This page 6 August 2001

FLIXTON (0) 1 ALTRINCHAM (2) 3

Friendly Match, played on Tuesday, 31 July, 2001, at 3p.m.

Match Report by Grahame Rowley

SCORERS

26 mins: Rod THORNLEY (Flixton 0 Altrincham 1)

45 mins: Lee POLAND (penalty) (Flixton 0 Altrincham 2)

60 mins: Rod THORNLEY (Flixton 0 Altrincham 3)

75 mins: Craig DOYLE (Flixton 1 Altrincham 3)

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REFEREE: -

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ATTENDANCE: -

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TEAMS

31.7.01	FLIXTON	versus.	ALTRINCHAM
7.30pm	-	---.	-
1.	-	1.	Stuart COBURN
2.	-	2.	Steve HAWES (capt.)
3.	-	3.	Chris ADAMS
4.	-	4.	Mark MADDOX
5.	-	5.	Paul TAYLOR
6.	-	6.	Jason GALLAGHER
7.	-	7.	Kevin HULME
8.	-	8.	Rod THORNLEY
9.	-	9.	Lee POLAND
10.	-	10.	Ian CRANEY
11.	-	11.	Jeremy ILLINGWORTH
12.	-?-	12.	Carl FURLONG
13.	-?-	13.	Dale NEWBROOK (gk)
14.	-?-	14.	Dave SWANNICK
15.	-?-	15.	Gary SCOTT
16.	-?-	16.	Anthony HARGREAVES
17.	-?-	17.	Keith MAIRS

There was one change from the Trafford game, which was the return of Rod Thornley in place of Danny Murphy. The game was played at a lively pace and Altrincham well deserved their 2-0 half-time lead. Again, substitutions at half time slowed the pace of the game down but a second goal from Thornley sealed a good pre-season result. Lee Poland was again lively in the first half and had a powerful shot well saved in the 12th minute.

He was again in action when a neatly placed back header from Thornley put him through on goal but he hit his shot onto the outside of the post. Pressure was mounting on the Flixton goal as Thornley's header was put away for a corner. Craney was then fouled on the edge of the box, Thornley curling his resulting shot round the wall but straight into the keeper's arms. Thornley was given another chance when he was put through one-on-one with the keeper but, again, his shot was well saved.

The opening goal came in the 26th minute when a cross from the right saw Illingworth shoot across the goal where Thornley was well placed at the far post to knock home. The 32nd minute saw Hawes play a good ball to Hulme who headed onto Illingworth. He shot first time but, again, the ball went just over the bar.

Hulme himself had a good chance to increase the lead when he was put through on 37 minutes but his shot went just wide of the right post. As the half drew to an end, with the crowd a little disappointed at the missed chances, a penalty was awarded for a foul on Poland. He stepped up and placed his shot to the right of the keeper.

Half time substitutions saw Maddox, Hulme and Poland being replaced by Swannick, Scott and Furlong. Hawes reverted to his midfield role as Swannick and Scott joined the back four. Paul Taylor got into the action after 53 minutes and should have increased Altrincham's lead. He rose for a corner, but his free header was sent over the bar.

Furlong then used his strength to brush aside three defenders before powering in a shot which the keeper did well to hold. After 56 minutes Thornley was put through on goal but again the keeper did well to smother the ball. Altrincham scored their third after 60 minutes. Hawes made an excellent run on goal and fired in a shot which the keeper did well to push away but Thornley was on hand to pick up the pieces and slide the ball home.

Altrincham then relaxed and allowed Flixton back into the game. After 75 minutes they reduced the arrears when Coburn was left stationary by a 20 yard curling shot from Craig Doyle. Hargreaves then replaced Gallagher after 80 minutes but the remainder of the game saw little goalmouth action. Keith Mairs came on for Illingworth with three minutes left. This was an excellent all round performance from an Altrincham side that seems to be gelling together well. With three home fixtures next week, fitness should improve even more as the start of the season on August 18th draws ever nearer.