Left: Captain, Paul Glynn, leads out the Alty side tonight.

On a warm and sunny evening, a very respectable number of spectators enjoyed an entertaining game, having overcome the shock that the F.A. had imposed a £4 entry charge on the match compared with last season's price of £2. Before kick-off Bob Peters of 20/20 Research presented Youth Manager George Heslop with a sponsored strip for the Youth Team to wear this season. Bob has been a great supporter of the Club for many years and his generosity is to be applauded. Also before the game there was a minute's silence for the two murdered Cambridgeshire schoolgirls.

Altrincham fielded just three of last season's Youth team regulars in the starting line-up, Paul Glynn, Michael Bailey and Steve Lunt, though Ian Taylor and Francis Evans had also been involved in a number of games for the club. Altrincham Youth coach Neil Thomason was away on holiday so former Altrincham FC player Mal Bailey, father of centre-back Michael, assisted George Heslop tonight.

Altrincham kicked off and soon gained the upper hand, with a number of probing attacks, particularly up the left side involving Griffiths and Taylor. After just five minutes Lunt was brought down as he threatened the Frickley goal, just outside their penalty area. Soon after this, the lively Lunt's cross from the left found Glynn in a good position about 6 yards out but the Alty captain was unable to keep his resulting shot down on the target.

The chances continued to come as Killeen flicked the ball expertly over the keeper only for a defender to make a fine clearance of his goal-line (8 mins). Alty keeper Harrison's first meaningful action came when he ran out to kick clear a ball played over the top of the solid Alty defence. Evans then played a fine ball forward for the skilful McEvoy, who beat two men, before having his shot well saved by James at the cost of a left-side corner. The corner was half cleared but came to Bailey, whose downward header bounced off the cross-bar (12 mins). The impressive, attacking start continued as Bailey, Burn, Frost and Griffiths ensured that Frickley's forward movements were limited.

Right: Ian Taylor in the new Youth Team kit, sponsored by 20/20 Research.

After Lunt had been sent sprawling on the left touchline, Griffiths's free-kick was headed narrowly wide by a team-mate (21 mins). Evans then played another perceptive ball to the willing McEvoy who again jinked through two tackles before running out of space to the left of goal (23 mins). Next, a thunderous 25-yard shot by Killeen was well tipped onto the bar by James but the breakthrough finally came a minute later.

A fine cross from the left by Taylor was met by a good leap from Burn who firmly headed the ball into the net (25 mins).

Then, for the third time in the game McEvoy made good progress inside the Frickley box but his shot went wide (29 mins). Frickley, however, won their first corner after 31 minutes but this ended in a shot wide of goal. Soon, play was at the other end with the keeper blocking a point blank effort from Lunt. Following a foul on the left, Ian Taylor's short free-kick was then driven, low, into the box by Glynn and Bailey tucked it into the net from close range (34 mins). Both Alty's goals had come from their centre-backs.

Needham then showed some good skill for the visitors, getting into the Alty box for a low shot which Harrison saved. Needham did even better a moment later, turning well on the edge of the box and firing in a left-foot shot which Harrison saved well (38 mins). But Alty responded with a cultured move up the left from which McEvoy won a throw.

Then, a fine ball by Glynn to Killeen ended with Lunt's flicked shot which James fielded (41 mins). Glynn and Killeen then combined to win a corner but before this could be taken, Frickley brought on Williams for Walker (43 mins). Within a minute yet another excellent ball from Evans set Killeen in on goal and he finished very well to make it 3-0 after 44 minutes.

After their fine first-half, Altrincham were soon on the attack again in the second period, winning an early corner from which Burn's goal-bound header struck one of his own players near the goal-line (49 mins). Killeen then broke through the defence but keeper James got just enough of a touch to divert the ball from goal (50 mins).

Frickley now had their best spell of the game and almost capitalised on a loose ball which Harrison had to smother with the assistance of Frost. However, a long shot by Alty was then fumbled by James and the ball was retrieved from the by-line by Killeen who put it into the net. However, the ref ruled the effort out (57 mins). Play then continued with Frickley mounting a number of attacks which the Alty defence handled well.

Left: Mark Griffiths in action against Frickley.

After 69 minutes Sean Eastwood replaced Taylor for Altrincham and four minutes later Ryan Wall replaced Frickley's Burton. From a McEvoy feed, Glynn won a corner on the right, which the keeper spilled and Evans knocked the rebound into the net for the fourth goal of the game (75 mins). Immediately Douthwaite came on right back in place of Frost. Altrincham now stepped up a gear and put more pressure on the visitors' defence.

The fifth goal was well constructed with Douthwaite feeding Glynn, who outpaced Johnson up the Alty right wing. His cut-back was neatly turned into the net by Killeen, for his second goal of the game (82 mins). Alty now brought on Berry for Glynn as Frickley brought on an unlisted number 17. The Alty pressure continued with a corner from which Evans flicked a shot wide (84 mins) then Lunt fed McEvoy, whose shot was well saved by James for a corner on the right. Following Eastwood's corner, Lunt won the ball well but his shot was wayward. Frickley's Needham then turned well at the other end but his shot was blocked well by Burn and the Frickley man had to leave the field with an injury sustained in the process (88 mins).

The game ended with Altrincham having secured a tie away at Burscough in the Second Qualifying Round in September. Burscough did well in his competition last season but once again George Heslop, Neil Thomason and Mal Bailey have put together a very promising Alty Youth team which could be more than a match for them. Altrincham will be seeking to match last year's Youth squad who reached the First Round Proper of the Youth Cup, before losing narrowly to Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. Tonight's game was played in a very good, competitive spirit and handled well by the match officials.

Tonight's teams were:

ALTRINCHAM YOUTH