Stockport have conceded the fewest goals in League Two this season (35).Dave Challinor’s side have won just one of their last seven away matches in all competitions (D3 L3), though they did win the second leg of their play-off semi-final at Salford City.
On 27 May 2023, Stockport County manager Dave Challinor believes that experience will be key as he aims to lead his side to victory over Carlisle United in the League Two play-off final. The Hatters are looking to secure back-to-back promotions, having won the National League title last season. Challinor has experience in winning promotions in non-league with Colwyn Bay and Fylde, but this would be his first EFL promotion, something which he says would mean “everything”. Two of Stockport’s players have scored in play-off final successes previously. Irish striker Paddy Madden scored in Yeovil’s 2-1 League One play-off win over Brentford in 2013, and midfielder Antoni Sarcevic claimed the only goal as Fleetwood saw off Burton Albion in the League Two final the following season.
Unfortunately, Stockport centre-back Ben Barclay will be unavailable for the game. Barclay ended the season on loan at Carlisle and scored the goal that saw the Cumbrians edge past Bradford 3-2 on aggregate in extra time, but he will be ineligible against his parent side. Challinor could go with the same XI who started the play-off semi-final win on penalties over Salford.
Carlisle skipper Jon Mellish will return to the side after he served the last of his three-match ban on Saturday. Paul Simpson could also recall top scorer Kristian Dennis after he was an unused substitute against the Bantams at the weekend. Carlisle fans have experienced Wembley on numerous occasions with their success in the Football League Trophy, but the play-offs have long been their Achilles heel. Although Simpson led the Cumbrians back to the Football League with a promotion final win over Stevenage at Stoke in 2005, none of Mick Wadsworth, John Ward or Keith Curle had managed to win an EFL play-off game for the club before the second-leg triumph last weekend. There is play-off experience, notably in Paul Huntington – who like Simpson is from the city – and Joe Garner, who helped Preston to glory in League One’s end-of-season phase in 2016-17.
Previous results this season saw Stockport win 2-0 at Edgeley Park in October, before the sides shared the points in a four-goal cracker at Brunton Park in mid-April. Simpson believes that form will not go out of the window and that both teams know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. He added that the biggest challenge is who will deal with the day the best and it is up to them to make sure they are that team. Simpson will be up against son Jake in the opposing dug-out, who is head of performance for Stockport County. Paul has said he will have to put family ties to one side as he looks to lead Carlisle United to a first promotion since 2006.