County still in the Hat

There are times when hangovers just dont bother you. Waking up in the shadow of the viaduct, Nisa plastic bag still replete with Ham and Tongue sandwiches might sound to one or two of you like bad news. Until of course you remember why you began drinking the night before….

Aaaah yes. County 2 Swansea 0. That’ll be it!

Arthurs 2-1 prediction was too generous to our Welsh visitors as County bounced back in the best possible way to knock out a team from a division above who are flying. All that depression and nerves about the future have been blown away in my mind.

County are back. There I’ve said it. So the game then…

County tore up the script as they sent high-flying League One opponents Swansea packing out of the FA Cup.

The lads seemed hungry from the kick-off, goals from Jermaine Easter and skipper Keith Briggs, meant we were in the hat for the second round draw. The team seemed enthused with a never say die attitude and Swansea, who maybe were not as up for this as they should have been, were struggling.

A third minute Briggs half-volley was saved by Swansea’s French goalkeeper Willy Gueret, before fellow midfielder Danny Boshell, fired a right-foot shot across the face of goal and Harpal Singh just failed to tap in at the back post. Notice served. County are not here to lie down.

County continued to press, Ross Greenwood had a left-foot strike saved from distance, before Briggs saw a fierce shot parried by Gueret, but fortunately for Swansea no one was on hand to knock the ball in.

Swansea right-back Alan Tate had the visitors first clear-cut chance, but having cut inside Stockport’s defence, his curling shot was well-saved by keeper James Spencer (in for the shell shocked Ikeme)

Meanwhile Ludovic Dje came close to poking home at the back post after a goalmouth scramble and next defender Michael Raynes headed inches over from Mark Robinson free-kick. Things we looking up, and I for one was fully wrapped up in the proceedings. No ham and tongue butties yet.

Soon after Matt Hamshaw saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.

Swansea did threaten at times, and very much against the run of play Paul Connor found space to hit the target, but Spencer made an excellent point-blank save to deny him. Good lad Spencer. Give him a run and watch him blossom.

Hamshaw again was getting stuck in and had another deflected shot, this time the ball nearly looping over the Swansea keeper.

The game opened up a touch, Swansea defender Ricketts fired across the face of goal but it was County who always looked the more likely to open the scoring.

And open up the scoring they did. Dje disected the Swansea defence in half with a pass to Easter. Austin beat the striker to the ball but was disposed by Mr brick outhouse and Easter wasted no time in slotting the ball into the left-hand corner. Get in as we used to say up Heaton Norris Rec.

In fact County should have gone in 2 up at the break but for man mountain Easter, who elected to shoot despite looking up and seeing Hamshaw and Boshell unmarked on the penalty spot. Hamshaw who was at times inspired said something like ‘Oh blast! Look up dear team mate for I was in a great position to hit the onion bag’

Not to worry though. Half time Bovril consumed and sandwiches still untouched Arthur settled back to enjoy the second half, and just nine minutes of action passed before County went two up. Boshell provided a slide-rule ball for Briggs who, from a tight angle, fired into the roof of the net. Get in!

Swansea should have been reduced to ten-men when Kevin McLeod made a lunging tackle on Greenwood and received but a yellow card from referee A Hall (who hailed from the West Midlands). Old Arthur made a point of questioning the referees background and eyesight and was given a ticking off from the security team at Edgeley Park, who of course do a difficult job under challenging circumstances lets not forget.

Mr Easter could have killed off the game but he fired agonisingly wide from close range but the game was won Hatters fans and into the draw we went.

Lets hope for a home draw to fill the clubs coffers.

On a sad postscript to the evening I can advise all young caroosers that adminttance to Yates is not allowed if you are carrying a Nisa bag with Ham and Tongue sandwiches. Beef and Onion next time then…