Match Report

REFEREE: I. Dudley

ATTENDANCE: 534

Alty were without the injured Scott Leather and Simon Richman, and Duncan Watmore was only on the bench. Former Alty keeper Ashley Timms was in goal for Hinckley, who had only one outfield substitute on their bench.

LINE-UPS:

HINCKLEY UNITED (Red): 1. Ashley Timms, 2. David Kalonji, 3. Mark Branch, 4. Flavien Chambaud, 5. Jarrad Pickering, 6. Mario Lopez, 7. Jack Lane, 8. James Hicks, 9. Liam Canavan, 10. Luke Richards, 11. Amos Kabeya. Subs: 12. Carl Heggs, GK Robert Peet

ALTRINCHAM (Aquamarine and grey shirts, grey shorts & aquamarine socks): 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 3. Matt DOUGHTY, 4. Carl RODGERS, 5. Gianluca HAVERN, 6. Danny HALL, 7. Jake MOULT, 8. Danny BOSHELL, 9. James LAWRIE, 10. Damian REEVES, 11. Nicky CLEE, Subs: 12. Pat LACEY, 14. Ryan BROOKE, 15. Duncan WATMORE, 16. Callum MOONEY, 18. Tony McMILLAN (gk),

BACKGROUND:

Mike Garnett has the statistics on previous encounters between Altrincham and Hinckley United

The crowd was well entertained before the match and at half-time by an excellent young band of musicians, as part of Hinckley's "fun-day" celebrations.

Hinckley kicked off in bright sunshine but the opening stages were fairly scrappy. The first goal threat arrived in the seventh minute when a Clee run led to Moult's chest down and a fine shot, just wide, by Lawrie.

A Doughty cross resembled a rugby "up and under" and was missed completely by Timms but the resulting Rodgers shot only produced a corner, though a second followed immediately. From this corner Havern's header hit the post (11 mins). And, soon afterwards, a Clee cross was cleared off the line.

After Lawrie had been penalised, Hinckley went close from their freekick routine. With the Altrincham fans singing strongly, their side continued to go forward,mostly up the left flank. Next, Reeves gave Moult a clear chance, but the midfielder's shot hit Timms (16 mins).

After a scrappy spell, Moult, then Boshell, had shots blocked before another Moult effort rolled to the keeper (19 mins). The half chances continued to come but were not being put away as, now, Lawrie shot wide.

United's Canavan was looking a useful player and he now won a corner on the United left, from which a free header by Pickering cleared the bar (23 mins). Lane, sent off in the Knitters' last match, was now booked for a late challenge on Clee (26 mins), following which Moult won a corner on the right. From this Clee won a second corner which was met by Havern's head, but eventually cleared by United.

Next, Canavan did well but poked his shot weakly to Coburn before a Densmore cross won Alty a corner on their right, taken by Clee, which Havern headed over the bar (31 mins). Alty continued to dominate as Clee got into the box and, after 34 minutes, Lawrie won another corner on the left.

From Lawrie's ball into the goalmouth, Moult volleyed firmly but just over the bar at the back post and then Moult himself soon did well to win a corner, from which Havern had a good shot cleared.

Finally, Altrincham's frustration was ended when Timms hesitated as a ball was played into the box, allowing Reeves to loop a header over the stranded keeper into the net (40 mins).

Soon, however, a Hall "foot up" on the edge of his own box conceded a freekick to United but Coburn punched this clear (41 mins). With the game into added time, Reeves battled past Lopez and played the ball back to Lawrie who connected well but hit the post from close range, the ball rebounding out for a corner off a defender.

Early in the second half a fine ball from Doughty was relayed by Lawrie to Moult who delayed a shot and was then blocked. And then Reeves was blocked by Timms after Densmore had played the ball in to him. The one-way traffic continued as a Clee 30 yarder went over the bar.

Next, Rodgers put Reeves through with an excellent ball but the striker lifted his shot over the bar; chances were being wasted. Following an Alty freekick from halfway, a Moult shot won a corner, followed by another, this time from the left. Havern rose well to power his header into the net and double Altrincham's lead (52 mins).

Now Alty made a change as Boshell was replaced by Watmore (54 mins). For Hinckley, Lane's good run was halted but a few minutes later his 35-yard volley went over the bar (58 mins).

The substitution soon made an impact as Watmore's run was halted illegally by Pickering, who was fortunate only to see a yellow card. Having missed five times from the spot this season, Reeves had the courage to step up again but he fired his spot kick well over the bar. It was Altrincahm's tenth penalty miss of the season! (61 mins)

At the other end, a good Lane shot was saved by Coburn. Altrincham went 3-0 up in the 64th minute when Lawrie and Clee combined well and fed Rodgers, who finished with a left foot shot from 15 yards (64 mins). After this, Reeves got to the byline to win a corner.

watmore was soon impressing again as he skinned a defender on the right, to feed Lawrie but he shot poorly over the bar. When Reeves went down in the box, no penalty was awarded as Alty remained in control, although Hinckley did win a corner off Lawrie.

The score became 4-0 when Clee fed Reeves and his cross from the left saw Timms and a defender collide, the ball rebounding towards the goalline, where Watmore applied the final touch (74 mins).

Reeves and Moult were now taken off, as Brooke and Lacey came on (75 mins). The visitors continued to get forward and soon a Watmore shot forced a good save by Timms, at the cost of a corner, followed by another straight afterwards.

With six minutes left, a well judged Densmore ball got Brooke free and his excellent shot hit the net from right of goal to make it 5-0. Two minutes later a great run and dribble by Watmore deserved a goal but the young striker hit the post.

As the game headed into added time, a Lacey cross led to Brooke netting his second goal. The Alty dominance continued with an offside goal by Watmore being ruled out, from a Doughty cross. In the closing moments another well-struck effort from Brooke went only narrowly wide.

Results elsewhere confirmed Altrincham's place in the play-offs. This was ultimately a very one-sided game but for half an hour or more Hinckley had battled well but, ultimately, the inexperience of their youthful team told. However, the Club is acting honourably in its financial crisis and it is to be hoped that they will emerge from their current predicament in a stronger position.

Alty and Halifax will now battle for fourth and fifth place; the two sides meet at Moss Lane next Tuesday.