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Stockport dominate Tranmere in 2-0 victory

October 28, 2023
birkenhead.news

Tranmere visited Stockport on Saturday in their latest game of the League 2 season.

Ahead of the game, Nigel Adkins said, “I’m really looking forward to it. It should be a big crowd. We beat Stockport recently in the Cheshire Senior Cup, so I had a good chat with Dave Challinor then. They were in non-league for a long time.

“They’ve had to rebuild. Now they’ve put themselves in a good financial footing. We know it’s going to be a challenge. We’re embracing it and looking forward to it. We’re going to do everything we can to see if we can win.” 

Match Report: Stockport County v Tranmere Rovers

Stockport County 2v0 Tranmere Rovers
Olaofe (5′)
Sarcevic (54′)		Goals
Bailey (5′)
Wootton (54′)		Assists
HT 1-0

Tranmere Rovers suffered a 2-0 loss to Stockport County, the current leaders of League Two, at Edgeley Park.

Isaac Oloafe notched his 11th league goal of the season within the opening five minutes, elegantly slotting home a through ball from Odin Bailey.

Harvey Saunders received two yellow cards, one before and one after half-time, for fouls committed against Macauley Southam-Hales.

Stockport secured their second goal courtesy of Antoni Sarcevic, who made an impressive run into the box and finished the job in the 54th minute.

The game’s first opportunity arose for Rovers, with former Hatter Connor Jennings. Rob Apter deftly directed the ball towards the midfielder, who unleashed a wide shot from a distance.

Nonetheless, it was the home side that seized an early advantage. Bailey executed a precise through ball to Olaofe in the penalty area, who displayed clinical precision with a flicked first-time finish past Luke McGee.

Stockport then dominated possession during the first 45 minutes. Kyle Wootton headed over from a cross, while Bailey’s shot deflected off Paul Lewis and went out of play.

At the opposite end, Kristian Dennis attempted a volley as the ball descended over his head, but it posed no challenge to Ben Hinchliffe in goal.

In the first half, McGee remained vigilant and had to be at his best when Wootton delivered a perilous ball across the goal, targeting Antoni Sarcevic. He seized the ball before Sarcevic, the number ten for Stockport, could make contact.

As the 45-minute mark approached, Rob Apter took on several opposition players in blue shirts. The loanee from Blackpool shifted onto his left foot for a shot, but a crucial block from a Hatters’ defender reduced the pace of his attempt.

During the closing stages of the first half, Lewis and Harvey Saunders received bookings. Unfortunately for the latter, his yellow card would turn into a red shortly after the break following a foul on Macauley Southam-Hales.

Stockport embarked on their quest for a second goal and swiftly achieved it as Sarcevic executed a well-timed run into the box, calmly slotting the ball beyond McGee.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Rovers displayed resilience and fashioned opportunities in the second half. Jennings had a shot blocked and sent behind around the 60-minute mark before firing wide from long range five minutes later.

The visitors did manage to place the ball into the net through Kristian Dennis, but the linesman’s flag disallowed what could have been a consolation goal.

Apter continued to pose a threat on the right flank. Hinchliffe made two outstanding saves to deny the winger’s ferocious attempts in the closing 20 minutes.

Nevertheless, Stockport successfully maintained their two-goal advantage and extended their winning streak as the final whistle signalled the end of the match.

Tranmere visit Stevenage on Saturday 4 November in the first round of the FA Cup and then host Forest Green Rovers on Saturday 11 November for their next game of the 2023/24 League Two season.

Match Highlights

Gallery

Credit: Tony Coombes

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Post Match Interview

Line-ups

Stockport County – Formation 4-3-1-2
1 Ben Hinchliffe GK
7 Macauley Southam DF
15 Ethan Pye DF
4 Akil Wright DF
6 Fraser Horsfall DF
18 Ryan Croasdale (C) MF
14 Will Collar MF
10 Antoni Sarcevic MF
27 Odin Bailey MF
25 Isaac Olaofe FW
19 Kyle Wootton FW

Substitutes
12 Jordan Smith SUB
2 Kyle Knoyle SUB
23 Alfie Pond SUB
26 Jayden Richardson SUB
8 Callum Camps SUB
21 Myles Hippolyte SUB
9 Paddy Madden SUB

Manager
Dave Challinor

Match Officials
Referee: Christopher Pollard
Assistants: Danny Jarvis and Darren Wilding
Fourth official: Jamie O’Connor

Tranmere Rovers – Formation 4-2-3-1
1 Luke McGee GK
2 Lee O’Connor DF
24 Dan Pike DF
5 Tom Davies (C) DF
6 Jordan Turnbull DF
22 Paul Lewis MF
25 Robert Apter MF
4 Brad Walker MF
18 Connor Jennings MF
19 Harvey Saunders MF
14 Kristian Dennis FW

Substitutes
13 Joe Murphy SUB
26 James Norris SUB
21 Josef Yarney SUB
11 Josh Hawkes SUB
7 Kieron Morris SUB
12 Charlie Jolley SUB
9 Luke Norris SUB

Manager
Nigel Adkins

Attendance: 9735

League 2 season attendance

2023/24 Total home attendance51525
2023/24 Total away attendance49046
2023/24 Total H&A attendance100571
2023/24 Average home attendance6441
2023/24 Average away attendance6131
2023/24 Average H&A attendance6286

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