Stockport County 2 Northampton Town 1 ( Football League 1 ) Tuesday 17 March 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone coming to Edgeley Park last night expecting a turkey shoot with County facing a goal shy Northampton Town side looking for only their second win in 17, were destined to be disappointed, as the blues made heavy weather of disposing of the Cobblers eventually running out 2-1 winners.

County`s goals came via Josh Stokes in the first half and Kyle Wootton after the break- Town getting one back via Cameron McGeehan late in the first half.

The blues , despite long periods in control, again never really looked likely to score a hatful of goals – 3 would have been good and would surely have satisfied all barring the most hard to please County fan , and one for Tanto would have set the old place ablaze with joy, but neither was to be  which was disappointing against a side of limited ambition and even less threat.

That said, it was gratifying to see the team see the game out, successfully hanging onto 3 points that will be invaluable to the blues as they continue to work at getting promoted out of this division,

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Straight from the start though my opening para above looked way wide of the mark as ,within a minute or so ,County took the lead via a snap shot by Josh Stokes that took a wicked deflection off a defender before by-passing keeper Lee Burge into the Town net!

But what followed in a rather humdrum first half put something of a damper on my early contention that` there was a buzz about the place and a new zing about County`s play`.

The Cobblers play seemed to precisely mirror their league position- they won 2 corners fairy early, but then largely disappeared allowing County time on the ball .

This did bring Tanto to the fore a bit -County`s number nine twice foiled by last ditch action by Burge.

Diamond meanwhile was his usual mix of long runs and iffy finishing- lifting a couple of efforts over the bar when reasonably well set.

Wootton came closest- so near to adding a second , 30 minutes in, on the end of a first class cross from Pye from the left flank, but unable to apply the necessary finish in the moment.

County`s play was confident and smooth, with Odin Bailey possibly having his best game so far this season for the blues.

But our difficulty in taking the direct route rather than opting for `just another pass wide to the flanks` was glaringly obvious and irritating to see it demonstrated so often when advancing towards the edge of the box when a short forward pass to a blue shirt in the box would have done the trick more likely than waiting for the lottery of another lofted ball in from wide.

Then, with half time almost upon us, things went awry for County as their opponents snatched  the equaliser.

Yes, there was a hint off offside about the run by Kile McAdam down the County right, but the officials were not interested and  what followed from Town was rather well executed as McAdam pinged the ball across the box where Addai could only parry it in the direction of the waiting Cameron McGeehan who made 214 travelling Cobbler fans night by planting a header into the  County net  .

Half time soon followed, and a bit of a tactical shake up hopefully!

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If Northampton were the first to show in the second half, it was not long before County applied the breaks to that and resumed their search for control with an almost constant flow of action deep in Town territory.

Tanto was first to have a tilt- latching onto a neat ball from Stokes, who was having his best game for some time, to go one on one with Burge for the third time – but Burge held the whip hand again thwarting Tanto`s best efforts with a first class save!

Something of a procession ( towards Burge`s goal ) followed Tanto’s effort- Stokes close  5 minutes into the half….pressure then put on Town via cooperation by Osborn and Bailey down our left – Osborn`s cross headed goalward by Diamond….saved solidly by Burke but only parried to Wootton who looked on as his effort twanged the woodwork and stayed out.

County continued to press- Wootton just kept from another Osborn cross on 54 minutes…. Diamond probably bereft seeing a drive of some power dealt with adroitly by Burge.

Then County hit paydirt, and in the best possible fashion with a move of incredible pezaz….started by Tanto who picked out Stokes with a beautifully weighted accurately delivered ball…..Stokes wasted no time and added more adroitness to the mix with a lovely delivery to the back post where Wootton awaited its arrival heading County back into the lead in typically nerveless fashion !

That was simply awesome- what a goal -put away with aplomb by Woots and put together with sublime skills by Tanto and Stokes…..brilliant stuff!

On it went in the same vein- Wootton now very much to the fore for the blues but unlucky….twice….trying to apply a finish to good work by Tanto and Norwood without a shred of good fortune!

Tanto`s trickery won County a corner with under 25 minutes left, but Osborn`s effort from this was charged down as Town kept to their limited plan of action which looked to be to defend deep and hope to spoil County`s evening!

Then…I did it again dear reader…started scribbling stuff of a `hostage to fortune ` variety….this time it was `  County look well worth a 3<sup>rd</sup> goal !`

That gem was the precursor to County winning and then wasting a free kick before DC opted for wholesale personnel changes.

I wondered about the efficacy of this with the distinct possibility of the changes disrupting  County`s rhythm . Tanto ( first hooked again !!!!) Osborn and Stokes were replaced by Sidibeh, Bate and Edun.

I hope to see Tanto and Sidibeh played together at some point- it just might work but I am not holding my breath!

Almost immediately the changes might have declared a wee divi as Burge got himself in a bit of a tizz leaving his goal agape, but Sidibeh ( barely warmed up) hurriedly put his shot wide of the open goal.

Credit to Northampton – they tried a bit as we headed towards added time- forcing County back – County`s control and grip on the points challenged in unlikely fashion as Cobblers won a free kick , handily central on the edge of the box and thus ..scoreable.

We could have been toast …we weren`t as McGeehan finessed his kick past the angle of bar and post to keep it 2-1 to County

County might have nicked a third late on as Olowu , who had come on for Bailey moments before, combined with Edun to good effect down the left- Burge looked discomforted but no more …it stayed 2-1, the game ending with a flurry of late attacking from Town that did them credit but had zero reward.

Three points won, so we do not minimise the value of that after a recent loss of form, and we congratulate County looking towards our game at Kenilworth Road on Saturday with increased relish .- get there to support them if you can !

Stockport County line up:-

 Addai, Dacres-Cogley, Diamond,  Olaofe ( Sidibeh 72),  Pye,  Wootton,  Osborn ( Edun 72), Norwood, Bailey ( Olowu 90), Stokes ( Bate 72),  Hills
Unused Subs: Hinchliffe, Mothersille, Gardner

Northampton Town line up :-

 Burge, Burroughs ( Dyche 63),  McCarthy ( Evans 46), Moore, Guthrie ( Taylor 79),McAdam, Perkins, McGeehan, Fornah ( Jacobs 81), Hoskins,  Eaves (Edwards 79)
Unused Subs: Fitzsimons, Vale

Attendance : 8085 ( 214)

hedgegrower

 

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