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Saturday 23rd August - Altrincham 1-1 Frickley Athletic

Phil Sharpe gave Karl Colley, a new signing from Kettering Town, his debut alongside Antony Jackson in the heart of the defence with Steve Robinson moving into midfield, which allowed Lee Morris to partner Paul Hurrell up front. Chris Kamara moved to right back with Gary Hatto replacing Kieran O'Brien (family commitments) at left back. 

The Home side started strongly with Hatto losing possession early on but Rod Thornley's header from the resulting cross went well over the bar. Thornley then headed well wide following a left wing cross before a quick Altrincham break on 20 minutes saw Mark Samways get down well to save from Ian Craney. The Blues had their first sight of goal on 25 minutes when Colley met Hatto's right wing corner with a goalbound header which was cleared off the line. However, Samways was soon in action again, saving from Dave Gardner after soon good build up play. On 42 minutes Curtis Bernard released Morris down the right and he pulled the ball back for Hurrell who turned and shot into the side netting from 15 yards. A minute later Thornley had another good chance but he dragged his shot wide of the post.

Within a minute of the restart Samwys tipped a Mattie Hughes shot around the post before the Blues countered with some good play before Hurrell turned his marker on the edge of the box but saw his low shot smothered by Richard Acton. On 55 minutes Thornley again had a good opportunity but Samways again thwarted the Altrincham striker by diverting his 20 yard shot past the post. The blues weather the home side's storm and began to control much more of the game. on the hour Lindley sent Hurrell clear down the left but his cross just eluded Morris and came to the onrushing Kamara but his first touch was too strong, allowing Acton to block his shot at his feet. As Kamara tried to chase the ball he was felled by Chris Adams but the referee waved away claims for a penalty. A minute later Hatto sent a high ball forward for Morris who beat the last defender but he impeded Morris on the edge of the box as he pushed the ball past the onrushing Acton. The referee awarded the free-kick but surprisingly took no action against the offending defender. Morris took the free-kick but drove it into the wall. The Blues took the lead on 64 minutes when Hatto's quick free kick released Lindley down the left to send over a cross which Hurrell couldn't reach but MORRIS knocked in from close range. Altrincham started to throw more players forward in search of an equaliser. Samways easily saved a 20 yard shot from Barry Shuttleworth on 79 minutes whilst on 82 minutes  Gary Talbot met a corner with a powerful downward header that Samways did well to knock over the bar. On 85 minutes Samways went from hero to villain as he was adjudged to have caught a harmless looking ball forward outside the box and was duly booked. From the resulting free-kick Peter Band fired in the equaliser from close range. A minute later Jackson missed a great chance to retake the lead for the Blues when he and Morris causes havoc in the Altrincham defence but, with the ball bouncing invitingly for him just 5 yards out, he completely miss-kick and the opportunity was gone. 

Frickley Athletic : Samways, Kamara, Hatto, Richards, Jackson, Colley, Robinson, Bernard, Morris, Hurrell (Vickerage 68), Lindley. Unused subs. Pugh, Lafferty

Att: 469

Ref : Mr D. Stewart (Wirral) 

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