FIVE-STAR HATTERS MARCH ON
DEAN Brennan gave an honest assessment of Stockport County’s title credentials after seeing his Barnet side dismantled by the league leaders at The Hive.
“Anyone who finishes above them will win the title,” said the Bees’ interim coach with the Hatters a point clear at the top with a game in hand.
Two goals from defender Ryan Johnson, midfielder Will Collar, Liam Hogan and sub striker Connor Jennings saw Stockport cruise to a ninth straight victory – although much of this latest success was down to the tactics of manager Dave Challinor.
Taking into account the conditions, the poor state of the pitch and the threat that Barnet pose from free-kicks, Challinor adopted a more direct styleand left-back Ryan Rydel was a key influence with his deliveries from wide areas resulting in three of the goals.
Barnet’s dogged determination kept Stockport at bay for most of the first half but it was the visitors that provided most of the moments of quality, Hogan and Paddy Madden both heading wide after flowing moves.
County did escape a Barnet penalty appeal when Daniel Powell was felled but referee Jacob Miles issued a caution and a free- kick inches outside the box.
Ryan Croasdale hit the crossbar before the breakthrough duly came in firsthalf stoppage time when Collar was on the end of a move that had cut the Bees open.
Centre back Johnson converted a corner for 2-0 on 53 minutes before Hogan headed home a third from a corner at the far post.
The visitors were now in total control and with Barnet unable to muster meaningful attacks damage limitation was all they could hope for.
In time added on, a lose ball was thumped home by Jennings and Barnet’s misery was complete moments later when Johnson headed another header from yet another Rydel centre.
A pragmatic Brennan added: “They are an outstanding team. I can only praise the opposition, our lads gave their best, they kept going, but there was a major gulf between us.
“No one wants to get beaten 5-0, but at the end of the day we were well beaten by a better team.”
Challinor added: “Coming here, we knew we had to be different and we produced, if you like, a functional performance.We needed to be a big threat from set pieces which we were, which was massively pleasing.
“We showed our quality dealing with the pitch and the environment and the conditions.
“If you put the ball in a decent area you have a good chance of scoring and we have players who want to put their head on the end of it.”
STAR MAN: Ryan Johnson (Stockport) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Jacob Miles