Overall I felt that it was a fair result.
Disappointing that we didn't hang on for the three points, particularly when their goal could have/should have been avoided.
An incident involving someone jumping off a bridge onto the motorway next to our turn off meant that it took over an hour to do the final 2 miles. Lots of people arriving just before kick off.
Not a bad ground, with the exception of the away end. Their supporters have a massive stand behind their goal and their fans generated a great atmosphere.
Concerns about the pitch were unfounded. It was a bit heavy but had a good covering of grass. Other than the pitch markings for rugby you wouldn't know it was used fir that. No sanded or muddy areas so no excuses about it at all.
The crowd ended up just over 3700, with about 150 from us?? Though that's a guess as they didn't say how many we brought.
We lined up 4-5-1 mansell started at right back, zebs & hemming on the flanks with wroe, o'kane & oastler in the middle and benyon up front. We played in the black kit and whilst we are on the subject of fashion, Paul buckle looked dapper in tracksuit and a scarf !!
The first 20 minutes we didn't get a look in. They dominated possession and were camped in our half. Several corners and a few balls lumped into our box. Having said that they didn't really look like scoring during this.
Strangely enough after 10 mins we had a throw on around their penalty box and noone went forward?? There was only benyon & zebs in the box and I was beginning to think we had come for a point.
a lot of stockports early stuff was a bit hoof ball and once we settled in we were able to counter attack effectively.
Our first attack came from a great run from hemmings, who had a good first half, and a great cross that Stockport scrambled clear. We got back into and were the better team for the rest of the first half. We played some good football and when we got it wide they couldn't cope with zebs or hemmings.
Zebs had some good runs and looked dangerous, even when they doubled up on him. We missed him last week and we can I'll afford to lose him, benyon probably zebs definately not.
From our first corner, I think, after about half an hour the ball was cleared back to Nicholson who whipped in the most delicious cross which Ellis did well to get on the end of to beat the keeper, only to see it rattle back off the post. What is it with us and the woodwork??
A few minutes later Nicholson again whipped in another beauty that zebs just failed to get to before the keeper.
Hemmings with another good run and cross and o'kane with a mazy run and shot, that he should have hit the target with, meant that we finished the half the stronger of the 2 teams, so not sure why we took so long to settle.
I thought we started the second half better but to be honest I don't recall too much happening that stood out ??
The goal came from a run from hemmings who best a couple of defenders before cutting back inside and fired in a shot which again fired back off the post, past a stumbling benyon fortunately straight to o'kane who finished cooly. At that point we deserved the lead, just.
We also had a goal chalked off from benyon who was offside, again, which is a shame really because that would have been something to behold. We must have touched the ball at least 20 times without them even getting a sniff. It was textbook stuff, from keeper up the left flank couldn't get through so back, across to the other side and through the midfield. The more it went on the more I wanted us to score from it so other people could enjoy it on TV, we did eventually score with a well taken shot from benyon, but he was adjudged offside, unfortunately I didn't see the flag so apologies to all those who saw me jumping around like an idiot. I would say it was a marginal decision but I was 100 yards away and no of our players said anything when it was disallowed, besides for all I know the refs whistle might even have already blown.
Then we sat back, they came right back into the game, yet strangely enough I had the feeling they wouldn't score if we played til Christmas. But score they did and it was not a good goal to concede. We failed to clear our lines about 6 times, a slice a poor pass and failure to close players down quick enough meant the ball pinged around the edge of our box for way to long. Eventually their substitute waltzed into the box and fired a shot across bevan, who for some bizarre reason didn't move a muscle, into the net. Sloppy goal to concede and dissapointing to say the least.
They had the majority of play after they scored although another counter attack and a corner did mean we had a chance to snatch it, however so did they as one shot in particular rolled across the face of goal a yard out with no one their to tap it in. However, The other 3 sides of the ground all thought it was going in.
I thought the ref got it pretty right all afternoon, for a change. We all thought the Lino had made a mistake with one of their backpasses. Their defender thighed it back to the keeper and we all thought it should have been an indirect free kick by the penalty spot, but apparently above the knee is legal, who knew??
Players now;
Bevan: only had one serious save to make which he did comfortably, but I need to see the goal again to see why he didn't move as I might be doing him an injustice. Is he still suffering from his thigh strain.
Nicholson: outstanding, I was really impressed. I counted 3 tackles where he was covering for another players mistake or he was the last man. 2 crosses that premiership players would be pleased with and corners were superb.
Branston: solid game , particularly when they tried to hoof it forward.
Ellis: also had a solid game. Desperately unlucky to hit the post, but also had an easier header that he put over.
Mansell: slow start but then did well helping zebs get forward. A few mistakes in the second half as well, plays better in midfield but we now have an abundance of midfield players and that's where the problem lies.
Hemmings: great first half, looks dangerous, has pace, willing to take his man on. I would like to see him shoot more, one time he slipped a ball out wide when he was in a shooting position. Tired a bit second half but did enough to warrant a start on Tuesday, Which I didn't think I would say after his performance last Saturday.
Oastler: tough tackling, no nonsense midfielder who puts himself about a bit, BUT has a tendency to go missing for periods.
Wroe: ok, I think. Don't remember many mistakes but also don't remember many outstanding bits, so must have had an average game I suppose ??
O'kane: flashes of brilliance with silly mistakes, undoubtedly going to become a good player, but still work in progress.
Zebroski: my MoM, quality player, if there are offers for benyon then why are there not offers for him, not that I want any just that I don't understand why there haven't been any. Full of confidence and always willing to take his man on, invariably beating him.
Benyon: runs his socks off, you can't take that away from him. Gets to balls he has no right to get to, but that's when the problem starts, sometimes has the first touch of a .. You know what I mean. Also seems to lose the ball, slip over it or not get it away in time. Fantastic from inside 6 yards, not so sweet on him with anything outside the box. Also someone needs to lend him some longer studs, still slipping over, as you will see when you watch our goal later. Replaced by Key late on.
Key : not time to do to much. Holds ball up well, uses his weight well, brings other players into the game.
Rose: on for hemmings when he tired. My opinion of him hasn't changed at all. Shows WAY to much of the ball to the opposition which invariably means him losing it , or as was today getting booked for a late lunge trying to get it back. Not particularly impressed myself.
Overall I still believe a draw was a fair result, although we had/were the better side if that makes sense.
I think our problem lies in midfield. What is our best line up/formation? So far none of the combinations have fitted perfectly.
Do we go for 2 or 3 in the middle?? Do we go for 1 ball winner & 1 playmaker, if so who is best at each and also do they play well together. As soon as we sort the numbers, combinations and who it's going to be then we will be capable of pushing for promotion. For me it's the final piece of the puzzle.
