TUESDAY 1 JANUARY 2008

Blue Square South

There was a time when games with Weston were anticipated with all the enthusiasm usually reserved for trips to the dentist by County fans.  But this victory which extends our unbeaten record against the Seagulls to four matches consigns those fears to history.  As Peter Beadle said after the game, County were simply awesome.

Beadle had a full quota of players to choose from and kept faith with the line-up that had won at Dorchester three days earlier, unlike Weston boss Tony Ricketts whose defensive resources were stretched with Charlie Comyn-Platt joining Craig Rand on the injured list.  He surprisingly chose to drop skipper Andy Gurney into the middle of his back four and the midfield star of Weston’s Boxing Day draw had a game that will haunt his nightmares in the future.  The tiny contingent of Weston supporters who made the short trip across the water contrasted with the County following which exceeded 500 at Woodspring Stadium six days earlier, and the attendance would have topped a thousand without the away fans.

It took less than two minutes for County to open their account for 2008, with a very indifferent referee Tim Lawrence spotting a foul on the edge of the Weston penalty area.  Lee Fowler touched the free-kick aside for IAN HILLIER for the dependable defender to blast home his fifth goal of the season.  Weston could have replied seven minutes later when Barry McConnell found space on the right but his inviting looking cross was hopelessly headed yards wide by Aaron Wilson.

Another surprising managerial decision by Ricketts played a big part in County’s second on 28 minutes.  Weston defender Curtis Ujah picked up an injury and appeared to be pleading with the bench to withdraw him, but with no centre half on the bench, the Weston boss obviously wanted him to try to run off the knock.  County keeper Glyn Thompson knocked a ball down the centre of the field which escaped a poor attempt by Gurney to head clear and Ujah had no chance of keeping pace with CHARLIE GRIFFIN who did not connect well but Weston keeper Ryan Northmore made a mess of trying to keep out the shot.

County were looking full of scoring possibilities while Weston looked as if they would rather be anywhere else.  Ujah had his wish and was withdrawn two minutes after the goal, but he did himself no credit when taking out his frustration by hammering the side of the dugout.  Weston adjusted by dropping Andy Robertson into central defence, where he should surely have started, and using striker Lewis Powell from their team of substitutes.

Northmore atoned in some measure for his part in the second goal by a very good block from Jason Bowen and Craig Hughes skied the rebound over the bar, while Sosthene Yao, who had seemed on a mission to remove the shirt of every opponent who came close to him, tested Thompson with a long range effort.  Yao’s persistent shirt-pulling amused the crowd but referee Mr Lawrence let him off with a lecture.

The hapless Mr Lawrence excelled himself by awarding a free-kick for Weston early in the second half and indicating handball, before reversing the decision on a signal from his assistant and giving County the set piece for pushing.  Northmore should have easily dealt with Steve Jenkins’ delivery from the right but his feeble punch was collected by Fowler who played a delightful ball over the Weston defence for JASON BOWEN to chip over the keeper whose desperate attempt to stop the ball crossing the line failed.

The goal took Bows’ tally for County to a half century and only Chris Lilygreen with 93 and Garry Shephard on 62 are ahead of the maestro in the scoring stakes for the reformed club.

GRIFFIN is looking well capable of joining that exalted company of County goal aces and he netted his 14th goal of the season in the 53rd minute after some trickery from Fowler who is now repaying his manager’s faith after a difficult time by showing a level of ability in keeping with his impressive pedigree.  Bowen set up a chance for Hughes, who is a hat-trick short of his own 50 for County, but the popular forward went for glory with only Northmore to beat and his shot rocked the crossbar which just about stayed intact.

Gurney was the latest to try to borrow a County shirt without seeking permission from its wearer, and when he was penalised he took out his anger on Mr Lawrence who showed that even he did not have limitless patience and booked the Weston skipper.  The captain at last showed the positive side of his game with a free-kick from 30 yards which stung the hands of Thompson who needed two attempts to stop it spoiling his clean sheet.

Beadle increased Weston’s worries by sending on fresh strikers Jermaine Clarke and Julian Alsop and the dynamic duo offered a different threat that the diminutive makeshift Weston defenders struggled to cope with.  Northmore saved well from Bowen but the best moment of the afternoon came with three minutes remaining when NATHAN DAVIES scored the goal of the game with a rocket of a shot to delight the fans who have always taken Nathan to their hearts for his unceasing efforts for the club he loves.

Weston will feel they got away lightly, and County have now showed what they can achieve when everyone hits form.

Man of the Match: 

County: Lee Fowler (sparkling display and a hand in three of the goals)   

Weston: No candidate.

Special mention: All the County players who took part in an excellent team display.     

© Colin Jeremiah