In the first leg of the League One play-off semi-finals, Stockport County secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Stevenage, putting them in a favorable position. This marks a significant opportunity for Stockport, as they could achieve consecutive wins over Stevenage for the first time in the Football League.
Historical Context and Upcoming Challenge
Historically, Stockport has never won both legs of a two-legged EFL play-off tie. In contrast, Stevenage defeated Stockport 3-1 during their league encounter in December. Furthermore, Stevenage has yet to win away against the same team twice in a single season across all competitions.
Play-off Trends
- The last nine instances where the away team won the first leg of a League One play-off semi-final culminated in that team reaching the final.
- The last team to fail in this scenario was Carlisle in the 2007-08 season.
Performance Analysis
Stockport’s recent home performance has been inconsistent. They lost two of their last three home matches during the regular League One season, matching their earlier record from the prior 12 games. Meanwhile, Stevenage struggled, winning only two of their final 13 away games, drawing three and losing eight.
Notable Statistics
| Team | Final Home Games Record | Away Performance Post-Christmas |
|---|---|---|
| Stockport | 1 Win, 2 Losses | Unbeaten in last 7 semi-final home legs (W4 D3) |
| Stevenage | 2 Wins, 11 Losses | Only earned 9 away points since Christmas |
First Leg Insights
The first leg featured only 14 shots in total, with Stockport taking 8 and Stevenage 6. This was the fewest shots recorded in any of Stockport’s League One matches this season. Notably, Ben Osborn’s 94th-minute goal marked the first time a team won a League One play-off semi-final first leg with a late winner since 2015.
As the second leg approaches, Stockport needs to build on this momentum while Stevenage seeks to reverse their fortunes. The stakes are high as both teams aim for a chance in the final.
