sometimes refereeing) amateur matches around the North West.

The book is over 130 pages in length and includes photographs and amusing illustrations.

It is priced at £6.99 (plus £2.20 p&p if you can’t make it to EP and would like it delivering) and all profits will be going to the British Heart Foundation.

Copies are limited, so if you would like to purchase one, or for more information, contact sandbachhatter@hotmail.co.uk.

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 4 - 0 Worcester City

County's new permanent gaffer - Alan Lord

By Chris Larkin

Every now and again a game will come along where everything goes right and proves to be a turning point in the season.

Today's 4 - 0 demolition of woeful Worcester City could well turn out to be just that.

In 1996 it was the 3-1 win over Plymouth; in 2007 it was the 6-0 win over Wycombe. And then today - the 4-0 win over Worcester City in a game that County comfortably controlled for every one of its 90 minutes.

From the off County were on the attack with Iain Howard forcing former Macclesfield stopper Veiga into a smart save after a mistake at the back from the City defence let Howard have a decent chance at goal.

Just a couple of minutes later and, after some great build up play, County had another wonderful chance - this time the ball landing to Oldham prospect Danny Gossett who unfortunately couldn't quite get a decent enough shot away after some great work from the impressive Howard to get the ball into the youngster.

County didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough though as one of the stand out players of the season so far, Kyle Jacobs, scored another lovely goal to make it two in two games.

Jacobs received the ball just outside the area on the right hand side and volleyed it beautifully beyond the goalkeeper into the top corner to give County a thoroughly deserved 1-0 lead.

It was almost two just a few seconds later as Rhys Turner couldn't quite latch onto a beautiful through ball from the impressive Bobby Lofthouse.

After  20 minutes, it was obvious the momentum was all with the home team and Scott Duxbury was looking very impressive and composed for a youngster at left-back - regularly supplying great balls down the line to the forwards.

County's domination paid off once again on 25 minutes as young Bobby Lofthouse won the ball in the midfield and played an exquisite ball through to the pacy Rhys Turner who delightfully dinked it over the on-rushing Veiga -his first league goal in County colours.

Rhys Turner notched his debut league goal for County

And the team didn't take its foot off the gas -  immediately pressing for a third, the confidence clearly flowing through the side. That pressure was rightfully rewarded on 45 minutes as a long range shot from Iain Howard was flicked into the net by in-form Phil Jevons to give County a 3-0 half-time lead.

The second half started and it wasn't long before County were back on the front foot with Gossett warming Veiga's gloves with a smart turn and shot from just outside the area.

Worcester's first shot on target came just before the hour mark when the visiting Midlanders won a free-kick in midfield. The set-piece delivery was flicked on by former Jim Gannon target, Exodus Geohagen, but the effort was comfortably caught by Ian Ormson looking for his 3rd consecutive clean sheet. Just a minute later, Worcester had another chance but it was very well saved by the quick reactions of Ormson.

Somewhat unfortunately for the visitors, Worcester's best spell of pressure resulted in the 4th goal for the home side on the hour mark. Phil Jevons' shot deflected back off a visiting defender and he made no mistake the second time as he swivelled on the edge of the box and curled an absolute beauty into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

With 25 minutes to play, new signing Nicky Platt, formerly of FC United, made his County debut as he replaced the impressive Bobby Lofthouse.

The Hatters continued to pile on the pressure and created a hatful of chances despite being four up.

Two more substitutions saw Brandon Windsor replace Danny Gossett and Stephen O'Halloran come on for Scott Duxbury.

With a minute left to play they did their best to put their clean sheet at risk however, and gifted Worcester a soft penalty. Fortuntaley the resulting spot kick was blasted so wide of the left hand post that the front row of the main stand practically ducked in unison.

But County held on for a huge win and Ian Ormson's third consecutive clean sheet means the team is now undefeated in the last four at Edgeley Park in all competitions with 3 wins and one draw.

And with the victory came the news that stand-in boss Alan Lord has been given the manager's role permanently. Great news.

Attendance: 2,332.

County Line-up: Ormson, Jacobs, Tunnicliffe, Charnock, Duxbury (O'Halloran), Gossett (Windsor), Moses, Lofthouse (Platt), Howard, Turner, Jevons.

Unused Subs: Jones, Craney

JUST 10 MEN

By Phil Brennan

It's been a strange week since my departure from Edgeley Park.

I still get up at 6.00 am. Still put my laptop on before I put the kettle on. Still put SSN on before settling down with a brew and checking through emails, message boards, social networks and any articles I have been working on.

I still have my morning shower at 7.30 am before dressing for work.

I have carried out this routine almost every morning in the last three and a half years.

The difference this week has been that after getting dressed I have had no work to go to.

On Monday, (my 29th wedding anniversary as it happens), my three and a half years working for my hometown football club came to an end by 'mutual consent'.

I will be honest and admit that as much as I have enjoyed my time at Edgeley Park, I would have preferred to remember my time at the club with some success on the field but sadly that wasn't to be. I think it's every football fan's dream to be involved with their club, and as a County supporter of many years standing I have been very fortunate in that, as well as being part of Steve Bellis' programme team back in the day, along with my late friend Richard Harnwell, I have written extensively about Stockport County in book and DVD format in the past.

When I was approached by the 2015 Group in the summer of 2010 I didn't think twice about the opportunity to finally have the opportunity of a full time position at Edgeley Park. Although with two relegations during my time in service, including the club dropping out of the Football League for the first time in over 100 years, I have thought about whether or not it was my fault that things haven't gone as well as any of us wanted.

In my time in the Media Manager's role I have served under 10 managers in just three and a half years. I can honestly say that I have really enjoyed working with all apart from one, who for one reason or another, never really understood or cared about our great club.

Back in that summer of 2010, after several off-site meetings, we finally arrived at Edgeley Park. 'We' were new Chairman Alwyn Thompson, Chief Exec Sean Connolly, Directors Mary & Tony Gibbons, Club Secretary Peter Wilson and myself. (There were other Directors and shareholders who weren't available on the day).

A press conference had been arranged to unveil the new Board and staff, unbeknown to many of the people there the deal to take over the club had yet to be agreed with The Football League. Several hasty calls later the deal was finalised, with approximately 20 minutes to spare before the new board met the press.

The following weekend there was a huge County following at the 'open day' in the Cheadle End car park. The new board, including Lord Peter Snape, were on show again along with old County favourites Mike Flynn and Andy Thorpe as well as the town's top dart player, and big Hatters supporter, Tony O'Shea.

With no first team manager in place it came as no surprise that the name of Jim Gannon was chanted throughout the morning. 

It did indeed look as though the Irishman, who had lost his job when the club entered into 'administration', was the clear favourite to take on the vacant role. Especially as the club had already re-employed his trusty sidekicks Peter Ward and Alan Lord to take over pre-season training.

Wardy and Lordy not only took on training the few players we already had, but also created a list of prospective players at the club's training ground. The comprehensive list included the names of players already contracted, players who were available both to sign and bring in 'on loan' and also players who were going to become available in the January 'window'.

Having seen the list I was very much looking forward to the coming season. 

However there were rumblings of discontent at the club almost from the first minute. For reasons I cannot divulge, Connolly and Wilson left within a matter of weeks. The widely accepted appearance of Gannon also didn't materialise.

The club eventually appointed Paul Simpson as the new manager, he swiftly brought in his own man Stuart Delaney as 'head of youth' to replace the recently departed Craig Madden who had joined big spending Fleetwood Town as assistant manager.

Simpson soon made it clear that he was not going to be seen as second choice to Gannon, one of his first actions was to rub off all the players names off the 'list' on the whiteboard at Manor Farm as, in his words, he didn't want to be seen to be bringing in any of the players Jim Gannon wanted.

He also instructed that the big poster of the club's Wembley triumph of just two summers previous, which had pride of place on the central wall, was taken down. (Incidentally this was eventually replaced with a photo of a team 'huddle' with his son Jake a focal point). 

The standard of player on the rubbed out list can be summed up in one name - Jamie Vardy

Alan Lord had been watching Vardy and others on the list for some time. Some of them were on the point of joining the club before administration, Vardy and Skelmersdale United's George Donnelly and Sean McConville amongst them. (Donnelly actually joined Plymouth Argyle and played several games on loan at County under Gary Ablett the following season).

Simpson, under pressure from Lord, sent Delaney to watch Vardy, who was available for a small fee. Simpson decided against signing Vardy after Delaney's debrief as apparently he wasn't the type of striker we needed.

A couple of days later Simpson signed Barry Conlon.

Vardy went on to score dozens of goals for Halifax Town before joining Fleetwood Town where he also scored dozens of goals prior to joining Leicester City in The Championship, where he is still plying his trade.

Simpson did relent and bring in Donnelly in on loan but Conlon left Stockport County by 'mutual consent' after a much publicised drink driving ban before Christmas 2010.

Much was made of the decision to release Simpson from his duties at Edgeley Park just over a month later, perhaps if he had gone when was originally discussed, Stockport County may have stayed in The Football League, at least for another season. The indecision regarding his replacement is, in my opinion, the reason the club were relegated. Chairman Thompson also left his position and with no candidate coming forward, Mary Gibbons took on the role of 'acting' Chairman.

Peter Ward and Alan Lord were put in 'temporary' control of first team affairs before Ray Mathias was brought in to assist them as 'technical advisor' in February.

I have known Wardy since he was a player and we have always got on famously. However during the early days of Simpson's reign he had instigated an 'issue' regarding Wardy which subsequently caused problems between myself and Wardy. (I am happy to state that we made our peace after Simpson's departure)

Mathias became my third gaffer that season when he took over from Ward the following month. Unfortunately it was all too late and the club were relegated from The Football League after a disastrous campaign both on and off the field.

During the summer several candidates were interviewed for the manager's job, before the board decided to stick with Mathias. The biggest problem with this was, having been released from his temporary role at the end of the previous campaign, Ray had booked a family holiday to Mexico and so wasn't available to start immediately.

That holiday proved to be the catalyst in the appointment of my next gaffer - Dietmar Hamann.

Liverpool businessman Tony Evans had held talks with the board regarding investment and once he had agreed to join the club he wanted to appoint Hamann.

In scenes reminiscent of our original arrival at the club, Hamann was still on the phone to his employer, Sven Goran Eriksson at Leicester City, trying to negotiate his release, just minutes before sitting on the top table at the press conference to announce his arrival.

Then we really started to see the influence of Evans, there was a camera crew constantly following all of the backroom staff, management staff, players and supporters, apparently for an, as yet unseen, documentary about how to run a football club (sic).

The biggest change came at the training ground where literally coach loads of Liverpudlian footballers turned up for trials, many of them not returning their County training kit when told they were not to be signed up. (eBay was very busy over the next few days). Old stagers like Andy Parkinson and John Miles were there, alongside several youngsters, the likes of Ryan Fraughan and Jon Nolan that had been released by clubs.

There was a new 'fitness' coach, who as well as introducing a fitness regime that seemed more suited to the likes of Geoff Capes and his 'world's strongest man' colleagues, also had the players eating pre match meals that included nuts and salad.  - He and his diet didn't last too far into the season.

Didi is a living 'legend' on Merseyside and as a footballer of world renown his arrival at Edgeley Park made my job all the more exciting. Everyone wanted to talk to him, every day we had some radio or TV station wanting his time. Even to this day I get requests for his contact details.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Didi, he was probably the most laid back boss I have ever had in my working life - it was such a shame that it didn't work out for him at County.

One little story I must tell about his time at Edgeley Park featured Soccer-am. I have had previous dealings with the SKY TV Saturday morning show and it came as no surprise when they asked if they could feature County. I agreed immediately and duly put the information in with my daily requests/reports on the gaffer's desk.  

On the day of the 'shoot' I got a call from Didi asking why I had agreed to allow Soccer-am to film at the training ground. He sounded fairly angry and stated that a football club and especially the training ground was a professional place and not the place for a 'comedy football show', and told me to call them and turn them back.

It appeared that he had only just seen my note from the week previous and as the team were in a run of bad form I assumed that he didn't want to appear as though he wasn't running a tight ship.

I called my contact, who was literally half an hour away from Manor Farm with his film crew. Not to put too fine a point on it they weren't too happy. Luckily for them a quick call to Boundary Park saw Oldham Athletic take our place on the show.

A week or so after he had left the club by 'mutual consent' I turned on the TV and there sat on the Soccer-am couch was none other than Didi Hamann!!!

I knew he would have his phone turned off but I called him all the same and left him a message asking him to call me back. The next day he called me back. "Hey buggerlugs, after what you told me about Soccer-am, what were you doing on there yesterday?" I asked

 "they paid me enough to appear" was his reply

Even though his time as manager wasn't a success, Didi Hamann was great to work with, nothing was ever too much trouble, we used to get photos sent from all over the world for him to sign, which he always did, he always made sure players were available to attend events if he couldn't make it himself, but best of all he brought his mate John the 'scouse chef' with him. The food at Manor Farm has never been as good before or since!!

Willie McStay was gaffer number 5, even if it was only for a week. McStay had been brought in by Didi after Ray Mathias had refused the option of staying on as number two when Tony Evans had named Didi as manager. Unfortunately for McStay his one game ended in defeat at Ebbsfleet.

Gaffer number 6 was Jim Gannon. I had had the pleasure of working with Jim before, putting his testimonial programme together alongside my late friend Richard Harnwell, We had remained in touch throughout the years, so I was looking forward to working with him again.

That night at Fleetwood for his first game back in charge was unforgettable. The atmosphere was electric, the TV cameras were there as the home side closed in on promotion, and as many County fans could fit in were there to cheer on their returning hero. Sean McConville looked as though he had earned the Hatters the draw their supporters deserved but Jamie Vardy (yes THAT Jamie Vardy) sealed a late win for the Cod Army.

The changes required were obvious to all, Gannon's second spell as manager saw his side lose six of his first eight games, including an FA Trophy replay defeat at local neighbours Stalybridge Celtic, before he finally won against Barrow at Edgeley Park on New Year's Day, perhaps a sign of things to come?

By the time County had claimed 'back to back' victories against Wrexham and Darlington, the first time in over 3 years that the team had managed this feat, Gannon had made wholesale changes to the squad he had inherited. Only two of the side that started at Darlington had been regulars under Hamann, with seven of the fifteen man squad on the day brought in by Gannon.

Edgeley Park was again becoming a fortress under Gannon, with four wins and just one defeat in seven home games since the turn of the year to the end of March. But the team were still paying for those away defeats and the earlier inability to remain undefeated at Edgeley Park, and were still in the relegation dogfight.

The home win against relegation rivals Lincoln City, a third win on the trot for the Hatters and a draw at home against Braintree was enough to secure safety with two games to spare. Winning the last two against Tamworth and Hayes & Yeading put the icing on the cake as far as the end of season run went.

Unfortunately, even though his side were top of the table following two wins out of two at the start of the following season, Gannon was also soon shown the Edgeley Park door. Defeat against eventual champions Mansfield Town in January being his seventh in nine games, he was ousted in a hastily arranged board meeting after the game.

Alan Lord was gaffer number 7 as he took control of the team for the visit of Forest Green Rovers. The visitors were looking to claim a place in the play offs and the game was in doubt until the day before but Lordy rallied his troops and was rewarded with the best performance of the season as Sean Newton and Jon Nolan scored the goals that claimed the points.

Gaffer number 8 was a name so far from left field that I would have sat all night coming up with names of potential manager's and still not come up with - Darije Kalezic

Regardless of how he arrived, or indeed who was responsible for his arrival, Kalezic was a really decent man, a good coach undoubtedly, but manager of a struggling Conference team - Never.

The facts are Kalezic lost 7 of his 12 games in charge. Players were allowed to leave the club. Players were brought in. The team won at Barrow. Then inexplicably four new signings, none of which played in the excellent win at Barrow four nights previously, were thrown into the side for the visit of Braintree. The game was won by Braintree. County then lost at Luton. Kalezic lost his job to be replaced by Ian Bogie the next day.

Geordie Ian Bogie, (gaffer number 9 by the way), took charge of the sinking Edgeley Park ship with seven games to play. He won two, lost two and drew two in the first six, meaning that his team had to win at Kidderminster Harriers on the last day and then hope that at least two other results went his way for County to survive.

In the end a hammering at the hands of the Harriers meant that results elsewhere were immaterial. County were to play at the lowest level in their history next season.

I felt for Bogie, as he had turned down the offer of being number two to Kalezic because he didn't think it would work. Bogie was a good hard working gaffer who made it easy to like him and we will never know what would have happened had he been given the manager's job instead of Kalezic.

Despite the pre-season 'buzz' as results improved with each game, County have started their season in poor form and once again find themselves near the foot of the table and once again we have lost yet another manager.

Ian Bogie resigned after the defeat at Harrogate Town, his fourth in the opening five games, and has been replaced by 'caretaker' Alan Lord, making Lordy gaffer number 10.

Anyone who has ever worked with Al will know how enjoyable his company is. I believe he should be given the job until the end of the season at least. His record of finding players is second to none, and he has a good record so far with three wins and just one defeat in his six games in charge.

History has shown us that appointing three managers in a season will more or less lead to relegation. We need a period of stability and more importantly we don't need another relegation.

On a personal note, over the last few months since our relegation to The Conference North the offices have become a very different place to be. We have lost some very good backroom people from the club as County moved from a full time to part time outfit. Every day has brought a new challenge as those of us left have had to continue with the everyday business.

Having agreed to leave the club I now intend to take some time out to complete my biography of Danny Bergara, who is still the second longest serving manager in the history of Stockport County, and that at just six years, goes some way to explaining the lack of long term success at the club.

'The Man From Uruguay' Will hopefully be out in time for Christmas and, in the mean time, I will also be keeping my hand in at Edgeley Park as I will be covering most home games for The Non League Paper.

Animo et Fide.

PHOTOS: SUE CORDON & MIKE PETCH

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 1 - 0 Brighouse Town

By Hatter-in-Macc

Given that my two previous reports for Cheadle End Punk - back in those lazy, hazy, crazy pre-season days of Summer - had carried news of County victories, I kept my fingers crossed for the continuation of a 100% personal record today. And it is probably just as well that I did!

The end-results were pleasing enough: a place in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round achieved; and an unprecedented September exit from the competition averted. But, make no mistake, this match lived up to its billing as a tricky tie against a bold (as brass-band) Brighouse outfit that is currently showing impressive form in the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League.

It was rather difficult to bring to mind higher-level Cup deeds by our favourites of bygone years, against the likes of Liverpool, QPR and Everton, as County took to the field in front of a sparse crowd, and a closed Pop Side. But we are where we are for good reason, and, for now, our chances of any kind of run in the competition lay with the Class of 2013/14:

Starting line-up: Ormson, Jacobs, Duxbury, Fagbola, Tunnicliffe, Charnock (Captain), Moses, Lofthouse, Turner, Jevons, Howard.

Subs: Jones, O'Halloran, Bateman, Verma (for Fagbola), Windsor (for Lofthouse).

Cheered on by a couple of coach-loads of their supporters, Brighouse made it clear from the off that they were going to give this a right good go. County, it has to be said, didn't help themselves with two worrying, 'after you, Claude' moments of hesitation involving Ormson and his defenders. Twice more, Tunnicliffe, following his successful return to central defence a week earlier in Stalybridge, saved his side's blushes with last-ditch tackles, but it has to be said that, had their strikers been just a tad sharper in front of goal, the visitors could very easily have been ahead by half-time. For the home team, there was possession a-plenty, and Turner's pace clearly unsettled Brighouse, but, with Dennis absent and Jevons playing deeper than usual, the young Myerscough graduate's forays all too often came to nothing. Fagbola, meanwhile, who had seemingly enjoyed his role as an attacking right back at Bower Fold, looked all at sea in the same position this time around, and was not to reappear after the break.

Half-time: County 0, Brighouse 0.

Verma's return, following his lay-off through injury, and to a midfield that today sorely missed the ineligible Gossett, was most welcome - helping as it did to give more balance to the side in the second half. Matters proceeded, just after the hour, to turn even further in County's favour, when the lively Windsor replaced Lofthouse, on his full debut, in an attempt to boost the effort up front. Within three minutes, a Windsor rocket-shot hit a Brighouse defender full in the face, and was cleared in something of a panic - but only as far as Jacobs, who unleashed an unstoppable long-range piledriver into the top corner. A wonderful strike, and worthy of winning a game at any level. But would it turn out thus...?

Four minutes of added time were announced - for the first time at EP this season, as it happens - and, at that point, Brighouse decided to go for broke, throwing the kitchen sink - and their 'keeper - at the home goal, and, in the process, putting County through the most agonising of closing stages, akin to those, earlier during September, at Vauxhall Motors. And none of us will wish reminding of how things ended there! Corner followed corner for the visiting side - the decision to award one of them, in particular, is up there with the most bizarre that I have ever seen given - and, in the dying seconds of the four-minutes-that-somehow-turned-into-six, Ormson almost gave the home faithful collective heart failure, when he looked to have had a David Seaman moment  and come out too far for a looping lob that, by back-tracking, he just managed to gather safely.

Full-time: County 1, Brighouse 0.

Into the hat for today, then - and with a few extra quid to boost the Club coffers, too. But, my goodness, it was a tense and close-run thing...

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 1 - 1 Leamington

Kieran Charnock - gifted Leamington a goal after two minutes

By Chris Larkin

Saturday afternoon saw Leamington and County share the spoils, in a 1-1 draw with a glut of chances and even more time wasting.

The result could have been so different had County not shot themselves in the foot within two minutes but the draw does show that County are showing some of the old, to use a Jim Gannon phrase, 'bouncebackability' that made them so tough to beat in the old days.

It also, of course, kept Alan Lord's unbeaten record intact.

There was no room in the starting line-up for new boy Tunji Moses, who was confined to the bench. Phil Jevons kept his place after his two-goal display last week. And County lined up with Ormson, Jacobs, Fagbola, Charnock, O'Halloran, Turner, Verma, Gosset, Howard, Jevons and Dennis starting the game.

Another decent turnout and a great atmosphere was soon silenced when the usually reliable Kieran Charnock passed the ball straight to the on-coming Leamington striker who was left 1-on-1 with Ian Ormson and made no mistake in placing the ball beyond the young 'keeper after only two minutes - County were already looking at a long afternoon of potentially frustrating football.

The Hatters responded positively to the setback, going in search of an immediate equaliser. The first corner of the match went County's way after some good work from Howard forced the Leamington defence to put the ball behind for a corner; unfortunately the corner kick came to nothing.

Despite a few minutes of dominance for County, the next real chance fell to Leamington as an inviting cross was well met by the head of a Leamington player, who's effort flashed just beyond the post.

The Brakes then started to apply the pressure and were forcing sloppy County into giving the ball away cheaply.

Ian Ormson was called into action after around 20 minutes and did really well to get out to the attacker and make the save to prevent the Warwickshiremen from extending their lead.

Just a couple of minutes later it looked as though County had equalised when Turner had his shot somehow saved and Howard was left with the task of tucking the ball in but unfortunately the winger could only find the side netting and left the Hatters cursing their luck.

For the remaining minutes of the half, County and Leamington exchanged chances with the best of them being a free-kick for the visitors. Neither could find the back of the net though, and when the half time whistle mercifully went, both teams trudged off the pitch with the visitors holding a narrow but crucial lead.

Alan Lord looking made two changes at half time to try and turn the game around - new midfielder Tunji Moses came on for his debut, replacing Aman Verma and fan favourite Adriano Moke replaced Iain Howard.

County's intentions were clear from the off as just two minutes into the half, Dennis set up Moke for a strike that just went over the bar, before Gosset had a brilliant effort rifle just wide of the far post after the young Oldham prospect almost made the visitors pay dearly for failing to clear their lines.

Despite County's early dominance it was only the woodwork that kept out a superb strike from the visitors hit from 30 yards out, a wonderful strike that had the whole ground stunned.

This sparked a small spell of dominance that saw Leamington enjoy a couple of half chances and a corner.

But, after weathering the storm, County were back on the attack, the next chance falling to Kyle Jacobs who couldn't connect with the ball cleanly as his shot blazed over the bar.

Leamington were soon hearing boos ringing around from the stands at their attempts at timewasting, and, at this stage, there was only one team who wanted to push for the positive.

Finally County got the goal they deserved to draw the game level. New boy Tunji Moses picked up the ball in midfield and passed it to Jacobs who played a perfectly-timed and perfectly-weighted through-ball to Phil Jevons. The veteran striker's touch didn't let him down and he placed it neatly underneath the keeper to give County the reward their attacking play warranted.

As the Hatters went in search of a winner it appeared that Leamington had other ideas and firmly parked the bus to constantly frustrate both the County players and fans.

Despite constantly pushing forward the hosts couldn't get that elusive second goal to win the game and a magnificent 2,925 saw both teams leave Edgeley Park with a point each.

Whilst it was disappointing to have conceded so softly, it was positive to see both the crowd and the players react well to going a goal down, never giving up. No doubt spurred on by Alan Lord, the team showed determination to fight their way back into the game - a refreshing change from recent seasons, when conceding first often meant the team rolled over and called it a day.

County Line-Up: Ormson, Jacobs, Fagbola, Charnock, O'Halloran, Turner, Verma (Moses), Gosset, Howard (Moke), Jevons and Dennis

Unused subs: Jones, Tunnicliffe, Lofthouse

Attendance: 2,952 (152 Away Fans)

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 3 - 1 Gainsborough Trinity

Thank the Lord: County get their first win of the season

By Chris Larkin

There are games that change seasons.

County have had many such days - Plymouth in 1996, Cheltenham in 2006, Fleetwood in 2011 and Saturday, Gainsborough in 2013.

Today was one of those days that give you renewed belief and confidence. Not before time.

Stockport County ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at home. Those words have been waiting too long to be written this season.

With the County line up featuring the newly acquired Danny Gosset, on loan from Oldham Athletic, the game started with the home team on the back-foot. The visitors, despite their lowly league position, came at County from the off, obviously not wanting to allow the home team any forward momentum.

They forced Ormson into a bit of quick thinking a couple of times early on and thr young keeper did well to keep the scores level before they won their first corner of the game which was confidently dealt with by an otherwise shaky looking defence.

It wasn't long before the Hatters found their confidence though and were soon peppering the Holy Blues box.

County had some very good chances as both Howard and Dennis came close to giving the Hatters a lead but they found it impossible to break down the Lincolnshire team's robust backline.

County were almost made to pay for their wastefulness as the visitors caught them on the break, a chance that required Ormson to come storming out of his area to clear the danger following a great ball to the on-coming Trinity striker.

That counter attack seemed to spark the visiting team into life as they forced Ormson into a couple of good saves in quick succession and it was only some last ditch defending by the home defence that kept them out.

But it wasn't long before County were in the ascendancy once more - Kristian Dennis forcing a smart save out of the visiting Goalkeeper to give County a corner and really pile on the pressure.

The Hatters had another half chance that was cleared and their chances of getting that elusive goal before half time looked to have gone. But Rhys Turner had other ideas and kept the chance alive with a ball to Kyle Jacobs who played in Dennis.

The striker, only just back from injury, unleashed a beautiful strike beyond the helpless reach of the Gainsborough 'keeper to send the County fans into raptures and send the Hatters in at half time with a deserved advantage.

Clearly hurting from conceding just before the break, the Trinity players came out with renewed vigour. They won a corner almost immediately but wasted the opportunity and then gave County the space to rediscover the attacking flair that served them so well in the first half.

Left back O'Halloran had a shot cleared off the line and, a minute later, Aman Verma was once again cursing his luck as he had an effort cleared off the line for a corner.

The disappointment didn't last too long though as, though the corner was cleared, some more good work from Rhys Turner gave him the room to cross the ball for Phil Jevons to score his first County goal - a low header into the bottom corner.

With the momentum firmly behind the Hatters, they looked to extend their lead as Howard and Dennis were unlucky not to add to County's advantage.

In typical County fashion though, despite all the home side's pressure, Gainsborough managed to pull a scrappy goal back against the run of play following a goalmouth scramble.

Some Keystone Cops style defending, with almost every player trying to get a foot on the ball in the County box, saw the ball fall at the feet of Gainsborough's Lacey who poked the ball home amid the chaos.

Following the goal, substitutions were swift, with Adriano Moke replacing the impressive Rhys Turner and, shortly afterwards, Myerscough Alumni Bobby Lofthouse and Scott Duxbury came on for Kristian Dennis and Iain Howard.

County continued to push forward and looked to put the game to bed as they made progress towards the visitors goal with Adriano Moke finding Phil Jevons who found himself in the visitors box with just a single defender between him and the goal.

Jevons skipped forwards and was tripped by the Gainsborough defender to give County a penalty and the chance to put some gloss on the scoreline.

Jevons doubled his tally for the day, placing his kick confidently in the bottom corner of the net beyond the reach of the keeper.

As soon as the visitors kicked off the referee blew for full time and County had finally, at the Sixth time of asking, got their first win as a Conference North side.

Thank the Lord.

Attendance: 2,802

County Line-up: Ormson, Jacobs, Fagbola, Charnock, O'Halloran, Turner (Moke), Verma, Gosset, Howard (Duxbury), Dennis (Lofthouse), Jevons

Unused Subs: Jones, Tunnicliffe

MATCH REPORT: Harrogate Town 3 - 1 COUNTY

Bogie - The Geordie quit at the final whistle

By Chris Larkin

Stockport County fans had an overwhelming feeling of deja vu on Saturday as the team reached a new low - losing another match and another manager in a mad 90 minutes.

Ian Bogie resigned just minutes after County slumped to a 3-1 loss in North Yorkshire.

County were on the backfoot right fromthe kick off, as Harrogate wasted a good opportunity by blasting over the bar, soon after winning the first corner of the game.

But almost immediately, County were on the break as young Rhys Turner bombed down the wing, winning County a corner which Fagbola did connect with but couldn't turn into the net.

County continued the momentum with Turner once again involved and desperately unlucky not give  the Hatters the lead with a header following some excellent work down the left from fan favourite, Adriano Moke.

County were almost made to pay for their profligacy within two minutes as Ian Ormson had to be alert to a cross-cum-shot from the Harrogate wing.

County were soon back on the front foot winning two free-kicks in a short space of time before the best chance of the match fell to Aman Verma - a lovely team move ending in a Verma run on goal. But in trying to place the ball around the goalie, he instead placed it wide of the net. And his luck didn't improve a couple of minutes later as he had a header acrobatically tipped over by the impressive Harrogate goalkeeper.

Verma squandered yet another opportunity10 minutes before the break - played in by Rhys Turner, Verma had another crack but again pulled the ball wide of the post.

It was clearly not going to be County's day despite playing well in the first half - a feeling which was compounded in five minutes of madness just before half-time, as Harrogate caught County flat footed and fired a long range shot beyond Ian Ormson. 1-0. Heads down.

And just a minute or so later it was 2-0 as Town once again broke through the Hatters backline to give them a 2-0 cushion. Then,  just two minutes later it was 3-0 as sloppy play from County gave the ball away cheaply for a simple tap-in and the end of County's day.


Domination to defeat in five disastrously amateur minutes. Story of the season so far.


The Second half started like the first half ended, with the Yorkshire hosts on the attack.

County's first sub of the game saw the hugely disappointing Ian Craney being replaced by youngster Bobby Lofthouse for his competitive first team debut - and the youngster's impact was instant as he laid the ball off to Jevons who just couldn't connect well enough and blazed it over the bar.


There was just no way back from this point on.

What turned out to be Ian Bogie's last action as Stockport County manager was to bring on Ian Howard and Brandon Windsor for Phil Jevons and Adriano Moke.

But County finally got on the scoresheet with a late consolation goal after Jacobs did well down the right and crossed the ball for sub Howard who turned and shot well beyond the reach of the keeper.

Despite playing well for periods,  lack of goals and defensive concentration cost County once again on the pitch.

Who knows what exactly caused Ian Bogie to walk out on the club just minutes after the final whistle but those looking for reasons  for the seemingly endless slide towards non league oblivion don't need to look much further than their own boardroom for the start and continuation of the disastrous domino effect.

Attendance: 918

County Line-up: Ian Ormson, Kyle Jacobs, Stephen O'Halloran, Keiran Charnock, Jordan Fagbola, Aman Verma, Ian Craney (Bobby Lofthouse) , Adriano Moke (Iain Howard), James Tunnicliffe, Phil Jevons (Brandon Windsor), Rhys Turner.

Unused Subs: Jamie Hand, Scott Duxbury.

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 0 - 1 Colwyn Bay

Kristian Dennis - likely to miss Saturday's game with a hamstring injury

By Chris Larkin

A deflated County team left the pitch with just a single measly point to show from their first four games as a Conference North side after Colwyn Bay stole a win with less than 15 minutes to go in front of a dejected 2,500 crowd at Edgeley Park.

Colwyn Bay, featuring former County youth prospects,Cameron Darkwah and Paul Ennis, were out of the block immediately as they won a free-kick and then a corner within the first two minutes, making it abundantly clear they weren't going to be a soft touch.

County did grow into the game as the match went on. Verma had a chance that was well tipped over by the Welsh visitors goalkeeper before Rhys Turner had a quickfire shot well parried by the keeper.

County did continue to push for the first goal but it certainly wasn't all one way traffic as both teams exchanged chances in a real end-to-end game.

Just before half-time County came painfully close to getting the opening goal as some great build up play from the impressive Verma, pumped an inviting cross for Iain Howard who had his effort cleared off the line.

Unfortunately for County no-one in a blue shirt was quick enough to stab home the loose ball as the effort was cleared by the Welshmen and the score stayed level going into the half time break.

County replaced the injured Kristian Dennis with Phil Jevons at the start of the second half and the Hatters looked to carry on the momentum from the first 45 minutes with an immediate attack down the left. Turner linked up well with the hugely impressive new fan favourite, Adriano Moke, who forced the visiting goalkeeper into a wonder stop to deny the tricky winger.

County had another wonderful chance shortly afterwards as Aman Verma did excellently to reach the ball with a diving header that thumped off the post.

Colwyn Bay did have their chances in the half with Smyth firing across Ormson's goal, unlucky not to score himself.

Then a couple of really good saves were required of Ian Ormson who is looking to earn the trust of the fans again and went a long way to doing that with two smart stops.

Ian Craney came on to replace Jamie Hand and while County were in the ascendancy, the visitors were certainly not lying back and taking it.

County had another golden opportunity from a Verma header, this time though he hit the other post, with the 'keeper well beaten.

It immediately got worse as Colwyn Bay went down the other end, and though Ormson saved the initial shot, the ball only reached substitute Matthews, who confidently backheeled the ball into the net to give Colwyn a somewhat undeserved lead with only 13 minutes remaining.

County's overall performance was much improved from the dire showing at Altrincham, but still wasn't anywhere near good enough to win the game.



The question now is how long can the board afford to wait before giving Ian Bogie additional funds to bring in new faces?




Not much longer, surely?

County Line-up: Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Fagbola, Charnock, Verma, Moke, Hand (Craney), Howard (Windsor), Turner, Dennis (Jevons).

Attendance: 2,561 (74 Away Fans)

MATCH REPORT: Workington 1 - 1 COUNTY

Iain Howard notched his debut County goal

By Chris Larkin

County's first away game of the season offered a half of despair followed by 45 minutes of hope as they recorded a 1-1 draw with hosts Workington.

Despite a rotten performance in the opening game of the season on Saturday, young keeper Ian Ormson held onto his place. But towering defender James Tunnicliffe, who also suffered from a jittery display against Boston, wasn't so fortunate and was dropped as County went to a conventional 4-4-2 formation.

County started the game brightly, in a surreal atmosphere that felt more like a pre-season game than a league match.

A few corners and half chances fell to County but, after the bluster of the first few minutes, Workington really settled down and looked the more likely to score.

County just couldn't keep the ball and the passing was atrocious. A free kick just outside the area proved County's undoing on 12 minutes as a mixture of poor defending and a great header saw Kyle May score from the free-kick.

Even after the goal, Workington looked more likely to add to their tally. But County and a newly confident Ian Ormson weathered the storm and kept the score 1-0 till the break. Towards the end of the half the Hatters had a couple of half shouts for a penalty and a couple of decent chances, the best falling to Kristian Dennis, who's quick thinking and quick turn and shot forced the on-loan Newcastle goalie into a great point blank save.

Ian Bogie obviously had strong words for the players at half-time as they came out looking like a completely new team.

Only two minutes into the half County were level. Despite initially looking like the chance had gone, Iain Howard managed to level the scores after some good work before he slotted the ball in at the post.

After that, it really was all County till the final whistle. Cheered on by the brave 200 or so travelling fans, County looked to take the lead. Unfortunately, Workington's players had other ideas, happy to play the game out for a point.

Rhys Turner came on for Jevons after 15 minutes of the second half as Bogie looked to capitalise on Workington's 'defend everything' set-up. And Turner;s energy was immediately effective, setting up Craney for a long range effort that went just over the bar.

Fagbola went some way to making up for his below-par performance during Saturday's game by cleaning up following a bit of sloppy play from County's midfield as Workington looked to catch County on the break on a rare foray out of their own half.

Bogie made his second substitution of the night about 10 minutes from time with the introduction of Adriano Moke, replacing goalscorer Iain Howard.

Moke's trickery was a massive plus for the attacking team - he looked skilful, fast and a real pain for the Workington defence, winning a few corners and dangerous free-kicks.

But, despite Moke's threat, County couldn't quite get that winning goal and had to settle for a single point when three were there for the taking.

Perhaps Saturday's humiliation and Bogie's half time words have resonated with the new Hatters team - providing the rocket they all needed to realise that this is a long way from a park league.

It also provides a little more hope that the team can go and beat near neighbours Altrincham in the derby game this coming Saturday.

County Line-up: Ian Ormson, Kyle Jacobs, Stephen O'Halloran, Jordan Fagbola, Kieran Charnock, Jamie Hand, Anan Verma, Ian Craney, Iain Howard (Adriano Moke), Phil Jevons (Rhys Turner), Kris Dennis.

Unused Subs: Lewis King, James Tunnicliffe, Brandon Windsor.

Attendance: 563

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 1 - 4 Boston Utd

Dennis - notched his first League goal

By Chris Larkin

County came down to earth with a huge thud as they were given a wake-up call by Boston United who welcomed them to the Skrill North with a 4-1 thumping at Edgeley Park today.

Remember when you were a kid, the anticipation on Christmas Eve, the excitement and joy at getting the toy you REALLY wanted?

Well in the familiar surroundings of a rain soaked Edgeley Park, it was more akin to the feeling of being excited on Christmas Eve and then waking up to realise that your present is actually a kick in the bollocks - it wasn't a good feeling.

The opening day of the season always brings hope and excitement, that this year is the year, that this player is going to be a star, that it can't possibly get any worse.

Well for the opening few minutes you could be forgiven for thinking things may turn around, we were playing some decent stuff and looked like we could do something going forward, the fans were also playing their part with a fair amount of noise coming from the 3,317 people inside Edgeley Park.

That all ended in the eighth minute when young Ian Ormson failed to claim the ball in what should have been a straightforward bit of goalkeeping and Scott Garner capitalised on the mistake to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Chin on the floor.

County didn't let the set back affect them too much and were soon back on the attack. In fact only 10 minutes later, the referee judged that a cross from Kyle Jacobs was handled by a Boston player and awarded County a penalty, which Kristian Dennis diuly dispatched to score his first league goal for County.

Things were pretty even until half-time, Boston having a couple of good chances at the end of the half, one requiring an outstanding last ditch tackle from Fagbola to take away an excellent goal-scoring opportunity.

The expectant Cheadle End hoped they could help suck the ball into the back of the net once the second half kicked off but, it was Boston who did all the pressing. With just 10 minutes of the second half played, an excellent weighted through-ball found Marc Newsham who comfortable slotted under Ormson to put the Pilgrims 2-1 up.

Barely 2 minutes later and it was 3-1. Spencer Weir-Daley saw Ormson hesitate and backtrack, then took his opportunity and swiftly doubled his side's lead.

Edgeley Park has rarely been so hushed in disbelief.

Ormson may have been hanging his head in shame but the defence will also have a lot to answer for after a gift of a goal.

In a bid to get back into the game, Ian Bogie took off Kieran Charnock (already the recipient of a yellow card which may have swayed Bogie's decision) for the attacking flair of Rhys Turner and in search of a bit of creativity in a County team which had run out of ideas.

With 25 minutes left, the visitors put the game out of reach after yet another goalkeeping error from the calamitous Ormson, who failed to hold onto the initial shot and placed the ball nicely in the path of on-rushing United player, Ricky Miller.

Three goals in just nine minutes had wiped out any hopes County had of realistically getting anything from the game.

Bogie played the only card he had left and shortly after the goal brough on Adriano Moke for Ian Craney.

To County's credit they didn't give in and at least battled a little bit more. The change in tactics from the inexplicable 3-5-2 the team had begun the match with made a big difference too - most of the Cheadle End clearly thought the experiment of playing three centre backs and two wing backs had been attempted and written off as a dead-loss in the pre-season but, mysteriously, Ian Bogie had other ideas.

The cries of exasperation could be heard echoing around the entire ground. Let's hope Bogie realises that playing 3-5-2 with this squad is a three-point gift for any half decent opposition team playing a traditional 4-4-2.

County did go close once the changes had been made -  Dennis saw a fantastic effort from a free-kick thump off the post and in the closing minutes Turner came close with a towering header only to be denied by a great piece of goalkeeping from Timms in the Boston goal - but it was all too little too late.

There was one final bit of excitement as Charley Sanders was sent off for elbowing James Tunnicliffe just seconds after coming on the pitch.

A bad day at the office for County and Ian Ormson in particular.

Despite the catastrophe on the pitch the attendance of 3,317 was a fabulous effort from the County faithful. And on a note of hope for those amazing Royal blue fans -  Kidderminster Harriers didn't win any of their opening five games last season and ended up only missing out on the Conference title by goal difference. There is still 41 games to go - but performances will have to improve substantially if County hope to progress.

Ian Ormson, Kyle Jacobs, Stephen O'Halloran, James Tunnicliffe, Jordan Fagbola, Kieran Charnock (Rhys Turner 59), Jamie Hand, Ian Craney (Adriano Moke 69), Aman Verma, Phil Jevons (Iain Howard 78), Kris Dennis.

Unused Subs: Lewis King, Brandon Windsor

THE HOPE THAT KILLS YOU

Never again...surely?

By Nicholas Lee

Well, here we have it.

Only a matter of hours until the start of the season. Probably the most critical season in the history of our fine club.

I'm pretty sure I said the same thing this time last year. With good reason too.

We had a club legend as manager, seemingly being able to depend on the support of Spencer Fearn and John Fitzpatrick behind the scenes.

A mixed first half of the season showed potential. Indeed, it was widely thought that a couple more signings could have helped propel the club towards the play-off places.

Fast forward to January 15th, and a lacklustre 3-1 reverse at home to Mansfield. Gannon's tenure came to a premature end amid the wind and rain in SK3.

Over the following months, we found salt being rubbed into our wounds by a man who was, and continues to be, Ryan McKnight - the Rodney Trotter of the Black Country.

This chap, installed only hours before Gannon's sacking, seemingly did everything in his power to exacerbate our many problems. Darije Kalezic. Adnan Cirak. Javan Vidal. Paul Marshall. That Schofield fella whose first name escapes me.

I'm starting to feel a bit woozy just recalling such luminaries. In fact, I don't want to continue talking about last season, as it only leads to me seeing spots, accompanied by that bilious feeling that can only come from someone you love kicking you repeatedly in the gentleman parts.

That's not to say I've forgiven our 'esteemed leader' Mr McKnight. Even promotion this season wouldn't absolve what I consider to be his many failings.

Promotion back to the Football League would go some way, but we'd still be left with the memory of that year we lost as our faceless shareholders stayed silent and allowed Mr McKnight to play Football Manager.

For me, last season was like one of those rickety bridges in Indiana Jones. As soon as you get halfway across, the bloody thing starts shaking and the alligators start snapping.


But I have hope for this season. In fact, it's not even hope. It's a feeling that we MUST get it right this season.

If we don't win promotion, we may as well lock the gates and turn out the lights.

On the face of it, Messrs Bogie, Lord and Mitchell look to have built a decent team. We've said that before, and, talent-wise, we were right.

However, while the side of 12 months ago possessed the ability, it was the application that was lacking. As for the attitude....Two words.

Jon Nolan. *Shudders* #Bantz indeed.

Fast forward a few months and there seems to be a new toughness about the squad. We finally have players who've been there and done that. We seem to have the ability to play the officials.

Last season we struggled to play the ball, never mind persuade a referee one way or the other. Case in point: At the Cheadle Heath Nomads friendly, Kyle Jacobs was having a running battle with their number 11 during the first half.

After the Nomads player had made yet another futile appeal to the referee, Kyle gave the poor lad a cheeky shove and tripped him up. Sneaky? Yes. Against the rules? Most definitely. A welcome antidote to last season's set of ambivalent tossers? To quote Alan Partridge, abso-bloody-exactly.


If you factor in Jacobs, along with the likes of Charnock, Hand and Craney, we finally have a number of players who have the knowledge and experience to talk our promising youngsters through games.

The new lad Verma looks promising, if only for the opportunity for a chant based round 'Informer' by 90s hippity-hoppers Snow.

As for the strikeforce, one hopes Kristian Dennis keeps up the form that's seen him hit double figures in pre-season.

In goal, Ian Ormson and Lewis King are looking neck-and-neck for the number 1 jersey. Jordan Fagbola seems to be continuing the form he displayed in the latter stages of the abortion that was last season.

Hell's teeth, even James Tunnicliffe has started to look like something approaching a professional footballer. Even though he's now a semi-professional footballer. Mad.

While all this makes good copy, there's always the nagging feeling that more turmoil is just the other side of that rickety bridge. If it is, I don't feel I'll have the energy to tackle it head-on.

At the end of the day, we've been burnt so many times before that it's hard to hope.

After all, it's the hope that kills you.

Animo et Fide.

FREAKY FRIDAY

What would Danny do?

By Jamie Summers

And so another season is upon us.

Once again the denizens of Stockport County will be brought together for the spectacle of another campaign.

The Holy Grail is the Conference North title. The leader of the pack is Ian Bogie, the kingmakers are Alan Lord and Terry Mitchell and the pilgrims (Boston united pun quite possibly intended) are set to descend on the Mecca that is Edgeley Park.


Oddly, this is the second time in a week that I've written an article with a title relating to an early 2000s film. Somehow though, it seems quite apt. The Friday before the first game, the 'Season Eve,' is the occasion when the anticipation start to build and the excitement bubbles away for the journey which is about to begin.

The purpose of a lens is to bring light into focus. It takes the seven different colours of the spectrum and channels them into a single strand of bright white light. In many ways, I guess that 'Season Eve' could be considered a lens; one which brings the different strands of pre-season together and binds them into a single strand of footballing expectation.

The 'Freaky Friday' tag might well be appropriate for that experience which only seems to develop prior to the first matchday of the season.

Many times over the last few seasons, I've felt a degree of optimism and hope before a season starts, only to have that hope mercilessly crushed as we've walked down the road towards another relegation. Eventually it becomes easy to no longer hold out any hope and only be pessimistic about what has become of us and where we are - but that's self-defeating really, isn't it?

The optimism I feel going into this season is different to what it has been in the last few years. In spite of everything to have happened here since the turn of the year, I can't help but feel cautiously optimistic about the team and what could happen.

Of course, we're at an entirely new level and it really is do-or-die time now. But for the first time in years we seem to have a well-balanced squad and a sense of belief about us.

That optimism has to be tempered. I don't think we're going to walk through this league to the title, but we are in with a shot. The prospect of winning more games than we lose for the first time since we were last promoted in 2008 is a brilliant tonic. Being seriously considered by our opponents as a team with a genuine chance of success is a feeling that we've become used to not experiencing.

Ian Bogie has impressed me since he came into the club. He's spent the summer urging caution and restraint; he hasn't seemed able to stress enough just how difficult the season is going to be for us. Given his experience of winning promotion from this tier, we should respect his warnings. However this morning, he also issued a statement to County fans where he pledged to help bring success back to Stockport County.

Some people have understandably argued that it is just words, the type of rallying call that we should come to expect from the manager before the season gets underway regardless of the circumstances.

Yet there was one line in Mr Bogie's statement that stood out for me. "As County's manager, it's my job to halt the decline and play my part in giving you a team to be proud of. That starts now, and the buck stops with me."

By stating that the buck stops with him, Bogie has potentially set himself up for a large fall. That alone suggests to me that he has confidence in where we are. Couple that with his messages of restraint, and the picture is a bit clearer. It certainly won't be the stroll in the park that some people think it will be, but we are in with a chance.

I'm a huge fan of print and a few days ago I was flicking through a collection of programmes from the last 20 years or so. Reading the programme notes of managers with the benefit of hindsight is always really interesting. For me, a few quotes from a certain ex-manager from Uruguay brilliantly sum up the midset that we should be carrying into this campaign.

In November 1994, we faced Scarborough FC in a Football League Trophy match. Danny was communicating his message after a barren spell of five successive defeats without scoring a goal. He wrote: "I suppose it is fair to say that we are experiencing, apart from the disappointments at Wembley, the worst time since I joined the club. It is absolutely imperative and it is our number one priority that everyone at the club stick together through thick and thin as we all know, everyone will find it comfortable and worthwhile to be part of the 'thick'; call it success, call it good times, but it is not as easy to give a hand when we experience the thin or the bad times".

The message there is obvious, and it will apply just as much this season as it did in 1994.

We have to strive for success, and if we win the Conference North then it will be an enjoyable experience.

But there will inevitably be times this season where things go a bit pear-shaped. We will have the token loss against the side that we've never heard of with less money than us, and we'll go on a bad run of form when we don't win for a few games. But in those tougher times we've got to focus on the end-goal of winning promotion and not let adversity cause us to lose too much faith.

Tied in with that is another sound-bite from Danny, which he wrote shortly before his dismissal in March 1995:

"In my country we say 'after the thunder there is the calm". 

Another simple but effective message from one of the greatest managers in this club's history perhaps helps us to square where we are and put our position into perspective.

In all of the last five seasons we've had a say in relegation scraps. It's been a turbulent time to be a County fan, but eventually we will turn the ship around. If we strip things down, take it back to basics and focus on the task in hand then this season can be the first step back towards where we were a few years ago.

On that note, I finish this piece with one last quote from Danny, written in September 1993 ahead of a clash with the Dingles:

"It's like I always say, Directors direct, supporters support, players play and I manage with the help of my staff." 

Such a simple, short message demonstrates that everyone involved in Stockport County has a part to play in the season. Every group of people mentioned is one component of a greater system which has to run efficiently if we're to get that promotion we crave.

Of course, it's really anyone's guess as to how this season goes.

We could walk the division after all. On the other hand, a poor start will shatter a lot of the optimism which County fans have at the moment. We could just miss out, or even struggle to adapt to life in the sixth tier. But at the very least, let's try to enjoy ourselves this season.

After all - if there is one man whose words can be used as inspiration for a successful season, then it is Danny Bergara.