ALTRINCHAM FC LADIES' TEAM MATCH REPORT

WARRINGTON WOLVERINES 7
ALTRINCHAM FC LADIES 1

Cheshire Women's & Youth League, Division 2
Sunday, 16th March 2014


LINE-UP

Squad - see below


REPORT

Report courtesy of Phil Taylor.

Altrincham Ladies made the comparatively short trip to Warrington to take on a Wolverines side actively pursuing Crewe at the top of the table.

We had played Warrington twice in the League this season, the first being a narrow home defeat and the second game having been abandoned due to pitch conditions. This was the second attempt to play that fixture. A variety of reasons meant that Rachel, Hannah, Sarah, Brogan and Cyprus were unavailable. Louise however was once again available for selection as was Beth who returned to the squad after four months out with injury.

Altrincham once again lined up in their now customary flexible formation, which alternated between 3-1-4-2 and 4-4-2 depending on which team had possession with a back three of, Caroline, Louise and Sam Briggs in front of Lizzie in goal. Chloe occupied a position just in front of the three, dropping in to make it four when Alty were defending.

Natalie, Aimee, Gail and Heather made up the midfield four and Tracey was joined, up front by Cloe. Subs were Becci, Sue, Hayley, Tallulah and a welcome return from injury for Beth.

Altrincham kicked off into a gusty wind and soon found themselves under early pressure. On nine minutes, however, Altrincham won a corner, which was taken by Aimee. The Warrington keeper misjudged the flight of the ball which would have crossed the line, had it not been for a fine headed clearance.

Referee Mr Law, who will have better afternoons, seemed very keen on penalising any contact between players in what at times seemed to a quite arbitrary manner, awarded a free kick to Warrington in the seventeenth minute. This was taken quickly, before the Altrincham players had chance to organise and a good crisp finish gave Warrington a 1-0 lead.

Despite playing against what was clearly a very good and well organised side, Alty continued to try to press and the Warrington custodian was called into action on twenty five minutes, making a smart save from Tracey.

Warrington, as in our previous meetings were incisive down both flanks and increased their lead after twenty five minutes, a ball down the left was not cleared and from the subsequent pull back the chance was clinically finished.

To their credit, and despite being under considerable pressure for the majority of the time, Alty did still attempt to regain a foothold. On twenty six minutes a through ball was struck just a little too firmly and the onrushing Cloe was just beaten to the ball by the alert Warrington goalie.

Warrington, clearly the better side on the day, pressed forward almost incessantly and it took some unorthodox yet effective defending at times to keep them at bay.

When the opportunities presented however Altrincham, showing admirable commitment, continued to try to fashion chances. On thirty=nine minutes persistence by Heather and Aimee presented Tracey with a chance which went just wide.

On forty-three minutes Lizzie who had been tidy and efficient in her handling and had on more than one occasion come out well to clear, produced an excellent save to thwart a Warrington attacker.

The pressure being applied, however, was bound to tell and on forty-five minutes a ball over the top and through the middle was accurately lifted over Lizzie as she tried to narrow the angle to make the score 3-0 to Warrington.

During the build up to this goal it became apparent that Chloe had again fallen victim to her thigh injury and she was replaced by Tallulah. Before she could get involved in the game the half time whistle went with Warrington holding a 3-0 interval lead.

Despite a number of attempts at goal and some resolute defence, it had been a disappointing half for Altrincham and Keith expressed this to the players.

It seemed that Warrington were always first to any loose ball and that despite their best efforts the Alty players were struggling to find an answer.


Half-Time: WARRINGTON WOLVERINES 3
ALTRINCHAM FC LADIES 0

With some words of encouragement as well as a few fleas in ears the Ladies went out for the second half. Having kicked off the second half Warrington were soon, once again applying pressure and it took some more focussed defending to keep them out.

The pressure though was incessant and when, on fifty five minutes, this pressure allowed Warrington to win possession high up the field, a smart left footed shot into the top corner extended the lead to 4-0.

Things got worse just a minute later. A corner from the left could not be cleared and following a short period of pin ball it was headed over Lizzie and into the net 5-0 with still over half an hour to go.

On fifty-eight minutes, having suffered an injury to her arm, Lizzie was forced off the field. Beth entering the fray to replace her although clearly in an unfamiliar position.

Warrington at this point could sense blood as it seemed, for a time, to become an exercise in damage limitation for Alty. On sixty=one minutes, following another arguably soft free kick award, Warrington lobbed the ball goalwards. Beth touched it onto the bar but, unfortunately it came back, down, struck Beth and went into the net making the score 6-0.

Sue, who had replaced Natalie at half time was then forced to leave the field having taken a blow to her ankle. She was replaced by Becci. It is to the credit of the Altrincham players that, despite being beaten by what was clearly a better side, they continued to battle and, in fact, to play some good football in patches.

On seventy=three minutes though, following a ball through to the striker, a good turn and shot saw the ball nestle in the corner of the Alty net. Still the ladies worked hard and tried to make chances when they could relieve the pressure under which they found themselves almost continuously.

On eighty-three minutes Alty got a reward for their efforts when, following what looked an innocuous challenge, Mr Law pointed to the penalty spot.

Altrincham have been awarded two previous penalties this season, both having been saved and the rebound finished. On this occasion Cloe stepped forward and confidently finished, driving the ball wide of the Warrington goalkeeper.

A further seven minutes or so of defending by the Alty team followed before the final whistle with the final score Warrington Wolverines 7 Altrincham FC Ladies 1

It had been a disappointing afternoon for the players and management and there were parts of the performance which will need to be addressed in training.

However it must be acknowledged that Warrington is, quite probably, the best team in Division 2. No other team in the League this season having so effectively dismantled the Altrincham team or controlled the game against us so efficiently or comprehensively.

This was a team better than both the Division one sides the Ladies have beaten on their way to the Cup Final.

Next week gives Alty a chance to put things right when we visit Heswall on Sunday, Kick Off, as usual 2.00pm.


Full-Time: WARRINGTON WOLVERINES 7
ALTRINCHAM FC LADIES 1