Stockport County 2 Morecambe 0 ( Football League 2 ) Saturday 13 April 2024

A superbly clinical performance by Stockport County saw them clinch promotion to League 1 with a 2-0 win against Morecambe in front of more than 10000 today at Edgeley Park.

County showed just how to cope with the nerves and anxieties engendered by the occasion with a thoroughly ruthless showing that saw the door slammed tight shut on Ged Brannon`s side by a strike from Tanto on 8 minutes followed by Horsfall`s header in first half added time.

Tanto had to be substituted just 20 minutes in, but if this disadvantaged the blues, the visitors just could not find a way of capitalising on the situation as County imposed an iron grip on proceedings that enabled Ben Hinchliffe to claim another clean sheet not having a single shot to stop all game!

Another example of superb game management had seen County home with their 4-point lead atop L2 still intact .

A win at Meadow Lane on Tuesday sorts the title for County and they did enough today to suggest that is very much on the cards!

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There was tension in the air as the game got underway – the mood of the County fans in a 10000+ crowd was not improved as within 30 seconds Bailey had been mugged and Sarcevic likewise a minute later as he cut inside near the edge of the Morecambe box.

Nothing came of the free kicks, and Wootton’s hopeful cross not long after was dealt with efficiently by Morecambe keeper Archie Mair.

It was irritating to watch as play was continually disrupted by careless fouls by the visitors , but I was to see some early karma as County put a very decent move together as Madden and Tanto scythed through the visitors cover.

Morecambe looked to respond but watched helplessly as Madden picked out Wootton at the back of the box, and it got a whole lot worse for the shellshocked Shrimps as Wootton headed the ball back across goal to Tanto who made short work of beating Mair and giving County an invaluable 1-0 lead!

Would the floodgates now open in an avalanche of goals? Possibly , and Bailey hinted as much -sadly losing his balance at the end of a mazy run that cut a fair old swathe in the Morecambe defences.

The pattern of unnecessary and somewhat unsavoury fouls from the visitors continued – Bailey cut down in peremptory fashion by Tutonda. Sarcevic`s delivery from the free kick was good picking Horsfall out impeccably, but Mair read the situation perfectly for Morecambe keeping the header that followed out comfortably.

Approaching 15 minutes, County shaped to up the tempo via Tanto, and he looked good doing so until the combined talents of Tutonda and Rawson stopped his run .

Any disappointment at that action was promptly magnified as it was clear that Tanto was struggling .

He remained on the park for now though albeit clearly distressed.

Play meanwhile took the unlikely course of briefly switching ends where Horsfall excelled himself with some top grade defending to rob Tutonda as he ran onto a high bouncer in the box.

That was excellent , what happened next distinctly wasn`t as Tanto had to be substituted being replaced by Evans.

That was a real blow and robbed County of their best weapon against what was looking to be a pretty poor Morecambe side.

That said, they did nick a free kick on 21 minutes that saw Madden track back beautifully to head the incoming out for a corner that subsequently flew hopelessly out of everyone`s reach and out of play!

It was not long before County had re-established there dominance though , but despite Sarcevic prising the visitors back line open neatly, Bailey was unable to test Mair on the end of it.

Have I said that Morecambe were a touch `agricultural`?

Well, there was whiff of yer hay and barley about next as Horsfall had to undergo lengthy treatment on the field after being `seen to` by someone in black/white.

Camps then had to make a vital block as Morecambe had attacking thoughts with Horsfall still off the field, following this up by setting an attack in motion that only another Morecambe foul could stop.

The free kick offered hope of a second goal, but it promised far more than was forthcoming and it stayed at 1-0.

Play got a bit humdrum for about 10 minutes after that last action, and it was a relief to see Madden send Camps dashing clear with a lovely ball. It was a good moment but one that passed almost as soon as it had appeared as Camps was unable to beat Mair who emerged with the ball and some credit!

Yes, County were upping the revs as the game neared half time- Sarcevic kyboshed by a wayward bounce that saw the ball fly out off his shoulder as it headed his way in the box.

We were into 5 minutes added time now and County continued to press with Bristow causing some alarm to the Shrimps down the left where County had to settle for a corner when much better looked on the cards.

If we were at all disappointed, the feeling did not last long, seconds only as Sarcevic`s delivery from the set piece was immaculate reaching Horsfall at the back post who headed home brilliantly!

It was 2-0, County had their lead and before long it was half time and the afore mentioned tension was now gone replaced by a good feeling amongst County supporters!

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Half Time Entertainment today comes from the wonderful Amy Winehouse…

https://youtu.be/0_25S5BgTlg?si=NTxM61HC25k-WsAC

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The second half opened with County attacking and a shot from Evans fizzing just wide off a defender.

County made nothing of the corner, and it was another 5 minutes before anything of note occurred – a terrific through ball by Pye that sent Camps surging clear into the box. It was a chance, but Mair was twixt him and goal and made a good save to deny the County man.

Again, the game went off the boil , for about 10 minutes after that last action – bursting eventually into life as Pye once more produced an immaculate pass from his locker this time to Evans , but the ball flew out of play before a shot could be fashioned.

Beyond the hour County went 3 at the back bringing Byrne on for Knoyle- they were still attacking but not enjoying much good fortune as Wootton could not capitalise on Bailey`s work turning defence into attack with 25 minutes left.

The attacking play continued from the blues though, Wootton winning a free kick on 68 minutes. This was taken quickly, and Bailey seized the chance to get a shot in that hit Rawson`s hand as it headed goalward into Mair`s hands.

Penalty ? Nah….it was outside the box , but the free kick was nicely central and despite Morecambe packing the box, looked distinctly scorable.

Bailey and Sarcevic did the pre kick mime bit , hovering over the ball. “ Sarcevic will take” I heard myself mutter only to see Bailey step up and send the ball flying over the bar.

Both teams went big on substitutions in the next 10 minutes-3 each , County bringing Powell , Barry and Richards on for Madden( who had again belied his years with a fantastic performance) , Bailey and Sarcevic.

To be honest play was not that brilliant in what remained of the game- County not neglecting to attack but not bursting a gut in their attempts so to do- they were in control and showed no sign of relinquishing it.

Barry had received the warmest of EP welcomes and was obviously trying to please, but Mair kept his shot out with 6 minutes left following yet another County free kick.

Then the 85^th minute had me thinking that Ben would have his first shot to stop, but no…Senior sent the ball hurtling yards wide of goal.

Ben had not had a shot to save still ,even when unexpectedly Morecambe worked themselves a late corner. The kick did require him to react to gather the ball as it swung in across goal, so claim it was by Ben….. but shot it was not!

Five minutes added time was largely uneventful- the highlight a sparky run by Powell behind the visitors back line. It looked a neat move and deserved a better climax but instead Mair made the save keeping Powell`s lob out!

Much joy abounded following the final whistle, County had secured promotion with a performance that smacked of confidence and class.

Congratulations to the team for this superb effort and Dave Challinor and his coaching team- a top grade effort by all!

Off to Meadow Lane on Tuesday then to hopefully see County clinch the title!

Stockport County line up :-

Hinchliffe , Knoyle ( Byrne 62) , Horsfall , Pye , Bristow , Camps , Sarcevic ( Richards 71) , Bailey ( Barry 71 ) , Madden ( Powell 71) , Wootton , Olaofe ( Evans 20).

Subs not used : Smith , Hippolyte.

Morecambe line up:-

Mair , Tutonda , Bedeau , Rawson , Garner ( Slew 46) , McKiernan , Senior , Stokes ( L.Smith 77), Edwards ( Love 77), Brown ( Adams 69) , Khumbeni ( Songo`o 46).

Subs not used : A Smith , Threlkeld.

Attendance : 10117

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