Fog obscures Altrincham vs Notts County and challenges commentators

Altrincham’s FA Cup first-round tie with Notts County became a challenge for commentators after thick fog covered Moss Lane and obscured the view for players and spectators. BBC commentator Steve Bower said it became extremely difficult to follow the match, especially after the 60th minute, as he could no longer tell which team had possession or who had the ball.

Bower explained that viewers had told him they could hear his commentary but could not see what was happening, while radio commentators faced similar difficulties. Adam Hassell said he could barely make out the players’ shirt numbers, and analyst Mark Stallard described the scene as being like searching for the ball. The managers also struggled to follow the details of the match clearly, and the players had to rely on short passes instead of long and diagonal balls.

National League side Altrincham were leading 2-1 before Callum Roberts equalised for Notts County in the closing minutes. The match went to two periods of extra time and then a penalty shootout, which Notts County won, with the fog also affecting the view of the kicks and saves. Bower said the match had come close to being abandoned after players told him they could not see either goal or the corner flags from the centre circle.

Bower added that the fog had taken much of the match’s value away as a football spectacle, while Altrincham fans used their phone lights during the penalty shootout in an attempt to affect the visiting team’s players.