Golden cracker crowns top-notch performance from in-form Robins
The National League Cup may not have met with universal approval among Altrincham fans, but what’s not to like about seeing your team steamroller the opposition with an eye-catching show of attacking football capped by four goals, one an absolute cracker, all free of charge thanks to match sponsors OBI Property?
Stoke’s under-21 side had plenty of pace and power and no little ability on the ball, and they may well have fancied their chances after going in front early on in this group game at The J.Davidson Stadium.
But they were no match for Alty, as the in-form Robins kept alive their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages with a James Jones equaliser before half-time and further goals from man-of-the-match Tom Crawford, Tylor Golden and Jake Bickerstaff.
All four Alty goals had something about them to be admired, but it was Golden’s that stood out, a spectacular first-time shot hit so truly and so firmly that no blame could be attached to keeper Alfie Brooks for being beaten at his near post.
Louie Fallon was given an opportunity in goal behind a strong, experienced line-up of outfield players, and there was further evidence of youth coming through the ranks in the welcome inclusion on the bench of two bright sparks from the Academy in Harrison Howells and Afernee Denise.
Energetic as ever, Matty Kosylo was heavily involved early on, running at defenders and trying to open up Stoke’s defence, and he was almost on the scoresheet in only the third minute.
His persistence on the left of the area gave Kahrel Reddin the chance to fire in a shot that was blocked, and when Kossy seized on the rebound himself, his effort looked goalbound until cannoning into a defender.
Alty were settling into their stride, and when they launched another attack in the 10th minute, Crawford tried his luck from distance with a shot that flew a couple of yards wide.
Kosylo was in the thick of the action again in the 11th minute when pressure from Bickerstaff forced Jake Griffin into a misplaced back pass that went out for a corner.
Kosylo played it short to Reddin and was on hand to receive a clever back-heeled return pass that enabled him to cut in and hammer a left-foot shot wide of the far post.
