Alty unlucky in FA Youth Cup loss

Altrincham 1 Carlisle United 4 (photos by Richard Parkes)

Altrincham's youngsters went down to an agonising extra time defeat to Carlisle United in the FA Youth Cup First Round at The J.Davidson Stadium.

An even opening 10 minutes ended with the first chance of the game falling to the visitors, as two players with United first team experience combined. Dan Hopper got free down the left and crossed low for Freddie O'Donoghue, only for the forward to clip an effort wide of Louie Fallon's goal.

O'Donoghue had an even better chance on 20 minutes but despite goalie Fallon being beaten, the forward's shot didn't get past a brilliant goalline clearance from central defender Blyth Bywater.

Alty's best chance of the half came via Vlad Shtyhlian before the half hour. The centre forward sweeping a low ball from Afernee Denise just wide of Tom Randall's left post.

At the other end Fallon was called into action just before half time to repel a low effort by Carlisle skipper Bobby Skinner; the Robins refusing to break despite a large amount of pressure from the visitors.

Alty started much the stronger in the second half with Harrison Howells denied by Randall within two minutes of the restart after great setup work from Denise down the right.

Harrison Howells struck a shot straight at Randall as the home side continued to enjoy the better of the chances through the early part of the second half.

Then, on 77 minutes, substitute Charley Jarrald was sent clear down the inside left channel and he finished calmly past Randall to send the majority of the vocal J.Davidson Stadium crowd wild.

Unfortunately, just as it looked like Alty had done enough O'Donoghue slid home from close range in injury time to force the tie into extra time.

The visitors then took control, and the lead for the first time, two minutes into the extra period when substitute Lewis Lambert lashed home past Fallon.

A third followed from Hopper, who's long range effort took a deflection before looping over Fallon into the net, with a fourth added minutes later by Simon Rigby.

It was tough on Paul Fay's Robins, who'd performed so well against a difficult opponent, but it was Carlisle who progressed to round two

Altrincham Ross; Whyte, Edwards (c), Cooper (Taylor, 105'), Bywater (Powell, 100'), Suwareh (Watson, 63'), Denise (Wood, 60'), Raymond, Shtyhlian, Whittle, Howells (Jarrald, 69'). Subs not used: Gonzalez-Moghaddam, Noble.

Carlisle Randall; Chapman, Hodgson (Smith, 78'), Penny, Porter (Bell, 88'), Atkinson, Hopper (Hatton, 110'), Skinner (c) (Edgar, 115'), O'Donoghue, Lowes (Lambert, 64'), Rigby. Subs not used: Matthews, Sillitoe.

HT 0-0

Goals Jarrald 77' | O'Donoghue 90'+2, Lambert 92', Hopper 99', Rigby 102'

Yellows Jarrald 90'+3 | Chapman 90'+4

Reds None | None

Referee Graeme Kearney

Assistants Tony Ross & Bradley Thompson

Attendance 313

Next Up

The first team are back in action a week on Saturday at Solihull Moors - tickets for the Vanarama National League clash are available from our hosts here.

We then return to The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday, November 16th to face Southend United at 3pm. General admission tickets are on sale here but hospitality is completely sold out.

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