Words Brian Flynn | Pictures Freya Richards

Altrincham FC Women returned to the summit of The Cheshire Women’s & Youth League, Premier Division, coming out on top in a topsy-turvy encounter at Partington Sports Village last Sunday.

Grace McArdle levelled within 60 seconds of Newton-Le-Willows opening the scoring in the ninth minute, but the visitors were back in front to lead 2-1 at the interval.

Midfielder, McArdle, levelled matters with her second of the afternoon, 10 minutes after the restart, before Kira Saycell put the Robins ahead for the first time in the game, just after the hour mark.

Grace Lewis made it 4-2 in the 76th minute, before Newton-Le-Willows reduced the deficit to a single goal in the dying minutes, to set up another tense finish.

Cheshire FA Cup

Going into Sunday’s game, Chester were in pole position, however a 4-0 defeat at home to AFC Crewe saw Alex Hilton-Slee’s team back on top, after being involved in Cheshire FA Cup 1st Round action the previous week, travelling to Ellesmere
Port Town, who play at Step 6, a level higher than Altrincham.

The game finished with 10 goals being shared in a 5-5 draw, with Altrincham going through 4-3 on penalties.

Kira Saycell scored a hat-trick, with Elise Jones & Grace Lewis also on target as the women achieved their most significant win of the season to date.

The Robins have been given a home draw against Poulton Victoria in the 2nd Round. The Wirral team are flying high at the top of The North-West Women’s Regional League, Division 1 South, with a 100% record after 9 games, yielding 27 points.

Having progressed against Ellesmere Port Town, who play in the same division as Poulton Victoria, the tie will provide the opportunity to benchmark the undoubted progress made by Altrincham FC Women, in just a few months, under the
guidance of Alex Hilton-Slee & his team.

Next Game

Sunday November 3 | KO 2pm | Partington Sports Village

Cheshire Women's & Youth Football League, Premier Division

Altrincham v Northwich Vixens

Radio Robins will be broadcasting this game on Radio Alty from 1.55pm. The commentary team is Erin Carroll & Brian Flynn.