MATCHWATCH : Stockport County (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday January 18 2025, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Stockport next. The Hatters are 7th in the table 3 points below Reading with a superior GD but have played a game more so another difficult game to negotiate.

A defeat will drop Reading out of the play off positions while a victory could return the club to 5th place in the unlikely event Barnsley drop points at Bristol Rovers.

Stockport are on a bit of a poor run with only 2 points to show from the last 4 league games but have earned a creditable home draw with Birmingham in that run plus only narrowly lost at Palace in the cup last time out so are still a pretty decent team that needs to be respected properly.

The good news for Reading is that Louie Barry, he of 15 goals, has been recalled by Aston Villa so goals may now be a problem for Stockport. The next leading scorer for the is forward Kyle Wootton with 6 so quite some gap between him and Barry. Two names on their books that will be known to Reading fans is usual thorn in the side Nick Powell and one time Royal Oliver Norwood so there are threats that will do damage if you let them.

Reading’s injury problems worsened this week with Mbengue likely out until March with a knee problem but Dorsett might have a chance of being involved and WiFi should only be a couple of weeks away now. The other good news is that Chem Campbell has returned on loan for the rest of the season but, again, is another that might miss this game through injury.

Referee

Carl Brook

Previously

09 Mar 24 > Reading 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers
12 Dec 23 > Reading 1-1 Oxford United
19 Sep 23 > Exeter City 0-9 Reading (EFL Trophy)

Historically

Reading have hosted Stockport on 16 occasions and won 9 times compared to 2 Stockport victories. Stockport’s wins have both been in the month of December and have both been by 2 goals (3-1 in 1974 and 4-2 in 1992) so hopefully the omens will be smiling kindly on the blue and white hoops Saturday.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and go
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use a RoyalsTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Dirk Gently]

I'm absolutely amazed that we're above Stockport in the table. When they played us they absolutely tore us apart, and looked such a good team I was sure they'd be competing for a top-two place.

[Hound]

Yeah though hardly the only team to tear us apart away from home - Lincoln battered us all game, Exeter (2nd half) spring immediately to mind and they are miles below us.

They had a good day and we had a terrible day

Barry a massive loss for them. It’s a game we really should win. Hoepfully have Craig, Dorsett and maybe Yiadom back

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah though hardly the only team to tear us apart away from home - Lincoln battered us all game, Exeter (2nd half) spring immediately to mind and they are miles below us.

They had a good day and we had a terrible day

Barry a massive loss for them. It’s a game we really should win. Hoepfully have Craig, Dorsett and maybe Yiadom back

I think it's going to take time for Yiadom to get match fit, even though he's beed training for a couple of weeks or so

[Snowflake Royal]

.................Pereira
Craig, Dean, Bindon, Kanu
...................Wing
.........Knibbs..Savage
Campbell.................Garcia
..................Smith



Personally would like to see Abrefa starting at RB, with Craig into midfield, pushing Wing forward and Knibbs into the wing whilst Ehibhatiomhan remains out.

Does anyone know our best XI?

Because Wing, Savage, Elliott, Craig and Knibbsfor three midfield slots and Campbell, Ehibhatiomhan and Knibbs for two wide slots, with everyone fit, is a hell of a conundrum.

[Hound]

Forgotten what it’s like to have actual options (older than 19) on the bench.

I’m hoping Dorsett and Yids are back but both would be on bench. Also Craig. So would go (optimistically)

JP
Abrefa Dean Bindon Kanu
Wing
Knibbs Savage
Campbell Smith Garcia

Button, Yiadom, Dorsett, Craig, Wareham, Holzman, Ahmed

[Mr Angry]

A tight, hard fought battle with us nicking it 1-0.

[Stanmore Royal]

A tight, hard fought battle with us nicking it 1-0.

You mean long awaited injury time winner that seems an eternity since we scored that most wonderful of football feelings a last minute winner

[WestYorksRoyal]

I believe their home and away form is night and day, they're pretty weak away. Add in recent form and losing Barry, it all points to an away win.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

A tight, hard fought battle with us nicking it 1-0.

You mean long awaited injury time winner that seems an eternity since we scored that most wonderful of football feelings a last minute winner

It's been a while, Vickers V Bolton at home last season is the last match winner I can remember.

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

I think it's going to take time for Yiadom to get match fit, even though he's been training for a couple of weeks or so

I agree

[Stranded]

A tight, hard fought battle with us nicking it 1-0.

You mean long awaited injury time winner that seems an eternity since we scored that most wonderful of football feelings a last minute winner

It's been a while, Vickers V Bolton at home last season is the last match winner I can remember.

That was scored in the 86th minute - so late but not a last minute winner.

[Sutekh]

You mean long awaited injury time winner that seems an eternity since we scored that most wonderful of football feelings a last minute winner

It's been a while, Vickers V Bolton at home last season is the last match winner I can remember.

That was scored in the 86th minute - so late but not a last minute winner.

The last "last minute" winner scored by the club was scored by Tyrese Fornah (now on loan at Salford) at home against Rotherham United on February 14 2023.

[tidus_mi2]

Well, looks like we might have made it to another game without a player sale so would be disappointed if we don't win, especially with Stockport's drop in form since Barry was recalled.

[Crowbar6753]

I was just wondering when we last played Stockport at home? I remember watching us thrash them 6-2 in what i believe was our first home game of the 1983 season. We were on the mighty Southbank and i just googled the attendance and it was just over 2600!! However it wouldn't show me any of the scorers that day, guessing maybe Dean Horrix (R.I.P) and Kerry Dixon?

[royals6719]

I was just wondering when we last played Stockport at home? I remember watching us thrash them 6-2 in what i believe was our first home game of the 1983 season. We were on the mighty Southbank and i just googled the attendance and it was just over 2600!! However it wouldn't show me any of the scorers that day, guessing maybe Dean Horrix (R.I.P) and Kerry Dixon?

Was at game. Senior scored hat trick in four minutes, Beavon scored direct from corner and I think Wayne Tutty (RIP) scored.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Hunt said no new injuries but a sickness bug has gone around the squad this week. Let's see what the lineup is.

[stealthpapes]

I was just wondering when we last played Stockport at home? I remember watching us thrash them 6-2 in what i believe was our first home game of the 1983 season. We were on the mighty Southbank and i just googled the attendance and it was just over 2600!! However it wouldn't show me any of the scorers that day, guessing maybe Dean Horrix (R.I.P) and Kerry Dixon?

iirc we secured promotion away at Stockport in 1993-94. I thought they were out main challengers but finished fourth in quite a tight finish.

so the home game would have been earlier that season. had a look, don't remember it at all.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I was just wondering when we last played Stockport at home? I remember watching us thrash them 6-2 in what i believe was our first home game of the 1983 season. We were on the mighty Southbank and i just googled the attendance and it was just over 2600!! However it wouldn't show me any of the scorers that day, guessing maybe Dean Horrix (R.I.P) and Kerry Dixon?

iirc we secured promotion away at Stockport in 1993-94. I thought they were out main challengers but finished fourth in quite a tight finish.

so the home game would have been earlier that season. had a look, don't remember it at all.

In 1993-94 we secured promotion & the title at home to Brighton in the last home game, the Stockport game was late April but the point there against a main rival went a long way towards it.

[Mr Angry]

I was just wondering when we last played Stockport at home? I remember watching us thrash them 6-2 in what i believe was our first home game of the 1983 season. We were on the mighty Southbank and i just googled the attendance and it was just over 2600!! However it wouldn't show me any of the scorers that day, guessing maybe Dean Horrix (R.I.P) and Kerry Dixon?

iirc we secured promotion away at Stockport in 1993-94. I thought they were out main challengers but finished fourth in quite a tight finish.

so the home game would have been earlier that season. had a look, don't remember it at all.

In 1993-94 we secured promotion & the title at home to Brighton in the last home game, the Stockport game was late April but the point there against a main rival went a long way towards it.

The game against them at Elm Park in late December 1993 was brilliant; very icy pitch which negated Kevin Francis (their 6'7" striker) somewhat, a (I seem to think) large crowd and 2 Archie goals to win it.