In the doldrums

I’ve never been to a last-game-of-the-season match before, but the opportunity arose when County played the league leaders Carlisle. It was billed as County’s most important game in their history and something mouthwatering enough to make even me part with some cash (or in this case, my Dad’s). the atmosphere was fantastic and Edgeley Park was the fullest I’ve ever seen it. I don’t want to upset the County fans but the quality of Stockport’s football was pretty dire. Carlisle opened the game with some attractive football and looked like worthy League 2 champions. Stockport, by contrast, looked like a conference side never able to hold onto the ball for more than a few passes before pumping aimless long balls forward. Things looked bad indeed when word came through that Oxford were leading against Leyton Orient and County were heading for the league trap door. Leyton Orient equalized a few mins later and we could all breathe again. At half time I made the long trek over to meet the nervous-looking Hornsby Clan and Justin gathered at the Cheadle End. The second half kicked off and Carlisle had sunk to Stockport’s standard and County started to match Carlisle being extremely unlucky not to score when a header struck the underside of the bar, fully deservimg their draw. But would it be enough? Luckily it was and the biggest cheer of the day came when the Leyton Orient result came in. A memorable day indeed. I’ve tried to work out how many county games I’ve been to and I think the answer is 17 which equates to an average of exactly 1 game per season since 1988-89. The first was a 5-0 win vs Scunthorpe in either May 1989 or 1990 (I went with Neville Road Junior School and I didn't keep a diary in those days) when Stockport were in the lower half of Division 4. Saturday was the first time I’ve ever seen a 0-0 draw, though the atmosphere and tension was worth it. However, Jim Gannon or no Jim Gannon I think next season will be a struggle and I don’t have visions of Stockport soaring into the play-offs.