Moors made it three wins from three in their pre-season campaign as they battled the elements to claim victory over a Stockport County XI in Glen Taylor’s testimonial.
Alfie Doherty got the opener on the 72nd minute as he tucked the ball home past former Moors loan man Max Metcalfe. Mackenzie Heaney got the second from close range 13 minutes later, before Kingston Butler rounded things off with a spot kick.
Moors almost found the lead just eight minutes into the game, as Corey McKeown carved out a chance for Glen Taylor. The winger looped a brilliant ball over the Stockport defence and onto the chest of Taylor, who tried to fire on the turn, only for the effort to bobble wide.
Taylor was involved yet again 10 minutes later as he got on the end of a squared ball from Junior Mondal, but this time, his guided effort was deflected wide.
The Moors captain looked desperate to get a goal on his big day, as he got on the end of a pinged pass from Matty Dolan on the 20th minute. Taylor’s aerial effort flew just wide of the mark.
Stockport hadn’t really managed to get a foot into the game and Moors seemed adamant to profit as McKeown drove forward again. The winger, who has just penned a new deal for the 25/26 season, curled an effort just wide of the right post.
Stockport goalkeeper Metcalfe, was called into action in the closing stages of the 1st half, having to palm Mondal’s powerful strike wide, before having to intervene to stop Rob Ramshaw’s effort.
Moors continued their first half form after the break, with both Olly Dyson and Rob Ramshaw dispatching long range efforts on goal, however, neither found the target.
The visitors managed to break out into their first real chance of the game as Trialist A lashed a powerful strike on goal, right at Brad James, who held on to nulify the danger.
Graeme Lee’s side did finally break the deadlock through half time substitute, Doherty. The new man’s driven effort found the back of the net on the 72nd minute having beat Metcalfe.
Stockport did try to pull themselves back into the game on the 75th minute, but Trialist B’s attempt on goal was thwarted by James, who got down quickly to prevent the low driven shot.
However, it was game set and match 10 minutes later, as new face, Mackenzie Heaney, announced himself to the Moors fans with his first goal on debut. The new number 7 picked up the ball in the area, cut back onto his left foot, and fired home Moors second of the afternoon.
The icing on the cake came in the form of an 89th minute penalty. Youngster Kingston Butler found his way into the penalty area, before being felled by a Stockport man. Butler then stepped-up to take the spot kick, as resident penalty taker and man of the moment, Glen Taylor, had already been taken off moments prior.
Nevertheless, Butler smashed it home to give Moors a 3-0 advantage.
A fantastic occasion to celebrate a Moors – and Stockport – legend despite the less than helpful weather, and another fine result for Graeme Lee’s side this pre-season.
Full Time: Moors 3 Stockport County XI 0
Moors: James (Barron 86), Dyson (Luck 67), Rowe, Taylor (Butler 82), Ramshaw (Trialist B 78), Pollock (Trialist C 78), Mondal (Heaney 46), Ledger (Doherty 46), McKeown (Salkeld 46), Dolan (Hancox 60), Trialist A.
Referee: Martin Coy
Attendance: 757
