NEWS ARCHIVE
April, 2022
30 April 2022
DOVER ATHLETIC 0-1 ALTRINCHAM
Against a relegated Dover side which included five eighteen year-olds, and boasted an average age of twenty, Altrincham were unable to make their quality tell in the first half, until the 37th minute, when Dan Mooney laid on a close-range finish for Josh Hancock to put Alty ahead.Alty had the better of the early stages of the second half but an Osborne header, which hit the post, was the nearest that either side came to a goal before the game ended.
Match report here
RADIO ROBINS
As previously reported Radio Robins has been refused permission, once more, by Dover Athletic to cover today's match against Altrincham. The reason stated is the club's agreement with local radio taking precedence. However, the local Radio Kent football programme today is concentrating on the Gillingham v Rotherham United match so it would appear there will be pretty scant coverage of Alty's game at Crabble.Why Dover adopt this policy is puzzling given that many other clubs who face Altrincham also have their own BBC local radio coverage yet allow Radio Robins to provide commentary. At least we will be spared that problem next season as Dover ply their trade in National League South.
To make matters worse Radio Kent had no live commentary from anywhere on Saturday afternoon and listeners were mostly treated to inane chat about Gillingham's relegation from League One in a lunchtime kick off.
SATURDAY FIXTURES
King's Lynn Town relegated..Saturday, 30 April
- Aldershot Town 3-1 Notts County
- Barnet 2-2 Grimsby Town
- Bromley 4-2 Chesterfield
- Dover Athletic 0-1 Altrincham
- FC Halifax Town 1-0 Yeovil Town
- King's Lynn Town 3-3 Eastleigh
- Stockport County 1-2 Boreham Wood
- Torquay United 1-1 Maidenhead United
- Wealdstone 1-2 Dagenham & Redbridge
- Weymouth 2-4 Solihull Moors
- Wrexham 1-0 Southend United
ALTY GOALS
Altrincham are in an unaccustomed position compared with recent years in having three players already into double figures of goals in all competitions this season.
Right: Dan Mooney and Josh Hancock, seen here against Wealdstone last week, are both in contention for the title of leading scorer for Altrincham this season.
Alty have scored 69 goals in all competitions so far and the leading marksmen have been...
- 11 goals: Ryan Colclough and Dan Mooney
- 10 goals: Matty Kosylo
In league games only, 59 goals have been netted, and the leading scorers in the National League fixtures are:
- 11 goals: Ryan Colclough
- 10 goals: Dan Mooney
- 9 goals: Matty Kosylo
In the current millennium, there have been three notable sequences of top scorers for Altrincham.
Colin Little headed the charts for five successive seasons (2004-09) whilst Damian Reeves emulated that feat (2010-15). The third sequence saw Jordan Hulme lead the "all competitions" charts for three successive seasons (2017-20), albeit one of those titles was shared with Josh Hancock.
In league games only since 2000, Little and Reeves again both led the way for five successive seasons apiece but a treble of being leading scorer in the league only has been achieved by Josh Hancock (2018-21). Josh has seen his appearances more limited this season but, nevertheless, he has amassed eight goals so is still in with a shout to retain his leading scorer title for a fourth campaign.
BEFORE THE GAME v DOVER ATHLETIC
Altrincham are away at Dover Athletic today, with the hosts looking to get into positive points territory for the first time this season, having clawed back their 12 point deduction incurred for their cessation of activity last season.
In advance of the game, Dover Athletic "confirm that former West Ham United forward Djair Parfitt-Williams has left the club.
The 25-year-old made 10 appearances in all competitions for Andy Hessenthaler’s side after arriving on a non-contract basis in February".
A win for Altrincham would take them above Woking into 14th place, as The Cards have no game today.
2005 REUNION
Altrincham FC recently announced that "Altrincham FC Community Company is holding a reunion of the 2005 National League North promotion winning squad that beat Eastbourne Borough 2-0 on that memorable May Sunday afternoon at Stoke City's stadium...When? Saturday May 14th at 7.30pm following the FA Cup Final.
The bar will be open from 5pm for those who would like to watch the FA Cup Final in the Community Sports Hall at The J.Davidson Stadium
Tickets are £20 each, including hot buffet, produced by Richie Bentley... and a raffle will take place.
To book tickets phone Altrincham FC (0161 928 1045)
Proceeds from the evening will be split between The MND Association and Altrincham FC Community Company.
Geoff Goodwin's company GO G VIP is kindly sponsoring the event, which will be compered by Brian Flynn.
The following players will be attending, along with management, staff and directors from that era.
- Stuart Coburn, Steve Aspinall, Chris Adams, Mark Maddox, Gary Talbot, Eddie Hussin, Colin Potts, Val Owen, Colin Little, Rod Thornley, Gary Scott, Kieran Lugsden, Marcus Hallows
THROUGH THE YEARS: 30 APRIL
Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years records reveal all of Altrincham's previous games on today's date.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times tells us that "Chesterfield have been rocked by more injury woes ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bromley.
The Spireites have had some rotten luck with injuries this season... Town could secure their play-off place with a win at Hayes Lane and if other results go their way...
Blues coach Danny Webb said... 'There are a couple of things that have popped up which we didn’t hope or want to pop-up. I think we will be going down there with the team and the subs and that’s about it, if you know what I am trying to say.
'There are a few lads that probably will be out but I can’t really give you any more information until training when we will know more. One of them is (a new injury).'
The club has received some good news on Danny Rowe following more tests but they are still waiting for the final sign-off so he is unlikely to play on Saturday... Akwasi Asante (groin) and Joe Quigley (hamstring) will be assessed for Saturday, while Nathan Tyson is set to feature for the first time since Cook was appointed...
Tom Denton has not totally been ruled out despite concerns about Bromley’s 3G pitch following his two knee injuries.
'We are not in a position to leave people out of squads at the moment, especially someone who had the impact Tom did Saturday,' Webb said. 'He has given himself a great shout to play tomorrow, that is obviously a decision for the manager. We have to be careful not to use that (3G pitch) as an excuse to play or not to play players'...
Gavin Gunning (calf) remains a doubt but he is edging closer to returning".
The Derbyshire Times adds that "Danny Rowe... has not played since... October 23 due to a health issue.
He had scored five goals in 10 matches before becoming unavailable...
Coach Danny Webb said 'He had his tests yesterday to see where he is fitness-wise and it was good results... Hopefully he can play a massive part. He will add a completely new dimension to the team that has not been in it for a while now...
'He is not going to be firing fitness-wise for at least a couple of weeks but to have someone of his calibre around I am sure will give the whole stadium a lift,.. There will be humongous pressure on him because he is probably one of, if not the, best striker in the league just from his previous records and ability'".
The Eastern Daily Press tells us that "Tommy Widdrington is happy to play the nervous waiting game in the last week of the National League season – because it means there’s still life in his King’s Lynn Town team.
A quirk of fixture fate [Macclesfield's demise] sees Lynn end their campaign a week before everyone else... Lynn must beat Eastleigh at The Walks on Saturday afternoon and hope Aldershot, one place above them in the table’s final safe spot, lose to visitors Notts County.
That keeps Lynn in the picture, but then it’s on to Monday, when they go to Woking and the Shots head to Maidenhead United.
Should Lynn still be ‘alive’ next weekend, then it's down to how they fare at Wealdstone and how Aldershot get on at FC Halifax.
By close of play next Saturday, Lynn’s fixtures are done – and Aldershot will have one more game, on the final day, at home to Wealdstone.
Dover and Weymouth are already down...
'We are preparing the best we can on the condition that we have to win the game. If Aldershot go and win against Notts County you have to say well done and congratulations to them. If they don’t, and we do what we’re hoping to do, the ball is back in their court'.
Widdrington has no new injury concerns, although defender Luis Fernandez reported a tight hamstring so may be a doubt".
They found themselves fourth in the league going into Boxing Day, with the work of manager Andy Woodman not going unnoticed as he was linked with higher division moves.
It was reported at one point that a deal had been struck for him to become the new Hartlepool United boss... February would see Gillingham come calling, but talks between the two would result in nothing.
This season has also seen Bromley make it to the final of the FA Trophy, where they will face Wrexham at Wembley.
Their league form has suffered since the end of January however, having only won just once since then...
This collapse in form has seen the London side fall out of the play-offs entirely, and they now reside in 11th place, 13 points away from seventh-placed Grimsby.
More recent form has seen them pick up one win, two draws and two losses from their last five games, leaving them 17th in the form table...
It is hard to look beyond Michael Cheek as Bromley’s man to look out for in this one due to his goalscoring record, despite currently being on a run of 11 games without a goal...
The Spireites would welcome a repeat of last season’s trip to Hayes Lane, when they secured a vital 2-1 win".
'We go there with confidence having won the last three but knowing how tough it is,' said the 45-year-old... 'We know we’re going to have to suffer a little bit but that’s part and parcel... It’ll be a tough afternoon but it’s one that hopefully we can go and enjoy and make sure we put a performance on...
'We’ve had a good few games, going away to Barnet and winning was important after the run we were on but to follow it up with two home games was really pleasing,' said Maher...'[I'm] delighted with where we’re at because we didn’t want the season to peter out... We want to build for next year and the players know that'...
Blues have had to deal with a depleted squad in recent weeks, and eight players were sidelined for Tuesday’s victory".
Midfielder Ryan Upward is hoping his performances this season have done enough to convince the Magpies boss he's deserving of a new contract... He also knows that at 29, he's not getting any younger.
Upward said... 'He's probably talking to the players he wants to keep already. He'll also be looking at new players, and you've got to be quite savage at times and tell players when you don't want them or they're not part of your plans anymore.
'That could be me soon, I’m not getting any younger. I’m 29 but I know I’m still one of the fittest in the team and that benefits me and as I get older maybe I can adapt my game.
'Hopefully I can keep performing and keep being competitive with my team-mates in the squad. I might need to play well in these next four games to get that chance.'
Competition for places at Maidenhead has intensified this season, with Charlee Adams, Shaun Donnellan, and Kane Ferdinand all vying for central midfield berths, however, Upward has generally played when fit and...
'Personally, I feel like I've been better this season,' he said. 'Last year was probably my worst year, but I do put that down to being stressed out about trying to get a mortgage through and the pandemic. We were expecting a baby, we had the baby, there was a lot going on.
'At the time... I just thought I was playing poorly, but this year I’ve been a lot more relaxed and less angry at the referees, and I’ve learned to bite my tongue. I feel I’ve been a lot better, individually...
'Goals wise it could be better, but I don’t put my performances down to goals anymore. I seem to be in the team when I’m fit. There’s a lot of centre midfielders in our squad and the gaffer pulled us a few months ago to say there would be a lot of rotation.'"
He admitted a late defeat at Chesterfield last weekend, where he had six under-18s in the squad, may have been down to that inexperience but the young players are learning.
'They have certainly shown they can play at this level and if they can play at this level then they can definitely play at the league below,” said the Whites boss.
'We have to do it as a club and we have a good academy and we also know that you can’t have too many youngsters in the team and that has probably been shown over the last few games, you can have a few...
'They may never play in front of that kind of atmosphere again... It is a great experience, a tough experience as well... They can only learn and get better for the experience...
'I think if we had a bit more experience in the team [against Chesterfield]... we would have been... ready for the onslaught, we knew that was going to come after going 2-1 up at their place with 10 minutes to go...
'One thing we are doing is that we are still respecting the league and having a go because we could have thrown the towel in a long time ago'...
[Next] is a home visit from mid-table Altrincham. Hessenthaler is expecting another tough afternoon on Saturday.
He said 'We had a good game up there, it seems like a long time ago (on September 4), we put on a good show but it was another frustrating one where we were winning the game and unfortunately ended up losing by the odd goal.
'They are a good footballing side and they have done well, it would be nice for us to get a couple of wins.' [against Alty and Notts County]"
Right: Goalkeeper Stuart Coburn suffered a career-ending injury in Alty's last "valid" match at Dover.
Last season, Alty did play at Dover and won 1-0 thanks to a goal by Fisayo Adarbioyo. But when Dover subsequently refused to complete their fixtures, that result was expunged from the records. That game was also played behind closed doors so this Sturday is the first opportunity for Altrincham spporters to see this fixture since 2015.
So, excluding that 2015 record the record of games between the two clubs shows:
In a disappointing second half Alty lost Adam Griffin to an early injury before conceding a controversial 89th minute goal. In the melee that produced the goal, Coburn was hurt and was unable to continue. Winger Nicky Clee went in goal and made a couple of good saves as the ten men completed the game.
Alty had, therefore, lost four of their first-choice back five to injury that season. Before the loss of Griffin and Coburn, they had arrived in Dover without injured centre-backs Tom Marshall (broken leg) and Luca Havern (hamstring) but buoyed by a fine performance against Grimsby Town in midweek, which had brought them their first win of the season.
New loan signing Andrew Parry, from Luton Town, started alongside Scott Leather at centre-back.
ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 3. Adam GRIFFIN, 4. Jake MOULT, 6. Scott LEATHER, 22. Andrew PARRY, 7. James LAWRIE, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Michael RANKINE, 18. George BOWERMAN, 20. Jordan SINNOTT, Subs: 15. Anthony GRIFFITH, 17. Tim DEASY, 10. Damian REEVES, 11. Nicky CLEE, 14. Josh O'KEEFE.
All of the play offs will be broadcast on BT Sport channels.
And when it comes to form, Grimsby should be confident of being a match for any side. For the last-six form table has the Mariners sitting proudly at the top, ahead of high-flying Wrexham and league leaders Stockport County.
What's more, Saturday's opponents Barnet sit second bottom of the same table, having ended a poor run of a results with a win over Eastleigh last time out. Grimsby have won 11 of their last 16 league games, losing against just Southend and Solihull since January".
The club announced the ‘exciting’ news today (Thursday) as it continues to develop plans to relocate to a larger base.
The move would see the club leave its current York Road home, where it has been based since 1871, making it the oldest continually used football ground in the world.
The 3.7-hectare plot of land in Braywick Park is earmarked to house the club’s new community sports ground, incorporating football, athletics and wider facilities...
Maidenhead United first floated the idea of relocating in November 2019. A step forward was made one month later when the Royal Borough agreed to release the Braywick land, with cabinet agreeing to sell the land at a further meeting in November 2020.... There has been some opposition, including from Maidenhead Rugby Club, which already occupies space at Braywick Park.
Maidenhead United said in a statement... 'It brings our vision to locate the club within the heart of the community as part of a wider integrated sports, recreation and wellbeing hub at Braywick Park a step closer. MUFC expects to submit the planning application for the new ground and associated facilities later this year.
'If approved, our ambition is to deliver a community stadium the town can be proud of, incorporating state-of-the-art facilities'...
Maidenhead Athletic Club, which is also based at Braywick Park, will see its members benefit from new athletics facilities as part of the proposals".
The Magpies are fifth in the table... They are well-placed to secure a play-off place and could yet make a late charge for a top-three spot...
Since suffering a 5-1 thrashing at Torquay United, Notts have responded with three straight wins, scoring 10 goals in the process. On Tuesday night, they triumphed 3-0 away to relegated Dover Athletic.
Burchnall made four changes to the side that started last weekend's 3-1 victory over Weymouth, with the likes of 20-goal striker Kyle Wootton and on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Harry Arter given a breather.
Eli Sam came in for Wootton, who has been hampered by a slight back issue, while Ed Francis started in place of Arter. There were also starts for goalkeeper Sam Slocombe and defender Alex Lacey.
'I think we've got to be a little bit strategic, when you play Tuesday, Saturday, Monday, you know that not everybody is going to get through 90 [minutes] in all of them, and if you can rest one or two players at the right moment and not lose the balance within the team, it's hugely important for us,' said head coach Burchnall.
'What we don't need are any injuries unnecessarily'...
Burchnall was pleased with the performance of his team at Dover, adding 'I thought we were quite ruthless, and I think we learned a little bit from the Weymouth game, because we were in full control of that game for 35 minutes and then when we lost a bit of focus, we found ourselves having problems. And I just thought the boys were completely focused for 90 minutes (at Dover)'...
The Magpies boss was also happy with how his forward line operated in the absence of talisman Wootton...
Focus now turns to Saturday's trip to Aldershot Town... Notts, meanwhile... are now only four points adrift of third-placed Halifax...
Burchnall replied... 'Away to Aldershot,... that's not going to be easy... And then we've got Dover and then two more after that. So 12 points is possible'".
Stenson has played more times for loan clubs, trying to regain form and fitness, than he has for Halifax since signing in the summer of 2020.
The striker's two seasons at The Shay have been beset by injuries, restricting him to just four appearances...
The 28-year-old is unshaken in his belief that something good can still come from it all... He said, 'I've had my down times, so I'm only looking up... I've had my bad time not playing, now I'm due something and we're due something, hopefully that's getting promoted.'
Stenson's substitute appearance at Southend came more than three months after his previous Halifax game...
He explained... 'Once you come out of the team it's hard to get back in it.... I asked if I could go out on loan to get some game-time and I've come back trying to get back in the team.'
And Stenson said his loan spell at Kidderminster helped him get back to fitness... Stenson didn't score on loan at the National League North club, but felt he made an impact there... Stenson signed on loan for the rest of the season when he joined Kidderminster in March, but says he didn't close the door on a return to Halifax...
'In my head I'm a Halifax player, so I wanted to go there and just keep the attention of the staff here'...
Stenson suffered an injury in pre-season back in 2020 and then limped off on his debut in November that year, which kept him out for more than 12 months... 'I'm back here now and I'm fully committed into getting us promoted'...
The next step on the road to promotion is Saturday's home game against Yeovil".
28 April 2022
Last time out, Dover lost to Notts County from where the Nottingham Post reports that "Ahead of kick-off, fans were treated to a rain-based music playlist which poked fun at the fact the last two games [scheduled between Dover and County] had previously been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The two clubs were involved in a very public row after February's game was called off with chairman Jim Parmenter slamming the decision as 'unbelievable'. And he claimed that the postponement could have only been down to 'undue pressure' from Notts, who strongly denied that was the case.
But last night fans were treated to songs such as 'The Flood' by Take That and Phil Collins's hit 'I Wish It Would Rain Down'. Asked whether there was any further gamesmanship out on the pitch with the two sides set to face each other again next Monday, Burchnall said he had no complaints.
'I didn't hear the songs before but I am sure we can knock up a decent playlist together for Monday,' he joked... 'But there was no gamesmanship on the pitch. I spoke to their coaches and they are good guys. As I said, they have had a difficult job here and I think they've done a very good job to keep them motivated. They were motivated against us, but other than the music playlist there was no gamesmanship.'
Goals from Ed Francis, Callum Roberts and Ruben Rodrigues secured a big victory for Notts as they turned on the style in the second half after Myles Judd was sent off for a second bookable offence...
Notts were frustrated in the first half in a game they dominated from start to finish as goalkeeper Alexis Andre pulled off a series of fine saves...
'We put on a really good performance, a very controlled one and we dominated the game,"' Burchnall said. 'We created loads of chances and probably could have scored more but it took us a while to get that first. But, after that, we controlled the game well and didn't give them anything. Credit to their keeper he produced three or four fantastic saves and kept them in the game in the first half...
'They didn't have a shot on target. We almost had nothing to do'".
Wythenshawe Town's ground at Ericstan Park was the home ground of Altrincham FC Youth for several years, under the management of George Heslop. Here we see Chris Waugh, Alty Youth's right-back, tussling for the ball with Barrow's Kieron O'Connor as Alty won 2-0 in April 2005.
The club announced last Friday that the build up to the 2022-23 campaign will begin with a friendly at West Didsbury & Chorlton on July 9th, kicking off at midday.
Later that afternoon, with the kick-off set at 3.30pm to allow supporters to attend both games if they so wish, Alty head to Wythenshawe for a derby that could hardly be more local, with just three miles separating The J.Davidson Stadium from Town's Ericstan Stadium.
It is believed to be the first meeting between the clubs, and there can be little doubt Alty will be tested by an up-and-coming team who have gone from strength to strength in recent seasons but have never lost touch with their roots or links to the community.
Originally known as North Withington, their home games were played at Hough End on Princess Road until June, 1974, when they moved to a site on Timpson Road in Baguley, where three prefab houses were purchased and turned into a clubhouse, complete with a bar, kitchen and changing facilities.
It marked the beginnings of what is now known as the Ericstan Stadium... named after two stalwarts, chairman Stan Hahn and secretary Eric Renard...
[This season they achieved] a third-placed finish in the table. That represents the most successful season in their history".
The Northern Premier League can now confirm the situation regarding relegation from its Step 4 divisions following the FA’s announcement. As expected, only two teams will be relegated from the Premier Division, Witton Albion and Grantham Town, with the third-bottom team, Basford United, earning a reprieve due to a superior points per game to the other Step 3 divisions.
The same is also the case in the West Division, where Prescot Cables are reprieved owing to their superior points per game to their equivalents in other Step 4 divisions. Kendal Town and Market Drayton Town are relegated as the bottom two.
In the East Division, bottom placed Pickering Town have been relegated, along with 18th placed Frickley Athletic.
Yorkshire Amateur will also be relegated following a decision by the FA Alliance Committee that they would be relegated from Step 4 for their failure to comply with the Ground Grading E criteria. An appeal has heard by the FA Appeal Board on Friday, but was unanimously dismissed on all grounds, and we are now able to confirm that unfortunately, Yorkshire Amateur will be relegated from the NPL.
Sheffield FC, who had finished in the third bottom play-off spot, are also reprieved.
In the Midlands Division, Soham Town Rangers and Wisbech Town have been relegated. Third-bottom Histon will play in an Inter-Step play-off with a Step 5 club to try and avoid relegation. As per this morning’s announcement by the FA, Histon will be at home to Northern League side Consett FC.
There will now be six Step 4/5 Inter-Step play-off fixtures, with just one involving a current NPL side [see below]".
For the 2022/23 season, there is expected to be 22 teams in the NPL Premier Division, and 20 teams each in the East, Midlands and West Divisions. This is subject to FA allocations and other factors".
Meanwhile, on Tuesday night the NPL promotion play-offs finished as follows.
Above: Despite home advantage, Halesowen Town lost their promotion play-off semi-final on Tuesday night. Here we recall Alty's visit to that friendly club in 2018 as Alty line up at Halesowen with, left to right, Moult, Deasy, Harrison, Hancock, White, Hulme, Hannigan, Densmore, Richman, Johnston and no.10 Poole.
NPL Premier Division Promotion Play-Offs Semi-Finals.
NPL East Division Promotion Play-Offs Semi-Finals.
NPL Midlands Division Promotion Play-Offs Semi-Finals.
NPL West Division Promotion Play-Offs Semi-Finals.
The play-off finals are as follows, all on Saturday 30 April 2022 at 3pm.
NPL East Division Promotion Play-Offs Final.
NPL Midlands Division Promotion Play-Offs Final.
NPL West Division Promotion Play-Offs Final.
Step 4/5 Relegation Play-Offs
The 55 year-old came back to the Blues in February after departing League One Ipswich Town last year... Cook said 'I have turned down League One clubs before I came here, I have turned down (Football) League clubs while I have been here.'
Cook also said that he had rejected other clubs in the National League in the past despite being offered ‘ridiculous contracts’ because he did not want to drop out of the Football League. But, in the end, his connection with Town was too strong to turn down...
'With where the club was, I could not leave them without a manager,' he added. “'I could not sit at home and do Sky Sports and that stuff while Chesterfield did not have a manager.'
Cook lost his ‘enjoyment’ for managing over a period of 18 months after experiencing administration with Wigan Athletic and then being sacked by Ipswich Town.
He admitted that the last two months have probably been his ‘toughest’ in management because of the number of injuries and suspensions they have suffered...
'My job now is to take us right back to League One, that is my challenge and that is something I crave to do... I think the club is in such a solid place, it is run by good, solid people and it has got a solid fanbase.'”
The Reds made a slow start and the second bottom Terras took a 20th minute lead.
But it was one-way traffic in the second period and Wrexham's three leading scorers, Paul Mullin (2), Jordan Davies (2) and Ollie Palmer, got on the scoresheet along with James Jones.
When asked what he said during his half-time team-talk, Parkinson said 'Be patient, stay calm, keep passing the ball. First 10-15 minutes it was scrappy, we conceded a goal, but after that once we settled the spaces started to appear and we had some good moments without being clinical enough to take those.
'We didn't want to force the issue in the second half, we were patient, we passed it really well, waited for the moments and when they came we were clinical. We scored some terrific goals and some of the football in the second half was a joy to watch...
'We had to respond with a performance and we have done that in fantastic fashion with six second-half goals'...
The Reds host Southend and will aim to cut the gap to one point before the Hatters entertain Boreham Wood in the late game... 'It is all about making sure we are there in waiting if Stockport do slip-up,' said Parkinson... 'We are a good team and if we don't go up automatically, I firmly believe we can get the job done through the play-offs.'"
Portsmouth loanee centre-back Mnoga was named Weymouth’s man of the match...
Tom Bearwish put Weymouth in front with a well-taken finish in the 20th minute, and Weymouth were denied twice more by excellent Christian Dibble saves.
But Wrexham destroyed the Terras in the second half...
Tanzania international Mnoga, 20... said 'We’ve fought hard for the first 45 and then we’ve chucked it all away... Second half we were on the back foot a lot... For us, we do well to get into positions where we’re putting pressure on teams. Then we come out second half. I couldn’t say what it was, but it’s disappointing overall...
'It’s helped me play better and I’ve enjoyed being here. It’s been a good experience... The games I’ve played, we’ve played tough teams. The one off the top of my head is Stockport away, where we should ultimately have won the game'",
The gap from third to fourth was cut to just two points last Saturday when Halifax lost 1-0 at Southend and Solihull beat Aldershot 2-1... Finishing fourth to seventh means having to win a one-off play-off eliminator before being the away side in the semi-final.
It remains in The Shaymen's hands with four games left, two of which take place over the Bank Holiday weekend, with Town visiting Eastleigh on Monday...
'I honestly don't feel that there's any pressure on us'... Wild said. 'The only pressure is what people try to create outside to try and put us under pressure...
'I'm not really thinking about top three etc, I'm just thinking about what we need to do to win this next game... We've had a really good month, we've had six games,'...
When asked whether he had a points target in mind... Wild said 'Two-points-a-game. I mean, any other year two-points-a-game would have won you the league but who'd have thought Stockport would have done what they've done?'...
A win on Saturday would guarantee The Shaymen a play-off place, a win or a draw would set a new record for the highest points total the club has recorded in the fifth tier since reforming, while a win would equal their best points tally in the previous 10 seasons....
'Going into the home game on Saturday it's about imposing ourselves on them for longer periods than we did last Saturday... Yeovil are off the back of an excellent win on Saturday, I know Charlie (Lee, caretaker-manager) tried to keep a lot of the same traits Darren (Sarll, previous Yeovil manager)) had...
'I'd expect a team that's like Charlie as a player, full of tenacity, full of energy, full of drive, wants to get in your faces and make it difficult for us, exactly what they did to Stockport last Saturday... so I'd expect more of what Southend gave us last Saturday...
'There's a couple of injuries so it's making sure we pick the right players'...
Wild said Town will travel down on Sunday lunchtime to Eastleigh. 'There'll be a recovery session, so most of the time will be spent with Aaron (Scholes, physio) making sure the boys' legs are ready for Monday.'"
Kent Online previewed the Whites' midweek clash reminding us that "Dover Athletic are ready to welcome Notts County once again and the weather’s looking good.
The first two attempts to play the fixture at Crabble were postponed, firstly in January and the again the following month, which led to statements from both teams criticising each other.
Tuesday night’s visit will be the first of two games in quick succession between the sides, with Whites playing the reverse fixture at the County Ground on Monday (May 2).
Notts County will arrive looking to strengthen their grip on a play-off spot and Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler... said 'I am sure Dagenham (one place below the Magpies) will be watching the game because they are in and around the play-offs still, they will be hoping we can put a performance on.
'The one thing we haven’t done is score enough at home, we tend to perform better away from home and I said to the boys after the game on Saturday, we have another tough game Tuesday but we need to perform at home better than we have been ...
'I understand we have lost some fans, they have gone because we have gone down and we haven’t been winning game, the atmosphere in the ground has been difficult but, hopefully with Notts County coming to our place, the atmosphere will be a lot better and help us in our performance.'
Dover lost 3-2 at Chesterfield on Saturday but were leading 2-1 with just eight minutes left... It’s a sign that Hessenthaler’s men may be down but they’re not out...
'The effort from the players was phenomenal,' said the Whites' boss... 'I know their manager well, he said credit to our players for running us that close. We had six 18-year-olds in the 16 and that shows what we have got. One thing we are doing is that we are still respecting the league and having a go because we could have thrown the towel in a long time ago.'
With the acrimony from the winter postponements still fairly fresh, there could be some negativity from the away team, but Hessenthaler isn’t concerned if there is... He responded by saying 'They had a lot to say for themselves (at the time) and I am not going to get into a war of words. At the end of the day they got called off and they have to come again now...
'We just want to try and make it as difficult as we can for them on Tuesday and when we go to their place on Bank Holiday Monday... Yes, we might get a bit of stick, but bring it on! As a manager I thrive on that, if they want to do that, it’s fine, it is a David versus Goliath game anyway, the two clubs are a million miles apart in terms of stature. They should beat us both times but we hope that's not the case.'
County have previously made two trips to Dover, staying overnight, but are making the journey on the day this time, setting off on Tuesday morning.
The visitors'... head coach head coach Ian Burchnall... said 'They are a young team and credit to Andy Hessenthaler, they have had to fight to get to zero (points), they have gone down but not given up and that is showing with their performances... They aren’t giving up. They are a bit open but they aren’t making it easy for teams to play against them.'”
Right, we see Tony Thompson taking a goalkick in that match.
The above results mean that Weymouth are relegated; King's Lynn Town were saved from the same fate by a late Bromley equaliser against Aldershot Town.
Alistair Smith scored after four minutes of Sutton United's home match against Crawley Town and again, four minutes from the end, as United stayed in play-off contention with a 3-0 win.
At Alfreton Town, Lewis Salmon, on loan from Nottingham Forest, scored Town's second goal in their 4-2 defeat of Curzon Ashton. Tom Peers netted both of the Nash's goals, the first a penalty.
Simply commit to purchasing a ticket for next season by the middle of next month, and it will cost exactly the same as the current one did... To be strictly accurate, you will actually be paying LESS, in real terms!
Because the gap caused by Macclesfield Town's demise will have been filled by the start of the new campaign, there will be one extra National League home fixture in 2022/23, meaning anyone on the early bird deal will be getting their football cheaper, pro rata, than this season.
So, buy your new season ticket before the deadline, and your outlay will be the same as before at £289... It's an exceptional offer... and it will remain open to all Alty fans until the end of the final game of the season... on Sunday, May 15th...
After May 15th, prices will be £298 for adults, £245 concessions, £80 juniors and an unchanged £36 children.
Don't forget, as well, that free admission to pre-season friendlies are included with a season ticket, and when the programme of warm-up games is announced, you will see that represents another bonus, considering the absence of home friendlies last year...
From the start of next season, payment on a game-by-game basis will be £19 for adults, £15 concessions, £7 juniors and £2 children. This represents an increase of £2 for adults and £1 for concessions and juniors, with the rate for children staying the same
Right: Striker Michael Rankine clears the ball as referee Ollie Yates awards the visitors a freekick in their own box at Braintree on Saturday.
Ryan Crowther was once again an absentee for Altrincham, along with the four long-term injured players. In addition, goalkeeper Tim Deasy was again playing when far from fit and he was unable to take goalkicks.
ALTRINCHAM: 17. Tim DEASY, 6. Scott LEATHER, 26. Marcus HOLNESS, 5. Luca HAVERN, 3. Adam GRIFFIN, 4. Jake MOULT (capt), 7. James LAWRIE , 20. Jordan SINNOTT, 15. Josh GINNELLY, 9. Michael RANKINE, 10. Damian REEVES Subs: 23. Callum WILLIAMS, 27. Adam SAVILL, 14. Josh O'KEEFE, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 12. Sam HEATHCOTE.
This match was televised live as much depended on it; a point was needed by The Iron to secure a place in the play-offs whilst nothing less than a win could help Altrincham survive, against the odds, in the National League. Even an Alty win would also require Halifax to lose and Guiseley to do no more than draw. As it happened, the result at Braintree was irrelevant as Halifax drew and Guiseley won.
So, Altrincham suffered their fourth relegation since 1997 when they were comprehensively beaten by a Braintree Town side which secured a deserved place in the promotion play offs with this victory.
Braintree took a 17th minute lead when the impressive Akinola miscued a shot across goal and Cheek was on hand to convert from close range at the back post. Cheek made it 2-0 three minutes before the break when he converted a cross, following a fine run by Brundle.
Brundle added the third when he converted a cross after Akinola had got to the byline.
Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years records remind us of all of Altrincham's previous games on Saturday's date.
In nine games since 1986, Altrincham have won just once on 30 April!
The 26 year-old has not featured since coming off as a 75th minute substitute in the 2-1 home win over Bromley having been fighting through the pain barrier with the issue affecting his groin.
However, a post on his Instagram shows him at a private hospital in Leicestershire... Up until a month ago, Staunton was openly playing with the injury... Speaking then, he said the ongoing uncertainty around the future of the club and players’ contracts was troubling him...
This week, chairman Scott Priestnall said he had made contract offers to the club’s out of contract players...
Since the Bromley victory, Staunton has donned his training kit and been supporting caretaker manager Charlie Lee from the touchline".
The Linnets took a 12th-minute lead through Josh Coulson’s header in Essex, but were denied all three points when Dagenham’s Paul McCallum levelled matters four minutes into stoppage time.
It was another titanic blow for Lynn who are now seven points behind Aldershot...
Widdrington’s troops have three games remaining and the Shots have five, but if Aldershot win at Bromley tonight (Tuesday), Lynn will be down...
iddrington said.. 'Wwe have had enough really good chances in that game... We should have been 2-0 up before we took the lead. Yes, the stats will tell you that Dagenham had more of the ball, which they are going to do, but the way we set up was spot on...
'I am gutted for the lads but in no way, shape or form am I disappointed in any way with the performance... The on-loan Coulson has been outstanding for Lynn since moving on loan from league rivals Southend in February...
'I think we’ve looked, since he has come in particularly, a lot more dangerous because he’s got a good knack of landing on the first contact at a set-piece and we work on them,' said Widdrington".
"We're pleased with the win but we were hardly clinical, a mistake by their keeper and a scuffed effort [gave us two goals], but we'll take it.
"Our highest ever finish is 14th at this level [!! see below] and our target now is to break this record, so we'll keep going until the end".
Footnote: The claim that 14th is Altrincham's highest ever finish at national level is incorrect. It is only a valid claim if you go back to 1997, as Alty finished 12th in 1996.
In fact, between 1979 and 1996 Altrincham were ever-present at national level and over those 17 seasons they only finished 14th or lower on four occasions. And of course, Alty's highest finish is actually first, which was achieved on two occasions.
Alty TV has highlights of the game.
The fixture on Monday, May 2 has been selected for TV coverage by BT Sport and will now get underway at 5.30pm instead of 3pm, according to the Hatters.
As many as 2,600 Stockport will be making the trip to Derbyshire after selling out their initial 1,800 allocation and a further 800 tickets.
The decision, made just one week before the match, has angered some Hatters supporters, especially those who have already bought train tickets.
Stockport, who lost to Yeovil Town on Saturday, are seven points clear of Wrexham in second. They both have five games remaining and still have to play each other...
The following match away at Torquay United on Saturday, May 7 will also be on BT, with a 12.30pm kick-off...
Stockport said in a statement [about the]... fixture away at Chesterfield...
'There will be 2,600 County fans going to The Technique Stadium for this game, as our remaining tickets sold out on general sale this morning. It means we will now have three successive league games shown live on BT Sport, with the game coming in between fixtures against Boreham Wood and Wrexham.'"
It is the second successive year the match has not been played at Wembley.
Last year's game was held at Bristol City's Ashton Gate ground ... Wembley will host the League Two and Championship play-off finals on 28 and 29 May before Italy face Argentina on 1 June in the 'Finalissima'...
'It is a fantastic sporting arena with a rich history and very befitting of our showpiece promotion final,' said the National League's general manager Mark Ives".
The Latics were relegated from League Two on Saturday after a 2-1 home defeat to Salford City, a match which was halted with 14 minutes remaining after fans ran on the pitch to protest at the current ownership of the club.
Relegation ends Oldham’s 116 years as a Football League club...
Sheridan returned for his sixth stint in charge of the Boundary Park club in January and although results did improve it was not enough for them to avoid the drop...
But Sheridan, who does have experience of non-league with Chesterfield, is to be offered a new deal...
The Latics said 'The Oldham Athletic board of directors is devastated at the club's relegation. The issues that have led to this point go back years but the buck stops with the board and relegation represents a total failure.
'The plan for next season starts now. The objective is clear, promotion and a return to the EFL. Our budget will be unchanged due to EFL parachute payments and we want to start preparations now.
'Key to that is keeping the manager. John Sheridan did the best he could in a short amount of time. With backing and preparation, we think he will get this club promoted back to the EFL, which is where it belongs. In the following days, we will meet with John to agree on a new contract with him...
“The club's owner remains committed to selling the club... Conversations with those qualified bidders are ongoing and will continue... The board and staff are committed to working hard to restore our rightful [sic] position in the Football League.”
The winger has made 26 appearances in the Vanarama National League, scoring three times and has been an integral part of Mark Molesley’s match-day squads when available this season.
The 21 year-old will now return to parent club AFC Bournemouth to continue his recovery from surgery for the remainder of this season".
In their last eight fixtures they may have only won once, at Boreham Wood, but their seven defeats in that sequence include five reverses by just a single-goal margin and only one defeat by more than two goals.
And they even netted five away goals at Wrexham. Their most recent results are:
Right: Josh Hancock points the way forward against Wealdstone.
Saturday's win over Wealdstone means that with 39 league games completed, we can review a season of three-thirds, each of 13 games.
In their most recent 13 league games they have earned 24 points (W7 D3 L3). The first 13 games of this season earned them 19 points (W6 D1 L6) but the middle third of the season saw them take just seven points (W1 D4 L8) from those 13 outings.
Their current total of 50 points (from 39 games) is already their highest for a season at national level since 2015 when they finished 17th with 56 points. Should Alty surpass 56 points by the end of this season you would have to go back to 1996 to find a higher season's haul at Conference level, when they amassed 58 points, albeit that was from 42 games compared with this season's 44 fixtures.
Both are "northern" clubs and both are dropping to this level for the first time in their modern history.
As Southend's Echo News confirms, "Oldham Athletic will face Southend United in the National League next season after their 115-year stay in the Football League came to a chaotic end at Boundary Park this afternoon.
A 79th-minute pitch invasion by Latics fans protesting against owner Abdallah Lemsagam initially halted proceedings with Salford leading 2-1 and the club’s relegation rivals Stevenage and Barrow both leading in their fixtures.
Both sets of players were escorted off the field by referee Bobby Madley, with the last of the protestors then not leaving the pitch for almost an hour.
After an initial announcement at the ground that the game had been abandoned, the EFL later insisted it must restart, which it did at 6.28pm behind closed doors.
The final 11 minutes plus stoppage time produced little further goalmouth action, meaning the match finished 2-1.
Oldham, who had issues with pitch invasions earlier in the season, are now likely to face severe punishment from the Football Association and the EFL... ldham are the first former Premier League side to drop out of the league".
Fellow first-timers in non-League will be Scunthorpe United, whose relegation was confirmed some time ago.
Both Oldham and Scunhtorpe have suffered rapid falls from very respectable places in the EFL.
Oldham were relegated from the Premier League in 1994 and dropped to what is now League One in 1997. They remained there until 2018 and now, after four seasons in EFL2, they find themselves in the National League.
Scunthorpe United were in the Championship as recently as 2011 and, apart from a single season in EFL2 in 2013-14, they remained at EFL1 level until 2019. This season they are bottom of the 24-strong dvision after two finishes in 20th and 22nd places before that.
Altrincham have not met Oldham Athletic competitively in a first-team fixture but they have played four FA Cup ties against Scunthorpe and not lost any of those matches.
In 1974-75, in the FA Cup First Round, a John Hughes goal earned a 1-1 draw in Lincolnshire before Alty won the replay 3-1 at Moss Lane thanks to goals by Morris, Hughes and Davison.
The clubs met again in Round Two in 1980-81 season when a goalless draw at Scunthorpe was followed by a 1-0 win for Altrincham at Moss Lane in front of 5,176 fans. A Davison penalty decided that game.
'It was a complete game of two halves,' Wild said. 'In the first half we weren’t good enough. I told five or six of them at half time they hadn’t been good enough. We were nowhere near where we needed to be. All that considered, it’s a set-piece that has beaten us. We switched off during the short set-piece which infuriates me. The last few goals we have conceded have been off set-pieces which is not like us as we have done well defending set-pieces this season.
'In the second half we came out and gave it a good go. But, we just couldn’t break them down'...
Matty Stenson was introduced after 63 minutes in place of Harvey Gilmour... 'I felt he did alright,' Wild said. 'It was hard for him to get into the game. By the time he came on we’re playing 4-2-4 as we’re trying to get a point out of the game... It’s not doom and gloom as we head back to our home turf where we have been so strong this season'".
But Burchnall ended any fears that it was a serious problem... 'Kyle is fine,' he said... 'He has played a lot of minutes and over the next three or four games he is going to need a break. That's fine...
'There are lots of players waiting to play. We will have to rotate but we've got a strong squad so that's no problem. At half-time Kyle felt his back a little bit... We just felt we needed another 10 minutes out of Woots before we took him off. Conceding didn't help us. Kyle is so important to us and helping at defending set-pieces'...
Wootton scored his 21st goal of the season which set Notts on the way to victory as they threatened to run riot courtesy of a blistering opening that saw Aaron Nemane double the lead in the first 15 minutes.
But Weymouth hit the bar and the post as they launched a spirited fightback before half-time before Ruben Rodrigues put the game beyond them with a glorious free-kick. However Tom Bearwish did score for the visitors who are heading to Conference South next season...
'I am going to say I didn't enjoy it'... Burchnall said. 'I thought for the first 30 minutes we were absolutely magnificent. We cut them open at will.'"
Tristan Abrahams was the match-winner with an injury-time penalty against Torquay United.... The Mariners started the campaign by going seven unbeaten as they surged to the top of the National League.
Hopes of automatic promotion are long gone but after extending their unbeaten run to six matches with a 2-1 win over Torquay United, Paul Hurst's men are on the verge of emulating and even surpassing that exceptional start to the season.
Grimsby have accumulated 16 points from their last six games. They started the season by picking up 17 from seven. That's some stat for Town and should give every fan a firm belief that promotion is achievable via the play-offs...
There's no getting away from the fact that the opening 45 minutes against Torquay were dreadful, among some of the worst football they have played in recent weeks. Yet it's to be admired that they managed to brush that aside at half-time and produce a more fluid display that saw them eventually win the game in injury time...
Grimsby's record against teams in the play-off picture right now isn't fantastic. They have won three, lost six and drawn one, they have been unable to beat either Halifax or Solihull in their two attempts this season.".
24 April 2022
Match report here.
Right: Matty Kosylo is congratulated on his and Alty's first goal of the game.
The scoreline was level at the break after Saidou Khan cancelled out Michael Gyasi’s opener.
Town showed more urgency and intent in the second-half but it looked like being a frustrating afternoon when Jake Goodman slotted in at the far post for the visitors.
But Khan grabbed his second with an instant equaliser before Jeff King clinically finished with just five minutes remaining.
'It is a bitter pill because they were sweating, we had them,' Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent...
'We are winning 2-1 and they (the fans) are having a go at Paul Cook, within minutes they are singing Paul Cook’s blue army so that just shows how fickle fans can be. We are gutted but we made them (Chesterfield) go all the way again.'
Hessenthaler paid tribute to his young side who gave a ‘wonderful’ account of themselves at the Technique.
'We had six 18-year-olds and five 22-year-olds out there, and I can’t ask any more from them,' he added.
'Unfortunately the six 18-year-olds and five 22-year-olds probably cost us the game because they don’t have the experience to be able to manage a game after we have just scored a goal to go 2-1 up and that is what has cost us.
'When we go 2-1 up we should be making it even harder for Chesterfield, but they scored from the kick-off. We should have been nice and narrow and had bodies behind the ball and made it difficult but that comes from experience and we didn’t have that today'...
Hessenthaler also revealed that goalkeeper Alexis Andre apologised after the game for conceding Khan’s second equaliser... Hessenthaler added 'We were still celebrating our goal, for me, and that comes down to experienced players and that know the level, and our players don’t know the level'".
Marcus Dinanga rounded off the scoring for Dartford as they clinched a play-off place in National League South by beating St Albans City 3-1.
Alfeton Town kept their play-off ambitions alive by winning 2-1 at Leamington; Connor Branson opened the scoring.
Alistair Smith played the full game for Sutton United as a a 1-0 defeat at Barrow dented their play-off ambitions. Barrow played from 69 minutes with ten men but James Jones was one of their unused subs.
Tom Peers scored an 88th minute equaliser as Curzon Ashton drew 2-2 at bottom-placed Guiseley.
James Lawrie and Joe Mwasile scored the first two goals as already-relegated Witton Albion won their final fixture of the season 4-0 at home to Basford.
But although the Reds took a 44th minute lead, Woking turned things around in the second half to seal victory.
Wrexham, whose 15 game unbeaten run came to an end, remain second in the National League, seven points behind leaders Stockport with five matches to go.
Parkinson named the same starting XI for the eighth game in a row with Wrexham in such excellent form but the Reds' boss was forced into a change after only six minutes with Liam McAlinden replacing Callum McFadzean who went off injured... The Reds went 1-0 up a minute before the break.
Davies picked out McAlinden whose cross deflected off Johnson and beat Ross...
Davies handled in the area when Rohan Ince got his head to a free-kick and Max Kretzschmar converted the resulting spot-kick... The Cards went 2-0 up in the 86th minute. Wrexham lost the ball, Woking crossed from the right and Jamar Loza slotted home".
An early effort from Kenny Clark saw the Shrimpers secure all three points at Roots Hall... to make it back to back wins for Blues..
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Said Maher, 'Halifax are third for a reason so we know what threat they can pose but we didn’t concede too many chances'.
And Blues were able to come out on top despite suffering three injuries during the game which saw Noor Husin, Kenny Clark and Jack Bridge having to go off...
The latest victory came following a well-worked corner... 'We work on set pieces all the time, defending and attacking,' said Maher".
Lynn had led since the 12th minute through Josh Coulson’s back-post header, but were denied all three points when Dagenham’s Paul McCallum levelled deep into time added on.
It was a cruel blow for Lynn who are now seven points behind Aldershot, who lost 2-1 at Solihull Moors. Lynn have three games remaining and the Shots have five. If Aldershot win at Bromley on Tuesday night, Lynn are down.
'The frustration for me is we have had enough really good chances in that game and situations where we should have scored more goals,' Lynn boss Tommy Widdrington told BBC Radio Norfolk...
'I thought the lads to a man were excellent; their commitment, their endeavour, their honesty. It is just that clinical finish. And again, it’s not strikers always, it is everybody in the side... I am gutted for the lads but in no way, shape or form am I disappointed in any way with the performance. They were absolutely outstanding and the town of King’s Lynn should be proud of them to be honest...
'Eight minutes of extra-time has come from somewhere,' said the Lynn boss. “I don’t see it. There were no stretchers on there, we only made two substitutions. There was a disallowed goal. Other than that, I don’t see where eight minutes comes from'
Dagenham boss Daryl McMahon said... 'We created enough chances to win two games today. As much as they sat in and made it hard for us, we still found the answers but didn't put the ball in the back of the net'".
The Glovers’ caretaker boss admitted he had been critical of his side after they failed to put lowly Aldershot Town and Weymouth to the sword over the Easter period.
Having soaked up pressure for much of the first half, Tom Knowles struck just before the break before Josh Neufville added a second on 55 minutes and then Yeovil managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory...
Lee said 'It did not look like (Stockport) had ten men at the end, they were brave, direct and played good football but we dug in and got the win... We had to be a bit more defensive and look for counter attacks which we know we are good at and we made them count and could have got a few more'...
The boss had special praise for centre-half Max Hunt on his return after more than three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury...
Of Luton Town loanee Neufville, he added 'When I see Josh Neufville at his best I am so glad I am retired... I am just so glad he is playing for me and I don’t have to play against him. He went through and he looked composed, it was a great finish'...
Charlie Wakefield was missing through illness having missed training, but Lee said... 'We are confident he will be back'.
It was Lee’s first game with caretaker assistant manager Jody Brown alongside him after he was brought in following his sacking by National League South bottom club, Billericay Town, this week".
23 April 2022
Right: Former Radcliffe FC striker Kole Hall made his home debut from the bench for Altrincham against Wealdstone.
Alty took an eighth-minute lead after a poor clearance by Wickens went to an Alty man. The ball was fed, left, to Colclough whose rasping cross-shot was smartly diverted into the net by an alert Kosylo. However, Thompson was the busier keeper in the first half as Alty played into a tricky wind.
It took just 32 seconds of the second half for Altrincham to double their lead when Kosylo's well-hit 25 yarder went through the hands of Wickens and into the net.
It was soon 3-0 as another long-range effort from Marriott hit the back of the net from 25 yards. And the match seemed to be all over four minutes later as Mooney scored from just outside the box.
On the hour the Stones made a triple substitution and, after good skills from Dyer, a Cooper effort was diverted into his own net by Mullarkey to make it 4-1 ten minutes later. Umerah's stooping header from a freekick made it 4-2 after 77 minutes as the visitors pushed forward till the final whistle.
The Alty defence held out to record a 4-2 win.
Match report here.
The top three all lost...
It has been a season of personnel change for both squads. The Wealdstone squad for their most recent fixture comprised 1. George Wickens, 2. Jack Cook, 14. Connor McAvoy, 6. Jerome Okimo (c), 17. Nik Tavares, 22. Aaron Henry, 7. Nathan Ferguson, 23. Jaydn Mundle-Smith, 20. Medy Elito, 10. Rhys Browne, 9. Josh Umerah. Subs: 11. David Sesay, 16. Ira Jackson, 19. Charles Clayden, 25. Jamie Mascoll, 18. Alex Dyer.
However, when Alty lost the reverse fixture at Wealdstone, to a penalty scored in the eleventh added minute, the Stones' team included just five of the same starters that they fielded last time out (Wickens, Cook, Okimo, Umerah and Browne).
For their part, in their most recent fixture, Alty likewise showed six changes from the starting eleven which had faced Wealdstone in September. The five who started both games were Thompson, Mullarkey, Mooney, Colclough and Kosylo.
Right: Matty Kosylo was one of only five Alty players who had started against Wealdstone in September who also started the Robins' most recent game against Wrexham.
For today's clash, Altrincham look likely to be without striker Jordan Hulme who went off injured in the game at Wrexham on Monday.
Whilst they are visiting Altrincham this afternoon, Wealdstone offer an alternative to their non-travelling fans, as their own stadium at "Grosvenor Vale will be hosting an Isthmian South Central Division match between Staines Town and Northwood on Saturday 23rd April, with kick off at 3PM.
Staines will be the hosts of the fixture with the Swans currently playing away from their Wheatsheaf Park home due to a dispute with their landlords.
Their home games against Bracknell Town and Chipstead had also been played away from Wheatsheaf Park and took place instead at Bedfont Sports.
The club have kindly offered to host this match at The Vale, with this week's game also the final one of the Isthmian season. With the visitors safe in mid-table, and the home side already relegated.
Staines Town have expressed their immense gratitude to Wealdstone for our kind offer to play at our magnificent National League Premier Division facilities to sign off on their Isthmian tenure.
If any Stones fans not making the trip to Altrincham would like to attend, admission has been reduced to £5 for Wealdstone season ticket holders".
Above: Just before Max Harrop, far left, stole in to net the second goal at Nuneaton, Alty went close through this effort, prompted by Shaun Densmore's incursion into the opposition box.
On a sweltering afternoon and on a bobbly surface, Altrincham put in a mature performance to win 2-0 and secure at least a play-off place, barring two defeats and a complete meltdown of their impressive goal-difference in their two remaining fixtures. For their part Nuneaton had already been confirmed as relegated for the following season.
After a goalless first half at Liberty Way, in which the relegated "Borough" actually came the closer to scoring when Caton's superb 25-yarder was brilliantly saved by Thompson, Altrincham took a fifty-fourth minute lead when Josh Hancock completed a neatly constructed move, at the second attempt, with a low shot from about 15 yards.
Alty went on to dominate the proceedings without further breaking down a resolute Nuneaton until added time. Then substitute Max Harrop bundled the ball home at the back post after Shaun Densmore had prompted an advance on the right.
ALTRINCHAM (Purple shirts and shorts, white socks): 1. Tony Thompson, 2. Shaun Densmore, 3. Andy White, 4. Ben Harrison, 5. Tom Hannigan, 6. Jake Moult (c), 7. John Johnston, 8. Sean Williams, 9. Jordan Hulme, 10. Josh Hancock, 11. Matt Chadwick. Subs: 12. James Poole, 14. Matt Harrop, 15. Connor Hampson, 16. Simon Richman, 17. Callum Dolan.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Phil Parkinson's squad will launch preparations for the 2022-23 campaign with a short trip to Brookburn Road to take on our friends and neighbours West Didsbury & Chorlton in a midday kick-off on Saturday, July 9th.
It promises to be an intriguing start to the programme of warm-up games against a North-West Counties League side who are on an upward curve, much like ourselves, and are managed by Chris Rowley, with another familiar face in the playing ranks in former Robin Sam Heathcote".
Ashmore, signed on a short-term deal from Boreham Wood to cover for the injured [ex-Alty trialist] Dan Gyollai, has been in magnificent form of late and rounded off his time at the club with four straight clean sheets. Those impressive displays against Wealdstone, Dover, Weymouth, and Bromley nudged the Magpies over the line in this season’s survival battle...
'I've enjoyed it to be fair,' he told club media officer Grace Scott... 'I’ve been playing well, and the team has been playing well. That’s four clean sheets in a row so I’m absolutely over the moon with that. I came here to do a job and it’s been a bonus to come here and enjoy it as well. The lads have been unbelievable, I’ve enjoyed every second with them. It’s been fun, it’s been hard work, and now I want to put the pressure on when I go back (to Boreham Wood).
'I’ve made a few friendships, Massey being one of them. We’re just two clowns together in the changing room, but they’re all good lads and I’ll miss them.'”
Town... are well on course to finish in the top seven after a run of 10 victories in their last 15 matches. Hurst has overseen a huge turnover of players in the squad...
Hurst picked out three games over the last month of matches which have provided a real indicator of every player pulling in the right direction...
He told Radio Humberside... 'We had three or four lads that were with us from almost day one and you build those relationships... But at the same time, you put them all together they’re bound to get on with some better than others. I think we’ve seen a togetherness, which is maybe easy when you’ve won some games. Like the other day at Kings Lynn, like at Chesterfield, after the game against Stockport, when everyone’s together.
'Not just the ones that have played, but the ones that aren’t even in the match day squad, which is what we want. We want to have that friends feel, that genuinely want their teammates to do well and ultimately as a collective squad, try and achieve something.'"
In terms of both Kane Smith and Mark Ricketts, their injuries are ongoing [and]require management, which means that three games in eight days can be a little too much for them and as such Luke and the medical team must be selective over the next three weeks if we are to get them both to the season’s end.
We can though confirm following a scan, that central midfielder Josh Rees has suffered a broken collar bone from his awkward landing following a late challenge down at Aldershot Town, whilst we can also confirm a scan has revealed that central defender Connor Stevens suffered a double wrist fracture from his awkward landing after a headed dual on the stroke of half time against Wealdstone last weekend.
Luke and his management team have also been advised by our medical department and consultants that both of these players are likely to miss the remainder of the season, however our medical team remain in consultation with specialists on measures that could be taken to protect Connor Stevens’ wrist which may allow him to return to the squad before the season’s end.
All other squad members at this point are available, unless suspended".
The 32 year-old is back playing again after 15 months out following two knee injuries. The striker is out of contract in the summer...
'I have been here for four years, I love playing for this football club. My family comes to every game, home and away, we love it here. It is a decision which is down to the manager but I would love to stay...
'I think I have had six managers in my time here and every one of them has used me at some point. I have got a little mini season personally but it is all about the team. If we can get promoted then the other business will take care of itself...
'It is in our hands now and anything can happen in football'..
‘Dents’ has experienced a tough last year with two serious knee injuries which both required operations... 'I have worked too hard to let it all go so I am just delighted to be back,' he explained...
'It was tough, especially the first one because I was flying at the time, I was the top goalscorer in the league at one point and playing well and full of confidence. To do it again was terrible...
'You have got a job to do to support the team before the games in the changing room and encourage them... I am like a fan really! If we score a goal I am jumping up and down'...
On what manager Paul Cook has said about his role in the team, Dents explained... 'He has just said to do what you have done for the last three or four years and that is what I will do for anyone. You know what you will get from me, I will always give it my all'".
The Stones’ 2-0 win over Boreham Wood on Monday means they cannot be relegated, guaranteeing a third consecutive season in the fifth tier of English football.
Maynard initially took charge as caretaker manager following the departure of former boss Dean Brennan in February last year.
He was then appointed on a permanent basis in March 2021 on a deal which runs until the end of this season, along with assistant Saunders.
Talks over a new contract are still ongoing and have not yet been finalised but confirmation of another season in the National League means they can now accelerate".
Everyone at Alty will always remember the way Wealdstone, as a club, rallied round after Connor Kirby suffered an horrific injury in our game at Grosvenor Vale back in September, when a typically-wholehearted attempt to block a shot left him with a badly-broken leg.
Right: Connor Kirby in action during the match against Yeovil Town in May, 2021.
No one epitomised the care and concern shown that day more than the supporters who spontaneously organised fundraising activities for Connor and made sure the proceeds - an astonishing £1,400 - reached Alty's stricken on-loan midfielder.
It was a remarkably kind-hearted act of generosity for an opposition player with no links to the London club, and there were other similar gestures from well-wishers among the home support at the end of the game and in the immediate aftermath that left a lasting impression on everyone at Altrincham.
After returning home to begin the long road back to recovery, the midfielder tweeted, 'This is absolutely incredible. I can't thank everyone enough for the love and support I've received over the last week'..
That sense of gratitude to Wealdstone and their fans is still shared by all of us at Alty, which is why the normal practice of segregating fans will be ditched this Saturday and our visitors from North-West London will be warmly received in all parts of the ground...
Alty director Rob Esteva said... 'Wealdstone, as a club, impressed me in so many ways and demonstrated what the football family is all about'"
After a long wait after the game for the ambulance, Rob recalls that "Not one fan complained about having to wait to reach their car. They knew the ambulance needed access to reach Connor and get him to hospital as quickly as possible, and that was all that mattered. I thought that was great.
'And that was followed, of course, by the incredible fundraising efforts of Wealdstone fans, and our own, and well done to all of them ... Those kinds of gestures are amazing and I can’t express my gratitude enough...
'There are a lot of similarities between us and Wealdstone, which always makes it a special fixture, but the bottom line is they're just a good bunch of people'...
As a footnote, Connor's recovery seems to be going well. In Jake Moult's column in Saturday's Robins Review match programme, the Alty skipper says Connor recently told him he was hoping for the go-ahead to start jogging again".
Above: Alty celebrate their victory over Eastbourne Borough in May 2005.
When? Saturday May 14th at 7.30pm following the FA Cup Final.
The bar will be open from 5pm for those who would like to watch the FA Cup Final in the Community Sports Hall at The J.Davidson Stadium
Tickets are £20 each, including hot buffet, produced by Richie Bentley... and a raffle will take place.
To book tickets phone Altrincham FC (0161 928 1045)
Proceeds from the evening will be split between The MND Association and Altrincham FC Community Company.
Geoff Goodwin's company GO G VIP is kindly sponsoring the event, which will be compered by Brian Flynn.
The following players will be attending, along with management, staff and directors from that era.
They had no answer to the power and precision of a Wrexham side who still harbour hopes of... top place in the National League.
The Welsh side went ahead after only two minutes and hit Alty with three further goals in six minutes before half time to leave Robins boss Parkinson pondering the club’s next step as they consider the practicality of going hybrid or even full time in the near future...
'If teams like Wrexham, or Stockport or Grimsby, are at it, it’s very difficult even if you’re at your absolute best,' he said. 'We did okay for 25 minutes and were in the game, but they were so clinical, and that’s what you are up against in these David v Goliath games... You feel a little helpless at times...
'We are disappointed, because we thought we could make a better fist of it, but there are so many Goliaths in this league, and a few eyes have been opened wide in our changing room about what is needed at this level. We were beaten by a far superior team. They were ruthless. How to bridge that gap is the task we face in the summer..
'It all boils down to money. The board have been brilliant with us this season, and everything has been done in the right manner at the right pace. But we need a decision soon on the direction we are going in, because we need to be signing players and recruiting for next season right now.'"
Dennis has scored eight goals in 28 games while on loan with Southend United this season.
But his parent club have now opted to activate a clause in his deal at Carrow Road".
But... midfielder Luke Summerfield insists the only planning taking place among the Town squad is how they can take another step towards the play-offs with a result at Southend on Saturday...
He said... 'We've never been too down on any losses, obviously we've not had a lot of them all year, but when we have lost we've recovered well and got on with, learned from each game, and that'll be no different now... Throughout the season our aim has been to get promoted, and that doesn't change...
'I think we've worked so hard throughout the season and, at the end of the day, the table doesn't lie,' he said...
'This squad's got so much quality that we could win any game if we played to our full potential, we could beat anybody in this league. But things like that don't happen in football, injuries happen, form happens'...
'I think it's been fits and starts for the past month or so,' he said of Town's recent form... It's probably been a frustrating one on a personal level with the injuries and things I've gone through this year... But hopefully at the end of the day I'm not looking back on this season on an individual basis, but as part of a great team and squad that's had success.'"
"The game earlier in the season was won by a 102nd minute Wealdstone penalty from Medy Elito, the game was also stopped for a lengthy period after a horrific injury suffered by Altrincham's Connor Kirby (right).
The Wealdstone squad got through the Easter period largely unscathed with only Ashley Charles missing Monday's win over Boreham Wood through injury, the game this weekend may also come too soon for the midfielder. Jack Cook, Medy Elito and Nikola Tavares all returned over Easter with only Charlie Cooper and Andrew Eleftheriou the only other Stones absentees...
Who to watch for? Ryan Colclough: The 27-year old winger is Altrincham's leading scorer so far this season with 11 league goal, already beating last season's tally by three. Since joining from Scunthorpe United last season the player has had a new lease of life at Moss Lane...
Head-to-Head:
Last five meetings:
After extending their winning run to four games with a 1-0 win at Woking on Good Friday, Torquay had the chances to beat Eastleigh but didn’t take them at Plainmoor... The point did mean the Gulls went up a place to ninth, but they are still seven points off that all-important seventh...
Next opponents Grimsby are one of the teams above them, but it is Dagenham & Redbridge and Notts County that they really need to catch now.
Johnson said 'Of course we are not out of it yet; it just means that we have got to win more. But we are not going to get there playing like that. We didn’t have enough quality in our play today. I was frustrated with my team...
'However, we still created opportunities'...
Johnson said... 'There will be four or five good opportunities that we might have tucked away. And then... they had two great chances at the end, as we did. But it was too close, we didn’t play like we were the team in 10th'...
The referee, Tom Bishop, didn’t help. He had an awful game and many of his poor decisions affected Torquay’s play and momentum...
Tom Lapslie was missing again, as was Chiori Johnson but the worst news was that Sunderland loanee Stephen Wearne is out for the season with ankle ligament damage".
Whites are now on exactly zero points in the National League after they claimed their first away win in more than two years at Boreham Wood on Friday, winning 2-1 through Michael Gyasi’s penalty and a stunning Koby Arthur strike.
But they failed to build on that victory on Monday at Crabble, as they were beaten 4-1 by Woking.
'We have six games to go and I would love to win a couple more games' said Hessenthaler. 'If we could get to six points, that would be great.'
Dover are at fifth-placed Chesterfield this Saturday. The Spireites have only claimed one win from their past five league fixtures themselves while Dover only narrowly lost their away encounters against leaders Stockport (1-0) and second-placed Wrexham (6-5) this campaign.
'We shouldn’t go there with any fear; we didn’t (have any fear) at Stockport, Wrexham or Boreham Wood on Friday,' said Hessenthaler who says they will be making the journey to Chesterfield on the day. 'They are not on a fantastic run themselves, the pressure is all on them... They are physically strong... We just need to make sure we do a lot better than we did on Monday.'
Whites then play host to Notts County in a re-arranged match on Tuesday at Crabble.
'Notts County is going to be an interesting one. We have got them twice; next Tuesday and then we play them away (on May 2),' Hessenthaler said... 'The performance on Friday was excellent against a really physical side in Boreham Wood. We were able to match them physically and then able to play...
'Unfortunately, we couldn’t follow it up on Monday. They made five changes and we only made one on Monday and that was forced... and I think it showed... They definitely respected us after (our result on) Friday and didn’t feel sorry for us'...
Hessenthaler commented... 'We need to work on our pitch at the end of the season which isn’t that far away'...
Playmaker Arthur (knee) is rated as 50-50 for Chesterfield while Ryan Hanson, TJ Bramble and Seth Twumasi are back in training... But young frontman Noah Carney (broken metatarsal) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Prior to the victory at Boreham Wood... Dover had not won on their travels since a 2-0 success at Stockport in February 2020".
There is now a five-point gap to fourth place, putting Halifax within reach of a top three finish, which would guarantee them home advantage in a one-off play-off semi-final.
Halifax put in much improved performance in Monday's win... 'Chesterfield came and played us, we've had so many teams in recent weeks that have just come and sat in, just tried to nick us on the counter-attack.
'That was a proper game on Monday because they came and tried to play. We can't get away from that now, that everybody shuts up shop against us and limits our chances and tries to nullify what we're good at.
'But on Monday, you had a team that wasn't going to just sit in against us, they were going to come and try to play against us'...
And Wild reckons it will be the same at Southend on Saturday... He said 'I think they'll try and play, and if they do, hopefully it's another decent footy match... But we can't come off the gas now. I've said to the players, we may have a little bit of a cushion now, but that doesn't mean anything'...
Wild added 'I just get up the next day and start planning for the next game, that's all I'll do... Everyone thinks I'm boring but I'm happy with that, I'll take that.'
With loanee Aaron Martin having been recalled by parent club Harrogate, Wild said he will consider recalling Matty Stenson from his loan at Kidderminster...
'Stenson's not done 28 days, I think 28 days is up on Thursday, so there's nothing we can do until Thursday'...
On whether winger Jamie Allen could return from his hamstring injury... Wild said:... 'I'd never say never, but we'll see.'
And Wild confirmed that midfielders Jamie Cooke and Sam McLintock are both now back at The Shay after loan spells... 'They unfortunately both got injured,' he said".
Oldfield’s men had already had one goal ruled out for offside, Brad Ash... was involved in the offside for the second and highly contentious ruled-out goal...
Oldfield revealed... 'Bradley said it wasn’t him they said was offside. I don’t know if there was any more clarity than that... I thought the whole group, the players and staff, pulled together and got an important point'...
'But I’m absolutely not interested in any criticism of the referee, it’s a very difficult job and we trust them to get on with it'".
The sides were joint founder members of the Alliance in 1979 but the Stones were relegated after two seasons, in 1981. They regained their top-flight status a year later, in 1982, and this time they remained in the division for six campaigns. Their nine meetings at Moss Lane (including last season) have comprised six home wins for the Robins, and three away wins for Wealdstone, with the sides never having drawn at Altrincham.
Alty and the Stones both regained their national status in 2020. In Alty's case it was their fourth renaissance but for Wealdstone it was their first return to the top level for 33 seasons.
IN 2021-22 there are just five of the original members of the Alliance competing at the same level today; apart from Alty and Wealdstone, the other three such clubs are Dagenham, Yeovil Town and Weymouth.
This time around Alty and the Stones are much closer than last season with Altrincham just a place above their visitors with a single point advantage, albeit the Robins have a game in hand. However, Alty have scored twelve more goals and conceded just four more.
Like Alty, Wealdstone had a poor spell in late 2021 and early 2022, with a run of just one win and one draw in nine fixtures in all competitions. A couple of wins in March helped them but then five more winless fixtures followed before two recent victories over Easter, away at Southend on Good Friday and at home to out of form Boreham Wood on Easter Monday.
Wealdstone report that they "comfortably defeated play-off hopefuls Boreham Wood at Grosvenor Vale with a dominant display, deservedly guaranteeing their place in the National League next season.
A first half wonder strike from Aaron Henry, along with a second half poacher’s finish from Josh Umerah secured all three points...
Stuart Maynard made three changes to the side that beat Southend United on Good Friday, with Jaydn Mundle-Smith, Nik Tavares and Rhys Browne returning to the starting line-up for the Stones...
The home side continued to dominate proceedings as Jack Cook and Tavares combined well on the right wing... Wealdstone duly broke the deadlock nine minutes before the stroke of half time as Charlton Athletic loanee Henry hit a superb free kick from 35 yards which nestled straight into the bottom corner...
The Stones returned from the break on the front foot, doubling their advantage within seven minutes of the restart as Elito’s cross found Mundle-Smith, whose headed attempt looped high; Ashby-Hammond, under pressure from Umerah, dropped the ball onto the top goal scorer’s head, enabling him to convert home his 13th goal of the season.
The Stones return to action on Saturday 23rd April when they travel to the J. Davidson Stadium to face Altrincham...
WEALDSTONE: Wickens, Cook, McAvoy, Okimo (c), Tavares (Clayden 80), Henry, Ferguson (Dyer 77), Mundle-Smith, Elito (Jackson 87), Browne, Umerah. Subs not used: Sesay, Mascoll."
But an underhit pass by Cook towards keeper Forde allowed Town to level the score after 35 minutes before Town took the lead on the stroke of half-time from a Connolly header. Bollington added a third goal in the second half as Alty slumped to a disappointing defeat.
ALTRINCHAM: R. Forde, J. Cooney, M Davis (c), J. Cook, M. Plestead, J. Jordan, D. Bohe, B. Ly, R. Morton, R. Mercurius, L. Billingsley. Subs: S. Johnston, A. Hussain, H. Rodgers-Morris, L. Morrison, K. Osigwe.
Simply commit to purchasing a ticket for next season by the middle of next month, and it will cost exactly the same as the current one did... To be strictly accurate, you will actually be paying LESS, in real terms!
Because the gap caused by Macclesfield Town's demise will have been filled by the start of the new campaign, there will be one extra National League home fixture in 2022/23, meaning anyone on the early bird deal will be getting their football cheaper, pro rata, than this season.
So, buy your new season ticket before the deadline, and your outlay will be the same as before at £289... It's an exceptional offer... and it will remain open to all Alty fans until the end of the final game of the season... on Sunday, May 15th...
After May 15th, prices will be £298 for adults, £245 concessions, £80 juniors and an unchanged £36 children.
Don't forget, as well, that free admission to pre-season friendlies are included with a season ticket, and when the programme of warm-up games is announced, you will see that represents another bonus, considering the absence of home friendlies last year...
From the start of next season, payment on a game-by-game basis will be £19 for adults, £15 concessions, £7 juniors and £2 children. This represents an increase of £2 for adults and £1 for concessions and juniors, with the rate for children staying the same
The Spireites rued a number of missed chances before falling to defeat after conceding two goals in three minutes from Jordan Slew and Matt Warburton.
'It was a really good performance,' Wild told the Halifax Courier. 'I think the game sort of ebbed and flowed, because I thought we started well and then they came into it... It just kept bouncing from side to side.
'Arguably when we scored our goal, they were all over us, that was their best spell of the game. So it was great to nip their pressure in the bud, I was over the moon, and then to score so quickly after was great.”
He added 'I think the way Chesterfield play allowed us to get some of our strengths out... That's our 18th clean sheet of the season, which shows resilience in the box. We're nestled in behind the two biggest spenders in the league's history, I don't think we're doing a bad job...
'We're one point off getting the most points this club's ever got'".
Tristan Abrahams' goal in first-half stoppage time secured all three points in what should have been a more handsome scoreline. Town missed several gilt-edged chances to extend their lead in the second half.
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe was perhaps the biggest culprit after spurning five big chances to get himself on the score sheet...
Undoubtedly, Grimsby Town should have won by a much greater margin... There is every chance that goal difference could be an important factor in deciding who finishes in which spot.
The biggest talking point was undoubtedly John McAtee's injury. He was taken off on the 20th minute after injuring his shoulder. Town's top-scorer was clattered in the early minute[s]...
Last time, Hurst struggled to find the right combination to inject goals and creativity into the team. I'd argue that he has a much better pool of versatile players at his disposal this time to find the solution.
Grimsby Town have taken 33 points from their last 15 matches with ten wins and only two defeats. That is automatic promotion form across a third of the campaign.
Likewise, their form at the beginning of the campaign was befitting of a top-three side. The middle portion of the season is the only time they haven't looked like a team capable of promotion.
Credit to Hurst, his backroom team and the players. That is a fantastic level of consistency that seemed unimaginable at the start of February".
Coming into the game the Ravens hadn't been in the best of form, going 10 league matches without a win prior to Friday's restorative 2-0 away win at Eastleigh, while the Magpies made sure of their National League survival with a convincing 2-0 win over Weymouth on Friday.
In the final match of his loan move from Boreham Wood, Nathan Ashmore was again in unbeatable form as the Magpies moved 17 points clear of the drop zone.
However, the focus is now firmly on the teams above them... They now have 12 days to prepare for their next game at Torquay United on April 30...
Charlie Lee is still awaiting his first win as interim manager of Yeovil Town, after a frustrating Easter period where the Glovers were held to a draw for the fourth time this season against bitter rivals Weymouth, after going down 2-0 at home to Aldershot Town on Good Friday.
Despite dominating possession in both games, Yeovil drew a blank twice, missing countless chances and not being at their best defensively.
It caps a difficult weekend on and off the pitch for Lee, who has not had an easy ride since taking over the reins and deserves enormous credit for the way he is handling himself. Not only has he been thrust into the deep end with only seven matches under his belt as assistant manager, but he is also dealing with uncertainty about next season, and accusations of one of his coaching staff using discriminatory language before the match on Good Friday...
Close to 1,300 supporters travelled to the Bob Lucas stadium on Easter Monday, so it was a near 50/50 split in terms of fans. That is some support for a team that has nothing to play for, but unfortunately, a lethargic first half, and misses in the second half meant it was honours even again against Weymouth who look destined for the drop.
It signals a story of the season, with Yeovil once again struggling against sides fighting for their lives... [They] have dropped points against all of the teams from 16th downwards. Yet, they have also secured maximum points against all of the top three sides in the division. This now makes it a lot easier to see why the Glovers are sitting in 12th position in the National League.
The Easter double-header also showcased another downfall of the Glovers’ season; picking up points away from home but failing to replicate that at Huish Park. Yeovil sit ninth in the away table, but 17th in the home table... The way Yeovil play has something to do with it as they suit hitting teams on the counter...
Yeovil’s woes up front have been stark all season... The loss of Rhys Murphy in the summer has been really felt by Yeovil, but one more victory will secure more points than last season".
Match report here.
Jordan Davies got the Red Dragons off to a flyer as he volleyed home on the turn from a bouncing ball that fell into his path from a Ben Tozer throw.
Mullin doubled the lead in the 33rd minute as he rose the highest from Young’s corner and he headed home past Thompson.
Mullin got his second and Wrexham’s third after breaking into space just outside the penalty area before unleashing a thunderous strike which left Thomspon unmoved.
The lead soon become four as Hall-Johnson burst down the right-hand side before cutting back to Palmer, who curled his effort past the outstretched Thompson and into the net...
Alty came close again to getting a consolation goal as Colclough’s probing cross was fizzed across the six-yard box, but no yellow shirt could poke it home".
Tom Peers earned Curzon Ashton a 1-0 home win over Chorley with his goal.
Recent Alty signing, Kole Hall scored Nantwich Town's winner in their 2-0 win at home against Stafford Rangers. He also hit the post and earned the Man of the Match award. His main competitor for this award seems to have been Matt Gould, of whom the club's Twitter feed said that the keeper was "inspired" as he made a string of top-drawer saves.
Jamie Morgan also played the full ninety minutes in front of an excellent crowd of 1,002.
Defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday and a point for Aldershot at Solihull will all but confirm Lynn’s relegation...
Lynn were outstanding in the first half, but what proved to be the matchwinner for the Mariners was a real body blow going into the second half.
Lynn’s starting line-up showed three changes... There were recalls for Munashe Sundire, Joshua Barrett and Luis Fernandez".
His replacement, Tristan Abrahams, scored the only goal of the match to secure a vital 1-0 away win. It moves Town up to sixth...
'Their lads were out on their feet and we did open the up and create chances but we didn't take them... On another day, it could have cost us.'"
The visitors suffered a further blow when Hulme had to go off with what appeared to be a recurrence of a calf injury (23 mins).
Altrincham suffered another lapse from another dead ball situation when former Cambridge United forward Mullin was allowed a free header from a corner to make it 2-0 (29 mins).
A double error by Osborne allowed Mullin to hammer home a third Wrexham goal from 15 yards (33 mins). More poor defending, as Alty stood off, allowed Mullin's strike partner Palmer, the former AFC Wimbledon man, to finish impressively to make it 4-0 (35 mins)
At the interval, as against Solihull Moors earlier this season, Altrincham trailed by four goals. In this case, all four were from poorly defended situations.
Watched by a crowd of 10,022, the Red Dragons coasted through the second half to strengthen their hold on second place. Alty dropped two places to fifteenth.
Match report here.
After the mixed emotions of the Solihull Moors game, when a combination of excellent goalkeeping and denied penalty shouts brought Wrexham's winning run came to an end, but Stockport's defeat drew them closer to us in the title race, we immediately find ourselves preparing for a local derby!
The key question for Phil Parkinson will be whether he'll look to rotate his starting eleven, which has remained unchanged throughout this run of home games. Liam McAlinden and Dan Jarvis have made decisive contributions from the bench in recent games, while the versatility of Tyler French means he could be used to give a number of players a break if required.
His namesake has done a fine job in the Altrincham dugout. They guarnteed another season in the National League on Friday, although in truth there was little danger of The Robins being dragged into the relegation scrap, especially since they turned around a mid-season slump in February.
A mid-winter run of 13 games without a win forced Altrincham to start looking over their shoulders after a good start to the season, but since mid-February they've banished such worries with six wins, two draws and two defeats.
The wins have tended to accumulate at home though. Altrincham's most impressive performance on the road this season probably came on the opening day, when they beat Torquay United, fresh from their play-off defeat.
Since then they've tended to punish sides in the bottom half of the table away from home, with their only other win against a top half side coming at Dagenham. They have the worst away defence outside the bottom seven, but should not be underestimated. They've lost just one of their last 8 games, and on Friday emerged from a tough game against Halifax with a point.
They also beat Chesterfield at Moss Lane during that run... There's a familiar good feeling around the club, and those results have attracted impressive backing from The Robins' fans. As a consequence, Altrincham are on course to establish their largest average crowd since the Conference was founded in 1979".
The article concludes that "Last season’s clash was a rather depressing experience. We started well, but The Robins scored on the break just before the break and the goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of us. We found it difficult to rouse ourselves in the second half as Altrincham held onto the win comfortably". Alty won 1-0 thanks to a Ritchie Sutton goal.
But this season Wrexham won the reverse fixture in Altrincham 2-0.
They go into the game in second place, with 74 points from 36 games, compared with thirteenth-placed Alty's 47 points from 37 matches.
Above: Jordan Hulme is pictured with Alty's goalscorer on Good Friday, Harry Perritt, who is on loan from Accrington Stanley. Harry, aged 21, played as right back in the draw with FC Halifax Town, and has now made eight starts for Altrincham during his season-long loan which began in mid-February.
FC Halifax Town's "Travellers' Tales" report that "The chippy opposite Altrincham’s Moss Lane ground is probably the most efficient in Europe. There’s no chit-chat, just a member of staff politely taking orders equipped with a rickety old table on the doorstep and shouting instructions, military style back into the shop. Within seconds our lunch appeared, almost as if they were expecting us and we were directed to a lonely park bench well away from any potential new customers...
Altrincham is perhaps the friendliest club within our league. We arrived at the wrong turnstile, well in advance of them opening, chatted to the stewards, told them of our allegiances and they still welcomed us into the home end without any question. We wandered about the old wooden stand where you must climb up several rows to cross over the player’s tunnel area and then down the other side. It seemed cosy in there with big windshields at either end astride the halfway line....
After considering all of our options, we opted for the comfort and perhaps the best view from the small block of covered seating allocated to the away fans on a first come, first served basis. The majority of the 750 travelling Shaymen stood on the famous open terrace behind the other goal. It’s one of those grounds where you’re right on top of the action, and with an entrance price of £17 for adults, it’s one of the best value grounds in the league too. Credit to Alty too, they handed out some Easter eggs to some of the younger travelling Shaymen whilst the adults were given team sheets...
"All the usual suspects seemed happy with a point on the road. It was a tricky game against a team on a good run of results at home".
Alty TV has excellent highlights from Friday's draw with FC Halifax Town.
And, after the game, former Bradford (Park Avenue) man, Isaac Marriott (right), discussed the game with Brian Flynn, also on Alty TV.
A cracking first-half goal by Armani Little was the difference between the two teams at the end of the 97 minutes in Surrey, where the Gulls had to fight tooth and nail for their fourth win on the spin.
After the game... Johnson said 'I am just really pleased with the 1-0 win and I am pleased to get away unscathed'...
There were two changes to the starting line-up from the 5-1 home win against Notts County with Hall and Dan Martin coming in for Lapslie and Stephen Wearne, who limped off in the previous game. Little scored the only goal on 18 minutes after beating the offside trap, running on, and hitting the ball high into the net. It was a quality strike from the former Woking midfielder...
But Woking didn’t really let their guard down again and Torquay’s defence had to work hard against a side determined... to get something out of the game... It was Woking who looked more likely to score in the second [half], but their long-ball game was a bit obvious at times...
Johnson said 'I thought the centre halves did fantastic against some real big boys out there; six of them were over six-foot-three, including the goalie it might have been seven. And we had to defend and we had to be brave'".
Stockport led 1-0 at the time of the sending off but went on to lose 2-1 after a second-half comeback from the Mariners. The red card was a clear turning point in the match.
Paul Hurst felt the decision was a little harsh, whilst Challinor confirmed the club will consider whether to appeal the ban. He felt Stockport would have won the game with 11 men and accused Grimsby Town players of contributing to the referee's decision with their reaction.
'Do I think we would have won that game with 11 men? I think we would, we were totally in control,' Challinor told Stockport County YouTube.. 'The goals are avoidable based on what we do but it is always going to be game-changing. We could have put the game to bed but we didn't... I thought all the big decisions and debatable ones, went against us'".
Grimsby... head to west Norfolk on Bank Holiday Monday... Should Lynn lose and resurgent Aldershot beat Dagenham & Redbridge, then it means the Linnets could be relegated next weekend, at Dagenham...
The intervention of a minor miracle would be most welcome to help make up the eight-point gap on Aldershot, who have two games in hand.
'It has been a tough task – it was 17 points at one stage,' said Widdrington after Friday’s 4-1 defeat at Notts County... If we can win three or four games, I still think we have got a fighting chance. I would be wrong to stand here and be the manager tomorrow if I told you we were giving up, so I am never doing that and neither are them (players) in there. They are playing for that (badge) on the front of the shirt, not for themselves on the back and I can’t ask them for any more than that....
'They will try to do everything within the laws of the game to win football matches and that’s is all we are trying to do'".
"Although we're really fristrated with their goal, they don't get many from set pieces and we didn't defend it well".
Meanwhile, Alty assistant manager Neil Sorvel concluded, "That was a well-earned point. That's the first point we've took [sic] off them since we returned to this level [in 2020], so I'm pleased with that.
"Their goal was a sucker punch on the counter attack but I think a draw was a fair result. We looked a bit leggy at the end but that's to be expected as we worked so hard.
"There's 21 points still to play for and we will keep going and try to get as many on the board as we can".
Above: There was a strong turnout of Halifax fans at Altrincham on Good Friday as two of the three most northerly clubs in the National League played out a competitive draw. As previously reported, Halifax is only some thirty miles further north in the country than Altrincham, whilst the other candidate for the League's most northerly outpost, Grimsby, lies no further north of Altrincham than Bury, which lies at the other end of Altrincham's Metrolink tram line, just 15 miles away.
Wrexham AFC closed the gap on National League leaders Stockport County to seven points, but it could have been so much better for the Dragons. Phil Parkinson's men earned a 1-1 draw against fellow in-form side Solihull Moors...
The largest Racecourse crowd of the season, 9,981, saw the home side recover from going a goal down to Joe Sbarra's scrambled effort as Ollie Palmer bagged his 11th Wrexham goal to earn his side a point. The Dragons now face Altrincham on Bank Holiday Monday...
The two teams went into the half time interval goalless after an entertaining opening period in which both sides played their part...
It was the visitors who took the lead in the 56th minute as previously reported Wrexham transfer target Joe Sbarra stabbed home after a scramble in the home penalty area. Moors' lead lasted barely two minutes however as a textbook Ben Tozer long throw was nodded home by Palmer for his 11th goal in a Reds shirt...
The full time whistle blew and the Racecourse crowd applauded the two teams off after a supremely entertaining game in which both sides showed their class and why both are currently flying high".>
St Helens lead the NWYA Premier by 16 points and are now 36 points ahead of eighth-placed Altrincham Reserves.
The Shaymen conceded from a free-kick in Friday's 1-1 draw at Altrincham...
When asked what kind of game he is expecting against The Spireites, Wild said, 'Nip and tuck, really tight, physical game. Set-pieces will be massive on Monday, and they're something we'll have to defend better than the goal we conceded on Friday.
'They've got quality all over the pitch, Cooky's (Paul Cook) an excellent manager. For him to want to come and manage at this level shows how far the league's progressed'...
On whether it will be an advantage for Chesterfield not to have played on Friday, Wild said, 'It can be, but I honestly don't think it matters because Altrincham hadn't played for three weeks, and you wouldn't say they were fitter than us'...
Wild said defender Jack Senior had a chance of being available for Monday's game...
On midfielder Jamie Thomas, Wild said 'He just wasn't in the squad, but he's fit and pushing to try and get back in the squad as soon as he can..
Wild said the same was the case for defender Jay Benn... Midfielder Jamie Cooke trained on Thursday, leaving Jamie Allen as his only absentee".
Town trailed 1-0 after Scott Quigley's 14th-minute strike before Sarcevic was sent off and the match swung. Paul Hurst's side dominated the second half and got their rewards with two well-taken goals.
It ended Stockport's 19-match unbeaten run in the National League, boosting Town's top-seven prospects in the process. The Hatters hadn't lost since December 11.
It was an epic second-half comeback that got Blundell Park rocking as just shy of 8,000 witnessed a Good Friday match to remember...
There is no denying that Sarcevic's red card changed the whole match in Grimsby Town's favour. Without seeing a replay, it looked like a late, high challenge that could be worthy of a dismissal.
Hurst was less convinced and felt the ex-Bolton skipper was unfortunate whilst conceding he understood why it was awarded. Until that point, Stockport had been completely dominant.
They had a 1-0 advantage and had probed and pushed for a second. That will be Dave Challinor's biggest frustration as a second goal may have killed the match, even with the red card.
It was one-way traffic in both halves but for either side. Stockport looked destined to take the points based on the first half-hour.
Hurst felt his players looked nervous and it's hard to disagree... Even after the red card, up until half-time, Stockport looked dangerous...
In truth, Dave Challinor seemed to relinquish initiative in the match with his changes which invited Grimsby Town onto them... Stockport set their stall out to hang on to the win. Then when they conceded, they had nobody left to try and get back in front...
Realistically, three wins and a draw will probably be enough from their final six games to make the top-seven. That didn't seem possible in February".
While the Linnets were going down at promotion hopefuls Notts County, Aldershot rubbed salt into the wounds by winning 2-0 at Yeovil Town.
It means the gap between Lynn and Aldershot, who occupy the final safe spot in the table, is now eight points and the Shots have two games in hand...
Lynn boss Tommy Widdrington made two changes, with Josh Barrett, who was injured in last weekend’s draw with Yeovil, and the suspended Munashe Sundire, replaced by Aaron Jones and Jak Hickman.
It was Gold Omotayo who gave Lynn a perfect start. After some early home pressure, he turned in Cameron Hargreaves’ cross to silence the home fans, for a while at least...
The Lynn defence finally gave way on 24 minutes, with a helping hand from Hickman, whose back header to keeper Paul Jones was poor, and Kyle Wootton at the back post tapped the ball home...
But the wall was breached again six minutes before half-time when Callum Roberts... put the hosts ahead...
But County had the game sewn up on the hour mark when Nemane finished a counter-attack... County put the icing on their cake with a fourth on 81 minutes when Elisha Sam scored."
Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard admitted Southend United could have been out of sight by half-time at Roots Hall.
The Shrimpers failed to convert a number of chances from close range during a one-sided first 45 minutes which also saw Jason Demetriou failed to score from the penalty spot.
And Maynard felt it was ‘smash and grab’ from his side against the Shrimpers.
'We’ve been on the other end of smash and grabs when we’ve been the better team but if I’m honest they (Southend) could have been four or five up at half-time but the lads dug really deep,' said Maynard...
Goalkeeper George Wickens saved a first half penalty from Demetriou after Noor Husin had been brought down in the box.
But Maynard revealed referee Tom Bishop admitted he got the decision wrong...'It’s tough for the officials when you come to these places having four or five thousand fans all appealing for it as well...
'But fair play, he admitted it and made a good a decision for our goal when he played a great advantage."
As well as Dover Athletic, neither Weymouth nor King's Lynn can now match the 47 points accrued by Altrincham.
Above: Harry Perritt heads Altrincham's equaliser.
The Shaymen looked the stronger side in the first half and gained a 1-0 lead when Spence scored from close range after Waters had worked his way along the byline, left of goal (14 mins).
But Altrincham, despite little help from referee Swallow, were the better side after the interval and deservedly levelled from Harry Perritt's glancing header from a curling Dan Mooney freekick from the right (51 mins).
Right: Alty celebrate their goal.
Alty's point took them up two places to thirteenth.
Match report here.
Wild was satisfied with the point, against an Altrincham team who had won their last five home games without conceding a goal.
'Listen, they've won four of their last five and scored a lot of goals, so to come here and get a point, I'll take that,' he said. 'I'm really frustrated about their goal, because it's a set-piece. I've just said to them "all those big teams we've played and never looked like conceding off a set-piece" yet we get done off a set-piece by a smaller team in Alty...
'We looked a threat and I thought we controlled the game, apart from their set-piece in the second-half they didn't really have many opportunities to win the game'...
Wild added 'I know I need to rotate my squad this weekend, I know I'll need to freshen it up this weekend'".
Neither team played as well as they're capable in a keenly fought contest that was lacking in quality.
Altrincham went into the game having not conceded at home in seven-and-a-half hours, but Town put an end to that run when Billy Waters’s low cross from the left of the box was converted by Spence at the far post.
Neither side was dominant before or immediately after the goal, although Altrincham saw more of the ball as the half went on.
Both sides were restricted to shots from outside the box though, with neither possessing enough guile or style to breach the others' back line.
Town were good off the ball though, managing to subdue Altrincham's creative players, pressing effectively and offering the hosts no encouragement...
Altrincham were never going to knock it long, so remained patient in possession, despite finding it difficult at times to make much progress.
Ex-Town man Matty Kosylo was positive and purposeful on the ball, driving forward and causing The Shaymen to backpedal...
On loan Accrington defender Perritt nodded in a terrific free-kick from the right by Mooney.
The pattern of the game changed little, with Altrincham seeing more of the ball but unable to covert that possession into chances.
The Shaymen also lacked a spark or rhythm to their play.
The game might have been between two good footballing sides but they weren't really showing it in what had become a scrappy, scruffy contest.
Ryan Colclough and McDonagh both scuppered good chances within a minute of each other, with their finishes as untidy as the match.
Neither team was showing the inclination or quality to find the winner".
Yusifu Ceesay equalised for Alfreton Town at Chorley and the Reds went on to win 2-1.
Carl Piergianni was sent off as his Oldham Athletic side lost 0-2 at home to Northampton Town.
Right: Kyle Ferguson put in a solid performance at the heart of the Altrincham defence on Good Friday.
Friday 15th April
Dagenham scored their first of the afternoon when Junior Morias drove forward into the final third to fire into the bottom left corner.
Morias found the net again in the 24th minute... Morias completed his first-half hat-trick two minutes later...
In the 44th minute McCallum scored his first and the Daggers’ fourth... Daryl McMahon’s side added a fifth just before the break...
The Bees pulled one back in the 54th minute... Powell doubled his goal tally for the afternoon just one minute later...
Dean Brennan’s side continued to fight back and scored a third shortly after...
Dagenham restored their three-goal lead in the 84th minute when McCallum pulled the ball back to Robinson from the byline who saw his shot deflected past Askew in the Bees’ goal.
The hosts rounded off the afternoon with a seventh in the 90th minute when Wright’s free-kick from the right was headed in at the near post by McCallum".
With just four fixtures remaining this season, starting with tomorrow’s Good Friday meeting with FC Halifax Town at The J.Davidson Stadium, Alty are on course to smash the 2,000 average gate barrier in the National League for the first time.
The average figure currently stands at 2,136 and, with title-chasing Halifax sure to bring a large away following across the Pennines, the record looks assured.
A national division for non-league clubs was set up with the advent of the Alliance Premier League in 1979/80, which Alty won at the first attempt with an average attendance of 1,946.
That figure has stood ever since as an Alty record at this level, but it is about to be eclipsed, with the Robins needing another 5,544 in total to come through the turnstiles against Halifax, Wealdstone, Barnet and Yeovil Town to register an average of 2,000...
Alty could even beat their previous high at local level, when they averaged 2,292 in the inaugural Northern Premier League season in 1968/69, while they are also on track to exceed 1,000 at every home league game since 1980/81".
The midfielder netted four goals in 41 games for Southend United before joining the Stones in February.
But Blues boss Kevin Maher is focusing on more than just Ferguson.
'We’ve watched their games so we know about plenty of their players not just Fergie,' said Maher.
'He did well for us but he wanted to go and play football and you have to respect that'".
The 28 year-old has led Lynn by example this season, amid the struggles of National League survival, he has started 31 games and come off the bench in another five. And he’s chipped in with six league goals; only injured striker Malachi Linton, with eight, has more.
Clunan’s last was a sublime piece of work in the home draw with Yeovil last week...
It was a reminder of what Clunan did to Notts County back in March last year...
Clunan was inspired. He ran the show, refused to let any blue-shirted player rest, and Lynn got their reward with a last-minute equaliser by Kairo Mitchell.
Lynn will need that sort of performance today against a County side still smarting from a 5-1 thumping at Torquay on Saturday.
Manager Tommy Widdrington knows what may be in store. 'That (result) just shows you the lunacy of the league,' he said. 'I think nobody would have predicted that scoreline, but they are a wounded animal now and they’re going to get their teeth stuck into us. ..
'So from that point of view we have got to go there and understand it will be a different mindset from us than it has for the last couple of home games, because we have totally tried to be front-footed, positive, aggressive in all things, passing, running, all of that. .. We have got to have probably a little more of an eye on what they can do'...
The manager will want to see... McGavin, who, as a player, has changed his style as much as anyone since the managerial transition last December.
'He is a great slide rule passer of the ball,' said Widdrington. 'I think he has come on a hell of a lot since I've come in the building'".
In the Halifax Courier we learn that Halifax "kick off a crucial Easter double-header on Friday at Altrincham, before their televised home clash with promotion rivals Chesterfield on Monday...
On Town's upcoming Easter double-header, Wild said 'We're just taking it one game at a time, let's not get carried away. All our efforts are based on Friday, and trying to get the right result on Friday, and if we do that, we then progress onto Monday...
'They're both massively important at this stage, with seven to go, they're both as important as each other in my eyes,' he said... 'I expect Altrincham to be a really good football match, they're a team that has similarities to ourselves in terms of how they play and how they do things.
'I'm expecting a really good footy match on Friday. I think when it's a football match, we're at our best...
'There were a lot of tired, sore bodies after the weekend, especially after Saturday's game, so we had them ticking over on Monday and they went and did a little bit of a team building afternoon which was great to see, off their own backs. And then they came in on Tuesday buzzing and the tempo in training was fantastic,' he said.
'We did some tactical work based on what... we expect to face on Friday.'"
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Halifax will be without experienced midfielder Martin Woods...
The 36-year-old was shown a straight red card late on in the Shaymen’s win against Woking last Saturday. Woods has been handed a three-match ban and will miss the trip to Altrincham on Good Friday, the clash against the Spireites and Southend United away.
The midfielder has made 28 appearances for Halifax this season, including 17 starts.
'I had somebody independent have a look at it,' Shaymen boss Pete Wild told Halifax Courier. 'He came back and said if it had been a yellow, he'd have supported the ref and if it had been a red, he'd have supported the ref because it's one of those grey areas and apparently it's the lunge that has got him done'...
Winger Jamie Allen (hamstring) and midfielder Jamie Cooke (ankle) are also currently out injured at the moment.
But they have been boosted by the return to training of left-back Jack Senior, defender Jay Benn and on-loan Harrogate Town striker Aaron Martin".
And the Halifax Courier adds that "There is a calm focus and an unwavering belief from Matty Warburton that seems to be ingrained throughout the Halifax squad.
It's the calm focus that has helped put Town in pole position for finishing second or third in the National League table...
The Shaymen face a potentially pivotal Easter double-header this weekend in the race for promotion, visiting Altrincham on Friday before hosting Chesterfield in a televised game on Monday night.
'We've got the belief, it's as simple as that, we've got the belief in the group that we can do it,' says Warburton... 'Everybody in the group believes that we can go up, we've got the squad, we've got the management team, we've got the talent, we've got the work ethic'...
The Shaymen's performance levels have been more mixed of late... 'Results become more important than performances,' he said... 'And we've been getting those recently. Since the King's Lynn game we have picked back up...
'Against Woking, in my opinion, it was one of our poorest performances this season at home but we managed to get over the line, which is the most important thing... It was so pleasing to win an ugly game...
'I don't see any reason why we can't get back to it... I definitely think there's more to come from us... I think a lot of teams get to this stage of the season, in every league, and will choke or fade away because they're thinking of the what-ifs rather than just playing the game that's in-front of them and treating every game as 11 v 11, just a football match...
'It's no surprise to me that we're right up there... The way we've played this year, it's been a joy to be a part of'...
Only Billy Waters has scored more goals for Town this season than Warburton...
Warburton has enjoyed a strong season at The Shay, which has helped get his career back on track after a couple of disappointing years at Northampton...
'It's been a season where I'm back where I should be, back playing well and most of all, I'm enjoying it, which had been absent for a couple of years'".
Having already sold-out their initial allocation of 1,800 for the match on Monday, Monday 2, the Hatters have now been granted another 800 tickets which are due to go on sale next week..
From a Hatters point of view, there is a lot of anticipation around the fixture because it could be the day they clinch the title and automatic promotion back to League Two...
But there could still be a lot riding on the game for the Blues as they aim to secure a play-off place and possibly a top three spot.
The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Edgeley Park in February, with Stockport coming from two goals down after Chesterfield had Jeff King sent off".
Simply commit to purchasing a ticket for next season by the middle of next month, and it will cost exactly the same as the current one did... To be strictly accurate, you will actually be paying LESS, in real terms!
Because the gap caused by Macclesfield Town's demise will have been filled by the start of the new campaign, there will be one extra National League home fixture in 2022/23, meaning anyone on the early bird deal will be getting their football cheaper, pro rata, than this season.
So, buy your new season ticket before the deadline, and your outlay will be the same as before at £289... It's an exceptional offer... and it will remain open to all Alty fans until the end of the final game of the season... on Sunday, May 15th...
After May 15th, prices will be £298 for adults, £245 concessions, £80 juniors and an unchanged £36 children.
Don't forget, as well, that free admission to pre-season friendlies are included with a season ticket, and when the programme of warm-up games is announced, you will see that represents another bonus, considering the absence of home friendlies last year...
From the start of next season, payment on a game-by-game basis will be £19 for adults, £15 concessions, £7 juniors and £2 children. This represents an increase of £2 for adults and £1 for concessions and juniors, with the rate for children staying the same ".
The Halifax Courier reports that "Town boss Pete Wild has welcomed back most of his injured players to training ahead of this Friday's game at Altrincham.
Wild said the only absentees from training today (Tuesday) were winger Jamie Allen, who is out with a hamstring injury, and midfielder Jamie Cooke, who has an ankle problem.
Left-back Jack Senior has missed the last three games, but has now returned to training... 'I still wouldn't say he's 100 per cent over his illness and his sore back, but I'd say that he's progressed in the right way every day,' Wild said. 'I'll make a decision on that one on Thursday'...
Wild said Senior was one of several players affected by a sickness bug that has been going round the squad... 'Some have been able to train with it and it's hit some of them that hard that they haven't been able to train,'he said.
Defender Jay Benn is also back in training, as is on loan striker Aaron Martin... Wild also had good news on midfielder Jamie Thomas...
'So I've gone from sort of scratching for numbers on Saturday to maybe having 20, 22 bodies for this weekend, which is how it always works.'
Wild confirmed that midfielder Martin Woods will miss the next three games due to suspension after his red card against Woking on Saturday,."
The last time (subject to confirmation) that a match billed as being between a present-day squad and their forerunners took place at Moss Lane produced a far different outcome than the honourable low-scoring draw last Sunday.
That was on 16 October 2007 when the then present-day eleven defeated the Legends 9-4 in a game which had a half-time scoreline of 7-1! A common factor with last Sunday's game, however, was Graham Heathcote's management of one of the teams.
Above, led by mascot Max Band (aged nearly two), his father Peter Band led out the Legends team to start the game against the current Alty squad. The Legends, in red and white, were applauded onto the pitch by the current players. In the picture the Legends seen are Colin Little (9), Ken McKenna (10), Chris Adams (11) and, facing the camera, Shaun Constable.
Some of the invited "Legends" were unable to play due to commitments at their current clubs but, nevertheless six stars from the past played (Shaun Constable, Paul Cuddy, Ken McKenna, Peter Band, Chris Adams, Gary Talbot) whilst at least three more (Barry Shuttleworth, Marcus Hallows and Terry Bowker) were spectators. So, some of the current squad became "Legends" overnight and even Oliver Osbaldeston, an Independent Schools international earlier that year, achieved first-team status whilst still in his teens.
The Present XI was managed by Dalton Steele, as Graham Heathcote was away watching FA Cup opponents Kendal Town who were playing that night at Witton. Neil Brown, himself a legend in his own lifetime, was the manager of the opposition. At Ken McKenna's insistence, it was the former players who donned the famous red and white stripes whilst the Present XI wore the change kit of blue.
The game also gave an opportunity for recently injured and suspended players to rehabilitate themselves; these included Stuart Coburn, Gareth Whalley, Stephen Rose, Steve Aspinall and Karl Munroe. Colin Potts's injury ruled him out. The match also gave home fans their first glimpse of James Dean, who had made his debut the previous Saturday at Salisbury.
ALTRINCHAM FC PRESENT XI (Pale & dark blue shirts, pale blue shorts and socks) 13. Richard ACTON; 15. Chris LANE, 4. Karl MUNROE, 16. Ryan SHOTTON, 14. Stephen ROSE; 12. Joe O'NEILL, 6. Jake SEDGEMORE, 11. Warren PEYTON, 22. Carlos LOGAN; 19. Chris SENIOR, 20. James DEAN. Subs: 14. Oliver OSBALDESTON, 18. Pat McFADDEN, 21. Gareth WHALLEY, 24. Steve DOWNS (gk)
ALTRINCHAM FC LEGENDS XI (Red & white striped shirts, black shorts and red socks) 1. Stuart COBURN; 2.Steve ASPINALL, 4. Paul CUDDY, 5. Gary TALBOT, 12. Clive FREEMAN; 7. Shaun CONSTABLE, 6. Peter BAND (capt), 15. Gary SCOTT, 11. Chris ADAMS; 9. Colin LITTLE, 10. Ken McKENNA. Subs: Danny HEATHCOTE, Charles HEATHCOTE
Carole Nash, a long-time benefactress of Altrincham FC was the welcome guest at this match and she was given the honour of kicking off the match.
However, it soon became apparent that there was an imbalance between the two sides as the present-day first-team squad went two-nil up inside the first five minutes. First, Logan got the ball to Senior whose effort was saved but ran for Joe O'Neill to put it into the unguarded net (3 mins). O'Neill was well on course for a rapid hat-trick when he netted again two minutes later after Dean had fed Senior.
Next, Senior got the better of Cuddy and fired past Coburn to make it 3-0 to the Present XI (26 mins).
Four minutes later Senior got his second and his side's fourth after Coburn had done well to save a fine volley by Logan only for Senior to latch on to the loose ball and score (30 mins). It was then Dean's turn to get on the scoresheet, netting his side's fifth goal from Peyton's feed (39 mins). Senior completed his hat-trick after 40 minutes following Logan's good approach play. Dean recorded his second goal and made it 7-0 (42 mins).
But the Legends were awarded a penalty soon afterwards when the referee, Mr Howe, entering into the spirit of the occasion, gave them a generous handball decision against Shotton. Ken McKenna strode up to send Acton the wrong way from the spot and make it 7-1 (43 mins).
There were various changes at the interval. McFadden and Whalley came on for the Present XI, whilst Rose, Aspinall and Lane switched sides. Charles Heathcote replaced Gary Scott for the Legends and the goalkeepers also swapped sides. The changes produced a more balanced contest.
However, the Present XI made it 8-1 after 68 minutes when Senior superbly lifted the ball over Acton and into the net.
This goal seemed to stir the Legends into action. Charles Heathcote started what was to be something of a minor recovery for the Legends as he fed Colin Little who scored from 12 yards to make it 8-2 (79 mins).
However, the immediate response of the Present XI was for Dean to get past Rose and advance up the middle into the left of the box where he scored well past Acton, completing his hat-trick in the process of making it 9-2 (82 mins).
Charles Heathcote then made it 9-3 with a well taken drive (84 mins) and two minutes into added time Charles also netted his side's fourth goal with another well-taken effort and that was to be the thirteenth and final goal of an enjoyable evening.
On a poor pitch, Alty went ahead after 16 minutes when a Nicky Clee throw found Damian Reeves and his lay off was converted by James Walshaw. But Oxford had more of the first-half attacking play.
Right: Alty defend a freekick from Oxford's no.4, Michael Pook.
In the second half, after Oxford had again enjoyed more of the forward momentum, Alty raised their game and Jake Moult volleyed home superbly from 30 yards after 83 minutes before substitute Jackson pulled one back in added time.
Just 283 spectators witnessed the match.
1. Stuart Coburn, 2. Shaun Densmore (capt), 3. Adam Griffin, 4. Carl Rodgers, 5. Gianluca Havern, 6. Scott Leather, 7. James Lawrie, 8. Jake Moult, 9. James Walshaw, 10. Damian Reeves, 11. Nicky Clee. Subs 12. Matt Doughty, 14. Greg Wilkinson, 15. Jeff King, 16. Kyle Perry, 18. Russ Saunders
Luke Garrard has torn into his Boreham Wood players after their poor run of form reached nine matches on Saturday...
After an FA Cup run took them to the fifth round, Boreham Wood are now winless in nine National League matches...
After their most recent defeat to Aldershot at the weekend, Garrard tore into his group of players and admitted... 'I want to apologise to the fans,' he said. 'After what I've just witnessed, we don't deserve them to travel for two hours and watch that...
'That first half and second half was abysmal in terms of the goals we conceded, which were shambolic. I take full responsibility, this isn't just about the team that went on, I take full responsibility. I have to question my future....
'I've tried to be as positive as possible by saying we've had a really good season but we are not. We're not having a really good season. We put ourselves in a very good position and now we are failing on all fronts'".
Both 18 year-olds made their senior debuts as second-half substitutes in the FA Trophy defeat against Bromley at Crabble last December with Wilkinson now having made 15 National League appearances... Baptiste got his first start away at FC Halifax Town last month but was sent off in the club’s... on Saturday...
[Manager Andy] Hessenthaler enthused 'They deserve it. They have come into the squad and done really well and not looked out of place with senior players. The chairman has obviously seen them as well and he has been really pleased with both of them.
“The one thing I have always done at any clubs I’ve been at is to make sure I’ve been quite close to the academy and it’s important we understand what is coming through...
'We need a bit of protection [player on contract] as we don’t get much at our level. We are getting that protection but we certainly wouldn’t make it hard for any young player if a club came in for him. Dover wouldn’t stand in a young player’s way.'
Although nothing has been confirmed as yet about next season, Hessenthaler is still formulating a plan... 'We need to watch a few National League South games and understand the level of clubs we will be playing against. There’s some good teams in there who are financially strong as well'".
Ian Burchnall says Torquay United would swap places with Notts County 'immediately' as he urged the Magpies to learn lessons from their Gulls horror show...
Kyle Wootton made it 2-1, but a late collapse made for a painful journey home for the 600 travelling fans...
'We just have to take our medicine,' he said. 'We've got games coming up and we are sitting sixth. I am sure if you asked Torquay, they would swap places with us now. They'd take a 5-1 defeat and sit sixth..
'We're above them for a reason. We didn't show that and they were better than us. But we are where we are. We lost a bit of ground on the top three and that's very frustrating. We just have to take some big lessons from this'".
George passed away earlier today (April 11th), having battled Motor Neurone Disease since being diagnosed in January last year.
George, a central defender, played for the Robins in 2005 and 2006 and was a substitute in the 2005 Promotion Final when Alty beat Eastbourne Borough at Stoke City's ground to gain promotion to The National League.
Sincere condolences are offered to George's wife, Nicci, son Jacob, daughter, Isabel and stepson, Kaiser".
George was an Altrincham team-mate of fellow centre-half Mark Maddox whose own battle against MND bravely continues.
Born on 17 November, 1984, George was a tall centre-back/right-back who established himself in 2004-05 after emerging from the Reserves. He was formerly at Blackpool FC and Morecambe (reserves and first team) and also represented the Lancashire FA. After coming on as a late sub against Lancaster in Nationwide North on 29 January 2005, he made his full Alty debut on 1 February 2005 in the Cheshire Senior Cup at Vauxhall.
However, his first league start was as a right-back at Kettering on 19 February 2005. After 3(+2) appearances in the Conference, George moved to Clitheroe to get first-team football and he made his debut there on 8 October 2005 before a brief stop at Lancaster City from where he briefly returned to Altrincham, playing for the Reserves in 2006, before deciding to leave again. His Alty career comprised 20(+7) appearances.
"Former England schoolboy footballer Sam Harding has died tragically aged 20. The ex-footballer was hit by a vehicle while at a 'car meet' in Warrington, Cheshire, on Sunday.
Harding was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. A 21-year-old has been taken into police custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Harding played for several non-league clubs including FC United of Manchester, Glossop North End, Ashton Athletic and Prescot Cables [as well as Altrincham]...
Ashton Athletic said in a statement 'Ashton Athletic are devastated to hear the news of the passing of 2021-22 first-team player Sam Harding'...
Tom Conroy, FC United of Manchester academy manager, said of Hardy '(He was) one of the best academy players we have ever had and that was proven when he was successful in England schoolboy trials, earning caps for his country'".
Referring to his nearly 14 years at the club Shaun said, "It's gone in the blink of an eye. I'd never envisaged I'd end up staying as long as I have. But Altrincham are the best of the true non-League clubs, in the sense of being part-time.
Right: In May 2010 Altrincham FC vice-chairman Grahame Rowley and his family travelled up to Scotland to watch Shaun gain another England C cap against the East of Scotland FA at Spartans FC. In sweltering conditions, Shaun played the second half as England won 1-0.
"How the club is run, how it has been run since I've been here, that's the reason I've stayed so long".
The article reminds us that Shaun "stuck around after to back-to-back relegations to Step 3 to help Phil Parkinson, the man he credits with revitalising the club".
Before that, Shaun remembered that "When Lee Sinnott came in and the previous captain, Robbie Lawton, left, he made me captain. I was only 23 but it was just what I needed, a bit more responsibility to speed up my maturity because I was a bit of a hot-head and moaner on the pitch".
Referring back to "When I did sign, and enjoyed it so much the first year, I decided to stay.
"Grahame Rowley, who was chairman at the time, and his family were brilliant with me. I missed the best part of 18 months with injury and they looked after me.
"Loyalty works two ways. They've been good to me over the years and I think I've been loyal to them as well".
The Spireites secured a vital three points at Wealdstone on Saturday with a 2-1 win.
That victory means they have a healthy 11-point lead over eighth-placed Dagenham & Redbridge and are currently three behind Halifax in third, who they face on Easter Monday.
Cook opted to scrap the 4-2-3-1 formation at the weekend and go back to 3-4-1-2, recalling Tyrone Williams, Gavin Gunning, Jim Kellermann and Tom Denton, and it paid off as they won their first game in five.
The goals came in either half from Jamie Grimes and a first for the club for Joe Quigley...
Cook told the DT... 'We had to win after last week (against Grimsby). We have let a couple of goal-leads slip and again we have let a goal-lead slip today. I got the team selection wrong last week, we have got to make sure I try get it a bit better more often.'
On Wealdstone’s equaliser from Josh Umerah, which came from a Jim Kellermann mistake, Cook added 'Jim’s gave the ball away in possession in the middle of the pitch. Again, you are in control of a game, and we end up conceding. Jim is one of the most honest, workmanlike lads, so he is beyond criticism from me. He actually needs my help in educating him about where the ball should be going at the stage of the game.'
There were smiles all-around when Quigley, who signed from Yeovil in January, scored his first goal in his 14th appearance... Cook said... 'Joe is now chomping at the bit to play. (Tom) Denton has given us a boost by coming in and now we have Quigley firing and scoring goals so as a manager you could not be happier'".
Paul Hurst's side had plenty of opportunities to break the deadlock but a combination of poor finishing and resolute defending denied them victory...
'It was a very difficult game against a very good team,' Oldfield said... 'It was a big performance from the boys. The defence is all of us, equally we didn't score and that is all of us... In the end, it's a very good point against a very good team...
We need to make sure we're going in the right direction and today was a good example that we are doing so'".
18 year-old Armstrong will be looking to build on previous Vanarama National League experience from earlier this season, representing Torquay United... earlier on this season too...
Sinclair joined Queens Park Rangers in 2020, and has continued to impress for the London club’s U23-side... Armstrong has also been back on international duty within Ireland’s youth systems over the last few weeks, (starting upfront against England’s u19s last week)...
Armstrong also has experience at the EBB Stadium, having started in Torquay’s 1-0 defeat here earlier in the season, before playing in the behind-closed-doors friendly against The Shots back in mid-March.
The Irishman will look to recover from his recent injury".
As a small goodwill gesture to show our support for the town and its people, the football club would like to offer FREE tickets those former P&O Ferries employees affected to our five remaining home games at Crabble this season.
Partners and dependant children are also included for free in this offer, which starts with the visit of Maidenhead United this Saturday (3pm).
Chairman Jim Parmenter said 'When you hear of events that have such horrible impact on the lives of individuals, their families, and our town collectively, it can leave you with a sense of helplessness. We wanted to do something which we hope will bring some enjoyment to the families affected at this difficult time and to demonstrate our support to the community.'"
On Saturday, FC Halifax Town reported that "Following FC Halifax Town’s 2-1 win over Woking, manager Pete Wild spoke...
'It was certainly a battle,' Wild said. 'They were very physical and we knew they would be. They did everything they could to try and get in the referee’s ear and they were very successful at that. It was a really tough afternoon’s work'.
Matt Warburton opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a period where neither side created much of note.
'A clear penalty, he’s hand-balled it,' Wild told Shaymen TV. 'I think it settled us down so I’m really glad we scored early... They threw a lot at us today, they couldn’t have thrown much more really'...
Sam Johnson pulled out an incredible performance to end the game making multiple crucial saves at the death.
'He’s unbelievable,' Wild said. 'He’s made so many important saves today. He’s said to me over the past couple of games that he sometimes feels he hasn’t done anything but I’ve always told him we will need him at some point'...
Town travel to Altrincham next Friday to kick off the Easter weekend before hosting Chesterfield on Monday.
'It’ll be another great contest [at Altrincham]. It was a great game against them here earlier this season. We’ve got to go there and express ourselves. I’m sure they are looking at us wanting to get one over on us. But we’ll prepare right, we’ve got a lot of food for thought, we’re really excited about the Easter weekend and we go into the game in good form.'"
Meanwhile the Halifax Courier tells us that on Saturday "The Shaymen held on though for their 15th home league win of the season.
The win rounds off a positive week for Town, who drew with promotion rivals Solihull on Tuesday after beating Wealdstone last Saturday.
Halifax: Johnson, Debrah, Green (Summerfield 67), Warburton, Waters, McDonagh (Bird 87), Spence (Woods 72), Swaby-Neavin, Gilmour, Warren, Maher. Subs not used: Slew, Dearnley".
The match comprised three periods, each of 25 minutes.
Inside sixty seconds Shaun was victim of what Martin Keown would call a "reducer" from former team-mate Chris Denham!
After Max Harrop had shot wide for the Legends (4 mins), Denham forced a good save from Tony Thompson. Next, Densmore himself went close (12 mins). At the other end Stuart Coburn was not troubled by a Ben Pringle effort.
Just before the first break, Jordan Hulme opened the scoring for the current side (24 mins).
After the break, a foul on John Johnston produced a freekick for the Legends but this did not produce a goal.
After 42 minutes Thompson saved well from Damian Reeves but on 46 minutes Shaun himself netted the equaliser from a freekick.
A feature of the final third was goalkeeper Steven Drench playing as an outfield player but there was to be no further scoring and the match ended in an honourable 1-1 draw.
The Legends team, managed by Graham Heathcote, included (alphabetically) Nicky Clee, Stuart Coburn, Ant Danylyk, Tim Deasy, Chris Denham, Adam Griffin, Ben Harrison, Max Harrop, Luca Havern, Sam Heathcote, John Johnston, Paddy Lacey, James Lawrie, Scott Leather, Tom Peers, Carl Rogers, Chris Senior, Damian Reeves, Simon Richman, Michael Welch, Greg Wilkinson, Sean Williams and Greg Young.
A proud dad to Alty secretary and general manager Paul Carter, Geoff threw himself wholeheartedly into supporting the Robins when Paul took over administrative duties from the long-serving Derek Wilshaw in June, 2019...
Everyone at The J.Davidson Stadium sends their sympathy and condolences to Paul and all Geoff's family and friends at this sad time".
James Hooper netted twice for Atherton Collieries in a 2-2 draw with Nantwich Town.
Elliott Durrell captained Grantham Town on Saturday although the Gingerbreads have been already relegated from the NPL Premier Division.
It was all proof positive that Torquay are more than capable of finishing in a National League play-off place this season...
Johnson said 'We have got some good athletes and players and we had a couple of weeks to work on things, so that was nice. You don't always get that... We played to the plan and we shocked them I think in the first half an hour. The boys were spot on with what we asked them to do, we got a couple of goals up, and it is very difficult to keep that energy right throughout 90 minutes, because we showed unbelievable energy in that first half hour.'
Little opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a cracking right-footed strike... The second goal came on 14 minutes when... Lemonheigh-Evans got a foot to the ball first to hit it home from a yard.
County had chances in the remainder of the first half but couldn't convert them... As the game heated up, the yellow cards started coming out with James Durkin actually showing seven in the end, five to Torquay players...
However, Kyle Wootton made it 2-1 in the 73rd minute... Lemonheigh-Evans scored two fine goals to make it 4-1, before Little added the fifth goal in injury time to send the home fans wild...
Johnson said 'When you have got the strikers that we have got, and the running power and the cleverness, it is a joy to watch'...
With eight games to go they are 10th in the National League table, seven points below the last play-off place... with a game in hand on most of the teams above them, but with a poorer goal difference".
The midfielder forced through a loan move to Blundell Park before the National League deadline despite Dagenham's resistance to the move. Jones has started both matches since his arrival and has impressed for the Mariners.
Jones was keen to secure the move away from Dagenham and raised eyebrows by claiming training with Paul Hurst was much higher quality than at Dagenham. It's probably little surprise then that Jones admitted he's unlikely to return to Dagenham after his loan...
'I was surprised they let it happen,' Jones told Grimsby Live. 'I wanted it to happen and they didn't at first. At the end of the day, it's my career. I tried to be as persuasive as I could be and thankfully they let me go. I will be looking to move on from Dagenham'...
Jones is loving his time with the Mariners".
It had looked like the Magpies would be held to a second straight goalless draw, after Tuesday’s frustrating stalemate with Wealdston... For much of the match, United had been thwarted by an exceptional goalkeeping display from Alexis Andre...
But his good work was undone when the Magpies launched one final attack, and the broke for Kelly in the six-yard box who fired home unerringly.
By that stage, the Whites were down to 10 men after Luke Baptiste was sent off for a second bookable offence with five minutes to play. His dismissal gave the Magpies the impetus they needed to go on and claim all three points, however, in truth, the game should have been put to bed before he was given his marching orders.
The first half was an even affair with few notable chances...
United were much improved after the interval, carving out a series of good chances...
Just when it seemed the Magpies would be frustrated in consecutive away matches, Baptiste was shown a red card, opening the door for one final onslaught from the visitors. Devonshire rolled the dice, replacing Shaun Donnellan with Josh Smile and United pressed forward with renewed vigour... Kelly won it at the death when he found the net with his second goal in three matches.
That goal... lifted the Magpies 13 points clear of the relegation zone with six matches to play. It also lifted them above Eastleigh, Wealdstone and Barnet to 16th".S
10 April 2022
For the latest details of Sunday's game, please see the official Altrincham FC website.
A souvenir brochure is available from the club here.
Saturday, 9 April 2022
Having regained fitness, Alistair Smith was a 79th minute substitute for Sutton United who won at home 1-0 against Leyton Orient.
Chris Merrie was booked as Tranmerer Rovers were held, 1-1 at Prenton Park by Bristol Rovers.
Ashley Hemmings netted twice as Kidderminster Harriers beat Southport 6-0 at Aggborough.
Spennymoor's 1-0 win at home against Leamington was down to Jude Oyibo's goal.
Montel Gibson scored the winner for Ilkeston Town as they beat Daventry Town at home 2-1.
In the National League, Elliot Newby was a late substitute for Stockport County against Southend United.
Recent Cheshire League results have been:
Lynn had come from a goal down to lead going into time added on, only for the visitors to grab a late, late equaliser.
The Linnets then had to endure an anxious wait for news to come through from Aldershot, who were at home to Boreham Wood – and it wasn’t good. The Shots, in the final safe place, won 2-1, meaning Lynn now trail them by five points, and have played two games more.
Both teams finished the game at The Walks with 10 men in a niggly game full of passion but low on quality.
On a day when Lynn wanted an early goal to settle nerves, they instead needlessly conceded, with just six minutes on the clock; Munashe Sundire needlessly fouling Thomas Knowles in the area and Dale Gorman despatching past Paul Jones. ...
Lynn struggled to get their game together, too many loose balls and, for the midfielders, not enough movement in front of them...
The game was turned on its head inside the final eight minutes of the first half.
It was two superb pieces of individual skill that got Lynn back into it. Brett McGavin fired a pinpoint 30-yard pass into the left of the area where Clunan did well to control it, jink past one player, feign to shoot, and then dink the ball over keeper Cann; brilliant from the Lynn skipper.
Four minutes later Yeovil midfielder Matthew Worthington saw red for an over-the-top challenge on Widdrington, and it was advantage Lynn.
With the half running into time added on, Lynn made the most of it. Barrett finally got an effort on target, keeper Cann couldn’t hold the ball and Gold Omotayo poked it home from a yard out. ..
Lynn’s cause wasn’t helped when Sundire, who had been booked for the penalty foul, slipped and, in his haste to put things right, tripped Gorman, earning him a second yellow and an early shower...
As the game reached its final stages, the visitors looked to be coping better with the 10v10 game. Lynn had to soak up some pressure, but again showed an admirable resilience ... Then came the heartbreak and the loss of two points which could be crucial in the end game".
The former Bristol City man doubled the hosts' first-half lead after Armani Little had opened the scoring.
We came out with the bit between our teeth in the second half and deservedly halved the deficit through Kyle Wootton.
But Lemonheigh-Evans restored the hosts' two-goal advantage almost immediately and added his third shortly afterwards before Little rounded off the scoring in injury time.
The Nottingham Post adds that "Notts County’s four-match unbeaten run in the National League ended with a nightmare 5-1 defeat to Torquay United...
It was a desperately poor performance in front of a large Notts following and even more disappointing following last weekend’s convincing win at Southend".
The Shots made six changes to the side that were defeated 2-0 against Eastleigh FC last time out.
Ryan Hall returned from loan at Beaconsfield Town and immediately into the Aldershot Town starting line-up, with Mo Sylla, Mikael Ndjoli, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, Jayden Harris and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain all brought in.
Those who came out of the starting line were: Ethan Ross, Kevin Lokko, Alfy Whittingham, Mo Bettamer, Ryan Glover and at the last-minute Corey Jordan, who looked to be injured in the warm-up with Lyons-Foster brought in to start instead...
A long goal-kick from Hall catches out the Boreham Wood defence and is neatly collected by Ndjoli before the forward holds off Evans and smashes home from inside the penalty area and gave Aldershot Town a deserved lead.
The game evened out for a little while after this opening goal but the first-half ended in strange circumstances with Referee Adrian Quelch unable to continue through a calf injury, so Fourth Official Sean Phillips [was] given the responsibility to referee the remainder of the game...
The second-half saw Boreham Wood come out for the second 45 well and found the equaliser through recent substitute Danilo Orsi in the 61st minute...
Berkeley-Agyepong who showed great composure to find the far bottom corner with a well-taken finish and give The Shots a deserved lead once again.
The final 15 minutes saw Aldershot Town show their defensive side... The Shots finally got back to winning ways".
Right: In one of Shaun's first league games for Altrincham, (left to right) Robbie Lawton, Anthony Danylyk and Shaun Densmore are the Alty players seen in action against Oxford United in Alty's 1-0 win in October 2008.
For the latest details of Sunday's game, please see the official Altrincham FC website.
A souvenir brochure is available from the club here.
The Halifax Courier "spoke to Rob Hemingway from the Woking News and Mail who reported that, recently, The Cards have been doing "Very well, with their form since removing Alan Dowson as manager reading P7 W4 D1 L2. It’s pushed them from a precarious 18th position back up to the comfort of 14th, and the security of another season in the National League...
Caretaker manager Ian Dyer really steadied the ship after Dowson left, and Sarll built on that momentum with a fine away win at Boreham Wood last Saturday in his first game in charge. Boreham Wood hadn’t been beaten at home all season...
The fan reaction has been almost universally positive, with Sarll’s capture seen as something of a coup, in the sense that he has League Two experience, as well as know-how of getting Yeovil to the play-offs in the National League.
And in terms of the players, they seem to have really responded to his methods, even in the space of a few days... For Sarll it’s all about getting an idea of the players at the club and getting his philosophy across to them for the run-in...
Inih Effiong has been in great goalscoring form, but the supply line from left winger Tyreke Johnson and attacking midfielder Max Kretzschmar has also seemed to go up a level recently. Those three will cause problems to any defence...
Sarll has... talked widely about being aggressive defensively and pressing high up the pitch, which was the case vs Boreham Wood".
Grant signed a one-year deal at Blundell Park but made just three appearances for the club. An injury in pre-season ruled him out until November and he hasn't been able to find a way into the team since.
Grant failed to make a single start for the Mariners and with the chances of further minutes limited, the two parties have agreed on the early termination of his contract. Paul Hurst confirmed in February that Grant was available on loan but he hadn't received any interest...
Whilst Sean Scannell and Grant both suffered long-term injuries in pre-season, the former was able to work his way back into contention. Grant's last appearances came in the 4-0 FA Trophy defeat to Stockport County in December".
Blues have struggled in recent weeks to match the impressive form displayed earlier in the year, and have lost four of their last five matches... The Hatters will be eyeing up their ninth successive league win... Their first triumph of the campaign came against Southend at Roots Hall, a 1-0 win...
In his five-month spell so far, Challinor has lost just one league game in the Hatters’ hotseat...
Blues find themselves struggling to grind out victories like they did in their previous 13-match unbeaten run. Maher’s side have lost four of their last five outings, and have scored just three goals in that time...
'They’re a yardstick for everyone in this league,' said Maher... 'If we can impose on the game at the right moments then let’s see what happens'.
Blues’... Ollie Kensdale remains a doubt as he continues to recover from a thigh problem. Harry Cardwell is also unlikely to feature... Nathan Ralph is also out, as his longer-term problem keeps him side-lined.
Rhys Murphy, Abu Ogogo and Simeon Akinola remain unavailable".
Saturday’s game finds two in-form sides face each other, with Charlie Lee looking to maintain his unbeaten start as Yeovil Town interim manager.
The hosts are fighting for their lives in the National League relegation zone, and have restored hope after victory over Bromley on Tuesday night.
Charlie Lee... said... 'It’s been a brilliant week and that’s because of the [supporters]. If they keep supporting the way they have been, the players will do their job to the best of their ability'...
Speaking pre-match, Lee confirmed that Grant Smith was ready for a return to action, however Ted Cann remains available for selection with his loan from West Bromwich Albion due to expire next week.
Olufela Olomola is a doubt due to a knock... whilst Max Hunt, Josh Staunton & Jack Robinson are out with injuries...
At one stage, the Lynn looked dead and buried, but they now sit just three points from safety. There will be a familiar face leading the line for King’s Lynn in Gold Omotayo. The former Glovers forward signed for the Linnets in pre-season and has four goals in all competitions this season."
Nearly a decade-and-a-half later, he is still going strong at the age of 33, and his incredible 14 years of unbroken service is being rewarded in fitting style on Sunday when Alty's current team take on a Densmore Xl in a testimonial match for the popular full-back at The J.Davidson Stadium.
The place will be awash with nostalgia... not least just before the 1.30pm kick-off when Heathcote... after so many years as a player, administrator and manager, returns to the dug-out.
It will be the away one on this occasion, as boss of the Densmore Xl alongside another true club stalwart in former Robins skipper Robbie Lawton...
Above: Shaun Densmore leads the celebrations after scoring his second of the match and Alty's fourth against Chorley in a 5-3 win in April 2019 in a Vanarama National League North fixture.
Dens will walk out with his young son Henry to a guard of honour from both sets of players... Club record appearance-maker Stuart Coburn will be back between the posts, while Scott Leather, Luca Havern and Michael Welch are among the defenders and the midfielders include Greg Wilkinson, scorer of the unforgettable play-off final winner against Guiseley in the last minute of extra-time.
The dazzling wing skills of Nicky Clee will be back on display, as will the finishing prowess of Tom Peers and the prolific Damian Reeves, who scored an incredible 44 league goals in a single season a decade ago.
Alty's current squad will be out in force as well for a game that will be played over three 25-minute thirds, and the club have produced a special limited edition souvenir brochure, packed with tributes, memories and photos, to mark the occasion...
Dens, who has made 445 appearances for the club and scored 29 goals, will play for the present-day squad, initially, before switching to the one bearing his name...
Admission is £10 for adults and £2 juniors, and tickets can be purchased in advance here.
You can pay on the day at the Golf Road turnstiles.. don't forget, the action starts at 1.30pm".
With a second blank Saturday in succession this weekend, Altrincham's next match is not until Good Friday when FC Halifax Town are the visitors.
The Shaymen will have played three games during this fallow period for Altrincham during which they have not played competitively at all.
The Halifax Courier tells us that 'Halifax have picked up four points from their last two games, beating Wealdstone 2-0 at home on Saturday before Tuesday's 0-0 draw with promotion rivals Solihull at The Shay.
That was after back-to-back defeats for Town against Wrexham and King's Lynn, but Wild is now targeting a win this weekend to round off what would be a very good week...
Wild said... 'I think it's four really good points and we want to finish it off with a positive result at home on Saturday... I think they'll be very physical, very direct," Wild said of The Cards [Woking], who appointed former Yeovil boss Darren Sarll as their new manager late last month.
'What Darren (Sarll) has got at his disposal there would suggest that they're going to be very physical against us. I think they'll cause us a lot of problems going forward... Strong, aggressive, physical, in-your-face, make it tough for you to play, and we're going to have to combat that,' Wild said...
'I know what Darren will be trying to do to us, it's worked against us in the past'.
Wild says defender Jack Senior, who has been out with a back injury, has a chance of being available... Of Jamie Thomas Wild said'He'll be back in training on Thursday'...
Wild says defender Jay Benn should return to training next week, and that on loan striker Aaron Martin still has a chest infection and is a doubt for the weekend".
If there were any positives to take from Saturday’s defeat to Solihull Moors, one would definitely be the return to action of long-term absentee Sam Barratt... The winger is capable of netting 15 goals a season, according to Peters...
One notable negative from the clash at Damson Park was the injury suffered by midfielder Ryan Upward. He was stretchered off late and replaced by Charlee Adams...
'The gaffer (Alan Devonshire) hasn’t been able to pick from a solid squad for the entire season but we’ve got eight games left and he’s finally able to do that. It’s going to keep our oppositions on their toes. The gaffer knows what he’s doing and I imagine it’s going to be a rotation system [going forward] because we’ve got a big enough squad now'".
'It will be a big challenge because they've been in good form but I don't think they're anything special,' said the defender... 'We don't fear anyone in this league'...
Blues had gone 13 league games unbeaten themselves before suffering four defeats in their last five games... but Hobson took positives from Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Notts County.
'I thought Yeovil and Maidenhead were the most disappointing matches because we dropped off in terms of our intensity,' said Hobson. 'But the first 20 minutes against Notts County on Saturday I thought we were all over them and even though we lost 3-0 I felt our intensity was back to where it had been'...
Said Hobson, 'We don't want to end on a downer, especially when you consider how well we’ve done since January,' said the 23-year-old".
Notts are currently on a good run of form, unbeaten in four outings, and travel to Torquay on Saturday. Rodrigues, who scored a hat-trick in last weekend's 3-0 win at Southend United, said 'It was a massive three points. I think we've been very good lately'...
Asked about the significance of finishing second or third, Portuguese forward Rodrigues added... 'We've got to aim for second or third place to play at home in the semi-final. Because you've seen last season how difficult it was in the quarter-final against Chesterfield, and then the away game against Torquay, you see how much of a difference that made...
'A home tie is what we're aiming for and we know we have eight games left, against the bottom 10 of the league (apart from 11th-placed Torquay), so we're aiming for eight wins. We know other teams are going to lose points because they have to play each other, so it's our time to step up'".
7 April 2022
139 seconds-that's all it takes to watch this superb Alty TV video featuring:-
Camera, editing and production to Premier League standard [by] Mark Bennett".
"Following FC Halifax Town ’s 0-0 draw against Solihull Moors, manager Pete Wild spoke...
'It’s clear there were two decent sides who cancelled each other out,' Wild said... 'We tried to change it and break them down, but it didn’t work tonight. However, it’s another point on the board, another clean sheet and we move on... You have to accept that some teams will come to stop you and nullify you. They are a top team. They score goals for fun, they always score. We’ve stopped them doing that but we just couldn’t break them down at the other end...
'We got our shape right in terms of letting them have the first one. What Solihull want is for you to come after them, then there are gaps for them to roll into and then they’ll bop you to death. For the first half an hour they resorted to knocking it long which is what we wanted. We were pleased throughout the evening with our shape out of possession'...
With time running out, Billy Waters went down inside the box and Wild believes the referee should have given a penalty... Wild said 'I think he’s pulled him down, I’m convinced it’s a penalty, I’ve told the referee that'...
Town’s next fixture sees them host Woking for the third home game in a week and Wild is expecting a more physical encounter. 'Knowing Darren and the players he has, I think you’ll see a completely different game,' Wild told Shaymen TV. 'That’s not being derogatory towards Darren or Woking, I think you’ll see a more physical game. I think we’ll be put under a lot more pressure in terms of their physicality'".
Five Mariners supporters were arrested for a range of offences including public order, pyrotechnic possession, drugs, and pitch encroachment.
A Chesterfield fan was also arrested for breaching his football banning order.
Derbyshire Police said they expected to make more arrests soon as officers were trawling video footage.
A force spokesperson said a serious assault also happened... A Grimsby fan in his 30s, suffered a serious head injury in the disturbance involving a number of fans from both clubs, officers said.
PC Adam Collins, the force's dedicated officer for Chesterfield FC, said there were 'significant incidents of disorder' both inside the ground and in the wider town area on Saturday'...
Police said they also recovered 15 bags of cocaine and arrested two men for drug offences at the town's railway station on Saturday".
'It’s 35 points from the last 18 games; top-six form for the second half of the season. The lads are putting in a tremendous effort to reach a play-off place. While it’s mathematically possible, we will look to give it our all...
'So, if you can carry on giving the lads your full, positive support on Saturday, then at least we’ve all given it a right go.
'Thank you, Yellow Army... we need you for a bit longer. Always believe.'".
Wrexham took the lead in the 15th minute when Ollie Palmer won the ball... before calmly slotting it into the bottom left corner...
Just before the half hour mark, the Reds scored a second when Ben Tozer’s long throw in was headed goalwards by Aaron Hayden who forced Askew into a reaction save. Paul Mullin was first to the rebound and lashed it into the roof of the net from close-range...
Phil Parkinson’s side added a third on the stroke of half-time when... Davies fired into the bottom right corner...
The Dragons found the net from [a] corner as Young’s delivery towards the back post was met by Tozer...
The hosts scored a fifth in the 74th minute when Liam McAlinden... rolled [the ball] across to Reece Hall-Johnson who tucked it home.
A sixth goal for Wrexham was scored in the 86th minute when McAlinden drove forward from the halfway line and forced Askew to parry his low strike back into his path to turn it in".
A goal on the hour mark from manager Tommy Widdrington’s son Theo settled the issue and moved the Linnets three huge points closer to the final ‘safe’ position Lynn have Aldershot in their sights and are now just three points behind - and, while the Shots have two games in hand, their form is in freefall.
Bromley’s minds may be on next month’s FA Trophy final against Wrexham; Lynn’s is most assuredly on avoiding relegation, and they proved it with a full-blooded display of courage and commitment.
Manager Widdrington made one change... son Theo replacing Olly Scott...
The visitors... without a win in their last eight attempts, pinned Lynn back in the opening stages... Lynn were far from overawed by the visitors; they're a tougher, no-nonsense unit nowadays...
Omotayo couldn’t quite get on the end of a lovely whipped cross in by Theo Widdrington, the lack of that decisive, final touch was becoming repetitive. Fortunately, it affected Bromley too...
With an hour gone, Barrett, one of the main protagonists after the break, saw an opening and fired right footed towards the far corner. Keeper Balcombe managed to keep the ball out but could only push it towards Widdrington, who fired into the roof of the net from six yards.
The Walks erupted... Lynn were threatening to get a second, but as the minutes ticked by, the tension cranked up. Bromley began to put pressure on Jones’s goal, but Lynn were resolute...
Lynn announced before the game they have extended loan deals for central defender Coulson, from Southend, and midfielder Cam Hargreaves until the end of the season".
Meanwhile, James Lawrie and Joe Mwasile transformed a 1-2 deficit into a 3-2 win for Witton Albion at home to Morpeth Town.
Eight wins from 12 league matches makes the Mariners the division's form side, alongside Stockport... as nine sides compete for six play-off places... Here are [some] reasons Grimsby Town will make the play-offs.
Strength in depth... Hurst has already referenced that the added competition has helped drive standards in training... The Mariners... have to face Stockport and Boreham Wood,... all of the other games, on current form, look winnable.
When you look at their remaining away fixtures, Grimsby Town will be favourites in every one; Weymouth, King's Lynn Town, Barnet and Eastleigh...
Chesterfield's dire run has entangled them in this battle now and anywhere up to fifth still looks attainable...
Notts County are only two points above the Mariners, albeit with a very kind-looking run-in. Chesterfield are woefully out of form and... they have played an extra game...
Grimsby Town have promotion experience in their dugout, which not every team can boast. The Mariners' boss has been here, done it and has the t-shirt...
When you look at the experience in Grimsby Town's dressing room, they have the characters to handle the pressure. James McKeown, Luke Waterfall, Shaun Pearson, Giles Coke and Sean Scannell, to name just a few, have bags of experience and can help guide the group through the final six weeks.".
The ambitious West Midlands club who are competing for a historic first-ever promotion into the Football League... Moors are belying their modest resources and a lack of history; they were only formed in 2007 after a merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough...
'When I was appointed, the remit from the chairman was to try and give him an exciting end to the season,' Ardley said. 'In budget terms, we're probably a mid-table team. But we had good players and we've added to that and we play some good football.
'Wrexham have spent nearly a million on transfer fees alone, which well eclipses our budget. So the gap is big. Stockport, Wrexham and Chesterfield will be up there in terms of budgets. Notts County, Grimsby, Dagenham will all be up there too. In our league this season what I feel you've got is 10 to 12 super, super-ambitious clubs. These are clubs that are ridiculously ambitious. And probably more so than most of the teams in League Two, in terms of putting money into it.'
Ardley has led Solihull Moors on a current 13-game unbeaten run in the National League...
Moors is the third calling port in Ardley's managerial career which is already a decade old. The 49-year-old's first job in the dugout was a romantic return to Wimbledon, joining phoenix club AFC and enjoying six successful years culminating in leading them to League Two play-off success in 2016.
His next post was at Notts County, joining in 2018, where he was unfortunate enough to be the man who took County into non-league for the first time in their history. Ardley came within a game of sealing an instant return, only to lose out to Harrogate in the 2020 National League play-off final. He was axed by County in March 2021 before arriving at Solihull last summer".
No player has been an ever-present this season, with centre-back Toby Mullarkey (right) leading the way. The following nine players have amassed twenty or more league starts this season; all are players who were also at the club last season.
One other player has made 20+ league appearances; that is Ben Pringle but his 26 appearances include just nine starts.
We are not saying that Dagenham & Redbridge, Bromley or Torquay United can’t make the top seven, but in this piece we are focusing on those in positions one to eight.
A few things that standout for us are:
If there were some positives to take from Saturday's trip to Damson Park, it was the Magpies spirited second-half fightback which saw Josh Kelly find the back of the net for the first time in eight games.
The Magpies met a Moors team in fine form, and it told in the first half, with Dallas scoring twice to keep the home side's play-off push on course.
Kelly narrowed the deficit with a fine strike past Ryan Boot in the 52nd minute, but they couldn’t build on it and find an equaliser, with Ryan Upward suffering a nasty-looking injury late on which saw him removed from play on a stretcher.
Boyes then rubber-stamped Solihull's fourth successive victory with a deflected effort that looped over Nathan Ashmore in the 90th minute...
Manager Alan Devonshire was able to name a fairly strong team for the trip to the Midlands, with Ashmore back between the sticks in the place of Harry Palmer and Kelly starting his first game since catching COVID a few weeks ago. There was also the welcome sight of seeing Sam Barratt take his place on the bench after another season plagued by injury".
It’s survival in the National League that is Widdrington’s priority, the battle for which continues on Tuesday when Lynn face Bromley at The Walks (Tuesday).
Lynn closed the gap to Aldershot, in the last safe spot, to six points after a 1-1 draw at Dover on Saturday, thanks to Josh Barrett’s second-half equaliser.
'I am delighted we have come back from behind,' said Widdrington. 'We haven’t done that before so that’s another tick off my bucket list... We were 17 points away from them [20th] not long ago, now we’re six. So, from that point of view I still see this as a very positive result.'
There’s little doubt Widdrington has improved Lynn’s fortunes since he took over from Ian Culverhouse in December. Part of the reason for that is Barrett...
'Well, we carried him for an hour,' the Linnets' boss told BBC Radio Norfolk after the Dover draw. 'I’ve told him so; I’m not saying anything I didn’t say in the dressing room. I don’t think he had been particularly well, but I just thought he looked a little bit sluggish, but he is the guy who produces the goods for us.
At the end of the day, there have been better managers than me, in their eyes, get frustrated with him because of what he doesn’t do, but what you have got to do is give him the leash, let him off it'...
Lynn go into the game with seven points from their last four games".
4 April 2022
FC Halifax Town report that "Following FC Halifax Town’s 2-0 win over Wealdstone, manager Pete Wild said...
'I’ve said some honest things this week and things I felt needed saying. It’s to cajole them along, I’ve made it clear to the lads it’s not us and them, we’re all in this together. I’ve highlighted things that needed to be better and I think you’ve seen that today'.
Billy Waters netted both goals having come off the bench. The second took his tally to 20 in all competitions this season.
'People will be wondering why I’ve left him out,' Wild told Shaymen TV. 'I felt he looked tired at King’s Lynn last week and, with a full week with England where they got the run-around on Wednesday night, I just thought it was time to give him a break. The lad does so much work for our team that at some point we needed to give him a break. He was fuming when he left my office yesterday, but the last thing I said to him was look at the positives. He came on at a stage of the game where it is stretched, so instead of creating opportunities for other people it was a different mind-set for him.'
Town defended well to keep another clean sheet which makes it 16 in the Vanarama National League this season.
'You normally always need your keeper at some point,' Wild said. 'Luckily today he didn’t have loads to do. The back lads have taken a little bit of criticism over the last seven days, but they deserve credit today as they defended on the front foot. Like the start of the season, they are on the front foot and they are attacking the ball better'...
'What a night and what game Tuesday will be. Solihull are a top footballing side like us. It’ll be some game Tuesday night. It’ll be tactical'".
After almost 450 appearances for Altrincham over a period of more than 13 years, Shaun Densmore is well deserving of his testimonial match on Sunday 10th April 2022, k.o. 1.30pm.
For full details see the official Altrincham FC website.
Young Bournemouth loanee Brennan Camp scored his first for the club before experienced Tyrone Barnett added the second deep into first-half stoppage time.
However, the victory was overshadowed by a concerning injury to Shots goalkeeper Ethan Ross, who was taken to hospital with a suspected C spine fracture. The Hampshire outfit have released a positive update, and Ross has been cleared of that injury and is heading home with whiplash.
Lee Bradbury’s side had suffered four consecutive losses in the league to slip down the table and leave some supporters itching about the club’s future. The three points take them to 15 points clear of the drop zone with eight games to go...
Camp scored the opening goal with 22 minutes gone... Tyrone Barnett doubled the visitors’ advantage in the ninth of 23 minutes of first-half stoppage time.
Aldershot... also lost substitute keeper Mitch Walker to injury with forward Mo Bettamer taking the gloves".
Roberts played 90 minutes for England C last week in their defeat to Wales but was not included in the 16 that travelled to Roots Hall for the 3-0 win over Southend.
All week there have been rumours regarding Roberts's... omission from recent squads... Burchnall said 'Don't believe everything you read on social media... I stopped reading it a long time ago. Cal was recovering and was maybe 50/50 for the Chesterfield game, but off the back of the Boreham Wood performance, I didn't feel we needed to change much there knowing he was going away with England.
'We don't know how the training is going to be controlled there and how many minutes he was going to play. Turned out he played 90, and I would rather he played less'".
It was the Mariners' best performance of the season even without the added context of facing a top-ten rival away from home... Max Crocombe was never really troubled...
You'll struggle to see two better goals in a game this season. McAtee has a habit of being upstaged after his tremendous volley against Altrincham was followed by Jordan Maguire-Drew's curling effort.
McAtee's had very little backlift and rose as the ball travelled towards Scott Loach's goal. The goalkeeper had no chance... Then, four minutes later, the ball sat beautifully for Holoahan to rifle one into the top corner... Sheer quality from both players.
It really wouldn't be an overreaction to say Grimsby Town should have scored seven...
Joey Jones debut: Paul Hurst threw the on-loan midfielder straight into midfield and he impressed... He adds a physical presence that Grimsby Town don't have elsewhere in the squad... It's a little baffling as to why Dagenham & Redbridge would let him join a play-off rival".
3 April 2022
Duncan Watmore laid on Middlesbrough's third goal and scored their fourth as they beat Peterborough United 4-0.
Chris Merrie was a HT sub for Tranmere Rovers and was credited with an assist for Rovers' second goal but they were pegged back to 2-2 by Carlisle United.
Yusifu Ceesay scored the second goal as Alfreton Town beat Hereford 2-1 at Edgar Street.
Marcus Dinanga netted from the spot after just 3 minutes but his Dartford side could only draw 1-1 at Oxford City.
Matt Gould, Jamie Morgan and Kole Hall all started for Nantwich Town who won 2-1 at home against Scarborough Athletic.
Montel Gibson socred Ilkeston Town's winner in a 2-1 win at Cambridge City whilst Jonny Margetts again netted for Stamford as they won 2-0 at Daventry Town.
Many thanks to Phil Jordan for the above information.
So the next fixture is a home match against FC Halifax Town on Good Friday.
Brunt impressed while with Blues earlier this season... The Sheffield United midfielder... [found] opportunities harder to come by with County.
'Zak was brilliant for us and he’s a good footballer,' said Maher. 'We loved having him around the place and I know he enjoyed his time here too. He made the decision to join Notts County and at the time it was the right decision...
'They have a number of good players though and they can hurt you from a number of different areas'...
Brunt made 10 appearances while with Blues but the 20-year-old has made just three starts since joining Notts County in January".
The midfielder said the ongoing speculation around a potential takeover of the club is unsettling for the squad with every player except defender Morgan Williams out of contract come the end of the season...
He... said the players had heard nothing from owner Scott Priestnall or any of the groups bidding to buy the club.
Staunton has been playing through the pain barrier due to a hernia in recent weeks and admitted he is concerned he could be left looking for a new club whilst injury [sic].
The 26-year-old said 'We are surrounded by uncertainty now and it is disappointing when you get to this stage of the season and you don’t know if you are wanted or unwanted. That is not just me, that is every player that is out of contract...
'One of the benefits of having a younger team, that blind loyalty is there. If we had a group of older players who were more family-orientated, I think it would be a lot more toxic'...
He was speaking with[in] days after the departure of manager Darren Sarll, who joined National League rivals Woking on Monday after the club failed to discuss new terms with him with his contract up this summer.
Staunton said 'If anyone else was looking like they would be made redundant in any other job and they were offered a new job, no-one would begrudge them... We are normal people and we require jobs to live. The gaffer has two young kids, a wife and if someone gives you a secure contract, I would never begrudge him that security...
He said... 'I’m getting through until the end of the season and someone might not want to pay for my operation at the end of the season, so I could be trying to find a new club whilst I am requiring surgery'".
The Magpies are in action on the road at Roots Hall... having picked up seven points from their past three matches...
'I think overall throughout the season, the away form has been slightly under par,' said the head coach. 'I think we've been excellent at home for the majority of the season, (apart from) one or two games...
'Away, I think we've been a little bit inconsistent, so I was really pleased with the Dagenham win, and the manner of that win... We did really well in possession and out of possession, we were excellent as well...
'I think teams change a little bit and maybe play with more high risk when they are at home. So we have to try to find the solution to that. Often teams leave a lot of space in behind at home, because they play higher up the pitch, whereas they can be a bit lower here (Meadow Lane), and we dominate much more here.
'So we have to adapt a little bit and, naturally, teams have the crowd behind them'...
'It's been Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday for quite a few weeks, so this is the first time we've really been able to get ourselves out on the training pitch,' said Burchnall... 'When you go game, game, game, a lot of your work is kind of recovery and then some video, and you don't get to do so much on the pitch on things you want to improve at. So it just gives us the capabilities to be able to do that and I think a few weeks of that will do us some good...
'One thing we've talked about, certainly in the defensive third, is getting better pressure on the ball, stopping balls coming into our box, being a bit more aggressive when we don't have it, some of the defensive structure things...
'We're also continuing to work on what we think we're good at, which is a lot of the in possession stuff and a lot of the patterns of play that we work on'".
'
“They (Chesterfield) have some injuries, of course, but that is slightly exaggerated by some lads that have been out for some time or wouldn't play if they're fit,' Hurst told Grimsby Live.
'We all have situations to deal with, it looks like we're coming through that and I hope we can keep everyone fit. The striker (Kabongo Tshimanga) is... a big miss because of the form he was in, the goals and the belief he helped put in the squad... but they have signed a striker ( Joe Quigley) for money, another one. I am not quite getting the violin out for them...
'Danny Rowe has been missing, (Akwasi) Asante is back fit. They're not too shabby still, let's put it that way.'
Chesterfield go into the game having only won one of their last five, but they have also only lost one in seven, so Hurst says he is 'not convinced totally' that it is a good time to play them."
This weekend the Hailfax Courier reports that "Town manager Pete Wild wants his side to stick to the plan as they aim to get back to winning ways at home to Wealdstone on Saturday.
The Shaymen go into the game having suffered back-to-back defeats for only the second time this season, losing 3-1 at Wrexham and then 2-0 at strugglers King's Lynn.
Performances in those two losses, and in some of Town's five consecutive wins before that, have been below par...
'What I want them to do is keep being us, I don't want them to come away from our plan, the plan's got us where we need to be,' said the Town boss.
'This is a great week for us to do some technical and tactical stuff on the training ground, which we've not been able to do for probably four or five weeks, and get back to stuff that's based around us. what I want the players to do is listen this week, take on board the information, implement the information and go and give it everything they've got on Saturday at home against Wealdstone'...
'Last Saturday wasn't good enough, it wasn't us. It's the first time in 34 games I've felt frustrated in terms of lack of effort, so we need to go and deliver at home and whoever's selected needs to make sure that we come away with the three points on Saturday.'
Town have three home games in eight days starting on Saturday, with promotion rivals Solihull the visitors on Tuesday before Halifax face Woking next weekend... 'We've go the best home record in the whole league,' he said. 'It's funny because in the summer we recruited to be better at The Shay, and then I looked at that stat on Saturday, who has the best home record, and I had a wry smile on my face'...
Wild feels his side were ready for this week's game-free week after a busy schedule of five matches in 18 days...
'We were beaten by the better side at Wrexham, and on Saturday, first-half we had a lot of the ball, had them penned in for long periods, but the second-half's nothing to do with tactical formations etc, they just wanted it more than us.
That's probably the most upsetting thing as a manager. There isn't a magic solution as a coach, we tried to change it, we went 3-4-3, we tried to change personnel round, we tried to do everything we could on the sidelines to try and improve the result, but unfortunately it didn't work for us...
'We're fourth in the league, third's in our own hands, we're still having a great season, and we've been on the road, where it's always tough to pick up points'...
Wealdstone are 17th in the National League... Said Wild, 'I've watched them a lot recently, a good footballing side, really play a good way and it should be a really good football match'".
The Shrimpers' total was the seventh highest in the National League.
Stockport County spent the most having paid out £131,692 with Wrexham second with £80, 284.
Chesterfield could be without as many as eight players for Saturday's tussle against Grimsby Town... Paul Cook's side have only won three of their ten games since the former Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic boss took the reins. That form has seen Chesterfield drop from title challengers to play-off hopefuls... Their extensive injury list... includes top goal-scorer Kabongo Tshimanga...
Elsewhere, Jamie Grimes suffered a hip flexor injury at Notts County last weekend, whilst fellow defender Luke Croll remains on the sidelines.
Jack Clarke and Manny Oyeleke are long-term injury worries, though both could return in the next months. Haydn Hollis and George Carline are both out for the season.
Jim Kellerman is suspended and will miss out on the match at the Technique Stadium. The Mariners, by contrast, have only Michee Efete, Arjan Raikhy and Callum Jones on the sidelines. Ben Fox and Max Wright returned to first-team training last Thursday".
United had lost a match they should really have taken one or three points from... However, their problem all season has been inconsistency...
With Josh Kelly still recovering from a bout of COVID and only fit enough for a place on the bench, Shawn McCoulsky was brought in by Devonshire to lead the Magpies' line. His performance was as exciting as it was exasperating with the forward netting late on to give the home side a glimmer of hope but also wasting big, big chances...
As it was, they conceded goals to Adam Marriott and Reece Grego-Cox and were left chasing the game as the contest entered its final stages...
Devonshire said... 'It was a very strange game; the conditions weren’t great. and the pitch was bobbly, but we should have got a draw today. I’m gutted'".
Over 2,000 season tickets sold, representing an increase of 16% from the previous season...
Turnover increased to £2.1m (2020: £1.4m). Group operating loss increased to £2.6m (2020: loss of £0.6m) Total Assets increased to £2.1m (2020: £0.4m). Creditors more than 1 year increased to £3.4m (2020: £0.0m). This includes a £727k loan from Sport England – Sport Winter Survival Loan & a £50k Bounce Back Loan.
The Club is now swapping a £2.6m loan from owner Mark Stott to equity as was committed to. This means the Club will not need to pay back any of the investment made by the owner.
The only debt left in the Club is the Sport Winter Survival Loan and the Bounce Back Loan...
The accounts show turnover increasing by £700k to £2.1m. The increase is mainly driven by grant funding, streaming income, FA Cup broadcasting income and strong retail sales. This is despite a sharp reduction in ticketing income due to games being played behind closed doors, or reduced capacity crowds for the entire season".
"Chesterfield face a trip to Bromley on Saturday" and in advance of that clash, the Derbyshire Times reminds us that "Known as the Ravens, Bromley have become a recent fixture of the play-off picture in England’s fifth division, and this year has been no different.
Southend United "Head Coach Kevin Maher said that his squad are in a confident mood as they prepare to face a tough challenge away at Wrexham on Saturday... but will be going to north Wales in high spirits...
The Maidenhead Advertiser reports that "Maidenhead United boss Alan Devonshire will be pulling players aside in training over the coming weeks to talk about their future...
29 April 2022
NEXT OPPONENTS: DOVER ATHLETIC
Altrincham's next opponents, this Saturday, are Dover Athletic, where, according to Kent Online, despite a series of defeats, "boss Andy Hessenthaler believes his young guns will be better for the experience.
With resources tight and a long injury list, Hessenthaler has been dipping into the club’s youth ranks to keep them going for the season run-in.
DOVER ATHLETIC: THE LAST TIME
Altrincham play at Dover on Saturday. The last time they played a valid game at Crabble was in August 2015 in a match which witnessed the serious leg injury which ended Stuart Coburn's career. That injury occurred in the process of Dover snatching an 89th minute win.
In the 2015 encounter in Kent, played on a sweltering afternoon, Altrincham fell behind to Ofori-Acheampong's 22nd minute goal before George Bowerman (left) finished well to equalise from an excellent feed by Jordan Sinnott just before half time.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAGUE GAMES
The dates for the National League promotion play-offs for 201-22 season will be follows...
According to the Grimsby Telegraph "Grimsby Town head into the final four games of the National League season knowing they are in the in-form side in the division. Paul Hurst's side look set to book a play-off place after Saturday's 2-1 win over Torquay United...
The Twyford Advertiser tells us that "Maidenhead United FC has confirmed that it has finalised an agreement with the council to acquire land at Braywick Park for the delivery of a new community stadium.
The Nottingham Post reminds us that "Ian Burchnall has reiterated the importance of utilising his Notts County squad to the full...
The Halifax Courier claims that "It would be some story if Matty Stenson was to play a pivotal role in FC Halifax Town's promotion push.
NEXT OPPONENTS: DOVER ATHLETIC
Altrincham travel to Kent to face Dover Athletic on Saturday.
SECOND PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
Altrincham FC "will break new ground when they visit Wythenshawe Town for the second part of an opening day double-header of pre-season friendlies on Saturday, July 9th.
CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL
On Tuesday Stockport County won the Cheshire Senior Cup Final, beating Vauxhall Motors 5-0, thanks to goals from Alex Reid, Connor Jennings (2), ex-Alty loanee Elliot Newby and Courtney Duffus.
NORTH-WEST UPS AND DOWNS
Many former opponents of Altrincham are involved in the complex scheme of ups and down which affects the Northern Premier League as the 2021-22 seadon draws to a conclusion.
ALTY OLD BOYS AND LOANEES
From Phil Jordan we learn that on Tuesday, Ryan Brooke scored the final goal as his Runcorn Linnets team won 4-1 at Leeek Town in the NPL West Division play-off semi-final. They now face Neil Young's Marine in the final.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Paul Cook has revealed he has turned down jobs in the Football League since returning to Chesterfield and says that he ‘craves’ success with the Spireites.
According to the Leader Live, "Phil Parkinson hailed his clinical Wrexham side after hitting Weymouth for six at The Bob Lucas Stadium.
From the other side, the Dorset Echo reports that "Haji Mnoga did not hold back in his assessment of Weymouth’s 6-1 mauling by Wrexham, insisting the Terras 'chucked it all away'.
In the Halifax Courier, "Town boss Pete Wild says there is no pressure on his side in the race for a top three finish as they aim to take another step closer with a win against Yeovil on Saturday.
27 April 2022
NEXT: DOVER ATHLETIC v ALTRINCHAM
Altrincham travel to Kent to face Dover Athletic on Saturday but their opponents had a match on Tuesday night to play before meeting the Robins, who were without a midweek fixture.
TONY TALKS
Following the win over Wealdstone, John Edwards's post-match interview with goalkeeper Tony Thompson is available from Alty TV.
WEYMOUTH RELEGATED
Tuesday, 26 April
ALTY OLD BOYS AND LOANEES
From Phil Jordan, we learn that Owen Dale opened the scoring and played the full ninety minutes in the Championship as Blackpool won 2-0 at Barnsley.
ALTY SEASON TICKET OFFER
Altrincham FC press and madia officer John Edwards writes that "If you are an Altrincham season ticket holder, looking to renew for 2022/23, or you're thinking of becoming one, the club have come up with an offer that fairly leaps off the page in these costlier-than-ever times.
NPL PLAY-OFFS
In Tuesday's Northern Premier League play-off ties the scores were:
THROUGH THE YEARS: 30 April
Although Alty's game this Saturday is one of five fixtures that they still have to play to complete the 2021-22 season, the last time Alty played on 30 April it was their final match of the 2015-16 season and it also proved to be their final game in the top-flight of non-league for four years as they finished the 2015-16 campaign in 22nd place out of 24 teams. That final fixture was a long trek to Essex to face Braintree Town, where the Robins lost 3-0.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Altrincham's last opponents this season will be Yeovil Town and from Somerest Gloverscast reports that "Midfielder Josh Staunton appears to have undergone surgery on a hernia injury which has kept him off the pitch for the past month.
In Lynn News "King’s Lynn Town manager Tommy Widdrington spoke of his frustration after a last-gasp equaliser denied his side a big three points in their battle against relegation.
26 April 2022
NEIL'S REFLECTIONS
Following the 4-2 win over Wealdstone last Saturday, Altrincham assistant manger Neil Sorvel told the NL Paper, "It was a strange game. We started strongly but were terrible after our early goal and gave away chance after chance.
DAN MOONEY INTERVIEW
John Edwards, press and media officer at Altrincham FC, spoke to Dan Mooney (right) after the Wealdstone game and the video interview is on Alty TV.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Chesterfield’s home match against league leaders Stockport County on Bank Holiday Monday will now kick-off at a slightly later time.
The BBC confirms that "This season's National League promotion final will be staged at West Ham's London Stadium on Sunday, 5 June.
According to the Derbyshire Times "Former Chesterfield boss John Sheridan is to be offered a new contract at Oldham Athletic despite relegation to the National League.
Aldershot Town confirm that "Ryan Glover will miss the remainder of the 2021/22 season following necessary surgery on a reoccurring groin injury.
25 April 2022
NEXT OPPONENTS: DOVER ATHLETIC
Although Alty's next opponents, Dover Athletic, are well adrift and already relegated from the National League, they are not to be taken lightly.
ALTY ON THE UP
COMING DOWN
Whilst the two clubs to be promoted from the National League at the end of this season have yet to be finalised, the two EFL clubs dropping into the National League next season have now been determined.
ALTY OLD BOYS & LOANEES
Phil Jordan informs us that Josh Ginnelly netted for Hearts on Sunday to put them 2-1 up at Dundee United. He was substituted after 79 minutes but Hearts won the game 3-2.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
FC Halifax Town report that after their "1-0 loss away at Southend United, manager Pete Wild spoke to Shaymen TV...
In the Nottingham Post, "Head coach Ian Burchnall allayed concerns over the fitness of Notts County's top scorer Kyle Wootton after the Magpies' top scorer was substituted late on in their 3-1 win over Weymouth... with Ruben Rodrigues calling to the bench for a substitution as Wootton sat on the turf near the halfway line.
According to the Grimsby Telegraph, with "Six unbeaten and on the verge of surpassing their best spell of the season, the Mariners are heading into the play-offs in great form.
ALTRINCHAM 4-2 WEALDSTONE
Altrincham reached the fifty-point mark with this win on Saturday. Just five days after trailing 4-0 at Wrexham, Alty were 4-0 up in this game but they allowed Wealdstone to mount late pressure and score twice.
NEXT OPPONENTS: DOVER ATHLETIC
Altrincham travel to Crabble next Saturday to face relegated Dover Athletic.
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler was ‘gutted’ at losing to Chesterfield late on and says they had the Spireites ‘sweating’.
ALTY OLD BOYS AND LOANEES
Courtesy of Phil Jordan comes news that Dean Furman, Callum Dolan and Paddy Lacey all started for Warrington Rylands, whose 2-2 home draw against Bootle clinched the NPL Division One West championship and promotion to the Premier Division.
ALTY RESERVES CRASH 0-6 AT HOME
Altrincham Reserves lost 0-6 at home to bottom club Billinge in the Cheshire League Premier Division.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
According to the Leader Live, "This was a huge missed opportunity as Wrexham lost 2-1 at Woking after seeing title rivals Stockport County suffer defeat earlier in the afternoon...
The Southend Echo reports that "Southend United boss Kevin Maher hailed the ‘effort and character’ of his side following Saturday’s 1-0 win against high flying Halifax Town.
In the Eastern Daily Press, we learn that "The wait goes on for King’s Lynn Town after they were denied a valuable three points by a late equaliser in east London.
Gloverscast tells us that "Charlie Lee praised his Yeovil Town side for rediscovering their 'killer instinct' to complete a double over leaders Stockport County today.
ALTRINCHAM 4-2 WEALDSTONE
A gusty wind was a contributory factor to an entertaining game at the J. Davidson Stadium in which Alty got themselves 4-0 up before spending the last twenty minutes on the back foot as the Stones's triple substitution gave them the upper hand.
NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday, 23 April 2022
BEFORE THE GAME v WEALDSTONE
Today's visitors to the J. Davidson Stadium, Wealdstone, won their most recent game, away at Boreham Wood.
THROUGH THE YEARS: 23 APRIL
Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Thorugh the Years records reveal that when Alty entertain Wealdstone on St George's Day, this Saturday, it will be their first game on that date since 2019 when they beat Nuneaton Borough 2-0 in Warwickshire in the National League North.
ALTRINCHAM FC MONTHLY DRAW
The Altrincham FC monthly draw for March 2022 has been made with the outcome as follows:
FIRST FRIENDLY
Altrincham FC has announced its first pre-season friendly of summer 2022. "The club are delighted to be able to announce details of the opening pre-season friendly...
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
According to the Maidenhead Advertiser, "Goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore will look back on his loan spell at Maidenhead United with nothing but satisfaction after signing off with another clean sheet in Monday's goalless draw with Bromley.
The Grimsby Telegraph advises us that "Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst has hailed the ‘togetherness’ that has been built at the club since his arrival in December 2020. Hurst was in charge as the Mariners were relegated from League Two last season but has been able to put together a squad capable of an immediate return to the Football League.
"Boreham Wood FC's medical department can provide our supporters with an update on the injury status of influential players Kane Smith, Mark Ricketts, Josh Rees and Connor Stevens, following on from their recent non-selections or premature exits over the past fortnight.
In the Derbyshire Times we read that "Tom Denton is aiming to fire Chesterfield to promotion and earn himself a new contract in the process.
22 April 2022
NEXT OPPONENTS: WEALDSTONE
Altrincham host Wealdstone on Saturday at the J. Davidson Stadium.
From West London Sport we learn that "Wealdstone manager Stuart Maynard and his assistant Matthew Saunders are expected to agree new contracts to keep them at the club following confirmation of National League safety.
WEALDSTONE WELCOME
Altrincham FC press and media officer John Edwards announce "there will be no segregation against Wealdstone on Saturday in a move aimed at giving a special set of supporters the warmest of welcomes to The J.Davidson Stadium.
2005 REUNION
Altrincham FC announce that "Altrincham FC Community Company is holding a reunion of the 2005 National League North promotion winning squad that beat Eastbourne Borough 2-0 on that memorable May Sunday afternoon at Stoke City's stadium...
DECISION TIME FOR ALTY
Writing in the Sale & Altrincham Messenger John Edwards states that Altrincham boss "Phil Parkinson admitted to feeling ‘a little bit helpless’ after seeing Altrincham taken apart by title-chasing Wrexham in a 4-0 defeat at the Racecourse Ground on Easter Monday...
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAGUE GAMES
The Southend Echo reports that "Norwich City have activated an extension in Matt Dennis’s contract with the Canaries.
The Halifax Courier reports that "The Shaymen moved closer to the National League play-offs on Easter Monday with their 2-0 win over Chesterfield.
21 April 2022
NEXT OPPONENTS: WEALDSTONE
Wealdstone "fans make the trip up north for their first visit to former Alliance League sparring partners Altrincham in 35 years on Saturday, with supporters missing last season's behind closed doors match. The two clubs were founder members of the now National League back in 1979 and are just two of five founder clubs currently in the division in 2022...
WREXHAM POST-MORTEM
Altrincham FC has press and media officer Brian Flynn's post-match interview with Alty. boss Phil Parkinson after his side's 4-0 defeat at The Racecourse.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Devon Live reports that "Gary Johnson said he was ‘frustrated’ by Torquay United’s performance in the goalless draw against Eastleigh on Easter Monday but he is ‘totally up for it’ as the Gulls go to Grimsby Town to try to rescue their National League play-off chase on Saturday.
Meanwhile a club that will definitely be playing in a different Division next season is the subject of a report from Kent Online that "Boss Andy Hessenthaler has a new points target in mind with Dover having finally moved out of minus points.
The Hailfax Courier reminds us that "The Shaymen drew 1-1 at Altrincham on Friday before a crucial 2-0 win over promotion rivals Chesterfield on Easter Monday.
According to the Dorset Echo, "Weymouth boss David Oldfield aired his frustration at an offside call which prevented the Terras from taking the lead against Yeovil Town in their 0-0 draw in Monday.
20 April 2022
WE MEET AGAIN: ALTRINCHAM v WEALDSTONE
Saturday presents Wealdstone fans the first opportunity to watch their side face Altrincham at Moss Lane since 1987-88 season. Last season's game had to be played behind closed doors, on a Tuesday night, 26 January, 2021, with Alty winning 2-0. Wealdstone finished last season ten points and two places behind Altrincham, in nineteenth place.
RESERVES LOSE CUP FINAL
Altrincham Reserves lost the Altrincham & District Cup Final on Tuesday night, 1-3 against Bollington Town. Alty Reserves, who ply their trade at Step 7 of the non-League pyramid took an early lead against their Step 9 opponents through Morton, who scored at the third attempt after a Billingsley cross had been headed on by Mercurius.
ALTY SEASON TICKET OFFER
Altrincham FC press and madia officer John Edwards writes that "If you are an Altrincham season ticket holder, looking to renew for 2022/23, or you're thinking of becoming one, the club have come up with an offer that fairly leaps off the page in these costlier-than-ever times.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times reports that on Monday "Halifax boss Pete Wild admitted Chesterfield were ‘all over us’ before the Shaymen took the lead against the run of play.
In the Grimsby Telegraph we learn that "Grimsby Town collected maximum points over the Easter Weekend after beating King's Lynn Town 1-0. The Mariners move up to sixth in the National League...
According to the Maidenhead Advertiser, "Maidenhead United kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet to claim a deserved point from Monday's trip to Bromley.
Alty's final game of the season is against Yeovil Town whose manager Darren Sarll unexpectedly moved recently to take over at Woking. Somerset Live reports "on a disappointing weekend for Yeovil Town...
19 April 2022
WREXHAM 4-0 ALTRINCHAM
Four first-half Wrexham goals, all owing something to defensive lapses, sank Altrincham at The Racecourse on Easter Monday. The defeat and its manner were all the more surprising given that Altrincham had conceded just three times in their previous eight fixtures.
WREXHAM VIEW
Following their easy win over Altrincham, Wrexham reported that "Paul Mullin’s brace led the way in another clinical home performance as the Red Dragons roared past Altrincham to make it fifteen unbeaten in the National League, in front of over 10,000 supporters...
They took the Robins defence apart with some clinical finishing to wrap up the contest before the break.
ALTRINCHAM OLD BOYS AND LOANEES
Alistair Smith was a 48th minute substitute for Sutton United as they strengthened their play-off bid with a 1-0 win over Newport County, reports Phil Jordan.
He also tells us that Chris Merrie (right) was credited with an assist for the clinching goal as Tranmere Rovers won 2-0 at home to Exeter City.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Lynn News reports that "King’s Lynn Town are on the brink of relegation following today’s Easter Monday defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town in front of their biggest crowd of the season.
The Linnets, undone by a Tristan Abrahams goal on the stroke of half-time against The Mariners, remain eight points behind Aldershot with four games left to play.
From the other side, the Grimsby Telegraph tells us that "Paul Hurst was unable to shed any major light on John McAtee's injury but conceded he may have dislocated his shoulder. The Mariners' top-scorer was taken off after 20 minutes against King's Lynn Town after landing awkwardly.
18 April 2022
FINAL SCORE: WREXHAM 4-0 ALTRINCHAM
Alty got off to a bad start as a Tozer long-throw led to Davies putting Wrexham ahead in only the second minute. Alty responded well with a series of decent openings but they failed to trouble Dibble.
EASTER MONDAY GAMES
Monday 18th April
TODAY'S OPPONENTS: WREXHAM
In their match preview for the game today (Monday), Altrincham's hosts Wrexham remind us that "It's Phil Parkinson versus Phil Parkinson as two managers who share a name clash after testing 1-1 draws on Good Friday.
This match brings to an end the remarkable run of 7 consecutive home games, and what an incredible experience it has been. Friday's 1-1 draw with Solihull Moors was the first time we failed to win during that sequence of matches...
ALTY THE "FRIENDLIEST CLUB"
LAST TIME OUT, v FC HALIFAX TOWN
EASTER MONDAY GAMES
Monday 18th April
ALTY OLD BOYS & LOANEES
From Phil Jordan we learn that, this weekend, Josh Amis netted Warrington Town's second goal in a 2-0 win at Atherton Collieries.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Devon Live reports that "Torquay United manager Gary Johnson is hoping to have Tom Lapslie available for the big game against Eastleigh after the midfielder missed the 1-0 win at Woking on Good Friday.
The Grimsby Telegraph reports that "Stockport County boss Dave Challinor believes Grimsby Town players played their role in Antoni Sarcevic's red card on Friday. The Hatters' midfielder was dismissed on 35 minutes for a late challenge on Michee Efete.
The Eastern Daily Press claim that "The Great Escape music has been shuffled to the back of the play list at The Walks but King’s Lynn Town boss Tommy Widdrington is still humming I’m A Believer.
17 April 2022
AFTER FRIDAY'S GAME
Following Friday's draw at the J. Davidson Stadium between Altrincham and FC Halifax Town, the Shaymen's boss Pete Wild said, "We're pleased to take a point here. It was two well-balanced tams that cancelled each other out.
NEXT OPPONENTS: WREXHAM
On Easter Monday, Alty travel to second-placed Wrexham. And news of Altrincham's opponents comes from the Daily Post that on Good Friday "It was another entertaining afternoon at the Racecourse as the Dragons continue their quest for promotion.
MEET THE MANAGER AND BOARD
The Robins' Review reports that there will be a supporters' meeting, with the Board and management of Altrincham FC, in the Community Sports Hall at the J. Davidson Stadium on Friday 22 April, with full details to be released in due course.
ALTY OLD BOYS AND LOANEES
Though not getting off the bench on Saturday, Josh Ginnelly was on the winning side for Hearts as they defeated Hibernian to win a place in the Scottish Cup Final.
RESERVES BEATEN
Altrincham FC Reserves lost 4-2 at FC St Helens on Saturday.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
According to the Halifax Courier, "Town manager Pete Wild has warned his side they'll need to defend set-pieces better than they did at Altrincham when they host Chesterfield on Monday...
The Grimsby Telegraph reports that "Grimsby Town stunned the league-leaders Stockport County with a comeback victory as Antoni Sarcevic's red card proved costly. Goals from John McAtee and Gavan Holohan proved decisive for the Mariners.
We learn from the Eastern Daily Press that "King’s Lynn Town surrendered an early lead to slip further towards relegation.
The Southend Echo brings us news of alty's next guests, Wealdstone, who beat the Shrimpers on Friday.
16 April 2022
ALTRINCHAM SAFE
Friday's results mean that Altrincham are now mathematically safe in the National League for 2022-23 season.
ALTRINCHAM 1-1 FC HALIFAX TOWN
Altrincham deservedly extended their unbeaten home run with this draw against play-off aspirants FC Halifax Town.
WILD HAPPY
In the Halifax Courier "Town boss Pete Wild said it was a fair result after his side drew 1-1 at Altrincham.
THE MEDIA VIEW FROM HALIFAX
The Halifax Courier did not think much of the macth as it reports that "Kian Spence put Halifax in-front in the first-half, but defender Harry Perritt equalised for the hosts after the interval.
ALTRINCHAM OLD BOYS AND LOANEES
Phil Jordan tells us that Marcus Dinanga scored the second as Dartford won 2-0 at Billericay.
GOOD FRIDAY GAMES
EASTER MONDAY GAMES
Monday 18th April
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAGUE GAMES
Barnet report that "The Bees fell to a heavy defeat... losing 7-3 to Dagenham & Redbridge at the Chigwell Construction Stadium...
15 April 2022
PP PREVIEW
Altrincham FC has manager Phil Parkinson's preview of the Easter weekend double-header against FC Halifax Town and Wrexham.
ALTY GATES HEADING FOR 2,000 AVERAGE
In the Sale & Altrincham Messenger John Edwards (press and media officer) writes that "Altrincham fans have been urged to keep turning out in numbers as the Robins close in on a new club record for home attendances at National League level.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAGUE GAMES
In the Southend Echo we learn that "Nathan Ferguson will be back at Roots Hall with Wealdstone tomorrow.
The Eastern Daily Press tells us that "Michael Clunan is expected to make his 300th appearance as a King’s Lynn Town player on Good Friday...
14 April 2022
NEXT OPPONENTS: FC HALIFAX TOWN
FC Halifax Tpwn visit the J. Davidson Stadium on Good Friday.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
According to the Derbyshire Times, "There is set to be a bumper crowd at the Technique Stadium next month when league leaders Stockport County visit Derbyshire.
13 April 2022
ALTY SEASON TICKET OFFER
Altrincham FC press and media officer John Edwards writes that "If you are an Altrincham season ticket holder, looking to renew for 2022/23, or you're thinking of becoming one, the club have come up with an offer that fairly leaps off the page in these costlier-than-ever times.
NEXT: ALTRINCHAM v FC HALIFAX TOWN
Altrincham's next match is on Good Friday, 15 April, when FC Halifax Town visit the JDS.
ALTY v ALTY LEGENDS
Sunday's testimonial game for Shaun Densmore, which comprised a match between the current Altrincham suqad and a team of Alty "Legends", was not the first time that such a format has been used at Moss Lane.
THROUGH THE YEARS: 15 April
When Altrincham next play, on Good Friday, 15 April, it will be eight years since they last played on that date. As Howard Watts and the late Mike Garnett's Through the Years records remind us, the last Alty game on that date was eight years ago in 2014 when Oxford City was considered a northern club. Alty had to travel to Oxford on a Tuesday night but emerged with a 2-1 win.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
According to the Grimsby Telegraph, "The Mariners' top-seven competitors are feeling the heat after an awful run of form
Kent Live tells us that "Highly-rated teenage midfielders George Wilkinson and Luke Baptiste have both put pen to paper on professional deals at Dover Athletic ...
The Nottingham Post tells sus that "The Magpies were crushed 5-1 at Plainmoor at the weekend to suffer their heaviest defeat in the National League since relegation from the Football League.
12 April 2022
GEORGE MELLING R.I.P.
Altrincham FC announces that "Everyone at Altrincham Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Melling.
SAM HARDING R.I.P.
The untimely death of former Altrincham FC Youth player (2018/19), Sam Harding, has been reported by The Sun and other news media.
SHAUN'S REFLECTIONS
Before his testimonial game on Sunday, Shaun Densmore spoke to the NL Paper.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Paul Cook says he is hoping to get his team selection right ‘more often’ as Chesterfield enter the final six games of the season.
From the Grimsby Telegraph we learn that "Weymouth boss David Oldfield was delighted with his team's hard work and dedication to keeping Grimsby Town at bay. The Mariners were held to a 0-0 draw at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday.
Aldershot Town "announce that Queens Park Rangers forward Sinclair Armstrong has signed for the club on loan until the end of the season!
Dover Athletic have announced that "The club, like so many other residents of Dover, were shocked and saddened by the news that P&O Ferries had sacked 800 workers, including 600 from our port, last month.
11 April 2022
NEXT OPPONENTS: FC HALIFAX TOWN
Altrincham's next opponents, on Good Friday, are FC Halifax Town who will visit the J. Davidson Stadium having played three matches since the Robins' last competitive game.
DENSMORE TESTIMONIAL
At Sunday lunchtime, an Altrincham Legends' side, captained by Shaun Densmore faced an Altrincham XI from this season's squad in a match to mark the testimonial year for the Alty defender, now in his 14th year at Moss Lane.
GEOFF CARTER R.I.P.
Altrincham FC has announced "that Geoff Carter, a well-known figure in local football and cricket circles, has died.
ALTY OLD BOYS & LOANEES
Apart from the countless "old boys" involved in Sunday's testimonial game for Shaun Densmore, (see elsewhere on this page), the following former Alty players or loanees were amongst those in action for other clubs on Saturday.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Devon Live reports that "Torquay United manager Gary Johnson said 'the boys were spot on' in the 5-1 win against Notts County that featured a fine Connor Lemonheigh-Evans hat-trick at a rocking Plainmoor on Saturday. Johnson was smiling from ear to ear after the game when he did his usual celebratory air punch in front of the Popside,just minutes after Armani Little had capped the great day with the fifth goal and his second of the game in the sixth minute of injury-time.
In the Grimsby Telegraph "Joey Jones has admitted he will be looking to leave Dagenham & Redbridge permanently in the summer and would be open to joining Grimsby Town full-time.
We learn from the Maidenhead Advertiser that "Josh Kelly netted a 92nd minute winner as Maidenhead United’s second half pressure finally paid off against already relegated Dover Athletic at The Crabble.
SHAUN DENSMORE TESTIMONIAL
Altrincham FC hosts Shaun Densmore's well-deserved testimonial at 1.30pm today (Sunday). A Shaun Densmore XI face current Altrincham players in a match comprising three 25-minute segments.
ALTY REMAIN FIFTEENTH
Altrincham had no game for the second successive Saturday and before kick-off they knew that they could not drop whatever happened in their rivals' games. And they actually came within one goal of going up a place as fourteenth-placed Woking lost by a single goal at Halifax.
ALTY OLD BOYS AND LOANEES
Phil Jordan informs us that, on Saturday, Marcus Dinanga's 95th minute goal earned a point for Dartford in a 1-1 draw at home to Hemel Hempstead.
ALTY RESERVES BACK TO WINNING WAYS
On Saturday, at home, Altrincham FC Reserves beat Garswood United 3-0. They now lie eighth in the 18-team division but they have played more games than other teams in the league.
NATIONAL LEAGUE SCORES
The Eastern Daily Press reports that "King’s Lynn Town suffered late heartbreak in the battle against the drop.
Notts County report that "Connor Lemonheigh Evans scored a hat-trick as Torquay ran out clear winners at Plainmoor.
Aldershot Town "got back to winning ways with a deserved 2-1 victory against Boreham Wood with goals from the returning Mikael Ndjoli and Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong.
9 April 2022
SHAUN DENSMORE TESTIMONIAL
For the second Saturday in succession, Altrincham have no fixture today but there will be action at the J. Davidson Stadium on Sunday (1.30pm) when the club hosts Shaun Densmore's well-deserved testimonial. A Densmore XI face current Altrincham players in a match comprising three 25-minute segments.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Alty's next oppponents, FC Halifax Town welcome Woking to The Shay today (Saturday).
The Grimsby Telegraph informs us that "Grimsby Town have announced the mutual termination of Joel Grant's contract. The 34-year-old's deal was set to expire in the summer.
"Bidding for a return to winning ways, Southend United "face the toughest of tests on Saturday as they clash with National League leaders Stockport County in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Yeovil Town "face the long trip to Norfolk... to face King’s Lynn Town...
8 April 2022
SHAUN'S TESTIMONIAL
Press officer John Edwards writes on the Altrincham FC website that "One of the more remarkable careers in the club's history began in September, 2008 when he arrived at Moss Lane on an initial one-month agreement that was soon extended for the remainder of the season after he made a favourable early impression on manager Graham Heathcote.
NEXT OPPONENTS: FC HALIFAX TOWN
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAGUE GAMES
In the Maidenhead Advertiser, "Ryan Peters is confident Maidenhead United will keep their forthcoming opponents ‘on their toes’, with the club now blessed with near enough a full-strength squad for the first time in the National League this season.
In the Southend Echo we learn that "Shaun Hobson feels Southend United have nothing to fear at table-topping Stockport County on Saturday...
The Nottingham Post tells us that "The Magpies are currently sixth in the table with eight games of the regular campaign remaining. Ian Burchnall's men... have not given up hope of catching the likes of challengers Wrexham and Halifax...
SHAUN'S TESTIMONIAL
In advance of his testimonial next Sunday (1.30pm), Altrincham FC press and media officer Brian Flynn reminds us of the day when "Shaun Densmore celebrates scoring against Barwell as the Robins head towards winning the Northern Premier League in April 2018
NEXT OPPONENTS: FC HALIFAX TOWN
Altrincham's next opponents, on Good Friday, are FC Halifax Town. Last time out they played a goalless draw in the Midlands.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The BBC confirms that "Six people have been arrested following disorder at Chesterfield's home match against Grimsby Town on Saturday.
Torquay United report that "With Saturday’s crucial home clash with Notts County now just three days away, United Manager Gary Johnson has issued the following statement ...
Barnet report that "The Bees suffered a heavy defeat at the Racecourse Ground, losing 6-0 to Wrexham...
From the Eastern Daily Press we learn that "Battling King’s Lynn kept it in the family as they maintained their National League survival hopes.
6 April 2022
NEXT: ALTRINCHAM v FC HALIFAX TOWN
Altrincham have no match until 15 April, when FC Halifax Town visit the JDS. Tuesday's results and Barnet's defeat mean that, despite having no match this weekend, Altrincham cannot drop from fifteenth place on Saturday.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Courtesy of Phil Jordan we learn that Josh Amis scored the only goal for Warrington Town at Basford on Tuesday night.
TUESDAY NIGHT GAMES
Tuesday, 5 April
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Grimsby Telegraph says that "With eight games of the National League season to go, optimism that Grimsby Town can reach the play-off is at an all-time high. The Mariners sit seventh in the standings following their 4-1 thumping of Chesterfield...
The Daily Mirror reminds us that "Neal Ardley came through the ranks at Wimbledon during their famous top-flight stay, and is now a decade into his managerial career hoping to steer Solihull Moors into the Football League...
5 April 2022
TOBY LEADS THE WAY
So far Altrincham have completed 36 League fixtures and no fewer than 44 players have been named in a National League matchday squad in 2021-22, with all those named in a squad, except Sean Higgins and Kwame Osigwe, getting onto the pitch.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
In the Derbyshire Times, Liam Norcliffe observes that "Although it looks like Stockport County, who have a ten-point lead at the top, will be crowned champions, the fight to secure a play-off place is very much wide open.
According to the Maidenhead Advertiser, "Maidenhead United will look to take the positives from a competitive display at Solihull Moors on Saturday, but first half goals from Andrew Dallas, and Harry Boyes’s strike on the stroke of full-time, condemned them to their sixth defeat in eight matches.
The Eastern Daily Press tells us that "Tommy Widdrington has slowly but surely been ticking off achievements on his bucket list as King’s Lynn Town manager...
NEXT OPPONENTS: FC HALIFAX TOWN
Altrincham had no game last Saturday and their next game is not till Good Friday when FC Halifax Town are the visitors. In the meantime the Shaymen will have played three times. Last Saturday they won at Wealdstone and next Tuesday they are at home to Solihull Moors and then they face Woking next Saturday.
DENSMORE TESTIMONIAL
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Hampshire Derby is the subject of a report from the Daily Echo which tells us that "Eastleigh made all-but sure of their National League survival with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Aldershot.
In the Nottingham Post, "Notts County head coach Ian Burchnall insists there is no problem between him and Callum Roberts after the winger was left out of the squad to face Southend at the weekend.
The Grimsby Telegraph reports that "Grimsby Town produced their best victory of the season as an emphatic comeback against Chesterfield saw them 4-1 victors. After falling behind to a Lawrence Maguire header, goals from John McAtee, Gavan Holohan, Harry Clifton and Ryan Taylor completed a resounding win.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Sean Williams and Josh Amis were second-half subs as Warrington Town lost 0-1 at home to Mickleover Sports.
NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday, 2 April
BUILDBASE FA TROPHY
Semi-Finals
2 April 2022
ENFORCED BREAK
Altrincham have no game till Good Friday (15 April); an already blank Saturday this week is being followed by a fixture on 10 May against Bromley which has had to be postponed owing to Bromley's involvement in FA Trophy.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Southend Echo confirms that "Former Southend United loanee Zak Brunt will be back at Roots Hall tomorrow with Notts County.
According to Glovers' Cast "Josh Staunton has called on those involved in deciding the future of Yeovil Town to give its players clarity on their future.
The Nottingham Post reminds us that "Ian Burchnall has challenged his Notts County players to improve their "inconsistent" away form when they take on Southend United today (Saturday).
We read in the Derbyshire Times that "Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst has little sympathy for Chesterfield's injury woes... The Spireites will once again have a stretched squad for the visit of the seventh-placed Mariners on Saturday...
1 April 2022
NEXT OPPONENTS: FC HALIFAX TOWN
It is a fortnight till Altrincham's next match, at home to FC Halifax Town, on Good Friday.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAGUE GAMES
The Southend Echo tells us that "Southend United spent £28,814 on agent fees between February 2021 and January 2022.
The Grimsby Telegraph tells us that "The Spireites are down the their bare bones in defence after sustaining another injury at Notts County last weekend
We learn from the Maidenhead Advertiser that "Maidenhead United manager Alan Devonshire looked a little lost for words after Saturday's unfortunate 2-1 defeat to Barnet at York Road.
At Stockport County, "The Club has submitted its annual report and financial statements for the year ending June 2021".
This includes comments that "Despite significant challenges resulting from the COVID pandemic, the club invested £1.6m in upgrading key revenue-generating and fan-facing areas of the Stadium.
The Club secured a Championship grade training facility in Carrington on a medium-term lease and invested £140k in upgrades to the facility and machinery.