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It's a game that can be described as a giantkilling in the making - which often makes the "giant" more wary of the task in hand. Just nine league places on the pyramid seperate these two sides who were three divisons apart just four years ago.
Stockport's dramatic fall through the divisions has taken just three years. They rose to the Championship in 1997, finishing higher in the first season there than current Premiership sides Portsmouth, West Brom, and Man City, before beginning a swift fall back down to currently occupy 71st place in the Football League. Relegation in 2002 from the Championship saw them eight wins short of safety, and two mediocre seasons with flirts with relegation lead to a disasterous campaign last season that ended with just 26 points and relegation confirmed a month before the season ended - after selling five players, including strikers Luke Beckett and Warren Feeney, for a combined total of £340,000 to balance the books.
This season free transfers have rebuilt the squad, and just three wins have been recorded in 22 league and cup games. Their home form almost looks impressive, with them yet to record a league defeat at Edgeley Park - but seven draws mean they have taken just ten points at home from a possible 24. Whilst they have conceded an average of a goal a game at home, they have conceded an average of two a game on their travels - with the worst being a six goal demolition at Carlisle a month ago.
The face obviously familiar to Bulls fans is Mark Robinson who, like an art dealer, traded Turners' in the summer to join Stockport manager Chris for a second time. Robinson has been an ever-present in the team - being described by one County fan as one of the few plus points of the season. Other names of note in the Stockport squad are tricky winger Harpal Singh, once tipped to be the first Asian to play for England, and eight goal striker Jermaine Easter who has scored in the last two matches.
The Bulls will look to make Stockport League scalp number twelve since returning to non-league football. Confidence at Edgar Street may have been dented after Saturday's loss to Exeter, but wins over Mansfield and Port Vale in the LDV Trophy this season proves that the Bulls are capable of deposing a side who has won just six out of 46 matches under current manager Chris Turner.
Matt Bailey's departure back to Crewe has been long suggested but only just confirmed with his loan officially expiring, but the tantrum brought the glittering tiara as Andy Williams grabbed the opportunity with both hands and an eager home crowd cheered on the local youngster to his first senior goals. Guy Ipoua scored against Stockport for Gillingham in a League Cup match in 2002, and Simon Travis will look to show what Stockport turned down after being released by the club after just four starts after a two year spell in 1999. Travis is also one short of 50 senior starts for the Bulls.
