Altrincham 0 Bradford Park Avenue 0 .

UniBond Premier League

12 November    2002.

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

Bradford had never won at Moss Lane on five previous visits but could have gone clear at the top of the UniBond Premier League had they won tonight. Altrincham went into the match lying 16th after two narrow defeats to Barrow and Gainsborough.

This was a very entertaining goalless draw which, after an even first half, saw considerable pressure from Bradford in the latter stages which Alty absorbed well to allow few clear openings to the visitors. Alty included two Youth players Steve Lunt and John McEvoy on the bench, as well as Vernum Rowland, who started the game. Indeed, 17 year-old Lunt went close with a rasping shot just after joining the game, seven minutes from the end. Gary Talbot was Man of the Match.

Altrincham brought in Andy McDonald on the left of midfield for his first start in eight league games; Sean Smith was the player to give way. Making their debuts on the bench were two Youth team players, Stephen Lunt (17), a local lad whose Alty connections go back to the age of 11 when he scored at Moss Lane whilst playing in a schools' competition during the half-time break of a Conference match. Fellow Youth teamer Jon McEvoy is a Cheshire Colleges and County squad midfielder. With 17 year-old Vernum Rowland starting the game, there were three teenagers in the Alty squad but the injured Danny Murphy, Jason Gallagher and Neil Ryan remained sidelined. Alty welcomed back to the bench physio Gary Thompson, who had been at Leigh RMI this season, in place of Anne-Marie Jones.

Bradford included their former Bayern Munich keeper, Lutz Pfannensteil, who had made his BPA debut at Moss Lane last season. Another familiar face in their side was left-winger Rory Prendergast, who spent some years at Emley.

Neil Falkner of Robinson Preservations, this evenings Match Sponsor, receives his certificate from Neil Dawson

Lee Cordingley,  of China Airlines, this evenings Match ball Sponsor, receives the ball from Neil Dawson

Youth team members, John McEvoy and Stephan Lunt were promoted to the first team  as substitutes. Stephan took the field to wards the end of the game

A minutes silence in memory of in memory of Albert Allen, a long-time supporter, a share holder, often a sponsor and owner of the Cresta Court Hotel

From the other end. Three players after the same ball

Physio Gary Thompson is back after at spell at Leigh RMI to replace Anne Marie Jones. Here he is in action while the referee makes the only booking of the evening - a yellow card for Bradford's Matt Daly

Neil Falkner of Robinson Preservation presents the Man of the Match award to Gary Talbot

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