Season Review – March

March started with a trip to Edgar Street, where County would battle their challengers for 3rd spot, Hereford.

County had been catching Hereford up in the last few weeks, and with only 1 loss in 2008, The Hatters were confident they could pip Hereford to the last automatic spot.

County claimed another win to back up thier hopes, Liam Dickinson sticking away a penalty to send the COunty fans wild in the 2nd half.

Next was the visit of Bradford to EP, and John Ruddy would be looking to keep up his clean sheet record since rejoining County. Ruddy would go on to win the Player of the Month for March.

He wasn’t able to get another clean sheet, but County still got the win.

County dominated in the first half on quite a cold day when the pitch was crumbly and messed up.

But it was Bradford that took the lead in the 2nd half, John Ruddy came out to claim the ball and tripped Joe Colbeck in the area.

Peter Thorne stuck away the resulting penalty and County were feeling robbed.

But then one of the best atmosphere’s at EP got going, as the fans got behind the team for the remainder of the game, willing them to get a few goals to keep up with Hereford.

And they did.

A beautiful move down the right resulted in the once again impressive Shaleum Logan pulling the ball back for Anthony Pilkington, who duly stuck the ball into the far right corner.

County fans were sent into raptures soon after, as Jason Taylor was fouled on the edge of the area, and Michael Rose stepped up to curl in a stunning free kick.

Another win for the Hatters then as they made Hereford start looking over their shoulders.

The winning streak would continue on a cold Tuesday night at EP.

Rochdale were the visitors along with former County duo Jamie Spencer and Adam Le Fondre.

It was Spencer who gifted County the game though.

A corner came in from Pilkington, and Spencer flapped at it as Liam Dickinson raced in to head home his 15th of the season.

Shaleum Logan then tried an audacious 25 yard chip, which clipped the top of the bar as County pushed for a killer 2nd.

They got it in the 2nd half, Jamie Spencer had one of his calamity moments as he raced 30 yards out of his goal, lost the ball to Dicko who ran round him before sticking it in past the helpless McArdle who was defending on the line.

On to Lincoln then, and County’s amazing away record – and their amazing golden kit record – continued as David Poole struck a second half goal from a cleared Adam Proudlock corner.

COunty were really pushing Hereford now, Darlington looked to be out of the 3rd spot race, and County continued their massive momentum as they saw off local rivals Macclesfield on Good Friday.

Midfielder Jason Taylor got the first, a corner came in from Gleeson, Dicko headed it down and Taylor turned and volleyed home from 4 yards.

Early in the 2nd half, Taylor struck again as a ball bobbled to the edge of the 6 yard box and Taylor raced in to smash his second of the game, and the icing on the cake for County.

The last game of March then, and a lot was being made of County’s record of scoring in 24 consecutive games.

So what happens? A 0-0 draw with Wycombe, our play off victors last month.

Adams Park was the venue, and County could not break down a stubborn Wycombe side.

The draw did not really affect the Hatters promotion push, as Hereford also dropped points.

The only guilt edge chance came in the 92nd minute, Tommy Rowe got into the area but slipped at the decisive moment.

More to come of the Season Review soon, as County’s push for promotion takes a dent…