Stockport County vs. Bolton Wanderers, 03.08.2025

Opening match of the season. A Greater Manchester derby. Absolutely pissing down. What more could you want from the opening day of the season? That’s what we got from Stockport County vs. Bolton Wanderers for our for first (and hopefully last) Sunday 12pm kickoff.

It seems like the playoff heartbreak was only yesterday but it was in fact 81 days ago. Some big names have departed; County said goodbye to Horsfall, Will Collar and fan favourite Tanto over the summer, amongst others. But there are exciting new signings too: Mothersille and Lowe up top, Dodgson and O’Keefe at the back. And Camps is back! He feels like a new signing despite only missing the end of last season.

There was an air of confidence before kick-off, unusual for the opening day. We can put this down solely to Bolton’s recent record against County. It is thankfully terrible. So even though Bolton started as the better team – they hit the woodwork and tested Corey a few times – heads did not go down. And County were, fortunately, rewarded just before half time. Mothersille stuck out a leg to divert a Norwood shot into the back of the leg. A lucky halftime lead? Yes. Did anyone care? No.

County were much more assured in the second half, Bolton again spurning a few chances. Subs were made, and with ten minutes to go Danny Andrew came on for his debut on the left. A few minutes after that he delivered a PERFECT free kick onto Wootton’s head for 2-0. Job done. Bolton get battered, everywhere they go…

Dangerous to read too much in to the opening match but there’s real potential in this team. Whisper it quietly but – maybe we’ll talk about the playoffs again before too long…?