Stockport County launched their League One campaign with a solid win over Cambridge United in their opening match of the 2024/25 season. A long-range strike from Louie Barry shortly after kick-off put the Hatters ahead early on, before Kyle Wooton put the game to bed with a second-half header.  

 

 Just moments into the game, debutant Jack Diamond broke the visitors’ defensive lines and saw an effort narrowly angle wide of the post. Maintaining Stockport’s aggression in the early minutes, Wootton found Barry, whose spectacularly chipped effort from 25 yards flew over a helpless Vicente Reyes in the United goal and into the back of the net.

 

 Cambridge, managed by Garry Monk, struggled to threaten offensively in the opening 45 minutes, with their only notable opportunity coming when James Brophy’s shot was dramatically cleared off the line by goalkeeper Corey Addai, a new summer signing from fellow League One outfit Crawley Town. The Hatters held strong from the proceeding corner, keeping out multiple attempts from Shayne Lavery before clearing their lines. In added time, Diamond looked to increase the County lead with a header from close range, which Reyes caught comfortably. 

 

HALF-TIME: Stockport County 1 (Barry, 4) - Cambridge United 0 

 

 The second half saw Stockport continue to press for breathing space, with Wooton almost off the mark for the new campaign, only to be denied by another brilliant save from Reyes. However, County’s efforts were rewarded as the breakthrough came in the 76th minute after tidy footwork from substitute Jayden Fevrier allowed space to deliver an inviting cross towards Wooton, who nodded home.

 

 The away side, tipped for relegation this season, had a few late attempts on target that failed to massively trouble Addai, who saved easily on multiple occasions to ensure that County’s precious clean sheet remained intact. With Dave Challinor’s men holding strong, the final whistle confirmed a well-deserved three points for the home side, to the delight of the Edgeley Park crowd, relieved to see that County had ended their cursed five-match streak of opening day defeats. 

 

FULL-TIME: Stockport County 2 (Barry, 4; Wootton, 76) - Cambridge United 0

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