Firstly, a big apology for the lack of updates over the past couple of weeks. I blame it on the shock of seeing County grind out a win at Oxford United. Since that day, County had 2 successive 2-2 draws at home (against Aldershot and Accrington - on both occasions recovering from 2-0 deficits). County being County however, they then went on to lose the next 2 games (away at Burton and Gillingham) 2-1. Once again, gifting the opposition 2 goal starts before coming back. The latter result (vs. Gillingham) was the weekend of my birthday, so the result wasn't one of the greatest of presents I've ever had.
This weekend saw Barnet make the long trip northwest for what was already being marked as an early season "6 pointer". Barnet have had an awful start to the season (losing 7-0 at Crewe being the lowest of several lowpoints) and occupy the second relegation spot in League 2. County were only 2 points (and 5 places) above Barnet, and the combination of poor recent form and no home win this season was starting to see the pressure mount. In fact, County haven't won at home for 24 games (7 months) and I personally hadn't seen a home win since late 2008!
On my way up to the match, it suddenly struck me that Barnet are the opponents I've seen face County the most times (5 including this meeting). Once again, I've yet to see County beat Barnet, and the last (and only) previous encounter I'd seen at Edgeley was a chastening 4-2 defeat (also around my birthday). So, you can probably understand my trepidation as I boarded the train from Birmingham to Stockport. Once again, arrival at Stockport meant a quick dash to the market - this time with an additional order (from Mum) for some Cheshire - before heading up to the ground.
For this game, I decided to move away from the traditional ritual and try something new. So, instead of taking my place in the Cheadle End, I thought I'd give the Main Stand a try. It's not too bad, a fairly shallow rake, padded seats and with the exception of the odd pillar, a decent view of the pitch. It also puts you within perfect earshot of both home and away dugouts (always good for a chuckle).
As the teams came out onto the (still green) Edgeley Park pitch, hope started to rise that today might just be the day when the poor home run would end. Within 5 minutes of the start however, that hope was firmly replaced by the "Here we go again" feeling so typical of recent home games. Stockport were awful, and Barnet - despite being on top - were not much better themselves. I'm seriously struggling to think of a major incident in that first 45 minutes - if you thought it was bad at Oxford, this was worse, much worse. As if to wake us up in time for a half time drink, Barnet managed to miss an open goal from pretty much on the line. Surely the second half would be better?
It was. Only it wasn't easy (is it ever when County ar involved?). Barely 30 seconds into the half, Barnet took the lead after some frankly rubbish defending. Stil feeling slightly dozy after the first half "exertions", the County defence allowed the Barnet forward all the time he needed to guide the ball home. The Barnet bench went wild, the players went wild, so did the 92 away fans scattered behind the goal. Everyone else just rolled their eyes and wondered just what had they let themselves in for.
As has been a common theme of recent County games, going a goal behind seemed to wake County up; suddenly there was a lot more energy and drive about the players. Where a sideways or backwards pass had been played in the first half, players were looking to get the ball forwards. Ultimately the breakthrough came courtesy of that man Donnelly. Receiving a throw deep in the Barnet half, he made his way to the edge of the area and with nothing else on, unleashed a piledriver of a shot. This beat the keeper, hit the near post, span towards the far post and then trickled into the net. Another comeback goal, and another opportunity for the "Sign him up" chat to start.
This visibly lifted the team and fans, and County started to exert themselves a little bit more. Debutant Fletcher almost scored from a Assoumani cross, while Anthony Pulis tried in vain with several efforts from the edge of the area; all just lacking that bit of pace or placement to beat the Barnet goalie.
To freshen things up, Jake Simpson and Adam Griffin were replaced by Cameron Darkwah (making his 1st team debut) and Danny Rowe. Within 5 minutes, something rare happened - County went ahead at home! Antony Pulis' cross from the right was met by a crowd of players, with Robbie Williams on hand to stab the ball home (albeit at the third attempt). Williams promptly disappeared under a mound of teammates, while supporters finally dared to dream- could it really be about to happen?
Barnet, to their credit tried to get back level, but were caught on the counter when Donnelly muscled past the last defender and smashed the ball home. However it wasn't to be, the referee ruling the goal out for an earlier foul. In the end it didn't matter, the final whistle being met by a cheer more in keeping with a win to seal promotion. For the first time in 7 months, County had a home win to celebrate. It wasn't pretty, but it was well worth the wait.
Overall, I was really impressed with Assoumani (named MoM), Fletcher, and - of course - Donnelly. Quite frankly without his goals, County would be in deep trouble and it's fair to say they could face a fight to keep him once the loan period expires in January. Assoumani was superb - wining most of the challenges he had to make, and displaying some fantastic close control to win a corner from a seemingly lost cause. His cross for Fletcher was excellent - and Flecther himself certainly looks a better prospect than Proctor ever did (you would never have really known he only joined on Friday). Darkwah also belied his age, snapping into challenges and always looking for a positive run. He could be another one from the Cunty production line to make a first team impact.
This match marked the start of a run of games against teams currently below County in the table, and a golden opportunity to move clear of the relegation dogfight. saying that, County are one of several teams on 14 points, just 4 off a place in the play-offs. A run of results like that in September could be really useful now, however a second supply of goals could do with being found - our over reliance on Donnelly is worrying; one over-zealous challenge from a defender could leave a long, hard winter ahead.
But let's leave the worries for another day. Today is about celebrating a long overdue home win. Let's just hope we don't have to wait quite as long for the next one....
County Line up:
Glennon, Lynch, Williams, Swailes, Assoumani, Turnbull, Pulis, Simpson (Darkwah 60), Griffin (Rowe 78), Donnelly, Fletcher
Subs: Fon Williams, Tansey, Conlon, Rowe, Fisher, Darkwah
Goals: Donnelly (52), Williams (79)
Attendance: 4,177 (Away fans: 92).
