Above left, Simon Richman battles in the Alty midfield against Braintree Town. Image courtesy of Mike Ripley. Right, Adam Griffin plays the ball upfield. Image courtesy of Gavin Rathbone. Click on images to enlarge them.

The Braintree & Witham Times reports that "Braintree Town enjoyed more away-day delight as they completed another Vanarama National League three-point haul on the road at Altrincham.

Their 4-0 victory meant they have now taken 13 points from their last five away games... Manager Cowley made three changes to his side from the one that drew 0-0 at Dover Athletic in midweek as Mitch Brundle, Miles and Sean Marks all dropped to the bench.

That allowed Remy Clerima to step back into the back line, while Alex Woodyard celebrated his call-up to the England C training squad this week with a recall for the Iron as he returned from a two-match suspension. Braintree full-back Sam Habergham has also been included in Paul Fairclough’s England squad, while Michael Cheek was the third change that Cowley introduced back into his starting line-up...

In just the ninth minute, the former Chelmsford City striker fired home from close-range to put Braintree in the driving seat and it was a position they never relinquished. That lead was doubled just before half-time and Cheek was involved again when he was fouled in the penalty area by Altrincham’s Andrew Parry in the 42nd minute...

Substitute Anthony Edgar... gave the scoreline the look that Braintree’s dominance had merited when he chipped the home keeper Tim Deasy from fully 35 yards. However, they weren’t finished there as another of Cowley’s substitutes – Miles – added a fourth goal even deeper into injury-time at the end".

NEXT OPPONENTS: LINCOLN CITY

Still, at least we're not Torquay, yet. Not until we play Bromley on Tuesday... The fans spirits were being raised and it looked good until a killer blow, and slack defending, allowed Lincoln to take a surprise lead. Jack Muldoon took the ball into the area and crossed for Alan Power to slam the ball home from close range. Six minutes later and City had doubled the lead...

I don't know which one of our managers had the brainwave to make an early change but made it was. Tahvon Campbell came on to replace the, again, ineffectual Calvin Dinsley and straight away he began to use the ball to run straight at the City defenders...

We live to find that elusive win another day. Will that win come at seven goal Bromley on Tuesday evening?"

On the same game the Kidderminster Shuttle adds that "Two first half goals shot down winless Harriers as their woes continued at Aggborough... Once again, the hosts produced some bright moments but paid the price for errors at the back... Aston Villa under-21 skipper Kevin Toner, who joined on a month's youth loan, made his debut at left-back...

But two goals in five minutes stunned the hosts. City opened the scoring in the 22nd when Alan Power rifled home after a scything run from Muldoon into the hear[t of] the home defence. Muldoon then made it 2-0 in the 27th when keeper Alex Palmer allowed Luke Waterfall's head[er] to squeeze out of his hands".

After the game Kidderminster Harriers reported that "Gary Whild labelled the 2-0 defeat to Lincoln City at Aggborough on Saturday afternoon as the story of the team's season. Harriers had begun well against the Imps but firmly turned the gun on their own feet...

Speaking after the game, the Head of Football Operations commented that, 'It was too easy. It's disappointing because the preparation [was there] and we knew what to expect from the lad Rhead and the long throws and directness... The league table doesn't lie at this moment in time'".

Lincoln City add that "Craig Stanley, Alan Power and Jack Muldoon replaced Kegan Everington, Conner Robinson and Alex Simmons for this Vanarama National League game against bottom-placed Kidderminster Harriers... Robinson and Simmons finding themselves on a bench which saw the return of Liam Hearn

LINCOLN CITY: 1 Paul FARMAN, 2 Bradley WOOD, 4 Craig STANLEY, 5 Luke WATERFALL, 7 Jack MULDOON, 8 Alan POWER, 9 Matt RHEAD, 12 Terry HAWKRIDGE, 18 Lee BEEVERS, 21 Matt SPARROW. Subs: 10 Liam HEARN (for POWER 75), 14 Conner ROBINSON (for MULDOON 62), 16 Alex SIMMONS (for HAWKRIDGE 90+2), 23 Nat BROWN, 13 Aidan GRANT"

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Rovers suffered a massive blow when Sinclair was then sent-off for a bad challenge in first half stoppage time. And on 64 minutes Paul Lewis made it 3-1...Whittaker completed the scoring with number four...

Connor Jennings scored the only goal as third-placed Wrexham beat Boreham Wood 1-0 at Meadow Park...

Braintree Town completed another three-point haul on the road at Moss Lane against Altrincham. Their 4-0 victory meant they have now taken thirteen points from their last five away games...

Ben Heneghan's first half header secured Chester FC all three points at home against Eastleigh... despite the visitors' bossing the possession stats.

Gateshead slipped down to fourth in the table after they lost 2-1 at the International Stadium against Welling United, who moved out of the bottom four...

Bromley came from behind to hammer managerless Torquay United 7-3 at Plainmoor. It was the Gulls biggest home defeat for almost 20 years and came 24 hours after the resignation of manager Paul Cox.

Assistant-manager John Ramshaw and director of football Dean Edwards took the helm and saw James Hurst give the Gulls an early 5th minute lead before Moses Emmanuel scored a hat-trick in 22 first-half minutes...

Lincoln City pushed surprise strugglers Kidderminster Harriers to the foot of the table after winning 2-0 at Aggborough. Harriers are now without a win in eleven matches...

Aldershot Town moved up to eleventh in the table after a 3-1 at the Furness Building Society Stadium against Barrow AFC... Dover Athletic drew 0-0 for a second time at Crabble in four days as they were held by a spirited Guiseley AFC, stretching the hosts' winless run to four games...

FC Halifax Town came from two goals down to rescue a point in this bottom of the table battle. Mike Phenix was shown a straight red card for Southport for a reckless challenge on Connor Hughes after 25 minutes but Matty Brown’s own goal gave the visitors the lead... before new loan signing Cole Stockton’s cool finish on the hour-mark made it 2-0.

Then began the Halifax fight back. They were awarded a penalty when Julian Banton was brought down by Josh Thompson at the back post, and up stepped Jordan Burrow who slotted it under ‘keeper Andy Coughlin. With a minute left to play, Josh MacDonald’s cross was met by Burrow’s head as he directed it past Coughlin once more to salvage a point for the Shaymen."

SATURDAY'S GATES

• Att: 861 Altrincham v Braintree Town
• Att: 1564 Barrow v Aldershot Town
• Att: 685 Boreham Wood v Wrexham
• Att: 1922 Chester FC v Eastleigh
• Att: 823 Dover Athletic v Guiseley
• Att: 1211 FC Halifax Town v Southport
• Att: 822 Gateshead v Welling United
• Att: 1581 Kidderminster Harriers v Lincoln City
• Att: 1311 Macclesfield Town v Forest Green Rovers
• Att: 1653 Torquay United v Bromley
• Att: 2035 Woking v Cheltenham Town

ENGLAND "C"

The full squad: Jake Gallager (Aldershot Town), Joel Dixon (Barrow AFC), Billy Clifford (Boreham Wood), Kaine Felix (Boston United), Sam Habergham (Braintree Town), Alex Woodyard (Braintree Town), Ben Heneghan (ChesterFC), Ryan Higgins (Chester FC), Sean Raggett (Dover Athletic), James Bolton (FC Halifax Town), Kurtis Guthrie (Forest Green Rovers), Jonny Maxted (Forest Green Rovers), Daniel Johnson (Gateshead), Omar Bogle (Grimsby Town), Jack Lane (Nuneaton Town), Will Beesley (Southport), Michael Ihiekwe (Tranmere Rovers), George Porter, Sam Corne (Welling United), John Goddard (Woking), Kadell Daniel (Woking), Dominic Vose (Wrexham)".

OLD BOYS

Ex-Alty players on the move in the EvoStik League include Ben Deegan from Trafford to Warrington Town, Jeff King from Kendal to Ashton United, ex-youth player Boris Melingui from FC United of Manchester to Sheffield FC. In the game which ended Stamford 3 - 3 Ramsbottom United, Sam Grimshaw got two for Ramsbottom.

ALTRINCHAM 0 BRAINTREE TOWN 4

Above; Tim Deasy makes a first-half save.

This was Altrincham's worst performance since a similar 4-0 home defeat by Welling last season...

Match report here

WEEKEND GAMES

• Grimsby Town 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

Saturday 19 September

• Altrincham 0-4 Braintree Town
• Barrow 1-3 Aldershot Town
• Boreham Wood 0-1 Wrexham
• Chester FC 1-0 Eastleigh
• Dover Athletic 0-0 Guiseley
• FC Halifax Town 2-2 Southport
• Gateshead 1-2 Welling United
• Kidderminster Harriers 0-2 Lincoln City
• Macclesfield Town 4-1 Forest Green Rovers
• Torquay United 3-7 Bromley
• Woking 0-1 Cheltenham Town
• Howard Watts's Through the Years.

LEE'S FITNESS UPDATE

There was injury news regarding Josh O’Keefe, Simon Richman, Jake Moult and Nicky Clee ahead of the game. 'Josh was on the bench on Tuesday and is now fit to play, I also expect Simon to be involved this coming Saturday. We’ll have to have a look at Jake due to the proximity of the cut on his head. He also took a fair whack on the knee so we’ll have to make a decision late on but it’s important that we’re sensible about it.

Hopefully, Nicky (left) shouldn’t be any later than the Barrow game in two weeks. It’s been a troublesome one for Nicky but it’s one that needs to be sorted rather than it getting worse week by week. When he’s good and ready then Nicky will be back, hopefully that will be in the coming fortnight.'

Sinnott spoke about the importance of seizing the initiative at home against a Braintree side coming off the back of their 0-0 draw away at Dover in midweek. 'They’ve had a very good start and are unbeaten in three games after that Dover draw. They look very tight, judging by how many goals they’ve conceded this season. But it’s about what we can do and, if we push that button like we have done at home already this season, then we’re confident that we can open them up and cause them problems.'"

Mike Garnett kindly provides details of our record against Braintree Town...

• At Altrincham: P1-W1 D0 L0 F3A3
• Away: P1-W0-D0-L1-F2-A4
• All: P2-W1-D0-L1-F3A-4

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

NL Pitchero says that "Woking have confirmed that Craig Braham-Barrett has joined on a one-month loan from Ebbsfleet United. [He is a] London-born full back who began his career in non-League football after coming through the Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday youth systems.

After playing for Aveley, Eastleigh and Welling United amongst others, Peterborough paid £10,000 for his services. Although he didn’t make the breakthrough at London Road [he] turned out for Havant & Waterlooville, Sutton United and Farnborough. A move to Macclesfield Town re-ignited his career and led to a return to the Football League with Cheltenham. In League Two he racked up more than eighty appearances in two seasons with the Robins before being released in July 2015 and promptly signing on at Stonebridge Road in the summer".

NL Pitchero also states that "Southport have taken young striker Cole Stockton on a three-month loan deal from league rivals Tranmere Rovers. Twenty-one-year-old Stockton has made four appearances for Rovers so far this season but has recently been out of the side."

Elsewhere, "Kidderminster Harriers have completed the loan signing of highly-rated Aston Villa under-21 captain Kevin Toner on a one-month youth loan".

OLD BOYS

And the NW Counties Football League confirms that Nelson have signed former Alty defender George Melling, whilst Winsford United have acquired former Alty Youth player Osebi Abadaki.

ALTY AGGRIEVED OVER GRIFFITH

A hip injury forced the 28 year-old to retire from football earlier this month, and, following discussions involving the player and the PFA, Alty were forced to make a severance payment to him.

Rowley admitted that, if the club were guilty of anything, it was taking Griffith at his word over his fitness, when he joined Alty two months ago. The Alty chairman added, however, he was very unhappy at the way that trust had been abused.

‘I do feel disappointed and let down by the player because, when he signed for us in July, there was no mention of what was a pre-existing medical condition,’ he said. ‘It was not brought to our attention by the player and we proceeded in the belief we had significantly bolstered our midfield.

‘It was quite late in the close-season when we got to hear Anthony might be available. We had already played three pre-season games and were keen to get another signing in. Someone of his calibre seemed ideal, so, with time running out, we took him at his word that everything was all right.

‘That’s where we have to hold our hands up and say, in this instance, we got it wrong. You live and learn, and it is certainly a harsh lesson.

‘But when you consider how the medicals that take place higher up the football pyramid cost thousands and thousands and are way beyond our reach, there has to be an element of trust in these situations. In this one, it was rather one-sided, and that does leave a sour taste.

‘We only realised the extent of the problem when our physio (Alan Ainsley) received a letter from Anthony’s consultant, saying the player had a degenerative condition and he had advised him to retire from football.

‘To say it was a bolt from the blue would be an understatement, and it soon became clear he was expecting a pay-off. We could have gone down the long road of a potentially expensive legal battle, but a contract had been signed and, for the good of the club, we had to bite the bullet and reach an agreement.

‘It’s difficult not to feel aggrieved, because we thought we were getting someone who would do us some good. Instead, we got someone who chose not to tell us about a medical problem and has now walked away with a severance package that leaves us a player light and with little scope for funding a replacement, as things stand'".

RYAN HAPPY WITH HIS IMPACT

'I wasn’t expecting to come on so soon with Josh [O'Keefe] getting injured but, once I got on, I felt really comfortable down that right-hand side. I went on a run to win a free kick and just kicked on from there. Scoring was fantastic! I think I took the keeper by surprise shooting so early rather than taking an extra touch. I think if I had taken that touch the keeper might have been able to set himself and react faster than he did.'

The season is now ten games in and, with Alty on ten points, Crowther is confident in himself and the side’s ability to kick on in the upcoming games.

'There’s a good atmosphere around the squad with everyone pulling in the right direction. We’ve had some good results at home against good teams but we’ve not done that away from home and we’re doing everything we can as a unit to change that.'

On a personal level Crowther is hoping to impress the manager with his cameos on the pitch in the hope of securing a run in the first team.

'That’s certainly the main aim for myself. Last season I was in and out a bit with injuries and never really had a full run of games. But I feel like I’ve done okay so far this season and with the injuries we’ve had, if you get your chance you have to try and take it. Hopefully I can do that and the gaffer gives me the opportunity to play'".

SIMON ON WAY BACK

LEE SINNOTT ON THE EASTLEIGH MATCH

"How do you assess your team’s performance tonight?

I thought if you split the first half into two halves, I thought the second half of the first half...I thought we got our passing game going and we were moving the ball around better. For the first half of that first half I didn’t think we did and then in the second half I didn’t think we really got it going as much as I like to see.

I had a dig at the players at half time. we can do better than that. We found ourselves one nil up. It’s always a precarious position, I mean if you remember when we played Eastleigh at home last season we drew 3-3 and we took the lead every time and they pegged us back three times. Now they’ve pegged us back again tonight, so I’m a little bit frustrated if I’m totally honest. I wanted to push on and get three points but it’s not to be but then it’s a strange animal is managing.

You’ve got to keep the players on side and in the right kind of mood and you look at our first five home games; we’ve won three, we’ve drawn one and we’ve lost one and, if you look at those five teams that we’ve played here I think, I bet the five of them are in the top seven or eight and so it’s been a big ask in that aspect. We know that we need to address the away form so, a little bit frustrated because I thought we could’ve pushed on.

It must give you a sense of pride and confidence in the team that you can compete with these richer clubs in the league?

Yeah well, me being a manager I look at it differently. The results will come I believe against more or less any team in the league if you start to step up levels and I’m waiting really for the team to step up to the next level. I’m not being big-headed here at all, honestly, about the results from the ex-League teams that we’ve played and the teams that are higher because I know, on their day, these players can ask questions of any team and that’s why I’m frustrated in getting to the next level.

And that’s to show a little more consistency, grabbing hold of games a little bit better, holding onto games a little bit better. I mean game management is a big thing. That game would have been seen out by Chelsea last season with ten minutes to go, they’d have just picked the right ball.I had a word with a couple of players afterwards and I think our decision-making of our ball playing in the last maybe 15 minutes could have been a little bit wiser. The more you can play the game in the opposition half when the game’s more or less coming to an end the better it is for you. I just thought that we invited a bit of pressure onto ourselves by maybe trying to play a little bit too much football. We could’ve took it into our arsenal just to turn them a little bit, just to probe down the flanks a little bit, but it wasn’t to be.

On a positive note, the goal was a fantastic strike and provided that moment of star quality to give you the platform to kick on.

Yes, it was a bit of a different goal but not such a dissimilar goal to the one against Wrexham on Saturday, a lovely passing move to set Jimmy away and then it’s a wonderful finish just like Michael finished lovely, so that’s what I’m saying, that’s what the players are capable of. They’re a different animal to last season in my opinion, they look completely different. We’re approaching ten games and, at the end of 12 games last season we had eight points. After ten games we’ve got ten. I’ve said to the players what I’m looking for in those next two games is to push us away from what we achieved at this stage last season.

But, yeah, I think it’s coming out in this interview that I’m frustrated because I’m waiting for them to step up to that next level. Is it a bit of experience; is it a bit of know-how? That game could’ve been seen out 1-0. I can look at this DVD when I get home and can more or less guarantee that there’s more red and white bodies in our penalty box than theirs. And it’s a wonderful strike by their player, an absolute wonderful strike but, if you’ve got bodies back there and they’re not doing anything... I mean I did a graph for the players of where the goals are coming from that we’ve conceded. But, if you’re back there and you’re not doing anything, you’re a waste of a body and that’s the bit of frustration where I can tie that into knowing how to see out games. It’s how to manage games.

Do you pick the right ball; do you just turn and ask questions of the defenders? What’s the harm in the last ten minutes in probing down the channels and, if it goes out for a throw-in right next to the corner flag, then who gives a damn. It’s an art to win 1-0 and I just thought we had an opportunity to secure that.

We haven’t got a clean sheet yet and that’s frustrating as well. I’ve used frustrating quite a few times so you can probably term my mood from that but I felt it very early on if I’m honest. I just have a sense with them. I just smell it straightaway if I feel that they’re on the job or not and the first 20-22 minutes I don’t think we were on our job. The next 25 minutes, yeah we came alive. Half time, you break the sequence; things stop and then start again and I don’t think we really picked it up again in the second half

You had a great chance to go 2-0 up; do you feel that was a big moment in the game?

I thought it was a tight game. If I’m looking at it really, although I think we should have seen it out, a draw may be a fair result. You’d have to look at the whole 90 minutes again because these interviews are always done in the heat of the moment straight after the game.

Jimmy’s not done a lot wrong apart from it not going in the back of the net. If he had’ve raised it into the roof of the net it probably would’ve been a goal but who knows somebody might’ve just stood tall and whatever. We did a couple of great blocks; it’s a great block by themselves. But yeah, it’s disappointing that that didn’t go in.

There were a few contentious challenges, particularly at the start of the second half. Some of the crowd were vocal in their opinion that there may have been a case for a red card or two. How do you assess those decisions? Not from my view. That’s what the referee is there to do, isn’t it? Certain players are cleverer than others. Certain players can do something and it looks so obvious that they get themselves in trouble. Some players can do something and are very sly about it and it ends up working their way. I thought Eastleigh had a few wise heads in their team tonight and that will be a good experience for us, as we are quite a younger team.

Looking ahead to the weekend you’ve got another home game. I guess you must feel confident of picking up more points.

I said to the players everyone wants six points from two fixtures. We’re all the same, home and away or home and home or away and away, but I said to the players afterwards if we can attain four points out of these two fixtures it won’t be bad return. So obviously, just like any game we’re looking for three points. That’ll be no different on Saturday. That’s the message out to the players. The players will be disappointed...86th minute, so four minutes and a bit extra time to go, so they’ll be disappointed but there’s no time for that there’s another three points on offer on Saturday".

EASTLEIGH'S VIEW

Eastleigh were slow to respond and favoured bringing their play down the wing... Constable was quiet for the majority of the first half as he was a victim of tight and clever coverage by the Altrincham back-line.

The rest of the first half was relatively quiet, with Altrincham having the lion-share of the possession. The Spitfires were looking relatively sloppy...

Early in the second half Eastleigh looked to be in better shape... Altrincham were quietly having decent spells of their own though and it took a marvellous block from Jamie Turley to keep the home side out of the Noice’s goal for what would have been a game winner.

But, as it happened, Eastleigh’s persistence paid off and following a positive looking spell for the away side which included several corners, Richard Hill’s men finally had a break-through. One final corner was cleared, but only as far as the waiting Yemi Odubade, off the bench, who produced a peach of a first time volley which flew past the helpless Deasy (himself at full stretch) and straight into the back of the net to spark scenes of on-the-field celebration amongst the players, more out of relief than jubilation...

Both sides looked content with a point, and it was a fair result."

VANARAMA NATIONAL NEWS

That said, the Club wishes to place on record sincere thanks to Neil for his contribution to the Club's great success over the last few seasons.

The Board and everyone involved with the Club, wish Neil every success in the future. We are sure he will be back in football very quickly."

Halifax have now advertised the vacancy.

In the Grimsby Telegraph we learn that "Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst expects new signing Ben Tomlinson to make himself a nuisance for opposition.

The Barnet forward joined the Mariners on a one-month loan deal after signing for the Bees in the summer. The 25-year-old scored 32 times in 85 league appearances for Town's rivals Lincoln City during a two-year spell with the club...

'We've obviously been looking for another striker', said Hurst. 'Whilst he isn't perhaps the out and out target man that I said I was looking for, he is a nuisance, he does put himself about. He is obviously someone who will be known to the Grimsby Town fans and knows this league, from his time at our local rivals.

'I've known him from before then and I think he will give us something slightly different to what we've got in the three lads at the club. He can play in different positions, and if we went to a front three, he would have no problems fitting in one of those wider areas. Realistically, if you asked him, he would say that he is a striker. Really that's why I've brought him in'".

According to the Essex Chronicle "Braintree manager Danny Cowley said he was proud of how his players stood up to a brutal and physical Dover Athletic side in midweek. The Iron earned a hard-fought and bruising point in a 0-0 draw at Crabble on Tuesday in the Vanarama National League in a game that lacked quality but certainly not commitment...

[Dover] had Jack Parkinson sent off 12 minutes from time for flailing an elbow at Mike Phillips. Dover striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong had to be restrained by team-mates at half-time after something unpleasant was allegedly said in his direction by an unknown Iron player as well...

Cowley said, 'I think we were the better side for most of the game and my players really stood up to what was being dished out by Dover... The way they play is difficult to play against as well, I think the ball was bruised as well with the amount of whacks it took from their players booting it long...Dover is never easy'...

Whites' manager Chris Kinnear was up in arms at the antics of Cowley, his staff and his players afterwards, saying, 'Every time on the sideline, they [Braintree] are up in arms, complaining about decisions... It's football, it's a game of bloody football and with all that rubbish from them, we don't need it'...

Not that Cowley was bothered as it's just two defeats in eight now for Braintree... Cowley says budget constraints mean he is unlikely to bring in a new face before the game with Altrincham at the weekend".

Next Tuesday, Altrincham are away at Lincoln City from where the Lincolnshire Echo reports that "Lincoln City boss Chris Moyses has revealed Jon Nolan has handed in a transfer request. The Imps midfielder put in the request after he was dropped from the squad... almost two weeks ago.

Nolan, 23, who joined the Imps from Stockport County, has not yet been able to secure a regular place in the City starting line-up. He signed a contract extension during the summer until the end of the current campaign.

'Jon played six out of the first eight games and then we rested him for the Wrexham game. He wasn't particularly happy about that and, in fact, put in a transfer request,' Moyses revealed. 'We circulated his name around various teams in the Conference and in League Two but there hasn't been a response for him yet. But Jon is very much in our plans, we are not going to cast him aside because he wants to go somewhere else, but we want to make sure he wants to play for Lincoln City.

'You can never pre-empt what deal might come for Jon, it would have to be whatever was best for the club. But, having no response yet might serve as a wake-up call for Jon. Sometimes players have agents who put too much smoke in their heads about getting a move somewhere but it doesn't materialise'".

The Kidderminster Shuttle reports that "Gary Whild is hoping to bolster his Kidderminster Harriers squad ahead of Saturday’s clash against Lincoln City...

With Adam Dawson joining Tranmere Rovers until December because of personal reasons and Andrew Fox returning to parent club Peterborough United, a youthful group of players is close to breaking point. Defender Jordan Tunnicliffe is expected to have shaken off an injury for the visit of the Imps.

While the Aggborough outfit’s budget restrictions mean money is tight, Whild has vowed to keep searching diligently for new recruits. He said, 'We are looking to do a few things and bring a few bodies in because at the moment we are down to the bare bones... and we’ll do our best to get over the line before Saturday'...

The club were hoping that a back room staff restructuring might have helped to kick-start the season. Whild was named Head of Football Operations, with Tim Flowers promoted to Head Coach, while Mark Creighton has left by mutual consent.

Flowers will focus on training and he and Whild, who also has a wider overseeing role, will work together on a match day. He said, 'I don’t know so much about titles, I’ve heard people say I’ve been shoved up stairs but I am not into that type of thing. As far as Tim and myself are concerned we’re working as hard as we can with the lads...

He added, 'Mark was a great servant to the club and a favourite, I don’t think anyone’s pointing a finger at him. He came as a young coach and worked tirelessly for the club but unfortunately in football people make a change and somebody is a casualty and in this case it was him'".

TUESDAY GATES

• 1256 Aldershot Town v Welling United
• 677 Altrincham v Eastleigh
• 1233 Barrow v Lincoln City
• 364 Boreham Wood v Bromley
• 1962 Cheltenham Town v Macclesfield Town
• 1964 Chester FC v Grimsby Town
• 638 Dover Athletic v Braintree Town
• 1113 Gateshead v Wrexham
• 1184 Guiseley v FC Halifax Town
• 1493 Kidderminster Harriers v Torquay United
• 2827 Southport v Tranmere Rovers
• 1775 Woking v Forest Green Rovers

ALTY 1 EASTLEIGH 1

Above, courtesy of Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography we see the head injury suffered just before half time by Jake Moult in the game against Eastleigh, as physio Alan Ainsley arrives to treat the Alty midfielder.

Match report here.

Mike Ripley also has images from the game, here.

Brian Flynn has kindly provided a link to Tuesday night's Radio Robins commentary on Altrincham v Eastleigh, here.

Hampshire's Daily Echo reports that "Super sub Yemi Odubade popped up just in the nick of time to rescue Eastleigh a well-deserved 1-1 draw at Altrincham tonight.

With the final whistle fast approaching at Moss Lane, it looked as if the Spitfires were heading for an unheard of third straight defeat in the Vanarama National League. But, following a late flurry of corners, the ball was headed out to Odubade on the edge of the box and he returned it with interest, planting a stunning volley into the top corner...

They arrived late due to a hold-up on the M6, forcing kick-off to be delayed by 15 minutes, and lined up without injured trio Paul Reid, Andy Drury and on-loan Portsmouth ’keeper Michael Poke, while Ben Strevens was suspended and Jack Midson was only fit enough to join Odubade on the bench.

Despite their problems, the Spitfires were the better side early on... Eastleigh remained untroubled until the 29th minute when Altrincham stole the lead with a quality finish. Adam Griffin set James Lawrie away down the left and the Northern Ireland international cut inside and unleashed a cracking left-foot strike that young goalkeeper Lewis Noice had no chance of keeping out of the top corner...

The visitors temporarily lost their rhythm as the game got niggly. Altrincham had a ‘goal’ disallowed before Spitfires boss Richard Hill rang the changes... Eastleigh took a late stranglehold on the game and forced that stunning 87th-minute leveller".

EASTLEIGH MATCH STATS

• Possession: Altrincham 51% v Eastleigh 49%
• Shots 7 v 13
• On target 2 v 2
• Corners 7 v 7
• Fouls 14 v 16

OLD BOYS

NEXT OPPONENTS: BRAINTREE TOWN

Whites were held to a 0-0 draw by the Irons in a brutal game at Crabble that lacked much quality but certainly not full-blooded tackles.

Dover were no angels themselves but Danny Cowley's men came to town with a gameplan to wind up Whites to the point of boiling over, which it did when Jack Parkinson was sent off for violent conduct ten minutes from time.

The midfielder lashed out at Mike Phillips when waiting in the box for a corner to be delivered by Nicky Deverdics. After the half-time whistle, Duane Ofori-Acheampong had to be held back by his team-mates after something more than unpleasant was said to him walking off for the break.

And Kinnear, who warned his players what to expect from a team managed by Cowley, previously with Concord Rangers, did not hold back in his assessment of how the visitors played their part. He said, 'It was always going to be [brutal]. You know as well as I do, that's what they are like and want to do. We told the lads that's how it would be. Concord were the same, these are the same, they [the management] will get everyone at you and in your face.

Every time on the sideline, they [Braintree] are up in arms, complaining about decisions. Referee this, referee that. It's football, it's a game of football and with all that rubbish from them, we don't need it'.

Kinnear, who labelled the first-half display as the worst since he returned to the club, was distinctly unimpressed with the actions of Parkinson, the second time Whites have had someone red-carded in four days following Stefan Payne's two yellow cards at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

The boss added, 'It was stupid. He [Parkinson] knows it, he's apologised for it but it's no good apologising after, he shouldn't have done it. He wanted to get in the side, was knocking on my door saying get me in, he did, he's done well and then he goes and does that. He's committed but use that commitment winning tackles, not punching people. Why would you do that?'

Kinnear also praised Ofori-Acheampong who did restrain himself despite an initial bloodrush to the head. 'Duane did well to restrain himself in the second half as they were pretty unpleasant to him,' Kinnear said. 'Duane is such a nice bloke but I am not surprised, that's the way they do it [Braintree] so fair enough'".

You would not think it was the same match when you read the view from the other side, as Braintree Town reported that "The Iron deservedly returned from the Crabble Stadium on Tuesday evening with a hard earned point against a physically strong home side but the problem remains of them not taking their chances and scoring goals to win matches.

They had three or four decent scoring opportunities in a first half in which they were the dominant side... But admitting that scoring goals remains a problem manager Dan Cowley was full of praise for every player adding... 'We knew that Dover would be stronger than us as they are a big side and they would play direct football,' he explained. 'But we coped with all that and tried to play our passing game as we knew we had to out wit them, out run them and out think them which we did'...

Cowley made two changes from Saturday's draw against Barrow with Mitch Brundle coming in for the absent Remi Clerima and Taylor Miles for Jordan Chiedozie who has returned to Cambridge United after his loan spell...

Overall a neutral observer would say it was an entertaining if at times fiesty encounter and a draw probably a fair result but, in essence, Iron should have won with the numerous chances they had throughout the evening...

Next up for the Iron is the away game at Altrincham Saturday when influential midfielder Alex Woodyard is back after suspension.

Braintree Town: Norris; Brundle, Phillips, Paine, Hagergham; Issac, Davis, Miles (Cox 81), Sparkes (Edgar 82); Marks (Cheek 61), Akinola. Unused subs: Maybanks, Haigh (goalkeeper)".

Last Saturday Braintree drew at Holker Street and The Iron reported that "For the Iron this was two points dropped rather than a point gained... after they conceded a poor equaliser nine minutes from time leaving manager Dan Cowley 'disappointed and frustrated'.

Having taken a deserved 56 minutes lead through a superb Simeon Akinola strike from the edge of the area the Iron paid the penalty for not adding to their lead as chances went begging before they allowed their Cumbrian visitors to grab a late equalising goal".

Manager Cowley said "Failing to get that second goal is our Achilles heel at present... We know it's tough at this level and you have to compete against teams like Barrow, who have now gone full-time and fresh money behind them, but for us to do so well for such long periods and then concede a poor goal so late on is really annoying. We played this game with a second attacker and I think our tactics paid off".

and "Manager Dan Cowley confirmed after Saturday's match that defender Tom Dallison will return to Brighton and Hove Albion after his month's loan with the Iron expired at the weekend... Defender Matt Fry, who was carried off injured against Tranmere Rovers last month, said on Saturday he hopes to be back in full training within the next two to three weeks and then resume playing."

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Devera began his career with Barnet, where he went on to play 177 times as well as gaining experience in loan spells with Welwyn Garden City and Northwood".

The Halifax Courier tells us that the Shaymen's manager "Neil Aspin accepts the pressure is on after his FC Halifax Town side lost 2-1 to West Yorkshire neighbours Guiseley. CJ Hamilton put Town into a deserved lead, but the hosts fought back with a goal in either half from Will Hatfield and a Liam Dickinson penalty.

The defeat leaves Halifax with one win from their first 10 games, but Aspin wants his players to stay focused on their performances. 'We're in the bottom four and we need to get out of it,' he said. 'Of course there's pressure, there's pressure on me, but the players have got to try and relax and get on with playing the game. They can't worry about results, they've just got to try and get their performance levels right'...

Aspin was satisfied with his team's display at Nethermoor, but said Matty Brown's rash tackle in conceding the penalty was a costly error. 'I'm very disappointed because I thought some of our play in the first 30 minutes was excellent,' he said. 'I thought we made some good chances, didn't take them, and then obviously we've not kept a clean sheet this season and again that's been a failure...

"It was a mistake and that's cost us the game, a bad decision to go for a tackle in the box and at the moment when you're down at the bottom then those things go against you... I don't think for most of the game we looked like a bottom-of-the-table team...

We haven't started well in games and tonight we did,' he said. 'It was a fantastic goal and I thought for 30 minutes CJ was absolutely tremendous'...

Town started with a 3-5-2 formation, which Aspin felt worked well. He said, 'We've had four games away and in three of those we've conceded three goals so you've got to try something different.. It's difficult for anyone coming into our side at the moment with the position we're in but the young lads who are playing are doing a good job.'

One of that back three was debutant Julian Banton, another Sheffield United loanee, who impressed the Town boss. 'When you take lads from under 21s some are not as physically made up as other lads in the league,' he said. 'But Julian is a physically strong lad and he showed his strength tonight'...

He added, 'The statistics don't lie and if you've played 10 games and let in 20 goals then you know you haven't defended well and that has been the reason we're down there, there's no doubt about that'".

ALTRINCHAM 1 EASTLEIGH 1

Match report here.

TUESDAY SCORES

• Aldershot Town 1-0 Welling United
• Altrincham 1-1 Eastleigh
• Barrow 1-0 Lincoln City
• Boreham Wood 2-3 Bromley
• Cheltenham Town 2-0 Macclesfield Town
• Chester FC 1-1 Grimsby Town
• Dover Athletic 0-0 Braintree Town
• Gateshead 2-1 Wrexham
• Guiseley 2-1 FC Halifax Town
• Kidderminster Harriers 2-2 Torquay United
• Southport 2-2 Tranmere Rovers
• Woking 2-1 Forest Green Rovers

SUPPORTERS' TRAVEL TO LINCOLN

LINCOLN CITY ARRANGEMENTS

Category Early Bird Match Day:

• Adult £16 £18
• Concession (60+ / disabled) £12 £13
• Junior (under 18) £6 £7
• Student (18-21 with valid photo ID) £6 £7

Early Bird prices will be in operation until 4.00pm on the last working day before the day of the game (12 noon for Internet purchases). If you have any queries regarding ticket information please contact Dawn Cussens, Ticket Office Manager, on 01522 563781 or email dawn.cussens@redimps.com.

Car Park Access:

Access to the Stadium/Stacey West car park is via South Park Avenue. Sat Nav use postcode LN5 8EL.

Match Day Programmes cost £3.00 each".

FA YOUTH CUP TIE CONFIRMED

• £5 Adults
• £3 Concessions (Over 60s, students with a valid NUS card)
• £1 Under 18s

The function room bar will be open before the match, at half time and after the match with full facilities; alcoholic refreshments, teas and coffees, soft drinks and hot food. On sale will be a chicken curry and a vegetarian curry option from Kabana, as last week against Southport Youth."

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

He made a total of six senior appearances for Stanley after making his first-team debut in 2012."

Lower down the pyramid, BUlls' News reports that "Bath City's shareholders say they will have to seek alternative solutions to save the club after the Big Bath Bid raised only £300,000 of their £750,000 minimum target to take over the ailing side. The National South side have debts of £1.25 million, some of which are due to be repaid soon, and the shareholders will now open talks with other interested parties and creditors regarding the future of the club."

EASTLEIGH INJURY CRISIS

'I really, really don't know where we'll be with which side I can play at Altrincham,' he told BBC Radio Solent. 'I'm going to have to play players who are half fit and others who aren't in the best physical condition either.'

Eastleigh's list of absentees is headed by the suspended Ben Strevens... Goalkeepers Michael Poke and Ross Flitney are long-term injury absentees, while Andy Drury, Jamie Turley, Jack Midson and Dan Harding have all picked up knocks in training. Paul Reid has an infection in his leg which has required antibiotics and the defender may be admitted to hospital if his condition fails to improve.

Hill is reluctant to use the loan market to help his crisis... He said, 'You have to sign the player for a month minimum, pay the wages. It has to be to strengthen the side'".

As noted below, Altrincham continue to be severely depleted themselves.

ALTRINCHAM v EASTLEIGH: MATCH COVERAGE

You can follow the fixture via this website's minute by minute text updates by clicking on the icon below. Alternatively Radio Robins' coverage of the game is outlined below as well.

Brian Flynn advises that "Radio Robins, sponsored by Ashley Mowers Garden Machinery, is providing full live commentary of Tuesday night's game at The J.Davidson Stadium. The commentators are Simon Ellis and Tim Ainsworth. The match summariser is Stewart James.

Coverage starts at 7.40pm and you can listen to Radio Robins on the internet at http://www.radiorobins.com/

The match preview will be available to watch via Periscope, which is a live video streaming App. Viewing of the match preview will be by a link on twitter from @altrinchamfc, which will be available as the broadcast starts at 7.40pm.

Mike Garnett kindly provides details of our record against Eastleigh...

• At Altrincham: P1-W0-D1-L0-F3-A3
• Away: P1-W1-D0-L0-F2-A0
• All: P2-W1-D1-L0-F5-A3

Howard Watts's Through the Years records for today's date are here.

BEFORE THE GAME: ALTRINCHAM v EASTLEIGH

Alex Sarwar adds that "Manager Lee Sinnott spoke about the upcoming game where he hopes Simon Richman will make an appearance. 'We’re hopeful that we’ll have Simon back for the game and Josh O’Keefe back for the Braintree match on Saturday but we can’t make any assurances as you know things could easily change... Eastleigh are another strong side with some very good players and yet another team in the top half that we’ll be playing at home. It’ll be another big examination for the players, but you play the eleven on the pitch and we believe that we can cause them problems and hopefully come out with the three points.'

Be sure to come down to the J Davidson Stadium and support the lads as they aim to win their fourth consecutive home fixture".

In the Daily Echo "Eastleigh manager Richard Hill ruefully surveyed his growing injury list and declared, 'In the last two-and-half years there has never been a better time to play Eastleigh'.

The sixth-placed Spitfires hit the road to Greater Manchester tomorrow (Tuesday) looking to flush two straight Vanarama Conference National defeats out of their system against Altrincham. But there will be some notable absentees from the squad in the wake of Saturday’s crippling 2-1 home defeat by Gateshead.

On-loan Portsmouth keeper Michael Poke is out for the foreseeable future with a shoulder injury sustained in trying to prevent the Heed’s first goal, while midfielder Ben Strevens has been hit with a three-match ban after being red-carded following an incident in the tunnel at half-time.

To deepen Hill’s headache, skipper Paul Reid, who has been playing on with a deep gouge above his ankle, now has an infection in the wound and has begun a course of antibiotics. If those don’t work, he may need hospital treatment.

Also definitely out is midfielder Andy Drury whose new baby girl arrived over the weekend, but he is still in discomfort from a tweaked groin picked up in training.

Reid’s central defensive partner Jamie Turley is doubtful with a shin muscle problem that saw him subbed after 45 minutes on Saturday, as is ex-Saints' [Southampton] left-back Dan Harding who lasted only 20 minutes before succumbing to a sickness bug.

With first-choice goalkeeper Ross Flitney still at least three weeks away from fitness, his young understudy Lewis Noice is due to play tomorrow and left-back Michael Green may fill in at centre-half. 'There’s also the option of a loan player, but I’m not prepared to go into the loan market just to fulfil a fixture', said Hill. 'I’d rather take a bit more time and get the right player. We’ll go to Altrincham and try and win the game, but it may mean a couple of players who are only 50 per cent fit sharing and playing half a game each. We're down to the bare bones'.

Assistant manager Chris Todd will be on the bench and youngsters Tony Lee and Jack Alexander may also get the call".

FA YOUTH CUP DATE

WREXHAM VIEW

Wrexham dominated throughout and in every aspect of the encounter... Yet while they were in control of the contest, and very really looked like losing, they will know this could have been such a vastly different story. Wrexham were on top, had the better of the early running, but then one slip at the back and needed to call upon Cameron Belford, the goalkeeper who has been a spectator for large spells throughout this season, to bail them out as James Lawrie beat the Dragons’ poorly executed offside trap.

Belford was called into action again moments later to deny George Bowerman, while the left-sided player saw an effort seconds later cleared off the line by Robbie Evans as Altrincham sensed a route into the game. Up until then Wrexham had dominated, made all the early running and missed three very good chances to have taken the lead.

Yet one error at the back and Altrincham were so close to being ahead. A gift of an opener was to come as Scott Leather put through his own goal, while Blaine Hudson doubled Wrexham’s advantage before the break... Yet Alty were soon given a lifeline as Jordan Sinnott was allowed far too much time and space to run from deep and pick out the ever alert Michael Rankine to fire into the roof of the net.

It was a soft goal to give away, as decent as the finish was from Rankine, yet another effort to add to the growing list of avoidable ones conceded this season. Altrincham visibly grew in confidence at this stage, they had been under the pump[??] for so long yet all of a sudden were back in the contest, only a solitary goal behind and very much within touching distance of a share of the spoils...

James Gray stepped up to slot home a vital third for the Dragons, just at a time as the visitors were starting to enjoy a little more possession and territory than perhaps they had deserved for their endeavour... This was a game that should have been out of sight early on, it was a game that should have been over with by half time, and it was a contest that certainly should not have been reignited by Rankine’s avoidable effort shortly after the interval".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

New signing Aswad Thomas is also a left-back and Wynter has often found himself on the bench and reduced to only substitute appearances, making three of them this season. He joined the club from Gillingham in 2010 and played 28 times in the 2014/15 season".

Kidderminster Harriers report that "Tim Flowers has confirmed that defender Andrew Fox has returned to Peterborough United following the expiry of his month’s loan at Aggborough. The talented left-back has enjoyed a good, busy month with Harriers since making his debut in the home game against Wrexham in August. He’ll now head back to the Posh to try and force his way back in to the first-team picture.

Flowers commented, 'Barry Fry had said that if anything happens to the first-choice left-back at Peterborough then [Fox] is the next one in, so wanted to get some football in to him'".

ASHTON REPORT

The setting at Hale Country Club and Spa was superb and the Cheshire set surely have an excellent facility to be proud of. Unfortunately, the hospitality wasn't extended to their visitors, but that's another story. [Actually, the Club and Spa are not open to Altrincham FC either].

The game was played at a high tempo... with two top sides working hard. Altrincham took the lead with a contentious goal, as Lewis Goulding made a great save down to his left, dragging the ball away from the line. Unfortunately the linesman said the ball had crossed the line, and gave the score, despite not being level with play.

Ashton got on with it and continued to work hard. Just before half time they evened it up with a superb goal from Jaime Charnock, who deftly chipped the keeper, after a great assist from Charlie Middlemore. The second half saw plenty of changes from the Ashton coach, which helped to strengthen an already dominant team.

The quality of play from both sides even had the Cheshire set sat up in their elevated view from the spa/swimming pool, as the away side took control.

Ashton always looked the stronger unit and, inevitably, as the game went on there was only going to be one winner. Dec McLoughlin got more and more involved with his quality and got us the second goal. We took a well deserved lead, 2-1 to Ashton. Once that second goal went in, we always looked like we could score more and the third was a great finish once again by No. 9 Charnock, from the assist by Alex Ashby, again working tirelessly for the team.

Although Altrincham tried hard to get back on terms they couldn't match the desire of the Ashton lads to hold on. A penalty awarded looked a certain game changer, but Goulding saved down to his right to keep the scores as they were. The last 10 minutes had the heart rates sky high, especially with a disallowed goal from Altrincham, heavily disputed by the home contingent, but we held on and bagged the 3 points...

Well done to all the players once again for a superb display, that takes us to the top of the league!"

FA CUP

• CHORLEY v Frickley Athletic
• Salford City or Whitby Town v CURZON ASHTON
• Workington v HARROGATE TOWN
• Kendal Town v STALYBRIDGE CELTIC
• FC UNITED of MANCHESTER v Witton Albion
• HYDE UNITED v Northwich Victoria
• Consett v BRADFORD PARK AVENUE
• AFC FYLDE v STOCKPORT COUNTY
• Newton Aycliffe v NORTH FERRIBY UNITED
• Holbeach United or Stourport Swifts v WORCESTER CITY
• Halesowen Town v NUNEATON TOWN
• Kettering Town v AFC TELFORD UNITED
• GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY v BOSTON UNITED
• CORBY TOWN v Shepshed Dynamo or Rushall Olympic
• SOLIHULL MOORS v Oadby Town
• HEDNESFORD TOWN v Holwell Sports or Bedworth United
• TAMWORTH v ALFRETON TOWN

ANTHONY GRIFFITH DEPARTS

Since joining Altrincham in the summer, the midfielder has played just five minutes of football for the club, as a late substitute against Tranmere Rovers.

WREXHAM 3 ALTRINCHAM 1

Match report here

There are video highlights of the game here.

Brian Flynn interviewed Lee Sinnott, following yesterday's 3-1 defeat at Wrexham. It can be heard here.

Yesterday's Radio Robins commentary can be heard here.

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR YOUTH TEAM

Above: Alty Youth's Callum Fisher (3) clears as Harry Dulson (5) and keeper Daniel Havern look on.

Altrincham FC Youth surrendered three points on Sunday as they lost 1-3 at home to Ashton Athletic, who have now gone to the top of the table. There is a report here. Other results today were..

• PRESCOT CABLES 1 - 1 SKELMERSDALE UNITED YOUTH
• WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON 2 - 0 CURZON ASHTON

NEXT OPPONENTS: EASTLEIGH

Matty Pattison doubled the visitors’ advantage as his cross from the left flank dropped in at the back post, before the hosts’ Ben Strevens was dismissed for his part in a half-time altercation. Eastleigh rallied late on, and halved the deficit through Simon Ramsden’s unfortunate own-goal on 79 minutes...

Crosby said, 'To go down to Eastleigh and pick up three points was fantastic. They were unbeaten at home going into the game, and I can’t praise the players enough for the performance. We should have been more than two goals up at half-time, but all credit to Eastleigh in the second-half, they had a real go at us'".

The Daily Echo reports that "It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. Richard Hill’s third anniversary as Eastleigh boss should have been a day of celebration at the Silverlake. Instead the season's best 'community' crowd of 3,264 were left flat and somewhat bewildered by a truly bizarre game of football.

Two freakish first-half goals sent the Spitfires tumbling to a 2-1 defeat by Gateshead. Not only did it bring their unbeaten home record to a premature end, but it was the first time for two-and-a-half years that they had tasted back-to-back league defeats. Adding to their woes was a shoulder injury to on-loan Portsmouth’ keeper Michael Poke, picked up in conceding the first goal and disadvantaging him for the second, and a red card dished out to experienced midfielder Ben Strevens following a half-time bust-up in the tunnel...

Hill reflected, 'A couple of early decisions went against us and we let it affect us. On another day we might have expected a penalty and perhaps been a couple goals up before we conceded.' Following a misunderstanding with defender Jamie Turley, Poke hurt his shoulder as he tried in vain to prevent Danny Johnson getting a 20th-minute shot away. Johnson’s effort went in off the far post but the goalscorer was in no fit state to celebrate, needing lengthy treatment after colliding with the ’keeper before being stretchered off.

Poke played on in clear discomfort and soon signalled to the bench that he needed to come off. Young understudy Lewis Noice was readied, but the Spitfires couldn’t get him on the pitch before Pattison’s hopeful left-wing cross was deflected into the far top corner on 34 minutes.

Hill, who had already replaced unwell ex-Saint Dan Harding with Michael Green, said, 'I don’t think even a fit goalkeeper would have stopped it, but I’d informed the fourth official we wanted to make a substitution when the ball went out of play and he said the referee couldn’t hear him. Jai Reason’s had a shot cleared off the line, it’s hit the post and gone straight into the keeper’s hands. It was that sort of day. I didn’t see what happened in the tunnel at half-time, but the ref said he saw everything and chose to send Ben Strevens off'...

Hill reflected, 'That’s two games running that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I had to make two substitutions pretty early and was limited for what I could do for the rest of the game. I thought at times we were still pleasing on the eye but we didn't have enough punch in the final third. Back-to-back defeats won't kill our season'...

The Spitfires now face two away tests at Altrincham on Tuesday and Chester on Saturday.

Eastleigh: Michael Poke (Lewis Noice, 35), Joe Partington, Dan Harding (Michael Green, 21), Josh Payne, Paul Reid, Jamie Turley (Will Evans, 46), Ben Strevens, Jai Reason, James Constable, Jack Midson, Yemi Odubade. Subs: Ross Lafayette, Lee Cook.

WREXHAM'S MANAGER'S OPINION

Wrexham yet again dominated proceedings, and could have gone ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, however, Altrincham were gifted three glorious chances in quick succession shortly after as the game threatened to open up. Jamie Lawrie beat a poorly executed offside trap to race through on Cameron Belford, the keeper standing up to deflect the effort away, before the stopper was called into action to deny George Bowerman moments later, the forward then seeing an effort cleared off the line by Robbie Evans from the resulting corner.

Mills’s men did take the lead on the 20 minute mark, a Connor Jennings through ball was intercepted by Scott Leather only for his intervention to loop over Tim Deasy and nestle in the back of the net.

Wrexham then missed a succession of chances to have doubled their lead before Blaine Hudson, recalled to the starting XI since the opening day loss at Bromley, headed home Dominic Vose’s free kick just before the break...

The Dragons should have been out of sight at this point, yet were way too open on the counterattack as Michael Rankine slotted home Jordan Sinnott’s pass to pull one back for the visitors five minutes after the restart.

James Gray did restore the Dragons two goal cushion to calm any nerves, yet Mills accepts the game should have been put to bed much earlier.

'I think the game could have been over at half time,' said the Dragons chief. 'They might disagree a little bit, they had a one-on-one, it was poor defending from us, but I think generally we could have gone three or four, maybe even five up at half time with better finishing. This is what I am talking about the ruthless side, but we finished with three, and a lot of clubs could be saying that. Let’s not think that every chance you create you are going to score, but if we create like we did then we are going to score goals, and we have scored three, so that is good for any team to be honest.'

Mills added...'We didn’t come out second half and they started slightly better. We were too open for their goal, there is no doubt about that, and it put us on our back foot for a while, but we got the goal back quickly which was important...

I know big Ranks (Rankine), I’ve had Ranks at three of my clubs and he is always liable to put himself about and get a goal and he has done that, and it has put us on or back foot for a bit'".

WREXHAM 3 ALTRINCHAM 1

Match report here

Right: Michael Rankine rises highest for this corner-ball at Wrexham.

RESERVES WIN

NL PAPER

DRAGONS' VIEW

Altrincham weren’t completely out of the game themselves and almost took the leader when James Lawrie broke through the Wrexham defence, with only a great save from Cameron Belford denying him.

It wasn’t long before Wrexham finally scored however, captain Connor Jennings stormed through the middle and his powerful pass deflected off Jake Moult [actually Scott Leather] and left Tim Deasy merely spectating as the ball looped over his head and into the net.

Wrexham... could have had another if it wasn’t for keeper Deasy pulling off a superb range of saves to deny James Gray and Dom Vose. With the half-time whistle looming closer Wrexham decided to treat the home fans to a moment of relief, when Blaine Hudson powered a header home...

Altrincham found their way back into the game straight after the second half whistle blew. Michael Rankine fired the ball into the roof of the next from close range after a precise through ball from Sinnott.

Last season Wrexham let a two-goal lead slip at home against Alty and lost 3-2. A lot has changed since then however, and it turned out to be only a minor blip on an otherwise good performance... The two-goal cushion was restored. In-form James Gray finally found the back of the net from close range...

In the end Wrexham got the win they deserved, they might have to up their game against some opponents".

ALTY'S NEXT OPPONENTS

Gateshead report that they "recorded their most impressive victory of the season so far by seeing off Eastleigh in an incident-packed encounter at Ten Acres.

Goals from Danny Johnson and Matty Pattison, both in peculiar circumstances, had given the Heed a commanding advantage against the second-placed Spitfires at the break. Their cause was then given an unexpected boost heading into the second-half, as the hosts’ Ben Strevens was given his marching orders for his part in a confrontation in the tunnel during the interval.

Their backs to the wall, Eastleigh rallied late on but, despite pulling one back through Simon Ramsden’s unfortunate own-goal, they failed to deny the Tynesiders a fourth win on the road this campaign.

Looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Bromley, Gateshead began brightly in the Hampshire sunshine... The returning Malcolm Crosby did not have to wait long to see his side get their noses in front, however.

On 20 minutes, Johnson capitalised on a mix-up between Eastleigh duo Jamie Turley and Michael Poke to find the far corner of the net via the woodwork. The frontman was stretchered off just seconds later, however, having collided with ‘keeper Poke in the build-up.

Despite that setback, the Tynesiders continued to make all of the running, and deservedly doubled their advantage after the half-hour mark, as Pattison’s cross from the left flank caught out Poke and dropped in at the back post.

The Eastleigh stopper was then substituted after picking up an injury of his own, with deputy Lewis Noice doing well to deny Rob Ramshaw a third for the Heed on 41 minutes.

Moments before his bizarre sending-off, Strevens had stung the palms of Gateshead ‘keeper Sam Russell with a vicious effort from range...

But, with nothing to lose, Eastleigh began to throw bodies forward as time progressed... And the hosts were rewarded for their endeavour ten minutes from time, when Joe Partington’s 20 yard effort flew into the back of the net after clipping Ramsden en route...

Eastleigh: Poke (Noice, 35), Partington, Turley (Evans, 46), Reid, Odubade, Payne, Constable, Reason, Midson, Strevens, Harding (Green, 21)".

NEW ALTY MUGS

VANARAMA NATIONAL GATES

• Att: 710 Braintree Town v Barrow
• 955 Bromley v Macclesfield Town
• 2021 Cheltenham Town v Dover Athletic
• 2264 Eastleigh v Gateshead
• 1128 FC Halifax Town v Kidderminster Harriers
• 1535 Forest Green Rovers v Southport
• 3869 Grimsby Town v Aldershot Town
• 643 Guiseley v Woking
• 2272 Lincoln City v Boreham Wood
• 7433 Tranmere Rovers v Chester FC
• 659 Welling United v Torquay United
• 4628 Wrexham v Altrincham

WREXHAM 3 ALTRINCHAM 1

Match report here.

SATURDAY, 12th SEPTEMBER

• Braintree Town 1-1 Barrow
• Bromley 1-0 Macclesfield Town
• Cheltenham Town 3-2 Dover Athletic
• Eastleigh 1-2 Gateshead
• FC Halifax Town 1-1 Kidderminster Harriers
• Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Southport
• Grimsby Town 4-1 Aldershot Town
• Guiseley 4-4 Woking
• Lincoln City 3-1 Boreham Wood
• Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Chester FC
• Welling United 1-1 Torquay United
• Wrexham 3-1 Altrincham

WREXHAM v ALTRINCHAM: MATCH COVERAGE

You can follow the fixture via this website's minute by minute text updates by clicking on the icon below. Alternatively Radio Robins' coverage of the game is outlined below as well.

Brian Flynn advises that "Radio Robins, sponsored by Ashley Mowers Garden Machinery, is providing full live commentary of Saturday's game at Wrexham. The match commentary sponsor is SKkits, a major independent sports brand in the North West, supplying Altrincham and a further 8 leading semi-pro clubs including Warrington Town, Buxton, Kendal Town and Lancaster City.

SKkits is a well established company, owned and run by Ian Senior, with a reputation for supplying high class products at unbelievably low prices to sports clubs the length and breadth of the UK and, due to their unique relationship with their suppliers, they guarantee that they will not be beaten on price and service. All products are delivered within 14 days of order FREE OF CHARGE to mainland UK. Have a look at their website or call Ian Senior directly on 07960 137232.

The commentators are Joe Barry and Niall Flynn and the match summariser is Paul Salt. Coverage starts at 2.55pm.

ANDY PARRY INTERVIEW

BEFORE THE GAME: BOTH SIDES' VIEWS

Today Altrincham are back on the road in the Vanarama National League as we travel to the Racecourse Ground to play Wrexham. 'Hopefully we’ll have Luca back for part of the Wrexham game, we’ll have to see what part that is. Hopefully against Eastleigh we’ll have Simon Richman back and hopefully next Saturday we’ll have Josh O’Keefe back.

'It’s always a plate spinning exercise being a part-time club. We have to cut our cloth accordingly and it’s been a challenge having so many players injured, considering our squad is already small. But the players know that if we can just work through this situation we find ourselves in, then the picture will look different for us once we get three or four bodies back in the squad.'

The Robins came out on top against Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground last season in a thrilling game and Sinnott will be hoping for the same points return this time around. 'It was a bizarre game last season to say the least, but we’ve won there before and know what to expect from Gary Mills and his team. We know what kind of football he likes to play and how he sets up, so it’s vital that we use the ball well when we have it, plus we keep our shape when we don’t have the ball. But there is no reason why we can’t ask them questions.

'We know we need to start putting points on the board in our away fixtures. We’ve given ourselves a platform with our home form and it’s vital that we now use that to kick on away from home and put ourselves in a strong position in the league. While certain things haven’t gone our way on the road, that’ll change eventually so we’re looking forward to the challenge that we face'”.

The Leader reports that "Gary Mills could be forced into two changes against Altrincham at The Racecourse but the Reds' boss expects whoever comes into the side to step up to the plate. Mills has named the same side for the last six games but right-back Javan Vidal picked up a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Lincoln City while midfielder Adriano Moke hasn’t trained this week because of a tooth problem.

'If Javan is injured then there is going to be a change there,', said Mills, who could turn to Mark Carrington or Liam Walsh. 'We are going to leave it till the last minute but, obviously, we won't take risks, I have got two or three options and it gives somebody an opportunity. We haven’t seen Adriano all week because he has had a problem with his teeth which has made him very ill so he might be a doubt and someone else will get a chance there if that’s the case. We are not going to be a team that doesn’t get any problems like that through till April, we have to address it and the players that come in when need be know exactly what their jobs are'.

Wrexham boast a 100 per cent home record and, although he isn’t getting complacent, Mills has his sights on a sixth successive Racecourse win.. 'Any successful side wins their home games and complements that with points away', said Mills... 'We have got to continue to make The Racecourse a difficult place to come. But winning games and picking up points is not just going to happen and the danger is that people think that. I have got to make sure I do my job and the players go out tomorrow knowing that we will hopefully win the game if we do our jobs well and we work hard. Altrincham have had a couple of good wins but we have got to continue our form. It is about us, it is about what we do'".

Later, the same source reported that "Gary Mills confirmed Javan Vidal is a definite absentee for Saturday’s visit of Altrincham... Mills also confirmed Adriano Moke would be in contention for the match after returning to training on Friday after having an infected tooth removed earlier in the week... Mark Carrington played at right-back for the reserves in midweek, while the boss also suggested Manny Smith could move out to the right with Blaine Hudson starting at centre-half.

'I have got options there, we have got two or three options', said Mills. 'I think Jav might be back for Tuesday (at Gateshead), he is very, very close to being fit, but with hamstrings you have to be very careful. The options are that Carra played there in the reserves the other day, Manny could step in there which would mean Blaine coming in at centre-half'... Another potential option would be to use forward Connor Jennings at right-back, something Mills eluded [i.e. alluded] to in the immediate aftermath of the Sincil Bank stalemate.

Jennings played at left-back in pre-season at Gresford Athletic, and Mills was genuine in adding it was another option open to him. Mills added, 'Seriously, he (Jennings) is a good player and good players can play anywhere, and that is why I feel he could fill in there. I know we have had a joke about it this week between us but if I said to him tomorrow there you go, that is where you are playing I know what I would get from him. He would be another option for me, but I don’t think he has slept two or three nights thinking about that but you’ll have to wait and see what I decide on'".

And the Daily Post states that "Altrincham... visit the Racecourse on Saturday while the Dragons will be looking to get back to winning games after picking up a solitary point on their travels from their last two games...

It is a disappointing fact that Wrexham have lead {i.e.led] twice in their last two games, yet their efforts have yielded only a solitary point... Mills suggested in the week Wrexham need to be more ruthless and kill sides off when in control... Wrexham seem incapable of keeping a clean sheet at present and, if they are a bit jittery at the back, then they need to make it count more at the other end, and kill sides off when they have control of games...

Javan Vidal is a big loss for Wrexham... Liam Walsh is potentially the only recognised right-back within the ranks at present, the youngster performing well in pre-season run outs, while Ross White is still on the road to recovery following an ankle injury. Mark Carrington himself is searching match fitness after finally shaking off a groin injury, and has played a lot at right-back for the Dragons, including a run out for the reserves in midweek...

While Mills does like to work with a smaller squad than most managers, he has built a group of players with a huge amount of versatility which could be vital as the season progresses. Fours wins from a possible four at home has seen the Racecourse turn into something of a fortress for the Dragons this season, a facet that has been sadly missing for the past couple of terms as Wrexham dealt with mid-table mediocrity".

More from the Leader includes a report that "Sean Newton believes teams fear coming to The Racecourse and Wrexham have got to continue to take advantage of that!... Left back Newton admits he wouldn't like to be an opponent facing Gary Mills's side.

'That’s exactly what it is at the minute, a fortress,' said Newton. 'Teams maybe used to like coming here to play because it's a nice stadium and nice pitch in front of a few thousand fans. But if I was playing against Wrexham, I wouldn't want to be coming here because you are not going to kick the ball and you have got 5,500 fans rooting for their team. It is not a nice play [i.e. place] to come if you are the opposition. We have got a fantastic home record so hopefully that can continue.'

Wrexham are the joint second highest scorers in the division, with 10 of their 16 goals coming at home... 'I think teams show us a lot more respect at our place,', said Newton... 'Teams give us time on the ball when we are at home and it is only a matter of time before we hurt them. We have been hurting teams early which has helped us. Apart from Welling we have scored quite early and then teams have to come at us, and that is when we punish them the most. I think getting the early goal has helped us massively at home...

For some reason people think they've played against the gaffer’s old teams like Gateshead and it is just pretty football, they don't go anywhere,' said Newton. 'I don't understand that because, whenever I have played against the gaffer’s old teams, you don't get the ball, and you can be 2-0 down... With the players we have got in the front three, midfield and with me and Javan Vidal getting forward, it's impossible not to hurt teams with the quality we have got'.

Wrexham go into tomorrow's game on the back of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Lincoln City... Lincoln's direct style of play caused problems but Newton was pleased with a point... 'I think a lot of teams will go to Lincoln and struggle to get all three points because of what they do', said Newton".

FA YOUTH CUP

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

After a difficult beginning to the current season, the Board and Directors and management team have reviewed its options over the last week and believe that a certain level of reorganisation is required. Effective immediately, Tim Flowers will take up the position of Head Coach of the first team. Tim’s remit will cover work on the training ground throughout the week as well as team selection and management. Meanwhile, Gary Whild will assume a role of Head of Football Operations.

Gary will retain an extensive involvement in first-team affairs both during the week and on match days, working closely with Tim and the team, as well as taking charge of other aspects within the club, including player recruitment and scouting. It has also been agreed, by mutual consent, that Mark Creighton will leave the club...

Reflecting on today’s changes, Chairman, Rod Brown, commented, 'We’ve worked incredibly hard this week to find the best way to get the most out of what we have here and how we can best allow those who are here to do their job to the best of their ability. For me, Gary retaining a substantial interest in team affairs was of absolute paramount importance. You only have to spend a short time with him to learn about his knowledge of the game and it was crucial this wasn’t lost but I think the change to his role will also energise and excite him.

Tim has an unquestionable reputation within the game and his experience is second to none, and I know all of the players respect that and enjoy learning from him'...

With regards to Creighton’s departure, the Chairman added, 'We felt that this was the best decision for us at this time but, perhaps more importantly, the best one for Mark as well. He has worked incredibly hard here but it’s going to be good for him to find other opportunities within the game and he’ll go and do that with our very best wishes'.

Following the conclusion of these discussions, the Chairman also confirmed that, after dialogue with the former Coventry manager, it would not be in best interests of the management team, in light of the above changes, for Steven Pressley to join the club in an advisory capacity, noting that the timing is best suited to those presently at Aggborough being able to focus 100% on their duties.

Rod concluded, 'We were explicit in what we said in the summer when we talked about how difficult this season was going to be and with the restraints we were working under. What’s important now is for everyone at the club and for all of our supporters to solidify and get together in their backing of Tim, Gary and the team,for the future of the club'”.

According to the National League, "Southport have taken young defender Ben Davies on a month`s loan from Preston North End... his one appearance for Preston this season coming as a substitute against Crewe Alexandra in the Capital One Cup last month.

The 20-year-old academy graduate has previously had loan spells with York City and Tranmere Rovers. After starting last season as Preston's first-choice left-back, Davies’s progress has stalled somewhat".

On The Wirral, "Midfielder Adam Dawson has joined Tranmere Rovers on a three-month loan from rivals Kidderminster Harriers... Bury-born Dawson left his home-town club to join Liverpool aged 14 for a reported fee of £100,000 before signing his first professional contract with Wigan Athletic. He joined Leicester City in 2013 and had a loan spell with Bristol Rovers at the end of last season".

FC Halifax Town "have announced the signing of 19 year old Julian Banton from Sheffield United on a month's loan. Banton, who will wear squad number 37, joins the Shaymen and will link up with two other loanees from Bramhall Lane as David Brooks and CJ Hamilton joined the Club on loan at the end of August. He had a loan spell with Bradford Park Avenue last season and has also had a loan spell with Matlock Town."

We read in the Gloucester Citizen that "Former Forest Green Rovers player Andrew Taylor has been jailed for seven years and six months for the manslaughter of a Liverpool police officer. Taylor, 29, was jailed alongside co-defendant Timmy Donovan, 30, who was given a term of six years and 10 months". Taylor was also at Vauxhall Motors and has played against Altrincham.

In the Daily Echo, we learn that "When Richard Hill took his first game in charge of Eastleigh, he oversaw a 4-2 victory over Maidenhead United in front of 506 Silverlake Stadium crowd. On Saturday there could well be four times that number converging on Stoneham Lane as Hill marks his third anniversary as manager with a top-five showdown against Gateshead...

Given the Spitfires’ meteoric progress under Hill, it’s wholly appropriate that his milestone day should be celebrated with one of, if not the, biggest crowd of the season as the club opens its doors for another ‘community fixture'...

Reflecting on his time at Eastleigh, Hill, who had spent the bulk of his career assisting the likes of John Gregory and Andy Hessenthaler in the Football League, said, 'It’s flown by quite quick, but it does when you’re having fun. I still believe that when Stewart (Donald, chairman) appointed me, it was a brave decision. He could have gone with a ‘horses for courses’ manager, one that was fully versed with this level of football at the time. I’d just come back from Kazakhstan and Stew could have gone for an easy choice, but he didn’t'...

'Our fans are always saying access to Stoneham Lane isn’t big enough now and you wouldn’t have imagined that three years ago!' smiled Hill. 'For the club to reach this level of support in such a short space of time is quite a story and look at the squad we've got. A supporter said to me not long ago that he pinches himself looking at the calibre of player we've got... We've had a lot of fun in three years and we need to try and make sure it carries on that way'".

TIM TALKS

Filling shoes as big as Stuart’s was never going to be an easy task for Deasy but speaking to the vastly experienced keeper, it’s been a challenge he’s taken on with relish. 'I was disappointed I didn’t start the season but, considering how long Stu’s been here and everything he’s done for the club, it was fully understandable. I’ve had to bide my time and wait for my turn but I’ve worked hard to be ready to step up when needed and hopefully I can take my chance.

'Me and Stu have pushed each other hard since I joined the club and he started the season really well. Now I need to keep up the high standard that he’s set before his injury'.

Deasy’s first game was against Tranmere Rovers back in August at the J Davidson stadium. Since then he’s appeared against Southport and Cheltenham Town and knows just how capable the team can be on their day. 'It was a great experience to play my first game in front of such a large crowd. It spurred me and lads on and it showed what we can achieve when we all play as a team to a high standard. Since then we’ve followed it up against Cheltenham and now we need to take this momentum into our away games.

'If the luck had swung more in our favour then we might not have suffered the results we have against Southport, Dover and Guiseley. But we need to forget about it now and make our own luck away from home. We’re looking onwards and upwards and are determined to start taking points on the road to go with our home form'".

TICKETS AND TRAVEL FOR WREXHAM GAME

A £2 discount on matchday prices at Wrexham can be obtained by purchasing in advance, here. Tickets ordered in advance can be collected at the ground before kick off.

To ease your travel concerns, TASC is running supporters' transport to Wrexham. Details are here. As usual please book via the Club on 0161 928-1045 during normal office hours.

ALTY'S FA YOUTH CUP OPPONENTS DETERMINED

A hat trick from Cameron Horner, two goals from Jack Tinning and one from Keenan Tuck did the damage as a rampant FC United side won their first ever home tie in the FA’s premier competition for youth sides. The 294 supporters who turned up to watch were rewarded with an eight-goal thriller and some quite scintillating forward play by Rhodri Giggs’s side.

Urged to set a high tempo from the start the Reds exceeded expectations, scoring after just 18 seconds... It was 2-0 little more than five minutes later as Horner scored his second...

Southport recovered from that initial blast and began to pose a threat of their own. They had much of the possession for the rest of the half but the home defence dealt capably...

The second half started in the same manner as the first as Horner completed his hat-trick inside a minute and Jack Tinning made it 4-0 with not much more than five minutes played. That seemed to be enough to close the game... Southport had other ideas though as Tom Grimshaw scored direct from a corner kick and Leon Townley broke clear of a hesitant defence to make it 4-2.

That livened up the visiting support and it seemed that we might have been in for a nervous last few minutes but somehow we should have known better. Tinning got his second and United’s fifth with a free kick from the corner of the box... Horner turned provider in the closing minutes as he bamboozled a Southport defender in the right corner and ran in to cross. Keenan Tuck was on hand to supply the finish.

The draw for the First Round Qualifying stage of the competition has already been made and sees FC take on Altrincham at home, so the youth team will have another night under lights at Broadhurst Park to look forward to. The match will be played in the week beginning 21 September".

FIRST CLASS DUNCAN

The Sunderland forward has already been celebrating this season with goals on his Premier League and League Cup debuts but made it a hat-trick when he picked up the results for his economics and business management degree on Thursday afternoon... Watmore, 21, has been studying for the degree at Newcastle University while coming through Sunderland’s academy. Last season, he won the Under-21 Premier League Player of the Year award.

He was revising for exams while playing for England Under-20s in the Toulon Tournament this summer. The University allowed him to postpone his final two exams due to the tournament, which he then completed in July. Watmore took his studies wherever he has played, starting at Manchester University while playing for non-League Altrincham, where he was nicknamed the ‘Ginger Messi’ by fans for his performances, switching to Newcastle when he was picked up by Sunderland and his books travelled with him to Edinburgh Library when he went on loan to Hibernian last year.

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat described Watmore as a ‘natural goalscorer’ at the end of last season and has handed him a chance this campaign. He has produced two goals in three matches. It earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s recent England Under 21 side, where he set up James Wilson on his debut for the winner against USA Under 23s. After picking up his results, Watmore will return straight back to training with Sunderland and hopes to be in contention to face Tottenham on Sunday".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Also from the National League we learn that "Macclesfield Town have announced that experienced goalkeeper Shwan Jalal has signed a new deal which will see him stay with the club until the New Year. The Iraqi international keeper has been in great form since his arrival at the Moss Rose last month, having featured in all but two of the Silkmen's games so far this season.

The former Woking, AFC Bournemouth and Northampton man marked his home debut with man-of-the-match display and saved a penalty to help John Askey's ten-men to a draw with Southport and has been a consistent performer for the side so far this term".

"Under New FA Guidelines, Welling United's Sahr Kabba has been charged by the Football Association for allegedly exaggerating or feigning an injury which directly led to an opponent being dismissed. The incident happened in Welling’s home fixture against Tranmere Rovers screened live on BT Sport on Saturday, September 5th. The player has until 6pm on September 11th to respond.

The FA introduced this new policy prior to the beginning of this season", reports the National League.

Meanwhile, also according to the National League "Aldershot Town have extended the loan of Preston North End left-back Nick Anderton until Wednesday, 7th October. The 19-year-old has made four appearances for the Shots since joining on August 10th, and will now be available for a further seven matches".

Off the field, the chairman of the National League, Brian Barwick, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Buckinghamshire New University in recognition of his extensive career in sport and broadcasting. Barwick, who held the position of Chief Executive of the FA from 2005-2008... was also involved in the appointment of the national team's senior coaches on two occasions.

The distinguished football figure accepted his Honorary Doctorate at... the Wycombe Swan Theatre. Barwick was appointed chairman of the National League this summer and also took up a position as an FA Councillor" states the National League.

SATURDAY'S REFEREE

• Woking 2 Altrincham 0, 20 January, 2007
• Histon 1 Altrincham 0, 3 November, 2007
• Rushden & Diamonds 0 Altrincham 1, 3 October, 2009
• Southport 1 Altrincham 0, 24 August 2010
• Altrincham 2 Cambridge United 2, 2 April, 2011
• Altrincham 0 Welling United 4, 27 September 2014.

NEXT OPPONENTS

• At Altrincham: P7-W1-D3-L3-F5-A10
• Away: P6-W2-D2-L2-F6-A8
• All: P13-W3-D5-L5-F11-A18

From Howard Watts come details of previous Alty games on Saturday's date, in his historical Through the Years data.

HERBERT KITCHENER BLACKSHAW

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

United’s director of football helped oversee a takeover of the financially-stricken club in the summer and warned then that the Gulls’ situation was perilous. But with attendances dropping below the 1,800 figure that new chairman David Phillips stated was the club’s break-even figure, things only seem to have got worse at the Launa Windows Stadium as the new regime swim[s] against the tide and the rising costs of running a football club.

These are desperate days for the National League Premier club, who were forced to lay off a number of staff when the new regime took over, while the-then manager, Chris Hargreaves, and his assistant, Lee Hodges were placed on gardening leave. Now, Edwards has said... 'We have a couple of people now who are trying to take us to court,', Edwards told BBC Sport. 'It’s a problem for us. Ultimately it could finish the football club'.

One person has already won a case for unfair dismissal against the National League club, who could face a bill of up to £250,000 if all the cases went against the Gulls. 'I understand their situation,' Edwards added. 'They felt they’ve probably been wronged and they have every right to do it and, if I was honest, I’d probably do it myself but this is where we are. It’s a problem that gives the club not much time to put things right because, if it does go the proverbial pear-shaped, the club could be closed down'...

Their playing budget is comparable to the smallest in the division...

Edwards added, 'What we really need is some experienced non-league players who really know this league and can get us to a stage where we can get more fans through the gate. We’ve got to try to get these players who are experienced, but that’s where we have a problem because they’re looking at the high end of our budget and we’ve already got high-end players. You couldn’t account for [midfielder] Luke Young injuring his cruciate knee ligament, which has put him out for the season. [Striker] Waide Fairhurst has an injury and he’s another high earner. We’ve had a bit of bad luck in the fact that we have got those players'".

The Football Conference confirms that "Dover Athletic have announced the signing of Toby Ajala, who scored 5 goals in forty-five appearances for league rivals Torquay United last season. The winger has also played for Bristol City and AFC Wimbledon.

Ajala appeared for Whites in the pre-season victory over Wealdstone, and subsequently went to Scottish Premier side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on trial. The 23-year-old began his senior career with Ilford in 2008, and played for a number of clubs before having a trial with Doncaster Rovers. He ended up joining Championship club Hull City, before playing in the Conference National for Hayes & Yeading United in the 2011/12 season... Ajala joined Bristol City for the 2012/13 season... Ajala joined League Two side AFC Wimbledon on a short term loan deal in 2012...

He signed for Welling United on in January 2014 and played fifteen times for the Wings, before leaving at the end of the season and joining Torquay."

FC Halifax Town "have confirmed that defender Graham Hutchison has joined AFC Telford United on a month's loan... Hutchison joined the Shaymen from Worcester City at the end of the January transfer window and has made 5 appearances for Town this season so far".

At Southport "Secretary Ken Hilton is still awaiting for the international clearance to come through for Dutch striker Alfons Fosu-Mensah from Holland. However after thirty days Alfons has been given permission by our FA. The Dutch striker impressed in pre-season and Paul Carden can now add Alfons Fosu-Mensah to his squad."

The National League's weekly National Scene compilation has plenty of statistics but how reliable they are is open to question. Having first released issue six with a statement that Altrincham had beaten Halifax 3-2 last week (it was actually Aldershot who did this), the publication was reissued. But in its list of the League's leading scorers we still read that Sam Heathcote has apparently scored twice for us in the National League this season. There is also an explained entry headed simply "Substitute Being Substituted: Ryan Crowther 63:20" which presumably means he is the only substitute who has himself been subbed this season.

HELPING MARK AND MND

He said, 'Mark has done a lot of fundraising. He’s one of the only people with Motor Neurone Disease to complete over 100 miles in marathons. 'He’s done one and a half London Marathons and completed his 100th mile on a local track in front of all his friends and family. It’s really touching stuff and something everyone can get on board with. He’s done some great work'.

Thus far, the former Blues centre back has raised around £1,300.... Linwood said, 'Compared to what Mark’s been through, me doing Tough Mudder is a little drop in the ocean! Even if I can raise a bit of awareness; as you can see on his video he sends out, there’s no cause and there’s no cure, so people need to know about this disease...

'Tough Mudder is 13 miles, 13 obstacles, predominantly in mud. The obstacles range from rings of fire, to electric fences, just general hell to be honest! Me and a friend, who is an ex-marine, have signed up and decided to go for it'...

Linwood, 31, is now based at Connah’s Quay Nomads... You can donate to Paul’s ‘Just Giving’ page here.

BARRY PIKESLEY GOES DOWN MEMORY LANE

NEXT OPPONENTS: WREXHAM

We learn from The Leader that "Mark Carrington is prepared to play a waiting game while Wrexham are picking up results but the midfielder is ready to answer Gary Mills’ SOS call this weekend. The 28-year-old missed the back end of the 2014-15 campaign with a groin injury which eventually required surgery when he returned for pre-season.

Carrington made his comeback as a late substitute in the 3-1 victory over Halifax Town on August 29 but he has been unable to force his way back into the starting line-up...

'I just need to be patient at the moment', said Carrington. 'The lads are doing really well, we are playing well and looking strong... It is a team game, I am happy that the lads are doing well'...

Carrington could fill in at right-back when Wrexham face Altrincham at The Racecourse on Saturday as Javan Vidal is sidelined with a hamstring injury... Although a midfielder by trade, Carrington is familiar with a defensive role having operated there during the 2013-14 campaign when he scooped the Player of the Year award. 'I am seen as a midfielder this season but I have played at right-back for the club over the years', said Carrington.

'It has not been mentioned, I think the gaffer only sees me as a midfielder but, if he came to me and asked me to play there, then I am comfortable to slot in there for a couple of games if need be. Obviously I prefer midfield'...

Said Carrington, 'I thought I would come back flying ready for pre-season but that wasn’t the case, it was no better. I went to see the top surgeon, he told us what it was and got it sorted. I had an operation about seven weeks ago, I am back fit now, back in the squad and raring to go... We have played really well at home too, we haven’t just scrapped out results,', added Carrington. 'The big pitch suits us to get the ball down and play, hopefully Saturday can be no different and we beat Altrincham.'

The Leader adds that "Manager Gary Mills has hinted that the versatile Connor Jennings could fill in at right-back rather than bring in a loan replacement for the injured Javan Vidal... Ross White is recovering from a foot injury and is unable to deputise for Vidal while Mason Watkins-Clark has returned to parent club Stoke City after only playing one league game during his loan spell at The Racecours...

'It is a big blow because the position is not one we are gifted with at this moment in time so that has got to be addressed,', said Mills...

Vidal has started all eight league games since his move from Tamworth and is gutted to be ruled out of action. 'It is a definite pull', said Vidal. 'I am very disappointed, I don’t want to miss any games and I don’t want to miss any minutes, I had to come off today and I didn’t want to'...

It was an end to end game... 'It was very open', said Vidal, 'Lincoln were a physical, long ball side that put us under a lot of pressure but in the end we took a good point'.

Wrexham have taken the lead in all four away matches this season, going on to beat Kidderminster Harriers but losing at Cheltenham Town and Bromley... Vidal admits Wrexham need to kill teams off when they are ahead on their travels...

'It just seems to be one of those things, we always take the lead and then find ourselves under great pressure', added Vidal. 'When we dominate and go 1-0 up, we would just like to dominate further and go and kill teams off; go and get a second goal and a third'".

RADIO ROBINS' COMMENTARY

JUNIORS' COACH HONOURED

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

'We take an approach to player development', said Vince, whose side are top of the National League. He told BBC Radio 5 live's Non League Show, 'We've used some of the skills from Ecotricity (Vince's company) in terms of trading of energy using statistical analysis. We thought we would have a bit of a gamble on a couple of young players and see if it boosted our fortunes on the pitch. One didn't come off, the previous one did. We are not the only people that do it in football, it's done in the higher leagues. So we do a statistical analysis of a player's history, games played, we look at his strength and weaknesses'.

Rovers' 100% start is a 30-year record for their division and Vince is hopeful the longest-serving* 'Conference' club can finally earn promotion to the Football League. [*FGR are currently the club who have been in the division for the longest continuous period, but Altrincham are by some distance the club with most seasons in that division since its formation].

'We are having a good time. We are ambitious to go up but we want to do it in the right way,' he said. 'We are the longest-serving club in the division, but for a lot of that time it was about avoiding relegation. This is a new place for the club to be. We've spent the past five years building the infrastructure of the club and have changed a lot of things and it has all come together. (Manager) Ady Pennock brought in five new players, we have a great backroom staff, a great bunch of lads and fantastic facilities.'

And Vince, who has introduced vegan-only food for supporters at the New Lawn this season, says fans are enjoying the new menu on offer. Since taking over the club in 2010, Vince has introduced:

• An organic pitch, the first in the world, which is spread with cow manure
• 180 solar panels which generate 10% of the electricity at the New Lawn
• A red meat ban for players and vegan-only produce sold on matchdays
• Plans a new £100m sports facility and stadium"
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NL Pitchero reports that "Former Colwyn Bay manager Frank Sinclair has been appointed to take temporary charge of Vanarama National League North club Brackley Town until a replacement for Jon Brady can be found".

NL Pitchero also says that "Midfielder Jordan Wynter [has] joined Farnborough on a one-month loan deal from Cheltenham Town. Wynter, who has just recovered from knee ligament injury, signed in time to make his debut in last night's 3-2 home defeat by Staines Town. Wynter joins fellow Robins' players Bobbie Dale and Harry Williams on loan at the Hampshire outfit".

LEE SINNOTT ON THE CHELTENHAM GAME

JE: Have you caught your breath yet, Lee? Incredible finish, wasn’t it?:

LS: We’ve had a few of these games before, haven’t we, though I have to say, looking at the game overall, there wasn’t too much quality on show. I thought it was a bit of a hard pull for both teams. I was looking round my team as the game unfolded, and we did look a bit tired. But I asked for one thing from them beforehand, and that was battling qualities. They showed that in abundance, and really I couldn’t have asked for any more. That was the message before the start, because I was just mindful a few key decisions had gone against us and we had lost players to injury.

When that sort of adversity happens, you either face it front on or you turn away from it. There’s no doubt we fronted it up. But these are hard games for supporters to watch and quite excruciating for managers and coaches, because you know the outcome is going to be pretty much the flip of a coin. I firmly believe that if we’d got our passing game going, we would have asked them a lot more questions, but we didn’t, for whatever reason. Cheltenham are a very big, strong, competitive side, but I thought we stood up to them really well.

JE: Our fortunes seemed to improve when you made a change midway through the first half, when Ryan Crowther went on for Josh O’ Keefe. Was that tactical or injury-enforced?

LS: Josh got a knock on his hip and had to come off. We did come into it more after that, but, to be fair, systems look good when players are playing well. When they’re not, they don’t look so clever. But, yes, James Lawrie did seem to benefit from moving inside and running at people from a more central position. He has got good energy, and he showed that throughout the game.

JE: Substitutions certainly worked well, with Ryan claiming the first goal and Sam Heathcote the second, but I imagine you’d be pleased with the contribution of Tim Deasy at the other end?

LS: He has done well for us, and, yes, they were three crucial saves he made when Cheltenham players found themselves pretty much clean through. Late on, as well, he came off his line, and those big white gloves plucked something out of the sky. As a defender, it is such a great sight when a ball is floated in too high for you to get your head on it, and you turn to see your keeper coming out and wrapping his hands round it. It lets you regroup, get up the pitch and put the ball in areas where it can’t do you any harm. That is vital, as were those blocks when he was the last line of defence.

He stood up well and didn’t commit himself too early. There is an art to that. It’s about holding your nerve a little bit and making the other guy think he is going to have to make the decision.

JE: Who else took your eye?

LS: Well, I thought Scott Leather (left) was immense. He got a bang in his face, and there was a lot of blood from his nose. But, typical Scott, he got patched up and was right back in the thick of it. I don’t know whether there is a break or not, but, knowing Scott, it probably won’t make any difference. He’ll carry on regardless next week.

I thought the whole back four did well, and we really stuck in there and showed the battling qualities I was asking for. Because of that, maybe we earned the bit of luck that went our way at the end. It looked like being a point apiece, but the lads had other ideas, and good on them for that.

Ryan (right) showed what a good outlet he can be. Pitches at the moment may not be perfectly suited to players like him, because they are a little bit lush and the ball is not running as quickly as a dribbler like him would want. But I thought the movement for the goal he scored was excellent. Our nice passing phases were limited in general, but, in that instance, there was some lovely inter- play in the build-up, and it was a wonderful finish by Ryan. I was pretty much in line with the shot, and I can tell you there was not much margin for error in the way he swivelled and hit it with his right foot. From that angle, the ball was always going to curl away from the keeper, but the danger was, it could have curled away from the far post as well. It had to be spot-on, and it was. You want players to make an impact when they come off the bench, and he certainly did that.

JE: Did you fear it might be difficult even hanging on for a point after they equalised?

LS: The pressure was building, I must say. I was speaking to Tols (Neil Tolson) and racking my brain for what to do next, because I was thinking: “I know what I want to do, but have we got the personnel to do it?” We made the call to go to a more regimented 4-4-2, with a narrow four in midfield. They were going for the kill when they equalised. You could sense that from Gary Johnson in the away dug-out. They brought on new bodies, and we were thinking of how to counter it with what was available.

JE: What a finale, with Ryan going off injured and Sam entering the fray and scoring the winner with his second touch of the ball on his debut!

LS: It’s what football is all about. I’ll be entirely honest with you – it was an inspirational decision by myself! No, all joking apart, it was a bit like Greg Wilkinson in the play-off final against Guiseley. I sent Greg on purely and simply to take part in what seemed certain to be a penalty shoot-out. Twenty seconds later, he scored the winner, and we were promoted. I was honest about that, and I’ll be honest about this. Sam was sent on to the pitch, with injury-time ticking away, with the sole purpose of preserving a point.

I just thought he’s a big lad and defensive-minded, he can give us a bit of energy on the left-hand side and extra height in the area. Never underestimate the value of a point, but, to be fair to Sam, he showed the wide men how to attack the box by getting into position on the left and being ready for the ball coming in. It was great work by Michael Rankine on the right, but it was a fierce cross he drilled in, and Sam had to show exceptional technique to steady himself and connect the way he did. It was lovely feet, because it would have been so easy to shank it or balloon it yards over.

Daft as it sounds, you start thinking to yourself, 'OK, as one door closes, another opens.' Quite a few clubs have employed the tactic of using a big man in a wide position, not least Cheltenham with Harry Pell. It gives you food for thought. It was an outstanding finish, and I would imagine it might have taken some of our supporters back to bygone days, hearing Altrincham goalscorer Heathcote over the tannoy. Nice one, that.

JE: What can you tell us about Sam?:

LS: Well, he is a quiet-ish lad, for the time being, at least. You look at him out there among some of Cheltenham’s bigger players, and there’s no doubt Sam is one of the big guys. He is very composed as well, as he showed with his goal. There could yet be a debate about what proves to be his best position, whether it will be central defence or maybe midfield. His technique on the ball is very assured, and he certainly couldn’t have asked for a better way to launch his first-team career. People around the club have said he could be wasted at centre-half. I’m not building the lad up to be something he’s not, but we will see how that pans out. But it is a measure of his ability on the ball that people are talking in those terms, and as he fills out, we will see where he ends up.

He will be more confident in himself, because it’s easy to get knocked around by seasoned pros when you are just starting out. With experience, he’ll be able to handle that, no problem. What he has got at the moment is a very composed head on young shoulders when he is in possession. I’ve just heard, as well, that he got an ovation when he walked into the Community Sports Hall bar afterwards. That is excellent, well deserved.

Another thing I noticed was how he dealt with one of their players after his goal. It was the number nine (Danny Wright), and he had been putting himself about all afternoon. When Cheltenham, restarted, they both went up for a ball, and the number nine came off worse. Sam was strong enough to win the battle, and I just thought:, 'Yeah, good lad'”.

VANARAMA NATIONAL NEWS

NL Daily reports that "Jon Brady has resigned from his position as manager of Vanarama National League North club Brackley Town. Brady resigned following yesterday`s 4-2 home defeat to North Ferriby United.

Brady said,'After much consideration, and with heavy heart, I have made the decision to resign as manager of Brackley Town Football Club. I can say I have given absolutely everything to the club during my six and a half years tenure. The profile of the club has certainly been raised, especially after our FA Cup run two seasons ago which generated much needed revenue and certainly helped to grow the infrastructure of the club.

To win seven trophies and gain promotion to the Conference North, then reaching the play-off final after finishing third in our first season at this level was a real achievement. It was then extra special to go on to have the FA Cup run beating Gillingham live on national TV and reaching the Second Round proper for the first time at the club.

I am immensely proud of what Darren Collins and I together with all my staff, players and all at the club have achieved. I feel that the time is right to move on and who knows, in time when the dust settles, I may take on a fresh challenge whether that be focusing on my business or another opportunity in football management. That lies in the future'".

STUART TALKS ABOUT HIS INJURY

"Stuart Coburn adopted a defiant stance and vowed to be back between the posts for Altrincham after receiving the shock news that he faces months out with a ruptured Achilles.

Alty’s record-holder for appearances thought he would be on the sidelines for no more than six weeks after it was initially believed he had injured his calf in the closing minutes of a controversial 2-1 defeat at Dover.

But a scan revealed the true nature of the problem and forced the Alty legend to accept he faces a long haul back to fitness at 40 year-old. Ever the realist, Coburn readily acknowledged many will fear age may count against him and that a career worthy of comparison with any in the club’s history may be over.

He was having none of it, though. In an interview with joint press and media officer John Edwards, moments after Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win over Cheltenham, he made it clear he is thinking of nothing other than adding to his record tally of Alty appearances.

Here is the interview in full.

JE: We were thinking six weeks, Stuart, so what happened to change it?

SC: When I first did it, I was able to walk off the pitch. We weren’t sure what the problem was, but that suggested it wasn’t too serious. It still needed a scan, though, which I had last Thursday, and the specialist told me I’d ruptured 90 per cent of my Achilles. As soon as you hear that word, Achilles, you know it’s a big problem. I knew straightaway that, for any footballer, it’s one of the worst things you can do. The choice was I could have surgery or go down the construction path, where I have a boot fitted with wedges inside it, which you take out one at a time on a weekly basis.

The specialist said if I was a full-time professional, they would have operated on me straightaway, but I’ve got work to think of. I can’t just write off six weeks, being laid up doing nothing. I’ve got my own business and have to be able to work every day. Fortunately, with the boot on, it’s easy enough to get around, albeit at a slightly slower pace, so that was the route I decided to go for.

Even so, when someone tells you what you thought was a calf injury is actually a ruptured Achilles, it still comes as a shock to the system. It was not good, but I’m getting my head round it and want to assure everyone it’s not the end of my days here. Not if I can help it, anyway.

I’m certainly not intending hanging up my gloves and boots, that’s for sure. We will know more as the months go on – and it is going to be months, rather than weeks – and we will take it from there. But I’m not saying that’s it. I don’t want my last game for Altrincham being Dover away, where we’ve lost to a controversial last- minute goal, I’ve ruptured my Achilles and that’s me done. I’m determined to get myself fit again, which I will do, and then get playing again. That’s my intention. Whether it pans out that way remains to be seen, but I will be doing my level best to make sure it happens.

JE: So when the time does come to bring the curtain down, you want it to be in better circumstances?

SC: Of course. I said at the beginning of the season this could possibly be my last one. I’m 40 now, but the thing is, I started the season really well. I was enjoying my football and feeling good. I was having a really good time. It was only five games, but I felt I was playing really well and I was happy with my form. Basically, I want to go out on my own terms, not be forced out by something like this. As the months go on, and we see how the Achilles is repairing and how the rehab is unfolding, we will know more. But I’m that type of character who, if he gets his teeth into something, will see it through. I enjoy playing too much to call it a day. That is the big thing, and I am determined to get back out on the pitch again. Whether the injury allows me to is another matter, but I will do everything in my capabilities to get there. I’ll certainly give it my best shot.

I have spoken to the gaffer and the chairman. They know my feelings on the matter, and I know the club are behind me 100 per cent, so that’s what we are going to try and do.

JE: We’ve certainly eulogised, up on the Radio Robins gantry, about some vintage Coburn saves this season. Do you feel the reflexes are as sharp as ever, and how important is that, from the point of view of carrying on at your age?

SC: It means a lot to be making saves like that and showing you’ve still got something to offer. Last year, after promotion, I was questioning myself and wondering whether I could still do it at this level. There were a few games where I got left out and Dave Parton came in, and I was like 'Well, I will just have to prove I can play at this level', and I think I did prove it. In my view, I played really well.

I was determined to carry that on this season, and it helped that I knew I had Tim Deasy pushing me all the way. I knew I had to perform week-in, week-out, if I was going to stay in the team. I think I’ve done that, but then a setback like this happens, and, of course, people look at my age and go 'Well, he’s 40 now, 41 at the end of the season', but that’s not how I look at it. The way I see it, I’m looking at possibly five or six months out, I don’t know. You can’t be specific about that at the moment, but what I do know is, I’m going to do everything in my power to get back playing again, because when I do call it a day, it’s going to be on my terms, not some injury’s terms.

When I walk off the pitch for the last time, I want to be able to say 'I’ve had a great career, but that’s it – time to go.' I have had a great career, but I don’t want it ending in circumstances like these. I’m not ready to call it a day yet, and I think the way I’ve played the last couple of seasons underlines that. I just enjoy playing football, and people I know, as well as lads from the past, have all told me to play as long as I can. I intend following their advice.

JE: Have you had a lot of support in that respect?

SC: Yes, people rallied round and urged me to overcome the injury as soon as I did it and again when I had the scan. I must admit when I first heard I’d ruptured the Achilles, I thought that was me done. You do, you just think the worst, and because of the age thing, people just go 'Ooh, that’s not good'.

But, to me, age is nothing but a number. If you feel good, that’s what counts, and I know I’ve got plenty left inside me. I know it’s going to take some getting over, but I’m determined to do it. If I was in my 30s, people wouldn’t be thinking the worst, and that’s just the point. I still feel like I did in my 30s.

JE: That positive, upbeat outlook is half the battle in these instances, isn’t it?

SC: It has to be, and I’m sure it is. It’s an explosive position as a keeper, because you read a situation like the one at Dover and react to it by putting your foot down and pushing off. That’s how the damage was done, but, really, it can happen to anyone at any time. You hear of people walking down the stairs and their Achilles goes. It was one of those things, the worst injury I’ve ever had but not one that’s going to get me down. It’s not the end of me as an Altrincham player, and, as you say, that positive mindset can only help.

JE: Even so, it must have been a bolt from the blue when the specialist sat you down and delivered the news?

SC: It was. Al (Ainsley, left) said initially the Achilles seemed to be intact, but, when I did it, the pain was intense. The first thing I did was look behind me, because I thought someone had thrown an object on and hit me on the back of the leg or one of their players had stood on me. I knew that was the prime reaction to an Achilles tear. It’s how it feels, like an explosion in the back of the leg, so straightaway I thought 'Oh no, don’t say I’ve done my Achilles'.

But I was able to walk off, and Al said every test was showing the Achilles was OK. We needed a scan to be sure, though, and that’s when the diagnosis came. You have to keep a sense of perspective. I’m at a great club who have looked after me, so I’m going to do everything I can to get back playing again. It’s going to be a long journey, I realise that. It’s OK now, but I know there are going to be days when I’m on my own and the lads have perhaps set off on an away trip, and it’s going to be hard. But it’s just one of those things, and I’ve got to get my head round it.

JE: Long coach trips might not be a good idea, but will you be coming to some home games?

SC: I’ll be coming to all of them to support the lads, and I’ve told them what I expect while I’m out. I’ve told them that by the time I’m fit again, I want us to be safe. I don’t want to come back to any relegation battle, so they’ve got to carry on putting points on the board, then hopefully I can get back for a couple of games towards the end of the season.

That’s the plan, anyway. I will be back as soon as I can, pushing Tim for a starting place. I can’t put a time scale on it. It will be what it will be. First of all, I’ve got to get myself fit, just to get about, and then the football will come after that.

JE: Is everything mapped out for the rehab? How will it go?

SC: To begin with, I will be in this boot for five weeks. It’s like an air cast, with wedges in it. Every week, I take a wedge out, so the Achilles and foot lowers each time, allowing the Achilles to settle and stretch. After five weeks, hopefully, the boot will come off, and we can assess it from there. From then on, I’m in Al’s hands. He did the rehab for Willo (Mike Williams). It’s a long process, but Al goes above and beyond everything he needs to. He’s my best mate, anyway.

I come in to see him during the week, even when I’m fit and playing, to get a rub off him, so I know he’ll be there for me every step of the way. I will do everything he says I need to. I will go above and beyond, and we will get it right. I’m sure of that. At the moment, he’s saying we need to get me right for general life, then the football will take care of itself. That sounds spot-on to me.

JE: It has created an opportunity for Tim Deasy (left), who has taken it well. We’re fortunate to have such a capable deputy, aren’t we?

SC: For sure. I’ve known Tim for a long time, playing against him and now with him. From the moment he walked through the door, we’ve been best mates and got on really well. At the outset, he said, 'I’m going to push you, but I’ll be happy to be behind you as well, pushing you from there.’ That gave me even more determination in the pre-season build-up, because I knew that, if I wasn’t doing it, he would be in the starting line-up.

Now he has come into the team, and, touch wood, I hope everything stays good for him, because we know we are in safe hands, and that is a big factor. If the lads know they’ve got a good keeper behind them, we can push on from there. That was evident against Cheltenham. It was another great result, and Tim certainly played his part".

INJURY LIST

• Luca Havern: Gently warmed up before the game on Saturday. Alan says "Luca has made tremendous progress with his hamstring injury... We will not be missing him for the six to eight weeks feared". Minutes played this season: 120
• Tom Marshall: Suffered a broken leg and ankle dislocation against Grimsby Town. It was great to see him in the stands at Saturday's game. Minutes played this season: 357
• Simon Richman: Injured at Southport, he "has a tear in his upper hamstring" He faces "a minimum two week period from involvement" with the squad. Minutes played this season: 365
• Nicky Clee: Nicky is on a "total shut down [from exercise] till next week" says Alan. Minutes played this season: 88
• Anthony Griffith: "Has been struggling with a hip complaint and may well be rested for a short period" says Alan Ainsley. Minutes played this season: 5
• Ryan Crowther: He apparently suffered a cut foot on Saturday but it is expected he will be fit for next Saturday. Minutes played this season: 128
• Josh O'Keefe: Went off with a hip injury on Saturday; believed to be sidelined for two weeks or so. Minutes played this season: 307
• Scott Leather: Suffered a bad nose injury last Saturday but it is expected he will be able to continue to play. Minutes played this season: 612
• Stuart Coburn: See above for full details. Minutes played this season: 450.

In addition loanee Andy Parry picked up an ankle injury and missed the game at Southport, but returned to action last Saturday.

ALTY YOUTH WIN AGAIN

FA YOUTH CUP

This is only the second time that the youth team has competed in the FA Youth Cup and this match will be our first ever home tie in the competition... The match offers a great chance to see the progress of the FC United Youth team and manager Rhodri Giggs is keen for FC supporters to turn up in numbers to support his side. 'The FA Youth Cup is the premier cup competition for youth teams and we’re really looking forward to taking part this year, even more so now that our opening match will be played in front of our own supporters on the Broadhurst Park pitch...

Admission details for the match are as follows: -

• Adults: £5
• Concessions £3
• Under 18s £1

Admission to the match is by cash payment and you are reminded that season tickets cannot be used for this game."

SATURDAY'S COMMENTARY

ALTY TV NEEDS YOU!

Can you help? Any donation, however small is welcome to assist Mark with his project of getting the professional-quality highlights out to the world. to showcase our club, all run by volunteers. Your donation goes straight to the fund for new equipment.

If you can help, the link is here. A huge thank you is extended to all who have given so far".

NEXT OPPONENTS: WREXHAM

Mills dipped into the loan market in pre-season to bring in under-21 player Mason Watkins-Clark from Stoke City, although the move did not work out for the youngster.

'It is a big blow because the position is not one we are gifted with at this moment in time so that has got to be addressed,' said Mills. 'Either someone from within the club, we have tried the loan market [for] one but if it has got to be that, then it has got to be definitely right... If I play Connor (Jennings) at right-back, it might be the better thing to do than go and get an under 21'...

Mills had a work of praise for James Gray, the striker putting Wrexham ahead with his fourth effort in eight games... Mills added, 'He (Gray) has done well... We had chances to win it and they had chances to win it... There is a tinge of disappointment but wherever you go away in this league, a draw is a good result, particularly here,' was the summation of Wrexham boss Gary Mills after seeing his side claim a draw at Lincoln City...

Said Mills, 'If you analyse the last two away games we have been 1-0 up in both and only ended up with a point... I don’t know where they get these long throws and stuff from! No matter what people say it is hard to defend against, Matt Rhead up there wins every header and you have got to make sure you are switched on to the second one'... He added, 'We have played four away games and got four points, and we have won every home game so looking at that scenario you’d say you win your home games and draw your away games and at the moment it is two points a gam... Absolutely it is where I want to be'".

CHELTENHAM BOSS UNHAPPY

The visitors bossed large parts of the game and had a succession of half chances, but Johnson felt his side lacked the necessary cutting edge to gain three points...

Johnson admitted that he will have to go back to the drawing board during the next week and try to find a way to ensure his side can power past some of the more stubborn sides at this level. He said that he may have to have some harsh words in the analysis room early in the week before building confidence back up for back-to-back home games against Dover and Macclesfield.

'If we are to have aspirations of winning the league then you have to go on and look for the win,' Johnson said. 'But we didn't find that final ball and we had eight or so minutes to get another and they were looking as though they were flagging, but we got caught... There will be a few things that we have to work on, I wish there was only one or two. We will keep those private but we will be working on a few things... We will have rally the troops later on in the week, but first of all we have to hit them over the head and work out why we haven't performed right'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The game’s decisive moment arrived as early as the third minute when centre-half Paul Reid was adjudged by referee Richard Wigglesworth to have fouled home attacker Jason Walker in the Spitfires’ box, writes Paul McNamara. Walker emphatically slammed the resultant penalty high into the net for the afternoon’s only goal, but Eastleigh boss Hill was convinced that the eventual scorer was offside prior to winning the penalty.

Hill was further dismayed by the man-in-the-middle’s decision-making when Barrow 'keeper Joel Dixon escaped with a caution in the second-period for hauling down Yemi Odubade, so preventing the Spitfires’ sub from having a clear run at goal.

'There were two big decisions that he’s (the referee) made today and that’s affected the outcome of the game,' said Hill. 'It’s a tough job for them, but their job is to officiate the game , not to affect the outcome of the game. Today the referee has affected the outcome of the game. I was looking right across the line (leading up to the penalty decision) and two of them (Barrow attackers) were clearly offside. And should the goalkeeper be sent off? He’s clearly taken Yemi out and he’s the last man. Sometimes when you come to the north of England the laws can seem a bit different to those in the rest of the country'...

Hill added, 'I don’t think we deserved to win the game, although we probably didn’t deserve to lose it, either... At times today, I don’t think we were allowed to play. That comes down to the referee. But we didn’t do enough with the ball to warrant winning this game'...

Barrow boss Darren Edmondson’s position had been the subject of some conjecture last week after the club’s millionaire owner Paul Casson flew in from the USA following a mixed start to the Bluebirds’ campaign... 'I give Barrow a lot of credit,’ said Hill. 'They’ve closed us down and worked very, very hard. Eastleigh are in town. Their manager has said a few things over the last few days that will have perhaps put himself under pressure. But he’s said he’s the right man for the job and, on today’s evidence, he obviously is the right man for the job.'

Concerned that his own side’s work was 'hurried and forced,' as they tried to play at '100 miles per hour,' Hill made a triple change with 25 minutes to play, sending on Michael Green, Lee Cook and Odubade... 'I had to make a change to try and get back in the game. I thought it was an ideal time to try and force them back with a bit of width, especially with Michael Green... We were trying to pick passes out at the end and there must have been 16 or 17 players in the box, so it was difficult... wE didn’t have the cutting edge that we have been seeing. But you’re not going to win every game, are you?'"

ALTY 2 CHELTENHAM TOWN 1

Match report here.

Above, left: Mike Ripley captures Ryan Crowther's celebration after the opening goal against Cheltenham Town and, right, Gavin Rathbone records Sam Heathcote's delight after scoring the late winner on his league debut. Gavin has more photos of the game here whilst Mike has his match images here.

After the game, Lee Sinnott told Dave Stringer of the NL Paper, "Sam [Heathcote] was put on to preserve a point, with a little more height, and he ended up scoring the winner. You know what they say about a manager. It's better to be a lucky one than a good one".

THE HEATHCOTES' HAPPY DAY

With the scores locked at 1-1, and Alty under pressure, 18- year old centre-back Heathcote replaced the injured Ryan Crowther with instructions to try and shore up an increasingly stretched defence in the couple of minutes that remained.

Seconds later, he found himself unmarked on the edge of the Cheltenham area, as striker Michael Rankine bustled his way along the goalline on the right and cut the ball back to him.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the former Manchester United junior drilled a first-time shot into the bottom corner to seal a third straight home win over opposition with a recent League history. It sparked euphoric scenes, as Heathcote disappeared under a pile of celebrating Alty players in front of the J.Davidson Stadium Dunne & Gray Family Stand, where dad Graham looked on from his usual seat.

Heathcote senior was a goalscoring inside-right in the famed Cup giantkilling team of the 70s and 80s and went on to serve as secretary, coach and manager in a 40-year association with the club.

Reflecting on a fairytale debut that earned Sam a spontaneous ovation when he stepped into the Community Sports Hall bar afterwards, Graham said, 'Just seeing him go on for his Altrincham debut made me proud. It was a wonderful moment for me, given my history with this club, and, like any dad, I was just hoping he didn’t do anything wrong.

‘Of course, it was the opposite. What he did was completely right, and it was great to see the ball hit the back of the net and Sam celebrating with the other players right where I was sitting.

‘There were some women near me actually crying. They remember seeing him coming to the ground with me basically from being a baby. They remember him coming to the Fun Weeks as a kid. Now he’s running them with (assistant manager) Neil Tolson. It got very emotional.

‘I have to say it didn’t surprise me to see him finish like that. He was a centre-forward at United up to 11 years old, and a decent one at that. I’ve seen him score some terrific goals. One of his assets is he does strike a very good ball, and he certainly caught that one cleanly.

‘Football is like everything else. There are ups and downs. I lost my brother (in the Tunisia beach attack) a couple of months ago, so you keep things in perspective. Sam still has a long way to go, but he couldn’t have wished for a better start.

‘I had a quick word after and said “well done, son – just another 152 to go!” I don’t know exactly how many goals I scored for Altrincham, but it was somewhere in that region, so he needs a few more to catch me up.

‘I was just so pleased for Lee Sinnott and Neil and all the lads who put so much effort in and deserved something. And, yeah, of course I’m a proud dad that Sam contributed to making that happen.

‘You need a long memory to recall hearing “Altrincham goalscorer Heathcote” over the tannoy at this ground. It was a good while ago - but it was nice hearing it again.’".

CHELTENHAM'S VIEW

Altrincham grew in confidence as the half went on and thought they should have had a penalty when Ryan Crowther, on for the injured Josh O'Keefe, fired a shot inside the box which appeared to hit the arm of Jack Barthram. However neither the Referee or linesman seemed to think so and waved play on, much to the dismay of the home players and fans...

James Lawrie did well inside the box to tee up the on-rushing Ryan Crowther, who swept the ball home into the far corner to put Altrincham 1-0 up.

Following the goal, Cheltenham struggled to get a foothold back in the game with Altrincham piling on the pressure... Eventually the visitors managed to assert some pressure of their own... Finally though the goal did come for Cheltenham, with skipper Aaron Downes, still up in the box following a corner, rising highest to meet a whipped Jack Barthram cross to head home and level the scores.

Just when it looked destined to be a draw, Sam Heathcote popped up at the back post to smash home the winner following a cross from the right in the 95th minute to win the game 2-1".

Gloucestershire Echo has a video interview with Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson after the 2-1 defeat at Altrincham

He said, "It was a frustrating afternoon and that's a good word as it was really frustrating for all of us,' Johnson said. 'Frustrating because we had a lot of opportunities and a lot of the play without being sharp with our play... We just looked a bit slovenly...

We've lost a football match and we have to make sure that we put it right and turn it around quite quickly".

Midfielder Kyle Storer added, "We started quite brightly for the first 20 minutes and had the upper hand but we lacked quality in the final third... We got caught with a sucker punch. Altrincham deserved to take the lead, but we responded yet again".

Captain Aaron Downes' added, "It's infuriating. The boys put in an incredible amount of hard work but to no avail. It's a tough one to take as one the face of things we were the better side and the only side looking to win it. We could have won three games with the amount of chances we created but it's the old cliche that you have to close the back door...

We were on the front foot and put them [under] pressure and my thinking during the game was that it was only a matter of time before we went on and scored the second goal... "We've got a bad habit of going behind in games and coming back to win it, but today we've paid the price for a few poor finishes and some poor defending."

The Vital Football statistics say that Alty had 10 goal attempts, 5 on target compared with Alty's 10 (6 on target). Alty had 5 corners against 8 from Town and commited 4 fouls to Town's 9. Each side had one caution. As for possession, it was Alty 57% to Cheltenham's 43%.

MONTHLY DRAW

1. Alison Pennycock #97
2. Hilary Moore #104
3. Geoff Morris #15
4. David Meadows #60

TUESDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER

• Aldershot Town v Welling United
• Altrincham v Eastleigh
• Barrow v Lincoln City
• Boreham Wood v Bromley
• Cheltenham Town v Macclesfield Town
• Chester FC v Grimsby Town
• Dover Athletic v Braintree Town
• Gateshead v Wrexham
• Guiseley v FC Halifax Town
• Kidderminster Harriers v Torquay United
• Southport v Tranmere Rovers
• Woking v Forest Green Rovers

FRIDAY, 18th SEPTEMBER

• Grimsby Town v Tranmere Rovers on BT Sport

SATURDAY GATES

• 1603 Aldershot Town 3-2 FC Halifax Town
• 1206 Altrincham 2-1 Cheltenham Town
• 1448 Barrow 1-0 Eastleigh
• 1293 Boreham Wood 1-3 Grimsby Town
• 1411 Bromley 3-0 Gateshead
• 2163 Chester FC 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
• 1670 Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 Braintree Town
• 2678 Lincoln City 1-1 Wrexham
• 1285 Macclesfield Town 2-1 Woking
• 957 Southport 0-0 Dover Athletic
• 1558 Torquay United 1-1 Guiseley
• 1012 Welling United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Bluebirds bounced back from Bank Holiday Monday's 3-1 defeat at FC Halifax, thanks to Jason Walker's early penalty [against Eastleigh]. Barrow made a great start, taking the lead after only 3 minutes after Walker earned his side's spot-kick.

The striker was bundled over by Paul Reid, before Walker dusted himself down and blasted his penalty into the centre of the net...

And Woking, who went into their game at Macclesfield Town in third place, also lost on Saturday. The Cards were beaten 2-1 at the Moss Rose...

Wrexham are fourth but had to be content with one point from their trip across country to Sincil Bank against Lincoln City...

Bromley earned a second win since gaining promotion, beating Gateshead 3-0 at Hayes Lane....It wasn`t until the 76th minute that the breakthrough came when Louis Dennis set-up Moses Ademola... Five minutes from time Bromley crucially doubled their advantage when Dennis netted from 12 yards out. And they wrapped up an ultimately comfortable win when Ademola scored his second of the game...

Welling United took a point late on against ten-man Tranmere Rovers in the day's early kick-off live on BT Sport... Tranmere took the lead immediately after half-time after King failed to get a strong punch on a corner and the ball fell kindly for Lois Maynard, who headed the ball past several Welling defenders on the line.

The game took a turn in the final 15 minutes when Tranmere`s Ritchie Sutton was sent-off for an off-the-ball incident. The Wings piled on the pressure and it finally paid off 3 minutes from time when Sam Corne smashed the ball home off the post from around 30 yards.

Bottom-markers Kidderminster Harriers' search for a win goes on as they went down to a 1-0 defeat to Braintree Town at Aggborough. Kenny Davis`s penalty 2 minutes before half-time was to prove enough... Both sides were reduced to ten-men within a minute of each other.

Harriers` Luke Maxwell was the first for an early shower in the 81st minute for a second yellow card offence and he was swiftly followed by the Iron`s Alex Woodyard for violent conduct.

Southport put distance between themselves and Kidderminster as they battled out a goalless draw at home against Dover Athletic.

FC Halifax Town slumped to their sixth defeat in eight games this season as they lost 3-2 at The Ebb Stadium against Aldershot Town. Two goals from Charlie Walker either side of half-time after Jim Stevenson had opened the scoring in the 18th minute put the Shaymen 3-0 down and with a mountain to climb.

But half-time substitute Danny Hattersley scored his first goal in 2015 on the hour-mark, with David Brooks adding a second 7 minutes from time as Town almost turned a three-goal deficit around.

Grimsby Town moved into ninth spot in the fledgling table after recording a 3-1 win at Meadow Park against newly-promoted Boreham Wood. The Mariners went ahead in bizarre circumstances after 8 minutes when Scott Doe sliced a clearance over his own keeper... Omar Bogle rifled home a second from 20 yards... Nathan Arnold made certain of the win 7 minutes later...

Former Barnet striker Charlie MacDonald came off the bench to head home a consolation for Wood with 10 minutes remaining.

Guiseley AFC returned north with a point from their long trip to Devon to take on Torquay United. The visitors had the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes when Exodus Geohaghon brought Will Hatfield down in the box and Liam Dickinson tucked away the resulting spot-kick.

But the lead lasted just 8 minutes, big defender Geohaghon making up for his earlier misdemeanour to equalise for the Gulls".

ALTRINCHAM 2 CHELTENHAM TOWN 1

But, out of adversity, came a great outcome. 18 year-old centre-back Sam Heathcote, son of former Alty player and manager Graham, came on to make his debut as the injured Crowther's replacement and, in the fifth added minute, he calmly converted Michael Rankine's low cross from the byline to give Alty a trio of home wins this season against former Football League opposition...

Match report here.

Above, right: Sam Heathcote is buried beneath his team-mates after scoring the winner.

APOLOGY!

SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER

• Aldershot Town 3-2 FC Halifax Town
• Altrincham 2-1 Cheltenham Town
• Barrow 1-0 Eastleigh
• Boreham Wood 1-3 Grimsby Town
• Bromley 3-0 Gateshead
• Chester FC 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
• Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 Braintree Town
• Lincoln City 1-1 Wrexham
• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Woking
• Southport 0-0 Dover Athletic
• Torquay United 1-1 Guiseley
• Welling United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers (k.o. 12.30pm on BT Sport)

ALTY v CHELTENHAM TOWN: MATCH COVERAGE

You can follow the fixture via this website's minute by minute text updates by clicking on the icon below. Alternatively Radio Robins' coverage of the game is outlined below as well.

Brian Flynn advises that "Radio Robins, sponsored by Ashley Mowers Garden Machinery, is providing full live commentary of Saturday's game. The match commentary sponsor is Sale Fencing & Surfacing, a driveway and fencing company providing FREE, no obligation quotes for any sized jobs, with options to suit all budgets. Whether you are looking for a new driveway, beautiful patio, garden fencing, walls or gates, make Sale Fencing & Surfacing your first choice for exterior home improvements.

A quality job is not just promised, it is guaranteed. Have a look at the Sale Fencing & Surfacing website.

The commentary team is Alex Sarwar and Ian Wilkinson. John Edwards is the match summariser. Coverage starts at 2.55pm with the game kicking off at 3.00pm.

The match preview will be available to watch via Periscope, which is a live video streaming app. Viewing of the match preview will be by a link on twitter from @altrinchamfc, which will be available as the broadcast starts at 2.55pm."

ALTY RESERVE SIGNS NATIONAL LEAGUE FORMS

RICHMAN OUT OF SATURDAY'S GAME, SAYS LEE

Sinnott gave a positive update on the fitness of Andy Parry whom he expects, barring any late problems, to be fit for the game. However midfielder Simon Richman (right) won’t feature after tweaking his hamstring against Southport on Monday:

Right: Simon Richman in action against Tranmere Rovers recently.

'We believe, right now, that Andy will be okay for Saturday but Simon won’t be available. It will have only been five days since his hamstring twinge so we’ll need to err on the side of caution. Hopefully we’ll be able to welcome him back into the fold next Saturday at Wrexham.'

Alty have won their last two games at the J Davidson Stadium and Sinnott is looking forward to being back on home turf.

'The home form, so far, hasn’t been bad at all with two wins in three and we need to maintain that against Cheltenham. We need to seriously address the away situation but, right now, our only focus is on Saturday’s game.'

Sinnott spoke highly of Cheltenham and their manager Gary Johnson and knows how difficult a challenge his team will be:

Gary’s an excellent manager and it’s no surprise that they’ve had a very good start to the season. It’s another team that are right up there in the table that we’ve come across already, so it’s a very examining time for one reason and another but we have to work through it.”

'We know that, if we play to our capabilities, we can ask every team questions in this league and Cheltenham will be no different. My message to the players has been that, if you can play as well as you did against Grimsby and Tranmere, where we deservedly won both games, then there’s no reason why you can’t put up another good home performance against a strong side in Cheltenham.'"

"WE ARE NOT A NON-LEAGUE CLUB" SAYS GARY JOHNSON

Gone are the weak of mind players who finished the season with just one win from their last seven games and in their place have come a new group made of sterner stuff. The connect[ion] with the supporters from both manager and players has returned and the feel-good factor that seemed so distant during the first part of 2015 is back. The club appears transformed.

Asked what the major change has been between those two seven-game stints and Johnson's reply came back as quick as a flash. 'It's a completely different team now and that's the important thing', he said. 'Once you get a team of characters who are giving their all for the football club and for each other that's what you get. I had to work very hard to try and motivate the group that we had last year and unfortunately that was never going to happen. Now, four heart attacks later we have a group that are performing and this isn't a non-League club. None of us feel that we are at a non-League club, we all feel that we are at a Football League club, but one that's in the National League at the moment.

'As long as we're up there competing we know that it's going to be a fun season. There is a connection between the fans and players now... They know the teams that are giving their all'...

Doing just that may be vital at Moss Lane on Saturday, with the Robins facing a team who are perennial upset merchants. One of the most famed non-League FA Cup battlers, Altrincham have made it their speciality to upset some of the National League big boys on home turf. Victories against Bristol Rovers, Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers have come the way of Lee Sinnott's side in the last two years, and Johnson admits that the game will be a test of attitude.

'It will be an attitude game, but we won't leave anything to chance', Johnson said. "'We will not go there with the attitude that we just need to turn up to get the win. You have to treat every club like a big club at this level as they will have dangerous players. When we look at the scouting reports it will say that he is dangerous, he is quick, he scores goals. We want to go there and play our game as any team can beat you in this league if you are not on your game. I like it when I hear a manager say that we bullied a team and I don't mean like being a schoolboy bully.

We demoralised a team at Torquay and, to do that, you have to put in a lot of work and a lot of effort and then you should see the quality shine through. Altrincham have done well against Tranmere and then not so well against Southport and that doesn't quite add up. We will have to see which team of theirs turns up, and more importantly which team of ours turns up as well'".

CARD COUNT

Those cards have been collected by 12 different players:

• 3: Shaun Densmore (5 fouls in total)
• 2: Josh O’Keefe (8)
• 2: Scott Leather (3)
• 1: Jake Moult (14)
• 1: Michael Rankine (13)
• 1: James Lawrie (8)
• 1: Adam Griffin (5)
• 1: Tom Marshall (4)
• 1: Andy Parry (3)
• 1: Damian Reeves (3)
• 1: Jordan Sinnott (2)
• 1: Tim Deasy (the NL stats say 0 fouls but it must be 1!)

Saturday's referee is Mr Jason Whiteley (West Yorkshire). His previous games involving Altrincham include:

• FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 2 ALTRINCHAM 1, FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round, 27 November, 2011,
• ALFRETON TOWN 1 ALTRINCHAM 1, Vanarama Conference, Tuesday, 9 September 2014.

TRAVEL TO WREXHAM

VANARAMA NATIONAL NEWS

The National League reports that "FC Halifax Town have confirmed that midfielder Elliott Whitehouse has joined Nuneaton Town for an undisclosed fee. Whitehouse, 21, joined the Shaymen in the summer having been released by Notts County. The midfielder won plaudits for his performances while on loan at Liberty Way last season".

According to the Gloucester Citizen, "Forest Green’s incredible start to the season has been recognised by National League sponsors Vanarama, with Ady Pennock and David Pipe scooping the respective manager and player of the month awards."

Macclesfield Town "confirm that striker John Marsden has left the club, following negotiations with Colwyn Bay FC, where he has now signed. The striker was on non-contract terms at The Silkmen".

We learn from the NW Evening Mail that "Paul Murray has left his role as coach at Barrow AFC... The former Hartlepool boss was brought in by Bluebirds' manager Darren Edmondson during the summer to work alongside him and assistant Alex Meechan. He has stood on the sidelines for the opening fixtures of the campaign, working alongside Meechan during Edmondson's five-match touchline ban at the start of the season.

Edmondson would not elaborate on the reasons behind Murray's departure, making only a brief statement. He said, 'Paul Murray has left the football club. We wish him all the best for his future projects and we thank him for his help and his time at the club'. There are no plans currently in place to find a replacement for Murray".

Also in the NW Evening Mail we learn that "Darren Edmondson is remaining positive amid AFC’s early-season struggles and insists he is still the right man to lead the club to National League success. The Bluebirds head into tomorrow’s tough home clash with second-from-top Eastleigh sitting in a lowly 18th position having recorded two wins, four defeats and one draw so far this term.

Barrow owner and chairman Paul Casson continues to back Edmondson, but the US-based millionaire has felt it necessary to fly to England to hold a meeting with his manager tonight, while he will also be present at the Eastleigh game. Speaking ahead of those discussions, Edmondson said, 'That’s something that is natural. The chairman has concerns over certain things and myself and him sit down and we go through each player and discuss where everybody is at a particular point. They are just normal talks between a manager and a chairman. I’d obviously liked to have won a few more games but, at this moment in time, we are where we are.

We are evolving as a football club. The fact that the chairman has continued to back me is neither here nor there really. What matters is that the football club evolves and moves in the right direction. I’m sure that I’m the man to do that. I believe in my own abilities and the players are responding'...

This season Barrow’s cause has not been aided by their squad being hit by injury and illness... But Edmondson has also been left to rue his team’s inability to kill teams off, after going a goal ahead, and instances of sloppy defending have proved costly...

Added Edmondson, 'There is pressure as a player, a coach and a manager... But that’s the type of pressure that you’ve got to thrive on, and use it as a tool to improve yourself... Pressure in real life is dealing with cancer. I’m trying to help evolve a football club that’s ambitious, wants to go in the right direction and has an unbelievable fanbase that’s so passionate about their football club. So, no, the emotions that I’m feeling are continued excitement and positivity that we can still have a successful season...

Without doubt, I’ve got the backing of the chairman. Yes, fans are disgruntled at the moment, but they’ve got to continue to believe... They are good footballers and they will help us take this club in the right direction'".

The National League says that "After last week's inaugural Highlights Show from The National League, BT Sport will screen the next edition this Sunday at 10.30pm on BT Sport 1".

ISSUE TWO OF MAGAZINE

JOIN THE ALTY GROUND COMMITTEE!

To establish this group we would like to get three or four volunteers from the Club's supporters who are interested in this topic and who would be prepared to give up a small amount of their time. Hopefully, we can get representation from both terrace and stand-based supporters. Those involved in the group will be Neil Faulkner, our Safety Officer, Tony Mossman, and the ‘volunteers’.

If you are interested in getting involved in this initiative please e-mail the club".

RHAIN SIGNS NATIONAL LEAGUE FORMS

Goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw, who also recently signed forms for Alty as potential emergency cover for Tim Deasy, has been assigned squad number 23.

ALTY v CHELTENHAM TOWN: SPECIAL OFFER

CHELTENHAM TOWN BOSS ON THE ALTY GAME

'I think it's important to get back-to-back wins for your confidence and for your points, it has helped us to get above 'credit' as far as our two points per game target. We're on seven games, 15 points which normally is good enough to be right near the top but obviously Forest Green have done very well and they'll take some catching but we need to get some more wins on the trot and hope that they fall flat...

We've said we've got to get promoted, I've said how we're going to get promoted. I've told the boys in no uncertain terms what they are going to need to do to get promoted. You can't turn up in any league and get promoted because you are one of the bigger teams who just got relegated. If you get promoted out of this league you've really deserved it and to deserve it you need to do a lot of work...

When we get the first goal we normally settle down and normally come on strong like we did in the Southport game. The three points are the most important, not how and when the goals are scored'".

JOhnson remarked about Altrincham, "They showed what they could do against Tranmere but it's a funny one because then Southport went and beat them quite heavily on Saturday. So we'll have to wait and see which one of their teams turns up, but we obviously have to make sure that our team turns up as well".

As for injuries, the manager said, "It's only Eliot Richards now that isn't training, he's not quite ready to join in fully yet. The physio has only just started working with him today but it's looking good. Jordan Wynter is another one that has had this long injury at the end of last year and he's got to get that fitness back, just like Lee Vaughan. It's always difficult when you don't have reserve team football but we'll work them in training". More comes in the Gloucestershire Echo, which reports that "'Our best is still to come' is the ominous warning to the National League high-fliers from Cheltenham Town boss Gary Johnson...

In each of the last three wins the Robins have had to bounce back from what Johnson called being 'given a punch on the nose' before earning three points. Johnson's boys went a goal down to both Barrow and Wrexham before hitting back to win 2-1, while they had to play for 83 minutes at Torquay with 10 men after George McLennan's red card. McLennan's suspension led to the second team change of the season with Asa Hall starting against Wrexham in a re-jigged XI and Johnson admits the quality in reserve has given him food for thought...

'People like Asa, Rowey and Josh Cooke have come in and Billy Waters now is raring to go... but I don't feel we've had a 90 minutes where we've been at the level we were at in pre-season... There are lads that have to up their individual efforts in terms of quality, but they are still giving their all'" he said.

The Echo continues, "Johnson has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, with suspended defender George McLennan and striker Eliot Richards the only professional players completely ruled out. Johnson said that the whole squad had been boosted by news of Richards' all clear from testicular cancer earlier in the week and the forward is already doing a small amount of training".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

He made forty-four appearances in his first year with Southport and his impressive displays earned him a call-up to the England C squad. He followed his successful debut season with Southport with another forty-one appearances for the club last season and will now look for more success in a Macclesfield shirt."

According to the Chester Chronicle, "Dale Tonge will remain with Chester FC for at least another month while boss Steve Burr is considering further additions to his squad this month. Tonge, who signed a short-term deal in August after spending pre-season on trial, has been included in the squad for each of the seven games so far but has made just two substitute appearances.

However, the 30-year-old has impressed Burr with his professionalism and his ability to cover several positions is welcome given the size of the squad. Burr said the Barnsley-born defender or midfielder would be with the Blues until the end of September, when the situation will be reviewed again.

Burr said, 'We've extended Dale's deal, how long we'll be able to extend it for I don't know yet... I know he hasn't played a part yet and Ryan Higgins has been doing quite well. We've all being doing well because we've lost one in seven so that's been good'...

Burr made one signing before the summer transfer window closed at 6pm on Tuesday, bringing in striker Josh O'Hanlon on a month's loan from AFC Bournemouth. Another potential loan move did not come to fruition, but the manager might revisit that when the emergency loan window on September 9 and is running the rule over an experienced free agent who is on trial too.

But with O'Hanlon on board, Luke George available again and Ross Hannah nearing a return, there's no real rush on Burr's part to add to his squad, although Craig Hobson could be sidelined until mid-September after injuring his ankle... The retention of Tonge and the loan move for O'Hanlon have been made possible thanks to the club's Crowdfunder project, which raised £25,500.

Burr... said, 'We can't thank the fans enough for their efforts to get that sort of money in over such a short space of time'".

From the Grimsby Telegraph we hear "Grimsby Town director John Fenty on Mariners' start to the season... Fenty insists 'Now is not the time for change' despite what he acknowledges has been a disappointing start to the season... Sections of the support have voiced their disapproval, with some fans calling for drastic early changes after only seven games...

Fenty said, 'We're obviously really disappointed that we haven't amassed more points and as a result, we are a long way behind the leaders as it stands... My opinion is that we have played well by and large, and there has only been one games in which the overall performance has been sub-standard... We've got a fantastic team and staff here and we don't want to break that up... We're all very much focused on retrieving the situation and building on what will hopefully be a win on Saturday at Boreham Wood'.

The Mariners will travel to Hertfordshire seeking their first win in five games... Mr Fenty continued, 'A season isn't determined in August... Some of our plight comes down to individual errors, refereeing decision and the fact that we haven't always finished off the chances that we are creating... The players want it so much and they're very much together. They've got an incredible belief amongst themselves... I'm sure it will come good in the long run'".

ALTY v CHELTENHAM TOWN: SPECIAL OFFER

On the pitch, Alty welcome Cheltenham Town to the J. Davidson Stadium for the first time since 1990-91 season.

Mike Garnett's record of games between the two clubs is below:

• At Altrincham: P8-W5-D1-L2-F18-A6
• Away: P8-W3D-L2-3-F10-A7
• All: P16-W8-D3-L5-F28-A13

Howard Watts's Through the Years shows who Alty have previously played on 5th September.

LEE COMMENTS ON SOUTHPORT GAME

"The gaffer spoke about his disappointment regarding the twelfth-minute penalty decision and the game itself. 'It was a bitter pill to swallow because that’s the third away game in on the trot not where match changing calls have gone against us (Guiseley, Dover, Southport). The players are adamant the contact was outside the box and if that’s the case then it was another bad decision that’s not gone our way. The second goal I pulled my players up because we are detailed from corners for and against, we were light on the edge of the box and we got hit on the break.

That annoys me because of the way I like to set things up. We were chasing the game from then on. Unfortunately we were toothless in the final third all game and we paid the price'.

Sinnott also gave us an update on the injuries sustained before and during the Southport matches. Regarding Simon Richman Sinnott said, 'It’s difficult to say at this point, I’ll have a much better idea by the end of the week. Obviously it was very annoying with the injury to Simon occurring so early on in the game.'

There was hopefully better news on the horizon for Andy Parry. 'As soon as Andy said he had a bit of soreness in his calf area you just can’t take the risk with it. We’ll assess him again later in the week and hopefully he’ll be fit for Saturday'" he said.

The Manchester Evening News reports that "Altrincham manager Lee Sinnott was once again left to rue a contentious refereeing decision on Bank Holiday Monday, along with another injury. The Robins earned a morale-boosting win over Tranmere on Saturday but then lost 3-0 away to a Southport side which was bottom of the Vanarama National League.

Sandgrounders striker Mike Phenix appeared to go down outside the box but referee Martin Coy pointed to the penalty spot amid furious protests from the Altrincham players. Gary Jones duly converted the 12th-minute spot-kick and Sinnott could hardly hide his frustration...

More worrying for Alty was the addition of Simon Richman (right) to a steadily-mounting injury list. The midfielder was forced off with a hamstring problem after only three minutes. 'It’s annoying with the injury to Simon', Sinnott added. 'I’ll have to ask if he was feeling any problems in the warm-up because we should have known about it if he was. We’ll have to wait and see how he is but I shouldn’t have to lose a player after three minutes!'

There was better news regarding Luton Town loanee Andy Parry, who could only make the bench due to a slight calf issue, after playing a starring role in Alty’s 2-1 win over Tranmere. Sinnott expects the defender to be fit for the game against Cheltenham Town this coming Saturday".

ISAAC MALEY

In memory of Isaac, there was a minute's silence at our Reserves and our Youth Team games over the weekend and black armbands were worn. A funeral service will be held at Bowdon Parish Church on Friday 4th September 2015 at 1.30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend but the family have specifically asked people not to wear black".

Isaac's death was also commemorated in the minute's silence held before the first-team game against Tranmere. As announced at the game, that mark of respect was both for Isaac and the victims of the Shoreham air accident.

OLD BOY

Baynes said it had been a very tough decision, 'I’ve loved my time at the Bay, but feel the time is right for a new challenge'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL NEWS

However, his contract was cancelled by mutual consent yesterday after a disappointing time in which Reid scored just five times in 35 league appearances. The Coventry-born forward, thought to be one of Harriers’ highest paid players, had yet to score so far this campaign and has made three of his four appearances off the bench.

Kidderminster chairman Rod Brown said, 'I’d like to thank Craig for his professionalism while these discussions have been taking place. I think it’s obvious that we needed to do something that would enable him to go on and play his football elsewhere and continue his career, as well as taking care of the club’s interests, which I’m happy to say we have done'".

Closer to home, Macclesfield Town "confirm that Will Boyle has returned to his parent club Huddersfield Town. The defender, who joined the club in early August failed to make an appearance during his time with the Silkmen."

Meanwhile, Woking "confirm that scan results have revealed that Ismail Yakubu has ruptured his anterior cruciate, and will be out for 12 months. Ismail has been in outstanding form this season, and as you can imagine he is absolutely devastated to know that his season is over before it’s hardly begun. This is the third serious cruciate injury in less than a year that the club has suffered, Scott Rendell and Mike Cestor suffering the same unfortunate fate".

In the Gloucestershire Echo we learn that "Matching the performance levels of their Bank Holiday weekend double will ensure Cheltenham Town don't end up with egg on their face at Altrincham on Saturday, according to Daniel Parslow. The two sets of Robins are already placed at different ends of the National League table after contrasting starts to the season.

Parslow's first Robins goal in Monday's televised tie with Wrexham helped the side bounce back from going a goal behind to record a third consecutive victory. Hours before, Alty had suffered their fifth defeat in seven games as they were thumped by, Southport the team who had started the day bottom of the League, 3-0...

'There really are no mugs in this league as we've seen from some of the results elsewhere, so we will go up to Altrincham and give them the respect they deserve', he said. 'They beat Tranmere the other week and we are aware that it's going to be another tough game, and one where we will need to be at our best to get something'...

[On Monday,] "The Robins had to hold on with Parslow, central defensive partner Aaron Downes and goalkeeper Dillon Phillips forced into desperate action at times to keep the score down... And the cherry on the cake for the 29-year-old was a rare appearance on the scoresheet. The last time he ruffled the net was way back in August 2012...

'The celebration was a bit of a joke. The lads have given me a bit of stick about my nose. It's been broken a couple of times and they think it's a bit on the large side, so that was giving them some back'".

Elsewhere, "Lincoln City have signed former Gainsborough Trinity winger Terry Hawkridge from Scunthorpe United on loan until January. Hawkridge has been with Scunthorpe since the summer of 2013 when he joined from Trinity for an undisclosed fee. The 25-year-old, who was with Barnsley and Tranmere Rovers as a youth, had spent just a solitary season at Trinity having made his mark at Hucknall Town and Carlton Town... A virtual ever-present in 2013/14 as Scunthorpe finished runners-up in League Two, Hawkridge found first team opportunities limited at Glanford Park during the second half of last season and, as such, finished the campaign on loan at Mansfield Town. Nottingham-born Hawkridge will be with City until January 4th 2016."

RICHIE SPONSORS CHESHIRE UNDER-21 COMPETITION

The competition was won by Malpas against Wythenshawe Town last season, with a good crowd in attendance, and all catering monies going to Altrincham Football Club.

THE VIEW FROM THE PORT SIDE

The last time Southport scored a penalty in a league match was October 2013, so when Jones opened the scoring with a calmly-struck spot-kick on 12 minutes, it was perhaps a sign that this would be the Sandgrounders’ day.Southport tend to enjoy playing against Altrincham at home and, just as it was last season, it took a visit from the Cheshire team on Bank Holiday weekend for the Sandgrounders to belatedly register their first win of the campaign...

Although Altrincham had their share of the play and the chances in the early stages, the Sandgrounders showed a resilience that has often been absent from their early performances...

Southport took the lead when Jones sent a penalty down the centre of the goal after Mike Phenix, perhaps fortuitously, was judged to have been fouled by Adam Griffin. The Sandgrounders increased their lead midway through the half as the excellent Louis Almond played the ball into Paul Rutherford and his pass was converted by a side-foot finish from Nolan, who had been left unattended on the edge of the area.

At that stage, the scoreline was probably harsh on Altrincham, with Southport’s second goal coming against the run of play. Only minutes earlier, Josh O’Keefe, the former Port midfielder, should have done better than to head over George Bowerman’s cross from a central position. A swerving shot from Bowerman was also parried unconvincingly by Southport goalkeeper Andy Coughlin, before Ryan Crowther placed the rebound wide...

McCarthy added the gloss, stabbing home the rebound after a shot from Nolan had been pushed into his path by goalkeeper Tim Deasy".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Elsewhere, "Matt Young has left Dover Athletic by mutual consent. The defender only joined Whites in August but failed to start any games, only making a couple of substitute appearances. The 21-year-old was a product of the Southampton Academy before having spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle United".

Meanwhile, "Woking have confirmed that Dan Holman will remain with the Cards on loan up to and including 2nd January 2016. Former Braintree Town striker Holman initially joined Woking on loan from Colchester United on August 15th. Central defender Terrell Thomas has joined on a youth loan from Championship outfit Charlton Athletic. In May, Thomas signed a new two-year contract at Charlton... The promising 19 year-old... a commanding centre-back, who has also shown his versatility in the centre of midfield for the under-21s, Thomas was named on the first-team bench for the first time for the Addicks' trip to Fulham last October...

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Academy player Andrew Mills and midfielder Jimmy Keohane have been added to the first-team squad."

At Wrexham, Gary Mills, the "Boss remained upbeat and took a long-term view after seeing his side's winning run come to an end at Cheltenham. 'I thought we were unbelievable for 60 minutes. We were excellent; that’s how we’ve been playing', he said. 'But you can’t give away free kicks to a team like Cheltenham who send the big men forward and create problems. The game was lost with a free kick. We talked about giving away set pieces, but we gave away a couple of set pieces after we scored and we were punished.

My players have been magnificent for me since I’ve been here. We’ve played some good stuff today and we’ll continue to play that way... maybe one or two of us got tired; we’ve had a lot of games but, sometimes, it’s difficult when a team get the ball forward early, but I’m still smiling. We go again on Saturday... It won’t change the way we do things'.

There was a controversial moment at the start of the second half when Aaron Downes blocked a goalbound Wes York shot with his left arm, and the BT Sport commentators called it as a penalty and red card. Mills was not willing to ascribe too much importance to the incident though... 'The referee didn’t give it so it doesn’t matter'" he concluded.

From the other side, Cheltenham Town report that they "came from behind to notch another hugely impressive win against high-flying Wrexham...

Amari Morgan-Smith popped up six minutes from time to deliver a goal that will live long in the memory to take all the points. The Welsh side are attempting to reach the Football League at the eighth attempt, proof if needed that this division is competitive and on this evidence, they won’t be far away come May.

But Gary Johnson’s side are starting to put something special together here and are still unbeaten after six matches, matching big spenders Eastleigh and Forest Green Rovers. It's a good time for those missing fans to make their way back up Whaddon Road. Next stop, Altrincham.

Johnson was forced into one change following George McLennan’s early red card at Torquay United Saturday. Asa Hall was handed his first start since the opening day of last season... He was drafted into central midfield, nudging Harry Pell out to the right with Jack Barthram deputising at left back...

The Robins reacted well to going behind and pulled themselves level within five minutes of the goal to square the match through Parslow... Johnson immediately swapped James Rowe for Munns, and later introduced Billy Waters for Hall and the chances kept coming... Morgan-Smith saved the best for last, producing a goal of real quality to snatch all the points six points from time...bending a precise 20 yarder inside the right post to send the damp home faithful into delirium.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Phillips; Dickie, Parslow, Downes (c), Barthram; Pell, Storer, Hall (Waters 73), Munns (Rowe 59); Morgan-Smith, Wright (Cooke 83). Subs not used: Vaughan, Lovett (Gk)".

Like Alty, Kent's newcomers to the National League are suffering through multiple injuries as we learn that Bromley "were without the services of Max Porter, Lee Minshull, Louis Dennis and Rob Swaine, due to injury on Monday. Ben Chorley was named on the bench as was not fully fit for the fixture. Aaron Tumwa is currently away on international duty with Antigua and Barbuda until the 9th September for their 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. To add to the absentees, Pierre Joseph-Dubois was forced off the field in the first half of Monday’s fixture and the full extent of his injury is currently unknown.

Meanwhile as mentioned on Saturday morning, Adam Birchall has joined Maidstone United on a season long loan."

SOUTHPORT 3 ALTRINCHAM 0

Nolan made it 2-0 after 24 minutes when Alty had been opened up on the Port right wing. Sub McCarthy completed the scoring five minutes from time after Deasy had beaten out a Nolan shot. Five bookings compounded an unhappy afternoon for the visitors, Deasy being relieved to see only yellow after handling outside his box.

Match report here.

Pictured, right, James Lawrie gets close attention from a Southport opponent. Image courtesy of Mike Ripley.

PORT VIEW

Early goals from Gary Jones and Liam Nolan were added to by substitute Connor McCarthy as the Sandgrounders put a disappointing start to the campaign behind them in convincing fashion... Southport took the lead on 12 minutes, Jones sending a penalty down the centre of the goal after a foul by Adam Griffin on Andy Bishop. The Sandgrounders added to the lead midway through the half as Mike Phenix played the ball into Paul Rutherford and his pass was converted by a side-foot finish by Nolan, who had been left unattended on the edge of the box.

That goal, however, had come against the run of play, and only minutes earlier Josh O’Keefe, the former Southport midfielder, should have done better than to head over George Bowerman’s cross from a central position. The visitors saw enough of the ball in the opening half and a swerving shot from Bowerman was parried unconvincingly by Port goalkeeper Andy Coughlin, before Ryan Crowther placed the rebound wide.

Yet with the confidence brought by a two-goal lead, Southport’s play after the re-start was more assertive... And three minutes after his introduction as a substitute, McCarthy added the gloss, stabbing home the rebound after a shot from Nolan had been pushed into his path by goalkeeper Tim Deasy".

GAMES ON MONDAY 31st AUGUST

• Braintree Town 1-2 Aldershot Town (att. 707)
• Cheltenham Town 2-1 Wrexham (ko. 5.30pm - on BT Sport)
• Chester FC 1-1 Guiseley
• Dover Athletic 2-1 Boreham Wood
• Eastleigh 3-2 Torquay United (att. 1490)
• FC Halifax Town 3-1 Barrow
• Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Bromley
• Gateshead 2-0 Lincoln City
• Grimsby Town 0-2 Macclesfield Town (att. 4251)
• Southport 3-0 Altrincham (att. 1143)
• Tranmere Rovers 2-2 Kidderminster Harriers (att. 4622)
• Woking 2-0 Welling United (att. 1675)