Altrincham Academy 3 Tranmere Rovers 1

Match Report by Alty player Ollie Dixon

Pictures by Luke Reynolds Photography

Wythenshawe Town FC was the venue for Altrincham’s Academy, as they hosted Tranmere Rovers in the the club's first game in the National Football Youth League North West Championship Division.

The young Robins were eager to kick off their season with a positive team performance and collect all three points. 

It was Alty who started the brightest as their quick tempo and high press proved too much to handle. The deadlock was broken quickly, with Ollie Dixon scoring with a long range shot into the bottom left corner to give his side a 1-0 lead.

The hosts went on to create many more early chances, with Vlad Shtlygan being unlucky at the face of goal.

While chances were being created ahead of them, the strong back line of Oscar Cooper, Jacob Hill, Niya Richards-Grey and Will Knowles stopped any counter-attacks from the opposition.

Alty’s lead was then doubled, as quick link-up play near the corner found Dixon, who drove into the 18-yard box and fired one into the top right corner to pick up his second of the afternoon. It was an excellent team goal, and the Robins entered the half-time break with a 2-0 lead.

Into the second half, and Tranmere caught Altrincham off-guard with a long ball over their defence directly from kick-off. The ball found a Tranmere forward, who brought it down and scored, halving Alty’s lead.

However, the goal did not change the momentum of the game, as Alty’s high press created panic in the Tranmere defence.

Alty’s midfield gained possession of the ball, and Ethan Cosgrove cleverly found Nathan Wood. He took a left-footed shot around the 18-yard box and found the bottom left corner, restoring the hosts' two-goal lead.

Wood’s goal relieved some pressure on the Academy side, who remained persistent in going forward. However, lacking a quality end-product, the young Robins were unable to increase their lead.

Tranmere often broke forward, but a stand-out performance from William Knowles prevented any of their attacks from developing. Alty’s solid defence and a strong overall team performance kept the score at 3-1, giving the young Robins their first win of the competitive season.

Squad on the day:

Liam Wood

Louie Fallon

Nathan Wood

Alvin Gratzer

Henry Shaw

Oscar Cooper

Caden Gibson

Jacob Hill

William Knowles

Ryan Knowles

Mo Surweh

Nathan Taylor

Ollie Dixon

Ethan Cosgrove

Vlad Shtlygan

Niya Richards-Grey