Hednesford v Stockport C. Match Report

[Keith H]

Hednesford 0-4 Stockport County

For their opening pre season friendly Hednesford entertained League 2 outfit Stockport County.

With plenty of new faces on show for the Pitmen it was an interesting although lack lustre first half in which County dominated the proceedings. Their fast and neat approach work was a little too much to handle for a Pitmen containing nine new faces from last season. However Stockport had to wait until the 40th minute to take the lead when a quickly taken free kick beat the offside trap on the right hand side of the box and the Stockport No.11 cooly slotted home from 10 yards.

The second half was a different story however with the introduction of Reece Styche for the Pitmen. Playing as an old fashioned left winger he tormented the County defence for much of the 45 minutes. One 25 yd effort by Styche was palmed over the bar by the keeper in the 52nd minute and another similar effort after 64 minutes produced an even better save from the Stockport custodian. In between those two Tom Ward was unlucky to see a 25 yard piledriver brilliantly saved again.
In the 74th minute Reece Styche pulled the ball back from the goal line for Alan Nagington to steer just wide of the post.

That was to be the last near miss for Hednesford as in the last 5 minutes Stockport scored with three breakaways to make the Scoreline rather flattering for the men from Cheshire.

Overall a good first work out for Phil's men. Impressive debuts from Rene Gilmartin who handled confidently throughout,Paul Robinson,the non stop Dave Mac Pherson and Peter Knox. And a solid performance from stalwart Ross Adams.

Hednesford Team 4-3-3

Gilmartin, Adams, Marshall(Sucharewycz), Ward(Banks), Simms, Robinson, Clarke(Birch), Mac Pherson, Knox(Brown), Nagington, Hebberd(Styche)

[Hallo]

I thought it was a good run-out for the team, the defence of Adams, Robinson, Simms and Sucharwyzh looked very impressive.Thought the players that stood out where Styche, MacPherson and Knox. None of the starting 11 I wasn't impressed by, not sure on some of the substitutes that came on although that Brown looks like he's got a bit skill. Another thing is I reckon we must hve one of tallest defence in the league now. All in all a better looking squad than last season, there was a certain Angolan/Portugues player the stands as well.

[maximus]

Plus Ross Dyer who returns from holiday on Sunday night!

[Markeg]

Was I watching the same game? I thought we looked awful first half and little better second half with the exception of a few long range efforts. Did Knoxx touch the ball?

Little too much the same as last year for my liking. Gilmartin looked a very good keeper, Liam Hebberd and Styce look good wingers, the rest failed to impress me. We had no midfield and didnt pass the ball well at all. That and we threw in the towel after 80 minutes. The defence probably look as good as last year but with no attack I still fail to believe we will be promotion candidates.

Maybe im being abit too cynical but what I saw today didnt fill with me with much confidence, although the defence did ok because Stockport really should have been in double figures.

[SteveW]

No, I don't think you were watching the same game, I have no idea what game you watched.

This was our first pre-season game and I thought it showed. However the football was nothing like last season, did you not hear Phil shouting from the touch line "pass it, move the ball quicker" over and over. We're going to see more 'football' this season I can tell you that now. I'm looking forward to it and you should be too.

Don't forget we were playing a decent League 2 side on last seasons showing who already had the benefit of a friendly on their side. They had quality (by our standards) subs and triallists to bring on with fresh legs and that really made the difference in the last 15 minutes when our guys were flagging.

As our pre-season progresses our passing will get sharper, fitness will get better and the players will get to know each other more, this was just the first of 10 friendlies on the way to the big kick off. It's very very early to start drawing conclusions about how our season is going to go just yet.

[Hallo]

For once I'm going to have to agree with Steve, I don't think you was at the right game at all, firstly we was laying a side 3 league higher than oursellves and I thought we played against them for 80 minutes. Secondly we DID NOT give in at all, it's the simple fact of fitness, any proffessional team will always have a better fitness level than a non-league team. I thought the midfield looked pretty effective especially MacPherson and there where many postives to come from the game.

[MikeM]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the number 4, was he called Tom Ward? He had a little bit of the Carl Palmer about his play, good box to box player, whom we missed when he went off. He and of course Styche, easily our best player over the 90 minutes and he only played one half, were the bright spots, but Mark is right in saying that the visitors missed quite a few chances. The keeper looked a really good shot-stopper, jury out about his command of the area, which will be a big element in our league, worrying when he had to play the ball with his feet, given that Stockport in a friendly were putting him under less pressure than Unibond neanderthals will with points at stake. Clarke was utterly disappointing, perhaps nerves, Hibberd a bit better in phases, but our inability to play the ball out of defence was the big reminder of last season, with the consequence that neither striker had much opportunity to show what he could do, though Nagington? looked a better team player than Knox. Nothing went right for the chap with the captain's armband, McSomething, but he was trying tio tread a few passes, though he needed to get back when he lost it.
My big worry was that Gannon would go over to Styche and try and sign him there and then, with the consequence that we'd get the same for him as we did for Ashley. As we were saying about Mario this time last season, let's get him on a contract so that we'll benefit when someone bigger signs him. Young Reece certainly made the difference for me, going from wondering why I bother after 30 minutes to looking forward to seeing what he can do to a defence of a lesser calibre. Any oithers from the youth team ready for a step up?

[terrymc]

I thought that there were some positive performances yesterday.
Gilmartin looks to have class, Robinson, Simms, Masha was good for twenty minutes (until his holiday caught up with him!), Sucharewycz, McPherson, Hebberd and young 'Stychey' had an excellent half hour.
Knox and Naginton struggled against the class of Stockports back four, particularly Ashley Williams, (who I thought strolled through his 70 minutes on the pitch). However, I think that they will be much more effective against sides of the class that they will come up against in the Unibond Prem.
I think it is far too early to say whether Phil and Jimmy have a side that will challenge for the League or not, as they are still looking at triallists and the promoted youth team players.
I am sure that there will be more comings and goings before the start of the League action.

[byron]

Thought the team done alright.That extra full time fitness told in the last 15 mins,aparantly Stockport and toured Ireland before this game and it was our first,first showings,alright

[Andy]

Gilmartin 7 Made 2 very good saves but not sure on crosses
Adams 7 Steady as always
Marshall 5 Had a bad game by his standards
Ward 8 Looks to be an ideal player for our level this year
Simms 7 Like Adams steady and secure
Robinson 8 A good signing.Will provide strength and confidence.
Clarke 5 Too many misplaced passes.
Macpherson 7 Complemented Ward well.Has a nice touch.
Knox 5 Struggled,but we were playing against a league team.
Nagginton 6 Worked hard.Will be interested to see him and Knox
against lesser defenders.
Hebberd 6 Showed one or two touches and a bit of pace.
Styche 8 I think this lad could be playing league football by
season end.Frightens defenders and our best player for
the time he was on the pitch.
Gary S 6 Handled his marker better than Masha.
Brown 5 Showed he had pace .Would like to see him tried again
Banks 5 Not on long enough to really assess.

[MikeM]

Wouldn't disagree with any of that Andy and glad someone else spotted how good Ward seemed.

[Glyn]

Stockport version here

http://www.stockportcounty.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1073133,00.html

(they really are called the Hatters, you learn something every day!)

They seem to be having trouble (as some of our fans do!) in spelling Styche, but then again they can't spell Proudlock either and he plays for them!

The number of mentions even in their report (and previous posts above) of young Reece suggests he made a real impression, no surprise to those who saw him in Youth Team action (and at Kendal) last season

[terry4england]

Andy i think your spot on with everything you say bout each player in your run down, i think the quote on masha was a bit harsh,
"Marshall 5 Had a bad game by his standards" according to suporters in the bar, hasnt he jsut come back from two weeks on holiday or something, first 20 mins i thought he was a different class and of course he tired. I agree with you all the way to about young styche, performances like that will get you noticed fast. Wasnt there talk bout Styche, ross and masha being tracked by a number of pro club through pre season anyway. Where have they had that Ward from to, what are hardworking lad he is, definely another Carl Palmer. Hednesford on the up!!

[Glyn]

http://www.hednesfordtown.com/index.php?categoryid=11&p2_articleid=59

Reece Styche on contract to ward off any fears of him being nicked from under our noses (or at least without a fee) - that last bit is a sting in the tail though!!

:eek:

[Hallo]

I'm sure someone mentioned earlier on the message board saying that they cant believe we're signing players froms teams such as Market Drayton, if my memory is right I'm sure we signed Tom Ward from Market Drayton, If am correct and along with his performance against Stockport then the person who was slating such signing can stick that in his pipe and smoke it. Looks to be very much like a Palmer type of player, Ward and MacPherson could definately provide an extremely good middle of the park.

[fozzie]

Visit cds site for player profiles

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/pitmen


Click on player Profiles and choose the player ie Tom Ward


:)

[Hallo]

Looking at the picture of MacPherson it's confirmed my suspicion, did he also play "Finchy" in "The Office"?

[Glyn]

LOL, got him in one!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/characters/profile_finchy.shtml