A goal! I have difficulty in recording Alty's goals but here I caught several
Gainsborough Trinity 1 Altrincham 3
in UniBond Premier League
20 April 2002.
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John Laidlar
BACKGROUNDAltrincham arrived with the worst current form in the Division- just one win in their last fourteen League games but Trinity had also lost their last three matches; the third of these defeats being to a last-minute goal in this week's UniBond President's Cup Final against Barrow. Trinity is a welcoming Club with a well-maintained stadium and a fine playing surface. Alty and Trinity only met at Moss Lane exactly a month ago but Alty showed six changes in their starting line-up today and Trinity five, underlining both sides' injury problems.
Altrincham deservedly won this match after getting a flying start from Rod Thornley's goal inside the first minute, when he completed a fine move involving Rowland, Strange and Daniel. A seven minute period in the second half witnessed three goals. Firstly, Craney shot home superbly from 20 yards following a slick interchange between himself, Strange and Daniel (52 mins), and then Sertori added a third when he headed home a Hawes free-kick from the right (56 mins). Trinity pulled one back when Gowshall scored from close range following a free-kick on the left (59 mins). 17 year-old Youth-team defender Vernum Rowland was named Man of the Match.
Alty centre-back Mark Maddox was ruled out with a rib injury but there was an unexpected return in his place for Gary Scott. Gary has missed the last eleven games through injury and was thought to be out for the rest of the season. Youth team and Trinidad & Tobago U-19 international player Mario Daniel made his first Altrincham league start but Kevin Hulme, who played up-front in the last game, was unfit to play today. However, striker Rod Thornley returned to partner Mario after his duties as England masseur in midweek. Mario's Youth team colleague Vernum Rowland moved from the bench to start at right back, with Lee Poland reverting to the subs' role. On the bench with Poland were Mark Maddox and Lee Thompson. Steve Hawes was playing his last game of the season, having received a four-game ban after picking up his tenth booking and the punishment also reportedly included a supplementary ban for an alleged incident after he was sent off at Droylsden in March. Trinity were without three players injured in midweek. Defender and captain Neil Allison, Gareth Williams and ex-Robins' striker Lee Ellington were all unable to play. Lee had the consolation of being named his Club's Player of the Year, however. Returning to the home side from suspension was John Reed.
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| You do not believe that Altrincham FC has a real financial problem?. It has as evidenced by a shortage of funds to pay for a team coach to Gainsborough so they used their own transport. Here Mark Sertori and Gary Scott are about get into the car while kit man Sid checkes them off. |
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| At least we had the kit traveling with the team! Which has not always happened in the past! |
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| To me it is a great regret that Graham Heathcote will not be coaching Altrincham teams next season. This and the next shows Graham in action preparing the team for the game |
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| Graham keeps the team moving |
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| Gainsborough Trinity have a very strong youth policy. They held a very successful soccer school at Easter and here are the participants doing a lap of honour |
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| Rod Thornley (No 10) about to be congratulated by his team mates on scoring Alty's first goal within the first minute |
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| One of the boys! Director David Tracey (center dark coat) joined the vocal section of Alty faithfuls, which was depleted because of the end of the season, yet still managed to make their voice heard |
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| Alty reserve Marion Daniel was in the first team and made a good impression. He received a lot of attention from the opposition |
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| Mario manages to break free |
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| Gainsborough commitment to the
youth continued at half time with a penalty shoot amongst those who had
attended the Easter soccer school
A goal! I have difficulty in recording Alty's goals but here I caught several |
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| Yet another goal. Cynically and realistically I count the number of kids multiply it by two for parents who pay to watch their kids and say there is a message for Altrincham FC |
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| Mario Daniel traps a ball watched by Danny Murphy and Rod Thornley |
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| A great save by Gainsborough's keeper Gary Ingham |
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| Mark Sertori, who had a good game, defends Alty's goal late in the game |