NL: Torquay United v Stockport County 3pm 10th December 2021

Fans brought the atmosphere from the Weymouth game for what ended up being a very high quality match against a good Stockport side and the best game at Plainmoor since the Notts county play-off semi-final. I was tentatively lining up the Eastleigh and Yeovil away games but a definite now.

Think so but need to keep Armstrong both fit and with us.

Forgot to ask...how did the new additions look?

Thanks rjdgull...looks like Sinclair is a good addition. Hoping Sparkes and Felix will settle in as well.

So, we lined up similar to last week but with the crucial difference being that Armstrong replaced Holman who dropped out of the squad altogether with new loanee Sparkes replacing Moore at right wingback but of course playing slightly out of position. Both teams looked up for it as they tried to look for an opening in the initial stages but to be fair Stockport seemed to have a little bit more of the possession and winning more of those second balls and managed to fashion an early one on one chance which McDonald did well to block and the shot ricocheted off Lewis to go just wide of the goal. A good reaction save was also needed to keep Stockport out after a good shot.

At the other end we were restricted to a Lolos long-range shot from outside of the area which was comfortably over. It was apparent from very early on that Stockport were playing out from the back and with three of their defenders plus the keeper up against our two forwards plus Little in support from time to time they generally were able to get clear. Lolos did manage to dispossess their keeper at the corner flag from a long ball and gained a corner and both him and Armstrong were absolutely full of running and to some extent were the first line of our defence. Two Stockport mistakes lead to our first goal. From a long ball forward a poor touch between two of their defenders allowed Armstrong to latch onto the ball and get away down the right hand side and as he bore down on goal aimed for the far post but ended up crossing it to a covering defender who could only tap the ball into his own net.

Unfortunately as like last week we were unable to hold onto the lead and from Stockport’s very next attack they were able to create the space for a good curling cross from the left to the far post and headed home by the same Stockport player who had just notched an own goal. Possibly instant redemption for him but no mean feat to score 2 goals at either end in a couple of minutes!

The game then opened up with chances at both ends with a frenetic finish to the end of the first half after five minutes of stoppage time was awarded after the Stockport keeper was injured after having to reclaim a ball he dropped with Armstrong flipping his boot out and accidentally catching him in the face. Lolos managed to get away on the left and his close range shot was saved by Hinchcliffe and rebounded out to Lapslie whose shot was again well saved. Stockport then had a shot from just outside the area which hit the bar. Armstrong then managed to get away on the right similar to that which led to the first goal but was too slow in getting a pass away to an unmarked Lolos and eventually the ball went behind him. Lolos had another chance which was again very well saved by the keeper but Moxey was then absolutely clattered as him and a defender went for a loose ball, actually thought the defender got to the ball first but maybe didn’t need to go through Moxey as well and the referee was very emphatic in pointing to the spot. Thought he was one of the best referees that I have seen at Plainmoor this season and head and shoulders above most. The recently fit again Hall stepped up at the spot and took a very well directed penalty into the bottom right corner for us to take an unexpected half-time lead.

With the yellow army in full voice behind the team it was noticeable how the players stepped up to put everything into defending the lead. Stockport were restricted to just a handful of chances, a curling shot went just wide of the post which must have been slightly deflected as it was given as a corner and our post was also struck, I think from a different corner. In some respects a bit of karma as last week we hit the woodwork three times and now it was favouring us. Perritt came on for Sparkes for our first substitution and with 10 minutes remaining CLE and Wright replaced the tiring front line of Armstrong and Lolos with the former having to be twice treated for cramp and no wonder after the way he sprinted for the ball as it was worked from left to right and on one occasion came all the way back on the wing to almost level with our own penalty area. We held out for what I think was a well deserved win and what a difference performance to last time out at Plainmoor. Poor Stockport, if they based their strategy on that performance then they would have had a bit of a shock.

Listening to Challinor post match interview didn’t realise that their keeper lost a tooth……

Unfortunately as we just had a close range header saved the camera doesn’t pan round until the point of contact for the penalty shout…..