No fear of Brackley for County
STOCKPORT County manager Jim Gannon says he has no fear about Brackley’s home record ahead of their FA Trophy replay next week.
The two teams should have met in a replay on Tuesday following their 1-1 draw on Saturday, but it was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
It will now take place next Tuesday, with Brackley heading into the game having not lost at home in nearly a year, but Gannon has no worries about that.
“We beat them 3-0 at their place last year so I’m not concerned about them or their home record,” he said.
“Recently we’ve travelled well and we’re capable of getting the win if we do everything professionally. What does concern me slightly is how some of our players live life and how they recover after matches, so there’s a few players I need to confront about that.”
If successful in the replay, County have been drawn against against National League South side Wealdstone in the semi-finals of the competition.
Meanwhile, Hatters goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe has agreed a new deal to remain at Edgeley Park until the end of next season. Hinchliffe has been a key part of the Stockport side this season, putting in a number of impressive performances, and Gannon is glad he is staying put.
“I’m delighted that Ben has agreed to a contract extension. I still believe he has been one of our best signings in recent years and brought a great deal of stability to a position that had been a huge problem for previous managers, especially our last manager Neil Young,” he said.
“Since signing, Ben has been one of our most consistent performers over my time at the club and I feel he remains one of the top goalkeepers at this level. During last season the defensive stats of the team were the best in the division, and I feel that Ben has maintained his own high standards this season.
“Despite a demanding daytime job and young
‘We beat them 3-0 at their place last year, so I’m not concerned’
family he has a very professional attitude to playing for County, his conditioning, athleticism and ability shows that he trains really hard in the gym as well as at the club. It is that commitment and hard work which has meant he has kept improving himself, and his game, to keep pace with the increasingly demanding playing environment at National North.”
Ben is only the second part-time player to be retained by Gannon so far, but the manager says he had no hesitation in agreeing the deal:
“Similar to Matty Warburton, we do not feel that any training restrictions will hinder his positive contribution to the team,” he said.
“We are confident that his qualities can be further maintained and improved within our new training structures.”