Monday 23 October 2023
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Grimsby supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore, as Dave Challinor’s men once again start their week at the top of League Two.
A point would have kept County top of the league on goal difference, and it looked like we might have to settle for that with Grimsby coming back from 2-0 down on Saturday, but Louie Barry’s late winner clinched an eighth consecutive victory in League Two (nine in all competitions), setting us up nicely for tomorrow’s trip to third placed Crewe. John K Bilsbury takes a look back at Saturday’s victory, our first league success against Grimsby since August 2012.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Colourtone. As always, a big thank you to Paul.
Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for men’s 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: 19.38 miles
Total steps so far: 30,966
Total raised so far: £633
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
Des Junior
Saturday’s match in one word:
John – Nervy.
Pre-match thoughts:
John – Pessimistic. We’re on a good run and they’ve been struggling but all runs end eventually and we’ve struggled against the Fish People in recent seasons.
Post-match thoughts:
John – Relief. Once they equalised there were times when it could have gone either way. I hope any sign of complacency has been blown away as a result.
Verdict on County:
John – We set off like a house on fire and if we’d scored the second penalty it could have turned into a rout. As it was, the penalty was missed, our momentum was affected, and it encouraged Grimsby to get at us. I’m not surprised Dave Challinor was livid about Tanto taking the penalty.
Verdict on Grimsby:
John – Waterfall has given us problems in the past so it was a blessing for us that he was suspended. They looked lost after we scored our second but we failed to keep up our intensity after the penalty miss and this gave Grimsby the heart to mount a comeback. As with other teams we’ve played in this run, they could get the ball upfield but lacked a cutting edge.
Top Hatter:
John – Antoni Sarcevic ran the show again, he’s been a revelation this season.
Top Mariner:
John – I’m very one-eyed when watching County so I don’t pay much heed to the opposition players. Gavan Holohan held his nerve to score their penalty and generally seemed a cut above the rest.
Atmosphere:
John – The Cheadle End followed the team’s performance, raucous at first but growing subdued as we allowed Grimsby back into the game. UT3 tried to get the fans roused but the general nervousness inhibited everyone.
Hopes for the rest of the season:
John – At our best we look unbeatable but the unchanged 11 are starting to look a bit weary. With the injured players gradually coming back I hope DC will be able to rotate things a bit without sacrificing quality. If we can keep the players fit and firing, automatic promotion is definitely a possibility. We could even win the thing.
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 3-2 victory at home to Grimsby Town on Saturday 21 October 2023, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
9.20am:
9.58am: Lancashire?
10.00am: Uneducated fishermen. Bet they don't know the difference between cod and haddock. It’s Cheshire.
3.10pm: Penalty! Barry makes it 1-0.
3.12pm: Tantooo! 2-0.
3.13pm: Go to kitchen to feed cat – 0-0. Get cat food, come back – 2-0.
3.42pm: Tanto misses a penalty.
3.45pm: Hope we don’t rue that.
3.58pm: For fuck’s sake. Grimsby pull one back. We’re not going to win this, are we?
4.16pm: For fuck’s sake. Grimsby level from the spot.
4.38pm: Get in! Barry makes it 3-2.
5.08pm: Actually more impressed with that win than if we won 3-0 if that makes any sense?
5.10pm: Yeah, agreed. That’s really pleasing. Had to graft.
5.21pm: Pleased with the win, but that was hard work. They were as bad as their position suggested. Although I can't recall them having a chance after the equaliser you've got to put teams like that away when you've got yourself in the position we did. Guarantee DC will be having words.
5.23pm: Grimsby are a pain in the fucking arse. Horrible team to play against. Job done. Kick up the arse. Smash the nonce apologists on Tuesday for nine on the spin.
Give your car a lick of paint
Granted, Stockport used to be a little rough around the edges. But the town’s getting a good old lick of paint these days, with fancy new offices, apartments, bars and restaurants springing up. You can’t be driving up and down the A6 in a tatty car with chipped paintwork, so give your car a nice lick of paint too. Colourtone is your go-to company for that. They’ve been servicing the automotive and industrial markets in Cheshire and Greater Manchester for decades, and carry an extensive range of car paint and industrial paints.
Visit colourtone.com for further details.
Today in SK
🥙 Food and drink
Kebabs are just £3 all day at Fishers of Cheshire (SK2). Open from 11.30am till 2pm, and then 4pm till 9.30pm.
Med Monday at TRUNK (SK7) between 12pm and 9pm. Enjoy three tapas dishes for £15. T&Cs apply. 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.
🎤 Live music
Acoustica at Bask (SK1). Free entry.
❓Quiz night
The George & Dragon (SK7). 7.30pm.
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.
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Photo of the day
Stockport Gin
The Scarf My Father Wore subscriber Bob Carey with some of our 2018-19 title-winning heroes.
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