Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Graphic Ace |
Match Report
A few clouds cover the sky here at Edgeley Park where Stockport County play host to Arsenal. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Stockport County are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Arsenal appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Les Thompson.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Stockport County are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Arsenal appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Les Thompson.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Arsenal get the match underway!
3.42
0-0Francois Maqua passes the ball forward to Jose Javier Martinez. Jose Javier Martinez flicks a high pass forward. Jon Etherington collects the pass. Jon Etherington shoots from outside the area but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
4.00
Greg Lawton advances with the ball. Greg Lawton lofts in a cross ball towards Manuele Marrocolo. Manuele Marrocolo connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
6.30
Leon Harley hits a low pass to Rafael Martins. Rafael Martins shoots from distance but it misses the target by a large margin!
14.44
0-0Francois Maqua threads the ball through to Leon Harley. Leon Harley sees space and advances. Leon Harley shoots from outside the area. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is on top of it. Great keeping!
18.13
0-1Leon Harley sees Manuele Marrocolo in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Manuele Marrocolo lofts in a cross ball towards Rafael Martins. Rafael Martins directs the ball goalwards with his head. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Rafael Martins!
21.09
0-1Marco Laurent hits a low pass to Arthur Clemence. Arthur Clemence deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Rafael Lima. Rafael Lima knocks the ball forward to Niccolo Power but the linesmans flag is up. Offside!
24.13
Jose Javier Martinez knocks the ball to his team mate, Rafael Martins. Rafael Martins shoots from 25 yards. Magnificent save by Stephane Scifo!
26.33
0-1Ian Yáñez flicks a high pass forward. Greg Lawton holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Greg Lawton deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Rafael Martins. Rafael Martins knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Stephane Scifo who gathers it comfortably.
27.43
Arthur Clemence controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Niccolo Power. Niccolo Power shoots from 20 yards but is denied by Cyrille Bedrossian. Excellent save.
36.55
Marco Laurent flicks a high pass forward to Arthur Clemence who brings the ball under control. Arthur Clemence hits a low pass to Rafael Lima. Rafael Lima plays a scrappy one-two with Nigel Powell and stumbles forward towards the goal... Rafael Lima tries a spectacular strike. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
45.00
Torsten Haller flicks a high pass forward to Niccolo Power who brings the ball under control. Niccolo Power knocks in a cross ball towards Rafael Lima. Rafael Lima directs the ball goalwards with his head but is denied by Cyrille Bedrossian. Excellent save.
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half
Both teams emerge for the second half. Stockport County appear unchanged since the first half. Arsenal also appear unchanged since the first half. The Stockport County players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
Stockport County kick off!
48.07
Torsten Haller sees a break and surges forward. Torsten Haller sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it slams into the crowd!
49.09
With a delightful solo run, Arthur Clemence stretches the opposition's defence. Arthur Clemence knocks the ball to his team mate, Niccolo Power. Some clumsy but lucky footwork from Niccolo Power provides some space. He rifles a shot at goal which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
60.04
2-1Stockport County have made a substitution with Cedric Zugna replacing Rafael Lima .Arsenal have made 3 substitutions with Adolfo Delgado replacing Marin Stoichita, Danijel Piquionne replacing Jose Javier Martinez and Danny Butt replacing Rafael Martins .
61.08
2-1Arthur Clemence catches Adolfo Delgado on the ankles. The referee calls over Arthur Clemence and warns him to calm down! Adolfo Delgado hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
65.23
Adolfo Delgado darts forward. Adolfo Delgado lofts in a cross ball towards Danny Butt. Danny Butt connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal but Stephane Scifo reads it well. Excellent save!
66.40
Torsten Haller threads the ball through to Nigel Powell. Nigel Powell skips past Francois Maqua! Some silky footwork from Nigel Powell provides him some room. He curls a shot at goal. The ball skims nastily along the ground and slips under the keeper's body. Goal!!
69.44
Leon Harley makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Danny Butt. Danny Butt shoots from long range but it's well over the bar!
71.38
3-1Plenty of goal mouth action is making this a great game to watch.
73.06
Arthur Clemence barges into Adolfo Delgado. The referee brings Arthur Clemence to one side and gives him another warning! Adolfo Delgado hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
77.52
Stockport County have made a substitution with Mick Finney replacing Marco Laurent .Arsenal appear to have rearranged themselves into a 4-2-4 formation.
78.60
Mick Finney flicks a high ball forward to Arthur Clemence who takes it down. Arthur Clemence kicks a strong pass forward to Cedric Zugna. Cedric Zugna shoots from 20 yards but it's well over the bar!
79.20
Arsenal are keeping the ball well. They need to convert this possession into goals.
81.30
Nigel Powell barges into Ian Yáñez. Nigel Powell is warned by the referee! Ian Yáñez stretches but gets up unharmed.
84.03
Nigel Powell hacks Adolfo Delgado from behind! Nigel Powell is given another warning by the referee! Adolfo Delgado runs off the knock.
85.52
Leon Harley flicks a high pass forward. Jon Etherington collects the pass. Jon Etherington shoots from distance. Stephane Scifo gets down and covers it.
89.05
Pascal Cziommer kicks a strong pass forward to Nigel Powell. Nigel Powell knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Aldo Botticella.
90.00
Pascal Cziommer flicks a high pass forward. Cedric Zugna holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Cedric Zugna makes a probing pass between the defence to Nigel Powell. Nigel Powell makes some space for himself and shoots at goal. The ball clips the inside of the post and flies into the back of the net!! Goal for Stockport County!
90.00
The referee whistles full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
4
1
Shots on Target
6
5
Shots off Target
2
4
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
4
0
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
39.1%
60.9%
Play Area
24.6%
47.8%
27.5%
Scorers
| Rafael Lima 37 Niccolo Power 49 Nigel Powell 66, 90 | Rafael Martins 18 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Nigel Powell of Stockport County |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Stephane Scifo (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Celestine Kanu (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Marco Laurent (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Tomás Sandoval (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Cesar Mendes (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Pascal Cziommer (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Torsten Haller (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Arthur Clemence (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Rafael Lima (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 10. | Niccolo Power (ATT) | | 8 |
| 11. | Nigel Powell (ATT) | | 9 |
| 12. | Mick Finney (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Harry Higginbotham (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Cedric Zugna (ATT) | 6 | |
| 1. | Cyrille Bedrossian (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Ian Yáñez (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Francois Maqua (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Aldo Botticella (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Marin Stoichita (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Leon Harley (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Jose Javier Martinez (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Greg Lawton (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Manuele Marrocolo (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Rafael Martins (ATT) | | 8 |
| 11. | Jon Etherington (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Adolfo Delgado (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Danijel Piquionne (DEF) | 6 | |
| 14. | Danny Butt (ATT) | 6 | |