Altrincham Football Club News Archive
5 to 18 September, 2005
18 September 2005
YOUTH
Alty Youth are at home (Wythenshawe Town FC) today at 2.30pm, playing Leigh RMI.17 September 2005
SATURDAY 17TH
Right: Val Owen, Alty's best player at York.
YORK GAME
SAM has a preview of Alty's game at York today. It confirms that "Alty will be without both Gary Talbot and Colin Potts, who have failed to recover from knocks picked up in the game against Dagenham. And Richard Acton and Lewis Chalmers will also be missing... But young keeper Christopher Cloherty, a product of the Manchester City youth system, has been brought in to provide cover for Stuart Coburn, and Karl Munroe, Rod Thornley and Kirk Hilton could all figure in the matchday squad". SAM identifies their dangermen as wingers Clayton Donaldson and Andy Bishop.This is York adds that "City centre-backs Mark Hotte and James Dudgeon have both returned to training and are expected to be available for selection against Altrincham". However, SAM adds that "Hotte has been sent off once this year and has given away two penalties, while Dudgeon scored in both the games he played while Hotte was banned and is likely to continue in the starting line-up". Manager Billy McEwan told This is York, "There won't be many changes because we have had a couple of wins and we want to try and keep that going". McEwan added, "For the first 45 minutes, Altrincham were the better team against Dagenham and a bit unlucky not to be in front. Then, all of a sudden, they got walloped but they will be wanting to prove to their manager that it was just a blip. We know if we aren't right we will slip up. Hard work will always beat talent when talent does not work hard and any player showing any complacency will be off".
HEREFORD PICS
The Hereford United website now has photos from the game against Altrincham.OLD BOY
Stalybridge Celtic report that ex-Alty midfielder Jordan Burke has been loaned to Ossett Town to regain fitness.CSC
IC Cheshire reports that Chester City "were due to face Macclesfield Town in the first round of the Cheshire Senior Cup on Wednesday but the match was postponed. The Moss Rose club called the game off due to an outbreak of mumps in their squad. No new date for the fixture has yet been arranged".
CONFERENCE NEWS
NL Daily says that "Tommy Laws has become Cambridge United's second short-term signing in as many days... Centre half Laws, 19, was a trainee with West Ham with the U’s on-loan goalkeeper Darren Behcet, but was released".Confguide says that "Stevenage Borough's Chairman Phil Wallace has responded to Confguide’s story relating to the cancellation of his side’s live broadcast game against Exeter City on Tuesday 20th September. Confguide reported that the Club Chairman turned down the opportunity to broadcast Borough’s game live over the Internet... Wallace told Webnews: ' Yes, I did refuse to allow free Internet broadcasting of our live match against Exeter and for good reason. Being one of the people instrumental in concluding the Sky TV package for the Conference, which has resulted in great exposure and hundreds of thousands of pounds for Conference clubs, why should we continue to give away the rights to our live matches for free?... If we can't sell it, then we'll wait until we can is my view... It's hard enough as it is and giving away the only asset we have - the actual live game -for free is the first nail in the coffin of survival for many clubs".
From Accrington Stanley "There was disappointing news this week about Andy Tretton and Andy Procter, both of whom now look set to face operations". Stanley physio Ian Liversedge added "Meanwhile Danny Alcock's arm is still in pot, and it will still be another few weeks before he can start training".
Forest Green "can confirm that Lewis Haldane is to continue on loan at The Lawn until Saturday 8th October whilst Mark Danks is out on loan at Bromsgrove Rovers until 9th November".
The unofficial Bullsnews reports that "Halifax striker Darren Mansaram, fresh from a spell at York, has joined Tamworth for a month's loan. Tamworth have released Simon Hollis, who has returned to Redditch, and have let Nathan Jackson join Stourport on a month's loan".
Halifax Town chairman Geoff Ralph has reportedly stated that his vice-chairman "Adrian Hall was asked by me to review his situation on the basis that he had identified to myself and the rest of the Board on more than one occasion that he was finding it difficult to have a meaningful involvement with the Club. He had personal business issues to deal with, and was not able to contribute further to the club either financially or with his time. Halifax Town clearly needs Directors who are able to spend time on the Club's matters in order to progress. Vice Presidents... have been advised that the role of Vice President is deemed to have a value, and asked if they would wish to make that contribution. If they did not wish to do this, a position of 'Life Member' was available to them at no cost" .
It is believed that the airline, Flybe, have renewed their sponsorship deal with Exeter City but a club spokesman, Dave Treharne said, "We are struggling every month to break even. People look at the attendance figures and think we are comfortably off. The fact of the matter is we are not". City are due to emerge from administration in mid-October.
16 September 2005
INJURIES AND SIGNING
Colin Potts, Gary Talbot and Lewis Chalmers are expected to be absentees tomorrow at York, through injury. Graham Heathcote has signed young ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Christopher Cloherty as stand-by goalkeeper following the injury to Richard Acton in midweek. Chris, who is 6ft 1in tall, is currently with Trafford FC for whom he has made three reserve team appearances this season. He was a pupil of Blessed Thomas Holford school in Altrincham.YORK GAME
The NL Paper's betting expert has York as a "home banker" against Alty on Saturday. Elsewhere in the NLP Colin Little (right) says "We need to be playing at 100% of what we are capable of every week because, if we drop below that level, we'll get beaten. We all know that. For us, it's very similar to what Alex Ferguson said about City just going to Old Trafford to get everyone behind the ball. What do they want us to do? We know that we are not up to their standard so we are not going to go there and open the game up and say, 'come and get five or six past us'... We already know our capabilities so we are going to go to the so-called bigger teams, like Hereford and York, and try and make it as hard as we can for them to beat us. If we can nick anything on the way, we'll take it". In his league career, Colin has previously scored twice against York.
However, Alty have never met York in a league match before but they have had three FA Cup encounters:
ALTY'S NEW SIGNINGS TO BOWL YORK OVER?
Disappointed by their defeat in the Oval Test Match, two of Australia's finest bowlers have decided to give up cricket and try their hand at football instead. And Aussie team-coach driver Geoff Goodwin immediately signed them up for Altrincham FC, of which he is chairman. Geoff's Go Goodwins firm has provided transport for the Australians throughout their stay in England this summer. Proof of the new signings comes in these pictures, taken by Geoff at the Oval on Monday, which show Alty's two new signings, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, proudly wearing their new team strip. They are expected to go straight into the Alty squad at York City on Saturday.
 |
 |
From This is York we read that "Recalled York City left-back Dave Merris is hoping to emulate his achievement of last season by staying in the team for the rest of the campaign. Merris, 24, sat on the bench for the first four games of the 2004/05 campaign before replacing new singing Shaun Smith. He then went on to play in every minute of every other match until the final game of the season at home to Farnborough when he was substituted and applauded off the pitch after being named the Player of the Year. City boss Billy McEwan made Merris wait an extra two fixtures before handing him his first start of the new campaign during Saturday's 2-1 victory at Forest Green Rovers but the former Harrogate Town defender is now determined to hold on to his place again. The arrival of Nathan Peat in the summer has intensified competition at left-back and, with the Minstermen's vice-captain currently sidelined by a calf injury, Merris realises he will need to be at his best to keep his starting place".
CSC
Woodley Sports's secretary has put a report on Tuesday's CSC game against Alty on the club's Forum. "The pace of Horrocks and Wilkinson, when he came on, caused Alty's back four severe problems and we got a deserved 2nd goal on 81 minutes when Wes Wilkinson smashed home a great goal. Overall some naive defensive errors, but let's get real, this was a very strong National Conference side we were playing and we gave them a game".This is Winsford reports: "Winsford United manager Dave Twite has spoken about the crazy night at Barton Stadium that saw his side's Cheshire Senior Cup match with Cammell Laird abandoned at half time. The Blues had taken a 2-0 lead with goals from Rob Hanley and Rick Arnold, but Laird managed to claw one back just before the break... Craig Marshall chased a long ball, but the Laird keeper got there first and handled the ball outside the area. He was shown the red card by the referee and then took his gloves off and threw them at the official. Another Laird player [ex-Alty man Anthony Hargreaves] was sent off during protests before the referee blew for half time. Things seemed to have calmed down, but one of the Laird management team then got involved and leapt over the barrier, into the crowd, to argue with fans. Sensing trouble, the referee had no option but to abandon the game". Twite said, "I couldn't believe it when their official went over the barrier and into the crowd and their manager even came into our dressing room... Cheshire FA say it could take two or three weeks for a decision, but I believe we should be handed the tie as the game was abandoned at half time when we were winning and they had had two men sent off".
RESERVES
There is a report on the Reserves' win on Wednesday in the Reserves' section.CHESHIRE NEWS
The BBC reports that "The Football Association has charged Macclesfield with four rules breaches regarding financial irregularities. Three of the charges relate to a grant received from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund for the Estate Road Stand, built between 2000 and 2002. The fourth charge concerns the League Two club's accounting records. Macclesfield chairman Robert Bickerton said 'The club will not be making any further statements on this matter until the hearing takes place'. The FA has open-ended powers in such cases, including the ability to deduct points if a club is found guilty".CONFERENCE NEWS
Canvey Island boss Jeff King told the BBC, "We're conceding a few silly goals but overall we're playing well and I'm sure we will be fine if we eradicate one or two things and keep going as we are. I think we're much better than last year. The players we have signed are better than the ones we had and a bit more adaptable". But "Canvey have been hit by the loss of leading striker Lee Boylan, who is out for a further month following groin surgery. But King is looking to the likes of Allan Tait, Kezie Ibe, Jason Hallet and Neil Gregory to fill the void". Alty travel to Canvey on 8 October for a 1pm kick off thanks to England playing Austria that day.Meanwhile, "Grays Athletic striker Jamie Slabber proved his fitness as he scored two goals in a 5-0 friendly win ... [ex-Aldershot man] Bertie Brayley, who recently joined the Blues on non-contract terms, also pressed his claims for a permanent deal at the Recreation Ground with a goal".
Alty drew 0-0 at Hereford recently and "United boss Graham Turner is looking to secure a loan deal to strengthen his injury-hit strikeforce. Turner, whose side has scored just once in their last four games, is awaiting a response from two Championship clubs over potential targets".
Scarborough, whom we meet next Tuesday "have been hit by the news that leading scorer Brian Wake is facing a month on the sidelines. The on-loan Gretna striker, 23, has scored in his last three games but has been ruled out with a calf problem", says the BBC.
"Peterborough midfielder Andre Boucaud is holding talks over a possible loan switch to Aldershot Town. Boucaud, 20, has not started a game for Peterborough this season and would be allowed to leave London Road to make room for potential new arrivals".
The Conference reports that "Southport striker Neil Robinson is facing up to a month on the sidelines with an ankle ligament injury. 'Port's leading scorer was stretchered off during last Saturday's defeat at Woking and scans have confirmed ligament damage". Alty meet Southport in mid-October.
15 September 2005
YORK ON SATURDAY
SAM says that Graham Heathcote "believes the game against York will be their toughest of the season but is hopeful they can bounce back from the 5-0 defeat against Dagenham and Redbridge last Saturday. 'There's no point dwelling on the 5-0', he said. 'I said my piece to the players on the game but I'm as much a part of the defeat as anyone else. I've watched York and they are up there with the best, they are a very young side, a fit side and a well organised side and on paper this is our most difficult game'".This is York rpeorts that "City boss Billy McEwan has blasted the decision to buy the land where the club's current training ground is situated. Centre-back James Dudgeon became the latest casualty of the hard surface at Wigginton Road by picking up an ankle injury on Monday, adding to McEwan's selection woes with the training ground having already claimed Mark Hotte (back) and Nathan Peat (calf) as recent victims. Should Dudgeon, Hotte and Peat all now be sidelined for Saturday's home match with Altrincham then McEwan may have to call on rookie teenager Michael Staley as on-loan defender David McGurk's centre-back partner or look to make another loan signing. The City boss said: 'Whoever put the training ground up there wants shooting. How can you put it somewhere where there isn't any water for the land. It's bone hard and is costing us players'".
Meanwhile, "The Minstermen's reserves went down 2-0 at Worksop Town to Sheffield United `B' in the Pontin's League... Former Azerbaijan under-21 international keeper Farhad Afandiyev was beaten from the spot for the first goal after conceding the penalty himself for a foul... Teenage midfielder Byron Webster limped out of the action on 32 minutes after coming off second best in a challenge. Grimsby's 6ft 1in striker Jermaine Palmer, who started the season on loan at Scarborough, replaced him and is currently on trial at KitKat Crescent... Meanwhile, Halifax striker Darren Mansaram has returned to the Shay after the end of his one-month loan spell because he is currently sidelined with a groin injury".
ALTY RES. 7 CLITHEROE RES. 1
Alty Reserves had a comfortable win on Wednesday with two goals from Tom Baker and one each from Pat McFadden, Griff Jones, Mike Sutton, Anthony Bingham and Mike Brown. Clitheroe did hit the post twice and played the last 15 minutes with 10 men after Andy Ellis was injured just after they had made their last substitution. There have now been 48 goals in Alty's eight Lancashire League games this season. Report to follow.CONFERENCE NEWS
NL Daily reports that "Leaving Aldershot Town is former MK Dons winger Michael Gordon, who made one appearance".Scarborough boss "Nick Henry was delighted with Jake Speight who starred on his full debut in the 3-1 victory over Gravesend... Henry said: 'Jake gives us something a little different. He has pace and runs at defenders and he gave their full-back Justin Skinner a torrid time which was one of the reasons he ended up getting taken off before half-time otherwise I think he would have been sent-off'". But defender Paul Foot was sent off and his manager said, "It was unnecessary to get sent-off and it put pressure on the rest of the lads for the final half an hour so I am disappointed with him... Last season we never lost at home but we had not really got going this season so the win was vital".
The BBC adds that "Nicky Henry may move back into the loan market to bolster his squad following an injury to in-form striker Brian Wake. Wake, who is on loan from Gretna, has scored in his last three games but was in hospital with a calf injury after Saturday's win".
"Stevenage Borough chairman Phil Wallace is pleased with the progress the club are making off the pitch. Boro made an operating loss of £9,410 in the year to May 2005 - compared to a loss of £110,791 the previous year. Wallace said: "We are in good shape. Gate income now accounts for less than 25% of our £2m-plus annual income" reports the BBC.
"Dagenham midfielder Paul Bruce faces six weeks on the sidelines once he undergoes surgery on a foot injury... Meanwhile, club captain Tim Cole's recovery from a nine-month absence with a knee injury continued as he came through a reserve game".
The Crawley Observer reports that "Former England international Alan Mullery has joined Conference club Crawley Town in a consultancy capacity".
Halifax Today states that "Greg Young is ready to stake his claim for the left-back berth in the Town defence in place of Matt Doughty whose three-match ban following his red card at the weekend has been confirmed by the FA". But "Young, who can also play as a central defender, is hoping not to suffer a recurrence of his latest injury. But he knows that if he does, it could mean an operation to pin his shoulder and a lengthy spell out of the side".
14 September 2005
RICHARD ACTON OUT FOR A MONTH
SAM confirms that Alty goalkeeper "Richard Acton has now been ruled out for at least four weeks after breaking the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot during Tuesday's Cheshire Senior Cup victory". Graham Heathcote said "I'm going to get another goalkeeper as soon as possible but it's not easy to find someone who will come here to sit on the bench. But that's what we'll have to do and hopefully I'll find someone before Saturday".Two of the Alty goals on Tuesday came from Lee Hendley who, so far this season, has scored seven goals in just 2(+1) appearances for the Reserves and 1(+1) for the first team. Graham Heathcote said, "Lee showed us the sort of things that he possesses against Woodley and he is definitely one for the future of this football club".
WOODLEY SPORTS 2 ALTRINCHAM 4 - BUT MORE INJURIES
Chris Adams (right) kept goal for more than half an hour last night as Alty defended their Cheshire Senior Cup trophy.
RESERVES AT HOME
Alty Reserves play Clitheroe tonight at Moss Lane in the Lancashire League, k.o. 7.45pm. Entry two pounds (free to season ticket holders).YOUTH CUP
Alty Youth's FA Youth Cup tie away at Selby Town has been set for Monday, 26 September at 7.45pm.CSC
SATURDAY
Alty are away at York City on Saturday. The very useful York Red & Blue website says that "Away supporters are accommodated in the Grosvenor Road end of the ground. The turnstiles are located in Grosvenor Road... Ground admission prices: Adults £13 Concessions £8, (Juniors under 16; Students with valid NUS card; Over 65s). If you wish to sit down you can transfer, within the ground, to the seated 'Popular Stand' for an additional £1. The capacity of the Grosvenor Road End is 1,970 whilst travelling fans are allocated up to 990 additional seats. A copy of the programme costs £2.50".CHESHIRE NEWS
The Liverpool Daily Post reports that "Chester City football club is facing closure after it failed to pay a £180,000 tax bill... The Inland Revenue has filed a petition to wind up the club in the High Court after all other attempts to recoup the cash failed. It could see the club declared bankrupt in just eight days' time, when the case is due to be heard in London on September 21... Chairman Stephen Vaughan denied the club was in danger of closing - although he admitted it was not getting enough people through the turnstiles to pay its tax bills. The 44-year-old businessman... described himself as Chester's 'sugar daddy'. He said his accountants have already made arrangements to pay the £180,000 arrears by Friday, and that he would continue to 'prop it up'". He added that "he will ask the club's board for permission to hold an extraordinary general meeting, when shareholders would discuss creating four million shares at £1 each... But he admitted that in the long term only a promotion to the Coca Cola Football League One, could solve the club's financial woes". However, Vaughan stated "There are a number of initiatives that we would like to undertake in and around the stadium, which would be beneficial to the club and its finances... We were £3m in debt when I took it over and I loaned the club that amount plus about another million". He also said that "the club would need 5,000 people coming through the turnstiles each home game to break even, compared to the current average of just 3,100".CONFERENCE NEWS
"Aldershot are to extend 29-year-old Yeovil defender Scott Guyett's loan spell for a second month. Glovers' boss Gary Johnson told his club's website: "We have had good reports on Scott's form, despite Aldershot's lack of success", reports the BBC. "We have got immediate recall should we have any problems". And "Brighton striker Chris McPhee will also be staying for a second month on loan, reports BBC Southern Counties Radio".Stevenage manager Graham Westley asserts "We will get better. But we have done the first important thing which is to gt into the race. I want to win the league from the front. I expect us to change gear now. Provided that we win this weekend we should get the chance to go top when we host the leaders Exeter next Tuesday".
Cambridge United have signed Craig Westcarr He is a 20-year-old forward ex-England schoolboy who was at Nottingham Forest' last season. "Craig is a striker who came through the ranks at Forest," said manager Rob Newman. The BBC say that "Forward Robert Duffy, 22, has left Cambridge after his contract agreement was terminated in order to make way for Westcarr's arrival". NL Daily adds that "Cambridge United have signed.... Leon Drysdale, 24". Newman said, "Leon is a full-back or a midfielder and he is extremely tenacious". He " made more than 60 first-team appearances for the Shrews before playing for Telford United last season".
13 September 2005
GEORGE HESLOP'S DIRTY WASHING
A report on Sunday's Youth Team win over Marine is now in the Youth section. Apologies that I had forgotten to add the link to the report from the Youth Page earlier today. In the report you will find youth team manager George Heslop's dirty washing made public...WOODLEY TONIGHT
Alty travel to Woodley Sports tonight (Tuesday) in the Cheshire Senior Cup and it is expected that they will field several players who have not been regular starters this season due to injury or otherwise. These may include some or all of Richard Acton, Steve Aspinall, Kirk Hilton, George Melling, Lee Hendley and Lewis Chalmers but some regulars such as Peter Band and Colin Little may also be involved.
NEW BOYS
 |
 |
Above: Two more excellent images (here reduced but even better in full size) from Gavin Rathbone. More can be seen on the STAR website and in the shop at Moss Lane where copies can be ordered. See also the GR photos website for a wide range of Gavin's products. Shown above are (left) Gary Williams and (right) James Olsen, against Dagenham.
The STAR bucket collection at the game raised an excellent £101.57.
SAM ON SATURDAY
SAM has a report on the defeat to Dagenham saying, "The 5-0 scoreline was harsh on the home team, who had gone in at half time unlucky to be trailing 1-0... But they were punished for not taking their chances by a Daggers side that was brutally efficient in front of goal, scoring five of their six shots on target". The third goal "left the players and supporters alike scratching their heads in disbelief. Coburn appeared to handle the ball outside his area and as he waited to receive a yellow card from the referee, Moore took a quick free kick, crossing the ball for Kandol to head into the empty net. This seemed to sap the home team's belief and they seemed to play out the remainder of the game lacking in both concentration and self-belief".CONFERENCE NEWS
The BBC says that "Scarborough boss Nicky Henry was critical of Paul Foot after he was sent off against Gravesend... 'It was good to get the monkey off our backs with our first home win but Paul made it difficult for us. I warned them at half-time not to give the referee the chance to send them off and then he's gone charging round'" and got a second yellow."Reading will continue to monitor the progress of Tamworth defender Aaron Brown after playing him in their reserve side last week... Meanwhile, Tamworth have signed Reading winger Darren Campbell, 19, on loan". The BBC also reports that "Accrington Stanley have completed the signing of former Tranmere Rovers midfielder Alan Navarro... Navarro played almost 50 games for Tranmere in an injury-hit spell after converting a loan stay into a £225,000 move from Liverpool in January 2002".
FA CUP
Alty enter the FA Cup in the 4th Qualifying Round. In yesterday's draw for the the FA Cup 2QR our local neighbours Trafford host Whitby Town. Leigh RMI are away at Chester-Le-Street Town whilst Hyde United host Lancaster City. Northwich are away at Frickley, Droylsden play Burscough and Salford City host Gateshead. Stalybridge Celtic entertain Workington.12 September 2005
TUESDAY
Alty play at Woodley Sports' Lambeth Grove stadium on Tuesday in the CSC. It will be Alty's first game on an artificial pitch in recent years and the omens for 13 September are recorded in Howard Watts's Through the Years data.Cheshire County FA Senior Cup - Round One matches this week include:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
COTE'S COMMENTS
From the Robins' Review of 10 September 2005.Welcome to everyone from Dagenham and Redbridge. It's nice to be able to welcome you to Moss Lane again, especially John Still, a manager I have much respect for, and we have had many a battle when I was working with Kingy.
I have to say a big thank you to you all for the wonderful support against Morecambe, and especially to all of you who got up at a ridiculously early hour to get to Hereford for the 12 o'clock kick off. The players and staff really appreciate that effort and we hope you feel rewarded with the effort that the players are putting in, game in game out. It has become quite clear to me other clubs expect us to turn up and let them win just to keep everybody happy, and when we haven't done that, they are going away and I have received numerous complaints as the secretary regarding 'This wasn't right or that wasn't right" or making up allegations of behaviour. Some of the clubs need a reality check. We are in this league on merit. We will not lie down and give them the points, and there will be teething problems with clubs taking the step up, and we will iron out any problems we may have. But may I suggest that if we also join the bandwagon on complaining over every little issue, and there have been things not done strictly correctly on some of our journeys so far, then the Conference office staff would need to double.
The pressure on these full time clubs, and the expense they are going to, to fulfil their dreams means to me they are losing sight of the fact that they are still non-league teams, and the very fact that they are full time does not give them the god given right to believe they know and do things better than us little part time clubs. We prepare as thoroughly as anyone, and like them, are looking to progress but at our own pace and within our budget. I think in maybe five years time, a lot of these clubs may start to think it's a very sensible route to take. Whilst I have enjoyed the footballing side of this league, and pitting our wits against other good managers, I have not particularly enjoyed the other aspects of the league, or I should say its clubs. They appear to me to be way above their station and quite clearly can't accept not beating us. We, over the years, long before many of these clubs were known, have proved ourselves at upsetting the applecart, all be it in the FA Cup. Every game is like a cup tie to us this season. I hope there are a lot more upsets still to come, and we can make the pundits who make us favourites to lose every week and get relegated, eat their words. Enjoy the game Graham.
BARROW RES. 1 ALTY RES. 3
There is a match report now on the Reserves' Page, based on details kindly supplied by Neil Brown.ALTY YOUTH 3 MARINE YOUTH 1
In an entertaining game, Alty ran out winners thanks to goals fromDean White, Mattie Williams and Curtis Connell. Report to follow.The revised Youth Team fixtures for this season are accessible through the Youth Page.
Alty Youth defender, Tom Bane, and striker, Ben Deegan, have ben called up by the Cheshire FA.
SATURDAY PAST
Sportbox has a match report on Alty v Dagenham which it describes as a "a scrappy encounter at Moss Lane... a match littered with errors and neither team looked comfortable, but two goals in the second half killed the game off for the Daggers... but the final scoreline was particularly harsh on the home team".11 September 2005
AFTER THE GAME
In today's NL Paper, Graham Heathcote says of yesterday's defeat, "We produced our poorest perfomance of the season and got beaten by the better team. It could have been ten in the end... We didn't go overboard when we won, so we shouldn't now we've lost either. We proved that we are a match for teams in this league when on top of our game but we weren't on top form today. We were on the end of some bad decisions but Dagenham took their chances. The problem is that we fell behind and then had to chase the game. When we opened up, they took full advantage. We've had some good results this season but will cop for some more like today's if we play badly. We just have to get it out of our system and prepare for York".Daggers' boss John Still said, "Before the game we thought we'd have a hard time. Altrincham have had some good results and I have great respect for Heathcote. I thought we just shaded the first half and I asked the players to up the tempo after the break".
The NLP statistics interestingly show that the Daggers scored from all 5 of their shots on target, whilst Alty failed to register from all 3 of theirs. Alty had 6 shots off target to the Daggers 3 and won 7 corners against the visitors 5. Also, the visitors commited 12 fouls and Alty 8, but Alty got 3 cautions and Dagenham none.
Terry Rowley informs me that yesterday's 0-5 reverse at Moss Lane was almost the exact anniversary of the last time we were beaten by that score at home. That was on 11th September 1961 in the Cheshire County League to Northwich Victoria. Terry also points out a couple of other five-goal home defeats: 1-6 on 8th January 1949 against Northwich again and 1-6 on 8th December 1956 against Tranmere Rovers Reserves. Our last 5-0 reverse anywhere in the Conference was at Hednesford in 2000.
ON THE ROAD
The STAR supporters' coach travel times and fares for the visits to Woodley Sports (Tuesday) and York City (Saturday) are on the away travel page. Please book via the club on 928-1045.Our CSC opponents, Woodley Sports, lost to Prescot Cables in the FA Cup yesterday. The FA made Woodley switch the game to Hyde United as Woodley now have an artificial pitch. Curiously the Cheshire Senior Cup, another FA competition, does permit artficial pitches as venues.
OLD BOYS
Former Alty striker Nick Welton has joined Sutton United. Ashley Timms kept goal for Salford City yesterday against Guiseley in the FA Cup - Jeremy Illingworth played for the Yorkshire side. The Vauxhall v Marine match pitched a host of ex-Robins against each other. RMI included ex-Youth players Lee Shillito (who scored), Liam Coyne, Mark Drew, Ian Taylor and Graham Tench against Motors' Mike Garrity and James Glendenning. Our neighbours Trafford beat Yorkshire Amateurs 4-1 yesterday in the FA Cup, with one of the goals coming from Glyn Barker, who was with Alty in 2004-05 pre-season. Jozzer Mitten scored for FC United. Chris Timons played for Hucknall whilst Anthony Sullivan was a Lancaster sub.10 September 2005
RESERVES WIN
On Friday night, Alty Reserves won, away, at Barrow, 3-1. The goalscorers were Hendley, Thornley and Sutton - match report to follow.ALTRINCHAM 0 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 5
Right: Val Owen leaves the field ahead of a thoughtful Graham Heathcote.
ALTY v DAGGERS
The Daggers website has a match preview of today's game at Moss Lane, their first visit since May 1996, when they were relegated; a year later Alty were to follow them. Dagenham & Redbridge came back up in 2000-01 just as Alty were relegated from the Conference for the second time. The website says that the Essex side "will go into this encounter without Paul Benson who is suspended whilst Tresor Kandol returns from injury. Scott Griffiths is rated at 60/40 due to the shoulder injury at Canvey which forced him to be subbed in the game against Exeter. Paul Bruce needs an operation next week on a toe injury".SAM has a preview of the game against Dagenham. It states that "The Daggers squad remains largely unchanged from the last season after minimal transfer activity during the summer... despite losing Ashley Vickers and Paul Benson to injury and suspension respectively". It identifies their dangermen as striker Chris Moore (left-footed) and speedy winger Craig Mackail-Smith".
BUCKET SUCCESS
Gary Warrington reports that the STAR half-time bucket collections have now raised more than £7,000 since they were started. This is an impressive total of which the collectors and contributors should be proud. All the money feeds into the club which is very grateful to all concerned. Gary will always welcome new volunteers to help with the collections and he can be contacted via the Fans' Forum.NEXT WEEK
Alty travel to Kit Kat Crescent next week and from This is York comes news that "York City could be without skipper Mark Hotte and vice-captain Nathan Peat for Saturday's Conference clash at Forest Green. But striker Clayton Donaldson has recovered from a foot problem... Hotte has a stiff back and Peat a sore calf ... James Dudgeon and Dave Merris are likely to deputise". Manager Billy McEwan "pointed out that, without the two spot-kicks skipper Hotte has given away, his team would be top of the Conference table. 'We have got to be more diligent, composed and panic less. Mark Hotte's got to cut it out of his game because it's cost us five points. I know he's not meant it but he's got to accept responsibility as we would be top of the table now by two points. I don't want to criticise him too much as he's done very well for me otherwise but, if he doesn't learn from it, he won't be in the team... I've seen Forest Green and they are a physical side'. The report adds that "On-loan forward Darren Mansaram's... temporary stay at KitKat Crescent is due to expire on Thursday and McEwan is delaying a decision about his future until he knows the extent of his injury".McEwan "thanked the board for sanctioning an overnight stay this evening, saying, 'We did it in one day last season but tonight will give us better preparation because some of our players have to travel from Newcastle and Middlesbrough'".CONFERENCE NEWS
Tamworth report that their player Aaron Brown "played 90 minutes for the Reading reserve side this week against Brighton... The Lambs and Royals are currently in discussions regarding Aaron who impressed in the game, and there is also interest from another Championship club who have been asked to be kept informed of the young defender's progress". Tamworth have reportedly signed Darren Campbell on a short loan from Reading - not our local sprint champion from Sale!The BBC reports that "Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish hopes that Charlton academy star Onome Sodje can impress during his time at the Conference club. 'He's very strong, he's got decent pace and a good leap'... Sodje scored 14 goals from just 19 starts in the Under-17 FA Premier Academy League last season".
NL Daily confirms that "Cambridge United have signed former Boston United winger Courtney Pitt on a short-term deal". Manager Rob Newman said, "He's lost his way a little bit recently but he wants to do well and I think we're fortunate to get him here". Pitt "began his career at Chelsea before spending three years at Portsmouth and then joining Boston".
The Hereford Bulls News site reports how "Burton Albion have today confirmed the signing of Danny Bacon on a one month 'emergency' loan deal. With Burton apparently having 18 of their 19 man squad fit and available, and with the Conference keeping player registration matters confidential, it is wondered quite what the valid reasons for the loan are". Further grounds for questioning the word "emergency" come from The Burton Mail which confirms that "Danny Bacon is set to make his Burton Albion debut... But Brewers' boss Nigel Clough is still undecided whether to change a winning formation against Accrington Stanley... The Brewers boss said today: 'Danny's in line to start the game, and the nice dilemma is how we accommodate him. We could change the formation and play two up or we could stick with the system that worked well against Scarborough... We've even toyed with the idea of using Danny wide on the right, but we've brought him here to get us a goal or two and he needs to play up front'. The reports that "There could also be a recall for Andy Todd on the right side of midfield". Also, " Former Notts County player-manager Ian Richardson is training with the Brewers and could join on a short-term deal if he fails to get fixed up with a League club... Midfielder Andy Ducros has returned to training this week but has not fully recovered from a groin strain
Cambridge News says that United boss Rob Newman "admitted that he may have to get rid of players who are on non-contract or short-term deals if he wants to bring anyone else in. That could mean the end of the line for the likes of strikers Matt Nolan and Robert Duffy, who are both on month-to-month contracts, if they do not respond. But Newman said anyone coming in would only be offered the same terms. 'It probably upsets the players but it's a good thing where I'm concerned because it gets them out of the comfort zone'". He went on, "There could be a conveyor belt of players coming in and out, but if we see ones we like, we're prepared to move them in at the top and take people away at the bottom".
Halifax Today says that "Danny Forrest and Chris Senior are set to make their full home debuts when Town face Tamworth... The duo could form a three-pronged attack with John Grant as the Shaymen look to bounce back from defeat at Broadhall Way". Manager Chris Wilder added, "Tamworth are a big side and we will have to contain their physical threat... We will be looking to keep it nice and sharp and get it into the frontmen's feet... I don't think we are a million miles away from turning someone over well".
9 September 2005
SHANE SUPPORTS ALTY
Gary Warrington has put a picture on the excellent Alty Fans' Forum showing Aussie bowler Shane Warne wearing an Altrincham FC wristband during the current Test Match. Alty director Geoff Goodwin, who drives the Aussies' tour coach, supplied the tourists with the wristbands and they obviously brought Warne good luck as he took five wickets yesterday. Shane and his fellow tourists all visited Moss Lane last month as guests of Geoff Goodwin for the friendly against Bangor City.GROUND INSPECTION
Following a complaint from a visiting team, the Conference ordered an inspection of the Moss Lane pitch, which took place last night. Manager Graham Heathcote indicates that whilst the pitch is unsightly in places, as grass has not fully regrown over the drainage slits made in the summer, he does not expect the inspection report to indicate any serious problems. The affected area has now been re-seeded and should grow over shortly. Supporters will recall that the summer drainage work was held up for a month by the illegal occupation of the land adjacent to the football ground by "travelling people" and by the resulting trespass and damage to the stadium. The rehabilitation of the pitch would have been that much more advanced by now had that not happened.NO COVERAGE
The planned live ConferenceTV Broadband coverage of the Altrincham v Scarborough game on 20 September has been cancelled because the temporary gantry erected at Moss Lane for matchday videoing is deemed unsatisfactory for the Broadband transmission. It is likely, therefore, that the gantry will have to be enlarged next season. The ConferenceTV decision does not affect any potential coverage by Sky TV as they erect their own gantries if transmitting a match.PLANNING DEVELOPMENT
The Sale & Altrincham Messenger has a report on the planning development next to Alty's ground at Moss Lane. It says that "A formal public consultation will continue until September 21 and the council have assured the club that any proposed development will not impact upon the future of Moss Lane [as a football venue]. Council deputy chief executive Gary Pickering said: 'I would like to take this opportunity to reassure local people that the proposed development relates only to the former nightclub and car park sites and not the football club's ground or surrounding area. Letters informing local people have been sent out and I would urge anyone wanting to comment on the proposals to do so'... Altrincham director Andrew Shaw welcomed the news... He said: 'I would like to reiterate the sentiments in the statement by Trafford Council, the club's directors have been consulted regarding the issue and the application will have no effect on the football club. We applaud the efforts of Trafford council to do something with a site that has no further use, especially after the recent problems with travellers at Moss Lane'". Please follow the above link for the full story.CAR PARK
Altrincham FC would like to reiterate that this season's restriction on access to the car park at Moss Lane on matchdays is unavoidable as the club is required to reserve places for officials, etc. Discussions are to resume with a local school about car parking on their premises.CHESHIRE NEWS
Extract from Press Release:West Cheshire League side Mond Rangers FC have this week been informed by the Cheshire County Football Association that their application to change name to Runcorn Town FC has been approved. The decision to change the name of the club was done in order to try and attract more support from both the local community and businesses within it".
This move comes as Runcorn FC Halton continue to play their home games away from the town at Prescot Cables' ground.
SATURDAY
Ceefax reports that Gary Talbot and Colin Potts are having tests before for tomorrow's game against Dagenham at Moss Lane, but the club has confirmed that only Colin Potts is in anyway doubtful and he is expected to be fit, as is Nehru McKenzie. Also, recently injured players Karl Munroe, Rod Thornley and Kirk Hilton all turn out for the Reserves tonight at Barrow. But Gary Scott remains a couple of weeks away from fitness. The Daggers will be without the suspended Paul Benson and injured Ashley Vickers.WARD FACES JAIL
The sad case of former Alty player-manager and Everton star Mark Ward is updated on the BBC website.
It says "Ex-Premiership footballer Mark Ward is facing jail after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply... He was arrested after four kilos (9lb) of cocaine were found during a raid at a house in Prescot, Merseyside, in May. Ward admitted knowing the drugs were on the premises but denied owning them. He will appear again on 4 October... A Newton hearing will be held to determine what role Ward played in the drug operation, and he will be sentenced afterwards. Such hearings take place when the defendant has pleaded guilty to the offence but on the basis of a different version of the facts. Judge John Phipps warned him: 'With an offence of this type, a prison sentence is inevitable'. Ward, who spoke only to confirm his details, has been in custody since his arrest". Ward is seen, right, confronting Dan Petrescu of Bradford City in an Alty friendly in 2000.
PROVING THEM WRONG
In today's NL Paper, Alty boss Graham Heathcote says, "We're determined to prove people wrong. Some of the people writing us off have probably never seen us play... It baffles me where they are coming from. Before the season, people were saying we were certs for relegation... but if they were any good at these predictions they'd be living in the Bahamas, having won a load on the pools. They don't know what they're talking about". He added, "My knowledge of non-league football is up there with anyone. We're not going to go around the country playing nice football every week and getting a lot of praise but not enough points. We will do whatever is necessary to win these games. If that means nullifying the opposition and imposing our own style, then that's what we'll do. We realised from day one that we're not on an even playing field. The physical difference betwen the full-time and part-time clubs is massive. It's a problem for us every week".YOUTH UPDATES
Two new match reports have been added to the Youth Page, courtesy of George Heslop. Also, two clubs have left the Premier Division of the Allied Trophies NWYA League, another has folded and a fourth has joined the Division. So, the fixtures have been changed and will be on the website when supplied to me this weekend. The first effect is that this Sunday at 2.30pm, Alty Youth are now at HOME (and not away as scheduled) to Marine at Wythenshawe Town FC.CSC
Cheshire County FA Senior Cup Round One results include:CONFERENCE NEWS
The unofficial Bullsnews website says that "In today's Hereford Times Alex Jeannin, Adam Stansfield, Guy Ipoua, and Jon Brady are all reported to have missed midweek training with various injuries".The Cambridge News says that "Courtney Pitt has staked his claim for a deal with Cambridge United after scoring for the reserves... United manager Rob Newman has also invited trialists Leon Drysdale, who left Telford last week, and ex-Nottingham Forest forward Craig Westcarr back to train with the squad, with the possibility that they too could be offered terms. Former Portsmouth midfielder Pitt, who was released by Boston in the summer, scored the equaliser midway through the first half... Assistant manager Tony Spearing said... United would be saying goodbye to fellow trialists, former West Ham youth centre-back Tommy Laws and ex-West Bromwich trainee Dave Briggs".
The Barking & Dagenham Post reports that Daggers' boss "John Still reckons it will take FIVE YEARS before his Victoria Road revolution reaches its peak.... Still had to answer claims yet again that his team lack a leader on the field, an experienced player who can take a stranglehold on the game and stifle the opposition". Still added, "Any building process takes time. It's not as though I can say 'next year we'll go and get four or five really experienced players' because I don't think that will be possible. So we have to take people from the lower leagues and teach them the job".
This is Essex reports that "Canvey's hopes of improving on a difficult start to the new season have been rocked by an injury blow to star striker Lee Boylan. The Park Lane goal king has undergone an operation on a groin injury and will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Although having scored five goals in six games already this term, Boylan has been troubled by the problem, known as 'Gilmore's groin' - a tear of the abductor muscle - since the start of the season... Allan Tait, the summer £2,000 signing from Crawley has been vying for the position alongside Boylan with another new arrival, Kezie Ibe".
Halifax Today "Gary Brabin will have to wait a further week before discovering whether he will be given the go ahead to resume playing. The midfielder has missed Town's last two matches after suffering knee cartilage problems... 'Gary went to see a specialist yesterday and has been told to rest for a week', said Town boss Chris Wilder. 'If not then he will have to have an operation'". Also "Skipper Steve Bushell has stepped up his training regime as he aims to rejoin the senior squad".
This is KHFC reports that Kidderminster have ""several fringe players forcing their way into boss Stuart Watkiss's first team reckoning... Gareth Sheldon fired himself into contention with a four-goal burst in the midweek 5-3 friendly win at Tamworth and could replace out-of-sorts Simon Russell. Lee Thompson also scored while Wayne Graves showed encouraging signs that he is approaching match fitness. And with loan midfielder Simon Heslop rated only 50/50 with an ankle injury, there could be a space in the centre of the park for either of those two".
Morecambe Today says that "Sean O'Connor could return to the Morecambe starting line-up... Of Michael Twiss, Jim Harvey said, "He is a tremendous footballer, but so far he has not performed in front of goal.". Harvey "had hoped to bring back Adriano Rigoglioso to Christie Park, but this appears unlikely in the near future. Club officials held talks with Doncaster before the transfer deadline last Wednesday to try to sign the striker... But a deal could not be agreed".
Woking boss Glenn Cockerill "may take up the option to request an emergency loan signing this week, in light of Ian Selley’s hernia operation, performed on Tuesday, which will keep the midfielder out of the Woking line-up for around four weeks. Selley’s absence is a huge blow for Cockerill, who has eight days from the August 31 transfer deadline to decide on whether to go down the route of attempting to add to the complement of three loan players he already has. He is allowed five in total. Two of those, Stuart Nethercott (Wycombe) and Luke Oliver (Yeovil) were drafted in last week to plug the gaps in a creaking defence, while the other Steve Reed (Yeovil), couldn’t get in the 16-man squad". Cockerill said of his squad, "Some of them aren’t performing and I know it’s hard sometimes because they get frustrated,” said Cockerill, whose son Liam has gone on loan to Lewes. "Woking have sent a letter to Accrington Stanley FC to point out the racist taunting from some fans towards keeper Shwan Jalal, born in Iraq".
This is York says that "York City are hoping wounded trio Clayton Donaldson, Mark Hotte and Nathan Peat all recover in time to make Saturday's trip to Forest Green Rovers... David Pounder, James Dudgeon and Dave Merris [are] on standby".
8 September 2005
SWITCHED ON
SAM says that "After limping through the first few weeks of the season, Altrincham are finally showing signs of recovering from the injury crisis which has decimated their squad. The Robins were missing ten players for the trip to Hereford... But the situation is showing distinct signs of improvement as Karl Munroe, Kirk Hilton and Rod Thornley are all expected to return in the reserves' game at Barrow (Friday). Lutel James has also continued his recovery by making two appearances for Northern Counties East League side Garforth Town, while Kieran Lugsden and Gary Scott should be back within two to three weeks. This means Altrincham's only absences at the end of September should be long-term injury worries Eddie Hussin and Richard Norris... Speaking exclusively to SAM he said: "I'm aware of what we have got to play and as long as we are switched on we will be fine, we know we can't switch off just because we've won a couple of games".OLD BOYS
Accrington Stanley report that ex-Alty man "Ian Craney welcomes Weight Watchers. A new Weight Watchers meeting is opening on Monday 12th September, 6.30pm, in the Stanley Sports Bar... and Stanley midfielder Ian Craney was on hand earlier this week to welcome a group of class leaders to the ground... Rob Heys of Accrington Stanley added 'Obviously as a football club we are delighted to get involved with projects to improve people's health, and at the same time develop new links with the local community'".In games this week, Niell Hardy (Curzon Ashton), Terry Bowker (Ashton United), Peter Wright (Chorley) all scored whilst Chris Downey scored a hat trick for Mossley.
CSC
Our CSC opponents next Tuesday, Woodley Sports "have signed defender Mark Monington from Halifax Town. The 34-year-old is very experienced having played over 250 Football League games for Burnley, Rotherham United and Rochdale before moving in to the Conference with Boston United and helping them win promotion to the Football League in his first season with the Pilgrims" according to NL Daily.WRISTBANDS
Altrincham FC chief steward, Darren Gregory, is a source for Altrincham FC wristbands. They are red and white with Altrincham FC embossed on them price and cost £2 plus 50p p&p. Please see Darren on matchdays or e-mail him for yours.CONFERENCE NEWS
Canvey Island report that "Lee Boylan has had an operation on his groin and is likely to be out of action for 4-6 weeks".Confguide says that "the next live game is in fact on Tuesday 20th September and not 27th September (Stevenage v Exeter - KO 19.45 BST). Follow the game on www.footballconference.tv".
The BBC says that "Morecambe manager Jim Harvey may look to Sean O'Connor to ease his side's goalscoring problems against Aldershot Town on Saturday. O'Connor, 24, has made two substitute appearances this season after a year out with a knee injury".
Also, "Cambridge defender Adam Tann is close to joining a Football League club, according to his agent Richard Cody. Tann, 23, rejected a new deal at the Abbey Stadium in the summer... The former England Under-18 international had trials with Reading and Luton during the summer".
Grays Athletic confirm that "Bertie Brayley (former West Ham player) and Danny Maddix from Hornchurch have both signed for Grays on non contract terms". Brayley came on as a sub for the Shots against Alty recently. The BBC adds that "The deadline signing of former Cambridge centre-back Stev Angus and Joe Bruce's switch to centre-back have given Stimson further options". Stimson said, "This club is a massive shop window. Players have progressed with us and while we don't want to lose them if a deal is right for everyone we don't stand in their way".
"Halifax captain Steve Bushell has been given the green light to step up his comeback from a broken leg which has kept him out of action since Apriil" boss Chris Wilder told the Evening Courier. "Meanwhile, Town are waiting to see if a period of rest will stop midfielder Gary Brabin needing knee surgery".
The LDV Vans draw takes place on Saturday morning on Sky TV. The Northern section of the draw includes Conference sides Accrington Stanley, Cambridge United, Halifax Town, Hereford United, Kidderminster Harriers, Morecambe.
Former Hereford and Walsall winger Daryl Taylor is said to be joining Tamworth on loan.
7 September 2005
CLARIFICATION
As there has been some confusion about the Cheshire Senior Cup match at Woodley Sports, originally set for next Monday, please note that this match is now being played on Tuesday, 13th September at 7.45pm.THROUGH THE YEARS
Howard Watts's Through the Years records are here for Saturday's game.INJURED RETURN IN RESERVES
Karl Munroe, Kirk Hilton and Rod Thornley - all out injured recently - will travel to Barrow with Alty Reserves on Friday, as too will two more first teamers, Lee Hendley and Lewis Chalmers. Some of the above are likely to be involved with the first team against Dagenham on Saturday.There is a match report on the recent win at Leigh on the Reserves' Page as well as the Reserves's squad list for Friday's game.
MOTIVATION
On the BBC website, Graham Heathcote says "We have had a decent start compared with what everyone has been predicting for us... Everybody has written us off but we are using that to our advantage to motivate the players and we are enjoying proving people wrong. There is a lot of hype about being full-time and how the Conference has moved on. How? It's still eleven against eleven and what matters is how you play on any given day. I have done my homework on the league and we prepare thoroughly and are committed to what we are trying to achieve. It really comes down to three o'clock on a Saturday and how focused you are and if you are going to give it your all. I would never predict a game of football but I know if you compete you've got a good chance and that's what we are doing". The Alty boss added, "I would think we have the lowest budget and again I can use that as a motivation. I would take great delight from trying to finish the season above someone who has spent a lot of money, because it would be done on know-how and not on money... There was no point getting into the play-offs if we are not going to enjoy this challenge. If we start believing that because we have got a few points we are going to be okay, that's when we will start to lose games. What happened in the last game is gone. It's about what we do in the next one. We are not getting carried away and we can't afford to be complacent. That would be naive".CONFERENCE NEWS
The unofficial Bullsnews site says that "Thanks to a deal between FIFA, the Football League, and the Football Conference there is an extended window of opportunity to sign loan players... It has now been confirmed that a "loan window" will open on Wednesday until 24th November to take players for up to three months. A second "loan window" will come in seven days after the January transfer window shuts until the last week of March - the traditional "Deadline Day". Conference National Clubs are now allowed up to 8 long term (season) loans, of which 4 can be over 23, and four under 23. There are no longer any limits on short term loan players, but only 5 loan players of any type can be included in a matchday squad. All loans in the special loan windows must be ratified by the Conference, and the Club(s) involved must provide 'valid reason' for the loan".This is Essex quotes Grays Athletic manager Mark Stimson: "The transfer deadline has passed and we've managed to keep the likes of Dennis Oli which gives us a chance to have a real go at this league. A few clubs have been interested, Southend the most so, but I sat him down and told him that I think he will be bigger and better than Southend".
This is Essex also reports that "Richard McKinney appears to have won the right to the number one goalkeeping shirt at Canvey Island... McKinney spent most of last season on the injured list, but was brought in when number one stopper Danny Potter was suspended for the first two games and has really made his mark... Potter has now asked to go out on loan and the Canvey management have agreed, with Ashley Harrison continuing the number two role".
The BBC states that "Southport boss Liam Watson is looking forward to the return from injury of key defender Neil Fitzhenry [who] is yet to play this season because of a knee injury... Watson explained: 'We have conceded a lot of goals. He is our main central defender so I would like to think he will eradicate some of those issues'... Southport are also set to be boosted by the return of midfielder Dominic Morley, who has been out of action since the opening day of the season with a knee problem".
The BBC also says that "Crawley defender James Donovan is facing a two-match suspension after being sent off in Monday's 3-2 defeat by local rivals Aldershot. Donovan was making his first appearance of the new Conference season, but was sent off for two bookable offences. That red card against the Shots carried an automatic one-match ban. But Donovan must serve an additional game as it was his second dismissal of the season - having been sent off in a pre-season friendly at Hastings".
"Aldershot manager Terry Brown spoke to the BBC after the Shots' first win of the season. "It was a relief, more than anything... It is looking a bit rosier but we are still a long way off being the side we are capable of. I think we are a month away from being a force".
6 September 2005
INJURIES
The 13 chairs above underline Alty's injury problems this season. They were all filled at the Alty photo shoot in pre-season, where this picture was taken, but now they are empty as Aspinall, Hussin, Hilton, Munroe, Scott, McKenzie, Thornley, James, Lugsden, Norris and Hallows all missed the Hereford game through injury and Potts and Talbot both limped off before the end.
CLUBCALL
Brian Flynn's Alty Clubcall, this week, has an interview with Alty midfielder, Val Owen.
ORGANISED
SAM reports on Alty's 0-0 at Hereford, saying "This is testament to the shrewd management team of Graham Heathcote and Dalton Steele, whose pragmatic approach seems to have worked wonders so far. After the game, Heathcote said: 'It was a well-organised point, we set our stall out again to stop good teams creating loads and loads of chances and that's what we've done. I'd love to be more adventurous at times but we're not playing on an even playing field here so I'm not going to be naïve just because people would like to see a nice game of open football'".Meanwhile, the Hereford official site says that "The Bulls almost completely dominated the first half but for all their pressure and possession, couldn't make the breakthrough". In the second half "it was a case of the same old story as Altrincham persisted with ten men behind the ball and United failed to find the killer pass to unlock their stubborn defence".
Before Saturday's game This is HUFC reports that "Hereford United are already among the league front-runners in fourth position. Other clubs tipped at the start of the campaign to make a realistic dart for promotion -- Exeter, Stevenage and dark horses Grays -- were also in the top five during the week, along with outsiders Altrincham". Manager Graham Turner said, "It will be eight to 10 games before we start to see any real pattern emerging in the league".
DAGGERS
The Times has a report on our next opponents, Dagenham & Redbridge's game against Exeter. "The task of rebuilding the Essex club has fallen to John Still... 'I don’t think that people will see the finished article for four or five years... I don’t think that it will be possible for me to go and get four or five experienced players, we have to take people from lower levels and teach them. We have had one disappointment this year, the defeat by Scarborough at home, but in every other game we have competed well, played well and shown some ability and organisation. We are just going to dig in and get these first ten games out of the way and see where we are and then decide where we go for from there'. The Daggers played 4-4-2: A Roberts — D Foster, A Uddin, S Blackett, S Griffiths (sub: A Vickers, 66min) — G Southam, J Laberl, L Goodwin, C Mackail-Smith — P Benson, C Moore (sub: R Marwa, 73). Substitutes not used: S Overland, S Saunders, J Fowler.In contrast the Exeter boss said, “The biggest thing is not managing the players but managing the expectations. I know that I am in possession of the smallest budget that any Exeter City manager has had for the last 15 years, but alongside that, the highest expectations. Sometimes it’s raising one and lowering the other that will be the trick'".
The Barking and Dagenham Post reports that "new boy Paul Benson made his first Conference start for Daggers in their 2-1 win over Canvey... The lanky striker was given his full debut in place of the injured Paul Bruce by John Still... 'The idea is to keep my place in the team now that I've got my foot in the door', added Benson'".
CSC
Amongst the Cheshire County FA Senior Cup Round One matches on 13 September:CONFERENCE NEWS
"Striker Lee Phillips took just two seconds to weigh up a new deal at Exeter City - before declaring: 'This is where I want to be'. Phillips has signed a two-year extension to his contract... [He] arrived from Weymouth in February on an initial eighteen-month deal..., and he insists he had no doubts over signing the new deal after describing Exeter as the most professional club he has played for... An ecstatic Phillips. 'Compared to professional clubs I have been at like Plymouth, this is 100 times better. The set-up, the way the manager talks to players, the briefings, the training - everything is second to none and it has helped massively'. Phillips has shot to the top of the club's goalscoring charts this season thanks to a three-goal haul from the opening five games'... Phillips said 'We know we can pass the ball better, we can do better in the final third and can have more shots on goal'", he told This is Exeter.The BBC confirms that "Lincoln striker Danny Bacon is set to join Burton Albion for a month on loan once the window for loan signings re-opens on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has made just two substitute's appearances for City since signing from Hucknall Town in June... Imps' boss Keith Alexander told the Lincolnshire Echo: 'It will be good for him as he's found it hard to get into our first team. The Conference is a good standard and not far off League Two now'"
This is York says that "City boss Billy McEwan will run the rule over on-loan striker Darren Mansaram against Doncaster Rovers reserves on Wednesday night before deciding whether to extend his KitKat Crescent stay... McEwan said: "Then we will speak to Halifax and take it from there".
The Herts-Essex News reports that "The bad-tempered games against Tamworth and Crawley Town served as evidence that opposing teams will be intent to stop Boro' playing this season - seemingly at any cost.Both Dino Maamria and Jason Goodliffe have been issued red cards in the opening weeks of the campaign and that, along with a string of bookings, may be something of a worry... Boro' boss Graham Westley is all too aware that teams will do anything in order to achieve a positive result."We had to deal with those sorts of tactics against Crawley but the boys have been playing some exciting possession football and we can overcome it" said Westley for whom "Young Australian striker Kieron Deane has signed a contract with the club after impressing in Boro's reserve team... [He] previously played for Chester City".
This is KHFC reports that "Harriers were suspiciously quiet on transfer deadline day - and boss Stuart Watkiss will hope he does not regret that lack of activity... Watkiss admitted: 'Like most managers of other teams, I will need to keep my fingers crossed with injuries and suspensions'... Harriers still have numerous loans available to them with Walsall's Atieno, who had three goals to his name before last night's game with Canvey Island, and Barnsley midfielder Simon Heslop the only used so far".
The Argus reports that "Defender Chris Giles insists Crawley are still gunning for the Conference play-offs, despite their poor start to the season. 'We have a very strong squad and I don't see why we can't go up the table once we start playing the way we can'".
The Cambridge News says that "Rob Newman is prepared to make changes to his Cambridge United team if they cannot bounce back from Friday's 1-0 defeat at York... He said: 'Some of the previous regimes had just let things go on and on and on, losing, losing, losing and I'm not going to do that... If people are out of the team because we're losing, maybe they're not doing the right job'... Newman is having another look at the five trialists who featured in the reserves... Former Nottingham Forest striker Craig Westcarr, who scored twice in that game, will be looking to impress again... He will be joined by ex-West Ham centre-back Tommy Laws, former West Bromwich youth player Dave Briggs, 23-year-old defender Leon Drysdale and midfielder Courtney Pitt... Newman said: 'You never know, two or three of them might be just what we're looking for and will fall into my lap'".
5 September 2005
HEREFORD GAME
Match report here.
Picture and more on the game in the news below...
NEXT
Alty's next game is at home to Dagenham & Redbridge, who last visited Moss Lane for the last Conference match of 1995/96 season, in which they were relegated. Alty won 3-1. The Daggers will be bringing a full coach of supporters up to the game next Saturday. Like Alty, the Daggers were an unfancied side at the start of the season but they have started solidly and are just a point behind Altrincham.FIGURES
The B et 365 website has plenty of Altrincham statistics for this season.CSC
Alty's CSC opponents on Tuesday 13 September, Woodley Sports, employ a couple of ex-Alty names. At right-back is Dave Swanick whilst up front they have Wes Wilkinson. Another local face now at Woodley is former Trafford player Liam Dickinson.STAR will be operating a coach to this match; details will appear here in due course.
CONFERENCE NEWS
Stevenage Boro"chairman Phil Wallace issued a hands off warning to the host of clubs tracking their players every week. 'The list of clubs watching our games every week is getting ridiculous. Youngsters Alan Julian, Ronnie Henry and George Boyd are all under 20 and attracting scouts from a host of top clubs whilst Anthony Elding and Jon Nurse, both in their early 20's, are being tracked by several as well. Our players know that their aim must be to play in the Championship at least if they ever leave us. Moving to a League Two side is not a career move in our eyes so any interest from those clubs is simply wasted on us - anyway Graham Westley has made it clear that their job is to win the league with us and that's all we want to think about right now... There's no 'big money' transfers [playing for Boro]. All except George Boyd are young, unknown players brought to the club by Graham on frees and turned into potential Championship players. George Boyd... I'd be very surprised if George doesn't go straight into the Championship or Premiership from us'".Woking report that "Glenn Cockerill was in defiant mood after today's defeat against Accrington. 'Of course, we are 'down' but we're not going to give up... I still believe that we are a top five side and that it will come right... Our match against Southport next Saturday is a great opportunity to put us on the right path'."
It is rumoured that former Hucknall striker Danny Bacon is being loaned out from Lincoln City to Burton Albion.
FOR EARLIER NEWS, CLICK HERE