A representative of CJM Transport is presented with a match ball by Jason Gallagher, sporting the new Sponsors shirt of Chairman Geoff Goodwins Coaches
UniBond Premier
1 March 2003
Altrincham 2 Worksop Town 4
Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site
This was Alty's first home game for three weeks and in that time the Moss Lane pitch had been heavily sanded by Manchester United, whose Reserves use the ground. Alty had won the away fixture with Worksop earlier this season, thanks to two goals from Rod Thornley. Guests at today's game included representatives of Trafford Borough Council. The Altrincham team were wearing a sponsor's logo for the first time this season, that of chairman Geoff Goodwin's company Go Goodwins Coaches.
TEAM NEWS
Captain and leading scorer Rod Thornley was again unfit; he has now played only 3 of the last 14 games. The other long-term absentees were Neil Ryan and Danny Murphy, whilst Jordan Burke was also out of action today. It was good to see Sean Smith well enough to watch the match from the stand after his recent horrific car crash and a collection was held for him which raised over £270. On his 30th birthday Mark Maddox captained the side, which include Dave Gardner whose knee injury had made him a doubtful starter. Youth team midfielder Jon McEvoy joined his youth team-mate Steve Lunt on the bench, along with Anthony Sullivan. Worksop included former Alty captain Steve Hawes and also Matty Caudwell, who has been out injured recently. Those who attended the famous Doncaster Rovers v Alty game in the Conference in 1999 will remember Caudwell from that night as one of those who subjected the Robins' defence to a siege.
SUMMARY
Worksop gained revenge for Alty's win at Sandy Lane this season as they became the first team to win at Moss Lane in the league since Bonfire Night and the first to score more than twice against the Robins since Graham Heathcote took over as manager - ironically in a week when Alty had won the UniBond Best Defence award! However, it was Alty who scored first when Craney finished well from an acute angle after good work by Gardner and Band (13 mins). The visitors equalised when Whitehead found space to volley home a cross from the left (20 mins). The Tigers took the lead when Whitehead repeated the act after 36 minutes as he capitalised on slack marking. Alty had lost Peter Band in the first half and had to remove captain Mark Maddox at the interval through injury. Worksop scored again, against the run of play, when Muller headed home from a right wing cross (57 mins) before a foul on Talbot gave Alty a penalty which Shuttleworth converted well for the second game running (65 mins). Alty pressed for an equaliser but on the break the impressive Caudwell got clear to drive past Acton from the left (84 mins).
MATCH REPORT
|
|
| Rod Thornley presents a match ball to birthday girl Adele Stephenson who was 10 on the 2nd of March |
|
|
A representative of CJM Transport is presented with a match ball by Jason Gallagher, sporting the new Sponsors shirt of Chairman Geoff Goodwins Coaches |
|
| Matchball sponsor Sarah Rowley, whose birthday it is tomorrow receives the match ball from Jason Gallagher |
| Most of the photographs on this site are taken from the end, which Alty are attacking so for a change today the defense are getting a look at. After letting in four goals perhaps I ought to stay at the other end |
|
| A good punch out from Richard Acton |
|
| Gary Scott in action |
|
| Barry Shuttleworth helping out in the defense With Stephen Rose ahead |
|
| The defense, Chris Adams, Gary Talbot, Mark Maddox, Peter Band with Jason Gallagher to the left |