The Tykes’ Captain gesticulates during Stockport County vs. Barnsley, 29.11.2025

I didn’t think I was going to make this match – my son had a final of his own to play in the morning, and Sky had given us a dread 12:30pm kickoff. I know other people have different reasons for disliking an early kickoff – less time in the pub for some! But it must be so affected by youth football, which is a shame for such a commmunity-focused club like County. There were certainly a lot of seats still filling up after us (we arrived 8 minutes in), with loads of families duly turning up delayed.

But 8 minutes late we were for Stockport County vs. Barnsley, although missing the first 45 might have been preferable. The home side played like 11 men who had met just before kick-off. Brnsley’s goal was a case in point, taking advantage of slapstick passing to go in at the break 1-0 up. It could’ve been much worse – more circus-themed football jsut before half time saw County clear it off the line.

The second half was, thankfully, a much better showing. Ben Osborne returning from injury made a huge difference, filling the Norwood-shaped hole in centre mid. Unlike the last home game, where County knocked on the door before a missed penalty knocked the stuffing from them entirely, this second half was relentless. Several good opportunities went begging, and Barsnley delivered the *worst* time-wasting I’ve ever had the misfortune to experience! Every other minute a player in red lay on the turf, with a particularly weak ref falling for it every time. It mde the inevitable much sweeter when Callum Connolly – in the running for man of the match alongside Jayden Febrier and his amgic feet on hte wing – found himself in their area in the 89th minute with the time to volley home stupdendously. Cue: uproar.

It’s a shame County couldn’t go on and get the winner but time had inevitably run out. Barnsley deserved nothing from the match but County’s spirit and importantly support, was superb in the second period. And a point at least stopped the rot of straight defeats!

Next up: Crewe in the Vertu…