Town celebrate seven-goal rout
STOCKPORT Town extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a thumping 7-0 victory over rock-bottom Ashton Town at Stockport Sports Village on Saturday afternoon.
The scoresheet saw five different scorers for Town, including a hat-trick for Ben Halfacre, as well as goals from Conor Downes, Cameron Darkwah, Daryll Grant and Aaron Dwyer, to cap off a tremendous team performance and leave Lions boss Dave Wild pleased – if not entirely satisfied.
“I thought we were decent in parts of the game especially in the later stages where we controlled the pace and direction of with our movement and possession. I know this may sound insane but the first half I was really disappointed with how we played,” he said.
“We have to cut out sloppiness in possession and ensure we’re doing the things that make us a good side properly for 90 minutes. Ultimately, the scoreline indicates our dominance and that is pleasing, but as manager I always look for how I can get more from games.”
The Stockport manager has been at the helm for all seven of his sides unbeaten fixtures and he is delighted to see his players bonding as a unit. He said: “Weekly we have improved and that’s down to the squad becoming a tight dressing room and building a bond as a group, and for me going forward and looking ahead that is something that I place as high as wins.
“There’s a real positive buzz within the club at the moment, the unbeaten run plays its part but for me it’s down to the communication at all levels of the club. The chairman [Seb Rowe] and directors [Rob Clare and Ian Dixon] all take time to speak to players and supporters, making people feel part of what we’re aiming for and for me that is playing a huge part in the club moving forward.”
Wild was full of praise for his attackers after the rout on Saturday, he added: “It was a slight concern after my first two games that no forward players had scored, so the form of my ‘attacking’ players is certainly a relief! Ben [Halfacre] is an absolutely different level anywhere in and around the penalty area so his goals were always going to come, I’m happy for him because he’s a had a rough time in the game over the last 18 months so it’s nice to see him settled and doing what he does best.
“Cameron’s [Darkwah] quality is unquestionable and he is a real threat for us not only going forward but in his aggression and work-rate off the ball. I think Aaron Dwyer deserves a mention from me too, it’s his first step up into semi professional football and he has taken to it like a duck to water. His goal on Saturday is something he really has deserved and I’m genuinely pleased for the lad that he’s taking his opportunity.”
The Lions now face another home tie but this time in the face of promotion chasing Charnock Richard, a side that Wild secured a 2-2 against just last month, all despite going down to ten-men.
Wild said: “I have made it abundantly clear to everyone from players to staff that the hard work week on week from planning to training and onto match days is an absolute minimum requirement.
“We now go against Charnock Richard who are a very strong outfit and everyone at this club will working together to prepare for their first ever visit to the stadium [SSV], they’re in the pack for promotion and will be coming for nothing but a win.”