Wild’s boys bite back for share of spoils
STOCKPORT Town fought back with 10-man to draw 2-2 against Charnock Richard last Saturday afternoon at Mossie Park in the Hallmark Security League.
Promotion chasing Charnock went ahead twice through goals from Carl Grimshaw and then Ross O’Farrell, but the Lions fought back and snatched a deserved draw thanks to Tyler Devlin and Daryll Grant.
The match got off to a scrappy start with both sides battling for possession and the upper hand in the opening 10 minutes.
With 18 minutes on the clock and the Charnock took the lead through Grimshaw, firing past Daniel Whiting in the Lions goal, much to the delight of the home supporters.
However their lead didn’t last long as Stockport fought back through centre-back Devlin as he tucked the ball home past Richard’s Adam Halton as both sides went into the break even.
The restart saw Stockport start off on the back foot as they concede just two minutes into the second half, failing to clear a corner as O’Farrell smashed the ball home to put the home side back in front.
The Lions were then dealt a big blow to their fightback as defender Adam Stubbs received a second yellow card and was sent off just as his side were gaining a foothold in the match.
With Stockport pushing everything they had forward they tested Halton in Charnock’s goal a number of times before debutant Grant popped up in the 87th minute to strike and salvage a much-deserved draw.
Stockport and their travelling supporters cheered as the referee brought the game to a close having fought back twice, with the added disadvantage of having 10-men.
Town boss Dave Wild commented on the sending off: “I found that after the red card, we, for the first time as a new group had to stand up and be counted and I thought we passed the tests with flying colours.
“We had to deal with a side that I really do expect to be promoted with a player less for 37 minutes and in all honesty during that time we looked stronger as a group than with 11 on the field and that togetherness and willingness to fight for one another has now been set and that has to set the tone for the rest of our season.”
Wild, who remains unbeaten since taking charge three matches ago, added: “We were more than competitive and even in the latter stages could have probably pinched a win. We rode our luck on more than one occasion but the hold up play of Ben Halfacre allowed us to break well and that caused problems for Charnock throughout.
“Johnny Hurst, who in all honesty hasn’t had it easy from me in the opening weeks for one reason or another, his quality shone through and he was easily the best player on the park.
“Debutant Izzy Miranda also proved his qualities coming on from the bench and I thought he was a key reason in us getting the equaliser with his aggressive and positive play.”
Stockport Town return home to Stockport Sports Village when they take on Silsden this Saturday afternoon, kick-off 3pm.
Lions boss, Wild, believes the Charnock performance must set the targets for the remainder of the season he said: “It’s important this result and team showing is the catalyst for the group to push on and get the first win. It’s great to be unbeaten in our first three and after the 10-0 loss [vs City of Liverpool] many will think this is a small miracle or a flash in the pan which is why we must get a win soon to show to everyone that we’re a side to be taken serious and no one will show up and expect to beat us!”
Wild ended: “Finally I want to thank the supporters that followed us to Charnock and got the atmosphere cranked right up the players appreciate your noise and support and we hope that the performances on the pitch can keep them coming and build more of a following as the weeks continue!”