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Stockport County 5-0 Tooting & Mitcham United

Rewind 2 seasons and Stockport County we're blowing a 1-0 lead against Staines Town to draw 1-1 and then eventually lose the replay on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the replay and although I think a number of fans were respectfully confident of beating our non-league guests a few would still be haunted by the memory of that night in Surrey and after the nicities and minutes silence as a mark of respect for Rememberance Day in the pre-match, it was on after just 11 minutes when Simon Parker left County defenders dizzy with a mazy run but couldn't get the shot off how he would have liked and the ball bobbled harmlessly wide.

Just 2 minutes later and it was a case of London buses for Peter Thompson, after going almost a year without a goal he opened his account last week against Norwich and predictably he got another goal today, as Paul Turnbull cut inside and had his shot saved by Terrors 'keeper but unfortunately for David King in the Tooting goal he could only parry it as far as The Northern Irish internation who finished with the minimum fuss to give County a 1-0 lead.

On 20 minutes some neat build-up play between Michael Rose and Michael Raynes saw Poole break free down the right and smash an unstoppable shot across goal which nestled in the bottom corner to put County 2-0 and looking tentatively towards The Second Round, it is the wingers first competitive goal since re-joining County in the Summer and the relief on his face was plain to see as he celebrated in front of the Cheadle End.

With almost 40 minutes on the clock, County put the game beyond the reach of The Non-League outfit when Dean Hamlin took out Thompson midway through a darting run that looked certain to end in The Northern Irish hitman's Second Goal and the ref pointed to the spot but the Ref sensibly allowed Hamlin to stay on the pitch as it was clearly mistimed rather than malicious and Carl Baker stepped up and confidently converted his 11th Goal of the Season to give County a 3-0 lead going into half time which could have been even worse for Tooting as Liam Bridcutt had a long range effort tipped over by King and then Carl Baker saw his effort clatter off the crossbar and away to safety.

The Second-half started well for Tooting but they couldn't really find any real scoring oppurtunities and after 65 minutes Paul Turnbull got off the mark for the season with a goal in front of the Travelling Terrors and 'Pitbull' should have had his second just a couple of minutes later when he missed from close-range at the far post but made amends on 72 minutes when he broke clear after some good build-up play from Carl Baker and he confidently slotted home to make it 5-0.

Towards the end of the game Tooting had a great chance to grab a consolation but Raynes came in with a goal saving block that sent the goalwards shot out for a corner which County confidently dealt with.

After 73 Minutes, Ablett used the superiority to his advantage and gave Thompson a well earned breather replacing him with Oli Johnson and 5 minutes later Bridcutt gave way for Greg Tansey who was coming back to full fitness after missing a weeks training through illness and Tom Fisher, the young striker making his first senior competitive start since Crewe at Edgeley Park way back last season.

A 5-0 win is just the remedy after a poor run of results that could give us confidence, yes it was against a non-league side but we can only beat who we play and this win willl undoubtedly give County massive confidence going into Walsall next weekend, a special mention must go to Tooting and Mitcham who played their role in a great FA Cup tie and their fans who were a credit too the club.