Post by hatter_in_macc on Jul 15, 2015 20:50:22 GMT
A little late, I am afraid - due to busy day-job stuff earlier - but, hopefully, still in time to be of use and/or interest!
Great to catch up at the game with Archie and the Family Shrops.
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AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON v COUNTY (PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY): MATCH REPORT (14/07/2015)
By Hatter in Macc
Hatters Just Miss Catching The ‘Bus Again
County’s first-ever trip, a short distance across the North Welsh border, to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium saw the Hatters resume friendly rivalry with a team that had visited Edgeley Park in the previous pre-season a little under twelve months earlier.
In the event, the result was once again a victory, by the odd goal in three, for the Wingmakers. But it wasn’t all plane (sorry) sailing for the match-sharp Welsh Premier League hosts - now almost six weeks into their own preparations for the forthcoming campaign-proper - and County could consider the evening to have provided another valuable workout.
Neil Young made three changes to the side that had taken to the field at Clitheroe over the weekend - with Chris Churchman, Karl Ledsham and (making his debut after signing from Colne at the end of the previous week) Joe Garvin starting in place of Brad Gascoigne, Andy Robinson and Micah Evans. In the continuing absence, due to injury, of Sean O’Hanlon, Gareth Roberts acted as Captain for the night - and the Hatters sported the same Brazilian-like kit that was on show three days earlier.
Airbus, under the direction of former County hero, Andy Preece - assisted by another ex-Hatter in Darren Ryan - emerged on to the 3G synthetic playing-surface to show just one change from the starting line-up that had achieved a highly-creditable Europa League draw in Croatia, against NK Lokomotiva Zagreb, just under a week previously.
The Wingmakers wore an interesting variety of shirts - in some cases lacking numbers, and in others bearing names that did not relate to the players concerned. Confusing enough for your correspondent for live commentary purposes... but also cause for a slight ripple of anxiety among other Hatters present, given that a ‘Rule’ top adorned one of the Airbus substitutes! Fortunately, the midfielder’s recent arrival at EP was shown not have been reversed, as our Glenn joined the pre-match warm-up in his best County garb.
The early exchanges saw chances fall to both teams. Kevin Holsgrove fired an early, low shot to force a dive and save from James Coates in the Airbus goal, before the home ‘keeper’s opposite number, Danny Hurst, made successive stops at the feet of Ryan Wade and, subsequently, following a well-struck effort by Wayne Riley.
There followed further opportunities for County from each of the flanks. Garvin shot over the bar from his favoured left side, whilst Abdulai Bell-Baggie - clearly enjoying the fast pace of the artificial pitch - cut in from the right before firing into the side-netting.
(On the subject of our Sierra Leonean attacking midfielder, we shall refer to his second name henceforth simply as Baggie - under which he is formally registering as a player. Perhaps he felt that, in full, it just didn’t have the right ring to it! But I digress...)
Hurst was again called into action when a Jay Owen shot from some thirty yards looked to be goal-bound, but County’s Number One was equal to the effort and brilliantly tipped it over.
With just over ten minutes of the first half remaining, County turned defence into attack and took the lead. Danny Morton, playing in a central role, worked the ball out upfield to Lamin Colley, who, in turn, laid it off to Baggie on his right. Baggie then finished the move in style - clinically firing his shot across Coates and into the left corner of the net.
The Hatters were, however, only to enjoy their advantage for three minutes, before a direct free kick was awarded to Airbus thirty yards out. The hosts’ leading scorer from last season, Tom Field, proceeded to execute a curling delivery that swung in... erm, flight, and away from Hurst, before nestling in the top right of County’s goal.
HALF-TIME: Airbus 1 (Field, 37), County 1 (Baggie, 34).
The second half begun much as the first had done, with opportunities presenting themselves to each side. For the Hatters, Ledsham, looking to emulate Baggie by adding to his pre-season goal-tally, blasted over from the edge of the Airbus area. Then, Wade - the only home-starter not to have begun his team’s tie in Zagreb - burst through into County’s box, only to be stopped in his tracks courtesy of a well-timed block by Hurst. Morton followed Hurst’s example shortly afterwards - dispossessing Jay Owen, when the latter was threatening to shoot after a dangerous run.
As several substitutions were made for both teams, one, in particular, took the eye when Airbus brought on Ashley Williams... albeit, of course, not the one beloved of the County faithful. (By coincidence, the Wingmakers were once managed by a Gareth Owen who was also not the one formerly of parish SK3!)
The nose of the Airbus got itself in front when a Matty McGinn cross from the right found Andy Jones, who held off a challenge from Colley before firing home. Cue, at this point, a brief, gleeful rendition by the home supporters of 10cc’s I’m Andy, Fly Me!
Ok, I’m making that up. But it was an opportunity missed for a classic chant...
There was something of a premium on further chances in the final twenty minutes, as a plethora of additional team-changes slowed the game’s momentum. Danny Glover did, however, go close with a low drive that required the fingertips of Coates to keep it at bay. And Hurst made his third one-on-one stop of the match when denying the young substitute, James Murphy.
A final opportunity came the way of County, and of former Wingmaker, Glenn Rule, when the Hatters gained a free kick in a position adjacent to that from which Airbus had equalized earlier. Sadly, though, there was to be no fairytale ending for Rule on his return to Broughton, as his floated delivery evaded all those awaiting it in the home area and drifted harmlessly wide.
Next stop, EP this Saturday - where, in place of the large aircraft-related opposition, Hele-fax Town will be flying by to take on the Hatters.
I’m sorry, I’ll read that again...
FULL-TIME: Airbus 2 (Field, 37; Jones, 66), County 1 (Baggie, 34).
Team: Hurst, Morton, Roberts (Duxbury, 75), Lees, Churchman (Ellison, 68), Rule, Baggie (Evans, 62), Ledsham (Lofthouse, 75), Colley (Glover, 71), Holsgrove, Garvin.
Unused Sub: Tyson.
Attendance: 194.
Great to catch up at the game with Archie and the Family Shrops.
*****************************************************************************************************
AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON v COUNTY (PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY): MATCH REPORT (14/07/2015)
By Hatter in Macc
Hatters Just Miss Catching The ‘Bus Again
County’s first-ever trip, a short distance across the North Welsh border, to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium saw the Hatters resume friendly rivalry with a team that had visited Edgeley Park in the previous pre-season a little under twelve months earlier.
In the event, the result was once again a victory, by the odd goal in three, for the Wingmakers. But it wasn’t all plane (sorry) sailing for the match-sharp Welsh Premier League hosts - now almost six weeks into their own preparations for the forthcoming campaign-proper - and County could consider the evening to have provided another valuable workout.
Neil Young made three changes to the side that had taken to the field at Clitheroe over the weekend - with Chris Churchman, Karl Ledsham and (making his debut after signing from Colne at the end of the previous week) Joe Garvin starting in place of Brad Gascoigne, Andy Robinson and Micah Evans. In the continuing absence, due to injury, of Sean O’Hanlon, Gareth Roberts acted as Captain for the night - and the Hatters sported the same Brazilian-like kit that was on show three days earlier.
Airbus, under the direction of former County hero, Andy Preece - assisted by another ex-Hatter in Darren Ryan - emerged on to the 3G synthetic playing-surface to show just one change from the starting line-up that had achieved a highly-creditable Europa League draw in Croatia, against NK Lokomotiva Zagreb, just under a week previously.
The Wingmakers wore an interesting variety of shirts - in some cases lacking numbers, and in others bearing names that did not relate to the players concerned. Confusing enough for your correspondent for live commentary purposes... but also cause for a slight ripple of anxiety among other Hatters present, given that a ‘Rule’ top adorned one of the Airbus substitutes! Fortunately, the midfielder’s recent arrival at EP was shown not have been reversed, as our Glenn joined the pre-match warm-up in his best County garb.
The early exchanges saw chances fall to both teams. Kevin Holsgrove fired an early, low shot to force a dive and save from James Coates in the Airbus goal, before the home ‘keeper’s opposite number, Danny Hurst, made successive stops at the feet of Ryan Wade and, subsequently, following a well-struck effort by Wayne Riley.
There followed further opportunities for County from each of the flanks. Garvin shot over the bar from his favoured left side, whilst Abdulai Bell-Baggie - clearly enjoying the fast pace of the artificial pitch - cut in from the right before firing into the side-netting.
(On the subject of our Sierra Leonean attacking midfielder, we shall refer to his second name henceforth simply as Baggie - under which he is formally registering as a player. Perhaps he felt that, in full, it just didn’t have the right ring to it! But I digress...)
Hurst was again called into action when a Jay Owen shot from some thirty yards looked to be goal-bound, but County’s Number One was equal to the effort and brilliantly tipped it over.
With just over ten minutes of the first half remaining, County turned defence into attack and took the lead. Danny Morton, playing in a central role, worked the ball out upfield to Lamin Colley, who, in turn, laid it off to Baggie on his right. Baggie then finished the move in style - clinically firing his shot across Coates and into the left corner of the net.
The Hatters were, however, only to enjoy their advantage for three minutes, before a direct free kick was awarded to Airbus thirty yards out. The hosts’ leading scorer from last season, Tom Field, proceeded to execute a curling delivery that swung in... erm, flight, and away from Hurst, before nestling in the top right of County’s goal.
HALF-TIME: Airbus 1 (Field, 37), County 1 (Baggie, 34).
The second half begun much as the first had done, with opportunities presenting themselves to each side. For the Hatters, Ledsham, looking to emulate Baggie by adding to his pre-season goal-tally, blasted over from the edge of the Airbus area. Then, Wade - the only home-starter not to have begun his team’s tie in Zagreb - burst through into County’s box, only to be stopped in his tracks courtesy of a well-timed block by Hurst. Morton followed Hurst’s example shortly afterwards - dispossessing Jay Owen, when the latter was threatening to shoot after a dangerous run.
As several substitutions were made for both teams, one, in particular, took the eye when Airbus brought on Ashley Williams... albeit, of course, not the one beloved of the County faithful. (By coincidence, the Wingmakers were once managed by a Gareth Owen who was also not the one formerly of parish SK3!)
The nose of the Airbus got itself in front when a Matty McGinn cross from the right found Andy Jones, who held off a challenge from Colley before firing home. Cue, at this point, a brief, gleeful rendition by the home supporters of 10cc’s I’m Andy, Fly Me!
Ok, I’m making that up. But it was an opportunity missed for a classic chant...
There was something of a premium on further chances in the final twenty minutes, as a plethora of additional team-changes slowed the game’s momentum. Danny Glover did, however, go close with a low drive that required the fingertips of Coates to keep it at bay. And Hurst made his third one-on-one stop of the match when denying the young substitute, James Murphy.
A final opportunity came the way of County, and of former Wingmaker, Glenn Rule, when the Hatters gained a free kick in a position adjacent to that from which Airbus had equalized earlier. Sadly, though, there was to be no fairytale ending for Rule on his return to Broughton, as his floated delivery evaded all those awaiting it in the home area and drifted harmlessly wide.
Next stop, EP this Saturday - where, in place of the large aircraft-related opposition, Hele-fax Town will be flying by to take on the Hatters.
I’m sorry, I’ll read that again...
FULL-TIME: Airbus 2 (Field, 37; Jones, 66), County 1 (Baggie, 34).
Team: Hurst, Morton, Roberts (Duxbury, 75), Lees, Churchman (Ellison, 68), Rule, Baggie (Evans, 62), Ledsham (Lofthouse, 75), Colley (Glover, 71), Holsgrove, Garvin.
Unused Sub: Tyson.
Attendance: 194.
