LINE-UP

ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH :1. Lewis BISHOP, 2. Tom BARCLAY, 3. Rico COLULO, 4. Alex MURPHY, 5. Michael HOWE, 6. Marcus BAXBY, 7. Paul BARRY, 8. Danny BROWNE, 9. Tom BAILEY, 10. Rick CRAWFORD, 11. Anthony DAVIES. Subs: 12. Jack ENTWISTLE, 14. Steven ROBERTS, 15. Luke CHARLES, GK. David LEIGH.

REPORT

Based on information kindly supplied by George Heslop.

Altrincham were without Michael Simcok and Kieran Raynes, who were injured, and Jason Melling-Fong, who was cup-tied. This match was played on a good surface at Christie Park.

Altrincham started the better of the two teams and created their first chance in the sixth minute when Paul Barry made his way up the right flank and got in a good first-time cross which Tom Bailey could not convert. In the 14th minute, Morecambe scored with their first attack, when their number seven was left unmarked and headed against the bar. Lewis Bishop palmed the rebound in the air and, eventually, Morecambe scrambled it home at the second attempt to take the lead.

Five minutes later, good work by Rick Crawford sent Barry down the wing and his first-time cross was met by a Bailey header to bring the sides level (19 mins). After equalizing, Altrincham relaxed and, a minute later, Morecambe played a man through between the Altrincham centre-halves and he finished well to give Morecambe a 2-1 lead (20 mins). Against the wind, Altrincham played too many high balls down the middle and went in 2-1 down at the interval.

Early in the second half Tom Bailey got in an excellent cross for Marcus Baxby, who had made a great run, but the midfielder could not complete the move with a goal. In the sixtieth minute, Steve Roberts replaced Paul Barry on the right as Altrincham continued to dominate. Rick Crawford hit a tremendous strike which the Morecambe keeper met with an equally good save.

With the final whistle fast approaching, Crawford made a great run into the box and was brought down for a penalty which, after a delay, Davies converted. Extra-time was very even and half-way through it, Luke Charles replaced Crawford. Then, eight minutes before the end of extra-time, Morecambe crossed from the right and an attacker was yet again left unmarked at the far post and he made it 3-2 to the home side.

Manager George Heslop's summed up Altrincham's performance as being one of "good football but poor defending".