The Top Two Are Ready For A Late Season Shoot-Out

On the penultimate Saturday of the season, a National League North title shoot out has been gifted to us.

Leaders Stockport County, a point ahead, go to Chorley - in second place and the long-time table toppers.

Quite simply, the winner takes control of the championship race. It doesn’t get too much bigger than this.

Fans leaving the grounds last week would have been forgiven for thinking neither side wanted to win it!

Chorley went down 5-3 at Altrincham, while former favourite Alun Armstrong came back to haunt County as Blyth wrecked what could have been a great day at Edgeley Park.

The Magpies have a big performance in them says manager Jamie Vermiglio and he thinks home advantage could be crucial.

“It’s a big game, there’s no hiding from that,” said the manager, who has done a fantastic job at Victory Park since taking over from Matt Jansen.

“Who would have guessed at the start of the season that this fixture would be so important to both teams.

“Now we want to take our chance. The game is a sell out and we need the fans to carry us through.”

Stockport will be backed by 1,200 and despite an incredible year their form - a lot like Chorley’s - hasn’t been as great as the finishing like approaches.

Such is the interest in this one that County have not only sold out their allocation, but you can no longer get tickets to watch the beam back service at Edgeley Park!

Manager Jim Gannon said: “We have to go there and play our game.

“We need to play with endeavour and nouse and hopefully we will get a similar result to previously this season.

“If we can use our strength and pace like Altrincham did against Chorley then we will cause them problems.”