Managed in 2021-22 by Ross Speight and Michael Welch, assisted by Max Pouncey, Altrincham FC Reserves were re-formed in summer 2014 after the Club had not operated such a team since the end of 2006-07 season.

League Football

Altrincham FC Reserves play in the The Hallmark Security Cheshire Football League Premier Division, following two successive promotions. Home games are normally played at Egerton Youth Club, Heath Lane, High Legh, Knutsford WA16 6SL

ALTY RESERVES FINISHED ELEVENTH

They won ten games, drew nine matches and lost fifteen times through the league season, to end the campaign with 39 points.

Another Altrincham-based team, Broadheath Central, finished second with 70 points but that was twelve points adrift of champions FC St Helens.

ALTY RESERVES CRASH 0-6 AT HOME

RESERVES LOSE CUP FINAL

But an underhit pass by Cook towards keeper Forde allowed Town to level the score after 35 minutes before Town took the lead on the stroke of half-time from a Connolly header. Bollington added a third goal in the second half as Alty slumped to a disappointing defeat.

ALTRINCHAM: R. Forde, J. Cooney, M Davis (c), J. Cook, M. Plestead, J. Jordan, D. Bohe, B. Ly, R. Morton, R. Mercurius, L. Billingsley. Subs: S. Johnston, A. Hussain, H. Rodgers-Morris, L. Morrison, K. Osigwe.

RESERVES BEATEN

St Helens lead the NWYA Premier by 16 points and are now 36 points ahead of eighth-placed Altrincham Reserves.

ALTY RESERVES BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Recent Cheshire League results have been:

• 19/03/22 Crewe FC 1-4 Altrincham FC Reserves.
• 26/03/22 Knutsford FC 2-1 Altrincham FC Reserves
• 02/04/22 Daten FC 3-3 Altrincham FC Reserves
• 05/04/22 Altrincham FC Reserves 0-0 Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds

ALTY RESERVES

RESERVES' CUP FINAL DELAYED

Admission is just £2, payable at the gate on the night".

RESERVES ON A ROLL

The sight of a fit-again Hampson (right)... was a welcome one for all Alty fans.

A young Robins side controlled the game from the first minute... Debutant Hall proved to be a thorn in Crewe’s back line with some excellent hold-up play... It took the Robins over 40 minutes to find a breakthrough, when one goal came, another soon followed.

The opener was a smart finish by Jebbison from inside the box... while his second came when he dispossessed the keeper and scored...

In the second half, Crewe came out with a sense of purpose, and Ryan Forde had to pull off two outstanding saves... But the Alty lead was extended when Hall scored a wonderful goal with a quick turn and low finish into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Altrincham... made it 4-0 when a penalty was despatched confidently by Ly with just under 20 minutes remaining... but it was Crewe who got on the scoresheet next with a consolation effort in the final minutes...

Said Reserves manager Ross Speight 'We have worked hard this week in training on a few minor things that have been missing in recent weeks, and today I thought we created a lot more chances, which is very pleasing. It was great to get more Academy players on the pitch, and we hope to bring more in before the end of the season and start building for next season.'

Altrincham are now unbeaten in six games and have only lost once since December. Our next game is away to Knutsford on Saturday, kick-off 2pm".

LATE DRAW FOR RESERVES

Eagle Sports took the lead against the run of play... In the second half, the hosts continued to dominate on the ball and also started to create opportunities, with Micah Jebbison impressing out wide and Raheem Mercurius and Dion Bohe both forcing good saves from the Eagle Sports keeper.

The veteran of the side Max Pouncey (pictured) was introduced to the fray with 10 minutes remaining, and he wasted no time in making his mark with a stunning goal.

Pouncey dropped his shoulder to evade his marker, attacked the space that he created to control the ball out of the sky before unleashing an unstoppable strike past the Eagle custodian, a goal-of-the-season contender, if ever there was one, from the experienced striker...

Said Reserves' manager Ross Speight 'It's a good job the magic man Max Pouncey was there to save the day!'".

RESERVES' CUP FINAL

Ross Speight's side have been making significant progress on the league front after successive promotions took them into the Hallmark Security Cheshire League Premier Division, where they have more than held their own this season.

While they have been finding their feet in the Premier Division, they have also made their mark in the Altrincham Senior Cup, where a 6-0 semi-final win over Sale Amateurs booked them a place in the final against Bollington Town... with the tie taking place at Wythenshawe Town's ground on Tuesday, April 12th, kick-off 7.30pm.

Tickets are to be priced at £2 each, and as soon as we have information on availability, we will share it".

ALTY DRAW

ALTY'S CUP FINAL

Altrincham FC now adds that "Ryan Morton continued his prolific scoring form with another two goals, and there were further strikes from Josh Jordan, Amaar Hussain, Louis Morrison and Raheem Mercurius...

The first half had been a tale of Altrincham possession, and the second 45 minutes was no different, with the Robins increasing the tempo, if anything, and putting Sale Amateurs to the sword...

'We were ruthless at times, and it was another excellent performance from the lads,' said Alty Reserves manager Ross Speight... 'We had to earn the right to play against an experienced Sale side. In the second half, we shifted through the gears and showed how effective we can be when on the front foot...

'We will look forward to the final and the chance to bring some silverware to the club.'

Altrincham will face Bollington in the final, at a location and time to be confirmed", concludes press and media manager, John Edwards.

SEMI-FINAL WIN FOR ALTY RESERVES

MORE GOALS FOR ALTY RESERVES

They now sit tenth in the eighteen-strong Cheshire League Premier division.

RESERVES HIT FIVE

DEFEAT AT LOSTOCK

RESERVES IN GOOD FORM

After four successive wins, Alty now lie eleventh in the eighteen-strong Cheshire League Premier Division.

GOOD AWAY WIN

GOOD START TO 2022

On Saturday 8 January, the Reserves won the Altrincham Derby with a 4-0 win in the Altrincham FA Senior Cup competition away to Old Alts. To a hat-trick by Lewis Billingsley was added a goal from substitute Sean Higgins.

The Altrincham squad for the game comprised Lewis Billingsley, Morgan Chilton, Joseph Cooney, Rhys Cosquer, Madison Davis, Amaar Hussain, Scott Johnston, Raheem Mercurius, Ryan Morton, Kwame Osigwe and Harlan Rodgers-Morris. On the bench were Niall Butchart, Bryan Hamo, Sean Higgins, Ali Khral and Logan Taylor.

At home, on Saturday 15 January, they won again, beating Crewe FC 3-1 in a Cheshire League match, thanks to a brace from Amaar Hussain and a goal from Ryan Morton.

The squad for the match was Ryan Forde in goal and the outfielders comprised Lewis Billingsley, Joseph Cooney, Madison Davis, Amaar Hussain, Scott Johnston, Raheem Mercurius, Ryan Morton, Kwame Osigwe, Matthew Plested and Harlan Rodgers-Morris with the bench made up of Dionicio Bohe, Niall Butchart, Thomas Jones, Sami Mhar and Louis Morrison.

THIRD 2-3 LOSS

TENTH DEFEAT FOR RESERVES

It was the Reserves' tenth defeat in eighteen outings with three wins and five draws in the other eight Cheshire League fixtures.

NARROW HOME DEFEAT

RESERVES LOSE ALTRINCHAM DERBY

BIG CUP WIN

TOUGH SEASON CONTINUES

They lie twelfth in the eighteen-team Premier Division just three points above the second-bottom club. Four of the six teams below them have games in hand, in some cases as many as five matches.

DRAW FOR RESERVES

RESERVES BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Alty now lie 12th in the eighteen-strong Premier Division.

ANOTHER DEFEAT

RESERVES' REVERSES

On Saturday 9 October, they lost a high-scoring Cheshire FA Amateur Cup second round match 5-3 away to Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves.

The Altrincham line-up comprised goalkeeper Ryan Forde and outfield players, Mackenzie Alan Cookson, Lewis Billingsley, Millen Brown, Niall Butchart, Sam Corbishley, Rhys Cosquer, Fenton Green, Joe Haggerty, Raheem Mercurius and Logan Taylor.

The substitutes were Dionicio Bohe, Matthew Sumner and Lewis Waller, whilst the scorers were Cookson, Taylor and Sumner.

The following week, on 16 October, Alty Reserves lost in another eventful game, this time of five goals. Away at neighbours Broadheath Central on Salisbury Road, the hosts won 3-2.

This was a Cheshire League Premier Division match in which Alty started with Lewis Billingsley, Niall Butchart, Sam Corbishley, Rhys Cosquer, Bryan Hamo, Raheem Mercurius, Matthew Sumner, Troy Taylor, Lewis Waller, who scored both goals for Alty, and Tyrese Ndienguila.

On the bench were Scott Johnston, Ali Khral and Logan Taylor.

PATHWAY TO FIRST TEAM

During the interview with Brian Flynn, Ross talks about his career in football to date, including academy coaching experience at Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, alongside spells as manager of Middlewich Town and Lostock Gralam.

Ross also discusses his brief at The J.Davidson Stadium in terms of facilitating the player pathway to the first team".

RESERVES SHADE IT

AWAY POINT

HEAVY DEFEAT IN LEAGUE

Alty now lie fifteenth in the eighteen-strong Cheshire League. They have won just one of their eight games so far in the league.

RESERVES' CUP WIN

This was a Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup 1st Round match.

MIXED WEEK FOR RESERVES

They beat Daten 4-0 at home, drew 1-1 at Whaley Bridge and lost 2-1 at their landlords' ground, at Egerton Sports Club.

After seven fixtures they have won just once this season and lie fourteenth in the eighteen-strong divisuon.

RESERVES LOSE TWICE

On Tuesday night, they lost 1-2 at home (Egerton Sports Club) after, last Saturday, they had suffered a 3-1 reverse at Garswood Town.

Niall Butchart was the scorer at Garswood, where the team comprised Ryan Forde, Lewis Billingsley, Dionicio Bohe, Niall Butchart, Rhys Cosquer, Madison Davis, Sean Higgins, Raheem Mercurius, Kwame Osigwe, Matthew Sumner and Lewis Waller with the substitutes being Daniel Gavaghan, Joe Haggerty, Reiss Hughes, Matthew Plested and Logan Taylor.

The results leave Alty Reserves fifteenth in the eighteen-strong division and still seeking a first win this season.

TWO DRAWS FOR RESERVES

Their second fixture on 10 August also finished level, in this case 1-1 at Poynton, where Niall Butchart was the scorer.

The Altrincham line up was Ryan Forde (gk), Lewis Billingsley, Dionicio Bohe, Niall Butchart. Rhys Cosquer, Madison Davis, Sean Higgins, Raheem Mercurius, Kwame Osigwe, Matthew Sumner, Lewis Waller.

The substitutes were Mackenzie Alan Cookson, Reiss Hughes, Matthew Plested and Max Pouncey.

NEW RESERVES' MANAGEMENT TEAM AT ALTY

We are looking forward to completing in the Cheshire Football League with a young exciting squad".

In July the Winsford & Middlewich Guardian reported that "Management changes have taken place at Middlewich Town FC... The move comes after Ross Speight and Michael Welch decided to step down from their positions after six years at Seddon Street...

Speight has explained why he and Welch have called time on their roles with The Witches. 'Both of us have found it increasingly difficult to commit the time required to run the first team due to work and family commitments,' he said. 'We have enjoyed success at the club, with promotion to the Premier Division in 2018 as well as reaching three cup finals'".

Supporters may recall Michael Welch (left) as a former Alty defender. Now 39, Michael signed on loan at Alty for a month from Northwich Victoria on 20 February 2009; this was later extended till the end of the 2008-09 season.

His career began with Barnsley, from 2001 to 2005, before he joined Macclesfield Town (124 games, 7 goals). From 2005 to 07 he was at Macclesfield, where he made 64 appearances and scored 6 goals.

He scored on his full debut for Altrincham against Weymouth on 14 March 2009. Having scored in his first two league starts for Alty, including a 70-yard freekick against Crawley, which won the Setanta Goal of the Season award, Michael was sadly sidelined with ankle ligament damage towards the end of the campaign and underwent an operation which kept him out at the start of the new season. Michael returned to action at Stevenage on 26 September 2009 but made only three starts before the end of the campaign.

Michael was released at the end of the season having made 9(+4) appearances and scored 3 goals. However, he returned at the end of 2010-11 pre-season to rejoin the squadand made a further 9(+4) appearances but he was unable to cement a regular place in the team and left in February, 2011 after a total of 21(+21) appearances and 3 goals.

Max Pouncey (right) is a graduate of the Altrincham Youth and Reserve teams whose five-goal haul in Altrincham's FA Youth Cup match against Nostell Miners' Welfare in October 2013 underlined his goalscoring potential. Already a Cheshire County FA player, Max signed first-team forms at the end of October 2013. He went on loan to Prescot Cables on 16 December 2013 but returned in time to make his first-team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup in March 2014.

In summer 2014 he joined the first-team squad for pre-season training and was assigned a squad number. In August 2014 he went on loan to Abbey Hey and subsequently left the club only to return as a regulkar for the Reserves.

RESERVES BEATEN IN CUP FINAL

ALTY RESERVES REACH FINAL

The Altrincham FC offical website reports that "Altrincham FC Reserves will face Egerton FC in the final of the JB Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup Final on Saturday at Winstanley Warriors FC (Goose Green, Wigan, WN3 6PZ).

Kick-off is at 2pm.

Spectators are welcome and it would be great to get a good turnout of Alty fans for this important finale to the season".

The Altrincham team overcame local rivals Broadheath Central on penalties after a 1-1 draw secured by Dre Taylor's equaliser in added time.

In the shoot out "Marc Bellingham, George Howarth, Max Pouncey, Raheem Mercurius and Dre Taylor all scored for the Robins whilst Joel Torrance heroically saved Broadheath Central's fifth penalty to secure a place in the final".

The Altrincham line-up was: Joel Torrance, Marc Bellingham, Niall Butchart, Madison Davis, Daniel Gavaghan, Callum Graham, Reiss Hughes, Daniel Lewis, Raheem Mercurius, Max Pouncey, Dre Taylor. Substitutes: Sam Corbishley, Joel Edwards, George Howarth and Thomas Millington.

AWAY WIN FOR RESERVES

The line up was Joel Torrance, Niall Butchart, Madison Davis, Daniel Gavaghan, Joe Haggerty, Callum Graham, Reiss Hughes, Luigi Mongan, Curtis Miller, Max Pouncey, Dre Taylor. Substitutes: Marc Bellingham, George Howarth, Daniel Lewis, Raheem Mercurius and Thomas Millington.

WIN FOR RESERVES

The Alty starters comprised Joel Torrance, Marc Bellingham, Niall Butchart, Madison Davis, Daniel Gavaghan, Callum Graham, Joe Haggerty, Reiss Hughes, Curtis Miller, Max Pouncey, Dre Taylor with the bench made up of Luigi Mongan, George Howarth, Daniel Lewis, Raheem Mercurius and Thomas Millington.

OPPONENTS PREPARE

The Witches climbed into top spot in their Cheshire League JB Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup group with a 2-0 success in Warrington against Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds at the weekend, despite playing for 55 minutes with 10 men.

But with the group league table a tight one, Middlewich need to deliver another strong performance to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

They potentially need at least a draw to finish top of the group, depending on how second-placed Broadheath fare against bottom side Greenalls.

Middlewich lost 1-0 at home to Altrincham when the sides first met in the competition on April 17.

Sam Wakefield's double strike in the latest victory against Greenalls means they can go to Alty in good mood though...

Said Speight, 'We’ve worked hard on and off the pitch as a group and we need to finish the job next week with another win at Altrincham.'"

ALTRINCHAM LOSE LOCAL DERBY

BIG WIN

Three of the Altrincham goals came from substitutes, namely Pouncey, Howarth and Lewis, whilst Miller was the other scorer.

The starting eleven showed one change as Mercurius replaced Howarth.

The eleven comprised Joel Torrance, Daniel Gavaghan, Raheem Mercurius, Joe Haggerty, Thomas Millington, Dre Taylor, Madison Davis, Niall Butchart, Reiss Hughes, Curtis Miller, Marc Bellingham. The subs were Callum Graham, George Howarth, Daniel Lewis, Max Pouncey and Matthew Sumner.

FIRST WIN

The winning goal was scored by Marc Bellingham. The starting eleven comprised Joel Torrance, Daniel Gavaghan, George Howarth, Joe Haggerty, Thomas Millington, Dre Taylor, Madison Davis, Niall Butchart, Reiss Hughes, Curtis Miller, Marc Bellingham. The subs were Sam Corbishley, George Howarth, Daniel Lewis, Max Pouncey and Max Fitzpatrick..

DEFEAT FOR RESERVES

The starting eleven comprised Joel Torrance, Callim Graham, Daniel Gavaghan, George Howarth, Joe Haggerty, Thomas Millington, Dre Taylor, Luigi Mongan, Max Pouncey, Curtis Miller, Marc Bellingham. The subs were Madison Davis , Theodore Donachie, Reiss Hughes, Daniel Lewis and Raheem Mercurius.

ALTY RESERVES BACK IN ACTION

However, last Saturday, in a a J B Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup match, the Altrincham Reserves drew 2-2 at home (Egerton Sports Club) to Broadheath Central FC. Substitute Marc Bellingham netted one of the goals.

This was not a knockout match but rather a group stage game (see below).

The Altrincham starting eleven comprised Joel Torrance, Theodore Donachie, Daniel Gavaghan, Callum Graham, Joe Haggerty, Reiss Hughes, Raheem Mercurius, Dre Taylor, Curtis Miller, Luigi Mongan and Max Pouncey. The bench was made up of George Howarth, Madison Davis, Jake Foy, Daniel Lewis and Marc Bellingham.

ALTY RESERVES' CUP GAMES

As indicated above Alty played their first game last Saturday. The subsequent fixtures are:

• 10/04/21 3pm Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds v Altrincham FC Res.
• 17/04/21 2pm Middlewich Town v Altrincham FC Res.
• 24/04/21 2pm Altrincham FC Res. v Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds
• 1/05/21 2pm Broadheath Central FC v Altrincham FC Res.
• 8/05/21 2pm Altrincham FC Res. v Middlewich Town

CHESHIRE LEAGUE NEWS

"None of its teams have turned out since Christmas but almost eberyone voted... to play competitively again".

However, "The campaign for teams in its top flight... has been curtailed". That is the Premier Division in which Altrincham Reserves compete.

"Meanwhile, the rest, split across four divisions, will play their remaining league games with promotion one of the prizes on offer".

However, "there will be no relegation from either of the top two sections. Two teams from the third tier (Step 9) will be promoted, creating space to accommodate eight new clubs that want to join for the 2021-22 term... The teams must complete 60% of their league programme before a PPG calculation can be used to decide the final standings".

SEASON ENDS WITH A DRAW

Alty's starting eleven comprised Ryan Forde, Niall Butchart, Madison Davis, Jake Foy, Callum Graham, George Howarth, Reiss Hughes, Thomas Millington, Max Pouncey, Dre Taylor, Max Fitzpatrick.

The subs were Sam Corbishley, Daniel Gavaghan, Luigi Mongan, Matthew Sumner.

All three Alty goals were netted by Max Pouncey.

LOCAL DERBY ENDS ALL SQUARE

This time the match ended one apiece with Mongan scoring for Altrincham.

The squad comprised Niall Butchart, Madison Davis, Jake Foy, Daniel Gavaghan, Callum Graham, George Howarth, Raheem Mercurius, Thomas Millington, Max Pouncey, Max Fitzpatrick and goalkeeper Ryan Forde.

On the bench were Sam Corbishley, Joe Haggerty, Reiss Hughes, Luigi Mongan and Matthew Sumner.

HEAVY LOSS TO WARRIORS

Alty's starting eleven was Marc Bellingham, Liam Blackburn, Niall Butchart, Theodore Donachie, Jake Foy, Daniel Gavaghan. George Howarth, Reiss Hughes, Thomas Millington, Max Pouncey, Dre Taylor with the bench comprising Sam Corbishley, Joel Edwards, Raheem Mercurius, Sam Moser and Max Fitzpatrick.

Alty's goals came from Pouncey and Howarth.

WET WIN FOR RESERVES

In their previous outing, a 3-3 home draw against Daten FC, Alty's starters (alphabetically) were Liam Blackburn (gk), Sam Corbishley, Madison Davis, Daniel Gavaghan, Callum Graham, Joe Haggerty, George Howarth, Raheem Mercurius, Sam Moser, Dre Taylor, Max Fitzpatrick. The scorers were Howarth, Taylor and Fitzpatrick.

The substitutes were Niall Butchart, Joel Edwards, Reiss Hughes, Alfie Johnston and Joseph Lewis.

WIN TO START THE CAMPAIGN

However, COVID issues have caused this Saturday's away match at Billinge to be postponed.

RESERVES' GAME