T&A chief sports writer SIMON PARKER was among a record Valley Parade crowd for a midweek league game last night and provides the match stats and his player ratings.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Curtis Tilt was back to his immovable best as City’s back three did a fine job in shutting down Stockport. Tilt was a powerful presence on the left, winning his headers and making several strong blocks.
TACTICS
City made three changes from the starting line-up against Peterborough – two of them forced.
Max Power began his two-game ban, so Lee Evans came in for the first start of his second spell at Valley Parade. Ethan Wheatley was also handed a full debut up front as Kayden Jackson dropped to the bench.
Ibou Touray missed his first league game after Saturday’s back spasm. Matt Pennington came into the back three.
REFEREE: Ross Joyce (Middlesbrough)
BOOKINGS: Tilt, Wheatley, Jackson (City); Sidibeh, Bailey (Stockport)
ATTENDANCE: 22,488 (with 2,094 from Stockport)
SHOTS ON TARGET: City 2 Stockport 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: City 6 Stockport 9
CORNERS: City 4 Stockport 2
FOULS: City 9 Stockport 19
POSSESSION %: City 46 Stockport 54
PLAYER RATINGS
CITY: Walker 7, Pennington 7.5, Baldwin 7, Tilt 8, Neufville 6.5, Evans 7, Metcalfe 7, T Wright 7, Sarcevic 8 (Lapslie 90min), Pointon 7, Wheatley 5.5 (Jackson 46min, 6). Subs (not used): Humphrys, Mullin, Kelly, Ashby, Hilton.
STOCKPORT: Hinchliffe 6.5, Hills 7, Olowu 6 (Gardner 87min), Pye 7, Osborn 6.5, Onyango 5.5 (Dixon 56min, 6), Norwood 6.5, Bate 5 (Bailey 61min, 6.5), Mothersille 6 (Diamond 61min, 6), Sidibeh 6 (Olaofe 61min, 6), Wootton 6. Subs (not used): Dodgson, Adai.