Stockport County 3-1 Charlton Athletic: Will Collar hat-trick sends County into the third round

Will Collar’s hat-trick for League Two Stockport County knocked out managerless League One side Charlton Athletic in their FA Cup second round replay.

Stockport began to take control of the tie with Collar set aside for an equalizer as County disallowed some good tries in the first half.

Ryan Rydel’s free-kick hit the Charlton post early in the second half, before Collar shot through his second from eight yards out before converting a penalty soon after.

County will host compatriot Walsall in the third round on Sunday 8 January.

The game was a first for Addicks agent Anthony Hayes and the Irishman made seven changes to the side who lost 1-0 at Cheltenham in the league on Friday.

But for large parts, Charlton were second best against opponents from the division below as they failed to win in all competitions for a seventh consecutive game.

Despite an unchanged squad from the one who won 5-0 at Hartlepool on Saturday, Stockport fell a goal behind in the first corner of the game. Hinchliffe was unseen as he gave away a middle ball that bounced off defenseman Wright and dribbled over the line.

County started to get back into it, with Macauley Southam-Hales looking dangerous down the right, and his cross saw Craig MacGillivray make a superb one-handed save from Paddy Madden’s diving header midway through the first half.

But MacGillivray could do nothing to stop the equalizing goal as Rydel’s powerful low shot from the left corner of the 18-yard box came back off the foot of the right post and straight to Collar, who made no mistake from six yards out.

Charlton were lucky not to get a 30th-minute penalty when Sean Clare appeared to knock Myles over Hippolyte, while MacGillivray did well to keep out two tries from Paddy Madden in quick succession five minutes later.

Collar saw a header go wide before Rydel hit the post in the 50th minute as Stockport started the second half as they had finished first.

But they had to wait until the 73rd minute to go through when Hippolyte’s ball was knocked into Collar’s path in the penalty area by Kyle Wootton and he shot home a right-footed shot.

Collar completed his hat-trick from the spot after Ollie Crankshaw was fouled by George Dobson in the penalty area, and although Jack Payne went close in nine minutes of stoppage time, Charlton’s woes continued.

Stockport County manager Dave Challinor told ITV:

“We wanted to make it a cup game, I think we got a little involved in the beginning, we wanted to play forward and try to play in their half.

“We came from behind and showed great character, especially in the second half. We played the game the way we wanted.

“Sometimes you get a little used to big venues and the atmosphere was a bit strange, whether it was because people thought we had a better chance than usual.

“But the results we have achieved in recent months have given the group real faith and confidence.

“We’re all striving to be where Charlton is, so hopefully hard work will get us there.”