Hucknall 1 Altrincham 3

Brief report by John Laidlar from his Alty Pages , where a full report can be found

Photographs by Terry Rowley, Editor of the Robins Review

HUCKNALL (1) 1 ALTRINCHAM (1) 3

Unibond Premier League Match, played on Saturday, 5 May 2001, at 3p.m.

SCORERS

14 mins: Ian CRANEY (Hucknall Town 0 Altrincham 1)
39 mins: Russell COOKE (Hucknall Town 1 Altrincham 1)
59 mins: Rod THORNLEY (Hucknall Town 1 Altrincham 2)

69 mins: Ian CRANEY (Hucknall Town 1 Altrincham 3)

REFEREE: Mr Stephen Cooke (Mexborough)

ATTENDANCE: 290

TEAMS

5.5.01	HUCKNALL TOWN	versus.	ALTRINCHAM
3pm	Yellow and black shorts, black shorts and socks	---.	Blue and white shirts, blue shorts and socks
1.	Dave McCARTHY (capt.)	1.	Stuart COBURN
2.	Lee SOAR	2.	Jason GALLAGHER
3.	Richard TAYLOR	3.	Steve PORTER
4.	Kieran BEGLEY	4.	Terry BOWKER
5.	Wayne FAIRCLOUGH	5.	Mark MADDOX
6.	Mark PLACE	6.	Steve HAWES (capt.)
7.	Dale WRIGHT	7.	Danny MURPHY
8.	Russell COOKE	8.	Ian CRANEY
9.	Simon MARTIN	9.	Adam FARLEY
10.	Andy MORRIS	10.	Rod THORNLEY
11.	Simon BROWN	11.	Steve FINNEY
12.	Gary RICKETTS	12.	Stuart SCHEUBER
14.	Darrel RANKIN	14.	Richard LANDON
15.	Jamie ROBERTS	15.	Keith MAIRS

BACKGROUND
The last five years for Altrincham have seen two relegations and a promotion so this was, on paper, a low-key finale to the season. However, the confirmation only last Tuesday of Bernard Taylor and Graham Heathcote as permanent manager and coach, gave Alty fans their only chance to show their positive feelings towards the restored managerial partnership. Altrincham supporters turned up in large numbers and the Golf Road End choir was in good voice throughout. This was the Robins' first visit to Hucknall, who have risen from the Northern Counties East division in quick order. The Watnall Road pitch was hard and uneven, with a slight slope across it and it was the first surface we have played on this season to boast a crop of dandelions! The Club is a friendly one and the young lad who directed the car-park operations was to be particularly commended. He clearly has management potential and even tried, (sadly unsuccessfully), to secure us free sandwiches and beer when the supporters' coach was found to have a damaged tyre and fans were stuck in the car-park, as a result, till after 7pm.
SUMMARY
Altrincham's 20th league win of the season was achieved on a hard, bumpy pitch but in spite of the playing surface the spectators saw some well-taken goals. Ian Craney slotted home the first when he finished off a fine move, which he himself had started (14 mins). Somewhat against the run of play, Hucknall equalised when Cooke curled a fine shot past Coburn after Bowker had missed a through ball (39 mins). Hucknall then missed a couple of good chances before Rod Thornley put Alty ahead again, seizing on a fumble by goalkeeper McCarthy (59 mins). McCarthy injured himself in the process and had to give way to Cooke in goal. Altrincham's third came from Craney, again, this time a fine finish from the edge of the box after 68 minutes. Despite this good win, many Altrincham fans were left "deflated" at the final whistle - the supporters' coach was found to have a flat tyre and was stuck in the Hucknall car park for over two hours whilst repairs were carried out. However, the rare treat of a final-day league win kept the spirits up for the homeward journey.

TEAM NEWS
Paul Edwards was missing from the Alty line-up, reportedly because he was playing today (Sunday) in a local league cup-final. Farley was preferred in midfield to both Scheuber and Mairs (substitutes) and Scott (not selected). Finney took Edwards's place up front. For Hucknall, Mark Place's injury had not been as bad as first reported and he started the game. Ex-League player Wayne Fairclough also returned to the home side, as did Andy Morris.

FULL-TIME: HUCKNALL TOWN 1 ALTRINCHAM 3

Photographs by Terry Rowley, Editor of the Robins Review

	Mark Harris and Daniel Chancery, of Henkel (UniBond) presents 10 year old Andy Coop with a certificate commemorating the fact that Andy had now visited all the UniBond Premier grounds over the last three Years. Andy is a very keen footballer and hopes to make a career as a goal keeper is the son of bill Coop a long time supporter of Alty FC
Action
	Celebrations after Ian Craney scores Alty's first goal
Goal mouth action
	More goal mouth action
Rod Thornley rams home Alty's second goal
	Its all over
A well deserved pint for fans and players

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