Stalybridge Celtic 2 Altrincham 0

UniBond Premier League

14 December   2002.

Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John Laidlar

Stalybridge had recently surged up the table and were the form team of the Division, lying second in the League, whereas Altrincham were fifteenth. The game was played on a good surface but in very dull conditions with drizzly rain which got increasingly heavy as play progressed.

An impressive Celtic side made life difficult for Altrincham in the first half especially. They went ahead from an own goal by Gary Scott, who converted Potts's cross from the right (17 mins). Indeed, the Celtic winger was to go on to be the deserved Man of the Match. The second goal also came from a cross from the right when German outwitted Thornley to get on the end of a short corner and drive in a cross which Pearce firmly headed home after 37 minutes. Alty brought on Shuttleworth and Robinson at half time but immediately lost Gary Talbot on a stretcher, necessitating a third change. Though Alty played better in the second period, Celtic finished strongly to run out comfortable winners.

Altrincham's side was less inexperienced than the one fielded at Colwyn Bay last Tuesday in the President's Cup. Youth team striker Steve Lunt has now joined the injury list and none of his Youth team colleagues featured today. Lunt will be out for three weeks but long-term absentee Danny Murphy hopes to be back in action on Boxing Day. Richard Acton returned in goal after his suspension. Stalybridge fielded the same team as in their last league game. The referee was Mr Foulkes, who had officiated at Burscough in our league victory there this season.

Another dark wet afternoon but day light is on its way, albeit slowly as its the solstice is on the 21st December

An early  corner ball just goes wide watched by Mark Maddox, Gary Talbot and Peter Band

The mist creeps in with Rod Thornley doing battle with No 5 and Jason Gallagher keeping track

Gary Talbot is chaired, not stretchered off as he salutes the fans on his way.

Richard Acton makes a good save

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