WWW.COUNTY4LIFE.COM

'WE ARE ENTERING THE UNKNOWN' - GANNON

Jim Relishing Play-Off Challenge

Like most people attached to Stockport County Football Club, the forthcoming League Two Play Offs and the chance to play at Wembley Stadium have certainly been the main focus of attention, but for Hatters' boss Jim Gannon, he is relishing the experience, something he last experienced as a player at Edgeley Park.  

As County embark on territory unchartered since 1994, Gannon, who played in all of the club's previous Wembley campaigns in the 1990s - will certainly be kicking every ball on Sunday, just like he did when he was gracing the pitch as a player, and looks towards the two-legged clash with Wycombe Wanderers as a new beginning for a majority of his charges. 

"We're about to embark on a new experience for a lot of our players." He told The Stockport Express. "We recognise how important these games are, without building up too much. If we get a positive result, then brilliant."

Of the players likely to start at Adams Park on Sunday, only midfielder Dominic Blizzard has had first-hand experience of the play-offs, as he lost out with Milton Keynes Dons in last season's semi finals.   

As tickets fly out of the Edgeley Park ticket office in anticipation of the club reuniting themselves with Football's Greatest Stadium, Gannon thinks that momentum is certainly going to reach a crescendo come Sunday, adding, "Interest is certainly going to keep on building this week. It's going to be a fantastic week and we're all looking forward to it."

With over 1,000 tickets already snapped up for Sunday's first leg, and the home leg also selling fast, the town of Stockport, notoriously oblivious to all things County, have come out in force to witness Stockport's best season since their momentous 1996-97 season which ended in promotion to the old Division One under Dave Jones.

Who is YOUR Player Of The Season?

Dominic Blizzard is YOUR Player Of The Month For April, click here for our tribute

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR DICKO

End Of Season Gongs For Striker 

Liam Dickinson completed a memorable regular season in front of goal by grabbing two awards at the annual end of season awards at Edgeley Park 

The twenty-two year old, who celebrated being a father for the first time earlier this year, scored 19 goals this season and was named Player Of The Year, beating new club skipper Gareth Owen and unsung midfielder Dominic Blizzard to the award.

Fans' favourite Dickinson also walked away with the SCFC Supporters Club Player of the Season gong. Tommy Rowe, 19, picked up Young Player of the Year, whilst Adam Proudlock's superb strike against play-off rivals Wycombe Wanderers claimed the Goal of the Season award.

We are asking you for YOUR votes for the www.county4life.com Player Of The Year.

JIM SALUTES YOUNG GUNS

"I'm Really Pleased For The Lads" - Gannon

A beeming Jim Gannon was visibly proud after his teenage-inspired County team won their final game of the regular season 1-0 over Brentford.  

Teenage full back Gianluca Havern provided the all-important winner on his full debut five minutes into the second half to set up a play-off semi-final showdown with Wycombe Wanderers.

"I'm really pleased for the lads after that victory." Gannon said after shuffling his pack to rest valuable first-teamers. "They put in a fantastic performance and in the end were worthy winners. When we got the ball on the deck we looked a really good side."

Youngsters Havern, Jamie Vincent, James Tunnicliffe, Paul Turnbull, Amari Morgan-Smith joined a mixture of fringe and forgotten players against The Bees, and in front of a decent crowd of 6,286, gained plaudits.

The win moved County upto fourth in the final League Two table, and now face a two-legged Play Off with Wycombe Wanderers on Sunday 11th for a place in the illustrious Play Off Final at Wembley on May 26th. Tickets for the away leg are to go on sale at 8am Tuesday morning for Season Ticket holders only, and any remaining tickets for the trip to The Causeway Stadium will then go on open sale the following day.  

April's Player Of the Month?

The Final Games Of The North West League Have Been Played

League Two Review - Final Week

YOUNG GUNS WHACK BEES

Future Looks Bright After Cameo Roles Down Brentford

Youngster Gianluca Havern's debut goal gave County the perfect send off before they embark on the League Two Play Offs as Gannon's gamble paid off in the final game of the regular season at Edgeley Park.

Gannon handed debuts to a host of youngsters as he shuffled his pack ahead of next week's Semi-Finals. Promising defender Gianluca Havern slipped in neatly at right back, James Tunnicliffe partnered Jim McNulty in the centre and Michael Rose, slipping out of contention in recent weeks, was brought back into the left back role. 

In the centre, Paul Turnbull - his first start since arriving back from his loan spell at Altrincham - alongside Stephen Gleeson, with forgotten pair David Poole and Leon McSweeney hugging the wings. Adam Proudlock partnered Ryan Lowe up front and with Conrad Logan again deputising for John Ruddy in nets, it looked a very capable team, and with nothing really to play for but fourth place, the game was largely uneventful, but it was the visitors who drew first blood when Glenn Poole's rocket shot beat Logan but bounced to safety via the base of the post. 

The new-look County side were holding the ball up very well with Adam Proudlock, who gained praise from manager Jim Gannon after his inpromptu introduction at Tuesday, looking particularly lively. 

It was fast becoming one of those typical end-of-season dour affairs, with neither side willing to add urgency, Leon McSweeney went close with a low effort and Michael Rose went close with a free kick that arced majestically over the Brentford wall, but was never going to test rookie Bees keeper Ben Hamer.

County were wasteful after forcing a flurry of corners as Brentford, with nothing really to play for after an indifferent season, were willing to stop County play their game with some no-nonsense tackling and a neat pass and move demonstration which bodes very well for Brentford for next season.

McSweeney burst through again but his first touch let him down, and another Rose free kick went over and at the other end the lively Alan Connell twice tried to open the scoring but was himself wasteful, the first was a wild shot from the edge of the area and the second was from a corner, his header wide after County went to sleep momentarily at the back.

Five minutes after the break County got their heads in front rather fortuitously; Gianluca Havern linked up well on the edge of the area and his attempted flick back into the box turned into a shot and with a sign of an apology beat Hamer low to his left. 

County started to up the game with the impressive Paul Turnbull driving hard through the centre and James Tunnicliffe had the Edgeley Park faithful on their feet with a cool and collected skillful burst down the right, but as this was fast becoming into a pre-season affair, Gannon changed things round a bit; Amari Morgan-Smith was introuduced; the winner of County's Soccer Factor was handed his first appearance in the first team, and went close when he neatly turned on the edge of the box but his shot was blocked.

Jamie Vincent, a late sub for Havern, looked dangerous coming forward as County looked to double their lead, Proudlock's Ronaldo-type skill on the left gave the County fans something to cheer, but Brentford held out and could have grabbed a late leveller as in quick succession Ricky Shakes headed over when it could have been easier to score and then Conrad Logan, largely redundant in the County goal, kept his nerve to deny The Bees with a superb double save from Gary Smith, his tremendous agility rewarded by a standing ovation by the County faithful but more importantly, a round of applause from his opposite number Ben Hamer.

County - Logan, Rose, Havern (Vincent), Tunnicliffe, McNulty, Turnbull (Raynes), Gleeson, McSweeney (Morgan-Smith), Poole, Lowe, Proudlock. Subs Not Used - Imeson, Tansey.

Brentford - Hamer, Bennett, Sankofa (Heywood), Osborne, O'Connor, Smith, Dickson (Charles), Mousinho (W Brown), Poole, Shakes, Connell. Subs Not Used - Pead, S Brown.

Att - 6,286

Scott Tonson and Matthew Thorne --->

County 4 Life has been on your PC's since 10th November 2004 - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

If you would like to give feedback to us about any aspect of County 4 Life, what do you like? what you would like to see? What you don't like? then please feel free to email us