Post by hatter_in_macc on Jan 20, 2016 14:59:52 GMT
My report on last night's (hopefully, in years to come...) historic return of a legend:
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CONGLETON TOWN v COUNTY (CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP, 1ST ROUND): MATCH REPORT (19/02/2016)
By Hatter in Macc
Jim’s Return Bears Instant Good Fruit
Less than twenty-four hours following the announcement of Jim Gannon’s return to take up the managerial reins at Edgeley Park for a third time, County’s new boss was overseeing his inaugural match back in charge - and, for good measure, the team’s first victory of 2016 - against the ‘Bears’ of Congleton Town.
A midweek regional cup-tie, played out on a pudding of a pitch at the rather grandly-named Richborough Estates Stadium, might have been an unlikely backdrop for the County Faithful’s witnessing of Gannon’s homecoming. But it provided for him a welcome early opportunity to meet his players and see them in competitive action.
Lining up in their pink ‘Dizzy Blonde’ shirts, with a 4-4-2 formation, the Hatters started with four changes, as Dean Henderson, Joe Garvin, Jamie Menagh and Karl Ledsham stepped down for Ian Ormson, Gareth Roberts, Kay Odejayi and Kevin Holsgrove.
Holsgrove’s inclusion constituted a full debut-proper for the close-season arrival, who, after appearing in six of County’s eight friendly matches during July and early August, had been plying his trade on loan at Colwyn Bay. And, as the match began, he looked lively - collecting a ball played out by Odejayi to the left flank, from where he crossed to former Bay team-mate, John Marsden. The follow-up shot by Marsden was parried behind by Andrew Farrimond for County’s first corner.
The Hatters were to enjoy the lion’s share of possession in a first forty-five minutes that saw play concentrated, for the most part, in the home half. Lewis Montrose headed an effort over, before Marsden tested Farrimond following a dribble past two defenders into the box. Delial Brewster’s shot was heading towards goal, before being blocked by midfielder, Rick Bailey. And Odejayi, with neck craned back, got his head onto a Roberts cross from the left - only to see the attempt clear Congleton’s bar.
County’s pressure paid off with just over ten minutes of the half remaining. A fifth corner of the evening was looped over from the right by Glenn Rule - with the eagle eyes of Sean O’Hanlon being the first to spot the extraordinarily high delivery’s descent back through orbit. The Skipper neatly half-volleyed into the top-left corner of the net to give the Hatters the lead and chalk up his second competitive goal of the campaign.
Soon after the re-start, the Bears created an opportunity for their own Captain, as a chest-down by Declan Fletcher found Scott Sephton - but the latter’s half-volley flew narrowly over.
The half ended with a further addition to the Hatters’ corner-count, which reached seven when Farrimond finger-tipped around the left post Brewster’s shot from outside the box.
HALF-TIME: Congleton 0, County 1 (O’Hanlon, 34).
More was to be seen following the break of Congleton - now attacking down a noticeable Booth Street slope. In the course of the early second-half exchanges, Fletcher looked well placed to level matters after being released by James Blair - but was beaten to the ball by Ormson.
Charlie Russell had been introduced as a replacement for Rule when the players re-emerged - and he soon made his presence felt... in more ways than one! His first contribution saw him do well to win possession, before firing over, from outside the home area. He may, however, be keen not to dwell on his second, which culminated in a scuffle with Blair and yellow cards for both players.
Two further attacks towards County’s goal saw the Bears go close, as they sought to get back on level terms. Fletcher, after being fed by a cross from Bailey, had successive shots blocked by O’Hanlon and Montrose. And Ormson, after losing his footing on the soft ground, dived to smother a Sam Marshall effort.
The Hatters countered with a Russell shot that was well held by Farrimond, after the home goalkeeper had punched the ball out to the County substitute. And Roberts delivered a low cross from the left which skimmed across the six-yard box - evading all in attendance and, eventually, the far post, too.
Marshall cut in from the left to hit the side-netting for the Bears - but, by way of ur-sine (sorry!) that better times perhaps now lie ahead for County, the final action of note produced a second goal to double the lead and seal the tie.
A goal of some quality it was, as well - especially bearing in mind the heavy conditions. Both Brewster and Marsden had been making light of these for much of the evening, mind, and their skills were rewarded when the former played the latter through. Marsden, from just outside the box, finished the move with great composure to chip over the on-rushing Farrimond and into an empty net.
County will now get to do battle in this tournament against higher-tier opposition - hosting either Altrincham or Crewe in the second round. But Hatters can be sure that their new Manager will not rest until the Club is once again beginning to play such outfits on a regular basis in League competition.
FULL-TIME: Congleton 0, County 2 (O’Hanlon, 34; Marsden, 81).
Team: Ormson, Morton, Roberts, Montrose, O’Hanlon, Smalley, Marsden, Rule (Russell, 46), Odejayi (Baggie, 73), Brewster (Menagh, 87), Holsgrove.
Unused Subs: Tonge, Evans.
Booked: Russell.
Attendance: 311.
*****************************************************************************************************
CONGLETON TOWN v COUNTY (CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP, 1ST ROUND): MATCH REPORT (19/02/2016)
By Hatter in Macc
Jim’s Return Bears Instant Good Fruit
Less than twenty-four hours following the announcement of Jim Gannon’s return to take up the managerial reins at Edgeley Park for a third time, County’s new boss was overseeing his inaugural match back in charge - and, for good measure, the team’s first victory of 2016 - against the ‘Bears’ of Congleton Town.
A midweek regional cup-tie, played out on a pudding of a pitch at the rather grandly-named Richborough Estates Stadium, might have been an unlikely backdrop for the County Faithful’s witnessing of Gannon’s homecoming. But it provided for him a welcome early opportunity to meet his players and see them in competitive action.
Lining up in their pink ‘Dizzy Blonde’ shirts, with a 4-4-2 formation, the Hatters started with four changes, as Dean Henderson, Joe Garvin, Jamie Menagh and Karl Ledsham stepped down for Ian Ormson, Gareth Roberts, Kay Odejayi and Kevin Holsgrove.
Holsgrove’s inclusion constituted a full debut-proper for the close-season arrival, who, after appearing in six of County’s eight friendly matches during July and early August, had been plying his trade on loan at Colwyn Bay. And, as the match began, he looked lively - collecting a ball played out by Odejayi to the left flank, from where he crossed to former Bay team-mate, John Marsden. The follow-up shot by Marsden was parried behind by Andrew Farrimond for County’s first corner.
The Hatters were to enjoy the lion’s share of possession in a first forty-five minutes that saw play concentrated, for the most part, in the home half. Lewis Montrose headed an effort over, before Marsden tested Farrimond following a dribble past two defenders into the box. Delial Brewster’s shot was heading towards goal, before being blocked by midfielder, Rick Bailey. And Odejayi, with neck craned back, got his head onto a Roberts cross from the left - only to see the attempt clear Congleton’s bar.
County’s pressure paid off with just over ten minutes of the half remaining. A fifth corner of the evening was looped over from the right by Glenn Rule - with the eagle eyes of Sean O’Hanlon being the first to spot the extraordinarily high delivery’s descent back through orbit. The Skipper neatly half-volleyed into the top-left corner of the net to give the Hatters the lead and chalk up his second competitive goal of the campaign.
Soon after the re-start, the Bears created an opportunity for their own Captain, as a chest-down by Declan Fletcher found Scott Sephton - but the latter’s half-volley flew narrowly over.
The half ended with a further addition to the Hatters’ corner-count, which reached seven when Farrimond finger-tipped around the left post Brewster’s shot from outside the box.
HALF-TIME: Congleton 0, County 1 (O’Hanlon, 34).
More was to be seen following the break of Congleton - now attacking down a noticeable Booth Street slope. In the course of the early second-half exchanges, Fletcher looked well placed to level matters after being released by James Blair - but was beaten to the ball by Ormson.
Charlie Russell had been introduced as a replacement for Rule when the players re-emerged - and he soon made his presence felt... in more ways than one! His first contribution saw him do well to win possession, before firing over, from outside the home area. He may, however, be keen not to dwell on his second, which culminated in a scuffle with Blair and yellow cards for both players.
Two further attacks towards County’s goal saw the Bears go close, as they sought to get back on level terms. Fletcher, after being fed by a cross from Bailey, had successive shots blocked by O’Hanlon and Montrose. And Ormson, after losing his footing on the soft ground, dived to smother a Sam Marshall effort.
The Hatters countered with a Russell shot that was well held by Farrimond, after the home goalkeeper had punched the ball out to the County substitute. And Roberts delivered a low cross from the left which skimmed across the six-yard box - evading all in attendance and, eventually, the far post, too.
Marshall cut in from the left to hit the side-netting for the Bears - but, by way of ur-sine (sorry!) that better times perhaps now lie ahead for County, the final action of note produced a second goal to double the lead and seal the tie.
A goal of some quality it was, as well - especially bearing in mind the heavy conditions. Both Brewster and Marsden had been making light of these for much of the evening, mind, and their skills were rewarded when the former played the latter through. Marsden, from just outside the box, finished the move with great composure to chip over the on-rushing Farrimond and into an empty net.
County will now get to do battle in this tournament against higher-tier opposition - hosting either Altrincham or Crewe in the second round. But Hatters can be sure that their new Manager will not rest until the Club is once again beginning to play such outfits on a regular basis in League competition.
FULL-TIME: Congleton 0, County 2 (O’Hanlon, 34; Marsden, 81).
Team: Ormson, Morton, Roberts, Montrose, O’Hanlon, Smalley, Marsden, Rule (Russell, 46), Odejayi (Baggie, 73), Brewster (Menagh, 87), Holsgrove.
Unused Subs: Tonge, Evans.
Booked: Russell.
Attendance: 311.
