County 2 Bolton 1

Stockport County:Ormson, Halls (Rothwell 70), Brownhill, Graham, Say, Holden, Collins, Nolan, Hobson (Darkwah 45), Meaney (Turner 45), Purcell

Wanderers: Lynch, Riley, Kellet, Ream (Dennis 45), Threlkeld, Gardner (Blakeman 45), Lester, Maher, Odelusi, Sampson (McKee 74), Wylde (Unused substitutes: Eaves, Fielding)

Stockport fielded a strong side for their first game in the Senior Cup, with 6 first team players starting the game. Jim included Jon Nolan who is suspended for Saturday’s game following his dismissial in the game against Woking.

Goals in the first half from Craig Hobson and Alex Meaney were enough to seal the victory for the home side, with a late goal from Joe Riley only a consolation for Bolton, in a game in which the recently released club legend Ricardo Gardner was also involved.

County opened the scoring in the 27th minute after composed play from attacking pair Hobson and Meaney.
Meaney received the ball 30 yards from goal and was closed down quickly by the Whites defence but the playmaker cleverly slid the ball through the backline into the path of Hobson. The towering frontman didn`t panic under pressure from goalkeeper Jay Lynch and calmly slotted into the corner to make it 1-0.

Stockport were handed the perfect opportunity to extend their lead in the 34th minute when Niall Maher was judged to have brought down Tom Collins in the area for a penalty. Meaney, who`d provided the first goal, got his own name on the scoresheet when he sent Lynch the wrong way and side-footed the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner. 2-0.

Wanderers were awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal and substitute Adam Blakeman elected himself to take the set-piece on this occasion.
The midfielder hit a curling shot that goalkeeper Ormson couldn`t get anywhere near to as the ball crashed against the post, right-back Riley was so rapid in reacting as he was first to hit the rebound into a gaping net to make it 2-1.

Riley`s goal ensured that there was a tense finish to the encounter but unfortunately for Bolton it was too late to complete a comeback.

Animo et Fide