Alty Keep Dream Alive.


A comprehensive three nil victory over Blyth at Croft Park saw promotion pushers Altrincham stay challenges gaining ground on Burton.

It was a cold and windy afternoon in Blyth and it was the home side who started brightly, however poor finishing denied them any chance of a point.

A goal mouth scramble on four minutes saw top scorer Glen Robson have his shot deflected off for a corner by right back Neil Ryan. A minute later and a free-kick by Blyth's Neil Radigan from 35 yards forced Stuart Coburn to act quickly tipping the ball over for a corner.

Altrincham's first shot of the game came on seven minutes after a Gary Scott cross was flicked on by Rod Thornley which lead Danny Murphy to header wide of the target.

On 14 minutes a long ball forward down the right by Paddy Little was headed on by captain Carl Pepper which was collected by Coburn. Robson then ran in and challenged Coburn and found himself booked.

The opening goal came on 15 minutes after a costly mistake by Andy Martin led Thornley to run at him and get past with ease, Thornley then ran on into the box and had his first shot blocked by John Hutton but managed to hit the re-bound into the back of an empty net.

Steven Stewart tried his best to get Blyth back into the game but on 23 minutes his forward run was ended after a trip by Mark Sertori which ended in him being booked. The free-kick was hit tamely wide not forcing Coburn to make much effort on the goal line.

Altrincham almost made it two nil just after the half hour when a long ball by captain Steve Hawes found Thornley who ran into the box unmarked however keeper Paul Gilmour made a fantastic claim for the ball to take it away from Thornley which Little cleared.

On 35 minutes the last action of the half came from Blyth when a run by Gareth Williams down the right was crossed in for Robson who managed to get the ball under control but his shot flew over and wide of goal.

The second half was more scrappy but it was Altrincham who took their chances and took a comfortable lead later in the half.

On 59 minutes a corner by Ryan swung into the box and Murphy, who was unmarked, rose above the others to head into the net to make it two nil.

On 63 minutes Stewart made a darting run for Blyth who beat Mark Maddox easily, Stewart then crossed for Robson who headed over and wide again. Blyth kept pushing forward with no luck and on 67 minutes Radigan passed to Stewart with the resulting shot going across the goal mouth and wide.

Several substitutions later and Altrincham took the game under control. On 85 minutes Ian Craney messed around by gripping onto Stewart's leg after an entanglement on the half way line but things started to get nasty and the Referee, Mr. George Simpson, had to prise the pair apart after they had words and Craney was eventually booked.

On 89 minutes the final goal ended Blyth's unlucky day when substitute Lee Poland banged in a shot from 8 yards from Thornley's cross which Richard Forster could not block on the line unless he wanted a bigger head ache after the match.

Full Time: 0-3.
Attendance: 479.
M.O.T.M: Rod Thornley.

It probably was quite a decent game to watch for neutrals like yourself Alan(!) even better one for the travelling Alty fans, but for 90% of us it was even more painful than Tuesdays nights game. Our failings become clearer every game.
Fair enough Alty won at a canter and fully deserved to, (but don't get me wrong here) they were not that good, clinical in front of goal.
Mind you at the minute I wish we were able to finish like that but in playing long balls too a five foot five'ish lone foward, its no wonder were struggling.

With Burton & Lancaster still to come to Blyth we WILL have a very big say on where the title goes...
especially if it goes down to goal difference...
as there goals for column will be looking rather healthy.......

keep on winning, that the message to whitby town fc, so it looks like its going to be a good game at the turnbull ground on tuesday night, whitby who beat vauxhall motors on saturday and blyth who lost to alty. Though we havent had such a great season this year, we got kicked out of the FA trophy to Blyth, we did well in the FAcup, and now we r strugging in the league.
We`re waiting for Blyth game, as the two league games have both been postponed once this season, so the fans will be looking forward to it, and i hope blyth bring many of their supporters down, have a safe journey and have a good time in whitby.
GH

A fair match report- I'd agree that Alty were stronger and finished better but 3-0 was more than they deserved but no-one could argue about the 3 points.

Quite simply we were awful. It pains me to see Andy Martin on the ball. He's a decent defender but he's got no close control. Robbo was alarmingly wasteful in front of goal and even the reliable Carl Pepper was kept quiet. It's also nice to see Gilmore watch the ball sail past him. If he actually moved for a change then the second goal wouldn't have happened. Even Fozzy was well off it for the first half. Only Williams really put in a decent day's shift.

You clearly didn't take the advice on your message board Alan!!