Second half strikes from Kevin Francis and Chris Beaumont were enough to give Stockport County all three points at Fulham this afternoon and increase the pressure on Alan Dicks.
The home fans, who were still smarting from Fulham’s FA Cup humbling by non-league Hayes last Friday night, chanted ‘what a load of rubbish’ and then ‘Dicks Out’ as County enhanced their play-off aspirations with an impressive away victory. County’s defence, superbly marshalled by Bill Williams on his 200th appearance for the club, survived both an early test and then a fierce bombardment when on-loan Arsenal striker Andy Cole halved Fulham’s deficit with eleven minutes left after a mistake by Neil Edwards.
The young visiting goalkeeper was excellent otherwise – making a superb save to deny Gary Brazil after the former Newcastle United forward had latched onto a poor back-header from Jim Gannon. Simon Morgan shot wide and Udo Onwere’s cross created a headed opportunity that Peter Scott couldn’t take before Stockport seized control of the contest. Francis and Beaumont were a constant threat up front, but Mark Lillis was dominant in the middle of the park and might have scored with a fierce drive before the ijnterval.
Four minutes after half-time, Williams strode forward from the back and played a forward ball into the path of Francis, who sprinted away from a startled Gavin Nebbeling and struck a low shot past Jim Stannard. The tall centre forward then turned provider for the crucial second midway through the second period. He sprinted through the middle of the park after picking up possession on the halfway line and found Gannon the right. The Southwark-born utility man lifted a left-footed cross in the direction of Beaumont, who glanced a header brilliantly into the far corner.
The goal was greeted with glee by the away supporters at the Putney End, but it was the cue for mutinous home fans to deliver a sustained chorus of ‘Dicks Out’. Cole did briefly threaten a Fulham fightback when he punished Edwards’ poor goalkeeping by turning in the loose ball, but Stockport’s resolve held as they claimed all three points – with debutant right back Jim Carstairs, handed an unexpected debut after arriving on loan from Cambridge United due to Paul Williams being injured and Lee Todd struggling with flu, was fantastic.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Nebbeling, G. Thomas, Marshall, Morgan, Newson, Onwere (Cobb 50), Scott, Brazil, Cole. Subs (not used): Haag.
BOOKED: Morgan.
GOAL: Cole (79).
STOCKPORT COUNTY: Edwards; Thorpe, Knowles, Williams, Gannon, Finley, Carstairs, Ward, Lillis, Beaumont, Francis. Subs (not used): Wheeler, Kilner,
GOALS: Francis (49), Beaumont (67).
ATTENDANCE: 3,680.
