Altrincham F.C. Reserves: Match Report.

Contrary to speculation Mark Ward was not in the Leigh squad. Heavy rain greeted the teams as they took to the pitch on a blustery and windy evening. It was an evenly fought match with nothing between the two teams for the opening twenty six minutes or so, then a neat move led to Altrincham's opening goal.

Central defender Phil Burton beat two Leigh players before threading the ball through to Jason Anthony who ran between two defenders and put the ball past the Leigh goalkeeper. Youth team captain Paul Tilley, who had been brought in at short notice to join the depleted squad was in great form, he had played in the FA Youth Cup win over Gretna the previous evening and certainly didn't look out of place in the team. Just before half time a great pass from Tilley to Jason Anthony shaved the Leigh post leaving the score 1-0 to Altrincham at the break.

Seven minutes into the second half Leigh RMI drew level when their number 10 slid the ball in past Newbrook in the Alty goal. Minutes later both Simon McMain and Lee Thompson went close for Altrincham in quick succession, with good saves from the Leigh goalkeeper. Lee, like Paul Tilley, had played the previous night for the Youth Team in the FA Youth Cup. Stuart Madew replaced Thompson on the hour.

< Ten minutes later a mix up in the Altrincham defence led to Leigh taking the lead with their number 10 slotting the ball into an open net. Steve Mukolo replaced Paul Rudd with fifteen minutes to go. Within three minutes Altrincham were level again. A pinpoint cross from Steve Howe on the right wing found Stuart Madew unmarked on the far post and he blasted it past the helpless Leigh keeper into the net. Striker Melvin Pampiga came on in place of Jason Anthony with ten minutes to go but he was unable to crack the Leigh defence, and the match ended 2-2. Pictured left is Keith Mairs.

Altrincham Team:-
1, Dale Newbrook 2, Steve Howe 3, Paul Johnson 4, Patrick Claffey 5, Phil Burton 6, Paul Rudd 7, Keith Mairs 8, Simon McMain 9, Jason Anthony 10, Paul Tilley 11, Lee Thompson. Subs. Stuart Madew, Melvin Pampiga and Steve Mukolo.
Many thanks to Danny Claffey for the above report.