Altrincham 0  Vauxhall Motors 1

in UniBond Premier League

3 May 2002.

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

The teams had only met last Tuesday at Rivacre Park when Vauxhall had run out 2-1 winners in an entertaining game. Before this game the Junior Robins' Player of the Year award was made to Rod Thornley who generously took the time to shake all of the Junior Robins by the hand before the game started. This was to be Graham Heathcote's last match as Alty coach prior to the expiry of his contract on 30 June.

In Graham Heathcote's last game as Alty coach the Robins' second-half performance just failed to retrieve anything from the match. Vauxhall impressed with their quick, passing game and took the lead with a superb strike into the top corner of the net from 22 yards by Kevin Lynch after 24 minutes. Both sides struck the post in the first half, in Alty's case through Daniel. A fine volley from Thornley in the final five minutes of the game seemed to have gained a point for Alty but somehow Vauxhall got it off the line. Gareth Strange was named Man of the Match as fans demonstrated their loyalty to the financially threatened home side with a chorus of "The Red Flag" on the pitch after the final whistle. Altrincham finished ninth in the league.

Alty replaced Swanick, Maddox, Scott and Daniel from the eleven starters at Vauxhall, bringing in Shuttleworth, Taylor, Hulme and Strange instead. Vauxhall also made four changes to their starting line-up; Hilton, Rigby, Cullen and Wright giving way to Hogg, Aspinall, Young and McDermott. The referee, Mr Brittain officiated at Worksop when Altrincham won there in August; that seems a long time ago!

Peter a fan from Oz for his kids

Mascot Nathan 0'Hara waiting for the team. Apologies to Nathan for missing him with the captains and referees.

Gary Scott presents Mike Martin of  Kallkwik

Match  sponsor Susan Tracey receives her certificate from Gary Scott

Junior Robins selected Rod Thornley as their Player of the Season. Here he is being presented his trophy by Mathew Skinner  representing the Junior Robins

Get off my back

Mario Daniel on a run

Heads it is

Sponsor 20/20 hoarding is illuminated by the setting sun

Vauxhall's keeper Matty Hogg makes a good save to deny Mario Daniel

Man of the Match, Gareth Strange,  chosen by Sponsors David Tracey

The faithful are still singing

and calling for the team

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