Words Brian Flynn | Pictures Ayush Bhattacharjee

Altrincham FC Women recovered from the disappointment of their Women’s FA Cup exit at the weekend, to produce a sensational victory over Wythenshawe Town Women (formerly Manchester Laces) in a five-goal thrilling encounter at Partington Sports Village.

With Daryll Abrahams’ squad decimated by injuries and holidays, the pre-match omens did not look positive, yet Alty’s young guns produced one of the finest performances in the club’s history to deservedly take all three points and maintain a 100% record in The North West Women’s Regional League, Division One Central.

Following a composed and confident start, Tia Unwin opened the scoring, controlling Matilda Whitehead’s well delivered free kick before netting from about 12 yards with a sensational left foot volley.

Georgia McKnight was denied by a brilliant headed clearance off the line, as Alty looked to build on their lead, however there was a major blow for the home side, when goalkeeper Toni Williams, needed extended treatment after bravely taking a kick in the face.

Williams, one of four of the starting eleven who has come through Altrincham FC Juniors and the Under 18s Elite Development Squad, received treatment on the pitch for over 10 minutes, before leaving the field to attend A&E with a suspected broken nose.

Elise Jones took over in goal and, following one initial nervy moment, when a 25-yard shot was fumbled for a corner, put in a calm and assured performance for the remaining hour of the game.

There was a dream start to the second half for the Robins as Unwin capitalised on a goalkeeping error to calmly slide the ball into an unguarded net from just inside the edge of the area, to double the lead and notch her second of the evening.

Alty’s defensive performance in the second half was imperious. Millie Kullu, Katie Locke, Ashley Jones and Ash Gilmore were all heroes, with only Gilmore playing in her normal position, whilst Matilda Whitehead and debutant, Sophie Wittham, shielded the back four magnificently from their holding midfield positions.

Wythenshawe responded to put Alty under the cosh and when Elise Jones was penalised for handball just outside the area, Hayley Nash halved the deficit with a magnificent rising free kick that arrowed into the corner of the goal.

The visitors looked likely to equalise during the remaining 15 minutes and incredibly, Elise Jones was penalised again, receiving a yellow card, for handling outside the area. Nash struck her free kick, from the same position, very well again but it was inches
wide.

With Alty desperately clinging on and the referee somehow finding nine minutes of additional time, Alty broke well down the left, McKnight, picking out Shanai Barrett-Underwood, who screwed a neat left-footed shot beyond the reach of Christine Coulson-Hill to spark tremendous celebrations on and off the pitch!

Somehow, there was still time for the visitors to reduce the deficit with the final kick of the game, a wonderful, angled strike from the left into the far top corner.

This was a phenomenal performance throughout from a team containing seven players from Altrincham FC Juniors and four from last season’s Under 18 Elite Development squad.

The development of young female footballing talent is one of the most positive aspects of Altrincham Football Club at present and all of the management and support staff team should be applauded for setting up what could be a truly exciting period for Altrincham FC Women.

Altrincham: Williams (GK), Gilmore, Locke, M. Whitehead, McKnight, E. Jones (c), Kullu, A. Jones, Unwin, Underwood, Whittam

Substitutes: Rutter

Wythenshawe: Coulson-Hill, Ablott, Webster, Valente, Hoysted, Hibberd, Yates, Ambo, Raines, Smart, Crawford

Substitutes: Clarke, Newton, Rezgui, Nash, Tveit

HT: 1-0

Goals: Unwin 11', 46', Underwood 90+7' | Nash 83', Rezgui 90+9'

Referee: Claire Jefferson

Next Up

A second home game in five days sees the Robins end a busy opening schedule with the visit of Bury FC Women Reserves on Sunday, August 30. Kick off at Partington Sports Village is at 2pm.