Josh Stokes celebrates after scoring the winner for Stockport County vs. Harrogate Town

I can’t even remmeber what the Vertu Trophy used to be called. Was this the Papa John’s Trophy? The LDV Vans Trophy? It’s Vertu now, whatever it is, and on a freeing cold Tuesday night in Edgeley it was Stockport County vs. Harrogate Town for a place in the Vertu quarters.

Harrogate were fighting amongst the bottom of League Two; County riding high (somehow) in League One. On paper this should’ve been an easy one.

Football matches aren’t played on paper, of course.

On the grass it was more even, with County looking good but failing to penetrate. 0-0 at half time meant Town inevitably scored almost immeditel after the break – sources closer tot he away end suggest it was comfortably offside, but they went 1-0 up.

It was starting to look like County would blow a good chance at progression. Personally I was more annoyed at the team blowing their momentum, after late winners in their previous two games. This would really knock the wind out of the collective sails.

Up stepped Josh Stokes.

Stockport County vs. Harrogate Town, 13.01.25

Two great assists – one from Beno, one from academy graduate Arian Allen – and two fantastic finishes from Stokes (77′, 90+4′), and County were in the quarters against Vale. Two games away from Wembley – can we get there?!