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Altrincham FC First Team / Re: Boxing Day Match Thread
« on: December 26, 2023, 09:40:19 PM »
Well, that was abject. Easily our worst performance of the season, to my eyes.
We managed merely three shots on target, and the first of those didn't arrive until the 74th minute. The other two came in additional time.
You just got a sense that the players were not comfortable with whatever system we were set up to play. The absence of two key individuals simply served to illustrate that the depth of our squad was found wanting.
Halifax were sharper, better organised and fully warranted their victory.
I do wonder whether Ross' mobility had been hampered by Michael Cheek clattering him in the ribs during that second half at Bromley. That opening goal looked like rather a soft one to concede and was redolent of some of Byrne's mishaps last season.
Amaluzor looked totally off the pace; Kosylo was fortunate not to be sent off for a dreadful challenge; Conn-Clarke and Newby struggled to impose themselves on the game and Dackers failed to impress, once again (he doesn't merit his starting place, in my view, and it looks as if he might have peaked 14 minutes into his debut).
I think that I would have quietly retired that man of the match award today!
The sole consolation was the attendance of in excess of 3,900 (without the massive away following of a Stockport or Wrexham).
An afternoon to banish from the memory.
Spot on. Collectively we looked off it. I do feel the long & late trip to Bromley on Saturday night & getting back in the early hours of Sunday morning has taken the legs out of us a bit. They were sharper. You could see the effects of Ross injury for their goals too no doubt, he didn’t & perhaps couldn’t get down quick enough. Overall one to forget, with Osbourne & Roscoe both back from suspension on NYD & their much poorer home record I suspect it will be a different game at the Shay.
Off the pitch the attendance magnificent, 3500 home fans against run of the mill opposition a superb turnout. The main plus. We also did hospitality which was very good-food & service spot on. Club keeps growing but days like today when big numbers are in show the absolute imperative to modernise the ground if we are to move from a 2000 average up to 2,500 then 3k.
Checked the record. 10 years ago it was 1171 at home on boxing day. No doubt many thought that was a decent enough gate!