The Alex's Under-18's claimed their second win in a row with a comfortable 3-1 triumph at Barnsley on Saturday.

For the first time this season Academy Manager Steve Holland was able to name an unchanged starting line up for the game, although he was still missing the likes of James Bailey and Junior Brown.

But his youngsters, which again were mostly first year scholars, produced a fine display to win, although the first half was a very tight affair as both sides struggled to break the deadlock.

In fact the Alex were indebted to goalkeeper Craig Ellison for keeping the scores level as the former Altrincham youngster made several superb saves to repell Barnsley as the game reached it's interval goalless.

After the turnaround however, it was the Railwaymen who took control and broke the deadlock midway through the half as Byron Moore cleverly put his side in front, in the process registering his fourth goal in the opening four games of the season.

Moore - Scored Fourth goal of the season

Soon after it was 2-0 as Gareth Evans (pictured above), playing his first game for the Under-18's having recently returned from work experience at Leigh RMI, pounced to double the scoreline.

Barnsley reduced their arrears within minutes, but the game was wrapped up near the end, albeit in somewhat controversial style.

The referee awarded the Alex an indirect free goal which Ashley Westwood hit at goal and the home goalkeeper seemed to palm into his own net. The Alex celebrated, and although the home side protested that the strike should be disallowed as it had gone directly into the net, the referee awarded a goal which will no doubt be claimed by the Alex midfielder.

On Saturday the Under-18's visit South Yorkshire once again when they make the trip to Sheffield Wednesday for their next league fixture.

Team: Craig Ellison, Luke Danville, Russell Courtney, Thomas Lappin, Ben McHugh (Nathan Bancroft), Ashley Westwood, Luke Murphy (sub Marcus Calvert), Chris Clements, Byron Moore, Nick Farquharson (sub Gareth Evans), Amari Morgan-Smith

Subs (Not Used): AJ Leitch-Smith, Dexter Ravenhill

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