Match Report


Crewe AlexandraCrewe Alexandra     Rotherham UnitedRotherham United
Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player
Sol CollymoreS. Collymore56
G
1
G
76Christopher EnglerC. Engler
Teddy JackT. Jack63
D
2
D
76Chris ScowcroftC. Scowcroft
Dennis GerrardD. Gerrard60
D
3
D
72Marshall ThompsonM. Thompson
Max BoatengM. Boateng58
D
4
D
70Graham DefoeG. Defoe
Carl BrookingC. Brooking57
D
5
D
48Gareth MasonG. Mason
Neil PalmerN. Palmer72
M
captain6
M
69Graeme MillsG. Mills
Noel ScholesN. Scholes62
M
7captain
M
69Isaiah DublinI. Dublin
Jody RipleyJ. Ripley58
M
8
M
67Robert JacksonR. Jackson
Norman JohnsonN. Johnson50
M
9
A
76Guido PiovaniG. Piovani
Aldo OliviA. Olivi68
A
10
A
73Eusebio NataliE. Natali
Craig KeaneC. Keane66
A
11
A
50Oleg CroftO. Croft
 
Giuseppe BoriosG. Borios64
A
12
M
65James RobertsJ. Roberts
James MilburnJ. Milburn57
D
13
M
62Alfred MustoeA. Mustoe
Darius SalmonD. Salmon56
D
14
M
54Mick PriorM. Prior

Graphic Ace
today's match is sponsored by Graphic Ace
Match Report
It's a warm sunny day here at Alexandra Stadium where Crewe Alexandra play host to Rotherham United. A crowd of 8,994 fill this 10,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Crewe Alexandra are playing in a 4-4-2 formation while Rotherham United appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Ruel Byrne.


0.00
The whistle blows and Rotherham United get the match underway!
4.58
Graeme Mills chips the ball to his team mate, Robert Jackson. Robert Jackson knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Sol Collymore who gathers it comfortably.
9.33
Carl Brooking deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Norman Johnson. Norman Johnson passes the ball forward to Aldo Olivi. Aldo Olivi shoots from outside the area. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Excellent save!
10.58
Carl Brooking hacks Guido Piovani from behind! The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Guido Piovani carries on, but is struggling a bit.
15.39
Jody Ripley chips the ball to his team mate, Aldo Olivi. Aldo Olivi kicks a strong pass forward to Norman Johnson but the referee indicates it's offside!
21.15
Seeing a gap ahead, Dennis Gerrard plays the ball forward to Aldo Olivi. Aldo Olivi knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
26.44
Noel Scholes flicks a high ball forward to Craig Keane who takes it down. Craig Keane sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. It curls slightly but Christopher Engler manages to gather it comfortably.
27.35
Noel Scholes flicks a high pass forward. Craig Keane collects the pass. Craig Keane knocks in a cross ball towards Aldo Olivi. Graham Defoe catches Aldo Olivi on the ankles. Penalty not given!!
28.11
Robert Jackson decides to run forward with the ball. Robert Jackson sees Eusebio Natali in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Eusebio Natali whips in a cross ball towards Oleg Croft. Oleg Croft flicks the ball with his head. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. Nice save!
32.13
Norman Johnson threads a neat ball through to Noel Scholes. Noel Scholes runs straight at the opposition's defence. Noel Scholes controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. Magnificent save by Christopher Engler!
44.40
Noel Scholes flicks the ball to his team mate, Craig Keane. Craig Keane knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Chris Scowcroft.
45.00
Noel Scholes controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Aldo Olivi. Aldo Olivi makes a simple pass to Jody Ripley. Jody Ripley knocks the ball forward, putting Aldo Olivi through on goal. Aldo Olivi cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
45.00
The referee whistles the end of the first half!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Crewe Alexandra appear unchanged since the first half. Rotherham United also appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
Crewe Alexandra kick off!
48.12
Norman Johnson comes in with a late challenge on Marshall Thompson. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Marshall Thompson stretches but gets up unharmed.
54.25
Jody Ripley makes a probing pass to Aldo Olivi. Aldo Olivi knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
60.55
Rotherham United have made a substitution with Mick Prior replacing Guido Piovani .
65.52
Crewe Alexandra are in full control of this game.
67.32
Norman Johnson makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Craig Keane. Craig Keane skips past Marshall Thompson! Craig Keane comes in from the right and smashes a shot from 11 yards out. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
71.40
Neil Palmer threads the ball through to Aldo Olivi. Aldo Olivi knocks in a cross ball towards Craig Keane. Craig Keane knocks the ball goalwards with his head. It's there!! Christopher Engler has to pick the ball from the back of the net!
77.33
Neil Palmer catches Robert Jackson on the ankles. The referee brings Neil Palmer to one side and gives him a warning! Robert Jackson stretches but gets up unharmed.
78.19
Gareth Mason barges into Noel Scholes. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Noel Scholes carries on, but is struggling a bit.
81.26
Gareth Mason decides to run forward with the ball. Gareth Mason flicks a high pass forward. Mick Prior collects the pass. Mick Prior knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Max Boateng.
85.04
Oleg Croft threads the ball through to Eusebio Natali. Eusebio Natali plays a one-two with Robert Jackson and advances towards the goal... Eusebio Natali tries a spectacular strike. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
90.00
The whistle indicates full-time!

Match Statistics
 

Crewe Alexandra

Rotherham United
Goals
2
1
Shots on Target
5
2
Shots off Target
1
0
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
3
1
Yellow Cards
2
1
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
67.2%
32.8%
Play Area
21.9%
48.4%
29.7%

Scorers
Craig Keane 67, 71
Eusebio Natali 85

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Craig Keane of Crewe Alexandra

Match Ratings
1.Sol Collymore (GK)
6
2.Teddy Jack (DEF)
6
3.Dennis Gerrard (DEF)
6
4.Max Boateng (DEF)
6
5.Carl Brooking (DEF)yellow card
5
6.Neil Palmer (MID)
6
7.Noel Scholes (MID)
8
8.Jody Ripley (MID)
6
9.Norman Johnson (MID)yellow card
6
10.Aldo Olivi (ATT)
7
11.Craig Keane (ATT)goal scoredgoal scored
9
 
12.Giuseppe Borios (ATT)
0
13.James Milburn (DEF)
0
14.Darius Salmon (DEF)
0

1.Christopher Engler (GK)
7
2.Chris Scowcroft (DEF)
6
3.Marshall Thompson (DEF)
6
4.Graham Defoe (DEF)
6
5.Gareth Mason (DEF)yellow card
6
6.Graeme Mills (MID)
6
7.Isaiah Dublin (MID)
6
8.Robert Jackson (MID)
7
9.Guido Piovani (ATT)
6
10.Eusebio Natali (ATT)goal scored
7
11.Oleg Croft (ATT)
6
 
12.James Roberts (MID)
0
13.Alfred Mustoe (MID)
0
14.Mick Prior (MID)
6