Altrincham F.C. Youth Team, 2000-01 Season - Part One

CUP WINNERS

The line-up is: Back row: Domain Esdale, Rico Richards, Mark Drew, Dale Newbrook, Paul Robinson, George Heslop (manager), Mario Daniel, Neil Thomason (coach), Lee McDonald. Front Row: Vernum Rowland, Wes Wilkinson, Steve Howe (capt.), Paul Crowther, Paul Monaghan, Pat Claffey and Levi Kennedy. There will be more new pictures on this site of both the Youth and First team over the next few days.

YOUTH DETAILS

DOUBLE WINNERS

YOUTH TEAM HONOURED

The squad and their families were guests of the Club as officials of the Altrincham and District Football Association and the Bolton and District North West Youth Alliance presented them with their medals and trophies. Mr Jack Berry, Mr Norman Sheriff and colleagues from the Altrincham FA gave each qualifying player an award for representing the FA during the season before Mr Fred Morris of the Bolton Alliance handed over the League and Cup trophies and medals. Finally, Mr Morris awarded George Heslop with a much deserved "Manager of the Year" trophy. George's assistant, Neil Thomas was also rightly honoured with an award from George for his hard work throughout the season.

The evening was compered by Altrincham FC Chairman, Mark Harris, who underlined the importance of the Youth Team to the Club's future. He also thanked the team's parents for their unstinting support throughout the 2000-01 season. After the awards, George Heslop indicated that ten of this year's squad were still eligible for next year's competition. He also confirmed that Altrincham would once again be entering the FA Youth Cup, which starts in July. Many of last year's squad have also progressed onto the books of the Altrincham Reserve side and there is real optimism that a number of these lads will establish themselves at that level and even make their mark in the first team during the coming twelve months.

Pictured by Danny Claffey on the Moss Lane pitch, which thanks to Peter Barry looked in superb condition, is the squad as they lined up tonight before the awards ceremony:- Back row Neil Thomason; Paul Monaghan, Rico Richards, Pat Claffey, Neil Wolszczuk, Dale Newbrook, Wes Wilkinson, Otis Thomas, Domain Esdale, Levi Kennedy, George Heslop; Front row Lee McDonald, Paul Crowther, Paul Robinson, Steve Howe, Paul Tilley, Vernum Rowland, Lee Shillito, Danny Leahey. For details of the team and their exploits last season, visit the archived Youth Team 2000-01 and Youth Team Players 2000-01 pages. The current Youth Page (2001) is here.

CHAMPIONS - AND "DOUBLE" WINNERS! ALTY YOUTH 3 ROSSENDALE UTD YOUTH 0

His bobbling shot found the left corner of the net, despite a handling offence on the line by a defender. The referee thankfully chose to award the goal and avoid a spot-kick and sending-off. Daniel replaced Wilkinson at half-time and within minutes the sub went up the right, from a feed by Leahey. Mario's cross found Mark Drew unmarked and after controlling the bobbling ball, he drove it past the keeper (48 mins). Mark is seen, above, during this afternoon's game. Altrincham proceeded to dominate the second period and deservedly scored a third when a fine ball forward by Robinson found Daniel who scored neatly (58 mins). Monaghan replaced Drew (68 mins), who is seen in action, left, during the game, and Shillito came on for Richards (77 mins). In the last ten minutes a Claffey header, just over the bar (82 mins), and two fine shots by Daniel (85 mins) and Shillito (88 mins), which were well saved, almost added to the tally.

Rossendale's chances were few; a fine save from Newbrook foiled a good shot by their number eight (54 mins) and Howe cleared up a header from Robinson which went past the advancing Newbrook and threatened to go into his own net (86 mins). After the match, coach Neil Thomason organised a deserved presentation by Steve Howe of a plaque to George Heslop, (above, right), manager of the Altrincham Youth team. Alty's end of season league record is on the Youth Page Two. TEAM 1-Newbrook 2-Rowland 3-Robinson 4-Howe (capt) 5-Claffey 6-Leahey 7-Esdale 8-McDonald 9-Wilkinson 10-Richards 11-Drew. SUBS: 14-Daniel 15-Tilley 16-Crowther 17-Monaghan 17*-Kennedy

WAITING GAME

YOUTH TEAM LIFT CUP! ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 4 PRESTWICH HEYS YOUTH 3

However, it was Wesley Wilkinson who deserved much of the credit for, after receiving the ball from McDonald and being driven very wide of goal by the keeper, he still managed to knock the ball across the face of the goal for Richards to tap in at the far post. A fine save by Newbrook from a free-kick by the Heys's number ten ensured the lead was preserved before Wes Wilkinson volleyed home number two (37 mins). The goal stemmed from a free-kick by Mark Drew which came back off the wall and Drew then expertly chipped it over the defence for Wilkinson to finish neatly.

However, Heys got back in the game when Steve Howe was adjudged to have fouled an opponent and the resulting penalty was put away well (40 mins). There was a lengthy stoppage after 56 minutes when Levi Kennedy was struck on the head by the ball and had to be replaced by Paul Crowther. Soon after play had resumed Rowland's ball forward to Richards led to a neat interplay with Wilkinson and Richards chipped the ball home to make the score 3-1 (59 mins). After Mario Daniel had replaced Richards (75 mins) and Paul Tilley had come on for Domain Esdale (77 mins), Danny Leahey appeared to have wrapped up the game when he scored directly from a free-kick, though the keeper really should have kept it out (78 mins). But Prestwich finished strongly when their number 4 firmly headed home a corner (80 mins).

They then scored an excellent goal, directly struck off the crossbar from a free-kick, conceded by Mark Drew just outside the box (85 mins). Mario Daniel was unable to finish the game off with a chance just before the final whistle but Prestwich almost snatched a last-gasp equaliser when their number 11's firm shot was superbly tipped round the post by Dale Newbrook. Altrincham nevertheless held on for a deserved victory. The cup and medals were presented on the pitch (see picture) and a couple of bottles of champagne miraculously appeared from amongst the strong contingent of Alty players' parents and these were duly sprayed around the team in best Grand Prix tradition!

TEAM: 1-Newbrook 2-Rowland 3-Drew 4-Howe (capt) 5-Claffey 6-Leahey 7-Esdale 8-Kennedy 9-Wilkinson 10-Richards 11-McDonald SUBS: 14-Daniel 15-Tilley 16-Crowther 17-Monaghan

COUNTY LOSE

DATEN SPORTS 1 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 4

ALTY YOUTH 2 LANCASTER CITY YOUTH 1

Alty Youth coach Neil Thomason refereed the game, whilst two of the Alty players' fathers ran the lines; Dale Newbrook's father is seen, left, very capably performing his linesman's duties. After only 4 minutes Lee McDonald opened the scoring, picking up a loose ball just outside the Lancaster box, advancing into the area and tucking the ball firmly just inside the left-hand upright. Lancaster pressed hard in the opening stages but their equaliser was fortunate, a through-ball taking a wicked bounce over the advancing Newbrook.

Altrincham regained the lead when Vernum Rowland's fine ball into the box, from the left, found Mario Daniel at the back post and he made no mistake with a well-taken effort (27 mins)- his 7th goal in 5 games.

Altrincham dominated the second half, with keeper Newbrook protected from any real danger by a solid back-line. Although substitute Wes Wilkinson scored an offside goal, hit the post and induced a fine save from the Lancaster keeper, Alty could not add to the score.

Wilkinson had replaced Daniel after 74 minutes and Paul Robinson came on for Domain Esdale after 83 minutes. Neil Thomason put in a fine performance as referee and was scrupulously unpartisan. TEAM: 1-Newbrook, 2-Rowland, 3-Drew, 4-Howe(capt.), 5-Claffey, 6-Leahey, 7-Esdale, 8-Kennedy, 9-Daniel, 10-Richards, 11-McDonald. SUBS: 12-Wilkinson, 14-Shillito, 15-Tilley, 16-Robinson, 17-Monaghan.

Alty have a vital midweek game at Daten Sports, for which a number of regulars may be unavailable, and play the league cup final against Prestwich, at Winsford, next Sunday (k.o. 2pm). Three Alty players are set to figure in the Northern Counties' Youth Championship Final next Saturday at Newcastle. Alty full-back Paul Robinson, midfielder Lee McDonald and striker Mario Daniel are all likely to be in the squad for that game.

ALTY YOUTH 3 PRESTWICH HEYS YOUTH 1

The second goal was a superbly struck left-wing free-kick from Mark Drew which crashed into the net off the crossbar (52 mins). Heys pulled one back through their number eleven (59 mins) and Newbrook had to make a fine one-handed save from a header (63 mins) before a superb 40-yard run up the left-wing by Lee McDonald led to Alty's third goal.

Beating defenders on the way, Lee was upended just outside the box. From the short free-kick, Alty hit the post only for Daniel to react quickly and poke the ball into the net (66 mins). Prestwich hit the cross-bar with a header (74 mins) but, otherwise, Alty held on fairly comfortably for their win.

TEAM: 1-Newbrook 2-Rowland 3-Drew 4-Howe 5-Claffey 6-Leahey 7-Esdale 8-Kennedy 9-Daniel 10-Richards 11-McDonald (Subs used 12-Wilkinson 14-Shillito 17-Monaghan).

NW ALLIANCE TRIUMPH

Mario Daniel got the opener on the stroke of half-time, from close range, whilst a non-Alty player (Bamber of Lancaster?) got the second, finishing off a fine move involving Richards and Leahey (83 mins). Though a well-contested match, the NW side were deserved winners.

OTIS'S TITLE

ALTY YOUTH 5 RUNCORN 1

YOUTH MATCH OFF

YOUTH TEAMS REACH FINALS

McDONALD FIRES WINNER

Alty colleague Mario Daniel was unavailable for the Semi-Final but should be alongside Lee in the Final squad. Lee is seen (left) in action last week for Altrincham Youth. This and six other new pictures of Altrincham Youth team players have been added to the Youth Page 2.

ALTY YOUTH 1 MORECAMBE YOUTH 1

Morecambe's number two smashed home the spot kick past Wolszczuk who, otherwise, had little to do all afternoon as the Alty defence of Rowland, Howe, Claffey (pictured left) and Robinson played solidly. Richards and his strike partner, Wesley Wilkinson gave way to Lee Shillito and Paul Fitzhenry in the closing stages but they were unable to grab a winner.

Alty team: 1-Wolszczuk, 2-Rowland, 3-Robinson, 4-Howe (capt), 5-Claffey, 6-Leahey, 7-McDonald, 8-Kennedy, 9-Wilkinson, 10-Richards, 11-Crowther. Subs: 17-Shillito (for Wilkinson 70), 16-Fitzhenry (for Richards 79) and Monaghan (for Crowther 88). A number of today's team will turn out for the Reserves tomorrow night at Morecambe.

ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 4 EUXTON VILLA 1

Wesley Wilkinson made it 2-0 after 54 minutes before he gave way to Lee Shillito whose pace and skill were soon put to good effect. However, against the run of play, Euxton pulled back a goal when Alty keeper Neil Wolszczuk was unable to hold a fierce free-kick and the rebound was knocked past him (67 mins).

Shillito scored the third with a rasping shot from right of goal after a strong run into the box (76 mins) and Rico Richards finished the scoring five minutes from the end after more good work by Shillito. Altrincham showed a lot of pace going forward even without Mario Daniel and Otis Thomas. (Alty team: Wolszczuk, Rowland, Robinson, Howe, Claffey, Leahey, Tilley, Kennedy, Wilkinson, Richards, Crowther. Subs included Shillito and Monaghan).

MARIO CHOSEN

PRESTWICH MATCH OFF

FA YOUTH WIN

DIP IN FORM

ALTY YOUTH GO DOWN

FOUR PLAYERS PROGRESS

YOUTH SIDE WIN AGAIN

This was because the first-choice Alty Youth eleven had played the day before and because it was an opportunity to look at many new, younger players to replace those who will be over-age for the Youth team's campaign next season. It was therefore a very good result for Altrincham, especially as it was an away game on a ground regularly used by Stockport's Academy teams. There is a brief report of last week's fine win over Stockport County here, based on details kindly provided by George Heslop.

ALTY YOUTH STAY TOP

ANOTHER WIN

ALTY YOUTH 4 EUXTON VILLA 0

WALTON-LE-DALE 0 ALTY YOUTH 8

They raced into a five goal lead inside 17 minutes with goals from Crowther (7 & 11 mins), Daniel (12 mins) and Kennedy (17). The first three goals were all laid on by Paul Monaghan. Walton then massed their defences and the goal-deluge slowed. Further goals came from Crowther (52), Daniel (59) and, last of all, Otis Thomas. Gary Ferguson and Lee MacDonald made their debuts, as substitutes. In another recent match, Rylands beat Morecambe 2-1.