Altrincham F.C. Youth Team: Match Report.
ALTRINCHAM YOUTH (2) 3 GRETNA YOUTH (0) 1
Altrincham made some changes after Sunday's 2-4 defeat, with full-back Vernum Rowland and midfielder Mark Drew paired as centre-backs. Domain Esdale, who had been injured, as well as right-back Paul Glynn and left-sided midfielder Lee Thompson came into the starting line-up. Coach Neil Thomason had also recovered from his virus and was once more able to make his voice heard to the players!
The match started late (at 8pm) due to Gretna's late arrival but the Scottish side showed no signs of travel weariness and were a good match for Altrincham in the early stages. Altrincham had already gone close through a fine low shot from Shillito after 8 minutes, but the first goal actually came after 13 minutes when Gretna failed to clear an attack and a high ball was pumped in to the back post, from the right.
The Gretna keeper, Vince Parker, dropped the ball and Thompson was on hand to knock it in. 17 yearold Parker has played for the Gretna first team and is a former Queen of the South player, the Club formerly managed by Gretna's current boss, Rowan Alexander. Then, two minutes later, Thompson won the ball and Shillito scored cleanly from a central position (15 mins). Thompson was having an impressive game on the left, as were McDonald and Tilley in midfield whilst Lee Shillito was causing the Gretna defence problems with his pace. At the back, the new pairing of Rowland and Drew looked solid.
Indeed, Rowland, Drew and Shillito combined after 25 minutes to feed Smith but he was fouled, to the left of the box. McDonald then had a good shot palmed over the bar
for a corner (34 mins) and, after an Esdale header had been
blocked, Smith fired over the bar (35 mins). A superb ball, fifty
yards forward, by Rowland found Thompson on the left and his searing
first-time shot came back off the bar from outside the box (38 mins). The half ended with
the Gretna keeper saving well from a Drew free-kick (44 mins).
| HALF-TIME: ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 2 GRETNA YOUTH 0 |
Gretna soon dispelled any thoughts that the second half would be a formality and came out looking a much better side in the second period. They brought on Otway as a half-time substitute. However, Alty continued to make chances, with full-back Glynn making a fine run up the right only for Smith to be blocked at the end of the move (52 mins).
On the other side of the defence, Paul Robinson once more had an effective game. However, keeper Jordan Broxson was called upon to make a fine save from a Gretna header before the Scots shot over the bar from another good opening (53 mins). Five minutes later, Broxson palmed out a good attempt by Gretna and was pleased to see the follow-up put badly wide from close range. Alty made a change with Esdale being replaced by Lunt, who went up front with Shillito, as Smith dropped into midfield (62 mins).
Soon Lunt produced a fine curling shot from a McDonald move which the Gretna keeper did well to tip around the post (64 mins). Gretna were now stringing together some good moves and from a corner on their right, they deservedly pulled a goal back, through Bell whose drive from inside the box found the bottom corner of Broxson's net (68 mins). Things got worse for Alty when Lee McDonald was booked for a lunge, within a minute of being spoken to by the referee for dissent over a free-kick decision (73 mins).
However, out of nothing Altrincham got the deciding goal when a ball forward into the Gretna box caused a defensive muddle and Lee Shillito was sharp enough to poke it past the advancing keeper (75 mins). Gretna immediately made a double substitution with McBride and Griffin coming on. Paul Coverley also came on for Lee Thompson for the Robins (76 mins). Soon after this, from a free-kick, Lunt headed narrowly over.
Six minutes from the end Mark Drew attempted a 50 yard free-kick which only narrowly cleared the bar before Lee McDonald left the game, with apparent cramp, to be replaced by Ian Taylor (86 mins).
Alty Youth now play away at either Morecambe or Northwich Victoria in a game which will be their first game in the Youth Cup away from Moss Lane after nine home draws for George Heslop. If Alty can win that match, they will be in the First Round Proper.
TEAMS:- Altrincham 1. Jordan Broxson, 2. Paul Glynn, 3. Paul Robinson, 4. Vernum Rowland, 5. Mark Drew, 6. Lee McDonald, 7. Domain Esdale, 8. Paul Tilley (capt.), 9. Richard Smith, 10. Lee Shillito, 11. Lee Thompson, 12. Chris Phythian, 14. Dean Marley, 15. Ian Taylor, 16. Stephen Lunt, 17. Paul Coverley. Gretna:- 1. Parker, 2. Bell, 3. Douglas, 4. Lever, 5. Thompson, 6. Ganley, 7. Bryceson, 8. Wills, 9. Milligan, 10. Harding, 11. Gordon, 12. McBride, 13. Otway, 14. Griffin
| FULL-TIME: ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 3 GRETNA YOUTH 1 |