Dietmar Hamann earned his first win as Stockport County manager after Euan Holden’s fine solo effort was enough to see his side edge past 10-man Kettering at Edgeley Park.
Having starting their Blue Square Premier campaign with a 1-1 in front of 464 travelling fans at Forest Green on Friday, it was a chance for everyone to see Hamann’s new-look County.
Just shy of 3,500 were sufficiently intrigued to make the trip to Edgeley Park but they were treated to a nervous opening 30 minutes by the Hatters.
Matt Glennon, the only survivor from County’s last home game against Cheltenham three months ago, pushed away Marcus Kelly’s volley before diving at Moses Ashikodi’s feet to deny the Kettering striker from two yards out.
It wasn’t until Tom Elliot headed Ryan McCann’s cross narrowly wide just before half-time that the first rendition of ‘Dietmar Hamann’s Blue n’ White Army’ could be heard from the Cheadle End.
But if it was being whispered before half-time, it was being sung with much more conviction 15 minutes after the interval.
Euan Holden, making his home debut along with 11 others, wriggled around Phil Ifil and Jerel Ifil to poke the ball underneath Laurie Walker and into the net.
Kettering’s job was made all the more difficult moments later when Sol Davis was shown a second yellow card after clattering into Sam Sheriden.
The result should have been put beyond doubt when substitute Elliot Chamberlain, signed on loan from Leicester the same day, side-footed wide from 10 yards after Nick Chadwick had headed Ryan Fraughan’s cross back across goal.
COUNTY: Glennon 7, McCann 6, Holden 7, Piergianni 7, Bounab 6 (O’Donnell 14, 6), Routledge 7, Sheriden 6, Miles 6 (Chamberlain 68), Fraughan 7 (Parker 79), Elliot 6, Chadwick 6. Not used: Ormson, Gritton.
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Second attempt to post against this game - Have all comments on County been sensored all of a sudden? Anyway, good signs here, Dietmar has got County playing some good, crisp passing football. Only problem is that we look light upfront. I like the look of Elliot (puts the opposition defence under pressure) but there is no class finisher. Thought Fraughan looked lively and in general I'm encouraged by the professionalism of all the County players - keep it going even when results go against us. Thank you MEN for still having a Stockport County tab outside the dreaded non league tab (it helps me with my denial) but I don't appreciate the McConville / Kidderminster preview article where half way through talk of County gives way to thoughts on other NW teams outside the BS Premier! Get a grip.
Good job we have the BBC, Blue Square, etc sites. The so-called local paper is now 2 games behind! Oh, I forgot my station for a moment, we are not in the champions league, we are mere peasants toiling down, down below those rarified heights. At least we are not at the mercy of Sky TV..............or MEN :(