Behind the goals (No in the stand it was too wet BTG)

 Alan Johnson 

Barrow 2 Altrincham 3

UniBond Premier League Match, played on Tuesday 24 October 2000, at 7.45p.m.

Summary

This was the most exciting games of the season and one of the best I have ever seen. It was played in atrocious conditions, a strong almost gale force wind across the pitch with driving rain. Both teams battled with the conditions each determined to gain some points. In the first half Alty adapted to the conditions better than Barrow, but the in the last 20 minutes the condition of the pitch had so deteriorated to make the result a lottery, which fortunately  Alty won. At the end of the game Stuart Coburn celebrated by demonstrating how the pitch had cut up and become a mud bath by doing a full frontal slide through the mud.

Richard Landon scored first for Alty on 22min. Steve Housham equalized on 67min, Alty took the lead on 72 min through Alex Hay, a minute later Lee Ellison equalized and the final and deciding goal was a second one for Alex Hay on 80 minutes

Match Report

I have an arrangement with John Laidlar who writes the  Alty Pages that normally he prepares the match reports. Unfortunately for me and probably you John is out of town on business and cannot report this Barrow game. 

First a word of praise to Barrow and its supporters. I do not understand the full implications of their  financial situation but believe  that it far worse than most other clubs. I hope they can resolve it.

 I used to be very wary about going to Barrow, not because of the distance but their treatment of away fans. I can recall the undignified convoying of our supporters coach from the outside of Barrow by a police  motor cycle escort, shepherding by police into and out of the segregated area of the ground and escorted by police a long way along the road back. I presume it was for our own protection. Other games when we were not allowed to use the social club and segregated in the "away pen" only a few feet and a wire fence from a baying hoard of Barrow supporters.

All that has changed for the better. Our coach was met by a very pleasant steward who welcomed us and made arrangements for the parking of the coach. Some Barrow supporters  invited us into their social club. There  was no segregation with intermingling of the fans and no objections to the Alty chants. It was a very jovial crowd although each side was passionate and vocal in support of their team. This has restored my belief that the UniBond is a a friendly League to play in. Thank you Barrow 

Barrow have made some significant improvements to their ground since last we were there, a new terrace stand, removal of the old end stand and extension of the social club, eliminating the "away pen"

With Mark Ward, Carl Furlong and Kevin Ellison on the injury list the Alty line up was changed from their last game. No subs were used, all eleven players, including Richard Landon playing right through this demanding game a tribute not only to their fitness but I suspect to Mark Ward astuteness, believing that it would take substitutes some time to become accustomed to the conditions.

This was an almost unbelievable match, played in atrocious conditions, a strong almost gale force wind across the pitch with driving rain. It was a tribute to both teams who played attacking football through out the game while battling  with the conditions each determined to gain some points. It was not possible to display great footballing skills, both sides made numerous mistakes which added to the tensions of the evening. Play went from end to end and each goal keeper pulled out some great saves.

In the first 22 minutes Altrincham adapted to the conditions better than Barrow and it was not against the run of play when Jason Gallagher, who had an excellent game won the ball sent it to Alex Hay who crossed to Stuart Scheuber who found  Richard Landon who volleyed low and deep (0 - 1). The rest of the half saw more end to end play but apart from Stuart Coburn having to make a great save just before the interval not a great deal to report.

It was the second half which cried out for a video to record the dramatic events, but instead ones memory will have to suffice and it will remain their for a long time. Barrow subjected the Alty goal to a bombardment of attacks and it was only resolute defence, good goal keeping and fortunate blocks which kept the Alty goal intact in the first 10 minutes of intense effort. After the initial onslaught Alty started to attack again and Alex Hay and Richard Landon came close. On  the 67th minute a defensive error  allowed Steve Housham  in to level the score( 1-1). The Barrow fans went into orbit!

The heavy rain continued and the pitch really started to cut up and turn into a mud bath, balls would stop dead on the mud or end up in a spray of water when they hit a particularly wet patch. The number of mistakes and excitement  continued to rise. On 72 minutes Steve Hawse cross stopped dead in the mud and there was Alex Hay to put the ball into the net. Delight from the Alty fans only to be followed seconds later by cheers from the Barrow supporters when Lee Ellison equalized (2-2).

At 2-2 and 73 minutes gone I think  that both sets of fans would have settled for a draw but the Alty players and Jason Gallagher in particular thought otherwise. On 80 he fought off several Barrow defenders in a run which covered most of the pitch, crossed to find Richard Landon whose shot hit the post and rebounded to Alex Hay whose  shot slowly crept into the net. (3-2). The travelling Alty fans went wild but I suspect did show some sympathy for Barrow who made such a contribution to this fantastic match. Its on an occasion like this you realize why football has become a way of life for many of us.

In the first half Alty adapted to the conditions better than Barrow, but the in the last 20 minutes the condition of the pitch had so deteriorated to make the result a lottery, which fortunately  Alty won. At the end of the game Stuart Coburn celebrated by demonstrating how the pitch had cut up and become a mud bath by doing a full frontal slide through the mud.

Barrow: Paul Heritage, Lee Warren, Mark Hume, Lee Rogers, Micky Waller, Graham Anthony, Steve Housham, Lee Ellison, Nicky Peverell, Wayne Bullimore, Troy Bennett. Subs Natham Peel, Jeff Naisley, Mike Mckechnie

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