Change:  Move to:

26.08.2006 at 15:00 Moss Lane

Attendance : 890

Altrincham

2 - 0

St Albans City

Referee : David Richardson (Halifax) Nationwide Conference

Goalscorers
Warren Peyton (45)
Gary Talbot (65)
None.
Opening squads
Stuart Coburn
Stephen Aspinall
Gary Talbot
Gary Scott
Peter Band
Warren Peyton
Robbie Lawton
Steve Bushell
Val Owen
Colin Little
Joe O Neill
Paul Bastock
Dean Cracknell
Tom Davis
Gary Elphick
Matt Hann
Paul Hakim
Lee Clarke
Adam Wilde
Lee Flynn
David Theobald
Chris Seeby
Substitutes
Justin Bowler
Rod Thornley
Lewis Chalmers
Stephen Rose
Karl Monroe
Ben Lewis
Ranbir Marwa
Simon Martin
Josh Sozzo
Rob Norris
Substitutions
Karl Monroe -> Peter Band (49)
Rod Thornley -> Joe O Neill (88)
Rob Norris -> Adam Wilde (79)
Ranbir Marwa -> Lee Clarke (79)
Yellow cards
Steve Bushell (29)
Val Owen (42)
Warren Peyton (45)
Stephen Aspinall (79)
David Theobald (8)
Adam Wilde (58)
Tom Davis (64)
Ranbir Marwa (89)
Red cards
None None.
Match report | Preview

Tom Davis battles in midfield
David Tavener reports from Moss Lane
St Albans City’s first visit to Moss Lane on Saturday proved to be a feisty event as referee David Richardson brandished eight yellow cards, banished Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote to the stands and awarded two dubious penalties that neither side was able to convert into goals.
Whilst no one would condemn either side to relegation at this ridiculously early stage of the season it is clear that both of these part-time clubs in a league of full-timers will have to play with far greater skill and cohesion if they are not to be sucked into the bottom group.
City, with Gary Elphick recalled and Dean Cracknell in the starting line up for the first time in the Conference in place of Ben Lewis and Ram Marwa respectively, started positively although home keeper Stuart Coburn had precious little to concern him all afternoon.
From the Saints early efforts Matt Hann fired well over and Lee Clarke glanced a good header narrowly wide from a Lee Flynn free kick. Although both sides freely wasted possession the first half was enjoyable viewing with the Alty attacking pair of Colin Little and Joe O’Neill working well together and stretching the City defence.
Warren Peyton went close with an Alty free kick before Bastock made his first save on 13 minutes following a good downward header from Gary Talbot. A good spell for the Saints saw Adam Wilde knock a fine ball through the middle of the home defence for Paul Hakim, perhaps too hastily, to shoot powerfully but straight at Coburn.
The play continued to switch from end to end, often through the most direct route, until Elphick, on 28 minutes, was penalised for the second time this season for handball inside the City penalty area. It appeared a case of ball to hand as Robbie Lawton moved into the penalty area but fortunately for City Bastock guessed correctly for the second time in three attempts this season and by diving to his left stopped Steve Aspinall from converting his 15th successive spot kick.
Nine minutes later the tables were turned when Tom Davis, inspired during the first half but infuriatingly petulant after the interval, went for a return pass from Clarke before tumbling to the ground following the faintest of nudges from Peter Band. Referee Richardson restored parity by awarding City a penalty from which Clarke, by a whisker, failed to locate the target.
Alty boss Heathcote, renowned for brushes with official-dome, ranted at linesman Mr Powell – who had a perfect view of the incident - the 4th Official Mr Kavanagh and the referee before taking a familiar seat in the main stand. Goodness knows what his reaction would have been had Clarke scored.
City hopes of securing a welcome point sank during first half added time when Lawton played in Little who turned Elphick with ease but saw what appeared to be a certain goal brilliantly turned onto the crossbar only for Chris Seeby and Elphick – who looked best placed to clear – to stand off and allow Peyton to score with ease.
St Albans started the second half positively with Hann and Seeby linking well down the right on three occasions but a headed goal, disallowed for offside, was the closest they came to retrieving a deteriorating situation.
Little was seen of City as an attacking entity during the final 30 minutes although Cracknell almost forced home a Hann free kick before Altrincham took control. The second Alty goal, on 65 minutes, was poor from the City perspective as Davis conceded a needless free kick with Aspinall’s cross from the Robins right smartly headed low to Bastock’s right by the imposing Talbot.
Bastock kept City in the hunt with another good save from Little although a misunderstanding between him and Seeby allowed Rod Thornley to latch onto a bouncing ball in the final minute that Flynn cleared from inside the six-yard box.
Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies that are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the privacy policy. By accepting this OR scrolling this page OR continuing to browse, you agree to our privacy policy.