Lancaster City 1 Altrincham 4

FA Cup 1st Round Replay

27 November 2001

Background, summary and team news  by John Laidlar. A full report is the Official Site also by John

These sides had already drawn 1-1 this season both in the League, at the Giant Axe, and in the Cup at Moss Lane, so a tight game was in prospect. Only 477 spectators had watched the League game, but tonight more than four times that number turned up and kick-off had to be delayed till 8pm to accommodate them. Both sides had perhaps had their eyes too much on the Cup last Saturday as they had both lost their weekend league games. Alty fans hoped that there was perhaps an omen as they entered the Giant Axe for the scoreboard at the covered end stated "Lancaster City 2 Opponents 5"! A huge FA Cup flag adorned the clubhouse end, which perhaps Altrincham can borrow for the next round. Despite torrential morning rain, the pitch was in good condition and, although there was a slightly gusty wind, the rain held off for virtually the entire proceedings.

Five goals, six bookings, two sendings-off, two penalties, a brief punch-up and two hours of very entertaining football proved excellent value for the six pounds admission price in a match which was a fine advertisement for both the FA Cup and the UniBond League. The game was decided by a hat-trick from Alty substitute, Lee Poland. Lancaster were the better side in the first half and deservedly went ahead through Mayers (21 mins). Then, just eight minutes after replacing Jason Gallagher, who had surprisingly started the game despite injury, Lee Poland hit a superb left-foot equaliser from outside the box (40 mins). Altrincham had slightly the better of the second half but the score remained 1-1 until the first minute of the second period of extra time. However, Lancaster had started to lose their discipline in the second half and had five men booked and two red-carded between the 46th and 120th minutes. Poland made them pay when he struck for a second time, after 106 minutes, rifling home after keeper Mark Thornley had erred. Alty's Rod Thornley netted the third from the spot after Hawes had been fouled when about to score (115 mins) and then a cynical chop on Rod Thornley as he, too, was about to score allowed Poland to grab his hat-trick from the penalty spot with virtually the last kick of the game. Alty now meet Darlington in Round Two on 8 December, at Moss Lane.

Altrincham were still without Carl Furlong and Paul Taylor but amazingly Jason Gallagher started the game, though reportedly awaiting a possible operation on his longstanding groin injury. Otherwise, the Altrincham team was as expected, with Lee Poland on the bench after starting the last game, at Frickley last Saturday. Captain, Steve Hawes overcame his thigh injury to start the game. Thornley and Murphy started up front, with Hulme, Hawes, Craney and Gallagher in midfield. Lancaster were still without striker Brian Welch.

The new London Alty flag on display. I thinks that's John Gill trying to stop the wind blowing it away

Alty's attack are thwarted by keeper Marl Thornley

From the other end. a very crowded Alty goal mouth, Stuart Coburn is in there some where

Celebrations. Substitute Lee Poland scorer of Alty's equalizer is under there somewhere. Bernard Taylor is also happy.

Lee Poland (16) in action again watched by passengers in the train in Lancaster station

Andrew Hargreaves shot looks good but it went over the bar much to the delight of Lancaster fans

Pitch invasion to celebrate Alty's win A lesson learnt. I use two batteries during a match, changing the first at half time but forgot about the possibility of extra time and a very cold night. My second battery packed up before I could capture the joy of the celebrations. I must  buy a third battery before the Darlington game!

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