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Archived News from February 2007

STOCKPORT 2 FTYBR FC 1
11th February 2007 12:09


Stockport County FC V FTYBR FC
10/02/07

Stockport FC 2 V FTYBR FC 1
James Brown (1)



Missed Pen (18)

Goal (25)

Goal Pen (57)


Booking Wayne Sharpe (38)

On a cold winters morning the FTYBR boys took the short trip up north to take on a very good Stockport County Supporters side that are yet to lose a game this season. This did not get the better of the lads who believed they had a very good chance of getting something out of this match and this showed during the game. The game was played at Manchester City FC's very impressive youth academy.

The team was very similar to the one which drew the week before with just two changes taking place. Jamie Wheatman this season's top goal scorer went in goal to replace Ricky Okon and Phil Waddington came into the side in place of an absent Ian Hoult.

The game kicked off at an earlier time of 10:15, which suited the Mansfield lads. In the first minute Andrew Stokes was brought down and Mansfield where awarded a free kick 35 yards out. Up stepped set piece specialist James Brown who played in a very teasing ball which almost fell perfectly on Jonathan Rowe's head, but Mansfield got a bit fortunate and James Brown's well placed free kick caught the Stockport keeper and defence out who were still in bed and the ball went into the back of the net 1-0 Mansfield.

This woke Stockport up and they then looked the better team and forced Jamie Wheatman into his first real test as keeper who rose to the challenge and saved well low down with his legs. In the 18th minute they where awarded a dubious penalty when James Brown was adjudged to have handled the ball on the edge of the box. This caused much frustration for the Mansfield boys but they were relieved when the Stockport player sent the keeper the wrong way only to find the post. This was a real let off for Mansfield.

The referee then incensed the FTYBR team by awarding a free kick for an alleged push on a Stockport player. This was definitely the wrong decision and Mansfield suffered further punishment when Stockport curled the ball into the far top corner of Mansfield's goal from 20 yards out although Jamie Wheatman got a hand to the ball. 1-1!

This got to the Mansfield boys heads and sparked mass protests as the referee was having a shocker. In the 38th minute Wayne Sharpe got booked for rash challenge which was due to his frustration with the referee. Mansfield needed the half time whistle to come soon as their heads where not on the game. Luckily they got to the half way mark 1-1.

After a serious talk from Manager Steve Hartshorn the boys where out and ready for the second half. The second half started evenly balanced until the 57th minute when Stockport had a player go down over James Browns leg after running around 2 other Mansfield players. This time a different player stepped up to take the spot kick for Stockport and the penalty was confidently converted leaving the keeper no chance. 2-1!

At this point it was all Mansfield with wave after wave of attack and Stockport rarely threatened the Mansfield goal. The best attack was when James Bird collected the ball on the right and burst down the wind taking on a couple of Stockport players, he then played a quality ball into the box which Gary Bird just missed as well as the Stockport keeper. Luckily it ended up at Martin Clarke's feet, which he then fired a hard shot towards goal only to see it blocked on the line. There were other chances for the Mansfield side as Stockport defended at times with desperation to keep their lead.

All in all Mansfield deserved at least a draw from the game but it wasn't to be. Andrew Stokes and Jamie Wheatman where awarded joint Man of the Match by the Stockport side.

We are still in the top 10, which is an excellent achievement so well done to all the boys lets keep it up!

Report by Drew Stokes.

 

Latest | February 2007