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Oh, what a night!

Simon Smedley
8/10/2008

MICHAEL Raynes has been looking back with fondness at his most memorable game so far in a Stockport County shirt.

And that game was just last Friday night, when the versatile 20-year-old captained his beloved County to a brilliant 3-1 comeback victory in the big Edgeley Park north west derby clash against high-flying Oldham Athletic.

Not only did Raynes skipper his side in Gareth Owen’s absence, he also capped a barnstorming individual performance with a stunning goal late on to make it 3-1, his third of the season already.

Raynes told the Express: "Looking back, Friday’s was probably my most memorable game for County.

"I missed out on the Wembley experience due to injury of course, but last Friday was a great night for me.

"Being captain of the team was special, then to score my goal at the end was amazing. I was buzzing after the game.

"All the lads were brilliant for us against a very good Oldham side.

"It was a tough first half, but straight from the start of the second half all the lads really expressed themselves.

"To get a result like that at this stage of the season sets a good benchmark for us. We have now proved that we should have nothing to fear in this division.

"If we can keep relatively free of injuries, I do feel that we are capable of achieving something again this season.

"The way we play and the way we pass the ball around I think is refreshing.

"We know what we’re capable of, we’re known as a good passing side now, so hopefully we can push on again from here."

So, after goals against Cheltenham and Oldham, Raynes is now County’s joint-leading scorer with Tommy Rowe for the season after the Football League also officially credited the Wythenshawe-born star with a goal in the 3-0 win at Leyton Orient, an effort which was initially recognised as an own goal by Brian Saah.

The 82nd minute belter against Oldham the other night was by far the best though.

Raynes added: "It was a great goal as we’d strung a few passes together in the build-up to it.

"I know I decided to make a forward run, and after picking the ball up from Jimmy McNulty, I could see Oldham’s ‘keeper [Mark Crossley] was off his line.

"I thought I’d best try to go for it early and try and lift the ball into the top corner, and I hit the shot perfectly.

"I really enjoyed that one."