County 2 Exeter 0

Storm Darragh was a nuisance in the first half on Saturday, but County dealt with the conditions after the break and thoroughly deserved all three points

Dec 09, 2024

Monday 9 December 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Exeter supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Dave Espley had the unpleasant job of writing our match report after last month’s 5-0 defeat at home to Wycombe, so we thought we’d chuck him a victory to write about for his next piece. (Even though it was “chuffing freezing” and he left EP after 80 minutes.)

21 photos from a stormy Saturday in Stockport

The Scarf My Father Wore

Dec 8

Read full story

Today’s edition is sponsored by MKM Manchester South. A big thank you to Mark and Paul.

Thanks also to Pro-Tech Print who sponsor our Exeter City content on the website.

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: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,027

Total completed streets so far: 399 (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

✍️ Saturday’s match in one word

Cold.

🤔 Pre-match thoughts

I was confident of bouncing back post-Brum – a game where we really should have got something (and as an aside I've been frustrated at the number of fans who've said they weren't disappointed. I was). A home game against a mid-table side that's had to travel about 853 miles is about the best you could hope for when you need a result to get back on track.

🧐 Post-match thoughts

Christ alive, that was cold (this might become a theme, apologies). The game? Exeter perhaps shaded the first half without really causing us any anxiety, but we stepped it up in the second and were well worth the win. We might have looked decent in front of goal in the first half, to be fair, but from fairly low down in the Cheadle End, and the advertising boards being, as usual, brighter than looking directly into the sun, who can say?

🔵 Verdict on County

Solid. Workmanlike. Other similar clichés. We stepped it up in the second half, obviously, and were well worth the win. Dealt well with the conditions overall, so very satisfying.

⚫️ Verdict on Exeter

I’m sure they'll be disappointed they didn't get something from the game. They might point to the own goal as a turning point, but shouldn't. We were well on top by that point, and a goal was coming.

🎩 Top Hatter

No one really stood out. Camps – and possibly Bate – had a shout but I'll give it to Barry, both for the penalty and the fact that he looked like he'd make things happen every time he got the ball. I mean, he does this every game, but it really is what you want on a day like that.

⚫️ Top Grecian

It would be funny to give it to Crama, although cruel, so let's not. Watts looked lively for a bit, and could have put them one up, so he can have the dubious honour of being selected by an opposition fan for a non-event game where they lost after travelling all the way from France. I'm sure he'll be on the phone to his mum as soon as he reads this.

👂 Atmosphere

Bit quiet, but understandable given how chuffing freezing it was. Confession from me: I wasn't feeling too great, and neither was my daughter who was with me, so we took the decision to bugger off after 80 minutes and so saw the second on Flashscore. I made sure to leave my "real fan" credentials in the bucket by the gates.

🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season

Even I, the eternal optimist, probably have to concede that automatic might be beyond us (although Wycombe have to hit a bad patch sometime, and Brum aren't all that), but I'd be very disappointed if we don't make the play-offs, and not just scrawping into them on the last day either, fun though that would be. 3rd or 4th please.

😀 Best part of the day

Got to be the own goal. Comedy own goals are the best, and whilst this wasn't a no-look backpass from 45 yards with the keeper elsewhere (ahem), it was a great finish. Boof, have it. Even better were the calls to "SHOOT" from the Cheadle End every time he got the ball afterwards. Predictable, but no less funny for that. And then giving away the penalty. Maaaate.

😡 Worst part of the day

I mean, I could make another oblique reference to the temperature…? OK, fair dos, let's not. In that case, Horsfall going off. Thought I hadn't seen the original foul, but apparently there wasn't one. It's always worrying when a player goes down off the ball and stays down for ages, especially when he hasn't been touched. He left via the corner near us and he was staggering so much he looked pissed. Hopefully he's OK.

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 victory at home to Exeter City on Saturday 7 December, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…

9.01am: No postponement hinted at, nor any pitch inspections. Albeit I know it's the travel and fans that are as much concern today.

9.04am: Possible that Exeter came up yesterday?

9.07am: Possibly. But thinking more of their fans travelling. Plus also fans and staff travelling in and around Edgeley, and wider Stockport. If there are high winds, and risk of falling trees, flying debris, etc, the authorities might take a very cautious risk-averse decision.

9.09am: I remember some scaffolding blowing over right outside EP in the 90s, during an Autoglass tie. Call off a game due to a bit of a breeze? Woke nonsense for the snowflake generation.

3.31pm: Horse not looking good here. Laid out on the deck. Not a head injury but surely not able to carry on.

3.33pm: Yep, Norwood on. Assume we’re going four at the back.

4.26pm: 1-0. Classic own goal. Keeper had no chance.

4.58pm: That was more fun than it looked like being at half-time.

5.13pm: That was a very impressive second half in those conditions. Exeter did nothing despite having the wind behind them. We are clearly a top half team and no reason we shouldn't challenge for the play-offs.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the MKM team

As we approach the new year, we would like to take a moment to extend our warmest wishes to each and every one of our customers. It has been an absolute pleasure assisting you throughout the year, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support and trust in our hardworking team.

From construction professionals to DIY enthusiasts, our goal at MKM Manchester South is to provide you with expert advice to bring your projects to life and make your lives just that little bit easier. Whether you're working on a small home renovation or a large-scale construction project, we have everything you'll need to get the job done. From bricks and timber to plumbing and electrical supplies, we're your one-stop-shop for all your needs!

Thank you for trading with MKM Manchester South. We value your business and hope to see you again in the new year and hopefully for years to come.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kind regards, Mark and Paul.

➡️ Visit mkm.com/branches/manchester-south for further details.

Personalised mugs from Pro-Tech Print

Pro-Tech Print have a great range of Christmas mugs if you’re still looking for a stocking filler or two. Their Grinch and Stitch mugs are pictured, but they can also print a variety of different characters, football teams and any personal messages you might have. All mugs are priced at £6.

➡️ For any enquiries, please call 07714 999832 or email chris@pro-techprint.co.uk.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) this evening. Wicked (PG) at 8pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all night at The Cross Keys (SK8).

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this festive season by popping in for a few drinks.

🎶 Free jukebox

The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#68 – Neill Byrne, Bradford

Neill Byrne’s currently serving a three-match ban in the league at Bradford, which means we’ll probably see him in action at Edgeley Park tomorrow night.