31 May 2022

REVIEW OF ALTY'S SEASON 21-22

ALTY LEGENDS

BAINES JOINS ALTY

Lewis started out at Fleetwood Town, from where he had loan spells with Bamber Bridge (2017) and Ashton United (2018).

After making his debut for Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy late in 2018, loans at Chorley (December 2018) and Stockport County followed (January 2019). He then signed for Chorley in July 2019. The Magpies were then in the National League but were relegated back to the North division at the end of that season. In all he has made well over 100 appearances for Chorley.

Baines was an unused sub when Chorley beat Alty 4-1 in the Vanarama National League North on 12 January 2019, but he was not in the squad for the return fxture or the subsequent play-off game at Victory Park that season.

FERGUSON DEPARTS

He had arrived at Moss Lane, on a short-term contract, in a move announced on 25 February 2022.

In 2021, the 6ft 4 inch defender had been playing for Waterford in the Republic of Ireland, whose season had ended in November 2021.

Unsurprisingly, given his father Barry's career with Rangers, it was at that club that Kyle started out, with spells with Kilmarnock, Airdrie and Clyde (2016-18|) all featuring on his CV.

He also spent time in the USA on a football scholarship with Medaille College and prior to joining Waterford he had been playing for Ytterhogdals IK in Sweden.

Kyle has also done some modelling in the past.

Having broken into the team when Tom Hannigan was sidelined by injury, Kyle made eight successive starts and completed ninety minutes on each occasion.

Altrincham Altrincham appearances: 8(+1), 0 goals.

LUNDSTRAM JOINS ALTY

That originally short-term loan spell had been announced on 17 January 2020, and he played the fully 90 minutes the next day at Gateshead, in central midfield. Josh had had previous experience of National League North football during a loan spell from January 2019 with Nuneaton Town, during which he played against Altrincham in April, 2019.

Prior to his fifteen games for Nuneaton, Josh had a loan spell at Kidsgrove Athletic and also had a second spell at the club from November 2019. Unusually for a loanee, Josh became an ever-present starter and, after eight full 90-minute games for Alty, Josh's loan was extended to 24 March 2020 but the season was then curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in common with rulings elsewhere, Josh was permitted to play in the July play-off campaign when football resumed.

ALTY SIGN DEFENDER BARROWS

Born in Sheffield, he is qualified to play for any of England, Scotland and Jamaica. He was released by Scunthorpe United as a teenager (2013) and joined The Shaymen where he was named their 2014/15 Student Player of the Year for 2014/15.

In May 2017 he signed a new contract at FC Halifax Town before his move back to Lincolnshire to play for Grantham where he signed a one-year contract (2018-19). In March 2019 he moved on to King's Lynn Town where his contract reportedly expires on 30 June 2022.

26 May 2022

MOONEY DECAMPS TO SOUTHEND

Daniel arrived at Altrincham from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. The signing of the left-footed wingman was unveiled on 4 February 2020 and he made an impressive debut that evening, on the right wing, against AFC Telford United. He had previously played against Altrincham for Chester FC and Ashton United whilst on loan spells from the Fleetwood club, for whom he made two first-team Altrincham appearances. He holds a number of Wales under-21 international caps.

His 2020-21 season was disrupted by injury and made just 13 starts and ten Altrincham appearances from the bench. 2021-22 promised to be better as he completed seven of the first ten fixtures but since then he failed to play for 90 minutes in any of the next 17 league fixtures (to early February 2022).

Altrincham appearances: 55(+15), 18 goals.

TOBY MULLARKEY STAYS

There has been Football League interest in Toby... Alty’s widely-admired central defender has been taking in the sights in Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, but he broke off to sign new forms electronically...

Manager Phil Parkinson... said, ‘Toby will be vice-captain this coming season. He is a player we’ve developed, and everyone has enjoyed watching him grow into an accomplished National League centre-back. He has shown great belief and loyalty in us...

Signed from Nantwich Town three years ago, he has, under the tutelage of Phil and Neil Sorvel, developed into the complete central defender; strong in the air, sure in the tackle, confident enough to marshal those around him and adept at bringing the ball out to launch an attack.

And that’s not to mention an explosive shooting ability".

ALTY'S ACADEMY LEAGUE WINNERS SQUAD SALUTED

Last Sunday during the interval of the final National League fixture of the season, Altrincham FC's academy team undertook a lap of honour to mark its success in winning the National League U19 Alliance Division H.

The squad is pictured above as it posed for a photograph in front of the main stand at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Right: The league table is seen as it currently (20 May 2022) appears on the National Alliance League website.

Results in 2021-22:

• Cup 04/05/22 k.o. 14:00 Chesterfield Blue 2-1 Altrincham
• Div H 20/04/22 12:00 Eccleshill United 1-2 Altrincham
• Div H 04/04/22 13:00 FC Halifax Town B 0-8 Altrincham
• Div H 30/03/22 13:00 Altrincham 6-2 Bradford (Park Avenue)
• Div H 16/03/22 14:00 Wrexham 1-1 Altrincham
• Div H 11/03/22 12:00 Altrincham 7-0 FC Halifax Town B
• Div H 09/03/22 13:30 Altrincham 2-1 FC United Of Manchester
• Div H 02/03/22 14:00 Buxton 1-6 Altrincham
• Div H 23/02/22 13:30 Altrincham 3-3 AFC Fylde
• Cup H 16/02/22 13:30 Altrincham 1-2 Chesterfield Blue
• Div H 09/02/22 13:30 City of Liverpool 2-2 Altrincham
• Div H 02/02/22 13:30 Marine 1-5 Altrincham
• Div H 26/01/22 14:00 Altrincham 3-1 Stockport County H Div
• Div H 19/01/22 14:00 Chorley 1-4 Altrincham
• Cup A 12/01/22 19:00 Chorley 2-3 Altrincham
• Div H 05/01/22 13:30 Altrincham 8-1 Chorley
• Div H 15/12/21 13:00 AFC Fylde 4-6 Altrincham
• Div H 08/12/21 13:00 Altrincham 7-0 Eccleshill United
• Div H 01/12/21 14:00 Stockport County 2-0 Altrincham
• Cup A 24/11/21 14:00 Hartlepool United 1-2 Altrincham
• Div H 17/11/21 14:00 Altrincham 3-1 Wrexham
• Div H 09/11/21 13:30 Altrincham 4-0 Marine
• Cup A 20/10/21 14:00 FC Halifax Town B 1-5 Altrincham
• Div H 13/10/21 14:00 Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-5 Altrincham
• Div H 06/10/21 13:30 Altrincham 4-2 Buxton
• Div H 22/09/21 13:30 Altrincham 2-1 City of Liverpool
• Div H 15/09/21 13:30 FC United Of Manchester 2-1 Altrincham
• Div H 08/09/21 14:00 Rochdale EDC 1-3 Altrincham

Above: The squad passes the Golf Road End during its lap of honour.

15 May 2022

ALTRINCHAM END OF SEASON AWARDS

ALTRINCHAM 0-1 YEOVIL TOWN

The game was decided as early as the 16th minute when Alty lost possession some 35 yards out and, from right of goal, Knowles scored with a low shot. Altrincham dominated possession, especially in the second half, and had numerous shots at goal but the vast majority were well off target.

Nevertheless, Alty finished fourteenth in the National League, a commendable position for a part-time side.

Match report here . >

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Aldershot Town 1 Wealdstone 3
• Altrincham 0 Yeovil Town 1
• Barnet 2 Bromley 4
• Boreham Wood 0 Solihull Moors 3
• Chesterfield 0 Woking 0
• Dagenham & Redbridge 3 Wrexham 0
• Dover Athletic 1 Weymouth 2
• Eastleigh 4 Grimsby Town 4
• Maidenhead United 0 Notts County 1
• Southend United 1 Torquay United 1
• Stockport County 2 FC Halifax Town 0

11 May 2022

SEVEN STALWARTS DEPART

They are:

• Shaun DENSMORE (right)
• Connor HAMPSON
• Josh HANCOCK
• Tom HANNIGAN
• Jake MOULT
• Tony THOMPSON
• Andy WHITE

More details can be found on the Departed Players 2022 page.

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Stockport County 1 Torquay United 0

10 May 2022

BROMLEY 1-1 ALTRINCHAM

Alty showed some decent approach play but lacked a punch in the forward areas and they still trailed 1-0 at the break.

Altrincham enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half but without threatening to score until Mooney netted a deserved leveller in the 87th minute. The match never reached great heights of excitement but Alty's makeshift team had shown good spirit to earn a draw against a Bromley side whose second-half showing, in particular, perhaps suggested they had one eye on the FA Trophy final in twelve days' time.

Match report here

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Bromley 1 Altrincham 1
• Grimsby Town 1 Boreham Wood 0

8 May 2022

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Wrexham 3 Stockport County 0

NOTTS COUNTY 3-0 ALTRINCHAM

Roberts netted from the spot and both Wootton and Rodrigues converted crosses from the right as our place in the play-offs was confirmed in style.

With Richard Brindley back at his disposal, Ian Burchnall reverted to a back three with the former Rotherham man lining up alongside Alex Lacey and Adam Chicksen in central defence.

Sam Slocombe kept his place in goal, with Dion Kelly-Evans and Jayden Richardson at wing-back, while Jim O’Brien made it back-to-back starts in midfield with Matt Palmer and Roberts.

Up front, Wootton was partnered by Rodrigues...

We were enjoying a totally dominant spell and, after Rodrigues’ cross-shot had nearly beaten Tony Thompson in the visitors’ net, Richardson crashed a half-volley off the bar following the resultant corner...

The visitors had rarely threatened but could have hit us with a sucker-punch shortly before half-time when Isaac Marriott fired wide after receiving a cut-back in space near the penalty spot.

It would have been incredibly harsh had the Alty man taken that chance, particularly as we had the crossbar rattling again on the brink of half-time when Roberts’ brilliant cross was met well by Wootton, who could only watch on as his header crashed off the underside of the bar before being cleared away to safety.

It only took us seconds to turn the screw after the break, however, as within two minutes of the restart Roberts was hauled back in the box before dispatching the resultant spotkick expertly.

We continued to dominate as the second period progressed... We doubled our lead when Roberts scampered to the byline and stood up a cross for Wootton to lash home acrobatically.

Deserved gloss was then added to the scoreline as we scored the best goal of the day on 84 minutes. Eli Sam, on for Roberts, held off his man in midfield before spraying the ball out to Richardson. The wing back nudged the ball in front of himself with his head and rinsed his marker for pace before crossing into the middle, where Rodrigues met the ball with an emphatic diving header".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

A minute of madness for skipper Luke Waterfall meant ten-man Grimsby Town remained unsure of their play-off fate following a 3-1 home defeat to Maidenhead.

Waterfall scored an own goal to open the scoring in the 25th minute and worse was to follow within seconds of the restart when he hauled down away striker Emile Acquah and conceded a penalty before being sent off.

The Mariners' centre back could have little argument with the red card but the spot kick award seemed contentious amid home protests that the infringement had taken place outside the box. ,

Sam Barratt went on to confidently convert from 12 yards and the visitors added a well-worked third goal midway through the second half that substitute Ryan Upward tapped in from close range.

To the hosts' credit, they never threw in the towel and Tristan Abrahams grabbed a 76th-minute consolation, also from the spot...

But it could not spark a grandstand finish for Paul Hurst's men, although their spirits will have been lifted a little by play-off rivals Chesterfield and Dagenham both losing and Boreham Wood only getting a point at Yeovil.

Those results mean that the Mariners can now secure a top-seven spot if they avoid defeat at home to Boreham Wood on Tuesday night.

Prior to kick-off, the team sheet revealed that 13-goal, leading marksman John McAtee was back in the fold after he missing the last two games".

According to the Halifax Courier "Town boss Pete Wild said his side paid the price for not taking their chances after their 1-1 draw at home to Aldershot saw them drop to fourth in the National League. Mikael Ndjoli's late equaliser cancelled out Martin Woods' opener and allowed Solihull to leapfrog The Shaymen thanks to their win over Dagenham and Redbridge.

'We've dominated the game from start to finish, we've dominated the ball, we've had chance after chance after chance,' said Wild. 'We just unfortunately have maybe been a bit naive out of possession trying to get that second goal, and maybe we should have shut up shop a bit more.

'But they threw three centre-forwards on to try and get something out of the game, they've got nothing to play for, so why wouldn't they?

'Unfortunately it's cost us late on today.'

Wild added... 'We have to still remember that there's bumps in the road.... We haven't lost the game, it's another point on the board an>> we keep going'...

On Aldershot's equaliser, Wild said... 'When teams having to play for, they'll just gamble. They've gambled and it's come off for them, fair play to them'.

The draw leaves it out of Town's hands whether they finish in the top three...

'I'm gutted, the players in there, they're all gutted, because... We wanted to be in control of what goes on going into next week, but we're not... We've got to go there and take it to Stockport, so fantastic, what a great day that could be...

'It doesn't obscure anything, we've got 84 points after 43 games, it's unbelievable,' he said."

ALT OLD BOYS

Alfreton Town, trailing at home with two minutes left, snatched a 2-1 win against Guiseley cortesy of goals from Conor Branson and Yusifu Ceesay. The result relegated Guiseley and saved Farsley Celtic.

Nicky Clee was sent of after 27 minutes of Bradford (Park Avenue)'s home game against Southport. They were two down at the time and went on to lose 0-5.

Marcus Dinanga scored wice as DArtford won 7-0 at Eastbourne.

SIX ACADEMICIANS SIGNED UP

They are:

• Ryan FORDE - goalkeeper
• Joe COONEY - captain of the Academy team which lifted the league title in Dividion H of the National League Alliance.
• Amaar HUSSAIN - leading scorer in the league for the Academy
• Jayden MATTHEW - plays at left- and right-back and was formerly with Stoke City.
• Ryan MORTON - made his first-team debut at the end of last season.
• Harlan RODGERS MORRIS - midfielder with the Academy and reserve sides at Altrincham.

7 May 2022

NOTTS COUNTY 3 ALTRINCHAM 0

But, just before the interval, a Wootton header struck the bar for the hosts. Half-time was reached, therefore, with the score remaining goalless.

Inside a minute of the second half Altrincham conceded a penalty for a foul. Roberts converted the spot kick (47 mins).

A fine volley by Wootton made it 2-0 (75 mins) before Rodrigues headed home a Richardson ball to make it 3-0 (84 mins). So a disappointing second half for Altrincham ended with a very comfortable win for the Magpies.

Match report here

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Torquay United 2 Chesterfield 0
• Bromley 2 Dover Athletic 2
• FC Halifax Town 1 Aldershot Town 1
• Grimsby Town 1 Maidenhead United 3
• Notts County 3 Altrincham 0
• Solihull Moors 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 1
• Wealdstone 2 King's Lynn Town 1
• Weymouth 1 Barnet 2
• Woking 1 Eastleigh 2
• Yeovil Town 2 Boreham Wood 2

ALTY: SHOULD I GO OR SHOULD I STAY?

The Clash between part-time and full-time may prompt some of the current squad, particularly those with remunerative jobs outside the game, to consider whether they should go elsewhere and remain part-time or stay at Altrincham and move to full-time football.

Above: Will Alty supporters have seen the back (with regrets!) of any of last Monday's starters, by the start of next season?

A further pointer towards impending changes of personnel is the fact that Altrincham are completing this season with no fewer than fourteen of their current squad either being loanees from other clubs or being Alty employees who are currently out on loan or who have spent parts of the campaign out on loan.

There are five men currently on loan at Altrincham from EFL clubs. They are...

• Jake Cooper, on loan from Rotherham United, pictured right
• Jordan Hulme, on loan from AFC Fylde
• Edward Jones, on loan from Stoke City
• Harry Perritt, on loan from Accrington Stanley
• Hayden Campbell, on loan from Salford City

The nine players who remain at the club but have spent periods (in some cases considerable) away from the club this season on loan are...

• Kennedy Digie, on loan at Farsley Celtic since 21 February 2022. He has made 8(+2) appearances for Altrincham this season.
• Marcus Dinanga, on loan at Dartford since 1 February, having spent the previous month with Kidderminster Harriers. He has made 14(+4) appearances for Altrincham this season.
• Matthew Gould has been on loan this season at Nantwich Town from 24 September 2021, apart from when recalled as cover for the injured Tony Thompson. He has made 8 appearances for Altrincham this season and only made two appearances last season
• Kole Hall's signing by Alty was announced on 28 March at which point he was placed on dual registration with Nantwich Town. He subsequently made his Alty debut on 23 April and has remained back at Moss Lane. He has made 1(+3) appearances for Altrincham this season.
• Will Hall has spent the entire season on loan, firstly at Ramsbottom United and then Ashton United.
• Brad Jackson's move on loan to Buxton was announced at Christmas 2021. He has made 5(+3) appearances for Altrincham this season. Brad is pictured, right.
• Curtis Miller spent the season on loan at Trafford.
• Jamie Morgan went on loan to Nantwich Town from 1 March 2022. He has made 6 appearances for Altrincham this season.
• Ritchie Sutton went on loan at Alfreton Town early in 2021-22 season and he remains there. He has made 3(+2) appearances for Altrincham this season.

So apart from the above players, the current squad comprises the following seventeen players, of whom ten either already are 30 years of age or will reach that landmark later in 2022.

• Ryan Colclough aged 27, joined November 2020, 35(+2) appearances this season to date
• Shaun Densmore aged 33, joined September 2008, 5(+6) appearances this season to date
• Steven Drench aged 36, rejoined September 2021, primarily a coach but registered as a player, 3 appearances this season to date
• Kyle Ferguson aged 22, (pictured right) joined February 2022 on a short-term contract, 7 appearances this season to date
• Connor Hampson aged 29, joined November 2017, 7(+2) appearances this season to date
• Josh Hancock aged 31, signed May 2017, 27(+11) appearances this season to date
• Tom Hannigan aged 33, joined May 2016, 26 appearances this season to date
• Matty Kosylo aged 29, signed August 2020, 31(+5) appearances this season to date
• A-Jay Leitch-Smith aged 32, signed July 2021, 4(+13) appearances this season to date
• Isaac Marriott aged 22, signed December 2021, 15(+3) appearances this season to date
• Daniel Mooney aged 22, signed February 2020, 30(+5) appearances this season to date
• Jake Moult aged 33 joined on loan August 2012, 28(+5) appearances this season to date
• Toby Mullarkey aged 25, joined May 2019, 41 appearances this season to date
• Elliot Osborne aged 25, joined January 2022, 20 appearances this season to date
• Ben Pringle aged 33, joined August 2021, 11(+22) appearances this season to date
• Anthony Thompson aged 27, joined July 2017, 37 appearances this season to date
• Andy White aged 29, joined December 2017, 10(+4) appearances this season to date

It would seem unlikely that few, if any, of the current loanees from other clubs and many of those who have spent substantial spells away from the club on loan this season, in addition to several of the over-30s, will be amongst those remaining at the J. Davidson Stadium for 2022-23.

NEXT: NOTTS COUNTY v ALTRINCHAM

Like Alty last weekend, on Monday County beat Dover Athletic 1-0.

The Nottingham Post reports that "Notts County head coach Ian Burchnall praised his players for ‘giving everything’ in recording a 1-0 win over Dover Athletic at Meadow Lane as a run of three games in six days came to an end with the club firmly entrenched in the National League play-off places.

However, there was frustration at times among the home fans in a crowd of over 6,000 that the Magpies were not able to demolish a side they beat 3-0 away last week and are already relegated.

Examination of footage after the game revealed that the Kyle Wootton effort Notts had ruled out for offside in the 72nd minute should have stood, and that would have given them a two-goal cushion...

Instead the visitors continued to defend in depth, and Burchnall admitted he was disappointed that some fans vented their discontent on his team... after the win left them just one point away from securing a play-off place...

'I think people can underestimate how hard it is, regardless of what team you are playing against, when they put 11 men so low... We opened them up plenty of times, had over 20 shots, plus corners...

It’s not easy to maintain total control for 90 minutes, and I thought we did that today... The important thing is that we won, while Dagenham and Chesterfield dropped points, and that strengthens our position... I think that’s seven wins in the last nine, so we are in a good position.

'I don’t understand why after 30 minutes, when we are 1-0 up, in total control and creating good chances, there is booing. Our players are giving everything and they are under pressure...

'I can understand people want us to score three, four, five goals in every game but we have scored in every home game, we are close to 80 goals for the season and we regularly put on games which are good to watch, so I don’t understand the frustration at all. I can’t apologise for scoring lots of goals this season but only taking one of 20 chances today'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In front of a crowd 9,198, the biggest at the Technique since the Spireites were relegated to the National League four years ago, Paddy Madden struck the winner from the penalty spot in the first-half after Calvin Miller was adjudged to have handled the ball.

After 20 matches this season Chesterfield were top of the table, had gone 14 games unbeaten in all competitions and were 18 points clear of Dagenham and Redbridge in eighth. Fast forward four months and the Daggers, who are still eighth, are just one place and three points behind with two matches remaining and could pinch Town’s play-off spot. There are valid reasons for the collapse, injuries being the main one, but who would have thought the fall would be so big?...

The Hatters could now win the league with a win at Wrexham on Sunday, while the Blues desperately need three points at Torquay United to maintain their place in the top seven. A defeat, combined with a Dagenham win at Solihull Moors, and Chesterfield will go into the last game of the season with their destiny out of their hands, an unthinkable scenario at the turn of the year.

Chesterfield’s shape here was chalk and cheese compared to Bromley two days previous when they were all at sea. They got tight to people, won first and second contacts and restricted the league leaders to very few clear-cut chances...

However, it came at a cost at the top end of the pitch where the Blues lacked creativity, particularly in the first-half... This was Chesterfield’s eighth successive game without a clean sheet so the key now is trying to find the right balance at both ends of the pitch...

[The penalty] was the correct call. Referee Elliott Swallow did not initially give it, but after discussions with his linesman, he pointed to the spot. Miller, who had already been booked and was having a torrid afternoon up against Elliot Newby, arguably could have been shown a second yellow for the handball".

The Grimsby Telegraph reminds us that "Grimsby Town host Maidenhead United on Saturday at Blundell Park

A cursory look at the National League table may offer an indication Grimsby Town are in for a routine afternoon... but look deeper and the size of the task is tougher than it may first appear.

Maidenhead United arrive at Town with nothing to play for in the league, safe from relegation but way too far behind to have any hope of even a top half of the table finish... Town are favourites to pick up three points which could guarantee their play-off position depending on other results...

Maidenhead are unbeaten in six games and, beyond that impressive statistic alone, they've turned a once leaky defence into the most impregnable in the division of late. Four shut outs and just four goals conceded in their last seven games is a record which you'd expect from a top seven side, not one residing eighth from bottom of the table.

Hurst will look for a plan to find a way through a robust midfield,... The visitors will ask questions of their hosts... The Mariners need just four points from the final nine on offer to be certain of a play-off place".

Woking "suffered their heaviest defeat of the season against already relegated King’s Lynn Town...

Following Woking’s win against Wrexham, arguably their best game of the season, the Cards conceded two cheap goals in either half through defensive errors, plus a decisive second goal which decided the match in the visitor’s favour.

Gold Omotayo opened the scoring from a Woking defensive mix-up moments before halftime and... Tyler Denton made the game safe with five minutes to go with King’s Lynn Town’s second goal. Substitute Ken Charles added a third goal in extra time after another mistake at the back to commit Woking to their biggest loss of the season.

Woking remain 15th in the league table, two points behind Altrincham and four points ahead of Maidenhead United.

Sarll made six changes to the starting line-up from the win against Wrexham, with Mark Smith in goal, Tom Champion slotting into defence, a fresh central midfield duo of Solomon Nwabuokei and Jermaine Anderson plus a new striker pairing of Nicke Kabamba and George Oakley...

After a 15-minute delay to the start of the second half for a medical emergency in the crowd, Woking manager Sarll made two changes, with Inih Effiong and Rohan Ince coming on for Oakley and Tyreke Johnson. The substitutions also tweaked Woking’s formation, with Kabamba going to the right wing and Ince adding an extra man into midfield...

The Cards will look to end the season on a high with a final home game on Saturday against Eastleigh before the season ends with a trip to Chesterfield".

Confirmation comes from the Daily Echo that "Eastleigh's winless run in the National League extended to six matches after a narrow 2-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Halifax at Silverlake Stadium.

Kian Spence curled home from distance after Matty Warburton’s short corner to put the visitors in front after 39 minutes.

Warburton then raced clear on goal before slotting home a neat finish to double Halifax’s lead just before the break.

Lee Bradbury's men did reduce the arrears early in the second half, when Harry Pritchard converted Sam Smart’s low cross, but Halifax held out for victory.

Seven yellow cards were shown in the competitive contest... Eastleigh sit down in 19th with 42 points from their 42 matches, but are safe from relegation".

ALTRINCHAM GOING FULL-TIME

ALTRINCHAM 1-1 BARNET

Alty line up before the game against Barnet.

In an entertaining first half Altrincham twice hit the woodwork but took a 22nd minute lead through a fine shot from Mooney. However, they were indebted to Mullarkey for a clearance off the line as Barnet were far from out of the game.

Right: Dan Mooney's shot hits the back of the net.

But the second half was pretty dire stuff after Barnet's deserved equaliser on 53 minutes when Marriott's 25 yarder seemed to bamboozle Thompson as it sailed past him in the centre of the goal.

Injuries to White and Colclough, which forced their withdrawal, did not help the Robins and by the closing stages Barnet's timewasting cleared signalled their happiness with a point.

Match report here .

THE BARNET VIEW

Barnet report that "The Bees came from behind to earn a point on the road, drawing 1-1 at Altrincham... The game started quickly, with both teams creating early chances to take the lead...

The Robins’ early pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Mooney and Kole Hall exchanged a one-two on the edge of the box before the former curled it into the bottom corner past Azaze...

The Bees’ pressure at the start of the second-half led to the equaliser when Marriott picked up the ball from 25-yards out and fired a central shot high into the back of the net.

The following 20 minutes saw the game settle down, with both sides enjoying their fair share of possession without creating any big chances".

Barnet have a post-match inerview with head coach Dean Brennan.

NEXT OPPONENTS: NOTTS COUNTY

On Monday, Notts mirrored Alty's score last Saturday as they beat basement club Dover Athletic 1-0.

Notts County report that "Ruben Rodrigues' 20th goal of the season was enough to secure victory over Dover Athletic.

On an afternoon when we had 19 shots, one proved to be enough as Rodrigues finished off a lovely team move on 18 minutes...

Having travelled to Aldershot only two days prior, Ian Burchnall rotated his squad once again.

Sam Slocombe replaced Vitezslav Jaros between the sticks, Joel Taylor claimed Adam Chicksen’s left-back slot and Jayden Richardson replaced the suspended Dion Kelly-Evans at right back.

Alex Lacey partnered Connell Rawlinson in central defence as Sam Graham made way, with Harry Arter and Jim O’Brien getting the nod alongside Matty Palmer in midfield at Ed Francis and Zak Brunt’s expense.

In attack, Elisha Sam and Rodrigues supported Kyle Wootton, with Cal Roberts taking a place on the bench.

Having beaten Dover 3-0 in a dominant display six days prior, we picked up where we left off with a controlled first half... Rodrigues had his goal on 18 minutes...

There were no changes at the break and we continued to dominate on our return to the field...

Starting XI: Slocombe; Taylor, Lacey, Rawlinson, Richardson; Arter (Roberts 64'), Palmer, O'Brien (Francis 77'); Sam, Rodrigues, Wootton, Subs: Brindley, Vincent, Mitchell

Attendance 6,523 (72)".

ALTY OLD BOYS AND LOANEES

And there was more play-off grief for Warrington Town who lost to Scarborough Athletic despite a goal from Josh Amis in a 2-1 defeat.

ALTY VERSUS TOP AND BOTTOM CLUBS

• Sat. 20.11.21 away to Weymouth, gate 932
• Sat. 12.2.22 away to King's Lynn Town, gate 905
• Sat. 30.4.22 away to Dover Athletic, gate 465

This season Altrincham also achieved a 100% winning record against the bottom three clubs, winning both and home and away against them all., scoring 18 times against four conceded.

Had Altrincham beaten Barnet they would have beaten all of the bottom eight in their respective matches at the J. Davidson Stadium this season. Even so, results home and away against those eight clubs account for 34 of their 54 points this season.

In contrast, against the current top four clubs, Altrincham have earned just one point out of a possible 24 points, that being a home draw with FC Halifax Town. In those eight fixtures against the top clubs, they have scored just four times and have conceded 25 times.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Hayden suffered a hamstring injury during Wrexham's 6-1 win at Weymouth last Tuesday.

The 25 year-old sat out Saturday's 1-0 home victory over Southend United...

'He's hurting a lot because no player wants to miss this stage of the season', manager Phil Parkinson said. 'Aaron's been magnificent for us. At first we weren't too concerned but it has proven to be more serious than we thought.

'Aaron's going to face a few weeks, at the very least, out and we'll see how he progresses... I feel we've got the squad capable of coping with that.'

Hayden has scored eight goals in 41 appearances for Wrexham since moving from Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee last August.

Tyler French came into the side as Hayden's replacement against Southend and was named man of the match.

'I've said it many times that he's been unlucky not to be involved more,' Parkinson said of French".

PP AFTER DOVER

Right: Dan Mooney is congratulated on his goal against Barnet on Monday.

MONDAY FIXTURES

• Altrincham 1-1 Barnet
• Boreham Wood 1-1 Wrexham
• Chesterfield 0-1 Stockport County
• Dagenham & Redbridge 0-0 Torquay United
• Eastleigh 1-2 FC Halifax Town
• Maidenhead United 2-2 Aldershot Town
• Notts County 1-0 Dover Athletic
• Solihull Moors 3-0 Bromley
• Southend United 1-1 Weymouth
• Woking 0-3 King's Lynn Town
• Yeovil Town 0-0 Wealdstone

NEXT OPPONENTS: BARNET

They arrive in Cheshire with just one win in their last six matches and they sit third bottom of the form guide with four points from those games, leaving them 18th in the National League table. Their Achilles heel has been their defence with their 81 goals conceded being the most leaked by any club except Weymouth and Dover, who have each played one game more than The Bees.

For their part, Altrincham are fourth from the top on form over the last six fixtures, with four wins, a draw and a defeat in that sequence.

Probably their best known player to Alty fans is the former King's Lynn forward Adam Marriott. The Barnet squad last Saturday comprised 25. Aymen Azaze (gk), 3. Teddy Howe, 6. Ben Richards-Everton, 11. Mason-Clark, 8. Ross Marshall, 7. Rob Hall, 10. Daniel Powell, 14. Adam Marriott, 18. Wesley Fonguck, 19. Harry Taylor, 33. Ryan De Havilland. Subs: 9. Louis Walsh, 12. James Callan (gk), 17. Sam Granville, 20. Serhat Tasdemir, 22. Antonis Vasiliou.

However, when Barnet visit the JDS on Monday afternoon, they will be without a non-League stalwart in their backroom party. Former goalkeeper Dave Anderson, who managed AFC Wimbledon from 2004 to 2007 and subsequently managed at a host of non-League clubs, joined Barnet in April 2021 as assistant to the then first team coach Simon Bassey before assuming the coaching role itself when Bassey left the club.

Now Barnet "confirm that Dave Anderson has formally left Barnet Football Club by mutual agreement.

Dean Brennan said... 'It was fitting that his last game with us was our win in the Middlesex FA Senior Challenge Cup Final'".

Also from Barnet comes a "statement regarding the alleged incident that took place on Saturday 29th January during our home fixture against Stockport County.

Following a complaint by Ryan Johnson from Stockport County after an incident that took place with Richard Bartlett, full investigations were carried out by two separate police forces. These investigations, which were thorough and involved statements from a number of witnesses, are now complete. The Club has since been advised by the police that there is no case to answer and they will not investigate any further.

The subsequent HR matter between Richard Bartlett and Jamie Turley has also been concluded, with no further action taken against either party who have both returned to work after a short suspension".

RECENT ARRIVALS AT ALTY

Left: Hayden Campbell; right, Kole Hall

19 year-old Hayden is a loan signing from Salford City, whose arrival was announced on 25 March 2022; he is set to stay till the end of the season.

He had started at Port Vale before joining Salford in September 2000. He has had previous loan spells at Kidsgrove Athletic, Marine, FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic. Hayden made his Salford City debut in November 2020 as a substitute in the EFL Trophy.

Also appearing at Barnet was striker Kole Hall, who was making his third appearance from the bench.

The 23 year-old Bermudan international left Radcliffe FC to join ALtrincham, his signing being announced on 22 March 2022. He had earlier featured for Alty Reserves.

He spent a brief spell in 2020-21 at AFC Telford United in National League North. Following his short time with AFC Telford United, Hall re-joined Radcliffe in 2021 having been at City of Liverpool n the interim.

After one brief substitute appearance for Alty and another game for which he remained on the bench, it was announced on 28 March 2022 that Kole had been loaned to Nantwich Town on dual registration to gain match fitness. However, he returned and made his home debut on 23 April 2022 as a used substitute.

BARNET'S LAST VISIT

Above: Villa's freekick from wide left drifts into the Alty net, with Gash (#40) claiming a touch, to make it 2-0 in the match in February 2015 at the J Davidson Stadium.

In contrast their most recent visit, for a match played behind closed doors, was in April 2021 when Barnet arrived bottom of the National League. Nevertheless, they beat Alty 3-2 as the Robins threw away a 2-0 lead! In fact Altrincham were two-up after just 16 minutes thanks to goals by Colclough and Smith. Ironically Barnet's 90th minute winner was scored by a former Alty player, Tomi Adeloye.

Despite that win, Barnet finished bottom in 2021 (following Dover's explulsion) and were only saved from relegation by the cessation of promotion from the National League's feeder leagues

Altrincham's side last season against Barnet included just three men who started against Dover last Saturday (Thompson, Mooney and Colclough).

ALTY OLD BOYS & LOANEES

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Boreham Wood manager made two changes to his starting line up following last Tuesday’s defeat at Southend United with Kane Smith and James Comley coming in for Mark Ricketts and Adrian Clifton with Dennon Lewis in a more advanced role.

Stockport started the match in the ascendancy and dominated possession early on...

On twenty-four minutes, Lewis gave Boreham Wood the lead when he was again played through but this time, he finished coolly past Ben Hinchcliffe in the Stockport goal...

County started the second half in control and Rydel was denied by some heroic Boreham Wood defending...

Fyfield doubled Boreham Wood’s lead when the defender converted at the second attempt past Hinchcliffe in the Stockport goal. The hosts were shellshocked after that and it took them a while to register another chance...

In the fourth minute of five added on, the hosts got their goal when Newby converted following a goalmouth scramble. A minute later, it was heart in the mouth time for Boreham Wood as Hippolyte struck a sweet volley to beat Ashmore but it hit the inside of the post before rolling along the line and out of harm's way. Boreham Wood held on, somewhat uncomfortably for a brilliant victory.

This was an excellent defensive performance, so typical of Boreham Wood in the first half if the season. Unfortunately, this display is too little, too late for Wood’s play-off ambitions this season but should ensure the team ends the season with confidence when planning ahead for next season. In the meantime, Boreham Wood can have a massive say on this season’s title when they host Wrexham at LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park on Bank Holiday Monday".

In the Halifax Courier we read that "Halifax beat Yeovil 1-0 at The Shay on Saturday thanks to substitute Zak Dearnley's late winner, keeping them in third place...

Town are now guaranteed a play-off place, but a top three finish would give them home advantage in a one-off play-off semi-final.

'It's still in our hands but let's not get carried away, let's go to Eastleigh on Monday and try to get a result,' said Wild...

'It's a smaller pitch down there, we might change a couple because of that, but we'll see'..

Wild admitted he does have fewer options... with Luke Summerfield now out for the season and Niall Maher a doubt for Monday's game.

'That's why I have a squad,' he said. '[ex-King's Lynn Town man] Pierce (Bird) came in on Saturday and acquitted himself well. I'm sure he was nervous to get his first 90 minutes under his belt but he acquitted himself well and hopefully that gives him confidence to push on.'

On Monday's opponents Eastleigh... Wild said 'They've had a transitional season, they've gone and scored three at King's Lynn on Saturday so they've definitely got a goal in them... We've just got to focus on us now, we've three games left'...

Midfielder Jamie Cooke was on the bench on Saturday, and Wild said he wouldn't hesitate to play him between now and the end of the season if required.... Wild said.... 'That's my biggest dig out of football is seeing young players develop, so being able to put Cookie on the bench means a lot to me because I want young players to succeed'".

According to the Derbyshire Times "Chesterfield's play-off hopes hang in the balance after schoolboy defending in... a 4-2 defeat at Bromley.

Some shocking defending led to the Spireites being three goals down after just 29 minutes following Ali Al-Hamadi’s brace either side of Luke Coulson’s strike at Hayes Lane on Saturday.

Two headed goals from Laurence Maguire and Tom Denton inside four minutes gave the visitors hope before half-time.

But Corey Whiteley put more distance between the two sides just six minutes after the break.

Chesterfield dropped into the final play-off spot after this defeat and they are now just four points ahead of Dagenham and Redbridge in eighth... The Spireites are in serious danger of blowing this season completely unless they can dig out a win from somewhere but, based on current performances, it is hard to see where the next victory is coming from.

They could be saved by the fact Dagenham have got Solihull Moors away and Wrexham at home in their last two matches, but it is pretty desperate to be relying on other teams to slip-up...

Paul Cook’s post-match comments about Chesterfield looking like a team who have nothing to play for is alarming. This made it seven games without a clean sheet and it was the second time in April that they conceded four times in a match. They have also won just two of their last seven which is hardly promotion form.

They have got three cup finals now, starting with leaders Stockport on Monday, and they need to lift themselves quickly. Given the injury situation, with Gavin Gunning, Jim Kellermann, Akwasi Asante, Joe Quigley and Danny Rowe all missing against the Ravens, Cook does not have that many options...

Chesterfield were steamrolled in the first half an hour and they gave themselves far too much to do. They looked so fragile in defence and it was schoolboy stuff for all four goals, three of which came down Town’s left side.

You could have driven a bus through the middle of the defence for the opener. The second was assisted by Bromley’s goalkeeper with a long punt up field which went over everyone’s heads. They failed to stop the cross for the third and the fourth came just six minutes after a half-time team talk in which Cook specifically stated the importance of not conceding again. That goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and they did not look like getting back into it.

The back three had a nightmare, but they didn’t get any protection from the midfield either".

TheDorset Echo reports that "Weymouth must 'regroup' and resolve their shortcomings after being relegated from the Vanarama National League, according to chairman Ian White.

The Terras went down... after a 6-1 trouncing by Wrexham, the Red Dragons scoring six goals in 36 minutes in a scintillating second-half display... Weymouth would have been relegated even if they had held on to a half-time lead given to them by Tom Bearwish’s second goal in two games...

Speaking after taking the first drop since relegation to the Southern League in 2009/10, White... told Echosport 'We knew when we came into it two years ago, it was always going to be difficult. It’s not the National League that we remember 13 years ago; you’ve only got to look at our opponents.

'It’s tough but at least we try to play football the right way. It’s a blow, of course it is, but you have to be realistic. I’ve said it, when Dartford put three penalties over and we got into this league, I did say that with our current structure we couldn’t do this.

'I’ve been proved right. If we’d have escaped relegation this season, it would’ve felt like Groundhog Day. We’d have been doing exactly the same thing over and over again... The best thing for us is to regroup, go back into the National League South, try and find a bit of structure...

'There are issues within the club that need to be sorted. Then, we’ve got to find a way to generate more money. We need the town to really get behind us... Of course we want to come back up again, why wouldn’t we?

'I think this league is tougher and bigger than League Two. We played Notts County on Saturday, Wrexham (yesterday). We’ve tried, we’ve survived last season. This season, I was hopeful we’d do better and we started quite well... It’s been the teams around us we’ve struggled against.

'It’s a blow but we’ll sort it. But it’s been a fantastic ride. When I took this over four years ago we were in the Southern League'".

1 May 2022

AFTER THE GAME AT DOVER

"But to travel five hours, keep a cleansheet and dominate the game, you've got to be happy. Bigger teams have struggled against Dover this season but we kept focused and got the result".

Opposite number Andy Hessenthaler said, "Quality was the big difference today, it wasn't for lack of effort.

"There's an illness gping round the squad as well and I think the average age of our starting eleven was 19 today, so we must praise all the boys for having a go.

"The fans have been great, all season. It's been really tough and I think we'll all be glad when this campaign is over but then we need to get to work to find solutions and a way to bounce back".

DOVER 0-1 ALTRINCHAM

Match report here

NEXT OPPONENTS: BARNET

Barnet state that "The Bees were made to settle for a point following a late Grimsby Town comeback, drawing 2-2...

The hosts went close to scoring early on... Grimsby’s best chance of the first 20 minutes came as Sean Scannell fired one at goal...

Dean Brennan’s side took the lead in front of the travelling Grimsby Town supporters in the 37th minute following an even spell in the game. De Havilland crossed the ball into the box which fell to Adam Marriott who saw his initial effort blocked before firing the rebound low into the bottom corner...

The Bees doubled their lead against the run of play at the start of the second period when Rob Hall’s cross from the right side was headed into his own net by [ex-Alty loanee] Luke Waterfall.

Paul Hurst’s side reacted to going further behind through a spell of pressure which saw them go close from a series of corners...

The Mariners continued pressure saw them pull one back in the 82nd minute as Jordan Cropper’s long throw found its way through to Smith who turned it in from close range.

In the 89th minute the visitors got themselves level when Waterfall made up for his earlier own goal when he got on the end of a low cross and turned it home from a few yards out.

The visitors almost won it with the last kick of the game when Abrahams’ fierce shot on the turn had to be saved by Azaze...

Bees: Aymen Azaze, Teddy Howe, Ben Richards-Everton, Rob Hall (Serhat Tasdemir 83’), Ross Marshall, Daniel Powell, Ephron Mason-Clark, Adam Marriott, Wes Fonguck (Sam Granville 80’), Harry Taylor ©, Ryan De Havilland. Subs (not used): James Callan, Louis Walsh, Antonis Vasiliou".

FROM HIGH TO LOW

On Monday 18 April at Wrexham, there were 10,022 spectators at The Racecourse.

On Saturday 30 April a mere 465 turned up at Crabble to see Dover Athletic v Altrincham

ALTY OLD BOYS AND LOANEES

Ex-Alty loanee Barry Baggley opened the scoring for Fleetwood Town at Bolton but, by the time he had been substituted in the 66th minute, Fleetwood were 2-1 down and eventually lost 4-2. Fortunately for them, other results went their way and they survived for another season in League One.

Marcus Dinanga (right) scored twice in Dartford's 6-0 win at Slough.

Alistair Smith's 55th minute equaliser for Sutton United was in vain as Bradford City went on to beat them 4-1.

Ashley Hemmings scored twice as Kidderminster Harriers beat bottom club Guiseley 3-0 in National North.

NEXT SEASON'S OPPONENTS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Lynn News reports that "King's Lynn Town manager Tommy Widdrington says he will have to take stock after seeing his side relegated from the National League.

A dramatic 3-3 draw with Eastleigh ended up being irrelevant in their bid to beat the drop with Aldershot beating Notts County 3-1 to ensure they stay up.

The result sent Lynn through the trap door...

Widdrington said 'It's one of those things where I have to take stock and have a look. I always analyse the staff and myself and see whether we could have done anything differently but, ultimately, there was an accountability before I came in the building and that's why we are where we are.

'I genuinely believe I've got as much out of these players as I could, probably more than they thought I could, and made us a lot more competitive. I still think there are six teams in this division who are not as good us as and I just wish that I'd been here earlier.

'We came out and played the way we needed to play against this side (Eastleigh) and thought we created enough chances to be more than 1-0 in front at half-time.

'We've let them back into the game and the two goals we've conceded were ricks on our part from really good defenders who have been excellent for me since I've been here.'

Lynn managed only eight league wins all season to highlight just how poor a campaign it has been.

They have struggled for goals the majority of the season whilst they conceded for fun at the back until Widdrington's arrival, which probably came a month too late, made them much harder to beat in the second half of the campaign...

It is believed Lynn will remain full-time next season as they look to bounce back at the first attempt".

At the other end of the table, the Daily Post reported that "Wrexham AFC closed the gap on Stockport County to just a point as they overcame Southend United whilst the Hatters went down 2-1 at home to Boreham Wood. Ollie Palmer got the only goal of the game at the Racecourse...

The Dragons put in a dogged display against Southend, with the Reds rarely at their free-flowing best during the match but still did enough to secure the all-important victory. Another impressive crowd was on hand to witness the narrow 1-0 win, with 9,269 packing the famous old ground...

Today's results have breathed life into a title race which looked done and dusted just a couple of weeks ago."

According to the Nottingham Post, "Notts County’s bid for a top-three finish in the National League was virtually snuffed out following an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at Aldershot Town.

Fourth-from-bottom Shots took the field needing to win the game to ensure they avoided relegation and they did it with ease as Notts put in a nightmare performance reminiscent of their recent 5-1 drubbing at Torquay.

Notts’ head coach Ian Burchnall made four changes to the team who had started the game at Dover on Tuesday, Vitezslav Jaros, Dion Kelly-Evans, Connell Rawlinson and Zak Brunt coming in for Sam Slocombe, Jayden Richardson, Alex Lacey and Eli Sam.

Leading scorer Kyle Wootton and on-loan Harry Arter, who missed the Dover trip, were named on the bench.

The result means Notts have still never won at Aldershot since dropping out of the Football League, but they started well...

But the home side took the lead after eight minutes when Tommy Willard... crossed for the unmarked Mikael Ndjoli to slide the ball home from point-blank range...

However, Notts were level in the 22nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Rodrigues jinked his way into the box and was tripped, Roberts smashing home from the spot.

It was a deserved equaliser and Notts continued to press... but Notts went behind again in the 34th minute when Rodrigues gifted the ball to Willard and he fired past Jaros.

It was a dreadful goal to concede...

Surprisingly Notts made no changes at half-time and while they were in control of the game, they continued to lack a cutting edge... Notts were getting nowhere as an attacking force and as frustrations grew Arter and Wootton replaced Rawlinson and Brunt, Ed Francis dropping into the defence with 35 minutes remaining...

Aldershot, not surprisingly, were employing all sorts of tricks to waste time but it was working as Notts were unable to find an equaliser.

Substitute Sinclair Armstrong, on loan from QPR, made sure of his team’s National League survival with a thunderous finish which rounded off a dismal day for Notts, compounded by a late booking for Francis after a reckless challenge and the added-time sending off of Kelly-Evans for a second bookable offence".