Altrincham 3 Stalybridge Celtic 3 

UniBond Premier League

5 October   2002

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

The sides had not met in the league for two years due to Celtic's promotion to the Conference in 2001. Neither side had started this season well and whilst Alty lay 20th, Celtic were only three points ahead and had played an additional game. Celtic had yet to win away whilst Alty had not won in their last four league games - nor scored in their last three.

Altrincham allowed a 3-1 lead to slip, with all three Celtic goals being back-post headers from balls played across the face of goal. A Rod Thornley penalty, conceded by Bowker's foul on Thornley himself, put Alty ahead (11 mins). Chris Denham equalised after 36 mins from a left-wing cross. Chris Young drove home Alty's second (47 mins) before McDonald hooked in a third (62 mins). Stalybridge's Parr scored with a stooping header a minute later before Eastwood headed home from Denham's cross (75 mins) to make it 3-3. The match at times threatened to boil over and there were five bookings and there should have been more, those for Alty being received by Ryan and Young.

 With Gary Scott, Neil Murphy and Mark Maddox all injured, the Alty defence today included Matthew Duffy, from Rochdale FC, for his starting debut at left-back, whilst Jason Gallagher returned from injury at right-back. Richard Acton continued in goal in place of Andy Moore, who must consider himself unfortunate to have lost his place after some good performances earlier this season. Danny Murphy also returned to the side from injury at the expense of Andy McDonald, who was on the bench. Simon Woodford also remains injured whilst Jamie Phoenix, sent off on his full debut in the last Alty home game, has been released by the club. So, today Alty started with Peter Band up front to accompany Rod Thornley, whilst Thornley's previous strike partner Chris Young played in midfield, which many would say was his best position. On the bench was newcomer Chris Barton (right), who had apparently been playing football in the Barrow area before joining Alty this week. He became the 27th player to be named in an Altrincham league match squad this season in just the 12th game of the season.

Celtic included former Alty centre-half Terry Bowker in their line-up. Also included were former Lancaster City players Colin Potts and Kenny Mayers, though the latter was only on the bench. Former Leigh players David German and David Ridings and the ex-Southport striker Phil Eastwood also started for Celtic.

Matthew Duffy in his first full game limbers up

From l/r Alty's Neil Dawson with Matchball Sponsor Francis Heald, normally a Marine supporter who was impressed with the facilities at Moss Lane and wanted to say thank you, and Steve Conway, representing Match Sponsor Boardman Conway.

Heads it is

Rod Thornley floored by ex Alty player Terry Bowker in the area wins a penalty. Bowker says "I did nothing!"

In tandem Celtic's Darran Bowman and Alty's Danny Murphy

Flare up

Chris Young is under there somewhere receiving congratulations for Alty's second goal after a superb strike

Richard Acton pulls out a fine save.

Anne Marie gives a hand. Danny Murphy is stretchered off. Normally this is done by the stewards, but Doug the chief steward is  short of hands and the fourth steward was in Moss Lane recovering a ball as, for safety reasons, the ball boys (sorry persons) are not allowed to do this. So our physio showed that she was versatile

Heads and legs

New comer Chris Barton came on as a substitute. He has been playing in the Barrow area

Man of the Match Rod Thornley receives his award from Francis Heald