Abbey end league season with win over Stockport Town

Abbey Hey ended their domestic league season on a high after defeating Stockport Town 2-1 at the Stockport Sports Village.

The home side went close to breaking the deadlock with a good chance through midfielder Tobias Green, who played through William Caligan clear through on goal, but the forward fired well over the bar and across goal from inside the penalty area.

Abbey Hey broke the deadlock themselves though in the 13th minute, courtesy of right back Daryll Grant. The full back broke through on goal and got onto the end of a lovely threaded through-ball., before firing beating the keeper at his near post to give Terry Hincks’ side a well deserved lead.

Dylan Fitzgerald had two chances himselves to double Abbey Hey’s lead just after the half-hour mark in Stockport, but he was unable to capitalise with both efforts as home side keeper Josh Schofield stood strong on both occasions.

Jordan Lazenbury tried his luck with five minutes to go before the half-time interval, but he was also unable to capitalise with an effort as he lobbed the keeper and the frame of the goal from 35-yards out.

The second half began in more of the same fashion as the first began, with Stockport having good chances from set pieces through Green and player-manager Paul Turnbull, but both efforts flew over the bar as they searched for an equaliser.

But the home side were made to be punished for wasting their chances as Abbey Hey doubled their lead. Lazenbury squared the ball into a crowded Stockport penalty area and defender Harrison Lomakin-Rogers was only able to put his clearance into the back of the net beyond a helpless Schofield.

The home side went on to make the game interesting however when Abbey keeper Joe Lawton was forced off his line and a ball into the area from the right for Stockport found Turnbull at the far post, who headed the ball home to make it an interesting finish heading into the last ten minutes.

Abbey Hey were able to hold on for another three points though, which sees them finish their league season with a fourth placed finish in the table.

The result means they will travel to Church Lane next Saturday, where they will take on New Mills in the North West Counties First Division South play-off semi-final (3pm kick-off).

Abbey Hey: Lawton, Grant, Grimshaw, Hamzat, Norris, Fleming, Dunford, Hincks, Lazenbury, Fitzgerald, Parker 

Unused Subs: Clooney, Graham, M.Nolan, Fenton, Jones