Match Reports, 2003-04

EUXTON VILLA YOUTH (1) 1
ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH (2) 4

NW Youth Alliance
Premier Division game
on Thursday, 22 April, 2004.



LINE-UP

EUXTON VILLA YOUTH: 1. Shaun GIBBS, 2. Sam THOMPSON, 3. Daniel WALKER, 4. Noel CLARKSON, 5. Simon TAYLOR, 6. James O'LAUGHLIN, 7. John WINSTANLEY, 8. Liam ROBINSON, 9. Jon HOWELLS, 10. Ryan LILLEY, 11. Sean PARKIN. Subs: 12. Mark THOMPSON, 14. James MILBURN, 15. Colin SCUTT, 16. Chris ASHTON.

ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH: 1. Barry GEORGE, 2. Adam DOUTHWAITE, 3. Matt TOOTH, 4. Alex FROST (capt.), 5. Kelvin LUGSDEN, 6. Joe CONNOR, 7. Lewis CHALMERS, 8. Paul LEWIS, 9. Andy THORPE, 10. Stuart COOK, 11. Stevie TAYLOR. Subs: 12. Josh COLLINS, 14. Adam BALL, 15. Sam CAWTHRA, 16. Danny GRIMSHAW, 18. Chris ROWLEY (gk).


MATCH REPORT

Match report as kindly supplied by Youth team manager, George Heslop.

Going into this match requiring two points for the Championship, Altrincham started in a sluggish manner and in the third minute conceded a sloppy goal, when a long ball, through the centre, caused problems and Jon Howells, the Villa number nine, slotted home from the edge of the area.

Having started badly, Altrincham woke up and started causing problems for Euxton. However, having been thwarted by Euxton's Simon Taylor from proceeding down the middle on numerous occasions, Altrincham started to use the flanks and get players into the box. In the 14th minute Adam Douthwaite pushed into the opposition half and put in a fine diagonal cross to Stuart Cook, who headed home confidently, to restore parity, 1-1.

Realising that width was the best avenue to follow Altrincham started to turn the screw and in the 40th minute, from a free-kick on the left, Matty Tooth, put in an excellent cross and there was Stuart Cook once again to head home to give Altrincham a 2-1 lead.


Half-Time: EUXTON VILLA YOUTH 1 ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH 2

Altrincham started the second half in the same vein and in the 49th minute, after three or four shots were blocked by a hard working Villa defence, Andy Thorpe blasted home from close range to give Altrincham a 3-1 lead.

Now realising that the title was in their grasp the young Robins stepped up the pace and really started spraying the ball around in a very commanding manner. The 55th minute produced the final goal, with a fine ball from Lewis Chalmers to Paul Lewis, who finished with aplomb. At this stage Altrincham started to bring on their substitutes to get involved in the final stages of a very rewarding season. In the 57th minute Josh Collins came on for Matty Tooth; in the 65th minute Danny Grimshaw replaced Steve Taylor and in the 77th minute Adam Ball took over from Joe Connor.

All round, this was an impressive display, with Altrincham winning the League with two matches to spare and showing some superb football in the second half.


Full-Time: EUXTON VILLA YOUTH 1 ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH 4