Fixture details:

Stockport County vs Barnet FC

Saturday, 7th March 2020

Edgeley Park 

Vanarama National League 

The Bees

Manager: Darren Currie 

Form: WLWLD

League Position: 13th (50 points)

Top Scorer: Simeon Akinola (16 goals)

The Bees played out a frantic game with local neighbours Boreham Wood on Tuesday night. Callum Reynolds put us ahead before the Wood pegged the Bees back to lead 2-1. However, Paul McCallum hit back to square the game, before almost snatching victory as he headed against the post. However, it kept Darren Currie’s side in the hunt and in touching distance with the top 7. 

It’s all eyes on Stockport now though and despite having games in hand, Darren Currie will know that getting a victory in the North-West would take his side just one point behind this weekend’s hosts. The boss will have plenty to ponder in midweek after players like Dan Sparkes came into the side and impressed with his delivery into Akinola and McCallum. 

The Hatters 

Manager: Jim Gannon 

Form: LDWDW

League Position: 9th (54 points) 

Top scorer: Elliot Osborne (9 goals) 

The Hatters have had a good season thus far and like many others, harbour ambitions to make the play-offs come the end of the season. Gannon’s side have the won nine of their 18 matches so far this season at home and know that their form at Edgeley Park will be crucial if they are going to finish in the play-off positions. However, their form on the road is solid and they have only lost six times away from Edgeley Park all season. 

The last time we met with Stockport they snatched all three points at the death at The Hive London. Ephron Mason-Clark put the Bees ahead with 20 minutes to play, but the Hatters fought back as Osborne struck six minutes later before Mulhern stole the points in injury time. It was a cruel loss for Darren Currie’s side but since then the Bees haven’t lost at home in the league. 

Top scorer: Elliot Osborne – 9 goals 

The 23-year-old is this weekend’s hosts top scorer in the league and the creative midfielder is certainly one to watch out for tomorrow afternoon. The attacking midfielder scored the equaliser in the Hatters victory over the Bees in November and he’ll be hoping to play a pivotal part in tomorrow’s clash. 

Osborne originally joined Stockport County on loan from Fleetwood Town in 2017, making six appearances in half a season at the club. He then went onto join Southport, before yet another loan spell in the North-West in 2018, before permanently joining the Hatters in 2018. Since signing on a permanent basis, Osborne has made 36 appearances in the league, of course, netting on nine occasions. 

The Gaffer: Jim Gannon 

Gannon is a much-travelled player and manager and spent 10 years at Stockport between 1990 and 2000, as well as wearing the shirts of Dundalk in Ireland, Notts County and Crewe Alexandra in a 17-year playing career.

In his third stint at Edgeley Park, Gannon has managed in Scotland with Motherwell, and in Ireland with Dundalk, but has also taken the reigns at Peterborough United, Port Vale and Northwick Victoria.

Having won the title last season, Gannon has led his side to mid-table in the league this campaign, with an eye on advancing up the table with six months left of the season to play.

 

What Currie said: 

 

Where to follow the action: 

If you’re not making the journey to Stockport, then there will be live commentary of the match on iBarnet from 14:55. 

Alternatively, there will be live text updates over on our Twitter account, as well as behind the scenes content over on our Instagram channel. Keep your eye across our social media channels for all the post-match reaction.