Monday 19 December 2022
Well that wasn’t a bad game was it? I mean, it wasn’t quite as dramatic as Kayode Odejayi’s 90+4 at Hednesford in 2016. But with County’s game against Gillingham called off, at least we still got to see some pretty decent football this weekend, with Messi & Co getting their hands on the World Cup after a thriller with the French.
Today’s main feature is the third part of my 2022 review, as County win all six games during the month of March, although there’s an almighty scare from Wealdstone along the way.
I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s bought tickets so far for our first live event in 2023 - ‘A Curry with Colin Woodthorpe’. It’s taking place at Last Monsoon in Stockport on Monday 30 January at 7.30pm. The restaurant is pretty much next to the bus station, train station and motorway, so it’s a piece of piss to get to. We’ve sold 50% of the tickets already; hopefully we can shift the rest and have a cracking night with one of Gary Megson’s first County signings ahead of our first season in Division One in 1997-98. Colin stayed at Edgeley Park for all of our five seasons in the First Division, and he’s got some excellent tales to share with us.
You’ll also get poppadoms, mixed starters, curry, rice and naan bread. As well as a full colour souvenir programme. All for just £20. Fancy it? Send me a text or give me a call on 07816 111150, or you can email desmondhinks@hotmail.co.uk (If you’re looking for a last-minute stocking filler idea for the County fan in your life, by the way, this would make a perfect gift!)
Finally, today’s edition is sponsored by The Site Supply Company. A big thank you to Steve Cree. Check out hivis.net if you need any workwear or high visibility clothing, and get 10% off all orders with the code TSMFW.
Des Junior
Saturday 5: Aldershot (A) 2-0
Saturday 12: Needham Market (A) 3-0
Tuesday 15: Notts County (H) 3-0
Saturday 19: Wealdstone (H) 4-2
Tuesday 22: King’s Lynn Town (A) 3-0
Saturday 26: Eastleigh (A) 2-0
March kicked off with another Saturday evening game, live on BT Sport, and just like our previous appearance on the box, County raced into an early 2-0 lead. Having scored twice inside the first five minutes at Dagenham & Redbridge in January, we needed a little longer to do the same at Aldershot, but by the 26-minute mark we were well on our way to another three points thanks to Crankshaw and Collar.
The following Saturday, 460 County fans made the long, long trip to Suffolk for the FA Trophy quarter-final against Needham Market, but they were rewarded with a 3-0 win, with all three goals coming before half-time. Not only that, the travelling Blue & White Army also got to witness the 2021-22 Goal of the Season, as Jordan Keane charged forward, before unleashing a rocket from 30 yards which went in off the underside of the crossbar. Alex Reid scored the other two, on his final appearance for the club.
Three days later, another 3-0 win, this time back at Edgeley Park against Notts County. The visitors were looking a good bet for the play-offs, but were no match whatsoever for the Hatters, as two from Madden and one from Crankshaw gave us a seven-point lead over Chesterfailed, and with a game in hand too.
If any County fans were starting to plan a title party, they were swiftly brought back down to earth the following Saturday, as Wealdstone took an unlikely 2-0 half-time lead. Whatever Dave Challinor said at the break certainly did the trick though, as three goals in six minutes from Madden, Johnson and Palmer completely turned the game around, before Sarcevic added a fourth in the last minute.
No such drama three days later as County won 3-0 at King’s Lynn, with 274 Hatters travelling to Norfolk to see our last ever Tuesday night away game in non-league. Newby, Hogan and Madden scored the three goals, to clinch the three points, to give us a 10-point lead at the top of the National League, thanks to Chesterfailed losing at Altrincham on the same night.
The month ended in dramatic fashion, as Greta Thunberg and lots of other climate weirdos glued themselves to Mark Stott’s Cheshire mansion in protest. You can decide for yourselves whether that actually happened or not, but there was certainly a furore over County’s decision to fly to Southampton, ahead of the game at nearby Eastleigh. It was 0-0 at the break, but County were flying (sorry Greta) in the second half, as goals from Hippolyte and Hogan sealed the win. Having won a club record 10 games in a row before the 2-2 draw with Chesterfailed, incredibly, County had now repeated the feat once again. More importantly, we finished the month 11 points clear of Wrexham in second. There were a few wobbles to come in April, but we’ll leave those until next time.
Next Time, on Des Junior’s Great Big Review of 2022: Dave Challinor’s men suffer a severe case of Stockholm syndrome, seemingly determined to stay in non-league captivity, with defeats and red cards galore in April. Worryingly, the “Stockport County, we’re coming for you” chants emanating from north Wales start to get a little too loud for comfort…
Enjoy 10% off all orders with The Site Supply Company
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Matt Walker ‘eats’ the World Cup
🇦🇷 No 20 - Argentina (Moo Cantina) 🇦🇷
“It was too tense for the World Cup trophy which sensibly stayed in my bag until the 87th minute. The raucous celebrations that followed as Argentina beat Mexico almost made me forget the three types of empanadas, beef milanesa and smooth Malbec.”
One of my favourite football books is Matt Walker’s Europe United, in which the author and Fulham fan spends a whole season taking in a game in all 55 UEFA countries. Well he’s back with another fun challenge, to experience Qatar 2022 in restaurants and bars across London which represent all 32 competing nations. Matt has kindly allowed me to use his photos and I’ll bring you one each day, giving you a tasty flavour of the World Cup, in more ways than one.
The only Christmas gift guide you need this year
6 sleeps to go! The Scarf My Father Wore have curated a beautiful Christmas gift guide this year, from independent businesses across the UK. Have a look at the guide if you need any last-minute stocking fillers.
Stockport photo of the day
The Wellington, Wellington Road South
Des Senior and a number of other Carnforth FC legends enjoy their Christmas catch-up.