Wednesday 15 November 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Colchester – Saturday 18 November, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Newport – Saturday 25 November, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any taunting Trotters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Wednesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
This feels a little strange, talking about a County defeat for the first time since August. Although I don’t think we’re that arsed are we, least of all Dave Challinor who made 11 changes last night with the Hatters already through. It does mean we’ll be away from home in the next round, which could be a festive jaunt to Blackpool, a first ever trip to Pride Park, or even another date with our friends from North Wales.
Dave Philbin and Luke Watson take a look back at last night for us, as the Trotters top Group E.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Por Vida Tattoo. Give them a call on 07549 930069 or email contact@porvidatattoo.co.uk to discuss any forthcoming tattoo plans you might have.
Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.
Total distance so far: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £962
Total completed streets so far: 24 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
Des Junior
Yesterday’s match in one word:
Dave – Meh.
Luke – 50%.
Pre-match thoughts:
Dave – Something to do on a Tuesday night. Bit of a dead rubber with both teams already through, but a chance to extend our winning run.
Luke – Thought it would be a good chance for those on the fringes to prove themselves without risking too much.
Post-match thoughts:
Dave – Great run-out for the lads who needed it, many of whom will be required as we get further along our title push.
Luke – Some good performances. Bodvarsson needs to be starting to get the best out of the team.
Verdict on County:
Dave – Lots of positives and a few negatives. I saw Jordan Smith in pre-season and thought I knew why he hadn't played a competitive game for so long. You can see how far he’s come in a short time working with Nick Colgan and he was without doubt our man of the match. On the other side of the coin, Cody Johnson had a lot of fan pressure put on him after being recalled from Rochdale and it showed. Let him go and get minutes lower down because there's a player in there. Feel Richardson showed he has a lot to offer, but if you're playing the second half as left wing-back you have to at least try and use your left foot! Excited by what Camps will bring in the next few months after his perfectly executed scuff on Saturday.
Luke – You made a lot of changes and it showed, as you looked miles away from a team top of League Two.
Verdict on Bolton:
Dave – Did they come for revenge after that FA Cup night? A really strong 11 from the off and they ended deserved winners. I went to school with the manager of their senior academy side and even he didn't expect the squad to be that strong last night. They did what they had to do and did it well, no surprises really.
Luke – Promising but so many good chances wasted. Bodvarsson looked great, as did most of them.
Top Hatter:
Dave – Jordan Smith.
Luke – Your keeper by a mile.
Top Trotter:
Dave – Bodvarsson.
Luke - Bodvarsson.
Atmosphere:
Dave – Shite. Bolton travelled in unbelievable numbers but all I could hear from our lot was “Bolton get battered” and “We’re all from Stockport”. I joked on Twitter it was their cup final, but let's have it right, for the first time in a long time we heard at home what we sound like at most away games.
Luke – Good for this competition. It was nice to have such a big following and make a lot of noise throughout.
Hopes for the rest of the season:
Dave – Last night changes nothing. We made 11 changes from Saturday and used the game as a glorified fitness test. Challinor will say Saturday is more important and he couldn't be more right. We’re riding the crest of a wave at the moment in the league and I don't see where that stops in the next few weeks.
Luke – We don’t lose again! Hopefully a strong run until January and then recruit well before going on to win the league.
The British Library receives a copy of every single book published in the UK. In the same fashion, Des Junior believes a detailed record of every County game should be preserved for the history books. So here’s the full story of our 2-0 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday 14 November 2023, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
8.07pm: 1-0 Bolton.
8.15pm: 2-0. Getting battered.
8.28pm: We’ve been two down to Bolton in a cup game before…
8.55pm: County goal disallowed. Offside. Dubious.
9.02pm: Could have been very many but for Smith's saves tonight.
9.09pm: Could have been near double figures on another day.
9.23pm: Right. Fuck that then. Time to win 13 on the bounce again.
9.24pm: Well Bolton can have their win against our reserves, in front of 3,500, in the group stage of a competition no one gives a toss about. We'll have our win in front of 10,000, live on national free-to-air terrestrial television, against their first team, in the most famous cup competition in the world.
Are you going to the Colchester game on Saturday? Fancy doing the match report for us? Email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.
Get your ears pierced for £20
Located on Castle Street in Edgeley, Por Vida Tattoo is a great place to go if you’re looking to get inked up. Here’s a few examples of their recent work:
If you’re not quite ready for a tattoo, they also have a fantastic range of pieces for you to stand out from the crowd if you’re looking to get a piercing or two. Send them a message or pop into the studio on Castle Street if you’re interested.
Visit porvidatattoo.co.uk for further details.
Photo of the day
County’s Twitter page
I posted the following at 1pm yesterday: “Just got into Edgeley Park. I’m literally the only one here. County fans aren’t treating the Bristol Street Motors Trophy with the respect it deserves.”
No bites on Twitter, but as you can imagine, it very much went right over the heads of some of the specimens who frequent the County Facebook groups!
DJ Des
One of our readers (genuinely) has requested this as a shoutout for Suella Braverman. DJ Des doesn’t disappoint, so here it is.
Would you like DJ Des to play a song for your favourite County player, or a friend or family member? Email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com with your requests/shoutouts!
Today in SK
🍟 Food and drink
Fancy a few midweek drinks tonight? The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including a Doubles Bar for just £4.50, a comprehensive range of shots for £2, and 3 for £6 on Jägerbombs.
For those on a gluten-free diet, finding a nice portion of fish and chips to tuck into can be quite difficult. But on a Wednesday at Fishers of Cheshire (SK2), gluten-free meals are available. Open till 9.30pm.
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. Open till 7.30pm.
Wine Wednesday at TRUNK (SK7) from 5pm. 50% off all bottles of wine from 7pm. Call 0161 222 9260 to book a table, and mention “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 15% discount off the normal tapas menu.
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
SK1 / SK2 / SK3 / SK4 / SK5 / SK6 / SK7 / SK8 / SK9 / SK10 / SK11 / SK12 / SK13 / SK14 / SK15 / SK16 / SK17 / SK22 / SK23
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