STOCKPORT COUNTY 2 CITY 2
Andy Thorpe Testimonial
9th August 1991
Attendance 6,500 approx.
Scorers
City Megson(15), Hill(75)
County Francis(52), Gannon(58)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PAUL HINCE WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL 10TH AUGUST 1991
It may have been only a testimonial. But there was nothing remotely charitable about Stockport County at Edgeley Park last night.
The aristocrats from Maine Road had to dredge up all their resources to avoid defeat against this sparkling County side.
Right from the start of a testimonial match for that magnificent Edgeley Park servant, Andy Thorpe, County tore into the Blues.
Three times in the opening 15 minutes the lively Chris Beaumont warmed the hands of keeper Tony Coton, who was looked England-class in all City’s warm-up games. Somehow, Peter Reid’s experimental side weathered the storm to take the lead with a quality strike from Gary Megson.
County were unlucky to be trailing. And not even the City fans in the bumper crowd of almost 6,500 would have begrudged them their equaliser seven minutes into the second half.
What a gem it was with Andy Kilner’s inch-perfect cross from the left met on the run by Kevin Francis.
Danny Bergara’s, boys deservedly took the lead six minutes later when Kilner’s awesome throw-in from the right skidded off the head of the unlucky Colin Hendry to leave Jim Gannon with the simplest of tap-ins.
The Blues were now battling for their pride and, fittingly, it was the inspirational Reid who can who conjured up the equaliser 15 minutes from time.
A free kick was tailor-made for big Quinn, whose clever nod-down was volleyed home viciously by Andy Hill.