Stacy Coldicott was ruled out with a groin strain picked up during the Barnsley game. In an unusual, yet bold, move Graham Hockless replaced him. Little Graham played on the right flank with Stuart Campbell playing infield. Town now had the situation of a right footer on the left and a left footer on the right. In normal circumstances that would have made me rather mad. However with neither Hockless or Jevons out and out wingers and both more effective when cutting in, I was pleased with the move.
County started the game on top and the in form Heffernan broke away down the left flank after just two minutes. Craig Armstrong dashed across to cut out the threat with a nice turn of pace.
Town plodded back into the game although the decison to play Hockless on the right looked set to backfire with Ford often exposed at fullback.
On 11 minutes Town won a free-kick on the left. Barnard slung it in and found the unmarked Tony Crane. At 6’5 Crane’s not hardly hard to pick up, almost like Town defending. Won’t complain though. Anyway, Crane’s powerful header flew past Garden like a bullet to send the 1,000 or so Town fans into joy of sorts.
The joy was soon muted though as Rankin limped off just five minutes later. The loan striker had been struggling since the goal with what looked an ankle injury, Darren Mansaram replaced him.
Seconds later the mutedness turned to groans. Pettinger panicked under pressure and kicked out for a corner. From Caskey’s corner Mickael Antoine-Curier headed home after Richardson’s flick on. The strike was the Frenchman’s first for County although how he managed to be unmarked is unknown.
Town were now back to their old lethargic self with no real drive. Mansaram’s bambi on ice impression was even worse on the skiddy Meadow Lane surface. Thorpe was trying his hardest to bring others into the game but he was fighting a losing battle. Jevons was ineffective on the right, Campbell and Daws failed to make any impact in the middle whilst Hockless was having only brief success when cutting infield.
Town fell behind on 28 minutes when poor defending again was exploited. Caskey’s delivery saw Heffernan between both Crane and Armstrong. Neither picked him up though leaving him with a free header. Pettinger got a hand to the downward effort but couldn’t keep it out the net.
Town responded with Mansaram going close after Thorpe’s good play. The young striker stretched for the cross but couldn’t make contact.
As the half came to a close County looked to finish Town off. Only two fine saves from Pettinger saw Town go in at the break still in the game.
No changes were made at half-time but they were needed. Mansaram was having a nightmare and the midfield was on the wrong end of a hiding.
The midfield improved ten times over for the second half, epsecially Hockless. The first half he seemed unsure as to what was expected of him from a defensive view. Second half the shackles were unleashed and he threw them away with joy.
With Hockless on fire Town looked likely to get back into the game. Former Mariner Ian Baraclough was getting skinned left, right and centre by Hockless, but he wasn’t the only one.
The problem was that Hockless and Thorpe, to a degree, where the only ones who caused problems. Hockless also used his long throw, yes amazing considering his size, to good affect as well.
On several occasions he cut inside to fire a shot goalwards but was either inches off the target or denied by Garden.
County offered very few attacks although when they broke it was at pace. Ford and Barnard were often left exposed with both Jevons and Hockless drifting infield. Jevons was failing to recreate his Barnsley form and was unnoticeable throughout.
Mansaram was presented with two good chances from close range but amazingly skied them both. Very poor play but then the booing from his own fans next time he got the ball was an utter disgrace. That’s right, 19 years old, low on confidence so lets boo him. That’ll make him better. I could understand if he wasn’t trying, but he is. I’m not even going to attempt to defend his performance because it was dire, but in a season when several players have played without passion for many games to turn on a lad who actually tries is just shit. His finishing deserved slating, but not to abuse him for it the next time he touched the ball. It was fucking embarassing and a disgrace.
Town continued to push for the equaliser put it wouldn’t come. Numbers were pushed forward but, as is usually the case, we got caught on the break.
With seven minutes to go Barnard tried to be clever in defence and start an attack. He was easily dispossed by Heffernan who squared for sub Scoffham, he in turn fired low past Pettinger.
After such a promising win over Barnsley, hopes were high that we had turned the corner. However this result and performance proves it wasn’t. With the teams around us now hitting form, a sustained run of wins is needed more than ever.
Man of the Match - Graham Hockless. Shaky first half, awesome second half. Nearly got us a point on his own. If only we could clone him.