Wednesday 20 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Notts County – Friday 22 December, 7.45pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Barrow – Tuesday 26 December, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Wednesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
There’s 12 days remaining this year. You know what that means, don’t you? It’s time for my great big review of 2023, a month each day taking us all the way through to New Year’s Eve. It’s January today, which wasn’t the best, with just one win in the league and an FA Cup exit.
It’s also that time of year when The Scarf Bergara Wore host their annual Christmas quiz at Stockport Gin. I’ll be in attendance with my notepad and pen to bring you all the big moments. I’ve actually got a couple of spare tickets as well so if you fancy it, drop me a message. Click on the link below to read all about last year’s quiz.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Kate O’Brien Art. My thanks as ever to Kate, who produces some fantastic County items, as well as lots of other hand-painted distinctive artwork and gifts featuring scenes around Stockport and beyond. Go and check out her website for some cracking Christmas present ideas: kate-obrien.co.uk.
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: £1,027
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
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Sunday 1: Grimsby (A) 0-1
Sunday 8: Walsall (H) 1-2
Saturday 14: Northampton (H) 2-0
Tuesday 24: Bradford (H) 0-0
Saturday 28: Wimbledon (A) 0-1
Tuesday 31: Crewe (A) 1-1
A miserable start to 2023 over in Fishville. That was the first headline of the year on The Scarf My Father Wore. I didn’t actually head to Blundell Park on New Year’s Day as I was “still full of the winter lurgy” but John Edgerton’s verdict was “dreadful” so I don’t think I missed too much.
Otis Khan’s winner just after half-time condemned the Hatters to defeat, as we dropped to 13th in League Two. County had won every game in December but didn’t turn up at all in Cleethorpes.
According to Tony Butcher from Cod Almighty, “The Bluesmen seemed to play with the air of entitlement that mid-table Championship sides take with them to Nantwich in the third round of the FA Cup. County seemed collectively surprised by their opponents not standing aside and doffing their caps in recognition of their intrinsic superiority (and higher wages). Then didn’t roll their sleeves up and match the work rate of Town. Not so much arrogance as complacency hiding a lack of mental strength.”
Another disappointing defeat followed a week later, again on a Sunday afternoon. Neill Byrne and Jack Stretton signed for County during the week, but both were cup-tied for the visit of Walsall in the third round of the FA Cup. Just ten days earlier, County had recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory at the Poundland Palace in the league, so the home contingent in the 9,798 Edgeley Park crowd were confident of seeing their side progress to the fourth round for the first time in 22 years. Walsall won 2-1, however, to book a date with Leicester in round four.
“Sobering,” was how Sandy McGregor described the game. “Totally frustrated. We had somehow got our way back into the game and then instead of going for the jugular we were pinned into our own area. Their winner had an air of inevitability about it.”
Your editor was also disappointed: “I’m not going to lie, I still feel a little bit gutted. A Tuesday or Wednesday night in Walsall might not be the most appealing prospect, but in the 88th minute on Sunday, it was something to relish. We were still in the cup; still in the hat for round four. If you lose a league game you can put things right within seven days. The wounds from exiting the FA Cup via a 95th minute penalty cut a little bit deeper.”
After Danny Johnson had lobbed Ben Hinchliffe just past the hour mark, Paddy Madden looked to have clinched a Bescot replay with a beautiful curler at the Cheadle End with two minutes to go. But deep into injury time, Madden gave away a penalty, converted by Andy Williams to take the Saddlers through.
James Brown was recalled to Blackburn, with Ollie Crankshaw heading up to Motherwell on loan, before Dave Challinor was named League Two’s manager of the month following County’s 100% record in December. That’s usually a curse, but the following day third-placed Northampton were beaten 2-0 at Edgeley Park, as County climbed to within three points of the play-offs.
Neill Byrne had an assured debut (as did Kyle Knoyle who came off the bench with half an hour to go following his arrival from Doncaster the previous day) as County won the game with a goal in each half. Antoni Sarcevic rounded off a lovely team move in the first half, with Ryan Johnson’s header deflected in by Jack Sowerby after the break.
The referee for the Northampton game was Rebecca Welch, who will become the first female to officiate a Premier League match this weekend. Back in January, she “once again showed she is far and away the best referee in this league and put her male counterparts to shame, ignoring any antics and theatrics and taking a common sense view to reffing the game” according to Simon Lomas in his post-match report for us.
No game the following weekend. A frozen pitch at Gresty Road. Some of our readers still managed to get their football fix, though, with trips to Wigan, Buxton, Hyde, Tamworth and Stockport Town. Click on the link below for those write-ups.
County were back in action on the Tuesday night with Bradford coming to town. “It was a pretty dour contest and neither side played particularly well,” was the verdict of Jason McKeown from The Width of a Post. I think that rather succinctly sums up the 0-0.
Capital punishment for the 1,162 Hatters who travelled to London on Saturday. That was my headline following County’s 1-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon on their first ever visit to (the new) Plough Lane. Here’s what else I had to say: “Capital punishment… that’s such a lazy headline when writing about a bad trip to London isn’t it? But take a look at that photo of our manager. That sums up my levels of creativity this morning, and I didn’t even go to Plough Lane. Wimbledon is synonymous with strawberries and cream; but chatting to a few mates who went yesterday their experience sounded more on a par with a mouldy banana and condensed milk. Hope that hasn’t put you off your breakfast by the way.”
Jamie Summers did go to the game. “Bobbins,” was his verdict on County. “Really very bad.”
And the home side? “Shithouse team that got themselves a scruffy victory. I’m not just being bitter, because we can’t complain at them getting the win. They didn’t have a lot of technical ability about them, but they were physical, didn’t ever let the game flow with scrappy fouls and dark arts, and generally did a job on us. We didn’t wise up to them playing the margins and that let them keep control, especially in the second half. Not a fun side to play against, but they did what they do well. Fair’s fair.”
After Aaron Rowe joined on loan from Huddersfield, and Connor Jennings departed Edgeley Park for Hartlepool, January ended with the rearranged game at Crewe – our first game at Gresty Road since the day we lost our Football League place in 2011.
The Cheshire derby was “cagey” and “scratchy” according to our home and away reporters. Crewe took the lead just before half-time but County equalised just after the break through a cool finish from Kyle Wootton. Jack Street accurately summed up the game: “Frustrated by our performance. We didn't get started properly at all, and had no fluency around our play. We never got the ball under control properly - the surface didn't help but it was the same for both teams. We looked too negative at times, opting to play backwards and then just lump it forward without any real aim. The one bit of quality football led to our goal; why the players couldn't muster up more like that I can't quite work out.”
Only one win in six then, in all competitions, as County ended January in 10th place, three points off the play-offs.
Let’s talk Christmas with Kate O’Brien!
What's it like for your business around Christmas time?
Christmas gets very busy! Not just with sales of prints and gifts but more so with special commissions such as paintings of people’s pets and homes. A lot of customers order personalised portraits as Christmas gifts as it’s something really special and unique that will last forever.
What's your favourite thing about Christmas?
I love the decorations, lights and music. Just the general feeling of warmth and happiness you get from sitting next to the Christmas tree with a lovely mug of hot mulled wine!
Best Christmas present you've ever received?
Both my kids were born at Christmas, my son on the 20th and my daughter on the 23rd. So there’s your answer!
And finally, I’m sure County fans are still needing a gift idea or two. What should they pick up from you?
The County coasters are really popular with fans (pictured above). A set of four costs £18.
Visit kate-obrien.co.uk for a wide range of brilliant gift ideas.
Photo of the day
Shenanigans on Edgeley back in the day.
Today in SK
🍕 Food and drink
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.
Lunch deal at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7 or two courses for £11. 12pm till 2pm.
Any pizza and two drinks for £14.95 at Platform 5 (SK8).
The Cheshire Line Tavern (SK8) have recently launched their new winter menu, featuring favourites such as beef stew with dumplings and cottage pie. On a Wednesday, you can enjoy two main courses for £20. Call 0161 428 3352 to book a table or visit cheshirelinetavern.co.uk. Open 12pm - 11pm.
Treat yourself to lunch at Mediterranean Cafe & Bar (SK23). A full range of mains, salads, jacket potatoes, paninis, baguettes and wraps.
❓ Quiz night
Flying Coach (SK7). 9pm. Free entry. Chicken wings for just 25p.
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