HAMMERS SLAM THE DAW SHUT
Late agony for battling Stockport as Dawson header is enough to clinch it
CRAIG DAWSON ended Stockport’s brave resistance with a late winner to send West Ham into the FA Cup fourth round.
N o n - l e a g u e S t o c k p o r t t hwar t e d t h e Hammers i n appalling conditions, but David Moyes’ side got the goal they needed with Dawson’s 83rdminute header.
With County tiring, substitute J a r r o d B o w e n s l u n g i n a dangerous cross and defender Dawson was first to it, guiding his header into the far corner to spare West Ham extra time and a potential penalty shoot- out.
It was cruel on Jim Gannon’s spirited side, who bridged the gulf in class with discipline, industry and application , only l acking conviction in the final third when in sight of the West Ham goal.
Stockport, who famously beat West Ham in a League Cup replay at Edgeley Park in 1996, en route to the semi- finals, have endured a turbulent time since dropping out of the league a decade ago.
T h a t w a s f o l l o w e d b y relegation to the National League North, the sixth tier, in 2013.
But under new ownership the Hatters are back in the National League, pushing for promotion to League Two. They are fourth in the National League and have set themselves a target of reaching the Championship, a level they were last at 19 years ago, within the next seven years.
County were bidding to become only the third nonleague side to topp l e a P r e mi e r League club, joining Lincoln, who won at Burnley in 2017, and Luton, w h o s a w o f f Norwich in 2013.
Just as it was 25 years ago, when County humbled the Hammers, it was wet and wild in Stockport, the inhospitable weather lending itself to a potential giant- killing and a tough night for the visitors.
We s t H a m d o m i n a t e d possession from the start, the f i r st chance f al l i ng t o S ai d Benrahma, whose shot from Declan Rice’s cross glanced a post.
A n d r i y Ya r mo - l enko got hi mself i n t o a s h o o t i n g p o s i t i o n , b u t h i s effort went wide, as t h e g u l f i n c l a s s between the sides – s e p a r a t e d b y 8 6 places in the football pyramid – began to show.
County’s only real chance in the f irst half was a snatched effort pulled wide after half- anhour by Jordan Williams, as the home side settled into a policy of containment.
At the other end, Stockport skipper Liam Hogan executed a perfectly- timed tackle on Michail Antonio, as the West Ham striker looked to go through on goal.
Then it was the turn of Mark Kitching to produce a vital lastditch challenge, Antonio again the player thwarted.
The relentless rain turned the p i t c h i nt o s o methi n g of a quagmire, which played i nto S t o c k p o r t ’ s h a n d s , t h e i r opponents not used to playing on such a poor surface.
Stockport began to grow in confidence, a Connor Jennings shot blocked by Dawson, the home si de creating openings before Dawson’s decisive strike.