Stockport County 2 FC Halifax Town 0 ( Vanarama National League ) Sunday 15 May 2022

(All words by hedgegrower- images by hedgegrower & Andrew Machin, plus 1 by Ian Dooley.)

Stockport County regained their rightful place in the Football League with a magnificent performance today at Edgeley Park in front of a packed house and the TV cameras.

The 2-0 victory over FC Halifax Town , who were already sure of a play off spot, was a masterclass in just how to meet a challenge . County stuck to the plan that has worked so well for them this term- a pressing game dependant on all elements buying into same 100% and for sure that`s how largely it has been this season since DC took the reins.

The essential elements have been a keen as mustard midfield that gives nothing away and seeks to cause maximum havoc and in Collar, Croasdale, Cannon and Sarcevic they had just that today with Collar and Croasdale outstanding from kick off to the final whistle.

Collar- back with a bang !

The added security provided by the likes of Keano, Palmer and Hinchliffe allowed the rest of the team to prosper, which they did. Their opponents were neat and defended well but without ever getting close to troubling Hinchliffe at any stage.


Keano- solidity itself !

A goal in each half from Madden and Collar did the trick for County and there were joyous scenes at the final whistle as 11 years of struggle and toil in the game`s ill-considered backwaters came to an end with most of Stockport , who had supported their team so magnificently, surging onto the pitch in jubilant celebration of a notable achievement!

The stats tell us that County claimed their National League title with a margin of 6 points on second placed Wrexham- a truly excellent performance, but the emotion shown by those who have been supporting County a long long time told us that there was more to this result than any stats could pay adequate testimony too!


Lancs & Les after the game!

And Lancs makes his feelings known!

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Back at 3 o`clock the place was packed to the rafters with over 10000 making supportive noises. Harry B and his group had sorted a neat display under the Cheadle End roof that worked well!


This neat view of the display by Ian Dooley

County were unchanged and it was good to see Ryan Johnson and Ben Whitfield claim places on the bench.

County tore into Halifax from the off- Collar combining well with Newby to win an early corner, but this came to nought when Warren and Debrah denied Palmer & Collar the ball.


Palmer/ Collar denied !

Four minutes in we had our first free kick after Collar, who was looking really lively, was sat on by Pierce Bird, but nothing came from the set piece as Slew, Senior and Warburton combined to thwart the blue push.


Collar v Bird !

It was another 6 minutes before anything exceptional occurred, but it was worth the wait- Collar setting Madden up for the opener and it was a belter. Madden`s first attempt came straight back to him off a defender but thereafter he brooked no argument as a superb strike from the Irishman gave Sam Johnson in the Shaymen`s goal no chance at all!

It`s Madden....it`s 1-0 !


and the aftermath !


Andrew Machin`s view of Madden`s opening goal.


......and the shot on its way in ( Andrew Machin )

Cue early celebrations as the old place went AS in response- and why not!

The goal changed nothing reallyas far as County`s approach was concerned- County kept their pressing game going with Newby, Collar and Hippolyte instrumental in winning a corner.


Hippolyte - lively ( Andrew Machin )

Bird beat Palmer to this, as I looked for a response from Referee Matthew Dicicco as Debrah had locked Hippolyte in an unbreakable embrace as Sarcevic prepared to send the corner over- I was disappointed!


This shot of Sarcevic by Andrew Machin.

I was disappointed again 4 minutes later when Spence carted Cannon big time only for Halifax to get a free kick. Just what had I missed?


Cannon going down... ( Andrew Machin )

I was still fuming when County cleared the free kick with no difficulty at all.

We saw some more brilliant work from Collar next but again he was brought down just outside the box, and again we failed to capitalise on a reasonable well-placed kick- Madden`s effort hitting the wall before being cleared.


Madden`s free kick brewing !

The 20^th minute saw Sarcevic narrowly miss out on a through ball the product of a neat cooperation twixt Collar and Madden- the final ball was just too strong for Sarce.


Collar & Madden work together.

Johnson foiled Madden`s latest run just a minute later, then 3 minutes on from that and County almost doubled their goal tally.


Madden foiled by Johnson.


Madden v Johnson again ( Andrew Machin )

It started with a run and cross from Francis- Angol which was too strong for allcomers. But amazingly Cannon managed to keep the ball in play.


The run from Francis- Angol.

Keeper Johnson flapped prodigiously at the subsequent cross from Cannon, Madden did not, instead he crashed a powerful drive onto the crossbar with Johnson nowhere!


the flap !

Halifax had escaped, but it was County who were looking grateful for a stroke of luck next as Johnson then went long pinging a ball into the County box where Keano had it covered….except he hadn`t and the ball found its way to hot shot Billy Waters and the goal gaped before his no doubt disbelieving eyes. He could have put it away in his sleep but awake….he somehow contrived to screw his shot wide!

For a short while after that action the Shaymen looked to be getting ideas, but excellent defensive work by Croasdale ended this, sending Collar on another marauding run up the park- the move ending with a foul on Sarcevic that again was ignored by Mr Dicicco – Halifax were able to clear the ball and I was in one!


Run by Collar ( Andrew Machin )

Keane did his level best to lift me out of it but Debrah got his head to the County defender`s shot to stop the rot for the visitors.

It got rather lively in what remained of the first half as excellent work from Collar was rewarded by him being upended by a poor tackle from Spence. Spence was booked and Sarcevic`s free kick almost declared a dividend as from it Cannon thumped a shot goalward that looked nailed on a goal until Johnson upped and tipped the ball over the bar at the last gasp- doing well to hold onto Palmer`s header from the corner for an encore!

That was it for the first half which County would be pleased to go in 1-0 up.

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During half time our magnificent charity walkers were welcomed back by the crowd:-

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Wetness was falling from the skies as the game re-started with FC Halifax looking interested in keeping it competitive taking the game to County for a 3–4-minute period but without disturbing Ben Hinchliffe`s afternoon too much.

The cover from Palmer, Keane, Francis-Angol was holding up well sufficiently for the blues to await their moment to get back at their opponents.


Francis-Angol gets stuck in !

This reply from County started with a run by Sarcevic who took a tasty one from the extremely un-particular Bird. Cannon and Collar continued the useful cooperation from the first half but were dismayed to see the referee penalise Collar mid move.

That was the 53^rd minute.

Just 60 seconds later and County had their supporters singing again with another peach of a goal! This was started by Cannon whose fierce drive was kept out by Johnson but parried to where Collar lurked, and he pounced on the offering thrashing a mighty strike beyond the keeper`s best efforts to keep it out. The ball was in the net-County now led 2-0!


Cannon`s shot


...Johnson`s anguish.....


....and deep joy !


...and Deep Joy II


Cannon`s shot ( Andrew Machin )


.....and Collar makes it 2-0 ( Andrew Machin )

In the action that followed the goal Keane took a knock and was replaced on the hour by Ryan Johnson. Johnno took up Keano`s right sided position for starters but before long he would switch flanks with Francis- Angol, looking as though he had never been away!

The Cannon/ Collar duopoly sent Madden clear next, only for him to lose control of the ball and the chance- a rarity for the County captain who was again in imperious form!

Time for a run by Warburton and some classy play by Croasdale to unpick that one,then for Collar to somehow keep an `impossible ball` in play and almost tee Madden up for his second goal. Debrah `s intervention stopped the rot for Shaymen and blocked Paddie`s progress keeping the score at 2-0.

Ryan Johnson was noticeably getting forward now having switched to the right flank and County were in full flow now harrying Halifax, their pressing game making the visitors happy to locate touch when worse threatened from County.

And there was some lovely play being laid before us by County`s defence, who in Croasdale had the ablest of helpers- he was excellent.

Johnson was obviously keen to impress also, and from his work Hippolyte surged clear but his ball on to Newby saw the former Shay loanee lift his shot over the bar as he cut inside.


surging run by Hippolyte.


No luck for Newby ( Andrew Machin )

Flares were thrown by the Halifax contingent on the Railway End next, probably a celebration of a shot on goal, with 12 minutes left to play from Spence – it cleared the bar but heck….get out the flares guys yeah !

Crankshaw came on for Cannon a minute later, but he was given too much to do by Palmer`s long ball after the blue number 5 had blocked a run by substitute Matty Stenson.


Crankshaw- another late cameo ( Andrew Machin )

Ben Whitfield came on for Zaine Francis- Angol who had acquitted himself well again, with 7 minutes left.

Halifax pressed a touch in the minutes that followed a spate of subbings, and Johnson and Croasdale were prominent during this period.

The rest I am afraid is a mystery as my view of the action became unaccountably obscured!


Camera obscurers !

Eventually Mr Dicicco did the decent thing and blew for time allowing the County fans to surge onto the pitch to show their joy and relief at the result.

It was a while before the presentation could be sorted but it was well worth the wait as was the joyous scenes thereafter as supporters and team saluted each other( Images from this in the Additional Gallery)!

That was simply excellent and just reward for the players efforts this season and the exceptional work DC and staff have done since he took over .

I saw many who I remember from years back who have stuck with County in the sometimes-grim times over the last 11 years -they had plenty of practise in decades past!

The win is a tribute to them and to the new fans who now turn our games into lively affairs it is a joy to turn up to.

Obviously, it is also a massive tribute to the work of Mark Stott and his team who have transformed the Club since their arrival.

Many others share this glory- the previous Club Board who had the foresight to bring MS and his team in, James Gannon who has contributed heavily to County`s history and progress not least seeing this return journey off to a rousing start with our National League North title in 2018/19, and to a multitude of former County players to whom this promotion is a long desired event, plus the many County fans who are sadly no longer with us, and of course the wonderful Danny Bergara - gone but never forgotten!

Congratulations and thank you to all the above and all who I have failed to mention- enjoy the continuation of our journey- back in the Football League!

Stockport County line up:-

Hinchliffe, Keane ( Johnson 60), Palmer, Francis- Angol (Whitfield 83),Croasdale, Newby, Cannon ( Crankshaw 79), Sarcevic, Collar, Madden, Hippolyte.

Subs not used: Ashby- Hammond, C Jennings.

FC Halifax Town line up:-

Johnson, Senior, Debrah, Spence ( Thomas 86), Warren, Slew, Woods ( Gilmour 36), Bird ( Stenson 69) , Warburton, Waters, Maher.

Subs not used : Benn, Swaby- Neavin.

Attendance: 10307 ( 991)

hedgegrower

Additional Gallery:-

Starting with hedgegrower`s images......