VENGEANCE IS SWEET FOR JIM
STOCKPORT avenged their early-season defeat at the hands of Torquay United with a thumping win over the Gulls that moves them within two points of the play-off places.
Last season’s National League North champions put their National League South counterparts to the sword with a winning margin that was the reverse of their meeting last September, a result that manager Jim Gannon felt was a surprise. “Nobody expected that result; we expected Torquay to be really up for it especially with their goalscoring record,” said Gannon.
“At half-time we was disappointed that we weren’t leading because we had so many good chances in the first half, but we remained strong and we remained a threat from open play and set plays.”
His opposite number Gary Johnson vowed to turn around the Gulls’ forFour tunes after seeing his side slip to their fifth straight defeat in all competitions.
“We didn’t do enough today in any part of the field and we were second best in every department,” said Johnson. “When you get beat by five, the honeymoon period for a manager is over and it is down to me to get more out of them.”
United started brightly as debutant Amrit Bansal-McNulty fired straight at Hatters keeper Ben Hinchcliffe after Ben Whitfield saw his shot blocked.
Moments later Saikou Janneh fired over for the Gulls, which was swiftly followed by a Ramarni Medford-Smith volley that Stockport keeper Ben Hinchcliffe tipped behind.
From the corner the Hatters looked to counter, but Tom Walker was denied by keeper Shaun MacDonald.
In the 29th minute, Nyal Bell hit the crossbar for Stockport from close range.
minutes later, Walker appeared to be through again after nudging ahead of defender Robbie Cundy, but once again MacDonald’s reflexes denied him.
Early in the second half, shortly after the Gulls had a penalty appeal turned down, the Hatters edged ahead after Bell’s shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Walker who comfortably slotted home.
Two minutes later Stockport doubled their lead as Bell flicked home a cross from Elliot Osborne.
The Hatters added a third when Osborne cut in from the left before finding the back of the net with a deflected effort from range.
United reduced their arrears as Whitfield jinked in from the right and drilled in a left-footed strike.
However, it proved to be a consolation as Devante Rodney curled home a fourth before fellow sub Frank Mulhern struck deep into injury time with Stockport’s fifth.