ALTRINCHAM YOUTH (1) 1
LANCASTER CITY YOUTH (0) 1

NW Youth Alliance League Match,
played on Sunday, 15 September, 2002 at Wythenshawe Town F.C., 2.40p.m.

ALTRINCHAM YOUTH pictured before the game against Lancaster City on 15 September 2002.
Back L to R: George Heslop (manager), Paul Glynn (team captain), David Berry, Luke Killeen, Steve Lunt, Richard Harrison, Steve McGrath, Greg Byrne, Barry George, Michael Bailey, Mark Pover, Neil Thomason (coach), Malcolm Bailey (coach). Front: Francis Evans (captain), Alex Frost, Anthony Potts, Ian Taylor, John McEvoy, Adam Douthwaite, Mark Griffiths

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Richard HARRISON, 2. Alex FROST, 3. Adam DOUTHWAITE, 4. Michael BAILEY, 5. Greg BYRNE, 6. Steve McGRATH, 7. Francis EVANS (capt.), 8. John McEVOY, 9. Steve LUNT, 10. Luke KILLEEN, 11. Ian TAYLOR. Subs: 12. Anthony POTTS, 14. David BERRY, 15. Mark POVER.

LANCASTER CITY: 1. BUSBY, 2. McALISTER, 3. HOLIDAY, 4. BILLINGTON, 5. MOFFITT, 6. HELLIER (capt.), 7. ANDERTON, 8. ADAMS, 9.CLARKE, 10. FOXCROFT, 11. WALSH. Subs: 12. PARKINSON, 14. WATSON, 15. FAIRCLOUGH, 16. GREER, 17. GALLEY.

The referee and one of the linesmen did not arrive till half an hour after kick-off time so the game started 38 minutes late. Altrincham were without injured captain Paul Glynn and full-back Mark Griffiths was also sidelined by injury. The Robins sported an uncharacteristic formation of three centre-backs, Bailey, Byrne and McGrath.

In the first minute a good run forward by McEvoy ended with his shot at the Lancaster keeper. Lancaster then had the better of the opening stages and from a pass by Hellier, Foxcroft's shot hit the upright to Harrison's left (12 mins). Harrison also had to rush smartly to clear as the visitors continued to hold the upper hand (18 mins).

However, a series of free-kicks conceded by Lancaster in the area 25-35 yards from their goal helped Altrincham to get back into the game. From one of these McGrath rose well but the keeper held his effort (20 mins). Clarke then threatened the Alty goal but the danger was cleared but Harrison was busy again making a good save from Anderton who had advanced up the Lancaster right.

However, it was to be Altrincham who took the lead. Frost crossed from the right and though an Alty player miskicked the ball some six yards out at the back post, the ball ran inside to Lunt who adjusted well to score with a right foot shot from close range (32 mins). At the other end, a great shot from 25 yards out on the left, by Adams, then hit the Alty crossbar and was cleared for a corner on the right (35 mins). Next, a cross from the Lancaster right evaded the Alty defence for Walsh to gather the ball at the back post, but he shot wide from an acute angle (37 mins). Half time came with Alty a goal ahead but Lancaster had been arguably the better side and it had taken a fine clearing tackle by Bailey just before the interval to maintain the advantage.

Left: Adam Douthwaite and Barry George

Soon after the restart a good interchange between McEvoy and Frost ended with a cross which just evaded Lunt on the six yard line (46 mins). But disaster struck for Alty when Bailey and Harrison got in a mix-up as th keeper came off his line and Bailey's cushioned header went into his own goal for the equaliser (51 mins).

Lancaster continued to press with Altrincham restricted to breakaways, from one of which Taylor lashed the ball over the bar from a Killeen feed (56 mins). Bailey and Harrison then needed simultaneous treatment and it became clear that Alty keeper had a leg problem. Alty captain Evans tried to inspire his men with a number of good advances in central midfield before Harrison had to give way to substitute keeper Barry George (64 mins).

Altrincham's improvement was underlined when Douthwaite's well struck free-kick found McEvoy but his shot went wide and he soon gave way to Pover in midfield (67 mins). Next, Lancaster replaced their number nine, Clarke with Parkinson (69 mins).

Alty's full-backs Frost and Douthwaite now began to get forward more as the home side finally began to get a grip on the game. Even Byrne got forward for a shot from the right, which went over the bar (74 mins). Pover settled in well in midfield whilst Evans and Taylor continued to drive forward. After a foul by Adams, Frost drove an excellent free-kick, from 25 yards out on the left, against the Lancaster crossbar (79 mins).

Another good run by Evans led to Taylor winning a corner, following which Lunt headed Frost's cross firmly but it went over the bar. Soon, Evans and Frost again combined to set up a chance for Lunt but the ball seemed to get under his feet inside the box and he lifted it over the bar (85 mins). Watson now came on for Adams for Lancaster before a good passing move saw Lunt's scissor kick at the near post go wide (87 mins). Alty keeper Barry George remained largely unemployed but his team mates further up the pitch were unable to snatch the winner.