All three directors Grahame Rowley, Andrew Shaw and Geoff Goodwin, who drove his own coach to transport the players, were at the game
Marine 0 Altrincham 1
UniBond Premier League
2 December 2002.
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John Laidlar
Despite heavy rain for most of the previous day, this game went ahead after several pre-match inspections before the gates were opened at 7.15pm. There were also strong gusty winds to contend with as play started on a pitch already showing standing water in patches. It was a tribute to the groundsman that the game was played at all and also to the players who showed plenty of commitment in such poor weather. The Altrincham supporters' coach arrived with less than ten minutes to spare after encountering major traffic jams on the way.
Marine had climbed above Altrincham last weekend but the Crosby side have been getting poor results at home, having won just twice in the league at Rossett Park this season in the league.
In a match played in awful conditions, - a gusty wind, squally rain and an increasingly sodden pitch - Altrincham seemed to have squandered a chance to take all three points when Rod Thornley had his 73rd minute penalty comfortably saved by Billy Stewart. Rod had also missed a penalty last year at Rossett Park. The first half had been fairly even but Marine had enjoyed the better of the second period until the penalty. Alty then finished strongly, forcing Stewart to two fine saves before an 86th minute Adams corner produced the winner, which appeared to be scored through a crowded goalmouth by Band, though the tannoy awarded it to Craney. In fact, the ball was cleared by a defender but the linesman flagged that the ball had previously crossed the line. Alty fielded three debutants in their squad and it was their third successive 1-0 win.
There were three "new" faces in the Altrincham squad. In goal was Kurt Edginton, who had been at Moss Lane last season as Stuart Coburn's cover-keeper. Regular goalkeeper Richard Acton was suspended after handling the ball outside his area against Hyde two weeks ago. Although Peter Band also saw a red card in that game, he was not suspended tonight as his dismissal came after the final whistle and a disciplinary hearing apparently has to be convened before any punishment can be applied. Also returning to the Altrincham side was Barry Shuttleworth, who started on the bench, after being signed from Accrington in the last few days. Barry played seven games for Alty last season whilst on loan from Macclesfield Town. The third new face was that of James Robinson, a young striker, loaned to Altrincham by Crewe Alexandra.
Alty were without Gary Talbot as well as the longer-term injured, Danny Murphy, Neil Ryan and Vernum Rowland. Band played tonight at the back in place of Talbot whilst Rod Thornley played despite suffering a trapped nerve in his back at Bradford on Saturday.
The Marine side included at right-back Neil Murphy, who was released by Alty earlier this season. It was strange not to see long-serving Jon Gautrey in the Marine side; the veteran midfielder has taken a break from football in what will be his final season.
| It was a tribute to Marine and the referee Mr.
Paul Brabin that this game was played. There was driving rain and a piercing wind with
the pitch a quagmire in places. The referee took account of the conditions
and there were no bookings. Congratulations to the man in black.
All three directors Grahame Rowley, Andrew Shaw and Geoff Goodwin, who drove his own coach to transport the players, were at the game |
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| A good save by Marine's Billy Stewart and the state of the pitch |
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| James Robinson (9), who is on loan from Crewe rejoined the Club He played up front with Rod Thornley only to have the misfortune of loosing a tooth in a collision. He was treated by Gary Thompson but had to be replaced. In the meanwhile Rod Thornley and some Marine players looked for the tooth in the mud but to no avail |
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| Barry Shuttleworth returned to the Club after spending some time at Accrington Stanley |
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| Rod Thornley and Mark Maddox have not been using Persil or were Stephen Lunt(12) and Andy Tunnicliffe (14) were substitutes who had just come on |
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| Rod Thornley took Alty's penalty but like our last visit failed to score. Billy Stewart guessed right and made a fine save. At least Rod is improving as he did hit the target last time he shot wide. |
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| Another great save from Billy Stewart denies Alty |
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| Kurt Edlington, who stood in for the suspended Richard Acton, and Chris Adams celebrate |