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| 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.
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| 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
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