Interview | Stockport County Ladies Manager

Stockport County Ladies’ manager Ronnie Green wants his side to kick start their season as they go on the hunt for their first points at Chorley on Thursday night.

Credit: Stockport County Ladies

Difficult start

Green’s side have lost their first two Division One North games, opening with a late defeat at Leeds United before losing 2-0 soundly at home to Liverpool Feds.

County now face a trip to Chorley, who have picked up two impressive victories over Bradford City and Leeds, winning both games 2-1.

“The girls have had a difficult start playing two teams who will be up there at the end of the season. I’m sure we can bounce back and dust ourselves down. We had some key players missing in the opening games, who will be coming back into the fold.  We’ll get stronger and come back,” he said.

Competitive league and local rivals

County won the North West Women’s Regional Premier Division in 2018/19, earning promotion to Level 4 but are yet to complete a full season at this level due to Covid.

They are joined this year by FC United of Manchester, who successfully applied for promotion in the close season.  Tom Fitton’s side have also lost both games so far, including a 6-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

Green believes his side can compete in the division, but warns points will have to be earned the hard way.

“I know this league, it’s very competitive - there are no easy teams in this league. We’ve not had the easiest start, playing what are probably the two favourites for the title.

Hopefully we can start our season properly against Chorley - it won’t be easy, they’ve had a great start with two wins.  We have to play to our strengths and try to get a result which will set us up for our home game against Newcastle on Sunday.”

“No real quality, but we need to regroup”

Reflecting on Sunday’s game with Liverpool Feds, Green said: “Last weekend, we did really well off the ball against Leeds, but I think the girls let themselves down on Sunday. The workrate wasn’t there off the ball, and we weren’t really in the game in the first half,  Feds controlled it. The early goal in the second half deflated the team, but the team kept going until the end, although with little quality. We need to regroup and go again in the next game.

County’s home game against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon starts at 2pm at Stockport Sports Village. Admission is £3, or season ticket holders for the men’s side can watch for free.