ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH : 1. Barry GEORGE, 2. Alex FROST (capt.), 3. Matt TOOTH, 4. Kelvin LUGSDEN, 5. Steven HOWARTH, 6. Adam DOUTHWAITE, 7. Stevie TAYLOR, 8. Paul LEWIS, 9. Andy THORPE, 10. Kieran LUGSDEN, 11. Josh COLLINS. Subs: 12. Joe CONNOR, 14. Adam BALL, 15. Abdi JAMAL, 16. Tom HILTON, 18. Tom READ (gk).

BARROW YOUTH 1. ARCHER, 2. MYLES, 3. TONKINSON, 4. COOMBE (capt.), 5. Glen CAPSTICK, 6. LANCASTER, 7. WATKIN, 8. SARGEANT, 9. GRIME, 10. MACKAY, 11. METCALFE. Subs: 12. Graham CAPSTICK

Report courtesy of George Heslop, Youth Team Manager.

Altrincham showed several changes from last Saturday's match against Barrow at Altrincham. In goal there was a recall for Barry George, whilst both Steven Howarth and Steve Taylor were fit to regain their places. The spectators included Altrincham first-team manager Graham Heathcote, who has family connections in the Barrow area.

The game was played in a bleak afternoon, with a strong and cold wind blowing against Altrincham who kicked off the first half. The playing surface was very muddy after overnight rain and there was standing water in both goalmouths and in centre-field. Altrincham defended very well in the opening twenty minutes and successfully kept the ball away from their own goalmouth. As play proceeded, Barrow made a couple of chances which Barry George dealt with competently.

For their part Altrincham had a reasonable amount of possession in the Barrow half but neither side was able to finish any openings as the two defences dominated. With the wind behind them, Barrow were able to make lengthy clearances but Altrincham were having to play the ball on the deck to avoid clearances blowing back towards them as they cleared their lines.

Josh Collins figured strongly on the left making some good crosses and getting in a couple of shots. The Alty back four continued to cope well and half-time arrived with the whole team having done very well to keep the game scoreless in such difficult conditions.

The interval was shortened as the overcast sky threatened to cause problems with the light. With the wind now behind them, Altrincham moved the ball about well and Kieran Lugsden also nearly got onto a couple of long clearances from Barry George. After 60 minutes, 15 year-old Tom Hilton came on for Adam Douthwaite in right midfield. Altrincham continued to pass the ball well and the team was functioning well as a unit. After 65 minutes Paul Lewis gave way to Joe Connor and his height and strong tackling soon made an impact. He joined Stevie Taylor who was having his first game after a four-week lay-off due to suspension and illness. Both Lewis and Douthwaite had done excellent jobs when they had borne the brunt of the first half against the wind and rain squalls and their performances contributed much to the final outcome.

With Tom Hilton showing his ability, the ball came to Kieran Lugsden, who turned well only to be brought down by Capstick. A penalty was awarded and captain Alex Frost took the responsibility of taking it. He drove it confidently into the keeper's left corner (75 mins). After 80 minutes Stevie Taylor had to give way to cramp following his long absence from action and he was replaced by debutant Abdi Jamal in central midfield.

Altrincham comfortably contained Barrow to the end. Stevie Taylor was Man of the Match but all of the team contributed greatly to an excellent win which took Altrincham to the top of the table, ahead of Morecambe whose 4-1 win over Ashton Athletic puts them on level points; both are one point ahead of Prestwich Heys. The performance was all the better for coming after last week's defeat and in such difficult weather conditions.