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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 14, 2023 13:21:28 GMT
Part Two.
You know what to do...
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on May 14, 2023 16:19:09 GMT
Let's just hope the walking wounded are fit to play. At least 1 or 2 of them. please.
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Post by autistichatter on May 20, 2023 14:36:40 GMT
Thank God for that - I could hardly watch. I thought County were much more like themselves today. Hinchliffe was great even before the penalties. Noyle was really good too. Tanto worked so hard and he will become a folk hero in time. Paddy was all over the pitch. I thought Akil Wright was very good too before being subbed. Rydel looked more like his old self. Hussey was also one of our best players.
And at the end, Collar and Sarce burying their penalties so Croasdale's miss didn't matter. Hinchcliffe's penalty saves too....
That said, they were all heroes today, but I still hate the playoffs - too many memories of 91/2, 92/3 and 93/4. Not a fan of W8mbley either but it's a money spinner. Neither of Bratfut or Carlisle will fancy playing County after this.
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on May 20, 2023 14:42:51 GMT
That was the real County that turned up today.
Salford faded badly in the second half like last week. A fluke goal kept them in it and it's a good job the liner didn't spot the foul throw for Stretton's later goal. They should have left Smith on as a doorpost - he was more effective at the back. DC's triple sub move was genius and turned the game.
Ben was immense and that's how to take penalties (except for Croasdale). I thought Sarc had missed at first.
Good to see fire power back on the pitch and surviving long game time. Hope we can keep it going next weekend.
Perhaps Sky will now adopt us as their "favourite" now the Class of 92 have gone home with their tails between their legs.
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Post by gazz on May 20, 2023 14:53:45 GMT
Perhaps Sky will now adopt us as their "favourite" now the Class of 92 have gone home with their tails between their legs. THIS ↑↑↑ That was nerve-wracking to say the least, but what a performance from the lads to bounce back from that fluke! Ben is a legend and belongs in the same breath as our best ever 'keepers, simple as. Congrats to DC, his staff, the players, the ground staff, the 12th Man and everyone else involved who played even the tiniest part - well done to all! Now go get that second Wembley win! |
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Post by autistichatter on May 20, 2023 15:13:44 GMT
Yeah I also got fed up with the way the Sky "commentary team" kept sucking up to Salford and their owners. Salford had to score early to win and after the first half the game was there for the taking - albeit you still have to go out and take it!
By the end Salford looked a very ordinary side. County grew throughout the game and yes bringing on Collar, Croasdale and Sarcevic was the master stroke. They couldn't compete after that.
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Post by gazz on May 20, 2023 16:54:21 GMT
It's Simpson v Simpson....well, kind of!
Ben Barclay sends Carlisle to Wembley, who'd have thunk it?!
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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 20, 2023 16:56:12 GMT
Opponents now confirmed - thanks, in no small measure, to Hatter Ben Barclay who scored the winner (but is ineligible to play against us next weekend):
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Post by hermannsays on May 20, 2023 17:18:22 GMT
Wow. Just, wow.
Considering how many of ours weren't up-to-speed fitness-wise, the fight shown out there to keep going was magnificent. Knoyle has played more than a season's league games, Rydel could have been subbed at any time given how he struggled. To cover the sides as they did was amazing.
The 1st half was littered with one-way referee decisions and us consistently hitting poor long balls and not getting seconds, leading to the energy created in the stands not being able to transfer to much on the pitch. Salford's early miss from the free header was shocking, to be frank, and they'll no doubt go home reflecting that the game may have looked very different if that had been buried.
On the odd occasion we took a moment to pick a cross between the sticks, we saw that even without Wootton we could look dangerous; Madden heading wide from a Rydel delivery.
Into the 2nd and it was that man Rydel again feeding in a lovely cross and Olaofe attacked it, making great contact to put it past the 'keeper. The roar was so loud in the CE that it triggered warnings for decibel loudness! My ears are still acting like I've been to a gig!
The energy was truly now being matched on the pitch and it felt like we would win the game in normal time. That we conceded in ET from a horrible deflection felt 'very County' but we kept shouting and encouraging from the CE and the boys didn't give up. How great that Stretton also got on the scoresheet, the subs as a collective took it up a notch and forced themselves on Salford. Sarcevic was especially impressive, I thought, having not been able to play for so long.
And then the penalties. The moment they skied their first, I just thought 'that was SO bad it's got to impact their other takers.' Whether it did or not, who now cares! To have the 'keeper JG placed his faith in all those seasons ago in PT, regional football, now saving penalties in a L2 playoff shootout felt truly special. No-one deserved to be 'the man' today more than him.
Thank you to all of them for making such a wonderful memory today, and to the players coming out at the end to have photos with the young supporters when they were obviously off their feet. Mini-Herm was thrilled Madden gave him a hug and a photo.
And breathe.
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Post by Epworth Hatter on May 20, 2023 18:30:31 GMT
Extraordinary. Salford must be kicking themselves. They should have won it in the first leg, and then after 20 minutes.
But we kept in it and had a great second half and extra time.
Ben has cemented is place as a County legend. So pleased he's developed from part-time, non-league. Hard to belive he was in the same squad as Sefton Gonzales! Many in that squad thought they would go onto better thing (Dux, Jimmy Ball, Lloyd, Montrose), but it's Ben who has stayed at EP and come out on top.
I think Salford were our biggest threat and would rather meet Carlisle at Wembley over them
DC seems to have the magic touch, no reason to think it won't extend to the 28th.
#undefeatedatthenewwembley
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Post by Epworth Hatter on May 20, 2023 18:47:46 GMT
Love this comment from a fan on the BBC website
You absolutely love to see it. A completely made up club that seems to be sponsored by the UK media and is bankrolled by celebrities dumped out by a club full of tradition. Well done Stockport!
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Post by gazz on May 20, 2023 20:09:03 GMT
Many in that squad thought they would go onto better thing (Dux, Jimmy Ball, Lloyd, Montrose), but it's Ben who has stayed at EP and come out on top. THAT ↑↑↑ is an absolutely fantastic point, Eps. |
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Post by gazz on May 21, 2023 8:04:13 GMT
To have the 'keeper JG placed his faith in all those seasons ago in PT, regional football, now saving penalties in a L2 playoff shootout felt truly special. No-one deserved to be 'the man' today more than him. Brilliantly said, H! |
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Post by ceefer on May 21, 2023 10:04:18 GMT
Fantastic - the atmosphere was electric and the support during the penalty shoot out was immense. Just superb all round and echo what has already been said about Ben H. I didn't think we would do it with all the injuries, so great to see Paddy, Will and Sarce back.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 21, 2023 12:24:10 GMT
Best performance all season by Sarcevic. Clearly a player for the big occasion, and one who could/should play a key role a week hence.
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