ALTRINCHAM YOUTH (Red & white striped shirts, black shorts, red socks) 1. Sam FOX, 2. Paul LEWIS (capt), 3. John CHAMBERS, 4. Marcus MADDIX, 5. Matt GARLAND, 6. James MONAGHAN, 7. Aron HEVINGHAM, 8. Graham BRYANT, 9. Ben DEEGAN, 10. Lee HENDLEY, 11. Ryan STEWART. Subs: 12. Sam CAWTHRA, 14. Alex MIKE, 15. Terrell FREEMAN, 16. Tom HORNER, 18. Chris BOWCOTT (gk).

SOUTHPORT YOUTH (All white) 1. Aaron CAMERON, 2. Ian KEARNEY,3. Tom HARDWICK, 4. Michael EDGAR, 5. Michael HOWEY, 6. Dan BROMILOW, 7. Dan TINSON, 8. Craig TAYLOR, 9. Robert DUTTON, 10. Lee RANDLES, 11. Lee JONES. Subs: 12. Bobby McLAUGHLIN (gk), 14. David BROOKES, 15. Ian PARRY, 16. Gary REDMOND, 17. Lee GREEN.

REPORT

Alty made seven changes from the line-up which started in the previous day's District Cup match, with Lewis, Maddix, Hendley and Stewart the only survivors from that eleven. Alongside the returning regulars, two new faces were introduced to the Altrincham side tonight. These were Graham Bryant in midfield and John Chambers at left-back. There was a very respectable crowd, probably in three figures, for this match. It included Alty first-team manager Graham Heathcote as well as centre-back Mark Maddox and striker Kieran Lugsden from the first-team squad, whilst it was also good to see Steve Lunt back at Moss Lane as he takes some time out of football.

After their mixed form this season and the changes to the line-up, Altrincham started the game very well as a deflected Monaghan shot won the home side an early corner. In the early stages Hevingham was impressing with his skill and determination whilst up front Deegan and Hendley were testing their markers. But Southport took an early lead when the flag stayed down as Tinson latched onto a through ball and advanced to the right-centre of goal. He laid the ball inside to Dutton who completed the formalities to put Southport one-up (11 mins).

Alty soon got level, following one of the numerous freekicks conceded by Southport in this game. After a foul on Hevingham, Monaghan took a short freekick, from 30 yards out, to the right where Lewis drove in a low cross which came across the goalmouth to Hendley. He took his chance well to knock the ball home for the equaliser (18 mins).

The sides were well matched and Alty were playing some of their best football of the season to date and they won two more corners before the half-hour mark, whilst at the back Garland was playing with authority. Southport made a change after 29 minutes with Redmond replacing Randles. Alty then almost went ahead when Hendley did well to get towards the by-line to the right of goal. He rolled the ball across the goalmouth but just ahead of the incoming Deegan; Altrincham were now on top (31 mins).

Another two Alty corners came and went but on a breakaway Fox had to make a good save from Dutton (40 mins). Soon afterwards, Hendley shot narrowly over the bar at the other end. Despite winning the corner count and being awarded numerous freekicks, Altrincham had not been able to get the second goal that their first-half play had promised.

Southport won a rare corner early in the second half, which did not initially match the level of flowing football seen in the first period. There was then a bizarre incident which allowed Southport to take the lead. As Southport made ground up the inside right channel, the linesman raised his flag for a Southport freekick and the referee quite clearly blew his whistle. Everyone stopped, by which time a Southport player was on his own inside the goalmouth with only Fox to beat. The referee then inexplicably waved played on and the Southport player put the ball into the net. To the amazement of the spectators and players alike, the referee allowed the goal to stand (62 mins). To the layman it looked as if the referee should have allowed Southport advantage after the linesman raised his flag but, having whistled, he should then have disallowed the goal.

A couple of minutes later a shot from just outside the left corner of the Southport box struck a defender on the arm and a penalty was awarded. After some delay, as the referee lectured a Southport player and the keeper went walkabout of his line, Monaghan drove the ball home from the spot, though Cameron got a hand to it, low to his right (65 mins).

Altrincham almost took the lead when a superb strike from Deegan from 25 yards out beat the keeper but came back off the crossbar (78 mins). An Alty corner soon followed, and then a ball across the face of goal by Hendley was almost turned in at the back post (79 mins). Another Alty corner came and went before the deciding goal arrived. A routine low cross from the right evaded Maddix near the penalty spot and left Edgar with a simple conversion to make it 3-2 to the visitors (87 mins). After Southport had won a corner there was a stoppage for an injury to Tinson, who was then replaced by Brookes in the second minute of added time. An Alty freekick and corner arrived in the last seconds but apart from an unnecessary booking of Deegan for a verbal offence, Alty were unable to produce an equaliser.

This was a good performance by the Alty side which, apart from Paul Lewis, comprised players who have only come to Altrincham Youth this season. The three goals conceded tonight were all in their various ways disappointing but, encouraged by their overall performance against a strong Southport set-up, Altrincham can go hopefully go on to enjoy a good season in the NW Youth Alliance league and cup competitions.