The winner for the underdogs came in the 111th minute of overtime [i.e. 21st minute of extra time] when Dan Shelley bundled the ball over the line to book a trip to another Conference North promotion-chaser, Altrincham, on Saturday in the First Round".

LADIES DRAW CHESTER

RADIO ROBINS

YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME TEAM WINS

HARROGATE HOSPITALITY

Harrogate Town Supporters Club look forward to welcoming you to the fixture on 7th December. I have arranged for a bite to eat in the 1919 venue for your supporters before the game and can confirm that we will be showing the Man Utd. vs Newcastle game live on the big screen from kick off.

I will ask our guys to cater for 40-45 people and would be grateful if you could confirm a couple of days before the game what time you expect to arrive. I would also appreciate it if you could inform fans that the match will be on live in the 1919 venue at the ground and that we will be providing food.

Look forward to seeing you all".

FA TROPHY REPLAY

• Leek Town 2-1 Brackley Town after extra time 1-1 after 90 mins. Att 236..

So Leek Town now visit Altrincham this Saturday. Alty currently have two player doubts; Nicky Clee with a tight hamstring and James Walshaw, who has had a bug.

SPECIAL OFFER IN THE SPONSORS' LOUNGE

Hospitality, which includes a two-course hot meal, complimentary drink and matchday programme, as well as a pre-match talk from a member of the management or playing staff, will be HALF-PRICE - £30 per person or £15 per head for children. Please contact Karen Rowley or Barry Pond to book your place(s). To do this, you can ring the club (0161) 928-1045 or send an e-mail.

TUESDAY SKRILL NORTH GAME

• Worcester City 0-0 Guiseley

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

• Stockport County 1-0 Witton Albion. Att. 115

LADIES' WIN

LEE'S POST-MATCH INTERVIEW

YANKEE

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Hare is delighted to have the Forsters on board and insists the new owners will help the Villagers achieve their goals both on and off the pitch.

'The timing couldn't be better', Hare told the Mail after his [club] went joint top of their division with a 2-1 win at Stockport County. 'Having them on the board will open more doors for the club to move forward. We need to generate more income and this will definitely help. Having people who share the same aspirations as us is perfect. Whilst they are the new owners, Steve has no intention of getting directly involved on a day-to-day basis so there will be no difference to how the club is run. I will continue to remain as chairman and we now have five other directors on the board'.

As the owner of Eon Media in Hull, Forster has been a long-time supporter of sport in this region, with two of his children having played for Ferriby's youth set up. Having already supported the club through sponsorship and by securing the naming rights to the ground, Steve Forster believes it makes sense to back the Villagers financially. He said, 'Eman and I have been actively supporting local sport for many years, most notably squash. My companies have sponsored the squash game from grassroots level right up to the British National Championships in Manchester last year.

'Our association with North Ferriby is a natural progression of our involvement and interest in sport within our local community'.

As an FA Charter Community Club, the Villagers currently provide footballing opportunities to around 300 boys and girls on a weekly basis. Whilst Ferriby are continuing to set new standards on the pitch, the board's priority remains making sure the ground is up to the required standard to continue playing Conference [North] football. Traditionally, development of the ground and its facilities has been a challenge because it occupies charitable trust land which has no commercial value.

However, Hare and the board are continuing to try to raise funds to ensure the ground improvements needed are completed by March 31, the Conference deadline.

'We are currently waiting to hear if we are to receive a Football Stadium Improvement grant', Hare explained. 'We need £50,000 to get the work done and there is a window of opportunity for the work to get done at the end of January. Hopefully, we should know by the end of December if we have been successful'".

But at at another village-based club in the Conference North, investment remains a problem as "Brian Page has hit out at critics who believe changes are needed to keep Histon on track in Skrill North. Histon have lost four of their last five matches and have not won since last month’s 2-1 win at home to Stockport.

But manager Page said... 'There were rumours on Saturday that some of our fans are calling for some peoples’ heads and saying we need changes to the squad. What people need to know is we have four people in the squad who are playing for free and we have another two players on £50 a week. All these people who think our players are on big wages, that’s six players for £100 a week. We’re in a position at this club where we can’t pay those big wages, but we’re doing the best we can.

'When people start saying we’ve got a big wage bill or even that we’re full time, I don’t 
understand it because we’re a part-time club... I’m a firm believer if you want to make a comment please feel free to do so, but find the facts out before making them. I’m willing to chat to anybody and explain the situation and if they’ve still got the same opinion afterwards, we’ll just have to agree to disagree'...

He said, 'As a group we’re very disappointed with the way the last three league games have gone, but we feel that in those three games we’ve done enough and our performances should have picked up more points. We can turn these good performances into results any way we can, but we need the backing of everybody and if we can stick together as players, management, staff and fans, things will turn around. We’re going to continue pushing hard and then hopefully the players, who are here 
because they want to play for Histon, can get a move to a bigger club where they can earn the money their performances deserve'" reports the Cambridge News.

Nearer to home, NL Daily reports tha "Southport have signed Stockport County midfielder Jamie Hand on loan until 11 January. The 29-year-old has joined in time to face his former club Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday".

NEXT MATCH

One of our potential opponents Leek Town said at the weekend that they were "looking for volunteers this Sunday to help get the pitch ready for the FA Trophy tie on Tuesday night against Brackley Town. With two home games scheduled in 72 hours, the club are looking for help in replacing divots following Saturday’s game with Eastwood Town...

It is vitally important that we get Tuesday night’s game on so if you are able to spare a little time on Sunday morning to help out it would be very much appreciated."

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

I wish to thank the staff, the Board of Directors and the fans who have supported me over the last two and a half years. It has been a difficult time at Stockport County since dropping out of the Football League, but this feels like the right time for me to step aside'...

A former railwayman, Lord Snape, 71, watched his first Stockport County game in 1948. He became a peer in 2004 having served as Labour MP for West Bromwich East from 1974 to 2001. He was a Government whip from 1979 to 1997 and in opposition was spokesman for defence, home affairs and transport.

Last year he successfully concluded a deal with Brian Kennedy to hand the day-to-day running of Edgeley Park back to Stockport County.

Chief Executive Ryan McKnight said.... 'The search now begins for a new chairman who can take the club forward and there is obviously an opportunity to link this position to new financial investment. We have no plans to appoint an interim chairman'".

Meanwhile, Stockport County today "play host to Witton Albion in the First Round of the Cheshire Senior Cup with the winners travelling to Stalybridge Celtic in January for Round 2... County will be looking to gain some momentum by getting back to winning ways, and Alan Lord is expected to field a strong squad for the match, especially as the next scheduled league match will not be until 14th December when we travel to Boston United.

Tuesday night’s fixture could see Nicky Platt face his former team for the first time since signing for County in September".

The Worcester News reports that "Dior Angus has become the second player to be axed by Worcester City this season for refusing to play. The winger, on loan from Kidderminster Harriers for a month, told the club he did not want to be included in the FA Trophy match against Ramsbottom United earlier this month, which City won 3-0.

Following talks with Harriers, manager Carl Heeley opted to cut short the player’s stay with the Skrill North outfit. Angus, who featured in the league defeats to Harrogate and Leamington, follows Exodus Geohaghon in snubbing the Blue and Whites. The centre-half, who has since signed for Braintree Town, was released by Worcester last month after he refused to play in the FA Cup.

Heeley explained, 'Dior has gone back to Kidderminster. He didn’t want to play in the FA Trophy for us and the agreement was that he would play in the Trophy. Myself, (Harriers' manager) Steve Burr and Dior have spoken and we’ve agreed that’s the best way. It’s a shame because I can totally understand the player’s situation but I have to look at it from the club’s point of view. We made a statement with Exodus in a similar situation and we’ve had to come to the same outcome. It’s been done in the correct manner so there’s no animosity at all'.

Meanwhile, Heeley was less than impressed with referee Peter Wright for sending off Shabir Khan in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Stalybridge Celtic. Khan had put the visitors ahead after just two minutes but was shown a second yellow card eight minutes from time after hauling down Obi Anoruo for Celtic’s equalising penalty. It was the centre-half’s second red card of the season — he was sent off against Gloucester in August — and he now faces another ban.

The Worcester boss, whose side host Guiseley tomorrow night, said, 'Shabir Khan made two fouls in the game and got booked for both of them. I can think of six or seven other players who made eight, 10 or 12 fouls and they stayed on the pitch. He was very unlucky to go but, that aside, he was absolutely outstanding. It was very harsh and that’s when your luck’s out but Shabir was overjoyed with the rest of the lads, he wants the team to win. I keep saying we’re not a bottom-of-the-league team but we had to start getting results. We scored some goals last week (in the FA Trophy) and got a foothold and we needed to use it as a springboard and they’ve backed that up with another win'".

According to Buckingham Today, "Brackley Town manager Jon Brady was delighted with his team’s display after their 1-0 win over Conference North leaders Hednesford Town on Saturday... They were well worth victory after restricting Hednesford to few chances while forcing visiting goalkeeper Ben Crane into a number of fine saves...

Brady said afterwards, 'I thought we weren’t quite at the races in the first 30 minutes but then we got to grips with the game and we didn’t give them any chances. I’m trying to remember if they had a shot on target; that’s a team who’ve scored 44 goals this season. That shows defensively how well organised we were today. Elliott Durrell, who’s scored 21 goals this season, had to come off sulking so that shows we nullified their attacking threats and in the end I think our fitness showed. We absolutely peppered them towards the end.

They got a foothold for 10 minutes but they didn’t really create anything. We were our own downfall, we gave the ball away too cheaply and I needed to put a bit more energy in midfield, so I put Steve Towers holding and Eddie [Odhiambo] with Glenn [Walker] and Izak Reid on the right. Ryan Austin deserves a special mention, he was immense as our captain again today. I was proud of him and proud of the whole team. We defended from the front and it was fantastic display'.

Brackley are in FA Trophy action on Tuesday evening, when they visit Leek Town in their third qualifying round replay, [winners play Altrincham]... Brady added, 'We have a lot of games coming up now so we have to use a lot of players in the squad, but it’s probably been the best week in the club’s history. We have to remember how we’ve achieved this week and that’s through meticulous preparation, hard-work, playing to the best of our ability and we need to keep doing that. Leek is another big game for the club, a game we want to win. We take the competition very seriously'".

NL PItchero says that "Brian Pritchard, manager of Witton Albion, added two new faces.... Twenty-year-old Australian forward Adam Parkhouse joined Albion on an initial month`s loan from Stalybridge Celtic...Also joining the club is midfielder Josh Crofts after his recent release from Leek Town".

ALTY 1 SOLIHULL MOORS 0

Right: James Walshaw is tightly marked by two Solihull opponents.

Match report here.

Alty TV's highlights of the game are here.

Solihull Moors report that "Had it not been for just one elementary error in defence and the closest of headers in added time Moors could well have taken all three points as they travelled to second in the league Altrincham but, as it was, they returned home pointless but with renewed confidence in their ability to mix it with the best after a number of disappointing recent outings...

On 17 minutes The Robins hit Moors on the break; Densmore put in a cross from the right which sailed over the Solihull defence and hosts front line but, well off the ball, Walshaw went down following a push by Michael Nottingham giving referee Copeland no choice but to award the penalty. Walshaw stroked it home sending Singh the wrong way...

With Stuart Pierpoint on for Nottingham from the start of the second half it was all Moors but a resolute Altrincham back four was proving impenetrable. On 54 minutes, Gough threaded a pass through to Beswick in the six yard box but the shot struck the outside of the post as Coburn narrowed the angle. Bogle brought out a fine save by Coburn on the hour mark...

Moors poured forward with the best move of the match coming in added time when Beswick’s free kick cleared the entire Robin’s defence only for Birch’s header to agonisingly inch over the crossbar. Moors will be disappointed not to have secured at least a point from their dogged performance against a team who have hardly been out of the top four all season. They will however, take many positives from an afternoon where Jas Singh was rarely bothered".

CROSSBAR CHALLENGE

NEIL THOMASON CUP

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

'The abuse I've had on Twitter isn't nice and I'm disappointed I've reacted to some of it. It's hard to ignore it but you've got to be professional and responsible... We'll move forward and, hopefully , Altrincham can do the same'"

FA TROPHY

Hednesford Town "suffered just their second league defeat of the season after losing 1-0 in a tight affair at Brackley Town, writes Scott Smith... The second period really saw Hednesford come out with positive intent from the start as they looked to edge ahead. First Durrell pulled a snap shot all the way across the goal before his whipped ball in saw Tom Thorley fail to connect at the back post with the goal at his mercy.

The Pitmen were now really on top; however they failed to really threaten Turley in the Brackley goal again, despite having the home side well and truly on the back foot. Following the introduction of the lively Izak Reid, the home side came back at Hednesford with real vengeance... Hednesford were now really struggling to get out of their own half...

Following another period of concerted pressure Brackley found the breakthrough in the 86th minute. The lively Reid pushed the ball past Campion and his cross in was superbly nodded home into the far corner of the net by Diggin...

Brackley Town: Turley, Odhiambo, McDonald, Towers, Sharpe, Austin, Sandy (Reid 67), Solkhon, Mulligan (Mills 76), Diggin, Walker .Subs not used: Nisevic, Griffin, Jarvis".

Meanwhile Leek Town report that "A blistering start from Blues set up a comfortable 5-0 win over Eastwood Town which sent them five points clear at the top of the table. Lee Casswell sprung a surprise by naming new signing Glyn Cotton from Belper Town in his starting line-up and there was also a place in midfield for Niall Maguire with skipper Sam Hall serving a one match ban...

Johnson swept home from close range at the far post. The lead was doubled on 15 minutes when John Johnston's perfect cross from the right wing was headed home from by Johnson. Blues did not ease up and made it 3-0 after great work down the flank from Johnston set up Andy Kinsey to fire home from 10 yards after 22 minutes.

Johnston was wreaking havoc in the Badgers' defence... He beat three players in a mazy run down the wing before seeing his shot saved by Dobbie in the visitors' goal.... [but] when he broke through the Eastwood defence only to be flagged offside. Inexplicably Johnson chose to smash the ball into the empty net well after the referee's whistle and was shown a second yellow card and sent off...

Mitch Husbands then came on for Kinsey and helped himself to a couple of late goals..

Team: 1. Ben Chapman, 2. Danny Smith, 3. Matt Bell, 4. Ryan Dicker, 5. Andy Bratt (14. Paul Donnelly, 75), 6. Niall Maguire, 7. Anthony Danylyk, 8. Glyn Cotton, 9. Andy Kinsey (12. Mitch Husbands, 73), 10. Jordan Johnson, 11. John Johnston (16. Dan Shelley, 59). Unused subs: 15. Tim Grice, 17. Jon Sheldon".

UNHAPPY SUNDAY

The Under-17 team, playing as the Altrincham and District FA representative side, were three minutes from a place in the final of the Cheshire County FA's District Cup, as they led 2-1 at Mossley against Stalybridge & District FA. But a late equalizer meant that Mid-Cheshire FA clinched their place in the Final.

In an afternoon match at home to Morecambe "A" in the NWYA Neil Thomason Trophy, Altrincham FC Youth (under-18s) lost 2-5. (Report to follow).

RESULTS

• Altrincham 1-0 Solihull Moors
• Barrow 0-3 AFC Telford United
• Brackley Town 1-0 Hednesford Town
• Bradford Park Avenue 1-1 Boston United
• Colwyn Bay 0-2 Gainsborough Trinity
• Guiseley 2-0 Oxford City
• Leamington 1-0 Histon
• Stalybridge Celtic 1-2 Worcester City
• Stockport County 1-2 North Ferriby United
• Vauxhall Motors 3-2 Gloucester City
• Workington 0-3 Harrogate Town

STALYBRIDGE STOMP!

On New Year's Day, when Altrincham travel to the Bower Fold to play Stalybridge Celtic, "The Stalybridge Stomp", a charity fund-raising walk from the J Davidson Stadium to the match will be taking place. The route is via several pubs but drinking will be limited. Fancy dress is an option for participants.

In the event of poor weather cancelling the game, the walk will turn into a pub crawl.

Participants are invited to bring along a change of clothes, which will be transported by the club to the destination. Also transport home from the game will be provided.

To enter the Stomp, there is an entry fee of £25, to be paid to the Club office.

Alty chairman Grahame Rowley has arranged with Stalybridge for the "Stompers" to be admitted to the ground and refreshment will be provided those completing the walk.

Richie advises that the walk will burn off 4,000 calories over five to six hours, with the start being around 7.45 to 8am. He will be providing a packed lunch for the walkers and he is seeking the involvement of other companies in the event. You can get further information or register for the Stomp from Richie by e-mail. Richie's Facebook page has details, too.

Richie Bentley Catering is also proud to be sponsoring the Radio Robins commentary on the Stalybridge match.

GREG'S ALTRINCHAM PEDIGREE

Terry writes that "Nick Boland was born in Manchester (Openshaw or Bradford) on March 28th 1910. He was 5ft 6 and a half inches tall. Originally apprenticed as a fitter, he had been unemployed for three years when a Wolves scout spotted him playing at Altrincham for Northwich Victoria and signed him for a fee of £50 on 11th March 1934.

From Wolves he moved to Southport on the 10th November, 1934 in a player-exchange deal involving Chris Greene moving to Wolves. The Lancashire Daily Post Football Handbook described Nick as being 'a smart ball manipulator' but he only found his best form when moved from outside- to inside-left in the closing games of the 1934-35 season. In 1935/36 he initially lost his place to Wilf Aspinall, eventually regaining it briefly to make ten further appearances, scoring twice and playing 29 League games for the Sandgrounders.

Nick was allowed to leave and joined Altrincham for the 1936/37 season, making his debut in the opening day 1-0 defeat, away to Witton Albion. Nick scored his first goal in Altrincham’s 7-1 FA Cup preliminary round win v Willaston and scored his second and last goal for Altrincham in the following match, a 5-3 league win at home to Mossley.

Never a regular, Nick was in and out of the side and finished the season having played 21 league and 2 FA Cup games. 1938 saw him turning out for Brockhouses. He lived in Southport and was a former secretary of the Old Links Golf Club. He died in Southport, 3rd May 2007".

So, Greg joins Shaun Densmore, whose father Peter played for The Robins, in having a family member who has been an Altrinham player.

OLD BOY

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Saturday's Skrill North gates were>

• Altrincham V Solihull Moors 840
• Barrow v AFC Telford United 643
• Brackley Town v Hednesford Town 484
• Bradford Park Avenue v Boston United 401
• Colwyn Bay v Gainsborough Trinity 279
• Guiseley v Oxford City 409
• Leamington v Histon 545
• Stalybridge Celtic v Worcester City 378
• Stockport County v North Ferriby United 2,608
• Vauxhall Motors v Gloucester City 147
• Workington v Harrogate Town 295

ALTY 1 SOLIHULL MOORS 0

The game was not a classic but it lifted Altrincham, who have now played 9 of their 15 league matches at home, into second place in the Skrill North.

Above: Alty defend a first-half freekick.

Match report here.

ALTRINCHAM v SOLIHULL MOORS

The match commentary is sponsored by Whetstone Professional Editing Services. Whetstone Professional Editing Services provide high quality editing and proofreading of all kinds of documents, for students, businesses and footie fans!

You can find out more about Whetstone Professional Editing Services by visiting their website.

The match commentators are Simon Ellis and Paul Salt. The match summariser is Ian Watmore and commentary begins at 2.55pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet at www.radiorobins.com

As usual, this website will also be providing its live matchday updates throughout the game, starting from as soon as the line-ups are available.

 

Mike Garnett reminds us of the previous encounters between our two clubs:

• At Altrincham p2-w1-d1-l0-f3-a2
• At Solihull p2-w0-d0-l2-f1-a4
• All p4-w1-d1-l2-f4-a6

NEXT GAME

TWO GAMES

• Altrincham FC Youth v Morecambe A @ Hale Country Club in the Neil Thomason Cup, k.o. 1.30pm
• Stalybridge & District FA v Altrincham & District FA Youth @ Mossley

Following their exit from the FA Youth Cup, manager George Heslop was nevertheless rightly proud that his team had reached the last 64 of a national competition in which hundred of clubs entered their teams.

OLD BOYS

Elsewhere, Southport confirm that ex-Alty trialist "Aaron Chalmers's contract has been cancelled by mutual consent".

SKRILL NEWS

On Wednesday their FA Cup clash with Oxford was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch; - the club had sold over 1,500 tickets in advance. He told BBC Newcastle, 'This league is financially unsustainable. I'm having to bankroll the club. It's a terrible league to be in and promotion would be worth around an extra £1m a season'...

'We're still going to move to a new stadium, it's just taking longer than we had hoped', Wood explained... 'I think as a club we can sustain a new ground in the Football League. I think our squad is good enough we just need a bigger income; when I turned the club professional it increased the wage bill by 30%'".

Meanwhile, the Football Conference reports that "Sportradar, one of the world’s leading suppliers of sports related data, is pleased to announce its new partnership with the Football Conference. Sportradar has signed a three-year deal with the Football Conference to become 'Official Sports Data Partner of the Skrill Premier, North and South'...

The Football Conference partners up with Sportradar because of the experience as a leading sports data service provider and believes that the distribution of Official Data will support integrity measures by helping to eliminate the unauthorised collection, dissemination and use of official or erroneous data and the presence of unofficial data collectors at events of 'The Skrill Conference Premier, North and South'. The supply of Official Data will further support integrity measures by creating a framework for more extensive information exchange and cooperation with the legal gambling industry.

Brian Lee, chairman of the Football Conference, said, 'We believe that Sportradar will be an excellent partner for The Football Conference and we look forward to working with them. As an established market leader in the field of sports data services they will become a very welcome addition to our portfolio of official partners. More information on match day impact will be supplied to our members shortly but an important element to recognise is a financial benefit from this arrangement, which will go into central funding to our clubs'.

Carsten Koerl, group chief executive officer of Sportradar, said, '“We are very pleased to begin this cooperation with The Football Conference. Our market leading betting and sports data services will engage fans in new ways across all platforms'.

Sportradar is the worldwide leading premium partner for the sports betting and media industry. Sportradar provides sports data services to the bookmaking world with its brand Betradar, and to the international media with its brand Scoreradar. Besides market leading companies in the sports betting and media industry, Sportradar also operates a unique Fraud Detection System (FDS) for several federations, including UEFA and German DFB/DFL. Furthermore, Sportradar is the exclusive, worldwide distributor for ITF (International Tennis Federation) Official Data. More than 450 businesses in over 70 countries rely on Sportradar’s data depth and quality services in their daily business. Sportradar employs 650 highly experienced staff worldwide. Headquartered in Switzerland, Sportradar has offices in 22 other cities".

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

'It helps having players who know this level and hopefully I can bring some experience of that to the side'. Lees started out at Mossley as a youngster before joining Celtic's academy side under John Reed via Curzon Ashton. On leaving the Celtic academy, he joined New Mills for a season, before Reed, then manager at Buxton, offered him a place at the Bucks in 2008.

After fifteen appearances, Lees joined Ashton United in 2009. It wasn't long before this versatile defender was moving up the non-League Pyramid, and he joined Hyde United, for whom he was a regular. He left Ewen Fields to make the short hop across to Altrincham, where he made thirty appearances, scoring once.

But seeking more regular football, he joined Celtic in March 2012, and made sixty-nine appearances for the Tamesiders. Stockport manager Alan Lord was clearly delighted to unveil his new centre back and said, 'He's a player I've admired for a long time and epitomises what I consider to be the right qualities that make a defender at this level'".

In Lincolnshire, "Steve Housham has moved to scotch rumours circulating over a possible move to Scunthorpe United.... Housham has today confirmed he will not be applying for the role. 'While it is nice to be connected with a job like this, it’s all just rumour', insisted the Trinity boss. 'I will certainly not be applying for the job. Yes, I have ambition to manage in the Football League one day, but I have not yet finished the job here at Gainsborough', he told This is Lincs.

More on Trinity comes from NL Pitchero, which says that "Housham has brought in 20-year-old defender Callum Howe on loan from managerless Scunthorpe United, former Trinity favourite Lewis McMahon on loan from Matlock Town and striker Paul Grimes from Brigg Town.

Although a regular on the substitutes' bench, reserve team captain Howe is yet to appear for Scunthorpe in a first-team match. The Doncaster-born 19-year-old enjoyed a loan spell with NPL Premier Division side Frickley Athletic last season.

McMahon was originally on loan to Matlock from Gainsborough towards the end of the 2011/12 campaign, where he netted five times. Formerly with Sheffield Wednesday and Notts County, he joined the Gladiators permanently in the summer after his release by Gainsborough.

Grimes is a pacey striker who re-signed for Brigg from Grantham Town in December 2012... The former Retford United striker scored thirteen goals for the Zebras last season following his return to the club".

Elsewhere, "Following Tom Allan’s arrival from York City yesterday, Simon Weaver, manager of Harrogate Town, has moved to secure the loan signing of midfielder Brad Abbott from Barnsley. Abbott, who has been on the fringes of the first-team at Oakwell, has joined Town until the 3rd January. A central midfielder, 18-year-old Abbott has played many times for Barnsley’s under-21 side this season".

In the NW Evening Mail, we learn that "Barrow have denied that Stockport County have made a formal approach to the club with a view to potentially signing Alex-Ray Harvey and Andy Burns. It was previously understood that the Hatters had put seven days’ notice in to speak with Harvey over a potential move away from Holker Street.

But a club source told the Evening Mail that this is not the case. However, the same source confirmed that relegation-haunted Conference Premier outfit Hyde have put in seven days’ notice to open talks with the midfielder... Hyde will have 21 days to negotiate a deal with Harvey, who finalised a non-contract tie-up with AFC before the start of the campaign.

If Hyde do not sign Harvey during the 21-day period, they will not be permitted to approach him again during the remainder of the season.

Despite Stockport not making a formal approach they may still be interested in capturing the former Burnley man, while it is believed Gateshead, Chester and Salisbury have expressed an interest in the 23-year-old, via the player’s agent.

But the Bluebirds plan to continue contract talks with Harvey in a bid to persuade him to pen a deal which would tie him down until the end of the season. Caretaker boss Alex Meechan said, 'You need to keep hold of your best players, and that’s what we intend to do and, hopefully, we’ll be able to keep hold of Alex... I feel he’ll remain 110 per cent committed to myself, Scott (coach Scott Redhead) and to Barrow AFC'...

Burns backed up AFC’s denial and says he does not want to leave Holker Street... 'To be honest with you I’m happy at Barrow and I’m happy with my performances which are getting better as I’m improving with each game... We’re unbeaten in four games now so... Meeks has come in and done brilliantly since he was put in charge four games ago, and he’s unbeaten (as caretaker boss)'...

Club directors will this week start the process of formulating what criteria candidates targeting the vacant manager’s job must fulfil... It seems unlikely that a new permanent boss will be in place before... a week on Saturday. Former Accrington boss John Coleman has not applied for the job".

WALSALL YOUTH 4 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 0

Above: Alty line-up before the kick off at Walsall

There was no disgrace for Altrincham in bowing out of the FA Youth Cup to a very impressive Walsall team on their own patch on Thursday evening.

Match report here.

From the other side Walsall have a balanced report on the game. Academy manager, Neil Woods, said "To be fair to our visitors, they stopped us playing in the opening exchanges of the second half, but we managed to get back into our stride... It was a pleasing performance in what was an awkward tie".

GREG IMPRESSES

Right: Greg Wilkinson has settled in well at Altrincham and here Gavin Rathbone captures him in action against Hednesford recently.

OLD BOYS

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

He will replace club stalwart Danny Meadowcroft who is being released to talk to Trafford and New Mills, who have put in seven days for him. Stephens is highly-rated by Wrexham and has been a regular with the youth team as well as the reserves... The loan deal is initially until January, with the possibility of that being extended to the end of the season if it suits both clubs.

The departure of Danny Meadowcroft marks the end of four years of sterling service, broken only by a short spell at Witton Albion... Chairman David Messom said, 'Danny has found the demands in this league tough and wants to step down a division or two, plus the long away trips are not helping him with his family'".

According to NL Daily "Harrogate Town have signed 19-year-old defender Tom Allan from neighbours York City... A tall defender with the ability to pass the ball out from the back, he first came to prominence when playing for the first-team in pre-season friendly games at the age of just 16. He signed his first professional deal whilst still midway through his second year traineeship...

Comfortable in both centre-back and left-back positions, Allan was eased into the first-team picture during last season, making four substitute appearances and one start".

From NL Pitchero, we learn that "St Albans City [have] brought in defender Tom Ward on loan from Gainsborough Trinity. Ward, 23, joins the Saints on an initial one-month loan... Ward joined Trinity in June from league rivals and Lincolnshire neighbours Boston United.

He had arrived at York Street in the summer of 2010 from Sleaford Town... before earning a senior contract the following season. He finally broke into the first-team during the 2011/12 campaign and went on to score four goals in thirty-four appearances for the Pilgrims.

Ward was offered non-contract terms at the end of last season after featuring thirty-seven times for Boston in 2012/13. However, after originally accepting the offer, the centre back changed his decision, much to the disappointment of Boston boss Dennis Greene".

TRANSPORT TO YOUTH GAME AT WALSALL

• Adults: £15
• Concessionaries: £13
• Under 16's & those in Full-Time Education: £8

We have reserved seats for the people who advised us on the Colwyn Bay coach on Saturday that they definitely wanted to travel and also for those who have sent a text message to Brian Flynn to the same effect.

For those people still wishing to reserve a seat, please call the club on 0161 928 1045 during office hours or call Brian Flynn (07860 561011) or send a text. Departure times are on the Away Travel page.

CROSSBAR CHALLENGE

LEE PLEASED WITH RESPONSE

Alty thought they were through on Saturday, only for the tie to be abandoned amid controversy after the referee pulled up with an 81st-minute injury and home manager Frank Sinclair ‘flatly refused’ to accept a replacement.

The sense of injustice was compounded by the FA’s decision to order a rematch, but the response could hardly have been more fitting. No sooner had the 2-0 result been removed from the record books than it was back in place, courtesy of the same two scorers, Greg Wilkinson and James Walshaw.

It was all too much for twice-beaten Sinclair, who turned on his heels at the end and headed straight for the changing room.

‘If he wants to walk off without a handshake, that’s his prerogative, but I shook hands with his assistant and coaching staff, so I did my bit,’ said Alty boss Sinnott, whose side face Solihull Moors at home on Saturday. ‘It was a game that had a lot surrounding it, but I just felt it was paramount we focused on the task in hand and did not allow ourselves to be distracted.

‘The message to the players beforehand was: “We’re here to do a job. We did it on Saturday, but for reasons beyond our control, it wasn’t completed. Let’s finish it this time.”

‘It took a strong, steely nerve to go there and do it all over again, and in many ways, we had everything to lose after a reprieve like that for a team who had one foot out of the competition just a few days earlier. That can have a galvanising effect, but there was a determination about us that we weren’t to be denied. We played well on Saturday but even better second time around. We had a good command of the ball on Saturday, but an even better command of it this time.

‘If there was ever going to be a funny spell for us, as a consequence of all that had gone on, it was going to be at the beginning. That’s when we could have been up against it, but it never happened. We penned them back from the first minute, and that was pleasing. There were times when they had little flurries, but generally we kept them at arm’s length, and that said a lot for our character and composure.

‘I thought we made an excellent start, and that was so important. It was vital we didn’t get involved in anything unnecessary, and that’s why I stressed we should concentrate solely on playing the football we are capable of, because that’s when we’re at our best.

‘It might have taken us longer to get the goals this time, but we were good value for them, and they were worth the wait. They were both well taken, and who would have thought we’d end up with the same result and same scorers? You’d have got good odds if you’d put something on that.

‘It could easily have been more, because Nicky Clee hit the bar with a terrific effort, Wally missed out on another opportunity and a couple just eluded Damian Reeves.

‘All in all, we created plenty, with those two goals and the shot against the bar, and I thought it was an accomplished away performance. If I was delighted with the players, I felt just the same way about the support we got. For so many people to go to the expense and trouble of making that journey for a second time in three days speaks volumes for our supporters. They’re second to none, and their input was hugely appreciated by all of us.

Right: Greg Wilkinson and referee Mr Ackerman seen before the first game at Colwyn Bay.

‘I know some of our supporters made the point on Saturday that all the controversy detracted a bit from the performance we put in. I agree entirely with that, and I just hope the focus and talk after Tuesday night will be about how we once more rose to the occasion and played really well.

‘That’s how it should be. In my eyes, it was a game between Altrincham and Colwyn Bay, rather than about any particular individual. The club is always bigger than any individual, and always will be, and it is an unfortunate side-effect that when you get a lot of attention on one person on the sidelines, it tends to take away from what one or other of the teams might have done.

‘Much as that could have happened on Tuesday night, I don’t believe it did. I feel we played so well in what might have been difficult circumstances that most people left the ground discussing our performance.’

Sinnott urged the FA to review their laws over stand-in officials to ensure there is no repeat of Saturday’s fiasco, when players and staff of both clubs spent the best part of half-an-hour trying in vain to find a solution, while supporters waited for clarification.

‘If fourth officials aren’t supplied until the first round proper, then some thought has to go in to ensuring an incident like we encountered is dealt with effectively and efficiently next time,’ he said. ‘It might have been reduced admission on Tuesday night, but our supporters still had the expense of travelling to North Wales, as well as possibly needing to take time off work.

‘They shouldn’t have been put through that inconvenience. It shouldn’t have happened, and it mustn’t again. One solution would be for the home team to provide a reserve official from nearby. Gate receipts may be split, but the club drawn at home obviously get to keep all the proceeds from bar sales, food, etc, etc. From all they make out of that, surely it wouldn’t be asking too much for them to stump up £20 or so to have a local official on standby, in case there is an injury like we had last Saturday. It only needs to be someone who could run the line in an emergency.

‘That’s just a suggestion, but whatever they come up with, it has to be laid down in the rules, in black and white, so there is no confusion and no room for argument. Then, you take everything out of the equation and remove all the uncertainty. Ours was a rare occurrence, but they happen, and when they do, the people who suffer most are the travelling supporters from the away team. We wanted the game finished on Saturday, but Colwyn Bay didn’t. Let’s put an end to all that with a new law that says exactly how things should be done. Then everyone gets on with it.’

Looking ahead to Saturday’s home game with promotion rivals Solihull, Sinnott added: ‘We’ve just had two tough away games, but winning breeds a good mentality, and I expect the players to be up for the challenge. There was nothing obvious on the injury front after Tuesday, but we’ll check on that as the week goes on.’"

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

"There are ways of righting a wrong, and Conference North Altrincham have good cause for feeling pleased with how they avenged the injustice of last Saturday’s FA Trophy abandonment at Colwyn Bay.

As reported in this column earlier in the week, Altrincham were leading 2-0 with nine minutes left when referee Mark Ackerman pulled up with a calf injury.

One of the assistants prepared to take over, but all efforts to appoint a replacement linesman failed to get past Colwyn Bay manager Frank Sinclair, who even declined an invitation to run the line himself for the remaining nine minutes.

The prize for Sinclair’s stubbornness was a rematch back at Colwyn Bay last night, on the orders of a hastily-convened FA panel.

And Altrincham’s response to having their 2-0 ‘win’ and goalscorers’ names scrubbed from the record books?

They put every last detail straight back in again, with another 2-0 scoreline and another goal apiece from Greg Wilkinson and James Walshaw, this time after 90 minutes.

‘You’ve got to be looking at long odds for that, and if anyone went for it – same result, same scorers - they’re going to be quids in,’ said Altrincham manager Lee Sinnott.

Former Chelsea defender Sinclair, meanwhile, found defeat no easier to accept second time round, turning on his heels at the final whistle and heading for the changing room without a handshake.

‘That’s his prerogative, I suppose,’ said a diplomatic Sinnott. ‘I shook hands with his assistant and staff, so I did my bit.’"

OLD BOYS

Alty face either Leek Town or Brackley Town in the next round of the FA Trophy. On Tuesday night in The Doodson Sport Cup, First Round, Nantwich Town beat Leek Town 5-0 with former Alty Youth Ben Deegan scoring twice.

DOUBLE BILL

COLWYN BAY GAME

Colwyn Bay v Alty

• Goals 0 v 2
• Corners 4 v 8
• Shots on target 2 v 7
• Shots off target 3 v 10
• Freekicks 11 v 9
• Throws in opponents' half 24 v 29
• Offside 1 v 3
• Yellow cards 4 v 3
• Red cards 1 v 0
• Possession 42% v 57%

• Mileage travelled 0 v 260 miles

Colwyn Bay report on the match simply says "are out of the FA Trophy after Altrincham won 2-0 at Llanelian Road in the much talked about replayed third qualifying round tie. In an evenly matched goalless first half Altrincham’s Nicky Clee’s shot hit the crossbar before Mike Lea struck the post.

Bay were reduced to ten men early in the second half when Charlie Joyce received a second yellow card for a foul on James Walshaw. Altrincham took the lead on 63 minutes through Greg Wilkinson before Walshaw added a second 11 minutes later".

More expansive is the North Wales Weekly News which includes... "Colwyn Bay finally bowed out of the FA Trophy with a 2-0 defeat to Altrincham in their replayed third qualifying round tie - but only after being reduced to 10 men with 35 minutes remaining.

They were well in the tie for an hour against a very good Alty side, but the big turning point came when Charlie Joyce got a second yellow card for pulling down James Walshaw as he was set to break clear. Altrincham took full advantage and two goals in 11 minutes... After Joyce's dismissal on 55 minutes, Altrincham made the extra man count with Clee, Wilkinson and Walshaw a constant threat...

Only two more outstanding saves by Sanna prevented Altrincham adding further goals...

Manager Frank Sinclair, who played himself and did well in place of Danny Meadowcroft, who is being released to join New Mills, said, 'We went out with a game plan to frustrate them, because I thought we over-committed ourselves individually at times last Saturday. They are a good passing team who have midfield players who can play round you so we backed off a little bit. We let them have the ball and to be honest we were comfortable. They struggled to break us down and we probably had the better chances in the first half.

'In the second half we were doing the same again, but individual things cost you sometimes. We all feel sorry for Joycey because he is an honest boy, but he's pulled the lad back and taken a second yellow for the team. From then on it was hard. We tried to play 4-4-1 for a while, but once they got the first goal you have to chase the game and get forward and that inevitably leaves you open.

'But I learnt a lot about the players and I hope they take the good points from the game because win, lose or draw it is important that they get self belief. In the last two or three weeks we've played supposedly the 1, 2 and 3 in the league and we've matched them for the most part without getting the results we perhaps deserved at times.

'For the amount of money we pay compared to others in this league, these boys are doing fantastic for me and showed they can compete with anybody in this league. The spirit is there and better players are coming through the door all the time as we keep improving the team'.

Sinclair is hoping to complete the loan signing of a highly-rated centre half from Wrexham in the next 48 hours to replace Meadowcroft in time for Saturday. He has also signed keeper Shaun Pearson [who played in a friendly for Alty this season] as cover for Chris Sanna while Danny East is out of action with glandular fever. 'He is a good kid who knows some of the players and he will help us out for the next month until Danny is available again', reported the manager".

NL Pitchero adds that "Colwyn Bay have signed former Barrow AFC goalkeeper Shaun Pearson, who has returned from a spell in Australia. Llandudno-born Pearson started his playing career with Welsh Premier side Llangefni Town before signing for Barrow, where brother Mike was playing, in the summer of 2010. He made twenty-nine appearances for the Bluebirds last season before going `down under` in February for the Australian season."

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

The Exiles noted his potential and have made a move for the Hartpury College student who, despite not being on a contract with the Tigers, leaves with boss Dave Mehew’s best wishes.

County director of football Tim Harris is a former Gloucester boss and the two have agreed a deal that will see Parker loaned back to City. As Parker was not on a contract with the Tigers there will be no fee involved, although City will benefit from the deal.

Parker will be available for... the rest of the season at no cost to the Tigers, who will also stage a friendly between the two clubs.

'We tried to get Joe on a contract in the summer but him being at Hartpury meant it couldn’t be done', Mehew said. 'But Newport have been fantastic in allowing him to come back to us for the rest of the season, so we actually save money on our wage bill. We will also have first refusal on Joe if they want to loan him out next year... It shows that players can move on and achieve great things if they come to Gloucester City and that is a selling point we can use as a club'".

The Scunthorpe Telegraph reports that "When Iron chairman Peter Swann draws up a shortlist for the Scunthorpe United hot-seat, he could look no further than Steve Housham. Former Iron favourite Housham made his league debut for the Iron in the mid-90s and made 115 league appearances for United...

Housham took his first steps in management with Brigg Town before heading to Gainsborough Trinity as a coach. After Swann fired Brian Little, it was Housham he turned to and the pair enjoyed great success. And Swann has spoken fondly of his former employee since he took charge at Glanford Park."

COLWYN BAY 0 ALTRINCHAM 2

Match report here

Alty now host Leek Town or Brackley Town in the next round on 30 November. This means that our league game at Gainsborough Trinity on that date is now postponed.

THANKS TO SUPPORTERS

AMATEURS AIM TO MEET ALTY

Vice-Chairman Carl Barratt states, 'I want us to be at a stage when one day we're playing Altrincham (or Stockport) - then we'll have made it'".

SATURDAY YANKEE JACKPOT GROWS

FA TROPHY 3QR REPLAYS

Monday 18 November

• Bradford (Park Avenue) 4-0 Harrogate Town

Tuesday 19 November

• Tiverton Town 1 Weston Super Mare 2
• Stockport County 2 Barrow AFC 3 att.812
• North Ferriby United 4 Stourbridge 0
• AFC Sudbury 0 Tonbridge Angels 1 att.191
• Farnborough 0 Staines Town 2 att.230
• Concord Rangers 4 Dulwich Hamlet 3

Tuesday 26 November

• Leek Town v Brackley Town

FA TROPHY 3QR

• Colwyn Bay 0 Altrincham 2
• Through the Years from Howard Watts.

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

We need people to stand up and to sort of man-up a little bit... When we take the lead and we know that the opposition is there, like the red meat is there to eat, it's like we don't want to get on it quickly enough to get the three points'...

As for Aaron Bowen joining Warrington Town on a permanent deal, Meechan added, 'Aaron's a great lad but I think he needed game time somewhere and, hopefully, he goes to Warrington and does well'. And the Mail tells us Dan Preston's loan deal from AFC Telford United finished expired on Saturday and "There are currently no plans to offer the centre-back, who has recently been sidelined with an ankle injury, a further loan stay, with the club's managerial situation still up in the air and with AFC due to host Telford on Saturday'.

Meanwhile, at Holker Street, "The AFC board will this week start assessing the quality of candidates who have applied for the club's vacant manager's job. A club official told the Evening Mail that they have received around 20 applications".

COLWYN BAY v ALTRINCHAM: MATCH COVERAGE

The match commentary is sponsored by Techknowledgey Ltd. Techknowledgey Ltd provide IT support services to home and small business users. They offer services ranging from PC, Mac and Laptop repair to networking and servers.

Need a hand? Call Dan Jones on 01625 348 727...... email dan@tltd.co.uk or take a look on the web at the website.

The commentary team is Simon Ellis and Ian Watmore with match summaries from Brian Flynn. Coverage starts at 7.35pm with the game kicking off at 7.45pm & you can listen to Radio Robins on the internet at www.radiorobins.com.

Leah & Simon Brotherton will be providing regular updates on Twitter (@altrinchamfc) as well as half-time & full time updates on facebook (Altrincham FC).

As usual, this website will also be providing its live matchday updates throughout the game, starting from as soon as the line-ups are available.

The various alternatives can be found via the icons below and in the right sidebar".

 

Mike Garnett summarises the previous meetings between Altrincham and Colwyn Bay, excluding last Saturday's unfinished encounter...

• Home: P14 W9 D3 L2 F37 A22
• Away: P10 W5 D4 L1 F27 A16
• All: P24 W14 D7 L3 F64 A38

TASC's Mark Eckersall writes that "We will be doing a coach to Colwyn Bay on Tuesday. We want to get as many as possible down there to support the lads and right this injustice. We will be offering all fans the discounted TASC rate for the coach, so prices will be...

Adults £15, concessions £13 and U16s/ students £8.

The coach will leave:

• Vine: 16:55
• Hare and Hounds: 17:05
• Leisure Centre: 17:10
• Ground 17:15

SINCLAIR TO NAME HIMSELF?

They tell me he is a normally a quick healer so we are hopefully looking at two to four weeks which is very good news'. With Royle out and Marc Williams cup-tied, the manager has added himself to the squad for Tuesday's game. Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Taylor, Lea, Meadowcroft, Smyth, Crowther, Evans, S Williams, Hopley, Joyce, Darkwah, Matthews, Louis Moss, Ed Moss, Ellison, Sinclair."

VOID GAMES

Right: James Walshaw and Damian Reeves in action in Saturday's "game that never was".

Saturday's game at Colwyn Bay will be expunged from the record books so far as the score, scorers and appearance statistics are concerned, but the bookings of James Walshaw and Simon Richman will remain on the books. Altrincham have been involved in several other voided games in recent years, and were not losing any of them before the outcomes were rendered meaningless...

• Saturday, 1 January, 2005: Altrincham v Stafford Rangers, abandoned at 0-0 due to heavy rain. Alty won the re-scheduled match 1-0.
• Tuesday, 19 December 2006: An FA Trophy First Round replay match v Tamworth, in which Alty led 2-1 at the interval, only for the referee to abandon the game on the grounds of fog. Alty lost the re-play of the replay.
• Monday 31 August 2009: At home to Chester City, which ended 1-1
• Saturday 21 November 2009: Away to Chester City, which Alty won 3-1

FA CUP 1st ROUND REPLAY

• Brackley Town 1-0 Gillingham.

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

It also reports that "The Mail tells us that former Wales international John Cornforth has applied for the manager's job at Holker Street, 'I am very interested in the job. As a manager I have coached all over the world. I did a year and a half in the Conference South with Newport when they had no money at all and it was a job of keeping them in the League and I managed to do that. I want to get back into management and it was a case of applying straight away (for the AFC job)...

I class myself as a good man-manager and I get the best out of players because I pull no punches. I don't flannel, I tell the truth'".

FA TROPHY DRAW

• Leamington v Northwich Victoria
• Tamworth v Macclesfield Town
• FC Halifax Town v Guiseley AFC
• Southport v Boston United
• Coalville Town v Grimsby Town
• Hyde v Stourbridge / N Ferriby
• Alfreton Town v Nuneaton Town
• Chorley v Curzon Ashton
• Harrogate T / Bradford PA v Kidderminster Harriers
• Worcester City v AFC Telford United
• Colwyn Bay / Altrincham v Brackley T. / Leek Town
• Wrexham v Gresley
• Chester v Barrow AFC / Stockport C
• Gateshead v Hednesford Town
• Lincoln City v Stalybridge Celtic
• Hereford United v Woking
• Bury Town v Eastleigh
• Dartford v Forest Green Rovers
• Salisbury City v Cambridge United
• Hendon v Whitstable Town
• Arlesey Town v Whitehawk
• Tonbridge Angels / AFC Sudbury v St Albans City
• Gosport Borough v Dulwich Hamlet / Concord R.
• Aldershot Town v Weston SM / Tiverton
• Hungerford Town v Chesham United
• Hayes & Yeading United v Barnet
• Daventry Town v Maidenhead United
• Staines T / Farnborough v Luton Town
• Ebbsfleet United v Gloucester City
• Braintree Town v Welling United
• East Thurrock United v Dover Athletic

FAT DRAW

TO COLWYN BAY ON TUESDAY

So, TASC's Mark Eckersall writes that "We will be doing a coach to Colwyn Bay on Tuesday. We want to get as many as possible down there to support the lads and right this injustice. We will be offering all fans the discounted TASC rate for the coach, so prices will be...

Adults £15, concessions £13 and U16s/ students £8.

The coach will leave:

• Vine: 16:55
• Hare and Hounds: 17:05
• Leisure Centre: 17:10
• Ground 17:15

Colwyn Bay announce that "The club have received confirmation from the Football Association that the FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying tie between the Bay and Altrincham, abandoned last Saturday following an injury to the referee, will be played on Tuesday (19 November, 7.45pm). Adult admission will cost £5 with concessions priced at £3,. Should the game end in a draw the replay will be played at Altrincham on Tuesday 26 November".

LADIES PROGRESS IN CUP

PENALTY SHOOT OUT DEFEAT

CROSSBAR CHALLENGE

COLWYN BAY PERSPECTIVE

When the referee was injured and unable to continue the club attempted without success to locate a suitably qualified individual to allow the tie to be completed.

The rules are explicit:

Rule 19: PROVISIONS CONCERNING MATCH OFFICIALS

(a)(i) “Match officials shall be appointed by The Association. Neither past nor present members of either of the contending clubs shall be eligible. (iii) “In the event of any match officials being incapacitated, the two clubs shall agree to a substitute, providing one is available who is currently eligible to officiate in a league equivalent to the lowest level of football in which either of the two teams participate.”

The club would like to point out that no volunteer was eligible given that rule.

Club officials were in contact with the FA for additional guidance and further to this, the referee chose to abandon the game and refer matter to the FA.

Under the FA rules governing abandoned matches, the match will be replayed at Llanelian Road on Tuesday evening (7.45pm kick off) – although the club is currently awaiting confirmation of this from the FA.

The circumstances were regrettable and the club is very aware of the inconvenience and frustrations felt by supporters when games are postponed or abandoned. Admission prices for the rearranged match have been reduced to £5 and £3 (concessions).

DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS

This allegation wholly contradicted what Alty fans had been told on arrival at the ground, where the reasons for the searches of supporters were said to be in response to trouble at the Colwyn Bay v Corby Town FA Cup game, which had led the FA to require the Welsh club to step up its security.

Interestingly, the above article has now been replaced by a version in which the references to "threats" from supposed Altrincham fans have been quietly deleted.

ST ANN'S HOSPICE EVENT

Laundry Boutique in Altrincham is providing the outfits and tickets cost £18 (£150 for a table of 10) which includes a supper, reception drink, goodie bag and entertainment after the show.

Hannah Smith, Community Fundraiser at St Ann’s Hospice, said, 'It’ll be a fun evening and we’re grateful to the Cresta Court Hotel which has chosen us as their charity of the year. A lot of people in Trafford use our hospice services, all of which are provided free of charge, but we rely on fundraising initiatives like this to keep going. We provide many services in Trafford, including Hospice @ Home, which takes the hospice into people’s homes in Trafford and is becoming more widely used. For tickets contact Hannah on 0161 498 3655 or by .

SKRILL NORTH

Brakes' boss Paul Holleran said of his new signing ‘With the injuries to James Fry and then Luke Connolly, defensively it has left us very short. We’ve been enquiring about a few players over the last couple of weeks but we then discovered that David lives just down the road in Harbury. He ticks all the boxes really, he is tremendously experienced and as we have a lot of young lads in our squad this will benefit them. He is very versatile and has got great pedigree, I saw him play for Nuneaton last year and he looked very good. We’ve got him signed up with us now so hopefully he will enjoy his time with us and make a positive impact both on and off the pitch.’...

On the injury front, Alex Taylor discovered the outcome of the scan on his knee at the weekend and, unfortunately, he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and also some cartilage, which will keep him out at least for the remainder of the season. Alex is hoping to be able to have an operation in the next month."

FA TROPHY

• Worcester City 3 Ramsbottom Utd 0 att 341
• Hayes & Yeading United 2 Bognor Regis Town 1 att 250
• Hendon 2 Oxford City 1 att 197

BAY VIEW

Referee Mark Ackerman, who had been involved in a number of controversial decisions, was unable to continue after suffering a injury to his calf. With no fourth official in attendance there was a long delay to see if there was a qualified official in the crowd who could take over the line.

One Altrincham supporter came forward claiming to have refereeing badges but he was rejected as he had apparently been drinking before the game.

A member of the Altrincham backroom staff, who is also a qualified referee, then offered to do it so the game could be finished, but Bay boss Frank Sinclair was not prepared to agree to that.

In the end the game was abandoned and the clubs now await a final decision from the FA - although Altrincham obviously want the result to stand.

If game is to be replayed on Tuesday (7.45pm), admission prices will be halved (£5 abults and £3 concessions).

The Bay boss has come under heavy critcism and received huge abuse this evening from Altrincham fans for not agreeing to finish the game with the Altrincham coach on the line. But he said afterwards, 'It's not our fault the referee got injured and there was no fourth official in attendance. I think I'm within my rights to refuse to have someone from their staff officiating. With nine minutes left anything could happen. You've seen teams score two goals in injury time before now, so I'm not going to give up the game just like that. I'm sure if we were in on goal and it was a tight decision human nature would make him give offside. I wasn't prepared to go on under those circumstances'.

Would Altrincham, I wonder, if the roles were reversed?

For the record, the FA rule book on FA Trophy ties states, "When a first match has been postponed or is abandoned before the completion of 90 minutes and neither club being at fault, it shall be played on the same ground on or before the following Thursday."

The rulebook also states, "In the event of any of the match officials failing to arrive or being incapacitated, the two clubs shall agree to a substitute, providing one is available who is currently eligible to officiate in a league equivalent to the lowest level of football in which either of the two teams participate".

Clearly in this case the two clubs could NOT agree.

Sadly the whole game was played in difficult atmosphere after Sinclair received threats, allegedly from Altrincham fans, on the morning of the game and the club had to bring in extra security. [At the game, Alty supporters were actually told the extra security was because of trouble at the Bay game with Corby Town recently which had led to the FA warning Bay to try to avoid any repetition].

Altrincham are still going on about a tackle by Sinclair when he played for Wrexham some years ago in which an Altrincham player suffered a broken leg that ended his career.

Ironically Altrincham were quickly involved in a similar incident today when Simon Richman, who has just had a red card rescinded, was guilty of a horrible tackle which sent young Jonathan Royle to hospital with a suspected broken ankle, and [he] escaped with a yellow card.

Thankfully the news is that there is no break but there is ligament damage. It is too early to say how long he will be out of action but it is a huge blow for Colwyn Bay as the 19-year-old has been superb since coming on loan from Wrexham.

Sadly for him, the injury came on a day when Wrexham had coach Joey Jones at the match checking on his progress.

The referee, who was from Manchester (even though Altrincham were one of the teams), then continued to infuriate the home fans with his decisions.

Richman appeared to block off Sean Williams as he moved to take a return pass in midfield, but the referee waved play on and Altrincham broke upfield for James Walshaw to put them in front on 24 minutes from Matty Doughty's low cross.

The referee waved away Bay's protests and then turned down two strong penalty appeals...

The linesman, I believe, flagged for the spot kick, but the referee overruled him and Frank Sinclair had some heated words with the official as the players came off at half-time...

Altrincham were looking fairly comfortable as the game went into the last 10 minutes, only for the referee's injury to throw the whole tie back in the melting pot.

Sinclair commented, 'We haven't played brilliantly today. We didn't play the football that we have played in the last couple of weeks and we haven't caused them enough trouble in the final third, but we were chasing the game and I had put players on to try and get us a goal back when the game was stopped. The refereeing today wasn't of the highest standard in my opinion and I don't think he was fit enough physically to be in charge of this game.

We'll have to leave it with the FA to see what happens but I understand, from the early conversations we've had with them, that we'll have to do it all again on Tuesday. If that's the case we'll be prepared for it'".

COLWYN BAY 0 ALTRINCHAM 2 - MATCH ABANDONED

It emerged later that plans are being made for the game to be replayed at Colwyn Bay this Tuesday at 7.45pm with £5 admission. However, this depends on the FA's judgement of the referee's report.

Match report here.

The Radio Robins commentary from yesterday's match is here.

ALTY CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENED AT COLWYN BAY

Right: Referee Ackerman is surrounded by players as he goes down, injured.

"Altrincham fervently hope common sense prevails and they will be awarded today’s abandoned FA Trophy tie at Colwyn Bay after home manager Frank Sinclair ‘flatly rejected’ two proposals for completing the final few minutes.

The tie was halted after an 81st-minute calf injury to referee Mark Ackerman and finally abandoned around half-an-hour later after all attempts to find agreement over a replacement official were exhausted.

Alty may have to accept a replay at Colwyn Bay on Tuesday, despite leading 2-0 at the time, but Grahame Rowley is hopeful the FA will award Lee Sinnott’s side a passage into the next round, once they have studied Ackerman’s report.

The Alty chairman was in the thick of protracted negotiations involving players, coaches and officials of both clubs, as well as the referee and his assistants, in chaotic scenes near one corner of the pitch.

He provided an insight into exactly what happened by saying, ‘Unfortunately, fourth officials are not provided for Trophy ties until the first round proper, where Conference Premier sides come in, so it’s not as if there was a qualified referee near the two dug-outs, waiting to come on.

‘Even so, when this sort of problem occurs, there is normally a local referee on hand or someone who knows enough to be able to run the line, while one of the assistants takes over in the middle.

‘When it became apparent Mr.Ackerman could not continue, due to a calf injury, an announcement was made for any referee in the crowd to step forward. Initially, there was no response, but then I was approached by one of our fans, who said he was a qualified referee and was willing to help. Unfortunately, he’d had a drink in the bar at half-time, as any supporter might, and the referee decided understandably that he couldn’t very well let him fulfil the role under those circumstances.

‘At this stage, the ref instructed us to put someone forward who would be willing and able to run the line for the last nine minutes. The tie had to be completed, if at all possible, and one of the linesmen was ready to take charge. All it needed was someone to hold the flag and assist him for what was left of the game.

‘Neil Tolson duly volunteered and pointed out that, as a former Premier League player, he was more than capable of doing the job, and happy to. That was fine by the referee, but not by Frank Sinclair, who turned it down flat. So the ref turned to Sinclair and asked him to put someone forward from Colwyn Bay, but he flatly refused to do that as well.

‘Neil and I both said to him: “Why don’t you run the line, Frank, if you’re not happy with anyone from Altrincham?” But he said no to that, and when we asked why, he said he wasn’t qualified. The ref said he didn’t have to be, as long as both parties were happy with the person nominated, and we would have accepted him. We said so. We made it abundantly clear we would have gone along with anyone they wanted.

‘At that point, it was inevitable the game would have to be abandoned, and we must now wait for the FA to decide what happens next. If it is a replay, it will be on Tuesday night, but I trust they will take into account what the referee said to Frank Sinclair when he kept blocking all our efforts to find a solution.

‘He told him unequivocally that it was his responsibility either to accept someone we put forward or nominate someone himself. When he refused both times, the ref made it plain that it would be included in his match report. The abandonment was caused by Colwyn Bay. That’s what it will say in his report to the FA.

‘The ref told us his report would be in the FA’s system tonight, and I imagine there will be a decision on Monday. Certainly, I will be in touch with them on Monday morning to try and find out what is happening. If common sense prevails, with us 2-0 up so late on and doing everything to facilitate installing a replacement official, it really ought go our way.

‘I certainly hope it does, not least for the sake of the 200-plus Altrincham fans who paid good money to travel to North Wales and get in, only to be denied even seeing a result. It should be within the remit of the referee, in those circumstances, to insist on someone being nominated, rather than merely requesting it. Football can’t treat its loyal followers like ours were today. They were sold short, and that can’t be right.’"

COLWYN BAY - BBC REPORT

Altrincham's chairman said they should be awarded the win after Colwyn Bay turned down a replacement from the crowd, claiming he had been drinking.

An offer from Robins assistant boss [actually goalkeeping coach] Ian Senior to run the line in the FA Trophy tie at Colwyn Bay was also rejected. 'I hope common sense prevails', Alty chairman Grahame Rowley told BBC Sport.

Rules state 'When a first match has been postponed, or is abandoned before the completion of 90 minutes and neither club being at fault, it shall be played on the same ground on or before the following Thursday. Matches abandoned through the fault of the clubs shall be dealt with by the National Game Board'.

Colwyn Bay expect the game to be replayed in full on Tuesday, and manager Frank Sinclair told BBC Radio 5 live's Non League Show, 'You can't just have any Tom, Dick or Harry come in and finish the last 10 minutes of the game. There was no one on our side that had any officials' badges. One of their staff said he would see the rest of the game out with no qualifications. It's human nature that if there was a big decision to make, we wouldn't have got it. I've been within my rights to not agree to carry on'.

A club spokesman added, 'You can't blame us for the referee being injured. FA rules are very clear. It has to be replayed'.

The Conference North sides must now wait for the Football Association to decide whether the tie must be replayed, the remaining seven minutes played, or whether Altrincham will be awarded the tie. The FA told BBC Sport on Saturday evening that it could not comment until receiving the full details.

The referee injured his calf with seven minutes of normal time remaining, with no designated fourth official available.

'There was an announcement asking if there was an official," Rowley said. "We put forward a fan [to run the line], who is a level-five qualified referee. Colwyn Bay turned that down'. A spokesman for the Welsh club confirmed that option was turned down over concerns the man had been drinking.

Rowley added: "We put forward our assistant [i.e. Neil Tolson not Ian Senior] to run the line. They refused that. They would not put forward anyone themselves. It's a poor show'".

ROYLE INJURY

FA TROPHY RESULTS

• Colwyn Bay 0-2 Altrincham. Match not completed.
• AFC Telford United 6-0 Scarborough Athletic 869
• Boston United 4-1 Redditch United 784
• Brackley Town 0-0 Leek Town 187
• Chorley 2-0 Matlock Town 772
• Curzon Ashton2-1 AFC Fylde 217
• Northwich Victoria 2-0 Nantwich Town 146
• Sheffield 2-4 Gresley 284
• Solihull Moors 1-2 Coalville Town 388
• Stourbridge 2-2 North Ferriby United 437
• Barrow 2-2 Stockport County 727
• Harrogate Town 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
• Leamington 2-0 Gainsborough Trinity
• Stalybridge Celtic 3-0 Vauxhall Motors
• Worcester City v Ramsbottom United playing Sunday
• Hednesford Town 3 Workington AFC 0
• Northwich Victoria 2 Nantwich Town 0
• Guiseley 3 Histon 0
• Boreham Wood 0 Gloucester City 1
• Hendon v Oxford C. playing Sunday

COLWYN BAY v ALTRINCHAM: MATCH COVERAGE

Techknowledgey Ltd provide IT support services to home and small business users. They offer services ranging from PC, Mac and Laptop repair to networking and servers. Need a hand? Call Dan Jones on 01625 348 727, e-mail him, or take a look at their website.

The commentary team is Ian Wilkinson and Ian Watmore, with match summaries from Simon Ellis.

Coverage starts at 2.50pm with the game kicking off at 3.00pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet at www.radiorobins.com.

Leah & Simon Brotherton will be providing regular updates on Twitter (@altrinchamfc) as well as half-time & full time updates on facebook (Altrincham FC).

As usual, this website will also be providing its live matchday updates throughout the game, starting from as soon as the line-ups are available.

The various alternatives can be found via the icons below and in the right sidebar".

 

COLWYN BAY v ALTRINCHAM: BEFORE THE GAME

• Home: P14 W9 D3 L2 F37 A22
• Away: P10 W5 D4 L1 F27 A16
• All: P24 W14 D7 L3 F64 A38

According to the North Wales Weekly, "Colwyn Bay boss Frank Sinclair has named an unchanged 16-man squad following Tuesday's away victory at Gloucester City for Saturday's FA Trophy challenge at home to promotion hopefuls Altrincham.

But he hinted that he may make a couple of changes to the starting line-up.

'The players have used up a lot of energy with three tough away games in eight days and I may make a couple of changes to bring in some fresher legs', he said. Injured forward Marc Williams is cup-tied anyway, having played for Northwich Victoria in an earlier round, while reserve keeper Danny East is again ruled out by illness.

Sinclair is also keeping himself on the sidelines to give a knee injury more rest ahead of next weekend when he has defenders Tom Smyth and Danny Taylor both suspended.

The Seagulls, however, have been given a boost by FA Trophy holders Wrexham allowing loanee Jonathan Royle, who has scored in both Bay's last two games, to play in the tie.

The 19-year-old was at Wembley in May to see his parent club lift the trophy for the first time and Sinclair commented, 'He has been fantastic since coming here, looking equally comfortable in midfield or in the back four. He is getting good first team experience with us and we are hoping that Wrexham will agree to extend his loan spell in January to the end of the season, which would be great'...

The Robins, who have former Colwyn Bay midfielder Carl Rodgers in their squad, will now also have midfielder Simon Richman available...

'Altrincham were my tip for automatic promotion at the start of the season so it is going to be a tough game, but we're going into it with our tails up after our win on Tuesday', said Sinclair.

Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Taylor, Lea, Crowther, Smyth, Royle, Evans, S Williams, Hopley, Joyce, Darkwah, Louis Moss, Meadowcroft, Ed Moss, Ellison, Matthews. The club will be holding one minute's applause before the kick-off in memory of club stalwart Elfed Morris, whose funeral was on Thursday".

TRANSPORT TO YOUTH GAME AT WALSALL

We will be taking names of people wishing to travel to this game on tomorrow's coach to Colwyn Bay but would anybody else who would like to travel, please email me or send a text message to 07860 561011?

We will confirm final details, including prices, on Monday, although travel times are likely to be:-

• 4.00pm: The Vine, Sale
• 4.10pm: Hare & Hounds, Timperley
• 4.20pm: The J.Davidson Stadium, Altrincham

PENSIONERS' CHRISTMAS DINNER

Our Christmas Chef is Dave 'The Doorman' Johnson & the menu is as follows:-

• Cream of Fresh Vegetable Soup
• Roast Cheshire Turkey (Chipolata Sausages/Chestnut Stuffing) with Sprouts, Carrots & Roast Potatoes
• Christmas Pudding & Cream
• Traditional Mince Pies
• Tea or Coffee

Red or white wine and soft drinks will be served with the meal.

All this for just £9.95!

To reserve your place at this festive culinary extravaganza simply pick up the phone and call the Football Club on 0161 928 1045 or send an e-mail.

LADIES' FOOTBALL

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Mr Newton unveiled the plans at a packed fans' forum on Thursday evening. The Quadrant has a dedicated website at www.thequadrantboston.co.uk where full details of the expansive development can be viewed".

The Football Conference reports that "Striker Jamie Wootton has joined Gainsborough Trinity on a one-month loan from Scunthorpe United. Wootton made his senior debut for the Iron in December 2012...

The 19-year-old, who had a `work experience` loan at Frickley Athletic last season, has been likened to former England striker Michael Owen by Iron boss Brian Laws".

Meanwhile, Stalybridge Celtic "have announced the loan signing of central defender James Tunnicliffe. James (24) joins us from Stockport County... The loan spell is initially until January but could be extended".

Another departure from County is reported by Corby Town, who "have completed the loan signing of Aman Verma from Stockport County until January 2014... He signed for Stockport County in the summer of 2013".

According to NL Daily, "Port Vale goalkeeper Ryan Boot has completed a move to Worcester on a month's loan... After being released by Stoke three years ago, Boot came through the ranks at Vale Park and manager Micky Adams handed him a two-year deal in the summer".

In the Telegraph & Argus, we read that "After confidently naming his squad for tomorrow’s FA Trophy tie at Harrogate Town it all began to unravel for John Deacey.

The Avenue manager thought his greatest concern this weekend would be picking a team with the best chance of reversing a recent dip in form. The results have dried up and Bradford go into tomorrow’s derby on the back of three defeats.

Deacey said, 'There were a couple of players who had taken knocks but nothing really to worry about and I knew Richard Marshall was suspended. I thought that I might lose another one with the injuries but it got worse as the week went on. Our last training session was yesterday and I had ten players'...

Monday night saw Avenue hosting Lee Sinnott’s Altrincham... Some players limped away from the ground after that second game in three days but Deacey expected most to recover...

'Harrogate will be tough... but I wanted to be back to full strength for this one. But with Marshall out and Nathan Hotte, Martin Drury, Adam Clayton and Scott Maxfield all doubtful I have no idea.he starting 11 will be'".

According to the News and Star "The arrogant way Hednesford boss Rob Smith dismissed Workington Reds’ chances of progressing in the FA Trophy will be used as part of Darren Edmondson’s team talk.

Overly confident Smith’s remarks after they lost in the FA Cup to Crawley has annoyed Edmondson, who said his rival should act in a more respectful manner.

Smith was quoted as saying, 'I can’t be more proud of this set of lads. They will dust themselves down and beat Workington in the FA Trophy'...

Workington are just one of three teams to take points off the Conference North leaders. Edmondson said, 'Rob’s words are definitely something I will use to motivate the lads... We were always going there to win. Now we are also going to prove a point. Rob is clearly confident. He is in charge of a team doing very well, but you have got to be respectful towards other clubs all the time, and maintain an air of decorum.

I am taking his comments with a pinch of salt because I know how well we played to take a point off them earlier in the season. We more than matched Hednesford when they came up here. We proved to them we are no pushovers'".

Lee is naturally delighted to have Simon Richman available after his red card was rescinded by the appeals panel yesterday. No caution has been recorded against Simon, thus reducing the squad's total of cautions to just twelve yellow cards in 14 Skrill North matches. Alty's player statistics this season are here.

RICHMAN RED RESCINDED

TRAVEL TO COLWYN BAY

RUNNING GROUP AT ALTY?

If anyone is interested they can either contact Craig as per the poster, or the Community section at Altrincham FC via e-mail".

TIDY UP AT MOSS LANE

To volunteer, please go to the website where there is a link to allow you to volunteer for the session.

YOUTH EDUCATION TEAM WINS

LEE PRAISES DAMIAN

"Lee Sinnott saluted a wonder goal from Damian Reeves after Altrincham twice came from behind to close in on Skrill North leaders Hednesford with an eventful 4-2 win at Bradford Park Avenue.

Reeves (left) equalised each time in the first half and, while Sinnott was far from happy with the way Alty found themselves needing to bounce back, he was full of praise for the quality of his prolific striker’s finishing.

The second goal, in particular, had the travelling Alty fans in raptures, as Reeves controlled a long, high through ball, as it dropped over his shoulder, and fired past the keeper in almost the same movement.

‘I have had a few chats with Damian, and, for me, he showed against Bradford what we were seeing from him last season,’ said Alty boss Sinnott. ‘With both those goals, he knew what he was doing straightaway, and, of course, both were executed perfectly.

‘He has had a fantastic couple of seasons for goalscoring, and, in an ideal word, that would continue year after year. But it doesn’t work like that, and he has had a bit of a barren period, by his standards. But you know it is going to come right with Damian, and he is always going to find the back of the net, and so it proved.

‘The first goal was sharp, and the way he brought the ball down out of the sky and finished before the keeper could set himself for the second was something you won’t see from many players. He just looked sharper in mind and body.

‘But we can’t afford to keep starting slowly and giving away early goals, and I read them the riot act at half-time. If it was one person, you would remove them from the team, but that’s not the case. It’s a general lack of concentration, players not getting tight enough and not showing enough snap. We need to work on that on the training pitch, because it has to stop. It will cost us if it continues, and I’m not having that.’

Looking ahead to Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at Colwyn Bay, Sinnott added: ‘The message to the players after the Bradford game was “Remember Trafford.” The way we went out of the FA Cup there was not acceptable, and I reminded them they owe it to the supporters, and to me, to come up with a positive performance and the right result.’".

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Subsequently, three persons were ejected from the ground and later arrested by officers from Staffordshire Police.

Club banning orders will be issued to persons responsible for offences such as entering the field of play, throwing of missiles onto the playing area and the possession and/or activation of banned items such as flares, smoke bombs or fireworks.

In addition, any offenders found guilty in a court of law of such offences can expect to receive a banning order from all football games at regulated football stadiums for a period of three years.

Since our promotion into the Skrill Conference North, Keys Park is now a regulated stadium and any of the offences previously described taking place there now fall within the banning order criteria.

Hednesford Town Football Club are working very closely with Staffordshire Police to identify and bring to justice a number of offenders in order to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors to Keys Park Stadium.

The Football Club would urge any supporters who might be able to provide details of those persons who attend games with the sole purpose of causing disruption to the game, and bringing shame to the club, to come forward and provide details to the club.

Any person providing such information can rest assured that it will be treated in the strictest confidence."

In the Worcester News, we read that "Worcester City will go into Sunday’s FA Trophy clash against Ramsbottom United with their fourth goalkeeper in three games. City are back in the market for a keeper after it emerged that Stourport Swifts stopper Lewis Solly is not available for the third qualifying round tie due to work commitments.

Solly played in Tuesday’s 3-0 Skrill North defeat to Leamington as a replacement for Jose Veiga, who suffered a calf injury in last Saturday’s 2-0 reverse at Harrogate. The 29-year-old former Stourbridge custodian was given permission by Swifts manager Rod Brown to be dual-registered by City but Worcester manager Carl Heeley knew it was only a stop-gap.

He explained, 'We’ve got to have a goalkeeper and at this moment in time we haven’t got one. It’s frustrating but the immediate thing was to get ourselves a keeper for Leamington and we had Saturday, Sunday and Monday to do that. I am grateful to Rod and Lewis for helping us out but we knew from the offset he wasn’t available this weekend'.

Veiga is expected to be out for at least a fortnight. Harry Ashton took over from the former Tamworth keeper at Harrogate but Heeley does not feel he is ready for the first team".

News of an ex-Alty loanee comes from the Shropshire Star, which says that "Versatile Mat Bailey is happy to play wherever he is needed to earn a regular place in Liam Watson’s AFC Telford team. Bailey, 27, made his second appearance for the Bucks as a second-half substitute in Tuesday’s 1-0 home win over Vauxhall Motors.

The 6ft 7in player, who has been carrying out rehabilitation work for a cruciate knee ligament injury at the club since the summer, was brought on as a forward for the final 17 minutes. But Bailey is also just as comfortable playing as a defender and, asked where he preferred to play, he said, '“I’ll play either to be honest. I don’t mind as long as I am in the team and the team is doing well. I have played both in the past so, wherever Liam needs me, I will play for him'.

Bailey, who also enjoyed a runout in Saturday’s 3-1 win against Stalybridge Celtic, added that... he had expected to be out of action until November but said, 'The knee feels really good at the moment. I have worked on it for a long time so everything seems to be coming together'".

FA CUP ON TV

Sunday, 8 December: Bury or Cambridge United v Sheffield United (12pm) – Live on BT Sport

Monday, 9 December: Wrexham v Oxford United or Gateshead (7.45pm) – Live on BT Sport".

YOUTH GAME AT WALSALL

The ground's postcode is WS1 4SA.

SPORTSMAN'S DINNER

Friday 22 November 2013: An Evening with Referees Mark Halsey and Karl Kirkpatrick are the guests... click on the adjacent image for details of this fundraising event.

£2,000 TO BE WON

RADIO COMMENTARY FROM BRADFORD

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

• Winsford United 0-4 Northwich Victoria, att. 61.
• Northwich Flixton Villa 0-3 1874 Northwich

The updated draw for the Cheshire Senior Cup 1st Round in the week of 13 January 2014 is...

• Hyde FC v Runcorn Linnets
• Stalybridge Celtic v Stockport County FC/Witton Albion FC
• Cammell Laird v 1874 Northwich
• Altrincham v Stockport Sports
• Northwich Victoria v Crewe Alexandra
• Runcorn Town v Chester FC
• Tranmere Rovers v Warrington Town
• Macclesfield Town v Nantwich Town

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

The Saints claimed a 1-1 draw at Priestfield last Saturday... but experienced Brackley stopper Billy Turley is banned for that game. Turley was sent off in the recent 3-2 Skrill North win against Boston United and faces a two-game ban.

Brackley boss Jon Brady moved to bring in a loan keeper but the club were unable to conclude a deal before the deadline.

Football Association rules stipulate that players must be registered on 12 noon on the Friday before before the weekend of the tie to play any part, including in the replay. And despite an impassioned plea from Brady since, the FA have refused to give Brackley the permission to bring in a goalkeeper.

That leaves the club with just 20-year-old stopper Alastair Worby, who was badly exposed in a recent 3-0 NFA Hillier Senior Cup defeat to Cogenhoe United. And Brady is now considering the possibility of playing 46-year-old assistant boss Darren Collins, a former Northampton Town and Rushden & Diamonds striker, in goal.

Collins does have previous, having done a 21-minute stint between the sticks in Grantham Town’s 2-1 FA Cup first round defeat to Leyton Orient in 2003. Brady’s other options are midfielder Elliot Sandy, who went in goal after Turley was dismissed against Boston, or utility man Brett Solkhon".

According to NL Pitchero, "Worcester City had the re-signed Tyler Weir and new goalkeeper Lewis Solly in their side for Tuesday night's 3-0 home defeat to Leamington. Weir, who left Worcester in the summer to sign a two-year deal with league rivals Gloucester City, has seen that terminated to re-join Carl Heeley's men.

Weir is a highly-rated midfielder or defender who signed permanently for Gloucester in June 2013 after opting to join Worcester twelve months earlier. Weir initially had two loan spells with the Tigers from parent club Hereford United... but having exhausted his three-month loan spell found himself unable to sign again and was sent to Worcester instead.

Former Wolves and Bury keeper Solly called time on a seven-and-a-half year stay with Stourbridge in which he made more than 350 appearances to join the Dales Lane side in June 2013... However, his spell with Rushall ended last month and he has been turning out for Stourport Swifts in the Midland Combination recently".

BRADFORD VIEWS

The start could not have been better for Avenue as they broke the deadlock in just the second minute. Good work from Paul Walker and Richard Marshall presented a chance for Nicky Boshell to strike and his effort from just outside the area beat Alti [sic] keeper Stuart Coburn.

Sinnott’s men hit back to level on the quarter-hour mark after Bradford’s on-loan midfielder Simon Lenighan had conceded a free-kick. The ball was pumped into the area and former Avenue and Guiseley striker Damian Reeves drilled it in.

Another set-piece led to the home side regaining the lead... Alti were level before the break though, following a sublime piece of skill from Reeves. A long ball forward to the unmarked striker was gathered and he shot home superbly in the blink of an eye.

While the first half had been entertaining, the second period was dull and listless. But the visitors battled on and ground out their victory.

They edged in front for the first time when a 25-yard shot from Greg Wilkinson took a heavy deflection off James Knowles and left Park Avenue goalkeeper John Lamb wrong-footed.

Alti doubled their advantage eight minutes later with yet another set-piece. A Knowles foul on James Walshaw earned the Avenue centre back a yellow card and Nicky Clee rifled the resulting free-kick into the bottom corner. The win took Sinnott’s men up to second in the table but it dropped Avenue down one place to ninth on goal difference. "

SKRILL NORTH RESULTS

Tuesday 12th November

• AFC Telford United 1-0 Vauxhall Motors, att. 1,218
• Barrow 1-1 Stalybridge Celtic, att. 642
• Gainsborough Trinity 0-1 Boston United
• Gloucester City 2-3 Colwyn Bay
• Histon 2-2 Oxford City
• Worcester City 0-3 Leamington, att. 486

CROSSBAR CHALLENGE

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Sinclair is definitely out with a swollen knee, but Danny Meadowcroft and Ed Moss both come back into the squad after missing Saturday's game at Boston.

After unlucky back to back 2-1 away defeats at Hednesford and Boston [who both also beat Alty recently] in the past week, the Seagulls will want to boost their points tally tonight against a Gloucester side that have gone 10 league games without a win (six defeats and four draws)...

They have the worst defensive record in the Skrill North and only Leamington and Worcester City have scored fewer goals. But after tonight the Colwyn Bay players will have travelled nearly 1,000 miles to three away games in eight days and Sinclair admitted, 'That is tough on part-time footballers who have full-time jobs but we knew this was going to happen with the FA Cup run we had and we just have to get on with it. But we will go to Gloucester with confidence high. I thought the first half on Saturday (at Boston)) was the best we have played this season and, if it hadn't been for what I rate as a scandalous refereeing decision (giving Danny Taylor a second yellow card for taking a free kick too quickly), we would have won the match.

There [are] certainly a lot of positives we can take from the game, especially the performances of Jonathan Royle at the back and Sean Williams in midfield'...

Wrexham loan signing Royle, who is primarily a midfielder, is again likely to fill in at centre back due to Sinclair's injury and with Meadowcroft only just returning after a back problem, and the manager added, 'He showed on Saturday he can do a good job in there and I have every faith that he can do so again'.

Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Taylor, Lea, Crowther, Smyth, Royle, Evans, S Williams, Hopley, Ellison, Darkwah, M Williams, Joyce, Meadowcroft, L Moss, E Moss, Matthews, East."

For the opposition, the Torquay Express reports that "Centre-half Kirtys McKenzie has become the third Torquay United player to go out on loan, to Skrill Conference North club Gloucester City. McKenzie, 20, is due to make his debut for Gloucester in a league game against Colwyn Bay... His initial loan is for a month, and he follows striker Ashley Yeoman and winger Niall Thompson, who are on loan at Bideford and Worcester City respectively".

FA CUP NEWS

Two days later Gateshead, who also succumbed to a last-gasp leveller at the weekend, take on Oxford United for a second time. Both Non-League sides will pocket £33,750 in FA broadcast fees. Victory over their higher divisions opponents would see them add £18,000 to that sum from The FA Cup prize fund".

BRADFORD PA 2 ALTRINCHAM 4

Report here.

Right: Damian Reeves and team mates take a breather as a BPA player is treated for an injury in Monday night's game.

CSC

The equaliser eventually came just before half-time, again after great play from Jordan Young and Sam Pollard. Jordan Young picked up the ball along the right wing, and he cut inside before setting up Pollard, who tapped it into the empty net... Runcorn managed to sneak a winner with only minutes left...

Stockport Manager Asa Crowe will be disappointed to have taken no points from the match, but will still be proud of a strong performance against one of the NWCFL’s title favourites".

The Sports' squad was, 1 Torkington, 2 Anane, 3 Street, 4 Riley [c], 5 Wadsworth, 6 Crowe, 7 Steele, 8 Jacobs, 9 Pollard, 10 Young, 11 Bane. Subs Used: 12 Thomas, 14 Marshall, 15 Halfacre. Subs Not Used: 16 Balmforth, 17 Millan.

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Regan's arrival follows hot on the heels of Dior Angus, who linked up with Heeley's side last week, on a month's loan from Kidderminster Harriers. Both players made their City debuts in the 2-0 defeat at Harrogate Town on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Skrill North club have confirmed the departure of defender Immanuel Parry, who only made one appearance under Heeley.

The 19-year-old was handed his debut in the 1-0 reverse to North Ferriby United last weekend but was replaced at half-time, and has subsequently been released".

CSC DRAW

• Hyde FC v Runcorn Linnets
• Stalybridge Celtic v Winner of Tie 5
• Cammell Laird v Winner of Tie 2
• Altrincham v Stockport Sports
• Winner of Tie 3 v Crewe Alexandra
• Runcorn Town v Chester FC
• Tranmere Rovers v Warrington Town
• Macclesfield Town v Nantwich Town

NEW DATE FOR GLOUCESTER MATCH

YOUTH FIXTURE CHANGES

• Sun. 17 Nov. NWYA Open Cup Second Round versus Bootle F.C. Youth. This was a home tie but, as it has twice been postponed at Clay Lane, it has now become an away fixture, kicking off at 1.30 p.m. at Play Football Liverpool North, Drummond Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 9YP. The scheduled home league game v Hyde that day has therefore been postponed.
• Thu. 21 Nov. FA Youth Cup, away to Walsall, 7pm
• Sun. 24 Nov. CCFA District Cup, away to Stalybridge FA at Mossley FC.
• Sun. 1 Dec. is currently scheduled as a home league match versus Ashton Athletic

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE v ALTRINCHAM: MATCH COVERAGE

Leah & Simon Brotherton will be providing regular updates on Twitter (@altrinchamfc) as well as half-time and full-time updates on facebook (Altrincham FC).

As usual, this website will also be providing its live matchday updates throughout the game, starting from as soon as the line-ups are available.

The various alternatives can be found via the icons below and in the right sidebar".

 

NEXT OPPONENTS

In the opening stages of the game Avenue were the livelier side. The game then started to turn as the home side began to apply the pressure which led to the game's opener on 18 minutes... Just after the hour mark Avenue were level. Davdison found Paul Walker in space on the left with a cross field pass and the forward drilled a shot inside Barnes's near post..

With half time approaching it was Yussuf who put his side ahead for the second time in the match... Eleven minutes into the half it was two a piece when Davidson collected a delightful through ball from Hotte and lofted the ball beyond the stranded Trinity keeper...

Bradford (Park Avenue): Lamb, Howarth, Drury (Maxfield 45), Marshall, Knowles (Lenighan 85), Clayton, Boshell (Chilaka 68), Hotte, Davidson, Deacey, P. Walker. Subs not used: Corner, Mallory".

SKRILL NORTH GAMES

Monday 11th November

• Bradford Park Avenue v Altrincham
• Through the Years

Mike Garnett summarises the previous meetings between Alty and BPA...

• Home: P9 W6 D3 LO F13 A4
• Away: P10 W3 D4 L3 F13 A17
• All: P19 W9 D7 L3 F26 A21

ANOTHER POSTPONEMENT

The next scheduled match is a cup match, at home to Blacon Ladies, next Sunday (17th) at Beech Avenue, 2pm.

OPPONENTS' PLAYERS

Walsall players' league appearances (with goals in brackets) are Richard Jones 11, Aris Christopherou 11, Jordan Garner 3+2 (2), Alex Dallison 4+4, Kyle Rowley 8, Rico Henry 11, Wes Rush 11 (3), Liam Kinsella 11, Carlton McKenzie 1+5 (3), Alex Reid 9+2 (2), Amadou Bakayoko 11 (10), Jamie Ashmore 10+1, Tevin Shakespeare 2+7 (1), Luke Delaney 8 (1), Romario Reid 0+5, Levi Rowley 1+2 (1), Lewis Probert 1+5.

With the Altrincham & District FA's District Cup being postponed, Altrincham FC Youth had no match this weekend. They now have as many as six games in hand in the NWYA Premier League as the latest league table shows.

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

Tuesday 12th

• Winsford United v Northwich Victoria

Wednesday 13th

• Northwich Flixton Villa v 1874 Northwich

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Saints were on course for a huge upset when Joe Martin’s own goal midway through the second half deservedly put Brackley ahead and it appeared they would hold on before Bradley Dack fired home in the 97th minute to earn Gillingham a replay.

Brady praised his players after the final whistle but also vented his anger at the referee after he failed to penalise John Mousinho for what looked a clear foul on Nat Jarvis when the young striker was clean through on goal four minutes into stoppage time.

Brady said, 'I’m heartbroken, but I’m deeply disappointed with the officials. I don’t want to moan but everyone in the stadium could see that, when Nat Jarvis went through, it was a foul and a red card and how he doesn’t give it I don’t know. Absolutely everyone in the stadium can see that was a red card and then the six or seven minutes of extra-time? It was disappointing because today they had two shots on target and we had eight or nine good chances.

We’ve given absolutely everything and we’ve deserved that today but, because the official made a bad mistake, they’ve cost us'...

Brady added, 'We’re the ones disappointed, not the League One club, so we have to dust ourselves down and go again. We played some great football. Peter Taylor has come in and tried to get them to play but, at times, we’ve dominated and had good chances. It was a nine out of ten performance from every single player and that’s what we said before the game. We need everyone to be at it; no one can let us down. I’m extremely proud of them and I feel their hurt and their pain but that hurt and pain has to drive us on.

Part of me’s deflated, part of me’s upbeat. It feels like a kick in the teeth but we need to pick ourselves up because we have a very important league game next Saturday'...

'They’re a team low on confidence at the moment, they’re in transition with a new manager, but you expect him to bounce back and change things, so I’ll see how good I am and put myself against him again next Tuesday... To hear our Brackley Town fans louder than the home support the whole game, they drove us on. We’ll need them at home in the replay'".

YOUTH FIXTURE CHANGES

TAKE THE TASC COACH TO BRADFORD

HEDNESFORD GAME REVISITED

YOUTH EDUCATION TEAM GO DOWN

OLD BOYS

Ben Deegan scored the winner for Nantwich Town asgainst Stocksbridge Park Steels, whilst at Darlington 1883, Brian Summerskill netted the only goal of the match for Northwich Victoria. Two ex-Alty Youth players, Tom Bailey and Sam Madeley, scored as Glossop North End defeated Wigan Robin Park 3-0.

SKRILL NORTH RESULTS

Saturday 9 November

• AFC Telford Utd 3-1 Stalybridge Celtic
• Boston United 2-1 Colwyn Bay
• Gainsborough Trinity 4-2 Bradford Park Avenue
• Harrogate Town 2-0 Worcester City
• Histon 1-2 Vauxhall Motors
• Leamington 2-3 Guiseley
• North Ferriby United 2-2 Barrow
• Oxford City 4-1 Stockport County
• Solihull Moors 1-1 Workington

Attendances on Saturday in Skrill North were...

• AFC Telford Utd v Stalybridge Celtic att. 1527
• Boston United v Colwyn Bay att. 1028
• Gainsborough Trinity v Bradford Park Avenue att. 436
• Harrogate Town v Worcester City att. 443
• Histon v Vauxhall Motors att. 325
• Leamington v Guiseley att. 655
• North Ferriby United v Barrow att. 287
• Oxford City v Stockport County att. 542
• Solihull Moors v Workington att. 330

FA CUP RESULTS

• Gillingham 1-1 Brackley Town
• Gloucester City 0-2 Fleetwood
• Hednesford Town 1-2 Crawley

In Saturday's FA Cup ties, Brackley led at Gillingham through an own goal, till an equalizer arrived in the seventh minute of injury time.

Meanwhile, Gloucester City lost 0-2 at home to Fleetwood Town in front of 1,183 "David Ball gave the Cod Army an early lead when his tame effort from outside the area beat unsighted Gloucester keeper Mike Green... Jon Parkin wrapped up the win by rounding Green and tapping home" near the end.

Hednesford Town lost 1-2 at home to Crawley Town, watched by 2,231, the BBC saying that "Crawley scraped past Conference North leaders Hednesford Town... Darren Campion deflected Nicky Adams's cross into his own net to put the visitors in front, but Elliott Durrell levelled from the spot after Mat Sadler brought down Osborne. But Emile Sinclair converted another Adams cross to put the Reds through... But they were made to work for victory by a team 60 places below them in the football pyramid".

FA TROPHY

• Barrow v Stockport County
• Harrogate Town v Bradford (Park Avenue)
• Chorley v Matlock Town
• Leamington v Gainsborough Trinity
• Sheffield / Buxton v Gresley
• Stalybridge Celtic v Vauxhall Motors
• Solihull Moors v Coalville Town
• Stourbridge v North Ferriby United
• Worcester City v Ramsbottom United Playing Sunday
• AFC Telford United v Scarboro A / Cambridge C
• Brackley Town v Witton Albion or FC United Of Manchester or Leek Town
• Hednesford Town v Workington AFC
• Curzon Ashton v AFC Fylde
• Northwich Victoria v Nantwich Town
• Guiseley v Histon
• Boston United v Redditch United
• Colwyn Bay v Altrincham
• Boreham Wood v Gloucester City
• Hendon v Oxford C. Playing Sunday

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock a couple of minutes before half-time when new Pilgrims` keeper Lewis King was adjudged to have fouled Gareth Evans and Jonathan Royle converted the resultant spot-kick. But 11 minutes into the second half Bay were reduced to ten-men when Danny Taylor received two bookings in 3 minutes – the second for taking a free-kick too quickly!

Three minutes later Boston pulled back on level terms when, after Carl Piergianni`s header was superbly saved by Chris Sanna, Spencer Weir-Daley slammed in the rebound. Twelve minutes from time Bay were down to nine men when Tom Smyth also saw red for two cautions.

And again, Boston punished them almost immediately when Ian Ross` cross was headed home by Piergianni.

To make matters even worse for the visitors, they had assistant boss Ade Akinbiyi sent from the bench shortly afterwards!".

The Boston Standard adds that "Boston United returned to winning ways in a crazy afternoon which saw two Colwyn Bay players red carded... in an afternoon where the post and keeper Chris Sanna prevented the hosts adding more strikes to their goals tally.

Dennis Greene handed a debut to keeper Lewis King, with Sam Vince named on the bench and question marks raised over the future of Ashley Timms, who made two high-profile errors during last week’s 3-2 defeat at Brackley Town. King, a former Stockport County and Eastwood Town player, became the third man to go between the sticks for the Pilgrims in the space of two games, while Liam Marrs, on loan from Sunderland, made his home debut at right back.

Wearing the Bay’s number one jersey was Sanna, who netted a freak goal during his side’s 3-1 victory at home to Solihull Moors seven days earlier. That result was just the Seagulls’ third victory of the Skrill North campaign, but wins one and two both came on the road...

Colwyn took the lead from the penalty spot. King was quick off his line to try to claim a loose ball, but Gareth Evans got there first and was tripped by the United keeper. After King was booked for remonstrating with referee Michael George he was picking the ball out of his net, Jonathan Royle’s low strike evading his dive...

Suddenly the contest swung massively in United’s favour. In the 56th minute Bay right back Danny Taylor was dismissed for his second booking in the space of three minutes. After kicking the ball away he received his second yellow for taking a free kick too quickly and was needlessly taking an early bath.

Spencer Weir-Daley drew Boston level in the 59th minute with a casual and cool side-foot at the back post... With 12 minutes to go, Tom Smyth became the second Seagull to see red after a clumy charge on Miller saw him collect his second booking. And from the resultant free kick, Piergianni headed Boston in front. Steer dummied the dead ball before Newsham teed up Ross. The captain’s reverse cross met Piergianni at the back post and he looped his effort over the stranded Sanna.

Further remonstrations saw Colwyn coach Ade Akinbiyi sent to the stands as the day went from crazy to absolute bonkers...

COLWYN BAY: Sanna, Taylor, Crowther (Joyce 83), Smyth, Lea, Evans, S. Williams, Royle, Darkwah (Moss 59), Hopley, M. Williams (Ellison 83). Subs (not used): Matthews, East".

Before travelling to Wales, Alty go to Bradford on Monday night for a league match. On Saturday, "Bradford Park Avenue... [lost] 4-2 at the Northolme against Gainsborough Trinity. However, the game was on a knife edge until the final 8 minutes". According to This is Lincs, "In a game of missed chances and a degree of dodgy defending it was a moment of real quality which sealed all three points for Gainsborough Trinity against Bradford Park Avenue.... Bradford looked dangerous in the early stages with Alex Davidson causing problems for Greg Young and Josh Wilde on the left side of the Trinity defence.

However, it was Trinity who drew first blood, with a terrific goal from Brad Barraclough... The half-hour mark, though, brought disaster for Trinity as Paul Walker on the left was allowed too much time and space on the ball before placing a shot inside Barnes’ near post to bring his side level. Five minutes before the interval, debut man Adi Yussuf hit a superb left foot shot into the bottom corner to give Trinity a half time lead.

But ten minutes into the second half Alex Davidson leveled the scores with a well-taken goal from 10 yards out... Housham went for all three points when he introduced Liam Davis and Darryn Stamp... Trinity's third goal came with just five minutes remaining as a corner came in and was scrambled over the line, with Darryn Stamp claiming the final Trinity touch.

But it was Clayton who rounded things off with his superb late strike from 20 yards...

Bradford: Lamb, Howarth, Drury (Maxfield 45), Marshall, Knowles, Clayton, Boshell, Hotte, Davidson, Deacey, Walker".

Loan moves this week saw two Gainsborough Trinity players moving on loan to Worksop Town, goalkeeper Jan Budtz and Josh Williams being the men in question.

In Saturday's game "North Ferriby were held to a draw by a Barrow side that played most of the game with 10 men after Sam Sheridan was sent-off for foul and abusive language towards the referee after 21 minutes".

FA YOUTH CUP DRAW

Other non-League clubs potentially involved are...

• Southampton v Portsmouth or Barton Rovers or Stevenage
• Bolton Wanderers v Sheffield United or Worcester City
• Ilkeston or Accrington Stanley v West Ham United
• Woking or Crawley Town v Watford
• Arsenal v Torquay United or Chipstead
• Burgess Hill Town or Bristol City v Brentford or Dulwich Hamlet or Brentwood Town or Newport County
• Chelsea v Grays Athletic or Uxbridge or Dartford or Christchurch
• Huddersfield Town v Gateshead or Luton Town
• West Bromwich Albion v Walsall or Altrincham
• Cheltenham Town or VCD Athletic v Birmingham City or Bury Town

SPORTSMAN'S DINNER

Friday 22 November 2013: An Evening with Referees Mark Halsey and Karl Kirkpatrick are the guests... click on the adjacent image for details of this fundraising event.

OLD BOY

FA CUP ROUND ONE

• Gillingham v Brackley Town
• Gloucester City v Fleetwood Town
• Hednesford Town v Crawley Town

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Seidi, who has represented Portugal’s Under-20 side, had a brief loan spell with Aldershot Town. The four players, who all own Portuguese passports, are believed to have played in a trial game in Stalybridge last night. Workington’s management set up the ‘bounce’ match to fully assess the potential recruits.

One of the Guinea-Bissau players has played in the Champions League while plying his trade in Turkey, but the names of the quartet have not been officially released.

Workington are away at Solihull tomorrow, but none of the trialists are expected to be part of the travelling party...

[The Reds] hope to renew a deal to keep Joel Dixon at the club, despite a goalkeeper crisis at the young goalkeeper’s Premier League club. If he’s unable to rejoin Workington, American Alex Wimmer will be recalled to the starting XI having overcome a bout of flu".

More on this comes from the Football Conference which says that "Workington have signed Portuguese pair Valter and Bruno Fernandes from league rivals Droylsden.

Valter is a defender was with FC Porto B, and Marítimo B before joining Division Two south zone club Pinhalnovense for the 2011/12 season. He made twenty-four appearances for Pinhalnovense before moving onto Vitória Guimarães B and Cypriot club Doxa Katokopia the following season.

Upon moving to England he originally joined Carshalton Athletic in early 2013 but did not make any first-team appearances.

He signed for King`s Lynn Town in August and played fourteen times before leaving to re-locate to Manchester whereupon he signed for Droylsden.

Bruno joined his younger brother at Droylsden only a month ago from Cypriot side Alki Larnaca. Capped thirty-four times by Guinea-Bissau, the experienced 35-year-old centre-back played in his native Portugal for the likes of Atlético Malveira, Amora, Belenenses and Aves before moving to Bulgarian football, with Beroe Stara Zagora.

A brief return to Portugal with Aves was followed by spells in Romania with Ceahlual, Unirea Urziceni and Targu Mures before moving to Cyprus".

Elsewhere, "Striker Liam Dickinson has re-signed for Stockport County. The 28-year-old was without a club after Port Vale, for whom he had played twice in pre-season, didn't taken their interest further thanks to an ankle injury, and, after trials with a couple of other clubs, he has rejoined the Hatters, where he was a fans' favourite after scoring thirty-three times in ninety-four games between 2005 and 2008.

He has been treated for his injury by Stockport physio Rodger Wylde, which led to speculation County might offer him a deal once he'd recovered...

He signed for Barnsley in 2010 but hardly figured at Oakwell, being loaned out to Walsall and Rochdale. He joined Plymouth Argyle in July 2011 but asked to be released eight days later and then moved to Southend United on a year's deal.

Once his contract at Roots Hall expired in 2012, he joined Port Vale for training but suffered a broken ankle and missed all of last season".

This is Lincs reports that "Boston United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Lewis King. King has played for Eastwood Town this season and has also played for Stockport County in the Conference Premier after beginning his career at Sunderland.

The arrival of King, who looks set to go straight into United's starting line-up for tomorrow's home clash with Colwyn Bay, places further question marks over the future of transfer-listed stopper Ashley Timms, who may not even be in the squad tomorrow.

Timms was made available for loan or transfer following the 3-3 draw with Harrogate Town last month and was substituted at half-time in last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Brackley after being at fault for two goals".

In the Yorkshire Evening Post, "Guiseley manager Mark Bower says his mass squad overhaul at Nethermoor is virtually complete but not quite. Since taking over in September, Bower has made a raft of changes with as many players coming in as leaving.

This week Phil Marsh, Paul Ennis and Matt Clarke left the club, with experienced defender Danny Hall arriving from Celtic Nation... Bower, whose only major injury absentee tomorrow is centre-half Danny Ellis, said, 'Things are looking up at the minute. Results have picked up and with the win in the County Cup, it’s three wins from four games and four games unbeaten.

The confidence and a bit of belief is coming back into the players and in the two league games we have won, we have been behind in both. But the players have shown good character to come back and produce wins'.

On the issue of further squad enhancement, he added, 'You are always looking and maybe there will be one or two additions over the course of the next few weeks and months. But we’ve had a few ins and outs recently and there will be nothing like that volume. We’re happy enough with the squad we have got at the minute and confident it can get some more results for us.

We have brought in some players through the spine of our team such as Adam Lockwood at centre-half and Danny Boshell in midfield and made the signing of Alex Johnson from Halifax into a permanent one. They have made a big difference for us and are playing well.

We have been fortunate with injuries as well and not had to make too many changes while Danny Forrest has also come in and looked good for us on Saturday. There’s competition all over the pitch and people have to stay on their toes, which is how it should be at a football club'".

PREPARING FOR BRADFORD

However, it will be Neil Tolson (right) leading the training on Saturday as Lee is travelling to watch Gainsborough Trinity entertain Bradford PA, a club he formerly managed. Both clubs are upcoming opponents of Altrincham so the match gives him a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

Referring to the appeal against Simon Richman's red card (see below), Lee insisted that his repeated re-viewing of the video of the incident had confirmed to him that an appeal was "certainly not frivolous" as he genuinely believes it was not a red-card incident.

FA YOUTH CUP

Walsall report that "The Saddlers' youth team have been handed a home draw in the second round of the FA Youth Cup. Having overcome the challenge of Port Vale, we now play host to Altrincham here at Banks's Stadium on Thursday, November 21st (kick-off NB 7.00pm). Admission will be £5 (adults) and £3 (concessions).

As a quirky aside, Altrincham's first-team managerial duo are both former Walsall youth team players with Lee Sinnott at the helm and Neil Tolson his assistant".

As well as the connections of Lee Sinnott and Neil Tolson to The Saddlers, current Altrincham player Kyle Perry (right) also came through the Walsall youth system.

Brian Flynn writes that "We can re-live what is possibly Youth team manager George Heslop's finest hour" by listening again to the Radio Robins match commentary on the victory over Wrexham here.

ALTY LODGE APPEAL OVER RICHMAN'S RED

After carefully and repeatedly analysing video footage of the eighth-minute incident, when the Alty midfielder (left) appeared to win the ball cleanly in a tackle just inside his own half, chairman Grahame Rowley and manager Lee Sinnott felt duty bound to act on his behalf.

‘We feel as a club that an injustice has been done and that an appeal is the right course of action,’ said Rowley. ‘We have looked at the DVD numerous times, often in slow motion, and it is obvious Simon wins the ball with his right foot and that any subsequent contact with his left is down to momentum on a skiddy surface.

‘It seems no allowance was made for the weather conditions and wet surface, and, having talked it over with Lee, we feel a three-match ban, on top of being sent off so early in the game, is an undue punishment.

‘We want to support our player, and be seen to be doing so, and it is our fervent hope that common sense prevails when the matter is reviewed. It was a top-of-the-table match, and players are always likely to try and put a marker down early on. That is what happened, but there was nothing malicious about the challenge whatsoever.

‘Perhaps a yellow card might have sufficed and been enough to calm everyone down, but having studied the evidence, we are convinced a straight red was unjust. We have enclosed a video clip of the incident with our appeal, and we must now wait for the relevant committee to sit and make a judgement.

‘The ban is due to come into effect on the 16th of this month, so we would expect to hear their decision by then. We are aware of the risk element and how a ban can be increased if the panel deem an appeal to be frivolous, but, given the contentious nature of the red card, we are confident that will not be the case.’

With Alty not playing this weekend, Sinnott will take the chance to run the rule over two of our November opponents, when he watches Gainsborough Trinity against Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

EXTEND YOUR STAY AT COLWYN BAY!

"Visiting supporters to Colwyn Bay can now book their accommodation in the area at no extra cost. The club’s main club sponsors Visit Conwy are offering opposition fans, players and officials the following offer when booking accommodation. The Tourist Information Centres will waive the £2 booking fee when they quote the booking reference CBFC visiting when booking their stay in North Wales... failure to do so will result in the fee being charged.

The Visit Conwy website can be found here. Tourist Information Centres are located in Llandudno and Conwy and to book accommodation phone 01492 577577 or 01492 575968".

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Regan has captained England at various youth levels, including the under-17 World Cup when England reached the quarter-finals. Prior to his spell with Forest, Regan was on the books of Liverpool for three seasons after they had paid Wrexham a nominal fee for his services.

Angus, whose stay at Worcester is initially a month, established himself as a thrilling prospect with a strong season in the Conference North with Sollihull Moors. He had come through the ranks at Damson Park and 2012/13 was his first season as a senior player. The 19-year-old made more than thirty appearances for Moors, scoring seven goals [including one at Altrincham!]".

The Football Conference also says that "Gainsborough Trinity have taken 21-year-old midfielder Adi Yussuf on a month`s loan from neighbours Lincoln City. As a teenager, striker Yussuf was a regular in Leicester City's youth and reserve side and gained valuable experience at Conference Premier level, scoring twice in six starts during a loan spell with Tamworth early in 2011.

Following his release by the Foxes, Zanzibar-born Yussuf signed for Burton Albion... He signed for the Imps at the end of May 2013 and is on contract until the end of the season".

AFC Telford United tell us that "After one point from six on the road, AFC Telford United return to the New Buck's Head when Stalybridge Celtic come to town on Saturday.

It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Tameside club and experienced manager Jim Harvey recently left Bower Fold by mutual consent after a poor run of results had seen Celtic slump to the lower regions of the Skrill North table.

Keith Briggs has returned as the club’s new player-manager to be assisted by Andy Fearn... Briggs's introduction has seen an upturn in fortune for Stalybridge with three wins from three games, including a 2-1 victory over Leamington a fortnight ago, which was watched by Telford manager Liam Watson.

'They’re a young team but they’ve had a boost with the new manager coming in and he’s going to be someone they look up to because he’s had a really good career himself', Liam observed after running the rule over the Tameside outfit. 'A new voice tends to pick people up and refocus. They’re probably moving more away from the ‘old school’ (with Briggs’s appointment) because Jim Harvey used to shout and scream a lot more whereas ‘Briggsy’ is a young, composed fella on the touchline and he seems to have got a reaction from them'...

'Sometimes teams get a couple of wins under a new manager and then it levels out', Liam continues. 'If you look at Stockport, in Lordy’s (Alan Lord’s) first two games they beat Worcester and Barrow but then lost to Rushall in the FA Cup, drew with Gloucester and lost to Histon. I don’t think it will be an easy game, but it’s a game we must be looking to take three points from'.

Telford fans will recognise a number of names in the Celtic squad. Conal Platt, who joined from Gainsborough Trinity, had a brief spell with the Bucks on loan from Cambridge United in 2011 before joining Lincoln and later Gainsborough... Also known to Bucks’ supporters will be Liverpool-born Sean McConville, a former Accrington midfielder who signed recently from Barrow, and striker Phil Marsh who has returned to Bower Fold...

Celtic have a young squad following the club’s decision to turn full-time on a budget reportedly less than many part-time ones, with their stated emphasis being on finding and developing young talent. It’s a fascinating model, and one which intrigues Watson.

'Rob Gorski, the chairman there, is a really close friend of mine and, when he asked me about the idea of taking Stalybridge full-time, I didn’t see it myself, although in the first year they were towards the top fighting with Hyde for a long spell... I think they need to be near the top of the league or, if they’re not near the top, they need to be selling players for it to work,', Liam argues.

'Connor Jennings got sold to Scunthorpe for good money but I think he was already in the club when it started, so the proof of the strategy will be when one finally comes through and gets sold on... I think a lot more managers would have gone for the Stalybridge job if it had been part-time but Rob said from the word go that he wanted to keep their full-time status and continue in the same vein. You’ve got to admire that'.

[Former Alty trialist] Andy Owens is out for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury... Chris Lever is still struggling with the ear infection... but [former Altrincham centre-back] Mat Bailey has signed forms and is likely to go straight into the squad for Saturday’s game".

News of another ex-Alty man comes from the NW Evening Mail, which tells us that "Alex Meechan could be interviewed for the role of permanent Barrow AFC boss as early as next week after being placed in caretaker charge. The club are open to applications after Dave Bayliss vacated the manager’s hot-seat ‘by mutual consent’ on Tuesday.

AFC chairman Brian Keen has not set any timescale for appointing Bayliss’s replacement, with Meechan having verbally outlined his interest in succeeding the man who brought him to the club during the summer... Keen said, 'He (Meechan) is a young fella who more or less said to us, "Look, I’ll help the club out and I’ll certainly look after things on a professional basis". He’s obviously interested in the job and he wants an interview.

The door is open to anybody. It’s very early days, but Alex has been bubbly, he’s been co-operative, professional and he’s recommended some players who are with us now and you can’t say "No" to him. You’ve got to give him the opportunity to put his points across, you’ve got to give him the chance to say why he wants the job or if he wants it. He wants to talk'.

Meechan will take charge of Barrow for the first time at Conference North high fliers North Ferriby United on Saturday, and appears likely to be in situ for Tuesday’s home clash with Stalybridge Celtic.

'Short term, in this next week or two, I’m happy enough with what we’ve got', insisted Keen. When the Evening Mail contacted Keen yesterday, the club had still only received a couple of expressions of interest in the job, rather than any formal applications. Meanwhile, the board had yet to approach any potential candidates...

'Time-wise, that [an appointment] is looked after by applications', said Keen. 'If there are none, we will get on quickly, but we have got to look at every avenue and see what comes up. We’ve got to look at and choose the best one for Barrow AFC. So we’re not going at it like a bull at a gate, we’re going to do this very professionall'.

Inevitably, fans are already starting to speculate over who will become AFC’s next manager with the names being thrown up including Airbus UK director of football and ex-Northwich Victoria boss Andy Preece. Other names thrown into the pot include ex-Barrow winger and Penrith manager Matt Henney, former AFC midfielder and FC United boss Karl Marginson, ex-Bluebirds full-back and Vauxhall Motors boss Carl Macauley, Chorley chief Garry Flitcroft and ex-Hyde boss Gary Lowe.

The Evening Mail mentioned the names of Preece, Marginson, Henney, Flitcroft and Lowe to Keen. And he responded, 'We’re an open book so if somebody who you have just mentioned applies, then we will talk'. Keen says there will be many factors to take into account when choosing AFC’s next boss, such as a candidate’s location...

'We want an ambitious man who can build the spirit of the club around him', said Keen... 'We want somebody who can prove he’s experienced and has got the contacts in the game, that’s one of the most important things. He’s got to be good with training and want the team to be fit; he’s got to be a fully professional manager'".

ALTY PONDER AN APPEAL

The energetic Alty midfielder faces a three-match ban after being shown a straight red card for what was deemed to be ‘use of undue force’ in executing a clean tackle on an opponent in his side’s 3-1 defeat.

Alty were denied what looked a clear-cut penalty, when Kyle Perry was bundled over, and contested the legitimacy of Hednesford’s second and third goals, but it was the loss of Richman that frustrated Sinnott the most.

‘I have watched Alty TV about 20 times, freeze-framed Simon’s challenge, concentrated on where his right leg goes and tried to break everything down, and at the end of all that, I still can’t see, for the life of me, how it was a red card,’ said the Alty manager. ‘It is down to individual interpretation, but we are deliberating whether to contest it.

‘We want to do right by Simon, but these things need weighing up carefully, and we will do that before making a decision.’

The risk with an appeal is that the ban could be extended, if it is turned down, but there is a sense of dismay among club officials and supporters at a ruling that left Alty with 10 men against the leaders for virtually 90 minutes.

‘Having watched the video again and again, it just underlines how all the major incidents went against us,’ added Sinnott. ‘The other thing that struck me was the number of opportunities we had, even after the sending-off.

‘I counted six in all, including what was a stonewall penalty when Kyle Perry was pushed in the back. Their lad ended up on the floor himself, which just tells you it was a pen all day long.’

Sinnott described how a virus has swept through the camp, saying: ‘It goes back to the Boston United game and has affected about half-a-dozen or so, but I wasn’t going to say anything about it, because I didn’t want to alert Hednesford and give them an advantage. It was a case of observing the players in games and making sure they were coping, but thankfully we seem to be through it now.’

Alty Youth booked an FA Youth Cup second round trip to Walsall with a 2-1 win over Wrexham, and Sinnott said: ‘It’s great experience for these boys, and they have done themselves, the club and George Heslop proud'".

YOUTH CUP WIN IN SOUND AND PICTURES

TASC UPDATE

"Race Night

The mid-season Race Night will be held after the game in the Noel White Suite on the 14th December. We are aware that this is also the date of an FA Trophy round but, should we be drawn at a long distance away game, we will rearrange the event for another date as soon as possible afterwards.

It is anticipated that several of the players will be at the Night and we hope to hold an event with them involved. Further details of this event will be announced nearer the time. Horses and races are now on sale today. They are priced £5 for a horse and £10 for a race. Please see me, either before or after the next game in the bar or e-mail me.

Membership

As you should be aware, TASC membership runs on an annual basis, from the start of one season to the start of the next. This means that all members, if they are not life members, or have not joined, or renewed since the start of the season, will need to renew their membership as soon as possible. Membership for this season can be arranged, or renewed in the club shop at the TASC desk on matchday.

Goal Rush

Goal Rush was, again, a massive success last season. Thanks to everyone for their generous sponsorship, and well done to Paul Salt for running the scheme.

We will be running this scheme again this season. Full details should have been sent to current sponsors with requests for the final payment for last season. If anyone has not received the details for the new season, wants to join the scheme, or owes money for last season still, please speak to any of the TASC Committee, or email Paul Salt.

Community Sports Hall

At the TASC meeting at the end of September, the Community Sports Hall project was discussed. We were very impressed by the plans presented to TASC. The TASC committee unanimously agreed to do everything possible to support the Community Sports Hall development and fund raising, whilst not diverting support away from the main fundraising function of TASC – to support the football club in funding the team. We hope that our members agree with our views. Should any of our members wish to discuss this please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Brian Flynn.

2014 Easter Draw - Prizes Needed!

TASC are appealing for prizes to be donated for this year's TASC draw. The Draw will be made on 21st April, after the Vauxhall Motors game, as part of our end of season Race Night/Awards night. The draw may seem a long way off but, in order to get the tickets as early as possible and give everyone as much time to sell them as possible, we need to be arranging the prizes very soon.

If you are able to offer a prize, either personally or via a business that you are involved in, please contact Brian Flynn on 07860 561011 or by e-mail.

Steve Foster, Vice-Chairman, TASC".

GREAT WALL OF CHINA TREK

A number of Skrill North football clubs, including Altrincham FC, were delighted to sponsor John including donating a shirt, which he wore on this mission. He even managed to arrange a 7 a-side game on The Wall itself, an historical first and all in Skrill North shirts! Luckily (or not) this rucksack for goalposts footballing classic has been captured on video and can be seen on here.

John and his 37 intrepid colleagues are aiming to raise £200,000 for The Alzheimer’s Society,`which works across the country including our area. Any Alty supporters who would wish to contribute £1 can do this by texting RLGX99 to 70070, or visiting Just Giving.

Right: John is pictured with the much travelled shirt and Altrincham FC chairman, Grahame Rowley, at the Hednesford game on Saturday. Image courtesy of John Henderson.

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

• Alsager Town 2-3 Runcorn Linnets
• Northwich Flixton Villa v 1874 Northwich. Match abandoned due to suspected broken leg for Northwich skipper, Adam Foy.

SKRILL NORTH TALK

Clarke was brought to Nethermoor Park in the summer after unsuccessful trial spells with Grimsby Town and FC Halifax Town, but has left the Lions having only made one appearance. Hall arrives with a wealth of experience, gaining promotion to the Football League with Crawley Town in 2011, while helping Hyde FC to the top tier of non-league football the following year.

The former Oldham Athletic trainee, who was on the books of rivals Altrincham last season, is in contention to make his Guiseley debut at Leamington on Saturday".

According to NL Daily, "Sunderland have recalled goalkeeper Joel Dixon to the Stadium of Light just one game into his one month loan with Workington. The injury to Keiren Westwood, sustained in a collision with Hull City’s Paul McShane last Saturday, has had a knock-on effect ahead of the Black Cats’ Capital One Cup tie against Southampton tonight.

Vito Mannone was expected to start the cup-tie with Dixon taking his place on the bench. Sunderland’s only other goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, is cup-tied having played in the League Cup earlier this season for Burton Albion. Dixon began his second spell with Reds last Saturday and performed well in the morale-boosting win over Gainsborough Trinity".

The BBC has a lengthy piece on how "It has been 2,384 days since Gloucester City last played a competitive game at home. The yellow and black painted walls still mark out the Tigers' territory at Meadow Park, their residence since 1986. But inside the ground, it is like the ghost of football past.

'When you see it in this state it brings a lump to my throat', supporters' trust chairman Lee Mills told BBC Sport. It is the first time Mills has stepped foot in his club's home since it was devastated by a third major flood in 17 years, in the so-called summer of 2007. The grass on the pitch is eight feet tall and littered with rogue trees and recycling bins. Seats have been ripped up, the roofs of the dugouts have caved in...

When the River Severn burst its banks after three days of torrential July rain and spilled into Meadow Park, the water reached the top of the crossbar of the goalposts... And after six years of setbacks, the Conference North club have no 'home' to host League Two Fleetwood in the FA Cup on Saturday. Instead, they will once again travel 12 miles to their temporary base at Cheltenham Town...

Last season ended with players deferring their wages and with Gloucester struggling to pay rent... Said chairman Nigel Hughes... 'I'm reconciled to playing in Cheltenham for the next 18 months but if we got the decisions through by the end of the year, we could really address it then...

This is the second consecutive season they have reached the money-spinning FA Cup first round. They have already earned £24,000 from their run in the qualifiers and are set to pocket a further £6,750 from TV highlights of their game with former non-league rivals Fleetwood. The money they have already earned from their cup run alone would virtually pay the rent at Cheltenham for another year".

The NW Evening Mail reports from Barrow that "The Bluebirds yesterday parted company with Bayliss by mutual consent, with player/coach Alex Meechan taking over as interim boss. Chairman Brian Keen... said of his departure, 'For me, he will be sadly missed. He has done a fabulous job for this club over the last seven years and it’s a shame it has now ended like this. He wasn’t pushed. We knew that we were under pressure at the club on finances and results...

We made a decision, hopefully, for the good of the club, although we will miss the lad... We didn’t say Dave Bayliss "You’re sacked", it’s a mutual decision between him and us for the good of the club... It is not a nice thing to part company with a fellow like that whose heart and soul was in this club, he just hasn’t had a rap this year',” said Keen, who was set to meet Bayliss in Preston last night...

'If we didn’t do this what would happen at the next home game, 400 [supporters] in? We haven’t had many home games, nobody mentions that. We’ve had six games this year at home and two of them were small. We have had no reasonable income on gate money. We have had to survive on the tip of our wallets. We haven’t been ruthless with Dave, he quite understands and you have got to feel sorry for the lad, he’s got a wife, kids and commitments but life has got to go on...

Alex Meechan is staying with the club, he will look after affairs short-term. He has been very cooperative. Meechan might surprise us but, at the same time, we will put it out (the job) on the market and see what interest there is, as we have in the past. Sometimes you get a surprise'".

In the Chester Chronicle, we learn that "Steven Tames bagged two goals on Saturday to fire Vauxhall to victory and later admitted he is loving life at Rivacre Park. The striker, who has joined Motors from Southport on a loan deal that last until January...said, 'I’ve enjoyed it up to now. Carl (Macauley) just wants to get the ball down and play so it’s enjoyable to play in this team. My match fitness, sharpness and touch is coming back because I haven’t played too much this season'".

FA YOUTH CUP

Match report here.

Right: Alty celebrate at the final whistle.

SKRILL NORTH RESULTS

• Brackley Town 1-1 AFC Telford United
• Hednesford Town 2-1 Colwyn Bay

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

• Winsford United v Northwich Victoria POSTPONED
• 5/11/13 Macclesfield Town 3-1 Vauxhall Motors
• 5/11/13 Congleton Town 3-3 Cammell Laird Lairds win 5-4 on pens.

FA TROPHY

• FC United of Manchester 1-2 Witton Albion att. 369 (at Witton Albion)

YANKEE WINNER NETS £5,000

ALTY & SALE SPORT'S LATEST PODCAST

OLD BOY

Doran joined Welshpool in July 2009, but moved to Altrincham in January 2010. He made 14 (+2) Conference appearances for the Robins and, after a spell in Australia, signed for Bala Town in July 2011. Doran... has joined the Tangerines from Runcorn Linnets...

Says Conwy boss Chris Herbert, 'He is very good on the ball, good in the air, and is a threat off set pieces. He can also play anywhere across midfield and can also play right back'".

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Over the last 7 years Dave was, firstly, a player, then part of the management team, with Darren Sheridan, who were responsible for some of the club's greatest successes, including promotion to the Conference National, two FA Cup 3rd round ties and an FA Trophy win at Wembley Stadium. Dave, with Darren, also presided over a record five seasons in the Conference National.

Unfortunately, the start to the season has been difficult and, with the club lying near the foot at the Skrill North table, it was agreed by both parties that the situation had reached a point of no return.

We would like to thank Dave for all the success he has brought the club over the past seven years and wish him the very best for the future. The club have no further comment to make at this time, other than to say that the club's priority now is to climb the Skrill North table and progress in the upcoming FA Trophy tie. A further statement will be issued in due course."

Meanwhile, former Altrincham winger "Player/coach Alex Meechan has agreed to act as caretaker boss, following the departure of long-time boss, Dave Bayliss. Meechan will take training tonight (Tuesday) and meet Chairman, Brian Keen and two fellow directors who will address the players. The club will weigh up its options in the coming days regarding the appointment of a permanent new manager."

According to the Football Conference, "Worcester City have announced the departure of club captain Tom Thorley to current league leaders, Hednesford Town. Worcester received an official approach from Hednesford expressing their interest in the player and, after speaking with the player on Sunday afternoon, City were hoping to hear him say that he was committed to staying with the club. This was not the case and he advised that he would like the opportunity to talk to them.

It became apparent over the last 24 hours that there was nothing Worcester could do to convince him to stay, so the paperwork has been completed to allow the transfer to go through.

Manager Carl Heeley said, 'Tom has been a fantastic servant to the football club and it is a real body blow to lose a player of his calibre and he will be very difficult to replace but replace him we must. We all knew it was going to be a challenging season and without doubt we need every player fully committed to the cause. Tom told me that combining his day job as a school teacher and travelling to and from Worcestershire was affecting his work/life balance and that he felt the time was right to move on'.

Heeley added 'The search goes on for potential replacements and we are hopeful of doing some business prior to the weekend game away at Harrogate Town'".

COMMUNITY SPORTS HALL UPDATE

Community Company achieves Charitable Status.

We received notification from the Register of Charities that Altrincham Football Club Community Sports Co has achieved Charitable Status. We have been entered onto the Register with the Registered Charity Number 1154394.

A key benefit from this is that many of the pledges that we will receive and, indeed, have already received, are eligible for Gift Aid, which enhances their value by 25%. The Charitable status will also make us more attractive to companies who may be interested in supporting the Community Sports Hall Project.

Ex- and Current Chairman Support the Community Sports Hall Project.

Following a conversation between Grahame Rowley, Club Chairman and Geoff Goodwin, ex-Chairman of Altrincham Football Club, Geoff has donated 1000 shares to the Football Club, to be sold to anyone interested in becoming a shareholder for £5 each, with the proceeds to be donated to the Community Sports Hall project.

Geoff’s fantastic gesture has been matched by Grahame, who says ‘Neither Geoff nor myself would relinquish these shares lightly, however we both believe that the CSH project is of massive importance in securing the Club’s place within the local community and, ultimately, in ensuring that the Club thrives for the benefit of future generations of supporter.’

If you are interested in making a donation, or in buying shares, please e-mail or ring the Club on 0161 928 1045, and speak to Grahame Rowley or Peter Foster". Please click on the image for the pledge form.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

20 MORE FANS!

OLD BOY

He left Harrison Park in July 2006 to join then Conference Premier side Northwich Victoria where he spent three and a half seasons before joining Altrincham. Then in January 2012, he moved on to Stafford Rangers.

Commenting on his new signing, Casswell said, 'This could have happened earlier in the season but he decided to remain at Marston Road'".

TUESDAY SKRILL NORTH GAMES

• Brackley Town v AFC Telford Utd
• Hednesford Town v Colwyn Bay

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Seagulls' skipper Rob Hopley added a second, but then missed a penalty before half-time. That threatened to be costly when Solihull got a goal back... but Bay secured their first home league win of the season with a third goal from Gareth Evans 10 minutes from the end".

Meanwhile, "AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson labelled his side’s defensive show at Stockport County 'a Hammer House of Horrors', as they slipped to a 4-2 defeat. The Bucks’ four-game unbeaten streak, with three clean sheets in their last three matches, came to an abrupt end on Saturday.

Watson’s side were 2-1 down at the break and trailed 4-1 in the second half with the Telford chief left fuming with his back-line. He said, 'We came away with nothing and deservedly came away with nothing, because of the way we defended. I am massively disappointed in that. All of a sudden, in a game where we had created chances and had lots of possession, particularly in the first half, we were well-beaten. We gifted Stockport quite a few goals, so there are no complaints and no one to blame but ourselves'...

Sean Clancy had a golden chance to level the scores through a penalty but his effort was beaten away by goalkeeper Ryan Jones... He hasn't scored since winning the August Player of the Month award in the Skrill Conference North and was hauled off at half-time, with Watson admitting his confidence may have suffered. He said, 'Sean wasn't working hard enough, which is unlike him. He looked lost, so I don’t know if the penalty has affected him or what, but we made the change. He’s done all right this season, so I am not making him the scapegoat for Saturday'...

Watson said, 'I think the break has killed us a little bit, this time. We had put ourselves in a great position to kick on and it hasn't happened'” reported the Shropshire Star.

At Guiseley report that "A number of players have left the club over the past week,; here is a brief update on the departures at Nethermoor.

Phil Marsh and Paul Ennis have joined Stalybridge Celtic on a loan and permanent basis respectively. Defender Matt Clarke has also left the club, having only featured in the 4-1 defeat to Altrincham, while Ryan Williams has signed dual registration forms with Goole AFC. The club expect to be able to announce arrivals over the next few days".

FA TROPHY

The draw as it involves Skrill North and north-west clubs is as follows...

• Barrow v Stockport County
• Harrogate Town v Bradford (Park Avenue)
• Chorley v Matlock Town
• Leamington v Gainsborough Trinity
• Sheffield / Buxton v Gresley
• Stalybridge Celtic v Vauxhall Motors
• Solihull Moors v Coalville Town
• Stourbridge v North Ferriby United
• Worcester City v Ramsbottom United
• AFC Telford United v Scarboro A / Cambridge C
• Brackley Town v Witton Albion or FC United Of Manchester or Leek Town
• Hednesford Town v Workington AFC
• Curzon Ashton v AFC Fylde
• Northwich Victoria v Nantwich Town
• Guiseley v Histon
• Boston United v Redditch United
• Colwyn Bay v Altrincham
• Boreham Wood v Gloucester City
• Hendon v Oxford C.

VIEWS ON THE HEDNESFORD GAME

The Alty TV video also underlines the grounds for keeper Coburn's booking as he and Carl Rodgers protested at Durrell's apparent use of the arm to control the ball before scoring the third goal.

After the match, Lee Sinnott was interviewed for Alty TV; see the adjacent video.

From the other side, Hednesford Town claim that they "were able to make a real statement of intent to the other sides in the Skrill North following an excellent 3-1 [win] on the road against one of the pre-season title favourites Altrincham. The Pitmen were very much down to the bare bones for what was expected to be one of their toughest tests of the season, with Ben Bailey and Dave Macpherson both starting suspensions whilst Darren Campion missed out through injury...

Altrincham were reduced to ten men with Simon Richman seeing red for a two-footed lunge on Jamey Osborne. This seemingly didn’t affect them too much as in the 14th minute they were level when James Walshaw delightfully headed home at the back post into the far corner of the net...

Hednesford regained the lead in the 25th minute. Michael Lennon was felled just outside the 18-yard-box and as the Altrincham goalkeeper and wall were lining up, Elliott Durrell took a quick free kick which beat goalkeeper Stuart Coburn and found the bottom corner of the net...

Altrincham’s Jake Moult was perhaps lucky not to be sent off as he scythed down the lively Osborne and only earned a booking in the process...

Hednesford’s dominance was eventually rewarded in the 85th minute though when an excellent ball through the middle was brought down by Durrell and he sublimely finished past the advancing Coburn to seal all three points."

YOUTH NEWS

Several Alty Youth players were in action at the weekend as the Birmingham FA reports on "Birmingham Under 18s bowed out of the FA County Youth Cup after a 3-1 defeat to Cheshire FA in blustery conditions...

Cheshire took a deserved lead in the 30th minute, a great through ball found Tom Peers on the right who struck the ball across the advancing Jack Hamilton and into the far corner...

Cheshire doubled their lead on the 65th minute, after good play from Bunce and Peers presented [Alty's] Louis Potts with the opportunity to roll the ball into the net, and Potts doubled his tally and effectively put the game out of reach for Birmingham when he converted a Peers corner seven minutes later...

We wish Cheshire good luck in the third round as they travel to Manchester" on Saturday, 14 December at 2pm.

OLD BOYS

TODAY'S YOUTH AND LADIES GAMES OFF

And rain has also put paid to to today's scheduled match between Alty Ladies and Wilmslow Town. The next Ladies' match is on Sunday, 10 November, at home to Heswall, at Beech Avenue, Timperley, at 2pm.

LOUIS'S BRACE

BRADFORD GAME

ALTRINCHAM 1 HEDNESFORD TOWN 3

Match report here.

Right: With just nine minutes gone, Altrincham's Simon Richman is sent off.

RESULTS

• Through the Years from Howard Watts
• Altrincham 1-3 Hednesford Town
• Brackley Town 3-2 Boston United
• Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 Gloucester City
• Colwyn Bay 3-1 Solihull Moors
• Guiseley 2-1 Barrow
• Harrogate Town 3-2 Oxford City
• Stalybridge Celtic 2-1 Histon
• Stockport County 4-2 AFC Telford United
• Vauxhall Motors 2-1 Leamington
• Worcester City 0-1 North Ferriby United
• Workington 4-2 Gainsborough Trinity

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Ennis, 23, joined Guiseley in early September from Colwyn Bay.

A left-sided midfielder, Ennis... started his career at home-town club Stockport County, where he made a couple of League appearances, before joining Stalybridge for the first time in September 2009.

He played half-a-dozen games for Celtic before joining Bala Town and, after a brief four-match return to Bower Fold, had spells at Droylsden, Cheadle Town, Witton Albion and Northwich Victoria before signing for Bay in March 2012.

However, he suffered a knee injury that drastically limited his involvement in the 2012/13 season."

ATTENDANCES

• Altrincham v Hednesford Town 913
• Brackley Town v Boston United 364
• Bradford Park Avenue v Gloucester City 265
• Colwyn Bay v Solihull Moors 239
• Guiseley v Barrow 431
• Harrogate Town v Oxford City 358
• Stalybridge Celtic v Histon 402
• Stockport County v AFC Telford United 2,710
• Vauxhall Motors v Leamington 181
• Worcester City v North Ferriby United 471
• Workington v Gainsborough Trinity 265

FA TROPHY

In the 2nd QR...

• Blyth Spartans 0-1 Ramsbottom United Att. 298.
• Coalville Town 5-0 Marine Att. 178.
• Gresley FC 2-0 Trafford Att. 304.
• Kidsgrove Athletic 0-4 Curzon Ashton Att. 146. (Ryan Brooke scored twice)
• Matlock Town 2-0 St Neot's Town Att. 244.
• Mickleover Sports 1-2 Stourbridge Att. 186.
• Northwich Victoria 2-0 Mossley Att. 138.
• Redditch United 5-0 Brigg Town Att. 193.
• Rushall Olympic 0-1 AFC Fylde Att. 121.
• Scarborough Athletic 0-0 Cambridge City Att. 442.
• Sheffield FC v Buxton (Postponed, due to waterlogged pitch, now Wed 6/11)
• Soham Town Rangers 1-2 Chorley Att. 196.
• St Ives Town 1-4 Nantwich Town Att. 286. (Nantwich scorers included Matthew Bailey and Alex Frost)

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

• 6/11/13 Northwich Flixton Villa v 1874 Northwich
• 5/11/13 Winsford United (First) v Northwich Victoria
• 5/11/13 Macclesfield Town v Vauxhall Motors
12/11/13 Stockport County v Witton Albion 6/11/13 Alsager Town v Runcorn Linnets
• 5/11/13 Congleton Town v Cammell Laird

Stockport County add that "Due to the abandonment of the fixture between FC United and Witton Albion, Tuesday night's Cheshire Senior Cup fixture with Witton has been postponed. The provisional date for this fixture is now 12th November 2013 (kick off 7.45pm)."

ALTRINCHAM v HEDNESFORD TOWN: MATCH COVERAGE

The match commentary is sponsored by Cheshire Removals & Storage. Cheshire Removals & Storage offer a full range of professional moving and storage services for your home and business. You can find out more at their website.

Coverage starts at 2.50pm with the game kicking off at 3.00pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet at www.radiorobins.com. The commentary team is Tim Ainsworth and Ian Wilkinson, with match summaries from Brian Flynn.

Leah and Simon Brotherton will be providing regular updates on Twitter (@altrinchamfc) as well as half-time & full time updates on facebook (Altrincham FC).

As usual, this website will also be providing its live matchday updates throughout the game, starting from as soon as the line-ups are available.

The various alternatives can be found via the icons below and in the right sidebar".

 

ALTRINCHAM v HEDNESFORD TOWN: BEFORE AND AFTER

Hednesford Town announce that "Francino Francis has agreed an extension to his contract until the end of the 2014-15 season, with the option of a further year.

The big centre back is definitely a ‘big game’ player and was magnificent in the FA Cup performance away at West Auckland Town FC, a few short weeks ago, as he was in the Play Off Final against FC United of Manchester at the end of last season".

Meanwhile, "The big games keep on coming for Hednesford Town as, following their vital win in the FA Cup last weekend, The Pitmen now face their toughest test of the league campaign so far, travelling to second placed Altrincham in a top of the table Skrill North clash.

The Robins are one of the favourites for promotion and Hednesford boss Rob Smith is fully aware that his in-form side must put their FA Cup exploits to the back of their minds and concentrate on the matter in hand.

'We have two very important games coming up before the Crawley game. Altrincham have the best strike force in the division and are one of the favourites to win the league. With us having injuries and suspensions this is the biggest test of the season so far for us. They are the best side in the league going forward, their full backs and wide men bomb on and, in Reeves and Walshaw, there is no better strike force in the league. To get anything we will have to produce our best performance of the season to date'.

Captain Darren Campion is definitely out of Saturday’s game and, with Aaron Rey doubtful and Ben Bailey and Dave Macpherson both suspended, Smith is under no illusions that a point away to such strong opposition would stand as a good result. 'We will, of course, go for all three points. This team does not know any other way and have shown that many times this season, but I would take a point all day long'...

Competing and ultimately winning against strong teams at Skrill North level has been something Smith’s fearless side have achieved regularly this season and, whilst this trip should hold no fear for The Pitmen, it is yet another opportunity where their committed band of supporters will find out how far their team has come this season and could act as an early season indicator of their promotion credentials".

'FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014' - A BARGAIN!

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

Meanwhile, as a reward for his fantastic start to the season, Harrogate manager Simon Weaver has offered Liam Hardy an improved deal that sees him go onto contract. Hardy, who joined Harrogate in 2010 from Armthorpe Welfare, has been in amazing form this season and leads Harrogate’s goalscoring chart at present with four goals...

Weaver said, 'I am delighted that we`ve been able to offer Liam an improved deal and show our commitment to him. I had a verbal agreement in the summer with Liam and it was vital that we stuck to that. He came back to pre-season having worked so hard in the gym and has got sharper with each game that he`s played...

His direct approach and work-rate unnerves opposition defences'".

Elsewhere, "Boston United have completed the loan signing of defender Liam Marrs from Sunderland. The 20-year-old, who was an unused substitute for the Black Cats in four matches under Paolo Di Canio at the end of last season, has joined the Pilgrims on a loan deal which initially runs until New Year’s Day.

The right-back has been at the Stadium of Light since the age of 12... United boss Dennis Greene told bufc.co.uk, 'This is a real coup for the football club, securing the services of a player who was a substitute in the Premier League in May'".

On the other side of the country, "Gloucester City have taken young striker Connor Waldon on a month's loan from Swindon Town... The 18-year-old is a first-year professional at the County Ground... Meanwhile, midfielder Jordan Goddard has rejoined City on a month’s loan deal from Bristol Rovers. The 20-year-old spent three months on loan with the Tigers last season".

And "Worcester City have been forced to look for reinforcements ahead of the game against North Ferriby United, joining the club are defender Manny Parry and goalkeeper Harry Ashton. Parry at 6’3” is a strong, imposing central defender, who possesses a good turn of pace. The former Stoke City young professional has spent time on loan at Maidenhead United and Weston-super-Mare...

Injuries to Richard Munday and Shabir Khan, who will need surgery to repair the hernia damage that has been plaguing him in recent weeks, and Sam Smith’s lack of game time have forced the need for reinforcements. Young goalkeeper Ashton, who has spent time at Grimsby Town and Boston Town and is currently studying at Hartpury College, also joins the club as back up to current number one Jose Veiga.

On the negative side it has meant that Matt Sargeant has had to be released from the club to balance the books. Sargeant, who is in his third season at the club, has struggled this season to break into the team due to the outstanding form of Veiga and the decision has been made to allow him to get game time elsewhere."

In the Midlands, Ryan Beswick of Solihull Moors has been named the Skrill North ‘Player of the Month’ for October. The Conference adds that "The Moors’ all-time leading scorer added to his tally during the period with five goals in six appearances from midfield, he also contributed a number of vital assists". And "Hednesford Town’s Rob Smith is the Skrill North ‘Manager of the Month’ for October. Smith makes it a second award in the first three months of the season as his Hednesford side blaze a trail after last season’s promotion from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier play-offs. The Pitmen took four league points to remain top of the table and also progressed through two qualifying rounds of the FA Cup to reach the First Round Proper."

Skrill North reports that "Stockport County have extended the loan of midfielder Danny Gosset from Oldham Athletic by a further month. The 19-year-old Welshman joined the Hatters on a youth loan towards the end of August, and has gone on to make eight first-team appearances. Gosset will now stay at Edgeley Park up to and including November 29, 2013".

LEE LOOKS FORWARD TO A CHALLENGE

"Lee Sinnott has urged his Altrincham side to grab pole position in the Skrill North at the second attempt in Saturday’s eagerly-awaited top-of-the-table clash with leaders Hednesford Town at the J.Davidson Stadium (3pm).

The chance to overhaul Hednesford eluded a frustrated Alty last Saturday, as Boston United made the most of defensive hesitancy, one or two lucky deflections and a host of contentious decisions by referee Martin Dexter to run out 3-2 winners.

It meant Hednesford stayed top on goal difference, but Sinnott’s team are determined to make amends in a second successive home game against promotion rivals, following their 1-0 win over Brackley.

‘If you think of all the games that could have followed Boston, this is the one you would go for,’ said the Alty manager. ‘It gives us an immediate opportunity to level the playing field again and try and go three points clear, which is what we aimed to do last week and were so disappointed not to.

‘It should be a great game, a tough one for sure, and we are all looking forward to the challenge.

‘There were a lot of good things about the performance at Boston. I thought our approach play was good, and I was pleased with the way we responded to going behind. You need a reaction when that happens, and we had a strong one each time.

‘We could also argue that luck wasn’t always with us, and certainly we were a bit unfortunate with one or two ricochets. I have watched the highlights, and that was particularly evident for their first goal. There was a ricochet that wrong-footed Luca Havern (above right), and then the shot deflected off Scott Leather’s back and left Stuart Coburn wrong-footed.

‘These things happen to teams, and you have to get on with it, which we did. But, equally, there were things that need to be addressed. It was a bad time to concede on the stroke of half-time, so soon after Shaun Densmore’s wonderful free-kick, and the defending in our box overall needed to be a bit sharper. In fact, I’d say we were probably found wanting a bit in both boxes on the day.

‘A lot has been said about the referee, but I can’t really comment. Let’s just say I shared the fans’ frustration.’

Nicky Clee, tonsilitis, and Leather (left), who suffered a bang on the head, will both have their fitness assessed prior to Saturday’s kick off".

According to the FA, Hednesford Town have David Macpherson "Suspended from all football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches" from 29/10/2013 to 9/11/2013 for a sending Off in a match played on 15/10/2013. Likewise, Ben Bailey is "Suspended from 29/10/2013 to 2/11/2013 for all football until the Club have completed 1 first team match for a sending off in a match played on 15/10/2013".

LAST TIME WE MET

Mike Garnett summarises the previous meetings between Altrincham and Hednesford Town...

• Home p3,w1,d1,l1,f3,a3
• Away p4,w1,l1,d2,f5,a10
• All p7,w2,d2,l3,f8,a13

In addition Alty entertained The Pitmen in a pre-season friendly match played at Moss Lane on a Tuesday evening, 2 August, 2005. That match ended 1-1.

Alty fans will recall with horror our last competitive clash, on 5 February 2000, when Alty lost 5-0 at Keys Park in the national division of the Conference. The Robins arrived there on the back of a 14-game unbeaten run, which had included a remarkable ten draws, and were in 16th place in the table. After the defeat at Hednesford, Altrincham won just three of the remaining 16 matches that season and were relegated.

Pictured, right, we see Danny Adams and Chris Timons in action in the reverse at Hednesford in 2000.

A player link with the Staffordshire side is Keith Russell, a prolific striker with Altrincham but initially a full-back with the Pitmen.

SKRILL NORTH NEWS

And Gloucester City likewise tell us that "Gloucester City’s FA Cup 1st Round tie against Fleetwood Town has been chosen by ITV as a selected TV highlight game. The Tigers will net an additional £6,750 due to the coverage and will have extended highlights on ITV’s FA Cup highlight show on Saturday 9th November.

Other games selected were Boreham Wood v Carlisle United and City’s Skrill North counterparts Hednesford Town at home to Crawley Town."

According to the Football Conference, Frank Sinclair, manager of Colwyn Bay, has signed 6'2” midfielder Jonathan Royle on loan from Wrexham. The 19-year-old signed a professional contract for the Dragons earlier this year... and made his first-team debut in the final game of last season against promoted Mansfield Town.

He has signed for the Seagulls initially until January 5th and Sinclair commented, 'We will review the situation then with the option of keeping him until the end of the season. He is a technically a very good player'".

Elsewhere, "Barrow AFC have signed young striker Marcus Carver on a month`s loan from Accrington Stanley. Carver, 19, has just returned to Stanley following a month`s loan with FC Halifax Town, where he played five times and scored once...

The youth team product spent time on loan with Marine last season".

And, "Leamington have signed midfielder Luke Bottomer from Rushall Olympic... His previous clubs include Coventry City, Worcester City, Tamworth, Hednesford Town and Stafford Rangers".

NEXT WEEKEND

The FA Cup has caused some postponements on Saturday, 9 November.

• AFC Telford U v Stalybridge Celtic
• Boston United v Colwyn Bay
• Gainsborough Trinity v Brackley Town POSTPONED
• Gloucester City v Altrincham POSTPONED
• Harrogate Town v Worcester City
• Hednesford Town v Bradford Park Avenue POSTPONED
• Histon v Vauxhall Motors
• Leamington v Guiseley
• North Ferriby United v Barrow
• Oxford City v Stockport County
• Solihull Moors v Workington