Darlington run out comfortable winners at Moss Rose.
Altrincham 0-3 Darlington
The FA Youth Cup
Third Round Qualifying
7.45pm, Tuesday 25 October 2011
Moss Lane, Altrincham FC
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Darlington set up a home tie against Sheffield FC after overcoming Altrincham with a comfortable 3-0 victory in last night’s FA Youth Cup Third Round Qualifying clash at Moss Lane.
Scott Harrison opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a well placed header and the score remained at 1-0 until the interval. Although Altrincham had the better of the general play, Darlington looked more assured in possession and sealed the victory courtesy of second-half strikes from substitute Chris Dickinson and Tom Robson.
Altrincham suffered a major setback in the build-up to the game with the news that influential striker, Duncan Watmore, would not be available due to school commitments and the home side certainly missed the forward’s explosive pace and natural composure in the final third. Watmore transforms Altrincham from a mechanical outfit into a stylish side which is elegant on the eye. Without him, they lack a cutting edge and Darlington took full advantage.
The opening goal came somewhat against the run of play with Darlington scoring with what was the first genuine chance that they had managed to create. Defender Ian Balmain played a clever ball over the top of Altrincham’s passive defence to release winger Danny Lambert who delivered a perfect first-time cross from the right on to the head of the unmarked Harrison who duly converted.
Before the Quakers had broken the deadlock, Altrincham had seemed more likely to strike first blood. First, Liam Rutledge capitalised on Anthony Snook’s poor control but his low strike was well held by Darlington goalkeeper Jordan Nixon. Midfielder Matt Fearon then called Nixon into action with a rasping strike from distance but once again the goalkeeper was equal to it.
After gaining the lead, Darlington grew in confidence with Lambert’s direct running causing no end of problems down the right hand side. Despite Darlington being the more composed of the two teams, Altrincham continued to create opportunities and the home side were unfortunate to go into the break still trailing to their opponents. A flurry of chances came their way as the interval approached with Jack Woolley firing wide and Derryn Ofori denied by that man Nixon once again.
Altrincham came out in the second half with a point to prove, and searched valiantly for a precious equaliser. Woolley missed a guilt-edged opportunity just after the break and Nixon then produced a couple of outstanding saves to preserve his side’s lead.
With the game becoming stretched, Darlington were looking increasingly likely to further their lead. A dipping strike from Ryan Burton was a whisker away from doubling the visitor’s advantage.
But they didn’t have to wait long. On 63 minutes, an excellent cross from the impressive Tom Robson picked out Dickinson, who gleefully guided an exquisite volley into the bottom corner.
The home side were understandably deflated by the concession of a second goal, and the third came with an air of inevitability about it. Moments before, some silky interchange between Lambert and Harrison led to the winger firing against the post as Darlington looked to make the game safe.
It was left to Robson to hammer the final nail into Altrincham’s Youth Cup coffin with a composed finish through the legs of Adam Reid in the Altrincham goal, and in doing so, he capped a fine individual display in the process.
Altrincham: Reid; Tansinda, Coombs, Hamilton, Grimshaw; Fearon, Riley, Barry; Rutledge, Ofori, Woolley.
Darlington: Nixon; Wetherald, Balmain, Mould, Snook; Lambert, Ferguson, Bott, Robson; Burton, Harrison.
Referee: Scott Healey
