County v Hartlepool: Match Thread (08/05/2023)

Going slightly off topic here but...

this popped in my feed on You Tube - an anthem for Rochdale AFC, I've no idea if it's official or just a tribute but it's actually quite good rhythmically and the lyrics are a pretty good summary of lower league supporting. The only thing I didn't like was the rather muddy production but still, it's toe tapper and on point.

Funnily enough I drove past Spotland and Oldhams ground the other day - I didn't stop off.

First time in the RE for us.

A sell-out crowd but turnstile #2 wasn't open so we joined a growing queue of wet people determined to tick 'enter EP through the #1 turnstile' off their bucket list.

With Mini-Herm in a County shirt and coat, a steward came over to check we weren't away fans. In my best Jeff Stelling voice I said we were locals.

Another steward came down the queue checking bags.
Armed with two umbrellas, a towel and 2 bin bags, I was well-prepared to cause havoc AND forensically clean up the scene. This went unchallenged.

Mini-Herm's passport-size bag got the once-over too and I was hoping the steward may verbalise what he was seeing as he checked it - I'm unsure of what can even fit in it. "Ah, just a passport... you're good to go."

In through turnstile #1 we went (don't be jealous) to be immediately handed paper flags to wave. If there's one thing a 6'3 man shouldn't be handed on entering a football ground, it's a paper flag. Do I not look ridiculous enough in my poncho? I wanted to scream, but then I realised no-one would hear as physics does not exist in the RE and sound waves cannot be created. I waved the flag twice to check it was in full working order, rolled it away and got my giant pink towel out to wipe our seats clean of the dirt and wet.

Although my instinct was that Horsfall fouled their 'keeper when we put it in their net, the way the decision was given and took ages to rule out was odd. It was like we had experienced VAR at work as I didn't spot the lino flag at all.

News was in that Tranmere were behind and if we could have audibly groaned, we would have.

For the actual goal, Camps did well to use the overlap to win the penalty, driving in from the edge of the box to receive a clattering from Agent Jennings. Other than that, how on earth their 'keeper stopped Olaofe's effort I do not know.

At HT, either the sun came out or we put the big screen on full brightness because water was visibly evaporating from the heads in front of me and my poncho sublimed.

2nd half Hartlepool were able to use 3 to control our back 5 passing for the most part and we started to look a yard off our closing down out of possession. Throw-ins were pretty awful for us throughout and that needs addressing, especially as retaining the ball to feet becomes more essential when you don't have your 'big man' available.

It was a fine strike that beat Ben but it seemed to happen in slow-motion, with Camps being caught on the ball and us looking disorganised thereafter, leaving Evans having to deal with 2 edge of box opponents while our CBs sat (needlessly?) deep. I believe DC was critical earlier in the season for a similar goal and we didn't seem like we learnt.

The save from Madden was another fantastic effort from their 'keeper and while the 2nd penalty wasn't the best, it certainly wasn't terrible. Frustrating to lose points like we did but, in the end, it wouldn't have taken us up on the day.

The team got a good send off for their efforts and we made our way past the horses (police, not Hartlepool fans in dress up).

Without Wootton available, hopefully both Collar and Madden can be fit enough to play more of a part as they are 2 of our 3 top scorers.

Onto the playoffs we go!