Wigan Athletic 0 Stockport County 2 ( Football League 1) Saturday 15 February 2025

County gave all their promotion rivals clear warning at the Brick Community Stadium this afternoon ,with a rip-roaring performance against Wigan Athletic that saw them take all the points with a superb 2-0 win.

All the goals came late in the second half of a game that had tension and drama to spare but no goals until Bates and Collar nicked one apiece in the last 10 minutes or so.

Both goals were absolute gems, brilliantly set up and expertly executed , and …….more than that, they were ample reply to previous criticism of the Manager`s use of substitutes( including in this blog)- both goals had considerable input from Dave Challinor`s late substitutes.

This was a real statement, from County one that announces them as serious promotion contenders this season!

………………………………………….

County went on the attack straight from the off, home keeper Sam Tickle hard pressed to push Touray`s early effort for a corner.

The corner , taken short, saw Norwood`s follow up effort charged down , and the moment had passed.

It was 5 minutes in before Wigan replied . They were fortunate to win a corner via a throw in, but their luck deserted them when the ball reached Jenson Weir from this and he shot wide , after several had tried in vain to get a shot in.

There was plenty of life in this game, and both sets of supporters kept the players interested, but as the game progressed so County struggled to make full use of set pieces- a Tanto break earning a free kick that was wasted 12 minutes in.

Corners followed this for County- neat work by Wootton setting one up- Collar`s back post header blocked.

Touray`s follow up earned a second corner but nothing further as County couldn`t find a way through the Latics back line.

Beyond the half`s midway point County were still doing good work - a one/ two twixt Touray and Norwood winning a corner , but again nothing came of it- County were pinning Latics back in their last third, keeping the ball for long periods, without anything to show for it at the end.

A run by Diamond offered hope, but it was snuffed out before it could flourish.

It was inevitable that Latics would eventually mount a response ,and it came via Jonny Smith whose shot was pushed around the post by the diving Hinchliffe- the County keeper infuriating home specs by being in position to foil Smith again when the corner came his way!

By this time Diamond was definitely showing up , but his latest run saw him up-tipped by someone in Latics blue.

I have been critical of our set pieces so far in this match but this one was better, much better- Ollie Norwood sending the ball arcing to the back post where Ethan Pye met it at speed and almost to perfection- his effort heading in until Tickle pulled off a bit of a blinder for Latics somehow keeping the ball out albeit at the cost of a corner. This proved to be a bargain for the home side when Touray dragged a poor effort wide.

County were now beginning to motor – Norwood in the driving seat, linking with Diamond who then disappointed by firing the ball down the keeper`s throat .

Cue more action by Ethan Pye and he was in tip top form to stop Jonny Smith just a minute later as he threatened down the right.

Half time was nearing now- Tanto was still gnawing away at the home sides defences, his speed and persistence a constant threat to Latics well-being.

Tickle had treatment at this point delaying a County corner, Moxon just clearing the bar with his shot when the kick came his way.

Then, with the break almost on us, Latics had their supporters roaring loudly as a run by Mal Asamoah was halted by County at the edge of the box. The locals fervently wanted a penalty- Mr Drisdale ( an excellent Referee ) was having none of that- it was a corner.

It was very nearly a goal also, as the ball came over to where Scott Smith lurked just inside the box , and he leathered it at goal. It was going in, but Hinchliffe got to it saving the day with a priceless save.

Unfortunately, he also appeared to hurt himself and had to be replaced by Corey Addai as 3 minutes added time was announced.

I was pleased to see and hear Corey given a decent reception from the 3500+ County supporters under the North Stand roof- much else was to please me later concerning the young County keeper!

But half time arrived before any of that could be acted out!

…………………………..

Addai was on of course when play re-started after the break, and he was soon in impressive action making a very decent save to prevent Dale Taylor from opening the scoring for Latics as he turned to fire an early second half rip-rap in on goal!

County tried to respond ,but Norwood`s ball had far too much oomph about it for Knoyle to be able to reach it.

But the yellow shirted blues were monopolising possession pretty soon after- just a goal was missing!

Having said that, one nearly came County`s way without delay as Tanto worried Latics to distraction forcing a corner. This was another belter- the near perfect delivery by Norwood to the back post where Connolly thundered into it -the ball fizzing goal ward ( and in ) until Tickle again had his say – a terrific save by him denying County what looked like a certain goal !

Latics looked to reply , and some of their play was quite decent at times- Weir making it to the by line before sending the ball in a dangerous arc goalward where Addai was on hand to claim with noticeable confidence!

Back came County though, with Tanto to the fore – the home back line desperately thankful to concede a corner when far worse loomed.

Kerr headed this clear, the move ending with Tickle making another save to keep a shot by Collar out.

The match was beyond the hour now and definitely gaining in interest, and no County fan, despite their team playing with confidence and skill, could confidently say that Latics would not score- they were definitely trying to- Kyle Knoyle getting a vitally important tackle in for County to keep a brilliant ball from substitute Joseph Hungbo out at the back post. Kyle even had it in him to clear the incoming flag kick which was excellent to see.

With 20 minutes to go County made their first substitutions as Diamond and Moxon gave way for Bate & Camps both of whom were to play highly significant roles in what followed!

It went end to end for a while next- Mellish doing well for Latics to keep Wootton from Touray`s fiercely driven cross ,on 72 minutes.

Three minutes later it was Latics turn ,and the locals thought they had nicked a goal as Darcy surged into the box beyond Connolly- it was an open goal , but Corey Addai did the biz brilliantly keeping the shot out with a terrific save!

With Latics showing every inclination to get forward when they could ,and with Joseph Hungbo and Jonny Smith testing County severely down our left flank – County had a game on their hands for sure.

I had no sooner scribbled that meaningless offering in my notes when County provided the perfect answer….

Almost inevitably it started with Norwood – a neat pass from him picking Callum Camps out wide left. Camps was away and the ball was soon fizzing from him across goal, where it eluded all barring the late arriving Lewis Bate who almost broke the netting from its moorings with a superb strike that never rose above an inch or two from the turf.

County had their lead; the away end was beside itself with joy as a result!

Meanwhile Latics brought some more substitutes on, but it aided them not as County doubled their lead within 3 minutes.

This time it was Touray to Camps and once more County`s number eight did the biz floating this one over this time – Wootton wanted it but he had to content himself with watching the ball find its way to Collar whose finish was as near perfect s as had been Bates` just a few minutes earlier.

County now led 2-0 with the scent of victory in their nostrils!

County pushed on for a third goal but a rash of free kicks, none of which I could find any refereeing fault with, worked to put us under pressure, so much so that Addai again had to save County`s bacon with another excellent save as Kerr fancied his chances in front of goal for Latics.

Eventually County worked their way up the park and the pressure on them was eased, the game ending in a relatively tranquil state with County 2 goal lead intact.

I left at that point so did not witness the scenes with Addai and County supporters in the game`s aftermath, but all involved in same should congratulate themselves!

The game was a fantastic win for County, vindication for Dave Challinor and a big boost to the team .

Can anyone reading this wait to get to Cambridge on Saturday?

Wigan line up:-

Tickle, Sibbick, Carragher ( Goodwin 80), Kerr, Mellish, Adeeko ( Darcy 67), S Smith ( McHugh 80), J Smith ( Hungbro 55) Weir, Asamoah( Dale 55), Taylor

Subs not used: Aimson, Watson.

Stockport County line up :-

Hinchliffe ( Addai 45), Knoyle, Connolly, Pye, Diamond ( Bate 70), Moxon ( Camps 70), Norwood, Touray, Collar ( Hills 84), Olaofe, Wootton

Subs: Andrésson, Cosgrove, Hamilton, Hills .

Attendance: 12347 ( 3497)

hedgegrower

Additional Gallery......

hedgegrower-