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Stockport County closed their way to Wembley as they beat Stevenage 3-0 on aggregate to reach the League One play-off final.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg of their semi-final, Stockport took no time at all to assert their dominance in the second with a 2-0 win at Edgeley Park.
Louis Barry opened the scoring early, then Kyle Wootton forced Stevenage defender Carl Piergiani’s head on a second before the break.
It means they have been better than last season under Dave Challinor, when they crashed at the semi-final stage of the play-offs.
Finish work early at Stockport Edgeley Park
Kyle Wootton (right) celebrates as Stockport players take a 2-0 lead over Stevenage on the night
There were 14 minutes on the clock when the opening goal went in, Ben Osborne – the scorer of Saturday’s eccentric only goal – troubled Barry, who showed his quality with a superb finish past Philip Marshall.
Half an hour ago Stockport got another. Wootton has been playing in defense lately, but showed his attacking instincts have gone nowhere as his acrobatic effort was headed into the top corner by Pierzianni.
And it was enough for Stockport to reach the final. They have lost once at Wembley this season, just a few weeks ago in the Virtu Trophy final.
They will hope that doesn’t happen again when they face Bradford or Bolton on May 24.
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Louis Barry scored the first goal to give Stockport a 2-0 win against Stevenage
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Carl Piergiani’s header from Kyle Wootton’s shot gives Stockport a 3-0 lead on aggregate!
Challinor: Last year’s playoff injury got us going
Stockport boss Dave Challinor to say Sky Sports That drove his team to the semifinals of last season’s playoffs this season.
“It definitely hit me,” he said. “I’ve been involved in a lot of playoff games, wins and losses. It was really hard to take.
“It’s helped all year and there’s been a lot of adversity as well. The way we responded and got into this situation was a huge effort from the guys.
“It was an amazing night. We brought ourselves within one game of going into the championship, which is great.
“Although Saturday’s goal made a difference, we wanted to start really positively tonight and we did. Getting two goals in the first half settled us and gave us something to hold on to.”
‘An incredible job from Challinor’
Steve Evans on Sky Sports:
“It’s been an unbelievable job from Dave Challinor. He came in when they were very low and it was a brave decision by the owner to bring him in from Hartlepool.
“He’s a club legend from playing here, but to come here and make them cheeky again, especially after last year, you could see the quality of the performance tonight.”
Revell disappointed but proud of Stevenage season
Stevenage Boss Alex Revel on Sky Sports:
“I’m disappointed for the group and those who traveled tonight. In the first half we let them play their game at home and the atmosphere grew.
“We conceded two bad goals from our point of view. In the second half, I saw a team that showed the quality and level of our expectations.
“We are very proud of what we have achieved this year. Obviously everyone is disappointed because we were so close to Wembley. But Stockport were in our position last year this time and we have to use that as motivation for next season to make sure.”
