ALTRINCHAM v WOKING
3pm on Saturday 21 February 2009
In previous seasons we?ve always fancied our chances against Altrincham, who seem to have struggled against ? and been saved from ? relegation for as long as one can remember. This year the tables are turned. The Robins sit comfortably in 15th place, six points clear of the next-placed team, Ebbsfleet United, who head the pack of clubs desperately trying to escape the relegation places. The Cards, following their defeat at Salisbury and Forest Green Rovers? victory over Northwich Victoria the following evening, are now only one point ahead of Barrow, who have three games in hand, and three points ahead of Grays Athletic, who have four games in hand. (They play each other on Saturday.) So, a result at Moss Lane ? even if it is against the odds ? would be a huge boost.
WOKING
The Cards are expected to be without Tom Hutchinson, Danny Bunce, Joe Magunda and Delano Sam-Yorke through injury. Colin Miles, who missed Tuesday?s game, may also not be fit enough to play. Abdou El Kholti will be absent too following his red card. Cards fans will be hoping that Oliver Bozanic will have recovered from the illness which prevented his appearing at Salisbury.
Some good news is that it sounds as if Phil Gilchrist will have be bringing another forward in, on work experience terms from Reading. Kelvin Bossman is an 18 year-old forward who played for Ghana in the U17 World Cup in 2007. He is expected to complete the paperwork tomorrow (Friday) in time to be available for Saturday?s game.
ALTRINCHAM
Graham Heathcote has done a fantastic job this season in keeping the part-timers well clear of the relegation zone. There are some familiar faces in his squad. They include experienced keeper Stuart Coburn, stylish full-back Chris Lane (ex-Morecambe and Southport), tough centre back Greg Young (ex-Halifax) and his partner Mark McGregor (over 400 League appearances), Michael Welch (who has just joined from Northwich Victoria), Jody Banim (also on loan: we saw him play for Burton earlier this season), Chris Denham (striker who was with Droylsden last season). Above all they have in Colin Little a top-class BSP striker, whose goals have kept Alty afloat season after season.
Recent form
14 Feb: Torquay United 3 Altrincham 1
3 Feb: Altrincham 1 Northwich Victoria 0
27 Jan: Altrincham 1 York City 1
24 Jan: Burton Albion 1 Altrincham 1
17 Jan: Oxford United 1 Altrincham 0
28 Dec: York City 1 Altrincham 2
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
05-06: Altrincham 0 Woking 4
(Richards 2, Evans, Ferguson)
Woking 3 Altrincham 1
(McAllister, Richards (pen), Watson)
06-07: Altrincham 2 Woking 3
(Lambu 2, McAllister)
Woking 2 Altrincham 0
(McAllister 2)
07-08: Woking 2 Altrincham 0
(Tinson o.g., Bunce)
Altrincham 2 Woking 2
(Quamina, Morgan)
LAST ENCOUNTER
Woking 1 Altrincham 2
9 August 2008
Alty got us off to the worst possible start to the season ? the first of five consecutive defeats ? with this home reverse. The Cards played poorly in the first half and went behind shortly before the interval when Meechan latched onto a rebound to put the visitors ahead. The introduction of Ledgister and Sam-Yorke sparked an improved performance from the home side, with Ledgister equalising. But just before the end poor defending allowed Little to fire a superb goal to leave the Cards empty-handed and anxious.
GETTING THERE
Altrincham FC
Moss Lane
Altrincham
Cheshire WA15 8AP
Tel: 0161 928 1045
Website: http://www.altrinchamfc.com/
Coach
Leaves Kingfield 9.00am. Members ?22. Non-Members ?27. Phone the Club Shop on Friday to book or just turn up.
Car
Leave M6 at J19 (Manchester and Airport sign). Join A556 and follow Airport signs to M56. Do NOT take the M5 but carry straight on at roundabout on A56. At first traffic lights (1 mile) turn right for Bowdon/Hale (passing The Quality Hotel on the right). Go through traffic lights, then right at the mini-roundabout into Hale Road (avoiding town centre). Carry on for about 1 mile, turning left into Westminster Road (opposite cemetery entrance). Carry straight on for about 3/4 mile into Moss Lane. The ground is on the right.
Train
The 11.20 from Euston gets into Stockport at 13.16. You can then take the Metro at 13.30 to Altrincham, arriving at 13.46. Metro services back to Stockport are at 17.04 and 17.09, whilst the 17.29 takes you to Manchester Piccadilly.
Come on, you Cards!
