Let\’s be \’Avin You

Saturday 31st October

LEAGUE ONE: Stockport County 1 – Norwich City 3

(Goals: County, Thompson 81; City: Holt 16 & 90, Hoolahan pen 67)

No scares for City this afternoon as two goals by Captain Holt either side of a Wes Hoolahan penalty gave City all three points at Edgeley Park.

That’s now five wins in six for the Canaries. Whisper it, but things are going really rather well at Carrow Road at present.

Make no mistake this was not City’s best performance to date, however as I need not tell you, it’s all about the results. Whether it’s pretty or not is irrelevant, it’s the points that matter most.

Team City

With the right-back position proving something of a poisoned chalice of late, Lambert went into this one limited on options. Having failed to secure a loan-signing in time, it was assumed young Korey Smith would deputise, however Lambert sprung a surprise by shuffling a-very-much-left-back Adam Drury to the right, with Simon Lappin dropping back from midfield to fill in at the left. What a way to mark your 300 appearance hey Adam!

Matt Gill was brought into midfield to occupy the left hand side, otherwise City were the same as that which started against Swindon last week.

Adam Drury – 300 not out and as reliable as ever

Having written this morning about the reliability and professionalism of Adam Drury as he was approaching a landmark 300 appearances for the club, how fitting that this afternoon he should prove as such. For someone who has played 99% of his games at left back, (I can remember the odd game at centre-half and that’s it) and who is very much predominantly left footed, playing at right back could potentially prove to be tricky. (We all remember when Worthington tried to play left-footed Simon Charlton at right-back against Blackburn Rovers back in the day – 3-0 was it??) Not for Drury though, who filled in brilliantly, and didn’t let the change in position prohibit him getting forward; in the first half he came closer than ever in recording his first goal of the season, after his cross-shot was only narrowly wide of the post. Adam Drury – Mr Reliable indeed.

First half action

As the action commenced on what was a questionable pitch, (though that was probably to do with rugby side Sale Sharks having played on it the night before) it was Stockport who had the first effort on goal in the 12th minute; Forster saving brilliantly as Peter Thompson found himself through in on goal with only the City ‘keeper to beat. County would be left to rue that chance, as minutes later, City took the lead.

Now, we’ve seen our fair share of goalkeeping mishaps already these season, but this time it was the turn of County’s number one to look sheepish. As Lappin swung in a free-kick, County keeper Fon Williams should’ve claimed an easy catch. Instead, he let the ball squirm through his hands, and with Holt lurking behind, our Captain had the simple task of nodding into an empty net. 1-0 to City, and cue celebrations from the 1200 City fans who had made the trip up to Cheshire.

Russell was the next City player to try his luck; his long-range effort skidding narrowly wide of William’s right hand post.

On 25 minutes the referee was called into action. Johnny Mullins and Simon Lappin collided, with Lappin propelling into the air before landing awkwardly on his back. Fortunately, Lappin being the true Scot that he is, got up without a fuss, instead it was Mullins who needed treatment – and a yellow card, just to add insult to injury.

The first half continued in a not-too-pretty fashion. Stockport had a couple of half chances, though nothing that called Forster into serious action, and the City defence, marshalled well by the Doc and Askou were dealing with any threat that did come their way.

As did Lappin, who was rightly booked just before half-time for a blatant block on Poole on the half-way line, as County were looking to break away. To be fair it was one of those that you take for the team, so Lambert will probably not be too harsh with the midfielder, although it leaves him on four bookings for the season now.

So as half-time approached, City were in the driving position. We were not playing well, and hardly deserved the lead Holt had given us but hey, isn’t it a sign of a good team that we can not play well and still lead??

Could it get better for City?

Chris Martin was having a disappointing game, although it was he who had our first attempt on goal in he second half; County defenders doing well to put the block in on his shot on goal.

The first substitute of the day was from City, as the unfortunate Matt Gill, having just returned from injury, hobbled off after only 50 minutes, to be replaced by Tom Adeyemi.

City continued to look for the second goal; Holt did well to get in a cross which evaded the on-rushing Korey Smith, and Hoolahan forced William’s into a good save to his left-hand side.

County though were not beaten and were still trying hard to find a way back into the game. Doherty was called into action after 58 minutes, clearing a dangerous cross into the box from Thompson.  Thompson again had a chance to set up a goal-bound effort, although the midfielder mis-placed his lay off - the ball trickling out of play, when really he should’ve done much better.

However, another sign of a good team is when, against the run of play, they manage to some how fashion a goal. City’s second came courtesy of the penalty spot; Chris Martin had shown excellent control and movement in the box which forced a clumsy challenge from County defender Paul Huntington, resulting in the referee pointing to the spot. Up stepped Wes Hoolahan to make it 2-0 to City. The celebrations tinged with a pang of relief that City finally had a cushion in the game with 20 minutes to go.

Although ever City, they did make life difficult and nervy for themselves, allowing County to get a goal back on the 81st minute. Carl Baker’s shot on goal took a wicked deflection off Peter Thompson, giving Forster no chance. 2-1, and the home fans finally had something to cheer about.

As the crowd sensed a come back, City were forced to ride a couple of tricky waves – including a disallowed goal, given for offside against that man Thompson again – however it was Holt to the rescue in the 90th minute. Good work from Cody McDonald, who had earlier replaced Wes Hoolahan, allowed Holt to grab his 12th goal of the season, and City’s third. Phew!

Holt could’ve even had a hat-trick, but his shot in the 94th minute was well saved by Fon William’s. Still, the final whistle was sounded and greeted by cheers from the City faithful, and it was a case of job very well done for City.

Luck not just for City

Today’s result had extra significance for me too. Now, I have never been a betting person. I don’t understand odds, especially when it says something like 15/2, or 10/11, I don’t get what it means by evens and I wouldn’t have a clue where to start when it comes to placing one. 

However, randomly this morning, I decided to place a bet! I’ve no idea what made me do it, I just thought, why not? I’m not talking silly money, I’m too tight (and lacking some what in funds) to do that, so I thought, I know, I’ll put two bets on, £1 each. I appreciate it meant I wouldn’t win big, (I at least understand that) but I figured anything is better than nothing, and if I did lose, at least I was only £2 down. I could live with that.

And guess what I bet…..yep, would you believe it; £1 on Holt to be the first scorer, and £1 on a 3-1 win to City.

Now I’m £23 better off!! It’s nothing big I grant you, but I’m well chuffed! And it buys me a chinese to celebrate – happy days! As to whether I’ll become a regular better, I’m no sure – maybe the odd flutter here and there hey!

Next, we have the small matter of a 1st round FA Cup game against Paulton Rovers, live on ITV1 next Saturday. Let’s not slip up hey lads – keep that winning run going…please!!!

Until then, enjoy your celebrations City fans…..OTBC.

Match facts

Stockport County:  Fon Williams, Mullins, Huntington, Raynes, Rose, Poole, (Pilkington 79)  Bridcutt, Turnbull, Baker, Thompson, Bignall. (Johnson 79) Unused Subs: Gerrard, Vincent, Griffin, Halls, Havern.

Norwich City: Forster, Drury, Askou, Doherty, Lappin, (Nelson 89) Gill, (Adeyemi 50) Russell, Smith, Hoolahan, (McDonald 76) Martin, Holt. Unused Subs: Rudd, Tudur Jones, McVeigh, Cureton.

Attendence: 5,218.

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