[choirboy]

STANLEY fully deserved the win in tonights replay!
It looked like it was going to be a rather depressing night when County went one up but Stanley worked really hard to get back into the game. Marcus Carver didn't get a look in during the first twenty minutes against their two big centre backs but he epitomised the spirit of all our players by just getting stuck in and harrasing them at every opportunity. He tried his luck by moving out wider on both sides and it seemed to pay off as he got much more success. After about twenty minutes we had much more possession and really put pressure on the County defence. I was saying to the lads around me just before half time that we really needed to convert that pressure into a goal when the goal came! Luke Joyce was very brave diving low to get his header in for a great equaliser and a goal that was fully deserved.
The second half started with County looking like they were in a bit of shock by the intensity of Stanley's pressure and the quality of their performance.
It was indeed deserved reward when we went into the lead and I was dead chuffed for Carver to score the goal. Young Jack Rose had a good home debut, Liddle was superb again and he looked very hungry when going forward. Tom and Rob were pretty solid apart from Tom's backpass in the first half which looked like it should have given them a penalty!? Deano took no prisoners and didn't mess about. Procky and Joyce worked very hard in deep midfield. Pierro was superb, working tirelessly and showing some super ball control and making lots of penetrating runs going forward. Moly looks a bit out of sorts but he did some great defensive work, particularly when County tried to throw everything at us late on and we all know that he is always likely to provide that moment of magic even when he is not on top form. Shay had a busy game and looked dangerous when in possession but he did miss a sitter when he tried to hammer the ball in when all he needed to do was side foot it in from 7 or 8 yards centrally in front of the goal. As I said before Marcus worked tirelessly and deserved his goal.
All in all a fully deserved victory for the STANLEY.
Although only just over 1,000 attended the match the support particularly from The Ultras on the Clayton End was superb!
We had some great banter with Roy Carroll in the first half and he responded well.
The Ref was weird as I could not understand some of the decisions he gave or failed to give!
Great to see John, Jimmy and the team come up to The Clayton End to thank the fans and show respect.
ON STANLEY ON