The County Academy emerged victorious against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, as the Hatters ran out deserved 1-0 winners.
A lone goal from Keane Barugh saw County through a game which they were on top for large periods and could have had more.
Bolton had the first chance of the game as a clever lofted pass down the right-wing caught out Jack Jones, the cross found a free Bolton player, but his shot was blazed over the bar.
Jones looked to turn provider at the other end as the left-back linked with Jack Atkinson superbly down the left side and found space for a cross, but the best Dallas Omoruyi could do was force a corner.
County looked to ramp up the early pressure on the Bolton goal. This time Luke Partington and Ashton Mee combined, and Partington’s cross found the head of Atkinson whose close-range header was somehow tipped behind.
Cody Johnson whipped in a dangerous corner which found Ellis Farrar who had the freedom of the penalty area, but his header was straight at the goalkeeper.
It was Bolton’s turn to come forward as County were beaten to a second ball in midfield. A cross was played across goal from the right, but nobody could get a decisive touch, and rolled away from danger.
County’s closest chance of the half came from another set-piece. Johnson’s corner wasn’t cleared by the hosts, and his second in-swinging cross was headed onto the bar by a Bolton player.
Bolton struggled to defend the resulting corner yet again, as Barugh and Johnson linked up following a short corner. Another one-two was played between Barugh and Mee, which opened space for a shot, but Barugh scuffed his effort, and Atkinson thundered a strike straight at the goalkeeper.
The hosts could have taken the lead with half-time looming as a long ball caught out the County defence. A low strike forced Dan Harrison into a great save as he tipped the ball around the post and away from danger.
Bolton came out fighting early in the second period and should have taken the lead. A driven cross to the back post found the right-back with the goal at his mercy, but he hit the upright and the ball bounced out for a goal kick.
After riding out early pressure from the opposition, County grew back into the game. Johnson floated a deep free kick towards Farrar who headed back across goal, but Ben Darby’s shot from point-blank range was well-saved.
County’s persistence finally paid off as Barugh gave Stockport a well-earned lead. A loose pass from the goalkeeper was latched on to by the winger, and he coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
On the hunt for a second, Mee came close. He danced through the Bolton defence and hit a low strike towards the near post, but the goalkeeper matched his effort and pushed the ball away from danger.
As full-time approached, County had one more chance. Jones floated a great cross into the box and James Barry fired a volley towards goal, but it was deflected just wide for a corner.
Full-time: Bolton Wanderers 0-1 County
Starting XI: Dan Harrison; Luke Partington; Jack Jones; Cameron Bradbury-Allen; Ben Darby (C); Ellis Farrar; Keane Barugh; Cody Johnson; Dallas Omoruyi; Ashton Mee; Jack Atkinson.
Subs: James Barry; Nathan MacFarlane; Kingston Figg.
Reporter: Daniel O’Neill
