LINE-UP

ALTRINCHAM FC LADIES SQUAD: Lizzie, Sam B, Caroline, Louise, Brogan, Heather, Hannah, Nat, Tracey, Beth, Chloe, Sarah, Hayley, Kath (Cyprus), Becki, Sam J.

A grey, overcast Sunday afternoon joined Altrincham Ladies in welcoming AFC Stockport to Beech Avenue for our Challenge Cup first round tie

Injury still kept Gail, Chloe, Becky and Rachel out of contention but, nevertheless, a strong squad was available for selection.

A pre-match photograph (above) demonstrating the Ladies' support for Mark Maddox’s Football v MND campaign preceded kick-off which was taken by the visitors.

Altrincham were quickly into their stride and applied pressure on the Stockport defence virtually from the off, creating a number of good chances which, frustratingly, just would not go in. The League game at Daisy Field, earlier in the season, had started similarly, yet on that occasion AFC took a shock lead and, were it not for two demonstrations of alert goalkeeping from Lizzie, that may well have been the case again.

The Ladies persisted, however, and on 18 minutes the deadlock was broken by Tracey Blanchard Webb with a fine right-footed finish. Good persistence by the Alty Ladies meant that AFC attacks were kept to a minimum whilst their defence and goalkeeper were kept busy.

The continued pressure eventually told when, after 29 minutes, Tracey added to the score with an excellent left-footed chip over the AFC keeper. Despite wave upon wave of Alty attacks, the AFC defence stood firm and half time was reached with the score at 2-0

Half-time conversation revolved around doing the same things, getting the ball wide, keeping possession and moving the AFC players around to make space for our forward players.

Alty kicked off the second half and it soon became apparent that our opponents were likely to pose us a few more questions than had been the case in the first half.

Our midfield and defenders were well up to the task in hand though and, although arguably a less one-sided half than the first, in real terms Lizzie was rarely forced into any spectacular action.

Manager Keith Edleston used all the players available to him, resting players who had put in significant effort, whilst also allowing the substitutes to demonstrate their talents and try to earn a starting berth for the next game.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Tracey was rewarded for her tireless work up front when she netted her and the team’s third goal of the afternoon.

Three minutes of additional time were played with no addition to the score. We now move into the second round and a home game against Blacon Youth LFC on the 17th November with a 2pm kick-off at Beech Fields, Timperley.

The Blue Dog Player of the Match was Sam Briggs who, in addition to staunch defending when required, moved forward with intent when able, linking well with both Brogan and Cyprus, both of whom played on the left side of midfield, although there were a number of contenders for the honour.

Next up for the Ladies is a home League fixture versus Wallasey Athletic Ladies next Sunday, October 20th kick-off is at 2.00pm as usual.