BT Cameras Roll! Pools And Hatters Meet At Edgeley Park

By Tom Scott

A month ago, Stockport County were loving life back in the big time and were fifth in the fledgling MANarama National League table.

But who would’ve known the catastrophic effect defeat to old foes Chorley would have?

Since then, the Hatters have been winless and scored just once, their goalless draw with Sutton on Saturday afternoon adding their only point in six outings.

Signs of a shift in momentum? Maybe, feels boss Jim Gannon.

“It feels like we’re getting back the team that can do something,” he said. “There’s still a lot of work for me to do but by and large, we’re returning satisfied – the positive thing is that we’ve stopped the losing run.

“This game is the start of a massive week for us and I’d like to us to get back to winning ways. We’ve shown we’re getting back to the team we used to be and there’s no better place than Edgeley Park under the floodlights, live on BT Sport.”

Hartlepool on the other hand go into the game on the back of a three-game unbeaten stretch.

After back-to-back defeats, the Pools have picked up draws with Chesterfield and Eastleigh before they halted the Yeovil Town juggernaut courtesy of Jason Kennedy’s last-gasp strike.

And while boss Craig Hignett knows featuring on BT Sport is a good chance to show what they’re all about these days, he’s adamant his players won’t just be turning up for the cameras.

“I don’t think people up their performances and if they did then I’d drop them for the next game,” he told the Hartlepool Mail.

“It shouldn’t take a camera for them to up their game, it should be their own personal pride in what they do.

“And that’s what our lot are about, they’ve never shirked anything and yes they may not win every game and might not do what I want every game but I can’t point the finger at them for a lack of effort because they’ve never done it, not even in training.”

“Last time we were on was Woking where we gave a good account of ourselves,” he added.

“With what happened Saturday [beating Yeovil Town] and being on telly, it should give us a lift and shouldn’t create any added pressure.”

Stockport County against Hartlepool United is live from Edgeley Park on Wednesday evening live on BT Sport 1. Coverage starts at 7.30pm.

Where next?

Gannon Relieved After Win But Wants To Move On Fast Jim Gannon says there was "relief and jubilation" on Wednesday night as Stockport County ended their six-game wait for a win.
All Tuesday Night's National League Thrills And Spills The chasing pack upped the heat on leaders FC Halifax on another explosive night of action across the National League.