NL: Stockport County v Torquay United 3pm 28 September 2019

I picked a cracker for my first away game of the season, taking the opportunity to visit my lovely daughter in Macclesfield.

Very wet everywhere on arriving, so relieved to see the pitch looking in good condition. It held remarkably firm given the rain that had fallen.

I seem to recall meeting some Stockport fans a few years ago who made three trips to Plainmoor for a twice-late-postponed game.

Was impressed with their good humour then and have been amazed at how their support held up through what seemed a lifetime trapped in National League North. Nearly 5,000 for this game despite the team being in wretched form. They were friendly, supportive but with a self-deprecating humour. Their fans really do deserve a return to the Football League, but this season they may have their work cut out just holding on to their newly-won National League status.

The game was an absolute joy to behold. We have shown glimpses of stunning football in most if not all of the games I have seen this season, so a thumping win like this has never been that far away.

We were maybe a tad more disciplined / organised / determined than on other occasions so the win was never really in doubt. Without wishing to put a damper on things, Stockport were one of the poorer teams I have seen at both ends of the pitch. That made life easier, but you can only beat what is in front of you.

We also had a bit of luck which had been sorely lacking in some of the games we should have won but didn't. The penalty was correct, but I have seen them not given. The own goals were due to Whitfield's quality crossing, but on an unlucky day may have flown wide.

I was convinced at the match that Reidy had a hat-trick, so was disappointing to see that the defender narrowly beat him to Whitfield's cross. It was such a quality "simple" goal, that it was a shame it ended up an own goal. Perfect ball by Kalala, perfect cross by Whitfield, Reidy in exactly the right pace.

Good solid professional performances from the keeper, back four, young midfield two of Buse and Vincent, and Andrews wide on the left. They all seemed to know exactly what they were supposed to be doing and did it efficiently and effectively. No drops in concentration or loss of shape.

What of the holy trinity of Best, Charlton and Law Kalala, Whitfield and Reid?

I had told my daughter that Kalala was all about confidence, looking like a little boy lost when things were not going to plan and Premier League class once he started to believe in himself. As he stood apart from the action with his sleeves rolled down over his hands, she believed the first bit but not the second. By the end, she knew what I meant!

It is just such a joy to behold him running at defenders that even a functional shape-obsessed football fan like me loses his head when Kalvin is on song. "Give it to Kalvin!", "Take them on". I was disappointed when he passed out to Whitfield for the second goal, because I really wanted to see him run at defenders and not pass! But the pass was perfectly weighted, a joy to behold in itself. He had a run in the second half that involved falling over but still keeping possession. His flick for the second own goal was effortless class too. Great to watch.

Reidy has really matured into a fine centre-forward. Confidence again, but his increased upper body strength makes him now seem a player who can lead the line rather than having to feed of someone else. Deserved a hat-trick.

But neither Kalala nor Reid was man of the match in my book. Whitfield was superb. He played the "in the hole" role with tremendous work rate and intelligence. Was up alongside Reid so much that it felt like two up front, but did a lot of work deeper too, and most tellingly broke wide in front of Kalala when required leading to his two perfect crosses leading to the own goals. That's why the common wisdom is hit it across the box hard and low - defenders do not like it!

A fantastic win. Shows what we can do. There are better teams than Stockport in this league though. The game at times felt more like last season's matches, where half an hour of brilliance finished the game as a contest. Stronger teams will hang on by their finger nails and battle back into the game.

But some of our youngsters are learning and maturing nicely. With a few back from injury, play-offs are a possibility. I don't think we will win the league but really do not know who will. Yeovil on a brilliant winning run at the moment. Are they stronger than us? Probably not.

Really looking forward to this afternoon. Let's hope it isn't after the Lord Mayor's Show!