Stockport manager Dave Challinor challenged his side to become record-breakers after claiming their 12th consecutive league victory.
The Hatters’ 2-0 triumph over Colchester was hard-fought but saw them equal the record for most successive wins in the fourth tier set by Luton in 2002.
County narrowly missed out on promotion to League One last season, falling at the last hurdle in a play-off final penalty shoot-out defeat to Carlisle, but they look determined to go up automatically this term after establishing a six-point lead at the top of the table.
And Challinor has his sights set high.
“The important thing is now that we have the opportunity to break a record in a week,” said the Stockport boss, whose team go to Newport next.
“I look further in terms of the record for most consecutive wins ever in the football league. We weren’t at our best today but we found a way which is pleasing.”
Stockport, who saw their 13-match winning streak in all competitions ended in midweek after losing to Bolton in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, had to wait to make the breakthrough against Colchester with Kyle Wootton putting them ahead on the stroke of half-time.
But they needed just a minute of the second half to double their advantage through substitute Callum Camps and Colchester could find no way back.
Challinor said: “I spoke in the sponsors lounge before the game and there is an expectancy to win easily but that’s never the case. You’ve got to earn the right.
“I was disappointed with our first-half performance, we could be prepared in a couple of ways around what their shape would be and how to deal with it.
“Many people played backwards, didn’t want to receive the ball or play forwards and that’s the disappointing thing for me. On the one occasion we did play forward we scored.
“Teams are going to make it difficult for us because of the position we are in. That’s always been the case. But you have to control what happens on the grass otherwise edginess sets in which it did.
“We try and be consistent with our messaging to the players and the performances we ask of them. But they’re very much accountable themselves and take plenty of ownership in the standards they set.”
Visitors Colchester had come into the came with 10 points from their previous four league matches and can take many positives from their performance, they frustrated the hosts physically but ultimately could not put away their chances.
Manager Matthew Etherington was only placed in permanent charge this week following a successful interim spell with the Essex-based side.
“The manner in which we conceded today is probably the biggest disappointment but we gave Stockport a real game and I was pleased with a lot of aspects of the performance,” Etherington said.
“When their keeper is getting man of the match at the end of the game you obviously know that you have threatened their team and there isn’t many teams that come here and do that.
“That was the pleasing thing. Yes we lost 2-0 but there are positives.
“We hit the woodwork in the first half and Jayden (Fevrier) does brilliant initially so yeah probably does deserve a goal.
“We played a different way to try to combat what they do and it worked well for large periods of the first half.
“It’s disappointing to concede right before half-time. It looked offside but it was tight so the attacker gets the benefit of the doubt.
“It’s a real uphill task after that but credit to the players their desire to keep going. Some of the football we played first and second half was really good.
“I’m liking what I’m seeing the past four league games and in the FA Cup.
“There were some real positives today, bravery on the ball, aggressive in and out of possession.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
