Blyth Spartans 0 Altrincham 2 

UniBond Premier league

31 August 2002

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

Before this game Croft Park had been a happy hunting ground for Altrincham as they had not lost there in the four previous league encounters. Indeed, the 3-0 win last season was one of Altrincham's best performances of the season. However, the Robins came here today after a dreadful start to the season had seen them concede 12 goals and all of the points in the first three fixtures of the season. However, a 4-0 win last Monday over Gateshead gave hope that the corner had been turned. Blyth, meanwhile, had won their opening two fixtures and only lost the third, to Barrow, by a last-minute goal.

Despite a disappointing start which saw the game broken up by 19 free-kicks (excluding offsides) and four bookings (two apiece) in the first 32 minutes, this match developed into an incident-packed game with two red cards, a missed penalty and a bad injury to Peter Band, as well as the two goals. The second half was much better fare with Rod Thornley punishing keeper Gilmore, who throughout the game had been straying way outside his penalty area. Rod put alty ahead when he scored a fine lobbed goal from the left (51 mins). A minute later the zealous referee sent off Neil Ryan for alleged encroachment, after having booked him during the first half. Alty withstood Blyth's attempts to make the extra man count but wasted a penalty a quarter of an hour from the end, when Gilmore recovered from conceding it to hold Thornley's weakly struck effort. Blyth themselves were reduced to 10 men five minutes or so from the end when Robson saw his second yellow, and a red, card after committing a foul then arguing about it. Another error by Gilmore gave Alty their second. The keeper came almost his right-side corner-flag and then attempted to play the ball to a colleague who was just outside his own penalty area. An alert Simon Woodford nipped in and got the ball to Thornley, on his right, and Rod knocked the ball into the empty net (89 mins). This was a fine performance by Altrincham in which everyone contributed their part but Rose and Thornley were especially on form.

With their regular midfielders Ian Craney and Danny Murphy both still injured, Alty's only change saw Sean Smith give way to Andy Tunnicliffe on the bench. Blyth brought Lee Scroggins into their starting eleven to replace Keegan, who had been sent off in the opening match of the season.

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

Jason Gallagher is treated as Craig Perry is booked for scything him down. Neil Murphy practises standing on one leg as Steve Rose, Gary Talbot and keeper Andy Moore look on.

Chris Young rides on scorer Rod Thornley's back after the first goal.

Andy McDonald in action, with Andy Tunnicliffe (left) and Chris Young.

Alty fan Ian Rosendaal lifts up Neil Murphy (no.2) as Alty celebrate the second goal.

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