13089 spectators had come to Axl Rose Stadium this cloudy day. Rockers decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. Starters:
Santasus - Válido, Selhami, Eijkenaar, Cheyne - Callow, Evans, Gruber, Ismail - Adolfsson, Jenek.
A 4-4-2 alignment
was the formation of choice for Hartlepaul. The following players took the field: Albergaria - Loubière, Rome, Bussot,
Tuvquist - Bravo, Guendouz, Plazatka, Singh - Aquile, Jeacock.
Rockers saw most attack opportunites on the wings. Today,
Hartlepaul's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks.
Carles Santasus looked great in the 23rd minute after stopping a shot by the visitors'
Julio Ernesto Bravo. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, Rockers's
Waldemar Jenek got himself booked.
Nicola Aquile came close to putting the visiting team one up in the 36th minute, following a solo raid down the middle, but
Carles Santasus managed to tip the ball to a corner. 0 - 0 was the halftime score. Rockers, bringing their ball possession to 57
percent, dominated the battle.
A late sliding challenge from Rockers's
Waldemar Jenek was deemed to be his second yellow card offence by the referee, resulting in him being sent off. The referee signaled
a penalty for the home side in the 71st minute, amid vocal protests from the visitors. Rockers fans erupted in celebration
as
Sleiman Ismail rifled the go-ahead goal into the netting. 1 - 0! Rockers were given a penalty in the 79th minute - neatly put away
by
Sleiman Ismail. 2 - 0 for the home side. Rockers, bringing their ball possession to 63 percent, dominated the battle.
Most important
Rockers player was
Ted Eijkenaar.
Harry Evans was a disappointment, however. Hartlepaul's top performer was clearly
Stéphane Rome. However,
Antoine Guendouz made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 0.
