Guiseley 2 Altrincham 1

Guiseley 2 Altrincham 1

FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

12 October 2002

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

BACKGROUND
Guiseley have won only one league game this session; but it was 7-0 against Bishop Auckland. Alty's record at Nethermoor is poor. They lost 4-0 there in the FA Trophy in 1995-96 and in the UniBond Premiership lost 2-0 away in 1998-99 and drew 2-2 in 1997-98. Last season Alty Reserves' game in March at Guiseley was postponed due to potholes in the pitch but when it was played, in May, Alty lost 7-1! Today, the redrained pitch was in excellent condition despite heavy rain before the game. Guiseley started the match in next to bottom position in the UniBond First whilst Alty were four off the bottom of the Premier Division.

SUMMARY

Any hope that the FA Cup would rescue Altrincham's faltering season disappeared against a more determined Guiseley side today. A poor first-half performance from Altrincham saw them fall two goals behind due to defensive errors. The first came after Talbot missed a through ball and Acton hesitated, allowing Senior to lob the Alty keeper after just four minutes. The second came from a corner conceded after an error by Rose. The corner was headed out to ex-Southport man, Stuart, who drove it home. Alty dominated the second half and Band headed home a McDonald cross after 67 minutes. Three minutes later Talbot headed home but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the keeper. Alty, without a recognised striker in their squad, spurned a number of other chances during the game. They have now won just 8 games in 43 league, cup and pre-season matches since last March and have yet to take anything from a game this season in which the opposition has scored first.

TEAM NEWS

Without Rod Thornley, (in Slovakia with the England team), having released Adewale Ajetunmobi and in the absence of the injured Danny Murphy, Alty's squad included no recognised striker today. So when, on the way to Guiseley this afternoon, the Alty supporters' coach passed Dickie Landon and his current Radcliffe Borough team-mates waiting by the roadside in Hale Barns for transport to their FA Cup tie at Colwyn Bay, it was tempting to stop and ask the former Alty striker to hop on board. As it was midfielders Peter Band and Ian Craney were the makeshift attacking duo. However, Alty could welcome back Neil Murphy, Andy McDonald and Gary Scott to their starting line-up. But the Alty management were unable to name a substitute goalkeeper or even a fifth substitute outfield player for this tie which underlines the thinness of the playing resources at the Club at present. Indeed, the bench comprised the less than fit Mark Maddox and three players with just one Alty start between them. In Thornley's absence, Gary Talbot captained the side.

Guiseley included a very familiar face to Alty fans in the shape of their left-back, Clive Freeman. Clive will always be famed for his 1992 BBC Goal of the Season, scored in the FA Cup against Chester. He has added a few pounds in weight since then and is now the Guiseley assistant manager. Also in the Guiseley side was Mark Stuart who was the scourge of Altrincham when playing for his former club Southport in the Conference in 1999-2000.

A bad afternoon. The supporters coach was held up for nearly am hour on the M62 and only arrived at Guiseley just before kickoff - No fish and chips from Harry Ramsden's - no lunch. Programs sold out. It started to rain so to protect the camera had to move into the stand. Why do we do it and by the way Alty are out of the FA Cup by a team second from the bottom of the First Division of the UniBond. and Gateshead won. At least I got home in time to see England win

That's what it was like when Alty lost 2-0 the last time they visited Guiseley, but they had an excuse to celebrate having won promotion to the conference

Keeper Chris hill makes a good save. Ex- Alty player Clive Freeman in the center of the picture.

A bunched Alty attack, of Ian Craney, Andy McDonald and Neil Ryan take on the Guiseley captain James Nettleton

Bernard Taylor keeping an eye things

Peter Band in a heading duel with Clive Freeman

Ian Craney taking it lying down with Peter Band coming to help

The fans think its the equalizer, Peter Band thinks he's scored but the Guiseley players point to their floored keeper and the linesman and referee say no goal.

In the closing minutes Gary Talbot goes close but not close enough.

Home