Altrincham F.C. Youth Team: Match Report.

This Page 16 December, 2001

Bolton & District N.W. Youth Alliance Open Cup Match played at Wythenshawe Town FC on Sunday, 16th December, 2001. Kick-off 1.45pm

Altrincham dominated this match but, after an early goal, failed to kill off the opposition till the second half. Having camped in the Rochdalians' half for the opening stages, the hosts took the lead when a well directed left-wing corner, won and taken by Lee Thompson, found the head of Mark Drew who headed home cleanly from close range (5 mins). Soon afterwards a header from Lunt forced the Rochdalians' keeper to tip the ball over the bar (7 mins) as Altrincham threatened to canter to victory.

The visiting keeper also had to save at full length from a Tilley shot (13 mins) as Rochdalians remained hemmed in their own half. A blistering shot from the left by Thompson was then parried away before Drew's ball into the box was passed on by Shillito to Lunt, who was brought down to win a clear penalty. Lee Thompson took the spot kick but struck his shot against the underside of the crossbar to record his side's fifth penalty miss in succession this season (22 mins).

Rochdalians first attempt at goal came after 25 minutes but was directed well wide of Broxson's net. However, a routine ball through the middle was then missed by Rowland and Glynn and Glennon got in a good shot at goal which Broxson beat out very well (26 mins). Altrincham continued to press but Rochdalians were awarded their first corner after their number eleven had appeared to shoot wide without any deflection.

Broxson punched the corner well clear before the visitors brought on their second number two, in place of number eleven (36 mins). Although Rochdalians were more in the game now, they presented no further threats to the Alty goal before the interval. The break came with Alty holding only a one goal margin after a half which they had largely dominated.

Altrincham replaced Lunt with David Walsh at half-time and started the half with a back three, Glynn having been pushed forward into midfield. Indeed Glynn had the first Alty chance of the half but his shot was saved (47 mins). Paul Tilley continued his impressive midfield work of the first half with some fine tackles and dribbles and he was arguably the Man of the Match. However, his next shot at goal went wide (49 mins) before an effort from Lee Shillito was blocked. Lee Thompson then did well to feed Shillito who was clearly held in the box and a second penalty was rightly awarded.

After the referee had had to march 12 yards to locate the penalty spot on the muddy pitch, Lee Thompson strode up to take his second penalty of the game. His spot kick was this time saved by the keeper, who also did enough to force Lee to put his follow-up against the cross bar (52 mins). However, Thompson refused to be put off by his miss and applied himself well down the left wing before finishing off a pass from Walsh with a drive into the net from 15 yards to double Alty's lead (55 mins). Altrincham continued to dominate the game, with Broxson a spectator in their goal.

Mark Drew now gave way to Lee McDonald (62 mins). Altrincham continued to press forward with Tilley and Smith controlling the midfield and Robinson and Glynn getting forward from the back, where Rowland and McGrath coolly kept their opponents well away from their goal for almost the entire game. Thompson gave the defenders on the Rochdalians right a tough time as he combined well with Robinson, Walsh and Shillito. After 78 minutes, Ian Horton came on for Lee Thompson. Almost immediately Walsh's lay off to his right gave McDonald a low shot which ran just wide (79 mins).

However McDonald was then booked, presumably for speaking out of turn (81 mins). Altrincham finished off the game when Horton, who had impressed on the left, got a cross in to Smith whose flicked header appeared to be going wide until it took a diversion off the uneven surface and rolled into the far corner of the net (83 mins). Smith then had a volley well saved after Robinson had won the ball and Shillito had beaten a defender (86 mins).

Alty's final chance was a good volley from Shillito, which came from a move via Glynn and McDonald, but it was well saved by the keeper (88 mins). The final whistle then signalled Altrincham's progress to the next round of the Open Cup, away at Leigh next Sunday.