Stockport County 0-1 Hartlepool United verdict – Rhys Oates' late strike books Pools a place in the play-off final against Torquay United

Hartlepool United secured their place in the National League play-off final following a 1-0 win over Stockport County at Edgeley Park.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Rhys Oates was the hero once again with a late strike from distance proving to be the difference as Pools edged past a previously 18 unbeaten Stockport side.

The National League play-off matches so far this season had been a far cry from the tense, cagey affairs you expect when the season is on the line. The previous three play-off matches had yielded 16 goals between them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But for Stockport and Pools it was all about getting through, regardless of how they did it – claiming a spot in the promotion final against Torquay United at Ashton Gate on June 20 (2pm kick-off) was paramount.

Rhys Oates in action  during the Vanarama National League match between Stockport County and Hartlepool United at the Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport on Sunday 13th June 2021. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Rhys Oates in action  during the Vanarama National League match between Stockport County and Hartlepool United at the Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport on Sunday 13th June 2021. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Rhys Oates in action during the Vanarama National League match between Stockport County and Hartlepool United at the Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport on Sunday 13th June 2021. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

The Hatters have spent the past decade bouncing around the top two divisions of non-league football following their first ever relegation from the Football League in 2011.

Pools are desperate to avoid experiencing a similar fate having dropped out of the EFL for the first time in 2017.

As expected, Dave Challinor named an unchanged starting line-up from the side that had beaten Bromley 3-2 in the play-off eliminator match the week prior.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But on the bench there was a notable return as goalkeeper Ben Killip came in for Henrich Ravas to mark his return to the matchday squad for the first time in over two months due to a serious elbow injury.

A boisterous crowd saw the hosts enjoy a lot of the ball early on with striker Paddy Madden missing a glorious early chance from close range after being set-up by a low Macauley Southam-Hales cross.

At the other end, Hartlepool started to threaten themselves with Rhys Oates breaking clear down the right and attempting to pick out a man in the middle. Luke Armstrong’s shot was well blocked, as was Mark Shelton’s on the follow-up before Stockport could clear.

From there, Pools started to grow into the game without really testing The Hatters.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Two speculative long range efforts from Rhys Oates rounded off a cagey first half encounter of clear chances as the sides went in goalless.

This was more in-keeping of what you’d expect for a play-off final with both teams cancelling each other out.

The early exchanges of the second half were end to end with Pools having a strong penalty shout turned down before Brad James was forced into a smart stop at his near post by John Rooney.

The match remained very tight with Elliott Newby and Mark Shelton with chances at either end. But with 14-minutes remaining, Pools finally found the breakthrough as Ryan Johnson picked up the ball on halfway before picking out Oates. The Pools player of the season charged towards goal before arrowing a ball into the bottom right corner from 25-yards.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All of a sudden, Pools had one foot in the play-off final. It was just about hanging on now.

The last minute of the game was a heart in the mouth moment for Pools as Richie Bennett met James Jennings’ cross well only to be brilliantly denied by James.

And that was it for Pools. The full-time whistle blew and the elation was palpable in an otherwise heartbroken Edgeley Park.

See you in the play-off final.

Stockport County XI: Hinchliffe; Jennings, Hogan, Palmer, Southam-Hales; Collar (Newby 60), Croasdale, Walker (Bennett 81), Cardwell (Reid 73); Rooney, Madden

Stockport County subs: Fitzsimons, Minihan

Stockport County bookings: Jennings (90)

Hartlepool United XI: James; Ferguson, Johnson, Liddle, Odusina, Sterry; Featherstone, Shelton (Donaldson 88), Holohan (Molyneux 76); Oates, Armstrong

Hartlepool United subs: Killip, Francis-Angol, Elliott

Hartlepool United bookings: Holohan (63)

Referee: David Richardson

Attendance: 2,758

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Hartlepool United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor