Match Report
| Stockport County | Stockport County |  |  | Darlington | Darlington | ||||||||||||||||
| Computer Player | Computer Player | Computer Player | Computer Player | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ross Milligan | R. Milligan |  | 52 | G |  |  | 1 | | G | 47 | | Ralph Christie | R. Christie | ||||||||
| Scott Dodd | S. Dodd | | 43 | D |  | 2 |  | D | 49 | | Malcolm Shields | M. Shields | |||||||||
| Danny Richards | D. Richards | | 42 | D | | 3 | | | D | 46 | | Gareth Carlton | G. Carlton | ||||||||
| Tony Tolley | T. Tolley | | 42 | D | | 4 | | D | 46 | | Nicky Delaney | N. Delaney | |||||||||
| Kevin Bolton | K. Bolton | | 38 | D | | 5 | | M | 51 | | Dave Pallister | D. Pallister | |||||||||
| Greg Shilton | G. Shilton | | 51 | M | | 6 | | M | 50 | | Patrick Smith | P. Smith | |||||||||
| Paul Smith | P. Smith | | 50 | M | | 7 | | M | 50 | | Patrick Royce | P. Royce | |||||||||
| Neil Fletcher | N. Fletcher | | 58 | A | | 8 | | M | 42 | | Jason Izzet | J. Izzet | |||||||||
| Des Neville | D. Neville | | 43 | A | | 9 | | A | 49 | | Alexander Bishop | A. Bishop | |||||||||
| Mervin Bellamy | M. Bellamy | | 37 | A | | 10 | | A | 47 | | Matthew Weir | M. Weir | |||||||||
| Craig Montague | C. Montague | | 36 | A | | 11 | | A | 46 | | Ruel Clegg | R. Clegg | |||||||||
| Oleg Pearson | O. Pearson | | 46 | M | | 12 | | A | 45 | | James Fowler | J. Fowler | |||||||||
| Simon Cooper | S. Cooper | | 45 | M | | 13 | | M | 41 | | Teddy Ward | T. Ward | |||||||||
| Anthony Heskey | A. Heskey | | 44 | G | | 14 | | G | 39 | | Daniel Brand | D. Brand | |||||||||
 today's match is sponsored by Risky Business |
Match Report
The air is cold and hail stones bounce off the ground here at Edgeley Park where Stockport County play host to Darlington. A crowd of 2,465 fill this 3,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Stockport County are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while Darlington appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Richard Crooks.
The pitch is in good condition.
Stockport County are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while Darlington appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Richard Crooks.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Stockport County get the match underway!
3.47
0-0Jason Izzet kicks a strong pass forward to Alexander Bishop. Alexander Bishop passes the ball forward but Matthew Weir is offside!
6.31
0-0Tony Tolley controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Greg Shilton. Greg Shilton controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Craig Montague. Craig Montague lofts in a cross ball towards Des Neville. Gareth Carlton catches Des Neville on the ankles. That's got to be a penalty! No, the ref waves play-on!!
9.47
0-0Paul Smith sees Mervin Bellamy in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Mervin Bellamy lofts in a cross ball towards Des Neville. Des Neville whips the ball goalwards with his head. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
10.40
Jason Izzet knocks the ball to his team mate, Ruel Clegg. Ruel Clegg kicks a strong pass forward to Alexander Bishop but the referee indicates it's offside!
14.46
Dave Pallister makes a beautiful solo run. Dave Pallister shoots from 20 yards but it whistles just wide of the post!
18.42
Greg Shilton controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Craig Montague. Craig Montague rushes past Nicky Delaney! Craig Montague looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
20.16
Paul Smith flicks a high pass forward. Des Neville holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Des Neville knocks in a cross ball towards Neil Fletcher. Neil Fletcher knocks the ball goalwards with his head but it's a lousy effort!
21.46
Dave Pallister flicks a high pass forward. Ruel Clegg collects the pass. Ruel Clegg chips the ball to his team mate, Matthew Weir. Some good footwork from Matthew Weir provides some space. He shoots at goal but it scrapes just over the bar. Good effort!
22.37
0-0Paul Smith threads a neat ball through to Des Neville. Des Neville lofts in a cross ball towards Craig Montague. Craig Montague beats his man to it with a header but somehow Ralph Christie manages to keep it out.
24.01
Patrick Smith flicks a high pass forward to Ruel Clegg who brings the ball under control. Ruel Clegg shoots from long range. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
28.19
Nicky Delaney controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Patrick Royce. Patrick Royce hits a low pass to Ruel Clegg. Ruel Clegg whips in a cross ball towards Alexander Bishop. Alexander Bishop whips the ball goalwards with his head but it flies just off target!
30.31
0-0The crowd are getting restless wanting to see some action.
32.12
Tony Tolley makes a probing pass to Greg Shilton. Greg Shilton flicks a high pass forward to Des Neville who brings the ball under control. Des Neville sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it is miles over!
34.22
Paul Smith passes the ball forward to Craig Montague. Craig Montague finds some space and shoots from distance. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Fabulous save!
36.25
1-0Greg Shilton knocks the ball forward to Mervin Bellamy. Mervin Bellamy shoots from long range. What a cracker!! Ralph Christie had no chance!! Goal for Stockport County!
40.32
Gareth Carlton flicks a high pass forward to Patrick Smith who brings the ball under control. Patrick Smith threads a neat ball through to Alexander Bishop. Alexander Bishop sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
44.41
Nicky Delaney passes the ball forward to Patrick Royce. Patrick Royce makes a probing pass to Alexander Bishop. Alexander Bishop shoots from long range. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Stockport County appear unchanged since the first half. Darlington have changed their lineup with James Fowler replacing Nicky Delaney, Teddy Ward replacing Patrick Smith and Daniel Brand replacing Ruel Clegg. The Darlington players look more motivated than they were before.
45.00
Darlington start the second half!
48.47
Tony Tolley sees Paul Smith in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Paul Smith makes a probing pass to Neil Fletcher. Neil Fletcher plays a quick one-two with Craig Montague and rushes in on goal... Neil Fletcher cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Good keeping!
54.58
1-0Paul Smith passes the ball forward to Des Neville. Des Neville knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
57.45
Paul Smith knocks the ball forward to Mervin Bellamy. Mervin Bellamy controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but it rises well off target!
59.20
1-0James Fowler barges into Greg Shilton. James Fowler is given a warning by the referee! Greg Shilton runs off the knock.
72.49
Paul Smith deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Des Neville. Des Neville shoots from 25 yards but is denied by Ralph Christie. Excellent save.
75.07
Dave Pallister flicks a high pass forward to Daniel Brand who brings the ball under control. Daniel Brand shoots from long range. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. It's dealt with comprehensively by the defence.
84.43
Kevin Bolton laces a weighted ball forward to Paul Smith. Paul Smith flicks a high pass forward to Craig Montague who brings the ball under control. Craig Montague finds some space and shoots from distance his aim is horrendously poor!
87.29
Paul Smith brings the ball forward. Paul Smith whips in a cross ball towards Neil Fletcher. Neil Fletcher heads the ball goalwards but it scrapes just over the bar. Good effort!
89.19
Greg Shilton knocks the ball forward to Craig Montague. Craig Montague sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. Wonderful reactions from Ralph Christie keeps it out!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle
Match Statistics
Goals
1
0
Shots on Target
6
0
Shots off Target
7
7
Offsides
0
2
Fouls
0
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
60.5%
39.5%
Play Area
29.6%
40.7%
29.6%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Paul Smith of Stockport County |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Ross Milligan (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Scott Dodd (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Danny Richards (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Tony Tolley (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Kevin Bolton (DEF) | 7 | |
| 6. | Greg Shilton (MID) | 8 | |
| 7. | Paul Smith (MID) | 9 | |
| 8. | Neil Fletcher (ATT) | 6 | |
| 9. | Des Neville (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Mervin Bellamy (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 11. | Craig Montague (ATT) | 7 | |
| 12. | Oleg Pearson (MID) | 0 | |
| 13. | Simon Cooper (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Anthony Heskey (GK) | 0 | |
| 1. | Ralph Christie (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Malcolm Shields (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Gareth Carlton (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Nicky Delaney (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Dave Pallister (MID) | 7 | |
| 6. | Patrick Smith (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Patrick Royce (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Jason Izzet (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Alexander Bishop (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Matthew Weir (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Ruel Clegg (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | James Fowler (ATT) | 5 | |
| 13. | Teddy Ward (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | Daniel Brand (GK) | 6 | |