LINE-UP

REPORT

After five league games Alty’s Youth Education Programme team finally came together as a unit and put in a very impressive performance winning 1-0 away at Harrogate Town F.C.

Alty enjoyed near domination for the whole match, Tom Clarke marshalled the defence, Dan Jones led the three man midfield and, offensively, Louis Potts, Adam Bond and Tom Westall were a constant threat leading the defence a merry dance.

After months of coaching on the training ground suddenly it all clicked together, the back four were solid, the midfield dominated the game and the forward three were always creating chances, everybody knew their jobs and what was expected of them, everyone helped each other, the communications when picking up or pressing was clearly heard from the side line, the team were one.

Alty nearly scored from the kick off, Westall found Potts who cut inside and unleashed a shot which just cleared the bar. From the goal-kick, Alty quickly pressed and won the ball and again went on the attack, the pattern continued for the next 20 minutes with Harrogate rarely venturing into Alty’s half.

It came as no surprise, on 25 minutes, when a great ball out of defence by Sam Heathcote found Louis Potts, who beat his marker with ease. As he travelled across the 18-yard box he spotted a great run by the full-back, Matty Hancock, his firsst touch beat the on-coming defender, his second touch took him inside another and, in one movement, he unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Such was the venom of the shot, the goalkeeper never moved.

Alty continued to dominate and went close several times through Jimi Folageade and Tom Westall and, after some out-standing individual play, Louis Potts beat two players in one movement, 'megging' one, before he sent a powerful shot just over the bar.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Alty having the majority of possession, creating chances but not finishing them off. Potts, Longley, Folageade, Westall and Bond all had chances to score but the Harrogate goalkeeper was in fine form. Matty Johnson in the Alty goal had little to do but, when called upon, dealt with everything, Matty dominated his area, punching or catching every ball sent in, showing great distribution and earning a well-deserved clean sheet.

Alty were now dominant and comfortable, controlling the tempo of the game and seeing out the remainder of the game ,as the match finished 1-0 to Alty. It was a thoroughly deserved win, moving Alty to third in the league.

Man of the Match – Jimi Folageade (never stopped running for 90 minutes, box to box, always pressing to win the ball back and great distribution).