County 2 Fleetwood 4

I think I wrote before the game that I did not think County had the firepower to outscore Fleetwood. In their last 6 games Fleetwood have now scored 3,3,3,5,2,4 so the question in my mind was could our defence shut them out or limit them to 1.

That optimism lasted all of one minute before Vieira scored and I have to admit I was still entering the main stand and did not see the goal. This is why we need a competent match reporter on this site!

The first half hour looked ominous – Fleetwood appeared a pretty slick outfit and County were beginning to be given the run around. Our goal scored by German came as a surprise and after that we were on top for the last 15. In fact the half time chat over flasks of tea suggested we could even have been leading.

Plenty to look forward to in the second half and Fleetwood would be without their influential forward Vieira who had come off injured.

So, keep it tight County and we can win this…. by the hour mark Clancy and Cox has snuffed out that thought. Poor defending, ball watching etc together with being over-run in midfield.

Just like the first half, when things looked grim, County did turn things around and began to play well at 3-1 down and produced some neat passing moves which on 71 minutes was rewarded by German finishing neatly. In fact German could well have had his hat-trick and together with other chances we could really have closed the game out at 3-3.

Fleetwood’s 4th came in injury time as County swarmed forward.



So a frustrating game. Poor, poor defending at times and yet at other times (the last 20 minutes in particular) County really looked the part and had the opposition rocking. Many I spoke to bemoaned Germans wastefulness, but the young kid bagged 2 and is getting sharper. He does need a decent strike partner in my book. Most disappointing was the defensive play. Hammann has now had 12 games to see what is what. If he is going to have a future in management we may well find the answer to that out over the next half a dozen games. A few tweaks and not wholesale changes I would suggest.



Anyway, County lined up like this;

Starting XI: Glennon, Holden, O’Donnell, German, Nolan, McCann, Rowe (Miles), Chadwick, Piergianni, Paton (Whitehead), Blackburn (Sheridan).

Subs: Ormson, Sheridan, Miles, Whitehead, Bounab.



Not going to criticise players yet as I need to see more.



As for Fleetwood – they were without key players Brodie and Vardy. They will be up there come the end of the season. County? Well I still predict we will be around mid table come May. No relegation dramas, and if off the pitch matters take a turn for the best we may be in for a strong season for 2012-13 and a derby against Hyde United… er… sorry Hyde, Who’d a thunk that a few years back!