Tuesday 8th March 2005
Altrincham 1 Stafford Rangers 0
Nationwide North
At: Moss Lane
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Programme: ???
Attendance: 601
Weather: dry, mild
Duration: first-half: 45:58; second-half: 48:22
A piece of clinical finishing by Marcus Hallows in the 29th minute condemned Stafford Rangers to their second-successive defeat. In a very entertaining game, the Altrincham striker received a pass from Colin Potts and planted a low shot into the bottom left corner which Will Smith had little chance of stopping.
Stafford got the game underway attacking the open terrace end in the first half – left to right in relation to the stand on the Moss Lane side of the ground. The original game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch on New Year’s Day.
With a side showing one change – Danny Edwards replaced Jamie Phoenix – Stafford made a positive start with a bold attacking formation. Early on, Craig McAughtrie fired straight at home keeper Stuart Coburn. Robin Gibson also got a shot on target and Craig Wilding drove high over the bar.
Altrincham got more into the game and Eddie Hussin sent a dipping volley inches wide of the target. In the 27th minute, Marcus Hallows found Rod Thornley inside the area who, fortunately for Stafford, sliced his shot wide.
But Stafford weren’t so fortunate two minutes later when Altrincham scored what proved to be the winner. After Gibson lost possession, Colin Potts delivered a low ball into the area from the right, which Hallows swept home from 12 yards out.
It could have got worse when former Hednesford midfielder Val Owen drove inches over.
Stafford finished the half on the attack and almost got back on level terms. Gibson and Wilding combined to set up Craig Lovatt who saw his shot cleared off the line by Stephen Aspinall.
In a similar pattern to the first half, Stafford made a positive start after the interval and again were unlucky not to equalise in the 53rd minutes. Nathan Talbott got down the left and when his route was blocked found Danny Edwards who delivered a deep cross. Craig Wilding rose at the far post to head against the Altrincham bar.
Stafford certainly enjoyed plenty of possession and unmarked Rob Heath blasted a good chance over the bar from the edge of the area.
As he did in Saturday home defeat against Hucknall, Stafford manger Phil Robinson threw central defender Wayne Daniel forward for the last ten minutes to lead the attack. But Altrincham almost scored a second goal in the closing stages. Kirk Hilton curled a free kick on target, which Will Smith superbly turned over at the expense of a corner.
Altrincham (red and white stripes / black / red): 1. Stuart Coburn, 2. Stephen Aspinall, 3. Chris Adams, 4. Mark Maddox, 5. George Melling, 6. Eddie Hussin (capt), 7. Colin Potts, 8. Val Owen, 9. Marcus Hallows, 10. Rod Thornley, 11. Gary Scott. Subs: 12. Josh Mitten (for Hallows, 82), 14. Richard Norris (for Owen, 73), 15. Kirk Hilton (for Potts, 74), 16. Kieran Lugsden (not used), 17. Paul Tilley (not used).
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / white / black): 1. Will Smith, 2. Craig McAughtrie, 3. David Norton, 4. Chris Smith, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Craig Lovatt, 7. Nathan Talbott, 8. Robert Heath, 9. Danny Edwards, 10. Craig Wilding, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Alan Dodd (for Wilding, 82), 14. Jamie Phoenix (for Norton, 53), 15. Richard Beale (not used), 16. Alex Gibson (not used), 17. Alex Gibbons (not used).
Referee: D. Unsworth (Bolton).
Assistants: Ryan Johnson and S. Parker.
Goals:
1-0 Marcus Hallows (29)
Cards:
Altrincham: Chris Adams (YC, 74), Rod Thornley (YC, 82)
Stafford: none
