UniBond Premier
15 March 2003
Hyde 0 Altrincham 2
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site
Hyde were seeking to making a late dash from the relegation spots under new manager Steve Waywell, whilst Altrincham were looking to consolidate their mid-season upturn in fortunes. A couple of years ago this game would have attracted over 700 fans but today a very disappointing 485 turned out on a bright, sunny afternoon. The Hyde programme revealed that The Tigers had used 54 players this season, of whom 10 had been ex-Alty players. Alty for their part had used 42 players including several ex-Hyde men including Richard Acton, Peter Band, Jason Gallagher and Paul Robertson.
TEAM NEWS
Although Alty welcomed back Mark Maddox as captain, after injury, the team captain Rod Thornley remained sidelined by his thigh injury. He, along with Neil Ryan, Danny Murphy and Dave Gardner, all dressed in black, formed a sombre group of limping players who watched this game from the stand. Also missing, of course, was Sean Smith. Steven Clegg was reduced to the bench, as was Jason Gallagher, who had a back strain. Into the starting line-up with Maddox came Anthony Sullivan.
Hyde introduced new signing Simon Coleman into their defence which meant there was no place for former Alty player Matthew Duffy. However, Mark Sertori and Dave Swanick were familiar faces in the Hyde starting line-up, along with Lee Evans, who played for Alty Reserves last season. Paul Jones was another man with Moss Lane connections, having been a pre-season Altrincham trialist some years ago.
SUMMARY
Altrincham completed a league double over Hyde but they should have won by a clearer margin with Man of the Match Ian Craney, alone, failing to convert five presentable chances. It took a fortunate rebound off Band from a save by Hyde keeper Fish to seal the game in the 70th minute, after a superb drive by Paul Robertson had given Alty an early lead (10 mins). Hyde went close a couple of times in the first half but posed little threat in the second half against a well organised Alty defence.
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| Stephen Rose with Mark Maddox in line with ex-Alty player Mark Sertori |
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| Ian Craney who was made away man of the match by Pat and Charlie James. I like this idea of one of the home side sponsors making an award to the visitors. |
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| Peter Band. This must have been a close miss |
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| Effort by Mark Maddox and Stephen Rose and the Hyde men |
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| Keeper David Fish, who had a good game saves from Stephen Rose |
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| The still injured Rod Thornley has a few words of encouragement to two of the subs, new signing Stephen Clegg and Jason Gallagher |
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| Even though he is shaded David Fish makes a good save watched by Peter Band, Gary Talbot, Mark Sertori and another Hyde man |
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| Tricky |
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| Hyde head wins from Tony Sullivan |
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| A strip off celebration by Peter Band after scoring Alty's second goal. Ian Craney and Mark Maddox add their congratulations |
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| Peter Band has to have treatment for a bloody nose |
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| Stephen Clegg, a recent signing some how managed to avoid injuring the keeper |