The last two National League champions go head-to-head in League Two this weekend, as County take on Wrexham at a sell-out Edgeley Park.
Louie Barry’s fifth goal in as many games in League Two, coupled with a late first-half header from Nick Powell, secured a second straight away win for County last time out, at MK Dons.
It’s just one defeat in six now for Dave Challinor’s side, with those three points on the road lifting us up to 13th in the table after eight games – two points off a play-off spot and four behind the automatic promotion places, as our recovery from a slow start to the campaign continues.
After a tough reintroduction to life back in the EFL, Wrexham too are starting to find their feet; last weekend’s 3-0 win over Grimsby Town at the STōK Racecourse was their third victory in a row in League Two, leaving them four points above the Hatters in fourth place.
Phil Parkinson’s side could even finish the day top of the table should they win and other results in League Two go their way, as they bid for back-to-back promotions.
Things you need to know:
- Saturday’s game is a complete sell-out, with no tickets available on the day.
- Coming to the game on Saturday? Click here to view our Fan Information pack, containing all you need to know ahead of your visit to Edgeley Park.
- Don’t forget to turn up early to Edgeley Park to visit the County Courtyard, which will be opening its doors from 1.00pm! For more information on all the food and drink on offer this week, click here.
- Saturday’s game will be available for our overseas supporters to stream over on Stockport County Live, featuring live commentary with Jon Keighren and Sam Byrne. Audio commentary will also be available for our supporters located in the UK. Click here to buy a pass today
Our Opponents:
Opponents Wrexham AFC finally reclaimed their place in the Football League last season after a 15-year exile – Phil Parkinson’s well-backed side emerging victorious following a gripping title race with Notts County.
In an incredible campaign, both sides racked up over 100 points in their pursuit of the division’s only automatic promotion place, and having come so close before missing out to County the previous year, it was the Welsh side who took the title.
Their record 111 points proved enough to clinch promotion with a game to spare, eventually finishing four points clear of Notts, who would also go on to secure a place back in the EFL via the play-offs.
Back in League Two for the first time since 2008, the Red Dragons were quickly installed as the bookmakers favourites for another promotion, and the club have added real quality to their side over the summer.
Former Wigan wing-back James McClean, a man with Premier League experience from his time at West Brom and Sunderland, has joined for an undisclosed fee, as has Huddersfield Town defender Will Boyle – a League Two title winner with Cheltenham Town two years ago.
The early retirement of goalkeeper Ben Foster led to the club recruiting Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo on loan for the campaign – the 22-year-old impressed in League Two during the first half of last season whilst at Crewe Alexandra.
Deadline day saw them add further steel to their midfield with the addition of Millwall midfielder George Evans, and although a deadline day move for striker Luke Armstrong fell through at the last moment, veteran forward Steven Fletcher has since been brought in on a free transfer. The 36-year-old is another with Premier League pedigree, during successful spells at Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland.
Despite high expectations, Wrexham’s much anticipated return to the Football League proved a rather rude awakening on opening day, as MK Dons ran riot at the Racecourse in a stunning 5-3 win for the away side.
A 1-1 draw away at AFC Wimbledon followed before a first win back in League Two was secured at the third attempt, against Walsall. Further draws followed against Swindon and Barrow, with the game against the former seeing them again trail 5-3 at home before two stoppage time goals rescued a point.
It left them having conceded 14 times in their opening five games after a challenging start to the new campaign, but since then Parkinson’s side have begun to hit their stride. A 1-0 win away at rivals Tranmere was followed up with a late winner at home to Doncaster, before last weekend’s rather more routine victory over Grimsby.
Those wins mean that both sides come into this game full of confidence after recent successes, and with belief that another win on Saturday will be a sign that their season really is underway.
Match Stats:
- This will be the 126th competitive meeting between the two sides, with County winning 56 of the previous encounters to Wrexham’s 46. We have lost just one of our last eight home games against the Welsh side, winning six of them.
- Louie Barry is looking to become the first County player to score in six successive EFL matches since Neil Matthews in 1991.
- County are looking to win three successive League Two fixtures since a run of five straight wins last February.
