LINE-UP

REPORT

Report courtesy of George Heslop

This important match in the NWYA Premier League title race pitched third-placed Altrincham, in their final away game of the season, away to second-place Hyde FC at their first-team's ground at Ewen Fields. Altrincham had to make a late selection choice and opted to start with both Davis and Taylor, who had only returned the day before from a college football tour of Portugal.

Altrincham started the game in determined mood and were soon closing down the opposition effectively. Altrincham took the lead around the 18th minute when Clancy rose well to head home Cain's excellent cross. Some eight minutes later, Clancy broke through the Hyde defence and was brought down inside the box by the Hyde goalkeeper, who was sent off for his foul. A substitute keeper replaced him.

Heathcote confidently converted the spot-kick to make it 2-0. Altrincham continued to apply pressure as Hyde's ten men tried to overcome their one-man deficiency with a number of long balls forward.

When Altrincham won a freekick on the edge of the box, Davies's excellent strike beat the wall and beat the keeper but struck the post. However, Cain was the quickest to react and he netted the rebound to make it 3-0, five minutes before half time.

There was still time for Melingui to get forward and make it 4-0 before the break.

In the second half Altrincham resisted the temptation to ease up. For their part, Hyde's ten men battled hard.

Altrincham used all five of their substitutes in the second half, giving them all some appreciable playing time in advance of a hectic run-in schedule.

Melingui made it 5-0 midway through the half, showing his strength as he powered forward to score at the second attenpt, after the keeper had blocked his first shot.

The 5-0 win lifted Altrincham to second place, above Hyde, with games in hand on the leaders, Chester. The last match of the season, on 10 May, pitches Altrincham against Chester in the sixth successive home game with which Altrincham will complete their season.

The preceding week (3 May), Altrincham take on Curzon Ashton at Runcorn Town in the final of the Neil Thomason Trophy (k.o. TBC 2pm).

Altrincham's small squad will be tested not only by the hectic schedule but by the involvement of four players in the Cheshire County FA squad which plays in the FA Counties'national final at Barnet. The four players, Clancy, Campion, Cain and Heathcote, are also likely to be involved in the County's two-legged semi-final in the Northern Counties FA competition.

Alty's next league match is on Thursday, at Clay Lane (6.30pm) against Curzon Ashton.