Stockport County 2 Stevenage 0 ( Football League 2) Saturday 18 February 2023

( Words by hedgegrower, images by hedgegrower , Andrew Machin and Michael Shoard)

County zeroed in on that highly desirable third automatic promotion position with a determined and thoroughly well deserved 2-0 victory today at Edgeley Park over second placed Stevenage.

If the win was merited it was also well constructed as a first half where County dominated more or less throughout, was followed by a second 45 minutes when they were put under considerable pressure by Steve Evans side. But they withstood it well and came back again to seal the win with an opportunist goal from substitute Ryan Rydel that had most of the 9000+ crowd rocking with excitement.

In many ways the game was transformed by substitutions with Boro bringing 3 on directly after the break. This turned the game in their favour for a time but although County used less subs than did Stevenage ultimately Challinor`s changes paid off the better with Rydel`s goal capitalising perfectly on Collar`s first half goal and a seriously good second half defensive showing from the blues.

I saw nothing but smiling faces as 9000+ County supporters headed for home or the pub at the end, and as for the team they have well and truly firmed up their promotion credentials with this fine showing in which all 13 who came on for us did their full part.

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I took this one seriously, including an old trusty County scarf with my `Gannon- Pure Genius` tea shirt within my layers today.

And a big crowd was inside the stadium as the game kicked off including 270 real supporters from Stevenage who pretty much filled the end block of the Pop Side ( the image that follows does not do the numbers justice)

( Real supporters )

The first minute saw Gilbey send Rose clear down the left only for a terrific slider from Wright to sort matters.

If County were under a bit of pressure for the first 2 minutes thereafter they commenced looking to gain control starting with a run by Hussey ( “shoot , shoot” ringing in his ears ) but he chose to pass and despite assistance from Hippolyte the move fizzled out when Bostwick blocked Croasdale who thankfully looked to be back to something like his best.

A brief sortie up the park by Stevenage involving Rose was put to bed by County`s good cover allowing the blues to put some pressure on the visitors which saw keeper Toby Savin clutch a shot by Hippolyte that ricocheted to him off a largely oblivious Dan Sweeney.

Boro tried their luck again on 7 minutes, but it was out, foundering on Wright`s solid defending.

Roberts got a free kick for the visitors a minute later, but the same thing repeated itself much to their chagrin which seemed to get converted into over aggression as Piergianni carted Hippolyte off the ball. The Danny Stand liner was fast asleep however and play was allowed to carry on with Tanto running into the box before cutting inside at the by -line beyond Piergianni . He now had sight of goal but before he could get a shot off Savin clattered into him to apparently stop the rot for Boro as Mr Madden the Referee allowed play again to continue.

On it went with County still seeking to impose themselves none more so than Wootton who took a right clobbering from Bostwick in an embryonic blue attack. We got a free kick this time, but Wootton was inches from converting Hussey`s cross from this.

County were slowly beginning to dominate possession now as the Boro back line was sent scattering by a neat one/ two twixt Hussey and Hippolyte that ended with a pass inside to Camps ( who I thought had a good game)whose nicely driven effort was clawed down as it headed for the top corner, by the keeper.

The pressure continued from County but Hippolyte could only lash his next effort wide on 17 minutes.

Back to Wright performing on top of his form next and his clearance looked to give Tanto a chance to break clear until he was hauled down unceremoniously by the none too particular Boro captain Carl Piergianni to no redress from the officials.

A run by Hippolyte followed but there was too much oomph in his cross and this saved the day ( for now) for County`s opponents.

Time for a reply by Stevenage as Luke Norris cut inside beyond the otherwise excellent Hussey to get a sight of goal, but he found Hinchliffe up to the action his save denying the visitors number 9.

This prompted a response from County and Camps and Wright started it setting Knoyle up for a shot that Smith did well to head out under pressure.

More followed from the blues as another Hussey/Hippolyte cooperation pushed Stevenage back on their heels again but Savin held onto the final ball to thwart the County duo.

Twenty eight minutes had gone by now and Piergianni commemorated it with a long ball to the back post where Rose was there to head it across goal, but the direct move from Boro did not work as Hinchliffe smothered Rose`s knock down with confidence.

Norris fired over the top next for the visitors but it was County who looked the more impressive – Piergianni doing just enough for his side to block Wright who had covetous eyes on a decent ball from Camps.

Norris netted for Stevenage beyond the half hour but he was well offside and thankfully the Pop Side liner was looking to be fully compos mentis and it stayed 0-0.

Rose then had a shot blocked following a nippy looking run by Smith. Then it was County`s turn Jordan Roberts doing well for Stevenage to foil an impish link up from Knoyle and Wright.

This did not deter the blues instead they re-doubled their efforts Sweeney excelling for Boro heading Camps cross out , but the ball came back with interest via Hippolyte whose low cross picked out Collar perfectly and he quickly turned it into the net to give County a deserved lead.

( image by Michael Shoard )

County were dominating now but it stayed 1-0 despite Camps good work as Hippolyte`s drive climbed amongst us in the Cheadle End with 5 minutes normal time left of the first half.

The pressure was on Boro now and Wootton was not far away from diverting Camps cross home a minute later.

It continued with Bostwick clubbing the ball in the general direction of the Friary on Castle Street with County on Stevenage’s case.

With a minute left Boro replied as Mr Madden contrived to give the visitors a free kick. Forster- Caskey took this- Wright headed it out only for it to come back via Smith . A corner followed but any chance for Stevenage vanished as Hinchliffe claimed the ball from this to calm matters down.

Added time brought some frustration as Mr Madden generously / foolishly (delete to taste) allowed Piergranni to take a free kick after he had plainly waved advantage and allowed play to flow!

County cleared the kick with little trouble, but I was still fuming about that one deep into the break.

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The second half opened with Stevenage fielding 3 substitutes.

My thoughts as to how this might affect the Stevenage tactics quickly saw an answer as Wright had to be at his best to block a run by Norris.

( image by Michael hoard )

A long break in play followed as Knoyle and Reid came together in a sickening clash of heads that ultimately saw Knoyle resume with one of County`s fast depleting stock of bandages on his head.

But the unscheduled break seemed to briefly effect County adversely as both Byrne and Hussey took turns to allow the ball to bounce on into the box with substitute Jake Taylor looking interested. It was an obvious error of judgement and a real chance for Taylor to get his team back to parity, but he snatched at it and Hinchliffe was able to clear.

Then Roberts followed up for Stevenage having great good fortune in sneaking clear. It was another possible chance but Hinchliffe stared the threat down claiming the ball at his near post.

On it went-Norris close to adding a finish to a cross on the hour, then Hinchliffe saved from Taylor capitalising on Hippolyte`s loose ball.

Perhaps stung by the last action Hippolyte went on a run only thwarted by good work from Savin on 67 minutes.

A double subbing by County seemed to be put off next as Wootton and Byrne had treatment. Both resumed appearing none the worse for wear to watch Hippolyte surge through on goal as County attacked the sparsely populated Railway End. Cutting inside things looked good until he was brought down in front of goal. “Penalty “ was the cry from 9000+ County fans but Mr Massey resisted the temptation and gave us a corner that had the keeper flapping prodigiously seeking the ball. Wright had it but the angle was too great probably and Savin recovered to make the save and keep it at 1-0.

Stevenage responded quickly Roberts sending Jamie Reid ( another 2^nd half sub) dashing clear. The only problem ( well there were 2 actually) first Reid was well offside but secondly the liner was umpteen yards behind play and did not give it.

The County crowd were livid but County allayed their worries with some cool defending.

Back came County but Wootton was brought down when darting clear . The free kick was within Hussey`s range but he sent it to the back post where Collar headed wide.

County kept attacking but without getting a second goal and with the visitors wanting to attack themselves we really needed a goal to kill the game off!

But another free kick for a foul on Hippolyte foundered on Piergianni`s firm headed clearance.

There were 10 minutes of normal time left and a shed load of added time for sure as Stevenage attacked in an attempt to get that elusive equaliser with some increasingly frantic moves.

Against this Camps and Knoyle did splendidly to block Reid’s break.

The 82nd, minute saw Ryan Johnson on for Tanto. Tanto left to an ovation as he did on Tuesday, and Johnno got through valuable work in what remained of the game.

The 86^th minute saw Knoyle`s cross miss out for County , following which Johnson got the first of I reckoned 8 or 9 good quality defensive headers in for the blues when they needed it, this first one seeing him head Josh Reid`s effort out from under the bar.

Another minute….. another chance as Camps seized possession to send Wootton clear. It looked a chance, but Kyle could not convert it.

On to the 90 minute mark and a free kick to Boro that Johnson headed out and Hinchliffe claimed confidently when it came back via Smith.

Twice Johnson headed clear again with Stevenage looking ever more purposeful as time passed. Then Hippolyte blocked another shot which was his last act for the game as he was then replaced by Rydel on 92 minutes.

Back came Boro only for Johnson to again get a decisive header in to thwart their advance.

County, despite the flurry of attacking from their opponents, were holding out well. It did nothing for the nerves though …we still rather needed that goal but instead Taylor got the better of Mr Madden by winning a free kick deep in added time.

County cleared that and attacked themselves only for keeper Savin to feed us like a diligent zoo keeper would a hungry lion and Collar was very hungry and latched onto the poorest of attempted clearances by Savin, running on before pushing the ball inside for the arriving Rydel to slot home and double the blues lead to 2-0.

Credit to Boro, they kept plugging away winning a late/ late free kick that might have brought them a goal and turned what was left of the game into a nightmare for County.

It wasn`t to be- it was close-ish but Johnson did just enough to ensure that Norris missed out, getting his umpteenth headed clearance in almost smack on time.

That was a most satisfactory win for County which keeps us within sniffing distance of the third automatic place, so keep it going County starting Tuesday at Rochdale.

Stockport County line up:-

Hinchliffe , Knoyle, Wright , Byrne , Hussey , Hippolyte ( Rydel 92), Croasdale, Camps , Collar, Wootton, Olaofe ( R Johnson 82).

Subs not used: Jaros, Evans, Stretton, Lewis , Grayson .

Stevenage line up:-

Savin, Piergianni , Sweeney , Norris , Roberts ( Mrach 88), Smith , Gilbey ( Horgan 85), Bostwick ( Taylor 45) , Josh Reid, Forster -Caskey ( Reeves 45), Rose ( Jamie Reid 45).

Subs not used: Przybek , Clark .

Attendance 9412 ( 270)

hedgegrower

Some images taken by hedgegrower`s phone camera.....