The Game
Argyle v Stockport County. Home Park. Saturday, 6 September. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Stockport reached the play-offs in League One last season, having finished third in the league table. County were beaten in the play-off semi-final, losing to Leyton Orient on penalties.
This season, they have started with three wins, two draws and one defeat from their six games. They began with a 2-0 win at home to Bolton Wanderers, and followed it with a 2-1 victory at Wycombe Wanderers. A 2-2 draw against their play-off conquerors, Orient, followed, and Stockport then suffered their only loss in the league thus far with a 2-1 reverse at home to Bradford City. Former County – and Argyle player – Antoni Sarcevic scored the winner for Bradford, against his old club.
Stockport returned with a 2-1 home win against Burton Albion, and a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic. Curiously, Stockport had played Wigan four days earlier, in the Carabao Cup, and lost 1-0. On Tuesday, Stockport beat Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s in the Vertu Trophy.
The Gaffer
Dave Challinor spent the majority of his playing days in the North West, featuring on the pitch for Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, Bury and Colwyn Bay.
The former defender became player-manager at Colwyn Bay in 2010. In his first season in charge, Challinor led his side to promotion into the Conference North, as well as success in the North Wales Coast Cup. It did not take long for Challinor to be picked up by another club, as AFC Fylde made him their new manager in 2011.
Eight seasons were spent with Fylde, in which Challinor achieved three non-league promotions. Under Challinor’s leadership, Fylde also won the FA Trophy in 2019, the first time the club have ever achieved that feat. Early on during 2019/20, with Fylde struggling, they parted ways with Challinor; he would go on to join divisional rivals Hartlepool United.
Within two seasons, Challinor had achieved another promotion, taking the Pools back to the EFL. However, four months into the new season, Challinor departed Victoria Park to join Stockport County in the National League.
He won the fifth-tier title in the season in which he joined part-way through. After failure in the play-offs during their first season in League Two, Challinor led Stockport to the title the following season, and then suffered play-off heartbreak last term.
The Squad
Jack Diamond is one of six players to have started all six league games for Stockport this season. He has scored two goals, both coming in 2-1 victories. The forward, 25, came through at Sunderland, and had loans at Harrogate Town, Lincoln City and Carlisle United before joining Stockport in the summer of 2024, scoring five goals last season.
Experienced midfielder Oliver Norwood (below) joined at a similar time to Diamond. Now 34, Norwood has spent the majority of his career in the Championship and Premier League notably representing Sheffield United, Reading and Huddersfield Town. He has 57 caps for Northern Ireland. He is likely to anchor Stockport’s midfield.
It is a fair bet that he will be accompanied by Owen Moxon in the middle of the park. Moxon was born in Carlisle, and raised at his hometown team, but moved across the border to play for Queen of the South, Gretna and Annan Athletic before returning to Carlisle. He has 18 months with Portsmouth before signing for Stockport last season.
Previous Meetings
Argyle have not played Stockport County since 2003/04. Argyle beat County 3-1 at Home Park and then 2-0 at Edgeley Park later in the season. Marino Keith, Lee Hodges and Jason Bent scored the goals in the first game, David Friio and Graham Coughlan in the second.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle Breakfast, starting at 10am, brought to you by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack. Guests include Head of Football Operations David Fox and former Pilgrims goalkeeper Romain Larrieu.
Erin will return for the pre-match show, with Ian Stonebridge, from 2.30pm, with commentary of the game coming from Charlie Price and former Argyle defender Marc Edworthy.
Match passes to watch this game are available outside the UK & Ireland. Click here to buy yours.
