POST-MATCH PARKINSON

The video interview has been made available by Alty TV.

In his discussion, the Alty boss declared that "it was unacceptable how we started the second half" after a "superb first-half" performance in Monday's match.

Right: Elliot Osborne (left) congratulates Toby Mullarkey after the centre-back had put Altrincham ahead against Chesterfield.

NEXT VISITORS: WEALDSTONE

The squad depth and stamina of the part-timers was tested to the limit after they were reduced to ten men for the second successive game, this time after just ten minutes when Lewis Kinsella was sent off, and they rose to the challenge once more, keeping a third straight clean sheet and collecting their tenth point in four games.

'We've got a great team spirit... Normally it takes a bit of time to build team spirit but we've got a togetherness within the group which is unique this season and I think that's why we're in the league position that we're in...

'We played a game and a half with ten men which is a skill... and I thought we looked dangerous on the break so yes, lots of positives. I'd settle for four points over a Bank Holiday weekend, especially traveling to Gateshead and then having to come back... and then play again so soon...

'I don't get why Wrexham are playing Gateshead on a Tuesday night and we all can't play on a Tuesday night. It just it baffles me. It's frustrating but it's one of those things. We'll go again on Sunday [against Wrexham]. We've got an extra day to recover which will help'...

Said Maynard 'I thought the sending off was correct. It's silly from Lewis, but the lads have dug him out of a hole.'"

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He said 'It was a bit of a setback at the weekend, but I never question this group’s effort. For us to produce a performance like that with so many players out injured is a testament to the work that’s gone on at this club in a short period of time... To play how we did with seven players out is a bit of a minor miracle...

'There were always going to be bumps along the road, but we’ll never overreact'...

On his first start for the club, Gus Scott-Morriss bagged his first goal, heading in a Dan Mooney corner. Maher was delighted for the 25-year-old. 'We want to score more from set pieces and it’s something we’ve recognised'...

Callum Powell netted his second in as many games, combining with Mooney once again. Maher added....'Moons [Dan Mooney] was involved again with that little cutback, so I’m delighted with them.'

The injury list is still fairly long at Roots Hall, especially after Nathan Ralph was added to it in the last couple of days".

TUESDAY GAME

• Wrexham 3-1 Gateshead

30 August 2022

FIRST NATIONAL LEAGUE SACKING

The BBC adds that "The Iron were relegated from League Two last season after 72 years in the English Football League. They won their first game of the season but have lost their subsequent five, with Hill's last game in charge being Monday's 2-0 home defeat by Halifax...

In total the Iron won just three, and lost 27, of Hill's 39 matches in charge. The former Rochdale and Barnsley boss replaced Neil Cox at Glanford Park in November 2021 but could do nothing to halt their slide out of the Football League...

Hill told BBC Radio Humberside at the time 'The club need to show bravery. They can throw me under the bus if they want, like most clubs do... You clean a club up and then you get thrown out. But it needs cleansing. It needs somebody like me to make sure there's a successful future'...

BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White said... 'I think realistically people looked at what Scunthorpe were dealing with this season and it was going to be about stability. Right now, albeit only six games in, they have a bigger task than that on their hands.

In terms of a replacement, people are saying Nigel Adkins, who had great success here before, but I don't know if this is the right job for him with where the club is'".

ALTRINCHAM MAKE 15TH SIGNING

Press and media officer John Edwards writes that the latest signing is "free-scoring forward Zak Goodson... The 22 year old... topped the Robins’ scoring charts with 21 goals... winning the NPL Rising Star award... Unsurprisingly, he was also voted supporters’ player of the year at the New Manor Ground...

Zak came through the Academy at Derby County and quickly made his mark at Long Eaton United... and Basford United... On signing for Ilkeston in May, 2020, he was asked to describe his style of play and replied 'I’m a pacey striker who likes to get in behind or play on the shoulder and hopefully score a lot of goals.'

Interestingly, while referring to himself as a striker, he tends to operate more from wide positions on the right, despite favouring his left foot, in much the same way as Dan Mooney did".

Since the end of last season Altrincham have signed eleven players on contract and a further three on loan. Those new (or returning) employees of the club are Jake Cooper, Lewis Baines, Ross Barrows, Ollie Byrne, Josh Lundstram, Liam Brockbank, Jordan Hulme, James Jones, Aidan Roxburgh, Alex Sami and Egli Kaja, whilst the three loanees are Dermot Mee, Chris Conn-Clarke and Aaron Bennett.

Confirming his departure, Ilkeston Town said "Zak joined us in the summer of 2020 at 20 years-old, going on to make 48 appearances for the Robins, finding the back of the net on 34 occasions... Assisting all of our players to improve by providing excellent facilities and coaching and encouraging them to follow their dreams will always remain our priority.

As disappointing as this stance may be at times, our club will benefit in the long run by the amount of great young prospects we will continue to attract".

ALTRINCHAM 1-2 CHESTERFIELD

Right: Alty celebrate their goal.

For this match, Alty brought in Cooper, Jackson, Pringle, Barrows, Hulme and Mee for Brockbank, Jones, Bennett, Conn-Clarke, Byrne and Dinanga. Albanian winger Kaja was not involved at all.

After Chesterfield had started well, Alty grew into the game which, at times, became a little feisty. Just as they had 48 hours earlier, Alty took an added -time lead before the interval. The goal came when an Osborne freekick was nodded down for Mullarkey to sweep into the net (45+2 mins).

But again, just the same as on Saturday, Altrincham immediately conceded after the break. But it was worse this time as they actually conceded twice in five minutes. First a King freekick was headed home by Williams (46 mins) and then Tshimanga scored following a corner (51 mins).

Altrincham struggled to impose themselves for much of the second half as a crowd of more than three thousand saw the Spireites largely in control before they wound the clock down successfully.

Match report here.

• League Table
• Alty Line-Ups
• Alty Player Statistics

CHESTERFIELD REACTION TO ALTY GAME

Both players had to come off in the first-half in the 2-1 victory at the J.Davidson Stadium.

Town fell behind for the first time this season just before half-time before scoring two quick-fire goals through Tyrone Williams and Kabongo Tshimanga after the break.

Assistant manager Danny Webb said 'Akwasi’s was a tight thigh, we are hoping that is all it is. Dobra felt something in his ankle, we are hoping that it is just a slight sprain, but we won’t know anymore until tomorrow'...

The win extended Chesterfield’s unbeaten start to the season to six games as they returned to the top of the league...

Webb told the DT... 'Even though it is just a start we are not chasing people’s tails and sitting 13th or 14th. There have been some good goals, good performances, excitement, blood and guts and everything else'...

Town were probably not at their fluent best, but they showed great character and spirit to complete the comeback.

'The three points are massive,' Webb added... 'Today was our day. We said it might be a different type of win today and, in hindsight, that turned out to be going a goal down, losing a couple of players through injury...what you got?...

'Today was a great day to get those three points in a slightly different fashion.'”

NEXT OPPONENTS: SOLIHULL MOORS

For the visitors, it was an afternoon of limited chances for Neal Ardley's men who came up against a tough defence that proved hard to break down...

Going into the game, boss Ardley shuffled his pack. Reiss McNally came into the side as did Josh Kelly, who was rewarded with a start following his goal against Dorking Wanderers. Callum Whelan was also brought into the starting line up, Callum Maycock the man to make way...

Notts were largely in control... As half-time loomed, it was end to end stuff and it was soon Moors in need of last ditch defending...

Then came a moment for debate, Dallas cut into the box from the left wing, the covering defender appeared to impede the flying Scotsman but the referee saw different and no penalty was awarded.

It proved to be a big decision, as moments later Moors' resolve was broken. Chicksen's first time finish giving the hosts the lead...

Ardley reacted to falling behind. The Moors boss bringing Maycock and Alex Reid off the bench... Moors just couldn't find the spark they needed and as the game drew to its conclusion, it was more likely Notts adding to the score than it was Moors levelling...

Solihull Moors: Moulden, Clarke, Coker, Howe, Sbarra, Dallas, Osborne, Barnett, McNally, (Kelleher, 64' ), Kelly (Reid, 76' ), Whelan (Maycock, 73'). Subs Not Used: Parsons, Vaughan".

SIX CHANGES

Above: Phil Parkinson made six changes as Altrincham faced Chesterfield on Monday. Four of those players brought in are here pictured during a break in play. They are (l. to r.) Ben Pringle, Ross Barrows and Brad Jackson, who were all making their first starts of the season, and Jake Cooper who came back into the side after being on the bench on Saturday.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Montel Gibson scored late on for Ilkeston Town but, having been three down, they still lost 2-3 to vsitors Mickleover Sports. Like Altrincham, they are still winless this season.

PARKINSON ON BOREHAM GAME

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Aldershot fans turned on manager Mark Molesley and the club’s board after United followed Saturday’s 1-0 win over Torquay with a 3-1 success at the Rec on Monday...

Hayrettin moved quickly to condemn the toxic atmosphere at full-time following a fifth defeat in six National League games for the new-look Shots.

'He shouldn’t get the sack,' said Hayrettin. 'I think it’s disgraceful. It’s no good. He’s friend of mine, full of knowledge, full of experience, you don’t become a bad manager overnight.

'We don’t know certain clubs’ restraints, or whatever they are, but what I do know is he’s an exceptional manager and he’s an exceptional guy, and he’ll do it his way and he’ll be fine.'

Maidstone moved on to 10 points from six games after Regan Booty’s penalty and headers from Jack Barham and Bivesh Gurung in a five-minute spell after half-time.

Ex-United man Justin Amaluzor immediately pulled a goal back but it was Maidstone’s day at the Rec...

'I think we were good value, I think we dominated the game, even in the first half for periods, and second we half we just took over... It was a great strike by them to get it back to 3-1 and then we had to contain what we had and play in certain areas'...

Christie Pattisson laid on goals for Barham and Gurung... 'He drives me mad,' said Hayrettin. 'He needs to do that week in, week out. Don’t forget, we’ve got six players that are injured that would possibly come in and start. He’s got to keep producing. It’s in there. I’ve just got to get it out of him, kicking and screaming, as much as I can.'

Hayrettin revealed he held talks with Aldershot goalscorer Amaluzor over a return to the Gallagher following the wideman's departure from Motherwell at the end of last season. But he wouldn't meet the player's wage demands and saw Sol Wanjau-Smith as a better option....

'In the end I declined giving him the money he wanted,' said Hayrettin. 'I thought I had someone else who could do the job better and I got him'".

Altrincham face a difficult away match on Saturday at last season's play-off losers, Solihull Moors. But The Moors lost their unbeaten record on Monday as the Nottingham Post tells us that for Notts County "Adam Chicksen's strike proved the difference in their 1-0 victory over Neal Ardley's side at Meadow Lane...

The Magpies passed up a number of opportunities in the first half and could have been comfortably ahead at the break, but it was the Zimbabwean's strike in the 65th minute that proved to be the difference.

Chicksen was on hand to volley home Matty Palmer's looping cross... But the goal came as no surprise to the 30-year-old... Chicksen said... 'I have been trying to get in those positions every time the ball gets whipped in... It was a good finish and I am happy to get on the scoresheet'...

It is now six games unbeaten for Luke Williams' side in the National League this season... And whilst two wins in three days has given Notts fans the perfect Bank Holiday weekend, the defender insisted that they have now set the bar with those two performances...

Coming into the game, The Moors were also unbeaten and the joint-top scorers along with the Magpies after six games, but Neal Ardley's side rarely troubled Sam Slocombe all afternoon".

And Notts County add that they "ended Solihull Moors' unbeaten start to the season with a dominant display...

Having somehow not scored in a one-sided first half, we finally had our goal when Adam Chicksen produced a composed finish...

Luke Williams decided to shuffle his pack slightly by including Geraldo Bajrami and fit-again Ruben Rodrigues in his starting line-up. Jim O’Brien and Sam Austin had to settle for a place on the bench.

It was to be a first half of near-total dominance... We continued to build pressure on the Moors goal, guarded by Louie Moulden who appeared to be struggling with an injury after receiving lengthy treatment midway through the half...

Moors attacks had been few and far between... It would have been nothing short of a travesty had we gone in behind...

While chances weren’t presenting themselves as frequently as they were in the first half, we still looked the far more likely side to take the lead and finally got the goal we deserved on 65 minutes".

MONDAY SCORES

• Aldershot Town 1-3 Maidstone United
• Altrincham 1-2 Chesterfield
• Barnet 3-1 Eastleigh
• Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 Bromley
• Dorking Wanderers 1-4 Boreham Wood
• Notts County 1-0 Solihull Moors
• Scunthorpe United 0-2 FC Halifax Town
• Southend United 2-0 Maidenhead United
• Torquay United 1-3 Woking
• Wealdstone 0-0 Yeovil Town
• York City 1-1 Oldham Athletic

ALTY: SLOW STARTERS

However, they will be hoping that, as in 2020, history repeats itself today (Monday). In 2020, Altrincham had gone seven games without a win from the start of the season before earning their first win, behind closed doors, with a late 3-2 victory over the Spireites, who are the visitors to the JDS today.

However, slow starts can translate into good finishing positions as the following chart of Alty's record in the first five games of the season, over the last six campaigns, shows:

• 2017/18 in the NPL: first five matches sequence... LDLWW (7 points), finished 1st
• 2018/19 in the NLN: DWDLL (5 points), finished 5th
• 2019/20 in the NLN: LDDWL (5 points), finished 5th
• 2020/21 in the NL: DLDDL (3 points), finished 17th
• 2021/22 in the NL: WLWLW (9 points), finished 14th
• 2022/23 in the NL: DDLDD (4 points)

BEFORE THE GAME: "HAPPY DAYS" FOR CHESTERFIELD

Alty are still seeking their first win but have only lost once so far this season, after securing four draws out of five games. The Spireites arrive in third place, one point behind the leaders Wealdstone following their Friday night victory over the then leaders, Barnet. So the Derbyshire side play at Altrincham after enjoying the best part of an additional day's rest compared with their hosts.

The Derbyshire Times tells us that, "Kabongo Tshimanga came off the bench to score his first goal since February after long-term injury as Chesterfield beat Barnet 3-1 to go top of the National League [briefly].

Ollie Banks swept in the opener after two minutes but it was soon cancelled out by Sean Shields’s thumping finish from inside the area.

Akwasi Asante grabbed his third goal of the season just after the half-hour mark after Laurie Walker parried from the impressive [ex-Alty man] Jeff King (pictured, right in his Alty days in 2014).

Then came a moment of pure joy as Tshimanga, last season’s top goalscorer and player of the year, slotted in after Armando Dobra slipped him in.

Victory... extend[ed] their unbeaten start to the season to five games.

Paul Cook made just one change to the starting line-up as goalkeeper Lucas Covolan was recalled following his three-match ban, Ross Fitzsimons dropping out.

Summer signing Jesurun Uchegbulam was included in the matchday squad for the first time, taking the place of Jack Clarke...

Tshimanga, off the bench for the hard-working Quigley, scored [the third goal] within four minutes... after Dobra slipped him in. It was a moment of pure joy as every outfield player celebrated with the Congo-born man...

There was a late debut for Uchegbulam, and Chesterfield saw out added-time comfortably... Five unbeaten. Tshimanga is back. Happy days".

JORDAN'S PARADOX

But it is not the goalscoring charts which Jordan currently tops; he has yet to score this season and has not yet completed ninety minutes in the striker's role after three starts and an appearance from the bench. However, the Alty striker is the unlikely leader of another chart, the goalkeeping pecking order, which he tops as the only one of four players to have kept goal this season and not conceded a goal!

Jordan took on the goalkeeping responsibility in the second game of the season, at Bromley, when Matthew Gould suffered a bad injury and, as usual, there was no keeper on the Alty bench. Despite being between the sticks for more than hour (including added time) the match ended goalless.

In fact, Altrincham have had to field four keepers (including Jordan) this season in just five games. Unexplained delays in receiving new signing Ollie Byrne's international clearance from the Welsh authorities meant that Matt Gould was unexpectedly pressed into service for the opening two fixtures.

But following Gould's injury and with Byrne unavailable, Alty had to make an emergency signing in the shape of Manchester United under-23 keeper, Dermot Mee, who kept goal in the next two fixtures. Then, with Byrne's clearance finally received, he took over last Saturday at Boreham Wood.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Jude Oyibo played for Spennymoor Town, whilst recent Alty trialist Callum Gribbin hit the bar for FC United of Manchester but they lost at Bamber Bridge 2-1.

John Johnston (right) turned out for Guiseley in a goalless draw at Stalybridge Celtic, whilst Jake Moult played for Buxton in their 1-2 home defeat by Blyth Spartans.

As well as Josh Hancock's penalty for Curzon Ashton, other Alty old buys in the Nash team were Connor Hampson, Craig Mahon, and Tom Peers, whilst Craig Hobson was on the bench for the Tameside outfit as they drew with Farsley Celtic.

In Scotland, Josh Ginnelly again started as a lone striker for Hearts as they beat St Johnstone on Sunday.

UNLIKELY LEADERS

At the other end of the table, few expected to see last season's fourth-placed finishers, FC Halifax Town, propping up the division with no points and just a single goal to their name. Another unexpected struggler is Scunthorpe United, who were in League Two last season but now lie 22nd in the National League. Amongst other struggling ex-EFL clubs are Torquay United, Yeovil Town and Southend United who all lie in the bottom nine.

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And they obliged, battling away to stay in the game as visitors Torquay dominated the first half before emphatically turning the tables after the break.

Second-half pressure was rewarded when substitute James Alabi scored the only goal with three minutes left as Maidstone secured a seventh successive win over the Devon club.

'Today we saw the Maidstone that we know,' said Hayrettin...'A Maidstone that’s willing to work hard...

'It was a game of two halves. They may have had the better of it in the first half, we were in the game, we did OK. But in the second half we turned the screw, I think we got the subs right and we deserved to win on that performance...

'We know how to win at home, with the support behind us... The substitutions were the key. I brought James [Alabi] in for his experience and his knowledge. He’s still only 27, he’s been round the block, he knows he needs to work as hard as possible to stay in that team'".

28 August 2022

BOREHAM WOOD 1-1 ALTRINCHAM

Match report here

• League Table
• Alty Line-Ups
• Alty Player Statistics

VIEW FROM THE WOOD

Bennett broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time when he weaved in and out of the Wood defence before toe-poking the ball past Nathan Ashmore to give Altrincham a late lead, sending the Wood into the break disappointed after being the better of the two sides in the first half.

The Robins only had the interval to enjoy their advantage though, as the Wood levelled almost immediately when Ndlovu met a corner at the back post to tap home.

A single change saw Dion Kelly-Evans return from suspension to replace Dennon Lewis on the right flank, and his impact was evident as the Wood looked threatening in wide areas during the opening stages.

The hosts dominated possession throughout the first half but were unable to create a meaningful opportunity, with the first real chances of the game falling to Ryan Colclough. Bennett bundled Zak Brunt off the ball and sent the winger down the left, but Will Evans got his body in the way of his shot. He would go close again moments later but was unable to keep his effort from a free kick down.

Altrincham were looking positive, but... chances continued to dry up as the half progressed and the two sides will have thought they were set to go into the interval goalless. However, the Robins would take the lead against the run of play with little time remaining of the first half...

The Wood got off to a lightning quick start in the second half, as... Ndlovu was waiting unmarked to tap home his first competitive goal for the club...

In an evenly-matched affair... there was little in the way of action until the introduction of Egli Kaja, who immediately got involved... The Robins would go... [close] as the game entered the final ten minutes, with Marcus Dinanga smashing the ball against the crossbar with Ashmore beaten...

Dinanga then had an effort deflected over the crossbar in injury time".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Right: Josh Hancock netted for Curzon Ashton.

Southend substituted Dan Mooney after 57 minutes at Eastleigh while 1-0 up and they went on to lose 2-1.

A Josh Hancock penalty rescued a point for Curzon Ashton in a 1-1 draw at Farsley Celtic.

Sam Sheridan put Ashton United 2-0 up at home to Warrington Town. They went on to end the Wire's unbeaten record, winning 2-1.

Warrington Rylands 5-0 win at Belper Town featured a goal from Callum Dolan and a late brace from Ryan Brooke.

In the EFL, Harrogate Town started with a back three, including Kyle Ferguson, against Newport County but pulled all three of them off at half-time when Newport were 4-0 up. The second half was goalless.

BIG WIN FOR RESERVES

The previous Saturday, Alty travelled to Whaley Bridge Athletic where they drew 2-2. Evand and German netted and the team comrpised Ross Barrows, Ellis Bateman, Lewis Billingsley, Dionicio Bohe, Junior Bopda, Joseph Cooney, Liam Evans, Owen German, Amaar Hussain, Sharif Islam and Joshua Jordan. The bench comprised Scott Johnston, Max Pouncey, Zaid Smith and Loui Williams.

In the preceding week they beat Poynton 4-1 at home. The goals came from Barrows, Bohe, Bateman and Billinglsey. The side compriised Ross Barrows, Ellis Bateman, Lewis Billingsley, Dionicio Bohe, Junior Bopda, Joseph Cooney, Liam Evans, Owen German, Sharif Islam, Joshua Jordan and Max Pouncey, with a bench comprising Samuel Chambers, Riley Jackson, Scott Johnston, Zaid Smith and Loui Williams

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The forward has joined Halifax on a one-year deal, having spent the last eight years in German football, which included a spell with former Champions League semi-finalists Kaiserslautern.

'He was suggested by an ex-Halifax Town player who knew that we wanted quality throughout the team and that we wanted competition for places,' Millington said of Osawe, who was at Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers as a youngster...

'He can play anywhere across the front three, he's got great pace, very, very good technically'...

Millington doesn't expect any further additions to his squad for the time being after Osawe's arrival... 'We certainly feel we're starting the season with a really strong group of players and excellent competition for places'" he concluded."

But later the Halifax Courier added that "FC Halifax Town's nightmare start to the season continued after they were beaten 4-1 at home by Notts County.

Two goals by Macaulay Langstaff and one each from Cedwyn Scott and Kairo Mitchell condemned a beleaguered Halifax to their fourth defeat from five and kept them bottom of the table.

The only positive was Halifax finally scoring for the first time this season, through Harvey Gilmour.

Town are a pale imitation of the team that mixed it with the big boys of the National League last season...

Alarm bells are ringing at The Shay...

Tylor Golden, Rob Harker and Kian Spence all came into the Town side... and Town also began in the 3-5-2 system they finished in last Saturday... Town's change of shape meant there was more support for Mani Dierseruvwe, although he was out of sorts...

There was more bite and purpose about The Shaymen, who were better than a week ago, although that wasn't saying much, while they still went sideways and backwards too often for some of the home fans' liking. Spence added the quality in midfield Town had been lacking so far this season...

Austin's cross from the left was tapped in by Langstaff at the far post, leaving Town to query whether it was offside in vein... But just before half-time, the scale of Town's task was doubled when a cross from the right was nodded in by Scott at the near post.

The Shaymen at least came out fighting in the second-hal...

Langstaff latched onto a through ball, took it round Sam Johnson and finished coolly... The goal came just as Town reached seven hours without a goal since the start of the season.

New signing Osayamen Osawe was brought on, but all hope was lost. The contest was over...

The long-awaited goal finally, finally arrived through Gilmour's volley after Spence's shot was blocked.

But even then, there was worse to come when a misplaced pass handed possession to sub Mitchell, who finished low past Johnson".

The Echo News tells us that "Southend United boss Kevin Maher was left hurting following his side’s painful 2-1 defeat at Eastleigh.

Two free-kicks from substitute Danny Whitehall, the second of which came deep into stoppage time, saw Blues beaten on the road...

'We started the game ever so well and were in complete control,' said Maher. 'They’ve had to change shape and it became a bit more even then. But the first goal comes from a free-kick when we should keep the ball.

'We switched off for a second but credit to the lad it’s a hell of a finish... We couldn’t buy a foul but we’re getting ones against us that our [are] incredible. We needed a stronger referee... Everything went against us'...

Blues had previously taken the lead in the first half with Callum Powell firing home. But Eastleigh began to get on top towards before the break and that led to Maher making a double change in the 57th minute with Oli Coker and Aaron Cosgrave replacing Dan Mooney and Powell... Moons can struggle when teams get a bit more physical so we tried to get a platform to play off'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE WEEKEND FIXTURES

• Chesterfield 3-1 Barnet
• Oldham Athletic 2-1 Aldershot Town

Saturday, 27 August

• Boreham Wood 1-1 Altrincham
• Bromley 1-0 Scunthorpe United
• Eastleigh 2-1 Southend United
• FC Halifax Town 1-4 Notts County
• Gateshead 0-1 Wealdstone
• Maidenhead United 0-1 York City
• Maidstone United 1-0 Torquay United
• Solihull Moors 3-0 Dorking Wanderers
• Woking 2-3 Wrexham
• Yeovil Town 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge

BEFORE THE GAME: BOREHAM WOOD

Wood will be looking to make it two wins in a row after notching their second victory on the road on the bounce, with a narrow victory at Torquay United thanks to Jamal Fyfield’s solitary strike.

Players to watch: Toby Mullarkey...

'The Playmaker': Ryan Colclough...

'The Finisher': Jordan Hulme...

Last time we met... The Wood bounced back from defeat to overcome Altrincham, as goals from Kane Smith and Scott Boden secured a 2-0 win.

It was Altrincham who dominated the opening stages... The Wood began to grow into it and began to test Tony Thompson in the Alty goal with a handful of half chances, before making the upturn in their performance count when Smith’s long-range effort took a wild deflection to beat an already committed Thompson and secure a fortuitous opener...

Boden fired wide when well-placed. He would soon make amends though, sticking out a leg to convert Smith’s drilled cross just three minutes later".

Since last season The Wood have lost their leading scorer of 21/22, the experienced Scott Boden, to York City. But, in Danny Elliott, thay have a replacement who had a prolific season with Boston United.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Mason-Clark had been heavily pursued by League One rivals Portsmouth this summer, but Posh have apparently won the race for the 23 year-old who can play in a variety of attacking positions, but has been primarily used as a winger.

Mason-Clark has scored two goals in four games for the Bees this season, taking his tally for the club to 22 in 181 appearances. He... impressed Posh boss Grant McCann during a pre-season friendly between the clubs this summer.

McCann said... 'He has been out main target for a number of weeks and I am pleased we have been able to make it happen... Ephron is very direct and can play anywhere across the front line. He is physically strong and brave and will add more firepower to our attack'...

Mason-Clark said 'When I heard of the interest and spoke to the manager, I knew this was the right place for me. I have been at Barnet since the age of 10, so a long time, and I have played a lot of games, so I felt it was the right time for the next challenge'".

Leicester City tell us that their "Development Squad goalkeeper Brad Young will spend the 2022/23 season with National League side Notts County after a loan deal was agreed between the clubs...

The 20-year-old shot stopper joined City from Hartlepool United in 2021 and has become a regular in the Club’s Development Squad... as representing the team twice in the Papa John’s Trophy".

On Friday it was reported by the Oldham Chronicle, that "Latics boss John Sheridan has captured defender Mitchell Roberts on loan from Birmingham City and the experienced Oscar Threlkeld on loan from Bradford City.

Threlkeld (28) can operate as a holding midfield player and at right-back, but is also comfortable in the centre of the defence. He arrives at Boundary Park on a deal until until January 2...

Said Sheridan 'I probably see Oscar as more of a defensive midfielder, but he can play across the back-line and in a back three... Oscar brings with him a great deal of experience, he is a smart operator and will add a lot of strength and steel to the side'...

Twenty-one-year-old Roberts, who has enjoyed loans with Harrogate and Carlisle in recent seasons, arrives at Boundary Park on a deal until January 1. A left-footed defender who can operate at full-back, wing-back and in the centre of the defence, Roberts has spent the past 11 years at St Andrews...

Sheridan added 'Mitch is a very capable young defender who has built up a good reputation at Birmingham, he has a solid reading of the game and can use the ball well. He is tall and athletic, gives us good balance'...

Following back-to-back defeats in the league against Wealdstone and Southend, Sheridan said 'I'm happy[?] with the manner in which we lost those two games. I've expressed my feelings to the players, and they know we've got to do a lot, lot better. We've got to be quicker, harder to break down and harder to play against. The stats show that we just didn't work hard enough in those two games, so have to do better'".

Kent Online confirms that "Maidstone United have moved for a new central defender after conceding nine goals in their past two games.

Manager Hakan Hayrettin, who this week announced his intention to bring in four new players, has signed Kodi Lyons-Foster on a three-month loan deal from Aldershot...

He joined Aldershot from Braintree three years ago and has made more than 120 appearances for the Hampshire club... It seems likely he'll go straight into the side".

InBournemouth Echo we learn that "Jake Scrimshaw has left Cherries [Bournemouth], completing a permanent move to Yeovil Town.

The striker, 21, impressed coming up through the academy ranks at Cherries, having joined aged just 15. Scrimshaw was named Cherries' under-18s player of the year at the end of the 2018-19 campaign...

However, the Isle of Wight-born frontman never made a competitive first-team appearance for the club. During his time at Cherries, Scrimshaw spent various loan spells away... at Poole Town before working his way up through Eastleigh, Walsall, Newport County and Scunthorpe United in League Two.

But the striker has now returned to non-league, signing a two-year deal at Yeovil in the National League".

Scunthorpe United "is delighted to have completed the loan signing of highly-rated Middlesbrough midfielder Isaac Fletcher until January.

The 20 year-old stands at 6ft 4in, is athletic and can play in a number of positions. Part of Middlesbrough's academy and development squad for more than a decade, he has occasionally featured in Boro's senior squad since early 2021...

Fletcher made his senior debut for Boro in the Carabao Cup first round against Barnsley earlier this month. He also made 15 appearances on loan for Hartlepool in League Two last season".

NEXT GAME: BOREHAM WOOD

With loan keeper from Manchester United, Dermot Mee, having played the last two games for the Robins, United may expect Altrincham to give their man regular game time but it would be a surprise if Byrne does not start on Saturday.

There are also suggestions that right-back Ross Barrows (right) may be incuded in a squad for the first time this season after his summer signing from King's Lynn Town. Barrows played in the midweek friendly against Fleetwood Town, having missed all four fixtures in the National League so far this season as he recovered from injury.

The Wood go into the game in seventh position in the National League after winning twice and drawing once in their four starts so far. For their part, Altrincham are seeking a first win after three draws and a defeat in their start to the campaign.

ALTY OLD BOYS

A 3-4-2-1 system is frequently employed this term and the forward positions do not lend themselves to Ginnelly’s strengths. Two attacking midfielders, the so-called traditional No.10s, roaming in behind a striker does not suit an out-and-out winger who thrives using pace in wide areas.

It is a situation Ginnelly can’t control. What he can do is adapt. Understandably, a long-term bit-part role holds little appeal in the final year of his contract at Tynecastle Park...

Ginnelly started at centre-forward in Sunday’s 2-0 Premiership defeat at Celtic Park and is reasonably adept at fulfilling that role due to his speed and eye for goal. Wide right or left remain his preferred positions...

'I missed part of pre-season [through injury]... I’ve just got to keep working hard to get back in the team,' he says. I want to stay here. It’s going to be tough for me to get into the team because I don’t fit into a slot... I will be giving 100 per cent... I need to adapt my game to get into the team,' he explains. 'Our width comes from our full-backs now. When we were in the Championship it was 4-2-3-1...

'I don’t know who would want to leave Hearts like that to be honest. We had a great season last year, we are in Europe now'" he added.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Defender Daniel Quick, 19, was a key player in the Palace U18s side... A confident ball-playing central defender with great aerial ability, Quick [was]... a crucial figure at the back for the young Eagles side...

Progress continued for the young Englishman last season, becoming part of the Palace U23s side and going on to make a number of appearances including against Portsmouth in the Papa John’s Trophy... Palace manager Patrick Vieira... handed him a first team debut last pre-season against Walsall.

This past summer, Quick was included in Palace’s pre-season tour of Australia and Singapore. Quick... has joined Wanderers on a season-long loan, will be with the National League club’s squad for this weekend’s trip to Solihull Moors.

Wanderers boss Marc White is not normally a fan of loan deals but made an exception for Quick. 'I think our squad is small and without having a volume of games already, we’ve already picked up a lot of niggles,' White said. 'Ed Harris, Nicky Wheeler, Jimmy Muitt, Barry Fuller, James McShane and Niall McManus. That’s a lot already without the volume of games that is set to come.

'I just felt like we needed more depth in the squad. Dan is... the son of a friend of a friend. And that’s how it came about'".

The Dernyshire Times advises us that "The Spireites don’t appear to have any immediate plans to bring in another striker despite Danny Rowe’s departure.

The 32 year-old joined AFC Fylde on loan until January earlier this week. Rowe, who will link-up with former Chesterfield manager James Rowe... missed most of last season due to a health issue....

To replace Rowe, first-team coach Gary Roberts told the DT 'You are always looking, but at the top end of the pitch we have got three very good strikers... We have got Akwasi, Kabby and Joe Quigley who is playing out of his skin at the minute...

'We are really happy at the minute with the squad. Everyone is settled, training well and playing well as a team. The lads are really close. Lads are going home happy every day'...

Striker Rowe is legend at Fylde for his previous time at the club...

'We have not seen Danny since Halifax after what happened, which is totally understandable,' he said. 'It is perfect for Danny because we can’t get Danny any games at the minute. It is a little bit closer to home for him... If he comes back to us fit he will be like a new signing for us'".

Oldham Athletic report that "Defender Mitchell Roberts has signed... on loan from Birmingham City.

The 21-year-old, who has enjoyed loans with Harrogate and Carlisle in recent seasons, arrives at Boundary Park on a deal until 1 January. A left-footed defender who can operate at full-back, wing-back and in the centre of the defence, Roberts has spent the past 11 years at St Andrews...

Manager John Sheridan said 'Mitch is a very capable young defender... He is tall and athletic, gives us good balance... I still think we probably need players but I just want people who are fit and available and for us to be competitive as a team'".

Off the field, Oldham Athletic say that "The Rothwell family are proud to announce that an agreement has been signed to secure the ownership of the Boundary Park Stadium, Car Park, Little Wembley and surrounding land.

The signed agreement is a huge step forward to consolidate the club and stadium under one ownership to ensure stability for the future... We aim to complete the purchase shortly before Christmas'".

25 August 2022

FAREWELL TO NEIL

Altrincham FC "said farewell to a familiar figure on Saturday when Neil Brown left his post as head groundsman...

Alty director Neil Faulkner [said]... 'I would like to thank Neil for maintaining our pitch to the highest possible standard during 17 years’ sterling service. To quote Neil, his job was “to provide the best playing surface possible for the first team’, and that he certainly did.

Everyone will be familiar with the drainage issues we encountered a couple of seasons ago...

To his great credit, Neil skilfully managed to balance the limited supply with still keeping the pitch sufficiently hydrated during a wait of over six months for the water main to be replaced... The hard work and attention to detail that went into the latest annual summer renovation programme has left the pitch looking the best it’s ever been, and it’s no exaggeration to say our playing surface is now Premier League standard.

The Directors of both visiting teams to The J.Davidson Stadium so far this season, Maidstone United and Yeovil Town, commented on how exceptional the pitch was, and, of course, it is conducive to the passing game favoured by manager Phil Parkinson...

Not only has Neil been the groundsman, he was the Altrincham Reserves manager between 2004 and 2007, where he discovered several talented players who progressed into the first team...

Neil... always appreciated the team of volunteers who worked alongside him and is grateful for all they have done over the years, helping him on match days and during the week...

I would like to wish Neil all the very best for the future".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Allen has left the club by mutual consent following his stint on the ITV reality show Love Island. The 27 year-old scored one goal in 24 appearances for the National League side last season.

After joining the cast, the club said Allen 'made his intentions clear the opportunity was very important to him'...

Allen joined the 2022 series on day 45 but was dumped six days later on day 51 along with Danica Taylor having received the fewest public votes. Allen, a Montserrat international, signed a new deal with the club in June, but has not made an appearance for the Shaymen so far during the 2022-23 National League season".

Meanwhile the Halifax Courier reveals that "Town boss Chris Millington says he retains huge confidence in his squad despite their poor start to the season.

The Shaymen are without a win and a goal from their first four matches, and sit bottom of the National League table. They face a Bank Holiday double-header against Notts County at home this Saturday before visiting Scunthorpe on Monday...

'I've got huge confidence in this group of players, and I don't say that lightly,' said the Town boss... 'We are facing a little bit of adversity at the moment... We do face the situation with a level of humility.

'But I've got to be honest and say that the quality in the group, the quality of the forward players we've got will result in goals, and once it does click, we will be a significant threat in-front of goal and in the final third...

'It all comes down to being more clinical in and around the opposition box.... So we can't just look at the results... we've got to be more thorough than that, we've got to look at performances...

'The training levels haven't dropped... Their approach to work is impeccable, they go about things in the right way but in two of the four cases this season that hasn't transmitted into a matchday performance...

'It's an awful situation for the fans and worse for them than for us because we see the work that goes in,' he said... 'But the fans don't see all that work, all those reactions and all those efforts being put in by people behind-the-scenes, they're just seeing what's being turned out on a matchday and two out of the four performances haven't looked very good'...

Festus Arthur and Angelo Capello are yet to feature for Town this season, while Jamie Cooke has played around 75 minutes so far, but Millington says they will play their part...

'Nobody's 100 per cent safe, everybody's got to be working hard in training and contributing on a matchday to make sure they keep their shirt... The style of play and recruitment was all based around us having two to three possible formations.

'We're very good in a 4-3-3 at home on the bigger pitch... In some of the home games, we've gone to a 4-4-2 and played that incredibly effectively in spells'...

Opposition 'Notts County are heavily possession based', Millington said, 'They're a little bit more switched on to when to play forward than maybe they would have been in the last two seasons, so they're willing to go forward a little bit earlier if they need to'...

On the Bank Holiday double-header with a trip to Scunthorpe to come on Monday, Millington said 'At risk of sounding cliched, we take every game as it comes'".

Down at Yeovil Town the club is "delighted to confirm that Sam Pearson’s loan from Bristol City has been extended until January.

When he first arrived, the 20 year old signed on a month long loan agreement, and with the initial spell a success, Pearson extends his stay until the new year.

The Welsh attacker has earned plaudits in his three appearances so far for the Glovers, winning man of the match in his first start against Wrexham.

Last weekend against Altrincham, he missed out due to a minor back injury, but the youngster will be hoping he can return for the busy bank holiday schedule."

FLEETWOOD TOWN DEVELOPMENT SQUAD 3-4 ALTRINCHAM

For Altrincham, changes from last Saturday's National League game saw goalkeeper Ollie Byrne and defender Ross Barrows, who has not played competitively this season through injury, in the starting line-up.

Left: Marcus Dinanga

Liam Brockbank came back into the back four, whilst two of last weekend's bench, Alex Sami and Ben Pringle also started alongside two trialists, one of whom had played in previous pre-season games.

In no game this season have Altrincham scored before the opposition and, for the third game in succession, they fell behind in the opening stages.

However, Marcus Dinanga earned the visitors a penalty, which the striker himself converted to level the score at 1-1. Before the first break, a Chris Conn-Clarke effort was parried to Ben Pringle who doubled the lead.

Lewis Baines, Egli Kaja and a trialist replaced, respectively, James Jones, Alex Sami and another trialist. Dinanga then added to Alty's lead with a header after Baines had headed on a Pringle corner.

Egli Kaja made it 4-1 following a move involving Academy product Amaar Hussain and Ben Pringle but Fleetwood gave their side some respectabiity with two late goals.

The Altrincham starting eleven comprised Byrne, Barrows, Jones, Cooper, Brockbank, Trialist, Trialist, Sami, Pringle, Conn-Clarke and Dinanga.

ALTY OLD BOYS

At Liversedge, James Walshaw opened the scoring for the hosts as they beat Morpeth 4-1.

Information courtesy of Phil Jordan.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

This is Smith’s fourth loan spell, and he hasn’t had much luck in the previous three.

The goalkeeper first joined Salisbury FC in 2019, making 10 appearances in a couple of months before suffering a knee cartilage injury that saw him withdrawn.

Smith then went to Dover Athletic, but his season was disrupted in part by the Covid-19 pandemic, and he only made three league appearances for the side.

After that, the goalkeeper joined Welling United, and once again, his season was cut short by injury after just a couple of league appearances.

Smith has been featuring for the Arsenal Academy in pre-season, as well as making an appearance against West Ham United u21s in the young Gunners’ second game of the campaign".

In the Leader Live, "Hat-trick hero Paul Mullin says keeping a clean sheet was just as important as Wrexham hitting the goal t[r]ail against Maidstone United... thrashing the Stones 5-0 at The Racecourse.

Mullin, who stuck 32 times in all competitions in 2021-22 following his move from Cambridge United, bagged his first treble for the Reds to make it four goals in the opening four matches.

Wrexham, who dominated throughout and could have won by more after creating a host of chances, kept their first shut-out...

'To keep a clean sheet is really pleasing, especially after Tuesday night,' said Mullin. 'We went back to being solid... It was convincing... I thought we were brilliant all the way through...

'We have got to go into the next two games full of confidence and go and win them.'"

In the Derbyshire Times Liam Norcliffe writes that "Chesterfield are four unbeaten...

Manager Paul Cook has overseen a big turnover, bringing in 12 new faces, but they seem to have settled in well so far...

They are creating better chances which, in theory, should lead to more goals being scored... The Spireites are averaging 17.5 shots a match, much higher than the 12.35 average last term.

In fact, Town have already upped their shot count into the 20s in two out of the four matches so far... Whereas towards the end of last season scoring goals looked like a big struggle, this time around they already have different scorers off the mark.

Last season the Spireites averaged 327.52 passes in a game, while so far the rate is 297.25... The signs of what we are starting to see now were there at the end of last season, with Cook’s men attempting a massive 500 passes against Dover Athletic (success rate of 83.6%). And in the play-off semi-final defeat at Solihull, they attempted 426 passes, completing 361, giving a very healthy 84.74%.

The fans who remember when Cook was last at the club will not be surprised by these numbers... So, overall... the signs are encouraging".

According to York Press "York City chief executive Alastair Smith has enthused that 'in five years time, it would be great if (York) could be in the Football League.'

Smith, a life City Supporters Trust member since its inception in 2002, came into the chief executive role last month as part of Glen Henderson’s takeover...

'If we could be in the Football League,' enthused Smith. 'That gives you so much more income, then you could have a reserves or under-23 team. What we need to have in five years time is a club...

'Whatever your income levels are... you tend to spend up to your level of income. The problem with that is if you then lose your job, you suddenly can’t pay your mortgage or put food on the table. Same with [football], if you’ve spent up to your level of income and you suddenly get relegated, then you haven’t got the money to pay the players because your crowds are going down.

'You always need to be a little bit prudent and if we can build up some reserves for a rainy day, that would be a fantastic legacy'".

NEXT: BOREHAM WOOD

The Wood report that "On a windy afternoon at Plainmoor, an early Jamal Fyfield goal was the difference between these two sides and gave Boreham Wood a well-deserved, second win in a row on the road.

Luke Garrard made one change to his starting line-up following Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat against Aldershot Town with Lee Ndlovu coming in for Danny Elliot up front.

It was an excellent start for Boreham Wood when, on the third minute, Jamal Fyfield reacted well to converted Will Evans shot to give them the lead...

It was the hosts who were on the front foot at the start of the second period...

In the final minute of normal time, Boreham Wood nearly doubled their lead when Lewis played the ball to Newton, but he was denied by Halstead before Elliott shot wide. During five minutes of added time, the hosts forced a succession of corners, but Boreham Wood were able to hang on for a much needed three points

It was an entertaining game that Boreham Wood just about deserved to win. There were some outstanding individual performances from Luke Garrard’s men, most notably, Nathan Ashmore, Femi Ilesanmi and Man of the Match Lee Ndlovu who didn’t give the Torquay defence a moment’s peace...

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Ilesanmi, Evans, Fyfield, Lewis, Sousa, Rees, Payne, Brunt (Williams 82), Ndlovu (Elliot 75) Marsh (Newton 67). Subs not used: Stephens, Egan".

BYRNE GETS APPROVAL

In his absence, Matt Gould played the first two National League fixtures but was badly injured in the second outing, with striker Jordan Hulme having to don the goalkeeping jersey for half an hour, during which he was to become the only one of three keepers used this season to keep a clan sheet for the club this season! The situation with Byrne and Gould necessitated the signing of an emergency loan in the shape of Manchester United under-23 goalkeeper Dermot Mee.

Altrincham FC confirm that they "have now received all the required approvals from the FA and National League, along with his international clearance, and Ollie is now available for selection, starting with this coming Saturday's Vanarama National League fixture away to Boreham Wood.

We would like to thank both the English FA and Welsh FA for working through this process with us".

FLEETWOOD FRIENDLY FOR ALTY

Stephen Crainey's side were due to face AFC Fylde on Tuesday afternoon in a friendly match, however due to a cancellation, Town have looked elsewhere for a fixture for the Club's Under-23s.

The match against Altrincham, who play their football in the National League, will kick-off at 12pm at Poolfoot Farm. Supporters are welcome to come and watch the young lads in action and take advantage of the food and drink also available at Pizza Calcio".

22 August 2022

FLEETWOOD FRIENDLY FOR ALTY

Stephen Crainey's side were due to face AFC Fylde on Tuesday afternoon in a friendly match, however due to a cancellation, Town have looked elsewhere for a fixture for the Club's Under-23s.

The match against Altrincham, who play their football in the National League, will kick-off at 12pm at Poolfoot Farm. Supporters are welcome to come and watch the young lads in action and take advantage of the food and drink also available at Pizza Calcio".

KEVIN PAYS TRIBUTE TO "MAD DOG"

Kevin said of "Mad Dog", "He helped me massively and I'll never forget that". The pair would travel together to matches and training from Liverpool whilst both were players at Altrincham.

As for his his long career, Kevin said, "I'm no stiffer when I wake up int the morning than the younger lads. I'm still hungry and have the desire to play. So why not give it a go even if I drop down a few levels?"

"I've played near 800 League games. People will say 'Not many good ones'!"

Kevin also pays tribute to fellow veteran player Jamie Cureton and to the benefits of yoga and open-water swimming, both of which he wishes he had taken up earlier in life,

He is adamant that he is not seeking a pay-day in the last years of his career, "It's about playing and enjoying it and having a bit of banter with the fans!"

PARKINSON STICKS TO HIS PRINCIPLES

Despite still seeking a first win after four League fixtures this season, Parkinson insists that he will stick to his footballing beliefs and that his team's performances will come good.

ALTY OLD BOYS

At Mossley, Andy Keogh scored but they lost 2-4 to Macclesfield FC in the FA Cup. Also in the Cup, Sefton Gonzales was on the losing side when Colne lost at Clitheroe.

Nantwich Town lost at home to Guiseley in the NPL despite the efforts of Joe Mwasile and A-Jay Leitch-Smith.

Also in the NPL, Dylan Mottley-Henry won a penalty for South Shields who drew 2-2 at Marine, whilst Ashley Hemmings also won a spot-kick, as his Kidderminster Harriers side won 1-0 against Bradford (Park Avenue).

Others in action on Saturday included Ryan Brooke and Callum Dolan for Warrington Rylands

GLOVERS' CONCLUSIONS

Our man Ben was in the Press box for BBC Somerset at Moss Lane and here are his conclusions... "Oh, what might have been... 'HargreavesBall' was still the order of the day for the Yeovil Town.

Above: In front of the visiting supporters, Yeovil and Alty prepare for a Glovers' corner in the second half.

The switch to a 4-4-2 from the off had me thinking we might change our style, but that wasn’t the case, we kept it simple, on the floor and tried to still use our threats from wide angles to creat chances...

With Altrincham dominating possession in a way Barnet did not on them previous Tuesday night, Lawson D’Ath helped utilise what we did see of the ball. This is our style of play, win, lose or draw, home or away... A fit and firing Lawson D’Ath is too good for the National League. He can do it all, run with the ball, spray passes, tackle, block, get forward, defend the whole nine yards...

I spent the majority of the second half trying to figure out what wasn’t quite clicking with Charlie Wakefield... as he adapts to a new style and new role when playing wing back...

Only Notts County have had more possession this season than Alty, which means when you get the ball and the chance to get it in the box, you cannot waste it. Sadly, we did on a few occasions...

Gime Toure made a wonderful little cameo from the bench, got his goal of course, but added so much more... We’re nowhere near seeing the fittest version of Toure and that might be a while off...

All in all, it was so close, but so far from that elusive first win of the season".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Shrimpers won for the first time this season... Mooney beat Latics goalkeeper Magnus Norman from 18 yards after 30 minutes to register his first Shrimpers' goal...

Ben Tollitt went close to a second-half equaliser as Southend goalkeeper Collin Andeng-Ndi pushed his shot around a post.

John Sheridan's side finished the game with 10 men after Liam Hogan was injured after the Latics had made all their substitutions".

From the other side, the Echo News tells us that "Dan Mooney was left ‘buzzing’ after firing Southend United to their first win of the season on Saturday.

Summer signing Mooney bagged the only goal of the game... And the 23-year-old was thrilled with his afternoon’s work.

'I’m buzzing really,' said Mooney. 'It’s been four games but it’s nice to get on the score-sheet and get going for the season. The lads did brilliantly to get the ball to me in that position and you’ve got to finish it off to make it look even better which is exactly what I did.'

Blues started the season with a 1-0 defeat against Boreham Wood at Roots Hall before drawing at both Solihull Moors and Halifax Town.

'I could feel it was coming with the crowd right behind us,' said Mooney... 'It could have been 3-0 or 4-0 but we’re creating the chances and that’s positive'...

Mooney is keen to ensure Kevin Maher’s side continue to progress as he works his way back to full fitness following a foot injury... Explained Mooney...'Hopefully I can stay on the pitch longer and create more chances and score more goals'".

FC Halifax Town lost 1-0 away at Wealdstone...

“'I’m very frustrated,' [manager Chris] Millington said. 'Disappointed and angry. After the last two performances, when we feel like we’re moving in the right direction and building towards something, the expectation on today was that we would see the results of that hard work. It’s very annoying.'

Town have now failed to score in the opening four fixtures...

'It is concerning... In previous games we had been creating chances and we can put some of our bad luck down to goalkeeping performances. But then to go out with a bit of a whimper today and not really create or make the most of the chances we did create is disappointing... We’re not carrying enough of a threat to go on and win games'...

One small positive for the Shaymen was the return of Kian Spence... Millington said... 'He’s going to need time to get back to his best. We also missed Matt Warburton as well today. His energy and goal threat are a big miss. But I think the big problem with today was that they were more energetic than us'"

And the Halifax Courier adds that "Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard said his side were the better team after their 1-0 win over Halifax ...

Halifax was distinctly second best, creating few chances and producing a very disappointing performance...

'I think we were probably two goals better than them if I'm being totally honest, I thought we were comfortable in the second-half,' Maynard said. '"I thought the first-half the lads were outstanding, the way we moved the ball, we scored a goal that was probably 15 to 20 passes, which is credit to our lads...

'The results are not going his way, against Torquay I think they had 26 shots'".

21 August 2022

NEIL'S POST-MATCH VERDICT

"I thought we dominated the first half after they took the lead, and it was a briliant goal from us to equalise. But, then in the second half, we gift them a goal, which knocked the wind out of us.

"And I thought we got bogged down after that and our normal flow wasn't there. We gave away far too many silly fouls, which you can't do at this level".

ALTRINCHAM 2-2 YEOVIL TOWN

Alty have yet to lead in a game this season and they again fell behind early on when Linton scored with a fine shot from the edge of the box after just nine minutes.

Alty had plenty of possession but the Glovers closed down well and the Robins barely troubled keeper Smith. However, they got level in the 40th minute when Conn-Clarke burst up the middle and the ball came to Colclough. From the left, his ball was expertly stereed home from beyond the back post by Toby Mullarkey.

In a lacklustre second half, Alty seemed to have gifted the points to Yeovil when Osborne gave away possession and impressive substitute Toure netted at the second attempt (72 mins).

With time running out and Altrincham seemingly running out of ideas, Colclough fired in what looked like a shot from left of goal. But Albanian substitute Kaja expertly back-headed the ball into the far side of the net to make it 2-2.

Match report here.

YEOVIL "ALMOST PERFECT" AT ALTRINCHAM

The Glovers looked to have picked up their first National League win of the season thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Gime Toure, only to be pegged back by an injury time equaliser.

. Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robin... Hargreaves said 'I will reflect tomorrow and say it was almost the perfect away performance but almost is not good enough... There’s still some young lads who are learning some steep lessons here. But we haven’t got time for that, we need to see that out and then it’s a perfect away performance...

Above: Team-mates arrive to congratulate debutant Egli Kaja on his well-taken goal.

'We know it’s a challenge even against a team that’s not fancied [i.e. Altrincham]. They are a good outfit with good players and all these games are a challenge. It hurts'...

The boss revealed that experienced pair Lawson D’Ath and Chiori Johnson, who were both making their first starts of the season, were forced off with cramp towards the end of the game...

Hargreaves said... 'Players that come on have to step up. The younger lads have to be leaders and maybe it was a bit of miscommunication at the end when you sit back and allow a two-versus one which doesn’t need to happen. It is a poor bit of play from us and it’s cost us dearly...

'Gime, at full fitness is a real asset and we’re bedding him in, but he showed today what he can do, create something out of nothing.'”

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan advises that Duncan Watmore was introduced at the start of the second half at Reading but could not help Middlesbrough avoid a 1-0 defeat. They are now only two points clear of bottom club Coventry City and the Sky Blues have three games in hand.

Owen Dale scored the 92nd minute clincher as Portsmouth beat Bristol Rovers 3-1.

Reagan Ogle waspart of a Scunthorpe United defence which collapsed to a 3-4 defeat by Solihull Moors. The Iron had led 3-0 after 36 minutes.

Josh Hancock was on target for Curzon Ashton in their 1-0 home win over Kettering.

Sean Williams equalised for Warrington Town as they drew 1-1 at newly-promoted Belper Town, they drop to fourth as a result".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

After progressing through the AFC Bournemouth youth ranks, the 23-year-old has spent time on loan at Torquay, Scunthorpe and Walsall before joining County in 2021. He made 30 appearances last season for County and scored four goals.

Vincent joins a host of Bournemouth academy graduates and will settle quickly with a number of players he would have played alongside in The Cherries’ youth teams".

Notts County explained that "The midfielder, who made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute in Tuesday evening’s draw at Gateshead, will be eligible to make his debut away to Oldham next Friday...

Vincent is scheduled to return to us on the week commencing Monday 26 September.

Our head coach, Luke Williams, said 'We’re really pleased to get this deal done for Vinny, who has been working exceptionally hard in training and is desperate for gametime. At the minute we can’t guarantee that for him here but this move will give him the chance to go out, play and show what he can do'".

20 August 2022

TODAY: ALTRINCHAM v YEOVIL TOWN

Yesterday, Altrincham announced the signing of winger Egli KAJA (left), who became the fourteenth player to join the club this summer, of whom five (Conn-Clarke, Lundstram, Jones, Hulme and Cooper) had been at the club previously either on contract or as loanees.

Kaja joins Lewis BAINES, Ross BARROWS, Aaron BENNETT, Liam BROCKBANK, Oliver BYRNE, Christopher CONN-CLARKE, Jake COOPER, Jordan HULME, James JONES, Josh LUNDSTRAM, Dermot MEE, Aidan ROXBURGH and Alex SAMI in being a player who has signed on this summer, having not been an Altrincham FC employee at the end of last season.

Of the new faces, Byrne, Barrows (right) and Roxburgh have yet to be named in a matchday squad. "Old" faces yet to make a bow this season are Brad Jackson, Matty Kosylo and Isaac Marriott who are all recovering fitness after injury.

Whether goalkeeper Byrne will have finally received his international clearance from the Welsh FA in time to make his competitive debut in today's fixture remains unclear but, if that is not the case, Manchester United loanee Dermot Mee will be set to make his home debut between the posts after keeping goal in midweek at Maidenhead.

In a match preview, Altrincham FC said, "Manchester United prospect Dermot Mee joined on loan and the 19-year-old... will once again be available for this Saturday’s match whilst the club continues to do everything we can to have Oliver Byrne’s move from Connah’s Quay officially approved.

Ross Barrows came through 45 minutes with the reserves in midweek and it is hoped the summer signing can join the squad for this game..

Yeovil Town... saw the appointment of new manager Chris Hargreaves back in May, signing a two-year contract with the club.

The former Torquay United gaffer has made some good signings this summer including the likes of Jamie Reckord, Ben Richards-Everton and Alex Fisher. However, the departure of last season's top scorer, Tom Knowles, has left them struggling to find the net".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Rooney helped Moors reach the National League Promotion Final last season and scored five goals in 23 appearances before being released at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old also has Football League experience with the likes of Stoke City, Birmingham City, Oldham Athletic and Salford City and also spent four and a half years in Scotland with Aberdeen....

Bards Chairman Jed McCrory said 'This is the probably the biggest signing this football club has ever had'...

Rooney added 'I was thinking about going part time and Jed rang me up out of the blue and told me the plans for the club and the initiatives that were taking place here and what they are doing for the community and told me to come down and have a look at the place. 'So I came down and he sold the club to me. I’m local and it’s somewhere I can bring the kids and they can hopefully watch me scoring some goals'".

According to the Echo News, "Southend United boss Kevin Maher is continuing his search for a new striker.

The Shrimpers are short of options in attack with Jake Hyde (hamstring), Rhys Murphy (knee) and Harry Cardwell (ankle) all still sidelined.

And Maher is still trying to bolster his options.

'We’d like to do that [sign someone] as soon as possible,' said Maher. 'I don’t want to say too much but we’re trying.

'Being close to the window, clubs are holding onto players until the last minute but things can change quickly.'”

From Devon Live comes news that "Torquay United injuries still dominate preparations for visit of Boreham Wood. So far, Gary Johnson has not been able to name the same XI twice with a series of injuries causing problems

Gary Johnson says he saw bits and pieces to be positive about at Bromley where Torquay United lost 1-0 on Tuesday night; just not enough of them. Torquay soaked up a lot of pressure at Bromley and Will Goodwin hit the crossbar in the second half, but 10 minutes after defender Ross Marshall got himself sent off, Louis Dennis scored with an unstoppable strike and there was no way back...

Torquay have won one, drawn one and lost one... and winning at Plainmoor would be a huge boost to a squad that has already been stretched all out of shape in the first three games. Johnson brought in some players to watch and learn from the sidelines. Some of those players have had to play, perhaps ahead of time, and with injuries and now Marshall's one-game suspension... his choices have been limited...

The manager said...'We gave Bromley too many chances and you can't go into games 50-50 or 40-60 against and expect to win enough games'...

Striking duo Aaron Jarvis and Corey Andrews have not played together yet... Ali Omar had a game out with concussion, and midfielder Shaun Donnellan had to play in defence before missing the Bromley game. Tom Lapslie and Asa Hall have got over their problems to play their part in the last couple of games but Dan Martin still seems a while off...

Nelson Iseguan, the 19-year-old winger on loan from Exeter City, only managed 13 minutes after coming off bench...- before getting injured himself. Perhaps closest to returning is Donnellan...

Cards have been another issue. Marshall was booked in all three games before his straight red. Brett McGavin, Ben Wyatt and Omar were also shown yellows in the first game.

Against Halifax, there were more yellows; for Donnellan, Ryan Hanson, Kieron Evans and Tommy Hughes. At Bromley, Goodwin was cautioned. While admitting Marshall's red card was justified, Johnson is mystified by the amount of yellow cards shown so far...

Johnson explained that at a meeting about refereeing in pre-season, managers were told that some 'fouls' would be let go. 'So when they give a foul now they feel it's a booking,' he said."

ALTY SIGN KAJA

Right: Emil Kaja pictured in the warm-up before he played in the recent friendly against a Manchester United XI.

The 25 year old Albanian is predominantly a right-winger but can play on either flank or as a second striker, and he goes straight into the Robins’ squad for tomorrow’s Vanarama National League fixture with Yeovil Town at The J.Davidson Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

His direct style and attacking flair caught the eye of Alty fans at the Robins’ Moss Lane headquarters at the end of last month when he went on as a second-half substitute against Manchester United under-23s...

He joined National League South Hampton & Richmond Borough on a non-contract basis a few days later but needed no second invitation to return to the north-west to bolster Alty’s squad when the opportunity arose.

Kaja received his first international call-up with Albania under-21s in May, 2017, midway through a four-year stint with AFC Wimbledon that ended when he moved to Northampton Town.

He was back at Plough Lane on a short-term deal last November".

NEXT OPPONENTS: YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers’ boss was frustrated after two defensive lapses... in the 2-1 home defeat on Tuesday...

The boss’s frustration was compounded by his side’s struggle to finish a number of chances they created in midweek...

Talking ahead of the weekend’s trip to Altrincham, Hargreaves said 'It’s the chances we aren’t taking and the small lapses in concentration (defensively), but small lapses at any level kill you.

'If you don’t score, you have to come out with boring 0-0s... In pre-season, we had that resilience and weren’t creating as many, now we can’t stop creating chances, but I want that resilience back.'

The Glovers’ boss will give on loan winger Sam Pearson until the weekend to prove his fitness after he was forced off following a physical encounter against Barnet... replaced by Lawson D’Ath...

Hargreaves reiterated the knee injury sustained by central defender Ben Richards-Everton was 'not as bad as first feared', but did reveal that striker Ollie Hulbert was suffering with an injury... He confirmed that forward Gime Toure, who a week ago following his release by League Two side Carlisle United at the end of last season, was 'not far off' from starting a game...

He also said teenage defender Alfie Pond, who arrived on loan from Exeter City last Friday had impressed in training, adding that he had given him 'a lot to think about' in his team selection".

NO BLAME ON MEE

It began to go wrong after only 13 minutes when an ill-advised back pass put debutant keeper Dermot Mee (left) under pressure and gave Adrian Clifton the chance to dispossess the on-loan Manchester United under-23s keeper and open the scoring.

Another defensive error late on enabled Maidenhead to wrap up a 2-0 win that left Alty boss Parkinson reflecting 'It’s really frustrating, because we started so well but then gave away a hideous goal. It was a poor back pass that put Dermot in such a difficult position. It was a really difficult one to contend with, and we should never have put him in that position'...

19-year old Mee found himself pressed into action within hours of his loan move being ratified.

'Dermot hasn’t even had the chance to train with us, which isn’t ideal,' said Parkinson, whose side face Yeovil Town at home on Saturday. 'But there’s no blame attached to him whatsoever for what happened at Maidenhead. The lad plays for Manchester United, and you don’t do that without having character. He is absolutely fine.

'When you have the amount of possession we had, it would normally lead to us taking something from the game. We do need to show more of a cutting edge up front but when that is missing, you’ve got to make sure you don’t concede poor goals.

'I’m really disappointed we didn’t do that. We killed ourselves with two moments, and we’ve got to do better than that'" concluded the Altrincham manager.

CLASH OF NON-LEAGUE'S FINEST?

Before there was a national division for non-League clubs it was difficult to assess the relative merits of non-League clubs plying their trades in different regional competitions. So, the FA Cup tended to become the yardstick for measuring relative success.

Right: When Yeovil last visited Altrincham, last May, Tony Thompson was in the Altrincham goal, Tom Hannigan was at centre-back and Connor Hampson at left-back. All were playing their final games for the club. Here Tony makes a save in front of the visiting Yeovil supporters. Yeovil won the game 1-0.

On that basis, to date, Altrincham have taken seventeen Football League scalps in the FA Cup. Writing in The complete record of the FA Cup, Mike Collett writes that "Yeovil Town are the most famous of the FA Cup giantkillers, beating 20 League clubs and reaching the Competition Proper 49 times before finally being promoted to the Football League in 2003".

And once in the Football League, The Glovers even reached as high as the second tier, playing in the Championship in 2013/14 season. Altrincham cannot compete with that level of success but purely in non-League football, it is Alty who have the upper hand in terms of direct clashes bewteen the clubs.

Historically, in the 32 previous encounters, Altrincham have won 14 times, Yeovil have won on 10 occasions and the remaining 8 matches have been drawn.

Both Alty and Yeovil Town were founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 but whilst Altrincham won that league twice in its first two years and remained in the division until their first relegation in 1997, Yeovil lasted just six seasons, during which they did not finish higher than twelfth, before relegation in 1985.

After three seasons in the Isthmian Premier, the Glovers regained top-flight status for a further five cmpaigns which culminated in promotion, as champions, to the Football League in 2003.

Their second Football League campaign saw them champions of League Two, with seven seasons following in League One before promotion to the Championship for one season (2013-14). After a single season back in League One and four lowly finishes in League Two they were relegated back to the National League in 2019. A fourth place finish in 2020 was not built upon and they ended the next two campaigns in 16th and 12th position respectively in the National League.

So, there are arguments for either side in awarding the accolade of "the most successful non-league club in England" to either Altrincham or Yeovil Town.

But the reality is that this Saturday's clash sees the two clubs fighting to escape the relegation places after three matches in the 2022-23 campaign.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

19 year-old Ebanks has made two appearances in League One for the Robins so far this season, coming off the bench... The forward came to prominence after notching four goals in an 8-4 win over Portsmouth in the FA Youth Cup.

Ebanks has previously spent time on loan with Worcester City, Bromsgrove Sporting, Evesham United, and Tuffley Rovers.

Last season he scored nine goals in 13 league appearances for Evesham".

The Derbyshire Times assures us that "Chesterfield have got no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Notts County... in front of the BT Sport cameras...

Both sides go into the game unbeaten, with Chesterfield on seven points and Notts on five.

Midfielder Ollie Banks needed treatement in the second-half against Wrexham but... 'He is fine,' first-team coach Gary Roberts said... 'No reported injuries from Tuesday, a little bit of fatigue which we have to manage...

'Ollie is totally fine... It did not look too great at the time. I was worried myself for Ollie. I thought he had a knock on his knee but he is totally fine, moving well'...

Akwasi Asante was recalled to the starting line-up on Tuesday night after missing the Aldershot match with a ‘niggle’ and there are no current concerns with either...

Roberts said, 'We will have nearly a full group training... There are still a couple of lads who are maybe a couple of weeks off. Manny (Oyeleke) is probably further away than anyone else...

'It will be good to see the likes of Kabby (Tshimanga) get another week closer, (Jack) Clarke, (George) Cooper, who have had long-term injuries, they get a couple more days of training under their belts, maybe closer to playing as well'".

West London Sport tells us that "Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard says Tuesday’s win over Oldham Athletic was his biggest since taking over as manager of the club.

Goals from Rhys Browne and Tarryn Allarakhia handed the Stones a 2-1 win at Boundary Park, meaning they have now won two of their opening three National League games.

And Maynard, who took over as manager in March 2020 having previously been assistant manager, praised the players and travelling support...

'It makes such a huge difference on a Tuesday night when we turn up and there’s 150 to 200 fans there who are singing non-stop from the first minute to the 96th. I think there’s a real togetherness now at the football club...

'It’s probably my biggest scalp as a manager to go to Oldham and win'... Wealdstone take on Halifax Town at home on Saturday, who are currently bottom of the National League and are yet to win a game.

Striker Olufela Olomola could return to the side after missing out against Oldham with an ankle injury, while full-back Lewis Kinsella is continuing to build up his fitness".

We learn from the Halifax Courier that "Town manager Chris Millington insists it is only a matter of time before his side start transferring their performances into results.

The Shaymen visit Wealdstone on Saturday still without a goal or a win after three games this season.

Town have produced two improved displays since the opening day defeat at Barnet, losing 1-0 at home to Torquay last Saturday before Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Southend at The Shay.

'We've got a really experienced group of people. Yes we believe they're very good footballers, but they're also very good men, and they're strong men who understand exactly what's going on," Millington said...

'The quality of the football is there to see in the last two performances and we believe that it's only a matter of time before that starts transferring into more positive results...

'I think the cohesiveness of the group and the way they're working together, in and out of possession, is probably ahead of where we'd have expected to be with such a large number of new additions,' he said... 'But clearly the fans and everyone around the place will be looking for results to follow that very soon...

'You see it every season, the first 10, 12 games of the National League season are like the last 10 or 12, they throw up some really unexpected results,' Millington said... 'The slightly lesser favoured teams will be beating the bigger teams, and some good performances won't be getting the results they deserve.'

Millington added 'I'm looking forward to it, they're always good games against Wealdstone, they've been good interesting games over the last couple of seasons. They try and play a brand of football that's good to watch and good to coach and manage against, so I anticipate it will be an enjoyable game'".

NEXT GAME: YEOVIL TOWN

Whereas Alty started with two draws against Maidstone United and Bromley before losing at Maidenhead United on Tuesday night, Yeovil Town lost at Scunthorpe United, then drew at home to Wrexham before losing last night at home to Barnet who now top the National League.

Now managed by Chris Hargreaves after Darren Sarll decamped to Barnet last season, the Glovers were the last team to visit the J Davidson Stadium in May 2022. And they now become just the second visitors to Moss Lane in the new 2022-23 campaign.

The Somerset side emerged with the three points in that May encounter.

Above: Goalmouth action from the May 2022 encounter between Altrincham and Yeovil Town.

On Tuesday night Yeovil Town "missed an untold number of opportunities as they succumb[ed] to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barnet...

Chris Hargreaves named an unchanged side to the one that pulled off an impressive draw against Wrexham...

As the half time whistle was blown, Barnet were undoubtedly happy to go in at 0-0.

The second half would kick off in a similar vein... The pressure would just keep building with half-chances missed by both Fisher and Josh Staunton.

As we hit the hour mark, Hargreaves would turn to Touré as Town looked to take a much-deserved lead.

Barnet though began to create a couple of chances for themselves... That small spell of pressure was then rewarded, after a cross from the right was turned in by Kabamba with a superb flick.

Kabamba then made it a quickfire double when he chipped Smith after spotting him off his line, 2-0 to Barnet.

But Yeovil got the goal they deserved. Following good work down the right-hand side, a cross was delivered, and Reckord met it with a firm header into the bottom corner to pull one back...

For all the chances though it would be Barnet who would come away with the three points, with Yeovil left to rue countless missed opportunities".

Next Saturday's match will feature two almost completely different teams playing against each other, compared with last season's meeting. Just two of Yeovil'a starters this week also started against Alty back in May (Morgan Williams and Charlie Wakefield).

The Yeovil squad this Tuesday comprised 1. Smith, 2. Williams, 5. Hunt, 19. Wakefield, 32. Staunton, 3. Reckord, 7. Worthington, 16. Perry, 15. Pearson, 14. Linton, 9. Fisher. Subs: 8. D'Ath, 10. Toure, 17. Johnson, 20. Buse, 34. Pond.

Likewise, with Alty giving game time to a number of players set to leave the club in the summer, only Dinanga, Colclough and Cooper started for Alty in May against Yeovil and also this week at Maidenhead.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Ben had to undergo a hernia operation last season which kept him out for the majority of the season. After missing a lot of pre-season he has now joined Witton Albion on loan where he can get a few games under his belt before returning to The Dabbers.

Ben is currently in his second spell at The Swansway Stadium after he originally joined in 2015 from Witton Albion. Since then he has played a pivotal role in our survival in 2015 and also been part of both our FA Trophy Semi-Final side in 2015-16 and also our Northern Premier Division play-offs semi final side in the 2016/17 season".

Last Sunday, Josh Ginnelly scored late on as Hearts won 4-1 against Dundee United.

And, as Phil Jordan reports, Tuesday was a busy night for former Altrincham players. Blackpool have sent Owen Dale on loan to Portsmouth, where he has started the last three games, but has been substituted in all of them.

Alistair Smith (right) is another ex-Robin to find himself out of favour, having been dropped to the benchfor the last two SAutton United matches, and being restricted to late cameos.

However, Chris Merrie has taken the opposite pathand after coming off the bench for Tranmere Rovers three ganes ago, has played throughout the next two matches.

Former Robins' youth keeperJoel Torrance continues to warm the bench regularly for Salford City.

Dan Mooney played the whole of Southend United's goalless draw at Halifax.

Conor Branson was sent off after 23 minutes as Alfreton Town nevertheless earned a goalless draw at Spennymoor.

Five former Robins (Thompson, Hannigan, White, Amis and Williams) played for Warrington Town at Bower Fold where Tom Hannigan scored the only goal to beat Stalybridge Celtic. The Wire are second in the NPL on goal diference behind Stafford Rangers and Tony Thompson has yet to concede a goal this season.

Callum Dolan opened the scoring as Warrington Rylands drew 2-2 at Nantwich Town.

Carl Piergianni scored the Stevenage goal which left Rochdale as the only pointless side in League Two.

And, finally, Duncan Watmore, reinstated in the starting line-up for Middlesbrough, scored his side's first goal in a 2-2 draw at Stoke on Wednesday evening.

WEDNESDAY GAME

• Solihull Moors 1-1 York City

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

So on Tuesday night the top five had an unlikely look to it, after three games, with Barnet top, Woking third, Wealdstone fourth and Maidenhead United fifth. Last season, Barnet finished 18th, Woking 15th, Wealdstone 16th and Maidenhead 17th!

The OLdham Chronicle says that "Latics and their fans were brought right back down to earth as the team were beaten 2-1 at home by minnows Wealdstone at Boundary Park.

After an encouraging start to the National League campaign with an away draw and a victory against Dorking, Latics suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Rhys Browne tapped home Jack Cook's header to give the visitors a 10th-minute lead. Wealdstone doubled their lead seven minutes later when Browne picked out Tarryn Allarakhia, who slotted home in confident fashion.

Cook saw an effort cleared off the line, but lacklustre Latics were back in the contest seconds after the restart when Ben Tollitt crashed a fierce shot in off the crossbar.

Latics thought they had rescued a point 20 minutes from time, but Mike Fondop's effort was ruled out for offside".

News of another "big beast" failing to deliver comes from the BBC that "Manager Phil Parkinson wants Wrexham's players to 'up the ante' following their first defeat of the National League season.

Wrexham conceded what Parkinson described as 'two avoidable goals' in the 2-0 loss at Chesterfield... and the manager expects a response.

'We need to come out on Saturday, roll our sleeves up and play like a real team at home,' Parkinson said...

Jeff King and Ollie Banks's first-half goals secured victory for Chesterfield...

'The lads ran and they tried but I just think we've got to up the ante in terms of the demands on ourselves to produce better crossing, better final ball and better shooting,' Parkinson added...

'Their defenders were more resolute, their keeper was more resolute and at the other end they created more than we did and we've got to look at that'".

According to the Grimsby Telegraph, "The Iron has suffered back-to-back defeats on the road after winning on the opening day in the National League

Scunthorpe United manager Keith Hill spoke of his disappointment in his side’s performance as the Iron lost 2-0 away to Woking on Tuesday night. It was their second consecutive defeat after they came away with nothing from Maidenhead United at the weekend.

A Kyran Lofthouse double was enough to see Woking past Scunthorpe... The Scunthorpe manager blamed a poor attitude from his players as the reason for their latest defeat.

Hill said 'I'm feeling really shellshocked. It's difficult because I haven't got an awful lot to say except wholeheartedly apologise to the supporters, who were magnificent and shared the journey with us. The performance just wasn't acceptable, and I include myself and the coaching staff in that. We've been brilliant for the best part of six or seven weeks, and I certainly wasn't expecting that performance...

'My eyes don't lie. I've put a lot of trust in the group, it's my group, and I'm deeply disappointed. It's down to a combination of things, not just the players... Tonight's game hurt me like a dagger through the chest. I've been through a lot of football, and there should be no fear from a group of players playing on a Tuesday night at Woking. There should be respect for the opponent.

'I saw a lot of fear in the way that we played... However, we seemed to panic in possession, making the wrong choice of pass'".

But in the clash of the two clubs promoted from National South, Dorking again proved that last season's goalscoring feats are continuing as they won 4-2 at Maidstone United.

Kent Online reports that "Maidstone United assistant manager Terry Harris says he hated their game against Dorking

[He] accused Maidstone of pressing the self-destruct button in their defeat by Dorking... The visitors benefited from a catalogue of mistakes to run out 4-2 winners...

Dominic Odusanya’s pass was intercepted for the second goal, Henry Woods conceded a penalty which, while soft, was unnecessary, as Dorking went 3-2 up late on, and Jack Cawley’s back header led to an injury-time clincher.

The Stones also picked up their second red card in three games, with Sam Corne sent off for dissent after questioning the penalty award.

Maidstone twice fought back from a goal down in a frantic clash, Jack Barham and Christie Pattisson the scorers...

'I said at half-time that I hate the game because it was too open,' Harris said. 'It was they attack, we attack... We had individuals that just pressed the self-destruct button... It was 100mph and I thought it would die down... I need to find out what Sam supposedly said to the referee, because I know what he actually said. It might have got misconstrued in the way it’s come across'".

From Devon Live we learn that "This new Torquay United squad is still a work in progress...

It is now one win, one draw and one defeat for the Gulls...Injuries haven't helped, but new defender Ross Marshall will now miss the next three games...

After the Gulls had done well to hold out in the face of a determined Bromley attack, Louis Dennis hit an unstoppable shot to beat Mark Halstead, 10 minutes after Marshall had seen red for a pull on Michael Cheek's shirt when the striker was free. Despite a lot of hard work up front by Will Goodwin, Torquay really didn't create much in the way of openings throughout the match...

Manager Gary Johnson said... 'We didn't start that well but I thought we started playing the best football we have so far in the second part of the first half. Of course, the sending off has killed us. That was very unprofessional and we will deal with that. And in the end they got the goal when we were down to 10 men...

Johnson said... 'Some of them have still got to prove themselves to me and to our supporters, and we have got to have a very close look at that... They looked a bit naive out there and they have to grow up quickly in this league'".

MEE, TOO, FOR UNITED

The move came at the last minute and was officially announced just hours before making his debut for his new club against Maidenhead United.

The 19 year old is no stranger to short term emergency loans having gone on three last season to non-league outfits Trafford, Runcorn Linnets and Witton Albion.

United have revealed that the deal will see the young keeper still 'regularly train with United under the terms of the agreement and can also represent Academy age-group sides in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.'”

MAIDENHEAD UNITED 2-0 ALTRINCHAM

And after Alty had completely dominated the opening stages, Mee made an error as he tried to dribble what he presumably construed as a back pass. Clifton dispossessed him and scored comfortably as Jones attempted to get back to cover the goal line (13 mins).

The goal against the run of play also prompted a switch in momentum as the hosts began to get forward and mistakes crept into Altrincham's play. But Alty regained some composure without being able to trouble Gyollai before half time, though Jones should have done better as he scuffed wide from a Conn-Clarke corner (34 mins).

Again Altrincham had plenty of possession in the second half but apart from forcing a smart double-save from Gyollai (63 mins) Maidenhead were fairly comfortable before Alty brought on Hulme (67 mins) and Sami (76 mins) up front.

The home side slowed the game down as Alty laboured and then another defensive disaster saw Jones at fault, allowing a header to go past him, which gave McCoulsky the chance to make it 2-0 (89 mins).

So Altrincham ended the game in the relegation places and with just one goal scored from 270 minutes of action.

Match report here

Right: Dermot Mee kept goal for Manchester United against Altrincham in the pre-season game at the JDS in July.

MAIDENHEAD VIEW

Altrincham flew out the blocks and during the opening ten minutes, controlled the ball and looked to create an opening... The Magpies took the lead after twelve minutes when Adrian Clifton pounced on a Dermot Mee mistake and placed the ball into an empty net...

The Robins created some chances themselves during the first forty-five and... continued to try and find a way back into the game...

McCoulsky put the game to bed just before full time after reacting first to a Cole Kpekawa header. McCoulsky collected and comfortably slotted the ball past Dermot Mee".

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

• Boreham Wood 1-2 Aldershot Town
• Bromley 1-0 Torquay United
• Chesterfield 2-0 Wrexham
• Eastleigh 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
• FC Halifax Town 0-0 Southend United
• Gateshead 1-1 Notts County
• Maidenhead United 2-0 Altrincham
• Maidstone United 2-4 Dorking Wanderers
• Oldham Athletic 1-2 Wealdstone
• Woking 2-0 Scunthorpe United
• Yeovil Town 1-2 Barnet

"ALTY FOR ALL" CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

The fundraising campaign will run via the Seedrs online platform, and aims to attract large and small investment through donations that will provide part-ownership of the club. This will help Altrincham continue its transition to full-time and reinforce its vital place in the local community...

Fans who buy a share, as well as owning a historic stake in their club, will receive a number of benefits and rewards...

Long-term, the club has a sustainable ten-year development plan in place, including potential redevelopment of our Moss Lane ground, The J.Davidson Stadium. This includes refurbishment of key areas of the ground to transform it into a multi-use destination for the town and the community.

Bill Waterson [left], Co-Chairman at Altrincham FC said 'We have a long-term plan for sustainable growth, with ambitions of promotion to the Football League. To do that while significantly increasing our touchpoints with our local community we need to raise funds.

'Unlike many clubs that may look for investment to pay down existing debt, we are debt-free and therefore money raised can be directly used for investment in infrastructure, in our community engagement and the squad itself.

'The Alty for All campaign aims to give our fans a chance to own part of their club, or even for fans of football to own a part of one of the most historic non-league clubs in the country and help take us to the next stage of our history'.”

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 18-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club in May this year after making his debut for The Shots early last season against Farnborough in the Hampshire Cup.

Anderson made two appearances for former Southern League Premier South side Walton Casuals at the end of last season".

UNITED KEEPER TO MAKE ALTY DEBUT

Born in Birmingham on 19 November 2002, prior to joining United at the age of 12, Dermot was at Walsall FC. At United he has played in the U18 Premier League and U18 Premier League Cup. He also plays for the Northern Ireland U19s.

DEJA VU AS ALTY HEAD TO MAIDENHEAD UNITED

There are also several parallels this time around with the Robins' last trip to Maidenhead. That was in March 2022, when the teams played out a goalless draw. That match was Altrincham's first goalless draw of that season but, having played a goalless match at Bromley already this season, Altrincham will be hoping for something better this time around.

The similarities with last season's fixture start with Alty again having a goalkeeping problem in advance of the match.

Right: Ryan Colclough is one of only three of Alty's starters at Maidenhead last season who might do so again on Tuesday night.

For last season's game, Altrincham had to field stand-in keeper Steven Drench, in the absence of regular custodian Tony Thompson who was ill. And history could repeat itself as Alty again look set to field a keeper making his first appearance of the season.

Last Saturday, they could not field new keeper Ollie Byrne as they continued to wait for his international clearance. But his stand-in, Matt Gould, suffered a head injury and concussion in the game at Bromley so is unavailable on Tuesday night.

So, the situation on the eve of the match was that either Byrne would make his debut, if the clearance had been received, or Alty would need to field an emergency loan debutant, or striker Jordan Hulme would don the gloves again and make his first start as a goalkeeper! Jordan kept goal for the final half-hour at Bromley last weekend, following Gould's injury. However, Alty announced hours before kick off that a loanee was their preferred solution (see above).

Another similarity with last season's trip to Berkshire is that, on that occasion, they fielded just four players in their starting eleven who had played for the club in the previous season. Likewise, last Saturday at Bromley, only four of the club's 2021-22 employees started the game (Gould, Mullarkey, Osborne and Colclough) and one of those (Gould) appears to be ruled out for Tuesday night.

Alty's squad for last season's match comprised, 30. Steven Drench, 23. Harry Perritt, 25. Toby Mullarkey, 14. Jake Cooper, 28. Eddy Jones, 8. Elliot Osborne, 32. Isaac Marriott, 7. Dan Mooney, 15. Matty Kosylo, 11. Ryan Colclough, 29. Jordan Hulme (c). Subs: 2. Shaun Densmore, 17. Ben Pringle, 20. Andy White, 27. A-Jay Leitch-Smith, 24. Kyle Ferguson.

POST-BROMLEY INTERVIEW

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 24 year-old made his debut as a second-half substitute in the Stones’ 2-1 win over York... having joined the club after a successful trial.

Fawole... has been on Hayrettin’s radar for a couple of years... with Fawole joining... Aldershot last summer... and he spent time on loan with Farnborough, Salisbury and Beaconsfield before leaving the Rec at the end of the season...

The Stones' boss said 'Josh was a lad I tried to bring here two years ago and he was diverted to another place by his agents and I wasn’t really happy... He’d have flourished here. He’s got raw ability, raw talent, exceptional speed and he listens and he wants to do well'".

Woking report that in the Cards' 2-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge "a three-minute spell in the first half encapsulated the difference between two teams battling it out... in the extreme conditions. In that spell, the Cards scored two close range goals from corners...

Woking made two changes to the starting line-up compared to that for the disappointing opener at York, with Kyran Lofthouse and Reece Grego-Cox coming in for Tyreke Johnson and Jermaine Anderson; Dagenham and Redbridge made three following a draw in their opening game, with former Cards loanee David Longe-King, Mo Sagaf and Junior Morais... brought in. The seven new Cards players this season against three for the Daggers reflected squads at different stages of their life-cycles...

On 28 minutes, Amond found the ball at his feet in the Daggers’ six yard box but his shot was blocked well and went behind by Moaners’ Corner. From the resulting corner, Grego-Cox blasted home from close range. 1-0

A mere three minutes later... Ince fired a towering header into the back of the net from another corner kick. 2-0...

The Daggers made two substitutions at half-time; Nikola Tavares for Rance and Mauro Vilhete for Johnson...

It would be wrong to say that Woking dominated this game throughout. It was that very short spell of intense pressure in the first half which tipped the balance. Up until then, it was fairly ‘even stevens', scrappy at times with few chances to either side and, in the latter stages of the game, Dagenham belatedly showed menace".

York Press confirms that "York City sign have completed the signing of former Middlesbrough under-18s goalkeeper Jacob Bulmer.

Bulmer has played 10 games in the under-18s' Premier League, conceding 11 goals and keeping one clean sheet. He also has played once in the Premier League Two for ‘Boro, keeping a clean sheet in his sole appearance.

'I’m really excited to join,' enthused Bulmer. 'A professional contract is something that I think every kid dreams of and getting that opportunity here is just surreal really. York is a local club to me'...

The 18 year-old will initially link up with the York City academy, playing for the under-19s. Bulmer becomes City’s 17th signing of the summer... He follows Luke James, Dan Pybus, Manny Duku, Scott Boden, Fraser Kerr, Alex Whittle, Scott Burgess, Gus Mafuta, Ryan Fallowfield, Adam Crookes, Alex Hurst and Ethan Ross as new arrivals... The Minstermen have also re-signed last season loanees Lenell John-Lewis, Sam Sanders, AJ Greaves and Mitch Hancox.

From the academy, Ben Dale, Elliott Owen, Kyle Lancaster, Jonny Shepherd and Jonny Haase have signed professional deals, with Dale and Haase having gone on loan to Redcar Athletic and Guiseley respectively.

Bulmer joins York and reinforces their goalkeeping position, an area in which they had the least cover with just two players. He joins Ethan Ross and Ryan Whitley as City shot-stoppers".

15 August 2022

NEXT GAME: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

Left: Ollie Byrne.

With Oliver Byrne's clearance from Wales taking an inordinate time, Alty's new keeper has yet to appear in a matchday squad. And his replacement so far this season, experienced keeper Matt Gould, had to be taken off in the second half against Bromley on Saturday, suffering with concussion.

It is therefore unclear who will be between the sticks on Tuesday night. The only other keeper in the squad at present is Academy graduate Ryan Forde, but he is out on loan at Alsager Town. So, unless Byrne's paperwork comes through, Alty presumably will need to seek an emergency loan or else striker Jordan Hulme may once again be obliged to keep goal ad he did for half an hour at Bromley.

They face a Maidenhead team which had a fine home win on Saturday, racing into a 3-0 lead against Scunthorpe United before holding on to a 3-2 win.

PARKINSON'S POST-MATCH VIEW

"There aren’t many teams who will come here and dominate like we did in the first half. It was us who had the chance to win the game; we were the ones with the gilt-edged scoring opportunities.”

DEFEAT FOR RESERVES

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In a much improved performance, Town dominated from the start but despite creating plenty of chances, just couldn’t find the back of the net...

Millington told Shaymen TV... 'Anyone who was here saw the effort, application, style of play, the endeavour, and the chances we have created means we should have won the game. It’s just one of those days where we don’t get what we have worked so hard to achieve...

'There were a number of things that didn’t go our way, but I’m not about making excuses and I don’t want to put the blame on anyone else. We need to take responsibility, we didn’t take the chances we created and we conceded one of theirs. Ultimately, we can only blame ourselves, but, I’ve got to say again that the lads have been phenomenal today'...

On Tuesday... Southend United make the journey to the Shay.... 'They’re a good team... We’ll work ever so hard to deliver what we did today in terms of the performance.'”

Aldershot Town report that they "fought hard and battled well in a baking hot Technique Stadium but it was the hosts who came away with all three points as a Liam Mandeville strike was enough to see out the game for The Spireites...

Chesterfield looked to dominate possession and Aldershot were set up well to stop the hosts from entering their final third. It took over 20 minutes for the game to see its first shot on target...

Chesterfield came close in the early minutes of the second-half, Joe Quigley['s]... header went just wide. The hosts continued to look dangerous as action restarted....

Aldershot were up against it but... The Shots rattled the bar... But the hosts pressure would pay off after the hour. Liam Mandeville rounded Ashby-Hammond and his shot from a tight angle found the bottom corner to give the hosts what was probably a deserved lead...

Giles Phillips then came close to levelling for Aldershot with eight minutes to go... The game closed out with Chesterfield seeing more of the ball as...the hosts saw out the win".

According to Kent Online "Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin’s faith in his promotion-winning squad was rewarded as Maidstone beat fellow National League new boys York in a thrilling finish.

Hayrettin took a different approach to City boss John Askey over the summer, largely sticking to the squad who got United up, while his opposite number made big changes.

Continuity won the day at the Gallagher in a 2-1 comeback win over an ambitious York side... Sam Corne scored on 79 and 81 minutes as the Stones continued last season’s habit of scoring late goals... They ground down York in blistering 33-degree heat.

'I demand my players work hard, regardless of their ability and, if they work hard, then they’ve got a chance of success', said the Stones' boss. 'Most of our players have tasted this level of football, some of them not as consistently as they wanted, but they’ve all tasted it... They’ve got to have that again and they will, because I won’t let them do it any other way.

'People can talk about York, and York are a formidable team, they’ve made 16/17 changes this year. The manager decided... he needed to make wholesale changes. I, on the other hand, decided to go the other way and keep faith with what I had and build on it and today we saw the product of that...

'I’m so proud that they respond to my every instruction. It’s not about the individual, it’s about the team. When the team does well, the individual flourishes.'

Maidstone, showing three changes to the side who drew at Altrincham on the opening day, trailed to Lenell John-Lewis’s early header and saw Jack Barham miss a penalty. But they refused to give in and made it four points from two games...

Said Hayrettin... 'I watched the highlights last week of York (2-0 win over Woking), I listened to BT Sport and they said they were one of the favourites to be contenders for the play-offs... We grinded [sic] it out and we could have been three but we’ve missed a penalty'".

Gloverscast tells us that "Chris Hargreaves had special praise for loan duo Sam Perry and Sam Pearson following the Glovers’ 1-1 draw with Wrexham.

Perry, on loan from Walsall, impressed after a difficult debut and speaking exclusively to the Gloverscast’s Ian Perkins the gaffer said how pleased he was with the young midfielders showing... 'I thought both midfielders were outstanding, they worked their socks off, very pleased with that but would like them to chip in with goals'...

As for Pearson, on loan from Bristol City, Hargreaves was pleased with his ability to step up to this level.. 'He was excellent, he was bright, his legs had given up on him so we had to give him a rest, but he showed enough to show he’s a very talented footballer with a bright future'".

14 August 2022

AFTER THE GAME AT BROMLEY

Altrincham also won the corner count by seven to one and committed just three fouls to the hosts' ten.

After the game, Alty manager Phil Parkinson said of the injury to goalkeper Matt Gould (right), "Gouldy has a concussion and will be getting a precautionary scan at the hospital... It was a brave decision to come for the cross and typified our performance in general.

I was happy with our performance today. We are a work in progress but very close to where we are [?want to be]. Our first-half performance was excellent and, although we tired in the second half, we were excellent defensively".

Parkinson's counterpart, Andy Woodman opined, "It was really tough conditions on the 4G for both sets of players. The heat off the pitch was a lot to endure". He added that "To be fair to Altrincham they... were excellent defensively".

BROMLEY 0-0 ALTRINCHAM

Alty led the corner count, with four flag-kicks in the first half-hour, before Bennett forced a great save from Charles-Cook from a Colclough feed (32 mins). Half-time arrived with the game still goalless.

Alty suffered a severe blow when goalkeeper Gould was injured as he landed badly after punching clear under a challenge (58 mins). Following lengthy treatment, Gould had to go off and striker Jordan Hulme went in goal (64 mins). With goalkeeper Byrne not yet having received his international clearance from Wales, there was no keeper on the Altrincham bench.

Alty protected Hulme well and neither he nor Gould had a save to make before ten added minutes started. Alty survived some pressure but almost scored themselves in the final added minute.

Match report here.

ALTY OLD BOYS

As Warrington Town hosted Morpeth, Tony Thompson, Tom Hannigan (left), Andy White and Sean Williams all played the full match for the hosts whilst Josh Amis started but was subbed at half-time. Warrington won the match with two late goals.

Luke Waterfall also scored late on, in the 92nd minute, as his Grimsby Town side won 2-1 at Rochdale in the EFL. Luke had scored his club's opener last Tuesday as well, when they won 4-0 against Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Cup.

Regan Ogle was booked as his Scunthorpe United team lost 3-2 at Maidenhead United. Meanwhile Dan Mooney was an eightieth-minute substitute for Southend United at Solihull Moors.

Closer to home, striker Kole Hall scored the opener as Chester FC beat Brackley Town 2-0. Another late goal was Jack Redshaw's 89th minute equaliser for Hyde United at home to Radcliffe.

At another Tameside club, Ashton United, Max Harrop scored an 83rd minute goal as his side beat newly promoted Liversedge 1-0. Further north Dylan Mottley-Henry is now plying his trade up at South Shields

We also learn that Kennedy Digie was Gloucester City's man of the match against Boston United, whom they beat 2-0.

Alty loanee at Trafford, Ryan Morton scored and provided an assist last week as the Shawe View club progressed in the FA Cup, defeating City of Liverpool 6-0.

At West Didsbury & Chorlton, Dontai Gabidon netted a hat-trick and Curtis Miller also scored this weekend as they beat Barnoldswick Town 4-3.

A-Jay Leitch-Smith for Nantwich Town, James Walshaw for Ashton United and both Ryan Brooke and Callum Dolan for Warrington Rylands, played on Saturday for their respective clubs.

And James Berry scored twice for Macclesfield FC in front of more than 3,000 spectators as they beat Clitheroe.

OSBORNE INTERVIEW

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Boreham Wood 2-2 Notts County
• Bromley 0-0 Altrincham
• Chesterfield 1-0 Aldershot Town
• Eastleigh 1-0 Wealdstone
• FC Halifax Town 0-1 Torquay United
• Gateshead 2-2 Barnet
• Maidenhead United 3-2 Scunthorpe United
• Maidstone United 2-1 York City
• Oldham Athletic v Dorking Wanderers k.o. 5.20pm on BT Sport
• Solihull Moors 1-1 Southend United
• Woking 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
• Yeovil Town 1-1 Wrexham

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Having gone behind early to a strike from Andrew Dallas, Blues rallied and deservedly levelled with Chris Wreh putting the finish touches on a delightful team goal midway through the second half.

It was Wreh’s first goal for the club on his first start since signing from Banbury in the summer, while academy graduate Jaden Crowhurst also impressed on his first-team debut at right wing-back...

Said the Blues boss... 'It was a disappointing result last week, and when you look at what we’re missing, in the first 20 minutes it was tough for us and they had control of the game. They’re a top side and have got some very good players, so anyone coming here and getting a point will do well.

'I thought we were very good after that period that they had early on... It’s a good test of character, going 1-0 down after losing last week, away at a tough place like this, shows that we’ve got some players in there and good characters.'

Today’s goal scorer Wreh was one of four changes that Maher made to his side... With Blues short of options upfront with Jake Hyde, Rhys Murphy and Harry Cardwell all on the treatment table, Maher was delighted with how his front two of Wreh and Callum Powell linked up while also splashing praise on another debutant, Crowhurst...

Blues now look forward to another away trip this coming Tuesday night as they travel to another of last season's play-off sides, FC Halifax Town."

Scunthorpe United "First-team manager Keith Hill spoke... after his side were edged out in a 3-2 loss at Maidenhead United...

Joe Nuttall scored a second-half brace but his side suffered defeat at York Road...

Hill said 'I'm disappointed with the scoreline and the reflection of the first half. Our performance was very slow and lacked physical competitiveness, while we made mistakes for the goals, they're not ones we've made in pre-season and we certainly didn't last week...

'You get to half-time and try to take the emotions out of it. We had opportunities even before their first goal, with the Joe Nuttall free header and Liam Feeney's one that hit the bar. I'm disappointed we didn't score one of those opportunities.

'Their first goal came straight after the drinks breaks and we switched off. To concede two goals from set-plays in the first half, one just before half-time, it seemed like a big mountain to climb but it's one we should have climbed. We got two goals back in the second half and if you look at the chances we missed in the second half... if we'd have taken those we'd have taken something from the game.

'I do believe this squad of players is capable of keeping clean sheets and scoring goals. I'm just hoping today is a valuable lesson for the group. We can't take the opposite lightly. They're honest, hungry and see you as a scalp.'"

In the Halifax Courier we learn that "FC Halifax Town started the season with back-to-back defeats as they lost 1-0 at home to Torquay United.

Brett McGavin's goal just before half-time proved decisive, but no-one inside The Shay quite knew how with the home side utterly superior from start to finish.

If Halifax continue to play like this, goals and points will arrive very soon, but they really should have appeared here as Halifax missed a string of chances...

Jesse Debrah, Sam Minihan, Luke Summerfield and Milli Alli all came in for Town...

Town were everything they weren't at Barnet; inventive, creative and incisive with good movement, running off the ball and intensity. They were cutting through Torquay like a knife through hot butter, time and again they sliced through the visitors' creaky back line, but didn't convert their superiority into a lead....

Inexplicably, Torquay took a shock lead as Dean Moxey's long throw fell to McGavin in the box, who was left unmarked four yards from goal to lash home."

BEFORE THE GAME: BROMLEY v ALTRINCHAM

The sides last met in the final away match of the season, which had been moved to midweek following Bromley's FA Trophy run which had taken them to the Final. This was Alty's only fixture on an artificial surface that season in the National League.

Right: Elliot Osborne is one of the few Altrincham players who played in the fixture last season who may also start today at Bromley.

Altrincham fielded a very depleted side. Having been without their three leading scorers, Ryan Colclough, Matty Kosylo and Josh Hancock, as well as another forward in Jordan Hulme, when they faced Notts County in the previous fixture, the four men were again missing at Bromley.

The changes saw Gould, Densmore, Hannigan and Moult came in as Thompson, Ferguson, Mullarkey and Perritt dropped out, though Ferguson and Perritt were on the bench

Phil Parkinson had again indicated that he wanted to give fringe players game time but the long midweek trek to Bromley may also have accounted for the absence of some players who would be leaving the club because of its decision to go full-time next season.

Following a bright start by the much depleted Alty side, they nevertheless fell behind after 17 minutes when Cooper's attempted clearing header fell for Bloomfield, whose shot seemed to deceive goalkeeper Gould and find the back of the net (17 mins).

Altrincham enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half but without threatening to score until Mooney netted a deserved leveller in the 87th minute.

Last season's line up comprised: 21. Matt Gould, 2. Shaun Densmore, 5. Tom Hannigan, 6. Jake Moult, (c), 7. Dan Mooney, 8. Elliot Osborne, 14. Jake Cooper, 17. Ben Pringle, 26. Kole Hall, 28. Eddy Jones, 32. Isaac Marriott. Subs: 19. Jamie Morgan, 23. Harry Perritt, 24. Kyle Ferguson, 34. Hayden Campbell, 37. Ryan Morton.

ALTRINCHAM ON TV

Prior to the first team departing to Bromley for their away game... Granada came to our training venue to discuss the new era at the club.

The feature... contains several interviews with Phil Parkinson, Sam Mackenzie, Ben Pringle and James Jones".

ALTY OLD BOY

The 28 year-old began his career at Lancaster City, before moving to Kendal Town back in 2012.

A move to Stockport County then followed, before Joe went on to make twenty-six appearances for Northwich Victoria... and would ultimately sign for Rochdale in 2013... Bunney went on to make 122 appearances for the Lancashire side over a five -year period.

Joe (left) would... sign for Northampton Town in January 2018 and he was to make 16 appearances for The Cobblers in addition to loan spells at Blackpool and Rochdale respectively.

In September 2019. Joe signed for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer – yet his game time was limited at the University of Bolton Stadium due to suffering a broken collarbone and ribs in a car accident.

After regaining his fitness, Joe enjoyed spells at Matlock Town, Hartlepool United, Grimsby Town and Altrincham, before spending last season at Warrington Rylands where he scored five goals in seven appearances.

Joe has spent pre-season at Scunthorpe United and we are delighted he has decided to join us here".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 28-year-old, who was a free agent, has been handed the number one shirt. With Lucas Covolan suspended for the next three matches and with no other goalkeeper on the books, the Spireites were in desperate need...

Manager Paul Cook said 'Ross will go in goal against Aldershot on Saturday and we’re delighted that he’s here to do that... Ross has got plenty of experience and has been at the club before, so it ticked so many boxes'...

Fitzsimons made one appearance for the Spireites in the curtailed 2019/2020 season after joining on loan from Notts County. He was recalled by Notts after just one week... The stopper has most recently been playing in Gibraltar for St Joseph’s, making his debut in a Europa Conference League match.

Fitzsimons was at Weymouth last season, winning the supporters’ and players’ player of the year awards, but left in May. Before that, he signed for Stockport County for a small fee from Boston United ... Fitzsimons... spent three years at Notts between 2017 and 2020, making more than 50 appearances in total in the Football League and National League".

Earlier, the Derbyshire Times reported that "Paul Cook says he will continue to not select a goalkeeper on the bench despite having to play for more than an hour with midfielder Ollie Banks in net against Dorking Wanderers after Lucas Covolan was sent off.

Clubs in the National League can only name five substitutions... This means that most managers in the National League opt not to have a back-up stopper on the bench and instead choose five outfield options...

When asked if he might named a keeper on the bench now, Cook said 'No, not really, because going forward we have to be able to trust our goalkeeper, and we have to be able to trust all of our players on the pitch... So there are two things that will change in that department, as you can imagine. One, we gain to [the?] trust the player. Or two: the player does not play for this football club. Dead simple. I will go without a goalkeeper again if we feel it is right'".

According to Football in Berkshire "This year is proving rather exceptional for Dan Lincoln... Lincoln is fast establishing himself as the ultimate all-rounder at football and cricket... The Times newspaper devoted the best part of a page to his exploits.

Having joined them in December 2021, the 27-year-old Lincoln helped Dorking Wanderers to win the Vanarama National League South play-offs...

It is an incredible story as the Surrey club have only been going since 1999 and then rocketed up the Non-League pyramid with 12 promotions...

Lincoln, who went through the Reading FC Academy and also had a spell at Arsenal as well as time with clubs like Hungerford Town, Farnborough and Basingstoke Town... has to juggle his life between football and cricket, and it is the summer sport where he is currently looking to pick up another trophy or two.

In his first season as skipper, the big-hitting batsman and wicketkeeper has led the Berkshire county team to the final of the National Counties’ Trophy final... So it could prove a particularly memorable year for Dan, who plays club cricket for Slough in the Home Counties Premier League and has also played first-class cricket for Middlesex and Kent. In 2019 he carried out the 12th-man duties for England in the Ashes Test against Australia at Lord’s."

Aldershot Town "announce the signing of Marcel Elva-Fountaine.

The young full-back, who has been on trial with The Shots for most of pre-season, will be immediately loaned to Lewes FC until November.

Elva-Fountaine started his career progressing through the youth ranks at Reading before a move to Burnley in August 2020. His latest spell was at Hayes and Yeading United".

In the Oldham Times we learn that "John Sheridan hopes his players will rise to what promises to be a memorable occasion at Boundary Park.

Oldham Athletic will announce the arrival of new owners the Rothwell family with a pre-match procession and on-pitch entertainment before the first home game of the season against fellow National League newcomers Dorking Wanderers...

'[Dorking,] They’ve been used to winning, albeit it at a lower level but they’ve been used to winning... I’m very wary of that. I’ll give them the utmost respect,' he continued. 'The manager is the owner as well and he’s done a brilliant job to get his team where they are...

'We’re a big club for this division and they’re coming to a nice stadium. They’ll be coming with nothing to lose and trying to get a scalp. I expect a very tough game... But when we’re at home I expect us to win games... When I look at the next four games we’ve got three at home so it’s an important time to get points on board as early as we can'".

AARON BENNETT INTERVIEWED

19 year-old Aaron's arrival, on a three-month loan from Preston North End, was announced on 1 August 2022.

An attacking midfielder who can also play up front and on the left-wing, Aaron came back from a serious injury to earn a contract at Deepdale.

Aaron made his debut last Saturday and was named Man of the Match against Maidstone United.

PHIL BELL R.I.P.

Phil, who sadly passed away last month, had been a loyal Alty fan for over 50 years and was exceptionally popular with the many Alty fans who knew him...

Phil’s family and friends attended Saturday’s opening game of the season against Maidstone United and everyone at Altrincham Football Club offers very sincere condolences to his family, particularly his two sons, Stuart (a lifelong Alty fan) and Simon, along with his partner Marie".

"MORE TO COME" FROM ALTY

Maidstone... were gifted an early goal when Liam Brockbank... sliced Regan Booty’s fourth-minute free-kick into his own net... However the half finished with a real purple patch, with Yusuf Mersin denying Ryan Colclough twice and producing a superb one-handed save to thwart Brockbank, who recovered well from his disastrous start.

Colclough produced a... sublime piece of skill to turn an attack that looked as if it was petering out into a gilt-edged opportunity for Chris Conn-Clarke (left) , who spun neatly to convert a left-footed shot from the edge of the six-yard box.

After the break, Alty continued in the same vein... before the Kent side went down to 10 men as Hady Ghandour was shown a second yellow card.

To their credit, Hakan Hayrettin’s side responded well to this blow, but still should have gone back to Kent defeated, as what looked like a perfectly good late goal from substitute, Marcus Dinanga, was inexplicably ruled out by the assistant, who flagged offside...

Altrincham manager, Phil Parkinson said 'I was delighted with the performance, disappointed with the result... We were outstanding in creating goal threats, ahead of where I would expect us to be right now. There’s lots more to come from us'".

NEXT OPPONENTS: BROMLEY

The youngster joins us following a two-year scholarship at League One side Lincoln City... after spells at Cambridge United and Luton Town...

The ‘keeper played in the Youth Alliance League for Lincoln and also spent a period of time on loan at Barton Rovers FC.

Away from club football, Boylan also received call-ups to the Ireland U19 squad. Our newest arrival has been training with the first team".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 32-year-old had an operation in the summer and has now returned to training. 'You have got to feel so sorry for Danny for what he has been through,' boss Paul Cook said. 'Football injuries are probably acceptable, but to have a situation like Danny’s is really tough both physically and mentally for a player...

'We must have a plan for Danny because he is six weeks behind the rest of the players'... A loan move could prove beneficial in helping him get match-fit.

The forward returned at the end of last season, scoring against Halifax in the play-offs, but suffered a setback later in that game and was taken to hospital...

'A fit Danny Rowe is a massive asset for any club in our division,' Cook explained. 'Danny’s fitness is through no fault of Danny’s at all... One of the problems that we have is we don’t have a reserve team so some of our lads can’t go periods of time without playing.

'Certainly with Danny we need to get him some minutes on a football pitch as quickly as we can and that is something we are looking at the minute.'”

And also fom the Derbyshire Times comes news that "Chesterfield are set to announce the signing of a new goalkeeper, says manager Paul Cook... with Lucas Covolan suspended for the next three matches after his red card at Dorking Wanderers...

Cook said 'I think we have concluded the search'".

11 August 2022

RESERVES REMAIN UNBEATEN

As reported previously they drew their opening match 1-1 at Congleton Town on 30 July.

On 3 August they recorded a 4-1 home win against Winnington Avenue Youth Club. Their line up comprised (a/z order) Lewis Billingsley,who netted twice, Dionicio Bohe, Junior Bopda, Joe Cooney (right), Liam Evans, Amaar Hussain, Sharif Islam, Scott Johnston, Joshua Jordan, Jayden Matthew and Harlan Rodgers Morris with the subs comprising Ellis Bateman, Adam Lynch, Ewan McGeady, Zaid Smith and Tom Hall.

Next came a 1-1 home draw against Eagle Sports before a third successive home fixture produced a 6-5 thriller against Crewe FC on 9 August.

For the match against Eagle, the starting eleven had Owen German, Max Pouncey, Zaid Smith and Tom Hall replacing Hussain, Islam, Matthew and Rodgers Morris. Smith scored the Alty goal. On the bench were Ellis Bateman, Riley Jackson, Adam Lynch, Ewan McGeady and Loui Williams.

McGeady saw a red card after coming on.

In the 6-5 win over Crewe FC, the starters were Lewis Billingsley, Dionicio Bohe, Junior Bopda, Joe Cooney, Liam Evans, Owen German, Amaar Hussain, Sharif Islam, Scott Johnston, Joshua Jordan and Kwame Osigwe. On the bench were Ellis Bateman, Oliver Partington, Max Pouncey, Zaid Smith and Tom Hall.

The scorers were Hussain and Islam who each scored twice, with Bohe and Billingsley also netting.

ALTY OLD BOY: ELLISON PLAYS ON

Ellison, 43, has enjoyed an illustrious career across the Football League, with over 800 career appearances to date. He spent majority of his time in the professional game with Morecambe between 2011-22, scoring 81 times in 352 matches.

More recently though, the Liverpool-born winger has been with Newport County, where he bagged three goals in 33 appearances... He made just Premier League appearance for Leicester City in 2001, coming on as a late substitute against Manchester United at Old Trafford...

David McNabb’s newly-promoted side begin their 2022/23 campaign at home to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday. Rylands play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division (Level 7). Last season they won the Northern Premier League Division One West title".

Footnote: After brief periods playing for Chorley and Southport, Kevin was acquired by Altrincham for a small fee from Conwy United in 1999. A Liverpudlian, Kevin became the Club's leading scorer with 11 Conference goals in the first half of the 1999/2000 season and ended the season with 14 league goals.

Indeed, despite injury, he started 48 games and came on as a sub in one, scoring 16 goals in all competitions. During 1999/2000 an offer of £130,000 from Preston North End for his services was turned down by Altrincham. Affected by injuries during January and February 2000, he returned to the side in March, but was still less than fully fit. Despite this, he played for Manchester City Reserves on 28 March 2000 in their top-of-the-table Pontin's League clash with Port Vale. Kevin is pictured (right) during that match, played at Ewen Field, Hyde, on 28 March 2000.

Kevin had scored Alty's goal in a 1-1 draw with Kettering Town on the previous Saturday and with the Robins sitting in twelfth placed all looked set for mid-table finish. But a failure to win any of their remaining eight games saw Altrincham relegated from the Conference on the last day of that 1999/2000 season.

This collapse was not helped by Ellison's form being only moderate in April and May 2000 due to not being fully fit but he soon established himself as leading scorer again in season 2000/01 with seven goals in his first ten matches in the NPL. However, Kevin injured his knee at Droylsden (8 October 2000). Nevertheless, he recovered to earn two trials at Leicester City, who signed him at the beginning of February, 2001 for a fee which, potentially, could have risen to £100,000 depending on appearances for the Premier League side.

He became a regular for Leicester City Reserves but made a Premier League debut as a sub at Old Trafford just 7 weeks after leaving Moss Lane. He was sold to Stockport County in 2001, then played at Chester City from where he had a loan spell at Scunthorpe United before moving for six figures to Hull City in 2005.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Their opening day performance would have done a lot to lift spirits in the Scunthorpe camp after the way the previous season ended...

'It was brilliant, absolutely superb,' said Hill. 'I can’t thank them [the supporters] enough because they cheered the players on. It’s a new team, a new era, and a new start, and I’m really pleased for the players because of the work they put in...

'I think we created more opportunities and probably should have scored more goals before they got theirs. It was a bit hairy in the last 10 or 15 minutes, but part of the 90 minutes is survival, and I thought we survived it well. The result should never have been in doubt'".

According to the Daily Echo, "The Spitfires have added a 10th new face to their squad, with John Oyenuga joining Eastleigh after a successful trial period.

27 year-old defender Oyenuga arrives at the Silverlake after a three year stint with Farnborough... Aside from two spells at Boro, Oyenuga has played in the Welsh top flight with Cymru Premier side Connah's Quay Nomads.

Described as a pacey full-back, Oyenuga provides depth and competition for fellow summer signing, Brennan Camp...

'I just had a talk with the gaffer and came to an agreement on a deal and everything just fell in place', [he said].

Boss Lee Bradbury added... 'He’s comfortable at left-back, left wing-back, right-back, right wing-back and attacking positions as well. He’s quick, he’s strong, his intelligence of the game is good'".

We learn from Devon Live that "Torquay United are facing an early-season injury crisis after their National League opening day goalless draw against Oldham Athletic.

It was a tough game for the Gulls on day one and Oldham went home feeling they deserved all three points but another excellent performance by goalkeeper Mark Halstead in front of a strong defence marshalled by captain Dean Moxey meant they were forced to settle for a point.

And, in truth, if striker Corie Andrews hadn’t been injured in an early collision with the Oldham goalkeeper, there might have been a win, after the Gulls started so well... With Dan Martin, Aaron Jarvis, Shaun Donnellan and Tom Lapslie unavailable for game one, it remains to be seen if Andrews and Kieron Evans, who came off at half-time, will be fit enough for this weekend’s trip to FC Halifax Town. Defender Ali Omar was also hurt in a late clash with the goalkeeper and went to hospital with concussion...

Johnson said... 'Losing Corie so early was massive because him and Will Goodwin were a pretty strong pair for that first 15-20 minutes'...

Midfielder Lapslie is the most likely of the injured players to be ready for the Halifax game, with Donnellan also close to being able to make his debut. Jarvis was just getting over a dead leg when he was hit again in the same place and probably won’t be ready...

'You can’t cry over it,' said Johnson. 'Everybody has their injury problems'".

NEIL BROWN TO MOVE ON

In July 2004, after two seasons without a Reserve side, Altrincham FC entered a team in the Lancashire League for the 2004-05 season with home games initially to be played at Abbey Hey's ground at Goredale Avenue in Gorton.

Neil was named as the new Reserves manager. He was already a much respected local coach, who had a good reputation for developing young talent at Fletcher Moss Rangers in Didsbury and elsewhere. He also worked as a scout for Liverpool FC.

When Neil arrived at Altrincham, he was also employed as a driver for AFC chairman Geoff Goodwin's "Go Goodwins" coach company.

He remained as the Altrincham FC Reserves manager until summer 2007 when he resigned and subsequently became manager at Leek Town and at Abbey Hey.

Neil had also taken on the role as the Moss Lane groundsman and performed a superb job in making it one of the best surfaces in the National League.

The pristine surface at the J. Davidson Stadium pictured before the first pre-season home game this year.

Indeed, Manchester United Reserves played at Moss Lane for several seasons, with Neil's pitch being a major factor in that choice. He has continued to the present day to produce a surface conducive to Altrincham's passing game.

Outside football, Neil was more recently also employed by North Cestrian school in Altrincham whilst continuing in his role at the J. Davidson Stadium

All associated with the Club will wish him well for the future.

ALTY WOMEN DRAW

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Goalkeeper Covolan was shown a straight red card by referee Wayne Cartmel in the first-half of Chesterfield’s opening day fixture at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday. The 31 year-old was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Dorking’s Ryan Seager in the 28th minute and was given his marching orders on his debut.

The FA’s website confirms Covolan has been handed a three-match ban which means he will miss the upcoming games against Aldershot Town, Wrexham and Notts County.

As it stands, the Spireites do not have another keeper on the books so they are expected to make an addition in the coming days...

Left-back Horton, who was also making his debut, was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the same match... one for a shove and one for apparently time-wasting deep into stoppage time. The second yellow was really harsh, but appeals can only be lodged against straight red cards.

The 21 year-old has been slapped with a one-match ban, ruling him out of this Saturday’s first home game of the season against Aldershot Town.

Horton’s absence should mean fellow left-back Bailey Clements make his debut after signing from Ipswich Town in the summer".

In the Leader Live we learn that "Phil Parkinson believes extending Paul Mullin's stay at The Racecourse is a 'big statement'. The 27 year-old striker joined Wrexham last summer from Cambridge United on a three-year deal...

Mullin has committed his future to Wrexham, signing a one-year contract extension with the option of an extra year...

'I said in the summer that when we were searching for the players to make a difference, one of the key things for me was could we keep our best players,' said Parkinson... 'Mulls really genuinely loves it here at the club. I think it is a big statement that he has signed another contract'...

The Reds had to come from behind [on Saturday] to secure victory with substitute Elliot Lee... Former Luton Town playmaker Lee got the plaudits and praise from his manager...

'He gave us that bit of craft in and around the penalty box, especially against tired legs... He linked the play and showed in that 25 minutes what he is all about... We have got to get him up to speed... but he is a match-winner.'"

We learn from the Oldham Times that "Dan Clarke says the feelgood factor enveloping Oldham Athletic since the Rothwell family takeover has not gone unnoticed in the dressing room.

The defender joined Latics for what proved to be a chaotic final season of the Lemsagam regime... The rebuild has started with the Rothwell family saving the club, leading to 3,700 taking up the early-bird season ticket offer...

Clarke said 'I can only speak for myself, you just feel more secure and you feel more relaxed. And with the fans being a lot happier, it’s just a good feeling... On the way down to Torquay, we saw the owner. He’s a great character, he’s full of energy and that’s what I think it should be like'...

And Clarke said he was amazed by the 800-plus following at Plainmoor... He said, 'That’s a long old trip and the numbers they turned up in and they were so loud the whole game. it was amazing... We’re a bit disappointed because we thought the three points were there for us', said the former Coventry and Scunthorpe defender".

From York Press comes news that "promotion favourites Wrexham are paying one of their goalkeepers an astonishing £6,000 per week, according to York City manager John Askey....

York boss Askey revealed the scale of Wrexham's spending... speaking at the club's fans forum.

'They’ve just put a goalkeeper on £6,000 per week, so that tells you about the sort of money that they are spending. Then you’ve got Notts County, Southend, Scunthorpe and Oldham. They’re all big, old lower league clubs, so it’s going to be tough.

'I think we’re looking forward to it though. To be going to those clubs, I’m excited by it, to be going to proper grounds and to feel like a proper football club again, that feels good,' the manager added, after leading City up from the National League North play-offs back in May...

Askey was installed as the bookies' favourite for the vacant job [at NottsCounty] for a short period of time... 'It wasn’t true at all. I had no intention of going anywhere. There was no way that I’d leave for anybody in the same league as us... I had a couple of clubs approach me, but I had no interest in them'".

ALTY v MAIDSTONE HIGHLIGHTS

Above: All ten outfield players are seen as they walked back to their own half after Chris Conn-Clarke's equaliser on Saturday. Left to right, with Conn-Clarke (head bowed) in the centre, we see Bennett, Brockbank, Jones, Hulme, Osborne, Lundstram, Colclough, Mullarkey and Baines.

Alty TV has extended highlights of the Altrincham v Maidstone United game last Saturday.

NEXT OPPONENTS: BROMLEY

On Saturday 13 August, having entertained a side from Kent last Saturday, Altrincham travel to Bromley which used to be viewed as a Kentish town but is now deemed a London Borough, in a similar way to Altrincham's relationship with Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

From Hayes Lane, Bromley say of Alty that "The Manchester outfit were promoted to the National League in 2020 after winning the 19/20 National League North play-off final 1-0 against Boston United.

In their first two seasons back in the fifth tier, they have finished 17th and 14th...

Manager Phil Parkinson was appointed by Altrincham in 2017 on the 28th of April following the departure of former permanent manager Matt Doughty. Parkinson has overseen promotions from the Northern Premier League in 2018 after winning the league, and from the National League North in 2020 after winning the play-offs.

Bromley last played the Robins on 10th May at Hayes Lane. Mason Bloomfield gave the Ravens the lead in the 17th minute with a fantastic outside-of-the-box strike. Dan Mooney levelled for the hosts on the 86th minute after scoring from close range... as the match ended 1-1."

Last Saturday Bromley suffered a surprise defeat when they "lost 3-2 away to Wealdstone... The Stones' good start was to pay off. In the 16th minute, Charles-Cook produced another incredible save from close range but the ball rebounded to Olufela Olomola who could not miss to give the hosts the lead...

Bromley got their first goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Hannam delivered an inch-perfect corner and Sowunmi powerfully headed the ball into the top right corner...

As the half was coming to an end, Corey Whitely produced an exquisite delivery into the penalty area which was met by Cheek who headed Bromley into the lead, unmarked...

In the 66th minute, Wealdstone were awarded a penalty... Substitute Stephan Browne slotted the penalty into the bottom right corner to equalise for Wealdstone... In the 78th minute, Wealdstone took the lead. Kretzschmar’s cross found Jack Cook who headed the ball into the back of the net...

It was a day to forget for Bromley.

Bromley: 13 Reice Charles-Cook, 3 Reece Hannam (Arthurs), 4 Billy Bingham, 5 Chris Bush, 6 Omar Sowunmi, 9 Michael Cheek, 10 Adam Marriot, 17 Byron Webster, 18 Corey Whitely, 19 Harry Forster (Bloomfield), 21 James Vennings (Coleman) Unused Subs: 11 Louis Dennis, 15 Zak Bradshaw".

ALTY OLD BOY

Blues were beaten 1-0 by Boreham Wood in the first fixture of the campaign at Roots Hall on Saturday...

'We will pick ourselves up and go again but it’s good to be disappointed because we know the standards we’ve set in training,' said Mooney (left)... 'It’s not like we played well and got beaten. We weren’t at our best... and I don’t think we played the way we wanted to either,' said the winger.

'We got suckered into playing the way Boreham Wood wanted us to play really which killed us a bit... We’ve started off with a loss but now it’s about bouncing back'...

Mooney, who caught the eye with some fine displays in pre-season... is already enjoying the role given to him by Blues boss Kevin Maher.

'I think it suits me perfectly to be fair,' said Mooney. 'I can play out wide but the gaffer gives me the freedom to drift in and pick up the pockets like I like to do as well,'" he concuded.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Both clubs are appearing in the National League for the first time this season but it is Dorking who are more excited about their maiden voyage.

Formed in 1999 by Marc White and his group of friends, Dorking started playing football in a park. Twenty-three years and 12 promotions later, the Surrey side are settling into life in England's fifth tier, which they kicked off with a 2-2 home draw against Chesterfield on Saturday.

Next is a trip north to face Oldham, which will be broadcast live on TV.

'It is really exciting, our progression has been so quick,' said White, who is Dorking's manager, owner and chairman. 'We will be privileged to play a lot of top clubs but, at the same time, we won't be the whipping boys; we never have been and we never will be...

'The original intention was to have a kickabout and enjoy a beer after the game,' said White, 49, who also runs a marketing company. It began as 'purely a social thing' but matters moved quickly for the Wanderers... In 2018 the club moved to the refurbished Meadowbank Stadium, which had been home to non-league Dorking FC, who dissolved in 2017... 'We were the beneficiaries of Dorking FC being disbanded, but Dorking is a small market town and everyone wants the best for each other. Some of the people who worked at Dorking FC are now involved with our club'...

Dorking will continue to operate on a part-time basis, and only recruited three new players over the summer; Southampton academy graduate Ryan Seager, ex-Newport and Sutton midfielder Jack Jebb, and former Tranmere midfielder Adam Mekki. All arrived on free transfers....

'We remain cautious when it comes to signing players, and most of our squad have been on our promotion journeys over the past couple of seasons'...

Wanderers started the season with only one senior goalkeeper in Slovakian Slavomir Huk, as fellow stopper Dan Lincoln is a first-class cricketer who played for Berkshire and Middlesex before joining Kent.

Attacking midfielder James McShane, one of Dorking's longest-serving players having joined six years ago... [said] 'We would perhaps get 40 or 50 fans, and definitely no more than 100, but now we have around 1,200 for every game at Meadowbank'. The 32-year-old, who works in a Royal Mail delivery office, believes White's cautious nature has paid dividends...

'The nucleus of the squad has been here for five to six years,' said McShane. 'When he does bring in a few players each summer, it means the others have had to step up'...

'If we weren't doing well I would be the first to go, because I am the biggest Dorking Wanderers fan of all,' said White... 'We want to consolidate and get the ground more up to spec, although I have been saying that for 20-odd years.'"

Meanwhile in Wales, the Leader Live reports that "Phil Parkinson welcomed the fact that Wrexham were made to work hard for their opening day win over Eastleigh.

The Reds kicked off a 15th season in non-league with a 2-1 victory against the Spitfires in front of nearly 9,900 supporters at The Racecourse.

Wrexham... had to come from behind to secure three points after the visitors took a 14th minutes lead. Eastleigh's time-wasting tactics frustrated Wrexham but summer signing Elliot Lee came off the substitutes' bench in the second half and the former Luton Town playmaker scored a superb equaliser before firing home the winner with five minutes to go...

'It was important to get three points on the board on the first day,' said Parkinson... 'There was that fear of people getting carried away and thinking every game we are going to beat teams three or four nil. It was just a reminder that teams are going to disrupt the game and make it difficult, and they are going to waste time, they are going to feign injury and they are going to walk over the pitch...

'The fluency of our passing wasn't quite as crisp as we would have liked it but I just felt that the moments would come for us'".

In the Nottingham Post, "Macaulay Langstaff promised Notts County fans that there is still a lot more to come from him, after scoring two goals on his debut for the club. The Magpies triumphed 3-0 at home to Maidenhead United...

Langstaff arrived at Meadow Lane this summer off the back of a prolific campaign in the National League North with Gateshead United [sic]...

Said Langstaff, 'When you score goals, the expectation is going to come with that. I got 32 last year, so yeah, there are expectations, but I am full of belief and confidence in my abilities...

'We were good [against Maidenhead], but we still feel as a group that we can reach a much higher level, which is a big plus considering we won the game 3-0... I work hard for the team, and I stretch defences with my work-rate'".

8 August 2022

DEREK WILSHAW'S FUNERAL

The funeral cortege will pause outside the J. Davidson Stadium at a time between 2pm and 2.15pm, as it makes its way to the Crematorium.

All friends and supporters are welcome at either location to pay their respects and, in addition, they will be welcome at the Community Sports Hall at the J. Davidson Stadium for the "wake", after the funeral, which will take place from about 3.15pm.

As shown, right, a minute's applause was held before Saturday's game with Maidstone United to honour the lives of Derek, and of Altrincham supporters John Rooke and Phil Bell, who both have also sadly died recently.

TOBY TALKS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

With the Spireites leading 1-0 thanks to Akwasi Asante’s 18th-minute opener, debutant goalkeeper Covolan, on loan from Port Vale, was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident after initially rushing off his line. With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, midfielder Banks had to play more than 60 minutes in net.

Despite the circumstances, Armando Dobra doubled Town’s lead before half-time.

But the Blues’ 10-men could not hold and conceded twice from crosses before Branden Horton was shown a second yellow card for ‘time-wasting.’

Cook had strong words for Covolan after the game, but had more sympathy for Horton, claiming referee Wayne Cartmel’s decision was a ‘joke'...

'We have let ourselves down with our discipline and we will deal with it'... Cook said. 'If Lucas has made a decision it is probably a decision which has probably cost us a win... But I have got to go on record and say the Branden’s (Horton) second yellow is one of the biggest jokes I have seen in football.

'The game is over, the time is up, Branden is not involved in the incident, Laurence Maguire has hold of the ball, he rolls it down the line to me, I put my foot on it and he gives Branden a second yellow card and a red... The league has decided to appoint someone who has never refereed at this level before for a game of this magnitude today, which was always going to be a spicy game, so surely we should have had an experienced referee...

'I have had a chat with him after the game'...

On the game overall, Cook said... 'Unfortunately today, down to 10-men and 2-0 up, I always felt we could probably hang on... Unfortunately, Ollie has made a decision to come for one and if he had stayed we might have seen it out, but there is no criticism of Ollie...

'We made the decision to go without a goalkeeper on the bench, it is something the club has done since I have come here. It is probably something I have never done as a manager... There are one two niggles around the club, Kabongo Tshimanga is back training flat-out but he has four minutes of football and I didn’t want to risk him on this pitch'".

According to the Oldham Times manager "John Sheridan described Oldham Athletic's opening day goalless draw at Torquay United as 'a good shift'.

But the manager was disappointed to end the game with 10 men following summer signing Dan Gardner's 73rd minute dismissal for two bookable offences.

Latics were backed by over 800 travelling supporters for their National League opener in Devon... [The side] included eight of their 11 summer signings in the starting line-up, with central defender Liam Hogan named as captain. If I'm being honest we've had the better chances in the game, we should have possibly won the game', said the Latics boss.

'Where we've got to do better is hit the target'...

Torquay were denied by the woodwork after just four minutes, but Latics recovered...

Said Sheridan, 'Dan shouldn't be sent off in that situation after being booked. I didn't actually see the tackle but I think it's lazy minds and he shouldn't be getting sent off because it's affected us obviously'".

7 August 2022

ALTY BOSS "HAPPY"

Above: Ryan Colclough goes for goal in the first half against Maidstone United.

After the draw with Maidstone United, Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson spoke to the NL Paper. Referring to the ruling out of what appeared to be a clear foul in the box against Colclough and a potentially winning goal in injury-time by Dinanga, he said, 'It's a stonewall penalty and he wasn't offside. I've seen them back on the monitor and they've got both decisions wrong...

'But the performance was where I wanted it to be, so I'm happy. We've had a lot of new faces in so it took us a bit to get going. But we've recruited well and it's good to see that carried out on the pitch"

MAIDSTONE BOSS "CHUFFED"

Left: Watched by Ryan Colclough in the background, Josh Lundstram battles in midfield against Maidstone United.

A 1-1 draw was achieved despite playing the last 30 minutes with 10 men following Hady Ghandour’s dismissal.

The visitors led with Liam Brockbank’s fourth-minute own goal and saw Jack Barham’s effort in a one-on-one touched on to the post by Robins keeper Matt Gould soon after.

'I’m chuffed to bits,' said Hayrettin. 'To go down to 10 men and to get a point is good, very good. What a wonderful day for the football club, we’re back in the National League, and we got a point, with 10 men, away from home. What could be better?

'We’ve had a couple of hundred fans come up, it’s a long way and I made sure I showed my appreciation...

'Altrincham probably moved the ball a bit quicker than we saw in our league last season, but we will be OK, I’ve got no doubt about that,' said Hayrettin. 'Why would I, or my players, or the club be intimidated by this level? We’re not here just to make the numbers up, we’re here to push...

'They’re a very good team, with a good manager, and they played some good stuff. We couldn’t show everyone what we’re capable of, in an attacking sense, because we went down to 10 men, but we will only get better. I’m happy with the point'...

Hayrettin had a big decision to make in goal, eventually picking Yusuf Mersin over Tom Hadler... Said Hayrettin, 'There’s nothing between them, absolutely nothing between them'".

ALTRINCHAM 1-1 MAIDSTONE UNITED

The home side were second best for much of the opening twenty-five minutes but rallied to dominate the remaining period to half-time with new loanee Bennett impressing. They got their reward in the first added minute of the half when Colclough retrieved an errant shot at the left byline and fed Conn-Clake who scored from close range.

Right: Fleetwood Town loanee Chris Conn-Clarke (right) scored Altrincham's goal.

Altrincham struck the underside of the bar through Colclough and then an upright through Mullarkey in a two-minute spell early in the second half.

Mr Corlett reduced the visitors to ten men when he issued a second yellow and a red to Ghandour for a foul on Bennett on the edge of the box (62 mins).

Altrincham were unable to convert their numerical advantage into a winning goal but were denied what seemed a clear penalty by the referee when Colclough was upended in the box. Indeed Mr Corlett made more than one questionable decision in this match.

Before kick-off Altrincham had to change their plans as international clearance for new keeper Byrne had failed to arrive and so Matt Gould started in goal.

Match report here.

ALTY OLD BOYS

6 August 2022

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town 1-4 Solihull Moors
• Altrincham 1-1 Maidstone United
• Barnet 2-0 FC Halifax Town
• Dagenham & Redbridge 2-2 Gateshead
• Dorking Wanderers 2-2 Chesterfield
• Notts County 3-0 Maidenhead United
• Scunthorpe United 2-1 Yeovil Town
• Southend United 0-1 Boreham Wood
• Torquay United 0-0 Oldham Athletic
• Wealdstone 3-2 Bromley
• Wrexham 2-1 Eastleigh
• York City 2-0 Woking

ALTRINCHAM v MAIDSTONE UNITED

The 19-year-old left-back joined Pompey for an undisclosed fee from Bromley last summer. His debut season was marred by injury but he was given his first senior outing in a pre-season friendly at Havant & Waterlooville last month, scoring a fine free-kick in a 3-0 win for the League One side.

He will travel with the squad for tomorrow’s Vanarama National League opener against Altrincham".

Parent club Portsmouth add that "Liam Vincent has joined Maidstone United on a 28-day loan deal... after recovering from the shin injury that kept him sidelined for much of last season".

For their part, Altrincham will be without long-term injured duo of winger Matty Kosylo and midfielder Isaac Marriott, whilst defender Ross Barrows seems unlikely to start.

Meanwhile, Kent Online tells us that "There was only one choice for the Maidstone captaincy following George Elokobi’s retirement.

Gavin Hoyte did a sterling job deputising for the injured Elokobi for the bulk of United’s National South title-winning campaign.

So when Elokobi called time on his 19-year career in the summer, right-back Hoyte was the natural successor....

'I think I’ve just got to step up again,' said Hoyte, 32... 'It’s going to be a lot harder this year, there’s going to be lots of ups and downs. I’ve got to keep the boys’ spirits high... Another thing as well, most importantly, is the players who aren’t playing. They’re going to be key for us...

'There’s a lot of games, a lot of travelling, so not everyone can play every game, like they probably did last year... When I go home, I always think what could I have done better as captain, how could I have helped everyone? Ultimately, when we lose, I always look at myself first of all, so I always take that to heart'...

Hoyte believes the standard has improved since he last played National League football with Dagenham in the 2018/19 season...

'The main thing is work hard and we’ll be all right. We’re champions, we went up as champions, so we’ve got a lot of confidence, we were deservedly champions... and with the additions we’ve made, they’re going to help as well.'”

ALEX SAMI INTERVIEWED

If he plays on Saturday against Maidstone United it will not be his league debut at Moss Lane as he played there for Curzon Ashton when they won 2-0 at the JDS in 2018/19 season.

Above: Alex Samizadeh as he was known then, was on the left-hand end of the Curzon Ashton line-up, wearing no.10, as they prepared to shake hands with their Altrincham opponents in the 2018 clash at the J. Davidson Stadium.

ALTRINCHAM SQUAD NUMBERS

The numbers are: 1. Oliver BYRNE, 3. Liam BROCKBANK, 4. Isaac MARRIOTT, 5. Toby MULLARKEY (vice-captain), 6. Lewis BAINES, 7. Matty KOSYLO, 8. Josh LUNDSTRAM, 9. Jordan HULME (capt), 10. Elliot OSBORNE, 11. Ryan COLCLOUGH, 12. Amaar HUSSAIN, 14. Ryan MORTON, 15. Joe COONEY, 16. Chris CONN-CLARKE, 17. Brad JACKSON, 18. Ben PRINGLE, 19. Jayden MATTHEW, 20. Aidan ROXBURGH, 21. Matthew GOULD, 22. Ross BARROWS, 23. Jake COOPER, 25. Harlan RODGERS MORRIS, 26. James JONES, 27. Aaron BENNETT, 28. Alex SAMI, 30. Marcus DINANGA, TBA Ryan FORDE.

Of the above, there are two incoming loanees in Chris Conn-Clarke (from Fleetwood Town) and Aaron Bennett (from Preston NE), whilst three players have gone out on loan, namely Ryan Ford (to Alsager Town) and Jayden Matthew and Ryan Morton who have both been loaned to Trafford.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 25 year-old midfielder, who won promotion via the play-offs with Forest Green Rovers in 2017, joins Latics having featured regularly this summer... Charlie becomes John Sheridan’s eleventh summer signing.

'I’ve been impressed with Charlie's attitude and performances'... Sheridan said. 'He's done very well... and gives us good balance in the midfield. Charlie is a player with a wealth of experience at this level and he'll provide good competition for the squad'...

Cooper started his career with Birmingham City, but... went on loan to York City and Forest Green Rovers, with the latter becoming a permanent move in 2017... He had two more short loan spells with Newport County and Boreham Wood before moving to Halifax Town as they reached the play-offs in 2020. He then played a season with Woking, before joining Wealdstone last summer".

Yeovil Town "youngsters Toby Stephens and Ollie Haste have signed on loan with Truro City on short-term deals...

The academy graduates venture to the Southern Premier side which play their fixtures in Plymouth. This will be Toby’s third loan spell away from the club, after a short-term spells at both Hemel Hempstead and Barnstaple Town last season.

Ollie played alongside Toby at Barnstaple last season too, he signed for the Devon outfit on a dual registration during the closing weeks of the season...

Manager Chris Hargreaves commented 'Toby and Ollie are both young lads we think very highly of, who need consistent minutes to improve'".

The Grimsby Telegraph reports that "BT Sport cameras will be at Glanford Park as Scunthorpe United began their non-league campaign at home to Yeovil Town

Scunthorpe United manager Keith Hill... takes charge of the Iron for their opening National League encounter at home to Yeovil Town on Saturday evening with eight new faces in his ranks...

And Hill admits... 'This is the real window where I’ve been able to do the type of work, the type of business, the type of recruitment that I really, really want to match in with my footballing plan for the football club and future successes,' said Hill.

'Last season created an opportunity for this season and it’s the start of a new era... There was a lot of bravery in first and foremost sticking to the plan when we had the negativity of last season. And making sure within our working budget that we’re making the right signings...

'There’s a real identity and a real plan and all the players have committed to it. So there was patience, there was methodology that we stuck to as a group. And... it seems to be working.'

Opposite number Chris Hargreaves admitted Scunthorpe’s huge summer turnover has presented him with a problem when it comes to evaluating how the home side will play."

OLLIE BACK HOME AT ALTY

Spells at Blackburn Rovers and Stevenage followed before he moved to Wales and Connah's Quay Nomads. Whilst at Connah's Quay they won the Welsh Premier League and Ollie played in Europe for them.

A local Altrincham lad, Ollie attended Wellington School in the town and then, whilst with Manchester United, Ashton-on-Mersey School, which counts Marcus Rashford as an "old boy".

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town v Solihull Moors
• Altrincham v Maidstone United
• Barnet v FC Halifax Town
• Dagenham & Redbridge v Gateshead
• Dorking Wanderers v Chesterfield
• Notts County v Maidenhead United
• Scunthorpe United v Yeovil Town K.O. 5.20pm live on BT Sport
• Southend United v Boreham Wood
• Torquay United v Oldham Athletic
• Wealdstone v Bromley
• Wrexham v Eastleigh
• York City v Woking

MAIDSTONE UNITED: THE MISSING YEARS

Both Altrincham and Maidstone United were founder members of the national division of non-League football, the Alliance Premier League, in 1979.

Under the points system which determined membership of the inaugural division, both Alty and Maidstone qualified with seven points. Maidstone had finished third and fourth in the two preceding qualifying seasons (3+4=7) whilst Alty had finished fifth and second in the NPL (5+2=7). Curiously the only two members of the Alliance in 1979 to have a lower points score were Worcester City and Bath City, neither of whom ever won the Alliance or Conference.

Southport also qualified for Alliance membership with five points, but declined to participate.

Between them Alty and Maidstone won that League four times in the first ten years of the League's existence.

Although Maidstone United share with Altrincham the distinction of having twice won the Alliance, Alty peaked at the wrong time, before automatic promotion and were denied elevation by the old boys' club of Division Four chairmen who invariably voted each other back into Division Four.

In contrast, Maidstone enjoyed a promotion to the Football League from their second title-winning season.

But promotion proved a mixed blessing.

So what happened to the Kent club over those thirty-plus seasons of absence from Altrincham's fixture list?

Life in the Football League started well as Maidstone reached the Division Four play-offs in their first League campaign but they were beaten by Cambridge United in the semi-finals.

Reality set in after that as they finished 19th the following season and 18th in 1991/92. But everything went pear-shaped in 1992, when the club folded.

A replacement club based on the youth team, and operating as Maidstone Invicta, worked its way up via the Kent County League. They re-took the name Maidstone United in 1995 and, via the Isthmian League which they joined in 2006, they ultimately reached National League South in 2015.

They regained National League status in 2016, whilst Altrincham were heading in the opposite direction being relegated to National North at the end of the 2015/16 campaign.

But just as they had only lasted three seasons in the EFL so too, after only three campaigns in the National League, they were relegated in 2019 to National South, where a further three-year spell ended in promotion back to the National League proper for 2022/23.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Joining the Club when we didn’t have a player, let alone a squad, Bandy (right) played a crucial role in assembling a team...

Bandy stated 'It really has been a true honour to represent my hometown Club and play my part in putting us back on the footballing map... Being self-employed, the daytime training model represents numerous challenges for me and in addition to this, becoming a father for the second time recently obviously brings its own unique demands.

'As such, I didn’t want to be in the situation where I am that person giving 99%, not only letting myself down, but the group as a whole.... They have also offered me a range of other roles in a bid to keep me at the Club. This included managing Robbie [Savage]’s prestigious under-18s' side, which I was incredibly humbled to be offered'".

AWAY-TRIP FACILITIES

He writes, “Are you traveling to any away games and looking for somewhere to stop for a drink or bite to eat before or after games? Please contact Nick at nick@welovesport.co or call 07825450020 and I can find places either on route or nearby, suitable for Away Supporters of any group size!”

The Stonegate Group is the largest pub group in the country.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Dragons, heavy favourites to win this season's National League, appealed over what they say was a disadvantage of being subject to transfer windows despite participating in a division which does not have one. It means the Welsh club, like the other 23 fifth tier sides, will be able to sign players up until March 2023"...

Wrexham stated "Having considered the case put forward by the Club, FIFA have granted dispensation for the 2022/23 season from the relevant regulations, to ensure equal treatment with the other Clubs competing in the National League and protect the integrity of the competition... The dispensation for 2022/23 will allow time for a permanent solution to be identified with the National League for 2023/24 onwards".

The Mirror reminds us that at Wrexham, "The new arrivals include former Luton Town forward Elliot Lee and Oxford winger Anthony Forde. Earlier this week Boreham Wood's Jacob Mendy and Southend's Sam Dalby were also recruited".

Less happy news for Wrexham is that the Club has "moved to sign goalkeeper Rory Watson as a short-term back-up on a non-contract basis, following injury to Christian Dibble.

The 26 year-old, who was most recently at Scunthorpe United, started his career at Hull City and has also had loan spells with Gainsborough Trinity and North Ferriby.

Watson will be in the squad for this weekend’s fixture against Eastleigh, after manager Phil Parkinson confirmed a 'serious knee injury' to Dibble, sustained in Tuesday’s pre-season friendly at Caernarfon Town.

Parkinson said:... 'We plan to sit down on Monday and work on a solution for the longer term. I really feel for Christian, because it looks like a very serious injury'".

The Echo News tells us that "Former Southend United left-back Ben Coker has joined Solihull Moors.

Coker made 208 appearances for the Shrimpers between 2013 and 2019.

But the 33-year-old... told the club website... 'I spoke to the gaffer in the summer, and I knew a couple of the boys already... I’ve been really impressed with all the boys and how together they are...

'There is a lot of competitiveness in this division, and everyone will be scrapping for the positions'...

Since leaving the Shrimpers, Coker has played for Lincoln City and Stevenage".

According to the Derbyshire Times, "Chesterfield striker Akwasi Asante has been taken off the transfer list.

The 29-year-old was made available for transfer at the end of last season.

He scored seven goals in 25 appearances last campaign after returning from serious injury.

But the forward has impressed since returning to pre-season... Paul Cook told the DT ... 'Asante came off the transfer list about two weeks ago. He has been an absolute pleasure to work with all summer... He is doing terrifically well alongside the other 22-24 players that we have'".

AIDAN ROXBURGH INTERVIEW

Aidan joined Chester FC in July 2021 and the National North club immediately registered him with Trafford FC where he spent the 2021-22 season and from where he signed for the Robins. Primarily a right-back he can play on either flank.

REVAMPED ROBINS' REVIEW

Firstly, I think it is important to mention how determined we are to continue producing the Robins Review as we know it is an important part of the match day experience...

To combat the issue with printing costs, we submit the programme about 10 days prior to the game. Therein lies a problem with content quickly going out of date...

Left: The Altrincham FC matchday programme has come a long way since this issue appeared in 1950.

We are taking an all new approach to how we look at the match day programme. No longer is it necessarily just a source of club news but a magazine sharing insights from club officials and unique stories with the fans. Furthermore, all content will now be entirely exclusive to the programme and will not be published anywhere else online".

The article goes onto provide a "breakdown of the new sections for the 2022/23 season...

As usual, supporters will be able to purchase a copy of the matchday programme on the club shop in advance of the game to ensure you get your copy, or alternative[ly] they will be available for sale at the ground.

If you want to remove the hassle of buying one each game, why not purchase the season subscription".

RESERVES START WITH A DRAW

In the second half, Altrincham found it difficult to repeat the attacking rhythm of the first 45 minutes, and Congleton started to get a foothold in the game. It duly led to an equaliser for the home side soon after".

LEAGUE OPPONENTS: MAIDSTONE UNITED

In advance of the game, Kent Online reports that "A calf injury could keep defender Joe Ellul out of Maidstone’s opening game of the season.

Ellul, voted supporters’ player-of-the-year in United’s National South title triumph, has been struggling for the past couple of weeks...

'It’s nothing too major but enough to stop me training and playing games,' said Ellul, 34. 'At the same time... Injuries like this, calves and hamstrings, they’re weird injuries, so I’m not going to push it and end up being out for six weeks when I could potentially end up only missing one game...

'I want to mix it with the big boys and hopefully cause some upsets.'

Jack Cawley, a summer signing from Bromley, has been playing alongside George Fowler in Ellul’s absence. Cawley has plenty of National League experience and would have strong claims to start, whether Ellul was injured or not....

Ellul welcomes the competition for a starting spot, and also feels Raphe Brown shouldn’t be discounted as he returns to fitness. 'There’s no issue with another centre-half coming in... Raphe’s a centre-half by trade, he’s back soon, so it’s competitive'...

Ellul last played in the National League with Maidenhead three years ago...

Said Ellul, 'We’re in a league that’s as good as League 2, so we’ve got to pull our socks up and dig deep... We know amongst ourselves as players that we’ve got a task on our hands, especially with some of the budgets teams have got in that league.

'But, we’ve said it a number of times, team spirit is a massive factor and we’ve got it in abundance... I’d take a mid-table finish, stamp our authority on the league and get better next year. You’re never going to say we’re going to finish in the top seven but we’re not going to be anywhere near the bottom.

'We’ve got too many good players to be anywhere near that but it is a ruthless league'".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Former Town forward Matty Grivosti... marked his return with a well-taken strike after two minutes, capitalising on a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Tony Thompson.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts found a quick response, however, firing an emphatic strike beyond Luke Hutchinson... Lamine Toure put the visitors back in-front on the stroke of half-time, but the Yellows fought back midway through the second half, courtesy of Sean Williams’s penalty into the bottom right corner.

Right: Sean Williams.

Meanwhile at Buxton the club's fourth "pre-season fixture provided a competitive encounter versus Neil Baker's well-organised, hard-working NPL, Division One (West) team [Leek Town] which looks likely to equal or better last season's 3rd-placed finish.

Even though Jack McKay, Jake Moult and Diego were unavailable, 'the Bucks'" saw out a goalless draw.

Earlier at Buxton "Manager Jamie Vermiglio.. added to the squad with the signing of ex-Harrogate Town midfielder Connor Kirby. Connor (23) came through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday and has impressed in pre-season".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 25 year-old goalkeeper, who joined Latics from Carlisle United after rejecting the option of a contract extension, has revealed...'I came in just over a month ago and I’ve got on really well with everyone... It always helps when you know a few of the players already...

'Playing games is vital for me as no player wants to be sat on the bench and I’m no different. We haven’t had the results we would have wanted, but I think we’ve seen some good parts of our game, and we’ve definitely improved each game...

'I think we’ve got to be ready for a fight and battle each week. Set pieces are going to be massive, as are throw-ins and second balls... When you’re a newly-relegated side, you can’t look anywhere other than being in and around the play-offs, that’s the way you’ve got to look at it'".

The Daily Mail reports that "Southend United have been mocked for selling the naming rights for the West Stand to estate agents Gilbert and Rose.

This means fans will now sit in the Essex Roots Hall Football Stadium in what is now called the Gilbert and Rose West Stand.

Social media users drew comparisons with Rose West who is still in prison for murdering and torturing at least 10 young women and girls...

Gilbert and Rose said they thought the 3,337-capacity stand would be named the G & R West Stand. The estate agents said it will be discussing it with Southend United in a planned meeting but they insist the name is up to the club."

We learn from Devon Live that "Nigel Atangana signs for Eastleigh after Exeter City release. The Frenchman had been without a club since his release from the Grecians in the summer...

Atangana spent three years at St James Park, making 84 appearances and scoring five goals. The Frenchman made 19 appearances last season... but had become a fringe player by the end of the season.

The 32-year-old had been on trial at Lee Bradbury’s outfit throughout the summer. His deal has been made permanent...

Atangana said...'It’s been hard work with the team. I think we have a good squad and a good team... It’s a young team so, hopefully, I can help the young lads to be a better level'".

THE CHANGING FACE OF ALTRINCHAM

But many of the home supporters could be almost equally at a loss in identifying many of the home team as well, especially if they did not attend any of the pre-season friendlies, of which just two were at Moss Lane.

Right: Dan Mooney moved on to Southend United

A full team of eleven players has left the Club since the conclusion of last season, seven of them prompted to do so by the Club moving to a full-time model or being no longer being part of the manager's plans. Two others were signed by other clubs and a couple more were released. Those who have left since last May are Shaun DENSMORE, Kyle FERGUSON, Kole HALL, Connor HAMPSON, Josh HANCOCK, Tom HANNIGAN, Dan MOONEY, Jake MOULT, Jamie MORGAN, Tony THOMPSON and Andy WHITE.

Summer has therefore seen plenty of rebuilding of the squad. Altrincham boss Phil Parkinson recently indicated that he wanted a first-team squad of 18. That presumably excluded the six Academy players signed up to the squad as he now has 27 players in that group.

Numbers have been slightly swelled by the need to cover for unforeseen long-term injuries to Matty Kosylo and Isaac Marriott.

Of the 27-strong squad, only ten played for the first-team as Altrincham employees last season, though a further two (Cooper and Hulme) played as loanees.

The SEVEN 2022-23 new squad members who have yet to make a competitive debut for Altrincham include five players in the defensive positions.

Above: The five new players in the defensive unit, left to right, Oliver Byrne, Lewis Baines, Ross Barrows, Liam Brockbank and Aidan Roxburgh

• 1. Oliver BYRNE, 3. Liam BROCKBANK, 6. Lewis BAINES, 20. Aidan ROXBURGH, 22. Ross BARROWS, Alex SAMIZADEH and Aaron BENNETT (loanee).

And the following FIVE ex-Academy players have yet to play for the first team, meaning there are twelve potential debutants this season.

• 12. Amaar HUSSAIN, 15. Joe COONEY, 19. Jayden MATTHEW, 25. Harlan RODGERS MORRIS, GK Ryan FORDE,

Both Jayden Matthew and Ryan Morton have now gone on loan to Trafford and Ryan Forde to Alsager Town for the start of the new season.

In addition, the following FIVE players have previously played for Altrincham either as employees or on loan but were not on the club's payroll at all last season. So they will be effectively making their second debuts as Altrincham players. They are...

• 8. Josh LUNDSTRAM, 9. Jordan HULME (capt), 23. Jake COOPER, 16. James JONES, Chris CONN-CLARKE (loanee)

So, the only TEN current players (i.e. excluding incoming loanees) who played for the first-team last season are:

• 4. Isaac MARRIOTT, 5. Toby MULLARKEY (vice-captain), 7. Matty KOSYLO, 10. Elliot OSBORNE, 11. Ryan COLCLOUGH, 14. Ryan MORTON, 17. Brad JACKSON, 18. Ben PRINGLE, 21. Matthew GOULD, 30. Marcus DINANGA.

Above: Left to right, Ryan Colclough, Toby Mullarkey and Matty Kosylo are the only players still at the Club to have started more than half of last season's League games.

Of those ten, Osborne and Marriott were not at the club at the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Three others (Jackson, Gould and Dinanga) spent spells away from the club on loan.

In fact, in terms of League starts last season, seven of those ten did not start more than half of the fixtures in the National League. They were Gould (2 starts), Jackson (5), Pringle (14), Morton (0), Osborne (22), Dinanga (12) and Marriott (18).

So of the 2022-23 squad, only THREE (Colclough, Mullarkey and Kosylo) started more than half of the 44 fixtures last season in the National League.

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town v Solihull Moors
• Altrincham v Maidstone United
• Barnet v FC Halifax Town
• Dagenham & Redbridge v Gateshead
• Dorking Wanderers v Chesterfield
• Notts County v Maidenhead United
• Scunthorpe United v Yeovil Town K.O. 5.20pm live on BT Sport
• Southend United v Boreham Wood
• Torquay United v Oldham Athletic
• Wealdstone v Bromley
• Wrexham v Eastleigh
• York City v Woking

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The defender’s contract expired this summer and he is set to sign elsewhere. The 29-year-old, who missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, was offered the chance to train with the club to continue his rehabilitation...

And Carline, who was named Chesterfield’s Player of the Year in 2021, has since confirmed his departure on social media".

And Chesterfield announces that "Experienced midfielder Mike Jones has become the latest addition to Paul Cook’s squad, signing a one-year-deal after impressing on trial.

The Spireites’ 12th summer signing joins after leaving Barrow at the end of the 2021/22 season...

Jones said... 'I’ve been here since the very start [of pre-season] so I feel already settled in... There is a great mix there. A bunch of young lads, some older ones and a lot of talent so I’m really excited.'

Jones started his career with Tranmere Rovers... and had a loan spell with Shrewsbury Town before making the move to then League Two outfit Bury. The midfielder played over 150 times in his four years at Gigg Lane... gaining more and more experience with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Crawley Town, Oldham Athletic and Carlisle United.

Jones joined Barrow in July 2020... The 34-year-old joined Chesterfield on a trial basis and impressed the managerial team during pre-season.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Gavin Gunning and George Carline have now left the club".

The Halifax Courier says that "As far as Mani Dierseruvwe is concerned, games will equal goals this season.

The 6ft 5in striker looks set to be FC Halifax Town's main man up-front this campaign, and face the task of filling the gap left by 20-goal forward Billy Waters' departure to Barrow...

'My record last year shows that given the opportunity and the chances I can score goals,' said Dierseruvwe, who netted seven times in 15 games on loan at Grimsby at the end of last season...

'I wasn't perhaps starting games there like I would have hoped, but it was really nice to be part of the club's journey... There's no doubt in my mind that I can score goals for Halifax Town...

'It's down to me at the end of the day, to cement my place into the team. Hopefully I'll be playing from the start of the season...

'I'm not coming here thinking it's going to be easy, the National League's a tough, tough league to get out of'...

Dierseruvwe feels he will fit in with what is expected to be Town's system of 4-2-3-1, or a variation of it.... 'And that did appeal to me because I like to play down the middle, and with wingers either side that can put balls in the box for me to score goals', he said...

The 6ft 5in striker is also happy to be Town's first line of defence and press from the front... 'I'll be the first one to hold my hand up when I've missed a chance or whatever'...

The striker made his professional debut for Hyde in the fifth tier, one of 11 different clubs he has played for, and one of eight loan spells he has had...

'I spent four years out of the last five at Salford, obviously with a couple of short-term loans when I was coming back from injury, so I have been settled. But I've not played enough games, that's why I probably needed the loan moves here and there to get that'...

Dierseruvwe already has two promotions from the National League under his belt, and said he has come to Halifax for the hat-trick".

According to the Northern Echo, "Marcus Carver has left Hartlepool United after eight months with the club to join Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee... He made 16 appearances but failed to score in his time at the Suit Direct Stadium.

Carver drops back to the National League with the Irons following in the footsteps of [ex-Alty man] Reagan Ogle, who also left Pools this summer to move to Scunthorpe United.

He said... 'The aim is to bounce back into the EFL. I understand the gaffer has a good team here now and it'll take some time for me to break into it, but I'm just looking to work hard and fight for my chances. Reags [a former Southport team-mate] has signed too and is another lad who needs game time'".

THREE ACADEMICIANS GO ON LOAN

Exciting striker Ryan Morton, pictured training recently in the centre of the above photo, and talented full-back Jayden Matthew (left), who can operate on either flank, are both heading to Trafford in the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division.

Highly-rated keeper Ryan Forde, who broke into the Alty Reserves side at just 16 years old and benefitted hugely from the experience, is joining Alsager Town in the North West Counties League First Division South.

All three signed professional forms at The J.Davidson Stadium earlier this summer after coming through the club's thriving Academy system".

MORE ON DEREK WILSHAW'S FUNERAL

It has now also been confirmed that the funeral cortege will pause outside the J. Davidson Stadium at a time between 2pm and 2.15pm, as it makes its way to the Crematorium.

All friends and supporters are welcome at either location to pay their respects and, in addition, they will be welcome at the Community Sports Hall at the J. Davidson Stadium for the "wake", after the funeral, which will take place from about 3.15pm.

ALTY SIGN LOANEE MIDFIELDER

The highly-rated 18 year old... [arrives] on a three-month loan... after the Robins had their midfield resources depleted by a double injury setback" reports John Edwards.

"Matty Kosylo and Isaac Marriott have both succumbed to knee ligament injuries that will keep them on the sidelines for some time, but Alty boss Parkinson... recently recruited Chris Conn-Clarke on loan from Fleetwood Town until early January, and he has now snapped up exciting prospect Bennett...

The flame-haired Wales Youth international suffered a knee ligament injury himself last season but returned to action in some style in the New Year with a return of 11 goals from 12 under-19 appearances...

Soon after, he was signing a one-year professional contract, with an option for a further 12 months...Aaron can also operate as a striker".

Lancs Live adds that "This lad has real, raw talent.

Wearing the number 11 shirt, he caused havoc down the left flank with his pace, power, close control, dribbling and aggression...

At times a little greedy on the ball, but that is expected for a young player - Bennett is an entertainer but someone who works extremely hard at the same time.

A Wales international who played in an under-18s friendly aged 13, North End have a good one on their hands here".

MARCUS'S DOUBLE ALMOST A TREBLE

Above: Before he netted a brace, Marcus Dinanga (no.14) hit the bar when playing against a Manchester United XI last Saturday.

Below: Marcus (off camera to right) finds the net for his second goal.

After the game press and media officer John Edwards interviewed Marcus Dinanga for Alty TV. The interview includes clips of his two goals.

INJURIES

Long-term injuries mean that Matty Kosylo (ACL) and Isaac Marriott (knee ligaments) will miss the start of the season. Both were at the game on Saturday.

Brad Jackson missed much of last season with injury and, although he has appeared in pre-season, he was not involved on Saturday. Little has been seen of summer defensive signing, defender Ross Barrows, who was also at the game but not involved but his injury is believed to be minor.

Another player not involved on Saturday was midfielder Josh Lundstram, though hopefully he was just being rested.

Above we see, at half-time on Saturday, Matty Kosylo, goalkeeper Matt Gould who played the second half of the game against Manchester United, and Brad Jackson.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Reds boss has already brought in four players; Jordan Tunnicliffe, Mark Howard, Anthony Forde and Elliot Lee over the summer and is looking to put the finishing touches to his squad...

'I am hoping at least one, maybe two signings, will be in the building by next weekend,' said Parkinson after Saturday’s 4-0 friendly victory against Macclesfield... 'I don't think we are there yet in terms of the squad... In terms of the depth of the squad and the quality, I still think there are improvements to be made and we need competition all over the pitch'...

Southend manager Kevin Maher confirmed Dalby is close to joining Wrexham... 't’s well documented Wrexham have come in for him,' Maher told the Southend Echo.... 'With the greatest respect we can’t compete with what he knows he can earn there and it looks like it will probably happen I guess'".

Meanwhile the Southend Echo adds that "Southend United boss Kevin Maher wants to add more than one striker...

Last season’s top scorer Sam Dalby is close to completing a switch to Wrexham with Jake Hyde expected to move in the opposite direction. But Maher is keen to bring in even more firepower.

He said 'Fingers crossed one will get over the line but we’re still looking elsewhere too.'

Blues completed the signing of striker Chris Wreh last week and also have Callum Powell available in attack. However, Rhys Murphy (knee) and Harry Cardwell (ankle) are both still sidelined".

Later, the Southend Echo confirmed that "Sam Dalby has completed his switch to Wrexham from Southend United"

But Southend United have now also announced "the arrival of striker Jake Hyde on loan from Wrexham for the 2022/23 season.

The experienced forward... joins the club ahead of Saturday’s league opener at home to Boreham Wood. Hyde, 32, previously scored 16 goals in 34 games for Woking in the 19/20 campaign before joining FC Halifax Town, reaching double figures again with 12 in 27 games.

Blues Head Coach Kevin Maher said 'He’s a proven striker at this level, he was sought after last year when he went to Wrexham... 'I’m delighted to have him in, and a lot of clubs were after him in this league and the one above... When we spoke, he couldn’t speak enough about how much he wanted to be here.

'He’s desperate to score goals, that’s all he talks about when you speak to him'...

Upon signing, Hyde said... 'Last season I was very close to joining and it’s always been a club I’ve been looking at from afar... Work rate and effort is the minimum from me. I’ll bring that to every game I play in'".

And Wrexham's spending power saw them take another player for a National League rival as Boreham Wood "confirm after much speculation that left wingback Jacob Mendy Mendy has decided to join Hollywood-owned Vanarama National League counterparts Wrexham AFC for an undisclosed fee.

Jacob arrived at the LV BET Stadium Meadow Park last summer from fellow National League side Wealdstone, but after just a single season in a Wood shirt, Jacob has swapped South Hertfordshire for North Wales...

Despite leaving Meadow Park after a single season, he goes with our thanks in what was a memorable 12 months for both the Club and Jacob...

During his time at Meadow Park, Jacob made 52 appearances for the Wood scoring two goals".

JAMES JONES, ON "COMING HOME"

Amongst the topics covered in the discussion, James explains his move to Barrow and why he has decided now to return to Altrincham, after turning down a contract renewal at the EFL club.

Above, left James Jones is pictured in the warm-up before Saturday's game against a Manchester United XI. We pictured trialists Mitch Rose and Egli Kaja yesterday on the Alty Files. The third new face was Kwame Boateng (above, right), who played at right back during the second half.

THE MANAGER'S VIEW

The manager also discusses the Club's move to full-time operations. Phil alsosays that he believes that, despite going full-time, Altrincham is still "in the bottom two or three" clubs in terms of the playing budget in the National League. He explains that, whilst extra funds have gone into the new training facilities at Knutsford, the money available for players "has not vastly increased at all".

And, speaking about newly signed forward Alex Samizadeh, Parkinson describes him as "a firecracker".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Josh Ginnelly has been sidelined by injury at Hearts.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

'We played Sherborne and scored a fair few goals in that game, and the games we’ve had have been League One, teams that have been promoted and teams that have recruited a lot of good players. That’s what we wanted, we wanted a decent test as a last game and it was'...

Hargreaves spoke of his delight at Alex Fisher getting on the scoresheet... after signing on for another spell at Huish Park... There was still an admittance that there’s a bit more to do, with goals at a premium during pre-season...

'Hargreaves was hoping that a couple more bodies will be availble sooner rather than later... Just to add more quality to the group, that’s all we’re trying to do, so are all the other managers in the league. We are close, we just need a couple more.'”

In the Southend Echo, we learn that "Southend United boss Kevin Maher would not be afraid to hand Jaden Crowhurst his first team debut.

The 18 year-old right back, who played the full 90 minutes against Concord Rangers on Saturday, has performed well for the Shrimpers during pre-season...

'I think he’s done brilliantly in pre-season,' said Maher. 'He’s another option if we need it'...

Blues are currently short of options at right-back with Jason Demetriou suspended for the first three games of the season and Gus Scott-Morriss still sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Strangely two teams from same level played each other in a pre-season game on Saturday. In a "centenary match" for York, Notts County beat them 1-0 through a Jim O’Brien goal.

` Before the match the York Press had explained that "York City have announced their fourth pre-season friendly, where they will take on Notts County at the LNER Community Stadium.

The game... is a replay of York’s first ever league match that was played almost 100 years ago, in September 1922 at Mille Crux.

City have labelled this game as their centenary match, though if they are to play Notts County in one of their first eight league games, the occasion will be moved to that clash".