County’s first season back in the Football League in 11 years will end at Wembley Stadium, as we prepare to take on Carlisle United on Sunday in the League Two Play-Off Final.
County’s bid for back-to-back promotions, and a return to League One for the first time since 2010, has gone all the way to the end following a dramatic afternoon at Edgeley Park last weekend. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg against Salford City, goals from January signings Tanto Olaofe and Jack Stretton secured a 2-1 win that took the tie to penalties, where Ben Hinchliffe proved to be the hero with two saves to help send County into the final.
It will be the fourth play-off final that County have contested in their history, and the first since 2008 where Jim Gannon led a young side to a 3-2 victory over local rivals Rochdale – it remains our only successful play-off campaign, having lost the first two finals to Peterborough United and Burnley in 1992 and 1994.
Opponents Carlisle also overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit to book their place in the final, beating Bradford City 3-1 at Brunton Park in extra-time, with County loanee Ben Barclay scoring the winner for the Cumbrians. EFL regulations mean that Ben is unable to play against his parent side in the final, although the side do welcome back key defender Jon Mellish from suspension.
Things you need to know:
- Ticket sales for this game have now ended, with County taking over 15,000 fans to Wembley for this early kick-off – despite travel limitations on the day.
- Information for supporters travelling down to Wembley on one of the official club coaches is available here. Please read through to ensure you have the correct information ahead of your journey.
- The game is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, whilst our overseas supporters will still be able to stream the game on Stockport County Live. Commentary from Jon Keighren, Sam Byrne and Liam Richardson will be available in the UK. Click here to purchase your passes today.
- For more information regarding your trip to Wembley Stadium, click here.
Our Opponents:
Carlisle are bidding for a first promotion as a club since winning the League Two title at Edgeley Park on the final day of the 2005/06 season, a day that also saw County secure safety from relegation with a 0-0 draw. Paul Simpson was player-manager of Carlisle that day, securing a second successive promotion for his hometown club, and regardless of the outcome on Sunday the 56-year-old has reaffirmed his legendary status at the club.
The Cumbrians were stuck in the relegation zone when the former County boss returned to Brunton Park in February of last season, but after winning six of his first seven games to keep them in the division, Simpson has carried on that momentum to once again have his side challenging at the top end of the division.
Despite winning only one of their last six games in the regular league season, Carlisle ended the campaign in 5th place, just three points behind County in 4th, with a play-off spot confirmed on the final day of the season.
That represents their highest league finish since relegation back into League Two in 2014, and they now stand just one win away from returning to the third tier – a remarkable turnaround in just a year’s time. Simpson will be looking to secure his first win as a manager at Wembley, having lost the League Two Play-Off Final as Shrewsbury Town manager in 2009.
For County boss Dave Challinor this will be his third visit to Wembley as a manager, with the first two coming within a week of each other as AFC Fylde boss in 2019. He had mixed results that year, losing the National League Play-Off final 3-0 to Salford City, before returning the following week to win the FA Trophy – beating Leyton Orient 1-0 in the final.
In the two league games against each other this season it was County who came out on top, winning 2-0 at Edgeley Park thanks to goals from Myles Hippolyte and Kyle Wootton, whilst a late Connor Evans header secured a 2-2 draw at Brunton Park last month.
Anything can happen in a play-off campaign, however, something manager Dave Challinor has been keen to stress to his players over the last few weeks. Regardless, Sunday’s game promises to be a blockbuster encounter between two sides who have given everything this season to give themselves this chance of promotion. Immortality awaits the side who can hold their nerve at Wembley.
One to Watch:
There is plenty of talent amongst the Carlisle ranks, the side having finished as the second highest scorers in League Two whilst having lost just ten games all season. The man that makes it all tick for the Cumbrians however, is midfielder Owen Moxon.
The 25-year-old has had an exceptional first season in English football, having joined from Scottish League One side Annan in the Summer. The Carlisle-born midfielder has played in 47 of the club’s 48 games in league and play-off this season, registering an astonishing 16 assists in League Two this season – the joint-most in the division alongside Salford midfielder Elliot Watt.
He also has a decent record in front of goal himself, having scored six times in the league this season – including one against County in that 2-2 draw at Brunton Park last month.
Match Stats:
- Dave Challinor will become just the third ever manager to lead County out at Wembley Stadium, joining Danny Bergara, who did so four times between 1992-1994, and Jim Gannon who achieved the feat in 2008.
- This will be the 85th competitive meeting between the two sides, with little to separate them historically – County winning 34 previous encounters to Carlisle’s 33.
- County’s recent record against the Cumbrians is strong, having lost just one of the last eight encounters dating back to 2005.
- Antoni Sarcevic, back from injury last weekend to score the winning penalty, is looking to secure his fourth consecutive promotion as a player – three of those would be from League Two, with three different clubs.
