Connor Jennings’ second-half brace helped Stockport County to thrash Crewe Alexandra in the semi-final of the Cheshire Senior Cup with Andy Cannon, a Max Woodcock own goal and Alex Reid also getting on the scoresheet.
Manager Lee Bell named Will Jaaskelainen in goal behind a back 5 of Tyrecce Onykea, Sam Bhatti, Lewis Billington, Sean Lawton and Lucas Sant. In midfield were Josh Lundstram, captain Regan Griffiths and Madger Gomes while Connor Salisbury was partnered up front by Scott Kashket, making his first appearance for the club since November. On the bench were Max Woodcock, Charlie Finney, Owen Lunt, Ben Wood and goalkeeper Tom Booth.
The opening goal of the game came in the 6th minute with a cross from the right not dealt with as County debutant Cannon scored from the edge of the area into the bottom corner before Onyeka would get in behind the hosts’ defence, having his effort saved by Luca Ashby Hammond 8 minutes later. The lead would be doubled on the stroke of half-time as another right-sided cross was turned in from close range by Alex substitute Woodcock into his own net.
The lead would be extended 5 minutes after the break following a foul by Bhatti with Jennings sending Jaaskelainen the wrong way before Jennings would get his second 10 minutes later heading in unmarked from a corner. Onyeka would have another effort that would curl past the post on 74 minutes before the fifth goal came 5 minutes later as Reid’s deflected effort went in off the post.
Alex: Jaaskelainen; Onyeka, Bhatti, Billington, Lawton, Sant; Lundstram, Griffiths (c), Gomes (Lunt 70); Salisbury, Kashket (Woodcock 38)
Stockport: Ashby-Hammond; Keane (c), Pye, Francis-Angol; Crankshaw (Green 73), Cannon (Johnston 59), C. Johnson, Jennings, Newby; Duffus (Alli 68), Reid
