STOCKPORT COUNTY (A - THE SKRILL NORTH)
S
Single strike proves
enough for Town
Hednesford Town kept up their charge for
a Play-Off place with a 1-0 victory over former Football
League side Stockport County at Edgeley Park thanks
to a solitary strike from Charlie Anagho-Ntamark,
writes Scott Smith.
The Pitmen started brightly and forced two early efforts
inside the opening five minutes. First Tom Thorley fired
a free kick right down the throat of goalkeeper Ian
Ormson before Darren Campion flashed a cross across
the box to which Anagho-Ntamark was unable to get a
touch.
It would be Hednesford who would strike first though
when they grabbed what would turn out to be the only
goal of the game in the 12th minute. New loan signing
Marvin Johnson surged to the byeline and his left wing
cross was slotted home by Anagho-Ntamark from 10
yards out.
Back came The Pitmen though and they almost went 2
-0 ahead in the 68th minute as Ben Bailey saw his
header strike the crossbar, via a good save from
Ormson in the County goal.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes Hednesford
perhaps should have wrapped up the points in a more
comfortable fashion as first Paul Sullivan found himself
through one-on-one only to see his angled effort turned
away by Ormson, before Danny Glover had a great
chance to make it 2-0 in the 84th minute as Ormson
spilt a ball into the box but the front man was unable to
force the ball home from six yards out.
Hednesford were nearly made to pay for this as some
hesitant defending in the 86th minute saw substitute
Rhys Oates through on goal, only for Paul McCone to
produce a wonderful recovery tackle as the home
side’s supporters appealed in vain for a penalty.
In the end though one goal would be enough for Town
to make sure they picked up all three points as they
completed the double over County and continued their
quest for a top five finish.
Stockport almost had a chance to pull themselves level
straight away as Ian Howard and Kristian Dennis
combined to create a chance only for Town’s Ben
Bailey to clear away from inside the six-yard box.
The
only
other
chance of the half
arrived in the 40th
minute as Dennis
created half a yard
for himself but his
low driven effort
was seen wide of
his
goal
by
Hednesford
shot
stopper Dan Crane.
The start of the
second half saw
Hednesford firmly
camped inside their
own
half
and
County’s
Howard
almost
took
advantage of this as
he flashed an effort
just wide of the
upright from the
edge of the box.
Stockport
continued to press
and Nicky Platt
perhaps
should
have done better
with his effort when
well placed in the
63rd minute.
CR
CR
Charlie turns to celebrate after putting the Pitmen 1-0 up
thePitmen
33