It felt like we were getting the old band back together for one last hurrah. Having missed the last few away games, it was good to see the Greetland Shayman for the first time in a while and catch up on his perspective on our recent form. With the dark grey clouds gathering, a hint of rain on the breeze, we set of on our 47-mile expedition into deepest Greater Manchester.
Visting Altrincham is like visiting an old friend, we’ve seen our team win there, lose there, and draw there. But, all things considered, it holds special memories of our remarkable win at the death in the FA Trophy a few years ago. No current day result will ever erase the excitement and tension of that day, the last-minute equaliser, the infamous net rattlers, being behind on penalties, and eventually the sheer delight of getting to Wembley. Even in the build up to day’s game we reminded the Greetland Shayman of just how good it was to be in the ground. He’ of course, left minutes before our equaliser that day and ended up watching the penalties from the vantage point of a parked coach outside the ground. We’ll never let him forget that.
Altrincham boasts one of the best chip shops in the northern England, the service is lightening quick and you get a decent bucket of chips for a reasonable price. Admission to Alty’s ground was a very reasonable £20 for adults, especially if you were early enough to bag one of around 50 covered seats. For everyone else, £20 to stand on an open terrace in the pouring rain, perhaps wasn’t as an attractive prospect. Inside the ground you could also buy a hot dog for bargain £6.
With the heavens opening and the Alty fans nice and dry, the home side kicked towards the soggy five hundred or so travelling Shaymen in the first half. Town started well and rattled the crossbar at the far end after a ‘Keystone Cops’ mad scramble in the Alty penalty area. The rest of the half was faily even without either goalkeeper forced into too much work.
The second half was pretty much all Town, corner after corner rained into the Alty box as the team took control. The home side had their moments; their best chance rattled the Town bar in similar fashion to Shaymen’s earlier effort. As the heavens opened once again, the Town faithful took another soaking but kept un the noise levels regardless.
Late on, there was real drama, not on the field as you may imagine, but in the seats; The Greetland Shayman made a passing comment about a Town throw-in, ‘Excuse me,’ came a very direct voice from a well-dressed lady the posh seats alongside us, ‘that’s my other half you’re talking about!’ Pete fled to the loos in as instant, he wasn’t going to take a chance on the outcome of this one. There were a few elongated seconds of panic on the Greetland Shayman’s face before he quickly clarified is comment, suddenly everyone smiled became friends. You know, you cannot take the Greetland Shayman anywhere, he’s always getting us into bother.
The game was settled late into injury time, at the same end as our famous equaliser in the FA Trophy. Again, the nets were rattled in celebration as Town deservedly took the three points for a well organised display. A soggy afternoon suddenly seemed worth every minute for the jubilant travelling Shaymen. Altrincham must be really fed up with the Shaymen visiting.
Driving back, we counted nine away wins this season, added to the increase in goals and entertaining football on offer, it’s not been a bad season so far. There are still a few important games left, and with a following wind, who knows where we may end up. If the wins keep coming, it could very interesting.
C’mon Shaymen!
Miles on the road: 6548. Goals on the road: 25 Points on our travels 23
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