Dave Challinor makes ‘lucky’ claim as Stockport County start season with 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers

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Stockport County have made the perfect start to their League One promotion push with a clinical 2-0 win at home to Bolton Wanderers.

The Hatters were not at their best at Edgeley Park on Sunday afternoon, but they ensured that all three points stayed in SK3 as the two Greater Manchester sides faced off.

Malik Mothersille joined Stockport for a club record fee earlier this summer, bidding goodbye to Peterborough United in the process, and he marked his debut with the opening goal.

Kyle Wootton sealed victory for the home side with a late strike, but Dave Challinor was not overly impressed by his team’s performance.

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Dave Challinor reacts to Stockport County’s opening day win over Bolton Wanderers

Stockport were not quite at the races in the first half, and Bolton had the much better chances in the opening 45 minutes as Steven Schumacher looks to bring his team towards the promotion battle in 2025/26 after missing out on the play-offs last time out.

Challinor recognised this, and in his post-match interview he was keen to acknowledge that one frustration. He said (via: Sky Sports): “Really, really clunky in terms of what the performance looked like. I was really disappointed with our first-half, let’s be clear, we were lucky to go in level and we went in in front, which is great.

“There’s always going to be performances that are not the best at this time of the year, but if they are then great. But I still needed to see more around what were and being more on the front foot and being more aggressive in how we defend.

“I thought we were too passive in the first-half. I said to the players at half-time ‘as much as we’re desperate to win, the importance of us getting up to speed quickly and still being a team that looks like our team is vital.’

“We were more like it second-half, without being really fluent, but we were more aggressive defensively. You’re playing against a good team so you’re going to have to commit yourselves at times. But to win in the manner that we did is really pleasing.”

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Dave Challinor will be happy to get three points on the board

While it was not Stockport’s greatest performance, it was the perfect way to start the season in terms of a result.

The Hatters have been predicted to finish in the top two in 2025/26, and after a bitterly disappointing end to their last campaign, avoiding the play-offs will be a great desire of Challinor’s.

Edgeley Park is set to be redeveloped in the future, and there are great plans in place to make this club a Championship-level one in the coming years, but for now, the three points are all Stockport will care about.

Better performances will come, but winning when you are not at your best is a positive sign for a team on the up.