News Page - 18-31 October 2000
31 October 2000
UNIBOND CHALLENGE CUP (Group Stage) RESULTS - 31 October
Listed below are those ties involving Premier sides and those First Division sides in Altrincham's group.UNIBOND LEAGUE GAMES, Saturday 4 November
Because of the FA Trophy fixtures, there are only two Unibond Premier matches next Saturday.30 October 2000
ASHTON RESERVES' GAME OFF
The Reserves game at Ashton Utd (Tuesday 31 October) has been postponed because of the wet weather. The first team match aginst Hyde is also at risk though no decision will be taken till tomorrow.UNIBOND CHALLENGE CUP (Group Stage)- 30 October
In tonight's only match Emley beat Frickley Athletic 1-0.MARIO MAKES HIS MARK
The scorer of Altrincham Reserves' goal in the defeat at Northwich (see below) was 16 year-old Mario Daniel, who had also scored in his two previous games for the Youth Team.NO PLACE FOR COBURN
There is no place for Stuart Coburn in the Unibond Representative XI selected by Marine's manager, Roly Howard, to play an F.A. XI at Lancaster City on Monday, 20th November. The two selected keepers are Dave McCarthy (Hucknall Town) and Chris Clarke (Marine)- both of whom have conceded more goals than Coburn this season. Thirteen sides are represented in the squad with Altrincham, Barrow and Marine each providing three recruits. The Moss Lane men are Mark Ward, (who has not played recently), Kevin Ellison, (who has a long-term injury) and newcomer Gary Scott.ANDY MORRELL
Andy Morrell, the forward whom Mark Ward is pursuing, signed for Wrexham in March, 1999, having previously been a prolific goalscorer as a University student whilst playing for Newcastle Blue Star of the Northern League. Although he only scored once for the Wrexham first team in his first 20 full and sub appearances, he has scored this season against Bournemouth. The 26 year-old's greatest feat was scoring seven goals in an 8-0 win over Merthyr Tydfil in the Welsh Premier Cup- shades of Gavin Price?BAND BANNED
Peter Band of Hyde United has been suspended for two games and, therefore, will not be able to play against Altrincham tomorrow night in the Unibond Challenge Cup.29 October 2000
YOUTH MATCH OFF
The torrential rain of recent days has caused the postponement of today's Altrincham Youth game at Prestwich Heys.RESERVES GO DOWN TO VICS
Although the Altrincham first team match was postponed yesterday, the Reserves did play in an unpublicised rearranged away match against Northwich Vics. Unfortunately, they lost 1-3 and remain 11th in the 14-team Lancashire Combination league.ALTY CONNECTIONS
In yesterday's Unibond First Division match against Guiseley, Witton Albion, managed by ex-Alty man Nigel Gleghorn, included a number of other ex-Moss Laners. Dean Greygoose played in goal, David Anane was up-front and Steve Haw was given a red card whilst sitting on the subs' bench for abusing a linesman. Ex-Notts County man, Francis Tierney, who came to Altrincham for trials a few weeks ago laid on the only goal as Witton won 1-0. Lee Ellington, who was an Alty sub a couple of times last season scored one of Gainsborough's goals in a 2-0 win over Marine in the Unibond Premier. Another former Altrincham player, John Toner, hit a hat-trick for TNS in the League of Wales and, nearer to home, Stuart Walker also got three for Moss Vale in the Altrincham Sunday League, last week. Mick Morrell was an unused sub for Leigh, but Ged Kielty and Ricky Harris both played in the 4-3 FA Cup win at Scarborough. Keith Russell was also an unused sub for Hednesford in their draw at Billericay. Ex-Alty keeper Ian Senior's Greater Manchester Fire Service XI got through the first round of the All England Fire Service Trophy, of which they are the holders.MARK WARD NAMES NAMES
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Mark Ward has followed up his earlier criticism of some of his forwards for allegedly having more interest in their wage packets than their playing effort by telling the Pink that "I've got players here who are prepared to sit back and pick up fat wage packets and, particularly when one of them turns down the chance to go back into the Conference, you've got to question their attitude and desire to be a footballer". The player in question is named as Leroy Chambers (pictured left) who has apparently turned down recent moves to both Woking and Gainsborough Trinity. Phil Power is also mentioned in the article as "languishing in the reserves". In this interview in the Pink Ward goes on to say that he needs to get rid of "the dead wood" to free up the cash to bring in new players, with a striker being the priority. It remains to be seen whether such public criticism will have the effect that Ward desires of clearing his wage bill of players whom he sees as unproductive as such comments are unlikely to encourage other clubs to move in for such individuals. However, Ward's hope is that such players "will get fed up of playing in the reserves" and move on. On a happier note, many Alty fans will be pleased that Mark Ward now has "no gripes with...Richard Landon", despite the striker still apparently being transfer-listed. With five goals in five starts, Landon is continuing his high strike rate of last season. As for his other forwards, Mark has requested an extension of the loan of Alex Hay from Tranmere for a further month and has been negotiating with Brian Flynn, manager of Wrexham, for a month's loan of his young forward, Andy Morrell. Last season Morrell, a 26 year-old from Doncaster, made 4 starts and 9 sub appearances for Wrexham's first team, scoring once, at Colchester. In all he had made 20 appearances for Wrexham by the start of this season, with just the one goal to his credit.
TIMONS LEADS ILKESTON TO PLUM TIE
Ex-Alty captain, Chris Timons, led Ilkeston Town to a 1-0 FA Cup win at Hucknall Town in a match marred by a police baton charge of the away fans. Timons got the only goal, a header, after 4 minutes. Ilkeston, who played for 58 minutes with only ten men, now play away at Swindon Town in Round One. Altrincham travel to play Ilkeston on 4 November in the FA Trophy. Also in the FA Cup 1st Round, Northwich Vics will play Bury (away) and Leigh RMI will entertain Millwall at home. Frickley, who beat Altrincham's conquerors, Mossley, have an away tie at Northampton Town following their win over Hyde United yesterday.28 October 2000
ALTY MATCH OFF, Saturday 28 October
Altrincham's match at Lancaster was called off at noon today, following an inspection of the waterlogged pitch. The Lancaster match had been brought forward from 10 February so the game will now presumably revert to that date. Today's surviving results are shown below.For the revised league table, click here.
Today's FA Cup matches involving Unibond Premier sides finished as follows:
UNIBOND XI v F.A. XI
A match between a representative side from the Unibond League and an F.A. semi-professional XI will take place on Monday 20 November at the Giant Axe ground of Lancaster City.
ALTRINCHAM TRIALIST GOES ELSEWHERE
Lee Ellington, who had a month on loan at Moss Lane last season has joined Gainsborough from Hull City. Lee was a non-playing sub in our two Conference matches against Northwich Vics last season. (Thanks to Terry Rowley for this information).FIXTURES CHANGES
Altrincham's Unibond Challenge Cup matches with Ashton United (home) and Stocksbridge Park Steels (away) are reported to have been changed to 7 and 14 November respectively.
26 October 2000
ELLISON OUT FOR 2 MONTHS?
It is reported in this week's Sale and Altrincham Messenger that Kevin Ellison (right) will not return to action for Altrincham until at least Christmas due to a knee injury sustained during the 2-1 defeat at Droylsden.25 October 2000
ALTRINCHAM 3 BARROW 2
In very wet and blustery conditions at Holker Street, Altrincham put in arguably their best performance of the season, especially in terms of the effort, commitment and determination on display. This result, in conjunction with Worksop's loss to Stalybridge, means Alty rise to second in the table. A shortened match report can be found here. However, a full report can be found on Dr Alan Johnson's Official Altrincham FC website.23 October 2000
GREYGOOSE MOVES ON
Ex-Robin Dean Greygoose has joined the growing ex-Alty contingent at Witton Albion, who currently field no less than 8 players who have formerly been at Moss Lane. After being released by Chester City earlier in the week, Dean made his debut on Saturday, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Ossett Town. (Incidentally, both goals were also scored by former Altrincham players, Anane and Haw!)
Left: Ian Craney receives touchline advice from coach, Tony Murphy, at Spennymoor.
CRANEY TARGET OF SCOUTS?
Alty midfielder Ian Craney is allegedly the focus of attention from several Premiership clubs. Tonight's Manchester Evening News reports that, among others, scouts from Manchester City, Everton and Derby have all been watching the 18-year-old "midfield prodigy", who has impressed after emerging from the reserve team at the start of this season.WARD DISPLEASURE
Manager Mark Ward has publicly expressed his anger after a lacklustre performance against Blyth. In an interview in tonight's Manchester Evening News he says "Some of my players..were not good enough". Hopefully, his words will have made an impact in time for the long trip to Barrow tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.22 October 2000
ALTRINCHAM YOUTH WIN AGAIN
In a late change of opposition, George Heslop's Altrincham Youth team today met Walton-le-Dale rather than Morecambe. Even without Otis Thomas (see below) Altrincham played impressively and won 4-1 in a very entertaining match played at Wythenshawe Town F.C.. The scorers were Mario Daniel (17 mins), Adam Schofield (30 and 42 mins) and Paul Monaghan with a second-half penalty. A brief match report can be found here. For details of Youth fixtures and players, please visit the Altrincham Youth page of this site.DANNY MURPHY
The reason for Danny Murphy's substitution yesterday is reported to have been a groin strain.THE WEEK'S FIXTURES
Tuesday 24 OctoberWednesday 25 October
21 October 2000OTIS MAKES HIS MARK
Otis Thomas, Altrincham's speedy young striker, has been invited to undertake a two-week trial at Bristol City after being watched by a scout during the friendly game against Manchester City on 18 October. Otis also played for the first team in the Cheshire Senior Cup match at Northwich recently.GAINSBOROUGH NEWS
From Both Ends", an unofficial Gainsborough site, reports that Leroy Chambers "could be a possible target for a Trinity team desperate for more fire power". After today's 1-7 defeat by Stalybridge, Trinity manager Greg Fee has left the Club, though whether he was sacked or resigned is not yet clear.ALTRINCHAM 3 BLYTH SPARTANS 1
A full match report is here.Altrincham remain third after a generally low-key performance against Blyth. With ten minutes to go the score was 1-1 and as Blyth had enjoyed the better of the second-half play, it looked as if two points might be lost. Danny Murphy had put Altrincham ahead with a shot from the edge of the area a minute before the interval, after a disappointing first-half which saw too many misplaced passes and poor ball control. Andy Hay struck a deserved equaliser for Spartans after 62 minutes but Altrincham raised their game, especially after Alex Hay finished off a Dickie Landon flick to put the Robins ahead (80 mins). Four minutes later Stuart Coburn made a good save but fell backwards into the net. With the visiting fans baying for a goal to be awarded, the well-placed referee ruled in Altrincham's favour and waved play on. Jason Gallagher scored a fine third when Hawes's cross to the right was knocked forward by Hay and Gallagher went round the keeper to score (88 mins). Altrincham remain third; the new table is here.
20 October 2000
WOMAN IN CHARGE
Although Altrincham have been refereed previously by a female official, our FA Trophy match at Ilkeston on 4 November will be our first such game this season; however, her identity is not yet clear.MANAGERIAL COMINGS AND GOINGS
Northwich Victoria have appointed Keith Alexander, the joint managing director and former manager of Ilkeston Town,the Nottinghamshire Dr Martens Premier team. It was Alexander who signed Alty's captain, Chris Timons, during the close season, so can we expect Timo to follow his boss to the Drill Field?Meanwhile Alexander's predecessor at the Vics, Mark Gardiner, is strongly tipped to be Leek's new manager following the dismissal of their manager, Andy Holmes. Leek's player-coach Dave Sutton resigned as a consequence. Gardiner made his playing debut for Leek in the recent 1-1 draw against Altrincham. Another manager to be sacked is Bobby Davison at Guiseley, who are now in the Unibond First Division; Neil Parsley is now the temporary man in charge.
TURK MOVES ON
Accrington's much publicised Turkish signing, Servet Tasdemir, who played as a sub versus Altrincham, has been released for match practice to Gt Harwood Town in the NW Counties League.19 October 2000
EYEING UP ALTRINCHAM
Ian Atkins, the manager of Carlisle United, has recently been spotted at a number of Altrincham games, though which player he may be wishing to sign is not clear. Likely targets must include Stuart Coburn or Steve Hawes.FIXTURE CHANGE
To replace the away fixture at Frickley scheduled for 28 October, Altrincham have moved forward their away game at the Giant Axe against Lancaster City to that date. Frickley are involved in the FA Cup on that Saturday.18 October 2000