ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH TEAM MATCH REPORT

ALTRINCHAM & DISTRICT FA YOUTH (1) 4
STOCKPORT & DISTRICT FA YOUTH (0) 0

Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup, Group-Stage
Sunday, 8 September, 2013, 2pm, at Trafford FC, Shawe View.


BACKGROUND

This was the first match at the group stage of the Cheshire County FA District Cup, a competition which Altrincham had won last season. For the second year in succession this competion had been decreed an under-17s tournament, having traditionally been for under-18s. For this reason the Altrincham FC Youth team which plays in the NWYA Premier League was replaced today by the Club's Junior under-17s team. Captaining the side was Sam Heathcote, son of former Altrincham player and manager Graham Heathcote.

LINE-UP

ALTRINCHAM & DISTRICT FA YOUTH (Yellow & blue shirts, white shorts, blue socks) 1. Jamie BURROWS, 2. James CAMPION, 3. James FARRINGTON, 4. Connor HANCOCK, 5. Sam HEATHCOTE (capt), 6. Laurence TAYLOR, 7. Jake FOX, 8. Will FOSTER, 9. Benjamin REID, 10. Joe COFFEY, 11. Fraser MacLEAN. Subs: 12. Jimi FOLOGBACK, 14. Marc BELLINGHAM, 15. Aaron GOLDMAN, 16. T'yrell RILEY.


REPORT

Above: Fox (left) slots home Altrincham's fourth goal.

The game got under way at a frantic pace. The first half was to continue as a largely forgettable affair with both teams struggling to string together more than three or four passes before moves broke down. Frequent freekicks also punctuated play and there was little in the way of goalmouth action. Stockport had marginally the better of the first 25 minutes but were let down by poor shooting.

At last a goal arrived. It came soon after MacLean had made a good run at goal but had seen his shot saved. Moments later, the tall left-winger got to the by-line and laid the ball back for Reid. He turned well to score from close range (36 mins).

Things improved a little after this with MacLean getting in another shot, which was saved comfortably (38 mins). Before half-time Altrincham were almost caught out by a quick freekick from Stockport which set their no.18 in on keeper Burrows. As he advanced, the Stockport man hooked his effort over the bar (42 mins).


Half-Time: ALTRINCHAM & DISTRICT FA YOUTH 1
STOCKPORT & DISTRICT FA YOUTH 0

The second half was a vast improvement on the first forty five minutes and Altrincham started the half on top. Good closing down won them early possession and they began to take the game to Stockport. They doubled their lead in the 54th minute when MacLean again did well on the left and, from his cross, Coffey arrived towards the back post to lash the ball home.

In midfield, Taylor was having a good game for Altrincham but Stockport won the game's next corner before Altrincham emulated then in the 65th minute.

Reid made the third Altrincham goal, advancing on goal and turning well before a deflection saw the ball fall to MacLean, who scored with a low shot across goal, which went in off the base of the keeper's left upright, making it 3-0 (68 mins). Alty's left winger had been involved in all three of his side's goals, so far.

Alty now brought on Fologback and Goldman for MacLean and Foster (73 mins). Goldman was soon making an impression with a good run up the left flank as Altrincham continued to be in control of the game. When Alty won a freekick about 30 yards out, Heathcote feigned as if to play an aerial ball to the right into the box, only to lay the ball forward at ground level to Fox, who turned well but his shot came back off the inside of the upright (81 mins).

Altrincham won two more corners before Riley came on for Reid (85 mins). Altrincham made it four-nil in the third minute of added time when Fox jinked past a challenge and got into the box before slotting the ball past the advancing keeper.

Ultimately, this had been a comfortable win but it had taken a marked uplift in form after the interval to ensure the victory.


Full-Time: ALTRINCHAM & DISTRICT FA YOUTH 4
STOCKPORT & DISTRICT FA YOUTH 0