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Frickley bowed out of this season's FA Cup competition despite playing Altrincham off the park for long periods in the first half. Unfortunately, the second half was a different story as the Blues' passing went to pieces, leaving them hitting long, hopeful balls up front far too often.

With Sinisa Savic unavailable as his clearance to play from Barnsley wasn't through in time to play Gary Marrow, restored the partnership of Steve Price and Rob Hanby to the midfield with Simon Collins dropping back to right full back. Gary Duffty played down the left with Soner Zumrutel down the right.

Frickley started brightly with Graham Lewis turning and shooting at Altrincham 'keeper Coburn from 20 yards in the second minute whilst four minutes later a patient build up led to Andy Evans having a powerful shot from the edge of the box but Coburn was well positioned to save comfortably. Frickley were playing the ball around well with Price and Hanby more than holding their own in midfield. On 10 minutes Altrincham managed a break down the right which resulted in Hulme heading narrowly over the bar but the Blues were still in control with the home side being restricted to the odd chance. However, on 25 minutes Mark Wilkinson was forced to be alert to save with his legs after a defensive slip let in Hulme but the home side took the lead with their next attack against the run of play five minutes later. Gary Duffty failed to cut out a pass to Scott down the Altrincham right and he broke into the box before shooting from 12 yards. Wilkinson did well to save his effort but Hulme followed up to score with the rebound. Less than two minutes later Collins pulled back Thornley in the box leaving the referee with no option but to point to the penalty spot. Fortunately, Wilkinson guessed correctly to dive to his left and push away Thornley's spot-kick. The Blues rallied with Rob Hanby heading over from a Collins free-kick after Zumrutel was brought down on the right whilst on 38 minutes Evans challenged Coburn as he went to collect a high cross from Collins, forcing Coburn to drop the ball. The loose ball fell to Lewis who immediately shot goalwards but Sertori's outstretched leg blocked his shot on the line. Then, on the stroke of half time, Collins played a free-kick from the right of the box to Price whose 20 yard shot went just inches over the bar.

The second half was a different story as Altrincham looked to increase their lead. From the moment Thornley rounded Wilkinson to score Altrincham's second on 55 minutes, despite looking offside, the Blues' confidence visibly slipped away. Instead of playing football on the ground they resorted to long, hopeful balls up to Lewis and Evans which never looked like troubling Altrincham. Although, on 64 minutes, Zumrutel had a gilt-edged chance to pull the Blues back into the tie. Price played a perfect cross-field ball to pick him out in space on the left and he quickly carried the ball into the box but, instead of shooting he waited too long, enabling the defence to clear his eventual attempted pass. This was to prove costly as two minutes later Thornley scored at the far post after a cross from the right had eluded everyone in the box. On 79 minutes Evans met a left wing free-kick by Collins with a header that Coburn saved low to his right but four minutes later substitute CARL FOTHERGILL finally put the Blues on the scoresheet when he ran on to Lewis' through ball and drew Coburn before coolly slotting the ball under him and into the net. The Blues' joy was short lived as on 86 minutes Thornley completed his hat-trick as he turned Dean Jones before firing into the bottom right hand corner past Wilkinson.

Frickley Athletic : Mark Wilkinson, Collins, Gowan, Hanby, Ogley, Jones, Lewis, Price, Evans, Duffty (Fothergill 53), Zumrutel (Foot 76). Unused subs. Marsh, Matt. Wilkinson, Kearney.

Attendance : 537

Referee : Mr. M. Lyth