Words Brian Flynn

Nantwich Town 2 Altrincham 3

Altrincham FC Women are just one game away from winning their first ever trophy, following a pulsating Cheshire Women’s & Youth League, Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Nantwich Town. 

The Dabbers had completed a league double over the Robins and were crowned champions of The Cheshire Women’s & Youth League, Premier Division last week.

With the hosts unbeaten at The Swansway Stadium this season, the win represents, possibly, the most significant result in the history of Altrincham FC Women, who will face Witton Albion or Vauxhall Motors in the final, which is likely to be played at the end of the month or early in May, as their semi-final is not being played until Wednesday April 23 at Wincham Park.

After a slightly nervous opening at Nantwich’s impressive modern stadium, Alty took the lead just after the half hour mark, when Brogan Walsh released Elise Jones, who neatly created an opportunity to deliver a low cross to Kira Saycell. 

Nantwich’s keeper, Kara Townsend, performed heroics to block Saycell’s instinctive flick, but Alty’s leading scorer was on hand to poke the loose ball into the net from close range.

The Dabbers equalised just before the break through the impressive Levi Lander, who rose superbly inside a crowded six-yard box, to head in a well delivered corner from close range.

This led to a jittery finish to the half for the visitors, as Dan Mellor’s side piled on the pressure, but Duncan Jones’ team stood firm and an even first period finished level at 1-1.

After the interval, Alty gradually took control of proceedings and Saycell restored the lead just before the hour, after dispossessing Bethan Davies 40 yards from goal.

With a clear run on goal, history repeated itself, as Townsend, who put in a very good goalkeeping display, came out almost to the edge of her area to parry Saycell’s effort, but was prostrate and helpless as the ball fell kindly to Alty’s goal machine who calmly slotted the rebound home.

The third goal was the best of the game with the industrious Walsh again involved in the initial play, which ended with Nat Lowe’s slide rule ball dissecting the heart of the Dabbers defence to pick out Elise Jones, who calmly rolled the ball past the outstretched legs of the advancing Niamh Harding, who had replaced the injured Townsend minutes earlier.

Nantwich were beginning to look tired and unlikely to be able to bridge the 2-goal deficit, but some sloppy play in the 83rd minute gifted possession to the Cheshire side and Poppy Smith took full advantage with a powerful left foot strike, from just inside the corner of the penalty area, that sailed over Ari Shapiro and just underneath the crossbar.

This led to a more tense finish to the game than should have been the case, as the Dabbers dominated the closing stages, but Alty held out for a thoroughly deserved victory.

This was a superb team display, with heroes everywhere.

Annie O’Donoghue put in a hugely composed first half display at right back, whilst the central defensive partnership of Emily O’ Leary & Brianna Morrison dealt magnificently with Dabbers leading scorer, Amanda Fallon.

Grace McArdle & Nat Lowe toiled throughout to dominate the midfield engine room, whilst the striking partnership of Kira Saycell & Elise Jones seems to improve with every game.

Both strikers were outstanding, a constant thorn in the Dabbers side but the RadioAlty Player of the Match goes to Elise Jones for perhaps the finest individual performance of the season. Deceptively pacy, skilful and strong, Nantwich just couldn’t deal with the converted left back, particularly in the second quarter of the game, when she was almost unplayable.

Alty (4-4-2) Ari Shapiro; Annie O’Donoghue, Brianna Morrison, Emily O’Leary, Libby Newton, Holly Lloyd, Ashley Jones, Nat Lowe (c), Grace McArdle, Kira Saycell, Elise Jones. Game Changers: Brogan Walsh, Caitlin Beaty, Rose Fitzgerald, Rhianna Pickering, Katie Robins.

Goals 31-Kira Saycell (Altrincham), 43-Levi Lander (Nantwich Town), 58-Kira Saycell (Altrincham), 67-Elise Jones (Altrincham), 83-Poppy Smith (Nantwich Town).