Ashton United 1 Altrincham 0
UniBond Premier league
14 September 2002
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John Laidlar.
Ashton United were promoted to the Premier Division this season after several seasons of near misses so this was apparently their first league encounter with Altrincham for more than fifty years. The clubs did meet recently, however, on 9 January 2001 in the UniBond Cup, at Moss Lane, when they drew 1-1. In the Ashton side that night were two former Robins' captains, Paul France and Mick Carmody, as well as Chris Adams and Jeremy Illingworth, who were later to join Altrincham. Only Gallagher, Talbot and Craney played in that match and were also in today's Alty squad.
This was a match which Altrincham should have won, having dominated most of the first half. But they fell behind a minute before the interval through Morris's 30 yard screamer. Ashton keeper Trueman made several good saves as Alty went close several times. In an increasingly tetchy second half, which saw seven bookings in the last 22 minutes, Ashton's Morris was sent off after 77 minutes for a second cautionable offence. However, Alty were unable to level the scores, the nearest effort being stopped by White's clearance off the line four minutes from time. Alty dropped to 16th in the table.
New striker Adewale Ajetunmobi appeared to arrive late today at Ashton's ground and was not included in the line-up. He was seen, having a discussion with manager Bernard Taylor before kick-off. Also out of the team today was Neil Ryan, serving his suspension for a red card at Blyth. Back into the side for the first time since the opening game of the campaign was Danny Murphy, who has recovered from his ankle injury. Andy Tunnicliffe remained on the bench, where he was joined by Jason Gallagher, who made way for Ian Craney's return to the starting line-up. Ashton welcomed back Chris Cornelly after his trials at Oldham Athletic and Leigh RMI, whilst Mike Wolstenholme was also returning to Hurst Cross after being signed from Mossley. Greg Challender, whose many former clubs include Altrincham, was the Ashton captain.
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| The Nigerian trialist Adewale Ajetunmobi had problems getting to the game in time. In a very elegant attire he went to have a few words with Bernard Taylor on the pitch, before the game shook his hand and then left the pitch. |
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| In my view the man of the match was Ashton's goalkeeper Danny Truman. his saves kept Ashton in the game and he is featured in several of these photos |
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| Danny Murphy had a good game on his return after injury |
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| Another fine safe from Truman |
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| And yet another |
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| Peter Band rises with the opposition only to have his header saved by the keeper |
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| At half time Mark Maddox went into goal to try to save some powerful shots from Alty's striker of the future. What was his name? |
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| Ian Craney in a one to one with Phil Cooney |
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| Alty defends from a free kick |
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| The game boiled up in the last 30 minutes and several booking were made |
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| Referee Mr. A Denniff finally said enough is enough and sent off Ashton's Gareth Morris for a second bookable offence. Morris was both hero and villain as on the 44 minute he made an unstoppable 30 yard drive to score Ashton's goal |
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| Peter Band is in trouble with the referee watched by Alty's Director Grahame Rowley |
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| With the keeper well beaten the ball was slowly rolling into the net when Ashton's Danny White made a a goal line clearance |
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| Keeper Danny Truman and Any McDonald have a confrontation which resulted in two yellow cards |