MATCH PREVIEW – STOCKPORT COUNTY (A) | Boreham Wood Football Club

Stockport County v Boreham Wood
Saturday 30^th April 2022, 7.45pm
Edgeley Park, Vanarama National League

THE CONTEXT

This Saturday, Wood continue are back on the road with a trip to league leaders Stockport County, looking to cause an upset against the promotion hopefuls.

The Hatters had been on a wonderful unbeaten streak in all competitions that brought 20 wins in 21 games, lifting them to the summit of the National League table although they have lost three of their last five including last time out away at Yeovil Town.

Wood were unable to kick-start a late play-off push as they failed to build on their win over Bromley last week, instead losing away at Southend United on Tuesday night with the gap to the top seven stretching to ten points.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”
LIAM HOGAN
After beginning his career at local club Woodley Sports, Liam Hogan was picked up by FC Halifax Town in 2010 where he played over 100 times, and was part of the team that was crowned champions of the Northern Premier League Premier Division in 2011. He would depart the Shay Stadium when his contract ran out and joined Fleetwood Town, but made just a handful of appearances in his second season before moving briefly on loan to Macclesfield Town and was released by the Fleet upon his return before making the switch to Tranmere Rovers. Despite playing regularly at first he would lose his place in the team and left after just a season, moving to Gateshead the following summer where he would be made club captain, and started all but two games in his only season. He later moved to Salford City and was named Players’ Player of the Year at the end of his first season, before captaining the club to two promotions in three seasons and departing with over 100 appearances to his name, joining Stockport County in February 2020.

“THE PLAYMAKER”
OLIVER CRANKSHAW
A Preston North End academy product, Oliver Crankshaw would enjoy spells at Ramsbottom United and Clitheroe before catching the eye at Colne with 13 goals in 30 appearances, as well as spending some time with the Morecambe Under-23’s during the same period. His form saw him earn a move to National League North side Curzon Ashton, and despite just half-a-season at the Tameside Stadium attracted the interest of Wigan Athletic, with his dazzling performances in the sixth tier earning him a trial with the Championship side before ultimately making the jump up when the Latics signed him in January 2019, with a loan move back to Curzon agreed for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign. After a brief loan spell in the Scottish Championship with Dundee, he finally made his Wigan debut in an EFL Cup match against Fleetwood Town with his Football League debut following a week later against Ipswich Town, before scoring his first goals with a brace in a 6–1 EFL Trophy win over Liverpool’s Under-21’s. The winger later joined Bradford City midway through the 2020/21 campaign, but departed for Stockport County the following summer where he scored the winning goal on his debut, in a 2-1 win at Weymouth.

“THE FINISHER”
PADDY MADDEN
Veteran striker Paddy Madden began his career in his native Ireland, signing for Bohemians in 2008 and gaining experience out on loan at Shelbourne before going on to play 60 times for Bohs. He first made the move to England when he caught the eye of Carlisle United which began a prolific career in the Football League, although he only notched two goals in 32 appearances for the Cumbrians. It was his move to Yeovil Town which kick-started his scoring record, with an initial loan turning into a hugely successful spell that saw the Glovers sign him permanently after scoring nine goals in 16 appearances. He would help fire the club to the Championship for the first time in their history, with his 2012/13 season total rising to 23 goals – a tally that won him the Golden Boot – including one in the play-off final against Brentford. Madden opted to depart midway through the following season and completed a move to League Two side Scunthorpe United where he helped the club win promotion to League One. His time at Glanford Park saw him rekindle his goalscoring form with 60 goals in 196 appearances putting him tenth on the club’s all-time top scorers list, with a switch to Fleetwood Town bringing a further 53 that saw him become the club’s highest ever EFL scorer along with his 100^th career goal. Madden made the move to Stockport County in March 2021 and has notched 28 goals since his arrival at Edgeley Park.

LAST TIME WE MET

Boreham Wood 0 – 0 Stockport County
Saturday 4th September 2021, 3.00pm
LV BET Stadium Meadow Park, Vanarama National League

The Wood dropped points for the first time in 2021/22 after a hard-fought draw with Stockport County.

An uneventful first half brought just three shots on goal with all going the Wood’s way, the closest of these falling to Scott Boden when he struck Kane Smith’s pinpoint cross wide. The visitors began to control possession as the half wore on, but struggled to break down a stubborn Wood defence with a white shirt seemingly in the way every time they looked to progress the ball forward. An improved second half saw the visitors begin to dominate and create more chances, although it was the hosts who thought they had taken the lead when Smith was ruled offside after putting the ball in the net following a goalmouth scramble that saw Ben Hinchcliffe save Femi Ilesanmi’s initial effort. Stockport certainly grew into it though with John Rooney’s tame free kick going straight into the hands of Nathan Ashmore, before the Wood stopper was forced into an even more impressive save to deny Alex Reid’s dangerous strike. The Hatters continued to pile the pressure on with Jordan Keane striking the post and Padden Madden putting the rebound over the bar shortly before Ashmore needed to be alert enough to prevent Will Evans from scoring an own goal, with Macauley Southam-Hales firing over the bar when well-placed minutes later. It wasn’t to be for Stockport County, with the Wood holding out for a valuable point that saw them maintain their unbeaten run at the start of the season.