City 1-1 Stockport County
City fans endured another frustrating home fixture on Tuesday night as the league leaders failed to capitalise on their early goal at a wet and windy Walkers stadium.
David Stockdale made his debut in goal following Mark Bunn’s late return to Blackburn Rovers whilst Jack Hobbs replaced Wayne Brown in the centre of defence.
City began brightly and after just 90 seconds Kerrea Gilbert drove in a cross at pace from the right wing which took a deflection past County keeper Williams to put City ahead.
Stockport levelled 3 minutes later after O’Grady received the ball from a free kick and was given plenty of time to control the ball on the edge of the box and volley past Stockdale who had no chance.
County then sat back as many teams have done at Filbert Way recently and although the conditions did not make life easy City’s class should really have shone through…..
Instead they struggled to hold onto possession in midfield and too often were second to the ball. Howard and Fryatt laboured up front and the final balls into the box when they came were not of good enough quality and were dealt with easily by the visitors.
After half time City continued to struggle, looking a touch complacent at times and it seemed to be Stockport who wanted the points more, having several breaks forward that could have resulted them going ahead were it not for a couple of decent saves from the debutant keeper Stockdale.
Ignoring calls for Saturday’s late goalscorer Gradel to be given a run out, Nigel Pearson attempted to vary City’s approach by bringing on Cleverley for the ineffective Berner and then Barry Hayles for Howard but neither really made enough of an impression to change the game.
The referee also seemed to get bored towards the end of the second half, apparently trying to create some interest with a series of bizarre decisions. The score remained the same however and the points were shared.
It seems strange to feel so disappointed with extending our unbeaten run while being clear at the top of the table but the manner in which City’s recent home points have been gained is far from the entertaining performances seen earlier in the season.
Teams are arriving at the Walkers intent on frustrating the home side, but a point is a point and if we continue collecting them even when not playing to our full potential that should be a good, if frustrating end to the season.
City: Stockdale, Gilbert, Morrison, Hobbs, Mattock, Oakley, Berner (Cleverley 57), A King, Dyer, Fryatt, Howard (Hayles 73). Subs Not Used: Gradel, Powell, Pentney.
Stockport County: Fon Williams, Mullins, Raynes, Tunnicliffe, Rose, McSweeney (Johnson 61), Dicker, Mainwaring (Tansey 46), Rowe, O'Grady, McNeil. Subs Not Used: Rigby, J Thompson, Vincent.
Referee: G Salisbury (Lancs).
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation