Season Review: December

December began with a tough FA Cup second round clash with fellow League Two side Wycombe Wanderers at Edgeley Park. A fraction under 4000 was the attendance, but it didn`t affect the atmosphere under the Edgeley Park lights on a magical Friday night. Ex County man Jermaine Easter gave Wycombe the lead with a well placed header, but Adam Proudlock led the County fight back by equalising just before half-time, he then struck the winner with just 15 minutes to go to the delight of the County faithful. Something to make the game even more enjoyable was the fact that Jermaine Easter missed a sitter, in front of the Cheadle End, in the 94th minute, which would have sent the tie to a replay at Wycombe`s home ground.

Following the very eventful evening was one of those dull Tuesday night clashes, which doesn`t give much incentive for the normal fan to travel to. However, it doesn`t stop the County faithful who still followed their team to MKDonalds despite it being a horrible place. It was a horrible result for County aswell, a 2-0 defeat.

But that weekend saw another magical performance at Edgeley Park, as County really were turning EP into a fortress. Darlington were on the end of a spanking this time, and when Darlington took the lead after seven minutes the last thing they expected was to conceded four goals in the next twenty minutes. It really was an inspired performance by County. First Tes Bramble brought the scores level with a tap in, before Adam Proudlock gave County the lead, Tony Dinning extended the lead with a beautiful team goal and to finish off the twenty minute rush Tes Bramble lobbed the keeper to make it 4-1. The drama wasn`t over though; James Spencer brought County legend Alun Armstrong down in the box to give Darlington a route back into the game. 4-2 before half time when Clark Keltie slotted the penalty home, but a Stephen Gleeson header finished off any hopes of a fight back in the second half.

Bury away in December was one of the fixtures County fans liked early on, and when 3000 County fans packed into the away end behind the goal at Bury it really was one of those days when you thought we were either going to get hammered or get demolish Bury. Unfortunately for the travelling support it was the former, as County rarely troubled Lee Jones. 2-0 to Bury and it really was disappointing from County.

Again County turned up away from home the following weekend and put an awful performance in, this time Wycombe were the home team handed an easy win. It really was a mixed bag from a County point of view at the moment.

However there were two home games in quick succession, which meant County had a chance to turn things around quickly. Firstly Notts County were easily dealt with, a very efficient 2-0 win. The following Saturday Grimsby Town were also disposed off, this time it ended 3-0.

So what was going on? If we were at home we were dead certs to win, but as soon as we were a yard away from Edgeley Park we handed in relegation performances.

However, all hope was not given up. January & February are very eventful. The next issues of this season review will be coming very soon!