Altrincham 0 Harrogate Town 4 

UniBond Premier league

17 August 2002

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

This was Altrincham's first ever league meeting with Harrogate Town, last year's UniBond First Division champions and it was the opening match of the 2002-03 UniBond Premiership season. The game was played on a hot, sunny afternoon.

 Altrincham's worst opening day result for many a year was compounded by the loss of Danny Murphy with a broken ankle and an injury to Ian Craney, who was unable to complete the last ten minutes of the game. Physio Anne-Marie Jones is seen, right, calling for a stretcher as Rod Thornley stands over the injured Murphy. Alty were slightly the better side in the opening 15 minutes before Harrogate began to get the upper hand. The visitors went ahead when Whellans knocked in the rebound after Stephens had saved well (23 mins). They doubled the lead when Hunter and Donaldson were left unmarked and the latter scored (38 mins). Alty enjoyed plenty of second half possession but lacked punch at the forward end. Merris made it 3-0 when he poked the ball expertly past the exposed Stephens (80 mins). Craney limped off to leave Alty with ten men and Whellans then knocked in a rebound after Stephens had made a fine save (88 mins) to make it 4-0.

Altrincham's small squad was deprived of two of its new players, Peter Band and Neil Murphy, through suspensions incurred whilst at their former clubs. They were also without the injured Gary Scott, who had failed a pre-match fitness test as well as Vernum Rowland and Neil Ryan. Both Chris Adams and Mark Maddox were less than 100% fit. Jason Gallagher was only fit enough to start on the bench. Alty had six players in their starting line-up who were not at the Club last season. The debutants were goalkeeper Nick Stephens, right-back Stephen Rose, midfielders Andy McDonald and Ryan Hevicon, plus striker Chris Young. Gary Talbot was also playing his first competitive match after returning to Moss Lane from a season and a half at Northwich. Harrogate included their Trinidad international and former Vitória Setúbal (Portugal) and Barnsley player, Clint Marcelle, in their squad. At number three for the visitors was Paul Sykes, who scored for Ossett Town against Altrincham in the UniBond Cup in January 2001.

Before the game Director and programme editor Grahame Rowley was enjoying the sun

Danny Murphy is getting the treatment Harrogate's Paul Sykes

Danny Murphy looked in good form before his injury

Danny Murphy is stretched off. An ambulance was called to take him to hospital with a broken ankle

Debutant Stephen Rose

Debutant Alex McDonald with Chris Young in the background

Chris Adams

Debutant Nick Stephens makes a fine save

There were not many fans from Harrogate, indeed their were not a lot supporting Alty, but Harrogate did have a very vocal group who enjoyed the sun and the result

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