MATCH REPORT: Skelmersdale Utd 0 - 2 COUNTY

By Hatter-in-Macc

County wrapped up their pre-season preparations, with their second Saturday away-win on the bounce - courtesy of a brace from...oh, go on, guess!

The West Lancashire College Stadium was this afternoon hosting one of our warm-up games for the third time in three years. I missed out on the six-goal extravaganza of a draw twelve months ago, but did go along to witness the 2010 fixture.

Not one to be forgotten, either: it had featured an extraordinarily unique collector's item that was a Barry Conlon goal! His cheeky, lightly-struck chip for a penalty could have gone embarrassingly wrong (as was to be the case with pretty much everything Baz did in a County shirt thereafter), although, amazingly, it worked as well for him that day at Skem as it had for Maradona on the world stage.

Halcyon days...well, kinda.

What I had not remembered quite so well from my previous visit was how to find the ground. Hidden within a mini-forest around the once New Town's Green Belt, and lacking either tall floodlights or signposts to guide the unfamiliar traveller, it presents a challenge akin to fighting one's way through to a jungle clearing.

Or perhaps I just need to concede defeat once more to modern times and get a Sat-Nav...

With this being the last chance for our regular players to enjoy some match action before the season-proper, today's line-up and bench was unsurprisingly dominated by them - with Moke the sole remaining trialist:

Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Hand, Fagbola, Charnock (Captain), Moke, Verma, Dennis, Craney, Howard.

Subs: King (not used), Tunnicliffe (for Howard), Turner (for Moke), Windsor (for Dennis).

Today's hosts enjoyed a much more successful 2012/13 campaign than County - although that certainly isn't to damn Skem with faint praise! They finished up as Champions of the Evo-Stick First Division North - on a much tighter budget than many of their opponents at that level - and will this season be competing at just one level below the Conference North, alongside Nantwich and FC United, a couple of the sides who County met in earlier friendlies this Summer.

This, then, promised to be another decent test of a game for County, and Skem's young side looked to have lively pace a-plenty as the hosts made the early running. What their forwards didn't appear to have on, however, were shooting boots, and Ormson was rarely troubled in the opening exchanges.

County, meanwhile, were not looking particularly uncomfortable. With Craney executing his now-trademark precision passes, as well as Howard and Moke showing some nice touches on their respective left and right flanks, the fifty or so representatives of The Twelfth Man were feeling increasingly optimistic about the chances of a decent counter-attack. And, inside the first half-hour and a busy penalty-area, Dennis produced a smart swivel and shot to put County one up and continue his own astonishing pre-season goalscoring record.



Half-time: Skelmersdale 0, County 1.

When the match resumed, Skem were intent on giving it another go up front and testing the County defence. Charnock, Fagbola and, following his introduction soon after the break, Tunnicliffe each stood impressively firm, however - and, again, for all the hosts' pressure, Ormson was not called upon to take any significant action.

With around twenty minutes to go, Moke was replaced - without it being entirely clear whether he might have done enough in his pair of trial-appearances to impress sufficiently - and, almost immediately afterwards, Dennis, again from close range, tapped in to make it two for County. He seems to be able to score goals of any description - spectacular volleys, rocket shots, delicate lobs and instinctive strikes within the box - and is surely going to be a key player in SK3 this term. Let us pray that he hasn't peaked too soon! Although, personally, I doubt that - he is an absolute natural.

The game was drifting towards its close, with both clubs' thoughts soon to focus on their league campaigns a week hence, when Skem - having had a couple of earlier second-half penalty shouts waved away - were awarded a spot-kick. While no-one would have begrudged the hosts a consolation goal for their spirited efforts, Ormson had other ideas, as he dived the right way to push the penalty out for a corner.

Full-time: Skelmersdale 0, County 2.

So, there ended the pre-season. Not that results of friendlies mean very much, but County can be well pleased with the way that a practically new squad has been gelling over the course of the last ten matches.

For the record, six of these fixtures have been won and four lost. Twelve goals were conceded, and twenty-three scored...although we do rather have the Cheadle Heath Nomads game to thank for boosting the difference in our favour!

With the Hors d'oeuvre now out of the way, we're now in for the Skrill.  Enjoy the feast to follow!

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: FC Halifax Town 1 - 3 COUNTY

By Hatter in Macc

County walked away from their latest pre-season encounter with another win under the belt and the growing feeling that a real team is starting to develop.

County's pre-season journey today took a slight detour from the North West, venturing across the Pennines into West Yorkshire on a gloriously sun-drenched afternoon - the like of which I don't often expect to see when visiting Halifax.

This said, I was appalled to realise that it was, in fact, over twenty years since I had last set foot in The Shay to watch County. The ground, which now, on the approach-signs, gets to be called a Stadium, has undergone quite an impressive transformation in the meantime, too.

Gone is the slag heap that used to double up as an away end, and neat, covered stands - both seated and standing - now feature on all four sides.

The action on the pitch is brought closer to us, in the absence of the old speedway track. Halifax are an outfit back on the up.

And don't we Hatters know it?! Having recently swapped places with the Shaymen, following County's relegation and our hosts' success in the Conference North Play-offs, we found ourselves this afternoon with a fixture that was a mirror image of the friendly a year ago, as Jimmy Gannon's Blue and White Army prepared itself for what it hoped might turn out to be at least a top-half Conference Premier finish.

Our lower-level opponents disposed of us with some ease last Summer (which should have been a sign of what was to follow...) - and, twelve months further on, newly-promoted Halifax were coming to the end of an impressive build-up to life back in the Non-league Big Time. 

This promised to be a stern test, all right.

County took to the field, in front of a hundred-plus Twelfth Man representatives and to the theme of Hawaii Five-0 (nope...me neither), with the following line-up:

Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Fagbola, Tunnicliffe, Charnock (Captain), Hand, Turner, Craney, Jevons, Dennis.

With Matty Glennon (who received a generous reception from the away contingent) in goal for the hosts, Keith Briggs starting the game, and both Paul Marshall and Sean Williams on the bench, the match certainly had a feel of County Past v Present about it. Another interesting twist was provided by Tunnicliffe playing in front of the back four. Had that goal on Tuesday night gone to his head?! We would see...

Our defence was slightly the busier one in the early exchanges, which saw O'Halloran clear a goal-bound ball with an acrobatic clearance and, shortly afterwards, Halifax hit the back of the net...only to be ruled offside.

Not to say, however, that County - playing in their 'home' kit while the Shaymen opted for a snazzy red and black ensemble - were being overrun.

In fact, we were looking increasingly comfortable on the ball. And when, on 20 minutes, Dennis converted a Jacobs cross with a sensational volley to put County one up, it wasn't against the run of play.

Seven goals for Dennis in the friendlies, then - and pretty much every one of them has had the hint of spectacular about it.

Half-time: Halifax 0, County 1.

The Shaymen, no doubt with a few choice managerial words ringing in their ears, were sent out early for the second half.

Marshall and Williams were now among their number, while Briggsy was taking a rest. For County, two new faces - in Coppin (remember this name for future reference) and Verma - replaced Charnock and Turner.

Later in the half, Hand and Jevons were to give way for Bateman and Windsor. 

Within five minutes of the re-start, that man Dennis was at it again to put County two in front. 

A toe-poke from close to the goal-line? A lucky deflection off his backside? Nah...this man just doesn't seem to be interested in run-of-the-mill goals.

Number two for him today, and his eighth so far for County, was a scorcher of a shot from fifteen yards out.

Utterly unstoppable - and one that Glennon was wise not to get in the way of.

Halifax were by no means finished, and strove to push forward, forcing the increasingly impressive Ormson to make a couple of excellent, fingertip saves, before a cross from Marshall (didn't 'cha just know that a former County player wouldn't be able to resist coming back to haunt us?) was headed in by Roberts to reduce the arrears with fifteen minutes to go.

What threatened to be a rather tense closing chapter in the game, however, soon turned out to be anything but. The diminutive Kayde Coppin, who had shown some nice touches, and gone on a few good runs, since his introduction,  took everyone by surprise, ten minutes from time, when he unleashed a screamer to leave Glennon with no chance and restore County's two-goal advantage.

Full-time: Halifax 1, County 3.

A most impressive performance by a team, which, since half-time at Ramsbottom just under a fortnight ago, has been getting better with every game. Dennis will take many of the plaudits for his eye-catching goals today - and deservedly so - but there were many other plus-points. Ormson looks confident, the defence is a solid unit, Craney lasted the full ninety minutes (and had us in awe with his pin-point-perfect passes), and I am starting to warm to Tunni again! Dare I say, that I have begun to feel just a teeny bit excited about our prospects for next term, too?

Grateful thanks to my trusty apprentice camera-man, Macc Junior, for taking the matchday pics. 

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.

MATCH REPORT: Ramsbottom Utd 3 v 4 COUNTY

By Hatter in Macc

The good townspeople of Ramsbottom witnessed two lightning strikes yesterday.

The first was in the form of a bolt during the early morning thunderstorm, which tore through the roof and exploded part of the tower belonging to St Andrew’s Church; and the second in the space of twenty-five crazy, goal-filled minutes at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, culminating in a victory for the visiting Stockport County side that, an hour into the game, would have seemed impossible.

Earlier in the evening, the torrential downpour, which had greeted our arrival in the tree-lined West Pennine valley that houses the ground, thankfully subsided to leave us with rain-free, albeit still rather humid, match conditions.

Somewhat different weather, then, than the baking sunshine in which County’s previous three friendlies had been played – although, remember, we were now in Lancashire, rather than Cheshire – and this latest fixture, borne from the link between Alan Lord and Rammy’s Manager, Anthony Johnson, who had played under Lordy whilst at Atherton Collieries, also saw the hosts clad in red and black...a refreshing change from the green worn by our three previous sets of opponents.

County took to the field with, what looked on paper, their strongest starting line-up yet, without a trialist to be seen:

Ormson, Jacobs, O’Halloran, Fagbola, Charnock, Hand, Windsor, Craney, Jevons, Dennis, Turner.

All the more disappointing, then, was a first half that saw Rammy, plying their trade at two levels below the Conference North, dominate proceedings to such an extent that the hosts’ two-goal lead at half-time rather flattered County.

The lead had been taken on 32 minutes - much to the double-annoyance of your correspondent, whose draw-ticket for the time of the game’s first goal was 120 seconds out - when a well taken free kick by Grant Spencer flew in.

Clearly no lessons were learned earlier in the game by County, as a dead ball attempt from the same player a quarter of an hour earlier had struck the post and, indeed, would have been the opener had Ormson not got a touch to it first.

Rammy’s second had followed at the worst possible time, just a minute before the interval, when pocket-sized midfield dynamo, Phil Dean, tied the visiting defence in knots to rifle home.

At this point, I was texting my friends and fellow County fans in as near-downbeat mood as it’s possible for me to muster.

Ok, so it was still only a friendly – but, then again, it was our fourth against lower-tier opposition, and I was seeing no signs of our squad starting to gel. Without doubt, a good half-time talk-cum-rollicking was needed...

As the second half began, an unchanged County side did look, at least, as if they had managerial words of some sort ringing in their ears, and started to inject a little more pace and urgency into the game.

All to no avail initially, though, as Rammy, also still full of running, split the visiting defence to make it 3-0 on the hour, courtesy of Tom Brooks.

Not a happy state of affairs. But cometh the hour, cometh the man...and, within a minute, Rhys Turner had opened his goal-scoring account, popping one in off the post. At least we had something to savour on the drive home.

Within another five minutes, it really was all happening, as Kristian Dennis was on target following a corner. Two consolation goals...now, that seemed a great deal more respectable.

With ten minutes to go, another free kick hit the back of the net. Not one of Grant Spencer’s this time, mind, but a Phil Jevons effort. County, against all odds and expectations, were level.

And the game was drawing to a close, with the fifty or so away supporters preparing themselves for their homeward journeys and feeling pretty chuffed with a share of the friendly spoils, when that man Dennis, from the edge of the area, chipped in a beauty to secure his fifth goal in three appearances and, moreover, a most unlikely victory for County.

Full-time: Ramsbottom 3, County 4.

A turning-point for the newly-assembled squad? Possibly. A morale-boosting win? Certainly.

The playing pool still needs further strengthening for sure, and the four or five players yet to be brought in will be key, but, while a narrow win against an Evo-Stick Division 1 North side shouldn’t  see us getting carried away just yet, a comeback from three goals down surely can't fail to stir the most hardened heart.

Pure footballing theatre, at whatever level. And a decent night out for a fiver.

MATCH REPORT: Nantwich Town 1 v 0 COUNTY

By Chris Larkin

County's pre-season tour of Cheshire came to an end with another defeat on Saturday.

The Hatters took on Cheshire cousins Nantwich Town - once again trying out a handful of trialists in the match.

And there definitely seems to be a pattern emerging now with opponents playing in Green and White - they're County's kryptonite.

So, sticking to the norm for the pre-season, County started the game poorly, with a few decent runs and chances for the Dabbers.

One of the rare County attacks ended badly for trialist, Paris Bateman as he went down during a Sortie into the box. Physio Rodger Wylde scampered on to the pitch clearly worried about the player. And on-pitch treatment lasted for a good 10 minutes or so.

After-match reports indicate that unfortunate Bateman seemed to have broken a bone and is unlikely play again, certainly in pre-season. He was replaced by the impressive Ian Howard.

County did start to get into the game a bit more after Howard came on and a few decent attacking moves promised much but resulted in little - maybe the players apparent fear of shooting when on the edges of the box had something to do with that.

And so, inevitably, the first half petered out somewhat uneventfully.

Nantwich Town's winning penalty

Ian Craney came out of the half with much credit though, his passing and calmness on the ball is to be really admired and he could be crucial for the Hatters in the coming season.

The second half started similarly to the first, with Nantwich on top.

Within 10 minutes a silly foul from County trialist Ross Fisher saw the ref point to the spot to give Town a penalty, which the impressive Aaron Burns squeezed home despite a full stretch dive from Ian Ormson.

Just a minute later it appeared County had leveled as a flowing team move resulted in the ball crossing the goal-line. The linesman, though, had other ideas. And much to the displeasure of the County players, staff and fans alike the goal was chalked off.

In the dying minutes, County had a free-kick on the edge of the area which gave them a great chance to draw level.

But they took it quickly and wasted the chance when the referee waved play-on after a Nantwich interception.

Within seconds we had the best moment of a fairly dour encounter thanks to teenage County prodigy, Rhys Turner.

He picked up the ball from the Nantwich clearance, ghosted through a handful of Nantwich players and brilliantly unleashed an incredible piledriver of a shot and that smashed against the post. So unlucky.

The ball landed at the feet of County's forwards from Turner's drive though, and they obliged by putting the ball in the net only for the linesman to, once again, deny the Hatters a goal via the offside flag.

The game ended just a couple of minutes later and the team's tour of Cheshire saw County rack up one win and two losses.

Ian Bogie said after the game that he'd seen enough of the trialists to make a final call on their County futures. And, to be frank, it doesn't look like any of them will be getting good news from the gaffer.


Still, another game, another step closer to full match fitness for those players who are already signed up to next season's Conference North campaign.

AN ACE UP THE SLEEVE

Alan Lord on the new Stockport County

By Alan Lord

Anyone who has watched Kristian Dennis and Rhys Turner in the pre-season friendlies will be excited about the coming season.

Kristian has so much potential and has showed glimpses of that in the games he has played so far.

Rhys? Well he's so fast and is already a very good player - unbelievable for his age. He has pace to burn and I can't see many defenders living with him this season.

Then you look at Kyle Jacobs. He's been so solid in pre-season. Just watching him I already know he is a player who is going to give us 7/10 or 8/10 performances every game this season.

But, for me, one of the little gems we've uncovered this season is Iain Howard.

He is the kind of player who often doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He is the fittest player at the club and puts in a double shift every match. He has a phenomenal work-rate. He gives us a solid base on what is usually a weak side of the pitch.

Jordan Fagbola could have an amazing season for us. He had an amazing season for a newcomer last time out and will be even better for us this season - he's already showing the signs of it and will be a major player for us.

Stephen O'Halloran is a traditional left back but can also be used as a marauding wing back and is equally as comfortable in either role. He's a very versatile player.

Kieran Charnock has a wealth of experience and is the best competitive close-marking centre-back we've seen here for some time. We will get a competitive, stable and solid performance from him every match - he's our Mr Dependable.

James Tunnicliffe will show us his versatility this year too - while he's a centre back, potentially a sweeper in a three-man centre-back line-up, he can also play as a holding midfielder and maybe used in that role at some point this season.

Iain Howard

Ian Craney is all set to be a major player at the club this year. He gives us solidity in the middle of the park, is a great passer of the ball and is Mr Lively in the dressing room. He has incredible experience of the leagues too - invaluable to pass on to some of the younger lads.

Jamie Hand will add the 'devil' we need in the centre of the park. He absolutely hates an opponent getting the better of him and will never, ever give up. He gives us a real competitive edge.

Phil Jevons is a constant goal threat. He's a target man, a back-to-goal centre forward who will bring the young strikers around him into play and link many of our attacking moves.

"We'll continue to look at the trialists...because you never know when the next Alex Kenyon may just pop out of the barrel"

Brandon Windsor started out life as a centre half and converted to a centre forward. He's only 18 and gives us that versatility that we want from many of our players this time around.

We've got two great shot-stopping goalkeepers too. Ian Ormson has great hands and gets down quick and there's a lot more to come from him this year.

Lewis King is like having a goalkeeper and a sweeper rolled into one because he reads the game and the balls over the top or into the channels so well and is always there to clean up - a real smotherer of a keeper.

We'll continue to look at the trialists and maintain those links with Myerscough College - we had six Myerscough students in the team versus Cheadle Town - because you never know when the next Alex Kenyon may just pop out of the barrel. Most of them are maybe 12 months off the level we require but matches like the Cheadle Town game are perfect to blood them in and see how they cope.

For me they were confident and comfortable in that second half. And they all displayed good attitude too.

As for the team for this season - we are ahead of where I thought we would be training-wise. We have been doing lots of 'disguised running' in training and the players are all responding well. Over the next few games we will see the first team start to play more of those matches and the trialists start to filter away.

So that by the time of the St Mirren match most of the first team will be playing for about 70 minutes.

I think we need another defender, one that can possibly play a dual role and also be comfortable as a full back when required.

We need another midfielder too. And it would be nice to have another striker to give us competition up front.

One of the remaining signings may very well be made right towards the end of the window because sometimes you don't know what's available and out there till the major business of the pre-season is concluded. So it is wise for us to leave a little leeway to take that opportunity if it arises.

We are tracking a player right now, a forward, but I can't say much more than that because he is also being looked at by a couple of other clubs and I don't want to spoil our chances before the deal is done.

Animo et Fide

Match Report: Cheadle Town 1 v 2 COUNTY

Another County attack

By Chris Larkin

The players of Stockport County and welcoming neighbours Cheadle Town took to the pitch on a lovely Wednesday night for the friendly 'Stockport Derby'.

I say 'friendly' but, clearly, someone forgot to explain that to Cheadle Town's No5.

County lined up in the first half with a team of trialists, with a few first teamers thrown into the mix - Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Bateman, Fagbola, Windsor, Donegan, Turner, Dennis, Brooke and Howard.

County started on the back foot, Cheadle Town having a couple of decent chances amid the early exchanges but, the Hatters soon settled in and started to get a foothold in the game.

Eventually after 11 minutes the pressure paid off, Kristian Dennis getting the goal following some neat passing moves from the team to calmly play in the promising forward.

Just five minutes later poacher Dennis got his 3rd goal in just two games after the exceptionally lively Rhys Turner had a shot well saved by the Cheadle goalkeeper.

The Town defence simply weren't quick enough to the ball with Dennis nipping in almost unchallenged to score his second of the night.

By this point the game was threatening to turn into a procession and County had chance after chance, corner after corner.

Town had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in the match. And the Hatters really should have had more - three goalbound shots were cleared off the line as County desperately tried to put the game to bed against the plucky amateurs of SK8.

But the half ended 2-0, with County spurning a glut of chances.

The second half began with 10 changes for County - Lewis King, replacing Ian Ormson, was the only 'first teamer' left on the pitch.

And though County sacrificed some of their first half fluency, the Royal Blue pressure, as the trialists all fought for a contract, continued. Two trial players really stood out - the number 15 and the youngster playing left-back.

As a result, County looked at their most dangerous down the left wing and it was from here they threatened to add to their tally.

But, as County went in search of a third goal in the final phases of the game, Cheadle Town struck against the run of play with Andy Lindon scoring for the home team after the Hatters defence failed to clear lines following a free kick. That defensive hesitation left Lewis King stranded and ended in an easy goal for the hosts.

Remarkably, in a game County looked like winning comfortably at half-time they were now teetering on the edge of a familiar abyss, snatching a draw from the jaws of victory. Last season, blowing a comfortable victory became habit forming and, with that history still clear in the mind you really couldn't blame Hatters fans for suffering deju vu.

Ultimately, the fears of the traveling County fans were unfounded, as not only did County hold on, they continued their stream of pressure and really should have walked away with a more comfortable scoreline had the trialists not squandered so many chances.

Overall though, it proved a good run-out for the team, an equally good run-out for Cheadle against 'better' opposition and a nice payday for our friends at the Park Road Stadium.

Both sides of half time were dominated by County, with every trialist looking to stake a claim for a place next season. How many will get a contract? Maybe two, at most.

See you at Nantwich.

ANOTHER CHEADLE DEMOLITION JOB?

Hobson bags a goal at Cheadle Town last season

How much a year can change things, eh?

This time last year County were playing their first pre-season friendly against Cheadle Town and smashed eight past our nearest neighbours without reply.

There was a feelgood factor hovering above Edgeley Park like a newly-polished halo after that win.

County's other pre-season games saw the team, then led by Jim Gannon, give a decent account of themselves against some very good opposition including teams from Manchester City and Wigan.

The fans and those inside the club were all feeling pretty good about things by the time the season kicked off.

After the first two games of the season fans were talking about a return to the football league following two wins.

Wind it forward to today - and County have played a testimonial match against Sheffield Wednesday and their first pre-season friendly against Northwich Victoria. Both losses.

Look at how few of the squad who turned out to play against Cheadle Town in the pre-season friendly last season are still at the club

The first half kicked off with a line-up of:  Ormson, Halls, O’Donnell, Tunnicliffe, Newton, Nolan, Kenyon, Connor, Collins, Hattersley, Hobson. And the second half saw County represented by: Smith, Say, Piergianni, Fagbola, Brownhill, Sheridan, Graham (Omoboye 74), Meaney, Darkwah, Whitehead, Obi Agbo.

Only three of those players remain at Edgeley Park.

And, despite the defeat at the weekend, the squad - the ones who have already signed (not the trialists) - looked composed and determined against Northwich.

This time, there's unlikely to be a repeat of the 8-0 drubbing County gave to Cheadle Town last season.

But there were enough signs on Saturday that, early in their County career as they are,  the club at last has a group of players coming together that will produce on the field when it counts this time around.

Has Bogie finally eradicated the social loafer mentality at Edgeley Park?

Maybe...just, maybe.

MATCH REPORT: VICS 2 - 1 COUNTY

By Chris Larkin

Once upon a time on a lovely July day in Flixton, Stockport County emerged from the tunnel in their dazzling Argentina style kits for the first 'serious' test of pre-season.

Our opponents, Northwich Flixtoria.

The Vics, with their Celtic-esque kit, met us under the hot Mancunian Sun and off we went.

County lined-up for the first half as follows: Lewis King, Kyle Jacobs, Jordan Fagbola, James Tunnicliffe, Sean O'Halloran, Trialist (Fisher), Jamie Hand, Ian Craney, Ian Howard, Phil Jevons and Kris Dennis

The Vics started the game in bright fashion really taking the game to the Hatters.

The defence struggled to contain the opposition forwards with our hooped hosts having a few decent opportunities in the first five minutes, with one particularly dangerous chance seeing the ball fizz across Lewis King's goal.

As the half went on, County's new players started to click with Craney spraying out some wonderful balls to the wings and Jacobs looking particularly impressive down the right flank.

Ian Howard, Phil Jevons and Kristian Dennis started linking up well too, as County went in search of the opener.

Finally, with about 30 minutes played and County's dominance growing, they took the lead with a lovely goal from Dennis.

As the ball bounced down in front of the new Hatters striker, he took it in his stride and unleashed a beautiful weighted lob over the on-rushing goalkeeper to send County 1-0 up.

The goal seemed to blow the wind out of both sides' sails as the rest of the first half petered out and neither side really looked like scoring again before the break.

It was all change when County came out for the second half.

The Hatters fielded plenty of trialists, and took on the challenge of the last 45 minutes with the line-up: Ian Ormson, Trialist (Sam Hibbert), James Tunnicliffe, Sean O'Halloran, Trialist (Ali Traore), Trialist (Tom Donegan), Trialist (Ross Fisher), Rhys Turner, Brandon Windsor and Trialist (Ryan Brooke).

The half started slowly with County having the best of the possession and looking dangerous down the wing with Ali Traore really pushing towards the Northwich goal.

However, no real chances ever came County's way. And as the half went on Northwich really started to get a grip on the game.

Eventually, as with County in the first half, the pressure finally paid off and former Hatters youth teamer Sam Hibbert brought down the Vics attacker in the box and the ref wasted no time in pointing to the spot with Taylor converting successfully on 72 minutes.

Just a minute or two later, Hibbert went some way to making amends for his costly earlier error with a fantastic goal-line clearance that denied an almost certain goal for the Vics.

It was all in vain though, as Northwich scored what proved to be the winning goal following what seemed to be a lack of communication at the back, somewhat unsurprising with so many trialists in the team.

But following the second goal, County never looked like getting an equaliser.

The 30 degree temperature was clearly taking its toll and the players looked exhausted and deflated from the goal. Neither side seemed like adding to their score and, sure enough, the game ended with the players collapsing to the floor, at the final whistle.

While it was disappointing for the traveling Hatters fans to see a 2-1 loss, it was good to finally have pre-season up and running and have our football fix back.

And while none of the trialists overly impressed, Ali Traore showed enough to suggest he might have something about him.

Fisher also looked useful in a right-sided midfield role. He likes to push forward, and was pretty vocal - particularly offering encouragement to the younger players and the trialists.

See you all at Cheadle Town!

ARE THESE PLAYERS BOGIE'S NEXT SIGNINGS?

Ross Fisher

It looks like County boss Ian Bogie may have hooked himself the utility player he has been talking about recently.

Ross Fisher, 20, from Kilmarnock FC is set to make his debut in a County shirt during the club's friendly match against Northwich Victoria today.

Fisher can play central or on the right hand side of midfield but, crucially, can also play as a centre half or right back.

Both Bogie and assistant Alan Lord have been stressing the need to sign players who can be flexible as the new County squad is expected to number no more than 19 players for their first season in the Conference North.

If Fisher impresses today and lands a contract at Edgeley Park he will clearly fulfil the utility role the management team is so keen to persevere with.

Ryan Brooke

Fisher is one of five new players being given trials by County at today's match including Tom Donegan,  21 - a midfielder who was released by Fulham at the end of the 2012–2013 season; Paris Bateman, 19 - a defender from Crewe; 21-year-old Ryan Brooke, a 6ft 1ins centre forward from Altrincham FC and Fijian born French attacking midfielder Aliou Traore, formerly of Stockport Sports FC and Champion FC in Vanuatu, near Fiji.

Paris Bateman

 

Tom Donegan

Aliou Traore

 

OLD FRIENDS & NEW ENEMIES

Kieran Charnock

Today's pre-season friendly against fellow Cheshire club Northwich Victoria will be a homecoming for a few of the players on show.

There'll be a few who feel they have a thing or two to prove - none more so than young former County player Alex Meaney, who is expected to line up for Vics after impressing in their previous friendly outings this term.

It'll certainly be a homecoming for County's centre-half, Kieran Charnock. Charnock was widely revered by the Northwich fans, many hailing him as an integral part of one of the best defensive units the club has enjoyed in recent years.

James Tunnicliffe is also familiar with the Vics' set-up, having been a loanee at the club earlier in his career.

Let's hope Meaney doesn't choose today to prove he is every inch the prodigious talent that an excited Alan Lord billed him as when he signed for County at the start of last season.

Hatters fans didn't really have the chance to make a fair assessment of Meaney's talents after an early season injury put paid to his chances last term.

The game kicks off at 3pm and is staged at Flixton's Valley Road ground.

NOT GOING OUT...TILL THE VOICES STOP

 

By Phil Robinson

Over the years I have witnessed  County play friendlies against teams from every corner of the globe.

Teams as diverse as Zambia (mad keeper who rolled around on the floor every time he caught the ball); Latvia (or was it Lithuania?); Sittingbourne (ground laughingly called ‘Central Park’ when it’s actually ‘central’ to an out-of-town Industrial Estate); Llandudno (Llandudno Junction to be more precise);Man City (on an all-weather pitch somewhere in Moss Side); G.M. Police (Free bar); Isle of Man XI, Linfield and U.C.D. (all three of course over the Irish Sea and all very different but enjoyable occasions); a pitch on Half-Moon Lane, Offerton (versus Hazel Grove Rovers if memory serves….and it usually doesn’t - and god knows how many more over the years.

I’m happy to shell out hard-earned cash for a pre-season kick-about.

It’s a  great chance to meet up with fellow sufferers and dream of future glory after a couple or three months doing normal stuff like D.I.Y. or gardening….rubbish like that.

After all, it’s the start of the season and we’re (technically) level-top with the insane optimism that grips the soul of County fans everywhere at it’s most fervent.

If I can afford it, I’ll attempt to go…..

But for the first time, I’m going to miss a game this pre-season because I’ve decided on a boycott.

The match that has had me arguing on Yellowboard with loads of fans is the friendly fixture with F.C. United of Manchester….or whatever they’re called.

To my mind, Manchester United F.C. were out of order in flogging the club like some ‘tuppence Ha’penny strumpet to anyone who’d have it….but such is the nature of the modern game….floated on the stock-market like an unwelcome turd in a swimming pool is apparently the way to go if you consider yourself a big club these days.

M.U.F.C. have one of the biggest fan-bases worldwide (that’s of course counting the armchair/fashion brigade). So if they were that pissed-off, why not stand together and have a serious go at making the club change their mind?

I am fully aware that some County fans have trouble sitting down in the same room together but our problems stem from a myriad of reasons. United’s problem was easy to pinpoint. We, on the other hand, don’t know who to have a go at first due to the fact there’s been so many complete errors of judgement stretching back to god-knows when.

I think I’m correct in saying that at one time County were the only club in Europe that was banned from applying for any kind of football grant.  And that’s small fry to what’s gone on since.

When the M.U. fans realised that wearing a Norwich scarf wasn’t going to make (a no-doubt bemused) Glazier go away, they hit on the idea of ‘starting again’.

If County fans formed a team every time we fell out with a Board or Chairman, there would be at least five Stockport Countys in the Borough.

They had the luxury of pointing,  (then giving) their collective finger to one problem. We didn’t. But we could argue that, as we have witnessed such a spectacular fall from grace, now would be the time for a phoenix club. Thankfully, in my opinion, that seems at the moment to be a minority view.

Once formed the United rebels had a ready-made fan base of mostly disillusioned United fans mixed in with curious band-wagon jumpers.

At first, due to the fact that high publicity meant they were easy to invest in, their bank account was a damn sight healthier than clubs supposedly on the same terms. Added to this the few quid charged above the league norm to see the 'real' reds and all was (and as far as I know, it still is) rosy in the garden. Use plenty of dung and watch em’ grow!

That said, I don’t hate them. I just think that they’re completely misguided.

And when the cracks began to show - moving kick-off times and trousering T.V. money when they said they wouldn’t…..twice; the Mother ship winning stuff; promotion not guaranteed EVERY season; novelty wearing off - some ‘believers’ lost faith and found that after they had danced on the supposed grave of MUFC and ripped up their season tickets. They had now sheepishly returned to the fold (all be it clutching opera glasses a hundred or so rows above their original seat).

Due to unforeseen circumstances such as Arsenal imploding and Chelsea becoming a comedy of errant managers, Glazier had somehow inadvertently circumnavigated his toy boat around the iceberg.

I know that I sound bitter and twisted, because I am. But I had to suffer F.C.U.M. fans waffling on about how they were the blueprint for all future football teams, banging on about how they were the ‘real deal’ and in some cases even becoming ‘anti-United’…..until of course, they won the Champions League again and some of them went back.

The others now proclaim ‘Two lungs, one heart!’ in a frankly hilarious u-turn.

But that’s just my experience of them. One particular supporter of theirs is a really nice bloke, tragically misguided in my view but, nevertheless, a decent chap.

Almost everyone I’ve  spoken to on the subject disagrees with me  - my wife will no doubt be attending the fixture as I’m sulking into my Pot Noodle at home. But I can’t change the way I feel.

I haven’t boycotted a County game before and I’m not advocating a boycott to anyone else. I even went to that ridiculous League Cup game versus Sheffield Wednesday at Maine Road.

But I can’t bring myself to go to this one.

I may well be completely wrong but, for what it’s worth, I think that the Rebels without a cause will evolve into Rebels without applause.

If you’ve got this far down my ramblings, thanks for reading.

I’m off now to lie down in a darkened room and await for the medication to kick-in. And, hopefully the voices will go away.

THE BOSTON TEA PARTY

So, Stockport County kick off the season with a home match against Boston. A new Boston Tea Party, if you like, only without the Tea Act to overturn and a bunch of irate Americans to pacify.

What exactly do we fans expect this season?

A degraded football experience with plenty of long balls and cries of 'hoof' from the stands?

Or a more thinking man's approach...you know, our players actually passing it to their team mates and running into space, creatively, for a return ball?

Bogie's past style of play should mean we see a more thoughtful approach to the beautiful game. More beautiful, let's hope, than the bereavement football we all had to endure for the endless winter of last season.

So, I'll open the discussion to you, the long-suffering fans, to gauge what you believe the new season has in store in football terms.

Leave your thoughts, fears, comments and hopes in the comment section.

Animo et Fide.