Altrincham F.C. Reserves: Match Report.

A little bit of history, this was the last Altrincham team to play at the world's oldest football ground as it is being demolished next week! This was not exactly match of the season, just a typical near end of season game between two teams that were neither promoted nor relegated.

After a quiet start Alty's number 10 Kevin Duncalf had to retire with a leg injury in the third minute and was replaced by Lee Thompson who, two minutes later hit the bar latching on to an Altrincham corner. Then, Ian Horton had a great run into the Northwich box but elected to pass when a shot on goal would have been the better option.

Chasing a loose ball in the Alty area keeper Newbrook and Alty number 5 Miller crashed together and both had to receive treatment for a few minutes before both were able to continue.

In the 20th minute Evans shot just wide of the Northwich goal after good work by Thompson. Then the same thing happened at the other end with the Northwich number 9 just shooting wide after a good move. Both sides continued to waste chances at either end and the score was still 0-0 at half time.

The second half started a bit brighter with Shillito blasting a shot just over the bar after 55 minutes. Then, a minute later Northwich took the lead, the Northwich number 9 shrugged off two Alty defenders and crashed in a good goal past Newbrook. Madew and Thompson wasted chances up front, then centre back Duncan Miller was shown the red card for punching one of the Northwich forwards after he had been fouled, MacDonald then had his name taken by the referee for arguing during the same incident.

Then, at the end of it all, Altrincham were awarded the free kick! A few minutes later Evans's name went into the book for a late challenge. In the 73rd minute Paul Cuddy took off Lee Thompson who had come on as sub himself and replaced him with Richard Smith who made a good impact on the game in the short time that he got.

The defence, minus Miller, held off the Northwich attacks comfortably with some good play from Robinson, Claffey and Green. With 10 minutes to go Madew made it 1-1 when he stabbed the ball home at the second attempt in a Northwich penalty area scramble. Five minutes later MacDonald nearly scored from a direct free-kick, but the keeper just about managed to parry the ball, which I'm sure would have given him sore fingers such was the ferocity of the shot!

A fair enough result on the night, with a bit more co-ordination up front we should be able to beat them in the return game which is this Wednesday 1st May at Flixton.

ALTRINCHAM SQUAD: 1 Dale Newbrook, 2 Mike Green, 3 Paul Robinson, 4 Patrick Claffey, 5 Duncan Miller, 6 Lee MacDonald, 7 Lee Shillito, 8 Francis Evans, 9 Stuart Madew, 10 Kevin Duncalf, 11 Ian Horton. Subs: 12 Lee Thompson, 14 Richard Smith.