Salford v County
Our first meeting with the Ammies since that memorable Wembley-clinching afternoon in May
Tuesday 10 October 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Grimsby – Saturday 21 October, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Salford – Tonight, 7.30pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Salford supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
The last time County and Salford played each other, a crowd of 10,023 witnessed extra-time, a penalty shootout and a pitch invasion. Something tells me tonight’s Pizza Cup group game won’t quite reach those same heights. In fact, is anyone arsed in the slightest about the competition at this stage? Premier League B teams, meagre attendances, four-team groups, it’s not the same is it? I don’t even think your favourite County correspondents are that interested, as they seem to have copied each other’s score predictions. I’ll be reprimanding Ian Brown, Jonathan Baker and Paul Thompson later on don’t worry. (Well, unless they’re all correct with their 2-1 forecast, in which case I might let them off.)
Today’s edition is sponsored by The Sleep Nanny. A big thank you to Lisa, who specialises in helping children with sleep issues. If your little ones are experiencing any problems in that area, give her a call on 07958 756977 or email lisafoster@sleepnanny.co.uk.
Finally, I’m starting my charity walk in the next few days, 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 make the short trip to Salford for the first time since the first leg of the play-off semi-final defeat back in May.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
Salford 1 County 2
What are your best and worst memories from previous games against Salford?
Thankfully perhaps, there’s not much County v Salford history to go at, but my worst experience goes back to 2017-18, and even now I still cannot believe that County came away with precisely nowt from this encounter with the media darlings at Moor Lane.
The newspapers recorded that the game ended 2-1 to Salford, but apart from the first 30 minutes of the game when our injury-hit/reshuffled defence was still bedding in, County looked by far the better of the two teams.
County were without the injured Michael Clarke in defence, and before the new back line of Sam Minihan, Dan Cowan, Chris Smalley and Scott Duxbury had settled in, Salford had snatched a two-goal lead which ultimately would prove decisive.
After the second – a really fortunate effort that took the cruellest of deflections to take it out of Ben Hinchliffe’s reach – County gave Salford rice in real quantity, and it took a whole series of desperate tackles from the home side to keep us out.
Eventually they couldn’t, but despite Connor Hampson claiming the best goal of the game with a real corker from inside the box before half-time, that’s where the scoring ended, and whilst County continued to press, Salford held on to claim all three points.
Now the best, and you’ll perhaps expect me to choose last season’s play-off semi-final second leg, but no, my choice is from earlier in the season when County stormed to victory at the home of the high-flying Ammies in October, taking all three points in some style.
A goal in each half did the trick for the Hatters – Will Collar and Paddy Madden doing the honours – but in all honesty, despite pressure in the second half from Salford, County’s lead never really looked under threat. Madden’s coolly taken second was a veritable dagger to the heart of Neil Wood’s side.
Salford were another side that in the flesh did not match up to their pre-publicity, the difference being that County did not self-immolate and let their opponents off the hook as sometimes they had that season. No, we defended and attacked with commendable application, doing so for 90 minutes instead of just the first 45!
There was plenty to be happy about in County‘s performance. The back three of Akil Wright, Fraser Horsfall and Chris Hussey was freshly minted and did well, as did James Brown and Calum MacDonald, the providers of width who got forward with regularity and to good effect.
Ryan Croasdale was terrific too, giving anything in red that moved the hardest of times, and Will Collar (released from his role as a defender) looked revitalised. Myles Hippolyte and Paddy Madden shone as well in a team that all gave 100%.
Now to tonight’s game, one that is complicated by the certainty that County will opt to play their fringe players. That element notwithstanding I see us doing enough to come away with a 2-1 win.
Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show
Salford 1 County 2
Which player would you most like to see get 90 minutes under their belt tonight?
The EFL Trophy: an unwelcome distraction from the gathering momentum of our promotion push, or a timely opportunity to get some much-needed minutes into rusty or rookie legs? With established first-teamers returning from the treatment room, fringe squad members pushing for more regular selection, and some of our younger talents showing promise in cameos, I’d say this evening’s encounter presents the ideal opening for DC to ring the changes, while retaining sufficient quality to do the knockout competition justice.
Among those expected to start at Moor Lane, the player I’d most like to see remain on the turf throughout the proceedings is young Joel Cotterill. Over four brief appearances to date, the Swansea loanee has shown consistent vigour alongside flashes of creativity, and I fancy that given the licence to display his box-to-box credentials against divisional rivals, the young midfielder can earn rave reviews from both away end and dugout, advancing in the process his case for more regular selection in the League Two line-up.
Prediction: a tough old test on that pudding of a pitch, with chances at a premium. County to edge it, 2-1.
Paul Thompson, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative
Salford 1 County 2
What’s the best pizza you’ve ever had?
As it's PSL season [I had to Google that, it’s a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks - Des] I’ll say the best pizza I've ever had is one with pumpkin butter and prosciutto! On a more realistic scale the Lewis Capaldi “Big Sexy Cheesy” pizza is actually pretty good and only £2 from Iceland. Throw some additional toppings on yourself and you can feel what it’s like to be the "Daddy" and lift your work of art above your head like a prize trophy.
I won't be eating pizza tonight though, and the only reason I’m going to the game is for an excuse to visit the fabulous Chips @ No 8 up the road in Prestwich. Now maybe if they could make a fish and chips pizza that could be the best one ever…
To keep with the pizza connections, I’m predicting a game of two halves, and a scoreline of 2-1 to County.
Are your children having problems with their sleep?
Lisa Foster is a child sleep coach helping parents navigate their children’s sleep issues. Here she is to explain in further detail how she can help.
“I have 25 years of experience working as a childcare practitioner and in that time have supported families through every up and down you can imagine, but mostly with sleep. I am a certified partner with The Sleep Nanny and have extensive sleep science training.
“I had a child who didn’t sleep well so I know how you feel. That was 30 years ago but I still remember the stress, exhaustion and loneliness I felt.
“We all know how important sleep is, and how, if we don’t get enough, it impacts every aspect of your life. I support parents with issues like stressful bedtimes, waking in the night, early rising or children who do not nap well.
“I work one-to-one to provide a bespoke plan because every child, family situation and solution is different. Please get in touch if you’re struggling to see how I can help.”
Visit sleepnanny.co.uk/c/lisafoster for further details.
Today in SK
🍺 Food and drink
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £4.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £2, and 3 for £6 on Jägerbombs.
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 - 7.30pm.
Tapas Tuesday at TRUNK (SK7) from 5pm. All tapas dishes are 3-for-2 (cheapest dish free). 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.
🎱 Free pool
The George & Dragon (SK7). 6pm - 9pm.
🎹 Live music
Golden Oldies at Bask (SK1). Live organist Michael Holmes will be performing at Bask’s nostalgic afternoon. A great way to meet new friends. Enjoy a cake and a hot drink for just £5. 1pm - 4pm.
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
Sincil Bank, Lincoln
A memorial charity match between former players of Lincoln and Bradford took place at Sincil Bank on Sunday, in memory of the victims of the tragic fire at Valley Parade in 1985. Stockport lad Simon Yeo scored twice in a 3-3 draw and was named player of the match.
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