ALTRINCHAM & DISTRICT FA YOUTH : 1. Danny CHEBRIKA, 2. Tom BARCLAY, 3. Tom BANE, 4. Richard GRESTY, 5. Michael RISK, 6. Dean WHITE, 7. Hassan ZAREH-OURANG, 8. Andy KEOGH, 9. Ben DEEGAN, 10. Matty WILLIAMS, 11. Astley MULHOLLAND. Subs: 12. Curtis CONNELL, 14 Kieran RAYNES, 15. Daniel GRAY, 16. Ben SHANKS-PEPPER, 17. Phil LEAFF (gk).

REPORT

Report courtesy of information provided by George Heslop.

Altrincham kicked off down the slope but into a strong headwind in this league match in Cumbria. The squad showed two chnages from the game last week for Altrincham & District FA, with Richard Gresty starting his first game since injury on 28 August and Daniel Gray coming onto the bench for his first appearance since 11 September, also through injury. The current strength of the squad was underlined by the fact that Michael Raynes was only on the bench, even after being a goalscorer in last week's game.

Keeping the ball on the ground in the windy conditions, Altrincham enjoyed a lot of possession and were on top of their opponents during the first half. Holker made a first half substitution and also had a player booked before, on 34 minutes, one of Gresty's long throws came to Hassan Zareh-Ourang, who put Altrincham ahead.

In the second half, Holker struggled to get out of their half as they battled against the wind, underlining the strength of Alty's first-half performance with the same disadvantage. After 54 minutes Ben Deegan was booked but ten minutes later he atoned by scoring. The goal came after he had powered into the box and been brought down from behind. He got up to convert the penalty himself (64 mins). Deegan's power, strength and pace, ably supported by his team-mates saw the Alty striker destroy the opposition with three further goals. The first came after 66 minutes when he was put through after a good passing build-up.

Ben Shanks-Pepper then replaced Dean White, who had battled well throughout the game (75 mins). Altrincham were completely in control as Deegan completed his hat-trick after 80 minutes. At this point, Kieran Raynes replaced Tom Barclay. Just a minute later Deegan made it 5-0 as he scored his own fourth goal for the second successive Sunday. Finally, a tired Michael Risk was replaced by Danny Gray (84 mins).

Deegan has now scored in all eight of his starts this season - and amassed a total of 18 goals. Alty now meet Bootle in the next round, the game being at Wythenshawe Town on Sunday 18 December at 2pm. Before then, the players' next game is as Altrincham & District FA in an important Cheshire FA District Cup match at Shawe View (Trafford FC), this Sunday at 2pm. A win would greatly enhance Alty's chance of reaching the final of this competition for the third time in six seasons. Please come along and support them- entry is free.