Altrincham 3 Kettering Town 3 aet.
Altrincham win 5 - 3 on penalties
FA Trophy 3rd Round replay
22 January 2003
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John Laidlar
After last week's 1-1 draw at Rockingham Road, this replay was played in a gusty wind before a very disappointing gate of only 436 - just 8 more than had watched the previous night's Manchester United FA Youth Cup game on the Moss Lane pitch. Those who gave this game a miss will now be regretting it!
TEAM NEWS
Altrincham fans arrived to be greeted by the news that captain and leading scorer Rod Thornley as well as the impressive Dave Gardner were missing from their line-up. However, Barry Shuttleworth was back to fitness and Gary Talbot and Steve Lunt were also sufficiently recovered to start on the bench. Danny Murphy came back into the starting line-up. Peter Band led the attack, supported by Murphy and Craney.
For Kettering, Mark Haran replaced the injured Shaun Murray in what was otherwise the same side which played against Altrincham last week. The referee, Mr Jim Tattan, had run the line in the Darlington v Altrincham FA Cup tie last season.
SUMMARY
Altrincham deservedly beat Kettering 5-3 on penalties in tonight's pulsating FA Trophy 3rd round replay after the scores were level, 3-3, at the end of both normal and extra time. Gez Murphy headed Kettering ahead from a corner (6 mins), before a clear foul on Craney won a penalty which Shuttleworth converted (35 mins). Sean Smith drove home a fine second goal for Alty three minutes later but Gez Murphy converted another corner two minutes later. Then a fine Scott cross was headed home by Danny Murphy after 44 minutes. Kettering had their best spell in the middle part of the second half and a fine shot by Norman made it 3-3 (66 mins). Alty then got on top again but the game went to a shoot-out. Man of the Match Ian Craney, Barry Shuttleworth, Chris Adams, Jordan Burke and Mark Maddox all converted their spot-kicks but Inman fired the second Kettering penalty wide to give Alty victory 5-3. Alty had hit the woodwork twice in the second half and had got behind the keeper three times in the first half to underline that their win was well deserved. All this was achieved without captain and leading scorer Rod Thornley and recent star-man Dave Gardner, both of whom were injured.
| A wet first half which drove me into the shelter to protect the camera, but it made photography difficult. The rain stopped for the second half and allowed some photographs of the penalties and celebrations. But which is the best spot to photograph penalties? |
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| Ian Bowling makes a desperate last minute dive to halt an Alty attack |
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| At the other end Richard Acton makes a good save. |
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| Ian Craney who was made Man of the Match congratulates an unseen Danny Murphy for Alty's third goal |
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| A push and a pull on Stephen Rose and captain Mark Maddox |
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| I seldom get an opportunity to photograph Rich Acton but I did so when I stayed at the same end for both of the 15 minutes of extra time. |
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| Unfortunately I missed two of the perfect penalties but here is number two taken by Barry Shuttleworth |
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| No 4 by Jordan Burke |
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| and the fifth and clincher by captain Mark Maddox |
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| The team rush to exchange congratulations with the fans |
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| Someone's flag was pinched! |
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| More congratulations with Barry Shuttleworth looking pleased with life |
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| Man of the Match Ian Craney receiving his award from Sarah and Director Grahame Rowley who sponsored the match |