Stockport County lost their opening game of the new National League North season at Spennymoor Town when a missed penalty from Matty Warburton cost them a point.
David Foley’s goal for the newly-promoted hosts after 41 minutes separated the two sides, although the Hatters were denied a point when Warburton’s spot kick was saved 18 minutes from time.
Jim Gannon handed competitive debuts to Dan Cowan, Jason Oswell, Darren Stephenson and Warburton whilst Stephen O’Halloran also took to the field for the first game of his second spell at Edgeley Park.
Jimmy Ball twice went close – courtesy of a goal-bound strike towards the top-left corner which required Moors captain Joe Tait to head behind, and a free-kick from 25 yards out that stung the hands of goalkeeper Daniel Lowson.
With the contest approaching half-time, Foley, who had spent four years playing in Puerto Rico and the United States, dealt what was to be the afternoon’s decisive blow, cutting in from the left and rifling home from 15 yards.
County adopted a flat back-four upon the resumption in an attempt to counter the Spennymoor attack’s width and pace, although the hosts continued to look lively up front and from set-pieces. Glen Taylor headed over an early second-half corner, before Tait headed wide of the left post following a free kick.
Shortly before the hour-mark, Oswell, fed by Warburton, curled a snap-shot narrowly over from the edge of the area. And, just over 10 minutes later, Warburton himself was closer still with a low drive that hit the left upright.
Within a matter of seconds, County’s number 10 was handed an opportunity to go one better, as Spennymoor failed to clear the rebound and substitute Connor Hampson, on for the injured O’Halloran, was felled in the box by Hall.
Warburton’s spot-kick was well struck, but without the height or width to get past Lowson, who dived to his right to keep it out.
And, with that, County’s opening-day fate was sealed, as the hosts – unbeaten at home for six months – were caused no undue difficulty by three further County corners towards the end.
Next up for County is a home game with Curzon Ashton on Tuesday.
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Cowan, Duxbury (Walker, 46 (McKenna, 85)), Winter (C), Clarke, O’Halloran (Hampson, 62), Minihan, Ball, Oswell, Warburton, Stephenson; Unused Subs: Smalley, Ormson
Attendance: 1,337
Be the first to comment