Feast out on our extra coverage of the National League North & South
SAM MINIHAN’S rasping injury-time drive capped an impressive display by Stockport as they put neighbours Altrincham to the sword in front of nearly 4,000 at Edgeley Park.
The game started brightly, with County centre-back Michael Clarke going closest when he deflected a Kaine Felix shot onto the post after lurking in the six yard box from a corner.
County made the breakthrough just before the half hour when Danny Lloyd ran onto a sublime through ball from Jimmy Ball. From an acute angle Lloyd drove the ball underneath Tim Deasy and into the net.
The home side were dominant and Alty had Tom Hannigan to thank for a Bobby Moore-esqe tackle in the penalty area when Lloyd was through on goal.
Key to County’s first half performance was Lewis Montrose. County manager Jim Gannon agreed.
“We physically looked really good today but Lewis was everywhere, he was immense,” he said. “It was a Football League performance by him today.”
County looked to have gone two up after the break when Lloyd played Ball in. He rounded Deasy and slotted home but was offside.
Then a moment of class. Scott Duxbury’s driving run and precise through ball set Ball free, with Deasy to beat he fired a hard low shot but Deasy pulled off a first class save to tip it round the post.
Alty had a rare foray into the area when Sean Miller landed a cross-cum-shot on top of the crossbar and out of play. It was the closest the away side had been.
In a busy last period the Hatters went further ahead. Substitute Mark Ross pulled out a gem of a cross and Ball rose highest and powered his header into the top corner.
Minutes later with his first touch of the ball, County sub Courtney Meppen-Walter’s header was tipped onto the crossbar by Deasy.
But it was Minihan who capped the home side's domination in injury time. After
being played in by Lloyd he drove a thunderbolt past Deasy’s right hand.
Alty offered little and remain rooted to the bottom of the league. Interim manager Matt Doughty was philosophical.
He said: “Their two goals second half, if that was my team scoring them, I’d be raving about them, they were very good goals. I don’t think any team could stop them.”
He went on to say he would be looking to add to his squad in the coming days.
Gannon, meanwhile, focused on the work ethic of his side.
“The platform today was the immense mentality to make sure we were competitive throughout,” added the delighted County boss. STAR MAN: Lewis Montrose (Stockport) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★