UniBond Premier
4 March 2003
Barrow 4 Altrincham 0
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site
For the third year running the Barrow v Altrincham game was played in pouring rain though tonight's gusty downpours were nothing as compared with the deluges in the last two years' fixtures between these sides at Holker Street. Barrow came into the game on a 10-match unbeaten run in the league whilst Alty had just lost their first game in eight, to Worksop Town. Barrow had never done the double over Altrincham since the Cumbrians lost their league status in 1972 but they had already won at Moss Lane this season to set up the possibility of breaking their jinx.
TEAM NEWS
Altrincham were severely under-strength for tonight's game, with both Mark Maddox and Peter Band failing fitness tests after being injured on Saturday and therefore joining Thornley, Smith, Burke and Murphy on the absentee list. So, Altrincham brought into the squad three youth team players who had not previously started a league game between them. Steve Lunt, of course, had already been a league substitute on seven occasions this season, but neither Francis Evans nor Jon McEvoy had any first team experience other than in a couple of UniBond cup matches. Steve made his first league start tonight whilst Francis and Jon initially joined Neil Ryan on the bench. Neil had not started in a league game since 19 October 2002, thorugh injury, though he had made a sub appearance at Colwyn Bay in December. Anthony Sullivan was restored to the starting line-up for his fourth league start of the season and Gary Talbot took over as captain with Steve Rose partnering him at the back in Maddox's absence. Jason Gallagher played in an unaccustomed left-wing position whilst Barry Shuttleworth moved into central midfield to join Ian Craney.
Barrow keeper Simon Bishop was suspended so, making his Barrow debut, was on-loan Luke Weaver, Carlisle United's third-choice keeper. However, Weaver (23) had once been a £250,000 purchase by Sunderland so he had some pedigree.
SUMMARY
An injury-weakened Alty side conceded four goals for the second time in a week, but Barrow were flattered by the winning margin. Altrincham, without Band, Maddox, Thornley and Murphy, included three teenagers in their squad. To add to their woes, Alty also lost Gardner, injured, after half an hour. Against the run of play Barrow scored in the 25th and 31st minutes. The first was scored by Housham with a header from a corner, the second was a tap-in by Hume following a free-kick. Altrincham got in four excellent long range shots in the second half before Scott's attempted interception from a Barrow corner left Housham with another tap-in on 64 minutes. After 83 minutes, Talbot fouled Holt to allow Gaughan to score from the spot.
| For the third year running I spent the evening in the disabled shelter being driven there by the driving rain. Even with the poor light I managed to capture two goals but unfortunately at the wrong end! |
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| Simon Rose Chris Adams and Ian Craney set to defend a corner |
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| Goal number 1 The defense and Richard Acton watch as the ball heads for the net |
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| Goal number two coming up with Richard Acton on his back and the defense looking on |
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| Youth team member Jon McEvoy in his first team debut |
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| Several years ago there was bad blood
between the Barrow and Alty supporters. So much so that on one visit a
police escort was arranged to protect the Alty fans. The coach was met 5
miles out of Barrow by police who drove with it to the ground, The Alty
supporters were allowed past several police into a small segregated area.
After the game the procedure was reversed
I am pleased to say that the situation was quite different. There was friendly banter and chants between the two sets of fans Also there was a very friendly police man who stood with and joked with the Alty fans and after the game came to the coach, thanked us for coming, wished us a safe journey and said he hope to see us next year. a very nice touch |