Words Harley Renshaw Picture Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 3 York City 3

Altrincham's youngsters welcomed York City to Egerton for a National League Under-19 Alliance fixture that proved eventful and full of goals.

The tone was set during a frantic start as York carved through the young Robins from the kick-off and created an effort was easily saved by Beddow.

Soon after, Altrincham grew into the game, with a very solid structure on and off the ball, and many chances materialised, firstly from Lavin, whose shot was saved at the expense of a corner after he was played in by Renshaw.

Altrincham remained on top, and when Lavin played Renshaw in behind, his low driven shot across goal was well saved by the York keeper.

Another big chance followed, with York almost paying the price for losing the ball in their own half, as an effort by Lavin was saved by the York keeper, who was far off his line.

After further Alty possession, Mattison picked up the ball and played a wonderful through pass to Martin, who fired past the keeper and into the net to make it 1-0.

The Robins were by far the superior team, and they almost doubled their lead when, after a Watson cross from the left was only half-cleared, Renshaw produced a 'trivela' shot from the edge of the box that was wonderfully saved on to the crossbar.

York's goalkeeper had kept his side in the game in the first half, but it was his opposite number's turn to shine when Beddow brilliantly came out and used his frame to win a one-on-one with the visitors' attacker.

Near the end of the half, Renshaw beat his man on the right flank and put a cross into the box which Mannion nearly finished off, only for his effort to narrowly miss the target.

It was a great opening 45 minutes for the Robins, and they carried on where they left off at the start of the second half as Martin soon made it 2-0,

Watts, from centre-back, picked up the ball and danced through multiple players before sliding in Martin, who slotted home his second of the game.

After a dominant start to the half, there was a setback for Altrincham, as Watson picked up a second yellow card for stopping a counter attack and was unfortunately sent off.

Even so, Alty continued to dictate, winning multiple corners and going close again when Renshaw whipped the ball to the back post and Watts had a good header that was cleared off the line.

York started to make their numerical advantage count, and they reduced the arrears when their midfielder ran through and calmly slotted home to get his side on the scoresheet.

After huge pressure from York with the extra man, they scored a second as the ball was crossed in well and the attacker ran across the front post to head home.

The momentum was all in York's favour after two goals in quick succession, and they went in front for the first time with a close-range finish after the Robins had managed to block one effort on the line during a scramble in the box.

York had completed a remarkable turnaround from 2-0 down to 3-2 up, helped in no small measure by a red card that completely changed the momentum of the match.

But the young Robins were not finished and were determined to keep going after a brilliant performance before the sending off.

That fighting spirit was duly rewarded, as they found themselves up the pitch and were awarded a penalty as substitute Obamwonyi was fouled in the box by a poor challenge from York's defender.

It still had to be converted, but right-back St Romaine held his nerve and calmly slotted home the spot-kick with admirable composure to make it 3-3.

What a fantastic game, and the drama still wasn't finished, as York failed to make the most of further chances and, with just 20 seconds left, Herreaman was just unable to convert after playing a one-two with Obamwonyi and being through on goal.

Squad on the day:

Max Beddow 
Raion Rowe
Kian Leckey
Henry Watts  
Harry  St Romaine 
Chris Antoniades
Charlie Hough 
Kian Mattison 
Harry Watson
Joshua Herreaman
Isaac Mannion
Harley Renshaw 
Noah Lavin
Jacob Martin 
Joshua Obamwonyi