Morecambe beaten in friendly
>A full-strength County side emerged 2-1 victors from Saturday's friendly at Christie Park. An encouraging first-half performance saw County go in two goals up, with strikes from outside the box by both Rickie Lambert and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson finding the back of the net. The only black spot of the afternoon came with Morecambe's reply, a Wayne Curtis penalty in the 48th minute following an alleged foul by Ashley Williams, which masqueraded convincingly as a clean tackle. The home side could have equalised in the remaining time, with new goalkeeper Neil Cutler pulling off a couple of fine saves, and Rob Clare clearing off the goal-line in injury time.
Team: Cutler; Geary, Williams, Mair, Adams; Cartwright, Lambert, Hardiker, Bridge-Wilkinson; Beckett, Feeney. Subs used: Goodwin, Clare, Le Fondre, Morrison, Welsh.
Pre-pre-season training for County Masters
Both Sammy McIlroy and Stuart Barlow took part in the North-West Masters at the MEN Arena last Sunday. In case you haven't heard of it, it's an over-35's competition indoor six-a-side competition concocted by Sky so that they can show live football over the summer. McIlroy starred in the Manchester United side, scoring three times and indeed being named Player of the Tournament, whilst Barlow also scored three times, including a goal in the final, for a victorious Everton. The Toffees also included Brett Angell and former assistant manager Kevin Richardson in their ranks.
Palmer shown the door
Stockport County have sacked manager Carlton Palmer and placed John Hollins and Kevin Richardson in temporary charge for tomorrow's game with Blackpool. Palmer has paid the price for a poor start to the season, which sees County fourth from bottom after the opening eight games. Tuesday night's defeat to Hartlepool was the 48th league defeat under Palmer's charge from 84 starts, whilst the undoubted highlight of Palmer's reign was the 2-1 home win over Manchester City in March 2002.
Beckett out for season
County's top scorer both last season and this is unlikely to kick a ball in anger for the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with cruciate knee ligament damage. The injury was suffered in last Saturday's game at home to Tranmere following a challenge with Austrian midfielder Anreas Lipa, and it was initially thought that the No.9 would be back by the end of the month. However, with an expected recovery time of six months following an operation, any Beckett return would be only for the final handful of games of the campaign.
Unbeaten run ends
The four-match unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday night with Hartlepool the victors at Edgeley Park 2-1. 'Pool scored eight minutes in to each half, with Aaron Wilbraham briefly pulling County level just before the break. They now face Blackpool on Saturday back in the bottom four of the table.
County pegged as Goodwin sees red
For the second home game in a row a draw was overshadowed by a red card to a County player, as this time Jim Goodwin was sent from the field for a two-footed challenge on Billy Paynter 18 minutes from time. At this stage County were two up through goals from Luke Beckett and Kevin Ellison, but Vale scrambled back for a draw with two goals in the final ten minutes with Paynter and then Sam Collins netting the goals.
Everton date decided
County's Carling Cup tie at Goodison Park will now definatelty take place on Wednesday 24 September following the scheduling of Liverpool's home UEFA Cup tie for the following evening. Tickets priced at £15 and £5 conncessions are available to season ticket holders all this week.
Smith to sign on loan
Hull City left-back Shaun Smith is set to sign on a month's loan to provide much-needed cover prior to Saturday's home game with Port Vale. Smith made his name as a long-serving player at Dario Gradi's Crewe before moving to the KC Stadium prior to the 2002/03 season.
Saturday game definately ON
Following Owen Morrison's release from the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad, Saturday's home game with league leaders Port Vale will go ahead. County may also be able to call upon the services of Jon Daly, as he is likely to be only on the bench for Republic of Ireland Under-21s the previous evening. This would leave County without only Nick Colgan, on duty with the Republic full side for their Euro 2004 qualifier with Russia on Saturday.
Liverpool decision awaited
A decision from Liverpool on when to play their UEFA Cup 1st leg tie with Olimpja Ljubljana will effect when County make their trip to Goodison Park for the Carling Cup 2nd round tie. Liverpool have a choice between Wednesday and Thursday evenings (24 and 25 September), with Everton's preferred date for their tie being the Wednesday. However, if Liverpool choose this date, County's game will be moved to Tuesday 23 September. A decision is expected within the next week, and Everton are also expected to announce reduced ticket prices for the fixture.
Luton take three points from EP
Luton have become the first side this season to leave Edgeley Park with three points following a 2-1 victory. County turned in a poor performance for the first 65 minutes of the game, by which time they were two down. Luton's first goal came when Alan Neilson flicked home a free kick, and then they scored a second in controversial circumstances when an offside decision was not forthcoming and Steve Howard took advantage and rounded Nick Colgan. County got a goal back through Rob Jones on his home debut, but could press on for an equaliser leaving them still without a point this season.
Everton in Carling Cup
County have landed a plum tie in the second round of the Carling Cup with a trip to Everton, the highest ranked side to enter the competition in the second round. The game looks set to take place on Wednesday, 24 September as the Toffees are away on the preceeding Sunday at Middlesbrough.
County progress in Carling Cup
A Stuart Barlow goal three minutes from time was enough to see County through to the second round of the Carling Cup against Lincoln on Tuesday night. County were, however, indebted to two double-saves on goalkeeper Nick Colgan which kept the scoresheet blank until Barlow scrambled the ball home from inside the six-yard box following a Rickie Lambert corner. The draw for the next round takes place on Saturday and sees the introduction of the Premiership sides who are not in European competition this season.
County 28/1 for title
Odds of 28/1 are being offered about County coming out on top in the forthcoming Division Two season. The joint favourites are QPR and Sheffield Wednesday, both available at 4/1, followed by my own choice - Bristol City - at 11/2. The rank outsiders are Chesterfield at 125/1, whilst Saturday's opponents Wycombe are rated at 66/1.
Colgan to solve 'keeper crisis
County appear set to add Hibernian goalkeeper Nick Colgan to the squad prior to Saturday's season opener at Wycombe. Negotiations are ongoing to seal a loan move which would see the Republic of Ireland international joining until January, when the transfer window opens again.
First friendly success
A full-strength County line-up made hard work of overcoming Nantwich Town in their first pre-season friendly 3-2 on Tuesday night. Aaron Wilbraham scored after just four minutes, heading in an Ali Gibb cross, and Rob Clare made it two before Martin Pemberton scored a spectacular own goal to make it 2-1. However, Wilbraham then netted a second meaning that a penalty for the home side after a foul by Dave Challinor was academic. The game marked a second-half debut for new signing Owen Morrison.
County: Jones; Hardiker, Clare, Challinor, Pemberton; Gibb, Lescott, Goodwin, Welsh; Beckett, Wilbraham.
Palmer to play again?
At the end of last season it was widely accepted that Carlton Palmer would never play professional football again, and would simply concentrate on his managerial role. However, his appearances on the pitch at Nantwich in the second half, and on County's new list of squad numbers at number 6, appear to indicate that there may have been a change of heart. The manager has yet to make any official comment on his playing situation.
Friendly calendar
Following Tuesday's win, County's forthcoming friendlies are as listed below:
Saturday - Bromsgrove (away)
Wednesday - Halifax (away)
Next Saturday - Carlisle (away).
Carling Cup draw made
The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup - the new name for the League Cup - has been made, with County given a trip to Lincoln City, as they were at the same stage of the competition last season. The game will take place in the first week of the new season, presumably on the Tuesday, 12th August. This means that County now face two away games in the opening three days of the 2003/04 campaign before first running out at Edgeley Park on Saturday 16th August.
New fixtures released
The fixtures for the new 2003/04 season have been released, with County given an away trip to Wycombe to open the campaign on Saturday 9th August. The first home game is the following Saturday when Luton Town are the visitors. Noteable highlights of the campaign include County's first ever trip to Nene Park to face Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday 27th September, and Boxing Day sees County re-new rivalries with Wrexham. Of not quite so much pleasure to County fans will be the distance of the first three away trips, to Plymouth and Peterborough as well as Wycombe, and midweek trips in March to Hartlepool and Colchester. For a full list of County's 2003/04 fixtures click here.
That was the season that was
To read part one of a blow-by-blow account of County's season, click here. Parts two and three will follow shortly chornicling the highs and lows of following County in season 2002/03.
Copyright Ian Waterhouse 2003. All rights reserved.
