County v Reading

Never mind trick or treat, Ben or Corey is the question on everyone’s lips this week

Oct 29, 2024

Tuesday 29 October 2024

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

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

With Halloween coming up this week, it’s pretty easy to compare County to Jekyll and Hyde. You’re not entirely sure which County is going to turn up at the moment, which is why it’s no surprise to see a mixed bag of predictions from Ian Brown, Nick Lee, Russ Johnson and Jonathan Baker. A win tonight takes us into the top 10, but a defeat could potentially send us into the bottom half for the first time this season.

Today’s edition is sponsored by LM Stone Creative. A big thank you to Chris.

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

Hinchliffe appeared in the middle of our goal for the first time this season in the league on Saturday (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)

Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Will Collar’s out for a month with diarrhoea… blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham for a thousand years.

Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content creators to call upon. Here’s their thoughts, general chit-chat and score predictions, ahead of Reading’s first trip to Edgeley Park since March 1998 when they were thrashed 5-1 in Division One.

Ian Brown, All Things Stockport County

County 1 Reading 2

Let’s get straight down to business shall we. Who’s going in goal tonight?

I think Challinor has boxed himself in somewhat on the question of who’s in goal for us tonight, following his decision to replace Corey Addai with Ben Hinchliffe at half-time on Saturday.

My view is that Challinor’s decision to replace Ben at the beginning of the season was flawed in so far as Ben’s record over the years has been exemplary, with no indication that he was nearing decline in any way. Indeed his form in pre-season was just as good as years gone by. Most County supporters would therefore have expected Ben to start the season in goal, the position thereafter to be decided by form, but instead Challinor made a judgement to go with Corey.

Fast forward to Saturday, and irrespective of any concerns over errors made by Corey (all keepers make ‘em and I would claim he has made no more than any other first-team keeper in League One this season), it was a real shock to see him replaced at half-time.

I’m not sure whether there is a psychologist amongst the cast of thousands surrounding the team at EP and Carrington, but I’m certain that he/she would have counselled against such action, which is likely to have had a seriously adverse effect on the lad’s confidence.

That takes us back to the ‘boxing in’ prognosis and we pick Ben tonight and back him to the hilt!

Ian follows County home and away, producing detailed match reports every week, along with lots of other great content. Head over to hedgegrower.blogspot.com.

Nick Lee, SK3 TV

County 2 Reading 1

It's Halloween on Thursday. If I was to knock on your door, what trick would you expect me to do, and what treat would I get in return?

For your trick I'd expect you to fuck off away from my house, and your treat would be getting to live. Or some Milky Way Magic Stars. Bollocks holiday, Halloween.

Nick’s one of the co-hosts of SK3 TV, a new podcast for the 2024-25 season, with live episodes every Monday at 8pm. Click here for links.

Russ Johnson, The Scarf Bergara Wore

County 2 Reading 1

Challinor took his goalkeeper and his captain off at half-time on Saturday. Is he starting to feel a bit of pressure?

It felt like a reactionary decision, but the keeper shouldn’t be treated any differently to outfield players. Feeling the pressure? I’m not sure – to a certain extent it feels like the players are letting him down.

Russ is part of The Scarf Bergara Wore team, hosting live County podcasts every Wednesday at 8pm. Click here for links.

Jonathan Baker, The County Away Day Show

County 1 Reading 2

One win in nine. What’s going wrong at the moment?

I've not seen last the last couple of games but from what I hear we're struggling to gel. Definitely think Challinor needs to find his best team still. The chopping and changing isn’t helping, and the half-time replacing of goalie and captain look worryingly like panic. I worry also about the effect on the keeper's confidence of that decision; it feels like an avoidable problem has been created.

There’s a need for some calm heads tonight – on the pitch, on the touchline and in the stands. This was always going to be a tough league; if we start getting in our own way, it could get somewhat tougher, and quickly.

Jonathan, aka Geordie Hatter, hosts The County Away Day Show on selected Saturday mornings during the season, when the Hatters are on the road. All episodes can be found at the-geordie-hatter.mixlr.com.

LM Stone Creative: Revolutionising Stone Surfaces with Laser Templating Technology

In a world where precision and innovation go hand in hand, LM Stone Creative has emerged as a pioneer in the realm of bespoke stone surface and worktop solutions. With their recent website update, the company has taken a giant leap towards enhancing user experience for potential clients. The new and improved website lmstonecreative.com not only showcases their exquisite craftsmanship, but also highlights the cutting-edge technology they employ: laser templating with state-of-the-art software.

Gone are the days of relying solely on manual measurements and traditional methods. LM Stone Creative has embraced the power of laser templating, revolutionising the way stone surfaces are crafted. By utilising the latest advancements in technology, the company ensures unparalleled accuracy and precision in every project.

So, what exactly is laser templating? Simply put, it is a process that involves creating precise digital templates of stone surfaces using laser scanning technology. This eliminates the need for cumbersome physical templates and allows for seamless integration with advanced software.

With laser templating, LM Stone Creative can capture even the most intricate details of a space, ensuring a perfect fit for their stone surfaces. The digital templates are then transferred to their state-of-the-art software, where skilled designers can manipulate and customise the designs to meet the unique requirements of each client. This level of precision and customisation sets LM Stone Creative apart from their competitors.

The user-friendly website now showcases this cutting-edge technology, allowing potential clients to understand the immense value and quality that LM Stone Creative brings to their projects. The updated design and intuitive navigation make it easier than ever for visitors to explore the range of stone surfaces and worktop solutions offered by the company.

From luxurious kitchen worktops to elegant bathroom vanities, LM Stone Creative's craftsmanship shines through in every project they undertake. The combination of their skilled artisans and advanced technology ensures that each piece is a work of art, meticulously crafted to perfection.

With a focus on customer satisfaction, LM Stone Creative goes above and beyond to exceed expectations. The updated website serves as a testament to their commitment to providing a seamless experience for potential clients. Visitors can now easily browse through a gallery of stunning projects, read testimonials from satisfied customers, and even request a personalised consultation.

LM Stone Creative's dedication to innovation and their investment in laser templating technology has positioned them as a leader in the industry. Their website update is a reflection of their forward-thinking approach and their commitment to delivering excellence in every project.

As the demand for bespoke stone surfaces continues to rise, LM Stone Creative stands ready to meet the needs of discerning clients. With their state-of-the-art laser templating technology and user-friendly website, the company is poised to redefine the standards of craftsmanship and precision in the industry.

By showcasing their expertise in laser templating technology, the company solidifies its position as an industry leader. With their unrivalled craftsmanship and dedication to innovation, LM Stone Creative is poised to shape the future of bespoke stone surfaces.

Visit lmstonecreative.com today to explore their stunning portfolio and call 0161 312 6864 to discuss your dream worktop projects.

Photo of the day

Somewhere in China

Liam Richardson, Steve Bellis and Steve Cree enjoying themselves in China, as part of a touring party from Stockport currently visiting the country.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) this evening. Lee (15) at 5.45pm, followed by A Different Man (15) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#35 – Lee Cartwright, Preston

A Preston legend, Lee Cartwright made over 400 appearances at Deepdale, winning the Third Division title in 1995-96 and then the Second Division title in 1999-2000. Cartwright moved to Edgeley Park in January 2004, making 38 appearances for the Hatters. Just the one goal for County, and full marks if you remember this one. A 3-2 defeat at Colchester on a Tuesday night in August 2004.