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County earn draw in Dublin

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A strong County team made their way onto Belfield Park last night, a team that would be very capable of competing in League Two. Ashley Williams was captain for the first time, and keeper Chris Adamson made his debut. Keith Briggs also played for the first time since December, when he broke his leg.

The first half line up was Adamson, Briggs, Williams, Owen, Griffin, Poole, Taylor, Dinning, Pilkington, Elding, Dickinson.

Gary Dicker, ex UCD man, was on the bench along with Adam Proudlock. Greg Tansey, recent Liverpool trialist, was also wearing County colours after his spell at Anfield , he was also on the bench.

First game of the campaign, you always expect a bit of rust. Thats probably the reason why Jim Gannon has organised ten friendlies, to ensure we get off to a good start this season unlike last.

So when Anthony Elding headed into the floor and over the bar from five yards out after a well placed Pilkington cross, it was one of those moments you just forget about and get on with in pre-season.

Adam Griffin came close with a free kick, but ex-County trialist Quiqley saved well and tipped over the bar.

UCD weren’t rolling over for their English counterparts though, and the students twice came close. Finn and McWalter both rattled the bar in quick succession.

But County soon took the lead, David Poole crossed for Liam Dickinson, who got the ball around Quiqley and slotted home to make it 1-0 to County.

From here on in it definitely had a bit of a friendly feel about it. Half time came and went, Jim Gannon made no changes whilst UCD made five changed.

UCD raised their game, Gannon decided it was time to make a couple of substitutes. Gary Dicker got his County debut replacing Tony Dinning, and Adam Proudlock replaced Liam Dickinson.

However it didn’t make a difference to UCD’s game. They were building the pressure and Gareth Owen brought down Conor Sammon in the box, he picked himself up and slotted the penalty past Chris Adamson to draw the game level.

Minutes later Darren Forsyth hit the bar with a 25 yard drive, UCD really looked a different side.

Gannon made several more changes, and one of those changes nearly handed County the winner. Greg Tansey pulled off one of those trademark free kicks, bringing a stunning save out of the UCD stopper.

It was a good run out however, and Jim Gannon, I imagine, would be pleased with the result. We must remember UCD are in the middle of their season and are much fitter and stronger at the moment. We couldn’t play any trialists because the club wouldn’t want to take them over to Dublin and pay for their expenses etc.. Thats the reason we saw one Irish trialist on the pitch. We’ll see lots more trialists in the friendlies on English territory in the following weeks.

County team: Adamson, Briggs (McGarry), Owen, Williams, Griffin, Poole (Rowe), Taylor (Tansey), Dinning (Dicker), Pilkington (Ellis), Elding (Coward), Dickinson (Proudlock).

10/07/07 19:45 – UCD 1-1 Stockport County
14/07/07 15:00 – Hednesford Town V Stockport County
17/07/07 18:30 – Cheadle Heath Nomads V Stockport County U21s
21/07/07 15:00 – Stockport County V Hull City
24/07/07 19:45 – Ashton United V Stockport County U21s
28/07/07 15:00 – Stockport County V Cardiff City
31/07/07 19:45 – Worcester City V Stockport County
01/08/07 19:30 – Woodley Sports V Stockport County
04/08/07 15:00 – Crewe Alexandra V Stockport County
07/08/07 19:45 – Kendal Town V Stockport County U21s

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1 comment

  • cropped says:

    The name of the game is fitness and NOT to pick up any knock. Ten friendlies is one heck of a pre-season. As you say Jack, if we come out of the traps well at the start of the season we have a great chance of a play-off spot and maybe more?

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