Not a storming display

Not for the first time the Harriers failed to beat a team that are struggling near the foot of the table and in doing so they also saw their run of five League games un-beaten come to an end at storm swept Altrincham.  The storm, that started ten minutes into the game, was so bad that the referee had to take the teams off for ten minutes while it abated and the fans had to run for shelter as thunder, lightning and rain monsooned down around them.

We started the game with a full complement of players after the four missing from the York game returned from suspension.  James Constable started alongside Iyseden Christie with Justin Richards sitting on the bench along with Matt Barnes-Homer.

In defence Andy Ferrell came back in place of Jeff Kenna and Russ Penn replaced Simon Russell in midfield.  For Altrincham the former Harrier Jake Sedgemore was on the bench as they gave run outs to some of the six players signed on loan so far.

The poor conditions weren't helping us much and it was Altrincham on the attack first when Chris Senior forced a corner, the first of three in a row and all fruitless.  We responded with Christie surging through but failing to get a sight of goal after being stopped in his tracks by Darren Tinson.

As Liam Kings name went into the ref's book for a foul on Russ Penn the heavens opened and the storm got worse until the referee's only option was to take everyone off for their own safety.

After ten minutes the electric storm stopped to leave just heavy rain and a heavy pitch covered in puddles.  Again Alty commanded the first few minutes and went close with a header from Senior that was put out for yet another corner.  Again the home side failed to make use of the chances given them.

The game was being ruined now as the pitch got heavier by the second and it's looking likely that it could be called off.  Chances from both sides get stuck in the mud and players are misjudging tackles and the game could turn into a farce.  Our best chance of the half should have been a penalty after Ryan Shotton bought down Constable in the box but the referee waved play on because of the conditions.

With the game now running down to the real half time we won our first corners of the game but nothing came of them with the best one being a Mark Creighton header that got cleared over the bar for another corner.  The teams slogged off covered in mud and probably wishing the game was over.