A brief report prepared by John
Laidlar from his Alty
Pages where a full report can be seen.
ALTRINCHAM (0) 0 EMLEY (1) 2
UniBond Premier League Match, played on Saturday, 9
September, 2000, at 3p.m.
SCORERS
- 25 mins: Darren DAY (Altrincham 0 Emley 1)
- 90 mins: Simeon BAMBROOK (Altrincham 0 Emley 2)
REFEREE: Mr J S Blackburn (St Helens)
ATTENDANCE: 641
TEAMS
| 9.9.00 |
ALTRINCHAM |
versus. |
EMLEY |
| 3pm |
Red & white
shirts, black shorts and socks |
---. |
Claret and blue |
| 1. |
Stuart COBURN |
1. |
Paul CUSS |
| 2. |
Adam FARLEY |
2. |
Robert TONKS |
| 3. |
Barry CROWE |
3. |
Simon JONES (capt.) |
| 4. |
Mark MADDOX |
4. |
Andy WILSON |
| 5. |
Gary TALBOT (capt.) |
5. |
Gary HATTO |
| 6. |
Mark WARD |
6. |
Paul DAVID |
| 7. |
Jason GALLAGHER |
7. |
Rory PRENDERGAST |
| 8. |
Steve HAWES |
8. |
Miles THORPE |
| 9. |
Richard LANDON |
9. |
Simeon BAMBROOK |
| 10. |
Phil POWER |
10. |
Darren DAY |
| 11. |
Kevin ELLISON |
11. |
Nicky WOOD |
| 12. |
Stuart SCHEUBER |
12. |
Paul ROBINSON |
| 14. |
Ian CRANEY |
14. |
Chris BRASHER |
| 15. |
Carl FURLONG |
15. |
Anthony GREEN |
SUMMARY
Emley's time-wasting tactics started with their late-arrival for this match
and the game kicked off twenty minutes late; the visitors had been held up
on their way to the ground by heavy traffic. By the end, many home
supporters wished the game had ended twenty minutes early as this was, by a
country mile, the worst game in which Altrincham have been involved this
season. The visitors set their defensive stall out immediately by playing
Bambrook as the loan striker in a 4-5-1 formation and, as Emley hung on to
their unmerited 25th-minute lead, they resorted increasingly to spoiling
tactics- blatant time-wasting, feigned injuries and general unsporting
behaviour. Referee Blackburn did nothing whatsoever to stamp this out,
though the yellow cards which he did award during the match were all
merited. However, the indulgent referee could not be blamed for Altrincham's
lack of incision at the forward end of the pitch. Whilst the home side
enjoyed the lion's share of possession and their adherence to a passing game
is to be admired, they currently lack the necessary degree of cut and thrust
when going forward. Tinkering with the full-back positions also means that
the back four is unsettled and injuries to strikers are placing an unfair
burden on Kevin Ellison to produce the goods. Passing movements frequently
broke down before they reached the Emley penalty area and, in desperation,
Altrincham threw virtually everyone forward in the closing stages. The
predictable then happened and Emley broke away to score a fine, but
flattering, second goal in the last minute. This was a victory earned by
organisation rather than flair and Moss Lane fans will hope they do not have
to witness too many more games like this. On a more optimistic note, today's
losses by Accrington and Hyde mean that we are still only four points off
the pace, so we should be reasonably satisfied with what is still our best
start to a season for some time.
TEAM NEWS
Steve Porter had a good game at left-back at Marine on Tuesday but was
omitted today; whether for tactical reasons or because of injury is unclear.
Instead, Crowe became our fourth bearer of the number three shirt in six
games. The rest of the side remained unchanged from Tuesday night. Stuart
Quinn, who has the ability to transform matches, remains out of favour and
injuries continued to deprive Mark Ward of his forward triumvirate of
Furlong, Chambers and Quayle. Centre-back Eddie Turkington is recovering
from the removal of a toe-nail. Reserve team youngster, Ian Craney, retained
his place as substitute, alongside Stu Scheuber and the recovering Furlong,
who had played part of this morning's reserve encounter, a 4-4 draw at
Runcorn. Steve Morgan, a potential signing from Hull City was present
at the game, as were the injured Shaun Goodwin, Leroy Chambers and Mark
Quayle.
Emley were without their captain, Steve Nicholson, who has ruptured a tendon
in his hand. The fiery Simon Jones replaced him as captain and today he went
on to live up to the reputation he earned at Moss Lane when he was one of
two Emley players dismissed in the 1998/99 season's game here, which the
Robins won 7-1. Emley included ex-Northwich Vics man, Rory Prendergast, in
their line-up. Emley pen pictures, were kindly provided by Grahame Rowley.
FINAL SCORE: ALTRINCHAM 0 EMLEY 2
Photographs by Alan Johnson
Temporarily deleted to allow site to be updated
 |
Emley's first goal on its way |
 |
Alty attack |
 |
Another Altrincham corner |
 |
Emley's goalie Paul Cuss putting on his gloves after tying
his bootlaces - yes it does take quite a while if you are one up and need
to fill in a bit of playing time! |