Really good game, performance and result.
After a slightly worrying start, in which Stockport had us penned back for a bit and got a few corners in, we managed to turn it around and played some really good football, keeping posession in the right areas and creating some good chances along the way.
Going into half time at 0-0 I was worried that we'd take a while to start playing at the same tempo and with the same fluency in the second half, but we got out of the blocks quickly and Edds did well with his header to make it 1-0. This is the point at which, in previous seasons, we would quite predictably retreat back towards our own goal whilst half an hour of pressure ensued but, impressively, we managed to keep going and continued to plough men forward in search of a second, keeping posession and pinning them back in their own half. Having had a perfectly legitimate penalty disallowed in the first half, Moore made sure of the win by tucking away from the spot in the second. Did anyone else see his celebration? ****ing brilliant stuff.
Shuker was brilliant in his free role in behind Moore, and Stockport had no idea how to deal with his movement and craft. Moore himself had another great game and clearly was out to prove a point against his old club. Shotton and Goodison were excellent at the back, whilst Jennings put in a performance of the quality he was consistantly achieving last season. Sonko was same old, as was Edds by and large, but Barnett impressed me again on the left. He's a really clever, thoughtful player and did at times did good job defensivley too - I think people need to remember that apart from his handful of appearences this season, he's only ever experienced reserve team football. First team football is a big step up, especially when you're playing out of position, so I think he's doing well.
Also, I think we owe a lot of thanks to tonight's officials. They were absoloutely terrible - really, really, bad - but the unfair treatment we recieved in the first half hour really got the crowd and the players fired up, and we channelled our frustration in the right way.
We're going great guns at home now, and with this new formation working well, here's to hoping we go to Crewe intending to put a few past them rather than grinding a 0-0. They threw away a 2-0 lead tonight away at Posh tonight, which should further compound their lack of confidence ahead of the game.
Credit to Ronnie and the players for a great match.