Altrincham 0-3 York City (4/4/06)

[Match Reports]

York City easily won at strugglers Altrincham to boost their play off bid and continue their fine run of form against sides at the wrong end of the Conference table.

However, in the first 15 minutes or so there was little indication that the game would turn out to be such a stroll in the park for the Minstermen. Altrincham looked the more up for it of the two teams and, but for some acrobatics from City keeper porter, they would have been ahead when Warren Peyton's 25 yard piledriver was tipped onto the crossbar early on. Some of the York defenders seemed very nervous and it could have turned into a very edgy night with some communication problems on crosses involving full back Nathan peat in particular.

But slowly, City began to find their feet and take control of the game through some good football. The link up play between the forwards and midfield began to improve, as did the defence's confidence. And then, they took the lead on 25 minutes when Mark Convery put in some skillful work down the right wing and chipped a great cross to the back post, which allowed Clayton Donaldson to stoop a header into the corner of the net from close range.

Suddenly the game was very one sided and two quick goals before half time meant things became easy. On 35 minutes, City's leading scorer bishop twisted and turned past several defenders before eventually being tackled. However, full back Nathan Peat had briefly switched flanks and retrieved possession, before setting up bishop to power the ball into the roof of the net from just inside the penalty area. It was a stunning goal.

And just five minutes afterwards, the game was all but over as a contest when an equally beautiful goal made it 3-0. A misdirected header from a defender found Donaldson, who dribbled his way past two defenders before curling a stunner into the right hand side of the goal past a helpless Alty keeper.

The second half arrived, greeted by a colourful display of flags from the Jorvik Reds (www.jorvikreds.co.uk). But the game on the pitch was somewhat subdued, with Alty knowing that they couldn't get back in it and City deciding to give some younger players a chance as the half went on. There still were some good chances to add to the three goals already scored, with Dunning unlucky as was panther following a classic counter attacking move, with Coburn pulling off a double save.

However, Donaldson will have been gutted not to have claimed his first hat trick for City as he superbly met an inch perfect cross with a glancing header, only to see the ball go inches wide of the post with the keeper Coburn beaten.

At the other end, Alty did have a few chances themselves with a couple of good saves from porter keeping a clean sheet for the Reds. But the final whistle sent the City fans home happy as they made it just 1 defeat in 10 games, with the home team facing a relegation battle.

Match Ratings

porter 8 - Few communication issues early on but made some good saves and dealt with crosses well, especially after half time. The tip onto the bar was possibly the turning point of the match - had it gone in, the result could have been very different.

thomas 7 - extremely nervy opening twenty minutes or so with some misplaced passes and poor defending. Did improve as the match went on with some good link up play with Convery.

peat 6 1/2 - Good attacking performance but still a bit shaky defensively.

mcgurk 7 1/2 - Solid and did little wrong.

dudgeon 8 - Won most things in the air and coped well with Alty's front men.

convery 8 - Consistantly tricky down the right and involved with a lot of City's best moments.

panther 7 - Better display than recently, used the ball well and played the holding role effectively.

bishop 7 - Usual hard working display, seemed tired so withdrawn midway through the second half.

dunning 6 1/2 - Sometimes does drift too much into the centre when playing the wide left role but used the ball well when he had it and covered Peat's forward movement competently.

bishop 7 1/2 - Excellent goal, a little too greedy when his superb run could have led to Donaldson's hat trick but still a good performance.

donaldson 8 1/2 - Man of the Match - A constant nuisance with his skill, pace and finishing ability. Deserved a hat trick and unlucky not to get it.

Substitutes:

o'neill 6 1/2 - Looked useful upfront before put back into central midfield in a tactical reshuffle.

rhodes 6 1/2 - Bright debut to start his City career.

kamara 6 1/2 - Solid debut.

Referee 7 - Got most things right and made few controversial decisions which makes a change. Alty fans seemed to think he was crap though judging by their ironic cheers when they got a couple of free kicks near the full time whistle.

Overall Verdict

City played some good stuff and fully merited their win. Perhaps they could have kept the first choice team on to boost the goal difference, but eventually Kamara and Rhodes were brought on to give them some first team experience.

A good turn out from the City faithful, especially as the attendance was announced as 1200 despite the home sections of the ground looking lowly populated. Could have been 500 or so away fans.

Sunday's game against Kidderminster is another must win, as recent result mean that the play off race gets closer. It looks like Hereford are going to finish second, but any 3 from Halifax, Grays, City, Stevenage and Morecambe could get the remaining places.