Match Preview: Stockport County

2 February 2023

Tranmere Rovers look to build on a big win last weekend at home to Leyton Orient, as Micky Mellon’s side take the short trip to Edgeley Park to face Stockport County.

It’s a pivotal game for both sides, particularly at this stage of the Sky Bet League Two season – and with a great atmosphere expected, the tie is set up to be a fiery fixture with a sold out away end.

Stockport sit one point ahead of Rovers with both sides lurking around the mid-table mark – however, a win for either team can take them into touching distance of the play-offs.

A win for Tranmere last weekend at home to table toppers Leyton Orient sets them in good stead for the fixture. Stockport, managed by Dave Challinor, come into the match with a 1-1 draw away at Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday evening.

Tranmere have come out on top of 35% of fixtures against their Cheshire rivals since the first meeting between the two sides in 1921 – winning 45 and drawing 33 of the 128 games.

The most recent meeting between the two clubs was a goalless draw in November at Prenton Park, where neither side showed real quality in front of goal, hence the points were shared.

Stockport’s home form has been better than their away form this season – winning 6 and drawing 4 out of 13 games. Their most recent was a goalless draw against Bradford last Tuesday.

One To Watch: Paddy Madden

Paddy Madden is an Irish forward who signed for County in 2021, and hasn’t looked back since, scoring 39 goals in 77 appearances.

Madden started his career at Bohemians, before signing his first deal for an EFL side in 2011, as he put pen-to-paper in a deal for Carlisle United. He didn’t get the break-through he wanted though, scoring just 2 in 32 games.

He spent the 2012-13 season out on loan at Yeovil Town, where he kicked on, and hit the back of the net 9 times in 15 games.

He later signed permanently for Town, where his deal lasted for the 2013-14 season, scoring 13 in 29 games.

He signed for Scunthorpe United in 2014, where he stayed for 4 years. He netted 52 goals for United in 167 appearances, before moving onto Fleetwood Town in 2018.

He stayed at the Fishermen for 3 years, where he was successful in front of goal – scoring 43 goals in 131 appearances.

He signed for Stockport County in 2021, and has since become a fan-favourite at Edgeley Park, scoring 39 goals in 77 games.

One of his most famous goals for County though, and one he will be remembered for, is getting them back in the game in the FA Cup First Round tie against Bolton Wanderers, scoring a penalty in the 24th minute.

The Manager: Dave Challinor

The current Stockport County boss will be a well-known name to Tranmere Rovers fans.

Dave Challinor enjoyed a successful playing career across youth setups across Cheshire and Merseyside, before signing his first professional deal aged 18 for Tranmere Rovers.

He spent 8 years at Prenton Park from 1994 to 2002, scoring 6 times from the heart of defence in 140 appearances for the Super White Army.

He later moved on to Stockport County, playing 100 times in 2 years at the club.

He went on to become a legend at Gigg Lane for Bury FC, featuring 173 times for the Shakers across 2 spells, lasting from 2004-2008.

Following his release from Bury, he signed for Welsh side, Colwyn Bay FC. He later became manager of the club in 2010, where he guided the club to the play-offs and promotion to the Conference North, as well as winning the North Wales Coast Cup.

He was announced as manager of AFC Fylde in 2011, who were then participants of the Northern Premier League. He led Fylde to promotions to the Northern Premier League Premier Division and the National League North.

In 2016/17, he led Fylde to the National League after winning the National League North. In their first season in Tier 5, he took The Coasters to the play-off final, losing out to Salford City, and to the FA Trophy Final, which he won.

In 2019, he was appointed Manager of Hartlepool United of the National League, sitting in 13th. In his first full season, he took United to the play-offs, beating Torquay on penalties and taking them back up to the Football League.

Despite competing in League Two, he left Hartlepool for Stockport County in 2021. Hartlepool released a statement at the time expressing their disappointment for the way in which Challinor left the club not long after signing a new contract. That season, he led County to the National League title, and promotion to League Two.

Match Coverage:

International supporters can get their match pass to watch the game live on iFollow by clicking here

UK based supporters can listen to full match commentary for as little as £1 per game by getting an audio season pass here.

You can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

Twitter: @tranmererovers

Facebook: @trfcofficial

Instagram: @tranmererovers

Match reaction from Micky Mellon and a player will follow on our website and YouTube channel.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Stockport County 3-2 Tranmere Rovers

4 February 2023

Tranmere Rovers were defeated 3-2 away to Stockport County at Edgeley Park in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday afternoon.

Kyle Knoyle’s header in the opening 20 minutes sent Stockport ahead before Kane Hemmings levelled from the penalty spot.

Kyle Wootton was on target to put County into a half-time ascendancy prior to Will Collar adding a third goal 78 minutes into the match.

Kieron Morris struck a late consolation, with Micky Mellon's Rovers unable to find an elusive levelling goal.

Backed by over 1,500 of the SWA from the Wirral, Rovers started in positive fashion, with Lee O’Connor’s low daisy cutter from outside the box inside three minutes watched through a crowd of players and held by County goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe.

Stockport’s first movement into attacking position came soon after, as Myles Hippolyte was found by Callum Camps’ pass before he cut inside to strike across the turf which Kane Hemmings deflected the shot for a corner.

From the resulting corner, former Rovers man Neill Byrne flicked a header off target under pressure from Lee O’Connor after Chris Hussey’s set-piece.

Dave Challinor’s hosts were in front on 19 minutes after Knoyle guided his header from Hussey’s pinpoint cross into the box into Mateusz Hewelt’s bottom left-corner.

Rovers looked to get back into the contest, and Josh Hawkes’ corner was punched away by Hinchcliffe under pressure from Tom Davies.

Davies had to be well placed on the line on the half-hour to thwart Ryan Croasdale’s effort before Chris Merrie’s superb tackle denied Collar’s follow-up.

Rovers survived a scare after Daces-Cogley’s pass back was scuffed clear by Hewelt but only to the feet of Wootton, however the Polish stopper recovered to hold onto the curled attempt.

Hewelt had to be alert to race off his line to dive at the feet of Paddy Madden from Camps’ neat ball.

Mellon’s men were back in the game on 41 minutes when referee Christopher Pollard pointed to the spot after Hemmings was brought down by Akil Wright having been played through by Harvey Saunders’ through ball.

The Rovers captain stepped up to send Hinchliffe the wrong way, with his right-footed spot kick finding the bottom left-corner in front of a jubilant away end.

Stockport went very close to regaining their lead, but Wootton’s header in the box from Collar’s cross thumped off the post before being cleared to safety.

In first-half stoppage time, Rovers were behind again when Wootton profited from Dacres-Cogley’s high ball back to Hewelt was pounced on by the County forward who powered a header into the net.

Rovers kicked-off the second-half in search of an equaliser. Saunders' low drive was deflected for a corner.

Mellon made a double change on the hour as Regan Hendry and Logan Chalmers replaced Merrie and Hawkes.

Both substitutes were immediately involved, as they combined for Hendry to cross for Hemmings, though he turned his shot over the crossbar.

Rovers were incredibly unlucky not to draw level. Morris’ cross-field pass was helped on by Hemmings’ flick, which Ethan Bristow drove forward into space, with his left-footed cross clipping Hinchcliffe’s far post before being swept to safety.

Up the other end, Stockport hit the woodwork themselves. Wootton’s header from Hussey’s in-swinging corner came off the crossbar, with Jordan Turnbull steering the ball away from danger.

It was three for Stockport with 78 minutes played. Turnbull’s clearance from Hewelt’s short goal kick was charged down by Isaac Olaofe, with the Rovers stopper unable to deal with the loose ball which dropped to Collar, who stroked his right-footed into the bottom right-corner.

Rovers found a way back into the fixture with six minutes to play. Bristow’s long-throw was controlled by Burton who laid the ball back for Morris to hit left-footed first time which beat Hinchcliffe low into the far corner.

Burton almost equalised for Rovers in the 95^th minute, but Hinchcliffe tipped Burton’s header from Hendry’s cross over the crossbar.

Next up for TRFC is a visit to Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night.

Tranmere: Hewelt, Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow, Merrie (Hendry 60), O’Connor (Lewis 86), Hawkes (Chalmers 60) Saunders (Burton 72), Hemmings © (Mumbongo 86)

Subs not used: Murphy, Walker

Match Reports

Ticket News

Stockport County ticket details

20 January 2023

Tickets for our Sky Bet League Two away fixture at Stockport County on 4th February are now on sale.

We have been given an allocation of 1409 tickets which are priced at the following:

Adults: £20

Senior (65+): £14

14-17: £7

6-13: £7 with paying adult

U5: Free with paying adult

Tickets are on sale until Friday 3rd February at 1pm and can be collected from TRFC Store up until 4pm on the same day. Any uncollected tickets will be taken to Edgeley Park to collect on the day of the game.

Coach travel is also available for this fixture and will depart Prenton Park at 12pm. The is priced at £21 for members and £23 for non-members.

Both match and travel tickets can be booked online by clicking here or in person at TRFC Store.