WOKING v ALTRINCHAM

3.00pm on Saturday 20 January 2007
Nationwide Conference

Altrincham are the next visitors to Kingfield, this Saturday, 20 January. Before the Christmas period Alty were struggling in 20th place; having yet to win an away game this season. They have since gone four games unbeaten in the Conference to lift themselves up to 15th, just 2 points behind Woking.

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LAST SEASON

In the 2005-06 season Altrincham finished 18th in the Conference outside of the relegation zone. However, they were found to have fielded an ineligible player for 15 matches, during which he scored 6 goals. This led to an 18 point deduction which saw them finish in bottom place. An appeal to the FA on May 23 failed, which meant that Altrincham finished at the foot of the table. However, with Canvey Island resigning from the league and Scarborough suffering a total points deduction for a breach of the league's rules, Altrincham remained in the Conference. Colin Little was the top goal scorer for Alty last season, with a total of 17 league goals. Goals from elsewhere were harder to come by, Colin Potts, Rod Thornley, and James Robinson, each scoring 4 league goals apiece. They won just 3 games away from Moss Lane, conceding a massive 41 goals.

THE ALTRINCHAM SQUAD

Alty manager Graham Heathcote bought in a few new faces last summer. Strikers Joe O?Neil, and Peter Thompson joined from fellow Conference sides York City and Stafford Rangers. Midfielder Robbie Lawton also joined the Cheshire side, from Vauxhall Motors, where he was club captain. Last season?s leading scorer Colin Little recently left Alty after a lack of first team opportunities, but reliable defenders Gary Talbot and Stephen Aspinall are still with the club. Long serving goalkeeper Stuart Coburn has kept his place in goal this season, keeping out new signing Anthony Cummins.

RESULTS SO FAR

Alty were struggling in 20th place before the Christmas fixtures, with just 5 wins this season, all coming at home. At the beginning of December they lost 3-2 away at Kidderminster. Colin Little gave Alty the lead midway through the first half but Constable equalised shortly afterwards, and Kiddy went in at the break 2-1 thanks to a Christie penalty. Joe O?Neill equalised for the away side on the hour, but Harkness? 65th minute strike won it for Kidderminster.

Alty followed this up with a fine 3-0 home win against Northwich Victoria on Boxing Day, despite having Colin Little sent off in the 22nd minute. But they made hard work of their next home game at the end of December, coming back twice against Forest Green Rovers to draw 2-2. A late goal by Val Owen sparing the Altrincham blushes. A draw against Halifax on New Year?s Day was followed up by a fine win at home to Rushden & Diamonds in their last league outing. Despite a late Lee Tomlin goal for the visitors, Joe O?Neill had already grabbed a brace to secure the victory.

Defender Stephen Aspinall is the current highest scorer with 5, followed by Robbie Lawton with 4.

OUR RECENT RECORD AGAINST ALTRINCHAM

2006/07
Altrincham 2 Woking 3

In September an inspired fightback at Moss Lane led the Cards to their fourth win in five and to eighth place in the table, despite having gone 2-0 down within the opening twenty minutes. Goma Lambu led the show with two goals and countless mazy runs, but the energy for the comeback was primarily due to a team performance brimming in character. Bushell found plenty of space on his left flank and lobbed Shwan Jalal from the edge of the area for Alty?s first and Rob Lawton sent a bullet into the net having connected with a cross for the second. Woking hit back through Goma Lambu. The winger slotted home confidently from 8 yards, Jon Nurse having slid it to him after a 40 yard run. The second goal on 57 minutes was instigated on the right flank, but it was actually Nurse once more who provided the assist. Beating his man on the byline, he whipped a good length cross into the area and once again Goma Lambu connected to sidefoot home. The winner arrived after Jackson crossed a diagonal ball to Jon Nurse at the far post, who headed across goal for Craig McAllister to head home from point blank range.

Come on, you Cards!

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