SAUL BAGS TREBLE TO SINK ALTY
NORTH WEST YOUTH ALLIANCE PREMIER DIVISION
Sunday 20th November 2011 @ Clay Lane, Timperley

Altrincham u-18

Mossley u-18

(1) 2
(1) 3
Ofori (16, 47)
Henderson (15, 64, 83)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Saul Henderson
1
Adam Reid
1
Nick Howard
2
Alan Tansinda
2
Maximilian Thomas
3
Mark Napier-Hemy
3
Andy McKernon
4
Joe Coombs
4
Ryan McNee
5
Sam Grimshaw (c)
5
Alex Chesters (c)
6
Liam Rutledge
6
Tom Minnock
7
Oliver Riley
7
Kane Joyce
injured (21)
8
Ryan Barry
8
Brian Tottoh
9
Jack Cottrill
9
Saul Henderson
3
10
Derryn Ofori
2
10
Adam Bezzina
11
Duncan Watmore
11
Justin Schall
Subs: Subs:
12
Jon Makela
12
Tom Doyle
for Joyce (21)
14
Redmond McGuire
14
Mitch Wood
not used
15
Josh Palmer
15
16
Declan Barry
16
17
Cody Wharton
 
17
 

 

The youth team started this North West Youth Alliance with several players missing - Jake Hibbs, Prince Amadin and Matthew Singleton injured, whilst Ross Hildersley, Omar McKenzie, Dean Pilkington, Reece McLaughlin and Jack Beswick were all unavailable and 15 mins into the game things got worse for the young Lilywhites when Kane Joyce had to leave the pitch with a knee injury, Tom Doyle replacing him at full back and Andy McKernon moving into midfield to add some physical presence.

Altrincham had started the game full of energy, doing their best to disrupt Mossley's passing game and at times were a little to sharp into the tackle for the referee who cautioned both Oliver Riley on 28 mins for a late tackle on Brian Tottoh and Mark Napier-Hemy for a cynical trip on Adam Bezzina who was clear through which may have been red should the young Mossley striker have been closer the home teams goal.

With the first quarter of the game being pretty even, Mossley began to take a hold on the game and put the home teams goal under pressure which paid off on 31 mins when McKernons clever ball released Saul Henderson, who made no mistake with his finish to put Mossley 1-0 to the good. However the lead lasted less than 2 mins, the ball went out for a Altrincham throw at the edge of the away teams area and from the restart Mossley were guilty of some sloppy defending with the ball breaking to Derryn Ofori who hit a tremendous shot into the roof of the goal from 25 yards out. However, Mossley recovered their composure and with the half drawing to a close, went close with efforts from Henderson and Bezzina.

With just over a minute of the second half played Ryan McNee was dispossessed by Duncan Watmore who immediately released Ofori who made no mistake in doubling his tally to put Altrincham 2-1 up.

The game was now quite intense with several challenges coming in from both teams and on 68 mins Ryan Barry committed one foul to many and found himself in the referees note book. This was quickly followed by Mossley's Doyle for a petty push on Jack Cottrill and Bezzina for kicking out at the home teams skipper Joe Coombs when it appeared he was being fouled.

As the game went into the last quarter the young Lilywhites continued to surge forward looking for an equaliser and on 73 mins the excellent Justin Schall intercepted a loose ball on the halfway line and surged forward evading a cynical tackle from Barry in an attempt to stop him before putting a great ball through to Henderson who finished well from the edge of the area.

Mossley now sensed victory and continued to press the home team and on 79 mins McKernon again won possession in midfield and ran at the centre of the Altrincham defence, drawing defenders to him before releasing Henderson who unleashed a superb curling drive from 30 yards that crashed in off the underside of the bar to seal all 3 points for the Lilywhites.

Although Henderson was undoubtedly Man of the Match, players who take tremendous credit from this victory include Mckernon, Schall and Mossley captain Alex Chesters who was immense at the heart of the defence.

The youth team continue to push up the table and should they win their 2 games in hand on leaders FC Utd will go into second spot, 2 points behind.

Report by Rob Byrne