Harrogate v County
Can the in-form Hatters keep up their record of scoring every time they’ve visited Wetherby Road?
Saturday 14 October 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Grimsby – Saturday 21 October, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Harrogate – Today, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Harrogate supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Saturday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Don’t shoot the statistic messenger, but County have never failed to hit the back of the net when they’ve played at Wetherby Road. That’s the exact sub-heading I used when the Hatters headed to Harrogate for a 10th time back in February. Let’s hope it does the job on visit number 11 this afternoon. Ian Brown, Jonathan Baker and Paul Thompson all think Dave Challinor’s men will be flashing up on Soccer Saturday later today anyway.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Beespoke Cleaning. They supply all aspects of cleans, from regular to one-off and general to end-of-tenancy. Give Vicky a call on 07445 256191 or email info@beespokecleaning.com if you’ve got a house or office that needs a good clean.
Finally, I’m starting my charity walk this month, 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.
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
Des Junior
Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Paddy Madden’s out for two games with an ingrown toenail…blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham since 1672.
Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content creators to call upon. Here’s their thoughts, general chit-chat and score predictions, as County head to North Yorkshire in search of a seventh consecutive League Two victory.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
Harrogate 1 County 4
What are your best and worst memories from previous games against Harrogate?
The catering at Wetherby Road has always been excellent; the hospitality on the other hand is frequently off the scale at the other end.
So, a trip to a Harrogate team pushing for glory one division above part-time County, with everyone tipping the home side to win the FA Trophy third round meeting, was no one’s idea of a decent Saturday afternoon out on a wintry February day in 2019.
The weather was abysmally cold (Lancs still went topless at half-time) and things looked like going south for County when Harrogate took the lead on 17 minutes. But County equalised via the excellent Adam Thomas within four minutes, and Frank Mulhern instantly notched a second.
The problem for Town was that (like myself playing in Division Two of the Rusholme and District Sunday League frozen to death in 19 hundred and something) they needed time on the ball, and County were just not having any of that. Our habit of not accepting a ball was lost, allied to a crucial alertness of mind personified by the excellent Frank Mulhern and the tireless Adam Thomas, ensured that any slip was punished – and both Frank and Matty Warburton did so adding a further goal apiece in the second half. Suddenly County were cruising at 4-1.
A late goal for Town flattered them, but a 4-2 win was way above expectations and added up to a great day out.
That’s the best. The worst goes back to Boxing Day in 2015 when County sank to a 2-1 defeat at Edgeley Park. Harrogate must have been amazed by the ease with which the points were secured. Both goals by Jerry Yates and Jordan Thewlis were decent finishes, but they profited hugely from defensive slip-ups by County – the usually dependable Chris Smalley having a total ‘mare’.
There was some consolation in the shape of Delial Brewster’s performance for County. He scored a belter, before going on to create what should have been a second, but Jonny Margetts fluffed his lines from the penalty spot. Sadly, Brewster was head and shoulders above his teammates on a day to forget.
Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show
Harrogate 2 County 2
Are clubs like Harrogate tight-arses giving us paltry allocations when the ground will be half empty, or is it fair enough when it comes to home advantage?
I think if Harrogate can't fill the ground with their own fans, then absolutely they should make whatever space they have left over at Wetherby Road for visiting supporters – and if that means home advantage is compromised by weight of noise and numbers, then so be it. Mind you, I think the same should apply across the board, so if that means County giving the Railway End over to well-supported opposition when we won't sell it out, we need to accept that also. We can't have it both ways .
Prediction: I feel Harrogate may present a tougher challenge than their league position suggests. A high-scoring draw. 2-2.
Paul Thompson, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative
Harrogate 0 County 2
As we’re heading to the home of Bettys today, what’s your favourite cuppa?
In recent years I’ve delved into flavoured tea, mint being my current favourite, although if you can ever find it, cherry vanilla is delicious. Bringing it back to the more traditional style, you can give me anything like PG or Typhoo, as long as you hold the sugar and milk!
As for today’s prediction, after consulting my tea leaves, I can see it's been a bit of a mixed bag for Harrogate recently, and with our squad now starting to look stronger than a tea selection menu in an overpriced spa town cafe (ooh Betty!), we'll be picking Harrogate off with a 2-0 win.
Beespoke Cleaning can provide a weekly, fortnightly or monthly service for you
Look how spotless this place is. I’m not saying your place isn’t, but it would be nice to get a bit of help with the cleaning, wouldn’t it? Especially for County fans, as they spend a lot of time away from home. There’s trips to Sheffield, Walsall and Mansfield in August alone. Wouldn’t it be nice to get back to Stockport from your travels and find your home in immaculate condition.
Beespoke Cleaning can do exactly that for you, whether you’d like their services once a week, once a fortnight or even once a month. The business has been operating since 2010, with a long list of satisfied regular customers, as cleaning projects are completed in a timely manner and with the highest level of quality.
Visit beespokecleaning.com for further details.
Photo of the day
Vicarage Road, Watford
Almost 3,000 County fans pack out the away end for an FA Cup trip to Premier League Watford in 2006-07.
Today in SK
🇮🇹 Food and drink
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 6.30pm.
How good do those Arancini Siciliani look! They’re back on the specials board at The Italian (SK6) as a starter throughout October. Homemade the traditional Sicilian way, arancini are saffron-infused fried risotto balls with a mozzarella, peas and slow-cooked beef ragu filling. Call 0161 406 6261 to book a table for tonight.
Bottomless Saturday at TRUNK (SK7). Bottomless lunch £35 per person (includes 3 tapas dishes) from 12pm till 4pm. T&Cs apply and 90 minutes of selected bottomless drinks. 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.
🎤 Karaoke
Lee at The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm - 1am.
🎶 Live music
Cold Flame at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 8pm.
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