Altrincham F.C. Youth Team: Match Report.

Bolton & District N.W. Youth Alliance Premier League game, played on Thursday, 25 April, 2002, at 6.15pm

With Lee Shillito absent, Steve Lunt came into the side which had lost on Sunday in the Premier Cup Final. Steve was partnered up front by David Walsh, who had also moved into the starting line-up after being a sub on Sunday. Michael Bailey moved to the bench as he had already played ninety minutes for his college side today.

Unavailable for selection were Mario Daniel and Vernum Rowland, given their involvement with the first team at present. Paul Tilley started on the right with Lee MacDonald in central midfield, whilst Ian Horton reverted to central defence from his midfield role on Sunday. The game kicked off 25 minutes late due to the late arrival of the Marine team.

Marine started well and won three corners in the opening three minutes. All were cleared but, after the last one, the ball came back in the air towards goal with Ian Horton shepherding it back to keeper Jordan Broxson. Unfortunately, the ball bounced up on the bone hard pitch and went over Broxson's head to leave a Marine player with an open goal, which he did not miss (4 mins). Lee Thompson responded with a fine shot from the left, from 25 yards, which Townley in the Marine goal very clearly tipped over the bar. To the amazement of the spectators, who were to include Alty coach Graham Heathcote, a goal-kick was awarded.

Altrincham continued to improve, though they were not yet putting together their normal passing game. Soon, however, Steve Lunt's pass led to the dangerous Thompson winning a corner, which was cleared. Alty's next goal threat came after 22 minutes when David Walsh sent in a long range shot from the right which reared up on the hard pitch and forced the keeper to tip it over the bar. The Robins put together their best move so far when Walsh and Smith fed MacDonald, whose well hit shot cleared the bar (28 mins).

Alty won another corner through Walsh and, though the keeper missed Thompson's flag-kick, the danger was cleared by the tall Marine defence which dealt well with all of Altrincham's long balls at this stage. Then, Paul Tilley did well to advance up the right and from his cross, a stooping David Walsh's header went wide (34 mins).

Altrincham were now looking the better side after their slow start. The improvement continued with Robinson and Thompson linking well on the left. However, an equaliser would not come as, first, Mark Drew shot well but wide (41 mins) and then Thompson beat right-back Torrence to win another corner. From this, taken by Thompson, Steve McGrath's header came back off the crossbar, just seconds before the whistle went for half-time.

As in the first half, Marine started the second period strongly but without seriously threatening a second goal. After a minor set-to between the fiery Marine no.9, Langton, and Paul Robinson, both players were lectured. Soon Langton got booked for another incident involving Ian Horton, who was also cautioned.

Altrincham began to settle and Walsh and Lunt combined for Thompson to shoot from 25 yards and force the Marine keeper to tip the effort over the bar (58 mins). Smith headed wide shortly afterwards as Alty looked likely to equalise. But from an Alty corner, Marine broke forward and a good ball found Davis, 25 yards out. He laid the ball, left, to the unmarked Langton who scored cleanly past the exposed Alty keeper, Broxson (63 mins).

However, Alty responded well when good work by Walsh on the left brought the Alty striker a fine goal (66 mins). Further Alty corners followed before Marine won one for themselves. However, Paul Tilley came increasingly into the game and Mark Drew started to get forward regularly on the right. When Mark combined with David Walsh, the latter did well to get free of a defender to the right of goal and his cross found Lee Thompson, who made it 2-2 from close range (77 mins).

Drew then fired in a good shot from 25 yards. Soon after this, the Marine keeper made a weak kicked clearance, which Walsh seized upon and he got the ball to Lunt. Lunt's fine shot from 20 yards cleared the keeper and hit the back of the net to put Alty ahead (80 mins). At the back Horton and McGrath continued to repel Marine's advances, whilst Robinson and Drew took care of the flanks. Altrincham were good value for their win but they achieved it the hard way.

MARINE TEAM: 1. Townley, 2. Torrence, 2. Wingfield, 4. Cringle, 5. Price, 6. Lancaster, 7. Greenwood, 8. Brown, 9. Langton, 10. Davies, 11. Hyland, 12. Williams, 13. Ayraziaz, 14. Threlfall, 15. Leigh, 16. McLean.