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

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)

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

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: COUNTY 1 - 2 Bolton Wanderers

By Chris Larkin

County fans got a pleasant surprise when they learned that the game against Bolton, initially billed as a development squad, was actually a run out for the first team.

County started off with an 11 featuring King, Jacobs, Charnock, Tunnicliffe, O'Halloran, Coppin, Verma, Hand, Craney, Howard and Dennis and showed early initiative, going for goal twice in the first minute, continued to press with Bolton getting very little of the ball at all.

Until the 15th minute, when the Trotters scored, completely against the run of play, to put them 1-0 up. The lead wouldn't even last 5 minutes, however, as a well struck effort from the ever-improving Ian Craney was only palmed out as far as Kristian Dennis who slid in to get a much deserved equaliser for County.

The game evened out following the leveller but the next goal still looking like coming from County as they showed a bit more bravery and determination going forward with trialists Coppin and Verma both looking very impressive in midfield.

But it was Bolton who regained the lead following a brilliant run from Chris Lester, jinking between County players before coolly slotting just beyond King in the County goal to make it 2-1  just before half-time.

The Second half began with Fagbola coming on for Jacobs, and Andy Carroll lookalike, Lama, a South American trialist, replacing Iain Howard.

None of the first half flow was left in the dressing room as County came out attacking from the off, with the players unafraid to shoot, finishing the game with 21 shots, 10 of which worked the Goalkeeper. Lama looked impressive at first with some good passing and movement, however when Bateman and Turner replaced Coppin and Craney, he seemed a little lost and his passing abilities seemed to leave the pitch with Coppin.

County went in search of an equaliser but in the end couldn't quite find that elusive goal but still recorded  a solid performance against a good Bolton side with a number of Youth Internatonals in their ranks.

I'd be surprised if Verma or Coppin didn't get another crack at Cheadle Heath Nomads on Wednesday.

Many thanks to Hatter in Macc for being my official statistician again.

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 2 v 0 FC United

By Chris Larkin

A confident second half display saw County claim a 2-0 victory in their first competitive match against rebels FC United of Manchester.

With just under 3 weeks until the start of the season, Ian Bogie's squad is really starting to take shape and offer even the most cynical County fan reasons for optimism for the season ahead.

The Hatters kicked off with Lewis King, Kyle Jacobs, Jordan Fagbola, Keiran Charnock, Stephen O'Halloran, Rhys Turner, Jamie Hand, Paris Bateman, Chris Sutherland, Phil Jevons and Kris Dennis starting the game against our near neighbours in a 4-3-3 formation.

The first half was fairly even with both teams looking dangerous in patches. United however decided to up the ante and start kicking lumps out of County players as the first half dragged on.

Rhodri Giggs,  brother of Man Utd's more famous Ryan, looked sharp in spells but couldn't quite get the ball to run for him despite decent approach play.

But as both teams continued to size each other up, the Rebels had a couple of decent set-piece chances before County hit back with a good run from Sutherland, who was let down by his wayward touch as another chance went begging.

The referee ended the stalemate of the first 45 minutes which, though entertaining enough, was too short of goal opportunities to be considered a classic.

After the break County made three changes with Ian Craney, James Tunnicliffe and Ian Howard replacing Chris Sutherland, Kyle Jacobs and the hugely disappointing trialist Paris Bateman.

Within a minute, County were attacking and soon had a wonderful chance as the ball bobbled in the area. It was practically begging for a blue shirt to make contact but, unfortunately, when the shot did come in it was blocked by a United defender.

The disappointment didn't last too long though, as a beautifully struck corner from Craney found the head of Tunnicliffe who stuck his bonce in where it hurts to powerfully nod County into a 1-0 lead with just 10 minutes of the second half played.

Just 5 minutes later, following another spell of County domination, a beautiful bit of interplay between Hand and Jevons sets up a shot for Ian Craney who, despite having his effort blocked, got enough on the strike to see the ball bounce out to a well placed Kristian Dennis. The striker, making a name for himself among the Edgeley faithful as a bit of a poacher, duly smashed in the rebound to put County 2-0 up.

And County continued as they started, going in search of a third, with the visitors shell-shocked and firmly on the back foot.

On came Brandon Windsor to replace Kristian Dennis as County continued to press forward with a few decent crosses fizzing across goal and an Ian Craney shot from distance just missing the target.

But County had to be content with their 2-0 win and hugely dominant second half performance as the goals dried up in the run-in to the final whistle.

In the dying minutes, FC United had a half-hearted penalty shout waved away by the smirking referee and, that was it -  the man in black blew for full time with the majority of the 1,707 fans leaving happy after a solid performance.

(With thanks to Hatter-in-Macc for stats and assistance)

MATCH REPORT - COUNTY 0 v 1 St Mirren

By Chris Larkin

County may have lost but there was much to celebrate from their friendly match against the Scottish cup holders.

The Hatters kicked off the first of three home friendlies against St. Mirren, with former Hatter Jim Goodwin captaining the visitors from North of the border, and lined up with Ian Ormson, Kyle Jacobs, Kieran Charnock, James Tunnicliffe, Stephen O'Halloran, Paris Bateman, Chris Sutherland, Tom Field, Michael Riley, Ian Craney and Phil Jevons.

There was some really free-flowing football played by both sides in the first 10 minutes but the first real chance of the game fell to St. Mirren with a looping cross-cum-shot being confidently plucked off the line in the air by Ian Ormson.

The game continued in much the same vein for the next 10 minutes with the best chances continuing to fall to the Saints, keeping Ormson on his toes.

But though County won the first corner of the game, no-one could take full advantage of the set pieces, and St Mirren continued to press forward.

The County defence was being tested but, at no stage, did it feel like a St. Mirren goal was imminent as the Hatters back four continued to hold their position and started to look like they're finally starting to gel as a unit, with both full backs - Jacobs and O'Halloran - looking particularly confident.

The teams may have gone in 0-0 at the break but we'd seen an enthralling 45 minutes of football.

There were three changes at the break from Ian Bogie, Lewis King replaced the impressive Ian Ormson, Fagbola came on for James Tunnicliffe and Jamie Hand came on for Ian Craney.

Within a couple of minutes Lewis King had his palms warmed by a well struck free-kick from Jim Goodwin. And Chris Sutherland continued to be impressive on his County debut - his crossing was a bit hit and miss but, his running and ground passes were all full of purpose and promise. And when Jamie Hand came on at half time, constantly biting and snapping at opponents ankles, the team started to look a real threat.

There was a rumble of excitement from the fans as hot prospect Rhys Turner replaced Chris Sutherland and, his impact was almost immediate as a clever run and quick turn of pace left the defenders for dead, leaving the young attacker to shoot from just a few yards out. The strike was somehow blocked on the line as he looked to continue his impressive pre-season.

And Turner's introduction kick-started a good spell of pressure from County with his speed and agility on the ball providing a constant threat going forward.

But, despite County's relentless pressure, Lewis King was still forced into a couple of smart saves to keep out the opposition strikers.

County came close a couple of times, and sensing they may have a chance to push for the win Ian Bogie brought on versatile youngster, Brandon Windsor, replacing Kieran Charnock to freshen up the ranks for the final push.

But with only a couple of minutes left, the deadlock was finally broken and, sadly, not by County.

St. Mirren notched the only goal of the game through Harkins who pounced on a loose ball in the box after some nice forward play by the visitors.

It was to County's credit that the team didn't accept the tie was over and, less than a minute later, Jordan Fagbola powerfully headed just inches over from a corner that should really have won the Hatters a share of the spoils.

The only sour note of the encounter involved impressive full back Kyle Jacobs, who limped off the pitch after picking up a knock in stoppage time.

Fortunately, early indications are that the defender's injury isn't serious.

There were really nothing but positives to take from the game and, while it would have been nice if County had been a bit more daring with their shooting in front of goal overall, to lose from an unlucky goal at the death against the Scottish cup holders is no disgrace and provided many more reasons to be cheerful.