Heartbreak for Stockport County fans as Hatters miss out on promotion in the cruellest of fashions
28.05.2023 - 19:05
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It was heartbreak for Stockport County supporters as their team missed out on promotion in the cruellest of fashions.
More than 15,000 County fans made the trip to London to watch their team take on Carlisle United in the League Two play-off final today. Others packed into pubs across Stockport to cheer on their team.
At the Prince Albert in Edgeley, fans of all ages gathered to watch the big match on the pub's television screens. Following a nerve-shredding penalty shootout victory over Salford City in the semi final, hopes were high that Stockport could secure a second consecutive promotion.
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It was the Hatters who threatened first at a sun-drenched Wembley when captain Paddy Madden’s header looped onto the roof of the net. Stockport, featuring two changes from their semi-final second-leg triumph, bossed the possession in the opening 23 minutes, but neither side managed to create anything further in front of goal.
It was Stockport who made the breakthrough – courtesy of a large slice of fortune – in the 34th minute. Isaac Olaofe's cross deflected off the boot of Carlisle's Jon Mellish before looping over keeper Tomas Holy and finding the far corner.
The goal sparked wild celebrations in the Stockport half of the stadium, as well as in the pubs of Edgeley.
The opening ten minutes of the second half were cagey, but Stockport fluffed a terrific chance to score again shortly before the hour mark. Akil Wright darted in unopposed to meet Chris Hussey’s cross, only to somehow head wide from eight yards.
County substitute Myles Hippolyte then went close with an acrobatic scissor kick as his side continued their search for a potentially