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BACKGROUND

Manager George Heslop had eight of his 21-man squad unavailable for the match. Two players had transport difficulties and could not meet the players' minibus, whilst Marc Bellingham, Jake Foy and James Campion all have fractures of, respectively, the wrist, toe and hand. Out injured, as well, was Ben Gerrard, whilst Harry Harry Cain was involved in the Cheshire Schools trial match and Aaron Goldman was likewise playing in the North of England Independent Schools team which was playing the South of England as a trial for the England Independent Schools squad.

To make matters worse, late in this game, centre-back Sam Heathcote picked up an injury which is likely to keep him out for several weeks.

REPORT

James Farrington, who played at left-back for the Alty team, has kindly provided the following match report...

Altrincham dominated the game from the start, keeping the ball well and always looking to be the side to break the deadlock first. Alty kept possession and took advantage of Barrow's large first-team pitch trying to get behind the Barrow back four on either flank.

The inevitable first goal came on the twenty-minute mark, when Arrowsmith’s deflected shot into a crowded area found its way to ripple the net, beating the helpless Barrow keeper. Barrow had few chances in the first half. George Heslop’s men felt frustrated that they could not capitalise on the amount of possession they had had, going into the break only 1-0 up.

Ten minutes into the second half Altrincham were unlucky not to take a two-goal lead when a ferocious strike from Taylor struck the bar and went over for a goal kick.

Barrow had come out with a different attitude in the second half, adopting a 4-3-3 formation, and trying to penetrate the Alty backline. The home side’s best chance came mid-way through the half, when a driven cross got poked onto the post by the Barrow forward but they failed to get that equalising goal.

Altrincham could not mount the same degree of possession which had occurred in the first half. However a second goal came in the seventy-fifth minute when a whipped in free-kick from the half-way line was met by winger Coffey, who directed the ball back across the box to be nodded home by Dwyer. The game was sealed in the eighty-third minute when a wonder strike by Coffey, from outside the area, made sure Altrincham would be leaving Cumbria with all three points. The game finished 3-0, a well-deserved clean sheet and victory!

James Farrington.