Earlier that season Alty had secured a 3-1 win over Lakeland's Celts at the JDS in the National League North.

On his appointment at the Tameside Stadium, in late October 2021, Curzon Ashton stated "Lakeland joins the club after an agreement was made between his previous employers, Farsley Celtic, for him to take up the role at the Tameside Stadium.

The 36-year-old re-joins the club for a second spell and will be hoping to replicate the success he experienced in his first stint at the club. Between January 2012 and June 2015 Lakeland was a first team coach at the Nash under John Flanagan and was a part of the back-to-back promotion winning team that made it to the Vanarama National League North for the first time.

Since leaving the Nash, Lakeland has proved himself to be a very talented manager in his own right. During his spell at Northwich Victoria, he guided his side to the playoffs despite woes off the pitch, including a nine-point deduction. His team were finally beaten by Spennymoor Town and amid financial issues at the EVO-STIK Division 1 side, he resigned.

He was out of football until his appointment at Farsley in the summer of 2017. In his time at the Celt Army, he achieved promotion to the Vanarama National League North and won the West Riding County FA Cup. He has kept them there ever since".

ALTY OLD BOY

He had missed the last few months of the previous campaign with an injury sustained in February 2022 by a challenge which earned him a second yellow-card.

However, he is back playing for The Iron and is the subject of a recent interview on the Scunthorpe United website.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Yussuf joined the club in September 2022 and went on to make 10 appearances in all competitions while Thomas signed professional terms in the summer", having emerged via the Heed's youth system

Oldham Athletic report that "Midfielder Harry Vaughan has joined Radcliffe on a one-month youth loan.

The 18 year-old joins the Northern Premier League side until 13 January in order to gain regular football after showcasing his potential in previous seasons.

Manager David Unsworth [said]... 'Harry is currently on the periphery but he's a young lad and young players need to go out and play games, I'm big on that.

'He's still going to train with us every day but he's going to get some games with their first team which is vital. You can't replicate a competitive match, that's why it's good for young players to go out on loan. The B team games are great but they're not every week."

Over the past two seasons, the exciting playmaker has made 32 appearances... The teenager signed a two-year deal with the option of a third in June 2021,"

Gloverscast reports on a potential new arrival at Yeovil Town as Manager Mark Cooper said, "We are hoping there will be one in before the weekend which will give us a real lift going in to that game."

"Asked how he would sell the game to supporters, he added, 'It’s a chance for us to get to Wembley, but I can’t really sell (the fans) too much right now because we’re not scoring loads of goals but what I can promise them we are going to try really hard.

'Hopefully we can have a real quality addition in the building by Saturday which will make them really want to come to the game'...

The team has been training at Alvington all week despite the freezing conditions, but training took place on the 3G surface at Huish Park on Thursday...

He confirmed that striker Jake Scrimshaw had been missing with 'some personal issues' which had seen him missing from the Glovers’ squad in recent weeks. The 22 year-old, who signed from Premier League AFC Bournemouth in the summer, has not featured under Cooper".

Also in the south-west Devon Live reports that "Torquay United are in FA Trophy action tomorrow, taking on a Chippenham Town team that is having a torrid time in the National South division. Torquay, of course, know all about 'torrid times'...

Torquay suffered a 3-2 defeat at Oldham Athletic on Sunday and any win, against whoever, in whatever competition, will be welcome before the visit of Yeovil on Boxing Day...

Manager Gary Johnson says he is taking the Trophy seriously... without revealing if he would use the game to experiment..

Johnson said 'Chippenham are definitely no mugs and we have certainly given them respect'...

Asa Hall won’t be available for the game after Johnson said the influential skipper would be out for six-to-eight weeks with a knee injury. The good news is that timescale has come right down to maybe two weeks, the problem wasn’t not being as everyone first thought".

NEXT: CURZON ASHTON

If played, the match will be the first home game for Altrincham in three weeks and the last Saturday home game before 7 January 2023.

The winners of Saturday's clash will interested to know that the Isuzu FA Trophy fourth round draw will be made live on talkSPORT 2 on Monday at 5pm.

SATURDAY DISCOUNT FOR SEASON-TICKET HOLDERS

Concessions are £10, Juniors £5 and Under 12s are £2.

You can purchase tickets from the website and will be asked to show your season ticket on arrival at the ground.

If the game is postponed, it will be played on Tuesday 20th December with a 19:45 kick off and tickets purchased for the Saturday will remain valid for the rearranged game.

The link to buy tickets is here.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 17 DECEMBER

The most recent reverse on 17 December came in 2019 when, despite drawing the original FA Trophy tie away at Farsley Celtic, Alty lost the replay at home 1-2 after extra time.

Back in 2019, Altrincham's dismal December continued as they bowed out of their third cup competition in 18 days and extended their winless run to five games with this extra-time defeat to Farsley Celtic.

Right: Sean Williams, Jordan Hulme and othet Alty players take on board instructions from Neil Sorvel during a break in play.

Farsley seized a fourth-minute lead as Alty failed to deal with a corner and Cartman netted with a header from close range.

Despite plenty of possession, Alty lacked incision and still trailed at the interval. However, just sixteen seconds into a second half which Farsley had actually kicked off, Alty equalised. Hulme was played in against former Alty keeper Elliot Wynne and he slotted the ball home (46 mins). But the whistle after 90 minutes saw the score still level.

Twelve minutes into added time, after a corner, Cartman netted his second when he swept home a nod down from a team-mate who was towards the back post.

There was drama in the final stages when Elliot Wynne inexplicably picked up the ball having already gathered it into his hands before rolling it along the ground (115 mins). The freekick from the six-yard line had to be retaken when Wynne encroached and Alty then put the ball in the net before the referee signalled for a retake. When the freekick was retaken, Farsley blocked the Alty shot.

New loan signing Ethan Walker (from Preston North End) made his home debut in the continued injury absence of John Johnston, whilst Toby Mullarkey continued at centre-back with James Jones on the bench. A change was made at right-back where Andy White replaced Shaun Densmore.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. Andy WHITE, 3. Connor HAMPSON, 4. Toby MULLARKEY, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 7. Ethan WALKER 8. Sean WILLIAMS, 9. Jordan HULME, 10. Josh HANCOCK, 11. Tom PEERS. Subs: 12. Max HARROP, 14. Luke WALL, 15. Simon RICHMAN, 16. James JONES, 17. Shaun DENSMORE, 20. Liam BLACKBURN

ALTY OLD BOYS

Mooney was stretchered off in Blues' 2-2 draw against Altrincham last time out...

'There's no serious damage to the knee,' said Maher. 'It's just ligament damage, and soft tissue damage as well, but it's not as bad as we first feared.

'There's swelling in and around his calf so he will be going to see a consultant but right now we don't know how long he will be for out'.

Mooney has scored twice in 17 games for Blues this season."

For Alty last season Mooney netted twelve times in 33(+3) National League games.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Maidstone, down to 10 men after Reiss Greenidge was sent off, looked set to win after coming from a goal down to lead.

But Dorking substitute Taylor scored a pair of headers in the 92nd and 96th minutes to turn the match on its head.

It was desperately harsh on Maidstone, who had played superbly to get themselves in front with goals from Jack Barham and Roarie Deacon.

Goalkeeper Dan Barden went straight into the side after joining on loan from Championship club Norwich, with Yusuf Mersin back on the bench. There were also starts for Kodi Lyons-Foster and Ryan Galvin as Hakan Hayrettin made three changes to the side he branded a disgrace after their 3-2 defeat by Altrincham on Saturday.

Maidstone may have trailed to a sixth-minute goal... but Hayrettin’s home truths clearly had the desired effect... They were by far the better side in the first half...

A Maidstone goal... arrived in the 22nd minute... before Maidstone went 2-1 up on 41 minutes...

But they had a problem in the 68th minute when Greenidge picked up a second yellow card...

Barden made a superb late save from Niall McManus but was beaten when Taylor met a cross two minutes into added time, while Corne was down injured.

Dorking tails were up and another Taylor header, with seconds to go, saw Marc White's side take the points".

Bromley's "Robin Stanton-Gleaves, Bromley FC Owner and Chairman... has led the club through some tricky spells, as well as one of the proudest days to be a Raven.

'We came into the year on the back of a super league run, we were certainly in the top four/five, I think at some point over Christmas there was even a chance of us going top. We had a bit of a bumpy Christmas but had some ok results. Then, coming into the New Year, we lost form.

'Personally, I think the team and the Management became a bit distracted by their success and approaches from other football clubs. Then we had a couple of significant injuries which led to us losing our league form... Our target was to hit seventh place, and we didn’t get there, so that to me was a failure. The highlight on the pitch was... winning the FA Trophy'...

Investment has continued into the Hayes Lane Stadium to make it the envy of many clubs... Stanton-Gleaves admitted... 'We commenced a new venue at the football club. A seven day a week operation in Broomfields to help keep up the sustainability and value within the football club.

'I’ve never been a restaurant owner, I’ve never been a bar owner, so that was a new learning curve for me... but I’m very pleased with what we have today with Broomfields becoming a key feature of Bromley Football Club and a great asset to the wider community'...

'We are operating in a culture of the EFL. The facilities we have here, with the exception of our 3G pitch which we have contingency plans for, means we could go up to League Two tomorrow. I think we are geared up for the Football League...

'The population of Bromley is 300,000 and I believe we should have 1% of them coming to Hayes Lane for our home games. We are not there yet and that’s my immediate target...

'As holders of the FA Trophy, we get drawn away. I think we should have a right to a home draw. I want to write to The FA and ask for that!'"

According to the Maidenhead Advertiser "Performances have been better than results of late for Maidenhead United and, while they picked up plaudits for their impressive display against leaders Notts County on Saturday, they once again came away without any points.

After claiming back-to-back wins over Aldershot Town and Eastleigh last months, they've found points much harder to come by in recent weeks...

They let themselves down at Maidstone two weeks ago, conceding three goals... and, while they fought back to claim a point from last week's home game against Dorking Wanderers, they should really have taken one of their many chances to win the game in the second half.

On Saturday they went toe-to-toe against a Notts County side... fighting back from 3-1 down at half-time to level the game with strikes from Emile Acquah, who netted two on the day, and Kane Ferdinand. But... the league's top goalscorer, Macaulay Langstaff won the game late on with a wonderful volley to make it 4-3....

Kane Ferdinand said... 'We thought we’d done well but then we got sloppy towards the end of the first. We also thought we did well to get it back to 3-3... We felt we deserved something from the game...

'Prior to the Maidstone game we were in a decent run of form... We’re shipping too many goals at the minute, but the performances haven’t been too bad.'”

NEXT OPPONENTS: CURZON ASHTON

During a disappointing first-half in which Altrincham failed to translate plenty of possession into a serious threat of a goal, Curzon took a 29th minute lead when a right-sided corner evaded Tony Thompson and Calverley headed home. Johnston's header wide from close range was the nearest to an Alty goal in the first 45 minutes.

Above: Curzon take the lead.

A scrappy start to the second half was forgotten when Altrincham scored twice in two minutes. Their equalizer arrived following a Johnston freekick for a foul by Baillie on the Alty wingman. The ball came out to Jake Moult who drilled the ball into the net (56 mins).

The goal had an instant effect in upping the tempo for Alty and, following a right-side advance, Harrop found White whose low shot gave his side the lead.

With Altrincham looking in control they suffered a blow in the 75th minute when Harrop's off-the-ground challenge near halfway earned him a straight red card on his 100th appearance for the club.

But ten-man Alty rode out the final stages of the game quite comfortably aided by Curzon making poor use of the ball when in possession.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 3. Andy WHITE, 4. Toby MULLARKEY, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 7. John JOHNSTON, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Jordan HULME, 10. Josh HANCOCK, 11. Max HARROP. Subs: 12. Luke WALL, 14. Ethan WALKER, 15. Connor HAMPSON, 16. Tom PEERS, 20. Joel TORRANCE

ERNIE FRYER'S FUNERAL

The club have been informed that his funeral will be at St Mary's Church in Ellenbrook, Worsley, M28 1ER on Wednesday, December 14th at 1pm".

MULLARKEYS BREWING UP SUCCESS IN ALTRINCHAM

More than three years later, Toby is still at the club and is the club's vice-captain.

Meanwhile Altrincham Today has a feature on Toby's brother, Joe Mullarkey, who is making his presence felt in Altrincham in a completely different field.

"Based just yards from Altrincham Market, LD24 has become a firm favourite of the town’s coffee connoisseurs... 'One half of the husband and wife team behind it, Joe Mullarkey [said]... 'You can find us at the back end of the market up the small set of stairs next door to the library. We offer specialty coffee roasted by Carvetii Coffee. Loose leaf teas, hand made hot chocolates and a variety of soft drinks and coffee alternatives.

'We have a small savoury food menu (that’s proved a hit!) and hand made cakes and sweet treats from a variety of bakers. You can enjoy all of this in a relaxed and friendly environment while listening to some great music...

'My grandad was an Altrincham resident many years ago! My mum went to school here and fast forward to now where my brother Toby plays for Altrincham FC. So as a family we have a lot of love for the place!'"

ALTY MONTHLY DRAW WINNERS

• £500 cash | #458 | Mike Searle
• £75 cash | #211 | J Cartledge
• £25 cash | #19 | Dianne Swindells
• Hospitality for Two | #108 | J Gallimore
• Bottle of Alty Gin | #7 | M Hamnett
• Scarf & Team Photo | #537 | P Lewis

Congratulations to all the winners! *$amBr00ks

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Aldershot Town P-P Boreham Wood - frozen pitch
• Altrincham P-P Maidenhead United - frozen pitch
• Barnet P-P Yeovil Town - frozen pitch
• Dagenham & Redbridge P-P Eastleigh - frozen pitch
• Dorking Wanderers 3-2 Maidstone United
• Notts County 2-0 Gateshead
• Scunthorpe United P-P Woking - frozen pitch
• Southend United P-P FC Halifax Town - frozen pitch
• Wrexham P-P Chesterfield - frozen pitch
• York City P-P Solihull Moors - frozen pitch

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Cannon was one of the players Liam Rosenior sat down with prior to the club's mid-season training camp in Turkiye, holding talks with the 26-year-old over his future... Cannon didn't travel to Antalya and instead stayed back in the UK to finalise his move to Wrexham, after both clubs agreed a nominal fee with the ex-Portsmouth man out of contract in the summer.

Having been left out of City's EFL squad at the end of the transfer window, Cannon was left to train during the week with no prospect of a game until he started a recent Under-21s' game, he opted to seek a move away from the club, and just as he did in January when he moved on loan to Stockport County, he decided to drop into non-league.

Boss Rosenior was full of praise for Cannon, and his willingness to go and play regular football rather than sit on his contract until the end of the season...

'I cannot speak highly enough about his character, and determination'... Rosenior told Hull Live. 'I had to have a difficult conversation with Andy in terms of the squad size, so I'm delighted that he's found what I think is a club on the up... In my short time here, he's been nothing but a diamond to be around.'"

The Yorkshire Post reports that "Less than halfway through his first season as York City chairman, Glen Henderson says he is prepared to sell his majority shareholding to fans...

Henderson took over from the unpopular Jason McGill in the summer, in partnership with the trust.

But he has come under increasing fire, reaching a high point when he decided to sack manager John Askey...

Now Henderson has written to the trust saying he is willing to trigger a buy-back clause allowing the fans' group to buy him out because it would be 'in the best interests of the football club'...

The trust could not afford to buy McGill out outright. Instead it took a 49 per cent stake...

Hartlepool-born Henderson... was accused of interfering in the management of the team by Askey".

13 December 2022

MATCH POSTPONED

This is the second home postponement of the season after the game against Wealdstone, scheduled for 10 September, was called off owing to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

BEHIND THE SCENES

NEXT: CURZON ASHTON

Connor Hampson (right), Tom Peers, Josh Hancock, Josh Ollerenshaw, Craig Hobson and Craig Mahon all ply their trade at the Tameside club.

The Nash lie twentieth in the National League North, although they do have at least a game in hand on many of the clubs in the division.

The sides last met at the JDS in a Vanarama National League North match on New Year's Day 2020, with Alty coming back from 0-1 to win 2-1.

MID-SEASON SWITCH FOR UNDER-19S

Alty have, this season, had two sides in the two under-19s National Leagues, one in the North Division and the other in Division H.

However, a 28-day rule that exists in the National League stipulates that any player switching from one of a club's Academy teams to another cannot return to the side he originally represented in either of the National League's divisions for 28 days.

The intention is to make it a more level playing field, but the restriction on freedom of movement has created difficulties for Alty at times when drafting players from one squad into another would have been an ideal option to cover for injury or illness.

The decision was therefore taken to withdraw the Division H team from the National League and place them in the AOC North West Invitational League, a transition that will free Alty's Academy from the 28-day rule's limitations and that the club are pleased to announce has now been completed.

'I'm delighted with the pathway we have put in place for under-16s to under-19s at Altrincham Football Club,' said Academy manager Paul Fay. 'For this to continue, we had to ensure there was more fluidity for the players, and that has now been achieved with this step we have taken.

'I am pleased the board have approved the move, and I wholeheartedly believe it is one that will be of huge benefit to the future development of our young players.'"

ALTY OLD BOY

It was a tightly-fought vote, with no real standout contenders, but Mooney’s cool finish against Gateshead took the award.

He certainly has Harry Cardwell to thank for some great work to take the ball past several defenders and play through Mooney, even though the goal only turned out to be a consolation.

Mooney took 30% of the votes, with the other three contenders (Callum Powell v Barnet, Ollie Kensdale v Notts County and Shaun Hobson v Dorking) all separated by very narrow margins. Powell had 22% of voters select his goal, while the other two both had 26%."

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 26 year-old midfielder has joined the Reds from Hull City, putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal...

After making his name at Rochdale, Cannon secured a move to Portsmouth in January 2019 before joining Championship side Hull, scoring on his debut on the opening day of the 2021-22 campaign in a 4-1 win at Preston North End.

Having ended last season on loan with Stockport County... Cannon has now been snapped up by the Reds...

Said Parkinson, 'We have been working on it for a few weeks, Jordan Davies got injured as well but we were looking to bring in an addition or two...

'I just feel that he is at a good age. He had a year-and-a-half where it hasn't quite worked out at Hull and there are reasons for that but if you track back to when he was at Portsmouth and some of his performances there in a top League One team, he is a good player...

'We will get him firing on all cylinders'".

Altrincham were fortunate to play Maidstone United last Saturday as snow on Sunday blanketed the Gallagher Stadium pitch.

Meanwhile, Maidstone United report that "Following the injury he sustained in the match against Woking and the subsequent rehab required, Ryan Sandford has been recalled by Millwall.

The shot-stopper, who made seven appearances during his second loan spell at the club, was at the Gallagher on Saturday to catch-up with his now former teammates and to receive his Player of the Month prize after he picked up more than 70% of November’s vote".

According to Devon Live "Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has insisted the team will 'keep going' as the Gulls fight against relegation from the National League after the 3-2 loss at Oldham Athletic on Sunday. Despite coming back from a goal behind twice, Torquay could not find a third equaliser...

They will be putting the league to the back of their thoughts this weekend when Chippenham Town head to Plainmoor in the FA Trophy...

[Against Oldham] Had it not been for goalkeeper Mark Halstead, things could have been worse. The shot-stopper had an exceptional game.

Johnson said... 'We were 1-0 down from the first half, and then in the second half, we came out and started playing. I thought both their second and third goals were against the run of play, and we had a lot of opportunities to put the ball in the box'".

12 December 2022

"NO PENALTY" SAYS PARKINSON

Right: James Jones

"I spoke to the ref. It has hit his [James Jones's] leg and hit his hand. He [the ref Paul Durkin] has taken a long tome to give it and the lino hasn't given it either.

"So, it is a difficult one, the rules have changed so many times. It has undoubtedly hit his hand but it is not an action towards the ball or gaining any advantage", he concluded.

Booty netted the resulting spot-kick to level the game at 1-1 before Alty recovered to win 3-2.

And Fan Banter adds that the Alty manager said of Connor Jennings, 'He’s giving us a platform to play off again. The biggest word I’d use to describe Connor, is unselfish'".

Of Eddy Jones (left) he added, "He’s a front foot defender and he’s really coming into his own and we’re delighted with Eddy and his performances of late'...

'The lads are performing, aren’t they? We’re clicking... We’ve come a long way [to Kent]. We’ve prepared... and we got the result I think we deserved'".

HAYRETTIN'S HAYMAKER AIMED AT PLAYERS

'I apologise to the supporters... There was no fight today.... We weren’t at the races, simple as that,' said Hayrettin... 'No one did well... The least they’ve got to do is put in a shift. Today, we didn’t even do that'".

CHESHIRE NEWS

Both David and Tim have taken this difficult decision in the best interests of the Football Club, as their work demands have meant that they no longer feel that they can devote the necessary time to our promotion push.

David and Tim will be incredibly hard to replace and we would like to thank them for all their efforts most sincerely".

NEXT GAME: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

The Magpies have had an up and down period over their last ten league fixtures, winning three times, drawing twice and losing the other five matches. They go into Tuesday's clash seeking a first win in four outings, whilst Altrincham boast five games without defeat.

Maidenhead's squad for last Saturday's 3-4 home defeat comprised:

1. Dan Gyollai, 2. Zico Asare, 4. Will De Havilland, 6. Remy Clerima, 7. Sam Barratt, 10. Kane Ferdinand, 14. Emile Acquah, 15. Idris Odutayo, 19. Ryan Upward, 24. Alan Massey, 27. Charlee Adams. Subs: 8. Ashley Nathaniel-George, 23. Adrian Clifton, 9. Shawn McCoulsky, 11. Dan Sparkes, 17. Reece Smith

SUNDAY SCORE

• Oldham Athletic 3-2 Torquay United

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 25 year-old hit 20 goals for the season in the first half, sweeping home an excellent Magpies move which put Luke Williams's side 3-1 up at half time.

But Emile Acquah and Kane Ferdinand's strikes drew the game level, however Langstaff was on hand to acrobatically steer the ball beyond [ex-Alty trialist] Daniel Gyollai to confirm three priceless points.

The Notts skipper [Kyle Cameron] was at his brilliant best on Saturday afternoon, providing the assist for Ruben Rodrigues' opener before delivering an inch-perfect cross late on for the Magpies number nine...

'I pull out in between the centre backs because I know he has the quality to deliver'....

A young fan managed to make his way onto the pitch to celebrate with the team... Cameron lifted the supporter above his head which sparked a huge cheer from the away end before returning him to his family".

Torquay United are the only team in the bottom five who were in the same division last season, the other four occupants of the bottom five being two relegated clubs (Oldham and Scunthorpe) and two promoted sides (Maidstone United and Gateshead). On Sunday, Devon Live reported that "Having gone behind and finding an equalizer twice in their BT Sport live game, Torquay United lost 3-2 at Oldham Athletic in their National League ‘six pointer’. Torquay worked hard and were better after a couple of changes at half time...

It was Will Goodwin who made it 1-1 before a penalty by Aaron Jarvis made it 2-2. Timmy Abraham scored to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes to go and there was no way back for the Gulls. But, to be fair, if it hadn’t been for Torquay goalkeeper Mark Halstead, Oldham might have had the points in the bag much earlier.

Manager Gary Johnson made one change... with Asa Hall confirmed injured and out for six-to-eight weeks before the game, and Aaron Jarvis coming back in up front...

Dylan Crowe got it all wrong trying to clear a low Alex Reid cross on 11 minutes... smashing the ball into his own net from a couple of yards out. It was a disastrous way to go 1-0 down...

It was Oldham who were in control for large periods of the first half...

Johnson made his changes for the second half – midfielders, Tom Lapslie and Brett McGavin coming on for Crowe and Dillon De Silva, with Donnellan moving to right back...

In the 52nd minute Laspslie found Goodwin with a marvellous pass to the edge of the box and the loan striker took one touch before shooting past Norman with a quality hit for 1-1. Torquay looked so much better...

Oldham boss David Unsworth made two changes himself as the game approached the hour mark; Timmy Abraham and Mike Fondop coming on... There was nothing Halstead could do to stop Tollitt’s goal for 2-1 on 64 minutes...

Goodwin was fouled by Ellis Chapman in the area moments in the 68th minute and Jarvis thumped the ball home... 2-2.... It was 3-2 in the 74th minute when Abraham got on the end of a flick-on by Fondop".

11 December 2022

MAIDSTONE UNITED 2-3 ALTRINCHAM

Match report here

Right: Josh Lundstram netted the opening goal for Altrincham.

MAIDSTONE'S VIEW

Altrincham were the stronger of the two sides in the opening exchanges with the Stones struggling to keep possession and to break down the visitors attacks at times...

On 20 minutes, Alty took the lead. Elliot Newby delivered a low cross from the right and Josh Lundstram put a simple finish past Yusuf Mersin.

Fleetwood Town loanee Chris Conn-Clarke (left) is Altrincham's joint leading scorer (with Colclough and Dinanga) this season after his goal at Maidstone. He has now netted six times, five of those being goals in the Vanarama National League.

Having taken the lead, Altrincham pushed to add to their tally...

Out of nowhere, Maidstone were presented with the opportunity to equalise. James Jones was penalised after handling the ball in the box although there was a slight delay between the incident and the referee, Mr Durkin awarding the spot kick. With 43 minutes on the clock, Regan Booty dispatched a decent penalty which beat Ollie Bryne despite the keeper going the right way...

Maidstone then went so close to scoring. Binnom-Williams found Deacon who moved into space in the edge of the box and hit a rising drive which smacked against the underside of the bar...

But Alty did go back in front on 64 minutes. Maidstone lost possession from a Christie Pattison throw in the Altrincham half and the vistors broke quickly. Mullarkey put the ball in from the right and Jennings managed to bundle it past Mersin at the near post.

The Stones rallied immediately after going behind for the second time... Any hopes Maidstone had of getting back into the game appeared to have gone on 73 minutes. A lovely diagonal ball from Colclough went straight to the unmarked Conn-Clarke who smashed a low effort past Mersin...

But with six minutes remaining, Maidstone pulled a goal back. Alty couldn’t clear their lines and the ball fell to Booty who steered his shot throw a crowd and past Byrne".

NEXT: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

The Maidenhead Advertiser reports that "Two quality finishes from Macaulay Langstaff effectively sealed this result in the favour of the league leaders, however, Maidenhead United acquitted themselves well in a lively, competitive clash.

Having conceded twice in the final minutes of the first half, the hosts looked to be down and out as they trailed 3-1, however, Emile Acquah’s second and a lovely strike on the turn from Kane Ferdinand levelled matters midway through the second half and Alan Devonshire’s side looked capable of throwing a huge spanner in the works of County’s title bid.

However, when the National League front-runners needed a bit of quality, they found it in the form of the division’s leading scorer, Langstaff, who acrobatically volleyed home Kyle Cameron’s wonderful cross in the 83rd minute.

United came into this clash off the back of a frustrating 1-1 home draw with Dorking Wanderers last weekend, but for spells in both the first and second half, they threatened to take the scalp of a side who’ve lost just once all season...

Reflecting on the game, United boss Alan Devonshire said 'I’m proud of the players. We were 3-1 down at half-time and had a silly three or four minutes before the break where we’ve conceded sloppy, poor goals. And then their winner, you can say it’s a great finish, and it is, but there was no one near him. I feel for them, but we’ve got to tighten up on our defensive stuff.'"

ALTY OLD BOYS

There was a booking for Carl Piergianni as Stevenage were held to a goalless draw by visitors, Mansfield Town.

Alistair Smith, who came off the bench for Sutton United at Carlisle last Saturday after a thirteen-game absence, started on Saturday at home to Colchester United. Sutton had already scored the only goal of the game when he was substituted after 72 minutes.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Our number nine began the month by netting away at Notts County (again) before adding two more to his tally against Halifax Town and Dorking Wanderers respectively."

At Scunthorpe United "Interim first team manager Michael Nelson gave his reaction after the 0-0 draw at Yeovil Town, which saw United's first clean sheet since March.

He said 'We're very pleased with the clean sheet and the way we defended and performed on the whole. However, there's a big element of disappointment that we didn't take one of our chances and get all three points, but I've said to the boys it's a building block...

'It's been hanging over the lads for a long time now, not keeping a clean sheet and I thought we were brilliant today. Our analyst came in with the stats and they had one shot on target in the game.

'I thought our two centre-halves were excellent, when balls were whipped in they were always there with a head on it...

'We had to make sure we changed something in the group and I felt everyone who came in did well, along with the rest of the team'".

The Nottingham Post tells us that "Luke Williams has hailed Notts County man Quevin Castro following another impressive performance in the 4-3 victory at Maidenhead on Saturday afternoon.

The West Brom loanee was on target in back-to-back games for the Magpies.

It was Castro's fourth league start of the campaign, netting his fourth goal of his loan spell at Meadow Lane... with Williams insisting the 21-year-old has a huge part to play...

'I have been so impressed with Quevin because he comes here from a big club, but he comes with no ego. He came here with a strong work ethic and he fits in with the group in a really good way...

'On the pitch you can see his quality, his power on the pitch and his confidence to score'".

10 December 2022

MAIDSTONE UNITED 2-3 ALTRINCHAM

Altrincham largely dominated the first half but again, as at Torquay earlier this season, they failed to convert their chances and, as half-time approached, only led 1-0 through a 20th minute goal by Lundstram. The midfielder had converted smartly after Mullarkey had advanced and Newby had put in a cross from the right (20 mins).

Newby fired off-target twice, Mullarkey went close with a cross-shot and a Conn-Clarke effort was cleared off the line by Ellul, but out of nothing the Stones equalised from the spot. The penalty was awarded by Mr Durkin, after protracted thought, as he adjudged James Jones to have handled the ball in making a routine clearance under no pressure.

Booty beat Byrne from the spot though the Alty keeper dived the right way, to his left (43 mins). The Stones then finished the half strongly but it remained level at the break.

However, Altrincham regained the lead after 64 minutes when Connor Jennings bundled in from close range after Mullarkey had got forward on the right following good work by Conn-Clarke and Newby (64 mins). Alty then seemed to have settled the match when a fine cross-field ball from Colclough found Conn-Clarke who finished excellently to make it 1-3 (73 mins).

But Altrincham allowed the hosts back into the game when Booty converted from the edge of the box to make it 2-3 in the 85th minute. Nevertheless the visitors got through to the final whistle without too many further alarms.

SATURDAY FIXTURES

As previously announced, the game is being live-streamed and you can access that service here. It is important to complete the section on the application form asking which club you are supporting. By completing this to read "Altrincham", income will come to the club.

Saturday 10 December:

• Boreham Wood P-P Southend United - frozen pitch
• Bromley 3-3 Wealdstone
• Chesterfield 3-1Dorking Wanderers
• Eastleigh 0-2 Wrexham
• FC Halifax Town P-P Barnet - frozen pitch
• Maidenhead United 3-4 Notts County
• Maidstone United 2-3 Altrincham
• Solihull Moors P-P Aldershot Town - frozen pitch
• Woking 0-2 York City
• Yeovil Town 0-0 Scunthorpe United

Sunday 11 December:

In advance of Sunday's game, Oldham Athletic have announced that "A precautionary pitch inspection took place at Boundary Park this morning [Saturday] ahead of tomorrow's league fixture against Torquay United.

This was a preliminary measure after recent temperatures as the visitors from Devon are due to travel early today for the game.

The pitch is currently in a very good playable condition and no concerns were identified by the official who oversaw the inspection.

At present there are frost covers on the pitch which will remain in place overnight.

The club is therefore looking for volunteers to help remove the covers tomorrow (Sunday) morning at 10am"

The match is scheduled to be shown live (3pm) on BT Sport.

• Oldham Athletic v Torquay United

JENNINGS EXTENDS HIS STAY

Right: Connor Jennings pictured playing for Alty against Eastleigh recently.

Connor joined us from Stockport on an initial one-month loan on November 7th and went straight into the starting line-up...

He has since had a growing influence on the team’s fortunes...

Alty’s promising young striker Lewis Billingsley has signed for Ashton Athletic on a dual registration. The free-scoring frontrunner was due to join his club-mates Sharif Deans and Josh Jordan on a month’s loan at Widnes, but he will now be available for Ashton".

Footnote: Although Jennings has yet to find the net in his five appearances to date, his hard work as a focus for attacking moves has impressed.

NEXT: MAIDSTONE UNITED

In advance of the game Maidstone United report that "Ryan Sandford is your Shepherd Neame Player of the Month for November.

The shot stopper secured nearly three quarters of the vote, with Jerome Binnom-Williams and Reiss Greenidge in second and third respectively...

• Ryan Sandford (72%)
• Jerome Binnom-Williams (10%)
• Reiss Greenidge (4%)

Footnote: In five league matches in November, the Stones conceded seven goals, five of them in one game, at Eastleigh, but they also kept three clean sheets in that sequence of games.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

With nine goals to his name so far this season, the striker arrives at Boundary Park from Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee.

The transfer of the 25-year-old, who was born in Bury and spent two-and-a-half seasons at Blackpool, significantly strengthens the attacking options of David Unsworth’s side...

'Joe is the player I’ve wanted from the very start. It’s taken a bit of time'... the manager said...

'He’ll be a top striker for us, he fits the profile of player that we want perfectly. He does the hardest thing in the game, which is score goals'...

Nuttall began his career in the academy at Manchester City... He then moved to Scotland with Aberdeen... He had loans at Stranraer.... and Dumbarton, before returning to England with Blackburn...

He scored twice in ten games for the Rovers first team as they earned promotion to the Championship.

He moved to Blackpool for an undisclosed fee at the start of the 2019/20 season, spending time on loan at Northampton, before a move to Scunthorpe at the start of the current calendar year...

Nuttall is unavailable for the next two games as he serves a suspension."

At Yeovil Town "Gime Touré is to leave... by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.

The French forward joined the Club in August 2022 and netted twice in 13 appearances in Green & White."

It was reported yesterday that York's new boss would miss his first match in charge of the team.

More comes now from the Yorkshire Post which says that "manager David Webb will miss what was due to be his first match in charge of York City after being rushed to hospital with a lung infection caused by Covid-19.

Webb was appointed as John Askey's replacement late last week, and watched the 1-1 draw with Wrexham from the stands.

Saturday's Conference North game at Working was due to be his first as manager but assistant Michael Morton will now take the team.

The 45-year-old has been in hospital since Wednesday morning but has stayed in touch with his players and coaches"

9 December 2022

NEXT: MAIDSTONE UNITED

Maidstone will become the first team to play Altrincham twice in the league this season, following the reverse fixture which took place on the opening day of the campaign and ended as a 1-1 draw at Moss Lane. Only one team has yet to face Altrincham at all in the National League this campaign and that is FC Halifax Town.

Saturday's game in Kent marks the halfway point of a forty-six game campaign, which will be the first time that Altrincham have played such a long league season since 2017-18 when they won the Northern Premier League.

This season there are 24 teams in the National League but since that 2017-18 season, Alty have faced fewer opponents in leagues comprising a smaller number of teams.

2018-19, when Alty were in the National North, was a 42-game season with two additional play-off ties, making 44 games in all.

2019-20, again spent in National North, was disrupted by Covid with Alty playing only 33 league fixtures plus three play-off games.

With Macclesfield Town "expelled" and Dover Athletic failing to complete the season, 2020-21 ended up as a 42-game campaign.

2021-22 was a 44-match season as the National League ran with 23 teams following the demise of Macclesfield Town.

ALTY MATCH TO BE STREAMED

However, the NL has not repeated that change of kick-off times this weekend when a far more compelling World Cup quarter-final (Portugal v Morocco) is scheduled to be played at 3pm.

Equally bizarrely the National League is persisting with a full range of league games next Tuesday, when a World Cup semi-final is scheduled for the same evening.

But the League is now offering live streaming of National League matches this Saturday.

Altrincham FC relays the announcement that "The Vanarama National League is delighted to announce a two- week trial phase of its new streaming service National League TV.

Fans can subscribe at www.nationalleaguetv.com and start streaming National Division matches from Saturday 10th December 2022.

Please note, it is imperative all Alty fans select 'Altrincham' on the dropdown box when asked which club you support. This way, it ensures that the club receives the correct share when it comes to revenue distribution from the league.

During the trial phase, match day passes for each round of National League games will be at a reduced price of £4.75. Fans will have the ability to switch between any National Division match streamed on any given match day.

The National League will be using the first two-week trial period, to launch further platform functionalities ahead of its full launch.

We have liaised with Maidstone and they have confirmed they do plan to stream the game on Saturday for those supporters that cannot attend. With article 48 not applying this weekend due to the FIFA World Cup taking place, all matches will be streamed this Saturday both in the UK and overseas".

ALTY OLD BOY

Mooney was stretchered off during the latter stages of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at [against] Altrincham.

But Blues boss Kevin Maher does not know how long Mooney will be out for at this stage.

'He’s going for a scan tonight,' said Maher, speaking on Thursday lunchtime.

'We’ve had to wait for the swelling to go down before he could have a scan and we will have more news on the injury once we get the results from it.'"

FA CUP REPLAY

• Gillingham 3-2 Dagenham & Redbridge

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

BBC Radio York have reported that, as things stand, Michael Morton will lead York... Morton joined City as Webb’s assistant manager...

Webb has... worked with top-flight sides such as AFC Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton and has served as a consultant for Hoffenheim and Real Betis, a technical director for Ostersund FK and as Huddersfield Town’s head of football operations".

According to the Echo News, "Jack Bridge will not be short of motivation when Southend United head to Boreham Wood this weekend.

For not only do the Shrimpers go into the game looking to end a run of three matches without a win. But Bridge and Blues are also eager to avenge their opening day defeat to Boreham Wood...

Said Bridge... 'We want to put our game on them and get another three points.' Bridge was named on the bench for the next nine games after being taken off against Boreham Wood.

But he has now firmly established himself a regular in the starting line-up and scored his fourth goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Altrincham...

The wing-back was disappointed Blues had to settle for a share of the spoils after twice taking the lead...

'In the first half I thought we played really well but the second half wasn’t as good'...

'Of course it’s difficult when you get injuries within the squad but we do have a good squad and enough good bodies around it so anyone can step up and make a difference'" .

According to the Halifax Courier "Chris Millington insists his side need to be at their best if FC Halifax Town are to topple the National League’s form side for a seventh straight home win...

Town’s dominant 3-1 midweek victory over Dorking Wanderers matched last season’s effort of six Shay wins on the bounce in the league...

You have to trail back through the archives to the 2009-10 UniBond Division One North season for such exceptional sequences...

However, fifth-placed Barnet visit The Shay in tremendous form having won their own previous four league outings without conceding a single goal.

Millington... said... 'No one has been here in recent weeks and gone away with anything, certainly let alone being able to go away with anything we’ve given them.

'We have learned how to defend as a team... We are very hard to break down and then when we regain possession we are particularly good at securing it and building it up the pitch with good, secure possession...

'Barnet... are a very good side who are full of energy, full of endeavour and have got 95 minutes of hard graft in them. “So we are going to have to match all of that and try to be the better team when we have got the ball... Barnet are quick, athletic, they have got a good physical presence and they will look to put us under pressure with the ball at the earliest opportunity...

'We are confident that the away form will follow...

'We have played almost everybody now, there is only Altrincham we are yet to face, so we know that there is nobody who holds any significant fears for us and we go into the second half of the season in a confident mood.'"

8 December 2022

NEXT: MAIDSTONE UNITED

The two sides shared a 1-1 draw in the opening fixture of the 2022-23 season at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Alty put the visitors ahead through an own goal and, after equalising, they then failed to take all of the points against a Maidstone side reduced to ten men for half an hour of the contest.

The Stones currently lie 20th in the table with Alty sixteenth in their first season back in the National League since promotion from the South division.

Alty have yet to lose to any side lower than fifteenth in the National League but, whilst they have played seven home fixtures against such sides, they have only played twice away from home to clubs currently placed lower in the National League.

MIKE ROSE R.I.P.

He was a retired professor, specialising in social history, at the University of Manchester and was active in Labour Party politics in Trafford.

His colleagues produced a Festschrift for Mike in 2017 entitled "People, Places and Identities: Themes in British Social and Cultural History, 1700s-1980s".

Publicity for the book said that "Mike is a much-admired social historian who taught at Manchester University from the 1960s until 1999. He is best known for his articles and books on the history of the poor law and poverty. An unswerving supporter of many local history groups and initiatives he has also contributed to the history of Manchester with publications on the settlement movement and Ancoats".

Our condolences are extended to Mike's family and friends.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The FA's regulatory commission ordered the club to pay £2,500 plus costs after fans 'participated in misogynistic abuse' with chants of 'who brought the dog out? Who's the slapper in grey? She's got chlamydia' which were aimed at a female visiting supporter.

Maidstone were playing Dorking Wanderers in a midweek National League game at the Gallagher Stadium on August 16, a match watched by close to 2,500 spectators. The chant was filmed and subsequently posted on Twitter...

The charge alleged that 'a not insignificant group of Maidstone United's supporters participated in misogynistic abuse.' The Stones accepted liability at the first opportunity and the club's chief executive Bill Williams wrote to the FA expressing his disgust at the actions of a few... adding 'Some verbal warnings were given by SIA [Security Industry Authority] stewards'...

As it involved 'several individuals', stewards spoke to the group as a whole.

Maidstone later took action, using CCTV and photographic evidence to identify those responsible and warning them about their future conduct. They would have to join the youth membership scheme. All under-16s should have an adult supervisor or be a youth season ticket holder to attend games.

Following the incident, several young supporters were visited by a Police Community Liaison Officer.

The FA commission stated that... 'We that Maidstone United is not a club that would encourage or tolerate such behaviour, and that it has reacted properly and appropriately.'

The FA did, however, say that 'Perhaps the most potentially significant document that we have not seen is any specific pre-match risk assessment carried out by Maidstone United's safety officer'".

In the Grimsby Telegraph we learn that [former Alty defender] "Reagan Ogle hopes there can be a 'reset' at Scunthorpe United with a takeover deal now agreed upon and the players in need of some inspiration to turn their season around.

The 23-year-old returned to the team after a month-long injury absence in the Iron’s 4-1 defeat at home to Notts County at the weekend, which was their sixth loss in a row in the National League...

Ogle said... 'It’s been a stressful week for all of us involved. Hopefully, now, everybody can push forward in the right direction'...

However, with terms agreed upon for a local consortium, headed by former director Simon Elliott and Ian Sharp, to complete a long-awaited takeover at the club, Ogle hopes the positive reaction to the news can kickstart things on the pitch for the team".

The Doncaster Free Press reports that "Ex-Doncaster Rovers midfielder has dropped into non-league football despite leaving the club to play at a higher level.

Bostock, whose past teams also include Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, has signed an 18-month contract with National League leaders Notts County.

The 30-year-old left Rovers this summer after turning down a new contract following their relegation from League One.

Notts County head coach Luke Williams said 'The opportunity for John to come and train with us was a pleasant surprise to say the least and, very quickly, you could see he has the physique and quality of a top player.

'He has the mentality of a top player as well. He’s very bright and his attitude is superb.'"

The Oldham Chronicle reminds us that "Latics remain anchored in the drop zone after losing to a late goal at Boreham Wood...

David Unsworth's struggling side have now drawn one and lost five of their last six matches, and have taken just six points from a possible 33...

Ben Tollitt thought he had salvaged a draw for Latics... to cancel out Ndlovu's clever flicked opener on the hour.

However, in the third minute of five added on, Ndlovu's quick feet allowed him to... tuck home a shot...

Unsworth didn't emerge for post-match media duties. Instead, his assistant John Ebbrell... said 'The players put a hell of a lot of effort in...

'Across the board I think we look like a team that's coming together, and someone's going to get it soon...

'We know each game becomes more pressurised, but we're up for it and we'll be fine.'"

"Stuart Maynard was gutted following Wealdstone’s 2-0 reverse at local rivals Barnet.

In a game of few chances, his side failed to take theirs, Barnet took theirs and the Stones boss reflected on 'just one of those days'...

Said Maynard... 'Fels [Olufela Olomola] has had two great opportunities from six yards out which he normally takes but it just was one of those days...

'We're a young group, we've come far. I appreciate all the support today from the fans, it was outstanding again'...

Tarryn Allarakhia went down while driving into the Bees’ box, but the referee gave a free kick instead of a penalty...

'It's a penalty,' said Maynard... 'If we get that penalty the game's totally different but look, we can't be relying on little bits of luck like that... I just don’t think we were at our best'...

'You've got to give credit to them, they've got the three points today. Sometimes the law of averages, we've beaten them twice last season, it's just the way it goes in football'".

NOEL'S AWARD

A Robins fan all his life, Noel is certainly one in a million, quietly-spoken and unassuming but integral to the efficient day-to-day running of Altrincham FC after working his way up to the position of commercial manager.

Reflecting on an involvement at The J.Davidson Stadium that spans no fewer than seven decades, he said: ‘I started going to games as a seven-year-old, way back in 1964-65, and I was hooked on watching Alty from then on... I went to school with David Thorpe, and his dad Jack was the groundsman, so we started hanging around the club to see if we could help in any way.

‘The players trained at Moss Lane in those days, and we’d stand behind the goal and retrieve the ball if it went on to the terraces... I got involved with the Supporters’ Association, and was chairman for a while, helped on the turnstiles, gave Keith Davey a hand with his snack bar and took charge of the advertising boards...

'And then I became commercial manager probably six or seven years ago'...

‘It involves a lot of graft, going round shops and so on, handing out cards to try and promote the business club and get people to come along,’ he said. ‘It’s well worth the effort, though, when you see how it has taken off and how well attended the meetings are.

‘I do spend a lot of hours at the club in the course of each week, but no one is forcing me. I do it because the club means so much to me and I want to do it'...

Director Sam Mackenzie said: ‘Noel is a real unsung hero of this club and a joy to work with. He is always ready to turn his hand to anything and has really embraced the dramatic changes we’ve seen here'".

ALTY OLD BOYS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Boreham Wood 2-1 Oldham Athletic
• FC Halifax Town 3-1 Dorking Wanderers

Altrincham moved up to sixteenth following Dorking's defeat on Tuesday night.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 38 year-old, who spent almost five years as Shots academy boss, has guided them to five wins in eight games since Mark Molesley was sacked in October.

The club say they have a 'view to extend' McNeilly's contract further... Said chairman Shahid Azeem, 'The performances and winning record during his interim spell stood out among the high-quality pool of candidates that applied.

'The board are very excited to have Ross in charge until the end of the season where we will sit down and discuss plans for the future beyond this year.'

Molesley and assistant Tom Prodomo were dismissed after eight defeats in the opening 13 games of the season left Aldershot 22nd in the table.

The Shots won their first three matches under McNeilly and although they followed that with three consecutive defeats, two more victories have lifted them to 15th, eight points clear of the bottom four".

Wrexham's Leader Live tells us that "Academy graduate Max Cleworth, 20, has chalked up 50 first team appearances for Phil Parkinson's side and his displays were rewarded with a new, long-term contract last year.

That deal has now been extended until 2025 and the delighted defender told the club website... 'The Club is going in a great direction and I’m really looking forward to... being a part of the team that makes history for this Club....

Cleworth played 36 times last season... He has made a further 14 appearances this season recently losing his regular starting role to summer signing Jordan Tunnicliffe...

'The lads around me – Ben Tozer, Aaron Hayden and now Jordan Tunnicliffe – have also helped me massively in terms of adding bits to my game'... added Cleworth.".

NEXT: MAIDSTONE UNITED

The Kent club had sunk into the relegation places after a run often games in all comepetitions which had yielded just two league points. That run had included an FA Cup exit at the hands of lower league Needham Market. But the Stones rallied with a run of three matches unbeaten before their defeat at Kingfield last weekend.

Those three unbeaten games comprised an away win at Scunthorpe, a home win over Maidenhead United and a home draw against Oldham Athletic.

MORE YOUNG ALTY PLAYERS GO ON LOAN

Billingsley has been a prolific scorer for the Reserves this season with 18 goals in 18 league appearances in the Cheshire League, whilst Cooney captained Altrincham FC Academy to the league title in its inaugural season and was given a first-team squad number this season. Sharif Deans is presumably the player registered as Sharif Islam for the Reserves. He has scored 17 times in 16 league outings this season.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Ross McNeilly’s side have at times launched high presses and this was one such occasion.... The early high intensity may have took [sic] a bit out of the Shots players’ tanks as Gateshead began to come into the game a bit more after the 20 minute mark....

In truth, the first-half died not long after then. Neither side really threatened the goal and the tempo fell flat.

The players woke up during the break, though!...

Aldershot took the lead! Joe Partington had plenty of time on the edge of the box and... cut open the Gateshead defence and found Ryan Glover who calmly slotted home.

Tommy Willard was forced to leave the pitch in the 57th minute as he pulled up and bringing Inih Effiong on saw the Shots change approach. The game then again fell a bit flat...

Gateshead didn’t offer much and Aldershot took full advantage. Justin Amaluzor received the ball on the edge of the box and scored from outside the box yet again!...

The Shots were brimming with confidence".

On Saturday at The Hive, Barnet had a "derby day against Wealdstone, Dean Brennan started with an unchanged line-up...

It was a lively start to the game... Kanu wins a foul and Nicke Kabamba sees the run of Harry Pritchard who hits his shot around the goalkeeper into the back of the net...

Barnet replaced Kanu with Marvin Armstrong before the second half began... The Bees doubled the lead on the hour mark... Armstrong gets the ball and taps it past the keeper, who brings him down. Ref plays advantage because the ball falls to Kabamba and he just passes the ball into the net.

Barnet extend their impressive run of victories in the league to four".

Boreham Wood "confirm that forward Danny Elliott has joined National League counterparts Gateshead on loan until the end of the season.

And at Bromley the club "can confirm that striker David Smith has joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Margate on loan until the end of the season.

" Bromley signed the forward from Folkestone Invicta in the summer of 2022. He was a goal machine last season, having netted 35 goals in all competitions... with Ashford United.

Meanwhile the Derbyshire Times tells us that "The National League is having ‘constructive conversations’ with the EFL about a ‘three up, three down’ proposal...

The National League arguably has bigger clubs than those in League Two, with the likes of Chesterfield, Wrexham, Notts County and Southend United all averaging bigger crowds than some of those in the division above.

Teams from the National League have consistently shown they can more than hold their own when promoted to League Two, with many often going on to get promoted again...

National League general manager, Marc Ives, confirmed that 'we are having conversations with the EFL about progressing that and what I can say is that they are constructive conservations and I would be hopeful at some stage in the future we will get into that situation where we have three up, three down. It is what football deserves'.

Meanwhile, Chesterfield's "promotion hopes suffered a setback as Halifax secured their fifth consecutive home win thanks to a dominant second half performance that saw them break the deadlock with just nine minutes remaining to win 1-0.

Sadly, the Spireites put in a lacklustre performance that didn’t at all resemble some of the recent quality performances.

Paul Cook afterwards admitted 'We were poor and lacked the cutting edge'... The unbeaten run ended along with the record of having scored in every game.

The Spireites arrived at The Shay with six straight wins behind them...

The rivalry between the two clubs goes back a century and has always been close-run...

There were no new injury problems for Cook

At the [first-half] half-way mark neither side were controlling the game...

Cook made his first changes after 74 minutes when Tim Akinola took over from Tom Whelan and Kabongo Tshimanga replaced Quigley.

Halifax struck in the 81st minute after Fitzsimons could only palm away a strong Matt Warburton free kick; Rob Harker was on hand to poke home the loose ball.

Immediately Cook made his final change as Jez Uchegbulam replaced Armando Dobra. The Spireites pushed hard in the five minutes added but... the Shaymen saw the game out for a deserved win".

And the Derbyshire Times also reports that "Former Chesterfield manager James Rowe’s latest court appearance has been rescheduled.

The 39 year-old, who has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman, was due to appear at Derby Crown Court today (Monday, December 5) for a ‘plea and trial preparation’ hearing but the case has now been relisted for Tuesday, December 13.

Rowe made his first court appearance last month, on November 7, at Chesterfield magistrates’ court, where he pleaded not guilty.

The alleged offence happened on November 24, 2021".

5 December 2022

SOUTHEND UNITED v ALTY HIGHLIGHTS

HAMMERING FOR ALTY YOUTHS

Although they have shipped 34 goals in nine league fixtures, they lie seventh in the eleven-team league with three wins and six defeats to their name.

CUP WIN FOR RESERVES

Prior to that recent matches for Altrincham Reserves ended as follows:

• 26/11/22 14:00 Egerton FC 2 - 1 Altrincham FC Res. (Billingsley)
• Cup 19/11/22 14:00 Altrincham FC Res. 4 - 0 Middlewich Town (Billingsley 2, Rodgers-Morris, Islam)
• County Cup 12/11/22 14:00 Poulton Vics FC 1 - 4 Altrincham FC Reserves (Billingsley 2, Islam, Pouncey)

NEXT GAME: MAIDSTONE UNITED

"The Stones’ three game unbeaten run in the league has come to an end. Despite taking the lead, Maidstone were comfortably beaten by Woking as the Cards upped their game in the second half...

Then with 34 minutes gone, Maidstone took the lead, slightly against the run of play. A poor clearance went straight to Regan Booty who passed to Corne and his drive from about 20 yards beat Ross.

There was then a significant blow for the Stones. Sandford fell awkwardly following a Woking corner and appeared to suffer a shoulder injury. Sandford attempted to play on but eventually had to be substituted for [i.e. by] Yusuf Mersin in the second minute of additional time at the end of the first half.

Maidstone went close in the opening moments of the second half... But Woking equalised on 57 minutes...

Maidstone were then made to pay for not taking their chances as Woking took the lead on 69 minutes. The Cards broke with pace down the left and Jim Kellermann crossed for Browne who squeezed his header inside the right post.

Then on 82 minutes, Woking made sure of the points. Kellermann’s fierce effort... took a deflection off Greenidge and flew into the net...

Maidstone United: 31. Ryan Sandford (30. Yusuf Mersin 45+2), 5. George Fowler, 4. Joe Ellul, 20. Reiss Greenidge, 3. Ryan Galvin, 14. Dom Odusanya (26. Sean Adarkwa 81), 15. Regan Booty, 8. Sam Corne, 17. Christie Pattison, 10. Jack Barham (16. Josh Fawole 76), 21. Roarie Deacon. Subs not used: 24. Kodi Lyons-Foster, 22. Zaid Al-Hussaini.

Before the game, Maidstone United confirmed that "Kodi Lyons-Foster has extended his stay at the Gallagher.

With injuries across the defence, the loan from Aldershot Town continues until the new year.

The 26-year-old joined the Stones at the end of August".

FREEFALL FOR OLDHAM AND SCUNTHORPE

Should the Iron and the Latics be relegated to the National League North, they would emulate York City who, likewise, dropped straight through the top-flight of non-League following their 2017 relegation from Division Two of the EFL. If they do get relegated again, there is some consolation for supporters of Oldham and Scunthorpe in the example of York City's revival. The Minstermen regained their top-flight status in non-League for the start of this season, after five years in the North Division.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

David Unsworth's men dropped to second-from-bottom in the table after their latest loss against a side they were facing for the first-ever time in a competitive match.

Some Latics fans are starting to turn on Unsworth, who has enjoyed just one win in 10 league games since taking over from John Sheridan in September.

One fan said on Twitter... 'He has now been here for just over two and a half months he has signed 9 players and has a win record of just 15% in all comps and no improvement from shez [Sheridan]...

Solihull secured a first win in six National League games with their success yesterday.

Moors, who had James Quinn in charge as boss Neal Ardley was absent due to personal reasons, enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges... It was Solihull who opened the scoring early in the second half...

Solihull doubled their lead shortly afterwards with another well-worked goal, this time Dallas fired home ...

There were nervy moments late on after John Rooney pulled a goal back for Latics, but the home side held on.

Unsworth said after the game 'It's quite incredible; I didn't see that coming. We played well in the first half. We needed one of our chances to go in to give us something in the game... but then we just shoot ourselves in the foot.

'In the first half I recognise what we do on the training ground, but in the second half, I don't'".S

And news of fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United comes from The Real EFL whic reports that "Scunthorpe United announced that the club had been sold shortly after it had become clear that wages had not been paid to the players. However, The Real EFL understands that the deal is further off than fans had been led to believe.

The club had put out a full statement claiming that a deal had been agreed upon for the acquisition of the club by a local group headed by Simon Elliott and Ian Sharp. Current owner Peter Swann added 'We needed to ensure that the club wages for November were paid as soon as possible, which will happen later today or tomorrow thanks to the deal and ensure the long-term future of the football club with new investment.

'It’s not a done deal yet'.

They were the words used to describe the current situation. It seems the club have jumped the gun slightly announcing the deal has been agreed. The group are in discussions but has not carried out any due diligence checks yet. The group agreed to pay the wages of the players to ensure there was still a club left to buy at the end. 'It’s all a bit cart before the horse as we had to secure the club by paying the wages before we had done any due diligence'.

It could be suggested that Swann used this news as a method to divert attention from the further struggles under his tenure".

4 December 20 22

SOUTHEND UNITED 2-2 ALTRINCHAM

The hosts took a 27th minute lead when a deflected Wreh shot fell for an easy conversion by Bridge, the best player for the home side in the first half.

Altrincham levelled eight minutes later when a fine shot from the right by Newby came back off the bar but Colclough (right) drove home the rebound from left of goal.

The hosts regained the lead after 42 minutes when Byrne saved well from Hobson but Wreh had an easy task to put the loose ball into the net.

Alty's second equaliser was a result of a terrible mix-up between Lopata and goalkeeper Noukeu. As the defender attempted to shepherd a flick-on by Jennings to his keeper, Noukeu both kicked the ball and collided with his team-mate and the ball broke free for Newby to take it on and put it into the empty net (59 mins).

The latter stages were marred by a bad injury to ex-Alty man Mooney who, after being treated and subbed left the field, only for a stretcher to be summoned to carry him back to the dressing room.

Match report here

ALTY BOSS'S VIEW

"TWO POINTS DROPPED" SAYS SOUTHEND BOSS

Maher said 'You look at it and think it’s two points dropped. You’re at home and you take the lead twice. We looked pretty comfortable until their second goal, which took the wind out of our sails a little bit.

'I thought we played very well in the first half. We could’ve got a couple more goals; we had a couple of opportunities that we could’ve done better with.

'From our point of view, the first was a disappointing goal to concede but we showed character to take the lead again. Confidence was a little bit fragile but we came back and got the second one'...

[Regarding the second Altrincham goal] Maher mused 'It’s disappointing obviously. It just needs someone to take control of the situation whether that’s Kacper or Blondy... They’re young lads. Blondy’s come back into the team and made some good saves today'...

'The three coming back in did well. Blondy’s made some good saves, Harry [Taylor]’s so reliable and trustworthy, and Chrissy Wreh got his goal'...

Dan Mooney was taken off on a stretcher in the final 10 minutes... 'I don’t know how bad the Mooney injury is, fingers crossed it’s not as bad as feared. It’s an area that we’ve had a lot of injuries in. I don’t think there’s a team in this division that it wouldn’t affect if you’ve got four strikers out'".

SHRIMPERS' VIEW

The home side’s pressure paid off... as Bridge broke the deadlock...

Blues couldn’t make their pressure count and paid the price as the Robins levelled in the 35th minute. An Altrincham counter-attack led to Newby striking a powerful effort that cannoned off the crossbar, but Colclough, the Robins’ top scorer, was on hand to equalise.

Maher’s Blues hit back and found a fast response, as Wreh fired the home side back in front just before half time...

Despite Southend’s control in the game, Altrincham were gifted an equaliser in the 59th minute. A mix up between Kacper Łopata and Nna Noukeu on the edge of the Blues box left Newby (left) with an unmissable opportunity and he played the ball into an empty net to level again.

The visitors pushed forward again, as a ball over the top of the defence seemed to set Jennings through on goal, but Hobson got back to put in an excellent tackle... Nna Noukeu was on hand to deny Altrincham again, as Colclough had yet another strike well saved, after good build-up play from the visitors...

Southend piled men forward in the five minutes of added time... as the match ended in a well-fought draw".

NEXT GAME: MAIDSTONE UNITED

On Saturday Kent Online reported that "Maidstone led high-flying Woking but conceded three times in the second half to leave Kingfield empty-handed.

But after losing keeper Ryan Sandford to a shoulder injury before the break, goals from Rohan Ince, Rhys Browne and Jim Kellermann gave the Cards the points.

Roarie Deacon captained the Stones in the absence of Jerome Binnom-Williams, who missed out through illness, with Ryan Galvin taking his place at left-back...

Maidstone had settled... and were holding their own in a steady performance and looking a threat on the break.... [before] Maidstone took a 34th-minute lead... Regan Booty... fed Corne, whose cracking low drive from 20 yards seemed to take Ross by surprise as it flew in off the keeper.

There was a big blow at the end of the first half for the Stones when Sandford landed awkwardly on his shoulder after being clattered from a corner... and was replaced by Yusuf Mersin in added time.

Woking were struggling to get their game going but found themselves level on 57 minutes... The equaliser had lifted Woking... and they went in front in the 69th minute... but Woking made the points safe eight minutes from time when Kellermann’s strike from distance beat Mersin...

Maidstone: Sandford (Mersin 45+1mins), Fowler, Ellul, Greenidge, Booty, Odusanya (Adarkwa 81mins), Corne, Pattisson, Barham (Fawole 76mins), Deacon. Subs not used: Al-Hussaini, Lyons-Foster".

RESERVES' CUP WIN

ALTY OLD BOYS

Montel Gibson scored the winner for lowly AFC Telford United 2-1 against high flying Banbury United. The Derbyshire Times reported last week that "Gibson, who spent a brief loan spell with Telford earlier in the season, initially returned to Ilkeston due to his work commitments making it difficult to accommodate the Shropshire club's timetable.

Whilst those work commitments have now eased, enabling him to make the move back to the higher level, Gibson’s desire to return to Telford was also heightened by him being unhappy at Ilkeston and the Robins have allowed him to move on.

The deal is on loan until the of the season with the option for Telford to make the signing permanent in the summer, with no recall option available to Ilkeston".

Jude Oyibo netted for Radcliffe in their 2-2 draw at Matlock Town in the NPL.

In the 1-1 draw at Warrington Town, Stalybridge Celtic's goal came from Osebi Abadaki. In the NPL Midlands Division, Jonny Margetts scored what proved to be a consolation goal as Stamford lost 3-1 at Coleshill Town.

Mason Fawns scored Mossley's goal in a 1-1 draw at Hanley Town.

As West Didsbury & Chorlton returned from the long trek to Whitley Bay their point in a 1-1 draw had been secured by a Curtis Miller goal.

Jerome Wright scored the only goal of the game as Wythenshawe Town returned down the M6 from Charnock Richard with three points.

Sandbach United's Harry Cain scored the winner as they beat Wythenshawe Amateurs 2-1.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Caolan Lavery gave the hosts the lead just short of the 20-minute mark, but the Magpies responded almost instantly...

The Magpies have been behind just once at half-time away from home this season, coming in their only defeat of the season against Dorking Wanderers...

'It was the first thing that I said when I walked in at half time, I said I was so impressed with the mentality and the belief in what they were doing. I was so happy in a weird way to go behind away from home and to react in such a positive way, and if we want to be taken seriously this season, we have to continue to do that'...

Langstaff... added to his value this afternoon... with his first half strike.

But the Magpies boss echoed the thoughts of owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz at full-time, insisting it would take something incredible to prize their star man away from Meadow Lane this January.>.

'Macca [Langstaff] is in a brilliant place, he has a team around him that adore him and a team that try to give him opportunities to score... For Macca to leave the club at this point, it would have to take something incredible'", concluded the boss.

From the other side, Scunthorpe United's "interim manager Michael Nelson provided his reaction following the Iron’s 4-1 home defeat against Notts County at Glanford Park.

United took the lead after just 19 minutes...

However, our lead was to be short lived against the high-flying Magpies, as goals from Quevin Castro, Jim O’Brien, Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott sunk Scunthorpe on a disappointing afternoon...

Nelson said... 'I don't think anyone expected us to get anything out of the game but the way we lost it, and the first three goals we gave away were poor to be fair. I think the game plan that we worked on Tuesday and Thursday was implemented very well by the players up until they scored their first goal... For the first three we gifted them."

He added 'When you go ahead, the next ten minutes just do your job and get us into half-time 1-0 up... but we gifted them three goals...

Following the final whistle, our interim boss was 'Pretty brutal to be honest... At the end of the day as a group and some individuals aren't good enough... A few home truths have to be told and now is the time. We’ll see how they react to it.'"

York Press reports that "York hosted Wrexham on Saturday, drawing 1-1 with the promotion chasers as they set a record regular season attendance at the LNER Community Stadium.

7,145 fans gathered as Tim O’Connor’s late goal for Wrexham gave them a lead, just moments before Manny Duku’s thunderous equaliser in stoppage time.

Duku’s goal ensured York came away with the point that their performance deserved. Though their winless run extended to nine, the draw against the Red Dragons felt in no way deflating.

Enthused Ryan,'I think the lads really, really stood up and were counted today.... Luckily enough, Manny (Duku) came on, stuck one in the top bin and the place erupted. Everyone’s delighted'.''

Though City did exceptionally well... they were still without lively attacker Maziar Kouhyar. The winger has not been in a matchday team for the Minstermen since their 2-1 loss to Altrincham".

RESULTS

Saturday, 3 December. NB ALL MATCHES KICK OFF AT 12.30PM

• Barnet 2-0 Wealdstone
• Bromley A-A Yeovil Town (abandoned after serious medical incident in crowd)
• Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Torquay United
• Eastleigh 1-0 Boreham Wood
• FC Halifax Town 1-0 Chesterfield
• Gateshead 0-2 Aldershot Town
• Maidenhead United 1-1 Dorking Wanderers
• Scunthorpe United 1-4 Notts County
• Solihull Moors 2-1 Oldham Athletic
• Southend United 2-2 Altrincham
• Woking 3-1 Maidstone United
• York City 1-1 Wrexham

TODAY'S OPPONENTS: SOUTHEND UNITED

Southend's Echo News spoke "to Altrincham fan Tom Murray ahead of Saturday's match...

[Tom said] 'I think given that it’s our first season full-time and the fact it’s a pretty new squad, our aim this season was just to stay in the league and consolidate... I would expect us to stay up fairly comfortably.

'We’re just five points off the play-offs now, but I think it would be unrealistic to expect us really challenge for them. Personally, now I would say our goal should be to finish in the top half...

'Dan Mooney was very important to us whilst he was at Alty... I think most Alty fans were surprised when he went to Southend. It was felt that if he’d spent a bit longer with us he could have maybe got himself a move higher up the pyramid...

'The main dangerman for me is Ryan Colclough, without a doubt. Elliot Newby (left) has been excellent since he joined us on loan from Stockport... But Colclough is still the main threat...

'I wouldn’t expect us to make any changes from Saturday's win against Eastleigh. Connor Jennings and Elliot Newby have both been exceptional since joining on loan, which has definitely contributed to our recent good form'".

And manager Kevin Maher previews the match in the Echo News "Having suffered two away defeats in succession. Maher is eager to remain upbeat...

'There are positives with how we’re doing this year,' said Maher. 'We’re obviously looking to get back on track on Saturday but so much good work has gone on here.

'The players are obviously disappointed because we all hate losing and we’ve not been used to it recently either. You do lose a bit of confidence when you lose games but... we’ll be prepared for Saturday.

'We’ll look at Altrincham, what they do well and how we might be able to hurt them... Altrincham are a good side,' said Maher. 'They have a way of playing which hasn’t changed too much. They’ve got some very dangerous players and they’ve been in good form in the last three games.

'They’re very organised too so it’s a tough game.'"

In addition, "United are again expected to be missing four strikers for Saturday’s clash with Altrincham. Rhys Murphy remains sidelined with an ankle injury... Maher is also likely to be without Jake Hyde (hamstring), Callum Powell (knee) and Harry Cardwell...

Goalkeeper Steve Arnold is still out with a hip problem while midfielder Noor Husin remains doubtful with a groin problem".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT

As you are aware, the National League Board recently announced its intention to pursue the implementation of a streaming platform in the second half of the currentseason.

A huge amount of work has been ongoing behind-the-scenes with the League now in a position to announce a soft launch of the streaming platform on Saturday 10 December with a full launch two weeks later.

The first phase of the launch will see streaming introduced for National Division clubs only while the League works with North and South clubs running pilot events in the second half of the season to ensure logistically it can be delivered for North and South Divisions for the 2023/24 season.

The National League would again like to reiterate its commitment to providing a quality streaming platform that benefits all 72 Member Clubs.

Thanks must go to BT Sport and title sponsors Vanarama for their continued support. Further updates around pricing and sign-up activity will be announced shortly.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Webb, who has experience of different high-level roles at several Premier League and European clubs, will take charge of the team from Monday... Michael Morton joins from Leeds United’s academy to become Webb’s assistant manager.

Webb started in professional football as an academy coach with the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, and Tottenham Hotspur. At Crystal Palace he was noted for the discovery of Wilfried Zaha, and talent identification has been a skill that he has been credited with throughout his career...

Webb transitioned to off field roles in talent identification, recruitment, and analysis with Southampton, AFC Bournemouth, and a return to Tottenham. At Bournemouth Webb was the Head of First Team Recruitment supporting Eddie Howe...

Mauricio Pochettino, who previously worked with Webb at Southampton, brought him into his backroom team at Tottenham Hotspur as Head of Elite Identification and Player Development.

The UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach worked as a consultant for Hoffenheim and Real Betis before joining Östersund FK as Technical Director in 2019...

On the appointments, York City chairman Glen Henderson said... 'The key to this appointment was finding someone who aligns with our long-term vision for the club, and David was the standout candidate from the start'".

EFL-focused website The 72 tells us that "Derby County youngster Bartosz Cybulski has swapped Matlock Town for Solihull Moors... on a month-long deal.

Derby County have seen a whole host of academy talents come through the ranks in recent years and towering striker Cybulski will be among the current crop hoping to break into the side in the coming seasons.

He’s made seven outings for the Rams’ first-team but much of his game time to date has come with the club’s U18s and U21s.

The Polish youth international has spent time out on loan too though, spending time with Matlock Town this season...

Solihull Moors have swooped in to sign Cybulski on a month-long deal, it has been confirmed".

"Having been an ever-present since returning to the Club last month, Torquay United is delighted to announce that Stephen Wearne’s loan deal from Grimsby Town has now been extended.

After establishing himself as a favourite with the Yellow Army following a successful loan spell last season, Wearne made the first of seven appearances during November...

His energetic displays in a Gulls shirt have added another dimension to United’s performances in recent weeks, and manager Gary Johnson was understandably delighted [saying] 'We look forward to him playing a major part in the coming weeks.'”

Less happily Devon Live confirms that "Two loan players have left Torquay United and another one could play the last game of his spell on Saturday when the Gulls take on Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Road...

Defender Lucas Ness has been recalled by Charlton Athletic [as reported here yesterday]... while midfielder Scott Smith has gone back to Wigan Athletic, who have a new manager in Kolo Toure.

Smith will see if he can impress the new boss after playing eight times for the Gulls, but dropping out of contention in the last couple of weeks. Ness, 20, had more to do, starting all eight games during his month with the club and impressing the management and fans alike...

His partner at the back has been Mark Ellis, and the experienced centre back, 34, could stay after his loan from Barrow runs out at the weekend if talks with parent-club Barrow go well.

Gary Johnson said... 'I’m disappointed to lose both of them, but that’s how the loan deals work.'

This means there will be definitely one change for the game at Dagenham... Ali Omar must be favourite to replace Ness in the back line, but young-gun Ollie Tomlinson is also available...

Torquay go into the game six points adrift of the National League safety zone, bottom of the table on the same points, 15, as Scunthorpe United".

2 December 2022

A BARROWS LOAD OF MISFORTUNE

The 25-year old right-back, a popular figure on and off the pitch after joining from King’s Lynn Town in the summer, sustained a broken ankle in the mishap...

It seems likely he will need surgery to repair... There is no timescale for his recovery programme at present, but it is clear he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines".

Footnote: After missing the start of the season through injury, Ross has now made fourteen starts for Altrincham.

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

But in four years’ time the Shrimpers centre-back is determined to be playing far more of a part. Lopata has represented his country at under 18, 19, 20 and 21 age groups..

'My biggest dream is get 50 caps for Poland,' said Lopata... Every day I wake up I have that ambition somewhere in the back of my head...

Said Lopata, 'I’m happy with how they’re doing and I’ve been enjoying watching it because it means something to me'...

However... the 21-year-old is eager to ensure the Shrimpers get back to winning ways against Altrincham at Roots Hall this weekend having been beaten in their two previous outings...

'It’s not been good enough in the last two games and we can’t shy away from that... We’ve done brilliantly for 10 or 12 games,' said Lopata... 'but when it goes a bit south you can’t get too down....

'I’m sure this is just a slight blip... The morale has been no different this week...

'We’re fifth in the league and targeting the play-off spots 100 per cent',said Lopata".

CHRISTMAS FARE AT ALTY

To a background of Christmas music, and with complimentary mulled wine and mince pies in plentiful supply, supporters will have the opportunity to chat with directors John Coyne and Sam Mackenzie, and, as an added bonus, everyone will be given a raffle ticket on arrival, with a signed framed 22/23 home shirt awaiting the lucky winner. We will also have a cash bar available across both nights...

We will have a pop-up retail store open, with a full stock of replica home and away kits (including shorts and socks) and our new training wear range from partners Puma, as well as leisurewear, scarves, hats, artwork prints, watches, stationery, gin, rum and homeware...

We will be open between 5pm and 8pm, and no reservation is required... Entry to the VP Lounge is via Gate 3 on Moss Lane."

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Defenders Jesse Debrah and Tom Clarke and winger Jordan Slew could all be available for the match. Debrah has missed Town's last five games due to tonsillitis, Clarke has been struggling with an Achilles injury and Slew hasn't featured... because of a hamstring problem...

However, Saturday is expected to come too soon for attacking midfielder Milli Alli to recover from his illness.... Forward Osayamen Osawe could be in contention, according to Millington, 'I think he'll probably be available for selection on Saturday, but I'd also say there are players who are slightly ahead of him in terms of their match sharpness and match fitness, so he may not be included,' said the Town boss...

'I'm hoping that over a busy next few weeks {in which they face Altrincham over Christmas], that we'll have a fully fit and fully available squad'...

Osawe has only played three times for the club since joining them at the end of August, only playing around 90 minutes of football across his three appearances...

'The issues we've had with Yamen have been niggling injuries and in more recent weeks we've had illness... but my energy is spent in the most part on those who are around the matchday squad. Rightly or wrongly, they're the people who I believe require the most assistance at any given time'...

Forward Matty Warburton hasn't started since... September due to injury, and has come off the bench in the last five games... 'He... had a brief spell where he came back and played through an injury at Eastleigh, which ultimately undermined his ability to get back as quickly as he'd want... He's desperate to score goals because that's the key reason he's at the club...

'We've got some good options in that area of the pitch, Kian's done well, Jamie Cooke's done well, we've had Harvey Gilmour in there, Angelo Capello can affect that area of the pitch well...

'There are clearly three real frontrunners this season in the league, and they're the big games that stand out as giving you a test'... Millington said....

'Bar the result, we stood up to the test of Wrexham away reasonably well, we weren't good enough against Notts County at home... But it's our first opportunity to play one of those big three [Chesterfield] at home, so it gives us a real gauge...

'They had a difficult time last year, they've then started this season maybe stepping into Stockport's shoes a bit in that they've recruited some very strong players with league pedigree, they have a manager in charge who's been able to structure things and put things in place to reflect his own approach and they're starting to perform in a similar way to how Stockport performed under Dave Challinor.

'They're probably this season's version of Stockport in my mind'...

The Shaymen will face Albion Sports in the West Riding County Cup at Brighouse Town on Wednesday next week".

London News Online reports that "Lucas Ness has been recalled from his loan spell with Torquay United.

The Charlton Athletic defender joined the National League club at the end of October and made seven appearances.

The Addicks have seen their defensive options diminished in recent weeks...

Ness, 20, has played six first-team games for the Addicks and featured in two EFL Trophy matches this season as well as the full 90 minutes at left-back in the EFL Cup second round victory at Walsall in August.

There is potentially good news for Scunthorpe United as The Iron "warmly welcome long-standing Scunthorpe United supporters Ian Sharp and Simon Elliott to the Football Club. Both have worked tirelessly to secure the future of the Iron and after many long hours have finally achieved their goal by agreeing a deal with Mr Swann [the current owner].

I wish Peter and Karin Swann well, whatever the future holds. Their financial support over the last 10 years has been vital to sustain Scunthorpe United.

A positive step forward off the pitch now needs to be replicated on the pitch. We will be helping the coaching staff by identifying some new additions.

Our focus must be to climb the table and strengthen the squad.

Hopefully with your support, we can boost attendances and get fans back in numbers to watch the Iron. We need local businesses to get back on board and the good people of North Lincolnshire to step up and help us get back on track.

Let’s make the future bright, let’s look forward and not back, focus on the now and give everything for the club we love",

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

Southend United "are seeking a Head of Coaching to join the club’s Academy..

Reporting to the Academy Manager, the role will be to ensure efficient design, implementation and delivery of the coaching programme across the performance pathway". The salary is yobe "discussed at interview".

And a "competitive" salary is offered as Southend United also "are seeking a Lead Phase Coach to join the U13-U16 department of the Academy".

On the pitch Southend United report that "Nathan Ralph was happy to start for the first time in two months as he completed his return from a toe injury in the 2-0 defeat to Aldershot.

The full-back suffered the injury in the closing stages of the 1-0 win over Wealdstone in September..

He said... 'There’s no lasting effect so I’m all good now.. It was a frustrating one being out with something that seemed so small'...

[Last Saturday] 'It was a frustrating afternoon. I didn’t feel like we did enough of what we do and what we’ve had success from recently... We’ve lost two games which is disappointing for us but we want to stay level-headed, keep doing what we’ve been doing, and believe in the process...

'It’s only two losses in 13, so in the grand scheme of things, it’s not anything to worry about.' Kevin Maher’s side welcome Altrincham to Roots Hall on Saturday for the first home game in three weeks...

'We’ve got a good week now to work on what we need to work on in order to do the things we want to get back to. We want that to put that into place on Saturday.'”

THROUGH THE YEARS: 3 DECEMBER

However, the last time that Altrincham played on Saturday's date, 3 December, just 147 spectators watched the match in question. The Through the Years records of Howard Watts and the late Mike Garnett confirm that on that date in 2019 Altrincham were playing at the Bower Fold in a Cheshire Senior Cup First Round match, which they lost 2-0 to the Stalybridge Celtic.

It was a cold Tuesday night in Tameside as Altrincham, having bowed out of the FA Cup with honour some 72 hours earlier at Portsmouth, made eleven changes to their starting line-up for this game.

The Stalybridge squad included ex-Alty players Kallum Mantack (right) and Mark Lees.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Joel TORRANCE, 2. Callum GRAHAM, 3. Dontai GABIDON, 4. Toby MULLARKEY, 5. Connor HAMPSON (c), 6. Max HARROP, 7. Luke WALL, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Jack RYAN, 10. Curtis MILLER, 11. Billy MATTHEWS. Subs: 12. Dre TAYLOR, 14. Raheem MERCURIUS, 15. James MATTHEWS, 16. George HOWARTH, 20. Liam BLACKBURN (gk)

The home team had the better of the early stages against an Alty team of players who, in many cases, had never played together previously.

Only Mullarkey, Harrop, Wall and Richman had any first-team game-time that season, with the rest of the squad comprising reserves and youth teamers.

It was Celtic who took the lead in the 36th minute through Osei. And the task for Alty became much harder, just three minutes later, when a Torrance clearance was blocked and looped up before finding the Altrincham net. Kengni was credited with the goal (39 mins).

So, Alty trailed by two goals at the break despite having put in a decent first-half performance.

The second half became something of a non-event, with either side creating anything much in the way of a goal threat. The nearest Alty came was a good effort from Miller which went narrowly wide (70 mins).

As might have been predicted, given the Alty line up, this was a low-key affair which meant that Alty went out of two cup competitions in a week.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Halifax are the joint-lowest scorers in the National League, with 17 from their first 20 games, and drew a blank last Saturday in a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Yeovil.

Town have only scored more than once four times in the league this season, and are yet to score than twice in a league match...

Millington said... 'If we weren't creating the chances then we'd have a bigger problem to fix. The current situation is we're creating the chances but not putting them away.

'We know that our defence is resilient now and there's a solidity to us as a team, but we can't look to be keeping clean sheets every week and nicking games 1-0, we've got to be starting to put two and three goals past teams and show what a good, all-round team we can be...

'I do believe we have got more goals within the squad, I believe we can get more out of Mani (Dierseruvwe), I believe we can get more out of Rob Harker... The advanced midfielders and number tens in the squad, Kian (Spence), Jamie Cooke, Matty Warburton's yet to get a good run of games, I believe they can all score goals.

'I believe off set-pieces, our centre-halves have got to weigh in with more. I know Jesse Debrah's weighed in with a couple of important goals this season, but others need to be offering more of a goal threat when they go up for set-pieces...

'However, I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of bringing somebody in... But to go out and get a proven goalscorer at this level or from the level above clearly takes a massive investment, which not many clubs in this division can make...

'I don't find the budget restrictive in any way, shape or form,' he said.... 'We've got some really exciting prospects who've come into the squad this season, Jamie Cooke's broken in, Angelo Capello's come in and been a breath of fresh air, Kian Spence is now playing 90 minutes on a regular basis...

'We've got an awful lot of ability in the squad and it's very easy to look outside and go 'the answer's elsewhere', well, no, we want to make sure we do everything we can to find the answer within the squad first and foremost'", he concluded.

And, as well as Southend United (see above), another ex-EFL club which is apparently not paying its staff on time is the subject of a report from Iron-Bru which tells us that "Scunthorpe United have been unable to pay staff their November salaries on time, according to BBC Radio Humberside.

It is understood that the club communicated the news via email on Wednesday afternoon, adding that they were hoping to be in a position to pay the wages on Thursday.

The worrying development comes just one month after the club’s COO Lee Turnbull moved to rubbish rumours that the club had struggled to pay October’s wages, adding there was no ’cause for concern’ despite wages arriving later than usual into bank accounts.

And, we are reminded by the Grimsby Telegraph that "It was announced on Monday that Tony Daws had taken the decision to step down from his role as Scunthorpe United’s interim manager which preceded news of another failed takeover bid for the club...

Michael Nelson will take over first-team duties on an interim basis with Daws returning to his previous role of academy manager.

The 56 year-old took over as interim boss in September after the sacking of Keith Hill, and while the overall performance levels may have improved, Daws only oversaw two victories in three months and leaves his role with the Iron second-from-bottom in the National League.

It does not get any easy for Nelson taking over, with his first game in interim charge a difficult home assignment as Scunthorpe welcome second-placed Notts County...

Just a day after the news of a change in the dugout at Scunthorpe, it was revealed that a potential deal to sell the club to a London-based property development group had collapsed after a month-long exclusivity period. It was understood a fee had been agreed between current owner Peter Swann and the interested party, but the group were unable to provide proof [they] have funds which have [has] brought an end to negotiations...

It is clear that most fans of the club would rather see the local consortium, including former Iron director Simon Elliott and film-maker Ian Sharp swoop in and negotiate a deal with Swann".

According to the Bolton News "Sam Hird has turned down the chance to take charge of York City.

The Wanderers' first team coach was approached by the National League club this we...

'I have had a conversation with Sam today, he was approached by York, spoke with their chairman and has politely declined, said he was extremely happy here,' [manager Ian] Evatt told Bolton News.

'He is pleased to be a part of what we are doing and loves being a part of this football club, thinks the world of the way we do things.

'He politely declined their approach'...

News of the Minstermen’s interest materialised at the start of the week and the club say they hope to make a permanent appointment within the next few days"