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ALTRINCHAM FC LADIES: Lizzie Brereton, Sam Briggs, Caroline Moran, Becki Hailes, Sarah McManus, Heather Scott, Louise Edleston, Nat Thornley, Tracey Blanchard Webb, Cloe Allsop, Hayley Macardy, Katherine McIntyre, Tallulah Anton, Chloe Brereton, Gail Simpson, Hannah Shufflebotham

REPORT

Report courtesy of John McManus.

Altrincham Ladies returned to league action, travelling to Chester to face last week's cup opponents, Blacon Youth LFC.

The game got underway with both teams eager to gain an early advantage. It was Blacon Youth FC who forced the first attack, playing a long ball into the heart of the Altrincham Ladies defence. The ball was cleared but it was an early indication of Blacon's game plan. Manager Keith Edleston changed the defensive formation from a back three to four to extinguish any threat created by the long ball.

The game ebbed and flowed with neither team forcing the goalkeepers into action.

Mid-way through the first half Altrincham Ladies started to get a foot hold in the game. Caroline Moran playing at right-back produced some fine balls for winger Nat Thornley to run onto, with the aim of creating an opening for forwards Tracey Blanchard Webb and Cloe Allsop.

It was Tracey Blanchard Webb who came closest. Following a through ball Tracey ran towards the Blacon goal ready to unleash a shot only to be snuffed out by a very well timed last gasp tackle by a Blacon defender.

Following a corner, played from the right, a cleared ball was picked up by left-back Sam Briggs whose shot on goal cleared the Blacon crossbar.

There were few chances for either side as the first half drew to a close.

Both teams made several substitutions with the aim of breaking the deadlock.

Eleven minutes into the half a ball was played into the Blacon penalty area, which was met by Striker Becki Hailes, who prodded the ball under the despairing Blacon keeper. On the balance of play this was a well deserved lead.

Altrincham made several advances on the Blacon goal in the later stages, with the aim of increasing their slender but well deserved advantage.

In the dying minutes of the game, following a through ball from midfield, a Blacon striker came very close to equalizing but the ball cleared Altrincham keeper Lizzie Brereton's crossbar. This was not one of Altrincham Ladies' better performances but all the players who took to the field worked extremely hard to bring home the three points.

Next game for Altrincham Ladies: Sunday 1st December WHITCHURCH ALPORT (Away)

Altrincham Ladies Player of the Match: Sam Briggs.

After Blacon's no.6 had forced a save (80 mins), Alty brought back Alsop for Blanchard-Webb (82 mins). Meanwhile, McManus was having an impact on the right and she now won a corner, which she took herself. From this, Cloe Alsop's header struck the crossbar (85 mins).

From a later corner, again well taken by McManus, Chloe Brereton headed home Altrincham's sixth goal of the game (89 mins). So, an impressive Altrincham performance had taken the Ladies convincingly into Round Three of the Cup.

Next week, Alty again meet Blacon, this time in an away league fixture.