Match Report

ALTRINCHAM RESERVES: 1. Billy BLOWER, 2. James MARSDEN (capt.), 3. Danny GRIMSHAW, 4. Wayne LEATHER, 5. George MELLING, 6. ADIO Marchant, 7. Paul MONAGHAN, 8. Lewis CHALMERS, 9. James OLDEN, 10. Rio NELSON, 11. Kieran JAMES. Subs: Steve EVERALL (gk), Adam DOUTHWAITE, Michael BROWN, Marcus MADDIX.

Altrincham were without seven members of their squad due to injury, holidays and uanavailability whilst Workington, whose UniBond season does not start till next week, were able to field their first team. The game was played on a hot afternoon but despite their long journey, it was Altrincham who took a very early lead when a fine ball from Monaghan put Nelson in to lob the keeper from 27 yards after just two minutes.

But Workington levelled just two minutes later. Against a much more experienced side, Altrincham did well to hold their own for the next forty minutes. Unfortunately, in the 32nd minute they lost their captain James Marsden with an ankle injury and he was replaced by youth team player Marcus Maddix. Just before the interval, an error by Nelson and a tight offside decision against Altrincham allowed Workington to go ahead.

After 55 minutes Wayne Leather gave way to Adam Douthwaite, with Marcus Maddix moving to centre-back and Adam taking up the right-back slot. Ten minutes later, Michael Brown came on for Paul Monaghan. Workington's greater experience told in the second period and they scored four more goals. Hopefully some of the unavailable players will be back this Wednesday night when Altrincham Reserves play their first home game, at Abbey Hey, against Lancaster City Reserves.