Stockport’s suffering continues against Torquay in the FA Cup

Stockport suffered another blow on Tuesday being knocked out of the FA Cup 2nd round against Torquay United.The game itself was played at Macclesfield’s Moss Rose ground, after Edgeley Park was deemed unfit to hold the fixture which had already been postponed twice.  The pitch troubles at Stockport stem from their groundshare with Rugby Union team Sale Sharks.

Elliot Benyon hit a hat trick as Torquay strolled to a 4-0 success but will have Hatters keeper Owain Fon Williams to thank for two of his strikes, with the Welsh stopper gifting him the ball for one goal, whilst his clearance rebounded off Benyon for another.

Gulls boss Paul Buckle was understandably happy, “Obviously I’m very pleased. I thought that it was a great game of football and one where we really did steal the show.”

It was the latest kick in the teeth for many Hatters fans who have seen their team become a laughing stock this season.  Having been in administration now for 6 months, things seem to be going from bad to worse, with rumours last week they may be demoted to the Unibond Premier League, unless they can find a buyer before next season.

Only 1,600 devout fans made the trip across Cheshire to watch one of Stockport’s most embarrassing cup results in recent years, a result which also sees Stockport miss out on the £27,000 prize money for progressing into the third round.

The Cheadle End at Edgeley Park

Languishing at the bottom of League Two, the once proud club look like a dying dog, with many fans thinking this season may well be their last.  All this seems a far cry from promotion at Wembley at the end of the 07/08 season.

Most of the players from that team have moved on and County are forced into mixing youth players with loanees to try and get by this year.  However, ask any Stockport fan now, and most would be happy with just starting next season in League Two.  Although it looks like it may indeed be the Unibond, or nothing at all.