Stockport County boss Dave Challinor is fully aware of Bolton Wanderers’ threats as the League One play-off final awaits.
Stockport County return to Wembley on Sunday 24th May, having played there as recently as last month in the EFL Trophy final. On that occasion, they lost 3-1 to Luton Town.
On Sunday, Dave Challinor’s side will face Bolton Wanderers, whom they have not lost to since 2023. The Hatters played BWFC on the first weekend of the season – winning 2-0 at home – and in April – drawing 2-2.
“It’s a massive opportunity,” Challinor told BBC Radio Manchester when asked about returning the club to the Championship for the first time in 24 years. But it will not be an easy game for Stockport County.
“I have been really impressed (with Bolton) and I think they have knocked on the door for the last three or four years,” he said. “They lost [Amario] Cozier-Duberry for a spell, similar to us losing an important player, and people might not have thought they’d be derailed but they would take a hit.
“They will have been focusing on automatic promotion and getting out this division for the last few years and they have had an opportunity previously, which again they didn’t take. But they have another opportunity, so we know exactly what we’re up against, as they do with us.“
Dave Challinor’s side were promoted back to the Football League in 2022/23 and immediately made the playoffs, although they lost on penalties to Carlisle United. The following year, Stockport County secured automatic promotion to League One and, once again, reached the playoffs in the same season. Leyton Orient won on penalties in the semi-final, but if history is anything to go by, this could be Stockport’s year.
Who will be the difference makers in Bolton Wanderers vs Stockport County?
For Stockport County, it is difficult to look past Oliver Norwood. The Manchester United academy player has registered eight goals and 11 assists in his 41 starts this campaign.
Oliver Norwood’s season stats, as per FotMob
| Chances Created | 93 |
| Duels Won | 165 |
| Defensive Contributions | 245 |
| Penalty Goals | 5 |
| Successful Crosses | 79 |
While he has played Championship and Premier League football before, Norwood will be hungry for promotion after signing a three-year deal back in 2024. He is expected to remain at Stockport County until 2027.
As for Bolton Wanderers, Amario Cozier-Duberry will be the biggest threat. The Brighton loanee has scored eight and assisted 10 this season in 30 starts, with one goal and one assist in the last three matches.
Stockport County’s backline could be hard to break down, but if anyone has a chance, it is Cozier-Duberry.
Stockport County’s secret weapon
Stockport County have scored 17 set-piece goals this season. Kyle Wootton is their top goal scorer with 19, and he has scored three times from set-pieces this season, including from a long throw.
Bolton Wanderers are not poor at defending from set-pieces, with just 12 conceded all season. However, Stevenage are good at defending set-pieces, too. And they conceded one against Stockport.
The corner was taken short, and then played to Norwood on the edge of the box. He played it back to Odin Bailey, who then delivered the cross to Wootton. The shot took a deflection, but it fired into the top corner.
And to top it off, Wootton was playing in central defence that day. He will be a goal threat, regardless of his starting position.
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