🗞️ Preview: Stockport County vs. Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers make the short trip across Greater Manchester to take on Stockport County at Edgeley Park in an Emirates F.A. Cup First Round Replay this this evening.

Ian Evatt’s men are coming off the back of a fantastic 2-0 victory in Sky Bet League One last Friday against Crewe Alexandra, with goals coming from Josh Sheehan and Amadou Bakayoko.

On the other hand, Stockport were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Bromley in the National League this weekend just gone, as a Liam Hogan own goal in the 90^th minute stopped the Hatters taking all three points.

Pre-match quotes: From the bosses

Ian Evatt: “We feel we should have won the first game. We didn’t. We thought that was our fault, more than anything else, with the mistakes we made. We have a chance to put it right on Wednesday night,”

“It’s a really challenging game so we have to make sure we’re at the top of our game. Fratton Park is an excellent place to go and play. I played there and the atmosphere is always top class. The lads will enjoy it but we need to focus on ourselves and make sure we perform to our levels and standards.”

“We were disappointed not to get the job done in the home game but we’ve got another chance, another crack at it.

“We go there having re-built some confidence and some momentum and we’re looking forward to it.

“I think we’ve lost one in five, which is good to stop the rot, and got an important three points in the league on Friday to build momentum into Wednesday and the league fixture at Wycombe on Saturday.

“We’re respectful of Stockport, the players they’ve got and what they’re doing as a football club but we have a firm belief in ourselves that if we perform to our levels and standards we think we should win the game.

“Cup runs are always good things for a number of reasons. Momentum and winning fixtures is never a bad thing and also the finances.

“Finances could play a huge part in helping us become sustainable and that’s what we want.

“There’s lots to play for, so hopefully we’ll go there and get the job done.”

“This is a one-off game so it’s hard to compare it to the league fixtures. They will be up for it, there’s no doubt about that.”

“We saw the Stockport fans came here and made it a great atmosphere and we’re hoping our fans can go there and do the same and we give them something to cheer and sing about.

“The fact it’s on national television is a great platform for the players to go and enjoy it, embrace it and show everybody what they can do.

“Cup ties are always exciting and I feel this one is going to be exciting and hopefully we’ll go there and give a good account of ourselves.

“They will be trying to get an upset. We are a big club at this stage of the competition but we are hopeful we can go there and perform to our capabilities and get the result we need to get through to the next round.

“We need to go there and be very professional and get the job done.”

Dave Challinor:

“It’s going to be around intensity – we’re going to be on the front foot, we’re going to back our ability and say, ‘come and take us on’.

“We will hopefully keep (the fans) happy on Wednesday because we’re going to try to win football matches and affect them positively.

“That’s something we tried to get across after we scored the first goal (against Bromley). We want to get another goal and steamroll teams, not be safe and try to see games out.

“That’s the biggest thing, I think the players understand now what I want from them. They will be challenged technically and tactically, they’ll be asked to do things they haven’t done previously.

“They will be asked to work at a much higher intensity. We have to get to a point where we can continue that for 90 minutes or we can control a game.” 

Team News:

Eoin Doyle will face a late fitness test for this evening’s cup clash, as he returns from a slight calf problem.

Xavier Amaechi got more minutes under his belt in the Gethin Jones Match for MND, after returning from a foot injury, and could be in line to feature tonight.

Tickets and Travel

No pay on the day is available for tonight’s fixture at Edgeley Park.

Supporters’ should be aware that there will be no pubs near the stadium which will allow entry to away supporters. Any supporters who want to drink before the fixture will need to do so in the town centre instead.

Last Time Out Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Stockport County | Sunday 7 November 2021

Ian Evatt’s men recovered from gifting County an opening goal to lead with a quick-fire double from Eoin Doyle, who made it two in two games when he finished off a stunning move, and Elias Kachunga’s first goal for the club.

Wanderers dominated for long spells but let Stockport back into the contest with an equaliser just before the break.

And with neither side able to find a winner in the second half – Doyle going closest to deciding the verdict – they must try again at Edgeley Park this evening.

Line-Up: Dixon, John (Gordon 46), Williams, Almeida Santos (C), Doyle, Afolayan, Lee, Isgrove, Kachunga (Bakayoko 76), Thomason (Delfouneso 69), Baptiste.

Unused Subs: Gilks, Johnston, Aimson, Edwards, Henry, Pettifer.

Referee: Tom Nield