At the game. Says something when neither keeper had to make a save of any significance.
Campbell and Small had very poor games, with little or no supply reaching the strikers. Defence was once again top draw, with both Jones and Gillesphey on top form.
Suggest you watch the highlights, Stu - Mannion made an excellent stop at virtual point blank range in the second half which would have been at the far end from you.
Actually, I didn’t get back to my seat until about 2 minutes into the second half, so it seems like I missed it.
I think we could do with a rest. At least some players could. It is hard for Jones as he probably wants to rest a few but we are doing so well, who do you rest? Would it cost points? It would be great for the team if we can get the Posh game postponed but is that likely?
An excellent away trip and an extremely valuable point against difficult and very aggressive opponents.
We caught the 11:13 out of Euston on Friday morning. My sons hopped off at Stockport and had a few pints at The Magnet Freehouse - which they found excellent in all respects (especially beer wise) - and The Petersgate Tap. I had carried on into Manchester to meet a couple of my old mates from up north and we visited the Piccadilly Tap, the City Arms (CAMRA’s Manchester pub of the year) and the Northern Monk Refectory. Between times, we squeezed in some grub at the Mackie Mayor in the Northern Quarter and 30 minutes of culture at the Manchester Art Gallery.
I reconvened with the boys at the Holiday Inn Stockport shortly after 8pm, had a cuppa, recuperated and we went out again shortly after 9:30 to Ye Olde Vic. A cracking little pub. It only served to reinforce my view that you can always trust a pub with beer mats covering the ceiling and walls. A very friendly establishment (it had a special licence to open at 10:30 on match days) and the landlady let us out after closing.
Unfortunately, despite being nicely tucked up by midnight, I omitted to set my alarm and was woken at 10:23, with 7 minutes to get down to breakfast and 33 minutes to check out. All’s well that ends well, although it was a slightly more frenetic start to the day than I envisaged when I initially awoke at 6:40 (which can only be match day/play-off induced excitement). Also staying in the hotel were Douglas Rugby Club from the Isle of Man, who were playing Crewe & Nantwich this afternoon. Not cheap to put a squad up in the Holiday Inn but maybe the 10% tax rate helps.
We met the rest of our gang off the 11:00am train, went for a coffee and then made our way to the ground, where there were a phenomenal number of stewards and security checks in place. In fairness, everyone was very pleasant but it did feel a little disproportionate. The last time I remember such scrutiny was at Boston airport after the shoe bomber.
As for the game, Stockport started quickly but we saw their initial flurry of pressure out and the game settled down. The best - really only - chance of the half fell to Berry from Edwards’ inswinging cross but he couldn’t direct his effort under the bar.
Predictably, Stockport came out very aggressively and nearly went ahead early on, with Mannion producing a fine close range save and their forward then hooking another effort onto the bar. We produced next to nothing attacking wise, save for Gillesphey’s glancing header near the end, and Stockport undoubtedly had the lion’s share of possession and pressure in the second half. We defended our box exceptionally well and kudos to Lloyd Jones, Gillesphey, Mannion and their colleagues.
Stockport had clearly done their homework and negated our attacking threat down the wings with TC and Thierry Small. With the midfield also stymied, we ended up going long to Leaburn, who struggled against a couple of very proficient central defenders. Their proficiency extended to the dark arts, with the referee’s decision to ignore some early grappling serving to encourage more of the same.
It all made for an attritional and pretty tense spectacle, although that was hardly unexpected. Stockport had more of the play and marginally more chances but it was an excellent point for us. To be honest, I said 8 days ago that I’d be happy with two draws at Orient and Stockport and a win against Barnsley, so to take 7 points from the last 3 games against our fellow play-off contenders is an excellent haul. In addition, a number of our competitors slipped up yet again and, realistically, I think we are now out of reach for both Orient and Barnsley. Huddersfield also continue to dip.
Post-match, we rehydrated in the Runaway Brewery and Taproom after the unseasonally warm weather and then went on to the excellent Magnet Freehouse. It did not disappoint and we rounded the trip off with a final beer in the Bakers Vaults before catching the 18:44 back to Euston.
Let’s hope we have a clean bill of health for Tuesday against Crawley and that we can do the business. I can see Matty Godden coming back in for that one, with Miles introduced from the bench. At least it’s a relatively local game with limited travel before we welcome the lads back to, I hope, a heroes’ welcome at The Valley next Saturday.
Engaging war of attrition I thought. How many times over the years have we been bullied into defeat in the north-west. But this lot are made of sterner stuff. Awesome defensive shut-out by us. Credit their defence though, not only for completely nullifying TC and Small, but when we went for the twin battering rams of Leaburn and Aneke they had them in their pocket. Quality was in short supply, but sometimes you just have to grind out a result, or in this case a valuable point. If we meet this lot in the play-off semis, we better have been practising our penalties
Did watch the game on Sky on my phone but was distracted at points so watched the highlights. They show the coming together between Small & Stockport player in the first half like it should’ve been a penalty. I’ve watched several times and it looks like a clear dive as the player knew he wasn’t getting anywhere near it. Maybe it’s just rose tinted glasses from me, but that’s never a pen.
Did watch the game on Sky on my phone but was distracted at points so watched the highlights. They show the coming together between Small & Stockport player in the first half like it should’ve been a penalty. I’ve watched several times and it looks like a clear dive as the player knew he wasn’t getting anywhere near it. Maybe it’s just rose tinted glasses from me, but that’s never a pen.
A really important point, and sets us up nicely for Crawley. If I'm being greedy, a win would have be ideal to keep us in touching distance of the top2, but hey ho.
Thought they edged it and probably done enough to win on another day, similar to our performance at the Valley, two teams of a very similar calibre.
They today showed us our limits I thought. You shut down the wings, and there's nothing going on in the middle, or any strikers in the centre quick enough to break the lines. They gave the blueprint to any team that plays us, suffocate TC and Small, and we don't have much else on offer.
Thought the atmosphere was very flat, might be cause of the 12:30 kick off, less people boozed up, but for a sell out away stand, I've heard better atmospheres when we take about ten people to Wigan on a Tuesday.
Gillesphey my motm, solid all game and made a few very important clearances.
I really hope we don't have to play them again this season as I think we'd struggle.
Final note, fitness, a few players looked absolutely caked today, and we don't have enough quality to replace them when they can't play much more (Godden).
I'd say we finish in the play-offs, but we are starting to look tired. Let's see how we look against Crawley 👍🏻
Didn't get to watch it as was out for a mates birthday, a point there doesn't feel too bad especially with our game in hand on them still.
Mixed feelings about Wycombe drawing, at least they didn't win but it would have been tasty to have moved the gap down to just 6 points with us still to play each other.
this is as good a post match interview as i've seen from an opposition manager all season, and gives a really good insight as to why Stockport are so good/effective at this level.
this is as good a post match interview as i've seen from an opposition manager all season, and gives a really good insight as to why Stockport are so good/effective at this level.
this is as good a post match interview as i've seen from an opposition manager all season, and gives a really good insight as to why Stockport are so good/effective at this level.
this is as good a post match interview as i've seen from an opposition manager all season, and gives a really good insight as to why Stockport are so good/effective at this level.
Really interesting interview but he seems to give away one huge tactical mistake there.
He talks about how they thought their main attacking threat would be their RB because TC doesn’t track and Small does so the LB would be effective. Seems like DC got caught into thinking it was the straight 4231 instead of being a 352 when out of possession so hand banked on Edwards and Gillesphey being able to work together on their RB when needed.
He talked a lot about how he changed their usual plan to counter how we play (a big compliment in my opinion) but that’s a pretty big mistake to make.
this is as good a post match interview as i've seen from an opposition manager all season, and gives a really good insight as to why Stockport are so good/effective at this level.
Did watch the game on Sky on my phone but was distracted at points so watched the highlights. They show the coming together between Small & Stockport player in the first half like it should’ve been a penalty. I’ve watched several times and it looks like a clear dive as the player knew he wasn’t getting anywhere near it. Maybe it’s just rose tinted glasses from me, but that’s never a pen.
Totally agree.
Same player tried for that one and then one out wide, ref didn't give either so he stopped doing it, about the only thing the ref got right all afternoon but if Ref's started to give penalties for hold and shirt pulling in the box, players would, once again, stop doing it.
this is as good a post match interview as i've seen from an opposition manager all season, and gives a really good insight as to why Stockport are so good/effective at this level.
Really interesting interview but he seems to give away one huge tactical mistake there.
He talks about how they thought their main attacking threat would be their RB because TC doesn’t track and Small does so the LB would be effective. Seems like DC got caught into thinking it was the straight 4231 instead of being a 352 when out of possession so hand banked on Edwards and Gillesphey being able to work together on their RB when needed.
He talked a lot about how he changed their usual plan to counter how we play (a big compliment in my opinion) but that’s a pretty big mistake to make.
Just listened to it, he did talk about TC not having responsibility so we can set him free when we have the ball, and our shape changing which is similar to what they do, so I think he was aware but talking about Small tracking back it didn’t initially sound that way.
Thought it was interesting he spoke about strikers not winning fouls. Talked about our 16 (Edwards) handling their player, so they did the same with Leaburn leading to our bench not being happy. Easy to blame Leaburn for being ineffective, but the ref was lenient with defenders, whoever we had up front would have found it difficult to deal with that.
this is as good a post match interview as i've seen from an opposition manager all season, and gives a really good insight as to why Stockport are so good/effective at this level.
Really interesting interview but he seems to give away one huge tactical mistake there.
He talks about how they thought their main attacking threat would be their RB because TC doesn’t track and Small does so the LB would be effective. Seems like DC got caught into thinking it was the straight 4231 instead of being a 352 when out of possession so hand banked on Edwards and Gillesphey being able to work together on their RB when needed.
He talked a lot about how he changed their usual plan to counter how we play (a big compliment in my opinion) but that’s a pretty big mistake to make.
Just listened to it, he did talk about TC not having responsibility so we can set him free when we have the ball, and our shape changing which is similar to what they do, so I think he was aware but talking about Small tracking back it didn’t initially sound that way.
Thought it was interesting he spoke about strikers not winning fouls. Talked about our 16 (Edwards) handling their player, so they did the same with Leaburn leading to our bench not being happy. Easy to blame Leaburn for being ineffective, but the ref was lenient with defenders, whoever we had up front would have found it difficult to deal with that.
He did but sounded like he didn’t have a full grip on why TC doesn’t have the defensive responsibility and why attacking down our left isn’t an opening
An excellent away trip and an extremely valuable point against difficult and very aggressive opponents.
We caught the 11:13 out of Euston on Friday morning.
Ha - same train up as me. I asked some mates from Stockport for some tips and ended up staying local and having a wander around the old town centre - the air raid shelters are very eerie if you're the only visitor - and trying not to spend too much cash in SK1 Records. There seems to be quite a hipster vibe around that old town centre, which I wasn't expecting! And there are some great pubs. Then parkrun in the morning and a dash back to be checked out of the hotel for the match. Was in the Travelodge next to the Runaway Brewery, which was handy!
It did feel like one of those matches where you spend 90 minutes for a game of football to break out but the sun was out and I'll take that point all day long. It'll be nice to see us string some passes together again soon, though!
Was at the game. About an hour from me. First off fabulous support. As for the game it was pretty sterile from us. No real threat to them although just like in any game there were a couple of very good chances. I thought they had a penalty. Seen them given for much much less. Great defensive display against a very physical side with dangerous forwards. Definitely a point won but we’ll have to be more fluid than yesterday over next eleven games. Credit to Stockport though. They’re physical and not without talent.
Comments
An excellent away trip and an extremely valuable point against difficult and very aggressive opponents.
We caught the 11:13 out of Euston on Friday morning. My sons hopped off at Stockport and had a few pints at The Magnet Freehouse - which they found excellent in all respects (especially beer wise) - and The Petersgate Tap. I had carried on into Manchester to meet a couple of my old mates from up north and we visited the Piccadilly Tap, the City Arms (CAMRA’s Manchester pub of the year) and the Northern Monk Refectory. Between times, we squeezed in some grub at the Mackie Mayor in the Northern Quarter and 30 minutes of culture at the Manchester Art Gallery.
I reconvened with the boys at the Holiday Inn Stockport shortly after 8pm, had a cuppa, recuperated and we went out again shortly after 9:30 to Ye Olde Vic. A cracking little pub. It only served to reinforce my view that you can always trust a pub with beer mats covering the ceiling and walls. A very friendly establishment (it had a special licence to open at 10:30 on match days) and the landlady let us out after closing.
Unfortunately, despite being nicely tucked up by midnight, I omitted to set my alarm and was woken at 10:23, with 7 minutes to get down to breakfast and 33 minutes to check out. All’s well that ends well, although it was a slightly more frenetic start to the day than I envisaged when I initially awoke at 6:40 (which can only be match day/play-off induced excitement). Also staying in the hotel were Douglas Rugby Club from the Isle of Man, who were playing Crewe & Nantwich this afternoon. Not cheap to put a squad up in the Holiday Inn but maybe the 10% tax rate helps.
We met the rest of our gang off the 11:00am train, went for a coffee and then made our way to the ground, where there were a phenomenal number of stewards and security checks in place. In fairness, everyone was very pleasant but it did feel a little disproportionate. The last time I remember such scrutiny was at Boston airport after the shoe bomber.
As for the game, Stockport started quickly but we saw their initial flurry of pressure out and the game settled down. The best - really only - chance of the half fell to Berry from Edwards’ inswinging cross but he couldn’t direct his effort under the bar.
Predictably, Stockport came out very aggressively and nearly went ahead early on, with Mannion producing a fine close range save and their forward then hooking another effort onto the bar. We produced next to nothing attacking wise, save for Gillesphey’s glancing header near the end, and Stockport undoubtedly had the lion’s share of possession and pressure in the second half. We defended our box exceptionally well and kudos to Lloyd Jones, Gillesphey, Mannion and their colleagues.
Stockport had clearly done their homework and negated our attacking threat down the wings with TC and Thierry Small. With the midfield also stymied, we ended up going long to Leaburn, who struggled against a couple of very proficient central defenders. Their proficiency extended to the dark arts, with the referee’s decision to ignore some early grappling serving to encourage more of the same.
It all made for an attritional and pretty tense spectacle, although that was hardly unexpected. Stockport had more of the play and marginally more chances but it was an excellent point for us. To be honest, I said 8 days ago that I’d be happy with two draws at Orient and Stockport and a win against Barnsley, so to take 7 points from the last 3 games against our fellow play-off contenders is an excellent haul. In addition, a number of our competitors slipped up yet again and, realistically, I think we are now out of reach for both Orient and Barnsley. Huddersfield also continue to dip.
Post-match, we rehydrated in the Runaway Brewery and Taproom after the unseasonally warm weather and then went on to the excellent Magnet Freehouse. It did not disappoint and we rounded the trip off with a final beer in the Bakers Vaults before catching the 18:44 back to Euston.
Let’s hope we have a clean bill of health for Tuesday against Crawley and that we can do the business. I can see Matty Godden coming back in for that one, with Miles introduced from the bench. At least it’s a relatively local game with limited travel before we welcome the lads back to, I hope, a heroes’ welcome at The Valley next Saturday.
it was proper league one shit and dull , they had the better of it and we had no class about us as an attacking threat
I fucking hate this shit house league , tugging ourselves over a point at cnuting stockport in the third tier of wankness
I’m a football snob , get me out of here
highlight of the day Subway at Keele service station , man of the match my cap 🧢 keeping the sun out of my eyes
Glad the cap was a success for you oohaah, not a lot else I can say really 🙄...
How many times over the years have we been bullied into defeat in the north-west.
But this lot are made of sterner stuff. Awesome defensive shut-out by us.
Credit their defence though, not only for completely nullifying TC and Small, but when we went for the twin battering rams of Leaburn and Aneke they had them in their pocket.
Quality was in short supply, but sometimes you just have to grind out a result, or in this case a valuable point.
If we meet this lot in the play-off semis, we better have been practising our penalties
Thought they edged it and probably done enough to win on another day, similar to our performance at the Valley, two teams of a very similar calibre.
They today showed us our limits I thought. You shut down the wings, and there's nothing going on in the middle, or any strikers in the centre quick enough to break the lines. They gave the blueprint to any team that plays us, suffocate TC and Small, and we don't have much else on offer.
Thought the atmosphere was very flat, might be cause of the 12:30 kick off, less people boozed up, but for a sell out away stand, I've heard better atmospheres when we take about ten people to Wigan on a Tuesday.
Gillesphey my motm, solid all game and made a few very important clearances.
I really hope we don't have to play them again this season as I think we'd struggle.
Final note, fitness, a few players looked absolutely caked today, and we don't have enough quality to replace them when they can't play much more (Godden).
I'd say we finish in the play-offs, but we are starting to look tired. Let's see how we look against Crawley 👍🏻
Christ....picking player of the season is going to be a tough nut to crack this year!
Mixed feelings about Wycombe drawing, at least they didn't win but it would have been tasty to have moved the gap down to just 6 points with us still to play each other.
Some choice “discussions” i bet 🤔
I wont be surprised if it was one reason why he turned down becoming Charlton Manager last season.
He talks about how they thought their main attacking threat would be their RB because TC doesn’t track and Small does so the LB would be effective. Seems like DC got caught into thinking it was the straight 4231 instead of being a 352 when out of possession so hand banked on Edwards and Gillesphey being able to work together on their RB when needed.
He talked a lot about how he changed their usual plan to counter how we play (a big compliment in my opinion) but that’s a pretty big mistake to make.
Thought it was interesting he spoke about strikers not winning fouls. Talked about our 16 (Edwards) handling their player, so they did the same with Leaburn leading to our bench not being happy. Easy to blame Leaburn for being ineffective, but the ref was lenient with defenders, whoever we had up front would have found it difficult to deal with that.
It did feel like one of those matches where you spend 90 minutes for a game of football to break out but the sun was out and I'll take that point all day long. It'll be nice to see us string some passes together again soon, though!