Title contenders Stockport start as they mean to go on

Stockport County 2 - 0 Bolton Wanderers

Malik Mothersille marked his Stockport County debut with a goal as last season’s play-off contenders began their campaign with a win over Bolton

Author | Alan White

Stadium | Edgeley Park

Players celebrate

In a match between two clubs with firm promotion ambitions, it was the home side who ultimately took the points, despite withstanding sustained early pressure from Steven Schumacher’s Bolton.

The visitors struck the woodwork twice in the first half, through Xavier Simons and Max Conway, while Corey Addai had to be alert to turn away a low drive from Amario Cozier-Duberry. Josh Dacres-Cogley also squandered a clear opportunity from a well-worked corner, and Mason Burstow was left frustrated after appearing to be pulled back by Corey O’Keeffe as he tried to meet a cross from Cozier-Duberry.

Fans celebrate from the Edgeley Park terraces

Stockport were slow to settle but gradually found their rhythm just before the break. Kyle Wootton headed over from Owen Dodgson’s excellent delivery, and in added time the hosts broke through. A scramble in the Bolton box ended with Ollie Norwood's wayward strike deflecting kindly into the path of Mothersille, who instinctively redirected it into the net.

Challinor’s side were more composed after the interval, though Bolton remained a threat. Conway rattled the woodwork once again with a fierce drive, and substitute Thierry Gale forced another smart stop from Addai.

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The result was sealed a minute from time when Danny Andrew, signed only the day before on a short-term deal, delivered a pinpoint free-kick from the left and Wootton made no mistake with a towering header.

It was a performance full of grit from Stockport, who rode their luck but took their chances, while Bolton were left to rue missed opportunities in a match that could have swung either way.