Altrincham 2 Droylsden 2

in UniBond Premier League

22nd  December 2001.

Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John

This was Alty's first home league game for seven and a half weeks and came after just two away league games in that period, neither of which had been won. Today's game was one of only three UniBond matches to survive the day's freezing conditions but the pitch at Moss Lane was certainly in a playable condition. Droylsden had won in midweek in the UniBond Cup and had been showing signs of recovery after their previous poor spell in which they had shipped a large number of goals per game.

This draw was a disappointing start to the Christmas season but it could have been worse as Kevin Hulme's headed equaliser only arrived 16 minutes from the end. The same player's low shot had put the Robins ahead after only 2 minutes of the game but Droylsden's Kerr equalised after Coburn had parried a shot, following a long throw from the left. Two minutes after the break, Lattie headed home whilst unmarked in the box. Altrincham created enough chances to have won but were undone by slack defending either side of half-time and their midfield was not at its best.

Altrincham welcomed back Steve Hawes as captain after a one-match suspension. Kevin Hulme also returned to the side, after injury, and he started up-front alongside Rod Thornley. Paul Taylor was again played at left-back. New signing Neil Ryan retained his place but Dave Wills was only on the bench. Droylsden included four recent former Robins' defenders in the shape of Robert Trees, Adam Farley, James Glendenning and Steve Porter in their squad.

The blue grass of Alty. This game was only one of three to be played in the UniBond Premier League . One reason may be the use of covers during the week before the game, here partly rolled back to allow the team to practice

A good looking bunch - Stewards on display

The Alty in Exiles flag on display for the second time .It was on show for a brief moment  at Burton but their stewards complained when it covered some advertising hoardings and it was removed. I could not see any Exiles perhaps they had exiled themselves or were in the bar!

Kevin Hulme (out of picture), after 2 minutes,  scores with a long range shot  beating keeper Paul Phillips

Action at the other end

Action

Captain Steve Hawes place the ball for new signing Neil Ryan to take the  free kick

Kevin Hulme (center) scores his second goal to equalize for Alty

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