National Youth League | Alty 6 Tranmere Rovers 1

Match report Muhammed Suwareh

THE Young Robins scored a magnificent 6-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers with an almost flawless team performance.

Edson Cata scored three goals, including a spectacular overhead kick, to ensure Alty claimed all three points.

Altrincham began the game impressively. They dominated possession in the opening 10 minutes and put the Tranmere defence under pressure from the very first whistle.

Their early superiority was eventually reflected in the score line, as a sublime through ball by Jacob Hill found Vlad Shtylian behind the Tranmere defence. Shtylian remained composed and finished the chance calmly, finding the back of the net to put Alty in the lead.

Despite the excitement of leading the game, Altrincham continued to control possession, remaining patient with their build-up play. Henry Shaw was at the centre of Alty’s next decisive move, as he was the second player to find Shtylian in a dangerous area.

The forward doubled his goal tally and Altrincham’s lead, giving the opposition goalkeeper no chance of stopping his shot.

The Young Robins closed out the half well, continuing to dominate the ball and preventing Tranmere from creating any meaningful chances.

The second half started in the same way as the first ended. Altrincham were on top and dictating the play; their flow of chances continued.

Edson Cata was introduced at halftime as a substitute, and he immediately positively contributed to Altrincham’s performance. He received the ball out wide, isolating his defender in a one-on-one situation.

He beat his man with ease and delivered a cross to the back post, aiming for Ethan Cosgrove. Cosgrove met the ball well, scoring a perfectly headed goal to make it 3-0 to the Robins.

Out of the game and struggling for motivation, Tranmere’s performance continued to decline. Altrincham punished their lack of drive, scoring their fourth goal in a very similar manner to their third.

This time it was Nathan Wood who received the ball out wide. With a couple of step overs and a body feint, Wood found some space to cross. He found Cata in the middle, and after just assisting a goal, the wide player scored to further increase Alty’s lead.

Despite being four goals ahead, Altrincham showed no mercy. Cata added to his already impressive performance by adding his second goal of the game. He received the ball in midfield and began driving forward with the ball. He shifted the ball inside, stunning his defender, and curled a shot beautifully into the bottom left corner, 5-0.

Rovers were eventually allowed a sight of Altrincham’s goal, as a rare moment of
complacency from Alty’s defence meant their striker found himself through on goal. He finished his chance with ease, cutting the deficit down to four.

To make up for their moment of complacency, the Young Robins ended the game in style, scoring their sixth goal of the day. A cross from the right-hand side was deflected high into the path of Edson Cata and in a moment of incredible skill and immaculate technique, Cata placed an overhead kick into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net.

It was an incredible goal to end an incredible performance as Altrincham picked up all three points.

Squad

Louie Fallon, Caden Gibson, Mo Suwareh, Jacob Hill, Ian Jose, Vlad Shtyhlian, Ryan Knowles, Sammy Bonney-Philips, Henry Shaw, Ethan Cosgrove, Harry Douglas, Kyran Webster, Dan Nodding, Nathan Wood, Edson Cata.