Stockport County v Wealdstone - Match Preview

THE DETAILS

Stockport County v Wealdstone Vanarama National League Edgeley Park

Monday 3 May, 3:00pm kick-off

This game will take place behind closed doors.

HOW TO WATCH

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions enforced on outdoor spectator sport, this game will currently take place behind closed doors. Our hosts will be streaming the fixture live and you can purchase a streaming pass for the fixture by clicking HERE.

THE CONTEXT When Stockport County visited the Stones at the start of the season and picked up a whirlwind 5-2 win many at the Stones said that will be the best side we will face this season and tipped the Hatters for promotion. They've continued that form throughout the season first with Jim Gannon and then new boss Simon Rusk and although they sit in fourth they still harbour slim ambitions to lift the title this season as they sit five points behind leaders Torquay United with five games left to play. Wealdstone travel there on a bad run of form having lost their last five games but have shown shoots of improvement in the last two fixtures, although they will travel to Greater Manchester with a squad depleted by injuries.

TEAM NEWS

George Shelvey will miss the Bank Holiday Monday fixture after injuring his ankle in the war-up against Yeovil Town, Jake Askew is likely to continue in goal. Charlee Hughes returned to the Stones squad against Yeovil following an ankle injury and Riley Harbottle is closest to a return out of Stones' injury list but this game will likely be too soon. Defenders Nikola Tavares, George Langston and Josh Meekings remain on the sidelines and Jack Cawley is out on loan at Concord Rangers who play in the FA Trophy Final on the same day. Alex Dyer and Dennon Lewis both went off injured against Yeovil Town and are doubts but Craig Fasanmade is available for selection again after completing his suspension.

FORM GUIDE Stones: Yeovil Town (H) 0-2 L

Aldershot Town (A) 2-0 L Maidenhead United (H) 0-6 L

Hartlepool United (H) 2-7 L (Lo-Everton, Gondoh) Boreham Wood (A) 3-1 L (Mendy)

Stockport County: FC Halifax Town (A) 0-1 W (Madden) King's Lynn Town (A) 0-4 W (Madden, O.G., Cardwell 2) Boreham Wood (A) 0-3 W (Palmer, Rooney, Reid) Maidenhead United (H) 2-2 D (Cardwell, Madden) King's Lynn Town (H) 4-0 W (Reid, Rooney, Madden 2)

WHAT WAS SAID Stuart Maynard: "On paper they are probably the best team in the division, they've gone out and signed and bought some great players this season in the window, they've strengthened again and I thought we'd seen the back end of Richie Bennett who they've recalled on loan from Hartlepool and got a hat-trick against us you know it's going to be tough.

"But they've got five or six forwards and when we spoke about Hartlepool we said they had four proper forwards and it's going to be a tough test but you know we got promoted to be in this division and we've got to go there and enjoy these occasions against these big clubs and we will go there and give our all."

WHO TO WATCH FOR? John Rooney: Rooney was a coup of a signing for County at the beginning of the season after playing a pivotal role in helping Barrow win the National League last season. He has taken his league-winning experience into the County team and plays a leading role in the heart of their midfield. A midfielder with an eye for goal, he scored 19 in all competitions for Barrow last season and is just three short of that tally this season with Stockport.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Played - 1 Won - 0 Drawn - 0 Lost - 1

LAST MEETING Oct 2020 - Stones 2-5 Stockport County (Slew, Lafayette)

Preview by Chris Woods