Following the defeat at Eastleigh on Tuesday evening, Gary Johnson’s side are looking to bounce back against Stockport for the second time this season.
United’s visit to Edgeley Park back in September also followed immediately after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Hampshire-based club, and the Yellow Army will be hoping that history repeats itself tomorrow, following The Gulls’ convincing 4-0 win in Greater Manchester two months ago.
Who’s The Boss?
There can be little disputing that boss Jim Gannon ticks most boxes when considering club legends. Nearly 400 league appearances in a decade as a Stockport player, in addition to over 50 goals from centre-half, would have made for a decent argument for inclusion in itself. However, three spells as manager, including two promotions, saw him cement his place in The Hatters’ folklore.
How have they been doing?
After an indifferent start, County looked to be knocking firmly on the play-off door at half time on Tuesday, with Paul Turnball’s 45th-minute strike giving Stockport a 1-0 interval lead at high-flying Solihull Moors. Four second-half goals without reply left them with nothing to show for their efforts though, and they currently sit in 13th place, with 32 points from 23 games, two points adrift of Johnson’s men.
Player to watch
Former Salford City midfielder Sam Walker joined the club two years ago, after enjoying highly successful spells with Curzon Ashton and Halifax Town. A crucial member of last season’s NLN title-winning squad, Walker is particularly dangerous when delivering set pieces, with Ebbsfleet denied by his injury-time free-kick in their 1-1 draw last weekend.
Played For Both
Left-back Mark Robinson has represented both clubs during a lengthy career that has also taken in the likes of Hartlepool, Hereford and York City amongst others. A popular player wherever he has plyed his trade, Robinson made 59 appearances, scoring four goals, as a County player between 2005-2007, before moving on to Plainmoor where he made 18 appearances towards the end of the 2006/07 campaign.
Previous Encounter
April 2006 saw the two sides face each other under the lights at Plainmoor, with both clubs locked in a desperate bid to save their Football League status. It was Ian Atkins’ Gulls side that rose the occasion that evening though, as they blitzed County with a first half treble from Lee Thorpe (2) and Jo Kuffour (pictured). A second-half lob from Danny Hollands sealed a 4-0 triumph, with both clubs doing enough in their remaining two games to confirm survival.
Torquay United Vs Stockport County | 30/11/19 3pm KO | Plainmoor TQ1 3PS