[themaclad]

STOCKPORT COUNTY v PRESTON NORTH END

EDGELEY PARK 29/7/2023 3.00PM

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PRE SEASON



MANAGER

DAVE CHALLINOR

Colwyn Bay
Challinor was appointed as player-manager at Northern Premier League Premier Division club Colwyn Bay on 28 May 2010.[12]

He was assisted by former teammate Colin Woodthorpe. During their first season in management, they led Colwyn Bay to runners-up in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and a place in the play-offs. Victories over North Ferriby United and FC United of Manchester secured the club promotion to the Conference North.[13] The club also won the North Wales Coast Cup, with victory over Flint Town United in the final on penalties. The club won the Fair Play Award for the fewest disciplinary points through the season and Challinor was named manager of the month for March, April and May 2011.

AFC Fylde
On 2 November 2011 it was announced that Challinor had been appointed the new manager of AFC Fylde, in the Northern Premier League Division One North.[14] He guided Fylde to the NPL First Division North championship in the season of his arrival and as a consequence was named Evo-Stik NPL Manager of the Year 2011–12.[15]

In 2012–13, Fylde once again qualified for the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division play offs but were defeated on penalties by Hednesford Town who took their place in the Conference North. Fylde did qualify for the FA Cup first round proper, eventually being defeated by Accrington Stanley and also were victorious in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy at The Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

The 2013–14 season saw Fylde gain promotion to the National League North after defeating Ashton United in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division play offs.[16] They also retained their Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy with a 4–1 victory over rivals Chorley. In addition, they won the Doodson Sport League Cup with victory at Edgeley Park over Skelmersdale United. Their disciplinary record meant they won the Fair Play Award for the Premier Division and their overall record throughout the three leagues came out on top which saw them claim the Presidents Cup. They also had the best technical area marks for the Evo-Stik league to match the previous year's statistic. The year saw Fylde move to their highest rung of the pyramid and a fourth promotion in five years for Challinor.

In 2016–17 Challinor clinched promotion as National League North champions, with a 3–0 victory over Boston United on 22 April 2017.[17] In June 2017, he signed a new two-year contract with the club.[18]

The 2018–19 season saw Fylde reach both the play-off final and FA Trophy final. Having been defeated 3–0 by Salford City in the play-off final,[19] Fylde returned to Wembley Stadium the following week to beat Leyton Orient 1–0 and lift the FA Trophy for the first time in the club's history.[20]

On 12 October 2019 after spending eight years as manager, Fylde announced that it was parting company with him as the manager, with the side in the relegation places on goal difference.[21][22]

Hartlepool United
On 11 November 2019, Challinor was appointed manager of National League side Hartlepool United with the club in 13th place.[23][24] In his first full season in charge, Challinor guided Hartlepool to a 4th placed finish and a place in the National League play-offs. In the play-off eliminator, Hartlepool defeated Bromley 3–2, scoring three goals in seven first-half minutes before Bromley scored two in the second half, ultimately proving to not be enough.[25] In the semi-final, they travelled to Stockport County where Rhys Oates scored with fifteen minutes left to book Hartlepool's place in the Final.[26] On 20 June 2021, Hartlepool faced Torquay United in the 2021 National League play-off final at Ashton Gate Stadium. After Luke Armstrong gave Hartlepool the lead in the first half, Torquay goalkeeper Lucas Covolan scored a last minute equaliser to take the match to extra-time. Despite both sides missing their first two penalties, Hartlepool eventually won the shootout 5–4, returning to the Football League for the first time since their relegation in 2017.[27]

On 24 September 2021, Challinor signed a new three year contract to remain as manager.[28] On 1 November 2021, Challinor announced his intentions to step down from the position.[29] Challinor won 28 of his 59 games at Hartlepool. In a club statement, Hartlepool stated their dissatisfaction with the way Challinor departed the club: "As a club, we were disappointed the first approach did not come direct to the club. Also that this was so soon after Dave signed a new three-year contract."[30] In an interview with Stockport following his arrival, Challinor said that "It's been ridiculously difficult (to leave Hartlepool), once the interest came in (from Stockport) there was always going to be an attraction but the affinity I built up with the fan base there was amazing and that was the biggest tie that I had to get over".[31]

Stockport County
On 2 November 2021, Challinor was appointed manager of National League side Stockport County with the club in 9th position, ten points from 1st place.[32][33][34] Challinor was awarded the National League's Manager of the Month award for January 2022 after six wins from six in all competitions that saw Stockport finish the month top of the league.[35] He would lose only one of his first 23 matches with Stockport.[34] On 15 May 2022, Stockport beat FC Halifax Town 2–0 to clinch the National League title.[36] Following promotion, Challinor was named as the National League Manager of the Season.[34] After Stockport won all three games in December 2022, Challinor won the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award.[37] He also won the Manager of the Month award for February 2023 after winning five games from six.[38] Stockport missed out on automatic promotion to EFL League One on the final day of the season, finishing 4th and qualifying for the play-offs.[39] After defeating Salford City in the semi-final, Stockport lost on penalties in the play-off final to Carlisle United.[40][41]


HISTORY

Stockport is the birthplace of former World No.1 tennis player Fred Perry; winner of 8 Grand Slam singles titles,[90] 2 Pro Slams singles titles, 2 doubles titles and 4 mixed-double titles. He was the first person to complete a Career Grand Slam and also won the Davis Cup on four consecutive occasions

Stockport Viaduct is 111 feet (34 m) high, and carries four railway tracks over the River Mersey on the line to Manchester Piccadilly. The viaduct built of 11,000,000 bricks, a major feat of Victorian engineering, was completed in 21 months at a cost of £70,000.[61] The structure is Grade II* listed.[62]

RECENT MEETINGS



MACS VIEW

Last one before the real stuff starts, County probably disappointed they didn't go up last year will be in the mix again this year, will any new signings be available, team selection will be interesting, the season is almost upon us

[themaclad]

Preston North End will bring the pre-season schedule to a close on Saturday afternoon with a trip to face Stockport County.

With the start of the Championship campaign now just over a week away, PNE are rounding off their preparations by taking on the Sky Bet League Two outfit at Edgeley Park.

After choosing to play two almost completely different XIs in each half of the previous friendly against Fleetwood Town – a goalless draw – it seems probable Ryan Lowe could hand out a larger chunk of minutes to those most likely to be involved against Bristol City.


Andrew Hughes made his first appearance of pre-season in the draw at Highbury after returning from injury, and there were also minutes for the likes of Calvin Ramsay and Duane Holmes, who will also be looking to build their fitness up ahead of the new campaign.

In Stockport County, North End are taking on a side who narrowly missed out on promotion to League One last season – losing out in the Play-Off final on penalties against Carlisle United.



So far this pre-season, the Hatters have defeated non-league opponents Altrincham and Chester, before being beaten 4-0 by Huddersfield Town last weekend.

Dave Challinor’s side will also be hosting North End’s Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers on Friday night, and Stockport County will be in a celebratory mood this weekend as the club marks its 140th anniversary.

[themaclad]

Match Report: Stockport County 2 PNE 0
1 Hour ago


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Preston North End ended the pre-season schedule with a 2-0 defeat away from home against Stockport County.

Freddie Woodman saved a Will Collar penalty in the 17th minute on the day of the Hatters’ 140th anniversary, but the midfielder broke the deadlock just moments later.

Ben Woodburn found the back of the net soon after, only to be flagged offside, and Ryan Rydel’s free-kick in the 75th minute secured victory for the hosts.

North End could have gone ahead inside the opening minute as Kian Best – a day on from signing a professional contract – put in a dangerous cross which just bypassed Will Keane, and then Brad Potts slammed it back across the box, but again no one could get a touch.

Keane was involved again on 12 minutes when Alan Browne slotted him through and the forward forced Ben Hinchliffe to tip over the crossbar.

At the other end a few moments later, Bambo Diaby was adjudged to have brought Louie Barry down inside the area and Collar stepped up to take the penalty, only to be denied by a terrific diving Woodman stop.

Collar would very soon have his goal, though, firing home from the resulting corner after a scramble in the box.

Woodburn thought he had an equaliser for his side in the 20th minute, smartly finding the bottom corner, but he was flagged offside.

Birthday boy Mads Frøkjær had an effort deflected narrowly wide just before the half-hour mark and the resulting set piece saw Andrew Hughes head just wide at the far post.

Shortly before half-time there was a mix-up at the back between Woodman and Diaby which almost cost North End, however the ‘keeper managed to tip Nick Powell’s effort away from goal.

After going in behind, Ryan Lowe’s side dominated the opening stages of the second half and had a few opportunities to go ahead. The first couple were Best free-kicks – one saved and one wide – before confusion at the back almost allowed Woodburn a tap-in.

PNE were perhaps then fortunate to not go two down in the 67th minute when Callum Camps squandered a big chance, sending an effort wide after being found in the area by Barry.

The hosts’ second of the afternoon did arrive 15 minutes from time, though, as Rydel whipped a well-struck free-kick past Woodman from 20 yards.

Substitute Duane Holmes limped off in the final stages of the match for North End meaning they ended the day with ten men as the hosts came out 2-0 winners.

PNE line-up: Woodman; Storey, Diaby (Bauer, 45), Hughes (Cunningham, 62); Potts (Ramsay, 62), McCann (Ledson, 62), Browne (Holmes, 45), Frøkjær (Mawene, 79), Best (Taylor, 79); Woodburn (Stewart, 55), Keane (Rodriguez-Gentile, 79). Subs not used: Cornell.

Referee: Mr T Kirk.

Attendance: 4,200 (635 PNE fans).