Altrincham F.C. Reserves: Match Report.

Both sides had made changes following the 0-0 draw between the teams last Wednesday at the Deva Stadium. It was those made by Chester which had the more positive effect as they reportedly included four new French and French-speaking African trialists in their line-up. Ex-Alty man Eric Seekie was on the Chester bench.

Altrincham were without midfielder Anthony Hargreaves, (who turned out for Flixton recently), as well as Simon McMain and Stuart Madew. Into the Robins' side came goalkeeper Tom Packett, striker Kevin Kavanagh and the returning central midfielder, Ryan Gilligan. Due to injuries, Reserves' manager Graham Wright was unable to make use of Youth team players Lee Thompson and Paul Tilley, who have already made successful appearances for the Reserves this season.

Altrincham had the first shot of the game when Kavanagh got up the right side but Gilligan could not keep his shot under the bar. But then a cross from the Chester right was dropped by Packett and put into the net after just four minutes. Another move on the right flank led to Chester's second after nine minutes as the slick movement of the visitors undid the Altrincham defence.

It got worse two minutes later, following an Alty free-kick on their left, 30 yards from the Chester goal. The free-kick came to the visitors' keeper whose fine throw found their number eight on the left. He advanced and fed his speedy number nine, one of the French-speaking players, who raced forward to the left of goal. As Packett came out, the striker shot the ball across him into the far corner of the net to make it 0-3 (11 mins).

Packett then made a good stop, tipping a 25 yarder round the post to his right. He had some luck shortly afterwards when a ball rebounded off the back of Taberner to a Chester player whose firm shot hit the upright to the keeper's right (22 mins). The Chester number nine then broke through the middle but Packett tipped his shot over the bar and from the corner the keeper again got down well to save a header at the cost of a corner. Chester then missed a sitter as they threatened to over-run the Alty side.

Goal number four came after 29 minutes from another right-wing attack, as one of their players got to the by-line. A fifth goal arrived after 38 minutes, this time from a left-wing cross. Despite some neat play from Shelton, Mairs and Gilligan in midfield, Alty had been given a football lesson in the first half.

Alty made three changes to their defensive unit at half-time. Goalkeeper Dale Newbrook, fresh from a successful first-team debut on Tuesday night, took over from Packett, whilst full-backs Taberner and Monaghan gave way to Howe and Green on the right and left respectively.

The changes brought an improvement and the second period was much more of a contest, with the defence looking a lot more organised as they were encouraged vocally by 'keeper Dale Newbrook. Johnson and Claffey dealt well with threats down the middle whilst the full-backs Green and Howe, along with Pampila on the left, were even able to come forward on occasions in the second half as the Chester threat down the flanks was tamed.

Chester brought on Eric Seekie at half-time and made two other substitutions in the 51st and 53rd minutes. Altrincham won a rare corner after 52 minutes but from this Gilligan could only shoot wide. At the other end, Newbrook soon distinguished himself with a point-blank save from a Chester header (61 mins). Keith Mairs showed some good touches in midfield and it was only a lucky break which allowed Chester to score a sixth goal, with just a minute of normal time left when a long-range shot struck Pat Claffey and looped over Newbrook. Although the keeper got his hand to the ball he could not keep it out of the net. The referee played about four minutes of added time before drawing an end to proceedings.

It would be an understatement to say that this was a game of two halves. The Altrincham side looked much more of a unit rather following the interval and though they rarely threatened the Chester goal, did hold their own at the back and in midfield and also got in a few shots at the target. However, the damage had been done in the opening stages but at least some pride was restored in the second half.

FOOTNOTE: The Chester scorers were Sefton, Ruscoe, Berry (2) and Adil (2). Scott Ruscoe is 23 year-old midfielder, signed from Newtown (Wales) in summer 2000. Has played for the first-team. Paul Berry, a forward, is a 22 year-old signed by Terry Smith from Warrington Town in July 1999. He has made a number of first team appearances as substitute. Adil is one of the French/Moroccan players mentioned above.