28 February 2025

TYLOR'S Q AND A

NL CUP HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT: ROCHDALE

The sides were set to meet at New Year but the pitch at the Crown Oil Arena was unfit and the return fixture at Altrincham is not scheduled until Easter Monday.

Last season when the sides met, each club won its home game 3-0.

TWO WINS FOR ACADEMY SIDES

The other Academy team, the Under-19s, which plays in the National Football Youth League NW Division also played on Wednesday. They travelled to FC Halifax Town, where they won 4-2.

They lined up as Max Oliver Beddow, Kian Gonzalez-Moghaddam, Jacob Hill, Charlie Hough, Ryan Knowles, Harry St Romaine, Jimmy Taafe, Henry Watts, Kyran Webster, Nathan Wood, Noah Lavin. Subs: Christopher Antoniades, Kian Mattison, Callum McCormack, Harley Renshaw.

McCormack (2), St Romaine and Wood were the Altrincham scorers.

ALTY OLD BOYS

The pair are only 2 points adrift of Tranmere Rovers, whose goal difference is the poorest of the three clubs. Barrow only introduced ELLIOT NEWBY from the bench in the 83rd minute.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Hall-Johnson, 29, brings a wealth of experience from his tenure in the National League and the English Football League.

During his three-year spell at Wrexham AFC from 2020 to 2023, Hall-Johnson made 68 National League appearances, contributing 13 goals...

Known for his dynamic play as a right-back, Hall-Johnson combines defensive solidity with the ability to support attacks going forward, making him a dual threat on the flank".

Meanwhile, Solihull Moors also report that "Matt Warburton has completed a permanent move to Vanarama National League North side King's Lynn Town.

The 32-year-old has joined play-off chasing Kings Lynn in a permanent move, bringing his 20 month stay in B92 to an end.

Warburton joined Solihull after winning the Isuzu FA Trophy with FC Halifax Town before playing a part in last seasons heroics as we reached two Wembley finals.

The attacking midfielder has made 16 appearances so far this term, scoring once in league action".

York Press reminds us that "It is one year to the day since Adam Hinshelwood became the new manager of York City... following the sacking of Neal Ardley. York occupied 20th position in the National League...

It was a rough start to life in the fifth tier for Hinshelwood, who was taking charge of a professional club for the first time, with a run of four matches without a win... During that run, an unforgettable evening in Altrincham saw York defeated 6-1 despite a large backing from supporters...

John-Lewis scored the winner in a 1-0 victory at Aldershot Town in the next match, as Hinshelwood emotionally celebrated a first three points at the helm.

York would go on to secure safety after wins against Bromley, Chesterfield and Woking...

York now find themselves in second position after 33 matches....

'Other teams and managers have been doing this for three years, getting a team together... and we’re not even one year in yet, and we’re there...

'I think the worst memory is coming off the pitch after Altrincham last year,' Hinshelwood confessed...

York have also seen a change in their style of play... 'If you look at all of the stats, with the possession-based team and the chances created and stuff like that, we’re definitely getting there'".

27 February 2025

NEXT: ROCHDALE

The striker joined on loan from Sky Bet League One club Exeter City earlier this week and made his debut as a substitute in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Tamworth...

McNulty commented, 'Exeter have really helped us on that front. There are not many people willing to let players go out at this stage of the season, because there’s not a lot of upside for clubs to do that.

'Jay is hungry to play. He’s not match fit at the moment because it’s been a long time since he’s had 90 minutes. We need to work on getting him up to speed as quickly as possible, but we’re really pleased to have him.

'He’s different to what we’ve got. He’ll offer us good-quality shooting around the box'...

Dale ended Tuesday’s draw with a plethora of attacking players on the pitch, as Kairo Mitchell forced home a late equaliser.

The Head Coach was pleased to have the likes of Bird, Mitchell, Tarryn Allarakahia and Devante Rodney to call upon from the substitutes' bench.

'It felt good looking around as a coach and seeing those attacking options to change the course of a game and provide stress for the opposition. We haven’t always had that... We took centre-backs off and changed our shape. We played a lot of people out of position but got as many attackers on the pitch as we could, but with quality.'”

The draw means that Rochdale have not won any of their last six games, earning four points from draws. In that sequence they have also lost their two of their last three home fixtures, including a 0-4 reverse last Saturday against Barnet and a goalless draw against bottom club Ebbsfleet United.

TOON ENJOYED NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP

It was a dramatic exit for the Young Magpies, who came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 only to lose out on penalties at Moss Lane

Joe Nuttall stepped up to take the penalty but was penalised for pausing his run-up excessively and was booked as a result, with Newcastle awarded a free-kick. But The Young Magpies’ luck ran out in the final seconds as Justin Amaluzor headed in to make it 3-3 and force penalties.

Altrincham won the shootout 3-2....

Newcastle did well to progress to the quarter-final of the National League Cup after winning their group in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 win at Gateshead last month.

After that match, [coach] Diarmuid O'Carroll praised the competition...

'In my opinion, this is probably the best competition we've played,” he said. “They're real games. It feels like a real game. It's physically difficult. It's a challenge. Credit to all the teams who've played. It's been really good but it's a compliment to the boys'.

Garang Kuol scored another two goals, his first of which was a stunning strike to continue his fine form at Under-21s level.

The Australian now has five goals in nine matches since returning from injury...

There was talk of a loan move during the recent winter transfer window with conversations taking place with Australian club Macarthur FC but Newcastle and Kuol both agreed the best course of action would be to stay on Tyneside to continue his progress.

The 20-year-old will likely be loaned out again in the summer"

UNCERTAIN CUP DATE FOR ALTRINCHAM

Alty already have midweek games arranged every week until Tuesday, 1 April. That is also the designated date for the National League Cup Final!

The other quarter-finals are:

• Aldershot Town v Leeds United
• Braintree Town v Brighton & Hove Albion

ETHAN'S ROLE

Now that he has been sidelined by injury there has been more evidence of Ethan's non-playing role, such as on Tuesday night when he made it his business to go over to substitute keeper Harvey Randle to give him encouragement and advice before the start of the penalty shoot out against Newcastle United.

The advice worked as it was Harvey's save that allowed the Robins to go on and clinch the shootout victory.

And last Saturday before the duo of Weaver and Reddin came on as substitutes, they had a few moments with Ethan in the technical area as they reviewed the tactical notes with him before going onto the pitch

ALTY OLD BOYS

EFL Trophy : Wrexham seemed to be on their way to a Wembley final against Birmingham City when they led 2-0 at half time against visitors Peterborough United. Posh had other ideas though, and, although Malik Mothersille missed a 72nd minute penalty, he snapped up the rebound, and then they equalised in added time to force a shootout.

Mothersille missed his penalty in that too, but Peterborough won it 4-2 and can look forward to Wembley in April. CHRIS CONN-CLARKE will hope that, unlike tonight, he doesn't spend that day stuck on the bench.

Liverpool Senior Cup : RYAN BROOKE and LUKE WALL were in the Runcorn Linnets side that won 4-0 against a youthful Tranmere Rovers lineup to qualify for the semi finals.

Polish Cup : Legia Warsaw won 3-1 at home against Jagiellonia to earn a semi-final spot. Having been booked after only 7 minutes, MAXI OYEDELE was substituted after 66 minutes.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 1 MARCH

As Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years records show us that, back in 2014, they won 2-0 at home to Workington, whilst more recently, in 2017, they lost 1-3 at Darlington.

Right: Ryan Shotton is pictured in action with the late Adam Stansfield at Exeter in 2008.

Alty's most recent game on 1 March as a National League (Blue Square Premier) club came back in 2008

A gusty wind did not help this game to provide much entertainment but with Alty barely mustering a shot on target, Exeter deserved the points.

Two goals in eight first-half minutes decided the game. Adam Stansfield who sadly died of cancer just two years later in 2010, got the better of Young to net the first (25 mins) then Gill turned in Carlisle's cross from the right (33 mins).

Despite three attacking substitutions by Graham Heathcote it was not until the second minute of second-half added-time that, one of the subs, Colin Little, scored a well-taken goal.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN; 23. Ryan TOULSON, 5. Darren TINSON (capt), 10. Greg YOUNG, 16. Ryan SHOTTON; 15. Chris LANE; 17. Richard BATTERSBY, 7. Robbie LAWTON, 25. Liam KING, 11. Warren PEYTON; 12. Joe O'NEILL. Subs: 3. Gary SCOTT, 9. Colin LITTLE, 14. Tom CAHILL, 19. Chris SENIOR, 20. Carlos ROCA.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Maidenhead Unitd tell us that "It was last-minute heartbreak... on Tuesday night as two late goals denied the Magpies of a hard-fought point.

Alan Devonshire made two changes the weekend’s defeat to Yeovil Town as Joshua Johnson and Owen Cochrane replaced Kane Ferdinand and Thierry Latty-Fairweather, with the latter being ineligible due to the visitors being his parent club...

A cagey affair went stale for 20 minutes with little to note...

In the 42nd minute, the visitors took the lead through Ollie Pearce. The league’s top scorer glanced in Jeff King’s corner to give them a slender advantage going into the break...

On the hour mark, Maidenhead did draw level... A deep cross to the back post was nodded back into danger by Owen Cochrane, just for it to land perfectly on the foot of Abrahams to volley sumptuously into the bottom corner...

It was a ping pong match of chances as the game entered the closing stages. A deep cross from Joe Felix was headed comfortably wide by Lennell John-Lewis who was completely free at the back post.

With no more than a minute left of added time, Ollie Pearce grabbed his second of the match slotting past Ross, who got fingertips to it.

As United pushed forward for a last-gasp equaliser, Josh Stones broke through United’s defence who had all pushed forward to make it 3-1 and secure all three points for York".

Gateshead confirm the "permanent signing of Derby County defender Ryan Bartley.

The 21 year-old joins on a contract until the end of the 2024/25 season having spent time on loan in the Vanarama National League North earlier this season with Spennymoor Town and Hereford.

Bartley made 23 league appearances across his two temporary spells, most recently playing 16 games for promotion-chasing Hereford".

At AFC Fylde "Following the departure of Kevin Phillips, the club can confirm that David Longwell and Chris Neal will take charge of all first-team matters until the end of the season.

Longwell, who joined the club initially as Assistant Head Coach in January, will be taking over first team duties along with Goalkeeper Coach Chris Neal who has overseen an number of games in an interim role already this campaign.

After taking charge of their first game over the weekend, claiming a brilliant 2-1 win against play-off hopeful’s Altrincham, the duo will be in the dugout for the remainder of the campaign.

Speaking on the announcement, David Longwell said... '“What we proved on Saturday [at ALtrincham] is that if... everyone works hard, together, then results come'".

26 February 2025

"ONE OF THE STRANGEST GAMES OF FOOTBALL" SAYS PHIL

Referring to the bizarre penalty incident with Joe Nuttall, he said that "Joe stubbed his foot" on the difficult surface but the referee said that he had feigned to shoot and booked him for unsportsman-like conduct.

Right: At the end of the game, Joe Nuttall could see the funny side of things after the bizarre penalty incident.

He was impressed by Reddin and Weaver but, as young players, he thinks they need to be "more consistent".

As for new keeper Rob Lainton, Phil revealed that he had been signed via Director of Football Marc Tierney's contacts. Although it is not ideal that he has not got recent match experience, such players are not readily available at this time of year.

He added that Rob is "a really good keeper, but we've got to make sure he's up to speed. He and Caleb [Ansen] will fight it out" along with "young Harvey" [Randle] who he described as a "fantastic lad, he trains so hard".

The boss also spoke about the pitch saying that it is "really, really bad". We are going to have to do something with it". He beieves that "it needs heavy rolling" which has not been done because of drainage issues.

ALTRINCHAM 3-3 NEWCASTLE UNITED U-21
Altrincham win 3-2 on pens

Altrincham, having made seven changes to their starting eleven, started brightly and were two up inside ten minutes. Kahrel Reddin smashed in a shot from the left after six minutes, followed by a collector's item, an Altrincham goal from a corner, which made it 2-0. The scorer was Taylor who headed in from an Osborne corner.

An excellent strike from 25 yards by Kuol made it 2-1 after 19 minutes.

But then debutant Alty keeper Rob Lainton (left) was belatedly adjudged to have conceded a penalty, which Turner-Cooke converted to make it 2-2 (29 mins).

When Pasiek and Cooper collided in the 58th minute, Kuol found himself free and he shot past second-half substitute keeper Harvey Randle to give the Toon a 3-2 lead.

Alty had a great chance to make it 3-3 when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Thompson. Up stepped Joe Nuttall who seemed to slip as he went to kick the ball and it did not seem to move (77 mins). Play restarted with a freekick to Newcastle.

It looked to be the end of the road for Alty as, despite repeated attacks, they trailed until the 90th minute when man of the match Reddin's cross was nodded home by Amaluzor to send the game to a penalty shoot-out...

Match report here.

NEXT: ROCHDALE

The sides have met previously in the FA Cup, Altrincham seeing off the then League club on both occasions.

Several matches recently have been postponed at Rochdale so Altrincham cannot expect the sort of playing surface they prefer.

There are three connections between the current squads.

Both Kyle Ferguson and Jack Kingdon have previously worn the Alty stripes. Kyle has made 4(+6) league appearances this season whilst Jack has made two appearances from the bench.

The third connection is with Matt Penney who played for Alty last week at Hartlepool having previously played 31 minutes for the Dale as a used substitute this season.

In the league, Rochdale trail Altrincham by six points but have two games in hand.

Dale's league form has taken a dip recently, with them winning just one of their last eight NL fixtures. Goalscoring has been an issue with just two goals scored in their last six league games.

Rochdale's FA Trophy progress has seen them beat Leamington (away) 2-0, Stockton Town (away, in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw), and a 2-1 win in Sussex at Worthing. So they have yet to play a home tie and yet to meet a club from the National League.

HOME DRAW FOR ALTY RESERVES

Named after the Vulcan Foundry where steam locomotives were built from the 1860s, the club is based in Newton-le-Willows.

The draw leaves Altrincham bottom of the league, six points from safety with seven games to play.

ALTY WOMEN HIT BY GOALS IN QUICK SUCCESION

Although they are three points ahead of second placed Nantwich Town, the Dabbers' Ladies have six games in hand!

On Sunday they hosted Stockport County Ladies and trailed 1-3 at the interval after Natalie Lowe had put them ahead after five minutes. Two quick-fire goals just before the break by Stockport were major blows.

Elise Jones made it 2-3 early in the second half but two very late goals, again in quick succession, undid any hopes of Altrincham retrieving a point.

The Altrincham line-up was, (alphabetically), Caitlin Beaty, Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Libby Newton, Annie Rose O'Donoghue, Emily O'Leary, Kira Saycell and Brogan Walsh.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports on Tuesday's action...

League One : OWEN DALE put Wigan Athletic 2-1 up against visitors Huddersfield Town shortly before half time. He was withdrawn in the 89th minute as his side held on to win 2-1.

League Two : Tranmere Rovers withdrew CHRIS MERRIE after 63 minutes, while CONNOR JENNINGS played the full game. Visitors Accrington Stanley, who left SONNY ALJOFREE on the bench, won by the game's only goal to leave the Birkenhead club only 2 points above the relegation spots.

National League : With their game at Eastleigh goalless, Gateshead took off LIAM HUMBLES, but, although they took a late lead, they were pegged back to 1-1 with a 92nd minute penalty.

MILES WELCH-HAYES played the full game for Maidenhead, while TYRESE SINCLAIR and JEFF KING did likewise for visitors York City, who won 1-3.

Tamworth's KENNEDY DIGIE played throughout their 1-1 draw at home to Rochdale, who had KYLE FERGUSON on the bench. JACK KINGDON wasn't in tonight's squad.

National North : MICHAEL GYASI scored his second hat trick of the season, one of them a penalty, as Peterborough Sports won 1-3 at Radcliffe.

LEWIS SALMON netted for Alfreton Town after 88 minutes, but hosts South Shields held on to win 2-1.

DIOR ANGUS continued his recent good run, scoring the only goal as Southport beat visitors Curzon Ashton.

NPL Division 1 West : KEVIN ELLISON equalised for Vauxhall Motors at Chasetown, but the hosts struck back to win 2-1.

25 February 2025

ALTY SIGN KEEPER

The former Wrexham number one is in manager Phil Parkinson's squad for tonight's National League Cup quarter-final against Newcastle United under-21s at The J.Davidson Stadium and is eligible for Saturday's short trip to the Crown Oil Arena, as Alty take on Rochdale for a place in the Isuzu FA Trophy semi-finals...

The 6ft 4in keeper was named Wrexham's player of the year in 2018-19 after recording 25 clean sheets... and he made over 120 appearances for them in all before leaving the Racecourse Ground last summer".

Footnote: The signing comes after the injury to Ethan Ross which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

In the last three Altrincham games, Norwich City teenager Caleb Ansen has kept goal; he is on loan from the Canaries.

New signing, 35 year-old Rob Lainton (dob 12.10.89), has previously been to Moss Lane as a player on at least four occasions. Twice he was an unused substitute and twice he has played against Altrincham for ninety minutes.

Above, left to right, Altrincham's four keepers used, so far, this season are Ethan Ross, Louis Fallon, Harvey Randle and Caleb Ansen.

When he starts tonight, Rob will become the fifth goalkeeper to play in a first-team match for Altrincham this season, after Ethan Ross, Louie Fallon, Harvey Randle and Caleb Ansen.

TONIGHT: NEWCASTLE UNITED

It will be the tenth home cup tie this season, which may well be a club record.

Entry is free to Altrincham season-ticket holders, with a £5 charge for other adult spectators and £2 for younger supporters.

Whatever the outcome tonight, Alty still have at least one more cup tie to play. That occurs on Saturday when Alty travel to Rochdale in the sixth round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

In that context Alty are expected to field a side displaying many fringe players as they prioritise the Trophy tie.

Right: George Wilson

However, selection is limited still by injuries with Ross, Crankshaw, Wilson (right) and Marriott all sidelined for substantial periods.

Manager Phil Parkinson did hint that Marriott could be in the squad to night, as would be Alex Newby who has missed the last two fixtures.

Lucas Weaver is cup-tied in the FA Trophy so he would seem to be a likely candidate to start against Newcastle tonight. Another likely starter is Matty Kosylo, following his four-match suspension for his red card against Braintree.

ALTY'S OLD FOES

The Englishman was appointed Kidderminster boss in January 2024, though he was unable to save them from relegation to the National League North. This season has also been difficult with Saturday's defeat to Spennymoor Town seeing them drop out of the play-offs.

In the aftermath of that blow, Brown launched into his players... 'There’s a certain way of playing football, and there’s a certain way of wearing the shirt. The players out there wore it with no pride whatsoever, no ambition to try and win the game,' Brown said...

'They looked like they were going through the motions, and that’s a representation of me. So it’s not a case of the changes I made that did that. These players I’ve been playing for me all season, and I’ve never seen anything like that.

'It was unrecognisable. There’s something going on in the changing room. I don’t know what it is. It was almost like they didn’t want me at the football club. They played that way...

'I’m wasting my time trying to motivate them if they want me out of the club, and that’s the way they represented me here...

'They’ve made my life a misery, and consequently, because of that, I might as well make their life a misery, they’ll be in on Sunday, like naughty schoolboys that need educating,' he added...

'I’ve been sacked before – but I’ve never seen such a weird, lacklustre, no direction, kind of representation of Phil Brown, and I’m really I want to apologise to everybody that came to the game'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The forward, on loan from Oldham Athletic, spoke passionately about the Stones, saying he 'loved it' as soon as he stepped back onto the familiar turf at The Vale, with affection for the club driving his decision to return. Despite having other options, Reid chose Wealdstone, expressing his deep love for the club, its fans and everything it represents.

Reid, who has already made a noticeable impact on the team with 3 goals so far in this second loan spell to take his tally to 14 in all competitions in Stones colours, highlighted the positive atmosphere surrounding the squad under their new manager. 'Three wins on the bounce in the league, the first time we’ve done it this season, shows the belief and commitment from everyone,' he remarked. 'He’s brought in some different ideas and the lads have bought into them, the results are proof of that.'"

There is a curious announcement from Aldershot Town which says "We are aware of a tannoy announcement made towards the East Bank during Saturday’s game. We want to be clear that the club fully embraces the passion and atmosphere our supporters bring—we have no intention of limiting celebrations, as they are an essential part of football.

The announcement was made in response to multiple reports received by our stewards regarding fans falling to the ground in a small area of the terrace, raising concerns for supporter safety. To ensure the well-being of everyone in the stadium, a decision was made to remind fans to celebrate responsibly and avoid any potential injuries.

Our priority is always the safety and enjoyment of all fans, and we appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to many more fantastic moments together".

24 February 2025

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

Right: Lewis Banks is congratulated by Elliot Osborne on scoring Alty's goal against Fylde

SORVEL'S ANALYSIS

"They were poor goals to concede but we had done enough in the first half to feel confident we could still get a result.

"But we didn't create anything in the second.

"They set up to counter and this led to them having better chances than us in the second half but we didn't do enough.

"We were probably due a blip as our home form has been brilliant".

Footnote: Only Eastleigh had previously won a league match at the J. Davidson Stadium this season.

NEXT: NEWCASTLE UNITED U21

Kick off is at 7.30pm and entry is free to Altrincham season-ticket holders, but £5 to others.

The Toon progressed from Group C, winning the group on goal difference from Leeds United and Boston United who all finished on eight points.

Newcastle won 4-2 at Gateshead, 2-1 at FC Halifax Town, lost 3-2 at Boston and drew 1-1 at Tamworth, winning the penalty shootout 6-5 to earn an additional point.

FA FINES ALTY AND HALIFAX

The FA has handed down fines of £550 to each club under a "Mass Confrontation" (FA Rule E20.1) charge, whilst the Halifax manager was charged with Misconduct (FA Rule E3.1) and fined £600 and received a three-match touchline ban.

He was charged that "during the half time interval of the fixture you acted in an improper and/or violent manner, leading to your dismissal".

The charge against Altrincham was that "It is alleged that during the half time interval of the fixture, Altrincham FC failed to ensure that its players did not behave in a way which is improper and/or provocative and/or violent".

The charge against Halifax was the same but referred to "its players and or technical staff".

ALTY OLD BOYS

They were soon further behind, and, despite their opponents going down to 10 men on the hour, were unable to stage a recovery, losing 3-1. The result leaves them in danger of missing out on European qualification - an unpleasant prospect for a club generally considered to be the most successful Polish club in history.

23 February, 2025

ALTRINCHAM 1-2 AFC FYLDE

Lewis Baines organises his defence with Tylor Golden

Alty suffered only their second home league defeat of the season on Saturday.

Match report here.

FYLDE'S VIEW

Massey... opened the scoring with an inspired strike as his dipping finish across goal from around 25-yards-out, caught Caleb Ansen off guard in the host goal, with less than eight minutes on the clock..

A leveller was found soon after when Justin Amaluzor teed up full back Lewis Banks just inside the area as he struck across goal and into the back of the net via Winterbottom’s right-hand post...

Nick Haughton regained the lead for the Coasters with a low powerful effort from a tight angle...

While the Robins held plenty of possession in the closing stages a resolute Coasters backline held strong as they closed out an impressive victory".

AFTER THE MATCH

"We've got to be more creative on the ball" said the manager who felt the pitch had an influence on the way Alty normally play.

Referring to loanee keeper Caleb Ansen, the boss said that he "knows he should have done better on both goals".

He pointed out that Fylde slowed the game down in the second half, but overall "we need to do better".

"Hopefully it will give us a kick up the back side before the FA Trophy game", Phil added. He expects that Alex Newby (left) will be available foe that match at Rochdale.

"He probably could have played today" but it was decided not to risk him" he said of Newby.

Also on the positive front, the manager reported that Isaac Marriott is back in training.

NEXT: NEWCASTLE UNITED

Newcastle's under-21s have not been in good form recently, their only win in their last six matches came against Vanarama National League opposition in their final group-stage match in the NL Cup, when they won 4-2 at Gateshead.

But in Premier Leaggue 2 (PL2), they have lost their last three matches heavily, conceding 13 times in those fixtures.

After a 3-1 reverse at WBA, they were beaten 3-6 at home by Leicester City U21 and then went down to a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal U21.

They now lie 15th in the 26 team PL2 division.

For Altrincham, after the match with the Tynesiders on Tuesday, another cup match follows on Saturday, 1 March, when they travel to Rochdale for their Isuzu FA Trophy Sixth Round clash.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : Although DUNCAN WATMORE isn't showing among Millwall's injuries and suspensions, he wasn't in the squad again today as they won by the only goal at Derby County. Maybe they might consider loaning him out..... C Swansea City had already wrapped up their 3-0 victory over visitors Blackburn Rovers before they brought JOSH GINNELLY off the bench in the 81st minute.

League 1 : JUNIOR QUITIRNA came on for Crawley Town in the 58th minute at Blackpool, where they were trailing 2-1 against 10 men, but it was the hosts who added another goal.

Peterborough United's win at Huddersfield Town by the only goal was one of the day's unlikelier results, but CHRIS CONN-CLARKE merely watched from the bench, as did JOEL SENIOR (right) as Bristol Rovers went down by the odd goal in three at Northampton Town.

CARL PIERGIANNI captained Stevenage to a 0-1 win at Shrewsbury Town.

OWEN DALE played the full game in Wigan Athletic's goalless draw at Wycombe Wanderers, for whom JAMES BERRY has still to figure in a match day squad.#

League Two : Crewe Alexandra shrugged off a six match winless run to put visitors Barrow to the sword 3-0. ALEX NEWBY was substituted immediately after picking up an 81st minute booking.

MARCUS DACKERS put in a full shift for Morecambe, but, within 3 minutes of having a man sent off, they conceded to visiting league leaders Walsall, and eventually lost 0-2.

Accrington Stanley were already behind to visitors Doncaster Rovers when they had to withdraw SONNY ALJOFREE after 34 minutes, and they went on to lose 1-2.

Carlisle United withdrew JOE HUGILL after 74 minutes of their goalless draw with visitors Gillingham.

Both CONNOR JENNINGS and CHRIS MERRIE played the full game as Tranmere Rovers were beaten 2-1 at Notts County. Having been credited with the assist for his side's consolation goal, Chris picked up a late booking.

There are 9 players on Chesterfield's injured list. RYAN COLCLOUGH isn't one of them, but was absent from their 1-0 defeat at Swindon Town.

National League : KENNEDY DIGIE (right) gave Tamworth an early lead, but visitors Southend United were dominant and fought back to draw 1-1.

Hartlepool United led at the break at Aldershot, but a 47th minute booking for LUKE WATERFALL presaged a turnaround and they lost 3-2. BILLY SASS-DAVIES was left on the bench for the sixth game in succession.

By the time CONNOR TEALE scored in the 90th minute at the Jakeman's Community Stadium, Boston United were already two goals down to Eastleigh, so the goal was merely a consolation.

Without the injured REAGAN OGLE, Oldham Athletic were 2-1 down at Dagenham and Redbridge when JOSH LUNDSTRAM joined battle in the 75th minute - and he claimed the assist for the 95th minute equaliser.

A full shift from MILES WELCH-HAYES couldn't prevent Maidenhead United from losing 0-2 to visitors Yeovil Town - for whom MATT GOULD watched from his usual spot on the bench.

Rochdale managed only a single attempt on target as league leaders Barnet hit them with 4 goals without reply. JACK KINGDON came off the home bench after 78 minutes, but KYLE FERGUSON'S services weren't required.

Gateshead already led 0-2 at Solihull Moors when LIAM HUMBLES (right) came off the bench after 71 minutes. They added a third goal before a late consolation goal did nothing to help Moors overcome an appalling run of just a single point from their last 8 matches.

FC Halifax were 0-2 up inside 3 minutes at York City, with former Robins trialist TOM PUGH scoring the second. JEFF KING came on after 41 minutes against one of his former clubs, by which time York had reduced the arrears, while TYRESE SINCLAIR went off after 64 minutes. Jeff had the last laugh on the Shaymen, laying on York's 100th minute equaliser after they'd gone down to 10 men.

National North : TOM PEERS scored the only goal as Chester won their away game with Farsley Celtic.

YUSIFU CEESAY opened the scoring in Hereford's 2-0 home win over Alfreton Town.

Kidderminster Harriers are having a wobble, and have now won only one of their last seven league games, as well as exiting the FA Trophy. ASHLEY HEMMINGS scored, but visitors Spennymoor won 1-3.

ANDY WHITE (right) doesn't score many, but, with both sides down to 10 men, he netted in the 90th minute to earn Warrington Town a 1-1 draw against visitors Chorley.

PL Premier Division : FC United were 0-2 down at the break at home to Hebburn Town, but DYLAN MOTTLEY-HENRY scored what turned out to be just a consolation goal.

Although HAYDEN CAMPBELL gave Leek Town the lead in the 3rd minute, they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw with visitors Guiseley.

Matlock Town had also led early against visitors Stockton Town, but the Tees-side club had moved into a 1-3 lead before MONTEL GIBSON scored the last goal of the match.

NPL Division 1 West : LUKE WALL was among the scorers as Runcorn Linnets won 2-3 at Chasetown.

BYRON HARRISON was among the scorers as Nantwich Town ran amok at City of Liverpool, winning 2-8.

Vauxhall Motors could thank KEVIN ELLISON (who will be 46 tomorrow!) for the only goal of the game at Mossley, while Witton Albion also scored just once to beat visitors Wythenshawe - the man on target was former Robins trialist DAMOLO SOTONA.

NPL Division 1 East : JAMES WALSHAW'S management career at Ossett United continues to progress nicely. From looking relegation certainties when he took over the twins, they've now climbed to 15th after a 4-2 home win over Brighouse Town.

NWCL Premier Division : A goal for JOHN JOHNSTON could not save Irlam from going down by the odd goal in three at home to Burscough.

NWCL Division 1 North : BILLY HASLER-CREGG opened the scoring for Nelson, and they went on to win 1-3 at Atherton Laburnum Rovers.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Moors, though comfortably in mid-table, lay bottom of the form-guide for the National League before this week's matches.

In that context, club chairman, Darryl Eales, wrote "I am as disappointed as any supporter with this season and will work tirelessly to learn the right lessons...

After last seasons heroics, we came into this season full of optimism and expectation.

The playing budget was increased modestly to more than c£1.1m and we - myself, Andy Whing and Stephen Ward - felt we had a stronger overall squad than the 2023/24 season, and indeed Whingy had secured all the transfer targets he wished for - bar one, Gatlin O’Donkor

There has been a hangover from the ultimate disappointment of last season.. Probably 5 or 6 of our most consistent performers in the 2023/24 season have not maintained their performance levels this season...

More fundamental has been our constant battle with injuries this season, especially non impact muscle injuries....

This has resulted in us being able to play our probably best first team in less than 5 games this season...

This issue alone goes along way to explaining our inconsistency and especially our current run of poor results.

The above has been compounded by a cataclysmic level of individual errors this season... and, for the first time in my time at Moors, failure to find a consistent solution at goalkeeper...

I am 100% sure that we have a team in place that will bounce back strongly".

Solihull Moors "confirm the signing of Tim Akinola on a one-month loan from League Two side Chesterfield... having already played National League football with Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this term...

The midfielder made 31 appearances for the Spireites as they reached the National League Promotion Final in the 2022/23 season".

Meanwhile, Solihull Moors "confirm the signing of Tim Akinola on a one-month loan from League Two side Chesterfield... having already played National League football with Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this term...

The midfielder made 31 appearances for the Spireites as they reached the National League Promotion Final in the 2022/23 season".

22 February, 2025

ALTRINCHAM 1-2 AFC FYLDE

Without Alex Newby and Charlie Olson. added today to the longer-term absentee list of Ross, Marriott, Crankshaw and Wilson, and with Kosylo still suspended, Alty were a shadow of themselves despite winning ten corners, all taken by Osborne, in the first-half alone.

Above: Ansen, Jones and Bickerstaff leave the pitch at half-time.

They fell behind, against the early run of play, in the seventh minute when Massey's shot from some 25 yards beat loanee keeper Ansen, who might have done better to keep it out.

Alty responded with an equaliser made and scored by Lewis Banks, following an interchange on the right with Amaluzor (16 mins).

But the Coasters retook the lead when Massey fed Haughton, whose decent but not fierce shot went through the hands of Ansen, who should have kept it out (26 mins).

On a difficult soft pitch Altrincham laboured to create much in the second half as repeatedly slow build-ups were undone by errors and resolute defending. The result meant that Alty slid to only their second home defest in the league this season.

Match report here.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town 3-2 Hartlepool United
• Altrincham 1-2 AFC Fylde
• Boston United 1-2 Eastleigh
• Dagenham & Redbridge 2-2 Oldham Athletic
• Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Woking
• Maidenhead United 0-2 Yeovil Town
• Rochdale 0-4 Barnet
• Solihull Moors 1-3 Gateshead
• Sutton United 1--1 Braintree Town
• Tamworth 1-1 Southend United
• Wealdstone 4-2 Ebbsfleet United
• York City 2-2 FC Halifax Town

TODAY: AFC FYLDE

Opponents AFC Fylde arrive without a permanent manager after former top-flight striker Kevin Phillips left "by mutual agreement" following a club run of just two victories in their last ten league outings.

Their defence was breeched five times by Alty in the reverse fixture at Mill Farm, with Regan Linney striking a hat-trick. On a day which is the 11th anniversary of another Alty hat-trick, in 2014, (see Through the Years, below), it would be quite remarkable if the Alty striker could repeat that feat.

However, Fylde have their own threat as they boast the free-scoring Nick Haughton who has netted 15 league goals this season out of the 37 scored by the Coasters, 40% of their total haul.

They have won just three times in their last 14 league matches and over the season to date have conceded at a rate of exactly two goals per game (62 in 31 matches), a rate only exceeded by bottom club Ebbsfleet United.

However, their last win was an impressive one, away at Halifax, and with Haughton in their team, they are capable of providing an upset at the J. Davidson Stadium.

On the eve of today's fixture, AFC Fylde reported that "midfielder Taelor O’Kane has joined National League North side Chester on loan until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The young midfielder, who had clocked up 21 appearances so far this season including seven starts, joins the Seals... sitting top of the Naitonal League North,...

After making the step up to first-team football, Taelor featured in 19 National League games last season".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 22 FEBRUARY

In fact, as Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years files demonstrate, Altrincham have not lost a game on 22 February since 1997, when they lost 2-3 at home to Telford United.

Since then, Alty have played five times on this date, winning on four occasions and drawing once.

Right: James Walshaw celebrates his hat-trick.

Altrincham were set to travel to Grimsby Town on Tuesday 22 February 2022 but that fixture got moved forward by a week.

In the last match actually played on the date in question, Altrincham's win over Colwyn Bay in 2014 was memorable for a rare hat-trick for an Altrincham player, in this case James Walshaw.

Altrincham got off to a great start, with Walshaw scoring twice in the first ten minutes. The second goal was an excellent finish as he stroked the ball inside the upright from the edge of the box.

After a lengthy stoppage for an injury to Clee, who thankfully was able to resume after being fouled, the game lost a bit of its flow but Alty led 2-0 at the break.

With Bay attacking, Alty broke away and Walshaw smartly completed his hat trick in the 56th minute.

Altrincham took their foot off the pedal and midway through the half Bay saw Royle's penalty saved by Stuart Coburn. However, Sean Williams, later to play for Alty, did beat the keeper from 25 yards to make it 3-1 in the 81st minute.

Altrincham went on to gain promotion at the end of that season, via the play-offs, with the Bay finishing twelfth. Five years later, the Welsh club left the English pyramid and now play in the Cymru North division.

The Altrincham side that day was: 1. Stuart Coburn, 2. Shaun Densmore (capt), 3. Adam Griffin 4. Jake Moult, 5. Gianluca Havern, 6. Scott Leather, 7. James Lawrie, 8. Simon Richman, 9. James Walshaw, 10. Damian Reeves, 11. Nicky Clee. Subs: 12. Matt Doughty, 14. Tom Marshall, 15. Carl Rodgers, 16. Kyle Perry, 17. Joe Mwasile.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Irish Premier League : Despite a full shift from BARRY BAGGLEY, St.Patrick's Athletic lost by the odd goal in three at Galway United.

Welsh Premier League : In the Championship Group, Bala Town, despite JOEL TORRANCE making five saves, were totally outclassed by visitors TNS who won 2-0. Bala had only two shots, and both were off target.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In the video available to watch on our YouTube channel, Rees starts by reflecting on the club’s on-pitch performances during the first half of the season, before looking at more recent results and the recruitment strategy.

He goes on to update supporters on the use of the North Bank, as well as the transition from Boots and Laces to the new training facility.

Looking at a more long-term matters, Rees touches on the integration of the club’s Academy and Ladies teams before providing his thoughts on the Vanarama National League’s 3Up campaign".

Scunthorpe United "announce the signing of forward Chris Wreh from National League side Tamworth on an initial one-month loan deal...

The American-born frontman was part of the Tamworth team that was promoted from the National League North in the 2023-24 season...

He would go on to link up with National League side Southend United and after just a single season with the Shrimpers he would join Hartlepool United on a short-term deal.

So far this campaign, Wreh has seen his game time reduced at Tamworth".

21 February 2025

NEXT: AFC FYLDE

Fylde will be looking for a reaction after falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Boston United last time out...

The Coasters will be wearing their black and yellow away kit for the clash with the Robins".

ALTY'S MULTIPLE CAPTAINS

Multiple captaincy has arisen largely due to having played no fewer than ten cup ties so far and in some of those games, senior players have been rested. To date five players' names have appeared on the teamsheet as Altrincham captain this campaign.

Captains all; left to right, Lewis Baines, James Jones, Tom Crawford, Matty Kosylo nd Elliot Osborne.

With 2023-24 captain Isaac Marriott sidelined by long-term injury, Lewis BAINES ended last season as the incumbent and started this league season retaining the armband. However, injury meant that former captain, James JONES took over for seven league matches (game 7-13).

Baines returned as captain, at home, against Gateshead in game 14 and was captain for every league game until last Tuesday at Hartlepool, when Tom CRAWFORD took over.

In cup competitions, not only have all three of the above league-match captains (Baines, James Jones and Crawford) worn the armband, but also Matty KOSYLO and Elliot OSBORNE.

The captains in cup competitions this season have been as follows:

• CSC: Matty KOSYLO
• NLC: Tom CRAWFORD, Lewis BAINES, Matty KOSYLO, James JONES; each game in the competition so far has had a different captain.
• FAC: James JONES, Lewis BAINES
• FAT: Elliot OSBORNE, Lewis BAINES

NARROW ACADEMY DEFEAT

In the thirteen-strong National League U19 Alliance North Division, Altrincham lost 0-1 at home, at Egerton Sports Club, a result which left them eleventh in the league table.

COMMUNITY SPORTS TEN-YEAR CELEBRATION

It's been 10 years of community-engaging activities in our sports hall! We're having an afternoon of celebrations" including...

• Pete Scotson Disco
• Food & Drink
• Chocolate tombola & more

Entry is free. The event is at the Community Sports Hall from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday, 16 March 2025.

Pictured (right) is the Community Sports Hall, adjacent to the main stand.

ALTY'S TRANS-ATLANTIC VOLUNTEER

John Edwards writes of the recipient that "He was born in Argentina, raised in California and went to university in Arizona, but Rickson Parmeggiani is Alty through and through...

He suggested a quite remarkable working arrangement with Co-Chairman Lawrence Looney last summer...

Basically I said 'How about if I put my business on hold, work for you for nothing for a year and if you want to hire me after that, great?

'I'm living off my savings while I'm following my dream, and I would love it if it ended with the club saying "yeah, we're happy with you and we can take you on."

'There are no guarantees. I went into it with my eyes open. It's high risk, but high rewards. That's the kind of guy I am'".

OLSON AND BANKS Q AND A

"George Allen caught up with... Charlie Olson for a round of Quickfire Questions at Altrincham's Egerton training ground".

In the same series, George also fired questions at Lewis Banks, (pictured, right).

NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF DATES

Vanarama National League

• Eliminator A (5th v 6th) – Wednesday 14 May
• Eliminator B – (4th v 7th) – Thursday 15 May
• Semi-Final (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) – Tuesday 20 May
• Semi-Final (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) – Wednesday 21 May
• Promotion Final – Sunday 1 June (Wembley Stadium)

Vanarama National League North

• Eliminator A (5th v 6th) – Tuesday 29 April
• Eliminator B – (4th v 7th) – Wednesday 30 April
• Semi-Final (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) – Saturday 3 May
• Semi-Final (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) – Sunday 4 May
• Promotion Final – Saturday 17 May/Sunday 18 May

Vanarama National League South

• Eliminator A (5th v 6th) – Tuesday 29 April
• Eliminator B – (4th v 7th) – Wednesday 30 April
• Semi-Final (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) – Saturday 3 May
• Semi-Final (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) – Sunday 4 May

• Promotion Final – Saturday 17 May/Sunday 18 May

Promotion Finals in the Vanarama National League North and South will take place at the home ground of the finalist club who finished higher in the league table during the regular season.

Final details including kick-off times for all play-off matches will be confirmed in due course."

20 February 2025

ALTY: NORTH AND SOUTH

Alty's six away defeats this season have all been at grounds very much south of the J. Davidson Stadium, namely at Sutton, Forest Green, Barnet, Braintree, Aldershot and Woking, all of which are 139 miles or more away.

Curiously, it was another "deep south" team, Eastleigh, that inflicted the only home defeat on Altrincham of this campaign.

As well as not having lost when heading north, Altrincham even recorded their joint biggest win of the season, 5-0, whilst on the road up north, to Fylde.

The Robins have also won at the northern bastions of Gateshead (1-0) and Hartlepool (2-1) and they have drawn away at Oldham (2-2). They have yet to visit FC Halifax Town and Rochdale.

In contrast, Alty's only league wins this season in ten attempts in southern England grounds have been at Eastleigh and Maidenhead.

The statistics are as follow:

• TRAVELLING NORTH: Away P4 W3 D1 L0; AFC Fylde (W), Gateshead (W), Hartlepool United (W), Oldham Athletic (D). Altrincham have not yet travelled to FC Halifax, Rochdale, York City.

  Points won as percentage of those available, to date 10/12 (83.3%)

• TRAVELLING TO THE MIDLANDS AND EAST: P2 W1 D1 L0: Solihull Moors (D), Tamworth (W). Alty have yet to visit Boston.

  Points won as percentage of those available, to date 4/6 (66.7%).

• TRAVELLING SOUTH: P10 W2 D2 L6; Aldershot Town (L), Barnet (L), Braintree Town (L), Eastleigh (W), Forest Green Rovers (L), Maidenhead United (W), Sutton United (L), Wealdstone (D), Woking (L), Yeovil Town (D). Altrincham have not yet travelled to Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United and Southend United.

  Points won as percentage of those available, to date 8/30 (26.67%).

So is this the effect of playing indifferently after long coach journeys and/or overnight accommodation or just the unfamiliarity of an away stadium and playing surface?

The games in the south have all taken place on Saturday afternoons except three night games, at Maidenhead where Alty won, Barnet where they lost, and Wealdstone where they drew.

Is the disparity just because the southern opposition are (currently) higher in the league table? In fact, only two of the southern teams who have beaten Alty on their own patch (Barnet, FGR) are above them in the league, the other four victors are currently ten to twenty-two points worse off than Altrincham.

NEXT: AFC FYLDE

The Coasters' last away result, however, shows that they remain a threat, having won 2-1 at The Shay against FC Halifax Town. In Nick Haughton they have one of top scorers in the division and he scored Fylde's goal on Tuesday night.

Boston United reported that "Striker Jacob Hazel bagged a well-taken first half brace as Boston United recorded a crucial away victory over AFC Fylde on Tuesday evening.

After rattling the post inside 30 seconds, Hazel scored in the 14th and 25th minutes as the Pilgrims took a stranglehold on proceedings.

Nick Haughton did reduce the arrears three minutes before the break when he converted from the spot... but the Pilgrims produced a resilient performance after the break to clinch all three points...

With the visitors appearing comfortable, Fylde were afforded a route back into proceedings when Gregory was sold short and fouled Jolley - with HAUGHTON confidently stepping up to send the United keeper the wrong way from the spot.

The Coasters enjoyed more territory after the break, but chances were few and far between. Haughton crashed one effort off target, while Gregory saved well to deny Joe Riley... but the Pilgrims held on without any major scares".

The AFC Fylde lineup (4-2-3-1) comprised 31. Ben Winterbottom, 14. Max Bardell, 4. Harry Davis (c), 17. Corey Whelan, 18. Lincoln McFayden, 15. Will Hugill, 40. Joe Riley, 21. Tyler Roberts, 10. Nick Haughton, 7. Charlie Jolley, 20. Gavin Massey. Subs: 5. Emeka Obi, 6. Adam Long, 28. Jesse Hailwood, 34. Taelor O'Kane, Charlie Clark (gk), 12. Kain Adom, 19. Ashley Boatswain.

HARTLEPOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Hartlepool United add that their "10-match unbeaten league run at the Prestige Group Stadium was ended after Altrincham bagged two late goals to snatch a 2-1 win.

Regan Linney and sub Lucas Weaver struck in a six-minute spell to condemn Pools to their first home defeat since late September, with Nicky Featherstone scoring a consolation with almost the last move of the game.

It proved a frustrating night for Anthony Limbrick’s side who had the better of the play but could bot translate it into goals...

If any team was going to win it, it looked like the hosts until they were floored by a sucker punch in the 87th minute.

Madine was penalised for handball, allowing Altrincham to punt the free-kick forward over the Pools defence. Linney got to the ball first, rounded Smith and rolled his shot into an empty Rink End net.

The Robins fans were chirping again in the second minute of added time when sub Weaver applied a calm finish low into Smith’s bottom right corner after good work by fellow sub Kahrel Reddin.

Pools kept going and were rewarded when Featherstone met Grey’s cross with his head to find the net, with Anson unable to keep the ball out".

PENNEY'S PAST

The 27-year-old left Rochdale after a short spell in January having previously been without a club for a year and a half after leaving Portman Road in the summer of 2023...

. The Chesterfield-born full-back was among the influx of players at Town in the summer of 2021 after leaving Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the previous season and went on to make 21 starts and five sub appearances for the Blues, scoring once.

Penney spent the first half of 2022/23 on loan at Motherwell and the second at Charlton before being released that summer".

Footnote: Although Penney made his debut as a 26th minute substitute for the injured Charlie Olson, he got injured himself and had to be subbed in the 83rd minute.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Whilst Rochdale's KYLE FERGUSON and JACK KINGDON did not get off the subs' bench, FC Halifax Town's former Altrincham trialist TOM PUGH came on midway through the second half. He won a penalty for the Shaymen but Hoti's tame effort was saved.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Braintree Town 1-2 Wealdstone
• Eastleigh 3-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
• FC Halifax Town 0-0 Rochdale
• Woking 1-0 Solihull Moors

19 February 2025

NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP DATE

NEXT OPPONENTS SACK MANAGER

We would like to thank Kevin for his efforts and wish him well for the future.

Current assistant coach David Longwell will take charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce a permanent replacement".

Footnote: On Tuesday night Fylde lost at home to fellow relegation candidates Boston United. They lie 22nd in the table but are only one point from safety, albeit having played one more match than the two clubs immediately above them.

AFTER THE GAME

Match report here.

Speaking after the game at Hartlepool to Brian Flynn for Alty TV, Alty boss Phil Parkinson said that it was "a really ugly game of football", which was an accurate description of the affair.

He feels that the result shows that his current players are "the most resilient team I've ever managed" as they did not play well yet won.

He explained that the absences of Alex Newby and Lewis Baines, who did not travel, were precautionary moves raher than real causes for concern. In addition, Jake Cooper has been struggling "a bit with a knock" and he did well to come on late in the game.

In defence, "That's the best game Lewis Banks has had for this club" the manager judged.

Further forward he had preise for substitute Kahrel Reddin (right) who, despite a lack of game time, has decided to stay and fight for his place rather than go out on loan, where Lucas Weaver's form has been to Kahrel's detriment.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED 1-2 ALTRINCHAM

Left: Lucas Weaver

As well as losing Olson, his replacement, the newly signed Matt Penney, who had substituted for the central defender, was also unable to complete the match through injury.

Altrincham took the lead when a quickly taken freekick deep in their own half, by Osborne, set Linney free in the Hartlepool box. He calmly rounded keeper Smith before sliding the ball into an empty net (87 mins).

On 90 minutes Linney was substituted by Kahrel Reddin and the right-winger fed his fellow substitute Lucas Weaver, who stroked a low shot into the keeper's right-hand corner to make it 2-0 (90+2 mins).

With home fans streaming out of the stadium, Pools did get a consolation goal with the last action of the night as Charman's cross was met by Featherstone who found the net despite Ansen grabbing the ball as it crossed the line. For some reason Ansen was promptly booked.

So, from their two trips to the north-east this week, Alty have taken six points to move up to sixth-place in the league.

Match report.

NEXT: AFC FYLDE

The reverse fixture saw Alty win 5-0, courtesy of a Linney hat-trick and goals from Newby and Osborne.

LEAGUE LOSS, CUP WIN FOR RESERVES

Their line-up was Jack Chandler, Rhys Cosquer, Lucas Edwards, Jacob Martin, Charlie Noble, Joseph Osifo, Remi Raymond, Ben Taylor, Thomas Whyte, Max Whittle and Nathan Wood. The bench comprised Kian Leckey, Isaac Mannion, Vladislav Shtyhlian, Harry St Romaine and Harry Watson.

With eight games of the season remaining, Altrincham remain seven points from safety at the bottom of the table.

The Reserves have had better fortunes in the cup. On 1 February they won 7-0 away to Sale Amateurs in the Altrincham FA Senior Cup, Second Round

Their starters that daye were Jack Alexander Chandler, Rhys Cosquer, Lucas Edwards, Kian Gonzalez-Moghaddam, Harrison Howells, Henry Murphy, Charlie Noble, Kaiden Powell, Remi Raymond, Vladislav Shtyhlian and Thomas Whyte. NAmed on the bench were Kian Leckey, Harry St Romaine, Ben Taylor, Harry Watson and Kyran Webster.

ANOTHER WIN FOR ALTY WOMEN

Altrincham's starting eleven comprised Ash Gilmore, Elise Jones, Holly LLoyd, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Libby Newton, Annie Rose O'Donoghue, Emily O'Leary, Kira Saycell and AN Other. All the goals came after the interval and they were scored by McArdle, Jones and Saycell.

ALTY OLD BOYS

League One : Having been booked early in the second half, OWEN DALE was withdrawn after 84 minutes of Wigan Athletic's 1-1 draw at Crawley Town. Still missing the injured TOBY MULLARKEY, the hosts brought JUNIOR QUITIRNA off the bench just before the hour.

CARL PIERGIANNI and his Stevenage colleagues were shocked 0-1 at home by Burton Albion. They missed a penalty, and still couldn't recover the half time deficit despite Burton going down to 10 men after 57 minutes.

JOEL SENIOR (right) was booked after only 7 minutes but played throughout as Bristol Rovers fell to a 2-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers.

League Two : MARCUS DACKERS was another to see an early yellow card (8 minutes in his case) as his Morecambe side were unable to recover from Doncaster Rovers scoring the only goal of the game after just 3 minutes. The visitors clung to their advantage despite being reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes.

National League : There was a full shift from CONNOR TEALE as Boston United won their relegation six-pointer at AFC Fylde by the odd goal in three.

York City substituted TYRESE SINCLAIR (left) after 66 minutes at Barnet. Although they scored a late consolation they went down 3-1 and are now 7 points behind the hosts at the top of the table. They do, however, have two games in hand.

It was an eventful evening at the International Stadium. Gateshead were winning 2-0 when they were forced to substitute their goalkeeper in the 42nd minute. Visitors Sutton United reduced the arrears in added time at the end of the first half, and in the 57th minute they went 2-3 up. The Heed introduced LIAM HUMBLES 10 minutes later, and turned things around again to win 4-3.

Oldham Athletic, still without the injured REAGAN OGLE, only brought JOSH LUNDSTRAM off the bench in the 71st minute. By that time relegation threatened Maidenhead United had done their survival chances a massive favour by scoring the game's only goal - MILES WELCH-HAYES played the full match for them.

Tamworth, with KENNEDY DIGIE putting in a full shift, led at the break at Yeovil Town, but eventually lost 2-1.

National North : DIOR ANGUS opened the scoring for Southport as they won their away game against Farsley Celtic 0-2.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS gave Kidderminster Harriers an early lead at Marine, but the hosts equalised, and then Harriers had a man sent off after 32 minutes before losing 3-1.

Radcliffe won their home game against Chorley 2-0, with JORDAN HULME scoring the 89th minute clincher

Spennymoor United were already 3-0 up before LEWIS SALMON (right) scored a consolation for visitors Alfreton Town.

NPL Premier Division : JAMES HARDY opened the scoring for Ashton United at Matlock Town, and they increased their lead just after the hour. However, a MONTEL GIBSON penalty started the Derbyshire side's recovery and they salvaged a 2-2 draw.

NPL Division 1 West : MAX HARROP was on target in Witton Albion's 2-2 home draw with Hanley Town.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Morton told the local press 'You look at the two games before which were really disappointing, going from Sittingbourne to Maidenhead... We had Halifax on the Tuesday night, which was a team in the playoffs who we’d beaten at their ground. We took confidence coming into it, and so to get a win [last Tuesday] it was like we’d put the past behind us...

'We then played another good team in Rochdale – another team in and around the play-offs – and I think it was a good point overall'...

The 25-year-old was recently awarded Player of the Month for January, having established himself as a key player in midfield.... having joined the Blues from Weston-super-Mare in December 2023,...

'There are probably at least two players in every position now which we’ve not really had before... It makes training a lot more competitive'", the midfielder concluded.

18 February 2025

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 1-2 Boston United
• Barnet 3-1 York City
• Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
• Gateshead 4-3 Sutton United
• Hartlepool United 1-2 Altrincham
• Oldham Athletic 0-1 Maidenhead United
• Southend United 2-1 Aldershot Town
• Yeovil Town 2-1 Tamworth

ALTY CHANGES AT HARTLEPOOL

Into the starting eleven came Regan Linney, Justin Amaluzor, James Jones and Joe Nuttall as captain Lewis Baines and Alex Newby surprisingly dropped out of the squad; Jake Bickerstaff and Lucas Weaver moved to the bench

Tom Crawford captained the team for the first time, against his former club.

Harvey Randle returned as the sub keeper and Jake Cooper also returned to the bench where he was joined by new signing Matt Penney.

ALTRINCHAM : 21. Caleb ANSEN, 2. Lewis BANKS, 31. Charlie OLSON, 16. James JONES, 23. Tylor GOLDEN, 6. Elliot OSBORNE, 22. Tom CRAWFORD, 12. Kian TAYLOR, 9. Regan LINNEY, 11. Justin AMALUZOR, 24. Joe NUTTALL. Subs: 5. Jake COOPER, 20. Kahrel REDDIN, 15. Regan GRIFFITHS, 17. Lucas WEAVER, 30. Harvey RANDLE (gk) 29. Jake BICKERSTAFF, 42. Matt PENNEY

Pools made three changes as Stephenson, Sloggett and Folarin were brought in to start.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: 40. Adam Smith, 5. Luke Waterfall (c), 3. David Ferguson, 21. Louis Stephenson, 7. Jack Hunter, 15. Gregory Sloggett, 18. Jamie Miley, 10. Adam Campbell, 19. Reyes Cleary, 20. Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, 27. Sam Folarin. Subs: 9. Gary Madine, 11. Luke Charman, 16. Nicky Featherstone, 17. Billy Sass-Davies, 26. Jack Robinson, 31. Owen Foster, 12. Joe Grey.

PENNEY DROPS IN AT ALTY

With Eddy Jones sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury and Kacper Pasiek back at Preston North End after an impressive loan spell at The J.Davidson Stadium, the Robins have been left short of cover in the two full-back positions.

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town left-back Matt, who turned out for Rochdale earlier this season, has been handed an opportunity by manager Phil Parkinson and is among the substitutes for this evening's Vanarama National League fixture away to Hartlepool United".

Footnote: Matt (dob 11 February 1998) made just one substitute appearance for Rochdale, a club that he joined last November.

As a youngster he had started out with Sheffield Wednesday for whom he made a senior debut in August 2018. From the Owls, he went out on loan at Bradford City, Mansfield Town and over to Hamburg where he played for FC St. Pauli. Next, he joined Ipswich Town, in June 2021, and had loan spell in Scotland with Motherwell and in London, with Charlton Athletic.

However, he seems to have had no club for the 2023-24 season.

TONIGHT: HARTLEPOOL UNITED

There is a sense of deja vu about the the league fixtures in February/March 2025 as they mirror the exact same sequence of opponents that faced Alty in games 14-16, back in October 2024.

So, just as then, when Altrincham met Gateshead (H), Hartlepool United (H) and AFC Fylde (A) in that order, they are currently playing a sequence of Gateshead (A), Hartlepool United (A) and AFC Fylde (H) in exactly the same order!

The mirroring should have continued on 1 March when Alty should have been facing Solihull Moors after their game with Fylde, just as happened back in November. However, progress in the FA Trophy means that the clash with the Moors has been put back to late March

As well as the mirroring of fixtures, the five-game unbeaten run which started with the Gateshead/Hartlepool/Fylde sequence in October was the longest unbeaten run this season until the current seven-match run which has again included the Gateshead/Hartlepool/Fylde sequence!

ALTY'S PLAYING PERSONNEL

It ranks Altrincham as using the fifth-lowestnumber of players, 27 in their National League matches this season.

Whilst that is correct in terms of how many players have started league games for the club, it does not take into account used substitutes. In Alty's case that would lift the number of players used to 30.

The three players who have not started a league game but have appeared on the pitch as substitutes in the National League are Louie Fallon, Regan Griffiths and Remi Thompson.

Above: Louie Fallon, Regan Griffiths and Remi Thompson have been used substitutes but have not yet started a league game.

And three other players (Joel Bailey, Justin Donawa and Owen German) have been named in a NL squad but not got onto the pitch for a league appearance, meaning that 33 players have been involved on a league matchday.

The rankings in the Courier are as follows..

• 23 players used (started): Forest Green Rovers and FC Halifax Town
• 26 used (started): Eastleigh and AFC Fylde
• 27 used (started): Altrincham
• 28 used (started): Solihull Moors

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

After some incredibly long journeys this season, the Chairman David Haythornthwaite would like to thank all supporters who have backed the Coasters up and down the country by offering free coach travel to all those wishing to make the trip to Altrincham this weekend...

Please note, anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a responsible adult".

At Ebbsfleet United "Following injuries to both Mark Cousins (concussion) and Felix Goddard (broken finger), the Fleet can confirm the short-term emergency signing of experienced goalkeeper Lucas Covolan...

The 33-year-old arrives following his departure from Braintree Town where he featured 23 times for the Iron and kept six clean sheets. Prior to his move to Essex, Covolan was part of Maidstone United’s FA Cup run last season. He also played for Torquay United (scoring an injury-time equaliser in the 2020 promotion final) as well as in League Two for Port Vale".

Wealdstone came away with the their second away win of the season in the National League after a 2-1 win at Huish Park against Yeovil Town....

'We’d lost the last game and we needed to bounce back,” said Anthony Georgiou... 'Everyone came back into the changing room buzzing and we need to use that momentum going forward'...

Neil Gibson’s side showed strong resilience to see out the win, limiting the home side in their chances and making crucial defensive actions throughout the game... The mood’s going to be good now so we need to use that @".

17 February 2025

ALTY'S FORM

Over the longer term, Alty have lost just twice in their last 17 league outings, a sequence book-ended by the home and away matches this season with Gateshead. Those two intervening defeats were at Woking at Aldershot Town.

At the bottom, only Ebbsfleet United of the league's bottom four clubs are also currently in the bottom four of the current form guide. In contrast, three teams from higher up the table have failed to win any of their past six fixtures.

They are Yeovil Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and, bottom of the whole table, tenth-placed Solihull Moors, who have earned just a single point from the last 18 available.

A brace for York City's Ollie Pearce on Saturday has taken him above Regan Linney at the top of the goalscoring charts, with 18 goals compared with Linney's seventeen.

NEXT: HARTLEPOOL UNITED

The Hartlepool Mail reports that "head coach Anthony Limbrick admits he didn't hear any boos or jeers directed at Adam Campbell during Saturday's goalless draw with strugglers Maidenhead but has thrown his support behind the attacker.

The 30-year-old endured another difficult afternoon against Maidenhead and sections of supporters jeered when he was substituted late on.

It's been a challenging few months for Campbell, who arrived as something of a marquee signing last summer after rejecting terms to remain at League One Crawley...

Having been an integral part of the Gateshead side that won the National League North title in 2022, there were high hopes that Campbell... would be the man to help propel Pools back to the Football League.

Although the diminutive attacker's attitude and endeavour can never be called into question, his three goals in 29 games represents a disappointing return... [He] found life difficult under Darren Sarll, whose direct brand of football was plainly not designed to get the best out of him. Campbell was shifted out to the flank, where he looked uncomfortable, or left on the bench

He showed signs of improvement after veteran Lennie Lawrence replaced Sarll in October but has struggled in recent weeks...

[Limbrick stated] 'From what I've seen, he's giving absolutely everything. Him and other players need to show more quality in the final third, there's no doubt about that'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

It states that "A match between two poor, low on confidence teams didn’t make for the greatest spectacle. Usually we look technically sound and really in control of games... but I didn’t really feel that we were in control of any situations, especially defensively.

Without Charlie Cooper we lose midfield control and without Morgan Williams we have to move Jake Wannell centrally and lose his input on the left-side of the back three. We struggled for any real cohesion going forward and the less said about the defending the better.

It was yet another bad result at home. Yeovil have won just four of their National League matches at Huish Park this season...

We don’t feel like a team at the moment... From our opening match day squad of 18, there were just eight in the squad yesterday, including Matt Gould who’s yet to make an appearance. With a revolving door of ins and outs, is it any wonder they don’t feel like a team right now?"

16 February, 2025

ALTY "OUTSTANDING"

The Alty boss declared that "Up to 75 minutes, we were outstanding, we were the superior team, the only problem we had was we didn't take chances".

Asked about goalscorer Kian Taylor, Phil said that he has "great energy that reminds me of Isaac Marriott, and he's absolutely rapid".

Phil admitted that "They were on top, [for the] last fifteen [minutes]. I was disappointed we gave up control at that point... I'm a bit annoyed by that".

As for loanee keeper Caleb Ansen, the boss said "I thought he was good in the Oldham game, though he's obviously dropped one [ball].. He has come through with flying colours today".

With Kacper Pasiek seemingly recalled to Preston North End, the Altrincham manager declared that "we hope to bring in a full back next week".

He also alluded to midfield where "we are relying on Tom [Crawford] and Ossie [Elliot Osborne] to get through every minute... We've got to strengthen".

Parkinson also pointed out how young the team is, with yesterday's starting line-up being an average age of 24.

GATESHEAD 0-1 ALTRINCHAM

The game began in lively fashion; Ansen had to make an early parry, with Horton striking the top of the bar from the rebound (3 mins).

Altrincham took the lead in the 14th minute when Kian Taylor (pictured right), on his 20th birthday and making his first start of his loan period from Preston, scored with a low shot from ten yards. The goal came after an interchange between Newby and Weaver on the right before Bickerstaff was clearly fouled in the box. However, the referee played on as the ball came out to Taylor to net.

Gateshead hit the post (25 mins) before Crawford's attempted lob from 45 yards was a little too high to find the net for the Robins.

After Newby had spurned a good chance in added time, half-time was reached with the visitors one up.

Despite tremendous pressure from Gateshead late in the game, which included six corners in a six-minute spell, Altrincham hung on to win 1-0. It was their first away win of the season against any team in the top thirteen at kick off.

Match report here.

CALEB NAMED MAN OF THE MATCH

The teenage keeper was named the NL Paper's "Man of the Match", having made several important saves at the International Stadium. He is joined in the Paper's "Team of the Day" by midfielder Elliot Osborne (left).

According to the NL Paper, Gateshead had 20 shots in the game, 14 of which were on target, compared with Altrincham's six efforts in each category. The hosts also won the corner count by 11 to 6.

Different statistics on FlashScore.co.uk state that the Altrincham goalkeeper saved ten shots compared with his opposite number's four, in a match where the Heed enjoyed 58% of possession.

AFTER THE MATCH AT GATESHEAD

He added that the "second half was probably ours" having made a tactical change at the interval.

And speaking to the NL Paper, Magnay added that "the least we deserved from the game was a draw... It has been a turbulent time with a lot of turnover" interms of unjuries and player departures.

However, it also the case that Altrincham have been struck by injuries with Crankshaw, Marriott, Wilson, Ross and Eddy Jones all missing on Saturday, as well as the suspended Matty Kosylo. In addition, left-back Kacper Pasiek has been called back to Preston North End.

NEXT: HARTLEPOOL UNITED

It will be a third successive home game for the Pools but, for the Robins, it ill be a second successive away game in a sequence which currently includes six away matches in seven league fixtures.

Last season Alty lost the corresponding match 3-2 at Hartlepool whilst, in the reverse fixture at the J. Davidson Stadium on 23 October last year, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

For Alty midfielder Tom Crawford it will be a return the club for whom he played against Alty last season. Other personnel connections with the Pools are that they have Luke Waterfall and Billy Sass-Davies on their books, two defenders who have also played for Altrincham.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : KACPER PIASEK was again an unused substitute for Preston as they ground out a goalless draw against visiting promotion hopefuls Burnley. The sides produced only three shots on target between them. Burnley have conceded only 9 goals in their 33 League games so far.

Millwall left DUNCAN WATMORE on the bench in their 1-1 home draw with West Bromwich Albion, while the same fate befell Swansea City's JOSH GINNELLY as his side lost 3-1 at Stoke City.

League One : JUNIOR QUITIRNA (right) was an 84th minute substitute for Crawley Town in their 1-1 home draw against Wycombe Wanderers. JAMES BERRY has still to feature in a match day squad for the visitors since his move from Chesterfield.

Another game ending in a 1-1 draw was Peterborough United's visit to Stevenage. CHRIS CONN-CLARKE was withdrawn by the visitors when they were still trailing in the 62nd minute - and his replacement Cian Hayes equalised 5 minutes later. CARL PIERGIANNI played the full game for the hosts.

The game at Wigan Athletic was still goalless when they introduced OWEN DALE after 58 minutes, but visitors Stockport County won 0-2.

League Two : Although ALISTAIR SMITH picked up a yellow card after only 11 minutes, AFC Wimbledon managed to beat visitors Salford City 1-0. The Ammies withdrew KEVIN BERKOE after 68 minutes.

JOE HUGILL (right) didn't come out for the second half of Carlisle United's goalless draw at home to Colchester United.

Barrow had been two goals up at Cheltenham Town, but, by the time ELLIOT NEWBY was one of three players withdrawn in the 78th minute, the hosts had turned things around and won 3-2.

MARCUS DACKERS came off the Morecambe bench after 76 minutes. They already led visitors Accrington Stanley, for whom SONNY ALJOFREE played the whole game, and scored again late on to win 2-0.

Both CONNOR JENNINGS and CHRIS MERRIE played the whole of Tranmere Rovers' 1-1 draw with visitors MK Dons.

Chesterfield had led at Walsall, but the home side had turned things round by the time RYAN COLCLOUGH was introduced after 77 minutes, and they went on to win 3-1.

National League : Having picked up a yellow card, TYRESE SINCLAIR was withdrawn by York City immediately after they clinched a 0-2 win at Ebbsfleet United.

CONNOR TEALE (right) played throughout as Boston United went down by the only goal at Halifax.

Even with 13 added minutes in the death throes of the game at Hartlepool United, the home side couldn't break down struggling Maidenhead United. Both LUKE WATERFALL for the hosts, and MILES WELCH-HAYES for the visitors were among the recipients of 8 evenly spread yellow cards. The Tees-side club left BILLY SASS-DAVIES on the bench.

With REAGAN OGLE out injured, and JOSH LUNDSTRAM withdrawn after 54 minutes, Oldham Athletic failed to register a single shot on target at Boundary Park in a goalless draw with Sutton United.

Manchester United loanee JACK KINGDON made his Rochdale debut from the bench after 74 minutes at Southend United. His side led at the time, but an 84th minute own goal earned the hosts a 1-1 draw. KYLE FERGUSON remained on that Rochdale bench.

KENNEDY DIGIE played throughout Tamworth's 1-1 draw at Woking.

National North : Chester won 4-0 at home to struggling Rushall Olympic, with TOM PEERS scoring twice.

NPL Premier : Although MONTEL GIBSON reduced the arrears for Matlock Town at Bradford, they lost 2-1.

DYLAN MOTTLEY-HENRY scored the second for FC United as they went 3-1 up against visitors Bamber Bridge, who reduced those arrears through LIAM BROCKBANK, but couldn't force an equalizer.

Leek Town trailed at half time at home to Whitby Town, and, although HAYDEN CAMPBELL (right) equalised, they went on to lose 1-2.

NPL Division 1 West : RYAN BROOKE equalised for Runcorn Linnets in their 1-1 draw at Nantwich Town.

Northern Ireland Premiership : Having only just returned from injury, SAM ROSCOE (right) had to be replaced only 9 minutes into Linfield's 1-0 home win over Loughgall.

League of Ireland : Unbeknown to your correspondent, BARRY BAGGLEY left Waterford in December, and joined Dublin based St. Patrick's Athletic. He made his debut in Marbella on January 29th, playing in a 1-1 pre-season friendly against Vancouver Whitecaps, and on Friday night he was booked 7 minutes into his league debut for the club, and was substituted after 72 minutes of their goalless draw at home to Drogheda United.

Polish Ekstraklasa : MAXI OYEDELE returned to Legia Warsaw's starting lineup as they won 2-0 at home to Puszcza, although he was substituted after 85 minutes.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Gloucestershire Live reported that "Goals from Kyrell Lisbie and Tom Blackwell gave Braintree the three points to end Rovers’ 19-game unbeaten run....

The hosts nearly added a third a few minutes into the second-half when Lisbie squared a ball in for Jermaine Francis, but his effort crashed into the crossbar...

Cotterill said 'We started the game very poorly and put ourselves on the back foot, we spoke about it. They are an awkward side to play against and they deserved to win the game, there is no doubt about that.

'The disappointment is coming so far, 19 games unbeaten, we knew this was going to be a tricky game, we didn’t perform anywhere near to the levels that we know we can...

'To come unstuck today was just for me probably the basics of the game that we didn’t do very well for about the first 20 minutes of that game'...

With defeat at Braintree, the club unbeaten record of 19 games, held by Rob Edwards’s 2021/22 title-winning side hasn’t been surpassed".

15 February, 2025

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
• Barnet 3-1 Solihull Moors
• Braintree Town 2-0 Forest Green Rovers
• Eastleigh 2-0 Aldershot Town
• Ebbsfleet United 0-2 York City
• FC Halifax Town 1-0 Boston United
• Gateshead 0-1 Altrincham
• Hartlepool United 0-0 Maidenhead United
• Oldham Athletic 0-0 Sutton United
• Southend United 1-1 Rochdale
• Woking 1-1 Tamworth
• Yeovil Town 1-2 Wealdstone

TODAY: GATESHEAD

Remarkably, Gateshead have hit four goals in each of their last four league victories and in their previous win to that sequence they hit five goals! And three of those five games were away from home.

However, the Heed have won just one of their last five league matches.

Their planned midweek game against Braintree Town at the International Stadium last Tuesday was postponed owing to the state of the pitch.

Altrincham go into the match with as many as eight players appearing to be unavailable. Apart from the suspended Matty Kosylo, the injured list includes Ethan Ross, Eddy Jones, Ollie Crankshaw (left), Isaac Marriott (right), George Wilson and Harvey Randle. In addition, loanee Kacper Pasiek appears to have returned to Preston North End despite having recently extended his loan stay. He has been on the bench for the Lancashire club's most recent two fixtures.

Like Altrincham, the Heed have two players who have scored double figures of goals this season. Owen Oseni has scored 12 goals and Luke Hannant has ten. But Oseni was transferred to St Mirren in January, leaving Hannant as the current top scorer and his seven assists rank him at the top of Gateshead's statistics in that category too.

Ben Worman is the only player to have been involved on the pitch in all 29 games in the NL this season but he has only started 19 of those fixtures.

Hannant and Regan Booty are the duo who have started the most league games, 27 in each case.

A familiar face at Gateshead on Saturday will be Liam Humbles, who spent a spell on loan at Altrincham from Salford City, earlier this season.

Gateshead's starting eleven, last time out at Wealdstone, a 4-0 away win at Wealdstone was as follows...

41. George Shelvey, 46. Dan Jones, 2. Robbie Tinkler (c), 16. Callum Tripp, 19. Luke Hannant, 17. Jack Roles, 8. Regan Booty, 28. Brandon Horton, 11. Ben Worman, 9. Louis Flower, 24. Will McGowan. Subs: 12. Kain Adom, 13. Harrison Bond, 38. Jamie Bramwell, 34. Charlie Colkett, 15. Liam Humbles, 45. Jovan Malcolm, 39. Oli Thompson.

GATESHEAD'S STRIKER BLOW

The on-loan Brighton and Hove Albion youngster has made a promising start to his time at the International Stadium and made a major impact in last week’s 4-0 win at Wealdstone by winning two penalties that were converted by team-mate Luke Hannant.

However, an injury brought a premature end to [striker Louis] Flower’s game and he has returned to the Seagulls for further assessment over the last week.

Gateshead went some way to making amends for Flower’s absence by completing the loan signing of Hull City forward Tyrell Sellars-Fleming on Friday. The 19-year-old has made nine senior appearances for the Tigers across the last two seasons and will be in immediate contention for Saturday’s home game with Altrincham ...

Former West Bromwich Albion striker Malcolm... took his tally to seven goals in 28 appearances with his second-half brace in last weekend’s win at Wealdstone...

Recent signings George Shelvey, Branden Horton and Jack Roles could all make their home debuts after making their Heed bows in last weekend’s win".

ALTY'S LOANEE KEEPER

Left: Ethan Ross

"The 19-year old trained with his new Alty team-mates at Egerton on Monday before making his debut in the 2-2 Vanarama National League draw against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on Tuesday.

Though his 20th birthday is still seven months away, the 6ft 4in keeper has regularly starred for Norwich under-21s".

Speaking earler, Caleb had stated "I think I'm a commanding keeper, a big presence, and I like making penalty saves,' he said. 'I like the big moments, big moments in games. I'd say I'm decent with the ball at my feet, and my main attribute is shot-stopping".

A former Norwich City player, "Alty director of football Marc Tierney, said 'We know it's big shoes to fill there, and, quite literally, Caleb will do that. He is a real giant of a man but very agile with it and very highly rated by Norwich goalkeeping coach Declan Rudd, who I know. It was important to get someone in, and, after working on it all weekend, I'm really happy to get in our number one target.

'I spoke with the coaches, and we know we want someone who has good distribution as well as great agility, and Caleb fits the bill... He has got excellent references from everyone I have spoken to, and I've used my contacts to get it all done in such a short space of time. Myself, Phil and Sorvs are really happy to get Caleb in'".

ALTY "ON THE CUSP OF SOMETHING GREAT"

Having been privileged to see Altrincham in their glory years when they won the Alliance Premier League and the FA Trophy, in both cases twice, and enjoyed high-profile FA Cup ties against the likes of Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, he believes that, once again, the club is "on the cusp of something great".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports on Friday that in the Australian NPL Victoria, with CONNOR HAMPSON on the bench, Oakleigh Cannons came from behind to draw 1-1 at Green Gully.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 26-year-old, who departed last summer having been an integral part of United's run to National League North play-off glory, has left Scunthorpe United to seal his return to the Jakemans Community Stadium.

It will be Nicholson's third spell with the Pilgrims, having previously amassed 62 appearances and four goals – playing under the management of both Paul Cox and Ian Culverhouse to date".

Relegation-threatened Wealdstone "continue their preparations for a pivotal away fixture against Yeovil Town this Saturday...

Following a congested schedule that allowed for minimal tactical work, Gibson and his coaching staff have finally had the opportunity to spend extended time with the squad...

Gibson said 'For the first 10 days, we had very limited time on the training pitch due to back-to-back fixtures. Now, we’ve had a full week to work with the players, review video analysis and reinforce both our strengths and the areas we need to improve'...

Gibson believes that many of the goals conceded have been due to isolated mistakes rather than structural issues... Gibson stressed the importance of belief and momentum...

'We’re under no illusions. We’re in a fight and we need to get out of the relegation zone'...

Squad availability remains a concern, with Sam Ashford and Jaydn Mundle-Smith both dealing with injuries... Meanwhile, Jack Cook will be unavailable due to suspension but Max Kretzschmar returns to the squad,...

'We’re working on bringing a couple of reinforcements in'" the new manager concluded.

At Altrincham's last opponents, Oldham Athletic "announce the signing of Tom Donaghy on a deal until 30 June.

The shot-stopper joins from Fleetwood Town on a permanent deal after spending time at Boston United and Hereford this season. Donaghy has spent over four years at Fleetwood impressing regularly when out on loan.

Tom said.. 'I’ve had loans in my career that have been up and down, but I feel the chance to come here and get a run of games is a big step for me'...

Tom... left the Bantams [Bradford City] at 18 years old to join Fleetwood... and he was loaned out to Farsley Celtic... before The Cod recalled him...

In September 2022, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Lancaster City... Following Lancaster was Colne... On 16 February 2023, he joined Fleetwood's sister club Waterford on loan but returned to Fleetwood...

He made his first-team debut for Fleetwood on 10 October 2023... He has played for Hereford this season a swell as most recently Boston United, where he played twice".

News of two players committing to the club comes from Sutton United who, firstly, "confirm that they have triggered an extension clause in Alex Kirk’s deal, keep him at the club for an additional year.

The defender has become a crucial part of Steve Morison’s backline since arriving back in October...

An Arsenal academy product, Kirk had gained experience on loan at Ayr United and Bromley... He has been a regular part of the side either side of a long-term LCL ligament injury that kept him on the sidelines for two months, but has since recovered...

Kirk is now the fourth player to cement their place at Gander Green Lane for the 2025/26 season, following Eduino Vaz, Tyler French and [as noted below] Siju Odelusi in extending their deals".

Sutton United "confirm that Siju Odelusi has agreed a new deal, with the club triggering an extension clause on his previous contract that will keep him at the club for an additional year.

The 26-year old has been a regular figure in the centre of the park... He netted the fourth and final goal of the first half from the spot against Altrincham, in what would prove to be a 5-0 mauling".

14 February 2025

EDDY JONES REVEALED AS LATEST ACL VICTIM

And now Altrincham FC reports, via press officer John Edwards, that Eddy Jones (right) "has become the latest Altrincham player to suffer a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury and has undergone surgery to mark the start of his rehabilitation...

'It's absolutely devastating when something like this happens to players like Ethan [Ross] and Eddy,' said Phil Parkinson... 'This is the brutal nature of football, and it is horrible, so hard to swallow.

'Eddy's didn't happen in a game'" he revealed.

"Phil also shed some light on why ACL injuries have become so prevalent, blaming the strains and stresses of so many high-intensity games, and you can hear everything he had to say by clicking on Brian Flynn's interview with him here.

Footnote: Eddy becomes the sixth player from the first-team squad to suffer an ACL injury since Alty went full time at the start of the 2022/23 season. Manager Phil Parkinson revealed that he will be out for nine months even though it was not a complete rupture such as that suffered by Ethan Ross.

Ollie Crankshaw, Matty Kosylo, Isaac Marriott and Amaar Hussain were the four earlier victims of an ACL injury.

NO CUP OF JOY FOR PARKY

He added that it would be "an extra game that we definitely didn't need".

ALTY LEAGUE TRIVIA

1. Alty have yet to win, draw or lose more than two games in succession this season in the VNL
2. Lewis BAINES has yet to be booked in his 26(+2) league games this season
3. Alty have named 34 players in their league matchday squads this season. The only players named in a league matchday squad who have yet to get on the pitch are Joel BAILEY, Justin DONAWA (since left), Owen GERMAN and Regan GRIFFITHS.
4. Regan LINNEY has picked up nine yellow cards in the VNL this season, so far. However, Tom CRAWFORD has collected 6 yellows and 2 reds though both of his red cards were the result of seeing two yellow cards so he has actual been shown 10 yellows this season.
5. After featuring in the first 17 league games, starting on 8 occasions, Kahrel REDDIN has made just six sub appearances in the following 11 games.
6. Lucas WEAVER has started just two league matches this season and completed only one 90 minutes
7. Loanee Jake BICKERSTAFF (right) has been named in 22 league squads but last Tuesday was his first full ninety-minute league game for Altrincham.
8. Alty have re-used the following shirt numbers this season:
   • No.15. Liam Humbles and Regan Griffiths,
   • No. 21 Max Haygarth and Caleb Ansen,
   • No. 31 Connor Teale and Charlie Olson
9. Alty have named eight players who were either loanees or on a short-term contract in their first-team squads this season. The loanees are Ansen (Norwich City), Bickerstaff (Wrexham), Humbles (Salford City), Nuttall (Oldham Athletic), Pasiek (Preston NE) and Taylor (Preston NE); the short-term signings were Teale, who has since left, and Griffiths, who is still at the club.

13 February 2025

ROBINS TO FACE MAGPIES IN NL CUP

Quite how the "draw", which has produced home ties for all four National League survivors, would have materialised had there been a less even breakdown of non-League and PL clubs, is a matter of conjecture.

The date of the match with Newcastle United is yet to be announced. Before the competition started the Premier League earmarked last week for the quarter-finals, a schedule that has obviously slipped. Altrincham have midweek National League games already scheduled for every Tuesday until April, apart from Tuesday 25 February.

The full "draw" is as follows, (with the away teams' league positions in PL2 in brackets)

• Aldershot Town v Leeds United U21 (19th)
• Altrincham v Newcastle United U21 (11th)
• Braintree Town v Brighton & Hove Albion U21 (5th)
• Sutton United v Manchester United U21 (3rd)

ETHAN'S INJURY

Right: Ethan Ross is helped off the pitch after suffering his injury last Saturday.

Parkinson said, "We are all devastated by this. We are losing not just one of our best and most influential players but a lad who is a gargantuan figure within the club.

“He is huge for us, not just as a goalkeeper but as an individual as well. He embodies everything we try and do. It is gut-wrenching for such a top lad. This is the brutal nature of football and it’s just horrible, so hard to swallow".

Referring to the costly error by stand-in loanee goalkeeper Caleb Ansen, at Oldham on Tuesday night, the Alty boss concluded that “It was a lapse of concentration but, hopefully, that will make him stronger, and the fact he made a great save after that shows he is a strong character with a strong mentality".

NEXT: GATESHEAD

After their match at the International Stadium was postponed on Tuesday, The Heed will hope that their pitch will be in payable condition this Saturday for Altrincham's visit.

On their last league visit to the International Stadium, on 7 October, 2023, Altrincham won 2-0.

Back in October 2024, the sides drew 2-2 at the J. Davidson Stadium in the reverse fixture this season.

OLDHAM'S VIEW

They also have video highlights of the game here.

ALTY PROGRESS IN NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP

That unlikely scenario actually transpired, so the Robins qualified to progress as they finished second in the Group.

Rochdale, Wolves and Oldham Athletic all ended up on seven points.

Wolverhampton Wanderers reported that their "campaign ended at the group stages despite claiming a penalty shootout bonus point against Rochdale...

Matty Whittingham got Wolves off to a flying start...

However, the hosts levelled through veteran Ian Henderson nine minutes before the break...

The hosts took the lead for the first time in the game deep into the second period...

Hubner tapped home to bring Wolves level at the end of the game, and ensuring the game would be decided by a penalty shootout.

Despite Wolves coming out on top in the shootout, Collins’ side needed to win the game in 90 minutes to progress into the National League Cup knockout stages".

Footnote: The format dictates that the top two teams in each group progress to the quarter-finals which are knock-out matches. Originally this round was supposed to take place on 5/6 February, according to the Premier League, but clearly that has not been the case and, anyway, it seemed a bit odd in being a Wednesday/Thursday slot.

The top two teams in each group were:

• Group A: Aldershot Town and Brighton & Hove Albion U21
• Group B: Manchester United U21 and Altrincham
• Group C: Newcastle United U21 and Leeds United U21
• Group D: Braintree Town and Sutton United

ALTY MONTHLY DRAW

• £500 cash | 71 Steve Wilson
• £75 cash | 189 Mrs Clarke
• Hospitality for Two | 89 Paul Salt
• £25 cash | 423 Geoffrey Wood
• Bottle of Alty Gin | 198 G E W0ods
• Scarf & Pin Badge | 105 Andy Howe

Congratulations to all the winners!

THROUGH THE YEARS: 15 FEBRUARY

The last Altrincham game played on that date was in 2022 when Alty lost 2-0 at Boreham Wood. Prior to that their last win on 15 February was in 2020 when the Robins won 3-0 at Blyth Spartans in the Vanarama National League North.

Back on 15 February 2020, in very gusty but dry conditions, Altrincham moved up to fifth in the National North with a comprehensive win over a Blyth side lacking in confidence.

The Robins opened the scoring after Hampson had been fouled on the front edge of the box, left of goal. Hancock hit a superb freekick into the nearside of the net to replicate his achievement at Spennymoor on Tuesday (20 mins).

Above: Josh Hancock's freekick hits the back of the net; Hancock is off the picture to the left.

Alty were later awarded a penalty. This time Hulme, who had earned the spot-kick, took it himself but the keeper saved his effort as had also happened the previous Tuesday to Hancock's attempt for the spot (34 mins).

Above: Jordan Hulme's penalty is saved by Zach Hemming.

Elliott Durrell was introduced as a substitute and play immediately resumed with a throw-in. The ball came to Durrell who, with his first touch made space, and with his second, fired the ball into the far corner of the net from 18 yards (57 mins).

The game was wrapped up in the 65th minute when Mooney was put clear and he finished well past the advancing keeper.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The young forward has caught the eye in three National League Cup appearances and whilst on loan at Hungerford Town...

The 19-year-old already has 10 goals to his name in 2025... Marquez has also been training with the first team...

Head of Academy, Yan Klukowski said... 'Jose's direction of travel... has certainly had its ups and downs, no more so when he suffered a significant knee injury during the first year of his Scholarship'">

Sutton United "confirm that club captain Tyler French has signed a new deal with the U’s, triggering an extension clause that will keep at the club for an additional year.

The 25-year old has been in fine form throughout the 2024/25 campaign with a number of commanding displays at both centre back and right back...

He has missed just one game all season due to suspension, but has otherwise started all but one of his 33 appearances this season...

The former Bradford City and Wrexham AFC defender joined from Scottish side Dundee in the summer...

French also joins Eduino Vaz in signing a new contract, who has extended his own deal until 2026".

12 February 2025

OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2-2 ALTRINCHAM

Oldham started the game as the better side but without seriously threatening to score, except when Waters got free from an Alty misheader of a long punt upfield by the home keeper. However, Ansen came out well to block the Latics forward.

Alty then grew into the game but their goal owed a lot to Oldham errors. A Golden overlap on the left led to a poor clearing header from Oldham, which came to Newby (right), who made space before shooting past the keeper. Dennis might have done better to keep it out (41 mins).

After 35 seconds of the second half an excellent curling shot from the edge of the "D" by Linney, from a Bickerstaff feed from the right, made it 0-2.

Micky Mellon made a triple substitution followed by a double substitution and his side dominated the remainder of the game.

One of those players who came on, James Norwood, scored from the left (57 mins) between the two batches of substitutes being made.

Alty signalled their intent to hold what they had by withdrawing Linney and Newby for Cooper and Taylor, but it took a dreadful error by debutant keeper Ansen to gift the Latics an equaliser as he failed to catch a routine ball from the Oldham left under no pressure. Ex-Alty man Lundstram nodded the fumbled ball into the net (82 mins).

Having been under pressure Alty won a very late freekick which Osborne smashed against the post, to the hosts' relief (90+6 mins).

Match report here

NEXT: GATESHEAD

The match gives Altrincham another opportunity to try an secure a first away win this season against any club in the current top fourteen of the Vanarama National League.

SHOOT-OUT WIN FOR RESERVES

Their line up in a/z order was as follows...

Junior Bopda, Jack Chandler, Rhys Cosquer, Lucas Edwards, Henry Murphy, Joseph Osifo, Remi Raymond, Vladislav Shtyhlian, Ben Taylor, Thomas Whyte and Nathan Wood. On the bench were Kian Gonzalez-Moghaddam, Jacob Ireland and Kaiden Powell.

BIG CUP WIN FOR ALTY WOMEN

The Alty line up comprised (in a/z order) Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Libby Newton, Annie Rose O'Donoghue, Emily O'Leary, Rhianna Pickering, Kira Saycell and Brogan Walsh.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Only a draw after ninety minutes and a win for Wolves in the resulting penalty shoot-out, earning them two points, would enable Altrincham to progress to the knock-out phase. And that is exactly what happened!

The game ended 2-2 before Wolves won 4-1 on spot-kicks.

Phil Jordan reports that in the Championship, despite the conflicting versions of events, it can be assumed that KACPER PASIEK (right) has indeed returned to Deepdale - having been an unused substitute as Preston saw off Wycombe in the FA Cup on Saturday, he again watched from the bench this evening as they won 0-1 at Norwich City.

League One: With visitors Stockport County a goal up, Bristol Rovers brought on 4 substitutes in the 70th minute, including JOEL SENIOR - and it was another of those substitutes who earned them a share of the points in added time, the game finishing 1-1.

Peterborough United were already trailing at Charlton Athletic when they were reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute. Darren Ferguson saw no need to call up CHRIS CONN-CLARKE from the bench, and they lost 2-0.

TOBY MULLARKEY (right) is still out injured, but Crawley Town were able to throw on JUNIOR QUITIRNA after 77 minutes of their home game with Stevenage. It was 1-1 at the time, but 10 minutes later he put them ahead, and they clinched a 3-1 win in added time. The visitors had their captain CARL PIERGIANNI booked.

League Two : Crewe Alexandra had climbed to second spot in the league in mid January, but tonight's 3-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon saw them slip out of the playoff places. They have only taken 2 points from the last 5 matches. ALISTAIR SMITH was credited with the assist for the last goal.

ELLIOT NEWBY played the full match as Barrow recovered from going behind after just 8 minutes to beat visitors MK Dons 2-1.

Bradford City scored the only goal of the game only 20 minutes in, so Accrington Stanley's introduction of SONNY ALJOFREE 12 minutes later was fruitless.

Carlisle United withdrew JOEL HUGILL (right) after 74 minutes at Newport County, and just two minutes later they conceded the only goal of the game.

CONNOR JENNINGS was missing from the Tranmere Rovers squad, but CHRIS MERRIE put in a full shift in a goalless draw against visitors Fleetwood.

National North : ASHLEY HEMMINGS scored the Kidderminster Harriers equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Chester.

NPL Premier : Having trailed to visitors Ilkeston Town at half time, Hyde United scored three times in 17 minutes just after the hour to win 3-1. The second of those goals was a JACK REDSHAW penalty.

NPL Division 1 West : The seemingly ageless KEVIN ELLISON struck in the 98th minute to give Vauxhall Motors a 3-3 draw, which had looked unlikely after visitors Clitheroe scored three times in 9 minutes inside the opening half hour.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde v Dagenham & Redbridge
• Barnet v Solihull Moors
• Braintree Town v Forest Green Rovers
• Eastleigh v Aldershot Town
• Ebbsfleet United v York City
• FC Halifax Town v Boston United
• Gateshead v Altrincham
• Hartlepool United v Maidenhead United
• Oldham Athletic v Sutton United
• Southend United v Rochdale
• Woking v Tamworth
• Yeovil Town v Wealdstone

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Foster signed for Hull in July 2023 from Scunthorpe United... He made his senior debut for Scunthorpe in April 2022... The goalkeeper would go on to make 11 appearances in the National League the following season...

The 20-year-old spent time on loan at Chorley last season...

Foster stated... 'It’s an exciting challenge for me to come up here and enter a new dressing room'...

Pools Head Coach, Anthony Limbrick, added... 'Since we were made aware that Brad Young would be returning to Leicester, the recruitment department have been working hard to find the right person to come in and provide good competition for Adam Smith'".

11 February 2025

ROSS RULED OUT FOR THE REST OF SEASON

The news reached us earlier today that an ACL operation was required...

Alty bosses sprang into action over the weekend and managed to secure a loan deal for Norwich City keeper Caleb Ansen, who will go straight into the side against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park this evening...

The club are mindful that a solution is needed to his long-term absence and will explore all options as a matter of urgency in the coming days.

Caleb [is a]... highly-rated young keeper who has twice been on the bench for the Canaries in Championship games and has European experience for their under-21 team after keeping a clean sheet against PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League International Cup at Carrow Road a couple of months ago".

Right: Ethan Ross is pictured during the game against Braintree last Saturday which he was unable to complete through injury.

Caleb is aged 19 and described by Norwich City as a "penalty specialist".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Dagenham & Redbridge 1-2 Woking
• Gateshead P-P Braintree Town (waterlogged pitch)
• Hartlepool United 2-2 Tamworth
• Oldham Athletic 2-2 Altrincham
• Southend United 3-1 FC Halifax Town

BARNET KICK-OFF CHANGED

WEAVER COMMITS FOR THREE MORE YEARS

[Altrincham] nipped in and snapped him up ahead of a growing number of other clubs alerted to his remarkable scoring exploits with Colne... total of 42 goals from 43 league and cup appearances, an astonishing statistic for a wide player.

After a couple of loan spells earlier this season with Bamber Bridge and Radcliffe, he broke into Alty's line-up...

He said, 'Altrincham are a fantastic club, I've enjoyed my time here so far'...

Alty director of football Marc Tierney said 'I'm delighted to have got the signature of Lucas sorted out to extend his stay with us for up to another three years... At just turned 23, he is just coming into his prime. He is still learning parts of his game, but he has put in man-of-the-match performances recently'...

Meanwhile, young central midfielder Owen German will shortly be heading for a loan spell in the National League North to gain more valuable first-team experience".

TONIGHT: OLDHAM ATHLETIC

It looks likely that goalkeeper Ethan Ross will join left-back Eddy Jones, midfielders George Wilson and Isaac Marriott and winger Ollie Crankshaw in missing the game at Oldham Athletic through injury.

Left: Eddy Jones; right, Ethan Ross.

Striker Joe Nuttall will also be unavailable under the terns of his season-long loan from tonight's hosts, whilst Matty Kosylo's second red card, picked up last Saturday, will see him suspended for the second time this season.

Deputy goalkeeper Harvey Randle has dislocated fingers and, although he has appeared in two recent cup games, Justin Amaluzor must also be a doubt, having not been in the league squad for 13 games, though he may just have been rested at the weekend as part of his rehabilitation from injury, having played in two recent cup ties.

So, all nine of the above first-team squad players could be unavailable tonight.

In addition, it is also unclear whether loanee defender Kacper Pasiek is available having been called back to Preston NE, where he was named on the bench for their FA Cup on Saturday, though he may have returned to Alty since then.

Hopefully, Regan Linney and Tylor Golden, who both limped off on Saturday, will not add to the above tally of unavailable players.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

It’s been over five months since the goalkeeper went down with a knee injury... on August 31.

The extent of that setback turned out to be a long-term ACL injury...

In his road to recovery... he was named on the bench during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Sutton United...

He stated... 'The injury came at a bad time, I was feeling really good in my performances. I kept four clean sheets from my first six games and I was feeling confident.

'I felt my knee go and I knew it would be a bad one. It was tough to take...

'I’ve been eased back into training over the last month and with Brad Young going back to Leicester, I was named on the bench on Saturday'".

The Coasters' game at Aldershot Town was postponed at lunchtime last Saturday and AFC Fylde explained that the match was "postponed due to an unsafe playing surface.

After a pitch inspection was carried out by the match referee at 10am, the decision was pushed back until 12:30 as grounds staff made every effort to make the surface playable.

Unfortunately despite the best efforts from all concerned, the pitch was deemed unsafe and the fixture will now be played a later date".

Hosts Aldershot Town added that "Following a surprise period of heavy snow yesterday [Friday] afternoon, we were in constant communication with our visitors, AFC Fylde, and today’s Match Officials and, after a night of extended rainfall, it was agreed to hold a Pitch Inspection at midday today.

The Referee then deemed the pitch unplayable and allowed a period of time for sand to be distributed around the areas of concern, but then was not satisfied the work done had improved playing conditions".

An accompanying image on the Aldershot website shows the heavily sanded playing surface.

10 February 2025

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

BOWEL CANCER INITIATIVE AT ALTY

In the warm-up Altrincham's players wore special t-shirts to highlight the cause and the six outfield substitutes are pictured below with two of the Community Sports ambassadors.

The six outfield substitutes, wearing the special t-shirts, are, from left to right, Kian Taylor, Jake Cooper, James Jones, Kahrel Reddin, Jake Bickerstaff and Matty Kosylo.

TOM'S TOP TIME ON PITCH

To date, Tom, pictured right in the Braintree game last Saturday, has started 26 league games this season.

The only two league matches in which he has not completed the ninety minutes were the away games at Tamworth and Aldershot. In both cases Tom was sent off towards the end of those fixtures!

He has also started seven cup games and completed the full match every time except for the recent National League Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers when he and two colleagues played only the first nineteen minutes to comply with the competition rules of starting with at least four starters from the previous first-team game.

NEXT: OLDHAM ATHLETIC

In contrast, the Oldham Times tells us that "Micky Mellon has praised his players for emerging from a run of four straight away games undefeated, signing off with a win.

Latics have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 from trips to Gateshead, AFC Fylde, Rochdale and Solihull Moors to strengthen their play-off position.

And Billy Waters' first goal for Oldham Athletic was enough to make it three wins on the spin in the Midlands [on Saturday at Solihull].

'To win three and draw one against the opposition that we've been playing against, at difficult places to go, the players deserve an enormous amount of credit', said Latics boss Mellon...

And Mellon felt getting off the mark was the least [Billy] Waters deserved for his performances since arriving at Boundary Park last month.

'It was absolutely well deserved because he runs his socks off, he retains the ball for us, he punches way above his weight'... said the Scot.

One worry for Mellon, given the already extensive injury list, was [ex-Alty defender] Reagan Ogle (left)having to go off in the second half... 'Hopefully he'll be okay but we'll know more in 24 hours when things settle down'".

ELLIOT'S LANDMARK

To date he has made 132(+17) appearances and scored three goals since joining the club following his release by Stevenage.

His arrival at Moss Lane was announced on 6 January 2022, one of Phil Parkinson's many Altrincham signings who had formerly played under him at Nantwich Town. Elliot started out in the youth system at Port Vale but, after the Valiants had released him, he joined Staffordshire club Newcastle Town as an 18 year-old in 2014.

In February 2015 he moved across the county border to Cheshire to sign for Nantwich Town where he netted 22 times from midfield. In summer 2016 he signed for Fleetwood Town of League One but in September 2016 he went out on loan to Tranmere Rovers.

In January 2017 he went on another loan, to Stockport County and then Morecambe in League Two at the start of the 2017-18 campaign. However, in early 2018 he was transferred from Fleetwood to Southport for an undisclosed fee.

In late September 2018 he again went on loan to Stockport County and in November he signed for the Hatters, where he went on to record 79 appearances and 11 goals.

In summer 2020 he was signed by League Two Stevenage and played 30 games there in 2020–21 season.

ALTY OLD BOYS

9 February, 2025

ALTRINCHAM 3-1 BRAINTREE TOWN

Right: A thoughtful Joe Nuttall is pictured during a break in play against Braintree Town.

Joe netted Altrincham's third goal which was also his own third league goal from 10(+9) league appearances this season, following his loan from Oldham Athletic.

Joe will not be eligible for Tuesday's game against the Latics, a match which the suspended Matty Kosylo will definitely also miss whilst the injured Ethan Ross seems almost certain to be unavailable either.

AFTER THE MATCH PT1: ALTRINCHAM BOSS

He praised Alex Newby in particular. He is "the intelligent one" and will be at the top of Alty's statistics for assists at the end of the season.

At half-time the manager wanted Alty to keep the ball more in the second half.

Right: Louie Fallon and Lewis Banks prepare for a Braintree corner.

However, he gave Braintree credit for limiting us on what he felt was a difficult pitch.

As for Ethan Ross, "it doesn't look great" he said. However, he said that there is "nothing of which we are aware that should be a major concern".

Nevertheless he admitted that Alty need to look for another keeper as Ross's deputy "Harvey (Randle) has dislocated his fingers". However, he felt that Academy keeper Louis Fallon (right) "looked brilliant" when he came on for his league debut in goal.

Regarding the Kosylo incident, he said that "I genuinely didn't see it" but if it was what was reported, namely "pulling the lad's hair" that would be dealt with.

AFTER THE MATCH PT2: ALTRINCHAM ASSISTANT BOSS

"We didn't have much of the ball in the second half as they came at us more but we still looked a threat on the counter with Newby and Linney.

"Getting the victory when we weren't at our best is good for us moving forward. People think that playing a team towards the bottom should be an easy win but it doesn't work like that. We know we can play better".

AFTER THE MATCH PT3: BRAINTREE TOWN

He judged that his side "did OK", and he believed that "we weren't poor" but he admitted that "I expect a little bit more".

He felt that 2-0 to Altrincham at half-time "was not a fair reflection" and criticised referee Rollason for instantly awarding a penalty which he did not believe was justified.

He added that "we were always in the game until the third goal" but "the positive was that we didn't go under".

He pointed out that "We created four really good chances, apart from our goal" and also asserted that "after we scored, only one team was looking to get forward, and that was us. They seemed to settle for 3-1".

In the NL Paper, Steve Pitt added, "Credit to Altrincham, they are where they deserve to be and will cause problems for any team at this level.

"We started the game very well but then got done by a sucker punch and we were disappointed to be two down at half-time as it didn't reflect the game...

"When things go against you, it's how you react... We need to bounce back quickly".

The Iron face a difficult midweek trip to Gateshead as their next fixture.

TOUGH CHALLENGE FOR ALTY

As Altrincham embark on a league sequence of six away games against top-half teams in their next seven fixtures, they will travel to Oldham Athletic (4th), Gateshead (5th), Hartlepool United (10th), York City (3rd), Southend United (12th) and Rochdale (8th).

The magnitude of their task is shown starkly by the league table which shows that Altrincham have yet to win away at any club higher than thirteenth in the National League

As an aside, they have also only beaten one club in the current top ten at the J Davidson Stadium.

They will need to improve on that record if they are to retain their play-off place.

NEXT: OLDHAM ATHLETIC

The sides drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture at the JDS on 31 August.

ALTY OLD BOYS

FA Cup : Millwall had already rounded off the scoring in their unexpected 0-2 win at Leeds United before they brought DUNCAN WATMORE off the bench after 69 minutes.

OWEN DALE also made his Wigan Athletic debut on loan from Oxford United as a substitute after the scoring was all over, coming on after 61 minutes as Premier League visitors Fulham won 1-2.

League One : CARL PIERGIANNI played the full game as Stevenage lost 2-0 at Charlton Athletic.

Although TOBY MULLARKEY remains on the injured list, Crawley Town were able to recall JUNIOR QUITIRNA from the bench after 80 minutes at Bolton Wanderers. The men from Sussex led 1-3 after 62 minutes, but the hosts struck back to draw level at 3-3 in the 85th minute. Unfortunately Crawley were then quickly reduced to 10 men, and went down 4-3 to a 99th minute own goal.

League Two : ELLIOT NEWBY (right) played the full game as Barrow comfortably beat visitors Gillingham 3-0.

JOE HUGILL was booked shortly before half time as his Carlisle United side led at Grimsby Town. The hosts turned things round though, and won 2-1.

MARCUS DACKERS came on at the start of the second half at Notts County, but couldn't help Morecambe to avoid a 2-0 defeat.

Tranmere Rovers were without CHRIS MERRIE at Salford City, and substituted CONNOR JENNINGS after 80 minutes. The hosts brought KEVIN BERKOE on 3 minutes later as they played out a 2-0 victory.

National League : CONNOR TEALE played throughout as Boston United failed to produce a single attempt on target, but fought out a goalless draw with visitors Barnet, who were handicapped by playing with 10 men from the 41st minute.

Maidenhead United, with MILES WELCH-HAYES (right) putting in a full shift, won their home fixture against Southend United by the only goal of the game.

Rochdale left KYLE FERGUSON on the bench as they were surprisingly held to a goalless draw at home by relegation haunted Ebbsfleet United.

Oldham Athletic had already scored the only goal of the game at Solihull Moors by the time they substituted REAGAN OGLE after 71 minutes. JOSH LUNDSTRAM only joined the action in the 88th minute.

LUKE WATERFALL captained Hartlepool United to a 1-2 win, after they had gone behind at Sutton United. BILLY SASS-DAVIES watched from the bench.

Gateshead had converted two first-half penalties at Wealdstone before introducing LIAM HUMBLES after 67 minutes and going on to win 0-4.

York City, benefitting from a hat trick by recent signing Josh Stones, withdrew both him and TYRESE SINCLAIR after 83 minutes of their 3-0 home win over Woking.

KENNEDY DIGIE played the entire game for Tamworth, at home against FC Halifax Town, for whom TOM PUGH was a 98th minute substitute. The Shaymen were already 2-0 up by then but the Lambs got a 101st minute penalty as a consolation goal.

National North : Despite ASHLEY HEMMINGS scoring an equaliser, Kidderminster Harriers were beaten 1-2 by visitors Chorley.

By the time DIOR ANGUS netted in the 81st minute, Southport's chances of a result at Radcliffe had more or less evaporated. BRAD JACKSON scored the second as the hosts continued their climb away from the relegation zone with a 4-1 win.

LEWIS SALMON (right) opened the scoring as Alfreton Town won 0-2 at Scarborough Athletic.

NPL Premier Division: After Mickleover had trailed at half time, ANDY DALES levelled their game at Macclesfield in the 48th minute. Alas, it was in vain as the Silkmen clicked into gear and crushed the Derbyshire side 6-1.

NPL Division 1 West : SEAN WILLIAMS opened the scoring as Bootle beat visitors Wythenshawe 2-0.

BYRON HARRISON equalised for Nantwich Town, but hosts Stafford Rangers came back to win 2-1.

Although goalkeeper LOUIE FALLON was recalled by the Robins, Witton Albion still fielded loanee JOEL BAILEY alongside Alty Old Boys JAMES LAWRIE and MAX HARROP, and Robins trialist DAMOLA SOTONA in their home fixture against Newcastle Town.

James was booked after only 5 minutes, and was replaced for the second half by JOEL BEMBO-LETA. Damola was withdrawn after 67 minutes, and Max followed him 7 minutes later. An unhappy afternoon for the Northwich club ended in a 0-3 defeat.

Polish Ekstraklasa : Legia Warsaw were beaten by the only goal in their away game at Piast. MAXI OYEDELE was only introduced in the 95th minute.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

'I'll be lying if I said I didn't say I always had one eye on it when I was playing,' Wright admitted... There's never an ideal time, timing is life is crucial, but I'm learning every day just as I was as a player, I'm in the deep end but I'm only learning...

'It's a lot of time spent in other areas. You're in the office a lot, you're on the training ground, you're out and about, and you're on the road watching other games. But I'm thoroughly enjoying it

'It's been a difficult start, I can't shy away from that because we're in a difficult position. Things are tough and we're up against it to say the least, but it's a challenge and I love a challenge, it's one I'm going to keep hitting head on and I will turn things around sooner rather than later'".

8 February, 2025

ALTRINCHAM 3-1 BRAINTREE TOWN

Right: Regan Linney is congratulated on his penalty conversion which put Altrincham two-up/

On a soft surface and on a dull, damp afternoon, Altrincham took a ninth-minute lead when Alex Newby finished from close range after a Linney attempt from the left had come out to him. The Iron had been without captain George Langston at kick-off and lost defender Ryan Clampin to injury after just 16 minutes. Braintree had named only four sibstitutes so their resources are now further depleted.

Two minutes later Alty keeper Ross went down off the ball and, as he was treated, third-choice keeper 18 year-old Louie Fallon was stripped to come on, only for Ross to opt to continue on the pitch

The lead was doubled on the half-hour mark when Newby was tripped as he burst into the from the left of the box. Linney scored comfortably from the spot to make it 2-0.

Braintree had created a couple of decent chances but failed to convert either in the first "45 minutes", which grew to 52 minutes thanks mainly to the two injury stoppages.

In the second half Ross's injury proved too much and, just after he had made two successive stops to keep out Braintree shots, the keeper went down for more treatment. This time he had to go off, barely being able to walk as he was supported to the dressing room, and Academy keeper Fallon came on to make his league debut (70 mins).

Just five minutes later, after Braintree had enjoyed plenty of forward momentum, Alty made it 3-0 as Weaver hared up the right wing and laid on a simple goal for Joe Nuttall (75 mins).

The defence prevented Fallon being over-troubled but the young keeper made a fine save in a one on one with Braintree's Blackwell.

Braintree did get the consolation goal that their play deserve in the 82nd minute. It came as a Braintree corner was cleared only for Cooper to fire an excellent volley into the net.

With the game into the second of six added minutes and the result a foregone conclusion, substitute Matty Kosylo ridiculously got himself sent off for the third time in fourteen months, this time for seeming to pull the hair of an opponent. A straight red card saw him despatched down the tunnel.

Match report here.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town P-P AFC Fylde ("unsafe playing surface")
• Altrincham 3-1 Braintree Town
• Boston United 0-0 Barnet
• Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Yeovil Town
• Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Eastleigh
• Maidenhead United 1-0 Southend United
• Rochdale 0-0 Ebbsfleet United
• Solihull Moors 0-1 Oldham Athletic
• Sutton United 1-2 Hartlepool United
• Tamworth 1-2 FC Halifax Town
• Wealdstone 0-4 Gateshead
• York City 3-0 Woking

TODAY: BRAINTREE TOWN

After losing four of their first eight fixtures this season, Alty have only lost three more games in the next 19 National League fixtures.

Their fourteen home games have included just one defeat and six draws in addition to their seven home victories.

ALTY OLD BOYS

JOHN KING TRIBUTE

Joe Ward has produced a video tribute entitled 'JOHN KING: A LEADER OF MEN', which "includes interviews with three members of Altrincham's greatest ever team and John's son, David".

WIN AND DEFEAT FOR ACADEMY TEAMS

Boston United report that "Will Green bagged a hat-trick as Boston United recorded a comprehensive victory on Wednesday afternoon.

Green opened the scoring from the penalty spot during the first half of United’s home clash against Altrincham.

He went on to complete his treble with two brilliant finishes after half-time, as the Pilgrims made a welcome return to winning ways".

In the thirteen-team division, the result leaves Boston level on points with Altrincham but behind the Robins on goal difference in tenth and eleventh places respectively.

There was better fortune for the other Academy team in the National Football Youth League North West Championship 1. They won 4-3 at home (Egerton) against Yorkshire Amateur FC U19.

With Louie Fallon in goal, they lined up alphabetically as Christopher Antoniades, Charlie Hough, Ryan Knowles, Kian Leckey, Jacob Martin, Callum McCormack, Harry St Romaine, Jimmy Taafe, Max Whittle, and Harley Renshaw

On the bench were Jacob Hill, William Knowles, Nathan Taylor, Kyran Webster and Noah Lavin. Antoniades, Knowles, Lavin and Webster were the Altrincham scorers.

The win leaves Altrincham second, three points behind the Steven Gerrard Academy Kirkby who have been docked three points. However, the Merseysiders have a game in hand on Altrincham.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Elliot first joined us in 2016 and quickly established himself as a key figure within the squad.

Over the course of nearly a decade, he made over 350 appearances for the Daggers, consistently demonstrating outstanding ability, professionalism, and leadership...

Appointed as club captain, Elliot led by example both on and off the pitch... We are incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this club and for the loyalty he has shown over the years".

Footnote: His farewell interview does not explain why the decision has been made in mid-season.

He has been granted a testimonial at Victoria Road in May. Justham has been ever-present this league season in the Daggers' goal.

In response to Justham's departure Dagenham & Redbridge announce that "Louis Jones has agreed to join the club for an undisclosed fee from Doncaster Rovers on a deal until the end of the season...

Jones signed his first professional contract with Doncaster Rovers in March 2017... He played his first League game in the 2-1 Doncaster win over Portsmouth on 2 March 2021...

In July 2024, Jones joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Waterford on loan for the remainder of the 2024 season".

At Woking, the "Club is pleased to announce the signing of Junior Morias.

The 29-year-old forward joins on loan from League Two side Notts County until the end of the season.

Morias came through the Wycombe Wanderers academy, making 27 appearances before leaving for Boreham Wood... He then moved to St Albans City, where 11 goals in 23 games saw League One Peterborough United swoop in for his services. Spells with Northampton Town and St Mirren would follow, including a return on loan to Boreham Wood before signing permanently with then-National League side Kings Lynn Town... before Dagenham & Redbridge paid a fee... before Notts County signed him in March 2023...

Morias joins the Cards following a successful loan back at the Daggers earlier this season...

Director of Football Jody Brown added 'Junior has been on our watchlist since December... He can play all three forward positions...

'He’s played with Inih [Effiong], Adam Chicksen and Frank Vincent before too, so that continuity that we value so highly should evolve quite quickly.'”

Wealdstone report that on Tuesday night "In a frustrating night for Wealdstone, the match saw spurned chances and a red card. We spoke to Stones gaffer Neil Gibson after... his team's narrow 1-0 defeat to Tamworth...

'Extremely disappointing; it was a game we felt we could attack and win three points from...

'This isn't a negative about Tamworth in any shape or form; they are good at what they do, have great team ethic, work for each other, they don't build up; they get the ball forward. They are very structured in how they want to play the game...

'We want to play in a certain way; we want to keep hold of the football and keep them (the opposition) penned into their own half; that is the plan. Teams like Tamworth like to play the mid-block and counter. Obviously, when we went down to ten men, it made it more difficult...

'Everyone's getting used to me, but ultimately, we won't accept settling, we won't accept not being at our best; starting off poor, we won't settle for losing and drawing. We want to win games of football. I know that I've got a good, honest group of players, and they want the same.'"

The player who scored Wolverhampton Wanderers' under-21s' goal against Altrincham recently will now face the Robins again later this season as Solihull Moors report that Moors are pleased to confirm the loan signing of Ethan Sutherland from Premier League side, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 18-year-old wing-back arrives at Damson Park on loan for the remainder of the season... after signing for the Old Gold in August 2024 from St. Mirren...

The youngster already has first-team experience having made 16 appearances for Scottish League One outfit Alloa Athletic...

Sutherland has also spent time playing as a winger which provides Moors cover in multiple areas of the squad".

Ebbsfleet United "have added experienced defender Josh Passley on loan from Bromley until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old right-back signed for Bromley ahead of the 2023/24 season and played 35 National League games...

Passley is a familiar figure to Fleet fans, having played against us numerous times for Havant & Waterlooville and Dover Athletic in the past.

A product of Fulham’s academy, he went out on loan to Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth... making a permanent switch to Dagenham & Redbridge in the summer of 2015...

Passley spent four seasons at Crabble in the National League with Dover".

7 February 2025

LINNEY IS "HUGE FOR US"

Linney broke the deadlock in spectacular style with a 90th-minute strike from a seemingly-impossible angle after cutting in from the left...

Right: Regan Linney seen in action against Jamal Fyfield in 2023. Back then, Fyfield played for Boreham Wood but he is likely to face the Alty man again on Saturday, this time as a Braintree Town player.

'You can play the best football in the world, be as organised and tactically aware as you want and have the best manager and players in other positions, but if you haven’t got the best forwards who can stick chances away, you don’t get anything in this game' [said Parkinson]...

'I’ve given him a lot of plaudits, and he has lived up to every one of them with that goal... He is huge for us, and we are lucky that we had a player bang in form who was able to deliver when we needed it most. I told the players beforehand to give him the ball as much as possible, because he is doing what Chris Conn-Clarke did for us last season'" concluded the Altrincham manager.

NEXT: BRAINTREE TOWN

Depending on results elsewhere, with a win the Robins could return to the play-off places. However, a defeat could see them drop several places into mid-table.

In what is likely to be a tight game against the newly promoted side, Altrincham will have winger Lucas Weaver available again after he had been cup-tied for last weekend's FA Trophy match.

Although the nature of his injury has not been made public, left-back Eddy Jones is expected to be missing again, and midfielder Isaac Marriott is likely also to be sidelined with his injury. Ollie Crankshaw did not appear in the squad last Saturday but whether that was just part of the cautious reintroduction of the player after his ACL lay-off or whether he has a niggle of some kind, is not clear.

Preston loanee Kian Taylor has yet to get on the pitch but he and his Deepdale team-mate Kacper Pasiek are likely to be, at least, in the matchday squad tomorrow.

ELLIOT INTERVIEWED

Left: Elliot has been awarded the captain's armband on occasions this season.

Firstly they spoke about the FA Trophy win over Eastleigh.

Elliot revealed that when Alty lost in the Trophy semi-finals two years ago, it was his third disappointment at that stage of the competition, having suffered the same fate with Phil Parkinson's Nantwich Town and with Stockport County!

In the match against County, Elliot's current Alty team-mate, Tom Crawford, played for Fylde.

Having been at Altrincham for just over three years, he is into his fourth season with the club and feels that "This is the toughest season, there are more teams that are competitive this year".

Elliot added that "If we can improve our away form more consistently I don't see how we don't make it to the play-offs".

To date, Elliot has made 131(+17) appearances for Altrincham and scored three times.

ALTY OLD BOYS

And Phil also updates us on news from the Australian NPL, where CONNOR HAMPSON and his Oakleigh Cannons team mates got off to a disappointing start to the new season, going down at home 1-2 to Avondale. Due to issues with the club's Facebook page, no lineup is available for the game, but Connor has retained the number 3 shirt this term.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

He said... 'The style of play here, everything suits me very well. I want to play every week, and I wasn’t playing much at Chesterfield anymore, so I wanted to try and get away...

'He has made 12 appearances in all competitions but only two of those were league start... Horton departs having made 68 appearances in total".

Some 350 miles away at Yeovil Town, Gloverscast reports that "manager Mark Cooper has said that he hopes the side’s enforced rest from competitive action will only be seen as a positive, if the group return with a ‘new energy’ heading into the final months of the season.

The Glovers haven’t played since January 25th when a second half collapse... saw Rochdale run out 4-0 winners.

There’s been change a plenty at Huish Park in the last few days... after [goalkeeper] Ollie Wright returned to Southampton and Aidan Stone join the club.

Cooper said 'We got the opportunity to sign a permanent goalkeeper through circumstance really, that somebody that’s moved into the area. It’s something that we felt, for the long term future, we had to do. Obviously Southampton recalled Ollie, and he’s gone straight back out to Solihull... He played every minute of every game [at Yeovil].

'[Aidan’s] got a little bit more experience. He’s played League football'...

Aidan Stone will be joined at Huish Park another player with Port Vale connections. Vale’s James Plant returned to the club on loan for the remainder of the season".

6 February 2025

NEXT: BRAINTREE TOWN

That is their best run of the season, identical to Altrincham's form in the same number of games. This good form has followed a troubled start to the campaign after the Iron's promotion via the play-offs last season.

Just a single win came in their opening ten fixtures this season and manager Angelo Harrop subsequently lost his job. He was replaced by Steve Pitt who has guided Braintree to eighteenth place. In addition tot the uplift in league form, Pitt has guided his side to an unbeaten top place in their group of the National League Cup.

With just 28 league goals scored in 29 National League outings, Braintree are the division's lowest scorers apart from the bottom two clubs. However, they have conceded the fewest goals (jointly) of any team in the bottom ten of the National League.

Braintree have made heavy use of the loan system and their starting eleven last weekend included no fewer than six loanees.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 6 AND 8 FEBRUARY

As for Altrincham, their last game on 6 February was in 2018 when they beat Ashton United 3-2 in the Vanarama National League North.

It has not been an auspicious date since then as there have been two postponements on this date since the 2018 game.

On 6 February 2021 an away trip to the English Riviera was postponed after Torquay United had a clash with an FA Trophy tie. That led to a Tuesday trek to Devon four days earlier than the planned fixture, which Altrincham won 2-1.

And in 2024 a home fixture with Dorking Wanderers had to be called off owing to a waterlogged pitch at the J. Davidson Stadium.

That again led to a 2-1 win for Altrincham when the game was actually played, on 5 March 2024.

Back to the present, Altrincham's next match is on Saturday, 8 February.

Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years files remind us that, on this date back in 2011, Altrincham had a remarkable 12-1 home win over Alsager Town in a Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final.

The visitors had been rocked before the game by the departure of their manager and most of the first team but they kept going for 90 minutes and matched Alty in the corner-kick count.

Alty, giving debuts to goalkeeper Craig Dootson (left) and midfielder Mohamed Coly (right), opened their account after 12 minutes when Robbie Williams sidefooted home after a short corner by Baynes was played into the box by Brown. Nicky Clee made it 2-0 with a low freekick from outside the box after 22 minutes.

Baynes then dribbled through three challenges to score a fine third goal four minutes later. Beesley made it 4-0 after 35 minutes when a Baynes shot deflected to him, left of goal. A minute later, Beesley scored again from a Brown feed to leave Alty 5-0 ahead at the interval.

Twiss replaced Beesley at the break and then youth team captain, James Smart came on for Clee nine minutes into the second half. Next, a Baynes shot was deflected into the net to make it 6-0 (57 mins). Sam Hewson got two goals in three minutes (64 and 67 mins), the second a tap-in after Wedgbury's shot had been blocked.

Despite an injury to Smart reducing Alty to ten men from the 73rd minute, the ninth goal was hammered home by Baynes in the 77th minute and, three minutes later, Wedgbury scored after his first efort had been parried (80 mins). Two superb long-range, lobbed efforts completed Alty's dozen; Baynes netted from 50 yards and Wedgbury from 40 yards (82 & 86 mins).

But Alsager got a deserved consolation goal in the ninetieth minute when the prostrate substitute Hart managed to head the ball in at the near post after a corner.

Since than Alty have played one game on 8 February. That was in 2020 when Alty drew 1-1 at home to Kettering Town in the Vanarama National League North.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Although positive talks around extending that to three did take place between the National League and EFL, that has stalled. The Football League say they will deal with the matter once the soon-to-be-installed Independent Regulator has resolved the massive funding disagreement between the EFL and the Premier League.

National League general manager Mark Ives feels that means it could be up to four years before an additional promotion place gets discussed – and that is not good enough...

'We have a pyramid that is the envy of countries worldwide because you can go from the very bottom to the top, purely on sporting merit. But there is a blockage in the jump between National League and EFL. Two-up, two-down is simply unfair'...

There are 15 former EFL clubs in the National League. Over the past decade, eight out of the 19 teams relegated from League Two have been promoted...

'I am often asked why would clubs in League One and League Two vote for it,' said Ives. 'I prefer to look at it another way. If you slip through that very narrow trap door and have to try and climb out of it, you want to give yourself the best chance you can to progress'".

For more on this, please see the Altrincham FC website.

We read in the Telegraph & Argus that "Supporters worried about the future of their team’s stadium hope enough people will sign a petition to trigger a council debate about a potential sale.

The FC Halifax Town fans say they need 2,000 signatures for the petition which may give them chance to speak...

Two professional teams, football’s FC Halifax Town and rugby league’s Halifax Panthers use the Shay, but a budget decision taken last year saw cash-strapped Calderdale Council announce it sought to divest itself of responsibility for running the stadium....

But in January it was announced Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy wanted to buy The Shay and move his club to play there until they built a new stadium of their own.

An alternative proposal from a group of fans that it is run by an independent, not-for-profit trust is also on the table.

Senior councillors are due to choose... on Monday, March 17.

Mr Davy has said he will fund improvements to the ground to bring it up to Super League standard, but a combination of grant funding and interest free loans from him to both clubs would be used to pay for a new pitch.

Mr Davy has also said he will offer the ground back to both clubs for them to purchase once the Giants move out...

The supporters say they want to council to retain the freehold and that, should Huddersfield Giants be allowed to use the Shay, to permit this on a licence-only basis... Petitions with 2,000 or more signatures can trigger a full council debate on the issue".

Southend United "announce the signing of goalkeeper Nick Hayes from Barnet for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old shot-stopper has put pen to paper on a permanent contract that will keep him at Roots Hall until the summer of 2026.

It will be Hayes’ second spell at the Shrimpers, having featured impressively during a one-month loan in October 2023.

Hayes [stated]... 'I didn’t take much convincing at all to be honest, I knew I wanted to come back...

'I had a great spell at Solihull last year and thought I did well at Barnet this year too'".

At the other end of the counry Hartlepool United tell us of the "signing of left-back Jack Robinson...

The 23-year-old signs at the Prestige Group Stadium after spending the last two years at Carlisle... Robinson started his career in the North East with Middlesbrough...

He made one appearance in the Championship for Boro, while gaining National League experience on loan at Yeovil Town in 2021/22.

The following season saw Robinson join Carlisle on a temporary basis, which was later made permanent... Robinson now joins Hartlepool on a permanent deal...

Robinson stated... 'It’s been around a month since I first heard of Hartlepool’s interest and I’m really excited to have everything sorted.'....

Head Coach, Anthony Limbrick, added... 'He’s a left-back who will provide great competition in that area of the pitch, but he’s also versatile and can play in other areas'".

Next Tuesday, Altrincham face Oldham Athletic where the Latics "announce the signing of Joe Pritchard on a deal until 2 June.

He joins Latics after mutually terminating his contract with MK Dons where he made four appearances for the club.

A versatile player, Joe can operate in positions all along the midfield with the left side being his predominant...

Joe said... 'The opportunity to come back up north was perfect for me... I’ve had a year where I’ve not played as many games as I would have liked... I knew I was trying to get out of MK for a while, but the move was probably done within two or three days...

'I can play in multiple positions, I can use both feet, and I feel I’m quite tactically aware of the game'...

Pritchard’s career began at Tottenham, joining the academy in July 2013... before being released in 2018.

The following summer, Joe joined Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer... In the summer window of 2019, Accrington Stanley came calling for Joe’s services... In his five year spell he made 112 appearances... before in July 2024 he joined MK Dons on a free transfer".

5 February 2025

MOORS VISIT REARRANGED

It will now be played on Tuesday, March 25th at 7.45pm.

This makes it now the fourth successive home fixture for Altrincham in a sequence of five home games in six league matches.

• Sat.15.3.25 ALDERSHOT TOWN (H)
• Tue.18.3.25 WEALDSTONE (H)
• Sat.22.3.25 BARNET (H)
• Tue.25.3.25 SOLIHULL MOORS (H)
• Sat.29.3.25 Ebbsfleet United (A)
• Sat.5.4.25 YEOVIL TOWN (H)

SEVEN AWAY GAMES IN EIGHT FIXTURES IN FOUR WEEK PERIOD!

The sequence, after Saturday's home game against Braintree Town, is now as follows...

• Tue.11.2.25 Oldham Athletic (A)
• Sat.15.2.25 Gateshead (A)
• Tue.18.2.25 Hartlepool United (A)
• Sat.22.2.25 AFC Fylde (H)
• Sat.1.3.25 Rochdale (A) FA Trophy tie which replaces the planned home league game with Solihull Moors.
• Tue.4.3.25 York City (A)
• Sat.8.3.25 Southend United (A)
• Tue.11.3.25 Rochdale (A)

NEXT: BRAINTREE TOWN

On Saturday The Iron were robbed of three points by a 97th minute equaliser from Hartlepool United.

Braintree Town that they "suffered the cruelty of a late, late leveller to deny then three points in Saturday afternoon's 1-1 draw with visitors Hartlepool United.

Braintree were arguably the better of the two sides before the break but turned around goal-less. Jermaine Francis finally broke the deadlock with twenty minutes remaining...

The TeesSide club threw bodies forward late on with keeper Henry Gray making a couple of stunning saves before substitute Miley levelled in the seventh minute of the six added on to secure his side a point".

HIGH-SCORING WIN FOR ALTY WOMEN

On Sunday in the Cheshire Women's & Youth Football League Premier Division, Altrincham FC Women won 6-3, away at Newton-Le-Willows Ladies, thanks to a strong second-half performance

It was a great day for Kira Saycell who struck four times. The other goals came from Ash Gilmore and Grace McArdle.

The Altrincham line-up in A/Z order was Ash Gilmore, Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Libby Newton, Emily O'Leary, Rhianna Pickering, Kira Saycell and another player unnamed on the league website.

Although Alty remain top of the Division, they are pursued by second place Nantwich Town Ladies who have no fewer than five games in hand and just a three-point deficit to bridge.

PASIEK STAYS

"The 19-year old left-back [scored]... with a stunning strike from outside the area in last week's National League Cup win over Wolves under-21s.

He was due to return to his parent club Preston North End after completing a month on loan... but Alty have arranged with Kacper and his club for him to remain with us for a further month...

Director of Football Marc Tierney (left) said... 'He has shown up really well in the games he has played so far, and it was a superb goal he scored against Wolves. That will have been great for his confidence, and everyone can see what a bright spark he is going to be for the team.

'The way he linked up with Kahrel the other day was really exciting to see...

'I'm really happy with the squad at the moment. It's looking really strong'...

Alty first became aware of Kacper after playing a bounce game at Preston a couple of months ago", writes John Edwards.

ALTY OLD BOYS

League Two : Apparently Gillingham only scored two goals in January or, more accurately, they were given two goals by their opponents. The club's "Goal of the Month" award has therefore been bestowed on Grimsby Town defender Doug Tharme. Jordan Turnbull of Tranmere Rovers may need to be comforted by team mates CONNOR JENNINGS and CHRIS MERRIE.

It isn't often that 6'7" MARCUS DACKERS (right) finds himself on the pitch with a taller opponent, but having played the whole game in Morecambe's 2-1 away defeat at Newport County, he found himself facing 6'9" Kyle Hudlin, who entered the action after 85 minutes.

Meanwhile his parent club, Salford City, reacted to a two goal half time deficit at home to Bromley with a triple substitution on the restart - KEVIN BERKOE was one of those taken off.

National League : Another former Robin not to last the whole game was JOSH LUNDSTRAM, who was replaced at Rochdale in the 54th minute by Oldham Athletic's new signing from Yeovil Town, Matt Worthington. His teammate REAGAN OGLE completed the full match as Rochdale, with KYLE FERGUSON (right) on their bench, lost to their neighbours by the game's only goal.

There was a full shift from KENNEDY DIGIE as Tamworth also found a single goal sufficient at Wealdstone, who had Max Kretschmar dismissed in the 64th minute after picking up two yellow cards in the space of 3 minutes. Wealdstone drop into the bottom 4 after AFC Fylde surprisingly won 1-2 at Halifax.

National North : Hereford won by the only goal at South Shields scored by YUSIFU CEESAY - his 4th in the last 5 games.

EFL Trophy : Stevenage were knocked out of the competition by visitors Birmingham City - again a single goal did the damage. There was a yellow card for CARL PIERGIANNI.

NPL Division 1 West : Having trailed at half time to visitors Wythenshawe Town, Runcorn Linnets turned things round to take a 2-1 lead through RYAN BROOKE. However, they couldn't hold on to their advantage, having to settle for a 2-2 draw.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

Tuesday 4th February 2025

• Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 Forest Green Rovers
• FC Halifax Town 1-2 AFC Fylde
• Rochdale 0-1 Oldham Athletic
• Wealdstone 0-1 Tamworth

ALTY MISS OUT IN COMPUTER PREDICTION

"Barnet to win title and return to EFL, York to miss out on automatic promotion by TWO POINTS, Maidenhead set for relegation

Barnet will win the National League title and make a long-awaited return the EFL, according to the JeffBet SuperComputer.

Having not played EFL football since suffering relegation from League Two in 2018, it is predicted the Bees will edge out York in the National League title race by just two points.

The SuperComputer predicts that Dean Brennan's side will finish first with 96 points, ahead of York with 94 in second. Forest Green Rovers will also come close in the title race, finishing third with 93 points.

Micky Mellon's Oldham Athletic are set for a fifth-place finish with Rochdale one place above them in fourth, while Gateshead and Halifax make up the remaining top-seven places.

Despite the continuation of their remarkable performances under Phil Parkinson for another season, Altrincham will miss out on a consecutive play-off campaign.

Sutton United, Hartlepool United, Solihull Moors, Yeovil Town and Southend are all set to suffer disappointment by failing to make the play-offs, too.

At the bottom of the table, the SuperComputer suggests Tamworth, Braintree Town and AFC Fylde will avoid relegation while Alan Devonshire's Maidenhead United will be relegated.

Joining Maidenhead in relegation will be Woking, Boston United and Ebbsfleet United".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 22-year-old arrived from QPR in December for an initial 28-day loan spell which was extended for a 28 days last month.

Aoraha has featured 10 times for the Fleet in the National League.

Aldershot Town "have signed West Ham United striker Brad Dolaghan on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old signed for West Ham in the summer after impressing at National League South side Worthing, where he scored seven goals in 11 first-team appearances last season.

There has been a further addition to recent arrivals at Victoria Road as Dagenham & Redbridge "confirm that Rafiq Khaleel has agreed to join the club for an undisclosed fee from Crawley Town on an 18-month deal.

Rafiq played youth football for Camden Elite and Cheshunt. On 28 February 2020, Khaleel signed a two-and-a-half-year deal for League Two club Crawley Town...

He joined Premier League side West Ham United on a trial spell in April 2021.

In November 2021, he joined Southern League Premier Division South club Kings Langley on loan until January 2022... On 1 February 2022, Khaleel joined Southern League Premier Division South side Gosport Borough on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season...

On 30 December 2022, Khaleel made his first league appearance for Crawley... After making 14 league appearances during the 2022–23 season, Khaleel signed a new two-year contract in June 2023."

Boston United "have completed the permanent signing of Livingston midfielder Olly Green.

The 21-year-old made eight appearances for the Scottish Championship outfit – having moved north of the border from Hull City last summer.

Green's international switch was registered ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday evening ".

At Yeovil Town the Glovers "announce the signing of Notts County Goalkeeper, Aidan Stone, who joins us on a deal until Summer 2026.

The Stafford-born goalkeeper began his career in non-league football before earning a move to Burnley in 2017...

Stone went on to play for Mansfield Town, Port Vale, and Notts County, making 85 Football League appearances across the three clubs.

Stone played a key role in Port Vale’s promotion to League One in 2022... keeping a clean sheet in the final at Wembley. He was named the club’s Young Player of the Year that season."

The BBC reports that "Tamworth have signed Arjan Raikhy from Premier League club Leicester City for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old Wolverhampton-born midfielder, who joined Leicester from Aston Villa's youth section in August 2023, arrives to bolster a Lambs side who sit 15th in the table, eight points clear of trouble".

Woking "confirm that Cardinal Football Group LLC, led by Todd Johnson, has completed its acquisition of a majority stake of Woking FC.

As part of the transition, three new members have been appointed to the Woking FC Board of Directors...

The three new board members will join existing board members, Todd Johnson, Drew Volpe, Emanuele Palladino and George Burnett, the Cardinal Trust representative.

The Club also extends its thanks and gratitude for the dedication of departing board members John Katz, Gareth Farrell, and Dave Curtis, who is departing the Club after years of service across various roles, and we wish him the best in all of his future endeavours.

4 February 2025

ROCHDALE TREBLE

Alty should have played the away league fixture against Rochdale on New Year's Day but Dale's waterlogged pitch put paid to that game. It will now be played on 11 March, just ten days after the FA Trophy clash. The return fixture at the J. Davidson Stadium is the Easter Monday fixture for both clubs.

League postponements at Rochdale mean that the club has to accommodate a further 13 home National League games as well as this FA Trophy tie over the next 13 weeks on its troubled playing surface. They also have ten away league fixtures to fulfil in the same period, so 24 games to play in all. Given the problems with their pitch it remains to be seen if they decide to switch at least some fixtures to another stadium.

NEXT: BRAINTREE TOWN

Right: Tom Marshall deals with a Braintree attack in the 2014 match at Moss Lane.

In a match of attrition, rather than flowing football, Altrincham opened the scoring much against the run of early play. The goal arrived in the 27th minute when Nicky Clee finished, right-footed, after Shaun Densmore had got into the box and played a one-two with James Lawrie. Referee Toner almost lost control in the second half when he booked six players, four of them in a five-minute spell, after he had failed to give a clear foul against Damian Reeves.

ALTRINCHAM: 1 Stuart Coburn, 2. Shaun Densmore (c), 5. Gianluca Havern, 16. Tom Marshall, 6. Scott Leather; 4. Jake Moult; 8. Simon Richman, 25. Peter Cavanagh, 11. Nicky Clee, 7. James Lawrie, 10. Damian Reeves. Subs: 9. Steven Gillespie, 14. Kyle Perry, 15. Greg Wilkinson, 17. Dave Parton 18. Sean Williams.

PASIEK STAYS

"The 19-year old left-back [scored]... with a stunning strike from outside the area in last week's National League Cup win over Wolves under-21s.

He was due to return to his parent club Preston North End after completing a month on loan at Alty after Saturday's 1-0 Isuzu FA Trophy fifth-round home win over Eastleigh. But... Alty have arranged with Kacper and his club for him to remain with us for a further month...

Director of Football Marc Tierney said... 'He has shown up really well in the games he has played so far, and it was a superb goal he scored against Wolves. That will have been great for his confidence, and everyone can see what a bright spark he is going to be for the team.

'The way he linked up with Kahrel the other day was really exciting to see. There is some real great pace there, with his overlapping prowess, and I'm sure that will come into fruition over the course of the next month...

'I'm really happy with the squad at the moment. It's looking really strong'...

Alty first became aware of Kacper after playing a bounce game at Preston a couple of months ago and immediately singling him out as an ideal candidate for strengthening the left side of defence, particularly in the wake of Eddy Jones picking up an injury", writes John Edwards.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Dagenham & Redbridge v Forest Green Rovers
• FC Halifax Town v AFC Fylde
• Rochdale v Oldham Athletic
• Wealdstone v Tamworth

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

It was widely expected that Limbrick, who has managerial experience with the likes of Woking, Welsh powerhouse The New Saints and Gibraltar's Manchester 62, would take over from Lawrence at some stage.

Lawrence confirmed he has decided that now is the right time for Limbrick, who has impressed in his role as head coach, to take the reins.

'I've recommended to the board, to the club, to the owner, that we should flip it, me and Anthony,' Lawrence, who will continue as an assistant, told the Hartlepool United website".

At the other end of the country, Yeovil Town "announce the return of James Plant, who joins Yeovil Town on loan from Port Vale until the end of the season.

The 20 year old first arrived at Huish Park in late September, scoring twice in 11 appearances for the club. Unfortunately, his time was cut short when he picked up an injury...

Now fully fit, Plant is ready to return to the south west".

Port Vale add that "Plant, 20, signed his first professional deal with the club in April 2023 and spent the first half of this season on loan with the Glovers where he played ten games in all competitions claiming two goals and two assists in the process".

At Barnet, manager Dean Brennan reflected on "a difficult game here against Tamworth, and a huge amount of credit and respect to them.

They’ve come a long way, coming off from back-to-back promotions to get where they are... But we are also here to do a job, we have also worked hard to be where we are"...

Talking of his goalkeeper, Brennan added, "I’m also really impressed by Owen Evans performances today, he pulled off some incredible saves and that is what we brought him here to do... We are the only side in the top four to come here and get the win which says a lot really.

There were some strong challenges today I believe we deserved more than what was awarded. Some challenges looked to be in what I thought was close to great bodily harm".

At the other end of the table, AFC Fylde "confirm that striker Offrande Zanzala has left the club by mutual consent.

The former Barrow forward played 14 times for the Coasters after signing in the summer".

Meanwhile at Southend United> the club "are delighted to confirm James Golding’s loan has been extended until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old joined the club on a short-term loan at the beginning of December... The centre back has made a total of six appearances for the Shrimpers and is now due to remain at Roots Hall until May".

Solihull Moors "confirm the loan signing of Sonny Fish from Crawley Town until the end of the season...

The forward arrives on loan from Crawley Town for the remainder of the Vanarama National League season having recently spent time on loan with National League South side Welling united...

Head Coach, Matt Taylor, expressed his delight... 'Sonny is different to the strikers we have in the building... he’s a really combative centre forward who’s got a point to prove'".

Also at Solihull Moors "Ackeme Francis-Burrell joins Stafford Rangers on a One-Month loan deal.

The midfielder joined Moors back in November 2024, arriving from Burnley and has since gone on to make two first-team appearances in the Isuzu FA Trophy and Birmingham Senior Cup".

Sutton United point out that "Following his senior debut for the U’s against West Ham United in the National League Cup, Sam Roberts returned to Sutton Common Rovers in search of regular game time...

Junior Eccleston has continued his stint with Walton & Hersham and impressed at the heart of the Swans’ backline.''

Furthermore, Vinnie Tume made three starts for South Park Reigate...

Surrey-based outfit Ashford Town have also aided the development of two young U’s. George Vorster appeared six times in total... Liam Moore also continued to spend time with Ashford Town, and also made six appearances for the Tangerines either side of a National League Cup appearance for Steve Morison’s side, becoming the club’s youngest ever captain against West Bromwich Albion.

In addition, Jay Williams appeared just once for Merthyr Town after his loan was extended on Boxing Day".

York City "are delighted to announce the signing of Junior Luamba on loan from Salford City.

Luamba joins up with the Minstermen for the remainder of the season.

The 21-year-old forward began his career at Oldham Athletic where he moved up through the youth ranks... He scored two goals in 32 appearances in League Two as well as the National League.

In 2023 Junior earned himself a move to Salford City where he has gone on to make 37 appearances in all competitions...

Manager Adam Hinshelwood said 'He’s a different option for us with his pace and power.'".

Bristol Rovers report that they "can confirm [goalkeeper] Jed Ward has returned to the Club from his loan spell at Forest Green Rovers.

Ward has been an ever-present for Forest Green Rovers this season, playing all 28 games and keeping ten clean sheets to help Steve Cotterill's men to third place in the National League.

The academy graduate signed a new contract with the Pirates last March and returns to the Gas for the second half of the season, looking to build on his 24 senior appearances for the Club in all competitions; a run which saw Ward named the 2023/24 Young Player of the Year."

3 February 2025

ALTY DRAW ROCHDALE AWAY IN FA TROPHY

For the second time running Alty have drawn the toughest tie, having been the only NL club to face NL opposition in Round Five. They now face the highest placed team left in the competition.

• Oxford City v Woking
• Sutton United v Spennymoor Town
• Sittingbourne v Aldershot Town
• Rochdale v Altrincham

Games are on 1 March.

As well as five clubs from the Vanarama National League, (namely Woking, Aldershot Town, Sutton United, Rochdale and Altrincham), three other teams are in the sixth round. They are Sittingbourne (step 4), Spennymoor Town (step 2) and Oxford City (step 2).

In the FA Vase, the draw was:

• Whitstable Town v Whitchurch Alport
• Hartpury University v Erith & Belvedere
• Andover v Heanor Town
• AFC Whyteleafe v Bourne Town

KACPER'S TEAM-MATE JOINS

Despite reports to the contrary at the weekend from @Polskitransfers that "Pasiek returns to Preston North End after a month on loan with Altrincham", he is staying at Altrincham

Like Kacper, Kian (right) did not get onto the pitch but will be hopeful of action next Saturday when Braintree Town visit the J. Davidson Stadium.

Kian, pictured right, is a midfielder and he has been brought in to bolster Alty's resources in that area in the continued absence of Isaac Marriott.

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT: BRAINTREE TOWN

The Iron first reached the top-flight of non-League football under the Cowley brothers' management in 2011-12 when they finished twelfth in their inaugural season; Alty at the time were in the level below. Improvement over the succeeding seasons saw Braintree finish third in the top level in 2016.

However, the next season they were relegated back to National South.

Next, after finishing sixth in the South, they returned to the National League for 2018-19, only to finish 22nd once again and return to the South.

After five seasons, they finished fifth and again used the play-offs to earn promotion back to the top level.

So they met Altrincham first in 2014-15 with Alty winning the home game 1-0 before crashing to a 4-2 defeat in the return game, which was the last match of that season.

The 2015-16 season was a disaster for Altrincham and the 0-4 home defeat to The Iron was a particularly low point. It was a 3-0 defeat at Braintree, again in the final match of the season, which confirmed Alty's relegation that year.

So this is the first season that the clubs have met since then. Alty's unhappy time in Essex resumed in 2024 as they lost 2-0 to the newly promoted club in front of just 726 spectators, the lowest crowd to watch Alty this season in the National League.

ALTY OLD BOYS

And in Poland, after a spell on the sidelines with injury, MAXI OYEDELE (right) was named on the Legia Warsaw bench as they resumed action in the Polish Ekstraklasa following the winter break.

Legia made hard work of their home game against Korona, who started the match in the relegation zone. Having gone behind to the side from Kielce, Legia were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half, and having equalised, they missed a penalty in added time before the break.

Maxi joined the action in the 77th minute and picked up a late yellow card as the game petered out into a 1-1 draw.

DAVE'S TEAM BOWS OUT OF VASE

On Saturday they entertained Bourne Town in the FA Vase Fifth Round.

Following a 2-2 draw, LR bowed out of the competition, losing 5-4 on penalties.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

'We are making a brief announcement shortly effectively saying there is nothing more to report at this juncture following the well publicised announcement on January 8.

'We can give a brief insight into possible situations regarding the pitch and floodlights, on the basis that nothing is finalised".

2 February 2025

"WE FANCY OUR CHANCES" SAYS NEIL

Right: Phil Parkinson, far right, instructs his players during a break in play against Eastleigh.

"They've come with a game plan, allowing us to have a lot of the ball, but limited [us] to half chances. And it was nearly effective, until that superb goal from Linney.

"This is a competition [in which] we've not done as well as we should have recently.

"But we're two games from Wembley and we fancy our chances".

Eastleigh boss Kelvin Davis said, "We limited their chances and the lads put a real shift in. We had moments but sometimes it doesn't go for you.

"We're up against it at the minute in terms of having some key players out so we came with the idea of being hard to beat. And we were a couple of minutes away from the lottery of penalties".

ALTRINCHAM 1-0 EASTLEIGH

The Alty leading scorer got past Brindley on the left before cutting in along the bye-line to plant a shot into the far corner of the net. On a difficult, soft playing surface, it was a deserved win against a functional Eastleigh side.

The first half had been, at best, a mediocre spectacle but play became more open after the break. Neither keeper was particularly busy as defences dominated.

Alty gave a first league start for more than three months to Justin Amaluzor as Crankshaw dropped out of the squad.

Match report here

The draw for the Sixth Round takes place on Monday on TalkSport radio around 3.30pm.

Right: Regan Linney made a point to referee James Oldham as the players left the field at half-time.

THE MANAGERS AFTER THE GAME

Phil observed that "The pitch is really difficult, it allows them (opposition) to get after us" and restricts our normal style of playing, forcing us to go a bit more "direct".

He paid tribute to Eastleigh's performance given their many player absences (including McCallum, Quigley, Shade and Taylor).

Phil also thought that "On another day Justin Amaluzor comes away with a hat-trick". The manager admiited that he had not intended to play Justin for 90 minutes but kept him on because of his physiciality against a big team like Eastleigh.

There was also praise for the supporters for acting as a "twelfth man" today.

Eastleigh boss Kelvin Davis was also interviewed after the game. "We had moments in the game that could have gone our way", he said.

Some Eastleigh people felt the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to Linney's winning goal but the manager could not judge whether it had or had not.

SOLIHULL GAME OFF

PASIEK GOES

However, fellow North End loanee Kian Taylor has started his loan spell at Altrincham and he, too, was an unused substitute against Eastleigh yesterday.

Kacper made 2(+1) appearances and scored once whilst at Altrincham.

NEXT: BRAINTREE TOWN

The Essex club drew 1-1 at home to Hartlepool United on Saturday and now sit 18th in the league table.

Alty dropped a place yesterday to eighth following FC Halifax's win over bottom club Ebbsfleet United.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : The scoring in Millwall's 2-1 home win over QPR all took place in the first 25 minutes, so DUNCAN WATMORE had no effect on the result when he was brought on after 80 minutes. Neither did JOSH GINNELLY who never left the bench as Swansea City were beaten 0-2 at home by Coventry City.

League One : CARL PIERGIANNI was at the heart of Stevenage's defence as they beat visitors Exeter City 4-1.

League Two : With the game at Cheltenham goalless, Chesterfield brought RYAN COLCLOUGH into the action after 72. Unfortunately it was the hosts who scored the game's only goal in the second added minute.

ALISTAIR SMITH was booked, but AFC Wimbledon scored the only goal against visitors Bradford City.

JOE HUGILL scored for Carlisle United after 88 minutes, but it wasn't much consolation as visitors Swindon Town, despite having less goal attempts than the Cumbrians, won 1-5. They were overtaken at the bottom of the league by Morecambe, for whom MARCUS DACKERS (right) rounded off the scoring in a 4-2 home win over Fleetwood Town.

The game at Newport County was goalless when Barrow brought on ELLIOT NEWBY after 68 minutes, but an own goal just 2 minutes later ensured that the points stayed in Wales.

Despite playing with 10 men from the 13th minute, Port Vale beat visitors Accrington Stanley 2-1. Stanley withdrew SONNY ALJOFREE after 79 minutes.

CONNOR JENNINGS was substituted after 82 minutes by Tranmere Rovers, who left CHRIS MERRIE on the bench as they lost 1-3 to visitors Colchester United.

KEVIN BERKOE was a 78th minute substitute for Salford City at the Bescot Stadium, where they had a two goal lead, but were eventually held 2-2 by league leaders Walsall. The Saddlers were 12 points clear until a run of only today's point from three games saw that lead cut to 7 points.

FA Trophy : Boston United had CONNOR TEALE (right) in their starting lineup at Spennymoor and he played the full game. The Pilgrims had been two goals up after an hour, but conceded twice to cause a penalty shootout. Spennymoor missed two of their spot kicks, but still won as Boston missed three. Connor was not one of the guilty men.

National League : REAGAN OGLE played the whole game for Oldham Athletic in their 1-2 win at AFC Fylde, but JOSH LUNDSTRAM was withdrawn after 82 minutes.

Things were back to normal at Braintree as LUKE WATERFALL captained Hartlepool United while BILLY SASS-DAVIES was left on the bench.The 1-1 draw was Hartlepool's 11th from their 29 league games.

TYRESE SINCLAIR put York City ahead in their home clash with Dagenham and Redbridge before being withdrawn after 81 minutes. By that time the visitors were level, but the Minstermen converted a late penalty to win 2-1 and leapfrog Forest Green Rovers into second spot, 6 points behind Barnet but with 2 games in hand.

National North : DIOR ANGUS (right) scored a late goal for Southport at Buxton, but the hosts, captained by CONNOR KIRBY, who was booked, won 2-1. There was also a booking for the visitors' LUKE BURGESS

A JONNY MARGETTS penalty earned King's Lynn a 1-1 draw against visitors Radcliffe.

NPL Premier Division : SAM HEATHCOTE'S 86th minute effort earned Macclesfield a 1-1 draw at Hebburn Town.

NPL Division 1 West: Having returned from Australia JOE PIGGOTT was given his debut by Atherton Collieries manager MICHAEL CLEGG, who was briefly Altrincham's chief scout. Collieries twice trailed to visitors Hanley Town, but recovered to win 4-2.

TOM HANNIGAN scored twice for Bootle, but they lost 4-3 at Congleton Town.

MASON FAWNS put Mossley ahead for the second time at home to Trafford, but our neighbours went on to win 2-3.

The only goal of Runcorn Linnets' victory at Newcastle Town was scored by RYAN BROOKE.

Player manager BEN HARRISON was on the mark from the penalty spot for Witton Albion at Hednesford Town, but an Albion side also including JAMES LAWRIE (who was booked), MAX HARROP, and Altrincham loanees LOUIE FALLON and JOEL BAILEY eventually succumbed 2-1.

NPL Division 1 Midlands : ZAK GOODSON rounded off the scoring as Quorn beat visitors Corby Town 3-0.

NWCL Premier Division : Another player coach on target was JOHN JOHNSTON (right) as Irlam drew 1-1 at FC Isle of Man.

Welsh Premier League Relegation Group : JOHN DISNEY put in a full shift as Connah's Quay Nomads opened this leg of their season with a 1-0 win over visitors Newtown.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE WEEKEND FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town v AFC Fylde
• Altrincham v Braintree Town
• Boston United v Barnet
• Dagenham & Redbridge v Yeovil Town
• Forest Green Rovers v Eastleigh
• Maidenhead United v Southend United
• Rochdale v Ebbsfleet United
• Solihull Moors v Oldham Athletic
• Sutton United v Hartlepool United
• Tamworth v FC Halifax Town ko 5.3pm
• Wealdstone v Gateshead
• York City v Woking

1 February, 2025

ISUZU FA TROPHY ROUND FIVE

• Aldershot Town 2-0 Boreham Wood
• Altrincham 1-0 Eastleigh
• Gainsborough Trinity 0-3 Woking
• Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 Sutton United
• Oxford City 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
• Southend United 0-1 Sittingbourne
• Spennymoor Town 2-2 Boston United (Spennymoor won 3-1 on pens)
• Worthing 1-2 Rochdale

THREE NEW FACES TODAY?

On the morning of the match, Eastleigh announced that they had "completed the loan signing of Ben Close until the end of the season!

Eight years on from his first loan stint at the club, Ben Close returns to the Spitfires on a loan deal from League Two side, Doncaster Rovers.

The attacking midfielder joins up with Kelvin Davis’ squad ahead of this afternoon’s Isuzu FA Trophy clash with Altrincham.

Throughout his youth career, Close was with Portsmouth FC. The 28-year-old made his first appearance for them in 2014... Close made just shy of 200 appearances...

At the beginning of the 2021/22 season, Close joined Doncaster Rovers. During his four seasons in South Yorkshire, he has made 93 appearances.

Last time Close was in Eastleigh, he made nine appearances during the 2016/17 National League campaign".

There will also be two Altrincham faces hoping to make their first starts for the club today. They are midfielder Regan Griffiths, who joined last week on a short-term contract; he was a used substitute in the midweek National League Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The other potential debutant starter is Kian Taylor, a 19 year-old midfielder who has joined his team-mate and fellow loanee Kacper Pasiek, on a loan at the J. Davidson Stadium from Preston North End.

TODAY: EASTLEIGH

Just two weeks ago, Altrincham won in the Vanarama National League at Eastleigh, 2-1, but Eastleigh had previously won the reverse league fixture at the JDS, so are the only team to have earned three points at Alty this season, to date.

At that time, the Spitfires were top of the Vanarama National League and they went on to win their first four league fixtures.

However, in the subsequent 24 league fixtures they have only won five times, to find themselves twelfth in the league, five places below Altrincham, despite having played an additional fixture.

They are managed by Kelvin Davis, who was appointed in February 2024.

Their leading scorer is Paul McCallum who has eight league goals to his credit but he has been out of action recently with an injury.

McCallum is one of eight over-30s to have played for Eastleigh in the league this season, underlining that they possess an experienced first-team squad, with an average age of 28.3 years. For Alty, 32 year-old Matty Kosylo is the only player over the age of 30 to have played in the league this season.

The Spitfires will also be without Tyrese Shade who is suspended following his red card in the league match at the J. Davidson Stadium a fortnight ago.

DIGITAL ONLY "ROBINS REVIEW"

[It] "includes articles from Co-Chairman Bill Waterson, Assistant Manager Neil Sorvel, a Altrincham Women's update from Erin Carroll and an in-depth look at our opponents Eastleigh. In addition, there's an updated list of all the key season stats, and Phil James looks at Alty's successes and heartache in the FA Trophy".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Piggott (right), who started in the ranks of the Everton and Rochdale academies, made the move to Scotland as a 17-year-old where he made two appearances for Dundee United, before returning to his native north-west with Warrington Town.

His performances with the Yellows earned a move back to the professional game with Wigan Athletic. Loan spells at Morecombe, Stockport County and Altrincham followed, before a permanent move to the Robins after a fine run of goalscoring form.

Piggott continued his form as a forward with further success at AFC Fylde, and has since transitioned into a midfielder, playing for [former Alty scout] MICHAEL CLEGG at Warrington Rylands before spending the last year in the Australian third tier with Pascoe Vale.

25-year old Piggott has also represented Nantwich and Radcliffe...

Michael Clegg adds... 'He's done well with Fylde and Alty. He's just such a good player, he's a great lad and a great character. Joe's going to be such a big player for us in the run-in'".

Footnote: Until this season Joe was the scorer of the last Altrincham FC first-team hat-trick, a feat achieved at Curzon Ashton. In all he scored four times in six appearances. He returned in 2021 and, by coincidence his second debut for Alty, like his first, was at FC United, this time in a home game switched from Moss Lane. And it was exactly two years to the day after his first debut in 2019.

His first period at Alty saw him score four times in six appearances, but his 2021 spell at the club proved less successful as he was unable to score in 8(+3) appearances, giving a total of four goals scored in 14(+3) appearances for the Robins.

Phil Jordan reports on Friday's fixtures involving former Altrincham players and loanees...

National North: It has been a difficult season Farsley Celtic, who have suffered through delays in installing a 4G pitch which has led them playing their home games almost 70 miles away at Buxton. There have been instances of players being paid late, and they have been forced to field a very young and inexperienced team. CONOR BRANSON (right) wasn't in the squad for tonight's "home" game against Alfreton Town, who ironically had to travel less than 30 miles for the fixture. HARRY PERRITT was in their side, as was LEWIS SALMON, who scored in their 1-4 win.

Welsh Premier League: Having scraped into the last spot for the Championship Group, Bala Town can expect the latter part of the season to be tough as they won't have any easy fixtures to look forward to. JOEL TORRANCE and his team mates started this new phase of their season by losing 1-3 at home to Caernarfon. JOHN DISNEY and his colleagues at Connah's Quay Nomads will hope to find life easier in the Relegation Group, where they open up tomorrow at home to Newtown.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 1-2 Oldham Athletic
• Braintree Town 1-1 Hartlepool United
• FC Halifax Town 2-0 Ebbsfleet United
• Tamworth 0-1 Barnet
• Wealdstone 1-1 Solihull Moors
• York City 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Manager Micky Mellon believes the 19-year-old will be an attacking asset... for the remainder of the season...

Said Yoganathan, who was on Liverpool's books at the age of just six, where he remained for seven years before joining Barnsley's Under 16s... 'The move came around fairly quickly, there was other interest but I feel this is a great opportunity for me to gain some much needed experience'...

Latics boss Mellon added... 'He loves getting on the football, wants to score goals and when driving forward he is a very, very talented player... Wwe’ve lost a lot of midfield players recently either from them moving on or injury'"

Also at Oldham Athletic the Latics "announce the signing of Matt Worthington from Yeovil Town on a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Matt joins the club on a free transfer after making 22 appearances for the Glovers this campaign.

The 27-year-old joins with lots of National League pedigree, making 250 appearances for Yeovil in his six-year stint at the club.

'When I was presented with the chance to join, it was something I couldn’t turn down,' he said. 'The move came about very quickly to be honest, I found out yesterday it could get done so I headed up here this morning...

'I’m an aggressive midfielder, box-to-box, I like to get around the pitch and get on the ball. I’m all action'...

Born in Southampton, the midfielder’s youth career was based on the South Coast... before joining Yeovil in 2017, helping them to survive in League Two.

In the January transfer window in 2019, Yeovil Town... signed him on a free transfer... He was made club captain..

Micky Mellon said... 'Players like Matt are hard to find'".

The chairman at Yeovil Town responded to Oldham's signing (see above) by saying "Whilst I, as well as the club’s supporters, am saddened to see Matt go, I am also fully supportive and excited for him receiving what is a great offer and an exciting move for him and his career...

Matt has shown great loyalty and service to Yeovil Town, and I am always reminded of his commitment in staying with Yeovil Town after they were relegated to the National League South, despite offers he had at the time from clubs in higher leagues".

Following that departure, Yeovil Town announced "signing of Kyrell Wilson who joins on loan from Swansea City until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old initially joined Swansea on scholarship terms, having previously been part of Chelsea’s academy...

Earlier this month, the talented forward signed a new contract with the South Wales club".

Barnet "are delighted to announce the signing of experienced EFL striker Dom Telford on loan from Barrow until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old goal scorer joins the Bees from League Two side Barrow...

Dom began his career with Blackpool in 2014... before moving to Stoke City for the following three years... He went on loan to Bristol Rovers and later moved permanently to Bury...

In 2019 he transferred to Plymouth Argyle... But it was in 2021 where he had his breakthrough as he joined Newport County in League 2... Telford was the first Newport County player in nearly 40 years to score over 20 league goals for the club in one season...

He later decided to join Crawley Town in the summer of 2022, then later transferring to Barrow at the start of the 2023/24 season.

Gaffer Dean Brennan said, 'We’ve been in the market for a box player since last summer and have had to be extremely patient for this profile of player. We identified Dom over 18 months ago and have been tracking him on a regular basis.

The bottom line is Dom’s a killer in the box and the right fit for our system@">

York City "announce the loan signing of Lewis Richardson on loan from Burnley FC.

Richardson will join up with the Minstermen for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The 21-year-old forward began his career through the youth setup at Burnley where he worked his way up through the ranks to earn himself a spot in the senior team back in 2021. He made his professional debut that same year when he came off the bench to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League...

Lewis joined League Two Grimsby Town on loan for the first half of the 2022/23 season".

Dagenham & Redbridge confirm "that Aaron Loupalo-Bi has agreed to join the club on loan for the rest of the season from Fulham u21.

Aaron is a physical striker/winger who has been at Fulham since pre-Academy. In the 2022/23 season, Aaron proved himself as the most prolific Under-18s striker in the country. His 18 league goals, with 25 in all competitions, saw him claim the Golden Boot.

He was rewarded with his first professional contract that summer".

Also arrriving at Victoria Road is "Regan Clayton [who] has agreed to join the club on loan for the rest of the season from West Ham u21" reports Dagenham & Redbridge.

"The 20-year-old played every minute of West Ham United’s FA Youth Cup-winning campaign in 2022/23. He joined West Ham’s academy at just ten years old...

He was part of a bright group of young Hammers who recorded a historic 2022/23 season, clinching the Premier League South Division title and the FA Youth Cup".