Altrincham F.C. Youth Team: Match Report.
EUXTON VILLA (2) 2 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH (4) 9
NW Youth Alliance Under-18s League Match played at the Jim Fowler Field, Euxton, on Sunday 16th September, 2001.
This report is based on information kindly provided by George Heslop.
Following their fine Youth Cup win last week, Alty made just one change of personnel, introducing Manchester County centre-back Steven McGrath alongside Vernum Rowland (seen, left), with Richard Smith moving to the bench. Altrincham won the corresponding match last season 10-0 and Euxton sought to limit the damage this time by using a narrower pitch, a choice which forced the Alty manager George Heslop to alter his line-up shortly before kick-off.
The change in formation soon paid off as Mark Drew opened the scoring after 12 minutes before Lee Shillito doubled the lead just after the half-hour (31 mins). Euxton got back in the game when some pushing in the box gained them a penalty. Although Jordan Broxson almost kept out the spot-kick, Euxton scored.
Alty captain Paul Tilley then added a third for the visitors with a left-foot shot (37 mins) but Euxton got a second from a header after a dubious corner had been awarded to them (40 mins). However, Lee Thompson sent Alty in at the interval with a two goal lead when he scored his side's fourth (43 mins). At half-time the Alty management apparently made clear its unhappiness at conceding two goals!
| HALF-TIME: EUXTON VILLA 2 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 4 |
The second half performance was much improved and Alty made a change with Steve Lunt coming on after 59 minutes for Mark Drew. A minute later Lee Shillito netted his second before Richard Smith came on for Domain Esdale (65 mins). The goal of the game came after 69 minutes when Lee McDonald started a run in his own half. As he went past man after man, Lee arrived within shooting range and planted the ball into the top corner. George Heslop confessed afterwards that he had been shouting at Lee to pass the ball as he took off on his long run forward! Lee Shillito doubled his personal haul with two more goals inside a minute (72 & 73 mins) to take the tally to 8-2. Lee has now hit seven goals in four matches this season. A minute later Paul Coverley came on for Lee Thompson.
However, Alty were not yet finished and fifteen year-old substitute Stephen Lunt scored number nine with nine minutes left. This excellent win was achieved with a side including many players new to the Alty set-up this season and in the absence of two of last year's stars, strikers Wes Wilkinson and Mario Daniel. Wes sees a physio later this week whilst Mario is suspended till 1st October. Once again, George Heslop and his coach, Neil Thomason, appear to have the makings of a side which will prove formidable opposition to all the teams that they meet this season.
ALTRINCHAM TEAM: 1. Jordan Broxson, 2. Paul Glynn, 3. Paul Robinson, 4. Vernum Rowland, 5. Steven McGrath, 6. Lee McDonald, 7. Domain Esdale, 8. Paul Tilley (capt.), 9. Lee Thompson, 10. Lee Shillito, 11. Mark Drew, 12. Richard Smith, 14. Paul Coverley, 15. Stephen Lunt, 16. Ian Taylor, 17. Chris Phythian.