We had a dream at the Gloverscast, well, when I say ‘we’ I mean the pun-tastic Ben Barrett had a dream that this weekend’s trip to Stockport County would be ‘El Quigleyco’.
A clash of footballing titans which sees the free-scoring Yeovil Town striker Joe Quigley face his name-sake Scott Quigley, one of the big money signings who has arrived at Edgeley Park over the summer.
S.Quigley was Barrow’s top-scorer when they won the National League title a couple of seasons ago and then repeated the trick in League Two with them last season.
However, the good news (see injury news a little further down the page) is that a hamstring injury picked up in a 1-0 win at Southend the other week means their Quigley is unlikely to be fit – extinguishing the El Quigleyco dream.
He’s far far from the only quality addition since we lost 1-0 to Stockport on the final game of last season though.
In midfield, they have former Yeovil loanee winger Ben Whitefield who has joined from Torquay and Arjan Raikhy, a highly-rated youngster from Aston Villa, and at the back they have signed Ben Barclay from League One Accrington Stanley and Will Fish, who was previously under-23s captain at a club called Manchester United, who some of you may have heard of.
As Russ from County podcast ‘The Scarf Begara Wore‘ told us on the latest Gloverscast there’s an embarrassment of riches at Edgeley Park, yet the victory at Southend in their only one of the season so far.
An opening day defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge, coupled with 0-0 draws against Grimsby Town and Boreham Wood mean our hosts find themselves in 14th place going in to the weekend – we’re in tenth, incidentally.
Russ said: “If you are confident and your fans get behind the time, if it does not go well for us, you will hear the natives getting restless.
“It’s a mixture of everything, we finished last season going 18 unbeaten but drew the most games of any team in the division and we don’t seem to have learnt any lessons.”
A genuine case of being a 12th man for anyone travelling to Edgeley Park – you know what you need to do.
FROM THE MANAGER
Stockport manager Simon Rusk is a friend of Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll and believes the visitors to Edgeley Park have enough to “cause anyone a problem on their day.”
He said: “Darren is an experienced manager who understands this level and the type of player he has recruited is enough to cause anyone a problem on their day.
“I’m expecting a tough game, they will be well-organised, they have a good set up and a good staff including people I know.
“Their team is in a good place in terms of confidence (after two wins) I’m sure but they are coming to our ground.
“We have some excellent players that can cause anyone problems and we have to be as organised and as disciplined as we have been and do what we know we can do going forward.”
Asked about the frustration of only scoring twice in their opening four fixtures despite having an expensively assembled forward line including Paddy Madden, Alex Reid, and John Rooney, Rusk said he was confident they would come good.
He said: “Although we are not firing on all cylinders, we are not far away, we limited Grimsby to virtually nothing and at Boreham Wood. We have to keep plugging away and I am confident we can find a way.”
TEAM NEWS
Star signing striker Scott Quigley seems certain be missing for the weekend having picked up a hamstring injury in a 1-0 defeat at Southend the other week.
However, goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe is likely to return after suffering a nose injury in the goalless draw at Boreham Wood last weekend.
Long term injury victim left back Mark Kitching played 45 minutes in midweek having not played since picking up an injury in February. However, boss Simon Rusk said he had no plans to rush him back in to action.
Of injuries, the manager added: “We are not in a place we want to be (with injuries) but people are making progress, we came out of last weekend’s game with one or two knocks, so we have to wait and see on a few.
“It’s a bit uncertain with a few of them, but it’s good news with Mark Kitching stepping up his recovery and being part of training.
“We have to make sure we are not throwing him in to a situation which he is not ready for, he’s not far away but he still has a bit to go.”
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
If you don’t know the answer to this one – where have you been?! Mr Patrick Madden is a centre forward presently earning his trade at Stockport, having written his name in to footballing folklore in South Somerset.
24 goals in 42 games for the Glovers on the way to promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season – including a decent hit in the play-off final at Wembley that year – guarantee the Irishman a good reception from the travelling support.
However, there are many other player links between the two clubs. Winger Ben Whitfield is one we’ve already mentioned and seems likely to start on Saturday, whilst now-FC Halifax Town midfielder Matt Warburton who was at Huish Park last season is a hero at Edgeley Park for his time at Stockport in the National League North.
Then, in no particular order, other players who have a foot in both camps include:
- Phil Jevons
- David Poole
- Andy Welsh
- Joe Edwards
There’s probably more, but that’s enough to be getting on with.
If you are making the trip to Greater Manchester (or is it Cheshire?) then the advice from Stockport is that you buy your tickets in advance at there will be queues at the ticket office on the day.
For full details on tickets, see here,and if you haven’t figured out how you’re getting there you’ve left it a bit bloody late! But, details of the Green & White Supporters’ Club transport is here – you might get on….if you’re lucky.
If you fancy a bit of background about what to expect from Edgeley Park, don’t miss our Ciderspace Away Travel Guide which should bring you all you need, see here.