Altrincham F.C. Youth Team: Match Report.

Altrincham had to work hard against a strong-tackling Lancaster side but they ran out deserved winners with a determined second-half display. Without the injured Domain Esdale, Lee McDonald, who was ill, and the suspended Mario Daniel, Alty started well but early shots by Paul Coverley and Mark Drew were comfortably saved by the Lancaster keeper.

The visitors then got into the game before a fine run by right-back Paul Glynn, past three opponents, won Alty a corner (17 mins). Glynn had a fine game, particularly in the first half as did Richard Smith, who started the season up-front. Today, he impressed in midfield alongside the ever-effective Paul Tilley. New centre-back Steve McGrath also looked a good acquisition, beside his reliable partner Vernum Rowland.

However, there were few real goal chances and quite a number of fouls as the game reached the half-hour mark. Curiously, the referee was from Lancaster, but the Alty captain's father served as an impromptu linesman to help to redress the balance. After 30 minutes Lee Thompson got in a good shot which the keeper saved but Lancaster nearly had a slice of luck when their number eight's shot hit an Alty player.

Jordan Broxson had to change direction hastily and brought off a fine save, low to his right, to concede a corner rather than a goal (31 mins). Then, Smith appeared to be knocked over in the visitors' box but the referee gave nothing (33 mins).

Paul Coverley, Smith and Tilley then combined well for Robinson to win a corner from which Lee Shillito had a goal-bound header cleared off the line by a defender, with the keeper beaten (44 mins). Just as it looked as if the half would end scoreless, a superb diagonal ball forward from Mark Drew from the left of midfield found Paul Coverley on the right side of the penalty area. Paul advanced and drove the ball firmly into the net at the near post (45 mins).

Lancaster brought on a sub at the start of the second half but Altrincham gained an early free-kick for a foul on Drew. Mark himself took the kick and was just over the target from 25 yards (49 mins). Lancaster almost scored when the sub. (no.14) got in a close range shot which Jordan Broxson did excellently to save, one-handed to his left and the ball was cleared for a corner (51 mins). Lee Thompson then picked up an injury after battling with a Lancaster player for possession on the left touchline.

Though he got up after treatment, he soon had to be substituted by the bronze-booted Wes Wilkinson, himself returning from injury after suspension had caused him to miss the start of the season (59 mins). Thompson had had a hard game yesterday for the Reserves at Ashton, along with Paul Tilley. Wes was immediately fouled; Lancaster were a rugged side at times, particularly their number four.

Mark Drew was booked for a tackle from behind after 63 minutes as Altrincham continued to be the better side and exerted the greater pressure. Lancaster brought on another sub (no.15) before Paul Tilley had a remarkable sixty seconds in which he three times won possession impressively in midfield. From the last of these efforts Mark Drew's shot brought a save from the keeper with his feet but Mark injured himself in the process. He was substituted by Ian Taylor (73 mins). Yet another foul by the no.4, on Lee Shillito, gained Alty a free-kick but nothing came of it (76 min). When Taylor was bundled over in the box by Lancaster's no.6, a penalty was awarded.

Though Paul Robinson struck it well enough, the keeper guessed correctly and saved it well, diving to his right side (77 mins). Wes Wilkinson then volleyed over the bar (79 mins) before Lancaster's no.4 kicked a lump out of Lee Shillito but, extraordinarily, he conceded no free-kick in the process (83 mins). Steve Lunt came on for the last four minutes, up front, to replace Coverley, with Shillito dropping into midfield. Lancaster's last chance went with a free-kick well over the bar.