Stockport County 2 – 0 FC Halifax Town
By Chris Pratt
Pictures: MIke Petch
The walk to Edgeley Park on Sunday was like no other on this, the most anticipated day in Stockport County's recent history.
Sirens, songs and fans basking in the May sun. The same fans who have waited 11 long years for their chance to return to the promised land of the EFL.
This is the Hatters' third consecutive season in the National League since a glorious day at Nuneaton sealed the Hatters promotion from the National League North.
But in County's way was a Halifax side, desperate to win themselves to secure that third spot and a ‘super' play-off place.
Nerves were calmed only 10 minutes into the game and it was arguably County's player of the season Paddy Madden who scored it.
Picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area he switched it onto his right foot and provided a deadly low finish into the bottom corner.
Madden hit the crossbar on the half-hour after he picked up Sam Johnson's botched punched clearance.
Billy Waters nearly capitalised on some poor County defending but fired his shot wide of the post.
Edgeley Park was bouncing when news came through that Dagenham had scored against Wrexham but that goal was quickly disallowed. That didn't stop the continuous noise inside the stadium though.
And any worries about the outcome of the afternoon were quelled when Andy Cannon stung Johnson's fingers. The ball bounced out to Collar who buried a difficult volley and the Cheadle End erupted.
A minute later in East London Dagenham netted against Wrexham and although the majority of the second-half was still to go, it would take a huge swing for the Hatters not to make the EFL.
And from then on it was comfortable. Referee Matthew Diciccio did well to carry on playing for two minutes of injury time as fans were close to encroaching on the pitch.
But he did, blew his whistle and an outpouring of sheer joy from County fans on the pitch ensued.
What looked certain a month ago and less certain after defeat at Wrexham last Sunday finally happened. Stockport County are back in the Football League.
The last word to County boss, Dave Challinor.
“It feels brilliant and will continue to feel brilliant for the next six weeks and we can look forward top a Football League campaign now. It is something that five or six months ago was not on everyone's mind when we first came in.”
Stockport County (3-4-2-1): Hinchliffe; Keane (Johnson 60), Palmer, Francis-Angol (Whitfield 83); Newby, Croasdale, Cannon (Crankshaw 80), Hippolyte; Collar, Sarcevic; Madden. Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Jennings.
Halifax Town (3-5-2): Johnson; Debrah, Maher, Bird (Stenson 69); Warren, Spence (Thomas 87), Woods (Gilmour 36), Senior; Warburton; Slew, Waters.Subs not used: Benn, Swaby-Nevin.
Attendance: 10,307
Referee: Matthew Diciccio
Star Man: Ash Palmer (Stockport County)
Entertainment: 5/5
