Altrincham F.C. Youth Team: Match Report.
PRESTWICH HEYS YOUTH (0) 0
ALTRINCHAM YOUTH (0) 2
ALTRINCHAM YOUTH (0) 2
Bolton & District N.W. Youth Alliance Premier League game, played on Sunday, 5 May, 2002.
The following report is based on information kindly provided by George Heslop.
Injuries deprived Altrincham of regular left-back Paul Robinson and striker David Walsh. However, with the first-team season now over, there was a welcome return to the Youth side for both Mario Daniel and Vernum Rowland. Steve McGrath has now left the club so Mark Drew moved to centre-back where he was to have an excellent game.
Alty started with the wind behind them as they played down the slope at Prestwich. Keeper Jordan Broxson was little tested in the first half as Alty tried to unlock a resolute defence with some tight, well-organised football. However, the half ended goalless.
| Half-Time: PRESTWICH HEYS YOUTH 0 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 0 |
For the second half Alty changed their tactics to cope with the wind and slope, as well as with the strong kick of the Heys goalkeeper. Now the Robins began to make more use of the flanks as they aimed to get early balls into the goalmouth behind the defence, making use of the wind to hold the ball up for strikers Steve Lunt and Lee Shillito. Steve had replaced Mario Daniel, who had suffered a "dead leg".
After 59 minutes Alty moved the ball from right to left where it came to Lee Thompson. He ran at the defence and scored well from just outside the box. Soon afterwards, there was a minor fracas which the referee dealt with effectively. He cautioned five players, three for Heys and two for Alty (Lee Thompson and Vernum Rowland). The game then settled down once more into its first-half pattern until Alty got their second goal. This arrived after 71 minutes when a good pass from Steve Lunt, via Mark Drew, found Lee Thompson. Lee cut across the edge of the area and was brought down for a free-kick. Mark Drew's goalbound free-kick took a slight deflection before entering the net.
Domain Esdale came on for Lee Thompson after 81 minutes as Altrincham controlled the closing stages and deservedly won the game. Hopefully they built up some confidence for next Saturday's Open Cup Final against the same opposition at Moss Lane (2pm). Alty cannot now win the League but the Cup Final gives them the chance of some silverware to reward them for another good season of football.
| Full-Time: PRESTWICH HEYS YOUTH 0 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 2 |
ALTRINCHAM TEAM: 1. Jordan Broxson, 2. Paul Glynn, 3. Ian Horton, 4. Vernum Rowland, 5. Mark Drew, 6. Lee MacDonald, 7. Richard Smith, 8. Paul Tilley (capt.), 9. Mario Daniel, 10. Lee Shillito, 11. Lee Thompson. SUBS: 12. Michael Bailey, 14. Steve Lunt 15. Domain Esdale, 16. Neil Woloszczuk