Altrincham 1-2 Pilgrims

Unibond League

This was a highly entertaining game with both sides making lots of scoring chances. United dominated the first half but went in level at half time, then in the second half it was Altrincham who were on top, but they finished up as the losers. The Pilgrims nearly went into the lead in the very first minute when Leroy Chambers broke through the Altrincham defence and was only denied by a last ditch tackle which caused him to shoot wide. Paul Cavell then saw his shot from the edge of the area go the wrong side of the post. Andrew Stanhope was causing havoc in the Altrincham defence with pinpoint passing and whipped in crosses which resulted in United winning a succession of corners. The pressure finally paid off when Leroy CHAMBERS powered in a header at the far post to put United one up after twenty-two minutes. Five minutes later Altrincham were back on level terms. In a rare incursion into the United penalty area an Altrincham player was brought down and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Altrincham's Stuart TERRY shot to the right as Paul Bastock guessed the wrong way and dived to the left. Altrincham only had one more shot at goal in the first half, when Paul Bastock saved brilliantly at the near post to deny Chris Sharratt just before half time.

Altrincham came out in the second half looking like a different team. Danny McGoona saw a long range shot beat Paul Bastock but hit the bar. Then a quickly taken free kick allowed Stuart Terry a free run down the right. His cross was met by substitute John Toner who with the goal at his mercy shot straight at Paul Bastock. Another long range effort by McGoona was saved and a free kick on the edge of the area curled round the Boston wall and just wide of the post. Richard Mason came on for Joby Gowshall for the last twenty minutes and five minutes later Steve CHARLES scored the winner following a foul on Mason by the corner flag. When the ball came through to Charles, well outside the area, what his shot was lacking in power was made up for by perfect placement to go wide of the diving Altrincham goalkeeper and into the corner of the net. United survived a few tense moments towards the end to notch up another away win and make it four wins in six away games and remain in second place in the table.

United team: 1. Paul Bastock, 2. Joby Gowshall, 3. Chris Withe, 4. Greg Fee, 5. Martin Hardy, 6. Steve Charles, 7. Andrew Stanhope, 8. Steve Appleby, 9. Paul Cavell, 10. Leroy Chambers, 11. Chris Cook, 12. Richard Mason, 14. Andy Mitchell, 15. Danny Marshall.