Stockport County and Forest Green Rovers will be eager to make further progress in the FA Cup when they meet in the first round on Saturday afternoon.
At a time when the home side occupy 10th spot in the League One table, the visitors are riding high in second place in the National League standings.
Match preview
![Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/dave-challinor.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
© Imago
Despite this being their first season back in the third tier, Stockport are prioritising yet another promotion given the backing that they have received in recent seasons.
Winning just five of their opening 13 games represents a modest return, yet losing just twice has kept County in the top 10 of the table.
A four-match streak without success was ended with a 4-1 triumph over Reading last time out, Dave Challinor's side desperately needing such a statement performance to keep pace with the teams above them.
There are now just five points separating Stockport to second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, highlighting the competitiveness of that division.
Stockport have reached the second round of this competition in the last four seasons, a run that they will expect to extend with victory on Saturday.
From Forest Green's perspective, however, they will view this as an opportunity to cause one of the surprises of the round having build up some momentum in the National League.
As many as 13 points have been accumulated from their last five outings, the only draw during that run coming at Woking last time out.
Clean sheets have been an issue, though, with Rovers conceding exactly one goal in five of their most recent six matches in the fifth tier.
Steve Cotterill's side boast the best away record in the National League with 18 points coming from 10 games, their two defeats during that period being by 1-0 scorelines to Barnet and Oldham Athletic.
Forest Green reached the first round with a 2-0 victory over Weymouth, not scoring their second goal until the final minutes to see off the National League South side.
Team News
Challinor must decide whether he wishes to rotate any of his players for this contest, yet only one outfield player - Ethan Pye - has started every League One fixture.
Callum Connolly could plausibly take Pye's place if Challinor opts to rest the defender, but other key players were handed breaks during the closing stages versus Reading on Tuesday.
Will Collar had been a doubt for that fixture, yet the midfielder started and produced a man-of-the-match performance.
Forest Green will be missing centre-back Ryan Inniss after his early red card against Woking.
Ben Tozer could come into the side as a straight replacement, but that may prove to be the only change with Forest Green having had a week to recuperate having played with 10 men for 69 minutes plus added-on time.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Addai; Connolly, Horsfall, Onyango; Diamond, Bate, Collar, Touray; Fiorini; Wootton, Barry
Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Long, Tozer, Moore-Taylor, Robson; McAllister, McCann, May, Osadebe, Knowles; Doidge
We say: Stockport County 4-1 Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green's form in the fifth tier means that they travel North with as much expectation as hope. Nevertheless, the gulf in class between the sides could show, leading us to predict a comprehensive home victory.
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