Altrincham 0 Burscough 3

in UniBond Premier League

30 March 2002.

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

Both sides were in much need of a win after poor recent runs. Before the match Altrincham had held a meeting about the Club's parlous financial state which had underlined the threat to the existing set-up both on and off the field and indicated that there would be a substantial cut in the players' wage bill for next season. For their part, Burscough were coming to terms with a new managerial regime following the shock departure, after seven years, of manager John Davison, a former Moss Lane favourite in his playing days.

Alty, without a win in eight games before today, played out a lacklustre and goal-less first half against a Burscough side who were themselves without a win in six matches. But things immediately got worse after the break when an error by Ryan let in Lee Furlong for a straightforward goal a minute after the re-start. Altrincham played their best football after this but rarely looked like levelling against a Burscough side fielding five of their Youth team. Knowles knocked in number two when a throw-in was not cleared (75 mins). Alty were poor from then onwards and, when Coburn missed a corner ball, Mason headed home after his first effort had come back to him off the upright (89 mins). This was Alty's heaviest home league defeat for five seasons.

The unfortunate injury to Andy Tunnicliffe meant that Rod Thornley's return to the side after masseur-duty for England in midweek necessitated no further personnel changes from the squad beaten so disappointingly by Hyde in midweek. However, Gareth Strange, on loan from Accrington, replaced Lee Poland in the starting line-up and Keith Mairs's place on the bench went to Vernum Rowland, who was celebrating his 17th birthday today.

A representative from Match sponsors is presented a certificate by Jason Gallagher

A sad sight as a Burscough player Jon-Jo Dann is stretchered off

Steve Hawes, Kevin Hulme (no 7) and Mark Sertori in defense.

Ian Craney on a run. The spell of warm weather has dried up the pitch making parts of it a mini-dust bowl stirred up by Rod Thornley

Mark Maddox gets a nudge from keeper Taylor

16 year old Vernum Rowland, member of the  youth team, came on as a substitute and looked promising

Rod Thornley's diving header is well saved by keeper Mathew Taylor

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