Following the late cancellation of last Saturday’s FA Trophy 5th Round tie against Chesterfield, Aldershot Town return to National League action this Saturday, with a trip to Stockport County.
In association with LV BET, Rob Worrall previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Lewis Kinsella, Craig Tanner and Ross McCormack all continue to make good progress in their rehabilitation from long term injuries. George Fowler is still troubled by a knee problem picked up in the Wealdstone game. Defender Dinesh Gillela (on loan from AFC Bournemouth) looks likely to deputise for Fowler.
Opposition:
Name: Stockport County Founded: 1883 (as Heaton Rovers)
Nickname: The Hatters Manager: Simon Rusk Stadium: Edgeley Park 2019/20 National League Final Position: 7th (9th on PPG)
The Gaffer:
39-year-old Simon Rusk was appointed as Stockport County Manager just three weeks ago. A former professional footballer, Rusk played as a midfielder for the likes of Boston United, York City and Crawley Town. He was promoted from what is now the National League as a player, so knows this level of football well. As a Coach, he holds the highest possible licence, the UEFA Pro-Licence and until recently was the Brighton & Hove Albion u-23 Manager, helping develop the likes of Solly March, Aaron Connolly and Steven Alzate towards the first team at The Amex, for whom all three now play regularly.
Playing Squad:
Rusk has largely worked with the playing squad in place at Edgeley Park to date, but has brought (this week) attacking midfielder Tom Walker back to the club on loan from Harrogate Town. County’s squad boast many highly established players at National League level, such as last season’s National League Player of the Season, John Rooney, from Barrow, England C midfielder Ryan Croasdale and former Salford Skipper, Liam Hogan. Players contracted again this season include County favourites; Keeper Ben Hinchcliffe, Defenders Sam Minihan & Ash Palmer and former Tranmere Rovers and Salford midfielder Lois Maynard. Incoming this season are a plethora of National League talent, including; Left Back Mark Kitching (Hartlepool), the Jennings brothers, Connor and James (from Tranmere and Wrexham respectively and Jordan Williams (AFC Fylde). Striker Alex Reid, who has played for a number of National League clubs, is banging the goals in up front (11 in all competitions) but it’s Rooney that leads the way in the scoring charts with 15 to date (all comps).
Form:
County have won 4, Drawn 3 and lost just 1 of their last 8 matches. They currently sit 4th in the National League table, but have a few games in hand on some of the teams above them. They have the 9th best Home record in the league, with 15 points from 9 games.
Referee:
Saturday’s referee is Simon Mathers. This season, he has taken charge of 9 National League matches, showing 24 Yellow Cards and 2 Red Cards.
Match Coverage:
The match will be ‘live streamed’ by the home side with more details HERE. Rob Worrall will also be reporting on the game into Joe Talbot’s BBC Radio Surrey’s Saturday afternoon Sports Show, with updates every 10 minutes
