Altrincham F.C. Reserves: Match Report.

Altrincham Reserves have often struggled to score goals this season but here they found the net nine times in 90 minutes against a side which had lost its previous two games 16-0 to Morecambe and 9-1 to Barrow. Pat Claffey played at right back rather than his normal central defensive position, with Gareth Strange, Duncan Miller and Kevin Duncalf being drafted into the side to replace Mike Green, Jason Anthony and Chris Chesters who had played last week. Four members of the current Altrincham Youth team started the game, with three more amongst the substitutes. Also on the bench was midfielder Levi Kennedy, who has recently returned to Altrincham from Chester City.

Alty won a first-minute corner and had several early shots blocked by the Bamber Bridge defence before Strange set Mario Daniel racing towards goal. Mario was brought down on the left fringe of the box to earn a penalty which Sam Baker firmly despatched to the keeper's right (15 mins). Strange, a former Manchester United youth player and recently acquired on loan from Accrington, made a good contribution on the right side of midfield. Apart from a long shot easily fielded by Dale Newbrook, the Brig side did not threaten a goal at this stage.

The Altrincham midfield were on top of their opponents, with Lee McDonald showing some good touches, and though Bamber Bridge made some forward movements these were well handled by the Alty back four. It came as no real surprise when Mario Daniel netted the second Alty goal, having worked himself free of the defence (20 mins). The visitors then won their first corner but this was cleared without too much risk to the Alty goal (25 mins).

Next, a fine through ball from Paul Robinson set Kevin Duncalf running towards goal and, though driven well left by the keeper, Duncalf managed to find the net well for the third goal (34 mins). Altrincham were then obliged to replace Duncan Miller by Ian Horton (37 mins). Goal number four came when Mario Daniel drew the goalkeeper expertly and shot home (42 mins).

Just before the interval captain Keith Mairs did well to hook the ball home for the fifth, even though he had been grounded as he collided with the keeper (44 mins). However, it took a fine tackle by Pat Claffey just before the half-time whistle to repel a late attack by the visitors.

Altrincham continued to press in the second half and Mario Daniel won a corner on the left, taken by Keith Mairs. The Brig keeper fumbled the ball at the near post and it eventually came out for Gareth Strange to knock it back into the net (52 mins) for the sixth goal. Bamber Bridge continued to apply themselves despite their heavy deficit and they won a corner on the hour mark. However, their defence was unable to cope with Altrincham and particularly with the skill and pace of Daniel, ably partnered by Duncalf.

Daniel it was who scored the seventh, making his chance himself with a superb dummy and change of feet before finishing with a firm left-foot shot (62 mins). This came just after Youth Team captain Paul Tilley had come on to replace Strange (61 mins). The Brig team now lost a player injured and carried on with ten men.

Another Alty switch occurred after 64 minutes when Levi Kennedy took over from Sam Baker. Daniel nearly scored again after 66 minutes but his shot was blocked at source and the Alty man needed treatment as a result. The visitors belatedly conjured up a substitute for their injured man and restored their team to eleven men (69 mins). From another Alty corner Mario Daniel headed home for his fourth goal of the night and his side's eighth (72 mins). A powerful surge forward by Paul Tilley was rounded off by his firm shot to complete the scoring after (81 mins).

However, there was still time for Keith Mairs to prompt a fine tip over the bar by the Brig keeper, from a perceptive Paul Robinson feed (85 mins). After their recent run of indifferent results, this handsome victory should restore some confidence to the Altrincham side for the remainder of the season and with Mario Daniel in this sort of form they should not find goals as difficult to come by as they have of late.

ALTRINCHAM SQUAD: 1 Dale Newbrook, 2 Patrick Claffey, 3 Paul Robinson, 4 Steve McGrath, 5 Duncan Miller, 6 Lee McDonald, 7 Keith Mairs, 8 Gareth Strange, 9 Kevin Duncalf, 10 Mario Daniel, 11 Sam Baker, 12 Paul Tilley, 14 Lee Shillito, 15 Levi Kennedy, 16 Ian Horton, 17 Stuart Madew.