Aston Villa youngster Louie Barry scored a brilliant hat-trick to help Stockport County secure a 3-1 victory over Peterborough United, all but guaranteeing the club a place in the League One play-offs.
Barry's stop-start season
The 22-year-old playmaker has endured a frustrating campaign. Last season, a serious injury derailed his loan spell at Hull City in the Championship, after he had scored 16 goals in 24 games for Stockport up to the New Year. This term, he barely featured during a loan at Sheffield United before returning to Stockport, where he had to be patient for game time and was sent off in his first match back.
Hat-trick hero
Barry's first goals of the season came on Saturday, when he scored all three in a 3-1 win over Peterborough. It was only his second start since returning to Edgeley Park. The victory leaves Stockport in fourth place, three points clear of seventh, with a superior goal difference to Bradford and Stevenage, and with two games remaining compared to their rivals' one.
Manager's praise
Stockport boss Dave Challinor said: 'Louie is back in a place now where he’s able to do what he does. After losing 1-0 at home to Mansfield Town on Tuesday, it highlights the players you want between the boxes – the ones you need in the final third. Louie is a killer when he gets in those positions. It’s not a surprise how Louie scored those three goals. It was the same way he has scored three-quarters of his goals for us. He only played 60 or 70 minutes but that will improve with time.'
What's next
Stockport next face already-relegated Port Vale at home on Tuesday, before travelling to Barnsley on the final day of the regular season next Saturday. Fans will be hoping Barry can continue his rich form to help secure promotion.
