Altrincham 3 Nuneaton Borough 0

FA Cup 4th Qual Round

27 October 2001

A summary by Johns Laidlar whose full Match report on the Official site run by John Laidlar

ALTY 3 NUNEATON BOROUGH 0

BACKGROUND
This was Altrincham's biggest game of the season so far both in terms of the quality of the opposition and the prize money at stake - £20,000. They went into the game with a very thin squad both as a result of the Club's financial restraints and because of injuries. The last time the sides met at Moss Lane, on 30 November, 1999 in the Conference, the match was watched by 765 spectators and the score was 2-2, the Alty scorers being the now departed Brendan Burke and Kevin Ellison. Nuneaton had never beaten Altrincham in a Cup match before today's game.
SUMMARY

The first half of this game had everything; two penalties, a sending-off controversy and plenty of goalmouth action. Stuart Coburn produced some magnificent saves, even keeping out a penalty, to keep Alty in the game. Although Nuneaton had numerous corners and attacks, Alty had their moments and took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Hulme was fouled in the box and Nuneaton defender Michael Love was sent off. Thornley scored well from the spot. Two goals in as many minutes killed off Nuneaton. First Hulme finished superbly after 61 minutes before Thornley went round keeper MacKenzie for the third. Altrincham rode out the remainder of the game without too many alarms as Nuneaton rued their scorned first-half chances.

TEAM NEWS

The serious knee injury sustained by Carl Furlong on Tuesday night robbed Alty of one of their main strikers but his partner, Rod Thornley, was fit to play after missing the midweek game. Kevin Hulme played despite flu and a minor strain and Jason Gallagher was also a starter despite injury doubts. Apart from the absent Furlong, to accommodate Rod, Jason and Kevin, both Lee Poland and Stuart Locke were missing from today's line up. Thornley was partnered up front by Murphy, with Hulme playing in midfield. Nuneaton were without suspended midfielder Dave Crowley and injured Jason Peake, whilst Barry Williams overcame an injury scare to play. Transfer-listed top-scorer Steve Whitehall was on the bench.

 

 

The mascot, who is Andrew Gill, an Alty in Exile from Musselburgh near Edinburgh, is obviously enjoying himself as he leads the referee and the teams on to the pitch 

It was good to see a large contingent of Nuneaton fans which boosted the gate to over 1300. They were very vocal in the first 20 minutes but became silent after Stuart Coburn saved the penalty and for the rest of the game. Many had slipped away into the evening before the end of the game. 
Danny Murphy races keeper Chris Mackenzie for the ball
A near miss
Keeper objects to the award of the penalty
Kevin Hulme celebrates his goal
A high ball
A shirtless Steve Hawes knows Alty have won

The Ball boys 

Back  row

 Mathew Summerfield, Thomas Gannon, Ray Armstrong Coordinator, Michael Rogerson, James Nettleton, Thomas Hart, James Dawson

Front Row

Mathew Jamieson, Stuart Wilkinson, Callam Doherty, Ryan Ashton, Alex Tracey
Stuart Coburn, whose magnificent display, including a saved penalty is presented with  the man of the match Award from sponsors 20/Twenty Research
The team celebrates with captain Steve Hawes arriving a little late