Altrincham 1 Emley 2

in UniBond Premier League

22 April 2002.

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

Altrincham had not won at home in their last seven attempts but had a good victory away at Gainsborough last Saturday. This game against Emley had been twice postponed in January at a time when Altrincham were enjoying a richer vein of form than currently. After a bad start to the season, Emley have been rising steadily but have been prone to slip ups, as at Colwyn Bay last week. Watching the game in the Directors' box were Chester City boss Mark Wright and Tranmere Rovers's Eric Nixon, both presumably on scouting missions. An even better known spectator was Manchester United's Gary Neville, a regular visitor to Moss Lane to watch his friend Rod Thornley.

The first half was a fairly lacklustre affair but Alty enjoyed the better of the second half though they took the lead in very fortunate circumstances when a bizarre back pass from Wood was helped into the net by Cuss as he tried to execute an aerial kick to clear (53 mins). Alty were on top till substitute Steve Smith smashed home a fine goal from 25 yards (68 mins). The Robins continued to look the more likely side to score till Bambrook lashed home a free-kick from 25 yards (86 mins).

Kevin Hulme returned, with his heavily bandaged knee, to replace the suspended Steve Hawes in the starting line-up. However, Kevin played in the back four, displacing Gary Scott into midfield. Mario Daniel got his second league start, alongside Rod Thornley, whilst his Youth team colleague Vernum Rowland again started at right-back. On the bench with Lee Thompson and Lee Poland was Mark Maddox, whose rib injury makes him unlikely to play again this season. Reserves' keeper Dale Newbrook had been called in as cover for the injured Coburn, but Dale was not named in the eventual squad. Long-term injured left-back Chris Adams also warmed up with the team tonight. Emley were without the suspended Mick Norbury.

Christine Elly of Cresta Court Hotel, Matchball Sponsors, receives a ball from Jason Gallagher

Jason Gallagher presents David Hinder, Sales Director of Bibby Factors North West Limited, Match Sponsors with a ball

Flying high

Danny Murphy on a run

Emley win the ball but head just wide

Emley's keeper Paul Cuss breaks up an Alty attack

"Keepers" was the cry

Lying down on the job. Ball boy keeps an eye on Stuart Coburn and Ian Craney

Mark Sertori, Gary Scott, Kevin Hulme, Neil Ryan and Vernum Rowlands are waiting for some thing

Where did that ball go?

Man of the Match Vernum Rowlands receives his  Champaign from David Hinder of Bibby Factors Northwest Limited, the match sponsors

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