The young Blues progressed to round two of the FA Youth Cup following a stunning late display in Altrincham.
After 4 minutes, United got their first sight of goal. The Blues played out brilliantly from the back, with Dan Hopper picking up the ball in a pocket of space, he released Simon Rigby but his shot was comfortably saved.
Six minutes later, United broke away down the left as Jamie Hodgson released Hopper, he then played a delightful ball across to Freddie O’Donoghue, but he could only turn his effort over the bar from 12 yards.
On 12 minutes, a slip at the back for United allowed Altrincham in on the angle, but the ball across lacked power and Thomas Randall gathered comfortably.
Shortly after, United won a corner after good running from Rigby, Hodgson’s delivery was met by Atkinson, but his header looped over the crossbar.
United should've been ahead on the 20-minute mark. Altrincham were pressed in their own box and O’Donoghue turned the ball over, he broke into the box and put it on a plate for Trent Chapman, but somehow, Oscar Cooper got back onto the line to turn it round the post, with the 'keeper beaten.
United continued to pile on the pressure and found themselves in a 3v2 situation. Chapman delivered to Hodgson, who was unmarked, but his touch got away from him and Altrincham smothered it behind for a corner.
Hopper continued to cause problems, and on 27 minutes, he picked up the ball 25-yards out and drove past two men, before curling the ball wide of the far post.
Shortly after, on 29 minutes, Alty worked their first clear-cut chance. They got in down United’s left-hand side, before cutting the ball across for Vlad Shtyhlian, but his effort went over the bar from 8-yards out.
Again, Hopper continued to threaten. Collecting the ball on 34 minutes, prior to trying his luck from just outside the area, but it was again a comfortable save for Louie Fallon in the Altrincham goal.
On 41 minutes, the Alty 'keeper gave the ball straight to Skinner, his effort was saved well as Fallon recovered, it then came out to Hopper, but he turned his effort over the bar and the score remained 0-0.
HALF-TIME- Altrincham 0-0 United
Just after half-time, Randall made a brilliant save to keep the score level. Afernee Denise used his pace to get in down the Carlisle left, his cross came all the way through to Harrison Howells, but Randall somehow turned it away from danger.
On 67 minutes, Howells rode a challenge and burst through on goal, on the angle, but his effort was tame, and an easy save for Randall.
Altrincham then took the lead on 77 minutes, Charley Jarrald - the substitute - was played in on goal on the left-hand side, and he finished well, driving the ball low into the far corner.
It could’ve been two for the hosts on 86 minutes, the ball was pulled across the box with the Alty man in acres of space but his powerful strike was brilliantly saved by Randall.
United levelled it up in added time. Hayden Atkinson sent a raking diagonal out to Hopper, he beat his man and drove it across the box and there was O’Donoghue to finish it.
Jubilant scenes followed as Mark Birch's side found their way back into the game in the final moments.
FULL-TIME - Altrincham 1-1 United
United took the lead early in extra-time and it was an absolute hit. Louis Lambert picked it up on the edge of the box, he shifted right, then left and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
Two became three on 100 minutes, and it was a very well-deserved goal for Dan Hopper. He once again broke away from his man in midfield - as he did all evening. He took it on himself from just outside the area, and with the help of a slight deflection, it nestled in the far corner.
Just a couple of minutes later, it was 4-1. The young Blues were running rampant, and it was another glorious finish. Good work down the left got us in, the ball found Rigby, who placed his effort perfectly into the top-right corner.
HALF-TIME (ET) - Altrincham 1-4 United
It was a very quiet second period, as United did a professional job, keeping the ball, and seeing out the game with comfort.
A blistering extra-time period brought a deserved victory and passage to round two of the competition.
FULL-TIME (AET) - Altrincham 1-4 United
GOALS:
Altrincham - (77’ Jarrald)
Carlisle United - (90+2’ O’Donoghue), (97’ Lambert), (100’ Hopper), (102’ Rigby)
TEAMS:
Altrincham - Fallon, Whyte, Cooper (104' Taylor) Bywater, Suwareh (63' Watson), Denise (60' Wood), Raymond, Shtyhlian, Whittle (100' Powell) , Howells (69' Jarrald)
Unused subs: Gonzalez-Moghaddam, Wood, Noble
Carlisle United - Randall, Chapman, Hodgson (78' Smith) Penny, Porter (88' Bell), Atkinson, Hopper (110' Hatton), Skinner (C) (115' Edgar), O’Donoghue, Lowes (64' Lambert), Rigby
Unused subs: Matthews, Sillitoe
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Graeme Kearney.
Assistant Referee: Tony Ross.
Assistant Referee: Bradley Thompson.
ATTENDANCE:
313
