Just over an Hour ago (as I type this) we secured a lovely 3 points at Altrincham.
The day started at the crack of dawn, well 0630 to be more accurate as I set off for breakfast at the cafe on arrival they wernt open but they soon open and we stocked up for the day.
An 0800 departure and amazingly everyone seemed wide awake. Fortuatley heading off at such an early hour the roads were nice and clear as we headed up the M40, M42 and finally the M6 we stopped on the M6 Toll Road at the service station where a few other football fans were including Wolves, Ipswich & Man City but were soon on our way again.
It was only once we moved back onto the M6 did we hit some traffic and although it slowed us fractionally we still made good progress and arrived at the ground at 1330 so plenty of tike to go in the very hospitable bar, Chip Shop or just go into the ground and enjoy the sunshine.
From a line up point of view we had Main replaced by Duncan with Kedwell and Oore up front.
As the teams warmed up the Altrincham players warmed up in front of the AFC Wimbledon fans on the open terrace. One thing to notice was the pitch looked very good and the large number of small TV gantrys that were round the ground but both of these could be down to the fact that Manchester United reserves play at the ground.
We kicked off attacking the goal that we were standing behind, maybe altrincham thought that the sun would create a problem for James Pullen in our goal.
It was a lovely sunny day and although we had a lot of possession and attacking play we really were lacking the final ball. Let’s hope that this would come back to haunt us.
In the second half Altrincham were putting us under a bit of pressure but nothing that the solid defence of Lorraine and Johnson couldn’t cope with.
Then a big 2 minutes came along Paul Lorraine appeared to pick up a knock on the top of his leg and was subbed by Ben Judge but in the very next attack within a minute Ben Judge went up for the ball and was sandwiched by two Altrincham player and had to be replaced by Elliott Godfrey, More amazingly the ref gave the free kick against Judge?
So in the space of 2 minutes we had lost two centre halfs and had to change the formation so Jay Conroy who had been at Right Back went to centre Back Sammy Hatton who had been centre midfield to Right Back could we get the system sorted and get back into the game to claim a point?
Then on 80 minutes we converted one of our chances when Danny Kedwell was at the back of the goal and fired home past the keeper. From hoping we could hold on for a point we were now looking at 3 points on our travels.
A big 10 minutes and injury time was on the cards as Altrincham really went for it but with defending happening all over the pitch we held out well and the couple of times when they did get through James Pullen imposed himself well. Only once did it look like we had mucked up when at the back post altrincham had two players and a semi open goal but the shop went into the terracing behind the goal.
Full time the points were secure in another hard thought victory. As the players congratulated each other and acknowledged the 400 plus AFC Wimbledon fans it was a major case of job done.
Two final thoughts (1) Sitting on the coach and hearing our result on Sports Report that sounded good. (2) Looking at the Table and seeing we are 4th and have clubs like Oxford, Mansfield and Luton above us, and Oxford visit Kingsmeadow nezt week.
Anyway 1 hour 15 mins into the journey only about 4 hours 15 mins to go. This national football lark is good.
Posted by imbd 
