Stockport County aiming for a double date with destiny

This could genuinely be a season to remember for Stockport County fans, as their team edges closer to making a long-awaited return to the Football League, riding high at the top of the National League summit and seemingly unstoppable.

Following their comfortable 0-3 away win at relegation threatened King’s Lynn Town, who didn’t help their own cause after being reduced to ten men with an hour gone, the Hatters opened up a ten-point lead in the title race. Heading into the last stretch of the campaign and with ten games left to play, the side managed by Dave Challinor is brimming with confidence.

Stockport County have enjoyed a magnificent run of results, having now gone 20 games without defeat since mid-December in all competitions, suffering just one draw at home against Chesterfield in February and winning the rest. This consistent form has undoubtedly proven the difference in cementing their place at the National League summit. But along with the exceptional form and results in the league, Stockport County are also focused on going all the way in the FA Trophy. The Hatters opened their account in the competition with a thumping 4-0 win against National League rivals Grimsby Town, having entered the competition in the Third Round Proper.

1️⃣9️⃣ goals and 7️⃣ assists in just 3️⃣8️⃣ games this season.

Our Irish goal machine ⚽️ ☘️#StockportCounty pic.twitter.com/ruN7rYHO5R

— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) March 23, 2022

Next at Edgeley Park were Larkhall Athletic of the Southern League Division One South, comfortably beaten 3-0 by Stockport in the Fourth Round. At home against Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Cheshunt in the Fifth Round, after being reduced to ten men Stockport battled to a narrow 1-0 victory.

Away at Needham Market of the Southern League Premier Division Central, the tidy 0-3 Quarter-Finals victory for Stockport brought yet another clean sheet in the competition. That record will undoubtedly be put to the test in the FA Trophy Semi-Finals, having been draw away at the Racecourse Ground against Wrexham.

Given they have home advantage, Wrexham are tipped as the slight favourites, although Stockport will undoubtedly be out to prove the bookies wrong. Even fans as far away as the Middle East are taking a keen interest in the FA Trophy, while Arabian Betting has also compiled a list of the best UAE sports betting sites, reviewing and rating the most highly recommended options for Emirati punters.

Some of the leading international betting sites have bonus promotions available, specifically aimed at football markets, while the FA Trophy often features amongst the schedule of wagering options when each round is played. In the other Semi-Final game, Bromley will be battling to overcome York City, who previously lifted the trophy during the 2016-17 season.

We think you’ll enjoy this! 💪 #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/jREFpGXipZ

— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) March 22, 2022

Should they manage to get past Wrexham, with the FA Trophy Semi-Final clash due to take place on Saturday 2nd April, then Stockport County could be in with a serious chance of landing the league and cup double this season. While several teams have come close in recent decades, the last club to win the National League and FA Trophy double was Wycombe Wanderers, who achieved that feat with Martin O’Neill as manager in 1992-93.

The priority for Stockport County will undoubtedly be securing promotion to the EFL, although there’s no doubt that fans of the Hatters would also relish a trip to Wembley, as that would be the perfect conclusion to what has been a spectacular campaign so far. Of course, Wrexham will have a large say in whether Stockport get to enjoy a double date with destiny, as the Dragons are also in the hunt for promotion to the EFL, boosted by an important 3-1 win against Halifax recently.

Insofar as the race for promotion is concerned, it’s impossible to rule out Chesterfield or Halifax despite the recent defeats, while the form of Wrexham would suggest they will have plenty to say in the final reckoning. All three will be aiming to catch Stockport and spoil their party, although right now, it would be madness not to back the Hatters for their double chance at silverware.

Whichever direction things end up twisting and turning, this will be a thrilling conclusion to the 2021-22 campaign in the fifth tier of English football, especially while so much is at stake for the teams competing for the chance to ascend to the Football League.