REPORT

The following report is based on information kindly supplied by Neil Brown.

With George Melling on first-team duty Alty welcomed back Adam Brindle at centre-back. Alty also included two current youth teamers, midfielder Arron Hevingham and, on the bench, prolific striker Lee Hendley. Three past graduates of the Youth team were also playing - Danny Grimshaw, Paul Tilley and Rico Richards. In addition, the squad included a Japanese centre-back, known as "Hero", who had come to England with Stockport County on a player development scheme. John Thompson was another newcomer to Altrincham, having formerly been at Chorley.

Alty adopted a 4-4-2 formation, with Wealle and Richards up front. Brown and Thompson flanked Hevingham and Tilley in midfield. Grimshaw was at left-back, Marsden at right-back whilst Ball (ex-Dover) and Brindle were a new centre-back pairing.

The only goal of the game arrived around the half-hour mark when Anthony Wealle broke from his own half, to defeat the offside trap. At the other end, keeper Liddiard had little to do as the back four played well in front of him.

After 50 minutes, Hendley replaced Richards. Later, Hero came on as centre-back as Thompson went off. Grimshaw moved to left midfield and Ball to left-back (60 mins). Then, after 70 mins, Williams replaced Wealle.

At one point, play stopped for treatment to a Brig player amidst claims that Marsden had used an elbow on him. Belatedly, a linesman flagged and, although no free-kick was awarded, Marsden was booked - for allegedly 'mooning' whilst he was simply tucking in his shirt! The Brig player-manager came on and immediately made his physical presence felt. Alty used the 6ft. 2in. Williams to man-mark him, a job he did well. Another player who did well was Hevingham in midfield. This was a game that Alty should have won more comfortably.