Altrincham F.C. Reserves: Match Report.

For the first 20 minutes of this game it was all Altrincham on the attack with little to show for their efforts, then the home team began to get their game together and made more of a game of it. Youth team captain Paul Tilley and Reserves' captain Keith Mairs were both in fine form, running the midfield engine room. Altrincham's first real chance came after 35 minutes when Jason Anthony's shot was saved by the Ashton keeper. This was followed quickly by a Mairs free kick that skimmed the crossbar. Two minutes later Dale Newbrook in the Alty goal outwitted the Ashton number 9 in a one to one situation with a good save.

The second half began with a little more urgency in Ashton's attacking game plan but the Alty defence held tight with Charles Heathcote (Graham's son), Pat Claffey, Paul Monaghan and particularly Paul Johnson holding the Ashton attacks comfortably. Jason Anthony was replaced by another youth team player Wesley Wilkinson 10 minutes into the second half, closely followed by a great pass from Monaghan to another youth team player, Lee Thompson, whose shot was narrowly wide.

After 63 minutes Altrincham took a deserved lead, a throw in on the left headed for Simon McMain on the edge of the Ashton box, he let it bounce once and then volleyed an unstoppable shot through a crowded goalmouth into the net. Defender Stevie Howe came on for Melvin Pampila with 25 minutes to go. With 10 minutes to go the game became a little ragged and some tempers began to boil over.

Wilkinson was booked for what looked like retaliation against one of the Ashton defenders who couldn't cope with the extra speed that Wilkinson had brought to the attack. Minutes later Wilkinson was once more involved in a controversial decision; he was blatantly kicked off the ball by a frustrated Ashton defender who amazingly only received a yellow card. Thompson was replaced by Stuart Madew with 3 minutes to go.