MORECAMBE YOUTH (1) 4
ALTRINCHAM YOUTH (2) 4

NW Youth Alliance League match, played on Sunday, 25th August, 2002

The following is based on information very kindly supplied by George Heslop.

Pictured right, is centre-back Greg Byrne

An away game against the well-organised Morecambe Youth team is always a difficult match and for Altrincham to have to go there for their first league match of the season with a side which had only played together competitively once before, it could have been daunting. The Morecambe side included several members of their NW Youth Alliance cup-winning squad from last season. With Alex Frost and Sean Eastwood both unavailable, Altrincham promoted Adam Douthwaite from the bench to occupy the right-back berth, whilst the subs' bench comprised just two outfield players and keeper Barry George. Alty were also still without their French defender Joel Ekolongeni who is awaiting international clearance to play. Nevertheless, the lads were a credit to manager George Heslop and his acting coach, Mal Bailey and felt disappointed to have been robbed of all three points by a late Morecambe equaliser.

Alty took the lead after 17 minutes when a ball out of defence by centre-back Greg Byrne set Luke Killeen running up the right. His cross, on the run, was met by a stretching Steve Lunt who hooked the ball into the roof of the net. Alty went two up nine minutes later when Adam Douthwaite played a one-two before crossing for Steve Lunt to net his second goal. However, the two-goal lead did not last long as Morecambe scored, direct from a free-kick on the edge of the Alty box after 28 minutes. As half-time approached, Mark Griffiths twisted his ankle and had to be replaced by David Berry. This meant that Adam Douthwaite switched to left-back. Following this change, Altrincham almost scored again, hitting the bar just before half-time.

Morecambe equalised for the second time after 51 minutes from a breakaway but Altrincham regained the lead after 57 minutes when a Berry throw was taken up by Luke Killeen whose pass to Francis Evans was volleyed into the top corner of the net. However, Morecambe again equalised after 62 minutes, to make it 3-3. Five minutes later a Paul Glynn corner came to Steve Lunt at the far side of the goalmouth and his header back in towards goal was bundled home by Killeen. Altrincham looked like securing a win until seven minutes from time when Morecambe advanced on their right flank and equalised for a fourth time. After 85 minutes, Anthony Potts came on for Ian Taylor.

Manager George Heslop declared himself "very pleased" with his team's performance.

Today's line-up was: