Altrincham 0 Burscough 0
UniBond Premier league
3 September 2002
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John Laidlar.
Burscough had made an unbeaten start to the season under Shaun Teale, their new player-manager. 38 year-old Teale's new charges had yet to concede a goal after four games this season. Shaun had begun his own playing career at Burscough before reaching the heights at Aston Villa. Altrincham had kept clean sheets in their last two games after conceding four goals in each of their first three fixtures this season.
A draw was probably a fair result as Burscough maintained their unbeaten record and Alty recorded their third consecutive clean sheet, a feat not achieved by them in the league since October, 2000. The first half was marred by an injury to Andy McDonald after only 7 minutes. He had to be stretchered off, with what looked like an ankle injury, following a foul by Burscough's Bowen. Rod Thornley missed the best chance of the game after 82 minutes when he blasted over the bar from a headed lay-off by the impressive substitute debutant Adewale Ajetunmobi . Neil Murphy was named as Man of the Match. Alty drop to 16th.
Peter Band was sidelined by his mouth injury incurred on Saturday, but Ian Craney was fit to start once more after missing the Blyth game. Into the squad came Adewale Ajetunmobi, a Nigerian striker with experience last season at our level in the Dr Martens Premier League at Hednesford Town, as well as at Chester City and in Scotland. Mark Maddox was not in the squad as Steve Rose and Gary Talbot continued their centre-back partnership, which has yet to concede a goal. Danny Murphy also remained sidelined by injury.
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| Geoff MacRidge of match sponsors Milner Boardman is presented his the certificate the Clubs Neil Dawson |
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| Terry Surridge is presented with the the match ball by Neil Dawson |
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| New comer Adewale Ajetunmobi, a Nigerian striker with experience last season at Hednesford Town, as well as at Chester City and in Scotland |
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| Ian Craney in action |
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| Early in the game referee Mr. C L Pawson calls for a stretcher for Andy McDonald while Rod Thornley, Neil Ryan and Ann Marie Jones wait. Andy suffered an ankle injury and took no further part in the game |
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| Photographer Cliff Hase at work |
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| Chris Young in trouble from a very active referee |
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| Man of the Match Neil Murphy receives his presentation from Debbie Winstanley of sponsors Milner Boardman |