Frickley Athletic 3 Altrincham 1

UniBond Premier League

Saturday 24 Nov 2001

Summary and other details by John Laidlar for a full report go to the Official Site also by John Laidlar

This was Altrincham's first league match for three and a half weeks. Their opponents, though 18th in the table had gone unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions and, of late, had been showing much improvement on their early season form.

With their biggest match of the season looming on Tuesday night at Lancaster, Altrincham served up their worst performance of the campaign and lost 3-1 to a resurgent Frickley. As in last year's fixture the Yorkshire side hit three goals in the first 26 minutes but on this occasion there was no reply from the Robins till late in the game. Collins netted the opener from close range after 12 minutes when he was left unmarked. Coburn then seemed to be fouled as he dropped a high ball but play continued and Myers scored well with a low shot from the edge of the box (24 mins). Shortly after the restart Alty coach Graham Heathcote was sent from the dug-out after a protracted argument with the referee concerning the second goal. Soon afterwards, Frickley's third arrived following a throw-in, with Collins nodding home from close range (26 mins). Altrincham showed little cohesion or spark until the closing quarter of an hour when Sertori moved forward to beef up the attack. A consolation goal from a header by Hulme arrived after 78 minutes.

Despite an injury picked up when playing for the UniBond XI last Monday, Alty captain Steve Hawes started, as did Kevin Hulme who was also a doubtful starter. However, injured midfielder Jason Gallagher was absent from the side as he sees a specialist this week and may need a groin operation. Alty started with Lee Poland alongside Rod Thornley. On the bench there was a first outing for recent signing, midfielder Leon Smith from Stevenage Borough. Based in the north-west, Smith had previously been at Morecambe, where he had played for the first team. Frickley gave a debut to Steve Oleksewycz, a loaned striker from Halifax Town, as Carl Fothergill was reduced to the bench, presumably through injury.

The stand at Frickley Athletic

Ian Craney and referee David Margretson who caused Graham Heathcote and the Alty fans a certain amount of aggravation!

The "Orange Boys" in their new away kit sponsored by Hill Crest. Lee Poland (9) and Rod Thornley's (10) attack is easily broken up by keeper Martin Kearney,

Graham Heathcote backed by Bernard Taylor has words with referee Margaretson, who had the last word as he produced a yellow card and sent Graham to the stand

Worse was to come for the Heathcote family when Jean, Graham's mother and ardent Alty fan and regular traveler on the supporters coach was struck by a ball and fell to the ground. Here Mark Eckersall, Alty's Sales and Marketing Director resumes his place on the terrace after calling for assistance from physio Gary Thompson. The play was suspended for some minutes, while Jean received medical treatment. Graham, who in a sense having no commitment to the game having been sent off was able to go to his mother and help her walk slowly to the stand. Happily I understand that the injuries are not serious and I hope she will be on the coach to Lancaster on Tuesday.

A brilliant finger tip by Martin Kearney, but even that was a bad back pass from one of the defenders, nothing to with Alty's attack

A colorful scene Notice the sun came out for a while allowing one to admire the vista of the enormous slag heap which dominates that side of the ground

Home