YOUTH REPORT

Report courtesy of George Heslop

After three straight wins, Altrincham went into this match against the league leaders, Ashton Athletic "A", who had a 100% record. Other than Ben Oliver, who was still recovering from a hamstring problem, manager George Heslop had a full squad to pick from as Bailey, Browne and Kimber had returned from the Greater Manchester College trials.

The game kicked off on a very cold and sunny afternoon. The home team were a much taller side and, in the first quarter of an hour, with their pace and strength they showed why they were top of the league. As the game opened up, Altrincham's keeper Andrew Jones had to be alert to keep out a shot from the right wing. This was followed by Sam Madeley breaking down the left wing and passing to Tom Bailey, who put the ball wide of Ashton's right-hand post. In the 20th minute Bailey found Killilea with a good pass but goalkeeper Khalid Daloub saved his first shot. Killilea crossed again and a defender cleared, via the post. Five minutes later, Chris Francis came off with a bloodied nose and was not allowed back on for three minutes.

Half an hour into the game, after good work by Dominic Lillie, Tom Bailey shot but his strike just cleared the bar. Immediately after this, Danny Browne had to be replaced after a second bout of treatment. His replacement was Jason Melling-Fong. In the 36th minute, Ashton's Chris Docherty had a further attempt at goal thwarted by Altrincham's keeper. At this stage Ashton were pressuring Altrincham and Gareth Peet broke through but missed a certain chance. Then Andrew Jones saved another shot from Docherty. But two minutes before half-time Altrincham took the lead when Daniel Killilea played a delightful chipped pass over the full-back and Tom Bailey finished with aplomb. Then, Altrincham nearly doubled their lead when Jack Kimber's shot came off the post. Half time arrived with a deserved 1-0 lead for Altrincham.

The 51st minute saw Daniel Killilea having to receive treatment for an injury which eventually led to him being substituted later in the game. Things then started to happen all over the pitch. Ashton nearly equalized after a half clearance by Alex Murphy. Then, Ashton replaced Chris Docherty with Andrew Sharratt in the 52nd minute. Next, Ashton put a chance over the bar after a mistake by Jake Leigh-Watson. A second substitution was made by Ashton, as their number eight was replaced by Mike Case. At this stage, Altrincham were asking all the questions. Daniel Killilea then put in a good header from a Chris Francis cross, followed by Ashton making their final change as Andrew Thomas came on. Sam Madeley then had a good effort saved before, in the 66th minute, Daniel Killilea crossed and Chris Francis scored with a powerful header, to make it 2-0.

In the 69th minute Rick Parry of Ashton was booked and later a team-mate was also cautioned but your correspondent was unable to identify who the culprit was. In the 77th minute and the 83rd minute, Altrincham used two more substitutes when Charlie Weir replaced Tom Bailey and Steven Crane came on for Killilea. In the 86th minute, Charlie Weir robbed the left back of the ball but the Ashton custodian made an excellent save. The game ended in a flurry with Jones saving Altrincham. Then Declan Wakefield put Charlie Weir through but he was thwarted yet again by the keeper.

Altrincham have now gone top of the table by goal difference, from Curzon Ashton. Their last four games have resulted in victories with 14 goals for and just 2 against. This should put them in good heart for the Altrincham and District FA game versus Macclesfield next Sunday at Congleton Town, kick off 11am.