County 0 FGR 1

Edgeley Park in the sun. Got there early with my lad, stocked up with drinks and snacks beforehand. Back to back win time surely. Took my mainstand seat, enjoyed some of the pre-match music from the 80’s. This was to be the best part of the day.

Normally I do have a couple of beers to get warmed up for the game but if I had known the FGR coach had been delayed I could have enjoyed an extra 45 mins in the Amoury. As it was, the coach arrived at 3:15 and yet at 3:45 the opposition players were sill warming up. No rush off the coach onto the pitch for FGR. In fact it took the groundsman switching on the sprinklers to get the majority of the FGR players off the pitch. Boos from the Main Stand saw off the stragglers.

So kick off…3:54 pm. County were turned round and had to defend the railway end with Glennon squinting into the strong sunlight.

County started with Glennon, Lynch, O’Donnell, Piergianni, Edwards, Routledge, Jon Nolan, McCann, Miles, Chadwick, Paton.

I was hoping Fraughan would have started but perhaps he was not 100% match fit (he would come on after 70 minutes to replace Paton and improve things a little).

For the first 30 minutes my recollection is that FGR had no ambition and County dominated possession and most of the play was in their half. County had some half-chances but already the pattern of play was clear. Neat passes to feet but rarely getting into the last 25 yards and on those occasion we did, the crosses were no where near the one man in the box.

Didi stood, arms behind his back, silently.

I lost count over the number of times the ball entered their box and one medium-sized Chadwick found himself on his own against 3, 4 or even 5 red tree-trunks.

On 36 minutes a rare counter attack, pace down their right wing, a cross zipped in and Klukowski gets there ahead of the county defence to finish smartly. Near silence except for the 50 or so away fans (and all credit to them travelling from Gloucestershire).

I had only just finished thinking how mediocre Forest Green were and how overall our players looked better than their guys were. That sickly feeling was back. I think most of us knew how this game was going to finish.

Didi stood, arms behind his back, silently.

The second half saw FGR with more ambition which surprised me. The possession was more even-steven and they has the best of the chances. Glennon made two or three great saves. County ran out of steam. Seven minites of added time. Nowt really.

Someone shouted, ‘Where’s the plan B’. Someone else ‘Where’s the plan A you mean’.



And Didi stood, arms behind his back, silently.



I think the poll (bottom right of this page) may alter this week