FARSLEY CELTIC RESERVES (0) 3
ALTRINCHAM RESERVES (2) 2
Lancashire League (East) Match
played on Tuesday, 20 February 2007 at 7.45pm
LINE-UP
ALTRINCHAM RESERVES : 1. Chris ROWLEY, 2. Keith WEDGE (capt), 3. Lee MANNION, 4. Aaron EDWARDS, 5. Danny HEFFERNAN, 6. John MALONEY, 7. Michael BROWN, 8. Rick CHETCUTI, 9. Astley MULHOLLAND, 10. Peter THOMSON, 11. Justin BOWLER. Subs: 12. Andy KEOGH, 14. Michael RISK, 15. Ashley ATKINSON.
REPORT
Report based on information supplied by Neil Brown.
For this important top of the table clash at the Throstle's Nest, Altrincham were forced into defensive changes through player availability and illness. Midfielder Lee Mannion was obliged to start at left-back, with Aaron Edwards and Danny Heffernan paired at centre-back. Chris Rowley replaced Richard Acton in goal and with only Peter Thomson and Justin Bowler available from the first team, other changes were also necessary from the last game. Returning from injury was Rick Chetcuti, whilst Mike Brown and Astley Mulholland came into the starting line-up too. A new face on the bench was Ashley Atkinson, who joined the squad from local football.
Altrincham started with their normal 4-4-2 formation against a Farsley side playing a fluid 4-5-1, which converted to 4-3-3 when in possession. Manager Neil Brown had impressed on his team that the opposition were an impressive outfit, deserving of their place in the table. Some of the Altrincham squad arrived just before kick-off after travelling problems so it was perhaps not surprising that Farsley dominated the opening quarter of an hour or so. But then, around the 20 minute mark, Altrincham began to settle and show composure. Play was now end to end but it was Altrincham who took the lead around the half-hour mark. The goal came when John Maloney advanced into the opposition half, going past one player before being obstructed by a second. The ball ran free to Peter Thomson, who moved the ball forward to Astley Mulholland, in a central position about 25 yards out. Mulholland got the better of three covering players with a skilful left-foot, right-foot, left-foot manoeuvre before planting an excellent shot into the top corner of the net.
Play continued to be end to end until the 37th minute when a ball was played to Thomson and, as the big striker got into the box past two defenders, one of them tripped him to concede a penalty. Thomson himself converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 (37 mins). The score remained like this till the interval.
| Half-Time: FARSLEY CELTIC RESERVES 0 ALTRINCHAM RESERVES 2 |
Despite being warned to be prepared for a Farsley onslaught for the opening ten minutes of the second half, Alty conceded a goal just six minutes into the second period. The goal came after a three-way collision involving Altrincham's Rowley, Mannion and Bowler, which left a Farsley player with a simple tap-in (51 mins). Just six minutes later it was 2-2 when a Farsley player was allowed to get into the box and, though Rowley got his right hand to the resulting shot, the ball fell for another tap-in goal (57 mins).
Soon after this Alty substituted Chetcuti and Brown by Andy Keogh and Michael Risk, two products of the Altrincham Youth team (60 mins). Rowley, whose hamstring had been troubling him since midway through the first half, needed to make a couple of good interceptions as Farsley got one on one against him. Altrincham then had a strong penalty rejected as Bowler found Mulholland who beat a defender and got into the box. A tackle on Mulholland's ankle upended the Alty striker inside the box and despite the linesman initially raising his flag, the referee waved play on, to the consternation of Altrincham. Insult was added to injury as Farsley went immediately to the other end and scored what proved to be the winning goal (72 mins).
For the last 15 minutes, Altrincham dominated, keeping Farsley on the defensive. In the last five minutes Lee Mannion was pushed forward into a 3-5-2 formation but the equaliser would not come. Manager Neil Brown thought a draw would have been a fair result against a good Farsley side and was pleased with his side's reaction to going behind, though less happy with the way they had conceded the goals. Altrincham will now hope to check Farsley's progress when the return match is played at Moss Lane on 21 March.
| Full-Time:FARSLEY CELTIC RESERVES 3 ALTRINCHAM RESERVES 2 |