ALTRINCHAM RESERVES: 1. Billy BLOWER, 2. James MARSDEN (capt.) 3. Sean SMITH, 4. George MELLING, 5. Adam BRINDLE, 6. Leyton SLACK, 7. Mike BROWN, 8. Lewis CHALMERS, 9. Paul MONAGHAN, 10. Adie ORE, 11. Danny GRIMSHAW. Subs: 12. Danny MURPHY, 13. Todd CUNLIFFE (gk), 14. Matt TOOTH, 15. Daley O'NEILL, 16. Ashley BROWN.

REPORT

The notes that follow are based on information from Neil Brown, the Alty Reserves' manager. Any errors are mine.

The game was played in Barrow's stadium at Holker Street on a good surface. Assisting the Altrincham management for this game was Carlos Marsden, father of Alty right-back James Marsden, who has coaching experience in local football. Altrincham fielded a young team which included three 17 year-olds and there were also two 16 year-olds on the bench.

Alty deployed Paul Monaghan in a forward position, but lying behind Adie Ore, as they sought to impose a more attacking style on the game than previously employed this season. Both Danny Grimshaw and Michael Brown were soon getting in good crosses from the wings, whilst newcomer Leyton Slack was making his presence felt in midfield. However, after a confident start, a pass from Marsden was intercepted well by an opposition player and, after Smith had been unable to clear the threat, Brindle was drawn into commiting a foul. From the resulting freekick, just outside the box, the ball was headed into the net to give Barrow the lead (20 mins).

As play continued, Barrow's attempts to progress up the left flank were hampered by sustained good work by Marsden and Brown, whilst Smith was also doing well on the Alty left after his long injury lay-off. Alty then went close when Smith, Marsden and Brown combined to feed Ore. He turned and drove a fine shot towards the top corner but he found the outside of the netting. However, Ore soon did find the target when his shot from the edge of the box bobbled past the keeper into the net (35 mins).

Alty made a tactical change with Slack moving up-front as Monaghan returned to midfield. Soon Mongahan sent a superb shot from almost 30 yards into the top left corner of the net to give Alty the lead (39 mins).

After 54 minutes Danny Grimshaw gave way to Matt Tooth. Then, a corner by Brown struck a Barrow player and ran to Tooth who switched the ball from his right to left foot and powered a low shot into the net (60 mins).

At this point Danny Murphy came on for Slack and was soon showing that he had lost none of his commitment after 18 months sidelined by injury. Next, Tooth advanced on the left and struck a low cross into the goalmouth where Ore scored his second goal of the game with a sidefooted effort (65 mins).

Daley O'Neill replaced Smith and Matt Tooth dropped back to left-back (65 mins). Good work from the quick-footed O'Neill then set up a 'goal' for Murphy who was controversially given offside.

A Chalmers pass was then intercepted and Barrow advanced up the left to score and make it 2-4 (83 mins). Barrow went close soon afterwards when they hit the side netting but Alty played out the closing minutes and preserved their lead. Overall, this was an excellent team performance which deservedly secured Altrincham's first victory of the season.