Match Reports, 2004-05


ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH (0) 1
CATARAQUI CLIPPERS YOUTH (0) 0

Friendly Match
on Sunday, 13 March, 2005


LINE-UP

ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH (Red & white striped shirts, black shorts, red socks): 1. Sam FOX, 2. Ryan DONNELLY, 3. Ben ROBSON, 4. Richard GRESTY, 5. Danny GREY, 6. James KENDALL, 7. Hassan ZAREH-OURANG, 8. Ben DEEGAN, 9. Matty WILLIAMS, 10. Andy CHAPMAN, 11. Clive WALLACE. Subs: 12. Tom BALL, 14. Daniel BALL, 15. Phil WHITTAKER, 16. Ben SHANKS-PEPPER, 17. Ryan McDARMAID.

CATARAQUI CLIPPERS (All blue).


REPORT

The Cataraqui Clippers are a Canadian side from Ontario, touring the UK. This was their first match of the tour with upcoming opposition including Stockport County. As they are an under-17s side, Altrincham did not field their normal under-18s team and used the game as an opportunity to assess those players who would still be eligible next season for the Allied Trophies U-18 League. So, the Alty captain, Richard Gresty, was the only starter today who had also started Altrincham's league match last week. However, a number of this season's Youth squad were also involved today such as Hassan Zareh-Ourang, Sam Fox and Ben Deegan. But, for the most part, the Altrincham side was a new one, unaccustomed to each other's game.

The game was played on a cold, cloudy afternoon in front of a modest crowd swelled by a number of Canadian parents who had travelled with the Clippers. Also present was the former England and Manchester United captain and current West Bromwich Albion manager, Bryan Robson, whose son Ben was making his Alty debut at left-back.

From the start, Altrincham had the better of the game and the back four was soon passing the ball about well. For their part, the Clippers were making frequent use of substitutes, from as early as the 10th minute, as they attempted to give all their players some part of the game. But scoring chances were few until Wallace shot narrowly wide and, soon afterwards, good work on the right by Kendall led to a shot from Williams which the Canadians' keeper saved well (17 mins). There was then a mix-up in the Canadian's penalty area and Chapman got in a header, which went wide (18 mins). A neat move by Alty up the right involving Gresty, Deegan and Donnelly ended with an offside goal from Williams (24 mins). Alty then made a change with Tom Ball coming on for Chapman (26 mins). Kendall continued to impress on the right before another change saw Zareh-Ourang give way to McDarmaid (32 mins).

Goal action remained scarce until Williams shot wide as his side continued to press forward (40 mins). Two minutes later, Whittaker came on for Williams. Just before the interval a fine run up the left from Robson ended with a cross, which was cleared.


Half-Time: ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH 0 CATARAQUI CLIPPERS 0

Alty brought on Daniel Ball and Shanks-Pepper at the interval, whilst the Canadians fielded a new goalkeeper. As in the first half, there was little goalmouth action in the opening stages until the Clippers won a corner on the left (55 mins). Shanks-Pepper and McDarmaid were impressing in midfield for Alty but the nearest to a goal came when the home side won a freekick 25 yards out. But McDarmaid's freekick went narrowly wide (60 mins). Soon afterwards Alty won a corner on their right and from this Daniel Ball volleyed over the bar (63 mins). The Canadians continued to make regular substitutions as players re-appeared after their initial substitution.

Next, a fine ball from the impressive Donnelly almost set up McDarmaid but the ball ran to the keeper. Alty now brought back Deegan and Wiliams, for Kendall and Tom Ball (65 mins). Deegan was soon making inroads into the Canadian defence and he set up a shot for Williams whose shot won a corner on the left. Alty won another corner, on the right, which led to a third corner (74 mins).

Alty were now well on top but could not create a scoring opportunity until Wiiliams won possession and fed Shanks-Pepper, who fired a superb shot into the top of the net to the keeper's right from more than 20 yards out (78 mins). Following this, Alty maintained their pressure and won two more corners in quick succession. From a fine cross from the left by McDarmaid, Deegan headed a fine goal, only to see it ruled out for off-side (83 mins).

Zareh-Ourang was replaced by Whittaker (82 mins) and the Canadians also continued to rotate their team. Chapman then came on for Donnelly (86 mins). The Canadians then got a pot at goal, from a freekick outside the box, but the under-employed Fox saved comfortably (88 mins). Alty continued to press and won another corner as the game went into added time. After three minutes of added time, Shanks-Pepper and McDarmaid fed Williams for a rasping shot which hit the crossbar. The final whistle soon went with Alty having only one goal to show for a lot of possession. Nevertheless, there were a number of very promising displays from individuals who will, no doubt, figure regularly in next year's Altrincham Youth league side. For their part, the visitors played the game in a very good spirit and showed great determination in keeping Altrincham at bay and we wish them every success on their tour.


Full-Time: ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH 1 CATARAQUI CLIPPERS 0