Stockport Spartans FC

Evening Spartans..... With one league game left, please see the latest player stats. To keep this current, I have removed any players who have played less than 5 games.

Afternoon Spartans - Here are the latest Player Stats for the season including ratings for our last game against Moor Reserves....

Happy New Year Spartans - Here are the latest player stats including last Sundays game against Edgeley Villa...

Millbrow Reserves 4 - 5 Stockport Spartans

We aren't bottom of the league... We aren't, We aren't bottom of the league.

Goal Scorers: Luke, Tris x 2, Ben M, Clinton

Man of the Match: Tristan Catterall

Team: Andy, Marvin, Nick, Lee, Mike D, Luke, Grant Snr, Jay, Chris, Clinton, Tris. Subs: Ben, David, Matthew.

Match Report...

We won..... x

SDSL: League Game Review – Sunday 19th October 2014

Edgeley Villa 2 – Stockport Spartans 1 (HT 0-0)

Man of the Match – Lee Dunkerley

Team: Andy 7, Marvin Njie 7, Ben 7, Grant Njie 6, David Fillingham 6, Luke 7, Kieran 7, Chris 7, Lee 8, Clinton 7, Tris 7. Subs: Sam 7, Matthew 7, Jack 7.

Goal: Sam – assisted by Kieran.

Match Report:

Stockport Spartans had a strong side available against Edgeley Villa with Lee Dunkerley available to play and captain Ben McDonald making his comeback from injury. This provided the side with confidence heading into their division four tie against Edgeley Villa and this confidence was evident in the quality of the Spartans play in the first 30 minutes with the Spartans enjoying the majority of the possession and creating good chances. Lee and Luke both tested the keeper early on with free kicks from the edge of the box and Luke nodded just wide from a corner.

At 35 minutes, a great diagonal ball from Kieran split the Villa defence and nearly put Clinton through on goal but unfortunately the ball was slightly over hit and the keeper had time to rush out and smother.

As the half progressed Edgeley did begin to create some chances but these were limited to wild shots from outside of the area.
Into the second half and with the score still 0 – 0 the Spartans had their first lapse of concentration at the back which led to them conceding a very poor goal at 47 minutes from a snap shot at the edge of the area. The Edgeley Villa forward was simply afforded too much time on the ball and his low shot was unfortunately seen too late by keeper Andy.

Just 3 minutes later and after winning a free kick in deep in Villa’s half, the Spartans found themselves 2 -0 down as the cleared ball made it down the left too easily and with Ben still getting back from the free kick the ball across the area evaded the out stretched leg of Grant and David was beaten to the ball by Villa’s big centre forward who toe poked in.

The Spartans pushed on in search for a reply and created a number of chances with Chris coming close to equalising only to be fouled by a ‘kicking keeper’ which was missed by the referee. Edegeley continued to assert their physical approach throughout the second half which left many Spartan players with bumps and bruises. From one such bump forward Tristen was injured and needed to be substituted with 25 minutes left to play.

The Spartans finished very strongly with Clinton going close on two occasions with a shot across the face of goal and forcing a good save from the Villa keeper at his far post. With 10 minutes remaining Spartans pulled a goal back after a great ball into Clinton from Chris was controlled and passed out wide to Kieran who provided a sublime ball across the area which was finished beautifully by Sam bending it across the keeper into the side of the net.

The Spartans pushed on for the equaliser but unfortunately they were unable to level the game and will look back at this match as ‘the one which got away’. For the first time, the Spartans had been the better side, played the better football but unfortunately two poor moments in the first 5 minutes of the second half ultimately provided a task too much.

vs Edgeley Villa 2-1 FT

Stockport Spartans - September Player of The Month and Player Ratings..

September Player of The Month - Luke Stafford (Many Congrats)..

Please see below latest player ratings including the latest game against Moor Reserves...

SDSL: League Game Review – Sunday 12th October 2014

Moor Reserves 4 – Stockport Spartans 0 (HT 1:0)

Man of the Match – Andy Potter

Special Mentions to Grant Njie and Tris who both received 3 votes each.

Team: Andy Potter 9, Marvin Njie 7, Tris Catterall 8, Mike James 7, David Fillingham 7, Luke Stafford 7, Kieran Lunn 8, Chris Edge 6, Clinton Njie 7, Matt Bevins 6, Subs: Mike Dawson 7, Beau Gould 7, Jack Bullock 7

After the impressive display from Stockport Spartans in their last game, the confidence of the team was high when going into the match against Moor Reserves – and it certainly showed. The opening 15 minutes was dominated by the Spartans, with good passes and clever interplay, with débutante Kieran Lunn making an impressive start. As the play continued, Clinton Njie’s shot from the left was scrambled off the line after being hit off the post – with Stockport Spartans unlucky not to be in the lead. This may have been a wakeup call for Moor Reserves who started to press more in the latter of the half, but with some impressive and confident defending from Tris Catterall and great saves and a commandeering presence of fresh keeper Andy Potter (Spartans’ 7th keeper this season) made the chances for Moor Reserves unable to get a goal. Returning player Grant Njie and regular Mike James, were all playing in unfamiliar positions in defence, yet it wouldn’t have been noticeable as their confident play complimented the team. A free kick was given to the Spartans on the edge of the box with Luke Stafford shooting on target. Sadly, it was into the arms of the goal keeper. Spartans continued to play with confidence but Moor Reserves still persisted and eventually got a goal at 35 minutes. The first half ended 1-0 to Moor Reserves.

The second half of a football match is usually where the Spartans show their true talent, alas, in this rare occasion, the 1-0 score-line may have either caused heads to go down or players to be more on edge, as Moor Reserves pressed even harder, stretching the midfield and pushing the defence to the limits. It was an impressively taken shot and an unlucky ball that gave Moor Reserves the opportunity to increase their lead to 3-0, with Spartans chances very limited. However, that isn’t to say there weren’t any, with Clinton and Chris Edge unlucky to get on the score sheet in the second half. With Jack Bullock making his birthday debut for the club as substitute, there was even an opportunity for him to be rewarded with an assist. But it wasn’t to be and it was an unlucky error which meant Moor Reserves made the score 4-0 with only a few minutes of the game left to play. Once again, the match resulted in a scoreline that didn’t reflect the effort and performance of the team that is improving in every game they play. An excellent performance overall.

SDSL: League Game Review – Sunday 5th October 2014

Stockport County Supporters Club 5 – Stockport Spartans 2 (HT 4:1)

Man of the Match – Luke Stafford.

Team: Colin 5, Andy Potter 7, Trist 8, Paul 8, Marvin 8, Luke 9, David 7, Mike James 7, Chris 7, Clinton Njie 8, Matthew Bevins 7 Subs: Mike D 7, Beau 7, Joe 7.

The Spartans went into the game against Stockport Supporters Club with the latest batch of injuries leaving them having to replace Centre Defenders Ben and Nick and right back James. Trist was moved to centre back to cover, with Andy standing alongside him and Paul filled in on the right for Paul.

The Spartans started off very brightly down both of the wings. Mike J, Chris and Paul linked up strongly down the right constantly beating the Supporters left back and it was only the quality of the ball across which stopped the Spartans testing the keeper. Clinton and Marvin did well down the left but again Clinton failed to find the right weight for the cross.

The Supporters Club took the lead after 20 minutes when a counter attack led to the right winger cutting in past Marvin and finishing well to the bottom corner. Spartans continued to put pressure on the Supporters Club with Matthew coming close with a shot which flashed across the face of goal and a number of runs which should have led to shots but unfortunately he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet quick enough. Mike J came close after Clinton played a diagonal ball to match Mikes well timed run with the shot going wide of the right post.

After 30 minutes, the Spartans made their possession count after a long throw from Marvin led to Clinton out pacing the left back and finishing well past the keeper.
The equaliser was unfortunately short lived with keeper Colin struggling to hold on to a tame shot and in his panic to hold on to the ball dropped it into the back of the net.
Spartans continued to put the pressure on and Matthew nearly made it 2-2 after quickly closing down the keeper who panicked and kicked the ball at Matthew which deflected over the bar.

At 35 minutes Andy made a good sliding tackle at the edge of the box and although he won the ball the referee judged the tackle to be reckless and awarded a free kick. From the free kick the supporters club made it 3 -1 with Colin caught out by the free kick.
5 minutes before half time, Supporters club made it 4 – 1 after Andy found himself too high up the pitch and going for the same ball as Luke, taking both players out. The ball fell kindly to the Supporters club who finished well.

The Spartans started the second half brightly, Luke continuing to patrol the middle of the park well and find feet with passes. It was great to see the Spartans playing the ball confidently around the pitch and especially at the back with Tris bringing the ball forward and instigating attacks. Clinton hit the side netting 5 minutes into the half after a good ball through by David saw him cut through the edge of the box. Mike J had a number of through balls which were unfortunately over-hit and would otherwise have seen him one-on-one with the keeper.

A change for the Spartans saw Mike Dawson come on for Matthew upfront and he made a number of good runs through the centre but unfortunately he flashed his efforts wide. Growing in confidence, the Spartans continued to create a number of chances, the best falling to Mike D who couldn’t get power on his header from 5 yards out which landed kindly into the keepers hands.

After 20 minutes, a good break down the right from Luke and Mike saw Clinton collect the ball at the edge of the area, take it past the last defender and finish across the goal into the bottom corner. The last 25 minutes saw the Spartans create too many chances to describe with Luke shooting from Distance, Mike D hitting an effort over the bar and Marvin hesitating at the edge of the box. The Spartans simply lacked the quality in front of goal.

With 2 minutes to play, the Supporters had a rare counter attack which appeared to be going nowhere and the defence restricted to a shot from 40 yards which Colin should have at best caught, at worst pushed over the bar but unfortunately he was not able to react fast enough and the ball found the back of the net.

For the first time this season, it is arguable that the Spartans were the better side and should have won the game. It was great to see the team retain possessions for large spells of the second half and even play triangles with Paul, Chris and Mike J combining well on a number of occasions. The worry would be the team’s inability to finish the chances they create. It was this, in addition to goalkeeper errors which cost the side their first win today.

SDSL: League Game Review – Sunday 28th September 2014

Stockport Spartans 2 – Kings Athletic 5 (HT 1:3)

Man of the Match – Andy Potter (Immense second half showing).

Team: Colin 5, Ben 8, Nick Robinson 7, Paul 8, Chris 7, Luke 8, Andy 9, David 7, Mike James 7, Clinton 8, Trist 7 Subs: Mike D 4, Beau 7, Matthew 7.

A much improved performance which saw the Spartans develop good spells of possession and give the Kings defence a number of headaches in the first 10 minutes with Trist putting pressure on their defenders high up the field.
A lesson the Spartans need to learn as they progress is to get back quickly after attacking as a unit as the Kings were able to find space due to players struggling to get back in the first half.
The Spartans found themselves 1 – 0 down after 15 minutes after a good period of possession from the Kings led to a ball through the middle which was well finished by their forward. 15 minutes later and the Spartans brought the game back level after a good interchange between Clinton and Luke at the edge of the box led to a shot from Luke from 20 yards which bobbled past the keeper into the net.

The equaliser only served as a wake call for the Kings who quickly restored their lead after a neat triangle resulted in a shot from the edge of the box to the bottom corner. 5 minutes from half time and the Kings made it three after goalkeeper Colin hesitated to come for the ball allowing the Kings forward to nip in and tuck the ball home.
The Spartans looked like a different side in the second half with Andy Potter winning every ball in the middle of the park allowing Luke to push further forward and support the forward three. After 20 minutes, the Spartans were rewarded for their hard work after Andy won the ball in midfield and feed Luke who put through a weighted ball for Clinton to run on to and finish home from 20 yards.

The goal worried the Kings who had started the second half slowly and their shape and discipline faded. The next 10 minutes, the Spartans enjoyed a number of good chances, the best falling to Tris who failed to convert 2 one on ones. After 30 minutes, Clinton brought on Mike Dawson in a bid to increase the attacking strength of the side and try to secure the team’s first draw.

Mike Dawson started brightly and could have been through on goal if he had played a neat one-two with Mike James however his run was halted as he tried to take on one player too many. After being on for 5 minutes, Mike D was unfortunately caught up in a scuffle with another player. After pushing and pulling from both players, the Kings player lashed out and elbowed Mike D in the eye. Mike then retaliated by chasing the player and hitting him in the back of the head. Had the referee seen the incident, both players would have been sent off but as the referee hadn’t seen it, he couldn’t make the call. The Kings became increasing abusive and threatening to Mike D, so after 10 minutes of being on the field, he was substituted for Matthew Bevins who made his return from injury. The incident clearly affected the Spartans who dropped their intensity and focus.

The Kings being the more physical side psychologically won the match at that point and scored two goals in quick succession – the first a neat run through the centre of defence and the last goal being a ball from left to right which wasn’t cleared and bungled in past Colin who should have done better with his outstretched hand.

The game finished 5-2 to the Kings but the game marked a huge improvement for the Spartans.