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:
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