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ALTRINCHAM FC LADIES: Lucy O’Dwyer, Lucy Smith, Louise Edleston, Bliss Molyneaux, Kye Brown, Jess Hartopp, Gail Simpson, Laura Dodds, Brogan Walsh, Kate Bryan, Liss Taylor. Subs: Lizzie Brereton, Alisha Palmer & Danni Bezzina.

REPORT

Report courtesy of Heather Scott, via Phil Taylor.

Altrincham welcomed Ellesmere Port Town to Mersey Valley for a Cheshire County FA Ladies Cup Quarter Final.

Port had inflicted a fairly heavy defeat on Altrincham in the first game of the season and this was sure to be a challenging game between two teams both of whom like to get the ball down and pass. Altrincham employed a 4-4-2 formation, Lucy O behind a back four of Lucy S, Louise, Bliss and Kye with Jess, Gail, debutant Laura and Brogan across the middle of the park. Liss and Kate once again were entrusted with attacking responsibilities.

Ellesmere Port kicked the game off and soon began to apply some pressure to the hosts. This was however quite easily dealt with, showing the progress made by Altrincham over the season to date. Having regained possession, Alty released Brogan down the left but her cross was well claimed by the visiting custodian.

The work done on defensive organisation proved its worth on four minutes as the Alty defenders held an excellent line to catch an Ellesmere Port attacker offside. Sadly though the Alty resistance would soon be broken. An attempted pass by Gail was intercepted by an opponent and, despite racing off her line to close down, Lucy was unable to prevent a neat finish ending up in the net.

In spite of going behind so early in the piece, Altrincham continued to try to play their passing football, attacking down both flanks but unable, often enough, to beat the first defender with their delivery. Laura and Gail were competing superbly in the centre of midfield and, having won possession, played Kye in down the left but, once again, the end product was unable to be delivered.

On fourteen minutes Laura attempted a precise ball, bisecting centre back and full back for Jess to run onto. Unfortunately though the ball picked up speed and ran to safety. A minute later and it was Gail’s turn to produce an incisive ball. This one was picked up by Jess but her shot passed narrowly over the bar.

The two Alty flank players were now beginning to have some joy and when Jess got to the bye line and delivered a cross into the area it was unlucky that nobody could get on the end of it. Play was however switching from end to end and, in the twentieth minute Ellesmere Port extended their lead when, following a throw in, the ball was hung up to the back post where it was tucked away.

On twenty three minutes Lucy O was called into action, saving an Ellesmere Port free kick. A brief scramble followed before the ball was driven over the home goal. Just shy of the half hour another excellently held line resulted in a visiting striker being caught well offside.

Immediately after this, Alty attacked down the left and when the ball reached Kate she tried to deliver it into the area. Once again though the Port defender was well placed to block the effort. From the resulting corner Kate played the ball toward goal but, yet again the Ellesmere Port defence prevented the danger.

Play had, on the whole been quite even, although obviously the visitors had shown more efficiency in front of goal and this was the case again on thirty five minutes. The ball took a bounce which favoured the visitors and, despite the best efforts of Lucy S who got a toe to it, it crossed the line to give Ellesmere Port what some observers considered a somewhat flattering lead.

To their credit the Altrincham players did not allow their heads to drop and their insistence on sticking to their principles finally paid off on forty three minutes. Laura fed Jess down the Alty right and, when she delivered her cross it was clearly handled by a Port defender... as clear a penalty as you will see. Laura took responsibility and clinically buried the spot kick to register her first goal for the club on her first appearance.

Half time came with Ellesmere Port holding a 3-1 lead.

Keith and his management team, whilst clearly disappointed with the score, were quite optimistic as for long periods of the half, Altrincham had given as good as they got. Stressing the importance of the next goal Keith sent the players back out for the second half.

Since taking over the No 1 shirt following Lizzie's unfortunate injury earlier in the season Lucy has proved herself a more than capable goalkeeper and posed Lizzie a challenge to regain the shirt. As Lucy will be missing for a couple of games in March the decision was made to give Lizzie some game time as part of her recuperation.

Altrincham kicked off the second half and immediately put pressure on the visitors. Brogan made good progress down the left having won possession following a Port Goal Kick. She delivered a teasing cross but there was nobody there to complete the move. Just short of the hour the increasingly influential Laura took on a shot from well outside the area which was touched onto the post by the scrambling Ellesmere Port goalie.

A further two minutes had elapsed when Danni replaced Brogan who had again repeatedly penetrated down the left. On sixty four minutes the deficit was halved. Gail won possession deep in the Altrincham half before linking with Laura and Kate. The ball found its way back to Laura who lifted the ball over the visiting keeper to register both her and the team's second goal.

Five minutes after this, a ball was played down the Alty left. The consequent strike being well held by Lizzie at her near post. Shortly afterwards, Kye strode purposefully forward before delivering a ball into a dangerous area. Liss sadly though was unable to get it out of her feet and the chance was lost. Lizzie again handled safely on eighty minutes from another Ellesmere Port free kick.

Danni was working industriously down the left and, having been released by Kye, she wriggled her way along the bye line, eventually winning a corner. Kate again took the corner but it cleared everyone.

At this point Gail, who had, as per usual, covered every blade of grass, was replaced by Alisha as Alty pushed for the equaliser. Kate dropped into a position just behind the new striking partnership. In the final minute of normal time Lucy S won possession before moving forward with purpose. She delivered a ball into Liss but the ball was well defended.

Altrincham were now throwing everything at their visitors and in the first minute of added time, the first and only debatable challenge of the game resulted in a free kick for Alty. Lizzie trotted forward to deliver the ball as Alty packed the Port area.

Unfortunately, Lizzie’s standing foot slipped as she struck the ball and the danger was cleared.

The final whistle went shortly after with Ellesmere Port winning out 3-2.

Despite the result though the Altrincham players can have much to be proud of in their performances. A team which had totally outplayed us only a few months previously had been matched for the greater part of the game.