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Youth Team Page, 2011-12 |
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Youth Team Page, 2011-12 |
Above, left: ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH TEAM 2011/12.
Right: SK KITS have kindly sponsored and supplied the Youth Team's kit.
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Altrincham's Youth side is managed by George Heslop, ably assisted by coaches Josh Collins and Ant Small. The team plays in the North West Youth Alliance (Under-18s) Premier Division. I am very grateful to George for his help in providing information for this page. If anyone else has information on the Youth team, I am always happy to receive it. You can e-mail me here. John Laidlar.
Altrincham FC Youth play their league and league cup games at Clay Lane, Timperley, WA15 7AF.
FA Youth Cup games are played at Moss Lane. Altrincham & District FA games are usually held at Trafford FC, Shawe View.
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20 February 2012 YOUTHS MOVE UPAltrincham FC Youth had a hard fought 3-1 win at home to Prescot Cables Youth on Sunday afternoon. An opening goal from captain, Sam Grimshaw, was followed by a brace from midfielder Alan Tansinda. Alty Youth have moved up to fourth in the league table.
Right: Alan Tansinda (left) celebrates his second goal with Derryn Ofori and Josh Palmer.
SAM'S CALL UPSam Grimshaw has joined team-mates Joe Coombs, Matt Fearon, Duncan Watmore and Adam Reid in signing Conference North playing forms after impressing first-team manager Lee Sinnott in training. Matt and Duncan turned out for Clitheroe's first team this weekend whilst Joe is recovering from injury.11 February 2012 POSTPONEDThis Sunday, Altrincham FC Youth were due to play at Warrington Town but this has now been postponed.
4 February 2012 GAME OFFAltrincham FC Youth's game at Northwich on Sunday (5th) has been postponed.30 January 2012 GOOD WINThe NWYA reports that Altrincham Youth had a 6-1 away win against Nantwich Town on Sunday. The NWYA also has the latest League Table, showing how tight the middle of the division is this season.Alty are away to Northwich Victoria next Sunday (2pm). |
22 January 2012
Right: Alty Youth captain, Sam Grimshaw, goes up for the ball in a crowded part of the Clay Lane pitch on Sunday.
Above: Altrincham's players receive their pre-match instructions from manager George Heslop and coaches Josh Collins and Ant Small in the rain before kick-off at Clay Lane.
In their first game since 27 November, Altrincham FC Youth showed no rustiness as they overcame a spirited New Mills side, 5-0, at Clay Lane on Sunday afternoon. Alty's marksmen were Sam Grimshaw, Ollie Riley, Denico Walters, Joe Coombes and Jon Makela. Match report here.
The latest league tables are at the NWYA website. And there is a form guide here.
Above: Adam Reid claims the ball, assisted (l.to r. by Liam Rutledge, Ryan Barry and Joe Coombs).
Altrincham FC Youth lost 2-3 at home to Mossley on Sunday afternoon in a NWYA Premier Division league match.
Right: Mark Napier-Hemy and Sam Grimshaw, in yellow, are seen during the first half against Macclesfield and District.
In their Third Round tie, "Millfield squeezed past Cheadle Hulme 3-2. Goals from Dom Webb (2) and Alan Robertson did the damage but Duncan Watmore, in Cheadle Hulme’s midfield, was the outstanding player on the pitch".
Alty's goals came from Matt Fearon and Duncan Watmore, who got two apiece, and one each from Jack Cottrill, Liam Rutledge, Derryn Ofori and an own goal. The line up was:
1. Adam Reid, 2. Alan Tansinda, 4. Mark Napier-Hemy, 5. Joe Coombs, 3. Sam Grimshaw, 6. Matt Fearon, 7. Liam Rutledge, 8. Ryan Barry, 11. Jack Cottrill, 9. Derryn Ofori, 10. Duncan Watmore. Subs: 12. Oliver Riley, 14. Josh Palmer, 15. Redmond McGuire, 16. Jonathan Makela, GK. Cody Wharton.
The substitutes used were:
The latest league table for the Premier Division, in which Altrincham FC Youth play, is now on the NW Youth Alliance website.
Altrincham Youth lost 3-1 at home to Northwich Victoria Youth today at Clay Lane. There is a report here.
Right: Liam Rutledge takes on a Northwich opponent as Duncan Watmore awaits the outcome.
Other angles come from the FA and Darlington; firstly, The FA says that "Darlington set up a home tie against Sheffield FC after overcoming Altrincham with a comfortable 3-0 victory... Although Altrincham had the better of the general play, Darlington looked more assured in possession...
Altrincham suffered a major setback in the build-up to the game with the news that influential striker, Duncan Watmore, would not be available due to school commitments and the home side certainly missed the forward’s explosive pace and natural composure in the final third. Watmore transforms Altrincham from a mechanical outfit into a stylish side which is elegant on the eye. Without him, they lack a cutting edge and Darlington took full advantage.
The opening goal came somewhat against the run of play with Darlington scoring with what was the first genuine chance that they had managed to create... Before the Quakers had broken the deadlock, Altrincham had seemed more likely to strike first blood. First, Liam Rutledge capitalised on Anthony Snook’s poor control but his low strike was well held by Darlington goalkeeper Jordan Nixon. Midfielder Matt Fearon then called Nixon into action with a rasping strike from distance but once again the goalkeeper was equal to it.
After gaining the lead, Darlington grew in confidence with Lambert’s direct running causing no end of problems down the right hand side. Despite Darlington being the more composed of the two teams, Altrincham continued to create opportunities and the home side were unfortunate to go into the break still trailing to their opponents. A flurry of chances came their way as the interval approached with Jack Woolley firing wide and Derryn Ofori denied by that man Nixon once again.
Altrincham came out in the second half with a point to prove, and searched valiantly for a precious equaliser. Woolley missed a gilt-edged opportunity just after the break and Nixon then produced a couple of outstanding saves to preserve his side’s lead. With the game becoming stretched, Darlington were looking increasingly likely to further their lead...
The home side were understandably deflated by the concession of a second goal, and the third came with an air of inevitability about it... It was left to Robson to hammer the final nail into Altrincham’s Youth Cup coffin with a composed finish through the legs of Adam Reid in the Altrincham goal".
And the Quakers themselves add that "Head of youth Craig Liddle, who is also currently in caretaker charge of Darlington's senior team, said, 'We didn't get going at all in the first half but still went in one up against the run of play. The second half was much improved and was comfortable in the end but credit to Altrincham, who gave us a real test in the first half".
In pouring rain, Alty line up before the game. A better image, by official photographer Gavin Rathbone, will appear in due course. In the meantime we see
Despite being the better side for an hour of the game, Altrincham paid the price for failing to take their chances when Darlington overcame them 3-0 at a rain-swept Moss Lane, tonight. Report to follow
The FA has a preview of tonight's Youth Cup tie. It says, "Altrincham manager George Heslop is hoping for an improved performance from his players in tonight’s FA Youth Cup Third Round Qualifying clash at Moss Lane. Since overcoming Lancaster City on penalties in the previous round, Heslop has seen his side slump to two consecutive defeats, and the boss thinks that the players may have paid the price for having more than one eye on this evening’s game.
'We have been well off the boil since the last round and that has been disappointing. I have been trying to convince them that anyone who I felt was not giving 100 per cent wouldn’t play tonight. However, it is human nature to be excited for a big game and, of course, there is also that fear of getting injured, too'.
Altrincham’s hopes have suffered a major setback in the build-up to the game as they look to cope with the loss of explosive striker Duncan Watmore, who is away in India on a school trip, and the manager has been forced to draft in some replacements.
'I think there will be three changes from the 16 that featured against Lancaster. We are bringing in Jack Woolley and Dominic Taylor and we also have Ryan Barry back from injury in midfield. [He] was heartbroken to miss the last round so that is a big boost for us'.
Meanwhile, Heslop has been doing his homework on the visitors and, having watched a DVD of Darlington’s game against York earlier on this season, the manager feels that his opponents' physicality may prove to be a decisive factor but is counting on his own side’s technical prowess to make the difference.
'They are a big, strong side, which plays a lot of direct football. It’s going to be a tough battle against a full-time outfit that play in the Football League Youth Alliance, which is a level up from the league that we play in. However, if we are playing at our best, we can get a result. I will always back my boys from a technical point of view. My two lads in the centre of midfield are quite small but they are technically excellent and when they are bigger and stronger, they will be top, top players.
'We have some plans to try and overcome the physical threat posed by Darlington. I have been juggling around with some different formations and hopefully we will get it right'. Should Heslop oversee a momentous victory, Altrincham will have the opportunity to host Sheffield FC in the First Round Proper".
All four goals were special and deserved. Dylan Glass linked with Oliver Wells on the right flank to provide Ben McWilliams with an opportunity at the near post. McWilliams got across the front of the defender and guided the ball in at the near post for 1-0.
Rob Winrow broke from defence and played in Ben McWilliams making ground down the right. McWilliams then curled a lovely ball over the centre-back's head to give Dylan Glass a difficult chance which he met at waist height and stabbed past the imposing keeper for 2-0.
The third goal started on the left wing where Glass kept possession well then flashed a ball across the box which McWilliams was beaten to by Ben Hamilton at the heart of the Robins' defence. The ball fell to the home side's Sam Grimshaw at left-back whose first-time clearance was intercepted by the advancing Josh Kavanagh. Kavanagh passed inside to Ben Clarke whose first touch played in the influential Winrow who, in turn, fed a lovely pass back into the path of the busy Josh Kavanagh who turned Altrincham's Hamilton one way and then the other before crossing for the waiting Dylan Glass to strike right-footed for 3-0.
Late on in the second half, Kavanagh created an opportunity for Scott Bakkor with a beautifully weighted through ball. Bakkor chipped the keeper delightfully and ran on to score from a very tight angle and wrap up the game 4-0 in Warrington's favour.
Line-up: Gordon, Kavanagh, Cook, Emson, Chambers (Everson 79), Wells, Clarke (Owens 61), Winrow, McWilliams (O'Hanlon 75), Glass, Bakkor.
Goals: McWilliams, Glass, Glass, Bakkor"
The youth team's opponents on Tuesday are Darlington, who report that "Darlington's Under-18s beat Bradford City at home on Saturday... Boss Craig Liddle said, 'The lads dominated for the entire game and hit the woodwork on five separate occasions. Credit to the lads as they conceded the equaliser right on half-time but they showed great belief in the way we try to play by continuing to pass the ball and got their rewards late in the game'". Darlo go to Altrincham in the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night before a League Cup tie at home to Hartlepool United next Saturday".
Brian Flynn writes...
"Radio Robins will be providing a live internet commentary of the whole of Tuesday night's FA Youth Cup Third Round Qualifying game between Altrincham Youth and Darlington Youth. You can access Radio Robins on the internet here
Once you have accessed the Radio Robins webpage, choose from the list of player options (the icons are about half way down the screen) and open your preferred player. We are planning to have a pre-match interview with George Heslop, broadcasting from 7.15pm with the match commentary starting at 7.40pm. The commentary team is Paul Salt and Brian Flynn with the match summariser being Gareth Thomas.
We haven't got a Match Commentary sponsor at present, but sponsorship is available for £15.For further details, please email Brian Flynn".
'There isn’t a youth team striker ready for the first team', he admitted. 'They won again the other day. They have good midfield players but the strikers are young lads who we can’t call on yet'.
Goalscorers have emerged from the youth ranks over the last few seasons. Curtis Main is currently with Boro, while Michael Smith was this summer sold to Charlton for an initial £75,000. So while the youth team - coached by Craig Liddle - is boosting the club, there is no short term fix at present".
'It was an excellent performance by the boys', said Under-18s' boss, Craig Liddle. 'We played some excellent football at times and only thing missing again was our finishing'...
Darlo's league campaign continues at home to Notts County tomorrow afternoon - 2pm at Houghall College in Durham, which is a re-arranged fixture, followed by Bradford at home this Saturday, then Altrincham in the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup next Tuesday night".
Right: Joe Coombs heads clear against Runcorn.
Altrincham FC Youth, playing as the Altrincham and District FA Youth team but lacking several regulars, went down 1-3 to Runcorn & District FA on Sunday afternoon at Trafford FC in the Cheshire County FA District Cup. Nevertheless, Alty can still reach the final if they win their final group-stage game at home to Macclesfield next month. A match report on Sunday's game is here.
Liddle said:, 'I was disappointed with the performance as we failed to play at the tempo required for these sort of games. Chester-le-Street are a young side and they defended in numbers and made it difficult for us, and they can take great credit as they were outstanding on the night'".
Darlington play in the Football League Youth Alliance Under-18s, North-East. So far this season, their results are:
The FA report "Altrincham through after penalty shoot-out drama. Altrincham 2-2 Lancaster City (Altrincham win 4-3 on pens)...
Altrincham progressed into the Third Round Qualifying of The FA Youth Cup after emerging victorious from a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Lancaster City. With the two sides locked at 2-2 after extra-time, it was left to Altrincham midfielder Oliver Riley to keep his cool to slot in the decisive spot kick.
It was Riley who had opened the scoring but Lancaster drew level moments before half-time through the impressive Joe Bunney. Duncan Watmore restored Altrincham’s lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half only for the visitors' Sam Hibbert to head a last gasp equaliser to set up the shootout.
In the pouring rain at Moss Lane, it was Lancaster who had most of the early possession... The breakthrough came on the half hour mark with Riley arriving on cue to convert Watmore’s cross... The richly deserved equaliser arrived in the 42nd minute with Bunney capitalising on Altrincham’s failure to deal with a Cunningham corner. Altrincham regained control of the game around the hour mark, with Sam Grimshaw’s 40-yard howitzer forcing Bitner into another outstanding save. Left-back Grimshaw was growing in influence with several rampaging runs forward and it was one of these ventures into the Lancaster penalty area that drew Jack Hindle into a mistimed challenge and referee Taylor had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Watmore duly converted and Altrincham seemed set for victory...
Gaps inevitably began to appear at the back with Altrincham squandering a series of opportunities to make the game safe on the counter attack. In the 89th minute, Redmond McGuire skewed an effort wide when one on one with Bitner and there was a sense around the stadium that it was a miss which [might] just come back to haunt the hosts. And it did. In the third minute of injury time, Bunney’s cross was headed in by centre back Sam Hibbert to take the game into extra time.
Lancaster manager Phil Brown took heart from the character that his players showed in coming from behind, claiming that his side were very unfortunate to be on the losing side. 'If I’m being truly honest, I believe that we shaded the game and I think that if we would have found the equaliser a little earlier, we would have gone on to win that game. We are very proud of the lads, to go away from home and come back like they did is fantastic'.
Both sides toiled hard in extra time but with conditions worsening and tiredness becoming a factor, the match was played at a much slower pace with clear cut chances few and far between. And then came the penalties. Altrincham boss George Heslop was understandably delighted with the victory".
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Alty Youth defeated Lancaster City in the FA Youth Cup at Moss Lane last night, 4-3 on penalties, after extra time. The game had ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, with City equalizing in injury time. Report here. Alty now meet Darlington Youth in week commencing 17 October at Moss Lane.
Above left, the calm before the storm, as the players greet the match officials and opposition. Above right, rain lashes down under the Moss Lane floodlights.
In the NWYA's "FairPlay League, Fair-Play League winners obtain free entry to the NWYA League for the following season. Teams averaging less than 2 points per match obtain 50% reduction in fees for the following season. Teams exceeding 40 discipline points in League matches are deducted 1 League point. Teams exceeding 70 discipline points in League matches are deducted 4 League points. Teams exceeding 100 discipline points in League matches are deducted 10 League points".
In the Fair-Play League - to 25/9/11 - Altrincham FC Youth have collected 20 pts from 6 games, 3.3 per match.
However, Altrincham FC first team leads the BSB North fair-play tables, despite suffering two red cards this season.
Don't forget Alty Youth entertain Lancaster City in the FA Youth Cup at Moss Lane this Thursday (7.45pm). Please come along and support them - entry is just £3 for adults, £2 for concessionaries. The winners of that tie will play at home to either Chester-Le-Street Town or Darlington in the following round. As manager George Heslop says, "Please come and support us on Thursday. We will do our utmost to bring the smiles back" following the first-team's FA Cup exit last Saturday.
Altrincham FC Youth comprised the Altrincham & District FA Youth side which, on Sunday, beat Crewe & District, 2-1, in the Cheshire County FA District Cup, away at Wrenbury. After two away games Alty are top of their group, (contrary to what appeared earlier today on the CCFA website), with Runcorn & District two points behind. Altrincham's remaining games are both at home which, for these CCFA matches, is Trafford FC's Shawe View stadium.
In the other group, Chester have maximum points from their two games, with Mid-Cheshire and Stockport each having three points from their matches.
Altrincham FC Youth team play in the Neil Thomason Cup next Sunday (9th, 2pm), at Clay Lane, Timperley, against Warrington Town. Neil Thomason was was George Heslop's popular assistant manager who, with George, guided the side to the NWYA league and cup double in 2000-01 and again in 2003-04. Left, George and Neil are seen with the 2004 trophies. Neil resigned in summer 2005 and very sadly died whilst on holiday, abroad, soon afterwards. Entry to the game is free.
Before that, at Moss Lane, on Thursday night (7.45pm), Alty Youth entertain Lancaster City Youth in the FA Youth Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. Entry is just £3 for adults and £2 for concessionaries. The winners of that tie will play at home to either Chester-Le-Street Town or Darlington in the following round, As manager George Heslop says, "Please come and support us on Thursday. We will do our utmost to bring the smiles back" following the first-team's FA Cup exit last Saturday.
In Alty's CCFA District Cup group, Runcorn beat Crewe 6-1, so lead the table on goal difference from Altrincham, who take on Crewe this Sunday at Wrenbury Playing Fields.
Right: Ryan Barry and Declan Barry in action in a recent game against Morecambe. Nathan Gray is in the background.
Altrincham & District FA's DIstrict Cup match, away against Crewe & District, is now confirmed as taking place on Sunday 2nd October. Crewe had reported difficulties in finding a piutch but have now done so. Therefore the NWYA league match against Warrington Town on that date is postponed.
The NWYA also reports that "Woodley Sports FC [is] suspended from 19th September until further notice from all competitions". Alty Youth team is set to play Woodley on 20 November in the league.
Two more players from Altrincham FC Youth have been called up to join the Cheshire FA County squad, bringing the number to ten. The latest duo are midfielder Ryan Barry and striker Derryn Ofori.
Alty Youth have recently welcomed Anthony Small as assistant coach. He has joined manager George Heslop and coach Josh Collins in the youth team dug-out.
The FA Youth Cup match at Moss Lane against Lancaster will be in w/c October 3rd; the date and time are to be confirmed.
Alty Youth's opponents in the next round of the FA Youth Cup will be Lancaster City, who beat Vauxhall Motors, away, 1-0, last night. The game is in a fortnight's time at Moss Lane with the precise date yet to be arranged.
The FA ran a special rpeort on the game which includes...
"The FA Youth Cup produced a stunning early round encounter in the Cheshire suburbs as Altrincham overcame Runcorn Linnets in an enthralling, high-scoring clash at the Millbank Linnets Stadium. Altrincham produced a stunning display of attacking football, inspired by the electric performance of striker Duncan Watmore.
The favourites flew out of traps, laying siege to the Runcorn goal. Within two minutes, central defender Ben Hamilton had released Watmore with a piercing through ball and the forward was only denied by the smart reflexes of the Linnets' goalkeeper, Ryan Mayers.
With the early play being dictated by the Altrincham midfield duo of Ryan Barry and Oliver Riley, the away side came close again through Declan Barry who fired narrowly over from distance. Wave after wave of intolerable pressure came at the Runcorn defence and it was only the wayward finishing of their opponents that allowed the hosts to keep their heads above water.
Altrincham smelt blood, and they wouldn’t have to wait long before deservedly taking the lead. Derryn Offoro [Ofori] took a quick throw-in, releasing Riley, who had smartly ran [run] in behind the Runcorn defence and he supplied the perfect delivery for winger Declan Barry who arrived at the near post to fire his side into the lead...
After the game, Nolan expressed his disappointment in the first half performance but was understandably proud of his side’s response, saying, 'We started poorly and were overrun, they had pace that we simply couldn’t handle. Maybe our players froze a little bit in the limelight. At half time, I challenged them to show me what they think of themselves as players and how they feel as a club and I am so pleased with their response. With that second half performance, the players have set a standard which we now must reach every week'".
Declan Barry scored again from a Watmore feed in the 27th minute and when an Ollie Riley corner was turned into his own net by a Linnets defender it looked to be all over, with a 4-1 lead established by Alty (42 mins).
But, after Tansinda had been booked for handball on the edge of the box, Hesketh drove home the resulting freekick (47 mins). Less than a minute later Collins made it 4-3 and, in the 51st minute, Collins hooked home a ball delivered from a freekick to make it three Runcorn goals in six minutes and a 4-4 scoreline.
But Liam Rutledge restored Alty's lead with a well taken goal after good work from Tansinda and Ofori (53 mins). After this frantic burst of scoring, it was 25 minutes before the next goal arrived, when Collins completed his hat-trick for the Linnets in the 78th minute, to make it 5-5.
After this, Duncan Watmore volleyed home, after an excellent run and cross from Ofori (82 mins) and, finally, Ofori deservedly scored one himself in the 85th minute to complete the scoring at 5-7! Report to follow.
Alty now meet the winners of Vauxhall Motors v Lancaster City in a fortnight, at Moss Lane.
Linnets to test themselves against Altrincham.
Runcorn Linnets’ Youth Team manager Tony Nolan is in good spirits ahead of his side’s FA Youth Cup First Round Qualifying clash against Altrincham on Thursday evening.
With a youth team that was established just one year ago, it would represent an extraordinary achievement should Nolan steer the Linnets into the second stage of England’s elite youth competition. Any success that Runcorn are able to secure would be, in no small part, down to the invaluable contribution of the team’s UEFA B licensed coach, Gareth Burke, who the manager says has been instrumental in the development of the youth set-up in the last twelve months.
Ahead of the game at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, the Runcorn manager highlighted the novelty of the experience for many of his players and, although they are dreaming of a date with a Football League youth team in the next [but one] round, Nolan is conscious of the level of opposition that his side will be facing and was full of respect for the work being done by his Altrincham counterparts.
'The lads are all hugely excited at the prospect of just playing Altrincham! I am very aware that the infrastructure at Altrincham is vastly superior to our own, but this will be a good test for our guys and hopefully it will give us an idea of the level that we are at this moment in time and to see what we should be aiming for'.
Right: Alty Youth get their pre-match instructions from coach, Josh Collins, before their game at Runcorn Linnets.
Nolan stressed the positive effect that success in this competition could have on the club as a whole, stating that it would be just-reward for the commitment and dedication from those involved in the day-to-day running of this fast-growing club.
'The club has been brilliant for me, from the secretary, who has been excellent with the administration, to the first team manager, who has been down to watch us a few times. It’s a learning curve for the club committee, for me, for the players and it would be a fantastic lift for the supporters should we get the right result'.
If the Youth Cup qualifying stage is a new experience for Runcorn, the same can’t be said for their opponents and their vastly experienced manager George Heslop. Although it may no longer be a novelty for Altrincham, Heslop insists that the same excitement always surrounds the prospect of advancing through to the next stage of the competition.
'For these players, no matter where they end up, it would be one of the best things to happen to them in their whole playing career, should they be able to test themselves against the best teams. Of course, it would be a dream to play Manchester United, but I would love to have another go against one of the Football League youth set-ups'.
Altrincham have, on occasion, flirted with progressing further in the competition. It was Heslop who led out the Altrincham youth team at Oakwell against Barnsley in the First Round Proper in 1998 [actually it was in October 2003], and although they were defeated 2-0 [it was 4-0], the manager describes it as ‘one of the best experiences [he has] had in [his] time involved with football'.
That defeat at Oakwell was the last time Altrincham were involved in such an advanced stage of the tournament, emphasising just how frustrating an odyssey that The Youth Cup can be for non-League sides. Yet Heslop believes that this year’s group represents the most impressive Altrincham youth side for many a year and has a real chance of progressing beyond the qualifying stages.
'This season we have one of the strongest youth sides in last 16 years, we had the one defeat at Curzon Ashton, which is always a difficult game but apart from that we have been playing exceptionally well and scoring a lot of goals. When you think about it, four of the lads, Matt Fearon, Adam Reid, Joe Coombes (who has been on the bench for first team) and Jake Barnabas have all been taken for training with the first team such has been their tremendous start to the season and it’s not just them. Eight of the eleven are in the Cheshire county FA team. That shows just how strong this team is'".
Above: Sam Grimshaw, wearing the yellow captain's armband, wheels away after scoring Alty's equalizer in the fourth minute of added time against Mossley.
Altrincham Youth went out of the NWYA Open Cup in a hard fought game between two well-matched sides at Clay Lane. An Alty side, missing several regulars, lost 2-1 to Mossley, the winner arriving deep into injury time in the 117th minute. There is a match report here.
The home team then went into a 5-2 lead as Morecambe tried to push on. The game looked over with 20 minutes to go but the young Morecambe team continued to push on and were rewarded with a penalty when the impressive Christian Suthers was brought down in the penalty box with five minutes to go. Liam Wainright scored from the spot and made it 5-3".
And, in each case, the Alty side has had to come from behind to secure their win. Goals from Declan Barry, Matt Fearon, Sam Grimshaw, Oliver Riley and Jack Martiny-Schofield won the match today against Morecambe, which was only marred by the sending off of Oliver Riley in added time for two dissent offences.
Alty added a fifth goal after the interval through Jack Martiny-Schofield (62 mins). Altrincham will be now be away to Runcorn Linnets in the 1st Qualifying Round in a fortnight's time.
Right: Alty line up a defensive wall against Nantwich.
On Wednesday, 7 September, Altrincham start their FA Youth Cup campaign away at Nantwich Town's Weaver Stadium, CW5 5BS, k.o. 7.45pm.
Right: Duncan Watmore (no.10) is congtratulated after scoring Altrincham Youth's late winner.
In a pulsating match against FC United of Manchester, played in very blustery conditions at Clay Lane, Timperley, the lead changed hands three times and, of four penalties taken, only one was converted.
Above, Alty Youth receive a half-time talk from manager George Heslop whilst, in the background, coach Josh Collins massages the back of the injured Declan Barry.
Altrincham FC Youth got their league season off to a very impressive start with a fine 3-0 win over Chester FC Youth at the Robins' new home on Clay Lane, Timperley. Oliver Riley's two goals complemented Jack Martiny-Schofield's headed opener in a 3-0 win against a team which had recently beaten Tranmere Rovers' youth team. A match report and picture is here.
Altrincham play Vauxhall Motors the week after next and This is Glos reports that "Gloucester City got off to a flying start in the opening fixture of their Blue Square North campaign with a deserved victory over Vauxhall Motors" on Saturday. "City nullified Vauxhall's short passing game from the first whistle and the Motormen were given nightmares by the pace of Steve Davies up front and a relentless and dogged display from Tom Webb in midfield and from the centre backs Hamblin and Coupe. But the real star of the show was the outstanding Hereford loanee Tyler Weir, bossing the show from left-back and setting up multiple City attacks...
Vauxhall Motors: S Tynan, K Grocott (T Hanningan 74), L Davies, S Highdale (T Field 55 YC) , M Jackson, A Taylor, S Wheeler (L Nethercote 64), D Mannix, L McGivern, J Wilson, C Mahon. Subs: T Hanningan, J Bennet, J O'Connell".
Congratulations go to three of Altrincham's current youth team players, who have signed Conference North forms. They are:
All three have been involved with the first team throughout pre-season, though Adam Reid has yet to appear in a first-team game. All three were in the youth team squad last season and are still eligible for the under-18 NW Youth Alliance league this season. Matt and Joe were in the Alty team which contested the Cheshire Senior Cup Final last season at Nantwich whilst Joe was also on the bench for Clitheroe on Saturday as Alty seek to give him more match experience in a competitive senior league.
Right: Goalkeeper Adam Reid and youth team captain, Matt Fearon.
On Monday 1st August the following players have been invited to attend the Cheshire County F.A. Youth Team Squad training session. They are Jake Barnabas, Joseph Coombs, Matthew Fearon, Adam Reid, Duncan Watmore and Sam Grimshaw".
Altrincham FC Youth overcame some dreadful weather to beat Congleton Town Youth 3-1 in a pre-season friendly this afternoon. Duncan Watmore (above) scored twice and Ryan Barry scored the third. There is a match report here.
The next pre-season match is a week on Sunday (31st) away to AFC Bury at Cams Lane Sports Club, off Harper Fold Road, Radcliffe, Manchester M26 3GN, k.o. 2.30 p.m.
Right: Yesterday, several of Alty Youth's team from last year played in the first-team match against a Manchester City XI which included Craig Bellamy and Michael Johnson. Here, Jake Barnabas, James Smart, Astley Mulholland (an Alty Youth player from a few years ago) and Sam Langford make up the four-man wall against a Manchester City freekick, being lined up by Kieran Trippier, who played 35 first-team games for Championship side Barnsley last season. Joe Coombs was also involved in the game at Moss Lane.
Preliminary Round, w/c 5/9/11
1st Round Qualifying, w/c 19/9/11
2nd Round Qualifying, w/c 3/10/11
Sun. 14/8/11
Sun. 21/8/11
Tue. 23/8/11
Sun. 28/8/11
Wed. 1/9/11
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Unfortunately, Sunday's Altrincham FC youth team trial match between two teams of prospective squad members for 2011-12 was truncated by an injury to one of the players. Midfielder, Jamie McLellan, who had only joined the game at the start of the second of three planned periods of thirty minutes' play, suffered a dislocated knee 18 minutes into the second period. Play was halted whilst an ambulance was called and with twenty minutes or so passing before this arrived, the game was abandoned. All at Altrincham FC wish Janie a speedy recovery from his injury. A brief match report is here.
Above is shown some action from the game.
Trial matches at Blessed Thomas Holford School, on Sunday 26th June & Sunday 3rd July:
Friendlies:
Cheshire County F.A. District Youth Challenge Cup League 1 Matches (venues & kick-offs to be confirmed):
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from Grahame Rowley and George Heslop |
award from Mr and Mrs Black, James's parents |
Runner-up award from Director, Andrew Shaw |
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an award on behalf of the players' parents |
from the players' parents |
as third-placed Players' Player of the Year |
The 2010-11 season had been marred by player injuries and a long weather-induced winter break. However, the youth team manager took heart from the fact that the team, towards the end of the season, had included as many as 12 players in the 16-man squads who were young enough to be eligible for the under-18s league next season. Indeed, in the game at Morecambe, the central midfield's combined ages were just 31 years! George also highlighted the excellent performances and conduct of all those youth team players who had either trained or played with the first team, not least in the Cheshire Senior Cup Final.
The Players' Player of the Year award went to goalkeeper Adam Reid, with James Smart the runner-up and Matt Fearon third. The James Black memorial trophy for the manager's player of the year went to Adam Reid, too. This handsome trophy was presented by Mr and Mrs Black and it commemorates their late son, James, who was a much loved figure at Moss Lane, where he was a an ardent supporter before his untimely early death.
George also paid tribute to his coaching team of Gareth Thomas, Josh Collins and Richard Williams. He also recorded his gratitude to Tony Spilsbury who had resigned as coach early in the season after several years dedicated service. Having also thanked the players' parents for their support for their sons, George Smart, on behalf of the parents, made a short speech during which he made a presentation to Jenny Heslop, for her help and her hard work in laundering the team kit every week. He also paid tribute to George and his coaching team.
Chairman Grahame Rowley also thanked everyone associated with the youth team for their efforts over the season and he pointed out that new manager Le Sinnott had already invited a number of the team to pre-season training. Grahame also pointed out that relegation meant that the youth team had a better chance of making an impact at first-team level than had been the case over recent years.
Click here for earlier YOUTH TEAM NEWS
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