Stockport County v Walsall: FA Cup Match Preview Stockport County v Walsall: FA Cup Match Preview

Stockport County v Walsall: FA Cup Match Preview

Here we take a look ahead to this weekend's FA Cup clash between the Saddlers and Stockport County.
Don't forget to join us across our social media channels where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers return to action.

PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS

After suffering their first defeat in eight games at the end of 2022 as Kyle Wootton's brace secured the win for Stockport County, Walsall began the New Year with a win as goals from Douglas James-Taylor and Liam Kinsella secured a 2-1 triumph over Mansfield Town, and a result which got the Saddlers' race towards the Play-Off's back on track.

Although this weekend's game sees them return to Emirates FA Cup action, the performance should go a long way to boosting morale as the Reds look to secure some sweet revenge and kick County out of the tournament at the Third Round stage.

After knocking Wycombe Wanderers and Carlisle United out at the First and Second Round respectively, Michael Flynn's side have plenty of positives to draw upon as they hope to secure a potentially money-spinning Fourth Round tie.

On to team news, and the Saddlers have recently secured the signatures of Bristol City defender Joe Low and Newport County midfielder Robbie Willmott, both of whom, who are not cup-tied, offer some much-needed options to the matchday squad.

Unfortunately, Walsall will be without defender Liam Bennett, who was recalled by parent club Cambridge United earlier in the month, with the backline being significantly weaker in his absence, though there is an opportunity for one of the fringe players to stake a claim for his place.

Opponents Stockport County began the New Year with a defeat as Otis Khan's goal was enough to see Grimsby Town take the spoils on New Year's Day, the result seeing County defeated for the first time in four league games.

They made their way into the Third Round of the cup with victories over Swindon Town and Charlton Athletic, who they defeated on penalties following two draws, with both results providing plenty of motivation for the already buoyant side.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Walsall and Stockport County have met on forty-nine previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold a Head-to-Head lead having tasted victory on twenty-two occasions, compared to County’s eighteen. There have also been nine stalemates.
 
The two sides first met on Saturday, 22nd September 1900 in a Division Two clash that took place at County's Green Lane ground and saw the hosts win by four-goals-to-one.

The 1900/01 campaign was Stockport's first in the Football League after gaining admission earlier in the year.

THE LAST TIME WE MET

The most recent meeting was a League Two clash which took place at Poundland Bescot Stadium on Thursday, 29th December 2022, and saw the visitors win by two-goals-to-nil as Kyle Wootton netted a brace to secure the points for his side.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The Football Association has confirmed that Andrew Kitchen, who is based in Durham, will be the man in the middle as Walsall make the trip to Edgeley Park, where they will face Stockport County in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

We also know that Gareth Viccars and Graeme Fyvie have been named assistant referees, whilst Ruebyn Ricardo will act as Fourth Official.

GAMES
OFFICIATED
19
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
43
1
PENALTIES
AWARDED
3
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