Edgeley Park Showdown: Stockport County vs Newport County - Clash In League Two Preview
Image Credit: Nigel Cooke
Stockport County host Newport County in matchday 37, this weekend at Edgeley Park. The Exiles will make the 344-mile round trip up to Manchester on Saturday.
Stockport sit 2nd in the league just three points off top, as for Newport they sit 12th five points from a play-off spot.
Stockport County:
Stockport County were formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers. In 1890 they were renamed as Stockport County due to the town gaining borough status. They’re nicknamed ‘The Hatters’ and have been playing their home games at Edgeley Park since 1902. The Hatters played in the English football league pyramid for 106 years until relegation to the Conference in 2011. They regained their football league status in 2022 after finishing Champions of the National League on 94 points. Their best season in the football league came in the 1997/98 season where they finished 11th in the Football League First Division.
Season so far:
· The Hatters sit 2nd in Sky Bet League Two having played 34 games, winning 18, drawing nine and losing seven.
· Their top scorer is Isaac Olaofe, who's scored 17 league goals and assisted twice (138 MPG).
· They were knocked out of the second-round replay in the FA Cup losing 1-0 to National League Aldershot Town at Edgeley Park, and they were out of the EFL Cup in the first round losing 5-4 on penalties. It was after a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Last Five Results:
Home to Swindon Town: 0-0 Draw
Away to Gillingham: 0-0 Draw
Away to Tranmere: 4-0 Loss
Home to Crewe: 3-1 Loss
Away to Grimsby: 3-1 Win
Newport County:
Newport County were formed in 1912. In 1920 the side were elected to play in the English Football League. They’re nicknamed ‘The Exiles’ and play their home games at Rodney Parade. The Exiles played in the English football league pyramid for almost 70 years until they were expelled. They were forced to reform in 1989 where they worked their way up from the Hellenic League. They regained their football league status in 2013 after a 25-year absence, they beat Wrexham in the Conference play-off final 2 nil. Their best season in the football league came in the 1939/40 season where they finished 9th in the Football League Second Division, despite the season being abandoned due to the beginning of WW2.
Season so far:
· The Exile’s have played 35, winning 14, drawing 7 and losing 14.
· Their top scorer is Will Evans who’s scored 20 league goals and assisted three (145 MPG).
· The Exiles were knocked out of the FA Cup fourth round by Manchester United losing 4-2, and out of the Carabao Cup second round losing to Brentford 3-0 on penalties after drawing 1-1.
Last Five Results:
Home to Mansfield: 1-0 Loss
Away to Harrogate: 4-1 Win
Away to MK Dons: 3-0 Loss
Home to Gillingham: 1-0 Win
Home to Notts County: 3-1 Loss
Last Time Out:
The last time the two teams faced each other was in late November 2023 at Rodney Parade, in which the home side won 2-1. The Hatters came into the game having won their last 12 league games, an incredible run which saw them sit top of the table.
Newport took the lead on the stroke of half time through a set piece free kick, midfielder Bryn Morris’ well taken strike on the edge of the box flew past Ben Hinchcliffe in goal.
Despite Stockport dominating possession, Newport went and doubled their lead with just over 20 minutes to go. A cross into the box from Lewis Payne on the right wing looked to have had too much on it, finds Shane Mcloughlin who chests the ball down just inside the box and volley’s it into the top right.
With 20 minutes to play Stockport had it all to do. The Hatters got one back in the 96th minute after an error from Nick Townsend in the Newport goal although it wasn't enough, and the home side came away with all three points.
Head-to-head:
Newport and Stockport first played each other back in March 1959 when the Hatters came away 2-1 winners, since then the two sides have faced each other on another 36 occasions, with the Exiles winning 13, the Hatters 14 and then drawing 10.
The last time the Exiles played at Edgeley Park was last season in April 2023 where they lost 4 nil, The Hatters went on to make the League Two play-off final where they lost 5-4 on penalties to Carlisle United.