Altrincham F.C. Reserves: Match Report.

Altrincham Reserves lost their latest home league game 1-3 to Ashton United Reserves last night at Flixton. It was a rather mediocre game with neither team showing much flair and some inept work by the ref and his linesmen contributed to a bad night for Altrincham. Alty played in the much maligned orange kit that the first team refuse to wear; maybe they should get rid of it altogether!

Alty were the first to go close when on 3 minutes Richard Smith went close from a corner. It was another 10 minutes before Ashton had a shot, which was well saved by Newbrook. Ashton took the lead in the 18th minute when their forward, who looked at least 5 yards offside, slotted the ball past the keeper. The linesman who had a bandage on his knee and a slight limp was nowhere near the action but the goal stood.

Altrincham equalised midway through the first half when a great cross from McDonald was met on the far post by Ian Horton who flicked it past the keeper to make it 1-1. Five minutes later Ashton regained the lead when their number 11 shot from 18 yards out into a crowded goalmouth, it was flicked in by one of the Ashton forwards who was clearly in an offside position, but again the goal stood.

Three minutes into the second half Claffey had to go off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Miller. The second half was no better than the first, Altrincham just didn't have enough upfront to really bother the Ashton defence who were managing OK. Chesters was replaced by Tilley 12 minutes into the half. On the hour Ashton went further ahead after a good run and fine pass by their number 8 to their number 10, who scored with no problem. That was really the end of the game as a contest. Fullback Mike Green was replaced by midfielder Levi Kennedy, who has just returned from a stint at Chester, but there were no more goals or real chances of goals

ALTRINCHAM SQUAD: 1 Dale Newbrook, 2 Mike Green, 3 Paul Robinson, 4 Steve McGrath, 5 Pat Claffey, 6 Lee McDonald, 7 Keith Mairs, 8 Chris Chesters, 9 Jason Anthony, 10 Richard Smith, 11 Ian Horton, 12 Paul Tilley, 14 Alex Kabia, 15 Melvin Pampila, 16 Duncan Miller, 17 Levi Kennedy.

Footnote: This match clashed with a first-team game meaning that several players were unavailable for selection by Reserves' boss Paul Cuddy as they had been called up for the first eleven.