From the Official Telford Web site thanks Glyn

Telford 0 Altrincham 1

October 9th 1999

The gathering optimism surrounding recent performances by this embryonic Telford outfit is in danger of disappearing as quickly as it evolved if the standard of Saturday's performance is repeated.

Manager Alan Lewer admitted after the game that his side were "very ordinary" and there weren't many present at the Bucks Head who would have disagreed with his assessment.

But while the fans would probably have found the players guilty, there was a case for the defence.

Although lacking subtlety in midfield, Telford carved out at least half a dozen clear cut chances to take something from this clash.

And for the second time in seven days they found themselves victims of a controversial penalty decision.

It had all begun so brightly for the Bucks who pieced together one or two incisive moves courtesy of the creative Steve Palmer who dragged a left foot shot wide from one of their early openings.

A limited Altrincham outfit seemed intent on a low risk strategy, a game plan backed up by a six-man defensive line-up.

But Telford, for all their possession, struggled to find a way through, round or over the visitors' rearguard well marshalled by the uncompromising Gary Talbot.

That is until Talbot went from hero to zero in the 21st minute when he wrestled Gez Murphy to the floor for an undisputed penalty.

Unfortunately, Telford's in-form striker spurned the opportunity to record his seventh of the season when Stuart Coburn dived to his left to comfortably parry the side-footed spot kick.

With both managers dreaming of a half time cuppa, the game sparked into life as Altrincham embarked on a rare foray down Telford's left hand side.

The move was unceremoniously ended by Martin Naylor's clumsy challenge and from Kevin Ellison's resulting free kick Phil Power headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

This rare indication of intent by the visitors drew an instant response from a subdued Telford who twice went close inside 60 seconds through the composed Palmer and Chris Malkin, whose header was deflected inches over.

But it was at the opposite end that the breakthrough came and for the second time in as many league games, Telford found themselves on the wrong end of a referee's decision.

Ellison's cross on the stroke of half time found former Stoke City veteran Ray Wallace in the box.

With Wallace drawing back to fire in a shot, Lee Fowler made a superb last-ditch challenge to prevent the strike but found referee Phil Prosser unsympathetic to the tackle.

Not only did Fowler pick up an unjustified booking for the incident but he was forced from the field with a worrying knee injury.

Brendan Burke made no mistake from the spot.

Strong words during the interval seemed to stir the hosts into life and with Palmer and Brian McGorry prompting the midfield, signs of a revival were at hand.

Murphy was beginning to break free of the shackles and his right-foot shot screamed over prior to a stunning 25-yard volley from Palmer which grazed the bar.

In an increasingly one-sided second half, Telford were building up a head of steam and the introduction of Scott Huckerby for Naylor in the 57th minute saw them create their best chances to draw level.

Gary Fitzpatrick's 20-yard shot was deflected by Danny Adams into Palmer's path just inside the right edge of the area.

Telford's man of the match unleashed a shot which Coburn somehow got a right hand to, parrying the ball upwards into the onrushing Huckerby's path.

Huckerby powered a header towards the top left hand corner but watched in amazement as Coburn hauled himself off the floor to tip the ball over the crossbar.

The unfortunate Huckerby, a breath of fresh air during his 30-minute cameo, left the field in unhappy circumstances deep in injury time after turning an ankle treading on the ball.

It proved to be that sort of afternoon for Telford.

 

Telford 0 v 1 Altrincham

By MARK HARRIS

Robins’ alarming slide towards the Conference danger zone was arrested by a single goal victory won as much by Stuart Coburn’s goalkeeping brilliance as Brendan Burke’s cool penalty on the stroke of half time.

Coburn, the subject of intense interest from Football League scouts earlier this season, was at his very best on Saturday, saving Murphy’s 22nd minute spot kick and then going on to bring the entire Bucks Head crowd to its feet on the hour with a Premiership-class double save.

The un-assuming Coburn rightly took a bow from the travelling Alty fans at the final whistle, and by rights should have done the same from his team mates because a lesser keeper would definitely have finished on the losing side. The man who has seen off all challengers for the Alty No. 1 jersey showed once again that he has the attributes to ply his trade at a far higher level.

The match itself was no classic. A flat first half saw most of the action, but in the second half Robins re-discovered the kind of battling spirit that has been missing in recent matches. Forced to defend as Telford exploited Altrincham’s shortcomings in midfield, Alty dealt with everything the home side could launch into the box. There was to be so repetition of the silly mistakes which have cost the matches against Nuneaton and Rushden, with Mark Maddox and Gary Talbot keeping their concentration well in the centre of the Robins’ rearguard.

Manager Bernard Taylor handed debuts to two very experienced triallists. Ex-Leeds and Stoke winger Ray Wallace looked short on match fitness, as did former Man City & Bury man Jamie Hoyland, who had 35 minutes as a second half replacement for Wallace. Both players will need further opportunities to persuade the management that they are worth contracts.

Robins made little impression on the home defence, although neither Phil Power nor Gavin Price had much in the way of service with which to create any danger. The lack of a midfield general and creative partner-in-crime is all too clear for all to see. Once again, Alty had to rely on long balls from defence with which to set their forwards away, and it was no surprise that Kevin Ellison had a particularly quiet afternoon, being starved of the ball.

Altrincham should have taken the lead on 5 minutes. A header from the first corner of the match was only half cleared, and when Gary Talbot lobbed the ball back into the area, keeper Williams moved quickly to snatch the ball from the unmarked Power’s toe.

On 22 minutes, Telford were awarded a spot kick when Talbot was harshly adjudged to have pulled Malkin’s shirt. The theatrical dive was in vain however. Coburn still did well in getting his legs in the way of Murphy’s weak penalty.

Altrincham’s turn came on 44 minutes. Ellison’s deep centre from the left found Wallace unmarked in the box. Before he could react, Fowler challenged untidily from behind, and referee Prosser was on hand to give a penalty which Brendan BURKE converted perfectly. 0-1.

The second half produced as few clear chances as the first, except for the highlight of the match on 61 minutes. Palmer’s volley from the edge of the box was a screamer which Coburn somehow clawed away as it rifled towards the top corner. Robins failed to pick up Huckerby as he loitered for a rebound, and with the goal yawning, an equaliser looked certain. Coburn was not for beating though, throwing himself at the Telford striker and blocking the chance. That thirty seconds was worth the price of the admission alone.

Robins used three subs in an attempt to make the game safe. Andy Lovelock might have done so on 82 minutes when through with Williams to beat, but he delayed long enough for the keeper to save well. Robins battled to the end though, and ended as deserved winners. The only downside was bookings for Price, Maddox, Talbot and Hoyland.

 

ALTRINCHAM Coburn, Hodson, Adams, Maddox, Talbot, Pickering, Wallace (sub. Hoyland 55 mins), Burke, Price (sub. Gallagher 76 mins), Power (sub. Lovelock 65 mins), Ellison

Subs (not used) Greygoose, Timons

 

Telford United 0 Altrincham 1

Coburn saves the Robins

From behind the goals by

Alan Johnson

The flags were at half mast and before the match there was a poignant one minute silence for the victims of the rail disaster  at Paddington last Tuesday

Telford's ground looks just as it did three years ago when we were here last, well past its sell by date and in urgent need of the proposed £8 million upgrade recently  submitted for building permission. I understand the local council will make a significant contribution - Trafford Council please note!

Telford and its fans made us very welcome and there was no segregation. The crowd was 1017.

The game can be summarized thus: two teams not playing to their full potential, one Telford having most of the possession, I lost count but  the corner ratio must have been at least 15 to 2 in favour of Telford but they were not taking advantage of the many chances they created shooting both high and wide and Altrincham defending grimly but with no plan behind it except to keep Telford out.

The teams were separated by two penalties, one taken and saved by Stuart Coburn and one taken successfully by Brendan Burke and some superb goal keeping by Stuart Coburn who is back to his best. He made at least three magnificent saves one one of which was almost unbelievable, within the space of a few seconds he parried two shots and on the third when on the ground  on pure reflex he came up and saved again for yet another corner.

The other major event of the afternoon was the introduction of two new signings, both on a match to match basis, Ray Wallace a midfielder, from Stoke, who played until substituted  without making any impact on the game apart from his first run just before half when he was brought down by defender Jon Ford in the box. Goal keeper Dean Williams and defender Jim Bentley thought Wallace was offside and were booked for dissent. A few Alty fans considered we were fortunate to be awarded the penalty!.

The other new signing was Jamie Hoyland another midfielder who has played for Manchester City, Bury and Scarborough. He was brought on as a sub in the second half and played well but was not outstanding.

Telford's No 4 Jon Ford who fouled Wallace was badly injured and had to be helped off. He was limping  and I am surprised that Telford did not have a stretcher, which should have also been available when another Telford player was aided as he limped off towards the end of the match.

Telford had most of the play in the first half although Kevin Ellison came close. On 22 minutes Gary Talbot brought down Gez Murphy in the box and a penalty was awarded, taken by  Murphy  and brilliantly saved by Stuart Coburn. Stuart was injured a few minutes later but recovered.

You would have thought that the saved penalty would have inspired Alty but it did not and Telford continued to raise their corner count. Alty had a chance on 38  minutes when a good cross from Kevin Ellison found the head of Phil Power but it went a foot  wide Just before half time Alty went ahead courtesy of the Brendan Burke penalty  

In the second half Alty defended grimly and were kept in the game by Stuart Coburn. five minutes before the end Alty could have gone two up when on one of their rare attacks Kevin Ellison beat two defenders and shot strongly only to find  Dean Williams pulling out  a reflex finger tip save putting the ball round the post for Alty's second  corner of the match!. Apart from this save and the attempted penalty save Williams had little to do. Most of the time the nearest Alty got to the Telford's goal were a result of Stuart Coburn's long free kicks.

So the Robins came away with three valuable points and moved up three positions to 16th in the table. It was not a convincing display but who cares they defended and made sure of the results. A more positive approach in both attack and defence is still required.

The Alty team was: 

Coburn, Hodson, Adams, Maddox, Talbot, Pickering, Wallace (Sub Lovelock 47 min), Burke,( Sub 60min Hoyland),  Price (Sub 75min Landon) ,  Power (Sub 70min Gallagher )  Ellison .

Subs  not used :,  Greygoose , Timons, , 

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