YOUTH REPORT

By George Heslop.

This game was played on an astro-turf pitch but not of the quality of the one at Blessed Thomas Holford. Players had to be wary of an inconsistent bounce. In the 10th minute, Altrincham benefitted from a mistake by Curzon Ashton's Wilkinson who misjudged the bounce to let in Tom Bailey, whose shot was half-stopped by the keeper Lukis Barrett but not sufficiently to prevent Altrincham going into the lead 1-0.

In the 12th minute a good, fluent move by Altrincham concluded with Bailey firing narrowly over the bar, followed by a Danny Browne header at goal in the 19th minute. These attempts were the only significant action in a very drab first half.

Altrincham had to make a change at half-time replacing Alex Murphy (injured) with Tom Cosgrave, returning from injury, and Dominic Lillie with Daniel Killilea, five minutes later. In the 50th minute, Jack Kimber was booked for a sliding tackle. After 65 minutes Altrincham yet again left a man unmarked at the back post but fortunately he missed with a header. Two minutes later Sam Madeley was booked for needlessly kicking the ball away. Curzon's Joe Neild then replaced Lawrence Black (64 mins) and then Alty introduced Emanuel Ladu for Sam Madeley (77 mins).

In the 80th minute Curzon Ashton's Michael Eaton was replaced by James Stoodley and in the 88th minute Tom Bailey fired just over the bar but a minute later he got his second goal as Altrincham won 2-0 and kept their second clean sheet of the season. This was rather a lacklustre game but Altrincham stuck to their task and got the three points. However, they must approach each game with the correct attitude to the disciplines of the game and proper warm-ups. Poor attitudes reflect in poor results.