By Joseph Pearson
Craven faced another difficult game as Stockport College arrived at Sandylands. The game was to be refereed by Andy Halliday, who had been an official at the DW stadium the night before, for the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan and Aston Villa. This Fesco League game may not have been that high profile compared to the Premier League but it was still an important game for both sides.
However, neither side started the game that well in a quiet start to the game. This may have been due to the falling rain being blown around the pitch by a strong breeze. Furthermore, the freezing temperatures added to the difficult conditions. As the half went on, the easier the conditions became and the game was beginning to come to life. Craven’s first chance came when Andy Rowley spun Stockport’s centre back and volleyed towards goal. His good shot was well saved by the keeper and this was the beginning of a flurry of goal scoring opportunities.
Danny Knight was forced into making two comfortable saves from Stockport’s forwards but it was Craven who were inches from taking the lead. Jack Hartley crossed superbly into the penalty area and Clark Lydon just missed it with a diving header. Hartley came close to scoring himself, when his over hit free kick bounced back off the bar and was cleared by Stockport.
It was then Stockport who almost took the lead after several desperate attempts to score. A free header was missed at the far post and then when Stockport counter attacked, it looked as if they were certain to score but the shot was somehow put over the bar from close range. Another chance came when a corner was met with a powerful header from a Stockport player but Nathan Foster was in the right place at the right time, as he cleared it off the line.
The deadlock was finally broken right on the stroke of half time. Stockport’s right winger cut inside to shoot with his left foot and he curled it beautifully past Danny Knight. Seconds after Craven kicked off, Andy Halliday blew his whistle for half time. Stockport had scored the first goal at a crucial time and it was difficult to take for Craven.
Sadly, the second half was dominated by Stockport, who were beginning to look better and better. A great cross field ball was controlled well by Stockport’s right winger and he shot towards goal but Danny Knight saved well. From the resulting corner, a Stockport player was given a free header at the post, which forced Knight into making a great save. Only minutes later, the same player had another free header at the far post from a corner but it proved to be a case of déjà vu as Knight pulled off another good save.
There’s no doubt that Craven’s keeper had kept them in the match thus far and there was a sudden chance for an equaliser. Clark Lydon controlled the ball well on the edge of the box, pulled out wide and produced a brilliant low cross which was begging to be put away. Unfortunately, as Andy Rowley stretched for it, he got underneath the ball and put it over. A great chance gone and it wasn’t long before Craven were punished.
Stockport had a free kick, which was driven in low that Knight could only parry to a Stockport man, who had a tap in at the far post. It was now 2-0 to Stockport and it was all uphill for Craven now. Forced into attacking, Craven had 3 up front now which left them vulnerable to the counter attack. Stockport made it 3-0 when their right winger crossed to his team-mate for a low finish into the corner. Craven continued to fight but they were really up against it now and they conceded a fourth goal late on. Knight continued to make good saves to deny Stockport and there was almost a consolation for Craven when Clark Lydon’s late effort was well saved by Stockport’s keeper. The final whistle finally came and Craven had lost 4-0. Positives can be taken from the first half but they won’t forget the second half in a hurry.
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