NEWS ARCHIVE
October, 2022
31 October 2022
NEXT GAME: WEALDSTONE
Just a fortnight after selling their leading scorer Rhys Browne to Woking and on a run of six successive defeats, part-time Wealdstone travel up to the J Davidson Stadium on Tuesday facing an Altrincham side which, like their visitors, shipped four goals last Saturday. In Wealdstone's case that was against Dagenham & Redbridge in a 4-1 defeat.Despite their current poor run the Stones remain above Altrincham by a point and one place in the league table. That is due to an excellent start to the campaign by the north-west London club which, before its current run of winless games, had lost just twice in the National League's opening eleven league matches.
They started the season at home beating Bromley before losing at Eastleigh which preceded a run of three victories followed by four successive draws. A loss at home to Southend was then followed by a win against Aldershot which immediately preceded their six recent defeats.
After Saturday's defeat, Wealdstone reported that manager "Stuart Maynard expects his stretched Wealdstone side to 'ride out the storm' and recover once he gets key players back from injury.
Mason Barrett, big summer signing Max Kretzschmar, Nathan Ferguson, Ashley Charles and Malachi Napa all missed Saturday's defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge while Deji Elerewe was suspended. The decimation of the squad meant Sam Habergham, Micah Obiero, Tarryn Allarakhia, Giovanni McGregor and Olufela Olomola arguably didn't play in their favoured or most natural positions on Saturday.
Simeon Akinola was handed his first start ahead of schedule in his comeback from a long-term injury, as was Sam Matthews against Notts County. Charlie Barker, meanwhile, went from a sub appearance for Hemel Hempstead against Chippenham to starting against Dagenham & Redbridge while Jordy Mongoy was hastily recalled from his loan spell at Farnborough. It's all hands to the pump right now.
'When chopping and changing, especially at the back, and more importantly in midfield, where you have your whole midfield ripped out, it's tough to replace,' said the manager... 'It's down to us to stick together, keep working hard and come out the other side'...
The reality is that, despite the trailblazing start to the season and the subsequent dip, the Stones still find themselves in the same position, 16th, in which they finished last season, a finish that was generally and widely considered a success. Expectations were raised following some eye-catching summer signings, an increase to the playing budget and a start to the season that saw four wins from five games, but the brutal reality of the big-spending division has hit the part-time Stones hard and shown you need to be fully equipped most weeks to compete...
'We are not a club in this division that can go out and sign players of that level to replace them [the injured]... Once we get bodies back we will be ok. It's difficult and I take responsibility for today [the defeat against Dagenham]. It's not good enough. It's nothing to do with the lads. They are giving everything for the club and playing out of position. We started [the season] really well because we had a fit squad'".
"It's a great finish from Paul Mullin [for the opener]. He can score an array of goals. He had a difficult day in Tuesday but he was right at his sharpest today" the Wrexham boss told the Non-League Paper.
Despite the scoreline the NLP statistics suggest it was not all plaining sailing against his namesake counterpart at Altrincham. Wrexham had six shots on-target and eight off-target and scored four of them, whereas Altrincham managed three efforts on-target and six off-target without finding the net.
Boston state that he is "unlikely to feature again for the Pilgrims during his loan spell".
This is the second injury to an Altrincham loanee inside a week after Gloucester City reported that Liam Brockbank was unable to complete their game recently with an ankle injury.
More happily, Ashley Woods scored the winner for Winsford United at Padiham in the NW Counties League.
A section of fans made their feelings known, turning on Hayrettin and the owners, before Regan Booty’s injury-time penalty rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Yeovil yesterday.
Hayrettin, who led the Stones to the National League South title a matter of months ago, is unfazed by the criticism coming his way after 11 matches without a win in all competitions.
'I’ve been here four seasons,' said Hayrettin. 'Every season I should have been sacked 10 times over, so this isn’t new to me....
'You’re never going to please everyone but what you can do is do the best you possibly can. I’ve always done that, wherever I’ve been'".
With half a dozen players already injured and two suspended for the trip to Meadow Lane, two more players found themselves having MRI scans on the morning of the match.
Skipper Asa Hall played on Saturday despite what his manager described as a 'bone problem' which means he will have to be rested from time to time, while wing back Dylan Crowe missed the match with a groin strain which is likely to keep him out for a couple of weeks.
Manager Gary Johnson brought in three new players for the match... as the worst injury crisis he has known in 35 years as a manager [continues]...
Plainmoor old boy Mark Ellis made his return to the familiar yellow shirt on Saturday. The Kingsbridge-born defender, now 35, started his career at Torquay in 2007... He has now rejoined on loan from Barrow.
Defender Lucas Ness also started on Saturday after joining on loan from Charlton, while former Barnsley forward Cameron Thompson came on from the bench. Of Saturday’s game Johnson said 'We had a plan, and that lasted 20 minutes or so until they got their first goal. It was looking OK... Then they got their goal, and probably from that moment on we were second best.'”
30 October 2022
Match report here
Paul Mullin defined greatness, scoring an overhead kick to open the scoring in front of this season’s record crowd of 10,107.
Ollie Palmer added a second goal just two minutes later, via a cool, calm and collected finish into the bottom of Oliver Byrne’s net.
It was a dominant start by Wrexham, as they were cruising along, but the play lacked any sort of killer touch....
Altrincham had started to settle into the game, but were quelled by two instant [sic] goals...
Altrincham were starting to create more chances and so Wrexham responded. Callum McFadzean found open air to run into, before sliding a ball across to Palmer in the box. The big striker used his strength to turn the defender behind him, as he swept another finish into the back of the Altrincham net 65 minutes in...
The fourth and final goal... [was] a result of pure, exquisite, one-touch football.... Jones... could not pass up the opportunity to slot the ball home with little more than ten minutes remaining".
According to the FA website for the Cheshire League, Altrincham Reserves currently have the following fifty players registered for that league.
Daryl McMahon... saw his injury-hit squad take the lead after just six minutes.
Recent loan signing Tyreke Johnson produced a fine delivery into the box, which was met by a towering header from Harry Phipps to open the scoring.
Wealdstone, beaten 6-1 at home by Notts County on Tuesday, saw... the home side double their lead in fine style as Junior Morias fired home ...
Daggers went 3-0... after as a superb counter-attack left Josh Walker in on goal...
And Daggers were awarded a penalty as normal time drew to a finish, with man of the match Morias stepping up and making no mistake from the spot.
Sam Habergham grabbed an injury-time reply for Stones... Wealdstone drop to 16th after a fifth successive loss...
Wealdstone: Howes, Cook, Allarakhia, Hutchinson (Matthews 58), McGregor, Olomola, Obiero, Akinola (Dyer 69), Mundle-Smith (Kinsella 81), Barker, Habergham. Unused subs: Sesay, Mongoy"
In League One, Owen Dale was credited with the assist for Portsmouth's equaliser in their 1-1 draw at home with Shrewsbury Town.
In League Two, Billy Sass-Davies was a 69th minute substitute for Crewe Alexandra at Barrow but, by then, the scoring was over as the Bluebirds cruised home 3-0.
Carl Piergianni was booked in Stevenage's draw, 1-1, at Colchester United. Luke Waterfall was another yellow card recipient in Grimsby Town's 2-1 defeat at Hartlepool United.
Chris Merrie was substituted at half-time as Tranmere Rovers fell to a 2-0 defeat against visitors Carlisle United.
In the National League, Jeff King scored Chesterfield's opener in their 2-0 home win over Boreham Wood while, on Friday night, Reagan Ogle was booked yet again as Scunthrope United drew 1-1 at Barnet.
Elsewhere, Ashley Hemmings Scored the only goal as Kidderminster Harriers won at Banbury United.
Zak Goodson played the whole game for Boston United but he did not score as they lost 2-3 at home to Chester FC.
Chorley's Scott Leather was sent off in the 87th minute of their 4-3 home win over Farsley Celtic.
Connor Kirby opened the scoring for Buxton as they won 4-1 at Southport.
In the Northern Premier League, Jack Redshaw scored the fourth goal at Ewen Fields as Hyde United smashed Bamber Bridge 7-0.
In the FA Trophy. Colne put five goals past Warrington Rylands keeper Joel Torrance without reply. Rylands finished with ten men and had a penalty saved. Perhaps they wish they still had Ryan Brooke who scored the winner as Runcorn Linnets won 3-2 at home to Belper Town.
Last, but certainly not least, the opening goal of Warrington Town's 3-1 home defeat of South Shields was scored by Tom Hannigan.
This is a statement that nobody ever wanted to write, yet our current run of form, which has included elimination from the Emirates FA Cup, Isuzu FA Trophy, and two home league defeats from three games has proved to be unacceptable.
The squad we have assembled should unquestionably be performing better than they currently are, particularly at the Leasing.com Stadium where recent showings have been nowhere near the standard we expect.
We believe that it is the right time to make a change and that this is in the best interests of the Football Club despite how painful it is.
Danny will forever remain a Club Legend and will continue to play a critical part within our Academy structure going forward".
Substitute Rob Harker's late winner edged a tight game in-front of the BT Sport cameras after Ben Tollitt had cancelled out Mani Dierseruvwe's opener...
Said Millington, 'Although Oldham will quote the set-pieces they had in our half, I think we had the better play in their half. We created more in open play.. We could argue that we should have been more clinical and could potentially have been in the lead at half-time.
'Second-half, it was a scrappy game but probably a great one for the neutrals... All in all I think, not necessarily via the silky smooth football we want to play, but via the grit and determination, the lads got what they deserved in the end.
'We're seeing a togetherness now that was sorely lacking in the early part of the season...
'One of the really pleasing things for me, I've been secretly looking for that time when we go behind in a game and then come back to win it, and that felt a bit like that today, because although we didn't go behind, being pegged back when the atmosphere was as it was, when the intensity of the game was the level it was, the question mark in my head was 'will we stand up to this and can we go on and win it?'
'And the lads answered that in bucket loads'".
Saturday, 29 October
In the Daily Post we read that "Wrexham AFC star Jordan Davies,... the 24-year-old local hero, was an ever-present last season but the arrival of Elliot Lee in the summer has seen the pair often vying for the same starting spot.
Lee started the game against Halifax, but it was Davies who made the decisive contribution, scoring the second in a 3-1 win for the Dragons...
Davies told North Wales Live... 'I was just happy to come on and make a positive impact for the team. Obviously the gaffer can only pick 11... Me and Elliot have got a good understanding of how each other play and when we do play together we link up well'".
And the Daily Post says that "Wrexham AFC are back at the Racecourse this weekend as they face Altrincham... Another large crowd is expected ...
The Wrexham boss revealed that defender Harry Lennon could soon return to the fold after a lengthy lay-off. The Reds boss also admitted that the Dragons will be favourites going into this game but warned that Alty must be respected.
Parkinson said: "We've got a game on Tuesday as well and we've got lads coming back from injury. The games are coming thick and fast but we're used to it, everyone knows the schedule at the start of the season.
He added 'Harry Lennon has been training for the past two weeks, but he needs a game... and hopefully we can get him back into contention now'...
The Dragons have won every one of their home matches this season, in contrast to their inconsitent form on the road. Parkinson said that despite their impressive home record they will have to be on their guard against Altrincham".
Alty's free-scoring summer signing from Ilkeston Town has joined Vanarama National League North Boston United in a temporary deal that will run until November 27th.
The Pilgrims, who are managed by former King's Lynn Town boss Ian Culverhouse following the sacking of Paul Cox at the start of last month, are struggling in 20th place after winning just three times in 13 games so far".
After arriving at the club at the end of August for an undisclosed fee from Ilkeston Town, injury delayed his Alty debut until October when he started in the Cheshire Senior Cup at Sandbach, and he scored in that first outing, which has been his only Altrincham appearance to date.
Zak now becomes the ninth first-team squad member to go out on loan (i.e. dual registration) this season. The previous eight are:
Footnote: It has since emerged that Harlan Rodgers-Morris is a tenth player, (who has been given a place in the first-team squad or who has played in a senior cup competition this season e.g. CSC), to have moved away from Altrincham on loan. Like Amaar Husssain, Ryan Forde and Josh Jordan, he has apparently joined Alsager Town, a club where a fellow young Alty player, Ewan McGeadie, is also being loaned currently.
Then, this Friday, Altrincham FC announced that "Altrincham would like to wish Byron Harrison all the best after he signed for Nantwich Town.
The striker has been training with Alty for the past few weeks, during which time he made one appearance on the bench as a substitute.
He has now been snapped up by Northern Premier League Nantwich, and everyone at The J. Davidson Stadium would like to wish him every success with the Dabbers, who, of course, are managed by former Robins defender Ritchie Sutton".
So, Byron has now actually left Altrincham and it will be three clubs in three different divisions in five weeks for the front manm when he (presumably) turns out for Nantwich Town this weekend as they face Ashton United.
He becomes the second forward in a month to leave Altrincham with just a single substitute apperance to his name this season, in the wake of the departure of Alex Samizadeh. However, Byron had played 7(+1) games for the club in a spell at Moss Lane in 2020-21 season.
Signing a two-and-a-half-year deal, Cooper arrives with a wealth of experience and promotion pedigree in management, both within the Football League & National League.
After a successful playing career with the likes of Birmingham City, Exeter City and Fulham, Cooper began his management career with Tamworth in 2004... His second management role was with Kettering Town, where he tasted promotion for the first time...
Following a short spell with Peterborough United in the Championship, Cooper joined Darlington where he won the 2010/11 FA Trophy.
In July 2013, Cooper became Swindon Town manager... Most notably, Cooper spent five years at Forest Green Rovers, leading the Gloucestershire outfit to the Football League....
After spending last season with Barrow AFC in League Two, Cooper now arrives in Somerset to take the reins at Huish Park...
Cooper said... 'If you look historically, this can be a big club. We need to unite; the players, the supporters'...
Chairman Scott Priestnall added... 'He is a manager I have admired for a long time'".
The BBC observes that "The 53-year-old has previously managed 10 clubs across the EFL and National League...
Cooper left Barrow by mutual consent in March this year whilst he was serving an eight-match ban for comments he made to a female assistant referee. The club was sitting just outside the League Two relegation zone at the time...
BBC Radio Somerset's Richard Hoskin [adds that]... No team in the National League has scored fewer goals than Yeovil this season... . He joins a football club where many supporters are concerned about issues off the pitch".
The unusual rivalry was spawned by the Magpies' play-off semi-final defeat to Gary Johnson's side during the 2020/21 campaign, with extra-time goals from Asa Hall and Dean Moxey compounding [condemning?] Notts to a 4-2 defeat at a sun kissed Plainmoor.
It intensified when Kyle Cameron and wing-back Aaron Nemane joined Ian Burchnall's side from the Gulls the following season, with some Torquay fans labelling the move sideways following the results in the previous campaign.
And in April, the Magpies' play-off push suffered a setback after a 5-1 defeat at Plainmoor...
Explained Williams, 'Gary Johnson is someone I respect a lot, because he has nine promotions or something like that, it's amazing, he is an incredible manager...
'If there is some type of needle between the two sides, I am actually really pleased with that because I think that will help us... as motivation to put in a good performance, it is actually encouraging for me'">
The Pilgrims, who are managed by former King's Lynn Town boss Ian Culverhouse following the sacking of Paul Cox at the start of last month, are struggling in 20th place after winning just three times in 13 games so far".
After arriving at the club at the end of August for an undisclosed fee from Ilkeston Town, injury delayed his Alty debut until October when he started in the Cheshire Senior Cup at Sandbach, and he scored in that first outing, which has been his only Altrincham appearance to date.
Zak now becomes the ninth first-team squad member to go out on loan this season. The previous eight are:
A spectacular second-half strike by Chris Conn-Clarke proved the difference...
While Parkinson freely admitted inexperience had cost his side dear at Plainmoor, after they led 2-0 at half time and 4-3 going into added time, he was just as sure their youthful exuberance and enterprise can take the club to new heights.
'I’m absolutely delighted'... said the Alty boss. 'It’s all about consistency, but they can achieve whatever they want to in this division. The sky’s the limit for this team, but they are young and still learning...
'I’m proud of what we have achieved, and I certainly want more...
'Chris steps up and delivers, and it was some finish. I knew he was going to be a top player when I first saw him for Fleetwood, but he has taken his time to develop here. We stuck by him and are now seeing the fruits of that patience.'”
Left-back Eddy Jones, on loan from Stoke City, was one of Alty's youngest starters last Tuesday.
The above figures equate to almost twenty-five years of age being the average age of the starting eleven that beat Oldham. The average age of the five players on the bench (Gould, Jackson, Pringle, Kaja and Malone) was almost 27.
In terms of appearances for Altrincham, eight of the above starters have started 39 or fewer matches for the club, so there is a good reason to hope that further improvements in performance can be expected as the players remain together and develop a better understanding of each other's playing style.
However, two of the eleven, in fact the youngest two in the team (Eddy Jones and Chris Conn-Clarke), are only loanees at Altrincham so their time to develop at the club seems likely to be limited.
The team is certainly younger than it was before the departure of eight long-serving players last summer and their leaving led to a slow start this season as younger, less-experienced faces and a number of new signings were deployed.
However, with the team now undefeated in four league outings, the future has looked much brighter over the past month or two.
Davies, for the second successive game, was named among the substitutes against Halifax Town at The Racecourse on Tuesday night.
Wrexham trailed 1-0 at the break and Parkinson made a change on the hour mark, with Davies replacing centre-back Jordan Tunnicliffe as the Reds switched to a back four.
The change worked as Ben Tozer soon equalised, Davies put Wrexham ahead with seven minutes to go and Aaron Hayden struck late on to secure a 3-1 win...
Parkinson said 'We have done it many times home and away. We have got to have options to change things around... I am pleased for him because he is a great lad'.
Hayden scored his seventh goal in 15 league games when he headed home Luke Young’s corner.
'Aaron is phenomenal the leap he has got,' said Parkinson. 'He is unmarkable and if the delivery is right, invariably you have got a great chance with Aaron'...
'We have got a lot of experience out on the pitch and a lot of people who could wear that armband,' added the Reds’ boss".
The right-back bagged six goals and nine assists last season and he already has five goals and four assists this campaign.
The 26-year-old, who is in his second year at the club, is out of contract in the summer... Webb believes he is the ‘best’ at this level in his position at the moment.
'I think when he was brought in he actually started behind George Carline in the previous manager’s selection,' Webb said... 'Over time he has made it (the position) his own... He has got loads to improve on, but going forward he is the best around at this level at the moment'...
King joined in the summer of 2021 from Halifax on a free transfer and he has become a fan favourite.
'The manager is a big fan of his, the fans are, the board is, I am, we all are, we all want him to stay,' Webb added... 'He is one of the main men so it is great for any footballer to be wanted and he is certainly wanted here'" he said of the former Altrincham player.
Southend backed up the 3-0 win over Scunthorpe United with a win by the same scoreline away at Maidstone United on Tuesday, making it seven Vanarama National League games unbeaten...
He said'... 'We’re growing in confidence... Goals are something we’ve needed. Scunthorpe was a professional performance and we were ruthless against Maidstone...
'We’re not looking too far ahead in terms of getting into the play-offs'...
Clean sheets in the last two make it eight in 16 games this season, seven of which have come when 19-year-old Collin Andeng Ndi has been in goal.
Maher praised the young goalkeeper... 'He’s young but he’s very composed in how he goes about his business... JJ [Goalkeeping coach (and ex-Altrincham keeper) Jerome John]’s come in and has done ever so well with the boys. The competition between Collin and Blondy [Nna Noukeu] has pushed both of them'...
The Head Coach will have something of a selection headache... 'We’ve got decent options with Cards [Harry Cardwell] and Murph [Rhys Murphy] coming back'...
'York are a good side and they work ever so hard. It’ll be a tough place to go... All the stats tell us that we’ve been playing well but we haven’t picked up enough points as we maybe should’ve done'".
Chairman Scott Priestnall said 'I would firstly like to thank Chris for his effort & professionalism during his time at Huish Park. After internal discussions this week, it has been decided that it’s best we go our separate ways. We wish Chris every success in the future.
'There will be a further update on the management situation before Saturday’s trip to Maidstone United.'”
The Bristol Post adds that he goes "after just five months in charge with Mark Cooper set to be confirmed as his replacement...
Hargreaves has presided over a poor run of form throughout September and October with Yeovil having won just one of their last 10 National League matches and failed to reach the first round of the FA Cup after being knocked out by Taunton Town in a replay earlier this month.
Hargreaves's side took a point from a 2-2 draw at Moss Lane in August. Here we see James Jones, Jake Cooper, Toby Mullarkey and Jordan Hulme awaiting a Yeovil free kick during that game, with Ryan Colclough in the foreground.
The Glovers were booed off the pitch after Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Aldershot at Huish Park which left them 21st in the table...
Hargreaves only took charge in May, having spent the last few years working as an academy coach for Bristol Rovers and non-league pundit on BT Sport, as the long-term replacement for Darren Sarll after he left Yeovil for divisional rivals Woking in March...
Hargreaves has largely retained the core elements of the squad which finished 12th in the National League but has persevered with a 3-5-2 formation that hasn’t looked suited to the players at his disposal.
He’s won just two of his 15 league games in charge, both 1-0 wins at home, with the Glovers the joint-lowest goalscorers in the division, Priestnall has lost patience with the former Torquay and Northampton midfielder.
Cooper has been without a job since leaving League Two side Barrow in March, having spent five years with Forest Green prior to that... and previously managed Tamworth and Kettering Town at the start of his coaching career".
Right: Josh Lundstram was Alty's Man of the Match against Oldham Athletic.
The Latics... were no match for an Alty side who called the shots...
Such is the imperious form Josh Lundstram (right) has shown on a consistent basis this season, there were nods of approval all round when he was announced as man-of-the-match. What a signing by Phil Parkinson, the summer recruit from Crewe Alexandra is proving himself the ultimate all-round midfielder, throwing himself into a goal-saving block on the edge of his own area one minute and driving his team on with a lung-bursting run the next.
Such a powerhouse presence at the heart of midfield ensured Alty had the edge for much of the proceedings...
Having survived.... early scares, Alty gradually began to settle into the game...
The half-time whistle was greeted with boos from the away end...
To be fair to David Unsworth’s side, they were holding out stubbornly enough until being undone by a moment of sheer brilliance from Conn-Clarke...
With James Jones winning everything in the air and Lundstram fully justifying his man-of-the-match award with another rock-solid performance, the points were Alty’s".
The results against these two groups have been starkly different.
In the five matches against top-eleven clubs, of which four have been away, Alty have secured just two points, both from away draws (at Boreham Wood and Bromley). After Saturday Altrincham will have played all of the current top six, five of those matches being away from home.
Above: Recently, injuries have sidelined Altrincham centre-backs Toby Mullarkey and Lewis Baines (here, on the left) but have opened the door for Jake Cooper (here, on right) and James Jones to establish a partnership at the heart of the Altrincham defence.
In contrast, in their ten fixtures played against the bottom thirteen clubs, Altrincham have picked up sixteen points and lost just twice, (away at Dagenham and Maidenhead). They have won four and drawn four of their other games against the bottom thirteen.
Having not won any of their first nine league games this season, Alty have now put together a run of four games without defeat, comprising three wins and a draw.
That draw was at Torquay, which should have been a win and was only prevented from being so by a 90(+7) minutes goal.
After fifteen league games last season Altrincham had 23 points and lay eleventh compared with this campaign in which they lie fifteenth with eighteen points. The goal difference last season was six, F28 v A22. This season it is minus five (F23 A28).
Co-chairman Rob McElhenney was also in attendance at The Racecourse and saw Phil Parkinson's side trail at the break but second half goals from Ben Tozer, Jordan Davies and Aaron Haydan turned things around to keep the Reds second...
Wrexham were poor and did not get going in the opening half-an-hour. The Reds were second best and struggled to construct attacks due to misplaced passes with Halifax's pressing game working well..
But Wrexham stuck to their task and were the better side throughout the second half... taking three of them to complete the comeback and start a run of four successive home games in league and cup with a win.
Parkinson named the same side that started the 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood on Saturday. There was one change on the substitutes bench with Max Cleworth coming in for Tom O'Connor.
Wrexham (5-3-2): Howard; Forde, Hayden, Tozer, Tunnicliffe (Davies 62), McFadzean; Jones, Young, Lee (Dalby 78); Mullin, Palmer. Subs: Watson, McAlinden, Cleworth.
He made his debut for the Gingerbreads last Saturday in a goalless draw at Pontefract Collieries in the NPL East Division.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Howard Watts and Mike GArnett's Through the Years records remind us that six years ago on Saturday, when Alty are at Wrexham, the Robins were losing 3-0 in a Vanarama National League North match, played at Bromsgrove, against Worcester City.
On the eve of the match Altrincham had signed experienced defender and former Worcester City man, Wayne Thomas [right], on loan from Kidderminster. He became the 34th player to be named that season in an Altrincham first-team squad. Reeves moved to the bench as Marsh started as a lone striker and Thomas replaced Cyrus at the back.
After a fairly bright start from Altrincham they found themselves not only a goal down but alos playing with ten men from the 11th minute. First, Sam Patterson failed to sell a dummy to an opponent, lost the ball, and from the resulting cross from the left veteran ex-WBA striker Lee Hughes headed home, unmarked (9 mins). And, soon afterwards, Patterson missed a ball played up Worcester's inside-left channel and Hughes ran towards goal. Just outside the box, the retreating Goodall brought the striker down and Altrincham's captain was sent off.
Keane made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark with a low shot from 25 yards. In the second half, the ten men rallied slightly with the introduction of substitutes Reeves, Heathcote and Cain but, against the run of play at that stage, Alty made another mistake at the back as Hall and McWilliams got in each other's way, allowing Nelson-Addy an easy conversion from close range (76 mins).
ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tim DEASY 2. Sam PATTERSON, 3. Andy McWILLIAMS, 4. Wayne THOMAS, 5. Danny HALL, 6. Alan GOODALL (c), 7. James LAWRIE, 8. Jake MOULT, 9. Simon RICHMAN, 10. Phil MARSH, 11. Sean MILLER. Subs: 12. Greg WILKINSON, 14. Damian REEVES, 15. Sam HEATHCOTE, 16. Harry CAIN, 20. Andrew DAWBER.
Mani Dierseruvwe's penalty gave Halifax a 1-0 half-time lead but second-half goals from Ben Tozer, Jordan Davies and Aaron Hayden saw the hosts take all three points...
Millington said... 'We led for a decent period of the game and didn't see it out... There's maybe a sense that we've dropped off once we scored. We were more than a match for them prior to scoring the goal, I'd say we were very good for the rest of the first-half...
'But we didn't look after the ball well enough and have enough spells of possession after we scored...
'We've got a tough run of games coming up that we're going to have to, yes, defend well and be organised and structured in, but we also want to look after the ball well and have significant periods of possession, and we weren't that team today...
'So there's loads of positives to take out of it... There's definitely signs of progression... The result makes it feel different from that, but... [we had] more energy than we've had in the early part of the season, a lot more organisation'" the manager concluded.
It's almost two months since they tasted victory, with their winless run in the National League reaching nine matches. That's seen them drop to second from bottom, although only two points from safety.
Throw in an FA Cup exit at lower-league Needham Market a fortnight ago and it's been a rotten spell for Hakan Hayrettin's National South champions.
But assistant boss Harris... said 'I don't feel under any pressure and I can speak for Hak as well... We got promoted last year, we knew it was going to be tough this year... I think pressure is when you can't afford to pay the mortgage or you can't put food on that table. That's pressure.'
Maidstone's problems in both boxes were evident - conceding bad goals and struggling to score at the other end."
Cook was speaking after the Spireites were held to a 1-1 draw at York City on Tuesday night...
He reiterated that new additions were needed as well as outgoings...
The Blues were guilty of not taking their chances and they ended up paying the price.
'My big thing is until you change personnel, then the reality is you will probably keep getting what you are getting,' Cook said.
'We know where our issues are and, as football club, we have got to make sure we don’t just keep signing players, players have to leave as well, because an overload of players at any club can lead to other problems; demotivation, lads not hungry enough to succeed, and I am not that type of manager'...
Cook added... 'The reality is we have got areas that we want to strengthen... In the last five years the amount of signings this club has been... absolutely insane. We just keep signing players in the hope that they take us to where we want to be. Certainly under me, I am not that, I like to know what our problems are and I like to fix them...
He added 'I thought at times we played really well, but you have got to score... At times we are so naive, we can give winning positions up quite quickly, but they are a really good set of lads'".
Right: Ryan Colclough finished the game with the captain's armband after Jordan Hulme was substituted.
Shots were at a premium in the first half but Altrincham's second-half dominance got its reward after 72 minutes when Colclough and Conn-Clarke combined for the Fleetwood loanee to curl a superb curling shot from twenty-plus yards into the upper reaches of the Oldham net.
Watched by Joe Royle, the Latics were booed at the end by a section of the 1,606 travelling supporters in a magnificent midweek gate of 3,553. The win lifted Altrincham to fifteenth in the National League.
Match report here.
Phil Jordan also advises us that Luke Waterfall was booked as Grimasby Town lost 1-0 at Barrow. At York City, Jeff King followed up his weekend goal with a ninth minute goal to give his Chesterfield side the lead but the Spireites had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
John Johnston scored Matlock Town's third goal in their 4-1 home win over Marske.
On Tuesday, Wrexham reacted with a statement, saying that "The Club can confirm that the boots revealed by Paul Mullin on social media will not be worn tonight, or in any other Wrexham AFC fixture and that the photographs taken at the Racecourse Ground were done so without our knowledge or approval.
For the record, the pictures wouldn’t have been permitted to be taken, had we known, and the issue will be dealt with privately by the Club.
The Club has adopted a neutral position on many matters with a political dimension and intends to continue to do so going forward. The Club also acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whether that be employees or supporters, but would also highlight that an individual view cannot be fairly attributed, as the view of everyone or the Club itself.
There is no more prominent example of this than the fact that the MP for the constituency within which the Club is found, is a Conservative seat.
After this unwelcome distraction, the Club hopes the focus remains on our objectives of gaining promotion on the field and creating community benefit off it, in which Paul Mullin will continue to play a significant part".
"Runcorn took a an early lead from the penalty spot...
On 18 minutes, the home side pulled level, as Teddy Woolland advanced from defence to play in Henry Shaw to square for Lucas Edwards to make it 1-1...
Ten minutes into the second half, Runcorn surprisingly retook the lead with an unchallenged header, following a corner... Altrincham...o pulled level almost immediately through Afernee Denise...
Alty [took] the lead for the first time in the game as Afernee rounded the keeper to slot home. Afernee completed a 15-minute hat-trick on 68 minutes... and then Kruze Pryce gave the scoreline a more realistic reflection with goal number five.
The Runcorn players disappointingly lost their heads, and a flurry of yellow and red cards meant the match ended in unpleasant fashion. It has to be said, however, that the young Robins behaved impeccably, despite strong provocation from the visitors".
"After 10 minutes, the Robins opened the scoring, as Cata got in behind to square to Charlie Behan, who was there to fire it in... Five minutes later, Cata [slotted]... in the second goal of the game...
Nije... drove inside to shoot from 20 yards to give the Robins a 3-0 half-time lead....
In the second half, substitute Howells netted a hat-trick.
Matchday Squad: 1. Dane Byron, 2. Ewan McGeady, 3. Matthew Macfarlane, 4. Joel Bailey, 5. Mike Smith, 6. Sam Chambers, 7. George Raftery, 8. Mike Comber (C), 9. Charlie Behan, 10. Sheriff Nije, 11. Edson Cata. Subs: Sekouba Camera, Tom Higgins, Kareem Majzoub, Harrison Howells".
For the first time, a Vanarama National League North and South regular season game will be broadcast live to the nation.
Before those games, Southend United’s home match with Notts County gets the BT Sport treatment. It replaces Scunthorpe vs Wrexham on Tuesday November 8 because of the Dragons’ FA Cup progress...
Upcoming live BT Sport matches - kick off times listed:
They have won three of their previous five league outings. This would have been of been four had it not been for a dramatic 97th minute equaliser for Torquay United in their last game.
They did however suffer an early exit in the FA Cup with Gateshead knocking them out after a replay in the North East.
Watch out for versatile forward Marcus Dinanga (left) [who] has four league goals to his name so far this season.
The 25-year-old has been with Alty since 2021 but hasn’t always enjoyed the most success and has been loaned out.
He showcased his class in the back end of last season with this loan move to National League South side Dartford. With a very impressive 13 goals in 15 games, the forward showed that he does have what it takes to be a prolific centre forward and he will be hoping to take some of that form into this season at a higher level.
And he has definitely shown that he has what it takes of late with all four of his goals this season coming in his last four outings".
On the other hand, before tonight, although Altrincham may not have played Oldham Athletic competitively in any current supporter's lifetime, the Latics currently employ several players who have previously faced the Robins for other clubs so they are not a totally unknown quantity to the home supporters.
Right: Although the sides have not met competitively for more than a century, there was a so-called "Challenge Match" between the clubs at Moss Lane on 22 January 1968. Here we see the pre-match teams as printed in The Robins Review.
The familiar faces include...
Zaine Francis-Angol The defender played for Kidderminster Harriers in their 4-1 win at Moss Lane in 2017. More recently he was an unused sub when Alty won at Boreham Wood in November 2020.
Lois Maynard has played against Altrincham for Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County and FC Halifax Town.
John Rooney has played and scored against Altrincham including a goal for Chester FC at Moss Lane in 2015
Ben Tollitt scored at Moss Lane for a Blackpool FC XI in a pre-season game in 2019 and he has also played for Macclesfield Town. Tollitt also scored for AFC Fylde when they beat Alty in the FA Cup in 2020.
Mike Fondop has also played at Moss Lane previously. He was in the Aldershot Town side that won 2-1 in November 2020 in a match played behind closed doors.
Oldham's line-up last Saturday was:
19. Magnus Norman, 2. Jordan Clarke, 3. Zaine Francis-Angol, 24. David Okagbue, 14. Nathan Sheron, 6. Lois Maynard, 21. Oscar Threlkeld, 8. Dan Gardner, 17. John Rooney, 18. Ben Tollitt, 20. Mike Fondop-Talum. Subs: 1. Jayson Leutwiler, 16. Charlie Cooper, 33. Benny Couto, 34. Harry Vaughan
The Shrimpers head to Maidstone United, who have a 3G pitch, on Tuesday night...
Said Hyde, 'I can’t stand them and I don’t think they should be allowed but they are. It will provide a different type of challenge for us but nothing we can’t handle'...
Hyde netted twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Scunthorpe United to take his tally to four goals in five games. But he now feels switching from playing on a grass pitch to an artificial surface will make a big difference...
Said Hyde, 'The game is played differently and the ball bounces differently too. It’s hard to judge and you don’t understand the toll it takes compared to grass on your body, it’s horrendous.
'I always think that 4G will find out any niggles or strains you’ve got... Some people like it and some people don’t but I’m definitely one who doesn’t.'”
24 October 2022
Terry explains that six of the previous eight matches against Oldham Athletic were played by the club when it was known as Broadheath FC and two more under their current name of Altrincham.
Altrincham's original name, when the current club was founded in 1891, was Broadheath; it changed to Altrincham in 1903. For those unfamiliar with the town, Broadheath is a north-western district of Altrincham and it was the location of Britain's first industrial estate, which pre-dated the more widely-known Trafford Park.
The eight clashes between the clubs played, to date, all took place when both Broadheath/Altrincham and Oldham Athletic football clubs were competing in the Manchester League.
The results in those games display a pleasing symmetry of four wins and four losses apiece, and even the goals have been shared equally with each club netting sixteen times.
At home, the record is that Altrincham have played four matches against Oldham Athletic, winning twice and losing twice, scoring 10 goals against 7.
So how is it that the Latics have never visited Moss Lane, other than for that 1920s' friendly?
As Terry explains, the 1903/04 clash, under the Altrincham FC name, was played on Pollitt's Field, (located near the current Urban Road). The earlier matches, as Broadheath, were played at Navigation Road/Lane in 1900/01 whilst in 1901/02 and 1902/03 seasons the matches were both played at Timperley, near the railway (now Metro) station.
Right: The map shows the location of Pollitt's Field, Altrincham's home before the move to the current site on Moss Lane.
So the J Davidson Stadium at Moss Lane will be the fourth 'home' ground in the town to host Altrincham v Oldham Athletic in a competitive match.
The results of the previous matches are as follows...
However, there have been two previous meetings between the clubs at Moss Lane in friendly games. The first was on 22nd September 1922, which Altrincham won 5-3. The second was described as a "challnge match" and took place on 22 January, 1968.
And Devon Live reports that "Dylan Crowe scored a brilliant injury-time equaliser as Torquay United drew 4-4 with Altrincham in front of the BT Sport cameras this evening but, once the dust has settled, the Gulls will regret throwing away a 3-2 lead that would have given them a first home win of the season...
Torquay, who were at one stage 2-0 down, got back to 2-2 with in the second half two goals from captain Asa Hall. With 10 minutes to go, Tom Lapslie came off the bench to instantly make it 3-2 - and the ground was rocking. But by the 90th minute, Altrincham had equalised, Ross Marshall had been sent off and it had become 4-3 to the visitors.
Right: Jordan Hulme netted his first goal for Altrincham in the National League.
From ecstasy to agony and then back again, when the ball fell to Crowe on the edge of the box in the 97th minute and his sweet strike flew past the goalkeeper. It was a game that had everything and the BT bods will have been more than happy with how it all panned out. Not so, Torquay's management...
It was 1-0 on six minutes when Chris Conn-Clarke got a final touch on a ball into the box... Marcus Dinanga headed a great chance over Lovett's bar in the ninth minute...
On 27 minutes Torquay were 2-0 down. They didn't defend a short corner well at all and Barrows [Dinanga] got on the end of a parry by Lovett for an easy tap-in. Everytime Altrincham went forward, they looked like scoring... Dinanga broke on the counter-attack and Torquay were lucky his shot went over... From McGavin's corner, Hall headed the ball down and in for 2-1... and Altrincham were now looking vulnerable...
It was 2-2... Hall getting on the end of a low Goodwin cross and turning the ball home at the end of a period of pressure... Lapslie came on for Hall in the 78th minute, the captain wasn't happy about it, but within a minute the new man had scored to make it 3-2...
In the 84th minute, Altrincham created an equaliser for Hulme, who shouldn't have been allowed anyway near the goal. It was 3-3...
Then Marshall was sent off for standing on Conn-Clarke [Hulme], while the player was down injured. It was a stupid thing to do and it was Marshall's second red card of the season. Ali Omar came on for McGavin, and from the free kick, 35 yards out, Jake Cooper headed home the cross for 4-3".
Latics opened the scoring in the fifth minute courtesy of Bradford loanee Oscar Threlkeld... Unsworth's men then got their second when Mike Fondop tapped into an empty net after some neat build-up play...
They held on for all three points... After the game Unsworth said 'We should have been out of sight at half-time in terms of the chances we had and what we were creating.
'What we've always searched for is a clean sheet mentality and trying to get a second goal, and we've got that. We thoroughly deserved it'.
Latics' next two National League fixtures are big away ties against close rivals. They travel to Altrincham on Tuesday night, before then heading to FC Halifax Town for a televised evening clash on Saturday".
Team: Ali Abdullah, Ethan Cosgrove, Oliver Dixon, Oliwier Fiedor, Alvin Gratzer, Kareem Majzoub, Jake Mallen, Josh Mannie, Abdulelah Nassief, Charles Okpe, Ian Vasconcelos Jose. Subs: Modou Ceesay, David Costa, Byron Haughton
Team: Modou Ceesay, Oliver Dixon, Oliwier Fiedor, Alvin Gratzer, Byron Haughton, Kareem Majzoub, Jake Mallen, Josh Mannie, Ajani Oshodin, Noah Tyson, Ian Vasconcelos Jose. Subs: Ali Abdullah, Ethan Cosgrove, David Costa, Daniel Nodding,
Alex Egbon.
Substitute Byron Haughton scored the Altrincham goal.
Team: Ali Abdullah, Peter Arogun, Modou Ceesay, David Costa, Oliver Dixon, Kareem Majzoub, Josh Mannie, Charles Okpe, Ajani Oshodin, Noah Tyson, Ian Vasconcelos Jose. Subs: Ethan Cosgrove, Alvin Gratzer, Byron Haughton, Daniel Nodding,
Alex Egbon
Altrincham lost their other fixture 2-0.
The right-back has been in fine form this season, scoring four goals and grabbing four assists. He scored the first goal, created the second and won the penalty for the third in Chesterfield’s win against Bromley on Saturday.
The 26-year-old’s contract expires next summer... He told BBC Radio Sheffield, 'I don’t like contracts hanging over my head, I am just a lad who enjoys playing football, so let’s see what happens'...
King, who is in his second season at Town, says the club feels like ‘home’... 'I play with a smile on my face and I get shivers when I hear my name shouted,' he said...
All four of King’s goals this season have been with his so-called weaker left foot".
In National North, former captain Jake Moult was in Buxton's side but they lost at Brackley.
The assist for Hyde United, as they beat Marske 1-0 at Ewen Fields, was Jack Redshaw. There was a rare miss from the penalty spot by Sean Williams as his Warrington Town side nevertheless beat John Johnston's Matlock Town 3-1. Sean's spot-kick was saved.
Warrington's neighbours, Rylands, lost at South Shields despite several ex-Robins playing for them in the shape of Dean Furman, Callum Dolan and Joel Torrance. The Tynesiders' goal came from Dylan Mottley-Henry.
Ritchie Sutton's Nantwich Town lie second bottom of the league after a 0-1 home defeat by Liversedge, with A-Jay Leitch-Smith unable to conjure a goal for The Dabbers.
Town took the lead on the hour mark courtesy of a Mani Dieseruvwe diving header before Jesse Debrah headed home in injury to seal the victory...
Millington said 'Really pleased for Mani. Of course Jamie Cooke has had a hand in it and he’s had a really good game today as well... Then the second goal, the determination from Jesse to get his head on it. Also the bit of skill from Jack Senior to create the opportunity was fantastic'...
Next up for the Shaymen is the trip to Wrexham...
'Wrexham will certainly put balls into our box so we’ll have to defend resolutely. We’re going to have to have a resilience that we showed in the second half today and an organisation that shows we know how to defend together as a team. We’re going to have to build on today and be even better on Tuesday. But, Wrexham’s record shows that can concede as well so we’d hope that with the players we’ve got we will make the most of the opportunities that we get'" concluded Millington.
23 October 2022
"They showed great desire to get back into the game, as did we. I didn't see us coming back when they took the lead which shows the character and the quality we have in the team".
They then paid the price in the second half, conceding early on to encourage the hosts, and they could easily have lost the game to a much improved Torquay who opened up Altrincham with ease at times in the second period.
Match report here.
Saturday, 22 October 2022
Altrincham's highly-rated young full-back was snapped up by Robins boss Phil Parkinson during the summer after attracting widespread attention with a string of impressive displays for our neighbours Trafford".
Clearly destined for a bright future in Alty colours, it was felt that Aidan, who primarily operates on the right but can play on either flank, would benefit from a loan spell in a competitive environment...
He will spend the next month at Hurst Cross".
Seven Alty players have gone to other clubs this season whilst four loanees have arrived at the JDS.
Altrincham players on loan / dual registration with other clubs
Players on loan from other clubs
Short-term contracts
That leaves sixteen contracted Altrincham players currently at Moss Lane who have been on the pitch during a National League game this season. They are Baines, Barrows, Byrne, Colclough, Cooper, Dinanga, Gould, Hulme, Jackson, James Jones, Kaja, Lundtram, Mee, Mullarkey, Osborne, Pringle. In addition Zak Goodson has been in matchday squads but has yet to get on the pitch and both Isaac Marriott and Matty Kosylo have been sidelined by injury throughout the 2022-23 campaign so far.
The match is the first in a sequence of four home games out of five league fixtures though none of the home games is a 3pm Saturday kick off. Saturday, November 5th, is currently blank after Alty dropped out of the FA Cup.
Owen Dale was credited with the assist as Portsmouth won 1-0 at Forest Green.
Reagan Ogle was booked, yet again, as Scunthorpe United crashed 3-0 at Southend.
Josh Hancock was the scorer as Curzon Ashton won 1-0 at Boston United.
The Nottingham Post reported that "It was a controlled and comfortable performance from Luke Williams's side, with goals from Macaulay Langstaff, Rodrigues and Cedwyn Scott putting Notts back on track following their FA Cup exit to Coalville Town a week ago.
Finally, after 13 games, Ruben Rodrigues...scored from open play... It was a brilliant overall performance from the Portuguese, who worked tirelessly all afternoon...
With Jim O'Brien out injured until next month the onus has been placed on the midfield pairing of Geraldo Bajrami and Matty Palmer during his absence, and the pair have built up a strong relationship in such a short space of time.
During the game, the pair were influential in breaking up the few Maidstone attacks and keeping the pace of the game moving in Notts' favour to ensure the contest was played at the high intensity Williams expects from his side...
Palmer has been one of the most consistent performers under Williams this season and does the simple stuff effectively, often going unnoticed for his brilliant performances in midfield...
Langstaff is yet to go more than two games this season without finding the back of the net... But there is simply no way of keeping this man quiet, and he was quickest to react to his initial headed effort to smash the ball in off the 'keeper to get the goal Notts' possession deserved.
It is incredible to think that the 25-year-old could hit 20 National League goals by the start of November, having already equalled Cal Roberts's total from last term, he is just three goals away from Kyle Wootton and Rodrigues' 19 goals last campaign..
Whilst it was a comfortable evening for the Magpies defence, a sixth clean sheet of the season is something to be extremely proud of this season... with Kyle Cameron in particular producing an excellent performance on the left-hand side, offering an option going forward and aiding the attacks.
Sam Slocombe... the 34-year-old, currently sits top of the clean sheet table in the National League...
It is now seven unbeaten at Meadow Lane for the Magpies, with yesterday's win their fifth consecutive victory".
Dackers scored three goals in six games during his month long spell at Roots Hall. But the striker’s deal cannot be extended until Blues are out of a transfer embargo.
And Maher now expects Dackers to head back to his parent club Salford City. 'It looks like he will have to go back... He wanted to stay and Salford wanted him to as well but the position we are in means, unfortunately for us and him, he’ll have to go back.'
Three other National League clubs are now believed to be interested in signing Dackers on loan".
In it they remind us that "It’s been a slow start to the season for Altrincham, who went nine games without a win, with their first of the season coming in the form of a 1-0 victory against Aldershot on 24th September.
However the Robins have recently picked up some league form, with three wins out of their last five and are currently residing in 16th place on 14 points.
Player to Watch: Ryan Colclough, originally signed on a short-term deal following his departure from Scunthorpe United in November 2020, before signing on permanent terms one month later, and going on to score 8 goals in 28 appearances that season.
Altrincham’s number 11 has made 13 appearances for the Greater Manchester side so far this season, scoring 3 goals. Last season the 27 year-old scored 11 in 41 appearances for the Robins.
Described as a ‘free-scoring winger’, Colclough predominantly plays in a left side midfield role and has previously played for the likes of Crewe Alexandra, Wigan, MK Dons, and Scunthorpe.
Played for Both: Harry Perritt came through the youth ranks at Accrington Stanley before signing his first professional contract with the club in 2021. Perritt came to Plainmoor on loan in October 2021 making his debut in a 2-0 win against Kings Lynn Town. The defender made eight appearances for United and after his loan spell ended he joined Altrincham for the rest of the 2021/22 season, in a loan spell that saw him play 12 games and score one goal for the Robins".
From an earlier era, Alty striker Jon McAliskey, who played for Alty in 2009/10 season, had loan spells at Torquay United, whilst with Huddersfield Town, (30/9/05 to 30/11/05, played 3 games).
Meanwhile, Altrincham FC tell us that "The Robins will look to pick themselves up and dust themselves off as we redirect our focus onto the National League...
Alty can take many positives into Saturday's fixture, and not least with striker Marcus Dinanga making it five goals in as many games in our 2-1 defeat away from home at Gateshead...
It’s been a difficult start to the new term for [Torquay] manager Gary Johnson after losing both of last season’s top scorers during the summer; Armani Little and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans... United have seriously struggled in front of goal this season scoring only nine in the league.
Their top scorer being 20-year-old Will Goodwin who joined from Stoke U21s on loan. The forward has netted three times so far this season... With a growing list of injuries [for Torquay] and poor run of form in the league, Saturday could be our chance to continue to push on to the top half of the Vanarama National League table...
This game is televised on BT Sport and will be screened live at The J.Davidson Stadium. We’ve made the event ticketed to help us understand the number of attendees but the adult ticket at £3 will include a free alcoholic drink.
Grab your tickets online here. Doors open at 4pm, the usual food will be available for purchase".
In contrast, Altrincham disappointingly exited the FA Cup on the same evening when two poorly defended goals allowed Gateshead to progress to a home time with Stevenage. However, the Robins did win at Plainmoor on their last visit, a 3-1 win on the opening day of 2021-22 season, in which Marcus Dinanga scored on his debut.
But that Altrincham win was one of only three in the twelve clashes to date between them and Torquay United. However, there have also been four draws in that dozen matches, with Torquay winning the other five fixtures.
Alty's first game at Plainmoor against Torquay followed the late postponement of the original fixture in December 2007, due to waterlogging.The team had already made it to the ground before the referee called off the game so by the time that the rearranged match was played they had travelled 1000 miles for ninety minutes of football!
To make matters worse, the rearranged game took place on a Tuesday night, 26 February 2008. Being a midweekay night, it was commendable that about 70 Altrincham supporters were in attendance, aleit some of those were exiled fans from the southern half of the country. Non-travelling fans contributed towards the funding of the hire of the supporters' coach, which this time did not have to turn round near Gloucester as it had done when the original match was called off!
Right: With a ban on match photography rigorously enforced at Plainmoor, the adjacent grainy pre-match image is the best we can produce. It shows the good array of Alty banners on display at the game.
The team's and supporters' efforts were rewarded by a 1-1 draw against the Gulls, then a newly relegated EFL club. After Torquay had dominated the first half, the hosts took the lead one minute before the interval when Zebroski hammered a low shot past Coburn from the edge of the box. It could have been worse as D'Sane's superb shot in the opening minute had come down off the crossbar and Mohamed missed a good chance on the stroke of half-time, following a fine parry from Coburn.
After Altrincham had brought on O'Neill just before the hour mark, the visitors made much more of a game of it and when O'Neill was pushed over in the box by Ellis, Peyton calmly converted the penalty (72 mins). Altrincham defended superbly throughout to gain a valuable point which took them to their highest league placing so far that season, 19th.
The result was all the more commendable for the absence of leading scorer Colin Little, who was ill. Manager Graham Heathcote elected to deploy Tom Cahill as a lone striker in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Chris Lane back in the side, playing in front of the back four. Also absent was James Jennings, who was suspended, so Ryan Shotton played at left-back and Ryan Toulson moved to right-back. Richard Battersby came in to the side on the right of midfield.
Altrincham's line up was 1. Stuart COBURN; 23. Ryan TOULSON, 5. Darren TINSON (capt), 10. Greg YOUNG, 16. Ryan SHOTTON; 15. Chris LANE; 17. Richard BATTERSBY, 7. Robbie LAWTON, 25. Liam KING, 11. Warren PEYTON; 14. Tom CAHILL. Subs: 3. Gary SCOTT, 12. Joe O'NEILL, 18. Pat McFADDEN, 6. Jake SEDGEMORE, 19. Chris SENIOR.
Meanwhile, in 2022, Torquay United tell us that "Due to United’s televised FA Cup First Round clash being played on Sunday 6th November, our National League match against Dorking Wanderers has been moved.
The fixture will now take place at Plainmoor on Wednesday 9th November (kick-off 7:45pm)".
"I didn't see that coming", says the Altrincham boss.
Aldershot departed company with boss Mark Molesley at the weekend... That loss was Town's ninth suffered from 14 matches this season, with the Shots currently third-from-bottom... Seventh-placed York will come up against an Aldershot side, led by interim manager Terry Brown, desperate for a response.
'You just don’t know what reaction the players are going to have,' admitted City manager Askey. 'We’ve seen it plenty of times before when... all of a sudden the players pick up (their form).... It’ll be a little bit of the unknown in how they’re going to play, so it does make it slightly more difficult.'
Similarly to Brown, Askey initially stepped in as York's interim manager last year following the departure of Steve Watson.
'I was a little bit more fortunate that I’d trained with the players a couple of times,' reflected the City boss... 'If we can start well against them, doubts will start creeping into their minds again... We’ve been doing well away from home, so we go there full of confidence'...
York cannot afford any complacency. City have already played four of the bottom five, winning just once, in this month's 1-0 victory over Torquay.
Askey said 'There’s not much difference between any of the teams (in this division). If you’re not quite on it, then you’ll struggle. At times, that’s been the case for us'".
This is due to Wrexham's FA Cup first round game against Oldham Athletic being moved to the Sunday prior for live TV coverage, and the league being unable to facilitate the Red Dragons playing on that day and also the Tuesday.
Unfortunately the game will no longer be shown live on BT Sport".
The forward, 23, has completed a 28-day loan switch as he seeks game time ahead of the Christmas period.
'Tyreke quite rightly expressed a desire to play more games and, as with Sid Nelson, it makes sense to get him a run of matches so he returns to us more fit and ready to perform at a high level as we head into the busy Festive Period', said manager Darren Sarll.
'Because of the economics of football finance, it also ensures that we can recruit during this period should we fall foul to injury or suspension.' added Sarll".
On Saturday, in the footsteps of Altrincham's midweek defeat at the International Stadium, Woking visit Gateshead. The Cards "scored their first victory in the last three games on Saturday when they defeated Southend United 2-1 to advance to the first-round proper of the FA Cup... after a draw at Southend 10 days earlier, followed by a narrow 3-2 home defeat against league leaders Notts County...
Away from home... the Cards have lost just one of their last five, taking eight points in the progress. Sarll will have a fully fit squad to call upon... with 18 players in contention, following the departures of Sid Nelson and Tyreke Johnson, who have joined Welling United and Dagenham & Redbridge respectively on 28-day loan deals. Saturday could also see the league debut of new signing Rhys Browne... following his signing from Wealdstone".
On the one hand, non-League football can seek to lure Premier League and Championship supporters who want to continue to attend live football to attend non-League matches instead. However, EFL 1 and 2 matches will also be an alternative for many of those PL and Championship supporters who wish to watch live football.
On the other hand, the wall to wall televison coverage of Qatar 22 could dissuade some existing non-League supporters from continuing their attendance on cold winter afternoons and evenings when armchair viewing of the World Cup on TV is the alternative.
As things stand, the World Cup starts on Sunday 20 November, with England's group matches being as follows; times are GMT
England may also have a game on Saturday 3 December should they progress from the group stages. There are also knock-out WC matches on 10 and 13 December.
During the World Cup, Altrincham's fixtures are currently as follows...
For more, on the threats to non-League football from the cost of living crisis, see below.
'We were on top but were punished for two drop-offs, which has been a bit of an Achilles heel for us this season,' said Alty boss Parkinson. 'Cup success is something this club has been built on, and this defeat will have ramifications for certain people.
'I expected us to come here and win, and we did enough to have won. Conceding two goals, the way we did, so close together is not acceptable, and we have to do something about that. I felt we had got on top of the problem, but it has happened again.
'I didn’t feel we were in any danger, bar those two moments, but that has been the story of our season. I feel angry. I feel down for our fans. I know how much they were feeling, like we were, that this could be the start of a good cup run.
'I can only apologise to those fans who have been behind us and have stood by us. They face a long journey home now, and my words won’t make that any easier, but I can assure them the lads are devastated, because they know how much a cup run means to the club and the fans'".
But that didn’t stop them taking time out to spend a few hours with the residents of Halecroft Grange in Hale, where the two Alty midfielders proved themselves exemplary ambassadors for the club.
In a surprise visit organised by club director Sam Mackenzie, Matty and Isaac chatted and joked with residents over afternoon tea and made everyone’s day with their willingness to commit so wholeheartedly to another shining example of Alty’s work in the community.
The occasion was particularly joyful for one of the residents, Stan Riley), a lifelong Alty fan and well known to many at The J.Davidson Stadium, who now has a picture of himself alongside Matty and Isaac as a lasting reminder of their visit.
‘What a wonderful afternoon,’ said Halecroft’s Regina Silva. ‘The residents were so happy, and it was extra special for Stan, because Altrincham FC means so much to him. The boys were amazing, so social and engaging; everyone is being so complimentary about their manners.
‘We can’t thank the club enough for supporting us and organising a special afternoon for our residents. We would love for you to visit again.’"
Sheridan, 32, signed for The Robins from Altrincham back in 2018... He made 143 club appearances [for Ashton], scoring 13 goals and has more recently been stifled by injury, forcing him into the decision to take a break from the sport.
Also playing in central midfield, Tomsett, came through the youth setup with Blackpool and broke into the first-team in 2011... before he put pen to paper with The Robins in 2017.
Tomsett made 178 appearances, netting 28 times for Ashton".
On Wednesday, Phil Jordan advises us that Duncan Watmore scored Middlesbrough's second goal, before being substituted as they came from behind to win 4-1 at Wigan.
Teams across the lower tiers of the football pyramid fear the combination of dwindling attendances and higher energy prices could seal their fate. The cost of matchday transport, floodlights and mowing the pitches have been identified as common problems.
The FA said it was trying to understand how to best help grassroots clubs.
Didcot Town chairman John Bailey worries the rising costs will result in the floodlights being turned off for good. Twenty-nine of the 31 non-league clubs who spoke to the BBC agreed that they were "very worried" about the current financial situation.
John Bailey, chairman of eighth-tier Didcot Town, said... 'At least with Covid we got some grants. We can only last until January or February at this rate...
Fifteen of the clubs the BBC spoke to said they were 'the lucky ones' due to them being locked into pre-existing fixed-term tariffs for their utility bills. But... Oxford City will see their annual utility bill rise from £72,000 to £120,000, while Didcot Town will go from £14,400 to £60,000, an increase of 316%...
The clubs that own their ground, are not locked into an energy tariff, use coaches a lot for away travel, and aren't being propped up by generous backers face extinction...
After the players' wage bill and utility costs, the most significant expense is hiring transport to take the team to away matches...
Brackley Town, based in Northamptonshire, are the club perhaps most affected by the cost of hiring coaches to games as they are the team furthest south in the National League North.
They have to regularly [sic] travel north of Newcastle. A coach to Blyth was £1,070 last season and is £1,600 this season.
Compounding this, half of club bosses reported a drop in attendances from last season which they attribute predominantly to the cost of living crisis".
The prospect of a non-league side hosting the League Two leaders was considered one of the enticing choices to be chosen.
National League North Hereford's home game with Portsmouth kick starts the weekend on Friday, November 4, the game being shown on BBC2 with a 7.55pm kick-off.
A game in the north east has been chosen for live coverage. South Shields, who play in the third step of non-league in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, host League One Forest Green Rovers in a midday kick-off at Mariner's Park; that game screened on BBC1.
There are two games being shown live on Sunday. Wrexham's clash with Oldham Athletic will be on ITV at 12.30pm and it will be followed by Torquay United against Derby County, kick-off at Plainooor at 3pm.
Bracknell Town, another step three club, are at home to League One Ipswich Town with the kick-off on ITV4 coming at 7.45pm on Monday evening.
It means Stevenage's trip to the Gateshead International Stadium will, barring any last minute changes, take place on Saturday, November 5, with a 3pm kick-off".
But there is better news for Altrincham's next league opponents as Torquay United's "forthcoming Emirates FA Cup tie at home to Derby County at Plainmoor will be televised live on ITV on Sunday, 6th November (3pm KO).
With this weekend’s home match against Altrincham also being shown live by BT Sport, national coverage of the fixture against The Rams will raise excitement levels even higher".
The Trust said it had 'been necessary to take a step back, learn from our mistakes and come back stronger' following the departure of long-standing chairman Brendon Owen, the collapse of Simul Sports' bid to buy the club which was backed by the Trust, and the sale of Huish Park to South Somerset District Council (SSDC).
The Trust Board said 'It’s understandable that our lack of communication has led to more frustration and anxiety among Trust members; as a board we are more determined than ever to change, improve and secure the future of Yeovil Town FC for future generations'...
The Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 22... The Trust has invited club chairman Scott Priestnall and fellow director Stuart Robins to 'speak at the event' ...
It added 'We are looking to expand and diversify our board, to better represent supporters and affect positive change'...
The update described the collapse of Simul Sports’ bid to buy the club in May as 'beyond disappointing for all at the Trust.' In recent statements, both Scott Priestnall and Stuart Robins have said the consortium, led by former Cardiff City director Julian Jenkins and including ex-Glovers’ midfielder Marc Bircham, had never showed it had the financial backing to complete the deal."
Terry's chart of the 54 players who preceded Alex in this category is here.
Just one player in this category made his sole appearance from the bench in an FA Cup match. That was youth team product John Bennett who came on from the bench, ten minutes from time, at Mansfield Town in 2009. However, John went on to have a good career in non-League football.
Right: In Alty's FA Cup tie away at Mansfield Town in 2009, there were several players in the squad, who had yet to start a game for the Robins. The three are in the middle row; John Bennett, Antonio Bryan and Tejal-Ross Thaker. In front are Nicky Clee and Michael Welch, whilst Aaron Burns is at the back. Bennett was to come on as a substitute in his only appearance for the first team.
In the league, where obviously most games have been played compared with cup competitions, there have been fourteen players whose sole appearance was in a single game, from the bench.
In the current millennium those who have made just a single substitute appearance for Altrincham in the National League (or its forerunners) have included a number of players towards the end of their playing careers. One such was Jamie Hoyland, a former Manchester City player (1983-85), who made a one-off appearance for the Robins as a substitute (replacing fellow fleeting ex-Football League debutant, Ray Wallace) in a 1-0 Nationwide Conference victory at Telford United on Saturday, 9th October 1999. Incidentally Wallace's start in the match at the Buck's Head was his only match for Alty and the final game of his professional career.
More recently, in a 2-1 win over Tranmere in August 2015, experienced ex-Port Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith came on for his debut in the 85th minute in place of James Lawrie. From the restart, Aly lost concentration, allowing Tranmere to score a consolation goal in their 2-1 defeat.
After a few appearances in pre-season, a hip problem prevented Griffith ever starting a game in 2015-16. It emerged in Sepetember 2015 that Grifith had a degenerative hip condition and had been advised to retire from professional football. With the involvement of the PFA, Griffith's contract was terminated at a significant cost to the club as he was a contrated player to wom wages had to be paid. However, Griffith later went on to play semi-professionally at a lower level.
Ex-Manchester City youngster Cavell Coo made his one Alty appearance from the bench against Halifax Town in 2007, replacing Chris Senior after 67 minutes. Coo, who operated as a left-back for Crewe Alexandra but also played in midfield for Alty in pre-season, surprisingly assumed the role of striker in this game.
One of the briefest appearances for the club was by Tony Cullen who came on for the three minutes of added time at the end of the 3-1 defeat at Accrington Stanley in 2003, a result which confirmed Stanley's promotion to the top flight of non-League football. He later joined FC United of Manchester and became the club’s first reserve team manager in 2006.
A player who not only appeared just once, as a substitute, for Alty was Max Clayton, whose sole appearance was not even witnessed by the Alty faithful as the game in question at Moss Lane was played behind closed doors owing to Covid restrictions. He played for the final seven minutes of normal time in the opening home game of 2020/21 against Weymouth, when he replaced Yusifu Ceesay.
Unsurprisingly, there are thirteen players whose sole appearancefrom the bench was in the Cheshire Senior Cup, a tournament in which many fringe players have been selected over recent years.
The list could be more extensive at the end of this season as, currently, four Altrincham players (Ryan Morton, Joe Cooney, Jayden Matthew and Josh Jordan), who are still at the club have just a single appearance from the bench to their name. But, hopefully, all four young players will go on to make many more appearances for the club.
Amaar was the leading scorer as the Altrincham FC Academy team won the National League U19 Alliance Division H title in the team's first competitive season, 2021-22. He had also played for Altrincham Reserves before being named as one of six Academy players to join the first-team squad in July 2022.
After impressing in pre-season, Amaar went on loan to Hyde United at the start of September 2022.
Josh made his Altrincham senior debut as a used substitute in the Cheshire Senior Cup earlier this month.
The Derby Telegraph reports what "The Gulls' boss has said about the first-round clash that takes place next month
Torquay United boss Gary Johnson feels his side's plum FA Cup clash against Derby County is a 'free hit' and is expecting a sell-out at Plainmoor... after Johnson's side overcame Hampton and Richmond in a replay...
It will be the first competitive meeting between the sides with Johnson's side currently bottom of the National League table with two wins from 13 games...
Said Johnson 'The bookies won't make us favourites, that's for sure, so it's a free hit for us, it gives us an opportunity to play our game, and if we do play our game, see how it affects Derby County'".
After the game, Cheshire Live Chester FC Vice-Chairman Jim Green said of his yteam "There are some really good footballers in there. You look at Declan Weeks, Kurt Willoughby, Kole Hall, it is exciting. They are a really good team to watch... To get a crowd of nearly 3,700 for an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay is pretty extraordinary".
The data of Howard Watts and the late Mike Garnett reveals Alty's record on that date Through the Years
The most recent game on that date was in 2016 when Altrincham lost 0-2 at home to AFC Telford United in a disastrous season which ended in relegation from the Vanarama National League North.
Left: Alan Goodall and Andy McWilliams are seen in action against AFC Telford United in 2016.
Indeed, a very poor performance from Altrincham saw them fortunate to go in at half-time just 0-1 behind, after the visitors had hit the woodwork three times. Telford had taken the lead in the 24th minute when, following a throw-in, Goodall missed the ball and McCarthy drove his shot past Deasy. Goodall was withdrawn before the interval as Altrincham continued to labour.
Telford's second goal arrived in the 58th minute when Reid caught Deasy in no-man's land and lobbed him from wide-right of goal, outside the box. Despite changing to a back three and pushing men forward, Altrincham made little impact and could not complain at the outcome.
In this match Andy McWilliams made his Alty debut after joining in midweek but Tom Hannigan was out, suspended. However, Danny Hall returned to the squad after injury. Luca Havern and Sean Williams were two ex-Alty men in the Telford eleven.
ALTRINCHAM: 1.. Tim DEASY 2. Sam PATTERSON, 3. Andy McWILLIAMS, 4. Jake MOULT, 5. John CYRUS, 6. Alan GOODALL (c), 7. James LAWRIE, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Greg WILKINSON, 10. Damian REEVES, 11. Sean MILLER. subs: 12. Craig HOBSON, 14. Phil MARSH, 15. Danny HALL, 16. Billy HASLER-CREGG, 20. Andrew DAWBER.
By our calculations, Town have signed more than 50 players in the last two-and-a-bit years, with a similar number departing, a trend that just can’t continue...
The turnover in players is ridiculous and they need to get some stability in the squad, hence the new contract for Liam Mandeville...
We have taken a look at just how many incomings and outgoings there have been since the summer of 2020.
In John Pemberton’s brief tenure as manager he signed seven players; Kyle Letheren, Corey Addai (loan), Jordan Cropper (loan), Tyler Denton, Milan Butterfield, Nathan Tyson and Alex Kiwomya...
Pemberton departed after just eight games of the 2020/2021 season. None of the above players are still at the club.
During James Rowe’s 14 months in charge, a staggering 30 players were signed. As many as 24 players also departed... and it did result in a huge improvement in results.
However, 30 players in 14 months is far too many and only 10 of those, Jeff King, Tyrone Williams, Jamie Grimes, Manny Oyeleke, Tom Whelan (went and came back), Jack Clarke, Kabongo Tshimanga, Joe Quigley, Akwasi Asante and Danny Rowe – are still here.
Rowe was not the most patient of managers and he shipped out some of those he had brought in quite quickly; Joel Taylor, Whelan, Martin Smith and Kairo Mitchell were all signed for money but they did not last long. Others like loan signings Adam Pryzbek, Marcus Dinanga and Adi Yussuf hardly played.
Since returning to the club in February Cook himself has signed 15 new players, 14 permanents and one loan, while 19 have departed, including one on loan...
He said..'The amount of signings we continuously make in pursuit of success... is a ridiculous amount of numbers. There are no sort of avenues for consistency or continuity... I am very much a manager who believes in putting jigsaw pieces together properly... what we don’t need is continuous, large amounts of changes in players, that is not how you build success.'".
In front of 2,347 fans, the Peacocks outplayed their Somerset counterparts and were deserved winners, writes Lewis Wiseman.
The victory was the... fourth time in their history they have reached the First Round...
In the 25th minute, Taunton were awarded a penalty after a Yeovil defender handled in the box. Lloyd James confidently stepped up and slammed it home...
Up until half time, Taunton stayed in control of the match.
After the break, Yeovil changed their shape pushing centre back Josh Staunton into midfield and they began to press higher up the pitch. They began to create some half chances...
The Peacocks kept creating as well and perhaps looking back the result should have been two or three to nil...
The right team won. Over the course of two ties, Taunton outplayed their National League opposition for the large majority of it".
Match report here.
Right: Under the floodlights, Alty celebrate their 2008 win over Forest Green Rovers as night falls over the New Lawn.
However, as co-chairman Bill Waterson wrote in the latest "Robins' Review", "As the impact of the new energy charges begins to manifest itself to full effect, we are looking at ways of reducing cost, with the obvious one being using the floodlights for les time during a game.
"So we are in the initial stages of exploring whether we can move kick-off times for some of the 'deep midwinter' games.
"The difference in costs will be appreciable but both teams will need to agree to make the change for any game to change time.
"We will keep you all informed of any developments in this area".
Ironically, Altrincham's next league match, away at Plainmoor on 22 October, has had its kick-off time changed in the wrong direction. The planned 3pm kick off at Torquay United has been moved back to 5.20pm to accommodate live transmission of the match by BT Sport.
Odd kick-off times in recent years have included a number of 7pm kick-offs in 2020-21 during the period of Covid restrictions, whilst in 2019-20 the play-off match against Chester FC was a 1.30pm kick-off. A November 2015 match at Bromley kicked off at 12.30pm and, that same season, the game at FC Halifax was a 12.45pm kick-off, both timings being due to live TV coverage.
End of season games have often kicked off at odd times, too, such as 5.15pm (2015), 5.30pm (2016) and 12.30pm (2021).
Floodlights have also caused a number of unscheduled delays to Alty games. The most notable in the post-2000 era have been at midweek away fixtures. At Gainsborough Trinity in 2012, the game did not kick of till 8.47pm due to floodlight problems and at Grays Athletic in 2006 another floodlight failure meant that the fixture started at 8.30pm, which resulted in the Altrincham supporters' coach only reaching its last drop-off point in Sale at 3.10am the next day!
Gary Johnson & Co will know... that nothing less than a win will be acceptable to the fans.
Last night's draw produced a peach of a tie for the winners at the Beveree tonight, a home draw against one-time FA Cup winners Derby County, who only came down from the Championship at the end of last season. Such a match at Plainmoor would produce a bumper crowd, along with the revenue that goes with it. It is also the kind of tie that would be likely to attract the eye of the TV companies looking for likely live coverage.
Already bottom of the National League, to go out of the FA Cup before the first round would be a disaster for Torquay, especially with the money that can be made in the competition. Two-nil down with just under 20 minutes to go on Saturday, at least the Gulls fought back with goals by Brett McGavin and Shaun Donnellan, but they really should have done better...
'Nobody particularly wants a replay but, as I said to the boys, we would have been training anyway. So we might as well go and play a game,' said Johnson. 'We have got some walking wounded... and every time somebody gets fit, somebody else drops out for some reason'...
The latest player to pick up an injury was Ben Wyatt, who was substituted at half time on Saturday and replaced by Queens Park Rangers loanee Dillon De Silva. Out long-term are Corie Andrews, Kieron Evans and Ross Marshall. Dan Martin missed Saturday, but Dylan Crowe came back and Ryan Hanson should be available soon'...
Torquay want to play a high-tempo passing game that tests players’ fitness and earns them knocks".
Right: Joe Piggott celebrates making it 3-0 to Altrincham at Curzon Ashton in a 6-0 away win in which he completed his hat-trick.
The 23 year-old departs the National League North side after eight-months, where he made six appearances and scored three times.
A former Everton and Rochdale academy player, the striker made his professional debut for Dundee United... Piggott has also featured at Step 3 for Warrington Town, where, after making 21 appearances and scoring four goals, he joined Wigan Athletic.
During his time at Latics, he enjoyed multiple loan spells to Morecambe, Altrincham and Stockport County".
The visitors twice took the lead through Tom McGlinchy and Ash Chambers, with Sam Austin restoring parity for the Magpies as they looked to make it through to the first-round proper of the competition.
But Luke Shaw was on hand to provide one of the shock upsets of the competition so far...
Ahead of the fixture, boss Luke Williams made eight changes to the side that beat Woking handing debuts to young defender Lucien Mahovo and on-loan Leicester goalkeeper Brad Young.
Of the starting line-up that featured at the Laithwaite Community stadium, only Richard Brindley, Geraldo Bajrami and Rawlinson remained, with many given the opportunity to stake their claim for their upcoming fixture against Maidstone on Friday evening.
However, following the defeat, the stand in captain explained that some of those players took that opportunity for granted and turned up with the wrong mentality at Meadow Lane".
This time around the meeting is in the Fourth Qualifying Round and the replay is being held at Gateshead.
Another similarity with last season is that the victors of the replay know in advance that they will play in the next Round at home against an EFL team from the Home Counties. Last season the prize was a home tie against Charlton Athletic, whilst this time it is Stevenage who will visit tonight's victors on (or about) 5 November.
Right: Whether Stevenage visit Altrincham on Bonfire Night remains to be seen but they last visited Altrincham towards the end of the 2009-10 season, at the end of which the Boro were promoted into the EFL. Here we see Peter Doran preparing to go up for the ball as Chris Senior looks on. Stevenage won that game 1-0.
A victory over Gateshead would mean that Alty would face the team which boasts the best league record of any of the clubs in the First Round draw which has played more than a handful of games against the Robins. Stevenage Borough, as the club was named until it was promoted to the EFL in 2010, has played Altrincham eighteen times in league matches and Altrincham have won just twice.
In fact, Altrincham have lost two-thirds of the 18 games played in league fixtures against Stevenage, the highest ratio of defeats against any club they have ever met more than a handful of times in the top flight of non-League.
Altrincham FC director Mark Chapman was the BBC's host for the draw on BBC2, with the draw itself made by former strikers Dion Dublin and Alan Smith. Prize money for First Round winners is £22,629.
Altrincham and Gateshead replay at the International Stadium on Tuesday night and the winners of that match have been drawn at home against Steve Evans's Stevenage, who top League Two.
The full draw is...
It was a moment of excellence from the Northern Irish Under-21 international as he broke the deadlock on the afternoon, dribbling between the lines and past the Gateshead defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner past the goalkeeper...
This isn’t the first time Conn-Clarke has netted a goal against Gateshead this season as, a couple of weeks back, he both scored and assisted another in Altrincham's 3-1 league win over the side from the North East, playing a pivotal part of the squad that day.
Keep up the good work at Alty, Cricky!"
National League South Hampton led 2-0 at Plainmoor before goals from Brett McGavin and Shaun Donnellan salvaged a draw for the struggling Gulls...
'We've got a group of lads at the minute that won't give up,' he said. 'They knew the importance for themselves and the club and we gave it a good go in that second half,' Johnson added to BBC Radio Devon.
Torquay are two points adrift at the bottom of the National League and have not won in seven matches in all competitions...
[Torquay] lost to sixth-tier Havant and Waterlooville at the same stage of the competition last season...
'I thought we probably had 70% of the possession and it was only until the second half that we properly started driving at them'", Johnson concluded.
The successful applicant will be required to attend all training sessions and match days dependent on fixture locations.
Roles & Responsibilities [include]...
[Appointee must] be willing to go above and beyond when required to help the team achieve its goals. November 1st is the start date".
Goals from Padraig Amond and Ricky Korboa either side of a Jake Hyde finish send the Cards through to the first round proper at Blues’ expense, bringing the five-game unbeaten run to an end.
Miley said 'I’m gutted with being out of the FA Cup this early... Both goals were really preventable I think'...
Miley was pleased with how the goal came 'We’d been working on things all week, and the set piece that we scored from was sort of one of them. It was a great ball and a great finish from Hydey and it gave us a lift towards the end of the first half'...
He was disappointed with how the first Woking goal was scored. 'We don’t want to be giving away any free-kicks around the area... I’m not sure whether it’s gone through the wall or around it...
'We were on a bit of an unbeaten run and we want to carry that on in the league against Scunthorpe'".
17 October 2022
You have to go back more than twenty years, to 2001 in fact, to find the last time that Altrincham won an away replay in the FA Cup. That was a memorable 4-1 win at The Giant Axe against Lancaster City, which followed a 1-1 draw at Moss Lane. That replay win prompted the trick question, "When did Poland last triumph in the FA Cup match"?
2001-02 was a remarkable season in which Altrincham played no fewer than twenty-one cup matches. In the list below, CSC= Cheshire Senior Cup, UC= UniBond NPL Cup, UPC= UniBond NPL President's Cup, FAC= FA Cup, FAT= FA Trophy.
Right: Lee Poland in action for Altrincham.
Since 2001, Altrincham have played six further FA Cup replays before this Tuesday's clash, including a trio of three replays which each followed 3-3 draws. After Tuesday's match, the seven replays since 2001 will have been in five different rounds of the FA Cup competition, from the First Qualifying Round to Round One proper.
It was seen as a coup for Altrincham when a deal was agreed to sign the 21-year old left-back [pictured, right] from Lancaster City... An impressive pre-season underlined why he is so highly rated, and he was a starter on the left of defence as the Robins launched their latest Vanarama National League campaign at home to Maidstone United.
At just 21, though, and having stepped up two divisions to join Alty, it was felt the talented defender would benefit from the experience of a loan spell at a suitably competitive level, and the Robins have consented for Liam to be with Gloucester until January 8th... following the recent appointment of Steven King, a manager with a proven record of success in the South division... Former Dartford boss King replaced Lee Mansell at the end of last month".
A lot of work has gone on over the last few months, under the aegis of Stadium Director Chris Hamlett and we thank Armstrong Projects for all their hard work in assuring successful delivery of the project. There is still some work to be done before the opening, including supplying lighting to the area and the installation of the roof. The initial proposition on offer from the Fan Zone will be a selection of Craft Beers from the first pod, which will evolve over time as we get a better idea of what everyone wants from the facility.
There is more work to be done to determine... what we do with the second pod, which will most likely be a food offering...
The Fan Zone represents the first major change to the Popular Side for many years... Our intent in building the Fan Zone was to show we recognised the need to develop facilities to match the needs of our fans. It has taken us a while to get there, but this is only the start of works on that side of the ground".
He challenged his players to reimburse away supporters following yesterday’s 1-0 defeat as United missed out on a place in the First Round for the third successive season.
The Marketmen play two levels below Hayrettin’s National League side in Southern Premier Central.
An upset was there for the taking and they delivered, courtesy of Luke Ingram’s ninth-minute goal, with Maidstone rarely looking like getting back into the tie".
'We had three shots in the whole game... I can’t defend that. That was woeful... We were absolutely disgraceful today, and I mean that, and the supporters deserve better'...
Not for the first time this season, there was a lengthy discussion in the dressing room as Hayrettin delivered a few home truths...
He said 'We prepared the players correctly, we did everything the right way, we told them what to expect and that’s the response we got... Our players should club together and pay them their entrance money after that today. That’s what I think...
'We were camped in their half in the second half but what did we do to win the game? Nothing. Needham Market aren’t in that great form, they’re not top of their league, are they?'", he concluded.
The part-timers held their own against Yeovil... Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the match, Hargreaves said his players’ decision making was wrong at moments and that the Glovers didn’t ‘mix the game up’ enough.
He said... 'From the highs of beating one of the best teams in league [Solihull] last week and then today. [There was] not enough quality in the final third and [we] didn’t play the conditions or the opposition well enough...
'Some of the lads are still learning and we could have been punished. We had opportunities where we also probably made the wrong decisions in the final third... We just didn’t mix the game up well enough. We didn’t go long when we had to and we didn’t play when we had to, we got those decisions wrong'...
Although it’s a short trip to Taunton Hargreaves said he didn’t want a replay with a busy National League schedule coming up... 'I thought the fans stayed with us as long as they could, it’s always a difficult challenge. We’re expected to roll a team like that over... You’re playing against a team with a lot of ex-pros in it and a lot of lads that have played at a decent level, so we knew that it was a tough opposition...
'But we weren’t good enough, no excuses on that, nowhere near good enough for the standards we’ve set, certainly at home'"
Blyth were the better team, although they went behind in the 76th minute when Tom O’Connor scored for the second successive game with a free-kick that was deflected into the back of the net.
But Blyth levelled one minute from time as Michal Richardson’s free-kick from the left went straight through the box and found the far corner...
Parkinson, who made four changes for the showdown with deadly strike duo Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer coming off the bench on the hour mark... was pleased to come through a tricky test with Wrexham still in the hat for the next round...
'It was always going to be difficult with the conditions and the tightness of the game... It was a very scrappy game,” said Parkinson".
16 October 2022
Match report here.
Alty players rush to congratulate Conn-Clarke on his opening goal of the match.
The replay takes place on Tuesday night by which time the winner's First Round opponents will be known.
Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round.
Saturday, 15 October 2022:
Right: Marcus Dinanga is enjoying his football with four goals in his last four appearances. Here he is seen smiling in the warm up before Saturday's match against Gateshead.
They are now fifth in the league table of seventeen teams.
In the Northern Premier League, Josh Amis was one of Warrington Town's scorers ina 4-0 win at Liversedge, while Callum Dolan's latest goal from the penalty spot for Warrington Rylands was in vain as visitors Matlock Town came back to win 2-1.
In the FA Cup, Jack Redshaw gave Hyde United a half-time lead at Buxton but the hosts fought back to win 2-1.
Ashley Hemmings and Yusifu Ceesay were the Kidderminster Harriers scorers as they were forced to a replay, 2-2, by visitors AFC Fylde.
One team not needing a replay to reach the First Round proper is Curzon Ashton who won at Peterborough Sports through Josh Hancock's 57th minute penalty.
South Shields also went through to the next round thanks to Dylan Mottley-Henry's 13th minute goal at home to Scunthorpe United.
Terry Brown will take temporary charge of first-team affairs whilst the club begin the search for a permanent successor.
We would like to thank Mark and Tom for their hard work over the last year and wish them well for the future".
The BBC adds "The Shots have responded to a winless four-game run that has left them in 22nd place in the fifth tier with just three victories in 13 games.
Former Aldershot boss Terry Brown, 70, now their head of football operations, has been put in temporary charge.
Brown, who has also managed Hayes, AFC Wimbledon and Margate, was Shots manager for five years until May 2007."
"A number of questions have been raised over the last few months which I will aim to answer...
"It has been asked if the DCMS/Sport England loan was paid off as part of the South Somerset District Council transaction. It was not... We were given assurances that in time these loans would be written off. I will continue to work... to get these loans written off...
"In the latest accounts, Yeovil Town Holdings Limited have written off circa £600,000 of shareholder loans...
"A documentary has been produced to investigate the distribution of payments to National League clubs to help support them through the recent lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As board minutes will show, although YTFC were one of the clubs that received the highest level of distribution, I was one director who voted against and regularly opposed the formula and the way the process was dealt with.
"I never believed it directly addressed what the funds were for. While primarily it kept the League operating, it did not replace lost revenues as publicly stated by DCMS and, in my view, was disproportionately distributed to clubs.
"Clubs with higher average attendance in the National League, National League North and National League South lost out, while clubs which had lower average attendances in the National League pyramid benefited dramatically...
"I can confirm that the club’s former CEO [Martyn Starnes] has been assisting myself and the club for the last few months and will be shortly appointed as a Director of Yeovil Football & Athletic (Club) Limited and once again take up the role of CEO...
"We have been working with consultancy firms, architects and investment partners to assemble a plan for the development of Huish Park... Over the coming months we will be looking to finalise our plans for both the land and re-development of the stadium...
"We are continuing our discussions with potential investors to become part of the football club and the door is open for anyone to approach the club with interest in being involved in the ownership of the club...
"[Manager} Chris [Hargreaves] has been given additional resources to improve the squad... Whilst I appreciate, I won’t ever win some of you over, I hope that you continue to put your support behind Chris and the team".
Maher said... 'Non-league teams can do ever so well in cup competitions and it’s someone’s turn this year. We’re thinking that'...
Blues met the Cards just over a week ago as a 1-1 draw was played out at Roots Hall... Maher said 'We’ve looked back at the game and looked at things we can do better and things about them that we might be able to exploit, but I’m sure they’ll be doing the same'...
'We didn’t play great in the first half on Saturday, but we’ve looked at why that was and hopefully we’ve corrected that in a couple of little ways this week. We want to start better'...
Blues’ relatively big squad size means... 'There’s always the possibility of rotation, and with no midweek game, we can look at who’s ready... We’re looking to get a game of some sort next week for the players that are coming back'".
Midfield technician Charles has been in sparkling form this season... He is certain to return in the middle of the park this afternoon while Maynard will make late calls on two others...
'Charlesy is back from suspension,' said Maynard. 'Cookie and Max were back in training on Thursday so we'll see how they come through... We're pretty much getting back to full strength.
'I think we've managed injuries really well this season. We've only had a couple out here and there which has been good'...
The manager was brave with his substitutions last week and threw on Giovanni McGregor, Simeon Akinola and Micah Obiero for their debuts with his side 2-0 down and chasing the game. They all made positive contributions and almost turned the game on its head.
'Sim's been in training with us for the last three to four weeks and he's progressing really nicely,' said Maynard. 'He got his goal and could have had a hat trick. He's got that natural movement of a striker that we've been looking to add to this the squad... Gio come [sic] on and he fitted right into the team. He's a technical player and you'd think he'd been with us for the last two or three seasons. He was excellent.
'Micah been in and out of Boston's team and he's a player we tried to sign from Huddersfield in the summer... He can go one-on-one, he can make things happen for us so it's really exciting to be working with a group...
'We want to have a good cup run for the fans and the football club. We know how important the finances are for us'">
There’s not many players matching Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland’s goals pound-for-pound.
But Macaulay Langstaff is almost as robotic; the Notts County striker has been like a machine in front of goal, too.
August’s winner also now has his hands on September’s award thanks to another emphatic few weeks.
He scored six in four games following his electric first month after switching seamlessly from Gateshead earlier this summer.
Last month he got a hat-trick at Dagenham, one against Aldershot and a double up at York City.
We’re not trying to worry anyone, but he also started October in style with a winner in the huge game with Wrexham!
That match brought rare disappointment for Phil Parkinson, but he takes the top boss gong for September.
His Dragons ended the month top of the table as they really found their form, scoring 15 times while conceding just once...
We can’t get enough of the Vanarama Volunteer of the Month accolade... Malcolm Bone is Bromley’s go-to man when it comes to the local area, and as the club’s first ever Community Trust volunteer, he has set the standard for those who follow him.
Working at least three days a week, he focuses his attention on all things from children’s soccer camps to schools and engaging the elderly".
The visitors twice took the lead in the first half, through Tom McGlinchy and Ash Chambers, only for Sam Austin to restore parity twice.
But Luke Shaw scored a scrappy winner, which on review appeared to be offside...
Luke Williams rotated his squad for this one, handing debuts to young defender Lucien Mahovo and on-loan Leicester goalkeeper Brad Young.
With Kyle Cameron absent from the squad, Connell Rawlinson took the captain’s armband and was flanked by Mahovo and Richard Brindley in a back three.
Joel Taylor returned from injury to slot in at left back, with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling on the opposite flank. Geraldo Bajrami and Ed Francis played as holding midfielders with Quevin Castro and Austin ahead of them and Kairo Mitchell leading the line.
We had the nightmare start as, on three minutes, Brindley misplaced a defensive header which allowed the visitors to play McGlinchey into the area. The winger still had a lot to do but produced the perfect finish across Young and into the far corner.
It took only six minutes for us to restore parity... Later, Chambers turned home a low cross from the right to put his side back in front...
We emerged for the second half unchanged but, with 53 minutes on the clock, Williams decided to send Ruben Rodrigues and Matt Palmer on for Castro and Mahovo... We were level again.. when Taylor’s cross from deep sailed over White’s head and presented Austin with a free header into an unguarded net...
We were hit with a sucker punch with four minutes to play as the visitors attacked our box from the left and saw a shot deflect off Shaw and into the net".
15 October 2022
Following the multiple changes for the midweek Cheshire Senior Cup tie in which not a single player started who had also started last Saturday in the National League, it is expected that the squad to face Gateshead will differ as little as possible, subject to injuries, from that which played in the 4-1 win over Dorking Wanderers
That squad for the Dorking match comprised 1. Oliver Byrne, 22. Ross Barrows, 5. Toby Mullarkey (c), 23. Jake Cooper, 2. Eddy Jones, 10. Elliot Osborne, 8. Josh Lundstram, 16. Chris Conn-Clarke, 17. Brad Jackson, 11. Ryan Colclough, 30. Marcus Dinanga. Subs: 9. Jordan Hulme, 26. James Jones, 18. Ben Pringle, 27. Aaron Bennett, 31. Dan Malone.
However, Conn-Clarke and Barrows were both forced off in that game last weekend, by illness and injury respectively. However, as noted below, Conn-Clarke did recover to play for Preston in midweek. But Barrows (right) appeared to be concussed against Dorking so he may well have to sit out the FA Cup tie. Manager Phil Parkinson also revealed in his post-match interview that Bennett picked up a knock in midweek, to mean there are at least three doubts for the match on Saturday.
There may also be change on the bench with Zak Goodson having made a favourable impression with a scoring debut on Tuesday night at Sandbach and therefore put himself in contention to join the matchday squad.
Chris Conn-Clarke [right], who is currently at Altrincham, could make an appearance in this year's FA Cup as Alty take on Gateshead in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the famous competition.
The young striker featured for his parent club on Tuesday in Fleetwood Town's Central League Cup match against Blackpool, where he scored Town's goal in their narrow 2-1 defeat.
Conn-Clarke played in Altrincham's last league fixture which was against Dorking Wanderers. His side won 4-1 with the forward having to go off early in the first half due to illness.
Last time he played against Saturday's opposition Gateshead, Conn-Clarke scored the goal that put the scores levels after Owen Bailey opened the scoring in the North East. Alty did go on to win 3-1 back on Tuesday 4 October, with the Northern Ireland forward getting an assist later in the match to help seal all three points".
Given Chris Conn-Clarke's midweek action for his parent club, it remains in the lap of the Cods to see if he starts Saturday's game for Altrincham or is in need of a rest.
[This] follows a fine start to the season for Browne, who has.... returned to Wealdstone in June last year after leaving Sutton United, following a brief spell at the club in 2020.
The former Yeovil Town and Port Vale forward’s departure follows the arrivals of forwards Simeon Akinola and Micah Obiero last week".
Wealdstone had earlier announced that "The club can confirm it has reluctantly allowed Rhys Browne to join Woking on a permanent transfer for a fee that could end up being the third largest in the club's history.
The striker... scored seven goals in 13 games this season and six last season after signing for the Stones on a free following his release from Sutton United...
Said Chairman Rory Fitzgerald 'Once that interest from full-time clubs with greater financial power than ours becomes clear, it's about negotiating the best deal for the football club.
'We turned down a significant bid for one of our players two weeks ago as it didn't meet our valuation and wasn't right for the club, but... we feel we've achieved an excellent deal for Rhys, who will also be out of contract in the summer...
'The ambition of the management team and the board remains undimmed and the recent signings of Giovanni McGregor, Simeon Akinola and Micah Obiero demonstrates that.'"
A product of the Norwich City academy, Rhys joined Charlton Athletic in 2014. His first spell in the National League was with Aldershot Town, racking up 37 league appearances before earning a move to League Two Grimsby Town. During a loan spell at Macclesfield Town in 2017, Browne made 17 National League appearances and scored at Wembley in the FA Trophy final.
His form earned him a move to League Two Yeovil Town ahead of the 2017/18 season, making 63 appearances for the Glovers across two seasons. A third League Two spell came in 2019/20 with Port Vale. Sutton United signed Rhys half-way through their 2020/21 National League-winning campaign. Wealdstone secured his signature in the summer of 2021...
'The way Rhys started the season, he came to the attention of a lot of clubs,' said Woking Manager Darren Sarll... 'Rhys has many attacking, creative and athletic qualities that will suit our style of play. He has chosen Woking over potentially bigger and more established football clubs'...
Said Woking Chief Executive John Katz... 'To compete against the budget heavy hitters in this league, we can’t sit with our back against the ropes and absorb punches. We have to be aggressive in our approach to bringing in the right players at the right time, and I think we’ve pounced quickly and improved the side today.'"
He told the DT 'There has to be an out door, and that creates an in door. My job as manager is sometimes to take a little bit of pain in relation to having long-term gain....
Asked if he would like one or two players to leave, he added 'Yes, but I am not going to go into that, the time and place is not now. That is for working behind the scenes... We have a plan in place that we want to implement to take the club forward which will see the squad getting to numbers that we want, personnel within the squad changing, and signing one or two players that we believe will improve the team, not the squad'.
One player who has departed this week is Calvin Miller. The 24-year-old has left by mutual consent after just over a year at the Blues.
'Calvin has been desperate to get back up to Scotland,' Cook said... 'We felt it would be a good opportunity for Calvin, rather than wait until January, he can go back home now and probably go in and out of a few Scottish clubs. He could train at a football club for a week or two up to Christmas and hopefully earn a contract back home up north'".
Chesterfield were one of the worst offenders last season and they continue to have trouble with the referees, with two reds to their name already this season. Around the league there has been 523 yellow cards, 15 double bookings and 12 straight red cards...
A yellow (Y) card counts one point, a double booking (DB) three points and a red (R) card five points...
The Alty Files' unverified statistics suggest that Altrincham have picked up fifteen yellows and no red cards this season in the National League, with Jordan Hulme leading the way with three yellows.
On Saturday, Altrincham have a rare FA Cup home draw when the visitors are Gateshead who, as Tynesiders, will be familiar with the terrace chant of "Howay the Lads"! But here at Altrincham a more appropriate FA Cup chant in recent years might have been "Away the Lads"...
That is because, when Gateshead take to the pitch on Saturday it will be the first home FA Cup tie (other than replays) to take place at Moss Lane since 2018.
Although, as previously noted here, Alty did have one prospective home FA Cup tie when they were drawn to play Charlton Athletic in Round Two last season, they failed to get past this Saturday's opponents, Gateshead, in a First Round replay at the J. Davidson Stadium.
Prior to that abortive Second Round tie the club had faced nine successive away draws in the competition as noted below, though replays have meant that there have been two home FA Cup matches at the JDS in the period since 2018.
However, both of those home replays ended in defeat so the last time Alty won an FA Cup home tie was in 2018 when they beat Bradford (Park Avenue) 4-2 in the Third Qualifying Round.
Right: Right: Ryan Brown (foreground) and Michael Welch were both used substitutes when Alty lost at home to Gateshead 0-2 in the FA Cup in October 2010.
The 2018-22 sequence is remarkably similar to the situation when the Altrincham and Gateshead clubs met at Moss Lane in the FA Cup back in 2010. The 2010 tie was played in the context of seven of Altrincham's previous nine FA Cup ties having been away from home, meaning that they had scored just one FA Cup goal at Moss Lane since 2004; that was one to remember, however, as it was Chris Senior's prize-winning effort against Millwall.
Below is the record leading up to the 2010 tie with Gateshead...
So, as things now stand in 2022, the last person to score a home goal in an FA Cup tie at Moss Lane (excluding replays), which was back in 2018, was a player who will almost certainly be in tomorrow's matchday squad once again. That is
Alty captain Jordan Hulme. His 86th minute goal against Bradford (Park Avenue) in 2018 came after strikes earlier in that game by Hampson, Moult and James Jones, the last named of whom is also back on the Alty payroll currently.
The match was played at Stretford in July 1907 but had been held over from the previous season.
The Runcorn Guardian, reporting on the game which ended in a 1-1 draw, stated that in the closing stages of the match one of the players, called "May, in kicking out of play, knocked the cup off the stand and broke the top of it"!
Dinanga arrived at Moss Lane for an undisclosed fee 16 months ago, only to find himself loaned out to Kidderminster Harriers and then Dartford after failing to make the expected impact in Alty colours.
Parkinson never wavered in his belief that the 25 year old would come good, and the evidence was there for all to see at the weekend, as the in-form frontrunner rounded off a thumping 4-1 Alty win against Dorking Wanderers with his third goal in as many games.
'We were superb at both ends of the pitch today, which hasn’t always been the case this season, and it was good to see Marcus showing what a top striker he is,' said the Alty boss... 'The perseverance we have shown with him is paying off, and he is getting fitter and stronger all the time. He tortured their centre-half today and thoroughly deserved his goal. The chances we created and the way he was playing, he could easily have ended up with a hat-trick'"
The hearing over an alleged unpaid tax bill will be held on Wednesday 9 November at 10.30am at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Blues have already been placed under a transfer embargo after missing a payment to HMRC...
At the start of the month, chairman Ron Martin assured supporters the situaton would be sorted... 'We missed a payment under our Time To Pay Agreement with HMRC. This is the agreement we entered into (like many other clubs) following the pandemic, instead of taking a loan from the Premier League...
'HMRC have now cancelled the Time to Pay Agreement, which, given the current economic climate I believe to be premature, particularly given the agreement was due to finish in December 2022. Bridging finance has been agreed, but has not yet been completed. Once it has (weeks not months) we will discharge the HMRC debt in full.'"
We also learn from the Echo News
that "Southend United boss Kevin Maher has provided an update on Marcus Dackers’s future with the Shrimpers.
Dackers has scored three goals in six games during his month long loan from Salford City but the deal cannot be extended until Blues are out of a transfer embargo.
And, when asked if Dackers had played his last game for the club, Maher said 'We don’t know at the minute... He wasn’t ever going to be able to play in the FA Cup and it gives us a bit of time to see where we can go with it.'"
The Welsh defender joined the U’s at the start of last season, initially on loan from Solihull Moors, making the permanent switch to North Essex earlier this year, and has gone on to make forty-eight appearances for the club.
And now the twenty-three-year-old defender will head on loan to promotion-chasing Boreham Wood in the National League, in a bid to play some more first team minutes".
The Stones are in the National League relegation zone for the first time this season after seven games without a win.
A 1-1 draw at home to fellow strugglers FC Halifax on Saturday ended a run of four defeats but there were boos at full-time to go with rumblings of discontent on social media in recent weeks...
'There’s no need to moan,' said Hayrettin... 'What people need to do is get behind the ownership, get behind the players, get behind the club and support them. If they’re going to moan, there’s got to be a reason. Why are they moaning?
'We haven’t got the money, we haven’t got the structure, we haven’t got the budget to compete with some of the teams in this league. We’ve got what we’ve got. Get behind the team. It was an unbelievable achievement to get promoted and now we need everybody in it together, not pulling in different directions...
'Last season we had half the money that the other top contenders had. No one complained then. Now we’re in a position where we’ve had injuries, we’ve had this, we’ve had that, and we need everyone behind the club...
'Some of the recruitment we’ve made, they haven’t come to fruition, and it’s time for them to maybe move on. This is football'".
The 25 year-old has been rewarded with a new deal after scoring three goals and grabbing two assists in 13 appearances so far this summer...
Mandeville joined Town on a free transfer from Doncaster Rovers in 2019 and has made more than 120 appearances for the club in total".
Meanwhile, the Derbyshire Times also confirms that "Calvin Miller has departed the Spireites by mutual consent.
The 24-year-old leaves after just over a year at the club, having joined in June 2021 on a free transfer from Notts County. The left-sided player was placed on the transfer list at the end of last season and has found his game-time limited this term.
After not being involved in the first six matches of the campaign, he was given his opportunity due to injuries in the camp, and went on to start the next five successive fixtures, before finding himself back on the bench...
He departs having made a total of 45 appearances".
Ogle missed out last weekend due to suspension after picking up five yellow cards...
The Australian also spoke about the result against Aldershot, adding...'Unfortunately it ended in a draw. We have to look on the bright side that we’re six undefeated, and have to try turn some of these draws into wins... We have to tighten up a bit in defence'...
As well as being unbeaten in six, the Iron have also come from behind in each of them [sic] games, with Ogle saying 'You have to give credit to the lads to be able to do that, it’s easy to go the other way and crumble'...
He said 'No matter what round of the FA Cup it is you have to take it seriously... We know South Shields are a big name in non-league, they’ve got a good backing as well, so we can’t write them off...
'People always ask me whether I’m a left-back or a right-back, but I just say defender now as I’ll happily play anywhere. I’ve also enjoyed the odd centre-back role'".
The Altrincham manager revealed that Preston North End loanee Aaron Bennett (right), who had a fine game, ended the match with a tight hamstring.
Phil also praised the young players who took part, singling out 17 year-old Owen German in particular.
In addition to the FA Cup tie last year when Gateshead overcame Altrincham 3-2 in a replay at Moss Lane after a 1-1 draw at the International Stadium, there have been two other FA Cup clashes between teams from Gateshead and Altrincham.
The first occasion came in Round Two in 1974-75 when Gateshead United were beaten 3-0 at Moss Lane in front of a gate of 3,200. That win earned Altrincham a memorable tie at Goodison Park against Everton, and a replay at Old Trafford, that season.
After former Football League club Gateshead had been liquidated in August 1973, a club called Gateshead Town was formed but it lasted for just one season in the Northern Combination League before going out of existence. However, South Shields of the Northern Premier League then re-located to Gateshead and re-named themselves Gateshead United. They lasted for three seasons till 1977 and it was during that short spell that the 1974 tie took place.
The current Gateshead club also travelled to to Moss Lane in 2010 in the Fourth Qualifying Round and they emerged with a 2-0 win, watched by only 797 hardy individuals including 74 in the away end. As in the current season it had taken Altrincham ten fixtures to win their first league fixture that season and The Robins went on to be relegated at the end of that campaign.
Left: Wes Baines made his debut for Altrincham in the 2010 clash against Gateshead, as shown here.
However, when the tie was played on 23 October 2010, Altrincham were enjoying a temporary upturn in fortunes, having suffered just one defeat in their previous six games.
But, a lacklustre display on the day saw Altrincham scarcely threaten the Gateshead goal before conceding two second-half goals to a Heed side which simply found its own men on a more regular basis than Alty did. The home side's lack of mutual understanding was perhaps not surprising as the Robins had started with five players who had started two or fewer games for the club that season.
After a pretty dismal first half in which Gateshead had the better of things but failed to produce any decent final balls, Mulligan struck the bar with a header just before the hour mark. Curtis then missed a sitter for the visitors. Alty then lost captain James Smith after Mulligan had barged him into the hoardings, cutting the Alty player's leg.
But, with the game seemingly drifting towards a Tuesday replay, substitute Fisher beat Coburn from 30 yards to put the Heed ahead (76 mins). Three minutes from time, an Alty head cleared a throw-in but the ball fell to Turnbull whose low shot from outside the box went in off the upright to make it 2-0.
So Alty lost the £12,500 prize money and a chance of more revenue in the next round, whilst Gateshead deservedly took their place in the draw for Round One. In 2022 the prize money is just £9,375 for the Fourth Qualifying Round.
Altrincham made one change for their starting eleven from the recent league win over Fleetwood as Kevin Holsgrove gave way to new loan signing, Wes Baynes, from Wrexham. So Michael Twiss was the only recognised striker in the line-up.
ALTRINCHAM : 1. Stuart COBURN, 27. Andrew MILNE, 5. Robbie WILLIAMS, 2. James SMITH (capt), 4. Marc JOSEPH, 6. Shaun DENSMORE, 25. Matt SOMNER, 20. Sam HEWSON, 11. Nicky CLEE, 17. Wes BAYNES, 9. Michael TWISS. Subs: 21. James COATES, 7. Robbie LAWTON, 15. Ryan BROWN, 8. Damian REEVES, 22. Michael WELCH. 12. Kevin HOLSGROVE, 16. Anthony DANYLYK.
GATESHEAD: 1. Tim Deasy, 2. Craig Baxter, 6. Ben Clark, 24. Michael Kay, 5. James Curtis, 7. Martin Brittain, 4. Kris Gate, 12. Andy Ferrell, 11. Craig Nelthorpe, 8. Philip Turnbull, 19. Gary Mulligan, 24. Michael Kay. Subs; 20. Mark Cook, 25. Shane Clarke, 22. Josh Gillies, 18. Nathan Fisher, 17. Brian Wake, 21. James Marwood, 23. David Brown
The Through the Years files, created by Howard Watts and Mike Garnett, show us that the last time Alty played on next Saturday's date, 15 October, they won 3-1 at home to Matlock Town in 2016. That was also a Fourth Qualifying Round match, and it earned them an away tie at Lincoln City.
Luke Williams has insisted that the floodgates will soon open for Ruben Rodrigues following the Notts County man's second goal of the season at Woking last Saturday... The 26-year-old admitted he had missed a couple of big opportunities for the Magpies in recent weeks, but explained he... was happy to provide for striker and National League top scorer, Macaulay Langstaff.
Rodrigues has contributed to three goals this season, providing an assist on the opening day of the season against Maidenhead, and scoring two penalties... At this point in the season last campaign, the midfielder had six goals from 12 games before going on to net 19 in 42 appearances...
'It's a very strange thing with Ruben because he has been around the goal and had so many good openings and creating so much, and for whatever reason [they] won't go in from open play... I think the work he gets through for the team is by far the most important, because he shuts people down and recovers and will be deep in our half...
'That is the be all and end all for me, everything Ruben does after that we expect and is a bonus... I think the floodgates will potentially open at some point for Ruben'...
It was announced yesterday that Macaulay Langstaff had become the first player to win back-to-back Player of the Month awards for the first time in National League history...
'We are so impressed with his goal tally. But his work rate has been fantastic, it has been second to none... the players, I am sure, appreciate how hard he works for the team as well.'"
NW Counties First Division South (step six) side Sandbach United entertained Altrincham on Tuesday night in the Cheshire Senior Cup First Round.
Right: Striker Zak Goodson scored the opening goal for Altrincham on his debut, following his move from Ilkeston Town.
Match report here.
Of course, the sides also met last season in the FA Cup with Alty drawing 1-1 on Tyneside before disappointingly losing 2-3 to the Heed in the replay and therefore losing the opportunity of a home tie against Charlton Athletic in the First Round Proper.
This year I actually ran down the garden punching the air when we signed Kacper Lopata. Not only did it mean we had signed a very good player but it suggested we had some money.
A couple of weeks later we are back in the old cycle of unpaid taxes, embargoes etc.
As a fan, I want my club in the Football League but, most of all, I want my club to exist... I would like a new ground, but would be happy with an improved Roots Hall.
I would like my team in the Championship but would prefer a League Two team where everybody got paid. Most of all I would like the truth told about where we really stand!
This continual financial yo-yo damages supporters’ spirits. It must have an effect on the players too. One day it will be a bridge too far and we’ll be gone, with Bury FC and the others...
We have the goodwill of thousands of people in and around south Essex but we don’t have any stability. I worry because you can only rely on loyalty and goodwill for so long".
The 22-year-old returned to the club just last month, following a 2021-22 campaign that was curtailed early due to a knee injury he unfortunately sustained. Pugh has since returned to the club on a deal until the end of the season...
'Last time I was here out at Glanford Park, it didn't go well. I was on the sidelines for four or five months doing rehab but being back out there is a feeling I won't forget'...
'On Saturday against Aldershot Town, Pugh was introduced following an injury sustained to centre-back Andrew Boyce...
'We... do well in the first half and in the second half it's a totally different game. We need to play two halves where we can get a win in the full 90 minutes'", he concluded.
It took 30 minutes for the Magpies to restore parity after the interval... but they were the much better outfit thereafter...
'It took us a while to get going in the second half and that is something we will have to look at,' said the Magpies’ Peters... 'But it shows how far we’ve come that we were able to come on stronger in the latter stages of the half and equalise... There were some really naughty challenges which we felt merited more than a yellow card.
'We also felt that the header which led to our penalty was on the way in anyway and, therefore, the player should be sent off'...
On Maidenhead United’s now three-game unbeaten run, Peters added... 'Turning losses into draws to keep the momentum going is a real positive.
'I said a little bit of time ago that our form had been indifferent, and we needed to get to a stage where we are consistent'".
Akinola’s frustrating two year spell with the Shrimpers finished at the end of last season. But the 30-year-old striker scored on his Stones debut against Boreham Wood on Saturday...
'It's been a frustrating couple of years for several reasons but I am now ready to jump in and get some minutes,' said Akinola... 'I haven’t played consistently for 18 months or even longer than that'...
Akinola could not stop the Shrimpers suffering relegation and was frozen out by manager Phil Brown the following season... [before] the forward suffered a serious knee injury [against Eastleigh]...
Brown was sacked just four days after the Eastleigh game and was replaced in the hot-seat by Kevin Maher who brought Akinola’s former Barnet boss Darren Currie as his assistant...
However... Akinola suffered a hamstring problem during a warm up fixture at Kettering... Akinola departed [Southend] having scored twice in 25 games...
'During my time out injured I’ve discovered a passion for things outside of football,' said Akinola. 'I’ve always had a keen interest in business, tech and finance... Being candid we don’t get paid enough at this level to be able to retire after that so you have to think about life after football...
'I’ve got a first in computer systems engineering,' said Akinola... 'I want to change that perception of footballers in society... Having a degree is not planning for failure, it’s planning for long term sustainable success.'"
The reason for my confidence throughout our initial difficult spell was the underlying data behind our performances...
"It’s clear to see the transition to full-time has gone smoothly. Spirits have been good, even when results were not quite there, because everybody believes in the process. The quality is there; it just takes time".
Rob adds that "There’s some positive news on the injury front, with Egli Kaja, Lewis Baines, Zak Goodson and Isaac Marriott all edging ever closer to a return to fitness... Matty Kosylo is still some way off, but it’s great to see him out on the grass now...
Right: Alex Sami has left the club after one brief appearance.
And "Lastly, I’d like to thank the supporters for getting behind the management and players when it has been needed most".
Rob also confirms that forward "Alex Sami has left the club, and we wish him all the best for the future".
23 year-old Teheran-born Sami, whose full name is Samizadeh joined Altrincham in late July this year after he had impressed in pre-season. The striker had started out with Curzon Ashton after arriving in the UK in 2015 before he was picked up by Bolton Wanderers for whom he made his EFL debut in 2016.
From Bolton, a loan at Chorley (2016) was followed by a move to Kilmarnock in Scotland the following year. In summer 2018 he re-joined Curzon Ashton for whom he played against Altrincham in 2018 but, by December, he had joined Wealdstone before moving on to Burgess Hill Town in Sussex in early 2019.
Next he joined Lancashire club Colne in September 2020 before returning south to Leatherhead in summer 2021.
Although named in the matchday squad for the first four fixtures of this season, his only appearance was for the final fourteen minutes at Maidenhead in game three of the campaign.
Ollie has now kept goal in seven games for Altrincham after his debut was delayed at the start of the season by a protracted process of gaining international clearance from the Wales FA.
With Matty Gould and Manchester United loanee Dermot Mee also on the club's goalkeeping books, it seems probable that Ollie will be rested tonight (Tuesday) for the Cheshire Senior Cup tie at Sandbach.
They lie ninth in the NW Counties 1 South having lost just one of their first eight league fixtures before their recent slump.
Last season Alty went out at the first hurdle of the CSC, despite fielding a strong starting eleven and bench.
That match, played on 14 December 2021, saw Altrincham lose at home to the holders, Nantwich Town, despite scoring in the first minute. But, in an entertaining first half to the tie, Nantwich twice came from behind to lead 3-2 at the break.
Right: Ben Pringle, who played well in Alty's CSC defeat at the first hurdle, last season.
Josh Hancock fired Alty ahead after just 35 seconds following an error by Hughes who, a few minutes later, had to be subbed with an injury.
Despite Alty's lead, the Dabbers were the better side and Cockerline deservedly levelled after 21 minutes when Gould failed to hold a Heath effort.
But then Altrincham struck again when Ben Pringle scored a fine goal, finding the top corner from outside the box (32 mins).
A fine header by substitute Stair made it 2-2 (40 mins) before the visitors snatched the lead again in first-half added time as Cockerline scored after Alty has surrendered possession (45+2 mins).
Despite bringing on Colclough, Senior and Moult in a triple change midway through the second half, Altrincham laboured and failed to find an equaliser despite almost seven minutes of added time being played.
Few Alty players emerged with any credit, Pringle being a notable exception.
The squad comprised: 21 Matthew Gould, 2 Shaun Densmore, 18 Kennedy Digie, 19 David Fitzpatrick, 3 Connor Hampson, 17 Ben Pringle, 28 Dean Furman, 29 Danny Whitehead, 23 Tom Peers, 9 Marcus Dinanga, 10 Josh Hancock (c). Subs: 6 Jake Moult, 11 Ryan Colclough, 15 Matty Kosylo, 24 Joel Senior, 30 Steven Drench.
The previous season Altrincham switched their home tie against Barnton to their opponents' ground as the Moss Lane pitch was in a poor condition. Alty fielded a much changed side but won 3-0 thanks to goals by Peers 38 minutes, Graham 70 minutes, and Mercurius 90(+1) minutes in a match played in front of the home fans only. The competition was subsequently halted due to Covid.
A second-half equaliser from Shrimpers substitute Callum Powell meant Saturday’s clash at Victoria Road ended in a 1-1 draw.
'We should have won to be honest on the balance of the chances,' said McMahon. 'In the first half in particular we created some really, really big chances we didn’t take... I thought Southend were good in the second half.
'I said before the game they’re a good footballing team... We limited them to very little, even in the second half,' said McMahaon.
'They had a shot outside the box that El (Justham) has tipped over the bar but other than that and the goal I can’t think of another save he’s had to make'".
Manager Gary Johnson said the goal was down to mistakes, but his team also needs a bit of luck, after Torquay United were beaten 1-0 at York City on Saturday. The defeat, their eighth in 13 games this season, leaves them two points clear at the bottom of the National League table...
However, Johnson said there were some good things to reflect on from the performance at York, just not enough. 'Unfortunately we have lost the game on a couple of mistakes,' he said...
'I don’t want to be looking at it through rose coloured glasses because I know we still have some work to do, but we did create chance... But we have lost a game again 1-0 and we have got to turn it round. I have just said to them, all we can do is work hard and work harder and wait for our luck to change'...
There were two new players in the squad, with Johnson bringing in 18-year-old central defender Chin Okoli on loan from Millwall, and Dillon De Silva from Queens Park Rangers, a 20-year-old winger who has played 12 times for Sri Lanka. With Ross Marshall injured in the game against Maidenhead United, Okoli started at the back, with De Silva on the bench but, after Dan Martin picked up an injury in the 19th minute, De Silva replaced him."
Right: It's three goals in three games for Marcus Dinanga who is pictured here after netting Altrincham's fourth goal against Dorking Wanderers last Saturday.
It is unclear whether any of the long-term injured first-teamers will be fit for a run out. Missing from Saturday's squad, for the National League game against Dorking Wanderers, were the injured Baines, Kaja, Kosylo, Marriott and Sami. In addition, players who have not had much first-team game time recently, or did not play on Saturday, may also come into the reckoning and these include Brockbank, Goodson, Gould, Harrison, Hulme, James Jones, Roxburgh and Mee.
Also in contention for this game may be some of the six Academy graduates who have been signed on first-team forms, namely Cooney, Forde, Matthew, Hussain, Morton and Harlan-Rodgers
Alty lost Conn-Clarke (to illness) and Barrows to injury during Saturday's match so neither is likely to be involved at Sandbach, whilst the rest of those who took part in the game against Dorking can also reasonably expect a night off on Tuesday.
Alty Youth graduate Osebi Abadaki netted a penalty for Stalybridge Celtic but his side lost 1-2 to South Shields. And the irrepressible Kevin Ellison scored for City of Liverpool in their 3-2 defeat at Trafford.
Camp climbed highest to head home from a corner in the first minute of second half stoppage time.
Ousseynou Cisse had given the hosts the lead just before the half time whistle, before Liam Mandeville equalised for Chesterfield shortly into the second half...
In first half stoppage time, Eastleigh took the lead after Kelly’s free-kick was headed down by Carter, into the path of Cisse, who tapped in from close range for his first goal in Eastleigh colours...
In the 50th minute, Mandeville netted the equaliser, when his cross agonisingly deflected in past McDonnell...
With seven minutes added on for stoppages, there was every chance that this even encounter could see a late winner.
In the first minute of added time, Ryan Hill’s corner was headed home by Camp to spark some wild scenes in the home end".
The Derbyshire Times adds that "Eastleigh boss Lee Bradbury has backed Chesterfield manager Paul Cook to get the Spireites back to winning ways.
Town suffered their third straight loss on Saturday... Both of Eastleigh’s goals came from set-pieces..
Bradbury praised his team’s work ethic and organisation and said it was their ‘best’ display of the season so far... 'They (Chesterfield) are a decent team with some very good players. Yes, they have had a bit of a dip but I know that Paul Cook will get them back to winning ways and they will be challenging come the end of the season....
'We have had the better chances in the game and we have had more shots than they have and we have been in the game the whole time. We were hard to break down and I don’t think Chesterfield had an answer to that really'".
David Unsworth's side opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark when Mike Fondop dispossessed Will De Havilland and slipped Ben Tollitt through for a cool finish.
Latics could have doubled their advantage three minutes after the break, but [ex-Alty trialist] Daniel Gyollai did well to deny Fondop from close range.
Maidenhead equalised with 15 minutes to go after a penalty was awarded for handball, Charlee Adams slotting home to extend their unbeaten run to three matches.
The hosts pushed for a late winner, but Latics held on to deny the Magpies a third straight win...
'In terms of attitude, courage, heading the ball and a team defending for their lives, we had that in abundance today. The football will come'" said Latics' manager David Unsworth
Roarie Deacon’s last-minute goal earned a 1-1 draw at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday.
Deacon’s goal couldn’t stop the Stones dropping into the National League relegation zone for the first time this season... But they at least ended their losing run, which was on the verge of reaching five games until the late leveller.
Maidstone are 21st in the table, behind FC Halifax on goal difference...
'It was a nervy game,' said Hayrettin. 'I don’t think we played anywhere near like we’re used to but the boys were a bit on tenterhooks... I think we were a little bit unfortunate because it was against the run of play when they scored but we got back into it and got our rewards...
'With the greatest respect to Halifax, they were doing a bit of timewasting every time we went forward but I’m happy with the point'...
The Stones boss reverted to a back four, with Jacob Mensah enjoying a solid debut in central defence. Mensah, who joined Crystal Palace from Ramsgate as a teenager, left Morecambe at the end of last season....
Said Hayrettin 'He was a free agent, he’s been training with us and we signed him... Hopefully it’s a long-term thing. I thought he was man-of-the-match.'”
9 October 2022
However, the match statistics in the NL Paper reflect the match pattern somewhat differently.
It took Altrincham until first-half added time to get ahead. After Dinanga had been fouled just to the left of the box, Ryan Colclough hammered home a superb freekick from an acute angle, the ball going in off the underside of the crossbar .
Above: Ryan Colclough's freekick from the left goes into the net off the underside of the bar.
Match report here.
Above: Despite his side winning 4-1, Altrincham keeper Ollie Byrne was named Man of the Match. Here we see one of his first-half saves.
The tie is being played at the Sandbach Community Football Centre, with admission prices of £5 for adults, £3 concessions and £1 for under-16s>
The Bermuda forward came off the bench and seized his opportunity by scoring twice in the 4-0 drubbing of hosts Hanley Town in a Third Qualifying Round replay at Potteries Park on Wednesday.
'Happy to come back from injury with a brace and help the team [to the] next round of the FA Cup,' Hall posted on his Twitter account.
Hall was making his first appearance in Calum McIntyre’s team since limping off injured... on September 24...
Hall entered the fray in the 70th minute and doubled Chester’s lead with his first touch of the ball with a stunning strike which left the goalkeeper no chance.
The 24 year-old then put the match further beyond the hosts reach in the 83rd minute when he pounced on a loose ball in the area for his third tally of the season... Hall and his team-mates will hit the road again to face National League side Oldham Athletic in the Fourth Round...
Hall signed with Vanarama National League North side Chester in June and opened his goal tally with a brilliant solo effort in a hard fought 2-0 win over Brackley Town in their home league opener in August".
Footnote: On 22 March 2022 former Radcliffe FC forward Kole Hall, who had featured for Alty Reserves in a recent game, was named in the Alty first-team squad... After one brief substitute appearance and another game for which he remained on the bench, it was announced on 28 March 2022 that Kole had been loaned to Nantwich Town on dual registration to gain match fitness. However, he returned to Altrincham and made his home debut on 23 April 2022 as a used substitute.
He went on to make a total of 3(+3) appearances for Altrincham before, on 1 June 2022, Chester FC announced that they had signed him for the 2022-23 season.
Phil Jordan keeps us up to date with Alty old boys' exploits on Saturday...
Dan Mooney was subbed after 68 minutes in Southend United's game at Dagenham, His replacement, Callum Powell equalised for the Shrimpers in a 1-1 draw.
Carl Piergianni was booked in Stevenage's 2-0 home win against Swindon which made Steve Evans's side the new leaders in League Two.
Two late goals gave Bradford(Park Avenue) a 2-1 home win over Curzon Ashton after player-manager Craig Mahon had put the visitors ahead in the first half.
Connor Kirby was again on target as his Buxton side won 1-0 at Spennymoor Town.
James Walshaw was a 90th minute substitute for Liversedge as they knocked out FCUM at Broadhurst Park. Elsewhere, Josh Amis and Sean Williams were the scorers as Warrington Town progressed 2-1 at Hebburn Town.
Jack Redshaw's shot was the cause of the own goal that opened the scoring for Hyde United at home to Clitheroe but he was later booked as the visitor ran out 3-2 winners.
Macclesfield's Twitter feed said that James Berry was outstanding in their 6-1 demolition of Bamber Bridge. He was credited with four assists. Sam Grimshaw and Joe Bunney were late substitutes.
Nantwich Town manager Ritchie Sutton said that "the way some of the players conducted themsleves was unacceptable" as his side were knocked out of the Trophy at home by Warrington Rylands, 2-0. The Dabbers finished with ten men and, inevitably, one of the scorers for Rylands was Callum Dolan.
Hayden fired Wrexham in front early on before Nicke Kabamba and Harry Pritchard put the visitors 2-1 ahead before the half-hour mark.
Tom O’Connor’s deflected strike and Mullin’s first of the game turned the match around again, putting them 3-2 up, but Idris Kanu levelled shortly after the break.
Wrexham turned on the style to surge clear, however, as Mullin, Luke Young, Hayden and Ollie Palmer scored in an 11-minute period to make it 7-3.
But Barnet pushed to the wire, with Kabamba and Kanu both doubling their tallies to wrap up the scoring in a memorable match.
Phil Parkinson named two changes to the side that fell to a narrow defeat at Meadow Lane on Tuesday, with O’Connor and Elliot Lee replacing James Jones and Jordan Davies...
[At 7-5] Kabamba had an opportunity to make it six and secure his hat-trick as he pounced on Hayden and Tozer’s mix-up, but his shot was well saved by Howard. Despite seven minutes’ stoppage time, there were no further goals".
8 October 2022
Right: Former King's Lynn defender, Ross Barrows, has become a regular starter at right-back after missing the early games of the season with injury.
So far, 26 players have been named in an Altrincham matchday squad this season, twenty of whom have started at least one match.
However, in recent weeks, Altrincham have settled on a fairly consistent starting eleven with nine players having started all of the last five fixtures (Byrne, Barrows, Colclough, Conn-Clarke, Dinanga, Eddy Jones, Lundstram, Mullarkey and Osborne) and, but for the international absence of Dan Malone, that figure might well have been ten.
With greater consistency of selection in those five fixtures, Altrincham have picked up seven of their eleven points earned from a total of twelve games this season.
In 'Gate Money' (2022), sports journalist Fred Atkins aims to find out what happened to the £10 million National Lottery grant that was supposed to keep 66 National League football clubs afloat during the pandemic. What should have been a feel-good story of a Football League that hit the jackpot turned into a tale of bitterness, recrimination and abuse.
The film features interviews with David Bernstein, Tracey Crouch MBE, Kieran Maguire, Ollie Bayliss and representatives from Chester FC, Dorking Wanderers, Dulwich Hamlet, Maidstone United and Tonbridge Angels. Gate Money is a 55-minute documentary production which was funded and produced independently in a joint-collaboration between SPNJRT Media Productions and Moody Shots Production. The film is directed by Jasper Spanjaart (The Unknown Torres, 2019)".
'You can see that we’re not starting games well enough, whether that’s a mental thing or a physical thing. It’s taking going behind to get us going, and that shouldn’t be the case'...
Looking ahead to the importance of the Aldershot fixture, he said 'It will be a good week if we beat Aldershot'...
The Iron are now five unbeaten under the interim management of Tony Daws, and O'Malley says...'You can see in training and in the dressing room that the atmosphere is good and there’s confidence'...
The defender has nailed down his spot at left wing-back in recent weeks... He said... 'Tony Daws and Michael Nelson really want us wide players to get forward and attack... Iy’s good to be back in the team again and playing matches'".
The Daggers have scored 22 goals and conceded 28, a combined total more than double that of Blues, making the televised clash a difficult one to call.
Scott-Morriss said 'They score goals and leak goals as well, so you’re not sure what to expect. I’m sure it’ll be a fiery game'...
Reflecting on the 1-1 draw with Woking on Tuesday, the wing-back took the positives.... 'We were disappointed not to win at home but I think it was quite an even game'...
The game with the Cards was the 25 year-old’s first back in the team after being sent off against Wealdstone... He explained 'At Wealdstone away I messed up big time, everyone knew that and I knew that myself. I was disappointed because I’ve never been sent off before and it was stupid from me'...
Having signed in the summer, Scott-Morriss is already an established part of the backline, and is part of the reason why the team hold the joint-best defensive record in the division'...
He’s also part of the significant cohort of players that live together, and says that’s really helped him settle in to life in Essex...
'It’s the first time I’ve moved away from home properly and gone into football, so being around the boys like Moons [Dan Mooney], Hydey [Jake Hyde], Cav [Miley] and Powelly [Callum Powell] makes a big difference because even on the off days, we’re doing stuff together.'”
Wrexham boast a 100 per cent record at their north Wales stadium...
'We have had two games on our travels and teams around us have had two games at home'... said Parkinson... 'It is early days at the moment, it always hurts to get beat[en] and we can't hide away from that because we hate losing'...
When asked what the mood was like in the changing room following the final whistle at Meadow Lane, Parkinson replied 'Quiet... We have put a lot of effort in and come away with nothing'".
Both teams have lost five times this season but Wanderers have won five times whilst Alty have drawn the same number of games and only won twice. There is also symmetery in terms of goals as Dorking have scored 23 times whereas Alty have conceded that same number. At the other end of the pitch Alty have only netted 14 times so far this season.
Their line up in midweek for their 1-1 draw against Yeovil was: 21. Dan Lincoln, 22. Barry Fuller (c), 20. Dan Gallagher, 11. James McShane, 6. Niall McManus, 3. Bobby-Joe Taylor, 17. Josh Taylor, 7. Jimmy Muitt, 30. Seb Bowerman, 24. Harry Ottaway, 9. Ryan Seager. Subs: 4. Sami el-Abd, 15. Adam Mekki, 23. Jack Jebb, 25. Dan Quick, 28. Alfie Egan.
Whilst the two clubs have never met previously the Wanderers do have one or two players who have faced Altrincham for other clubs. These include Adam Mekki who played for both Tranmere Rovers and Barnet against the Robins. Alfie Egan has also played against Altrincham, for Maidenhead United.
Their leading scorer this season is James McShane who joined the club from Surrey club Molesey in 2016 having started out in Scottish football at Clyde and East Stirling.
Right: Sam Patterson, centre, is congratulated on the opening goal at Stalybridge in 2016
It was the thirteenth league game of 2016-17 which produced Altrincham's first win of that campaign and a first clean sheet as the game ended 0-2 to the Robins. In a game of endeavour rather than quality, it was right-back Sam Patterson who scored the first goal. He cut in from the right and fired a low, well-struck shot into the net from the edge of the box in the 86th minute. And four minutes into added time, with Alty winding down time in the right corner, ex-Stalybridge midfielder Greg Wilkinson got himself towards the byline, right of goal, and fired a rising shot into the far corner of the net to make it 2-0.
For this match Altrincham had made three changes from their recent FA Cup win against Morpeth Town. Deasy replaced Dawber in goal and Doherty came in for the injured Hannigan in defence, while Richman replaced Joyce in midfield. Positionally, Goodall reverted to centre-back.
In addition to Alty boss Jim Harvey who had previously been the boss at the Bower Fold, both squads included players who had represented the opposition previously. For Celtic, McMillan, Summerskill, Owens, Chalmers and Madeley had all worn the Alty shirt, whilst former Celtic men in Alty's squad were Wilkinson, Marsh and Hobson.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC: 1. Tony McMillan 2. Nick Ryan, 3. Danny Wisdom, 4. Jay Gorton, 5. Keil O'Brien, 6. Matty Hughes, 7. Brian Summerskill, 8. Gary Gee, 9. Andy Owens, 10. Danny Wilkins, 11. Adam Mather. Subs: 12. Aidan Chippendale, 14. Sam Madeley, 15. Aaron Chalmers, 16. Eddie Toner, 17. Steve Tames.
ALTRINCHAM : 20. Tim DEASY, 2. Sam PATTERSON, 3. Josh DOHERTY, 4. Jake MOULT, 5. John CYRUS, 6. Alan GOODALL (c), 7. James LAWRIE, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Greg WILKINSON, 10. Damian REEVES, 11. Sean MILLER. Subs: 12. Phil MARSH, 14. Sam HEATHCOTE, 15. Harry CAIN, 16. Craig HOBSON, 17. Charlie JOYCE.
For a full list of Altrincham's previous matches on 8 October, consult the Through the Years files compiled originally by Howard Watts and Mike Garnett.
Matthew was also involved with Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club whose Twitter account has a tribute to him. We extend our sympathy to his family and friends.
It is understood a six figure fee was agreed between the two clubs for Nuttall, who is out of contract at the end of this season. However, the two parties could not agree personal terms.
Nuttall rubbed salt into the wounds with a goal when the sides played out a 2-2 draw at Boundary Park on Tuesday.
'You can never say never but it’s probably highly unlikely that (a deal) is going to happen, so we move on, and we get a player in that does want to play for us, and that’s what I’ll do.'
Latics boss Davod Unsworth told the Oldham Times '“We made an unbelievable offer to a player and the player decided that they didn’t want to come, which is absolutely fine. I only want players who want to play for the shirt'".
The Stones have slipped to 20th in the National League after a run of six games without a win.
They’re bottom of the form table after five defeats in their last six matches; including four in a row after going down 4-3 at Barnet on Tuesday.
Maidstone host fellow strugglers FC Halifax at the Gallagher Stadium this Saturday ...
Striker Alabi, who’s made back-to-back starts, has played the majority of his career in the National League for the likes of Chester, Tranmere, Dover, Leyton Orient and Bromley...
'It’s a case of us being men on the pitch and understanding that this is a much tougher league,' said Alabi. 'The gaffer says it all the time; this is basically an extension of League 2.
'You’ve got quality players and one mistake and the ball’s in the back of the net. I’ve been at this level for the last six or seven years, and it’s a tough league. I always say football’s not physical, it’s about mentality...
'It might not be pretty, it might not be the best football, it’s a situation where people have to stand up and be counted'...
Hayrettin was pleased with Alabi’s contribution after pairing him up front with Jack Barham for the first time at Barnet. It has the makings of a good partnership if Hayrettin can find a way to accommodate two strikers...
'Now that I’ve found myself in the team, I’m going to make sure I stay in the team and get Maidstone up the table... It’s noticeable if I’m playing there’s going to be issues for the opposition... It’s a case of getting a run of games together and building that partnership so we can both be firing.
'Chester are the only club who’ve really put their trust in me to play. I played 58 games and scored 25 goals, so it’s a case of getting the opportunity and I’ll prove myself... I’m 100% certain I’ll get a lot of goals if I get a run of games.'”
Dagenham & Redbridge fans have already had a rollercoaster of a season, with the side being involved in 40 goals in the last seven games, and it's still only October...
The non-league side were up to their old tricks again on Wednesday evening as they produced a five-goal thriller with Chesterfield. Dagenham had found themselves three goals to the good at half-time... and the win was much needed for the Daggers, who shipped five over the weekend to Dorking Wanderers. Chesterfield's second on Wednesday was the 40th goal Dagenham fans have seen in just over a month.
The Daggers' last seven results are truly something to behold. Starting with a 4-1 win over Bromley on August 29, the Daggers have since lost 5-0 to Notts County, 5-1 to Dorking Wanderers and 4-1 to Wrexham and beaten Altrincham 3-2, Barnet 5-4 and Chesterfield 3-2 on Tuesday night".
6 October 2022
Right: Left-back Eddy Jones has started six games since returning to Altrincham for a second spell on loan from Stoke City. Here he is seen with goalkeeper Ollie Byrne who, likewise, has started six matches for the Robins this season.
On Tuesday night the freescoring Wanderers were held to a 1-1 draw by Yeovil Town. Dorking Wanderers report that "In a game full of ‘nearly’ moments for Marc White’s side, it was Town goalkeeper, Grant Smith, who was largely to credit for the visitors going home with a point. Sam Pearson’s early opener was cancelled out by Jimmy Muitt shortly after half time...
White named just one change from the side who performed so impressively against the Daggers [last weekend], as Seb Bowerman made his full debut, following his goal off of the bench on Saturday.
It was [Yeovil's] work off the ball which caused the Wanderers issues, the instruction to press the hosts high was clear from minute one. Pearson’s opener came as a result of this, an uncharacteristic mis-placed pass from under pressure Josh Taylor was intercepted by Pearson, who... finished emphatically into the bottom corner after just four minutes.
They continued to suffocate a Dorking side who struggled to find any sort of rhythm early in the game... As the half went on, the hosts began to find their rhythm in possession...
Just before the end of the half Fuller hit the bar from a deep cross... demonstrating the growth in confidence of White’s side as the half went on.
Marc White admitted both sides looked to feel the effects of the quick turn-around from Saturday... It was the manager's substitutes who sparked life into the game. Adam Mekki, who replaced the goal scorer Muitt, found lots of space down the right hand side in front of Fuller, who put in a fine performance. Jack Jebb, returning to the squad from illness, demonstrated some much needed composure and reliability on the ball...
Despite dominating the ball for the latter stages, the Wanderers struggled to break down a stalwart Yeovil defence... The point leaves Dorking in tenth, after twelve games played, just five points off of the promotion places. White’s side faces a trip up north to Altrincham on Saturday".
Left: Simon Richman in his Altrincham days.
The 32-year-old experienced the highs and lows of non-league football during his decade playing for Altrincham, where he enjoyed three promotions, but also suffered the drop twice.
And while the obituaries are not being written for Avenue just yet, they are already six points from safety in National League North, after losing seven of their opening 10 games, drawing the other three.
Richman said 'I've had relegations before at Altrincham, and I've seen how things can drop off for you. But we have more than enough experience here, with the likes of myself, Luca Havern and Oli Johnson, to get us out of the situation we're in'...
Richman said 'I think we've lost a bit of confidence, especially after having some unfortunate results, like at Scarborough in our third game. We were 2-0 up with a few minutes to go... We've had some abject performances too... We just weren't good enough at Southport on Saturday, and the second and third goals we conceded (in a 4-1 defeat) were particularly poor... That first win will be big for our confidence'...
There are more reasons to be cheerful too according to Richman, who said: "Brad (Dockerty) didn't play a lot after his summer move to Altrincham [actually it was Alfreton]. But he's back with us now...
'We can't have any more performances like at Southport though, because we were miles off it there....
'Those little injuries I've had have been frustrating, but these things happen... but I should be fine for this weekend against Curzon Ashton. I pulled my hamstring in the middle of our game against Chorley at the end of August and that was a bitter pill to swallow, as I'd just started to get a run of games.
'Fortunately, I was back playing after two weeks, so it's just about doing the right things for my body now, and trying to avoid getting injured again.'"
"The Premier League has announced an increased investment package of £12.6m to support the National League over the next three years.
A sum of £9m is available to support the 72 National League Clubs with running costs and sustainability. A further £3.6m will be available via the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association’s partnership to support the National League Trust and the network of club community organisations like the Maidenhead United FC Community Trust...
The new Premier League investment is in addition to the Premier League’s Stadium Fund, which has made £33m available over the next three years to help clubs across the football pyramid to transform matchday experiences and improve sustainability.
Funding for maintenance and new infrastructure is available to clubs playing in steps 1 to 6 of the National League...
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said 'The continued success of Premier League football over the past 30 years enables us to provide unprecedented investment in communities and wider football. As we look to the future, we are committed to investing more than ever, to help develop the game and provide opportunities to people of all ages'...
Last season, the Premier League supported National League clubs with £5m to help them with their continued recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic".
But he remains unsure if the on loan Salford City striker will be staying beyond Saturday’s trip to Dagenham & Redbridge. Dackers had scored three goals in five games since signing for the Shrimpers.
And Maher has been impressed by the impact the 19-year-old has made... 'He’s a good size (6ft 7ins) and people might be attracted to that first of all but technically he’s very, very good as well. He took his goal brilliantly.
But Dackers may not be able to extend his loan spell due to the Shrimpers being in a transfer embargo.
'As far as I’m aware he can play Saturday,'said Maher. However, when asked if he knew if Dackers could stay beyond that, Maher replied 'No'".
The Stones boss tried a back three against the Bees but United conceded four goals in a game for the third time this season, as well as shipping five at Wrexham.
'I didn’t think we deserved to lose,' said Hayrettin. 'But for all the hard work we’ve done, we’ve let in four goals. If you score three goals away from home, you should win the game, shouldn’t you? Simple. We got two up front with the change of formation.
'I thought James Alabi did well up there and Jack Barham worked his socks off, as he always does, but we’re still leaking goals at the back...
It was a fourth successive defeat for Hayrettin’s men... The good news is injuries are starting to ease, with all bar Kodi Lyons-Foster (groin) and long-term absentees Joan Luque and Raphe Brown at least training in some capacity this week...
Said Hayrettin '"I’ve been here before, so I know what to expect. You’ve got to be mentally strong... I've just got to rally the troops and get the boys ready for Halifax (fellow strugglers) on Saturday@">
The Club has been in contact with the relevant authorities and will provide an update in due course.
Woking Football Club stands united against racism and discrimination of all kinds, both on and off the pitch."
Southend's Echo News adds that "Woking boss Darren Sarll felt Southend United’s supporters let themselves down at Roots Hall last night.
Sarll said he saw one Blues fan try to assault one of his players before another was subjected to racism after the final whistle...
'I witnessed for the first time in 20 years an attempted assault on a player from a supporter,' Sarll told Woking’s YouTube channel... 'Then when we go down the tunnel we’ve witnessed racism. After the game we spent quite a lot of time speaking to the police and working out what the processes are now. I’m not backing away from it but what I saw, I was stunned...
'As a culture we all talk about standing up to it, so come on then, we will stand up to it... This club (Southend) has been let down by some not very clever people.'"
The ignominy of taking a point against a side which was playing county level football when we were plying our trade in the Championship is no slight on our hosts, every credit to them for their achievements, but a real yardstick of how far we have fallen as a club...
In Grant Smith we have one of the best shot stoppers in the National League... Thank goodness we had him as our last line of defence at Dorking, especially in the first half when he was absolutely exceptional...
Three days earlier I watched us look a threat (even with ten men) when we pressed forward and therefore it was a blessed relief to see us start that way and... we took the lead through exactly the type of positive press I refer to...
We were 1-0 ahead and started to invite Dorking on to us by sitting back. We seemed devoid of ideas...
Chris Hargreaves cited the absence of experienced heads... with an average age of just over 23.5 years in his starting XI... there’s some credibility in that argument against a Dorking side with an average age of just over 30 years old...
The pressure is on Chris Hargreaves... We are staring down the barrel of a relegation scrap... Chairman and owner Scott Priestnall was in attendance at Meadowbank and at half-time he told some supporters that he could not hear any calls directed against him. If that was the case in the second half, I would suggest a hearing test, it was far from the majority of the away support, but it was a sizeable and vocal minority. He appeared unmoved by the actions, even when a small group of fans moved closer to his position in the stand".
Oldham had taken an early lead through on-loan defender David Okagbue only to go in 2-1 down at the break.
Ben Tollitt salvaged a point from the penalty spot after Mike Fondop was fouled in the area...
'Not good enough,' he said... 'There were some choice words spoken at half-time, quite rightly as well. They had to know that I wasn't happy at all, not just the fans... There was some reaction, fair play, we got a goal and we should have won the game. But I now know what we're all about.
'One mistake and we crumble. One mistake and the whole team seems to put their heads down and that epitomises what's gone before, probably what happened last year and the year before, so at some point we've got to stop and it's up to us to do that...
'I want to turn it around yesterday, but it's going to take some time and we need to get our best players fit, and they're not fit at the moment and they're not ready... What I can't have is people crumbling on the pitch. That's not what we're all about'".
Dagenham took the lead in the fourth minute... Dagenham doubled their lead in the 17th minute... Dagenham made it three in the 45th minute...
Branden Horton pulled a goal back for the Spireites in the 55th minute with a fantastic strike from around 25 yards which flew into the bottom corner.
Tyrone Williams added another goal for the Spireites in stoppage with a header...
Cook said 'We’re giving soft goals away, aren’t we?... We don’t come under pressure in games, we’re not defending our box or heading it off the line or kicking it out. We are just really susceptible for switching off and making some really poor decisions in possession of the ball further up the pitch...
'They are a good set of lads who work hard, they really are... but tonight, we made some really naïve mistakes'".
'I enjoyed it for a change,' Millington said... 'In the first half, with the ball, we worked it well and created numerous chances. In some respects, we felt a bit hard done to going in only 1-0 up... In the second half we knew they would come out, we knew they would change things which they did, they changed shape and personnel.
'They were much better then than they had been in the first half. But... we had the better chances'...
Town opened the scoring after 28 minutes thanks to Rob Harker’s first goal for the club...
Millington told Shaymen TV 'He’s one of the ones that has had to be patient to get his game time. But we know he’s quality... not only by finishing... but also with all the other bits... that Mani Dieseruvwe has been contributing with his work outside the box.
'Hopefully it has been reassuring for the fans to see we’ve got two really out and out number nines... There are lads in the squad who have been waiting for an opportunity to play and they got that tonight...
'It’s vital to back it up now... We don’t want any more false dawns. We had that a little bit with what was a nice little run that we put together a few weeks back. We need to build on this'".
Town’s early attacking moves suggested they would get at least one goal...
The Minstermen struggled to replicate the display they produced just three days earlier, when York thrashed Barnet 5-0 at The Hive Stadium.... City, who had the chance to rise into a play-off position with a win, have instead remained ninth...
Manager John Askey kept faith in the side that had beaten Barnet, naming a completely unchanged team... Attacker Manny Duku remained absent from the team through injury... City’s first and only shot of the first half came from Whittle. The left-back, having ranged forward... could only fire his effort well over the Halifax bar...
City started the second half with a back four, Fraser Kerr having made way for Luke James at the break.".
Parkinson highlighted Notts' game against Altrincham at the weekend and likened the chances the Robins had to his side's, explaining that the Magpies should count themselves lucky to have conceded just once in those two games.
'We said at half-time that there is a great opportunity for us because we know how they play,' said Parkinson. 'They play with a very high line, and we knew that if the timing of the runs were right, we would get in.
'In fairness, against Altrincham on Saturday they [Alty] had similar chances, they have five or six similar chances and I think Notts County will look at it over the two games to only concede against Altrincham, they have got away with it a little bit'...
With over 10,000 in attendance to watch the top of the table clash, Wrexham started poorly and were unable to cope with the speed in which the Magpies started the game.
But the game took on a completely different complexion in the second half, with Parkinson's side creating a number of opportunities... And Parkinson bemoaned his side's wastefulness in front of goal but reiterated that his side should have come away from Meadow Lane with a point'".
Right: Fleetwood Town loanee Chris Conn-Clarke scored his second goal for Altrincham at Gateshead.
But that was after a shaky Altrincham had got off to a dreadful start, the visitors falling behind inside two minutes...
Match report here.
Although Dorking is in Surrey, The Wanderers' spectacular rise to the National League actually began in Sussex county football. They then progressed through the Isthmian League, narrowly avoiding relegation in 2013 when they finished 20th of twenty-two teams in Division One South.
However, they reached National League South in 2019 and earned promotion through the play-offs last season, having finished second in the regular season before beating Ebbsfleet United in the play-off final.
After netting 101 goals last season, Dorking have continued to score, and concede, regularly in their inaugural season in the top flight of non-League.
They are the club whose games have witnessed the most goals of any club in the division, 49 (23 scored, 26 conceded).
James McShane is their leading scorer with ten goals to his name already.
On the mark again was Dylan Mottley-Henry who put South Shields ahead against FC United of Manchester but the Tynesiders lost 2-1.
Callum Dolan scored twice in the first half of the Warrington derby. Again, one of his goals was a penalty. Rylands led 3-1 in the 83rd minute but Town forced a 3-3 draw despite having a man dismissed in added time.
In the FA Cup, Kole Hall scored twice in Chester FC's 4-0 replay win at Hanley.
Also in the FA Cup, Curzon Ashton were two up inside eleven minutes at home to Scarborough Athletic with the goals coming from Tom Peers and Connor Hampson But the visitors fought back to take the tie to extra time before Peers netted again, in the 117th minute, to clinch the game.
The Spireites have made their best ever start to a season, losing just one in 11, and opponents are clearly aware of their attacking intent.
That could well be the case on Tuesday night against Dagenham and Redbridge after they [the Daggers] got thrashed 5-1 at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, resulting in calls for manager Daryl McMahon to lose his job.
When asked what challenge Dagenham will pose... Cook told the DT 'You have got to be careful because one or two teams have changed for us... I can’t control what Dagenham do in any shape or form. They have got some excellent players and they carry a threat like all teams do...
'Whatever is going on at Dagenham is Dagenham’s stuff, we will concentrate on ourselves and want to be a lot better than we were on Saturday'.
Dagenham have conceded 26 goals, the most in the league this season...
Cook said 'Maidenhead had not won on the road or scored a goal or away from home before Saturday [when they beat Chesterfield]... Every team that we play gets our full respect.'”
Bruno is fondly remembered... Arriving from National League counterparts Woking in the summer of 2016, Bruno spent two seasons in a Wood shirt, scoring 38 goals in 100 appearances... The Football League came calling for Bruno, [with him] opting to sign for then-League Two Lincoln City under Danny and Nicky Cowley. After a season-and-a-half at Sincil Bank, including winning the League Two title during the 2018/19 season, Bruno departed Lincoln City with 73 appearances to his name, signing for... Salford City in January 2020...
Bruno departed Salford City in the summer of 2021 to join previous loan club Stevenage, spending a single season at Broadhall Way...
Gaffer Luke Garrard said, 'I’m really happy to welcome Bruno back... especially now we have another longer-term injury in Dion Kelly-Evans. Bruno has been training with us the past few weeks'".
The midfielder joked... 'It’s a great group of lads especially for the new ones coming in like myself, they just made it so easy... I stay with Dan Mooney and in our block you’ve got Noor [Husin] and Powelly [Callum Powell] upstairs.
'Then in the next block you’ve got Gus [Scott-Morriss], Hydey [Jake Hyde], Hobbo [Shaun Hobson] and Wes [Fonguck], so it’s good for everyone. When we leave training we can all go and do stuff together and I think it’s good for the group...
'I was delighted with the win on Saturday...
'I’m over the moon to be playing and I’m enjoying it. The group and the staff are great'".
After promising starts to the season, both sides are without a win in five before... Barnet were thrashed 5-0 at home by York on Saturday, while the Stones lost the late kick-off 3-1 at Boreham Wood.
The visitors hope to have striker Jack Barham available to face his former club but defender Joe Ellul looks likely to miss out after suffering a suspected fractured cheekbone at the weekend and Roarie Deacon serves a one-game ban following his red card.
Maidstone manager Hakan Hayrettin...said 'We’ve got to go there and turn our fortunes around. We’ve got to work hard'...
Meanwhile, long-serving sports therapist Beth Cooper has announced she has left Maidstone after five years".
Gateshead put Alty out of the FA Cup last season, after Alty had grabbed a late 2-2 draw on Tyneside. The Robins then sank to a 2-3 home defeat in the replay against a Gateshead side who were then in a lower level of the football pyramid.
Right: Toby Mullarkey will be one of the few Alty faces familiar to Gateshead tonight. Here he is seen wearing the captain's armband as he walks off at half-time against Aldershot Town. His team mates, Elliot Osborne (right) and Brad Jackson (foreground) were, respectively, not yet at the club or injured when the two teams last met.
When the two sides meet tonight, there will be just three Gateshead players (Bailey, Olley, Campbell) who started both the First Round replay against Altrincham last season and also started their club's most recent fixture this season. A fourth player, Robbie Tinkler who was on the subs' bench in the match last season, also started the Heed's fixture last Saturday.
But if Gateshead will be unfamiliar to Altrincham, the same applies in reverse as Mullarkey, Colclough and Dinanga are the only three Altrincham men who started the FA Cup match last season and also the club's most recent game, last Saturday.
On the eve of last Saturday's game, Gateshead announced another new face as midfielder Kamil Conteh arrived on loan from Middlesbrough.
Starting out at Watford, he made his first team debut in the FA Cup in January 2022 before going on loan at Braintree Town. A Sierra Leone international, Kamil joined Middlesbrough in May 2022.
A much more familiar face to Altrincham will be Adi Yussuf, for whom Gateshead is his twentieth club in the past twelve years; his previous employers include Solihull Moors, Yeovil Town, Boreham Wood, Wrexham and Chesterfield.
North
South
Ellis Bateman and Sheriff Njie were the Alty scorers.
The starters were Lucas Aldcroft, Ellis Bateman, Samuel Bonney-Phillips, Dane Byron, Michael Comber, Liam Evans, James Kelly, Adam Lynch, Samuel Murphy, Sheriff Njie, Loui Williams The subs were Charlie Behan, Charley Jarrald and Kareem Majzoub.
Earlier results this season have been:
In the defeat at Chorley the Alty squad comprised Ali Abdullah, Ethan Cosgrove, Oliver Dixon, Oliwier Fiedor, Alvin Gratzer, Kareem Majzoub, Jake Mallen, Josh Mannie, Abdulelah Nassief, Charles Okpe, Ian Vasconcelos Jose. The subs were
Modou Ceesay, David Costa and Byron Haughton.
The Spireites have recorded just three shut-outs, conceding two goals in three of their last four matches.
Ros Fitzsimons has got two of those clean sheets despite only starting three times, while Lucas Covolan has one... Town are having no problem up the other end, scoring in all 11 games so far.
..
Cook told the DT... 'If you are going to attack as much as us in general then you are going to leave yourself open in transition. Have we conceded too many goals this season? Yes....
'But the reality is we have just gone 10 games unbeaten so... we must be doing something okay'".
County’s third goal of their 3-1 victory on Saturday was officially credited to Macaulay Langstaff to complete his second hat-trick of the season... Chicksen claimed he got the final touch before the ball hit the net, but was happy to give up the goal to focus instead on the County performance as a whole as they moved up to second in the National League table ahead of Tuesday night's home clash with leaders Wrexham...
Wing-back Chicksen believes their ability to mix it with any team in the division at Meadow Lane is a vital trait. He said 'It’s always nice to play here... especially now we are starting to dominate teams when they come here. We do it for the majority of the game, and it’s enjoyable...
'We’re very technical, and we’re good on the ball, but we try and run every minute of the game and cover every inch of the pitch just as much as the opposition will try to, and I think that has been the difference for us'".
3 October 2022
The draw for that Round was broadcast live on talkSPORT today and produced a repeat of last season's First Round tie, albeit with Altrincham at home...
In a further coincidence, Gateshead host Altrincham in the National League tomorrow night.
Earlier Altrincham had hoped for a home draw, though they did have one last season when they were set to play Charlton Athletic in Round Two, only to fail to get past Gateshead in a First Round replay.
Prior to that the club had faced nine successive away draws in the competition as noted below, though replays have meant that there have been two home FA Cup matches at the JDS in the period since 2018.
Indeed, the Alty boss believed that the "chances we created were far better than theirs" but the difference was that "they were far better in the box than we were".
And the Nottingham Post reminds us that "It's now six wins in seven games for Notts and the perfect way to prepare for Tuesday night's crunch clash with Wrexham, the new league leaders.
Despite the victory, Luke Williams told how he was 'disappointed' with his side's display and placed credit to Paul Parkinson's side for their performance in Nottingham...
Williams made two changes... with Cedwyn Scott and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling starting... Adebayo-Rowling was the Magpies' main threat in the game, with most attacks coming from his side...
Scott was also brilliant, linking up well with strike partner Langstaff... Langstaff could be the missing link the club have lacked for years.
Whilst Notts did seem a class above their opponents in Nottingham when attacking, they struggled to keep Altrincham quiet at the back. There were many occasions where Marcus Dinanga found himself with acres of space behind County's back three.
The 25-year-old striker was unlucky not to grab a goal in the first half when he smashed the crossbar, but did get himself a goal with a neat finish from close range.
Even at 3-1, Notts showed signs of hesitancy at the back. Whilst lucky that their opponents lacked much quality when required, it'll be a worry for Williams ahead of Wrexham".
Eastleigh report that "The Spitfires were held to a point in Tyneside after Ryan Hill’s first goal of the season was cancelled out by a curling effort from Dan Jarvis... With John Oyenuga picking up an injury in the warm-up... Oscar Rutherford started...
Eastleigh had a big chance to double their lead in stoppage time when Tristan Abrahams was played through on goal but Dan Langley came out quickly to close him down and block his attempt.
The first 30 minutes of the second half provided hardly any moments of note... In the 75th minute, that changed when [Gateshead] substitute, Dan Jarvis, scored within ten minutes of coming on after curling his effort into the top corner to equalise for the hosts.
There wasn’t much action following the equaliser".
The Gateshead line up comprised 1. Dan Langley (Newcastle United loanee), 2. Robbie Tinkler, 32. Carl Magnay, 10. Greg Olley (c), 33. Luke Daley, 3. Ethan Pye (Stockport County loanee), 8. Owen Bailey, 20. Lirak Hasani, 11. Adam Campbell, 12. Dan Ward, 9. Paul Blackett. Subs: 4. Dan Jarvis, 21. Rob Elliot, 28. Owen Gallacher, 42. Kamil Conteh, 45. Adi Yussuf.
George Raftery scored Alty's goal. The line up was Benjamin Atkinson, Dylan Cachart Evans, Sekouba Camara, Edson Cata, Modou Ceesay, Oliver Dixon, Oliwier Fiedor, George Raftery, Michael Smith, Noah Tyson and Ian Vasconcelos Jose. The bench was made up of Lincoln Goddard, Harrison Turner, Will Spencer, Sam Taylor.
So an early pattern has emerged of high-scoring home wins and high-scoring away defeats.
He has netted ten times this season and is only one goal behind former Altrincham player Danny Heffernan who has netted eleven goals for Whalley Range this season.
Also in the top ten scorers is Alty's Amaar Hussain, with four goals to his name.
In league action, Ben Elliott scored a brace for West Didsbury & Chorlton, against Padiham for whom Joel Brownhill played.
Nicky Clee won a penalty for Mossley, which Mason Fawns converted. Fawns also scored another goal in the Lilywhites' 4-1 win over Widnes.
Callum Gribbin was a trialist for Alty this summer and he now plays for FC United of Manchester. He provided an assist for his side as they drew 1-1 with Neil Young's Marine, for whom Hayden Campbell featured.
Richie says, "As you may or may not know, for many years I have been the Chef and sometimes the entertainment for our regular festive fundraiser at Altrincham Football Club Community Sports. The date of our Over 50s' Christmas lunch' has been set as Wednesday 14th December with a 1pm start.
I cater for a fantastic three-courses of festive fayre with a raffle and a bar run by volunteers on the day... and there is also a cheeky quiz that I put together each year.
Right: "AJ", namely Andrew Jones, is pictured at a previous Christmas Dinner event. Image courtesy of Richie Bentley
The cost per person has risen over the last few years and now stands at £12 per person.
With the cost of living crisis very prevalent at this time a suggestion has been made to try and reduce the price this year with the aid of sponsorship, perhaps to as low as £5 a ticket. We have some guests who can only access this Christmas event; it is wheelchair friendly and set in an amazing function room.
To do this we need to attract approximately £1,500 of sponsorship, either from a single sponsor of £1,500 or from three at £500 or five sponsors at £300 and smaller sponsors.
Having spoken with some of the Trustees I know that the Community Company itself would be happy to be a minor sponsor if we can source other like-minded companies / people
Thanks for your time; let's make this an event that we're all proud to deliver to the local community of Altrincham!"
Riot police were called to a violent street brawl ahead... Football hooligans clashed in a residential street in Oldham, ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
Video footage shows fans punching and kicking each other in the street, as police officers attempt break up the chaos. The brawl happened on a street in Failsworth at around 2pm... A separate video, which is being shared widely on social media, shows fighting also breaking out on nearby Lord Lane, the MEN reports.
Riot officers from Greater Manchester Police are said to have been called to the scene in both cases. The footage shows two groups of thugs dressed largely in black with their faces covered squaring up to one another as punches are thrown and kicks landed."
A post-match investigation to identify more offenders, who will be arrested and placed before the courts, is also underway and GMP will be seeking football banning orders.
Wrexham AFC would like to reiterate our zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour at, and around, our football matches. We fully support GMP in their approach, and will be working with the authorities where relevant.
Five men have been handed football banning orders in recent months for incidents at Wrexham matches last season...
We would like to officially place on record our thanks to the vast majority of those who attended the game, for their tremendous support and the incredible atmosphere they helped to create...
The Football Club is also aware of the violence and anti-social behaviour which took place in Failsworth, four miles away from the ground. We strongly condemn this hooliganism. The individuals involved do not represent our fanbase and are not welcome at our Football Club...
Wrexham AFC CEO Fleur Robinson said... 'We are sorry that the actions of a very small minority have created more negative headlines'".
Speaking to BBC Somerset's Sheridan Robins after the Glovers 1-0 defeat at the hands of Southend, the manager was scathing in his criticism of Toure and said that the player would be facing a fine after his 17th minute red card for kicking out at a Southend player.
Hargreaves said 'I can’t excuse it, its unacceptable from a player that’s looked bright and looked like he could give us something. So it’s gonna cost him three games and its gonna to cost him a fair bit of money. He’s let all his teammates down today. I’ve go no choice [than to fine him], we need him on the field of play and it’s one moment of madness, a bit of ill-discipline. He’s done something that’s unforgivable for the rest of the players and that’ll be dealt with.'
The manager was also critical of the decision to disallow Josh Staunton’s header, which would have given his side a one-goal lead... 'They’ve disallowed it because it's a home game and the keepers gone down... That physicality has gone out the game hasn’t it? As soon as the keeper goes to ground, probably in any level, it’s a whistle, but its a guess whistle in my opinion...
'It's our job to do better on the field of play but the odd decision would help.'
Shortly after the disallowed goal, Jake Hyde opened the scoring for Southend and Hargreaves was disappointed... He said 'It's basics isn’t it? I can only put players out there and say this is your job, man for man, stop the cross and then pick up in the box, and both weren’t done.”
Looking ahead to Dorking on Tuesday... Hargreaves is under pressure to turn Yeovil’s fortunes around and said... 'I need people to step up and be counted because I don’t wanna be where we are and that’s an understatement'".
Ralph suffered a foot injury at Wealdstone last weekend.
And the defender did not recover in time to line up at Roots Hall this afternoon.
Blues boss Kevin Maher said 'Nathan got a whack on his foot last week and he hasn’t been able to get out and train or get his foot in a boot since then.
'We couldn’t take the chance and now we will see how he’s progressing ahead of Tuesday.'”
2 October 2022
Match report here
Macaulay Langstaff's quick brace and Adam Chicksen's second half goal handed the Magpies their sixth win in seven games to lift them above Chesterfield into second place...
Despite controlling large parts of the contest, Williams was left disappointed with his side's performance and vented his frustration at 'some bad habits' in the game.. He said 'I was disappointed. We were lethargic, we were sloppy and got caught.
'I don't think we applied enough pressure to the ball and we were sloppy in our build-up play, which hasn't been something we've been seeing recently. I hope it was a blip. I give a lot of credit to the opposition for forcing us into mistakes, but I think most of them were avoidable. We need to improve.'
Williams did credit Langstaff for his sixth brace of the season... 'It's impossible to speak highly of him because he's scored 14 in 11, it's an incredible return. He deserves it because he works hard, he's always in the right place and he's brave.'"
Notts County has a post-match interview with County manager Luke Williams.
It includes the following, "It is no secret that attendances have grown over the last 12 months at Moss Lane... The club, however, also recognise that to maintain higher numbers we need to ensure the match day experience is an enjoyable one...
We've had a lot of feedback following last Saturday's game around the queues to get a drink before kick-off and, most notably, at half time... The club are potentially missing out on revenue if supporters decide against a purchase because of the queue...
[Below: A reminder of how the facilities improved at the JDS with the construction of the Community Sports Hall...]
One of the most important factors that will guide our planning for a fixture is expected crowd.... What happened last Saturday? (Altrincham v Aldershot)
By midday last Friday, the assumption was for a crowd of around 1,400 max... Late Saturday morning our head of events was informed that two members of bar staff that were allocated to work had called in sick...
From 1pm there was a surge on e-tickets, and walk-ups before kick-off were higher than previous International weekends with no Premier League. Whilst it was great in one sense, it did put extra strain on the bar staff...
We are looking at ways at utilising the staff members in different areas to review the viability of an increased workforce. Dorking at home on a Saturday and Oldham at home on a Tuesday will give us an opportunity to offer a bottle bar again in the Community Sports Hall...
Is a permanent bottle bar viable financially? This remains to be seen... We'll use these next two, maybe three fixtures to promote the secondary bar option and analyse the success. We'll also make sure the decision isn't just based on revenue, we'll assess feedback from supporters and staff, and the visible impact it has on queues.
There have been many sensible ideas put forward across digital channels; pre-purchase, vouchers, additional bars, separate queues for best-selling drinks. All of these are under discussion by the events team and we will announce any changes in due course.
Purchasing tickets in advance is a huge help in terms of allowing us to plan accordingly, therefore much of our marketing for each fixture is focused on that at the minute".
The Alty scorer was Sam Chambers and the squad comprised Lewis Billingsley, Junior Bopda, Samuel Chambers, Owen German, Joe Holt, Edward Igeze, Sharif Islam, Scott Johnston, Joshua Jordan, Harlan Rodgers Morris and Aidan Roxburgh. On the bench were Joseph Cooney, Adam Lynch and Loui Williams.
Right: Amaar Hussain
From last week, Altrincham FC reports on a 7-0 home win for Altrincham Reserves over Congleton Town Reserves. The goals came from Islam (2), Hussain (2), Billingsley(2) and Morton. First-teamer Aidan Roxburgh again turned out for the Reserves as he regains match fitness.
"'What a fantastic performance! We showed our qualities for long periods of the game today',said a delighted Reserves' boss Ross Speight. 'That consistency we have been striving for has been on show in the last two games, and the challenge now is to show this for a third time against Poynton, which will be very difficult.
'The first team [squad] players, Amaar Hussain, Aidy Roxburgh, Harlan Rodgers-Morris and Ryan Morton, were challenged before the game to show their qualities and set the standard for us, and they certainly did that. Amaar was outstanding and showed his quality to dominate a game with two goals and two assists.'”
In their previous fixture Altrincham beat GPSO 7-0.
Chris Merrie was booked, and later substituted, in Tranmere Rovers' 1-0 win over Barrow.
Winger Dan Mooney played the first 81 minutes of Southend United's 1-0 win over Yeovil Town.
Defender Reagan Ogle was booked in Scunthorpe United's 1-1 draw at Torquay United.
A penalty by Callum Dolan gave Warrington Rylands the lead at Guiseley but the home side came back to draw 1-1.
In the FA Cup, Connor Kirby scored the last two goals as Buxton won 3-0 at Bamber Bridge.
Jack Redshaw was the scorer as Hyde won 1-0 at home to Darlington.
Goals by Tom Peers twice had Curzon Ashton ahead at Scarborough Athletic but the match will have to be replayed in Tameside as it finished 2-2.
In a Cup tie televised by the BBC, Congleton Town were robbed of a win over higher-ranked AFC Fylde by a very late equaliser from the National League North club. On the bench for The Bears was Anthony Griffith whilst playing for them were Dave Parton (above left) and Lewis Short. In the Fylde team were both Tom Walker and Danny Whitehead.
The 52-year-old, who was assistant to David Unsworth in the U23 set-up at Everton... follows the appointment of Francis Jeffers as first team coach and B-team manager, completing Unsworth’s backroom staff.
'John is an outstanding coach, a real student of the game and we’ve worked together closely for a number of years with a lot of success,' Unsworth said... 'John and Francis work really well together as a team.
John is a very different type of coach to me which I like and there’s a real opportunity to hit different areas of coaching'...
Ebbrell started his playing career at Everton in the 1986, and was a regular at Goodison Park during the first half of the 1990s... John then took up the role of Chief Scout at Everton and later oversaw Tranmere Rovers’ Centre of Excellence, before returning to Everton in 2015... He was promoted to assistant manager of Everton U23s, under David Unsworth, working with him in that capacity for six years".
1 October 2022
Match report here
Altrincham FC reports that "Dermot Mee, Aaron Bennett, and Dan Malone all return from their international duties and will therefore be available for Saturday's fixture against Notts County.
Bennett had an excellent hour of football on Tuesday night as he started and grabbed himself an assist in Wales under-19s' emphatic 9-2 victory over Gibraltar under-19s in their European Championship qualifier...
Left: Dermot Mee.
County have finished in play-off positions in all three of their first seasons in the National League and so far, this campaign looks to be no different.
The East Midland side have started well losing only one of their opening ten games to Dorking Wanderers, albeit due to two stoppage time goals. The club have recruited well this summer bringing in striker Macauly Langstaff, who joined the club from Gateshead in July... Alty will also need to keep a keen eye on Cedwyn Scott, who also signed from Gateshead this summer. He finished as the fourth top scorer in the National League North last season...
Additionally, playmaker Ruben Rodrigues has massively impressed since joining from FC Den Bosch in 2020 and is developing into an influential playmaker".
The Nottingham Post reports that "Luke Williams insists that his Notts County side should not underestimate the threat of Altrincham this weekend as they look to maintain their excellent start to the season.
'They should be buoyed by that result against Aldershot because they have played far better than the position that they are in the league,' examined Williams. 'They won't finish the league in that position, and for example if you look at the game they played against Dagenham, they were on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat.
'Dagenham of course, as we know are actually a tough opponent and they caught us on a good day, we probably caught them on a bad day, but Altrincham were more than comfortable to be 2-0 up before they even conceded a goal.
'They conceded a goal and continued to make good openings. They conceded again and continued to create openings and they were very unfortunate in that particular game. Watching two other performances of theirs, you can see that they have big threats, and I am not surprised that they won their first game last week, I am surprised it took that long.'
While Notts have a favourable record against their opponents in recent seasons, the Magpies suffered their first defeat of the 2021/22 National League campaign against Altrincham, with Marcus Dinagana's goal enough to end their unbeaten run after eight games".
The game has therefore been moved to a later kick off at 17:20.
This [will be] the second time in the first half of the season that Alty will feature live on BT Sport with our away match against Torquay scheduled to be televised on Saturday, October 22nd".
Upcoming live BT Sport coverage of National League matches is as follows
Wrexham take on a Latics side... with David Unsworth replacing John Sheridan as manager earlier this month... Parkinson [is] aiming to build on last Saturday's brilliant 6-0 thrashing of Torquay which extended the unbeaten run to seven games...
Said Parkinson... 'We go into it in a confident frame of mind but we have got to be ready to go there and perform as close to our best as we possibly can... Oldham's been in a bit of turmoil over the last few years and now they have got new, local-based owners so there seems to be more positivity around the club..
'I can't wait for the game. We have got a big away following, it will be a good atmosphere and we are really looking forward to it'".
Gary Johnson says three home games in four is 'a good opportunity to turn our fortunes around' after the Gulls dropped to the bottom of the National League last weekend. The 6-0 defeat at Wrexham was compounded by the fact that Torquay hit the basement after a game in which the scoreline hid some of the good things the Torquay team did.
With Scunthorpe United at Plainmoor tomorrow, they are two places above the Gulls on the same amount of points, eight, the manager knows three points is the least the fans expect, and he says it will be a 'lively' affair. Johnson said: 'It's a big game for both teams... What we can do is look at what we think their strengths and weaknesses are and see what we can do to exploit them. We are at home, and I think it will be a lively game...
'And what we want to do, we haven't done it yet, is get that win in front of our fans; to make them all a bit happier, because we have got three home games now, out of four'...
Torquay's two wins have come on the road, against FC Halifax Town and Southend United...
Johnson... knows that Torquay's budget is much, much lower than some teams in the division, but doesn't like to use that as an excuse. The wages of the two Wrexham strikers last week would have probably covered most of Torquay's bill for the same week...
Johnson said... 'All I can say as a manager is that the club has done all it can, within the rules and regulations of finance, to give us a competitive squad. And it is up to us to be competitive with the finance that we have got.'
With striker Corie Andrews out for six weeks, Dean Moxey still injured, and Tom Lapslie on the bench but not yet fit enough to start, it might well be an unchanged starting 11 for the visit of Scunthorpe. That will mean a chance for 21-year-old [loanee from Wigan] Smith to show a home crowd what he can do.
'He's an Alan Ball type player,' said Johnson. 'He likes to make tackles, he's clever, and he has got a little bit of nonchalance about him'".
The Shrimpers are now unable to add to their squad and may not be able to extend Marcus Dackers’s loan from Salford City until the restrictions have been lifted.
Blues are currently 14th in the National League standings and host Yeovil Town at Roots Hall tomorrow".
The 25-year-old striker has scored five times in the National League this season and has been one of the best players for Scunthorpe...
It has been claimed that Scunthorpe have indeed received a bid from Oldham for Nuttall for a move to Boundary Park...
But Scunthorpe are insistent that Nuttall does not want to leave and is keen to continue at Glanford Park this season. The Irons have also stressed that the club are not willing to sell their best players at this stage of the season".
Later the Oldham Times added that "Oldham Athletic are looking to land David Unsworth’s second signing, after having a bid accepted on the eve of his first home game in charge.
The identity of the player has not yet been revealed, but The Oldham Times understands it is Scunthorpe striker Joe Nuttall, with The Iron open to offers for some of their prized assets amid administration fears after a potential buy-out fell through earlier this month".
AFTER THE WREXHAM MATCH
Following his side's 4-0 win over Altrincham, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was, "so pleased today because we looked dangerous and were also solid defensively.
"Some games we haven't got the balance right but we were solid out of possession today and that gave us the platform to get a result.
UNDER-17S DEFEATED
Altrincham's U17 team lost by five goals to two on Sunday at Burscough in the NW Youth Alliance Premier Division.
CUP REVERSE FOR UNDER-19S
Altrincham's under-19s, who compete in the National League U19 Alliance, lost in the league's cup competition on Wednesday, to FC Halifax Town U19s' B team
GOODSON INJURY
Altrincham FC forward Zak Goodson (right) broke his wrist on Saturday in the closing stages of his debut match against Chester FC for Boston United, the club he had joined on a dual registration agreement announced just two days earlier.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Hayden Campbell was in Marine's side which won 2-1 at Basford in the FA Trophy. Also in that competition, Joe Bunney was in the losing side as Macclesfield FC bowed out at home to Guiseley.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
According to Kent Online, "Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin will keep working to the best of his ability amid the annual calls for his sacking.
The only team below Maidstone in the National League is Torquay United. Devon Live tells us that "Torquay United’s injury woes go from bad to worse as they pick up the pieces from Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Notts County and prepare for a crucial game against Aldershot...
WREXHAM 4-0 ALTRINCHAM
Altrincham came up against a much better side at the Racecourse and, despite not playing badly for the most part, were soundly beaten by the well-funded title aspirants in front of a home attendance of more than 10,000 supporters.
WREXHAM VIEW
An exultant Wrexham claim that "A treasure-trove of brilliant goals handed Wrexham a 4-0 victory over Altrincham.
Palmer struck a third just over an hour into the game, with another trademark sweeping finish, before James Jones rounded off the scoring for the day, after some exquisite football from the Red Dragons...
RESERVES' REPORT
An Altrincham Reserves side which reportedly included Lewis Baines and Isaac Marriott as they returned from long-term injury, won 7-1 on Saturday, away to Winstanley Warriors.
NEXT GAME: WEALDSTONE
Like Altrincham, Wealdstone suffered a heavy away defeat on Saturday, ahead of the meeting with the Robins this Tuesday night. This came after a midweek thumping for the Stones and three defeats before that. For whatever reason, Altrincham have not switched this fixture to a Saturday to boost attendance revenue, given that both clubs have been knocked out of the FA Cup which holds its First Round ties next Saturday.
The Brent & Kilburn Times reports how "Dagenham & Redbridge saw off Wealdstone in style at Victoria Road to claim a first win in five National League games.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Phil Jordan provides a bumper report on the exploits of former Alty players and loanees in games played this Saturday.
In National League North, Connor Branson (left) scored Alfreton Town's winner as they triumphed 2-1 at AFC Telford United.
At Curzon Ashton, Tom Peers (right) scored the last goal of the match but his side lost 1-3 against Hereford FC.
CHESHIRE NEWS: MACC SACK MANAGER
Macclesfield FC report that "Following a disappointing set of results that have seen The Silkmen defeated in three of the last five home games, Manager Danny Whitaker has been relieved of his First Team duties.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
In the Halifax Courier "Halifax boss Chris Millington said the togetherness in his side helped them over the line as they earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Oldham at The Shay.
29 October 2022
WEEKEND LEAGUE FIXTURES
Friday, 28 October
BEFORE TODAY'S GAME: WREXHAM
Realistically, the Red Dragons are firm favourites as they go into the match 15 points ahead of Alty. They lie second in the table with Altrincham fifteenth. Also the Welsh club has scored 42 goals compared with Altrincham's 23 this season. And the Welsh side has not dropped a home point this season.
Phil Parkinson's side take on Altrincham at the Racecourse this weekend...
ZAK BECOMES NUMBER NINE
Altrincham FC announces that "Zak Goodson has become the latest highly-promising young Altrincham player to further his development with a loan spell at another club.
OLDHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Alty TV has extended highlights of last Tuesday's 1-0 win over Oldham Athletic at the J. Davidson Stadium.
BYRON HARRISON MOVES AGAIN
Just two days ago we reported that Altrincham striker Byron Harrison (right) had joined Grantham Town on dual registration and he actually played for The Gingerbreads in Saturday's goalless draw at Pontefract Collieries in the NPL East Division.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
As was widely rumoured, confirmation has come from Yeovil Town "that Mark Cooper has been appointed as First Team Manager.
The Nottingham Post reports that manager "Luke Williams has said that he was unaware of the rivalry between Notts County and Torquay ahead of their clash at Meadow Lane this weekend...
28 October 2022
ZAK BECOMES NUMBER NINE
Altrincham FC announces that "Zak Goodson has become the latest highly-promising young Altrincham player to further his development with a loan spell at another club.
Alty's free-scoring summer signing from Ilkeston Town has joined Vanarama National League North Boston United in a temporary deal that will run until November 27th.
ALTY ARE "YOUNG AND STILL LEARNING"
Altrincham FC press and media officer, John Edwards, writes in the Sale & Altrincham Messenger that Altrincham boss "Phil Parkinson reflected on a morale-boosting win against Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night...
YOUNG ALTY
As the above report illustrates, much has been said recently about Altrincham being a young side. So, what actually is their average age? Looking at the eleven players who started last Tuesday we find the following approximate ages, as they are, towards the end of October 2022.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Josh Ginnelly played for Hearts as they overcame Riga FS on Thursday evening. Phil Jordan advises that he was credited with the "assist" for their opening goal in a 2-1 win in the Europa Conference League. Josh was substituted after 88 minutes.
NEXT OPPONENTS: WREXHAM
Altrincham travel to face title aspirants Wrexham on Saturday.
The Leader Live tells us that the Wrexham boss "Phil Parkinson knows Jordan Davies isn't happy missing out on a starting place but the Reds’ boss hailed the midfielder’s contribution when he came on.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Everybody at Chesterfield wants Jeff King to extend his stay at the Spireites, says coach Danny Webb.
At Southend United "Head Coach Kevin Maher says there’s more to come as his side prepare for the second of three away games in a week, against York City.
In a brief club statement we learn that Yeovil Town "have today parted company with Manager Chris Hargreaves.
27 October 2022
OLDHAM MATCH VERDICTS
TOP AND BOTTOM
Altrincham travel to second-placed Wrexham on Saturday for just their sixth league game against sides in the top eleven of the National League. In contrast Alty have played nine matches against the bottom thirteen in the division.
NEXT: WREXHAM
Altrincham face Wrexham on Saturday and from there the Evening Leader informs us that "A season-high home crowd of 10,039 saw Wrexham come from behind to beat Halifax Town 3-1. [There were 197 away supporters].
HARRISON TO GRANTHAM ON DUAL REGISTRATION
After just one substitute appearance for Altrincham this season, recent short-term loan signing Byron Harrison has joined Northern Premier League club Grantham Town on a dual registration arrangement with Alty. However, Harrison did also represent the club last season when he made 7(+1) appearances but the striker has not found the back of the net for the Robins.
ALTRINCHAM FC MONTHLY DRAW
The Altrincham FC monthly draw for September 2022 has been made with the outcome as follows:
THROUGH THE YEARS
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
On Tuesday, Alty's next opponents, Wrexham, beat FC HAlifax. From West Yorkshire, the Halifax Courier reports that "Town boss Chris Millington said it was a tough result to take after his side produced a valiant display in their 3-1 defeat at Wrexham.
News of another defeated team comes from the Kent Messenger which tells us that "Maidstone United assistant manager Terry Harris staying calm as winless run continues with 3-0 defeat against in-form Southend...
We learn from the Derbyshire Times that "Paul Cook says Chesterfield’s ‘issues’ will continue until they make new additions and some players leave.
26 October 2022
ALTRINCHAM v OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Altrincham deservedly took the points against a disappointing Oldham side who started quite brightly but faded badly in the second half.
MIDWEEK SCORES
Tuesday, 25 October
ALTY OLD BOYS
Gary Scott, Robbie Lawton and Eddie Hussin were in attendance as Altrincham beat Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night at Moss Lane.
NEXT OPPONENTS: WREXHAM STICK THE BOOT IN
Next Saturday, Altrincham travel to The Racecourse to face Wrexham who were faced by a media storm caused by striker Paul Mullin displaying a fear of football boots proclaiming an Anti-Tory message and the "F" wotd, albeit with asterisks inserted.
STORMY WIN FOR ALTY UNDER-16S
Altrincham FC under-16s' player Teddy Woolland has reported on his side's 5-2 home win at the MAnchester Heatlth Academy in Baguley against an older Runcorn Under-17s' team who were bottom of the league
BIG WIN FOR ALTY UNDER-17S
Mike Smith of Altrincham Under-17s' team has provided Altrincham FC with a match report on his side's 6-0 away win at Wythenshawe Amateurs in the League Cup.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The National League has confirmed "The latest BT Sport picks...
Kidderminster Harriers’ match with Chester has been selected on Wednesday December 7. Then, in an action-packed Sunday December 11, Braintree Town will host Dulwich Hamlet... before the cameras get turned on at Oldham Athletic, where Torquay United visit.
25 October 2022
BEFORE THE GAME: LATICS' VIEW
Before tonight's clash, Oldham Athletic write that "Altrincham come into this game on the back of a solid run of form in the National League.
They go into the game in 17th, one place and one point worse off than Latics...
TONIGHT'S OPPONENTS: OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Oldham Athletic visit Altrincham tonight and their supporters will probably have little knowledge of the Robins' current squad members as the clubs last met competitively more than a century ago, despite being just 22 miles apart,
However, there is at least one current Altrincham player who has also represented Oldham Athletic. That is Ben Pringle who was loaned to the Boundary Park club whilst on the books of Preston North End. Another link is that Matty Kosylo, who is still sidelined by injury, was born in Oldham!
EIGHT DOUBLES AGAINST ALTY
In his post-match interview after defeat at Gateshead last week, manager Phil Parkinson alluded to the team's habit of conceding goals in braces. In fact, this season they have already conceded two goals inside ten minutes of game time on no fewer than eight occasions this season, six of those instances occurring in away matches.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Southend Echo reports that "On-loan Southend United striker Jake Hyde believes artificial pitches should not be allowed in the National League.
FOUR TIMES IN ALTRINCHAM, BUT NEVER AT MOSS LANE
On Tuesday, Altrincham welcome their closest neighbours in the Vanarama National League, Oldham Athletic, to the J. Davidson Stadium. Although it will be the ninth time the clubs have met competitively, including four home matches in Altrincham, Terry Rowley informs us that Oldham have neverthless never played a competitive match at Moss Lane!
So tomorrow's clash will be the first league match at Moss Lane between the two sides, although the two clubs did meet in a friendly at Moss Lane in 1922.
THE VIEW FROM DEVON
Altrincham FC has video highlights of the 4-4 draw between The Gulls and Altrincham on Saturday.
NEXT GAME: OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Oldham Athletic will arrive at the J. Davison Stadium in good heart after their win on Saturday. The Oldham Chconicle reports how manager Dave Unsworth has finally secured his first outright win as Latics boss as his side were good value for a 2-0 home National League victory against struggling Yeovil Town.
A goal in each half proved enough as Latics turned on the style at times.
LOAN WATCH
Liam Brockbank (right) sadly lasted only 25 minutes playing on loan for Gloucester City on Saturday before having to be taken off with an ankle injury.
TOUGH START TO SEASON
After Altrincham FC's Academy won the National League U19 Alliance Division H title last season, Altrincham FC's Under-19 team is having a tough time in that division in 2022-23. They have lost all four league fixtures to date and sit bottom of the division, having scored just once and conceded fourteen times.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Jeff King [right] scored for Chesterfield as they beat Bromley in a stormy match on Saturday. The Derbyshire Times adds that "Jeff King says he is ‘open’ to having contract talks with the Spireites.
There were five ex-Alty men in the Curzon Ashton side on Saturday, Craig Mahon (left), Connor Hampson, Tom Peers and Josh Hancock all started, whilst Craig Hobson came on as a substitute.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
FC Halifax Town beat Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 on Saturday and manager Chris Millington said, "On another day we could have been a couple up by the break. But then in the second half, it is a testament to the resilience and the hard work of the lads that they have been able to grind out a 2-0 victory. The second half was a grind"...
AFTER THE GAME
Following the draw at Torquay, Phil Parkinson told the NL Paper, "In the second half we didn't really play, which is disappointing. I think that's a little bit down to the youthfulness of the team.
TORQUAY UNITED 4-4 ALTRINCHAM
Altrincham threw away two points in a game which they totally dominated in the first half against a Torquay side who were yet to win at Plainmoor in the league and who looked very poor throughout those 45 minutes. Indeed, Altrincham should have led 5-0 at the interval but failed to convert a plethora of chances before the break, notably missing a penalty and several other close-range offerings. But they only led 2-0 at half-time.
WEEKEND LEAGUE RESULTS
Friday, 21 October 2022
ROXBURGH GOES OUT ON LOAN
Altrincham FC press and media officer, John Edwards, confirms that "Aidan Roxburgh will continue his development at Ashton United for the next month after joining the Northern Premier League club on loan.
ELEVEN LOANS
With the departure of Aidan Roxburgh on loan (dual registration) to Ashton United there are now no fewer than eleven first-team squad members who are either out on loan or who have arrived on loan from other clubs. First-team squad members are defined as those assigned a squad number, or announced as signing first-team forms, plus those appearing in the CSC matchday squad.
NEXT GAME: OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Alty's next game is at home to Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
ALTY OLD BOYS
Courtesy of Phil Jordan comes news that Duncan Watmore was substituted on the hour as Middlesbrough were held 0-0 at home by bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Town.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
On Friday night, owing to a clash with a Nottingham Forest home game on Saturday, Notts County entertained Maidstone Unitred.
The Southend Echo reports that "Southend United head coach Kevin Maher has confirmed Marcus Dackers is unlikely to extend his loan spell with the Shrimpers.
22 October 2022
TODAY'S GAME: TORQUAY UNITED
Torquay United have previewed today's match against Altrincham.
Footnote: There is also a current Alty player who has played for both clubs. That is Ben Pringle (right) who played five games on loan for Torquay United from Derby County a decade ago.
ALTY'S FIRST CLASH WITH TORQUAY UNITED
Altrincham face National League's bottom club Torquay United today (Saturday). But it will be The Gulls who go into the game with their tails up after a replay win in midweek earned them a plum home tie in the FA Cup against Derby County which will also bring television money to the Devon club.
POST-MATCH WITH PARKINSON
Altrincham FC has Brian Flynn's audio interview with manager Phil Parkinson following the defeat at Gateshead on Tuesday night.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
According to York Press tells us that "John Askey is ready for the unexpected as York City travel to manager-less Aldershot Town [on Saturday] afternoon.
Scunthorpe United reports that "The National League have confirmed the Iron's home game against Wrexham will now be played on Wednesday, November 9th with a 7.45pm kick-off.
Loans between clubs at the same level are becoming more common and now Woking "confirm that Tyreke Johnson has been loaned to Dagenham & Redbridge.
21 October 2022
GATESHEAD HIGHLIGHTS
Gateshead have ten minutes' highlights from their FA Cup replay win over Altrincham on Tuesday.
THE WORLD CUP: THREATS AND OPPORTUNITES
Courtesy of the World Cup being held during the English football season, top-flight football will be halted in mid-November until late December 2022. The Premier League will close down between November 13 and Boxing Day, whilst the Championship will not play any games between November 13 and December 9. Leagues One and Two will play on, however.
PARKINSON APOLOGISES
In the Sale & Altrincham Messenger John Edwards writes that "Phil Parkinson apologised to the travelling Altrincham fans after two defensive lapses in as many minutes cost the Robins a place in the FA Cup first round proper at Gateshead on Tuesday night...
MATTY AND ISAAC IN THE COMMUNITY
Altrincham FC press and media officer JohnEdwards reports that "Putting a smile on faces has long been a prime objective for Altrincham players, and it will surprise no-one that some are able to do it without stepping on the pitch.
Matty Kosylo (left) and Isaac Marriott (right) are both recovering from pre-season knee injuries and working flat out to be fit again as soon as possible.
ALTY OLD BOYS
The Northern Premier League reports on two players who have worn the Alrincham shirt as "Ashton United have confirmed that their current longest serving players, Sam Sheridan and Liam Tomsett (right) have left the club.
NON-LEAGUE CLUBS HIT HARD BY COST OF ENERGY AND FUEL
The BBC reports that 'the cost of living crisis poses the biggest threat to non-league football since World War Two', one of dozens of clubs spoken to by the BBC has said.
EMIRATES FA CUP
Gateshead knocked Altrincham out of the FA Cup on Tuesday and now compete for £22K prize money when they face Stevanage in Round One on 5 November. However, The Comet reports that "Stevenage's FA Cup first round tie away to Gateshead has not been chosen for live TV coverage...
However, it was one of many and the powers that be have opted to go for five others.
The final live game will round off the weekend.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Gloverscast tells us that "The Glovers' Trust has responded to criticism at its lack of communication in recent months as it looks to elect new members to its board...
20 October 2022
BRIEF LIVES AT ALTY
Terry Rowley's historical data on Altrincham FC tell us that when Alex Sami(zadeh) left the club recently after making just one substitute appearance for the club, he was the fifty-fifth player to leave the club having never started an Altrincham game and having departed after just a single appearance from the bench.
RESERVES SIGN UP WITH ALSAGER
Two of Altrincham's up and coming young players, Amaar Hussain (right) and Josh Jordan have joined Alsager Town on dual registration according to the south-east Chesire club. Earlier this season goalkeeper Ryan Forde likewise joined Alsager.
NEXT: TORQUAY UNITED
As Altrincham were exiting the FA Cup on Tyneside on Tuesday night, their next league opponents were progressing to a plum tie in Round One, at home to Derby County.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Kole Hall (right) had the misfortune to miss one of the shootout penalties for Chester FC on Tuesday night which enabled Oldham Athletic to progress to Round One of the FA Cup.
THROUGH THE YEARS: 22 OCTOBER
Altrincham will play Torquay United, away, on Saturday 22 October.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Last week Paul Cook explained that Chesterfield could no longer continue to stockpile players and that for new ones to arrive it is ‘important’ that some leave.
In the Somerset County Gazette we read that "Taunton Town have progressed to the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup after they defeated Yeovil Town 1-0 on Tuesday night.
19 October 2022
GATESHEAD 2-1 ALTRINCHAM
In tonight's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round replay, after a particularly disappointing second half, Altrincham bowed out of the competition for the second year running at the hands of Gateshead, who now can look forward to a home tie against Stevenage with £22,000 prize money and possible TV fees at stake.
FA CUP REPLAYS
Tuesday, 18 October 2022
KICK-OFF TIMES TO CHANGE?
On Saturday, the floodlights were on from kick off at 3pm as Altrincham faced Gateshead in the Emirates FA Cup. And the lights of the International Stadium likewise had to be used for a couple of hours or so for yesterday's FA Cup replay.
NEXT: TORQUAY UNITED
Before they played their FA Cup replay on Tuesday night, href="https://www.devonlive.com/sport/derby-county-payday-torquay-united-7715717">Devon Live reported that "Torquay United’s injury-hit squad will need to be at its best at Hampton & Richmond Borough this evening when the Gulls try to seal a home tie with League One side Derby County in the first round proper of the FA Cup, at the second attempt...
ALTY OLD BOYS
The last man to score a hat-trick for Altrincham, Joe Piggott and the Northern Premier League reports that "Radcliffe have secured the services of striker Joe Piggot from AFC Fylde.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Nottingham Post reports that defender "Connell Rawlinson has questioned the mentality of some of his Notts County team-mates following their shock FA Cup defeat to Coalville Town on Saturday.
VANARAMA NATUIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES
18 October 2022
BEFORE THE MATCH: GATESHEAD v ALTRINCHAM
Tonight, in a repeat of last season, Altrincham face Gateshead in an FA Cup replay between the two clubs. Last season the replay in question was in the First Round and was played at the J. Davidson Stadium, with the Heed emerging triumphant.
STEVENAGE, A BOGEY TEAM
Whilst drawing any EFL club as FA Cup opposition would present a challenge, Stevenage would represent a more difficult task for Altrincham than most other clubs who were in the Draw, should the Robins be successful tonight on Tyneside.
EMIRATES FA CUP DRAW
The draw for the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper was made on Monday evening and produced the following ties, which are to be played on (or about) Saturday 5 November.
"CRICKY"; HE'S DOING WELL AT ALTY
Fleetwood Town report that "Young forward Chris Conn-Clarke [right] has continued his good run of form for his loan side Altrincham by finding the back of the net in their Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie on Saturday.
NEXT LEAGUE OPPONENTS: TORQUAY UNITED
Next weekend, Altrincham travel to play Torquay United to face the bottom club in the Vanarama National League.
Before Tuesday's replays, the BBC reported that "Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has praised the attitude of his players after forcing a replay in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with Hampton and Richmond Borough.
ALTY SEEK A PHYSIO
Altrincham Football Club "are seeking to employ a new full-time First Team Lead Physiotherapist/Sports Therapist...
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
At Southend United "Blues midfielder Cav Miley said the performance against Woking in the Emirates FA Cup didn’t hit the levels that he wanted.
OF GATESHEAD AND FA CUP REPLAYS
For the third time in a fortnight, Altrincham face Gateshead tomorrow (Tuesday) when the sides meet in a Fourth Qualifying Round replay in the Emirates FA Cup at the International Stadium. Alty won on Tyneside 3-1 on the National League on 11 October, whilst the teams drew 2-2 last Saturday at the J. Davidson Stadium in the FA Cup.
BROCKBANK GOES ON LOAN
Press and media officer, John Edwards, announces on the Altrincham FC website that defender "Liam Brockbank has joined Gloucester City on loan...
GATESHEAD HIGHLIGHTS
Alty TV has extended highlights of Saturday's draw between Altrincham and Gateshead.
FAN ZONE TO OPEN
Altrincham FC "announce that the Fan Zone... is not open for business today [Saturday] we are aiming to hit this particular milestone at the game with Oldham Athletic on Tuesday October 25th. But the area itself is now accessible, no longer sealed off and the Fan Zone is looking good...
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Kent Online reports that "Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin described Maidstone’s performance in their FA Cup exit at Needham Market as 'absolutely disgraceful' and said fans deserved their money back.
Apart from Altrincham, the only other National League side to draw a home FA Cup match on Saturday was Yeovil Town from where the unofficial Gloverscast, reports that "A disappointed and annoyed Chris Hargreaves said his Glovers side were ‘nowhere near good enough’ after National League South Taunton Town held Yeovil to a 0-0 draw at Huish Park this afternoon.
According to the Leader Live, "Phil Parkinson expected a tough FA Cup tie and he got it as Wrexham were held to a 1-1 draw against Blyth Spartans at Croft Park... Blyth are struggling in the division below, but Graham Fenton’s side produced a fantastic performance.
ALTRINCHAM 2-2 GATESHEAD
Altrincham came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw which sees both sides in the hat for Monday's First Round draw.
EMIRATES FA CUP RESULTS
The draw for the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup takes place live on BBC2 on Monday night from 7pm.
DRAW FOR ALTY RESERVES
Altrincham Reserves came from behind to secure a 3-3 draw at Eagle Sports in their Cheshire League fixture on Saturday.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Courtesy of Phil Jordan we learn that on Saturday, Duncan Watmore scored in added time at the end of the first half to reduce the arrears for Middlesbrough but he was substituted in the 67th minute before visitors Blackburn Rovers held on to win 2-1.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Following their exit from the FA Cup, Aldershot Town have sacked manager Mark Molesley. In a brief ststement The Shots said that they could confirm "that First-Team Manager Mark Molesley and Assistant Manager Tom Prodomo have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect.
Scott Priestnall, the chairman of Yeovil Town has issued a statement which includes...
Ahead of Saturday's tie, Southend United Head Coach Kevin Maher said that "the Emirates FA Cup provides something different as his side prepare to travel to Surrey to face fellow Vanarama National League outfit Woking...
Before their FA Cup match on Saturday, Wealdstone were "boosted by the return of Ashley Charles, encouraged by the integration of the three new attacking players and determined to make sure the Stones are in the hat for the next round.
The National League has announced that "Never before has someone secured back-to-back monthly awards. But there’s always a first time for everything as we proudly confirm September’s big winners.
The biggest shock in the FA Cup on Saturday came at Notts County where "A disjointed performance resulted in a 3-2 defeat against Coalville Town...
TODAY'S GAME: GATESHEAD
Altrincham are at home to Gateshead in the Emirates FA Cup today (Saturday).
Left: Right-back Ross Barrows may be a doubt for the FA Cup tie against Gateshead after suffering an injury last Saturday.
IN THE LAP OF THE CODS
Fleetwood Town write that "Young cod Chris Conn-Clarke was in action over the last seven days for his loan side...
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
From West London Sport we learn that "Wealdstone have sold top scorer Rhys Browne to National League rivals Woking for an undisclosed fee...
Meanwhile, Woking added that "The versatile forward, 26, joins the Cards from Wealdstone for an undisclosed fee. Browne has signed a two-year deal through to the end of the 2023/24 season with a Club option for the 2024/25 season...
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Paul Cook says it is ‘important’ that some players leave Chesterfield before new ones arrive. The Spireites boss wants to improve the starting line-up, rather than just the squad...
Also from the Derbyshire Times we learn which are "The dirtiest teams in the National League so far this season...
14 October 2022
AWAY THE LADS
CUP DISASTER!
From the archives... As Altrincham prepare for an FA Cup match on Saturday, it is to be hoped that in this year's Cup Final there is to be no repeat of what happened in 1907 when Altrincham faced Stretford in the Final of the Altrincham and District Challenge Cup.
PRAISE FOR DINANGA
In the Sale & Altrincham Messenger, John Edwards writes that "Marcus Dinanga continued to repay Phil Parkinson’s faith in him and earned a glowing tribute from the Altrincham manager after the Robins made it three wins in four games at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
In the Echo News, we learn that "Southend United are facing a winding-up petition from HM Revenue & Customs.
Colchester United confirm that "Cameron Coxe has joined National League side Boreham Wood on a loan deal that will run until January.
Kent Online tells us that "Hakan Hayrettin has urged Maidstone fans to get behind their team...
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Chesterfield midfielder Liam Mandeville has signed a new one-year contract extension at Chesterfield until summer 2024.
At Scunthorpe United former Altrincham and current "Iron defender Reagan Ogle has reflected on the team's recent form...
13 October 2022
POST-SANDBACH INTERVIEW
Jonny Crowther's post-match sound interview with manager Phil Parkinson is available on the Altrincham FC website.
GATESHEAD'S PREVIOUS CUP VISITS
Altrincham host Gateshead on Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round. It will be just eleven days after the two sides met in the National League, with Altrincham winning 3-1.
THROUGH THE YEARS: 15 OCTOBER
Altrincham will welcome Gateshead for an Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round match on Saturday (15th October).
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Nottingham Post reports "as Magpies boss Luke Williams discusses Ruben Rodrigues and Macaulay Langstaff
12 October 2022
SANDBACH UNITED 0-4 ALTRINCHAM
NEXT: GATESHEAD
Less than a fortnight after Altrincham defeated Gateshead 3-1 in a Vanarama National League game at the International Stadium, the two sides meet again on Saturday, this time at the J Davidson Stadium in an Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday, 11 October.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
In the Echo News, "A frustrated Southend United supporter, Graham Hart, has his say.
"Does Southend Utd have a future?... I’ve been through it all over the years and, although I don’t get to many games now, I still nervously 'live' every minute of every match.
At Scunthorpe United "Midfielder Tom Pugh thanked the Iron supporters for the warm reception he was shown, following his re-introduction...
According to the Maidenhead Advertiser, "Had Maidenhead United not taken their foot off the gas early in the second half, they would have been destined for victory against Oldham Athletic, according to assistant manager Ryan Peters.
The Echo News reports that "Former Southend United striker Simeon Akinola is looking to excel on and off the pitch after signing for Wealdstone.
11 October 2022
ALTY SHOW POSITIVE SIGNS
In an Update on Football Matters Altrincham FC director Rob Esteva discusses how Altrincham "for a team which is the youngest in the division with an average age of just 23.9 years-old, there are some really positive signs that we are settling into this season well.
OLLIE BYRNE INTERVIEW
Altrincham FC has Jonny Crowther's post-match interview with goalkeeper Ollie Byrne (left) who was man of the match against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.
CSC TONIGHT
Tonight (Tuesday) Altrincham face Sandbach United (away) when they enter the 2022-23 Cheshire Senior Cup (CSC) competition. Altrincham go into the match after three wins in their last four league games; in contrast Sandbach have lost their last four fixtures, three of which reverses have been at home.
TUESDAY NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURE
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
In Southend's Echo News we learn that "Dagenham & Redbridge boss Daryl McMahon felt his side should have been beaten Southend United.
Devon Live "Mistakes [are] hurting Torquay United after another defeat leaves Gulls bottom
10 October 2022
ALTY'S POST-MATCH VIDEOS
From Saturday's match against Dorking Wanderers, Alty TV has fifteen minutes of match highlights and a post-match interview with Phil Parkinson.
NEXT GAME: SANDBACH UNITED
Altrincham are expected to make numerous changes from Saturday's line up as they travel to face Sandbach United in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night.
ALTY YOUTH SUFFER ANOTHER DEFEAT
On Sunday, there was another heavy defeat for Altrincham FC Youth in the NWYA Premier Division. Having lost 4-1 at Trafford last weekend, this weekend they went down 1-5 at home to Chester FC Youth.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Montel Gibson and Brendon Daniels both scored for AFC Telford United but the Bucks lost 3-2 to Peterborough Sports on Saturday.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Eastleigh report that "A stoppage time winner from Brennan Camp sealed all three points for Eastleigh in dramatic fashion against high-flying Chesterfield at the Silverlake Stadium.
The Oldham Chronicle reports that "Latics slid to within just one point of the National League drop zone after they drew 1-1 at Maidenhead in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
From Kent Online, we read that "Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin was satisfied with a point against FC Halifax.
SATURDAY MATCH STATS
A 4-1 home win for the Robins suggests a pretty comprehensive win and, certainly, Altrincham deserved the three points against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.
ALTRINCHAM 4-1 DORKING WANDERERS
Altrincham's third win in four games included two superbly taken goals but a measure of the visitors' contribution was that Alty keeper Ollie Byrne was named man of the match.
SATURDAY SCORES
Saturday, 8 October 2022
RESERVES BEATEN
Altrincham Reserves were beaten 3-0 at home by Moore United on Saturday in a Cheshire FA Amataeur County Cup tie.
NEXT GAME: SANDBACH UNITED
Altrincham's next action is on Tuesday, 11 October, when they travel to play Sandbach United in the Cheshire Senior Cup (7.45pm).
ALTY OLD BOYS
Bermuda's Royal Gazette reports that in midweek "Kole Hall [right] marked his return from injury in spectacular fashion to help Chester advance in the Emirates FA Cup.
In the FA Trophy, substitute Max Harrop [left] converted Ashton United's first penalty in the shoot out after their home tie against Dunston UTS had ended goalless. Unfortunately, the next three penalties were missed by Ashton and they were knocked out.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday, 11 October, 2022
York City v Dagenham & Redbridge
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Wrexham report on a remarkable match. "Paul Mullin and Aaron Hayden both scored twice as Wrexham ran out winners after a topsy-turvy 12-goal classic at the Racecourse Ground.
BEFORE TODAY'S GAME: DORKING WANDERERS
Altrincham are at home to newly promoted Dorking Wanderers today (Saturday).
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Maidstone United reminds us of "A global pandemic, a £10 million government grant and 66 Non-League football clubs. What could possibly go wrong?
Scounthorpe United "defender Mason O’Malley...started by talking about the point earned against Oldham, saying 'It’s a tough place to go, there’s a big crowd there... We came away disappointed after we had fought back and taken the lead...
At Southend United, "Gus Scott-Morriss says Saturday’s game against Dagenham & Redbridge will be an unpredictable one...
In the Leader Live, "Phil Parkinson says his side will be ready to pick themselves up against Barnet at The Racecourse... Wrexham made the trip to Notts County for Tuesday's top of the table clash without a defeat in eight games but the Magpies won 1-0...
7 October 2022
NEXT GAME: DORKING WANDERERS
Altrincham welcome Surrey club Dorking Wanderers to the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday. The visitors lie six points and eight places ahead of their hosts after the first twelve games of the campaign
THROUGH THE YEARS: 8 OCTOBER
This Saturday, 8 October, is the annniversary of Altrincham's match in 2016 when they earned their first victory of that dreadful 2016-17 season which ended in relegation from the Vanarama National League North to the Northern Premier League.
MATTHEW HOWARD R.I.P.
The Alty Files is sorry to hear of the death of Altrincham supporter Matthew Howard. Matthew was a passenger on supporters' coaches to away games as well as following the Robins at Moss Lane.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Iron-Bru reports that Scunthorpe "striker Joe Nuttall is set to stay at the club for the immediate future having turned down a move to National League club Oldham Athletic.
From Kent Online we learn that "Maidstone United striker James Alabi... has told his Maidstone team-mates it’s time to man up and fight for each other.
The Daily Star reports on "England's most entertaining team whose last seven games have seen 40 goals scored.
NEXT: DORKING WANDERERS
Altrincham will welcome newly promoted Dorking Wanderers to Moss Lane on Saturday for their first ever visit the J. Davidson Stadium.
Dorking continued to hunt down an equaliser... Just eight minutes after the restart, the Wanderers pressure finally paid off... A cross found its way to Seager in the eighteen yard box, and, despite the Glovers best attempt to keep out Seager’s effort with some goal line heroics, Muitt managed to turn the ball home...
ALTY OLD BOYS
In the Bradford Telegraph & Argus, "Bradford (Park Avenue) midfielder Simon Richman insists his side cannot afford a repeat of Saturday's capitulation at Southport, as he looks to avoid another relegation on his CV.
PREMIER LEAGUE INVESTMENT IN NATIONAL LEAGUE
Along with other clubs, Altrincham FC has published a statement by the National League which includes...
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Southend Echo reports that "Southend United boss Kevin Maher had words of praise for Marcus Dackers following a 1-1 draw with Woking.
Kent Online reports that "Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin [in] their 4-3 National League defeat at Barnet felt his side played well at the Hive but defensive frailties proved their undoing again.
"Woking Football Club is aware of disturbing incidents that occurred in the closing minutes of our match at Roots Hall this evening [Tuesday], including but not limited to racial abuse directed at one of the Club’s players.
Gloverscast reports on Yeovil's "seventh stalemate with a 1-1 draw at Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday night.
In the Oldham Times we learn that manager "David Unsworth says chalking off [up?] his first point in full-time management was no consolation after describing Latics' performance in the 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe United as "not good enough".
And there is another unhappy manager of an ex-League club at Chesterfield where "Paul Cook gave his thoughts on the disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge.
"Following FC Halifax Town’s 1-0 win over York City, manager Chris Millington spoke...
York Press reports that "York City fell to a 1-0 defeat against Halifax Town away from home, producing a flat display at The Shay...
In the Nottingham Post, "Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has said Notts County will count themselves lucky to only [have] concede[d] one goal in their two previous fixtures as his side came away from Meadow Lane empty handed on Tuesday night...
5 October 2022
POST-MATCH INTERVIEW
Altrincham FC has Brian Flynn's post-match interview with Phil Parkinson after the 3-1 win at the International Stadium
GATESHEAD 1-3 ALTRINCHAM
On Tuesday night, Altrincham secured their first away win of the season which lifted them out of the relegation places.
NEXT: DORKING WANDERERS
Next Saturday, for the second fixture running, Altrincham meet a promoted team as Dorking Wanderers make their first ever visit to the J. Davidson Stadium.
TUESDAY FIXTURES
Tuesday, 4 October, 2022
ALTY OLD BOYS
From Phil Jordan we learn that, on Tuesday night, Dan Mooney played 83 minutes of Southend United's 1-1 home draw against Woking. Elsewhere, Reagan Ogle was booked again as his Scunthorpe United side drew 2-2 at Oldham.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times says that "Chesterfield manager Paul Cook... believes opposition teams are starting to ‘change’ the way they play to stifle Chesterfield’s threat.
Boreham Wood "announce the return of fans' favourite Bruno Andrade... following his departure from League Two Stevenage this summer.
At Southend United, "Cav Miley emphasised the importance of the good spirit in the dressing room amid the recent upturn in form as Blues look[ed] to make it four games unbeaten against Woking...
Meanwhile, Kent Online reported on Monday that "Two out-of-form teams meet tonight when Maidstone visit Barnet in the National League.
4 October 2022
GATESHEAD DOUBLE VISION
Tonight, (Tuesday) Altrincham travel to play Gateshead at the International Stadium. Just eleven days later, The Heed will make the reverse journey to play Altrincham in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
EMIRATES FA CUP FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND
The draw for the Fourth Qualifying Round was made after clubs were allocated to a North or South section. Ties are to be played on 15 October and the winners' prize money is £9,375, with losers awarded £3,125.
ALTY UNDER-21S DRAW
In the North West Under 21 Development League Premier Division on Sunday (2 October), Altrincham U21s drew 2-2 away to 1874 Northwich FC U21.
ALTY UNDER-19S' TWO DEFEATS
The Altrincham FC Academy team won the National League U19 Alliance Division H title last season but this time around Alty have lost their opening two fixtures in that division, the team now being badged as Altrincham FC Under-19s.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Derbyshire Times reports that "Chesterfield’s lack of clean sheets this season is a ‘worry’ but it is not a massive concern because they have been winning games, says boss Paul Cook.
In the Nottingham Post, "Adam Chicksen spoke of the importance of grinding out results... after Notts County continued their unbeaten home start of the season against Altrincham.
EMIRATES FA CUP
The National League clubs enter the FA Cup at the Fourth Round Qualifying draw which is scheduled to be played on the weekend of 15 October.
PARKINSON "PROUD OF THE PERFORMANCE"
In a post-match video interview with Brian Flynn, posted on the Altrincham FC website, the Robins' boss, Phil Parkinson, stated that despite Altrincham's defeat at Notts County, he was "proud of the performance" in a game which he judged was "much closer than 3-1" suggested.
NOTTS COUNTY'S VIEW
Following the 3-1 defeat at Meadow Lane, Notts County has video of their three goals.
NEXT GAME: GATESHEAD
Altrincham travel to the International Stadium on Tuesday night to face a Gateshead side which drew 1-1 at home to Eastleigh last Saturday.
The [Eastleigh] breakthrough came in the 20th minute when a headed knockdown from Danny Whitehall set up Ryan Hill perfectly to smash into the roof of the net from close range...
DERBY DEFEAT FOR YOUTHS
Altrincham FC Youth lost 4-1 away to neighbours Trafford on Sunday in a NW Youth Alliance Premier Division game.
RESERVES' TOP SCORERS
As reported here yesterady Altrincham FC Resereves' Sharif Islam is second top-scorer in the Cheshire League Premier Division this season.
ALTY OLD BOYS
Jamie Menagh scored Nantwich Town's goal from the penalty spot as The Dabbers drew 1-1 at Matlock Town.
Also on the mark was Sam Heathcote who scored in Runcorn Linnets' 2-0 victory over Colne. In the FA Cup, Dylan Mottley-Henry (right) netted a hat-trick for South Shields as they won 5-2 against Marske. Also in the Cup, Ashley Hemmings scored one of Kidderminster Harriers' goals in a 2-1 victory over Cheshunt.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER APPEAL!
Formerly the official Club caterer at Altrincham FC, Richie Bentley writes about the forthcoming Christmas Dinner for the Community at Altrincham FC.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Daily Post reports that "Violence erupted on the streets of Oldham ahead of the Wrexham AFC match at Boundary Park
Later, Wrexham stated that "Greater Manchester Police have confirmed 11 men aged between 18 and 30 years old were arrested following yesterday’s Oldham Athletic vs Wrexham AFC match at Boundary Park.
According to Gloverscast, "Gime Toure let the team and supporters down today in a moment of madness according to Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves.
The Southend Echo reports that "Southend United skipper Nathan Ralph was forced to miss Saturday’s 1-0 win against Yeovil Town.
NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 ALTRINCHAM
Initial reports credited Macaulay Langstaff with a hat-trick against Altrincham on Saturday. But, after the game, Notts County manager Luke Williams credited the third goal to Adam Chicksen.
ALTY "WERE OUTSTANDING"
The Nottingham Post reports that "Notts County boss Luke Williams has insisted his side 'need to improve', despite defeating Altrincham 3-1 on Saturday.
'I didn't enjoy it. I thought the opposition were outstanding. They made us suffer a lot and if they'd taken their chances early on, the game would have been very different. We have some belief because we always create chances, so that belief saw us through. Possibly, the opposition, having a tough season, the belief is the other way round. They were excellent and they made it really tough for us. We fell into some bad habits.
MATCHDAY PLANS AT THE JDS
Altrincham FC has issued a statement about matchdays at the J. Davidson Stadium.
From this...
via this...
to this!
RESERVES BROUGHT DOWN TO EARTH
After two successive seven-goal hauls, Altrincham FC lost at home on Saturday, 1-2 against Poynton FC.
SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Saturday, 1 October, 2022
ALTY OLD BOYS
Phil Jordan reports that on Saturday Duncan Watmore was substituted at half-time as his Middlesbrough side lost 1-0 at Coventry and dropped into the relegation places. Also in the EFL, Owen Dale played 89 minutes at Ipswich, where Portsmouth lost 3-2.
Both of AFC Telford United's goals, the first a penalty, were scored by Brendon Daniels as the Bucks came from two down to draw at Leamington.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
Oldham Athletic "announce the appointment of John Ebbrell as the club’s new assistant manager.
NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 ALTRINCHAM
Notts County moved up to second place in the National League with a comfortable win over an Altrincham side which could have made the score closer but for some poor finishing.
PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW
Altrincham FC has a pre-match interview with Alty's assistant manager Neil Sorvel (right). Interviewed by Brian Flynn, Neil discusses the win against Aldershot Town as well as looking forward to the clashes with Notts County and Gateshead.
TODAY'S GAME: NOTTS COUNTY
Altrincham are away at Notts County today (Saturday).
The Robins had picked up just five points from their opening nine games before their victory over Aldershot at Moss Lane last Saturday... And while the Magpies will be favourites... the Notts boss expects a tough test for his side...
ALTY GAME ON TV
Altrincham FC has confirmed that "The National League have announced the next batch of matches to be shown on BT Sport and we are delighted to announce that our home fixture against York on Saturday, November 12th [is one of them].
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS
The Leader Live says that Wrexham boss "Phil Parkinson admits facing Oldham is one of the games he was most looking forward to.
Devon Live reports that "Torquay United manager Gary Johnson looks forward to a 'lively' Saturday.
The Southend Echo advises that "Southend United have been handed a transfer embargo after a missed payment to HMRC.
According to Inside Futbol, "Joe Nuttall wants to stay at Scunthorpe United, despite the club receiving an offer from fellow National League side Oldham Athletic, according to the BBC.