STOCKPORT County are chasing their fifth straight win on Saturday as they host high-flying Kidderminster Harriers at Edgeley Park in the Vanarama National League North (KO: 1500 GMT).
Stockport go into the encounter on the back of a 1-0 away win over Chorley thanks to a goal from top scorer Danny Lloyd.
Lloyd’s goal not only gave County their fourth straight win, but it also secured his club their first victory over Chorley since 1899.
The Hatters’ last four games have seen them advance into the FA Cup first round proper following qualifying wins over Bishop Auckland and Salford City, and they also beat Salford in the league on this impressive run which has seen them concede just one goal in four.
Kidderminster on the other hand also come into the game in good form having beaten play-off rivals Harrogate Town 2-0 on Tuesday night to move into fifth in the table, four points ahead of County who sit in ninth, though the Hatters have a game in hand.
The Harriers win came courtesy of goals from Liam Truslove and a superb late long range effort from Andre Brown, after the Harrogate keeper had ventured forward in search of a late equaliser.
Kidderminster did suffer a shock 2-0 defeat to FC United of Manchester last Saturday, but before that they had gone seven games unbeaten in all competitions, pushing them up the table and giving them a place in the FA Cup first round proper.
For Stockport the aforementioned Lloyd is their chief danger man having netted seven goals in 15 appearances this season after signing from AFC Flyde in the summer, though the Hatters faithful will be hoping for a big performance from James Hooper who joined the club on loan from Rochdale just last week.
John Marsden has also scored two league goals this year and the industrious Gary Stopforth also has two league goals to his name following his summer switch from Salford City – both of them will be looking to break forward from midfield.
For the visitors, former Macclesfield Town striker Arthur Ghanousa is the man in form, having already bagged seven goals in all competitions this season.
Though he has had help from strike partner Mani Dieseruvue, the 6ft 5′ front man has netted five times this campaign having signed from League One Chesterfield in the off-season.
Ex-Birmingham City academy player Truslove will also be looking to add to his tally on Saturday and he already has four league goals to his name – including one last time out against Harrogate.
With goals running throughout the Kidderminster side, Stockport centre-back pairing Michael Clarke and Chris Smalley will have to continue their good form if they are to keep them out.
Both sides need a win on Saturday as Stockport aim to break into the play-off places, whilst Kidderminster will aim to consolidate their own play-off position, though each will have one eye on their respective FA Cup tie the following weekend as County host Vanarama National League side Woking and the Harriers travel to League Two Blackpool.
Help us celebrate the 80th birthday of the Danny Bergara Stand this Saturday: https://t.co/1SxoIXIzt8 pic.twitter.com/S1jicM7LqO
— Stockport County FC (@StockportCounty) October 25, 2016
Stockport’s Danny Bergara Stand will on Saturday celebrate its 80th birthday.
The stand was named for Danny Bergara in 2012 to honour Bergara’s time there as manager in the 90s when he led County to Wembley on four separate occasions.
To mark the occasion Stockport have invited George Haigh to the match – a man thought to be the oldest surviving ex-professional footballer.
Mr Haigh is now 102-years-old and he played for Stockport both before the original stand burnt down in 1935 and after the stand had been rebuilt in 1936.
By Matt Bullin
@matt_bullin01
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