By David Richardson
Prolific Matty Warburton reckons Stockport County’s FA Trophy quarter-final carries the extra weight of a revenge mission.
National League North promotion rivals Brackley Town are the visitors at Edgeley Park on Saturday, looking to complete a double after getting one over their hosts earlier in the season.
The Saints edged out County 3-2 when they met at St James Park back in December to maintain their unbeaten home record.
But Stockport, who have their own hopes of ending a four-year exile from Non-League’s top-flight, have home advantage this time round and with an expected large crowd behind them, Warburton believes that will be crucial.
“There’s a realistic chance of getting to Wembley now,” he told The NLP. “We know Brackley’s strengths and they probably know ours. They’re renowned for being a strong, physical side but they have a lot of good individuals that can win the game for them.
“They’re flying high in the league, but I think being at home gives us the slight edge. It’s all geared up to be a decent game. They’ve already got one over us so we’ll be looking for revenge.”
Battle
Stockport have played a mammoth seven matches to reach this stage with replays needed against league rivals Southport and Kidderminster and, in the previous round, extra-time against National League side Maidenhead, adding to a first round victory over Lancaster City.
“The Maidenhead replay was a strange one because in the first-half we played some really good stuff, maybe the best all season but we couldn’t score – I was guilty of that,” said Warburton, who has 16 goals to his name in all competitions this season.
“The second half was a different game, more of a battle, and although we were 2-0 down, we knew we’d been good at turning games around at home.”
County struck twice late on to dramatically level things up before Jimmy Ball netted what proved to be the winner early in extra-time.
Now Jim Gannon’s side are just two games from Wembley and beginning to dream.
Warburton, who signed a contract extension last week, added: “It’s hard to ignore Wembley. You’ll be lucky if you get to play there once in your career.
“I’ve been there before, I’m a Manchester City fan, I was there when we lost to Wigan in the FA Cup final. It was a bad journey home. To get the chance to play there would be a dream come true.
“I’m really enjoying it here and when they made an offer for me to stay, it didn’t take much thinking to be honest – I want to stay and be part of what’s going on at County. I feel like we’re on the up.
“Next season we’ll be on a hybrid training programme where some people will be part-time and others full-time.
“I’ll be staying on the part-time model. I’d like to go full-time, but it’s not realistic at the moment with the teaching career I have.
“The gaffer has been class and the lads are brilliant. There aren’t many clubs getting over 3,500 at home games too.”
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper which is available every Sunday and Monday
