31 January 2024

ALTRINCHAM 0-2 HYDE UNITED

Altrincham fielded a relatively strong starting eleven which included a returning Ollie Byrne (left), as well as Matty Kosylo, Dior Angus, George Burroughs, Sam Roscoe, George Wilson and Dan Mooney from the first-team squad.

But they proved incapable of beating a Hyde side which played for a quarter of the game with ten men.

Hyde took a deserved sixteenth-minute lead through Makoli who played a one-two with former Alty striker Jack Redshaw. Ten minutes later another ex-Alty man, Nyal Bell hit the post for The Tigers.

In the second half Alty won five corners in as many minutes before Johnson was sent off for a lunge on Kosylo (66 mins).

But the visitors were unable to conjure an equaliser, with a Donawa shot against the post their best effort, before a Hyde counter-attack saw substitute Clegg make it 2-0 (85 mins).

Alty were managed by Ross Speight tonight. The line-ups were...

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Ollie Byrne, 2. Sean Lawton, 5. George Burroughs, 7. Matty Kosylo (c), 10. Harrison Howells, 11. Tom Jones, 14. Dior Angus, 16. Sam Roscoe, 17. Justin Donawa, 19. George Wilson, 44. Dan Mooney. Subs: 3. Lucas Aldcroft, 4. Vlad Shtyhlian, 8. Remi Raymond, 15. Jack Chandler, 22. Kaiden Powell.

HYDE UNITED : 1. Jordan Eastham, 2. Ellis Johnson, 3. Ryan White, 4. Sonny Whittingham, 5. Joe Bunney, 6. Bradley Roscoe (c), 7. Manasse Mampala, 8. Shakeel Jones-Griffiths, 9. Nyal Bell, 10. Jack Redshaw, 11. Antoine Makoli. Subs: 12. Joel Amado, 14. Josh Doherty, 15. Matthew Fearnley, 16. Peter Clegg, 17. Rio Thomas.

TUESDAY FIXTURES

Vanarama National League

• Solihull Moors 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
• Wealdstone 3-3 Aldershot Town

Cheshire Senior Cup Quarter-Final

• Altrincham 0-2 Hyde United (at Ewen Fields)

A WELL-TRODDEN ROUTE

L to R: Ethan Ross, Jake Cooper, Chris Conn-Clarke, Eddy Jones and Alex Newby.

• Ethan ROSS: loan from Stockport County announced 25 July 2023; signing announced 13 October 2023.
• Jake COOPER: first loan from Rotherham United, 1 February 2022; signing announced in summer 2022.
• Chris CONN-CLARKE: first loan from Fleetwood Town announced 3 February 2022, second loan from Fleetwood announced on 21 July 2022; signing announced on 16 June 2023.
• Eddy JONES: first loan from Stoke City early February 2022, second loan from Stoke City announced 2 September 2022; signing announced January 2023.
• Alex NEWBY: loan from Colchester United announced 21 September 2023; signing announced 30 January 2024.

NEWBY FAREWELL

He was a regular for the U's last season but found opportunities hard to come by in the early part of the season, leading to him leaving on loan for Altrincham".

NEXT: SOLIHULL MOORS

Ahead of the match Solihull Moors announce that "Solihull Moors stands in solidarity with all Nuneaton Borough supporters during the difficult time in which the club has had to resign from the Southern Football League.

Every football supporter in Warwickshire deserves to have their football fix on a Saturday afternoon, no matter who you support.

Therefore, for our fixture on Saturday 3rd February against Altrincham, we are inviting all season ticket holders of Nuneaton Borough to attend the fixture free of charge to get their football fix in this distressing time.

We are not asking you to switch your allegiance to Solihull Moors, we sincerely hope that there will be a club in the future for you to follow every week in the borough of Nuneaton.

But by showing solidarity with our Warwickshire footballing friends, this is the correct move to ensure you can still get to watch 90 minutes of football on a Saturday afternoon from the terraces".

ROBINS AND MOORS

Justin Donawa rejected a contract renewal after three seasons at Damson Park to join Altrincham last summer. However, injuries and international absences have limited his Alty league appearances to just four starts and nine appearances from the bench.

Nevertheless he has scored three goals in those appearances.

x

Above: Justin Donawa, Joey Jones and Dior Angus.

Another ex-Solihull player at Moss Lane is Joey Jones who has been sidleined long-term by injury and, like Donawa, he has only been able to start four National League games, plus five from the bench.

Striker Dior Angus started his career at Solihull Moors. For Altrincham, who he joined last summer, he has made 11(+10) league appearances and scored three goals to date.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Barnet v Wealdstone
• Bromley v Hartlepool United
• Dorking Wanderers v AFC Fylde
• Eastleigh v Chesterfield
• Ebbsfleet United v Oldham Athletic (k.o. 5.30pm)
• FC Halifax Town v Aldershot Town
• Kidderminster Harriers v Oxford City
• Rochdale v Dagenham & Redbridge
• Solihull Moors v Altrincham
• Southend United v Gateshead
• Woking v Boreham Wood
• York City v Maidenhead United

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 22-year-old centre-back played nine times for the Fleet since his arrival at the end of October...

The Fleet’s No.6 played his last game at Oxford City last weekend. An injury against Kidderminster Harriers curtailed his appearances".

AFC Fylde report that "Dan Adshead will remain at AFC Fylde for the rest of the season after an initial short-term loan until the end of January.

Dan made his Coasters debut from the bench in our 2-1 defeat at Altrincham...

The midfielder joined AFC Fylde on loan from Sky Bet League One side Cheltenham Town, signing initially on a short-term loan until the end of January...

Impressive performances in the Football League [for Rochdale] at a young age saw the Manchester-born lad join Norwich City for an undisclosed fee ... From Carrow Road, the 22-year-old had loan spells at SC Telstar and Gillingham before being snapped up by Cheltenham for an undisclosed fee, where he has gone on to make 23 appearances."

Exeter City "announce that attacker Millenic Alli has become Gary Caldwell’s second signing of the day, with the 23-year-old signing for an undisclosed fee from National League side FC Halifax Town...

Alli, who operates primarily as a left-sided forward, but can also play centrally has scored seven goals in 21 matches for the Shaymen this season.

The Irishman spent his youth career at Bury FC, before his first senior move came at South Shields. After a season in the north-east, he moved to Ashton United and a season later he transferred to Stockport County.

While with the Hatters, Alli went on loan to Chorley... Alli joined Halifax in July 2022 after his release from Stockport and has scored 16 goals across his two seasons with the West Yorkshire side". Exeter City added that "Halifax Town have a record of producing players who head into the EFL, with Jamie Vardy and Lee Gregory amongst the names who have gone onto have successful careers away from the Shay, and Alli hopes to add his name to the list".

30 January 2024

ALEX NEWBY JOINS ALTY

The wingman said “I'm delighted to get a permanent move to Alty sorted. I've really enjoyed the last few months here and I want to finish what we started. The club is only going in one direction and to be part of that journey and the chance to make history at this club is an opportunity I couldn't walk away from.

Massive thanks to the gaffer and Sorvs for having faith in me - and the supporters, who have made me feel at home here, right from the start".

And manager Phil Parkinson added that "This signing demonstrates the huge forward steps we have made in comparison to last season and year-on-year improvements here at the football club.

"Last season we were trying to rebuild our ravaged squad in January; this season we have just made it stronger.

"Last season we lost Elliot Newby to recall, this season we have signed Alex Newby permanently. He is a player with vast League experience and the sacrifices he's made to be part of something we believe to be quite special speaks volumes to me. A project that all the players, staff and supporters have bought into and unequivocally believe in. A journey to the EFL".

Footnote: 28 year-old Alex has made twenty appearances in all competitions for Altrincham. His role at Alty has been on the left-wing.

He arrived from Colchester United, on loan until 2 January 2024, a move that was announced on 21 September 2023. That loan was ectended by a month.

A Barrovian, he is the twin brother of Elliot Newby who had two successful loan spells at Altrincham.

Alex arrived at Moss Lane with a wealth of higher level experience, having made 108 EFL appearances. For Rochdale he made 54(+20) appearances and scored 12 goals. At Colchester United he played 17(+17) matches and scored three times. So, overall he had 71(+37) EFL appearances to his credit and had scored 15 goals in those matches.

Alex scored for Alty within five minutes of his debut, against Ebbsfleet United, on 23 September 2023.

TONIGHT: HYDE UNITED

Left: Back in March 2003 when Alty and Hyde United both competed in the Northern Premier League, "Please keep out" read the sign in front of the Ewen Fields net before the match at Ewen Fields!

They face a Tigers team who are in good form, lying in the play-off places in the NPL.

Right: Gary Scott contests possession with Hyde's Paddi Wilson in the game at Ewen Fields in 2003.

Indeed, Hyde have been very prolific recently, scoring 14 goals in their last three league outings, two of the games having been away from home.

• Sat 27 Jan, Morpeth Town 1-5 Hyde United
• Sat 20 Jan, Hyde United 5-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)
• Sat 13 Jan, Lancaster City 0-4 Hyde United

ALTY OLD BOYS

In addition to Jack Redshaw, Nyal Bell and Harry Bunn who have worn the Alty shirt as a player, loanee and trialist respectively, a fourth ex-Robin has joined Hyde in the last few days.

He is JOE BUNNEY who "has joined the Tigers on loan, from Stalybridge Celtic, for the rest of the season. Bunney has plenty of EFL experience with the likes of Rochdale, Stockport County".

Bunney made 3(+1) appearances for Altrincham.

With five defenders out injured as the 2021-22 season got under way, Joe was signed by Phil Parkinson on 24 August 2021, having made his only pre-season game for Altrincham, three days earlier, behind closed doors against Huddersfield Town "B".

Nowadays primarily a left-back, Joe first encountered Alty as a striker for Lancaster City youth in 2011, scoring against the Robins in the FA Youth Cup.

After playing briefly for both Kendal Town and Stockport County in 2012, he spent time at Northwich Victoria (2012-13). However, it was a five-year spell (2013-18) at Spotland that he made his mark in the Football League, making more than 120 appearamces for Rochdale.

Next he joined Northampton Town (2018-19), for whom he made 16 appearances and he also turned out five times, on loan, for Blackpool, as well as a further 16 outings back at Rochdale on loan (2019).

He was signed by troubled Bolton Wanderers but after a couple of appearances moved back into non-League, very briefly with Matlock Town, before moving to help Hartlepool United as they regained their Football League status in 2021.

Curiously in 2020-21 he later turned out for a club which swapped its League status with the Pools, as he had five games for relegation-bound Grimsby Town. After leaving Altrincham in October 2021, he joined Warrington Rylands.

ALTY SEEKING GROUNDSMAN

Now Altrincham FC is advertising the post on LinkedIn.

The job description states that "The Head Groundsperson will be responsible for the delivery of pitch maintenance and improvement. Managing a team of volunteer staff to deliver the highest quality playing surfaces and work flexibly due to the first team and Man United commitments".

It adds that the "Closing date for applications is 31st January 2024, due to the role being available for immediate start we may conduct interviews before the closing date."

TRIP TO SOUTHEND REARRANGED

The original match was postponed on Saturday 20 January 2024, so Altrincham now face a long midweek trip.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The difficult decision comes following the defeat on Saturday to Oxford City, and heading into a crucial final three months of the Vanarama National League campaign, the club’s number-one priority is to maintain our status in the division after the memorable title win and promotion that Dennis and Chris delivered in 2022/23.

Such decisions are never easy to make, especially off the back of such a remarkable and record-breaking previous season, but the status of the football club must always take priority and be foremost when making these big decisions.

Unfortunately, our form and results in 2023/24 have not reflected the sheer hard work and determination with which Dennis and Chris have approached every single minute of their time at Ebbsfleet United and the club has reached the difficult decision to part ways.

Under the stewardship of Dennis and Chris, the club won its fifth league title, broke numerous records in doing so, reached the Emirates FA Cup First and Second Rounds, qualified for a promotion final and earned plaudits for the type of football on show – we cannot thank them enough for their service in their three-plus years at the Kuflink Stadium and we wish them all the very best in their future careers".

Boreham Wood "announce the loan extension of defender Billy Sass-Davies from Crewe Alexandra until the end of the season.

Billy arrived at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park in late August...

Since then, Billy has been a key player in Luke Garrard’s backline, making a total of 23 league appearances and even contributing offensively by scoring three goals from the centre-back position. All three goals were headers, showcasing the young defender’s impressive aerial presence.

Upon securing Billy’s signature until the end of the season, Wood Manager Luke Garrard said... 'He has been developing since he joined us and has shown a level of consistency in his performances. At only 23, he demonstrates a level of maturity in his play and has really started to understand what’s required within our team.'”

Footnote: Billy SASS-DAVIES (left) had two loan spells with Altrincham. His second loan, from Crewe Alexandra, was announced on 6 November 2020, prompted by a long-term injury to Toby Mullarkey and the summer departure of James Jones.

The Wales under-19 had previously signed on the eve of Alty's trip to York on 8 March 2019 on a season-long loan. However, a three-week gap in Altrincham fixtures, an injury, as well as an early recall by Crewe on 13 April 2019, limited Billy to just two substitute appearances for Altrincham that season.

Unfortunately, Billy's second loan at Altrincham was also curtailed. On this occasion it was by a recall to Crewe who were experiencing their own injury problems. In his second stay at Moss Lane, Billy made 5(+2) appearances.

His total Altrincham appearances comprised 5(+4) games.

The Maidenhead Advertiser reports that manager "Alan Devonshire felt Maidenhead United produced one of their best home displays of the season to see off the challenge of [Alty's next league opponents] Solihull Moors at York Road on Saturday.

For a second time this season, Maidenhead raised their level against the Moors, replicating their 2-1 win... back in November.

There was nothing flukey about this home win either. Maidenhead were the more composed team throughout, dominating possession and dictating the tempo for the most part.

They took the lead through Tobi Sho-Silva's alert finish in the 11th minute... and while their old boy Josh Kelly marked his return to York Road with a goal just after the half-hour mark, Maidenhead withstood the blow and came back fighting after the interval.

Again, they looked the sharper side... and the winning moment their performance deserved arrived in the 68th minute when Barratt hammered home a rocket of a shot from around 30 yards out...

Devonshire said 'We were good. The first half was probably the best we've played at home in a while... We were disappointed on Tuesday. They (Solihull) haven't played for three weeks, and I think it does tell when you haven't had a break... Tthey all did their bit today...

Listen, they're a good team, we know that because they're fourth in the league. But today, we deserved what we got... We've now got three hard away games and we've got to get some points from them. We go to York; we go to Wealdstone, and we go to Boreham Wood'...

A contrasting opinion came from his opposite number in the dug-out Andy Whing, who felt Moors should have won the game 'comfortably'".

29 January 2024

TRIP TO SOUTHEND REARRANGED

EASTLEIGH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

The NL Paper recorded that Altrincham had 22 shots at goal compared with just four by their Hampshire visitors.

Thirteen of Altrincham's shots were on target compared with three by Eastleigh.

ALEX NEWBY

Right: Alex Newby.

Alex's arrival at the club was announced on 21 September 2023 when it was said to be an arrangement that would last until 2 January 2024. A month's extension was then announced so, unless he appears in the Cheshire Senior Cup tie on Tuesday night, which seems unlikely, Alty fans may have seen the last of him in the Robins' colours.

He has made 20 starts for the club and scored six times, all of those goal coming in his 18 league appearances.

ROCHDALE MATCH REARRANGED

Instead the fixture has now been rearranged for Saturday 10 February at 3pm, when it will not be televised.

The 10 February date was freed up when Wealdstone, Alty's planned guests on that date, advanced in the FA Trophy meaning that their planned visit to the J. Davidson Stadium would have to be postponed.

NEXT: HYDE UNITED

Speaking after the win over Eastleigh on Saturday, manager Phil Parkinson indicated that the players on the bench for that match would feature against Hyde

Saturday's bench comprised Sam Roscoe, Matty Kosylo, Dior Angus, George Wilson and Dan Mooney.

In addition the manager says that Justin Donawa (right) will be in the squad, too. He has apparently returned to fitness after missing the last seven league match squads and starting just four league matches this season through either injury or international duties for Bermuda.

On Saturday, Hyde United won 5-1 away at Morpeth thanks largely to a Matt Fearnley hat-trick with Harry Bunn, who trialed for Alty in 2022, also on the score sheet.

Hyde's leading scorer this season is former Alty striker Jack Redshaw with 13 goals. An ex-Alty loanee striker, Nyal Bell, is also on Hyde's books.

Hyde are managed by Nicky Spooner and they sit in fourth place in the Northern Premier League, the same position as Alty in the National League.

ALTY OLD BOYS

DANNY MITCHLEY scored in City of Liverpool's 5-1 win over Hednesford in the NPL.

As Witton Albion defeated Kidsgrove Athletic 3-1, ELLIOT ROKKA won a penalty for Albion.

> Runcorn Linnets' JAMES HOOPER netted for the Linnets in their 4-2 win at Vauxhall Motors.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWSS

The Spitfires have conceded 11 goals in their last three matches in all competitions...

He continued 'I keep saying about how we do a lot of work on defending. It didn’t look like it today, it didn’t look like it the other day.

'We’re just making too many fundamental mistakes. Sometimes I think we’re trying to play our way out of trouble.

" 'I do think we expose our defence in the way we play. You have to be mindful of the fans who made the trip up here.'"

As Barnet suffered a 2-1 loss at Gateshead, the Bees' manager Dean Brennan claimed "It was a difficult result to take. I thought we played outsading[ly] and had so many briliant chances but weren't ruthless enough in front of goal.

"We could have put the game to bed before half-time...

"The better team lost today", he judged.

Seven of the bottom eight won on Saturday including Kidderminster Harriers who "moved to within a point of climbing out of the relegation zone with a hard-fought away win against Dagenham and Redbridge FC. In what was a game of few chances Caleb Richards netted with a fine finish early in the second half.

It means that Phil Brown’s side have now taken a maximum of nine points from his first three games as manager, as the Harriers’ seemingly impossible survival campaign starts to look a lot more plausible.

Brown named an attacking line-up, days after his side had ground out another away win at Hartlepool United. There was no place for Sam Bellis as the Harriers boss named a squad featuring Amari Morgan-Smith, Ashley Hemmings and Gold Omotayo. His otherwise unchanged side faced a Daggers team featuring experienced players Tom Eastham, Jake Hessenthaler and Inih Effiong.

Harriers dominated early proceedings, pressing the home side but struggling to create real chances. ..

The second half started out in Dagenham’s favour but minutes later Harriers took the lead. Shane Byrne marauded down the left chasing a threw [through] ball before cutting it back into the area for Caleb Richards who took a touch before firing it into the bottom corner...

It means that Harriers’ safety for the first time this season looks credible, if not still a long way off. Two gritty away wins ahead of a big games against fellow strugglers Oxford City at Aggborough on Saturday will leave the players in far better spirits than at the start of the month...

Woking are the side who look like they will be the ones who need catching, just a point ahead of Harriers but they have two games in hand over Kidderminster."

According to the Yorkshire Post, "York City have launched an investigation into the unedifying scenes which followed Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hartlepool United, with chairman Matt Uggla promising a complaint to the police.

There were clashes between away supporters and the police at the town's train station.

Snippets of footage have emerged on social media, including of fights between fans and one of a bloodied supporter by the roadside. There were also allegations about the away end being overcrowded, coins being thrown and heavy-handed police tactics.

'Seen some worrying stuff about how the police treated York fans and it’s pretty disgraceful,' tweeted Uggla. 'A dog fully biting someone when all he’s definitely just trying to get through the station. Will sit down Monday and make sure we make a complaint. Poor from the police.'".

28 January 2024

"A JOY TO WATCH" SAYS NEIL

"It was total control.

"It was a great performance all round from our front line, with three out of four on the scoresheet.

"We're in a great position in the league [fourth]. And that was a great start to a very important run of games coming up".

Eastleigh boss Richard Hill stated, "I've got to give a lot of credit and congratulations to Altrincham. We knew it would be tough, but not that tough!

"We didn't lay a glove on them, we were poor from start to finish. That performance was not acceptable on any level".

ALTRINCHAM 4-0 EASTLEIGH

Above: All of Altrincham's outfield players take on board not only liquids but also tactical advice from manager Phil Parkinson during treatment to an Eastleigh player on Saturday.

Altrincham's four-nil win on Saturday replicated another 4-0 win over Eastleigh at the J. Davidson Stadium in March 2022.

The win lifted Altrincham to fourth place. Alty travel Solihull Moors next Saturday but the Moors could regain fourth place in midweek when they have a league fixture and Altrincham are involved in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Match report here.

After the match, Phil Parkinson described it as "a complete performance" in a video interview with Brian Flynn, available on Alty TV

NEXT: HYDE UNITED

Alty asked for the tie to be switched to save the Moss Lane pitch which is showing signs of wear after the recent bad weather.

ALTY OLD BOYS

In the Championship : Although he isn't listed among their injured players, DUNCAN WATMORE didn't feature in Millwall's squad for their 1-1 draw at home to Preston

League One : JOE HUGILL (right) was substituted at half time as Burton Albion forced a goalless draw at Cambridge United.

Having been booked 3 minutes earlier, CARL PIERGIANNI scored Stevenage's second equaliser midway through the second half at Wigan, and they went on to win 2-3.

Fleetwood brought HARRISON HOLGATE off the bench at Wycombe Wanderers just as the game moved into added time. Having been two goals up after 31 minutes, they were holding on by then to earn a 2-2 draw after playing the whole second half with 10 men. JUNIOR QUITIRNA returned to the squad, but remained on the bench.

League Two : Former youth team keeper JOEL TORRANCE has yet to make his league debut for Salford City, but was on the bench for the third successive game as they won 2-3 at Crewe.

With the scores level, TOBY MULLARKEY scored the goal that settled the match at Grimsby - but unfortunately it was past his own keeper, and handed the game to Tranmere Rovers, for whom CONNOR JENNINGS played the full game.

ALISTAIR SMITH also put in a full shift on his Colchester United debut, as his new club triumphed by the only goal of the game at Morecambe.

ELLIOTT NEWBY played throughout Barrow's 1-1 draw at Notts County.

National League : DANNY WHITEHEAD put in a full shift for AFC Fylde as they surprised high-flying Bromley with the only goal of the game. TYRESE SINCLAIR (left) also played throughout, but with less success as his Rochdale side went down 3-1 at Aldershot.

BILLY SASS-DAVIES didn't come out for the second half, being replaced by an attacking player after Boreham Wood, trailing by 2 goals, were reduced to 10 men in first half added time. They eventually succumbed to visitors Dorking Wanderers 0-3.

Having opened the scoring for Chesterfield after only 4 minutes, JAMES BERRY was substituted midway through the second half. MARCUS DACKERS played the full game for visitors Southend United, but they fell to a 3-0 defeat.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS was another former Robin to be substituted, going off in the 90th minute at Dagenham, where one goal proved sufficient for Kidderminster Harriers to win.

MARCUS DINANGA played the full game as Gateshead came from behind to beat visitors Barnet 2-1, as did LUKE WATERFALL as he enjoyed a 2-1 home win on his Hartlepool debut at home to York City.

Another to play a full game was JOSH LUNDSTRAM as Oldham Athletic fell to a 0-1 defeat against visitors Woking.

National North : ANDY WHITE, TOM HANNIGAN, and SEAN WILLIAMS all started for Warrington Town at Blyth Spartans where they won 1-2. The Spartans goal was a penalty conceded by Hannigan, who was booked.

National South : Worthing's 4-2 home win over Torquay United featured a brace from DANNY CASHMAN (above, right).

NPL : JAMES HARDY put Ashton United 4-1 ahead, though visitors Atherton Collieries put up late resistance to reduce the final arrears to 4-3.

JUDE OYIBO was one of Radcliffe's scorers in a 1-5 win at Bamber Bridge. BRAD JACKSON and JORDAN HULME (later substituted along with Oyibo) also started, while JOSH HANCOCK and JAMIE MORGAN (who came on late in the game) were on the bench.

LIAM BROCKBANK (above left) made his debut for Warrington Rylands as they drew 2-2 at Basford United. DEAN FURMAN also started, and OWEN GERMAN was on the bench.

JOHN JOHNSTON scored Matlock Town's second in a 3-0 home win over FC United of Manchester. Atypically his goal was a header. JONNY MARGETTS has moved on to Kings Lynn, and was a substitute in their 0-0 draw at home to Chester. AARON BENNETT featured for FCUM.

Former trialist HARRY BUNN scored from the spot to round off a 1-5 victory for Hyde United at Morpeth.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 24-year-old joins the Daggers having made 17 appearances while on loan at Sutton United in League Two earlier this season.

During his time at Gander Green Lane Pereira made his international debut for Antigua and Barbuda".

On a day when seven of the bottom eight won (the eighth lost to one of those seven), perhaps the biggest shock came at Oldham Athletic where "Oldham’s winning run in the league came to an end at the hands of Woking...

Micky Mellon’s side entered today’s fixture having won four league matches on the bounce...

Woking had a solid start, holding a fair amount of possession and creating a number of chances, and thought they’d taken the lead just before the break, just for it to be ruled out for offside.

The Cards would take the lead, just on the other side of the half-time, with Jermaine Anderson firing home from just inside the box.

Latics pressed for an equaliser, but couldn’t find one, as Woking put eleven men behind the ball...

Micky [Mellon] had to inject more attacking impetus into the side, bringing on Ethan Walker in place of McGahey, and changing shape to a 4-3-3...

Latics’ attacking output improved, with more half-chances being created, but still nothing which caused Woking too much panic... Andrew Dallas made his debut with 25 to go, replacing Fondop, but couldn’t do much to rectify Oldham’s situation.

Woking sat deeper and deeper, putting more and more men behind the ball".

For their part, Woking "announce the signing of Max Dyche.

The 21-year-old central defender joins the Cards on loan from Northampton Town until the end of the season.

Dyche came through the Cobblers’ academy, making his debut in December 2020 against Crewe Alexandra as a substitute. His first start for the club came... just three days after his debut in a League One fixture against Oxford United.

Max would join National League North sides Kettering Town and Brackley Town on loan in 2021-22... He would return to Northampton and play a part in their promotion campaign last season, making 18 appearances in League Two...

This earned Dyche a new two-year contract at Northampton, which he signed in the summer. A short loan spell at Aldershot Town from September to October 2023 followed before he returned to Northampton".

The only club in the bottom eight to lose on Saturday were Ebbsfleet United who report that "Oxford City completed the double over the Fleet as a first-half goal from Andre Burley was enough to see the home side through despite Luke O’Neill hitting the crossbar in the second period.

There was just the one enforced change for the Fleet as O’Neill replaced Declan Skura following the midweek victory at Maidenhead...

But it was a slow-paced half for all those inside the Raw Charging Stadium with neither side making strong chances. Oxford held on to the ball with a passing across the back approach before trying to find their forward men while the Fleet searched for an opening but there was little excitement on show...

Oxford hadn’t looked threatening for all their hold of the ball but they took the lead on 36 minutes.... [A] corner led to a couple of touches in the Fleet box before Nya Kirby returned the ball and it pinballed towards Burley who kept his concentration to slot home...

Half-time substitutions saw the Fleet introduce both Toby Edser and Darren McQueen for an improved second-half after the slow pace of the first... The chances began to flood in for the Fleet but the target was just out of reach...

Despite another series of late charges from the Fleet, Oxford held on to their one-goal advantage".

At the other end of the table it was business as usual for Chesterfield. Southend United report, however, that "Head Coach Kevin Maher wasn’t overly disheartened as Blues fell to a 3-0 defeat away at league leaders Chesterfield...

Goals from James Berry, Joe Quigley and Armando Dobra handed the Shrimpers their first loss of 2024. After the game, Maher said 'I’m not disappointed with the performance but I’m obviously very disappointed with the result. It didn’t feel like a 3-0 but credit to them. You see the quality they’ve got at the top end of the pitch and the goals they scored were top drawer to be fair...

'They’re the best team in the league by a country mile'...

Harry Cardwell made his return to the team, going straight into the starting XI after two months out, and playing 65 minutes".

27 January 2024

ALTRINCHAM 4-0 EASTLEIGH

In mitigation, Eastleigh suffered an early blow when Clampin was injured and had to be subbed by Nwabuokei in only the tenth minute. But Altrincham were already setting the pace, with Matt Gould virtually unemployed at the other end.

However, the hosts did not take the lead till the 32nd minute when a low through-ball tempted McDonnell to rush out of his goal only for a rejuvenated Regan Linney to beat him to it and feed Banks. The right-back netted smartly from the centre of the box.

Right: Lewis Banks celebrates his goal.

It looked as if Altrincham might only have a single goal to show for their first-half superiority until Linney fired in a low shot which may have been deflected as it beat the Eastleigh keeper to make it 2-0 (45+2 mins).

It almost became 3-0 immediately following the second-half kick off as an audacious attempt from the centre circle by Conn-Clarke forced McDonnell to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

But Alty did not have much longer to wait for another goal as a superb turn past a defender by Conn-Clarke saw him advance up the left from where he shot at goal and the ball was parried to Newby who powered home Alty's third in what may be his final appearance of his loan spell from Colchester United (52 mins)

With the match's outcome clear, the game was relatively flat for periods after that, as Altrincham continued to dominate possession whilst the league's top scorer Eastleigh's McCallum was deprived of service at the other end.

Alty wrapped up the win with a fourth goal in the 87th minute when Osborne's fine ball put Conn-Clarke in on goal and he made no mistake in completing the scoring.

Match report here.

"DAY TO FORGET" FOR EASTLEIGH

The hosts took the lead in the 31st minute through Lewis Banks who fired the ball home into an empty net after being played through on goa...

Regan Linney then went on to double the hosts’ lead at the stroke of half-time.

The second half started with a bang as Conn-Clarke fired an effort towards the goal with the first kick of the half. Joe McDonnell scurried back to push his effort over the crossbar.

They added a third to their tally through Alex Newby in the 52nd minute... The next twenty minutes were full of end-to-end football with neither side creating any real chances.

Boldewijn rounded his defender with a sublime bit of skill on the wing before whipping a cross into the path of McCallum who had an acrobatic attempt on goal that was saved by a diving Gould.

Conn-Clarke gave the hosts a fourth in the 87th minute after getting in behind the Spitfires defence ".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

It was a good day for teams at the bottom end of the table as seven of the bottom eight won today.

• AFC Fylde 1-0 Bromley
• Aldershot Town 3-1 Rochdale
• Altrincham 4-0 Eastleigh
• Boreham Wood 0-3 Dorking Wanderers
• Chesterfield 3-0 Southend United
• Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Kidderminster Harriers
• Gateshead 2-1 Barnet
• Hartlepool United 2-1 York City
• Maidenhead United 2-1 Solihull Moors
• Oldham Athletic 0-1 Woking
• Oxford City 1-0 Ebbsfleet United
• Wealdstone 2-0 FC Halifax Town

TODAY: EASTLEIGH

With Ethan Ross's injury meaning that Matt Gould kept goal last time out against Chesterfield, it remains uncertain who will be between the posts when Saturday's game kicks off, with any one of Gould, Ross or Ollie Byrne potentially available.

Eastleigh arrive on the back of a 4-4 midweek draw at Boreham Wood, in which a Paul McCallum goal extended his lead at the top of the National League scoring charts. The striker now has 23 league goals to his name, 46% of his team's league haul this season.

But despite McCallum's goalscoring prowess, Alty have scored at a slightly better rate than the visitors, netting 49 times from one fewer game played than those played by Eastleigh, who have now scored fifty times.

In defence the Spitfires have conceded sixteen more goals than Alty from one additional fixture played.

So Eastleigh supporters have seen more goals than any other fans in the National League as 104 goals have flown in at either end of the pitch so far this season in league matches in which the Spitfires have been involved. In contrast Alty supporters have seen 87 goals, from one fewer fixture.

In eleven previous league encounters with Eastleigh, Alty have won three matches whilst Eastleigh have won on four occasions. Four other matches have been drawn.

Last season, Alty won the corresponding home game, 2-1 thanks to goals by Elliot Newby and Ryan Colclough.

Above: Elliot Newby, far right, savours his goal as he and his team-mates walk back to the centre circle in the Alty v Eastleigh match last season.

Off the pitch Eastleigh report that the club is "thrilled to have partnered with betting.bet...

Betting.bet is a UK portal for the comparison of betting sites... Partner betting sites include the likes of big-name brands Ladbrokes, Coral and BoyleSports...

As well as being a bookmaker directory, betting.bet features a whole range of other services that bettors can tap into, all of which have been designed to help users place more informed bets."

MATTY KOSYLO INTERVIEW

The twenty-minute interview is available via Alty TV

Matty discusses his Alty career and the frustration of being sidelined for the whole of last season with a ruptured ACL injury.

He explains how he has got himself fit again through hard work and patience. On the positive side the process is character-building, the winger says.

So far, Matty's Altrincham career has comprised 71(+14) appearances in which he has scored sixteen times.

ISAAC MARRIOTT INTERVIEW

He talks about the late postponement at Southend before discussing today's opponents Eastleigh.

Curiously, during the interview, it also emerged that former Altrincham FC midfielder Mick Carmody is a family friend of the Marriotts in Yorkshire.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 41 year-old, joins us from St Albans City in the National League South, where he has made a considerable impact. He signed for the Saints in August 2016 as a player... In September 2022, Noble was appointed Head Coach on an interim basis, before his capabilities swiftly earned him the permanent position as First Team Manager in November of the same year. Under his leadership, St Albans City reached the final of the National League South playoffs for the 2022/23 season. This season, they sit just one point outside the play-off places,...

Noble's football career is one of notable distinction, with over 300 appearances in the Football League. His journey began at Arsenal and includes clubs such as Watford, West Ham, Bristol City, and Exeter City...

A statement from the board of directors reads 'We have been closely following David's impressive work at St Albans City and are confident in his ability to excel in a full-time managerial role. His philosophy and approach to the game align perfectly with our ambitions, and will enable him to settle in quickly to build upon the excellent foundations set by Stuart Maynard over the last few years...

'We have agreed a suitable compensation package with St Albans City'".

Also, Wealdstone report that their "forward Tarryn Allarakhia is set to return to the club after his Tanzania side failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the African Cup of Nations 2023.

Allarakhia returns having made history out in Ivory Coast, becoming the first Wealdstone player to feature at a major international tournament...

The Stones no.7 started the Taifa Stars first game of the tournament, in which they were defeated 3-0 by 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco...

After suspending manager Adel Amrouche following the first game of the tournament, Tarryn only featured twice as an unused substitute as assistant manager Hemed Suleiman took the hotseat to take charge of the final group games".

Next Saturday, Altrincham travel to the Midlands to face Solihull Moors who announce that "Connor Hall’s loan with Brackley Town has today been extended until the end of the season.

The forward who initially signed a 28-day loan shortly before January with Brackley, has extended his stay with the Northamptonshire outfit until the end of the season...

The 25-year-old looks to build on his fine form with Brackley after settling in well with Gavin Cowan’s men".

According to the BBC "The consortium poised to take over Southend United hope the deal can finally be completed next month.

Final ratification depends on the local council, but the group, headed by Australian businessman Justin Rees, have already put £1.5m into the club...

An agreement with the council to build houses at Roots Hall... has to be unpicked".

"'My understanding is it's a formality but the timing of it isn't as quick as we'd like. We were hoping the next couple of weeks but I think it will go beyond that,' Rees told BBC Essex... Rees... will replace Martin as chairman when the takeover is completed...

There is an initial £2m shortfall, which he believes they can "trim down" to £1.5m in the short term... Consortium member Watson told the meeting 'That's a funding gap that will be met by the consortium'...

Rees said, 'I didn't want to own a football club for the sake of owning a football club, I wanted something where my energy and drive could maybe make a difference... The expectation when you own a football club is to lose money hand over fist. We don't share that expectation; we absolutely will lose a lot of money over the next four to five years because we have to do a bunch of things before we can change the trajectory of the club, but I think football should be more self-sustaining'".

Hartlepool United "announce the signing of Courtney Senior on loan from Barnet.

The sharp winger, with nearly 200 career appearances, came through Brentford's youth set-up before enjoying a five-year spell with Colchester United. He played 145 times at the U's... Senior then moved to Newport County and Wimbledon before signing for Barnet in February 2023... and [he] spent the last month on loan at Yeovil Town....

Hartlepool United Head Coach, Kevin Phillips, added... 'We've needed pace in the team and he's got that in abundance. He's a typical winger who likes to take people on; he's a threat and he'll frighten defenders.'"

Off the field the Hartlepool Mail discusses "the decision by Hartlepool United owner Raj Singh to reject the 'final' takeover bid by a mystery consortium...

In a lengthy statement, he says 'I haven’t yet received information as to how the consortium would formally work or how it would run and fund the club going forward'.

The consortium, whose bid has been brokered by the Hartlepool United Supporters’ Trust, responded by saying 'We did not give Mr Singh a detailed business plan because we did not receive detailed enough accounts from him to be able to prepare one.'

It also tantalisingly revealed that one of its backers, 'a major international investment company', was prepared to invest £14m on top of nearly £600,000 already paid into a solicitor’s account by other members as proof of funds...

Should the team end up in the sixth tier then he may never receive a better offer for a club he clearly wants out of".

Boreham Wood "announce the loan extension of midfielder Matt Robinson from Woking until the end of the season.

Matt arrived... in late September and immediately entered the starting XI.... Since then, Matt has been a mainstay in Luke Garrard’s side, making a total of 17 appearances to date, with 16 in the league...

Manager Luke Garrard said, 'Robbo is someone we are very happy with... He has shown versatility in his play, kicked on, and started to solidify his role in the team. He brings good energy, experience, and has now started to add goals to his game'".

Kidderminster Harriers confirm that manager "Phil Brown has boosted his defensive ranks with the arrival at Aggborough of Aaron Harper-Bailey from West Bromwich Albion.

Central defender Bailey joins on an initial one-month loan...

22-year-old Aaron earned his move to the Hawthorns after impressive form for Rushall Olympic last season...

Brown said... 'He’s a left footed centre back, which I always think is an absolute commodity in the modern-day game. He’s a big lad, a strong lad'".

26 January 2024

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

Whilst Alty were inactive in midweek, as their match at home to Rochdale was postponed, the Spitfires played out an entertaining 4-4 draw on Wednesday night at Boreham Wood.

Eastleigh reported that "Despite a late goal from Academy product, Malachi Dotse, the Spitfires are forced to settle for a draw...

First half strikes from Jake Taylor and Enzio Boldewijn saw the Spitfires sitting two goals to the good at the half.

The Wood scored three goals early on in the second half to put them in the lead.

Paul McCallum brought it back level before Dotse found the back of the net in the 89th minute to give the Spitfires back the lead.

Sousa then went on to score a penalty at the death, meaning the points would have to be shared...

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Clampin (67), Atangana, Francillette, Taylor (C), McCallum, Boldewijn, Hodson, Croll, Maguire, Rutherford (68). Subs: Scott (GK), Martin (67), Barlow, Nwabuokei, Dotse (68)".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Right: Luke Waterfall makes his Alty league a Weymouth, as a substitute for Matt Doughty in October 2008.

The centre-back arrives from Grimsby alongside Otis Khan, who earlier today signed on loan at Pools until the end of the season.

During his impressive career, spanning over 15 years, Waterfall has twice captained National League sides to promotion into the Football League.

The 33-year-old led Lincoln City to the National League title in 2017... before moving onto League One with Shrewsbury Town where he played over 50 games.

Waterfall joined Grimsby in August 2019 and was installed as club captain at Blundell Park. He scored a late winner in the 2022 National League play-off semi-final, before helping the Mariners win the play-off final and regain their place in League Two...

Waterfall stated... 'For me, first and foremost, it's about gaining results. It's small margins but as soon as we get a few points on the board, we're looking up the table. Consistency is massive and hopefully we can make that happen."

Hartlepool United Head Coach, Kevin Phillips, commented... 'He's a leader and he knows what it takes to win promotion out of this league. He wants to come here and do well so he's raring to go'".

CHESHIRE NEWS

According to the Knutsford Guardian, "They had been hoping to play the first game at their Manchester Road ground since October 7 at the weekend...

Due to the weather, scheduled home games since that date had been switched to an artifical pitch at Moss Farm in Northwich, or reversed to their opponents' ground.

But, again, Saturday's game had to be postponed, this time not only because of a frozen pitch but frozen pipes and a burst, too, meant there were no water facilities".

Altrincham themselves train in Knutsford but, fortunately, their Egerton Sports Club base has artificial pitches.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

It’s set to be our first game for two weeks, following three consecutive postponements due to the weather...

He claimed 'They’re in unbelievable form and the numbers they’re putting up are incredible... They’re rolling everyone over at the moment, but there’s nothing to fear in football'...

Maher said the latest postponement, away at Wealdstone, was out of our control... 'When you walked on the pitch, you could tell that it was never going to be on'...

Asked whether there could be any more incomings, Maher said' 'We’ll always look. It’s coming up to the end of the transfer window for the Football League, so when that closes, it opens it up to National League teams who can still do stuff'".

According to Get Surrey, "Dorking Wanderers are set to lose a key member of their team after he secured a January move to Premier League side West Ham United.

The Hammers have signed Wanderers kit man Mitchell Elliott, who is set to leave the National League club after the AFC Fylde game on Saturday, February 3 to take up his new role.

The 20-year-old from Aldershot has stolen the show several times when Wanderers have been in front of the cameras... with his enthusiastic goal celebrations that have occasionally included him dramatically losing his footing.

Elliott started his Wanderers career with the club’s academy where he was a goalkeeper... He then took up his role as the first team’s kit man and has been in the dugout now for the past three seasons, including rumours of him turning down a move to Luton Town...

Marc White says he will miss Elliott [but] 'Let me tell you, when he’s tired and hungry, he’ll come back!' White joked. 'He won’t be there long. Less than two months... He’s funny and a proper Wanderers person...

'The online profile he’s built on the back of this club and the Bunch of Amateurs coverage has brought him many a girlfriend, he isn’t going to find that at West Ham!...

'I applied for the job at West Ham, had two interviews and did a morning with them and then they’ve offered me the job'...

On the pitch, things aren’t going so well for Wanderers. After last weekend’s embarrassing FA Trophy exit at the hands of Step 3 side Macclesfield, Wanderers bounced back to beat ten-man Gateshead 1-0 at Meadowbank on Saturday...

But it was back to the drawing board after Tuesday night when Wanderers looked to have secured a point at Dagenham & Redbridge thanks to Josh Taylor’s 90th minute goal, only for the home team to go straight down the other end and make it 2-1...

'When we settled down, we did really well without being uber threatening in the final third... but we started to get back on the ball and Niall [McManus] made a really silly mistake. He played outside of our script and they broke away and scored'" said the manager/owner of the Wanderers.

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

The J. Davidson Stadium pitch on Tuesday was apparently very wet despite covers having been applied to some of the areas of it which are most prone to waterlogging. Hopefully a dry day yesterday (Wednesday) will have assisted the drying process.

Given the distance to be travelled by Eastleigh, one assumes that a decision on playability will have to be taken fairly well in advance of Saturday's game, should there be doubts in advance about the pitch surface.

The Spitfires will not want a repeat of last Saturday when another planned fixture in Greater Manchester was postponed at Oldham.

Before their draw at Boreham Wood on Wednesday night, Eastleigh noted that "The Spitfires were not in action over the weekend... Last time out we faced Newport County in an Emirates FA Cup third round replay... Our previous league game came against Southend United on the 13th of January".

In Wednesday night's match Eastleigh drew 4-4 at Boreham Wood in a game where the Spitfires at one stage led 2-0, then trailed 3-2 and were leading 4-3 until the hosts netted an 98th minute equaliser from the penalty spot.

Alty's last league game was on 16th January so both sides will be keen to get the match played, not least to take advantage of Alex Newby's recent loan extension.

ALTY OLD BOYS

The twenty-four-year-old has signed until the end of the season with the U’s...

The midfielder joined Lincoln City in June 2023 and featured twenty-five times in League One, finding the back of the net once."

For their part Lincoln City explained the move saying "The 24-year-old has made 32 appearances for the Imps since signing in the summer.

City's director of football Jez George said 'This loan gives Ali the opportunity to get his season going by being first choice in his favoured position.

'All parties agree that it will benefit Ali to get a run of games so we have facilitated a loan that might also allow us to move in the last week of the transfer window if the right option becomes available.'"

On Wednesday night, Phil Jordan advises us that in the above-mentioned eventful game at Boreham Wood, where visitors Eastleigh were two-up at the break but eventually had to settle for a 4-4 draw, BILLY SASS-DAVIES was booked.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Fleet are three points clear of the bottom four after winning at Maidenhead on Tuesday night.

But it was a second clean sheet in third games that took Kutrieb’s attention...

Insisted the Fleet boss 'There are teams around us that haven’t played the same amount of games that we have. I don’t care about the table at this moment in time. It was a setback last Saturday (against Hartlepool) after beating Wealdstone but if I put those three games together, we’ve conceded one goal.

'That’s definitely a massive improvement'".

Heading the other way, into the relegation zone, were Woking who "returned to National League action after 17 days off with potentially their toughest game of the season [at Chesterfield].

Michael Doyle made several changes to the side defeated at Solihull, with three of the four new signings; Dion Kelly-Evans, Lewis Walker and Charley Kendall all starting, with Luton loanee Jayden Luker on a strong bench alongside Dan Moss, Ricky Korboa, Rohan Ince and Rhys Browne.

There was also a first start since September for Jermaine Anderson following his return from injury, whilst this would be Woking’s first game without Padraig Amond, who has left the club to return to Ireland...

After 24 minutes of Spireite pressure, a perfect free kick delivery from Liam Mandeville was met by Will Grigg, who headed into the bottom corner.

Half time came with Chesterfield commanding the game, playing nice football and creating chances...

[After the break] Woking were seeing more of the ball... Then came a big chance for the hosts to double their lead, but for a brilliant save from Andre Jr to deny Mandeville’s shot...

A spirited second half performance [by Woking] went unrewarded".

The Barnet & Potters Bar Times reports that "Barnet head coach Dean Brennan showed his frustrations at his side’s lack of killer instinct as they went down 2-0 at Oldam Athletic on Tuesday...

The home side took all three points thanks to a pair of penalties from James Norwood either side of the break.

'The second penalty is definitely not a penalty. The first one is, but we felt we should have had one as well. It was a game about both boxes,' Brennan told the club’s media...

'We had several chances - I think we had the first three clear chances of the game, and we never took them, and then they get a penalty. The wind has killed the game... but it was just naïve of us, and you can see our youth when you come up against such an experienced side like Oldham...

'We had so many clear chances, but that comes down to quality, the quality of the player. If you put Norwood in our team, then we probably win 4-0,' he added...

'I’m just really frustrated. At 1-0 it’s a tight game and if anything, we were the better side. We had better chances, but we couldn't get our fluent style going because of the weather... and I thought the referee’s performance tonight was way below the standard'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

At the other end of the table, Woking dropped into the bottom four.

Tuesday, 23 January 2024

• AFC Fylde 2-2 FC Halifax Town
• Aldershot Town 1-1 Bromley
• Altrincham P-P Rochdale (waterlogged pitch)
• Chesterfield 1-0 Woking
• Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Dorking Wanderers
• Gateshead P-P Solihull Moors (waterlogged pitch)
• Hartlepool United 0-1 Kidderminster Harriers
• Maidenhead United 0-1 Ebbsfleet United
• Oldham Athletic 2-0 Barnet
• Oxford City 1-2 York City
• Wealdstone P-P Southend United (waterlogged pitch)

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

Alty will be seeking revenge for a 2-1 defeat down in Hampshire in November, which ended their ten-game unbeaten run in the league. The Robins lost came to an 86th minute breakaway goal after dominating much of the second half.

Earlier, Alty had fallen behind early on when McCallum won a header against Baines and Quigley swept the ball into the bottom of the net (13 mins). The visitors were not at their best before the interval.

However, the second half saw Altrincham largely on top and they deservedly levelled from the spot after Angus had been brought down. Conn-Clarke converted the penalty midway through the half (66 mins).

With Altrincham looking the favourites to score again, an Eastleigh counter-attack saw McCallum and Quigley break forward as Banks failed to intercept near halfway. This time it was McCallum who scored from Quigley's assist (88 mins).

The Spitfires wound the game down well to leave Altrincham disappointed.

ALTRINCHAM: 29. Ethan Ross, 2. Lewis Banks, 15. Jake Cooper, 4. Lewis Baines, 3. Eddy Jones, 6. Elliot Osborne, 8. Isaac Marriott (c), 11. Justin Amaluzor, 30. Alex Newby, 10. Chris Conn-Clarke, 14. Dior Angus. Subs: 5. James Jones, 9. Regan Linney, 16. Sam Roscoe, 19. George Wilson, 28. Gerald Sithole.

From the manager's comments it sounds as if Ross will not be fit to play on Saturday, with Gould having deputised for him last time out.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Altrincham's planned clash with Southend United last weekend had to be postponed because of a frozen pitch at Roots Hall and that meant there could be no early reunion with former loanee MARCUS DACKERS, who played for Alty in November and December 2023.

Since then Southend United have posted an interview with the striker, who is now into his second loan spell at Roots Hall, in advance of Tuesday's planned fixture against Wealdstone.

"Dackers (left) said 'We’ve been ticking over this past week just making sure we’re ready for whenever the next game is... We were building a bit of momentum and we wanted to build on the really good performance against Eastleigh...

'It’s only been nine or 10 days since our last game so I’m sure we can carry on that good form...

'I’ve really enjoyed it being back with the lads and the coaching staff. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can...

'I always thought in the back of my mind, I would like to return whenever the opportunity would arise..

'I’ve been able to pick up as much as I can from everyone and learn how to build chemistry'".

Likewise, Tuesday's postponement against Rochdale deprived TYRESE SINCLAIR and KYLE FERGUSON of renewing their acquaintances with former team-mates at the J. Davidson Stadium.

In Tuesday's matches, we learn about other "old boys" from Phil Jordan, that in the "National League : DANNY WHITEHEAD put in a full shift as Fylde, two goals up at the break, were pegged back for a 2-2 draw by visitors Halifax.

JEFF KING played the full game, while JAMES BERRY was a 79th minute substitute as Chesterfield won by the only goal at home to Woking.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS was substituted after 89 minutes as Kidderminster Harriers found that one goal was enough for them to win at Hartlepool.

JOSH LUNDSTRAM put in a full shift as Oldham Athletic beat visitors Barnet 2-0.

National North : TOM HANNIGAN scored the second goal for Warrington Town as they ran amok at Buxton, winning 0-6.

TOM PEERS (above, right) scored both goals for Chester in their 0-2 victory at Chorley".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 27 JANUARY

Right: Under an appropriate advertising hoarding at the Golf Road end, Alty's Tony Thompson has raced a hundred yards to join in the celebrations at Alty's late equalizer.

Since then Alty have played four games on that date, all at home, losing to Worksop Town 1-2 in 2001, defeated by Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 in 2007, followed by successive 1-1 draws against York City in 2009 and Warrington Town in 2018.

That most recent game in 2018 against Warrington Town was the first ever league match between the two clubs at the J. Davidson Stadium but the fourth meeting between them already that season, with Alty yet to emerge the winners, after two draws and a defeat (in the FA Trophy).

After a pitch inspection by the referee, who had commendably arrived early, the match was declared "on" at 11.45pm. There was a small sanded area near the centre of the pitch as well as in the Golf Road goalmouth.

And, for the fourth time this season Altrincham were unable to put Warrington Town to the sword and, indeed, left it very late to salvage a draw after the visitors had snatched a 19th minute lead when Vassallo's slightly mishit shot squirmed past Tony Thompson.

Thereafter the visitors showed little attacking ambition but they closed down Alty efficiently and withstood almost constant second-half pressing from the Robins until the second minute of added time. Then Poole's shot seemed to have been stopped by former Alty keeper McMillan but somehow it crossed the line for a much deserved equalizer.

As a spectacle this was far from pretty and referee Swallow produced nine yellow cards including one for Town captain McCarten whose crude and late challenge put Alty's John Johnston out of the game.

The match marked Shaun Densmore's 350th appearance for Altrincham.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 3. Connor HAMPSON, 4. James JONES, 5. Ben HARRISON, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 7. John JOHNSTON, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Jordan HULME, 10. James POOLE, 11. Josh HANCOCK. Subs: 12. Tom PEERS, 14. Sean MILLER, 15. Max HARROP, 16. Andy WHITE, 17. Sam SHERIDAN

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

They say "It’s been an emotional rollercoaster and leaving has been the hardest decision we’ve had to make. A club that gave us our opportunity and took a chance on us when it would have been easier to look elsewhere. For that, we will forever be indebted...

Wealdstone now is probably in its most exciting moment, and there’s foundations being laid behind the scenes that 4 years ago, seemed impossible... What we’ve all done together, has been deemed impossible by clubs much wealthier than Wealdstone. ..

Wealdstone is now the envy of so many on the outside, and every fan, staff member, volunteer and player that has contributed, should be proud of what they’ve done..

It’s not blessed with the biggest resources, but it’s the human element of the club that makes it so special. It’s a place full of good human beings first and foremost, not there for the glory or credit, but for the love of their club".

Solihull Moors confirm that "Max Brogan’s initial 28-day loan with Buxton has been extended until the end of the season. The young midfielder has took [sic] to life extremely well with the Bucks, starting five games since his arrival on the 21st of December.

During his time with Buxton, Brogan got himself in the Vanarama National League Team of the Week... The midfielder has taken up the holding role in Buxton’s midfield".

Also from Solihull Moors we learn that "Elite Academy graduate, Max Martin, has today joined Hednesford Town on a 28-day loan. The youngster who graduated through the Solihull Moors Elite Academy last summer signed YPP terms with the club before enjoying loan spells with Studley and Hednesford...

This is Max's second term with Hednesford following his spell earlier in December, where he made one start for the Pitmen.

The 19-year-old featured as a second-half subsititute in our 5-1 win over Nantwich Town as five other Elite Academy graduates were featured in the matchday squad" in the FA Trophy.

Southend United "announce that Henry Sandat’s loan from Hull City has been extended until the end of the season.

The Southend academy graduate, who returned to the Club a month ago, will now be with us for the rest of the campaign.

The striker provides us with another option in the forward area alongside Harry Cardwell, Marcus Dackers, Danny Waldron and Jack Wood, with Callum Powell still to come back from injury.

Sandat opened the scoring in our 3-0 win over FC Halifax Town earlier this month, his second goal in 17 National League appearances to date.

His initial loan expired yesterday but the renewal means the 18-year-old is eligible... going forward.

Henry's deal includes a clause that makes him eligible for the National League play-offs should we qualify".

Meanwhile Southend Echo confirms that "Southend United boss Kevin Maher expects Louis Lomas to be sidelined for the foreseeable future", whilst "United striker Callum Powell is continuing his comeback from a knee injury by training at the national football centre at St George’s Park".

At Oldham Athletic, before Tuesday's game with Barnet, "Manager Micky Mellon wants to see consistency from his Latics side... after a 17-day break...

The manager said... 'We’d have all liked to play more games over the last few weeks but postponements are part and parcel of football and we always have to adapt. For us, it’s about consistently trying to get results no matter who we play..

'I have a vision of what I want my Oldham team to look like and were making strides towards that, but we are still not the finished article'...

'If you’d have told me that by my hundredth day we’d have been in the play-off positions I’d have definitely taken it,' he added...

'I have a clear picture of how I want my Oldham team to play, and I know there’s still a lot of work to be done... We’ve got no injury concerns'".

AFC Fylde "announce the loan signing of Joe Westley from Burnley FC... Adding firepower to our strike force, Westley joins the Coasters until the end of the season... Striker Westley signed his first professional contract in January 2023...

Named the U18s captain... by boss Tony Philliskirk, Westley would quickly hit double figures,... In the second half of the season, the forward moved up into the U21s group and again found his feet quickly...

Westley began the 2023/24 season by leading the line for the U21s, scoring five times in the opening four Clarets games£.

AFC Fylde also have an interview with the young striker who said, "'I decided to join because I wanted the experience, and I’ve been given an opportunity to come here and show what I can do... It’s a chance for me to carry on my goalscoring form that I’ve had in the first half of the season...

'I'm confident in myself to know I can live up to the challenge, score goals and help the team win'".

From Surrey we learn that Woking "confirm that Padraig Amond has asked to be released from his contract and the Club will grant his request, subject to his transfer to a League of Ireland Premier Division club.

The forward, 35, will be joining a club in the League of Ireland Premier Division, with an announcement expected later in the week.

Amond has asked the Club for his release over the past year so that he may return home to Ireland to play out his career closer to his young family. In the best interest of the Club, the player and his family, the Club will grant his request".

Derby County inform us that "Derby County youngster Dajaune Brown has joined National League side Gateshead on a youth loan.

The 18-year-old striker will spend the remainder of the campaign with the Tynesiders to gain valuable first-team experience.

Derby will, however, be able to recall Brown, if required, following the first 28 days of the loan.

Brown has been in excellent form at Academy level this term, scoring six times in nine appearances for the Under-21s in Premier League 2...

Brown has also been a regular on the first team scene this term, featuring five times for Paul Warne’s side in total".

23 January 2024

MATCH POSTPONED

Obviously no rearranged date has yet been determined but a possibility would be Saturday, 10 February, when both clubs are otherwise unemployed after exiting the FA Trophy themselves whilst their planned league opponents remain in the competition.

BEFORE THE GAME: ROCHDALE

Meanwhile, Alty's regular keeper Ethan Ross, who had not missed a league game until last week, was ruled out of the game at Chesterfield last Tuesday and remained sidelined tonight through injury. Matt Gould deputised for Ross at Chesterfield but Alty also have Ollie Byrne on their books after his return from a loan at Cork City.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 23 January

Above: Colin Little (second left of the Alty players) celebrates his goal against Hayes & Yeading.

The better side did not win this match as Alty somehow conjured a victory despite being second best for most of the afternoon. The Robins were indebted to several magnificent saves from goalkeeper Coburn, restored to the side after injury, and to some indifferent finishing from Hayes.

Alty had made four changes from midweek, with Coburn, Little, Clee and McAliskey all starting as Saunders, Kearney, Doughty and Denham moved onto the bench. Starting with a 3-4-3 formation, Alty went two down and were forced to remodel as 4-4-2.

Alty started well, with McAliskey hitting the bar after 10 minutes but then Hayes took over. Toby Little put Hayes ahead in the 21st minute when Alty stood off the lively James on the right and his low cross seemed to be touched in at the back post though the tannoy gave the goal to the winger.

It was 2-0 seven minutes later when, again, Hayes advanced unchallenged and Green's 25 yarder deflected off Williams into the net. Alty got a goal back after 30 minutes when Densmore's freekick was met by McAliskey's flicked header. As the ball crossed the line, Williams arrived to make sure.

Colin Little levelled the score in the fortieth minute when Clee's throw was nodded on by McAliskey and Little arrived at the back post to score.

It seemed that having recovered to parity at half time, Alty would go on to win the game but they spent most of the second half on the back foot.

They were hugely grateful to goalkeeper Coburn who made three brilliant saves to keep his side in thegame. Alty's winner arrived in the 80th minute when Colin Little chased a ball up the middle and a defender's superb tackle ran, fortunately, to Senior.

With the keeper stranded, Senior stroked the ball into an empty net from 25 yards. Hayes had a glorious chance to level in injury time but Ruby's effort landed on the roof of the net.

Just 895 people witnessed the game.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN, 6. Shaun DENSMORE, 2. James SMITH, 12. Robbie WILLIAMS, 5. Greg YOUNG; 7. Robbie LAWTON (capt), 16. Anthony DANYLYK, 11. Nicky CLEE; 19. Chris SENIOR, 17. John McALISKEY, 9. Colin LITTLE. Subs: 13. Russell SAUNDERS 4. Tom KEARNEY, 3. Matt DOUGHTY, 10. Chris DENHAM, 18. Michael WELCH.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Aldershot Town "confirm that Josh Stokes has joined Championship side Bristol City for an undisclosed, club-record fee...

As part of a deal that will see the 19-year-old become Aldershot Town’s record sale, even before any future add-ons, Stokes will finish the 23/24 season at the EBB Stadium and a friendly will be arranged with The Robins’ first-team during 24/25 pre-season.

Stokes joined Aldershot from AFC Sudbury in June 2023 for an undisclosed fee, but quickly adapted... having scored 13 goals in 27 league games..

First-Team Manager Tommy Widdrington has said the following 'It’s come as no surprise to any of us (Staff) that Josh (and others) have attracted so much interest considering the season he and we’ve had so far... There were lots of clubs at all levels keen to acquire Josh’s services, but I think Bristol City is a great fit for all parties to continue his football journey'".

Football League World adds that Bristol City "have paid around £250,000 plus add-ons to recruit him... according to Bristol Live."

And arriving at The Rec (EBB Stadium), Aldershot Town "announce the signing of Josh Barrett from Kings Lynn Town...on a deal until the end of the season.

The attacker will be familiar... having spent a month on loan with the Shots during the 18/19 season.

Barrett worked with Tommy Widdrington at Kings Lynn, and having also played for Bristol Rovers and Coventry, will have played with a number of our first-team squad.

The 25-year-old arrives with international experience, having made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland Under 21s and... at Reading, [he] went on to make 10 Championship appearances with the Royals.

Tommy Widdrington said... 'He’s an excellent technical footballer with both vision and delivery suited to much higher levels of the game!'"

Bromley "confirm that Ben Krauhaus has signed for Premier League side Brentford for a club record undisclosed fee and will return to the Ravens on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 20-year-old becomes the latest success story to come out of our Academy after progressing... to become the first ever Bromley player to be sold to the Premier League.

Krauhaus has made 28 league appearances so far this season, netting on five occasions and has attracted interest from a whole host of clubs across the higher divisions".

Whilst at Bromley, "To gain regular men’s football, Krauhaus joined Walton & Hersham on loan... he then signed a loan deal with Cray Wanderers... Ben was recalled and went on to feature 11 times for the Ravens during the remainder of the 2022/23 season... and has become a regular starter, featuring in almost every game this season".

Also, Bromley "confirm that goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe has been recalled by parent club Chelsea following his loan spell at the RELOC8 EM Community Stadium.

The 20-year-old joined the club in the summer and went on to make four appearances, including a start on the opening day away at FC Halifax Town and two further outings in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Sharman-Lowe, who also featured against Redbridge in the London Senior Cup, kept one clean sheet during his time with us in a 1-0 victory over Slough Town and saved a penalty during our shoot-out win over Chippenham Town".

The BBC reports that "New Hartlepool United boss Kevin Phillips has said he wants to 'put smiles on faces... I think the club needs a bit of a stability now, I think they've had four managers in the past 12 months or so and that's not good for anyone,' Phillips told BBC Radio Tees.

'Hopefully I can bring that stability and the excitement back to this football club. There's been too much negativity and I could feel it even in the short spell when I met the players'...

Phillips knows the North East well after making his name during a six-year spell with Sunderland... He had his first spell in management with South Shields but left in April last year after leading them to promotion to National League North...

Although Phillips says he wants his side to play attractive football, he acknowledged that they may need to be more risk-averse for the conclusion of the current campaign as they look to avoid successive relegations.

'At Shields, I wanted to play out from the back and play through the lines and I wanted pace, energy and leadership qualities. We managed to do that,' he said. 'Me coming in here, it's clear that defensively we've been poor. Two clean sheets all season, three after Saturday's result, that's not going to get you anywhere. That's something that has to be addressed.

'I want to play but I get that the squad we've got [are] low on confidence... sometimes you don't want the ball, you just want to kick it long and fight for second balls. If that's going to get us results from now until the end of the season then it might have to stay like that but long-term I want us to play and dominate possession with a purpose'".

Oldham Athletic "announce the signing of Andrew Dallas from Barnsley.

The 24 year-old joins Latics on loan until the end of the season, having scored 50 goals in 114 National League appearances.

'We’re really pleased with Andrew, I’m absolutely delighted the football club has backed us in allowing us to get this done,' said manager Micky Mellon...

'He’s a top player who has scored goals at this level in the past'...

Andrew started his career with Rangers, before spending two seasons with Cambridge United in League Two. After a successful loan spell with Weymouth, the Scotsman joined Solihull, enjoying two successful seasons at Damson Park, scoring 19 in his debut campaign... 13 goals the following campaign encouraged Chesterfield to take him in on loan at the end of last season".

Footnote: Dallas had recently been on loan from Barnsley at Kilmarnock where he failed to score in 14 appearances which included no starts, enjoying a total of just 218 minutes of pitch-time.

Chesterfield report that "Armando Dobra has revealed his delight at signing his new contract...

He said 'I’m so happy to extend my stay here at Chesterfield. I love the club and I love the place.

'The gaffer is absolutely fantastic and I truly believe he’s a top end Championship manager and honestly think he could even maybe step up to the Premier League one day...

'I feel my game is getting better and better. I always think I can do more and I always think I can perform better...

'Once we’ve got out of this division, which is the real hard part with one automatic promotion spot, I don’t see why we can’t push on again in the league above'".

22 January 2024

ROSS OUT

Last Saturday he missed his first game as Matt Gould took over in goal, making only his twelfth league start in two and a half seasons at Altrincham.

Phil Parkinson indicated that Ross would not only miss Tuesday's game but would also be unlikely to appear in several subsequent fixtures as he awaited the results of an unspecified scan.

As well as Gould, Ollie Byrne is also on the club's books though he has not figured in any squad since returning from a loan at Cork City in the Republic of Ireland, whose season ended in November 2023. Byrne has 44 Altrincham appearances to his name and was the club's first-choice goalkeeper prior to Ross's arrival last summer.

NEXT: ROCHDALE

The Fans'Network reports that Rochdale's "first visit to Altrincham in over 41 years on Tuesday will be refereed by Andrew Humphries.

The Northamptonshire-based official is in his first season refereeing in the National League and has had a busy campaign with 13 appointments, including Altrincham’s game at Maidenhead in September.

Those 13 games have seen Andrew produce 49 yellow cards and two reds...

Mr Humphries also referees regularly in Premier League 2... A school teacher in Daventry, Andrew shouldn’t be found wanting for fitness, having once completed 11 marathons in 11 days raising money for MS research.

The reference, above, to the last meeting between the sides 41 years ago is to the FA Cup First Round tie in 1982-83 season when Alty defeated the then League team of Rochdale, 2-1. thanks to goals by Davison and Howard in front of a crowd of 3,053.

Dale also lost to Alty in 1965-66 season in Round Two of the FA Cup when they were beaten 3-1 at Spotland, watched by 8,367 spectators. The goals from Campbell, Connolly, Swindells ensured that Altrincham had recorded their first win over a League team in the FA Cup since 192-22 when Tranmere Rovers were defeated by them.

This season, the reverse fixture at Rochdale ended 3-0 in the Dale's favour.

ALTY OLD BOYS

According to the NL Paper, KOLE HALL missed three "golden opportunites" but his Chester FC side won, nevertheless, 2-0, at home to Bishop's Stortford in the National League North.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Fleet struggled to create many clear-cut chances against a Hartlepool side, who [went on]... to record a 1-0 win at Stonebridge Road...

[Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb said] 'Maybe when we defend the whole week and work on our shape and defending and not conceding many goals, you could see the element of attacking and offensive play got a little bit lost which I didn’t like'".

At Solihull Moors "Joel Shambrook and Kian Ryley have joined Stourbridge on loan for the remainder of the season.

The duo who graduated from the Moors Elite Academy in the summer have joined the step-three club on loan for the remainder of the Southern League Premier Central however we do have a recall option on the pair.

Shambrook extends his stay with the Glassboys having spent the first half of the season with the club, having played over 20 games...

Ryley... also links up with Shambrook. The energetic forward netted his first goal in Yellow and Blue whilst also notching three assists" as Moors beat Nantwich Town 5-1 in the FA Trophy last week.

Boreham Wood report that "A late equaliser from substitute Kwesi Appiah gave Boreham Wood a deserved point at Hayes Lane against second placed Bromley.

A Billy Sass-Davies opener was quickly cancelled out by Corey Whitely. Callum Reynolds gave the hosts the lead in the second half before Appiah’s equaliser...

There was a welcome return to the bench for defender David Agbontohoma who has been out injured for the best part of four months.

Boreham Wood dominated proceedings for most of the first half and... Boreham Wood took a deserved lead on twenty-eight minutes... Out of nothing, Bromley equalised with a fantastic strike from distance...

The hosts were better after the interval and most of the second period was played in Boreham Wood’s half... Bromley took the lead on the hour mark...

The hosts looked likely to hold on for the three points. However Kwesi Appiah had other ideas and on eighty-nine minutes he produced a fantastic header which gave Smith no chance".

Inconsistent Aldershot Town "left Kidderminster without any points, despite racing into a two goal lead.

Four changes were made from the side that exited the FA Trophy as Jasper Sheik, Tyler Frost, Lorent Tolaj and Maxwell Mullins replaced Jordi van Stappershoef, Stuart O’Keefe, Kwame Thomas and Coby Rowe.

Jasper Sheik made his Shots debut in between the sticks, the 18-year-old former England Schoolboy has impressed on loan and in training this season.

The Shots found the back of the net after just five minutes... and on another quick breakaway, the Shots were able to double their advantage from the penalty spot via Cian Harries with Lorent Tolaj fouled...

But, five minutes later, Kidderminster has the opportunity to get back into the game with a penalty of their own... Ashley Hemmings would also make no mistake as his effort... hit the back of the net.

And the home side would get the game back level in the 37th minute as Hemmings scored his second goal...

Kidderminster completed their comeback just two minutes into the second-half as Amari Morgan-Smith’s header found the back of the net and put the home side in front...

Sheik pulled off a fantastic save to deny Ashley Hemmings a hat-trick [from the spot]...

. But, Kidderminster were able to score a fourth in the 77th minute through Gold Omotayo... It was an afternoon to forget for the Shots."

The Hartlepol Mail says that "Hartlepool United have issued a statement about ongoing talks between the club and a mystery consortium.

The discussions, which could lead to either investment in Pools or even a takeover, have been brokered by the Hartlepool United Supporters’ Trust (HUST)... The trust insist that the group’s members “are all supporters of Pools and have strong family ties to our club or our town">

The statement said: “Dialogue has been open and frank by both parties, with further options being discussed, and the meeting outcome was left with the trust’s representatives to discuss the best way forward with the stakeholders and to come back to the club early next week.

While all involved are hopeful for a positive outcome, the club is also mindful that it has been nine months since the club was put up for sale and approaching three months since the initial meeting with HUST occurred.

The club are aware that an ongoing process since April has had some negative effect on the club’s day-to-day affairs whether that be staff within the club, bringing in players and most recently delays in bringing in John Askey’s successor".

21 January 2024

MOVING GOALPOSTS

Already this season, with some 40% of the campaign still to be completed, ten league fixture-dates or/and times have already had to be re-arranged.

Saturday's late decision at Southend to postpone the match against Altrincham after the team and supporters had already travelled, recalls a similar episode in December 2007, when the team had arrived at Plainmoor and supporters were travelling down the M5 in their coach near Gloucester, when the Torquay United v Altrincham fixture was postponed because of waterlogging.

So this weekend's debacle does not take the record for the longest distance travelled to a postponed away game in recent years. The Torquay round-trip was 496 miles; the Southend one is 444 miles.

The postponement at Southend is the tenth time that a planned National League fixture this season has either been postponed or had its kick-off time changed. And there are still 19 league fixtures to be played - or re-arranged!

1. 30.9.23: Away at Oxford City, kick off changed from 3pm to 5.30pm for TV purposes
2. 21.10.23: Home v Dorking Wanderers, postponed, waterloggd pitch
3. 2.12.23: Away v Chesterfield, postponed as clash with FA Cup date
4. 2.12.23: Home v Dorking Wanderers, postponed because of frozen pitch.
5. 12.12.23: Home v Dorking Wanderers, postponed as clash with FA Trophy date
6. 23.12.23: Away v Bromley, kick off changed from 3pm to 5.30pm for TV purposes
7. 20.1.24: Away v Southend United, postponed due to unplayable pitch
8. 23.1.24: Home v Rochdale, kick off changed from 7.45pm to 8pm for TV purposes
9. 10.2.24: Home v Wealdstone, postponed as clash with FA Trophy date
10. 17.2.24: Away v Aldershot Town, kick off changed from 3pm to 5.30pm for TV purposes

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan informs us of the performances on Saturday of Alty's former players and loanees...

Championship: Despite a full shift from DUNCAN WATMORE, Millwall managed just one shot on target during their visit to QPR, and fell to a 2-0 defeat against their relegation threatened hosts.

League One: Blackpool won 1-2 at Bristol Rovers, with OWEN DALE coming on in the 84th minute.

JOE HUGILL was credited with the assist for Burton Albion's opening goal in the 2-0 home win over Charlton Athletic on his full debut, but was withdrawn after 62 minutes.

ALISTAIR SMITH was an unused substitute as Lincoln City were held 0-0 by visitors Derby County. League Two : Barrow's promotion hopes were dented by a 1-3 home defeat against Crewe Alexandra. ELLIOT NEWBY played the full game.

JOEL SENIOR was substituted after 76 minutes at MK Dons with the score level, but his Morecambe side struck in added time to win 1-2.

National League: BILLY SASS-DAVIES (left) put Boreham Wood ahead at Bromley, and put in a full shift as his team recovered from going behind to draw 2-2.

Despite a full shift from MARCUS DINANGA, the pressure of playing with 10 men from the 24th minute saw Gateshead go down to the only goal of the game at Dorking.

After visitors Aldershot had taken a 0-2 lead, ASHLEY HEMMINGS scored a penalty, then added a second goal to send Kidderminster Harriers in at the break with the game poised at 2-2. They took control in the second half to win 4-2, although it wasn't enough to lift them off the foot of the table.

League Two: Forest Green Rovers forced a 1-1 draw at Gillingham to climb off the bottom of the table at the expense of Sutton United. MAXI OYEDELE only came off the bench for his debut after 84 minutes.

National North : Former Altrincham trialist TOM PUGH scored the second Hereford goal as they led at half time, but, after YUSIFU CEESAY had his penalty saved early in the second half, visitors King's Lynn fought back, and equalised in added time for a 2-2 draw.

NPL : He never achieved a win like this during his short spell in charge at Altrincham, but NEIL YOUNG saw his Marine charges thrash Bamber Bridge on their own ground 1-7.

JORDAN HULME (right) put Radcliffe ahead at Macclesfield, but, despite going down to 10 men after 40 minutes, the Silkmen equalised from the penalty spot in the 3rd of 4 added first half minutes, and then took the lead after 57 minutes. However Hulme went on to complete a hat trick as the league leaders came back to win 2-3. Also in the Radcliffe line-up were JOSH HANCOCK, JUDE OYIBO, JAMIE MORGAN, and BRAD JACKSON.

JAMES HARDY restored Ashton United's lead at Morpeth after the hosts had levelled an early goal, but, despite striking again within a minute to lead 1-3 at the break, they eventually had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

Southern Central : ANDY DALES was in Mickleover's starting line-up as they had the chance to leapfrog Needham Market and regain top spot, but visitors St.Ives Town hadn't read the script, and trounced the Derbyshire side 0-5. To add insult to injury Redditch United won and leapfrogged both teams to go top.

Scotland : As Livingston didn't field a full bench in their 2-1 Scottish Cup victory at home to Raith Rovers, we must assume that MILES WELCH-HAYES is injured again.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Tuesday, 23 January 2024

• AFC Fylde v FC Halifax Town
• Aldershot Town v Bromley
• Altrincham v Rochdale (k.o. 8pm, live on TNT)
• Chesterfield v Woking
• Dagenham & Redbridge v Dorking Wanderers
• Gateshead v Solihull Moors
• Hartlepool United v Kidderminster Harriers
• Maidenhead United v Ebbsfleet United
• Oldham Athletic v Barnet
• Oxford City v York City
• Wealdstone v Southend United

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

He became the only Englishman to win the European Golden Shoe, and also won the Premier League Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards in 2000...

Phillips moved onto the touchlin... He held senior coaching positions at Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City... The 50-year-old was then named manager of South Shields in January 2022 and guided the Mariners to a play-off finish in the Northern Premier League Premier Division during his first campaign.

Last season, Phillips led South Shields to the Northern Premier League title with two games to spare...

Philips will take charge of Pools in the capacity of Head Coach. He will be accompanied by full-time assistant roles in the highly experienced ex-Middlesbrough and Charlton manager Lennie Lawrence and current coach Antony Sweeney...

Phillips has joined up with the squad and staff this weekend but will formally take charge of team from the dugout following Tuesday’s fixture against Kidderminster Harriers...

On the appointment, Chairman Raj Singh stated... 'The combination and balance of skill sets between Kevin, Tony and Lennie was a key factor in the decision, with a focus to immediately impact a crucial block of games over the coming weeks and then push on to the end of the season...

'It has taken longer than I’d have hoped largely due to the uncertainty that currently surrounds the Club'".

Oldham Athletic "announce the signing of Oliver Hammond from Nottingham Forest.

Oliver joins Latics on a one-and-a-half year deal.

The 21-year-old is a product of the Nottingham Forest Academy, and is a Wales U21 international, being capped nine times...

'A lot of work has gone into this move from everyone, and I can’t wait to get going,' said Oliver. 'Oldham is a huge club with a really passionate fan base and I want to play my part in getting the club back to where it belongs'...

Oliver is highly-rated at Forest, having made a number of League Cup appearances for the club in the past two seasons, in addition to featuring on the bench in the Premier League twice last season.

He joined Cheltenham Town on loan at the start of this season, enjoying six months at Whaddon Road".

According to Kent Online "Shotshy Ebbsfleet remain in the National League relegation zone after losing to Hartlepool on Saturday.

With many of the teams around them not in action due to the cold weather, the Fleet failed to take advantage with a lacklustre display against a Hartlepool team who had not kept a clean sheet in their previous 17 league games.

The visitors were keen to impress new head coach Kevin Phillips, the former Sunderland striker watched the game from the stands....

Ebbsfleet made three changes... with a debut for Declan Skura while Luke O’Neill and Billy Clifford also started.

Hartlepool fielded an unchanged starting XI from the one that was knocked out by Hampton on penalties in the FA Trophy last weekend...

It took Ebbsfleet 44 minutes to register a shot at goal...

The game came to life just before the hour mark when Clifford was caught on the ball and Mancini strode forward and hit a stunning 30-yard left-foot shot which went in off the crossbar to give Hartlepool the lead...

Ebbsfleet.... without an attack worthy of the name in the second half, belatedly introduced Omari Sterling-James and Ben Chapman and went to their more-familiar 3-5-2... but the changes never ignited a late rally".

20 January 2024

SATURDAY FIXTURES DECIMATED

Saturday, 20 January, 2024

• Barnet P-P Chesterfield (televised game)
• Bromley 2-2 Boreham Wood
• Dorking Wanderers 1-0 Gateshead
• Eastleigh P-P Oldham Athletic
• Ebbsfleet United 0-1 Hartlepool United
• FC Halifax Town P-P Maidenhead United
• Kidderminster Harriers 4-2 Aldershot Town
• Rochdale P-P Wealdstone
• Solihull Moors P-P Dagenham & Redbridge
• Southend United P-P Altrincham
• Woking P-P Oxford City
• York City P-P AFC Fylde

MATCH OFF

Southend's tweet added, "In light of the cold weather conditions, over the last 48 hours we have taken guidance from the National League and the match official in respect of our pitch.

Protocols have been followed by the Club and Altrincham have been kept fully updated throughout.

Whilst our groundstaff have worked tirelessly to get the pitch in to a condition that we believe is playable this afternoon, disappointingly, following a pitch inspection this morning our game against Altrincham has been called off by a local referee.

We will confirm the date of the rearranged fixture in due course".

Following Alty's statement last night (see below), which included the assertion that "All feedback prior to this point has been that there is no threat to the match due to the weather", and Southend's pointed contention that "Protocols have been followed by the Club and Altrincham have been kept fully updated throughout", it would seem that "frosty" would describe both the relations between the clubs and the state of the pitch.

Alty's next match is scheduled to be the home televised clash with Rochdale but with forecast heavy rain that day, that fixture, too, must be in some doubt.

SOUTHEND SIGN STRIKER

The forward has netted 16 goals so far this season, 42% of Rushall’s league goals, which makes him the joint-top goalscorer in their division...

Waldron said... 'I’ve been working alongside playing for Rushall so I’m glad it’s finally done and I’m just looking forward to getting to training, getting to know the lads and playing games... My agent messaged me around Boxing Day and since then, it’s been ongoing talks to try and get it sorted.'"

EARLIER: PITCH INSPECTION FOR ALTY GAME

We’ve been in continuous dialogue with our hosts over the last few days requesting that a decision be made prior to the team and numerous supporters departing today. All feedback prior to this point has been that there is no threat to the match due to the weather.

We are dismayed to learn late this afternoon, hours into our journey, that there is now an inspection tomorrow morning at 10.30am. Not only will a postponement lead to wasted costs of almost £5,000, but the timing of the inspection will be made at a time when supporters will have departed on trains or on the coach which is departing Altrincham at 8.30am for what is arguably our longest journey of the season.

We kindly ask the National League, as they rightly obliged us ahead of our postponed home match against Dorking Wanderers in December, to put protocols in place for these decisions to take place before teams and supporters travel given the expense involved for all parties".

TWO ALTY MEN EXTEND CONTRACTS

Firstly, "Lewis Baines has agreed a contract extension with the Robins.

After joining from Chorley in the summer of 2022, Lewis has been a mainstay in Altrincham’s backline...

'I'm really happy to have signed a new deal. It's really exciting times for the club, we're heading firmly in the right direction and I'm buzzing to be part of it' said Baines".

Manager Phil Parkinson added... "He's been a huge part in helping us transition from a part-time to full-time club and like the majority of the players we recruit he's young, hungry and shares the club's ambitions to ultimately play in the EFL".

Right: Lewis Baines celebrates scoring, with Eddy Jones hot on his heels.

And the second piece of good news is that Altrincham's "Eddy Jones has agreed a contract extension, which will see the full-back continue plying his trade for the Robins.

The 22 year-old's fine form this season has seen him feature on 23 occasions for Alty...

'I love playing for Altrincham'" said the young left-back.

Manager Parkinson added 'He's been one of our top performers over the last two seasons, and has demonstrated the qualities in people and players that we look for; dedication, honesty and talent'".

Footnote: In neither case is the length of the contract extension divulged.

• Lewis Baines (d.o.b. 10 October 1998 in Brighton)

  The left-sided central defender's arrival at Altrincham was announced on 30 May 2022.

  Lewis started out at Fleetwood Town, from where he had loan spells with Bamber Bridge (2017), Ashton United (2018), Chorley (December 2018) and Stockport County (January 2019). After leaving Fleetwood, he signed for Chorley where he made well over 100 appearances and gained an England C cap.

  So far, for Altrincham, he has made 61(+2) appearances and has scored five times in all competitions.

• Eddy Jones (d.o.b. 25 October 2001)

  Left-back Eddy Jones, rejoined Altrincham for a second loan spell from Stoke City on 2 September 2022. The loan was set to continue for four months till New Year 2023. The previous season Eddy had signed up for a season-long loan from The Potters on 3 February 2022.

  He joined the Potteries club from Bury and he went on to make 12 appearances in a loan spell at AFC Telford United before playing three games in EFL 2 for Hartlepool United at the start of 2021-22 season. His loan spell in the North East saw him make six appearances in all for Hartlepool.

  He returned to Stoke in January 2022 before his first move to Altrincham, where he made an assured debut at left-back on 5 February 2022.

  Eddy has representative honours at under-17 and under-21 for Wales. He went straight into the starting eleven at left-back on his "second coming" to the club and on 10 January 2023 it was announced that Eddy had signed on as an Altrincham player after leaving Stoke City.

  A virtual ever-present, Jones made the left-back berth his own in 2022-23, a pattern which has continued ever since. He was ever-present in the league in 2023-24 until injury briefly interrupted his season in late December 2023.

  His appearances to end of 2022/23 season total 86(+3) and he has netted 2 goals.

MATT GOULD INTERVIEW

The video interview can be seen on Alty TV.

Matt revealed that he has known current first-choice goalkeeper Ethan Ross for many years, since Ross's time at WBA and the two are good friends who have even holidayed together.

Matt also talks about the weekly training and coaching routine at Altrincham.

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

"It was a really good win... We spoke after Christmas about having a 20-game season after the positive news with coming out of the embargo around then" he sais.

Following a postponement at Roots Hall last Tuesday, "The defender hopes that the game against Altrincham on Saturday won’t suffer the same fate... but 'We’ve managed to train on astro which has been good. Hopefully we can get Saturday on'.

With Kevin Maher now having more than 20 players in the squad, Kensdale explained how different training has been with those extra numbers.

'We can do a bit more shape, almost 10 v 10 which is kind of unbelievable! It freshens things up and competition for places drives standards, which can only be a good thing.

'Training is better and it automatically makes things easier and gives us the chance to try different people in different positions. It’s nice to have some new faces in'...

He was also keen to make the point that today’s game is a really important one, with Altrincham currently occupying a play-off berth.

'They’re a really good team. I think they’re one of the best we’ve come up against this season – we weren’t at our best at all that day, but they’ve got threats, especially in Conn-Clarke, so I’m sure we’ll work on that and have a gameplan... These are the games we need to win. It’s almost like a six-pointer. If we can get three points closer to them, it makes a big difference.'”

And Southend United also "announce that midfielders Noor Husin and Oli Coker have signed new contracts...

The duo, who have both been key parts of the team this season, sign two-and-a-half year deals, running until June 2026.

26-year-old Husin signed from Dartford in January 2022 and has played 75 league games for Blues to date, scoring six goals. Remarkably, Husin has started every league game in 2023/24 so far... [as well as] representing Afghanistan in World Cup qualifying.

Coker has made his way through our academy... and is now an important member of the squad aged just 20. He’s scored an impressive four goals already this season".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

The 21-year-old is is a former Manchester City and Southampton Academy player, who spent four years with the St. Mary’s outfit before his switch to the Bluebirds... He's linked up with Harriers until the end of the season.

Brown said... 'He’s shown an initiative off the field of play this week that hopefully, if he shows it on the field of play, we’ll have a player who can get hold of a game.

'He’s in the goal scoring end of the pitch so we’re hoping he’s going to come and let the handbrake off in the final third, and it’s a good sign that somebody wants to come and join us and help us get out of the problem we’re in.'

The NW Evening Mail adds that "The 21-year-old... Bellis has featured in a number of first-team matchday squads and made three appearances for the first team this season".

Welling United "confirm that Kain Adom has departed the club to join Gateshead.

The 23-year-old joined the Wings in the summer from Hanwell Town... and went on to impress in his first season at National League South level.

Adom netted nine goals in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Wings... Wings boss Danny Bloor said 'We’re bitterly disappointed to lose Kain, but we’ve all seen how he's developed since he joined us. There was a lot of interest from clubs in our league, but he and his father assured us that he would not leave Welling United for a club in this league and they were true to their word.

'When the opportunity arose to go full-time with Gateshead, he decided to take it. It’s a massive life change for him, he’s leaving the area and he’s showing a lot of courage to make this decision'"

Having staged their FA Cup replay against Newport Counnty in midweek, Eastleigh "confirm that there will be a pitch inspection held at the Silverlake Stadium tomorrow [Saturday] at 11am.

Following guidance from the National League, a qualified match official carried out an inspection at 9am this morning [Friday]. At this stage he deemed the pitch to be unplayable.

The inspection was carried out for the consideration of the travelling supporters and the away team’s travel arrangements.

After further dialogue with Oldham Athletic, they have requested that a second pitch inspection would be carried out tomorrow at 11am. This was approved by the National League".

The match was postponed following the Saturday inspection.

Doncaster Rovers "confirm that full back Charlie Seaman has joined Wealdstone on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

The 24-year-old has linked up with the west London side who currently sit 13th in the National League.

Seaman spent the first half of the campaign on loan with Hartlepool United, making 16 appearances and scoring twice".

19 January 2024

"AWE-INSPIRING" ALTY

Alty rounded off an exceptional first-half performance at the SMH Group Stadium with a brilliant team goal to go in all-square at 1-1... [but] were ultimately undone by an 83rd-minute winner from former Robins forward James Berry...

'That’s the best we have played against Chesterfield, which shows the progress we are making and how much we have improved,'said the Alty manager Phil Parkinson.

'The performance was awe-inspiring for me, and I’m devastated we weren’t able to see it through at 1-1, because a draw was the bare minimum we deserved. The whole weekend has been a nearly process, because we so nearly got it right at Kidderminster and it was the same here tonight.

'But the lads played to a really top standard, went toe-to-toe with them and equalised with a goal that was really well created and brilliantly finished... and if we had been a bit more clinical and taken advantage of some of our excellent counter-attacking play, particularly in the first half, then the game would have swung our way'".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Now The Sun confirms that "Maxi Oyedele has swapped Manchester United for Forest Green Rovers for the remainder of the season.

The Red Devils' wonderkid has joined the League Two outfit on loan and will be coached by Troy Deeney...

Oyedele, 19, had been at United since he was eight and spent the second half of last season on loan at National League outfit Altrincham.

Deeney said 'Maxi is a wonderful talent and... we need to make sure we get him in a place where he can showcase his talents'...

Oyedele insisted that he can help the club climb off the bottom of the table and to safety. He said 'I will bring energy to the group, professionalism and quality as well. I will let loose and give it my all. There will be no stone unturned".

After the signing came news that FGR had sacked Troy Deeney as manager after just six games and no wins.

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

The previous encounters in Essex finished as follows:

Although Alty start Saturday's game in fifth place, nine places and twelve points ahead of their hosts, Southend have been playing with a ten-point penalty imposed for their financial misdemeanours this season.

Meanwhile the Southend Echo tells us that "Southend United are closing in on a swoop for Rushall Olympic striker Danny Waldron".

Should he join Southend before Saturday's match against Altrincham, it will not be the first time that he has played against the Robins.

On 31 March 2018 he scored the second goal as Rushall beat Altrincham in the NPL.

Now aged 27 and having started out at Halesowen, Waldron had a three-year spell at Rushall and played 100 plus games for them before he joined Leamington in summer 2020 in National League North. He returned to the Olympians last summer.

FACE TO FACE AT SOUTHEND

For Alty, Dan Mooney has recently returned to the club from Southend, after a less than successful spell at Roots Hall, whilst Marcus Dackers has been signed on a second loan spell at Southend United, having recently had a loan spell with Altrincham.

Left: Dan Mooney and, right, Marcus Dackers, have points to prove this Saturday having recently played for their opponents.

The Southend Echo has manager Kevin Maher's views on the return of Mooney.

And Southend United report that "Kevin Maher says his team have been able to train in different ways recently, thanks to the increased amount of fit players he has available.

Now with a 22-man squad, Maher explained... 'We’ve still not got a massive amount of players, but the amount we do have allows us to work in slightly bigger areas and do a different type of work to what we had to do when we only had 12 or 13 players'".

Southend's midweek fixture at Roots Hall was postponed owing to a frozen pitch and Maher expolained that as regards training "'We’ll adapt to it and get on the 4G... We’ve had a good week so far and we’re ready for the game at the weekend...

'We’re coming up against a team [Altrincham] that are so consistent and deserve to be where they are because they’re one of the best teams in the league'" concluded Maher.

Marcus Dackers made his second Shrimpers debut last week...

'Marcus is someone we know well and he did ever so well for us first time round... Hopefully we can get the best out of him'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The goalkeeper will now join League One side Northampton Town until the end of the season.

Moulden joined in the summer on a season-long loan, but Wolves have exercised a January recall clause in the deal.

The 22-year-old made 29 appearances for Dale in total, assisting five goals and keeping six clean sheets".

However, later, Rochdale reported that "Tiernan Brooks is a goalkeeper that Dale have been interested in since the summer.

The 20-year-old has joined on loan from Notts County until the end of the season...

'Tiernan was a goalkeeper that we were very interested in during the summer, but he already had a move to the League of Ireland sorted,' commented [manager Jimmy] McNulty... 'I think we’ve signed a very good goalkeeper. It was critical to react quickly once Louie Moulden was recalled'".

The York Press tells us that "Kevin Joshua's contract with York City has been cancelled by mutual consent.

The towering 6ft 6ins defender became the Minstermen's sixth summer signing... following his release from Scottish League One side Peterhead... Joshua also had spells with Sky Bet Championship side, West Bromwich Albion, Solihull Moors, Kettering Town and Waterford, but failed to make much of a mark at the LNER Community Stadium... [and] failed to play competitively during his stay at the club...

The 21-year-old [went on loa at]... Macclesfield, whom he joined on a three-month loan deal at the end of September... but failed to break into the team, making just a handful of appearances for the Cheshire side".

Recent news from Maidenhead United includes that "Harry Parsons' loan at Weymouth [has been] extended. The Magpies forward will remain at the Bob Lucas Stadium for a further month.

The Magpies forward has netted three since his move to the South Coast in mid-December".

In addition, Maidenhead United tell us that "Craig Ross is a "'keeper" until [te] end of 2024/25.

Magpies number 13, Craig Ross, has extended his comittment to Alan Devonshire until the end of the 2024/25 seasonn.

Ross has featured in all League and Cup fixtures this season and has become a fan's favourite along the way.

Craig Ross is the latest Magpie to extend his deal with the club until the end of 2024/25 after Jayden Mitchell-Lawson extended his contract last week. Both players have made an excellent impression after joining in the summer...

Meanwhile, Lewis Kinsella joined Southern League outfit Hayes & Yeading last week on a 28-day loan. Lewis joins Harry Parsons (Weymouth) and Christian Johnson (Thatcham Town) in short-term deals".

Maidenhead United keeper "Daniel Jinadu, has joined Vanarama National League South side, Dover Athletic, on a two-month loan deal".

The Vanarama National League player and manager of December have been announced.

• Manager of the Month: Andy Woodman (Bromley)
• Player of the Month: Paul McCallum (Eastleigh)

Woking "announce the signing of Charley Kendall.

The forward, 23, has joined on a permanent deal until the end of the 2024/25 season for an undisclosed fee from Lincoln City.

Kendall came through the ranks at Queen's Park Rangers. He made his first move into senior football with Eastbourne Borough... earning a move to League One Lincoln City in 2022... before heading out on loan to Sutton United and Bromley...

Most recently, he featured for Dagenham & Redbridge. Kendall becomes Michael Doyle's fourth signing since becoming First Team Manager."

With Phil Parkinson having reportedly turned down the Notts County job last time around, the Magpies have gone for another National League boss to fill their curent vacancy as the BBC reports that they "have named Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard as their new head coach.

The 43-year-old replaces Luke Williams at Meadow Lane after the National League promotion-winning head coach left Notts to take charge of Championship side Swansea on 5 January.

Maynard leaves mid-table National League side Wealdstone after three years at the helm...

A statement from the Notts board of directors read 'We have huge respect for the outstanding job he's done at Wealdstone on limited resources.

'We believe he will thrive in a full-time environment and is an excellent fit for us in terms of his playing philosophy, which puts him in a strong position to settle in quickly'...

His assistant at Wealdstone, Matt Saunders, and first-team coach Craig Saunders will join him at Meadow Lane..

Maynard first stepped up as Stones caretaker boss in February 2021... The former midfielder... led the club to their highest league position for 36 years last term as they finished 13th".

ALTY'S OLD FOES IN A MESS

The club said it faced 'insurmountable challenges in maintaining operations' and was unable to continue trading.

A statement added they had been told an offer to buy their former ground, Liberty Way, would not be considered and no new lease would be given.

Right: In the 2014 game at Liberty Way, Scott Leather heads clear against Nuneaton Town (as they were called then).

'Armed with this information our future investors have had to withdraw any future support,' the statement said.

'Furthermore, without additional investment or new investors to provide financial support, the club is unable to continue trading.

'In light of these circumstances, we are now considering the liquidation process'...

Seventh-tier Nuneaton moved to Liberty Way, previously owned by Nuneaton Rugby Club, after leaving Manor Park in 2007 and the stadium has been owned by Arden Tigress since 2019.

They were served with an eviction notice over rent arrears in October, since when they have played home games at Stratford Town and Barwell, 10 miles away".

POST-MATCH PARKINSON

The manager felt that "The lads played realy well.. we went toe to toe with them". He concluded that "If we were a bit more clinical it may have gone our way".

As for individuals, the gaffer thought that in the game it was "the best I've seen Eddy Jones (right) play... He came of age tonight". He also praised the professionalism of stand-in keeper Matt Gould who replaced Ethan Ross at very short notice.

Having rotated the squad at Kidderminster last Saturday and at Chesterfield on Tuesday, Parkinson thought that "We nearly got it right" on both occasions.

Referring to Chesterfield's goalscorer James Berry, who was on Alty's books without ever playing for them, the manager took pleasure in his development from being "a lad we brought in from obscurity".

Against Chesterfield he felt that "a draw was the bare minimum we deserved"

Alty TV has highlights of the match

The Derbyshire Times added that "'Devastated’ Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson felt Chesterfield ‘got off with one’ after pinching a late 2-1 win...

Despite being gutted at the result, Parkinson didn’t seem to mind that it was one of his former players who stole the points.

He explained 'We have been undone by a moment of magic from a lad we brought back in from obscurity in James Berry. It feels a bit like fate that he had the last say on it. It was a fantastic finish and fitting to win the game for them. Not that I am happy about that, but it is good to see a player like that kick-starting his career again'

'I am devastated we have not been able to see it through and even pinch it at the end. A draw was the bare minimum we deserved from the performance...

'I think everyone knows that as good as Chesterfield are, I feel they have got off with one there.'"

MATT GOULD

And in three and a half seasons at the club he had previously started just eleven league matches for the Robins.

When Matt Gould joined Altrincham in summer 2020 fans expected him to be the first-choice keeper as he had been signed from Spennymoor United, where he had been the regular keeper. The Moors had reached the National League North promotion play-off final in season 2018-19, only losing on penalties to Chorley, who had beaten Alty on penalties in the semi-final. Gould saved two penalties in the shoot-out against Chorley

By chance Matt had also been in goal for The Moors in what had been the last Alty home game before his signing, in the 2019-20 league season before the Covid lockdown and the suspension of fixtures in March 2020.

However, in his three and a half years at Altrincham, he has never played more than three successive league games. But with Ethan Ross injured, Matt could be in for a more sustained spell between the sticks, though the extent of Ross's injury has not been divulged. The former regular keeper, Ollie Byrne is back at the club, since his loan at Cork City ended in November, but his current status is unclear as he has not been in a matchday squad since.

• 2023-24: played one game in National League
• 2022-23: played the first two league fixtures and the last three, making five starts in all
• 2021-22: played three successive league games and one other league fixture, making four starts in all
• 2020-21: played in two league matches
• Total: 12 league games, plus six cup matches = 18 starts since joining Altrincham.

Despite the paucity of appearances, Matt was called up to the New Zealand squad in 2022.

Early in 2016 he had been at Stourbridge where, in 2017-18, he had played against Alty in the NPL. At the end of that season, he joined Spennymoor Town where he kept 20 clean sheets in 50 games in 2018-19.

He made his debut for Altrincham in the CSC at Barnton on 4 November 2020.

But despite being a regular at Spennymoor, at Altrincham he did not make his league debut until 3 May 2021 at Solihull and, indeed, over the whole season was only named on the bench for four other league games. In cup matches he played once, in the Cheshire Senior Cup, and was an unused sub for two other ties.

Injury in a pre-season match in summer 2021 was a factor in his exclusion from the first four matchday squads of 2021-22 before, on 24 September 2021, it was announced that he was going to Nantwich Town, on dual registration, to regain match fitness. Owing to injury to Tony Thompson, Matt was recalled from Nantwich on 13 October 2021, having made five appearances in which just three goals were conceded.

But Matt then returned to Nantwich Town and whilst there, in January 2022, he was called up to the New Zealand international squad for matches in the Middle East but was an unused substitute. It was also announced, in early February, that Matt would remain on loan at Nantwich till the end of the season but on his return in May 2022, it was announced that he would be remaining at Alty for 2022-23.

In addition to his role at Altrincham, Matt also coached the under-18s and under-23s at Wigan Athletic. Having started the 2022-23 season in goal for the first-team, Matty suffered a bad facial injury in the second fixture, at Bromley. Having not played any National League after that, it was announced on Boxing Day 2022 that he would go on loan for a month to Ashton United but by 10 January he had been recalled.

On 7 February 2023 it was announced that Matt was going on loan to Chorley. However, he returned before the end of the campaign to cover for the injured Byrne.

Despite the rarity of his match appearances, Matt has been busy at the club as goalkeeping coach to Ollie Byrne and Ethan Ross.

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

Blues meet Altrincham looking to back up two victories, one comfortable in terms of the scoreline, over Halifax, and one comfortable in terms of the performance, over Eastleigh.

Kevin Maher’s men take on a firm play-off contender in the Robins, and would go just six points behind the fifth-placed club with a win.

It is Kids For A Quid all around the stadium, meaning anyone under the age of 16 pays just £1 for their ticket...

New signing Adam Crowther could make his home debut, while [ex-Alty loanee] Marcus Dackers is set to play in front of a home crowd for the first time since October 2022".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Left: James Berry in Altrincham colours in pre-season 2021.

"Berry came off the bench to play a wonderful one-two with Ollie Banks before finding the far corner with a delightful curling finish to nick the three points against his old club.

The winger signed from Macclesfield in August... He said 'I remember coming in and in the first three or four weeks I really struggled to get to grips with training because it was really difficult... I have come from part-time football and that training was hard as well but this is relentless. It is really tough. The standards are tough. You felt like you were going getting close to a player and you weren’t. It has taken a bit of time to get used to. But I feel that is why we are doing so well.

'I see some things in training and I am like "wow"... I have loved every minute of it so far. I think we take the intensity of training and professionalism and the standards we drive into games'.

And his winner could be traced back to doing extra work on the training ground. He said 'I would say that, when I open up like that, it is one of my favourite finishes. I just used the man to bend it around the keeper. I work on it with Gaz (Gary Roberts) all the time in training'...

With RYAN COLCLOUGH out injured for at least a couple of weeks, Berry is hoping to get some minutes under his belt.

He told the DT 'Ryan is a top player. I would say we are pretty similar. I have known him since he was at Wigan. He is a great lad. He is the type of player, as a winger, that I like watching. He runs at people and people off their seats. I try to take stuff out of his game'...

Berry never played a game for Altrincham but he spoke highly of manager Phil Parkinson for helping him get back into football after thinking he was going to walk away from the sport".

Phil Jordan informs us that on Wednesday, "In the FA Cup, Blackpool came back from conceding a two goal lead at the start of the second half against visitors Nottingham Forest, and took their replay into extra time. At the start of the second period OWEN DALE came off the bench, but the Premier League side scored just 4 minutes later and held on to win 2-3".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 24-year-old striker returns to the Cards on a permanent deal from Gillingham until the end of the 2024/25 season.

After spells at Derby County and Queens Park Rangers as a youngster, including four appearances for QPR in the 2018-19 Championship season, Walker left the West London side in June 2020 and joined Italian Serie C side Como.

After 20 appearances and two goals, Walker joined Serie D side Athletic Carpi in September 2021, staying there until July 2022, when he joined League Two side Gillingham.

Walker first joined Woking in September 2023 on loan until January 2024, scoring on his debut... [and] making three more appearances before being recalled by the Gills".

Gillingham add that "he scored four times in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Gills.

The former QPR front man, who has also played for Aldershot... could make his second debut for Woking... this Saturday".

The Halifax Courier reports that "Halifax MP Holly Lynch has urged FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers fans to have their say over the future of The Shay.

Calderdale Council is considering disposing of the ground as part of a raft of cost-cutting measures... with the stadium home to both FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers.

A six-week consultation on the plans has now begun and the Halifax MP says... 'Government funding to the Council has been cut by £84 million in real terms since 2010 so councillors are being forced to make some incredibly difficult decisions in order to protect the most vulnerable... I would encourage fans to take part in the budget consultation and have their say'...

The proposals will be finalised by the Cabinet on Monday 12 February 2024".

CHESTERFIELD 2-1 ALTRINCHAM

Both sides reverted to first choice selections after fielding much changed teams in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

But Ethan Ross pulled out in the warm up, so Matt Gould (pictured, right) started in goal for the first time in the league this season.

After Chesterfield had started the better without seriously threatening to score, Alty enjoyed a good spell with Regan Linney getting past his marker in the box and forcing the keeper to concede a corner (19 mins).

Soon afterwards Linney had the ball in the net but was deemed offside.

Against the immediate run of play the hosts took the lead with a good move. Dobra fed the ball to the right and from Jacobs's cross, Ollie Banks arrived to sweep the ball into the net (25 mins).

Dan Mooney then wasted the best chance of the half firing miles over the bar after good work from Linney and Conn-Clarke (32 mins).

But Alty got their equaliser as the game went into added time in the first half. A four-man Altrincham counter attack culminated in Linney's clever back-heeled ball which Conn-Clarke netted from 19 yards in a central position (45+1 mins).

In the second half Altrincham gave as good as they got but fell to an 84th minute winner from their former player, substitute James Berry, who played a neat one-two as he drifted in from the left before curling the ball into the net.

Match report here.

EASTLEIGH DATE

But the Welsh club won 3-1 in Hampshire.

ALTY OLD BOYS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

He initially joined Andy Whing’s side a month ago and has since kept two clean-sheets in six appearances...

Hayes plays alongside former Town loanee Richard Stearman, who made 15 appearances during his time at Portman Road...

Hayes said... 'I’ve really enjoyed it so far and I’m delighted to have extended my stay here!'

The 24-year-old also spent time on loan at Southend United this season , where he impressed... Hayes is yet to make a senior appearance for Town and is contracted until the summer".

Another Ipswich player on loan in the National League is Zak Bradshaw at Woking where The Cards "announce the signing of Jayden Luker.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder joins the Cards until the end of the season on loan from Luton Town.

Born in Peckham, Luker played most of his youth football for Peckham Tigers until summer 2022...

After impressing in the Hatters' academy... Luker was included in the first team squad for Rob Edwards’ side’s FA Cup third round game against Wigan Athletic in January 2023, with Edwards praising the then 17-year-old’s work ethic and ability...

The midfielder has been included in the Luton squad on five occasions, including four times in the Premier League".

16 January 2024

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Tuesday, 16 January 2024

• Chesterfield 2-1 Altrincham
• FC Halifax Town P-P Solihull Moors (match postponed; frozen pitch)
• Oldham Athletic P-P Boreham Wood (match postponed; frozen pitch and forecast snow)
• Southend United P-P Wealdstone (match postponed; frozen pitch)
• Woking P-P Gateshead (match postponed; frozen pitch)
• York City P-P Dorking Wanderers (match postponed; frozen pitch)

EMIRATES FA CUP REPLAY

Tuesday, 16 January 2024

• Eastleigh 1-3 Newport County, winners host Manchester United

ELLIOT TO JOIN "CENTENARIANS"

To date he has made 86(+13) appearances, and has scored two goals since joining Alty in January 2022, following his release by Stevenage of EFL2.

He is one of Phil Parkinson's many Altrincham signings who had formerly played under him at Nantwich Town. Elliot started out in the youth system at Port Vale but, after the Valiants released him, he joined Staffordshire club Newcastle Town as an 18 year-old in 2014.

In February 2015 he moved across the county border to Cheshire to sign for Nantwich Town where he netted 22 times from midfield. In summer 2016 he signed for Fleetwood Town of League One but in September 2016 he went out on loan to Tranmere Rovers.

In January 2017 he went on another loan, to Stockport County and then Morecambe in League Two at the start of the 2017-18 campaign. However, in early 2018 he was transferred from Fleetwood to Southport for an undisclosed fee.

In late September 2018 he again went on loan to Stockport County and in November he signed for the Hatters, where he went on to record 79 appearances and 11 goals.

In summer 2020 he was signed by League Two Stevenage and played 30 games there in 2020–21 season.

He played every minute of all but two of his 23 league appearances for Altrincham in 2021-22 and was an ever-present starter in 2022-23 by October 2022 but, in the latter part of the season, he was often a used substitute. However, 2023-24 saw him playing well as a regular starter once again and he captained the side last Saturday in the absences of James Jones and Isaac Marriott.

JAKE MAKES IT FIFTY

Centre-back Jake Cooper was signed from Rotherham United in the summer of 2022, the deal being announced on 11 June. However, he had finished the previous campaign (2021-22) at Moss Lane, on a one-month loan from The Millers which had started on 1 February 2022. On 4 March it was announced that his loan had been extended till the end of the 2021-22 season.

Raised in Sheffield, he was a forward in the Sheffield United youth system before converting to a defensive role.

At Rotherham he had made three EFL Trophy appearances before his arrival at Moss Lane.

On joining Alty, he had had previous non-League experience, having had two loan spells at Gateshead in 2019-20 and 2020-21, making 29 appearances for The Heed before he also made two appearances for Hartlepool United in 2021.

Indeed, in March 2021 he was an unused sub for the Monkeyhangers at the J. Davidson Stadium as Alty hosted Hartlepool behind closed doors.

In 2021-22 season, he made eleven appearances and scored three goals when on loan at National North club Darlington before he returned to Rotherham a fortnight ahead of his arrival at Altrincham, where he made his debut at centre-back on 5 February 2022.

Having played the full ninety minutes in eight successive league games, Jake was sidelined by a tendon injury in early November 2022. On 24 February 2023 it was announced that he was going on a one-month loan to Darlington in National League North. On 23 March it was confirmed that that loan had been extended till the end of the National North season. In 2023-24 season he has established a good partnership with Lewis Baines at the heart of the defence.

NEXT: CHESTERFIELD

The Spireites may be well clear of Altrincham's points' haul this season but the Robins did beat them in the reverse fixture at the J. Davidson Stadium early in the 2023-24 campaign.

We can expect eleven changes to the hosts' line-up tonight after they fielded a complete second-string on Saturday in their defeat to Welling in the FA Trophy.

On a lesser scale, Alty made five changes in their own Trophy demise at Kidderminster so one can expect a starting eleven tonight which is closer to that which beat Barnet ten days ago.

But whilst James Berry will be in the Spireites' squad, a fellow Alty old boy is out injured as the Derbyshire Times confirms that "Chesterfield have got players on their ‘radar’ should they feel the need to bring in a replacement for the injured Ryan Colclough (right).

The 29-year-old is going to be out for at least two or three weeks, if not more, with an ankle injury...

Assistant manager Danny Webb says... they might already have a ready-made replacement in James Berry, who is a similar type of player and impressed off the bench against Gateshead".

As usual for midweek National League games, the match will be streamed by the >National League, as well as covered by Radio Robins on Radio Alty.

Chesterfield "assistant-manager Danny Webb explained that on Saturday when they fielded eleven youngsters in the FA Trophy, 'We had a few 16-year-olds out there... We wanted to win the game obviously but all our focus is now on the league'...

'Ryan Colclough is out for at least a few weeks,' he said. 'We had positive news... that there was no break or fracture. However, his ankle is still very swollen...

'It’s a bad injury but I’d like to think he’ll be back in a few weeks...

'Freckleton is also out for a couple of weeks with his hamstring, so that’s a bit of a blow too... Everyone else is doing okay, Ty (Williams) is back fully fit now too...

'Grimes is back too, so hopefully that’s the last time we lose a player through suspension this season...

'Without doubt Altrincham are a very strong side in this division. The management team over there have done a fantastic job, they deserve a lot of credit.

'It’s going to be a good game of football and two teams that play similar ways so it’s going to be a cracker. They have plenty of threats and we’ll have to deal with them if we want anything out of the game'".

ALTY OLD BOYS

THROUGH THE YEARS: 16 JANUARY

Eventually played on Saturday 16 January 2016. Altrincham won 2-1 after extra time.

Left: Josh O'Keefe and Jake Moult in seemingly synchronised action at Leamington.

Amongst the five putative dates for this fixture were two occasions when Altrincham and their supporters had travelled all the way to Warwickshire only to be met by a referee's postponement!

In the eventual replay, Altrincham got off to an excellent start when Jamie Hood's blatant holding on Michael Rankine produced a fifth-minute spot kick for the visitors. The defender escaped with a yellow card but Rankine firmly drove his penalty kick past keeper Breeden. However, far from building on this advantage, Alty barely troubled the Leamington keeper for the rest of the afternoon.

In contrast, Alty goalkeeper Tim Deasy several times stood between Leamington and an equalizer. And, if Alty's first half had been disappointing, their post-interval showing was even more so. But the visitors somehow held out until The Brakes' striker Mackey headed home following a last-minute corner kick.

Ten minutes into extra time, a magnificent through-ball from substitute Sam Heathcote set Michael Rankine at goal. From more than 20 yards, he powered an excellent shot past Breeden to restore Altrincham's lead and see them through to Round Two, which was to involve a 500-mile round-trip on Tuesday to the Sussex coast to play Bognor Regis Town.

That game was also weather affected and only went ahead after the Sussex club parked a number of cars on the pitch with their engines running to melt frost-bound sections of the playing surface, as pictured, right!

For the Leamington replay, Alty were without the experience of the long-term injured Coburn, Marshall, Clee and Densmore, whilst both of their recent loan signings, Josh Ginnelly and Dylan Mottley-Henry were not signed in time to participate in this game.

ALTRINCHAM: 17. Tim DEASY, 20. Jordan SINNOTT, 5. Luca HAVERN (capt), 6. Scott LEATHER, 3. Adam GRIFFIN, 4. Jake MOULT, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 14. Josh O'KEEFE, 7. James LAWRIE, 19. Ryan CROWTHER, 9. Michael RANKINE. Subs: 23. Callum WILLIAMS, 18. George BOWERMAN, 10. Damian REEVES, 12. Sam HEATHCOTE, 24. Rhain DAVIS.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The National League strugglers have been without a manager since they opted to part company with John Askey in December. They are yet to unveil his successor, with Lennie Lawrence still in post as caretaker boss.

Moore boasts a wealth of managerial experience and previously led Hartlepool between 2014 and 2016. However, he has held just one position in management since his Pools exit.

It is rare for managers to return to the game after such a long period away from it, although Moore is the BetVictor frontrunner to replace Askey at 1-2."

Altrincham's game next Saturday is at Roots Hall, against Southend United.

Having overseen the defeat of Altrincham on Saturday, Kidderminster Harriers report that "following Saturday’s FA Trophy match with Altrincham at Aggborough, Assistant Manager Jimmy O’Connor is to leave the club.

Chairman Richard Lane said 'With a change of Manager last week and a challenging set of circumstances for the squad, we asked Jimmy to help us with the transition period and to oversee the team into Saturday.

'He did that with the utmost professionalism and diligence, for which we thank him. Everyone associated with the club wishes him nothing but the best for the future.'”

Speaking ahead of tonight's game, Southend United reported that "Kevin Maher believes Wealdstone will provide Blues with a very tough test ...

Maher said... 'They’re regulars in this league now and they’ll push for the play-offs no problem'...

Maher collected his 50th win as our Head Coach on Saturday...

It was the Shrimpers’ second consecutive clean sheet...

'We’ve got a tough run of fixtures coming up, so we’ve got to get our performance levels right and the results will hopefully reflect that'...

He was asked for an injury update on Oli Coker, Harry Cardwell and David Martin. '[Coker and Cardwell] are getting closer. Whether tomorrow night’s too soon or not, we’ll look at that... Dave’s doing well. He’s not training yet but he’s improving. He had a lot of damage to his rib'".

ISUZU FA TROPHY DRAW

• Welling United v Barnet
• Bromley v Aveley
• Hereford FC v Gateshead
• Peterborough Sports v Kidderminster Harriers
• Wealdstone v Hendon
• Chorley v Solihull Moors
• Bishop’s Stortford v Coalville Town
• Hampton & Richmond Borough v Macclesfield

15 January 2024

PARKINSON REFUTES CRITICISM

The manager said that there had been "a bit of rotation", but that it was "done for all the right reasons".

As for Chris Conn-Clarke, who missed a penalty in added time and then missed another spot-kick in the shoot-out, before going over to the supporters to apologise at the end of the game, his manager said, "He shouldn't have to apologise but that shows the calibre of the player".

Overall, the manager asserted "We've done it right" as the squad for the game were "all first-team players... We really wanted to go through".

NEXT: CHESTERFIELD

On Saturday, both clubs opted to rotate their squad and both paid the price of elimination from the FA Trophy. Whilst Altrincham lost on penalties at Kidderminster, the Spireites lost 2-0 at Welling in South East London.

In fact Chesterfield's starting eleven in Saturday's match comprised no player with a squad number lower than 36, whereas their team which beat Gateshead in midweek started with no shirt number higher than 20! In other words, eleven changes were made.

None of Saturday's starters was even on the bench in midweek against Gateshead

THROUGH THE YEARS: 16 JANUARY

Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years files have the full list of previous Altrincham fixtures on Tuesday's date, 16 January.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Southern League Premier Division South visitors took the lead when Joe White slotted home...

James Norwood equalised from the spot in stoppage time, but... the Dons booked their place in the next round in the 96th minute when Niko Muir dramatically bundled the ball over the line.

Latics were dominant for large parts of the game, especially the earlier parts, but despite lots of shots, couldn’t make it count.

Disappointed Latics boss Micky Mellon said 'I'd have to apologise, I think, and it's the first time I've had to do that for a long time in my career... I think we all know that Oldham should be doing better'".

14 January 2024

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 0-0 ALTRINCHAM
Kidderminster Harriers win on penalties 4-2

The match started slowly but gradually improved in the first half.

The nearest to a goal before the break was Alex Newby's superb 30-yard freekick which came back off the Harriers' crossbar (39 mins). For Harriers, their best effort was a Hemmings shot which Ross saved well (24 mins).

The game remained goalless till added time when Alty were awarded a penalty after Dibble brought down Amaluzor. But Conn-Clarke took a poor spot-kick, which Dibble saved comfortably, to leave the game at 0-0 (90+3 mins).

In the shoot-out, Conn-Clarke (right) again failed to score from the spot. Then Omatayo missed for the Harriers, as Ross saved his shot, only for Banks to see his kick saved. So, when Lambert converted his penalty, Alty had lost 4-2 on penalties.

Presumably with an eye on Tuesday's visit to Chesterfield, manager Phil Parkinson had made five changes to the side which beat Barnet last week.

Out went Baines, Marriott, Mooney (ineligible), Conn-Clarke and Linney with Kosylo, Amaluzor, Brockbank, Angus and Wilson starting instead.

ALTRINCHAM (All dark blue with yellow sash on shirts): 29. Ethan Ross, 2. Lewis Banks, 15. Jake Cooper, 16. Sam Roscoe, 12. Liam Brockbank, 19. George Wilson, 6. Elliot Osborne (c), 7. Matty Kosylo, 30. Alex Newby, 11. Justin Amaluzor, 14. Dior Angus. Subs (7 allowed, 6 named): 21. Matt Gould, 3. Eddie Jones, 4. Lewis Baines, 8. Isaac Marriott, 10. Chris Conn-Clarke, 9. Regan Linney

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS (Red and white halves, red shorts and socks): 21 Christian Dibble, 2. Alex Penny, 3. Caleb Richards, 10. Ashley Hemmings, 11. Jack Lambert, 16. Matt Preston, 18. Kai Lissimore, 20. Sammy Robinson, 23. Shane Byrne, 24. Bailey Hobson, 27. Gold Omotayo. Subs. 1. Tom Palmer, 5. Krystian Pearce, 6. Reiss McNally, 9. Amari Morgan-Smith, 14. Zak Brown, 26. Owen Hesketh, 28. Kobe Hall.

Match report here

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Gateshead, Solihull Moors, Kidderminster Harriers, Wealdstone, Barnet and Bromley are the only top-flight teams now left in the competition after the exit on Saturday of Aldershot Town, Chesterfield, Hartlepool United, AFC Fylde and Oldham Athletic, as well as Altrincham on Saturday.

CONSEQUENTIAL POSTPONEMENT

ALTY OLD BOYS

In the Championship: DUNCAN WATMORE put in a rare full shift for Millwall in their home game against his previous club, Middlesbrough, who came from behind to win 1-3.

League One: By the time OWEN DALE joined the action after 79 minutes, his Blackpool side had already clinched a 2-0 home win over Exeter City.

Fleetwood's JUNIOR QUITIRNA was ruled out by injury at Cambridge United, where his team were beaten 2-1. HARRISON HOLGATE was again left on the bench.

CARL PIERGIANNI skippered Stevenage to victory by the only goal at Shrewsbury Town.

ALISTAIR SMITH was left on the bench by Lincoln City as they earned a 1-1 draw at Wycombe Wanderers

League Two: In an eventful game, TOBY MULLARKEY was credited with the assist for Grimsby Town's second goal in a 5-5 draw with visitors Notts County.

JOEL SENIOR was booked during Morecambe's 1-1 home draw with Mansfield Town.

Having led, Barrow, for whom ELLIOTT NEWBY played the full match, had to come from behind to force a 2-2 draw at Sutton United - the home club's point lifted them off the bottom of the league at the expense of Forest Green Rovers.

CONNOR JENNINGS (right) put in a full shift for Tranmere Rovers, who lost 1-2 at home to a goal in the 97th minute for MK Dons.

National League: MARCUS DACKERS played the full game on his second debut for Southend United, for whom the only goal of the match was sufficient for them to win at Eastleigh.

National North: HARRY PERRITT (left) was booked for Alfreton Town, who were 0-2 up until the 89th minute at Warrington Town, but slipped to a 2-2 draw.

Elsewhere, TOM PEERS scored Chester's second goal in their 3-0 home win over Gloucester City.

National South: After Truro City went ahead, visitors Worthing came back well to win 1-4, with DANNY CASHMAN scoring twice.

NPL: After Matlock Town had gone behind after only 8 minutes at Atherton Collieries, JONNY MARGETTS scored twice in a quarter of an hour either side of the break, and they went on to win 1-3.

AARON BENNETT scored the third goal for FC United, who were another side to recover from going behind early, as they went on to win 2-4 at Bradford PA.

Both JACK REDSHAW and HARRY BUNN found the net in Hyde United's 0-4 win at Lancaster City.

FA Trophy: DANNY WHITEHEAD was substituted after an hour as a single goal saw AFC FYLDE exit the competition at Aveley.

After Gateshead had trailed after only 2 minutes at home to Weston-super-Mare, MARCUS DINANGA put them 2-1 up straight after the restart. The visitors then equalised in the 92nd minute to force penalties, and, despite Marcus having his penalty saved, the Tyneside club won the shootout 4-3.

JOSH LUNDSTRAM (left) was withdrawn after 72 minutes as Oldham Athletic fell to a shock 1-2 defeat at Boundary Park by Hendon, currently 7th in the Southern League South.

BRAD JACKSON was Radcliffe's Man of the Match, as they bowed out 1-2 at home to Barnet. JORDAN HULME, JUDE OYIBO, and JAMIE MORGAN were also in the starting XI, but JOSH HANCOCK was absent.

BYRON HARRISON (who was booked and then substituted) and SEAN LAWTON were in Nantwich Town's starting line-up at Solihull Moors, but they finished with 9 men and lost 5-1.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The twenty-one-year-old centre-back... comes to Mill Farm with stacks of ability and looking to gain first-team experiences.

Ethan previously spent his formative years at Latics’ Academy, before joining Tranmere Rovers Centre of Development at the age of 15. He later made the move to Devon to join Plymouth Argyle in 2020... He made his professional debut for Argyle against Newport County in the Papa John’s Trophy, before heading out on loan to gain experience with Nantwich Town and Plymouth Parkway.

Ethan signed for Latics in the summer...

Ethan said... 'I heard about the deal last week... My time at Wigan has shaped me well, it’s really developed me well. I’d describe myself as aggressive, on the front foot, loud and passionate'...

Head Coach, Chris Beech exclaimed his delight... 'He adds defensive capabilities and a winning mentality which is why he has represented Wigan’s U21s as skipper'".

Meanwhile at Aldershot Town "Olly Scott has signed a new deal that will keep him with the Shots until the end of the season!

Scott had joined on a non-contract earlier in the season but picked up an injury... The 23-year-old returned to fitness in time to score our 90th minute winner over Stockport County in the Emirates FA Cup Second Round and has now made 10 appearances for the Shots.

Tommy Widdrington says... 'Having his season interrupted by an injury meant both parties have had to be patient as the heavy schedule and the festive period have taken a lot of our time up since...

'He will always, quite deservedly, have a place in the club’s history books as "the lad who scored that goal at Stockport" which of course set up the memorable visit to The Hawthorns in The FA Cup Third Round'".

13 January 2024

ISUZU FA TROPHY 4TH ROUND

Saturday, 13 January 2024

• Bishop's Stortford 6-1 Aldershot Town
• Hythe Town 1-2 Chorley
• Gateshead 2-2 Weston super Mare (Gateshead won 4-3 on pens)
• Welling United 2-0 Chesterfield
• Hereford FC 2-0 Torquay United
• Hartlepool United 0-0 Hampton & Richmond Borough (Hampton won 4-2 on pens)
• Bath City 0-0 Coalville Town (Coalville won 4-3 on pens)
• Solihull Moors 5-1 Nantwich Town
• Kidderminster Harriers 0-0 Altrincham (Kidderminster won 4-2 on pens)
• Macclesfield FC 5-0 Dorking Wanderers
• Aveley 1-0 AFC Fylde
• Oldham Athletic 1-2 Hendon
• Chelmsford City 0-1 Wealdstone
• Radcliffe 1-2 Barnet
• Horsham 0-3 Peterborough Sports
• Bromley 2-1 Chippenham Town

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday, 13 January 2024

• Eastleigh 0-1 Southend United

ALTY DEFENDERS INTERVIEWED

The interview is available via Alty TV.

The duo have established themselves as regular starters this season. So far this season, Lewis has made 22(+1) appearances and scored four goals, whilst Jake has made 22 appearances in all competitions.

Baines and Cooper have played together for Altrincham in eighteen of this season's National League fixtures.

BACKROOM INSIGHT

As well as detailing the backgrounds and the roles of the two backroom staff, the interview also reviews the injury status of a cohort of sidelined players, including Ollie Crankshaw, the three Joneses (Joey, James and Eddy), Justin Donawa and Academy products Amaar Hussain and Ewan McGeady.

NEW KIDDERMINSTER BOSS: "WE NEED TO BE HORRIBLE"

Kidderminster Harriers has a video interview with new manager Phil Brown.

Regarding the video, the Kidderminster Shuttle reports that "In his first interview as the new manager of Kidderminster Harriers, Brown outlined his first impressions of the club...

'It’s a challenge, there’s no doubt about it. It’s something I’m looking forward to... There’s a lot of times you go into a new football club and it’s full of fear or in trepidation... but it’s not the case [here]... If I didn’t have that feeling about Kidderminster Harriers, I wouldn’t have took [sic] the challenge up... And if you’ve got a group of players that care you’ve got a chance...

'Confidence is going to be key'".

Brown also said "We don't need to play great football, we need to play winning football, we need to be horrible... I'm here to watch, not so much entertaining football, [as] winning football".

He added the he would watch the game against Altrincham on Saturday from the stands but would be in the dugout "from Monday", when he would try to foster a positive mentality in the players. And Brown added that "I want to get my career back on track".

Kidderminster's last game was a 2-0 defeat at Rochdale who are, coincidentally, Altrincham's next guests at the J. Davidson Stadium.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Dackers’s loan at National League side Altrincham was finished at the beginning of January... The striker featured in four [actually five] games during his time at the club, scoring one goal on his debut against Solihull Moors...

Dackers (pictured, left) is one of the first signings for the Shrimpers post embargo... They will be hoping Dackers, 21, can fire them up the table during his time on loan at the club... Dackers has Premier League academy experience due to previously playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League 2.

Roots Hall will be eager to welcome back the player who scored three goals in six games for them last season".

Dackers could soon be facing Alty again as The Robins travel to Southend on 20 January.

Southend United explain that the loan runs "until the end of the current season.. [with Dackers] returning to Roots Hall after playing six games in a brief loan spell at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign.

Since then, he has been loaned to fellow National League outfits Woking and Altrincham, also appearing 11 times for Salford in the league...

Dackers... said 'My first time here was short but sweet and I really enjoyed it. This time I’ll have more time to settle in and play as many games as possible and score as many goals as I can... I feel like with the quality in the team, and adding myself to that, I can make something really good happen here.'"

Elsewhere, JOE HUGILL has gone to Burton Albion on loan, for the rest of the season, from Manchester United.

12 January 2024

ALTY ADAPT TO BIG CROWDS

In addition, the Boxing Day game against FC Halifax Town saw a record home fan National League attendance just shy of 3,500, beating the record set last season against Wrexham.

Right: Dan Mooney in action in front of the 2,379 spectators who watched the most recent home game, against Barnet.

So, a big thank you to all of our supporters for getting behind Alty in a way that is unprecedented at this level...

We need to adapt to 2,500 or so being the new normal attendance at The J. Davidson Stadium, a feat unthinkable even a few years ago...

We are making a number of changes on match days at The J. Davidson Stadium. These will be in place for the televised local derby against Rochdale on Tuesday, January 23rd, for Eastleigh the following Saturday and then for all subsequent home matches thereafter.

These changes include:

• Opening additional turnstiles...
• All Golf Road turnstiles will accept season-tickets and e-tickets, and two of the four will also accept cash payments...
• Additional resources will be made available outside the ground to help direct spectators...
• Additional toilet facilities will be available on the Popular Side to reduce queueing...

Queuing of some sort is inevitable at football grounds, but we need your help to minimise this inconvenience. Please try to get to the ground in good time".

For full details, please follow the above link.

ALTY'S AGGBOROUGH AGONIES

• P28-W9-D7-L12-F29-A46

Since 1994, you would struggle to invent the tales of woe that have afflicted Altrincham at Aggborough during their last seventeen visits, 15 in the league and two cup ties. The following extracts from the website's match reports record the grim sequence, which includes no fewer than five penalties and five red cards awarded against Altrincham!

Right: Ironically, on Alty's last visit to Aggborough, a 2-0 defeat in 2019, Ashley Hemmings (pictured right during the game) was Altrincham's star player. He is now, of course, a shining light for the Harriers

1. 2-2 DRAW 19.11.94 Alty's goals came from Terry and Morton.
2. 1-1 DRAW 21.10.95 For the third year running, Stuart Terry scored for Alty at Aggborough.
3. 1-1 DRAW 15.2.97 Danny McGoona's goal secured the draw.
4. 1-1 DRAW 11.3.2000 "Only the fact that Altrincham dropped a place, to eleventh, marred an otherwise excellent and deserved draw away to the League leaders and the team with by far the best home record in the division. Altrincham became only the fourth of the Harriers' seventeen league visitors to come away with a point or more". Kiddy won promotion to the Football League that season, whilst Alty were relegated by a last-day draw at Moss Lane against... Kidderminster Harriers!
5. 1-1 DRAW 26.12.05 Kidderminster took "the lead with a dubious penalty awarded against Maddox for handball when a ball was driven against him from close range (23 mins). But, with their vocal support in place, Altrincham enjoyed the better of the second half and deservedly equalised after 80 minutes when Lugsden was brought down by Jackson in the box and Aspinall, making his first ever Conference start, drove the resulting penalty home".
6. 2-3 DEFEAT 9.12.06 "Altrincham lost their second successive game 3-2 and are still without an away win this season but it was a very controversial penalty award by referee Vaughan which ultimately cost Altrincham the points"
7. 1-1 DRAW 5.4.08 "Kidderminster's goal depended on a refereeing decision as Mr Creighton awarded them a questionable penalty just before the interval from which Christie scored. It was the third successive time that a spot-kick had been won against Alty at Aggborough, and all three were converted by Christie. Alty had held a deserved lead from the eighth minute "

   

   Right: Greg Young (in yellow) in action at Kidderminster in the 2009 game at Aggborough.

8. 0-4 DEFEAT 23.8.08 "It was referee Simpson from Middlesex who determined the outcome of this game by adjudging Chris Lane to have deliberately handled the ball on the line after 33 minutes, when the defender had been hit on the body from point blank range by a Harriers shot" Lane was sent off and Richards converted the penalty.
9. 0-3 DEFEAT 29.8.09 "For the second year running, Altrincham had the better of the opening stages only to fall behind after having an early goal disallowed for offside... When Johnson was tripped by last man Riley, the Harriers' man saw a red card... After 36 mins Densmore was sent off ... It got even worse for Alty when Chris Senior was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage".
10. 1-2 DEFEAT 12.2.11 "Altrincham were very unlucky to take nothing from this game which they finished with eight fit players on the pitch... Just before the break Piergianni was controversially sent off when he made a fine covering tackle which the referee judged to be a foul. It seemed that Piergianni had been dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity but it later emerged that the reason given by the referee was "foul and abusive language". Dootson made a fine save from the penalty kick, however... Smith got himself sent off for a petulant spat in injury time - again the reason given was "foul and abusive language". To cap the afternoon Densmore finished the game lame after being fouled, leaving Alty with eight fit men at the final whistle".
11. 0-4 DEFEAT 16.9.14 Simon Richman sent off, a decision later rescinded.
12. 1-1 DRAW 2.4.16 "Whilst an 89th minute equalizer was a cruel way for Altrincham to lose two points, Kidderminster were deserving of their point. Despite their precarious position at the bottom of the table, it was the Harriers who played the better football, particularly in the second half. At half-time, Alty sat 18th in the table, by the end of the afternoon they were 21st!"
13. 0-1 DEFEAT 29.8.16 "After two successive heavy defeats this was a much improved performance from Altrincham. Harriers took the lead after 44 minutes when, out of nothing, a ball rebounded in the penalty area and Gnahoua pounced to drive a rising shot into the net from close range... A late tackle led to Simon Richman hobbling off to add to Altrincham's injury concerns".
14. 2-3 DEFEAT 29.9.18 "Altrincham's play for substantial portions of this game deserved a better outcome. They were undone, however by three poorly conceded first-half goals, the first arriving just 42 seconds after kick-off".
15. 0-2 DEFEAT 14.9.19 "The hosts took the lead in slightly fortunate circumstances when Davidson's attempted cross rebounded off White into the path of Chambers... Just six minutes later Alty lost ever-present centre-back Jones to injury... Harriers made it 2-0 in the 66th minute".

There have also been two FA Trophy meetings between the clubs at Aggborough and the auguries in that competition are better for Altrincham this Saturday, even though the first meeting was disastrous for Alty as they lost 5-0 in Round Four on 25 March 1995.

However, there was a notable cup success for Altrincham at Aggborough in the FA Trophy on 10 January 2015 when they won 1-0. "After Damian Reeves had scored a fine goal in the 20th minute, and Craig Reid had blasted a Kidderminster penalty over the bar just before the interval, Alty retained their deserved lead. But Harriers dominated the second half with goalkeeper Coburn being Alty's hero with a series of outstanding blocks and saves".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Harrison established an under-23s' squad into the Academy setup which helped to get Woking a National Academy League licence, meaning the Club can compete at the highest level of non-league academy football.

Harrison also had a close link with the first team for much of his time at the Club, starting in 2016/17 when he became part of Garry Hill and Steve Thompson’s coaching staff as a first-team coach... New manager Anthony Limbrick kept Harrison in his first-team role as coach...

After Limbrick left the Club, Harrison stepped in to assist Jason Goodliffe at the end of the 2017/18 season, but ultimately the pair couldn’t stop the Cards from being relegated...

Last season, Woking went on a memorable cup run in the National League U19 Academy Cup, just falling short at the final hurdle with a 1-0 defeat...

Harrison departs the Club to take a role in AFC Wimbledon’s academy...

'It was a hard decision to leave, the club means a lot to me but the pull of going to AFC Wimbledon, an EFL club, was too hard to turn down'" said Harrison.

Woking also report that "Alfie Pavey has joined Braintree Town on loan until the end of the season.

The forward, 28, joined Woking this season and has featured ten times.

Alfie will continue training with Michael Doyle's squad".

The Derbyshire Times reports that "Gateshead manager, Rob Elliot, described Chesterfield as a ‘juggernaut’ after the Spireites ran riot against his side.

Town scored four times in the first-half, adding one more after the break, to secure an impressive 5-0 win and open up a nine-point lead at the top of the table. Will Grigg bagged a hat-trick, while Tom Naylor and Michael Jacobs also netted".

More news of The Heed comes in the York Press which reports that "Jack Stott is back in the Vanarama National League, having joined Gateshead on an initial one-month loan.

Stott, who appeared for York City towards the beginning of the 2023/24 season, is back in the National League having completed a short-term loan deal to play-off chasers Gateshead from Sky Bet Championship outfit Middlesbrough.

The young midfielder initially joined York in late August on a loan deal until January 1, but his spell was cut short after the arrival of manager Neal Ardley".

FC Halifax Town "confirm the signing of forward Adan George from National League North side Rushall Olympic.

George began his career in the West Bromwich Albion youth academy before making the switch to the Birmingham City academy in 2015...

In October 2020, George joined Walsall on loan until January, however failed to make an appearance for the League Two club. The forward spent the rest of the season with Birmingham’s under-23s...

In August 2023, the forward joined Alvechurch in the Southern League Premier Central Division where netted five in 14 appearances, earning him a move to National League North side Rushall Olympic in November where he scored three in seven appearances as Rushall sit 20th".

11 January 2024

NEW MANAGER FOR NEXT OPPONENTS

On Wednesday evening, Kidderminster Harriers were "proud to confirm the appointment of Phil Brown as Manager, initially until the end of the current season.

This landmark appointment for the Club sees the arrival to Aggborough of a vastly experienced and decorated Manager in Brown, who has overseen close to 600 in the dugout and managed at the highest level of the game..#

With Hull City, in four years... he helped them achieve a first ever promotion to the Premier League.

Brown has also guided Southend to promotion to League One, and successfully steered Barrow to safety in the EFL in 2022...

Harriers Technical Director Dean Holdsworth said 'This is a significant appointment for us as a Club and shows the Chairman and Club’s ambition...

'Phil Brown is someone who has a proven track record of delivering against the odds when required...

'Of the many, many excellent applications we had for the post... we can’t think of anyone better than Phil to lead that charge'...

Phil Brown said 'I was immediately drawn to the passion that the Chairman and Board of Kidderminster have for their club, and their desire to succeed'...

Phil Brown will take charge of team affairs after the game with Altrincham at Aggborough on Saturday. Jimmy O’Connor will oversee the set-up of the team for the FA Trophy tie for which Brown will be in attendance".

RUNCORN TOWN 1-0 ALTRINCHAM XI

Right: Kevin Ellison playing for Altrincham at Hednesford Town in 2000.

The Alty XI included Matt Gould in goal as the only first-tean squad member. The rest of the line up was no.3 Lucas, 5. Ben Atkinson, 6. Ollie Partington, 7. George Raftery, 8. Tayo Tex, 9. Trialist, 10. Finn Ryan, 11. John Oleyole, 17. Tom Talbot, 19. Matty Cleary. Subs: 14. Yusef, 15. Ben Dobbie, 1. Christian Mason

ALTY OLD BOYS

For Chesterfield, JEFF KING played the full game, but RYAN COLCLOUGH had to go off after 27 minutes following a foul for which Gateshead's Richardson was booked.

He was replaced by JAMES BERRY. Will Grigg hit a hat trick for the Spireites, but for the visitors MARCUS DINANGA drew a blank, apparently heading wide of an open goal midway through the second half".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Chesterfield 5-0 Gateshead

Saturday, 13 January 2024

• Eastleigh v Southend United

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Crowther, a 6ft 4 centre-back, joins the Club on a two-and-a-half year contract...

The 23-year-old made 20 league appearances for the Linnets in 2023/24, and last season was almost ever-present, scoring seven goals in 45 games... Earlier in his career, Crowther played with Gus Scott-Morriss at Royston Town and had a stint at Isthmian League club Cheshunt...

Crowther said... 'It’s gone back a while but I’ve just had to focus on playing for my previous club while waiting for it to happen. I’m glad that it’s all done now'".

Aldershot Town have issued a "statement of thanks from Club Chairman Shahid Azeem:

'Firstly, a massive thank you to all 4861 supporters that travelled to the West Midlands on Sunday to provide an away atmosphere that would be the envy of most clubs in the country...

'The last few years of supporting the Shots in the FA Cup have not been fruitful and it was a duly deserved day of celebration and enjoyment for everyone connected with Aldershot Town Football Club...

'Another thanks must go to the members of the Shots Away Travel Group, the Aldershot Town Supporters Club and further individuals who did such a tremendous job organising the coaches and travel of a large number of our supporters.. Our board of directors [has] unanimously agreed to subsidising the cost of these coaches...

'And lastly, a thank you to Tommy Widdrington and his staff and to all of the players whose performances allowed us all to enjoy such a special run..

'From Lorent Tolaj’s hat-trick against Lewes in the Fourth Qualifying Round, to creating competition history by becoming the first non-league side to score seven against Football League opposition, to Olly Scott’s last-minute winner in front of the BBC Two cameras in the Second Round replay, it’s fair to say the magic of the FA Cup has truly hit Aldershot this season.'”

In the briefest of statements, FC Halifax Town "have announced that Tom Scott and Ted Lavelle have had their loan spells with Bradford Park Avenue extended until the end of the season.

We wish them both well at the Horsfall Stadium"

The Manchester Evening News reports that "Manchester United could face the possibility of playing their FA Cup fourth round fixture at a neutral venue, as potential opponents Eastleigh wait on a decision regarding their home ground.

Erik ten Hag's side booked their place in the fourth round with a two-nil win against Wigan Athletic... United do not know their opponents yet after League Two side Newport were held to a 1-1 draw by the ten-men of National League side Eastleigh last weekend. The replay is now set to take place on January 16th at the Silverlake Stadium, with Eastleigh already making plans for the next round in the event they are able to progress.

It is an outcome that could cause problems regarding the demand for tickets if the National League side were to host United in the next round, with safety concerns regarding their stadium arising due to their limited capacity of 5192.

A statement from the club regarding the matter said... 'The logistical issues for a club of our size in playing a club the size of Manchester United means we do need to explore and communicate certain provisional plans in the hope of reducing the understandable high volume of calls we are dealing with... We can confirm that the fixture would be played at our home stadium unless our Safety Advisory Group feels the club cannot stage the match safely, which we feel is extremely unlikely.

'We are exploring the possibility of extending our temporary seating to increase capacity to enable more fans to attend should we be successful'...

As stated by FA rules, in the event that a stadium is not deemed suitable to host a game, the alternative ground will be the nearest ground considered suitable by the local enforcing authority or police, which is subject to the agreement of the Professional Game Board".

At Chesterfield "Ahead of the Spireites’ National League home fixture against Gateshead, Danny Webb spoke about the positives to take away from the weekend’s performance against Watford...

He said... 'The overriding feeling of everyone connected with the football club was pride with the travelling supporters... They also hopefully saw a team that was working their socks off for the cause, playing their normal gamed going all out to try and beat a Championship team'...

The assistant manager is still expecting a tough game against a Gateshead side that are having a good season. Webb said... 'They play a unique style of football and they are going to be a big threat'".

NEXT: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

The Droitwich Standard reported that "Droitwich Spa valiantly bowed out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup following a penalty shootout defeat against... Kidderminster Harriers.

The Saltmen twice came from behind to take the game to penalties as Connor Collins scored in either half to cancel out goals from Kobe Hall and Zak Brown.

However, Harriers stopper Tom Palmer saved from Archie Woodall and Perry Moss in the shootout as Spa exited the competition at the quarter-final stage on front of 739 spectators...

Kidderminster fielded a strong side which featured a smattering of first team players including Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain brother of former England and Liverpool star Alex".

Meanwhile the excellent unofficial site, Harriers Online reminds us of the context of the apppintment and subsequent sacking last weekend of manager Russ Penn.

"It was February 2020. Kidderminster Harriers had just seen the departure of their eighth manager in six years, hours before a mid-week game against Farsley Celtic... and the newly-installed caretaker manager Russ Penn had put his finger on the main problem at the club.

It was a time of turmoil.

Colin Gordon’s much-promised plans were failing fast as the Harriers had finished lower and lower every season for five years. They were a club threatening to stagnate in the Conference North, with a part-apathetic, part-acidic atmosphere on the terraces and little success on the pitch. The expectations were low and many fans just wanted someone to arrest that decline and try to restore the club’s sense of pride....

Harriers have stabilised and gone from strength-to-strength. Under Penn they were minutes from beating Premier League West Ham Utd in the FA Cup, reached the playoffs twice and returned to what is widely seen as their natural level of the Conference in a whirlwind playoff win. Yet the majority of fans will have breathed a sigh of relief when the news broke late on Sunday night that the Harriers legend was to leave his job as manager.

The euphoria of winning promotion at Brackley Town in May 2023 has quickly turned to despair at the side’s woes on the pitch. In the club’s twenty eight games since returning to the Conference, they have only scored twenty goals. Few sides avoid relegation when that’s the case".

ALTY OLD BOYS

In the National League : DANNY WHITEHEAD played the full game as Fylde picked up 3 valuable points in their relegation battle, beating visitors Hartlepool 2-1

National North : ANDY WHITE, TOM HANNIGAN, SEAN WILLIAMS, and JOSH AMIS (who was substituted after 76 minutes) all started for Warrington Town in their home game against league leaders Tamworth, who ran out 0-3 victors.

NPL : Radcliffe trailed after 25 minutes at Lancaster City, but had turned the match round 11 minutes later - JORDAN HULME'S strike turning out to be the clincher as they won 1-2.

JOHN JOHNSTON and JONNY MARGETTS both started for Matlock Town, but JJ was substituted after 70 minutes as visitors Macclesfield, with SAM HEATHCOTE on their bench, won 1-2

THROUGH THE YEARS: 13 JANUARY

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 2-1 Hartlepool United
• Barnet 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Hancox made seven appearances for Hartlepool during his time on loan from York City, scoring once...

Meanwhile, Wreh has returned following his short-term loan with Tamworth where he scored two goals in five games.

Ndjoli has also finished his loan spell with Blyth Spartans. He played 13 times for the National League North side, registering three goals".

Aldershot Town inform us that "There have been a lot of returns and new loans over the past month at the Shots...

The Shots meet Bishop’s Stortford in the FA Trophy fourth round next weekend, and former Bishop’s Stortford loanee Zain Walker has now returned to the Shots following the conclusion of his loan spell at the RDA Stadium, however, Ethan Burnett has today joined the Blues on a month's loan!

Hady Ghandour recently joined local side Farnborough in the National League South, and has played four games, scoring three times, all in his last three games...

Academy graduate Alex MacAllister has left Cray Wanderers to join Sholing on loan, making him the third Shot at Southampton-based side, alongside Keane Anderson and George Milner-Smith....

Harry McKenna (Northwood), Mason Obeng (Hartley Wintney), Oliver Lahtinen-Kalsi (Ascot) and Jasper Sheik (Three Bridges) are all continuing their development at their respective clubs".

As for Burnett's loan, Aldershot Town add that "The central midfielder made five substitute appearances for the Shots this season before picking up an injury and will find valuable first-team minutes with " Bishop's Stortford.

Chelsea "goalkeeper Eddie Beach will spend the remainder of the season on loan at National League side Gateshead. Beach featured regularly for our Under-21s during the first half of the campaign and was also on the substitutes’ bench for our first team Premier League fixtures against Luton Town and Brentford.

The 20 year-old joined the Blues from Southampton in the summer of 2023 and spent time on loan last season at National League South club Chelmsford City

Gateshead quoted the keeper as saying "I'm here to be number one and do really well. The style of play suitsme, I'm never hiding from the ball".

Port Vale "confirm that midfielder Tom Conlon has joined Oldham Athletic on a permanent transfer.

The 27-year-old joined the Valiants in July 2018 and would go on to make 183 appearances across six seasons in the Black and White of Port Vale scoring on 20 occasions, assisting on 24.

Despite injury bringing an unfortunate early end to his 2021/22 season, Tom played a vocal role in the promotion-winning campaign...

Port Vale FC's Director of Football, David Flitcroft, said... 'Tom played a pivotal role in securing the club's League Two safety in the 2020/21 season before playing an important role both on and off the pitch throughout our promotion season'".

href="https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2024/january/09012024-tom-conlon/">Oldham Athletic add that "Tom becomes Micky Mellon’s first permanent outfield signing as Latics boss, signing a two-and-a-half year deal...

'I’m very pleased that we’ve got the type of player we need,' Mellon said".

AFC Fylde "made it two Vanarama National League wins in a row after a 2-1 victory over Hartlepool United at Mill Farm on Tuesday night.

Nick Haughton’s superb strike and Manny Onariase’s own goal in the first 20 minutes proved decisive for the Coasters on a cold evening on the Fylde Coast.

Jake Hastie’s goal late in the second-half proved to be a consolation for Lennie Lawrence’s visitors.

Head Coach Chris Beech has named an unchanged starting eleven from our 2-0 victory against Rochdale at Mill Farm...

The Coasters had to navigate five minutes of added time to preserve the three points and secure back-to-back home triumphs<.

9 January 2024

NEXT: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

The promise of a bright future for the club, after the surprising promotion from the National North last season, and all the euphoria that went with it has now been totally lost as Penn struggled to build a team capable of holding its own in the league above and also failed to recruit the quality of players needed for the task. To be honest even if we hadn’t gained promotion some of the signings he did make wouldn’t have had the quality for the North either".

THREE SATURDAY BLANKS AT HOME FOR ALTY?

The Fifth round of the FA Trophy is on Saturday 10 February and should Altrincham win at Kidderminster in Round Four, or their planned league opponents on that date (Wealdstone) win at the same stage, the league clash at Altrincham between the two clubs will have to be postponed.

Another home Saturday league game would also be scuppered should Alty progress to Round Six on 9 March when Alty are set to entertain Woking.

And with Round Four of the FA Cup scheuled for the weekend of 27 January, should Eastleigh win next week's Third Round replay against Newport County, a third home Saturday 3pm kick off would be erased as the Hampshire club are due at Moss Lane on that date.

Eastleigh have the prospect of entertaining Manchester United in the Fourth Round, should they defeat Newport. So, whatever happens, the Spitfires will face a team from Trafford on that day.

In the worst case scenario Altrincham would not have another 3pm home match until 24 February, nearly seven weeks from now.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 13 JANUARY

A full record of previous Alty games on 13 January is in Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years files.

The game in 2023 was played on a Friday night; it had been brought forward by 24 hours at the insistence of the local police who believed that they would be busy on the following day dealing with the Manchester Derby in the Premier League. And another similarity with January 2024 had been the weather, as relentless rain over the preceding days had left the pitch soft.

Alty had lost both Ryan Colclough and Elliot Newby over the Christmas/New Year period so Jordan Hulme and Marcus Dinanga led the attack with loanee Connor Jennings and young Zak Goodson on the bench.

The game ended 2-2 before Altrincham won 4-3 on penalties.

For the first twenty minutes it looked as if Altrincham would win this game at a canter as they dominated the match against a less than full-strength Wrexham. And when the hosts took a tenth-minute lead Alty's optimism was underlined. Eddy Jones's corner was flapped away by Lainton and, as Kaja took an air shot, Hulme knocked the ball back for Conn-Clarke to curl a shot against the bar. The ball dropped invitingly off the bar for Baines to loop a header into the net.

But then, after the midway point of the half, the visitors woke up. They scored twice in three minutes. The first came as the ball was fired low across the box from the left and was diverted into the net from close range by Bickerstaff. Then the same player outpaced James Jones before sliding the ball, low, past the advancing Byrne to make it 1-2 (27 mins).

Wrexham were comfortable for much of the second half as Alty struggled to have the same attacking impact that they displayed in the first half. But Altrincham raised their game and were dominant in the closing stages, equalising in the 89th minute when substitute Zak Goodson (above, right) scored from the edge of the box.

So the game went to penalties. Wrexham went first but missed twice as Alty won the shoot-out 4-3. Alty's scorers from the spot were Conn-Clarke, Goodson, Jennings and Mullarkey with Lundstram having his penalty tipped over the bar.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Oliver Byrne, 5. Toby Mullarkey (c), 26. James Jones, 6. Lewis Baines, 2. Eddy Jones, 4. Isaac Marriott, 8. Josh Lundstram, 16. Chris Conn-Clarke, 30. Marcus Dinanga, 9. Jordan Hulme, 33. Egli Kaja. Subs: 18. Ben Pringle, 21. Matt Gould, 10. Elliot Osborne, 32. Zak Goodson, 35. Connor Jennings, 37. Josh Jordan

ALTY OLD BOYS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Gateshead "have been having a fantastic season... but they are going to be without five key players who have contributed massively to their success.

Goalkeeper Archie Mair, 22, who saved two Chesterfield penalties for Notts County in the play-off final last season, has been recalled from his by his parent club Norwich City ahead of a loan move to League Two Morecambe. He has recorded seven clean sheets this campaign.

Like Mair, defender Kyran Lofthouse, 23, has been recalled by his parent club Barnsley...

Striker Billy Chadwick, 23, was recalled by Stockport County, who then released him so he could join York City.

And midfielder Ed Francis, 24, who is a regular starter, has been ruled out for the ‘forseeable future’ after suffering a fractured skull on New Year’s Day.

But probably the biggest blow of all is losing forward Stephen Wearne, 23, who has linked-up with former Gateshead boss Mike Willamson at MK Dons for a fee...

Gateshead, who have only won one of their last five in the league, could only name four substitutes in their last match".

According to the Eastern Daily Press "Adam Crowther is to leave King’s Lynn Town. The highly-rated central defender is expected to join National League side Southend United, whose transfer embargo has recently been lifted.

A statement released by Lynn confirmed his exit, without saying where Crowther was heading.

While no fee has been announced, it was rumoured to be around £35,000, plus a sell-on clause..

The statement on the club’s official channels said 'The club can announce that we have agreed with another club to sell Adam Crowther'...

Crowther, 23, joined the Linnets from Cheshunt in June, 2022. He has made 74 league and cup appearances for Lynn, scoring eight goals".

Also in the North East, Hartlepool United "announce the signing of experienced centre-back Tom Parkes on a permanent transfer from Livingston.

The former England youth international holds nearly 500 career appearances, having spent 11 seasons in the Football League.

A product of Leicester City, Parkes played a vital role in helping Bristol Rovers achieve promotion to League Two in 2015... The defender then went on to gain experience with Leyton Orient, Carlisle United and Exeter City before moving north of the border with Livingston in 2021".

Scotland's Daily Record adds that "Livingston defender Tom Parkes (31) has completed a move to English National League outfit Hartlepool United, ending an injury-plagued spell in Scotland.

The 31-year-old was signed in the summer of 2021... He netted in the first minute of his debut but a serious knee injury ruled him out for 16 months and he struggled to regain fitness following his comeback.

Parkes started just 11 league games for the club and made 27 appearances in total, scoring three times."

8 January 2024

NEXT OPPONENTS SACK MANAGER

Chairman Richard Lane said' I want to place on record the thanks of everyone associated with our club to Russ for his tremendous effort and dedication over the last few years and the incredible memories we will all keep with us.

'This is a difficult decision to have taken but one we feel is necessary in our current circumstances. Nonetheless, Russ leaves us with our full respect and will always be welcome at Kidderminster Harriers'.

The Club will provide a further update on the managerial position in due course and will make no further comment until that time.

The BBC comments that "Kidderminster Harriers have sacked manager Russ Penn following a run of four defeats in their last five games.

Penn, 38, had been in charge since February 2020, following a short spell as interim boss the previous year.

He led them to promotion last season but they are currently bottom of the National League table..

Penn made 146 league appearances for Kidderminster... He became manager at Aggborough when James Shan left the club almost four years ago and led them to promotion from National League North last season.

They have only won four out of 28 league games this term, though...

Penn's departure comes only three weeks after former Newport County and Aldershot boss Dean Holdsworth was appointed as Kidderminster's first technical director".

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

POST-MATCH PARKINSON

DOCTOR ANSWERS ALTY EMERGENCY

But, in this case, the call was not answered by a medic keen to minister to the stricken referee but rather by the fixture's fourth official who, according to the teamsheet, was Dane McCarrick, who is indeed a doctor... with a PhD qualification.

Dane McCarrick is pictured, right, during Saturday's match.

Hailing from the Middlesbrough area, his normal refereeing duties are in National League North. In previous years, he has acted as an assistant referee at Altrincham games.

He works as Clinical Outcomes Assessment Lead at Sanofi and he combines that role with his footballing activities.

Amongst his co-authored research papers is one entitled 'Home advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic: analyses of European football leagues' which was published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

NEXT MATCH: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

Kidderminster Harriers report that "Another 16-goal season for Ashley Hemmings helped fire Harriers to promotion last term – half of that number coming in a red-hot stretch at the end of the campaign.

With almost 150 appearances to his name ahead of this term, Hemmings is a firm favourite with the Aggborough faithful thanks to his eye-catching displays since joining the club back in 2019.

Hemmings counts Cheltenham, Dagenham and Walsall among his former clubs and has amassed close to 500 career appearances".

As a winger, Ashley Hemmings returned for a second loan spell at Altrincham from AFC Fylde on 16 August 2019. His loan initially extended to 5 January 2020 but on 18 October it was announced that he had been released by The Coasters and was leaving to join another full-time club.

On his first stay, Ashley arrived on 4 December 2018 on a one-month loan, which was cut short on 31 December when he was recalled. He had joined Fylde earlier in 2018 after a brief spell with Salford City. However, he has a rich Football League pedigree. Having played four times for England's under-17s, Hemmings then had loan spells from Wolverhampton Wanderers at Cheltenham Town (2009), Torquay United (2010/11) and Plymouth Argyle (2011/12). He racked up 33 appearances in that period, 23 of those games being for Plymouth.

2012-14 saw him at Walsall, where he made 56 appearances but, after a loan at Burton Albion (2014), he joined Dagenham and Redbridge (2014-16), for whom he played 80 times. Mansfield Town (2016/17) and Boston United (16 goals in 41 appearances in 2017/18) were his next employers before his move to Salford City (2018) and then AFC Fylde. Ashley made an impressive debut as a substitute against Telford on 8 December 2018 and despite his curtailed stay, he made a positive impression.

Ashley's second loan spell at Altrincham began with a start against Brackley Town on 17 August 2019. He made a further eight league and three cup appearances befofe his second loan spell came to its premature end. His career appearances for Alty totalled 15(+1), and he scored 3 goals.

A current Altrincham player who has also worn the colours of the Harriers is striker Dior Angus.

ALTY OLD BOYS

In the FA Cup : A shock looked on the cards when Blackpool went two goals up in 27 minutes at Nottingham Forest, but the hosts came back for a 2-2 draw to earn a replay. OWEN DALE only came off the bench in the 89th minute.

National League : BILLY SASS-DAVIES played the full game for Boreham Wood, who went ahead after 83 minutes, only for visitors York City to earn a 1-1 draw in the 93rd minute.

NEIL "PLEASED WITH THE VICTORY"

"We have a special player in Chris Conn-Clarke, he looked head and shoulders above everyone else out ther, almost unplayable for a 20-minute spell.

"It's been a tough run of games against teams in and around us in the play-offs and that only continues this month, so it's vital to take these points.

"They were better than us at their place so it just shows how far we've come".

Bees' boss Dean Brennan said, "Altrincham are a good side with a good manager. We can't expect to come here and just walk to three points.

"We rallied at the end but just left ourselves too much to do.

"You're never going to win football matches the way we gave goals away. I thought our back three were shocking today. Although it wasn't helped by the officials, who I thought were shambolic".

ALTRINCHAM 3-2 BARNET

Above: Alex Newby is congratulated by team-mates after his goal in the second minute.

Altrincham got off to a flying start, scoring just as the clock ticked towards the end of the first minute.

Right: Alty celebrate their third goal, scored at the Golf Road End.

The hosts won a freekick some 40 yards from goal on the right. Conn-Clarke took it quickly and Barnet found themselves exposed at the back post where Newby took a touch and steered the ball, low into the opposite side of the net.

It was a cruel start for debutant loanee keeper Keeley, signed 48 hours earlier on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. Midway through the first half play was suspended for eleven minutes when the referee suffered a hamstring injury. It took an inordinate time for the fourth official to emerge and restart the game.

Although Barnet had had more of the ball in the first half, albeit without seriously looking like scoring, in the seventh added minute before the break, Alty doubled their lead. Again it was an unhappy experience for Keeley as he and a defender dithered over clearing a ball on the byeline, with Newby in attendance, and the keeper put it out for a needless corner. From Newby's corner the ball came to Baines, towards the back post, and he hooked it into the net.

Altrincham started the second half impressively with Conn-Clarke superb and it was the Ulsterman who scored the third goal, after Banks had set Newby advancing up the left (50 mins). His shot deflected off Okimo into the net.

But Barnet did not give up and pulled a goal back after 75 minutes when Ross and a defender went for the same ball and it fell to Pritchard whose low shot from 20 yards found the back of the net.

The Bees made it 3-2 when Kanu converted an excellent cross from Maguire-Drew in the second of five added minutes but it was too late for them to add an equaliser. Alty moved up to fifth with this result.

Match report here

BARNET VIEW

The Bees then had a series of corners... Deep into first-half stoppage time, Altrincham doubled their lead through Lewis Baines.

The home side made it 3-0 after 5 minutes of the second half. Chris Conn-Clarke’s strike inside the box took a big deflection off Jerome Okimo, which wrong-footed Josh Keeley...

Minutes after coming on, Maguire-Drew appeared to be brought down in the Altrincham penalty area. The referee made the decision that the winger dived and then produced a yellow card as well as awarding the home side a free-kick.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Harry Pritchard got a goal back for The Bees... Idris Kanu did get Barnet a second goal deep into stoppage time. Maguire-Drew’s cross found the winger at the back post, who slammed the ball into the back of the net from close range".

ALTY OLD BOYS

FA Cup : Millwall were 0-2 down at half time to Leicester City, but DUNCAN WATMORE reduced the arrears after 56 minutes - only for Leicester to restore their advantage 5 minutes later. He was withdrawn after 77 minutes and although Millwall did pull one back, they lost 2-3.

CARL PIERGIANNI was booked as Stevenage went down 1-0 at Maidstone in one of the day's more surprising results.

Chesterfield took the lead in the first half at Watford and were still ahead when RYAN COLCLOUGH came off the bench in the 74th minute. Unfortunately Watford equalised just two minutes later. JAMES BERRY joined the fray after 84 minutes, but Watford snatched the winner 5 minutes into added time. JEFF KING remained on the bench.

Morecambe had only one shot in their FA Cup tie at Swansea City - and even that was off target. JOEL SENIOR was part of their dogged rearguard action, but could not prevent a 2-0 defeat.

League One : Derby County were two goals ahead at half time at Fleetwood, for whom JUNIOR QUITIRNA came off the bench to replace Jack Marriott - a former Derby player - at the start of the second half. They pulled a goal back, but went on to lose 1-3, with HARRISON HOLGATE staying on the bench.

League Two : ELLIOT NEWBY was credited with the assist for the game's only goal as Barrow beat visitors Tranmere Rovers, for whom CONNOR JENNINGS played the full game.

Salford City left both MARCUS DACKERS and KEVIN BERKOE on their bench as they salvaged a point in added time, just after being reduced to 10 men, drawing 2-2 at home to Forest Green Rovers.

National League : Oldham Athletic substituted JOSH LUNDSTRAM after 62 minutes, as a single goal proved sufficient for them to win at Dorking Wanderers.

TYRESE SINCLAIR opened the scoring for Rochdale just before the hour, and they had doubled their lead by the time he was withdrawn after 86 minutes.

KYLE FERGUSON came off the Rochdale bench in the 70th minute, just one minute before his team scored the goal which clinched the match. It was his first appearance since going off injured on October 21st as his team lost by the odd goal in seven at home to Oldham.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS played the full game for visitors Kidderminster Harriers.

National North : ELLIOTT DURRELL put Gloucester City two goals up, but visitors Southport fought back to draw 2-2.

Warrington Town went ahead through a SEAN WILLIAMS penalty at South Shields, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

NPL : Former Robins manager NEIL YOUNG had a bad afternoon, as his Marine side fell 1-4 at home to Hyde, for whom JACK REDSHAW scored twice.

JOSH HANCOCK opened the scoring for Radcliffe, and JORDAN HULME added two more, as they raced into a 3-0 lead over visitors Workington by the 15th minute, but that was the peak of their achievement - the only other goal of the game was scored by the Cumbrians.

NEXT: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

This Saturday the Harriers lost 2-0 at Rochdale.

Rochdale report that former Alty loanee "Tyrese Sinclair and Ian Henderson scored their tenth goals of the season as Dale ran out 2-0 winners at home to Kidderminster Harriers.

After a goalless first-half, a moment of improvisation from Sinclair on the hour mark broke the deadlock, before Henderson slid home a second 11 minutes later to seal the three points..

Sinclair returned from a one-match suspension [and]... [ex-Alty man] Kyle Ferguson returned to the squad after over two months out through injury.

Neither side create too much by way of goalscoring opportunities in the first-half, with [ex-Alty man] Ashley Hemmings having the visitors’ best two efforts...

However, 15 minutes after the break, the goalkeeper was beaten by a spectacular effort from Sinclair... with his back to goal, he chested it down, turned and hit a looping volley over Dibble... A little over ten minutes later, the lead was doubled...

Dale never looked in any danger of allowing their opponents back into the game".

ISUZU FA TROPHY 4TH ROUND

Saturday, 13 January 2024

• Bishop's Stortford v Aldershot Town
• Hythe Town v Chorley
• Gateshead v Weston super Mare
• Welling United v Chesterfield
• Hereford FC v Torquay United
• Hartlepool United v Hampton & Richmond Borough
• Bath City v Walsall Wood/Coalville Town
• Solihull Moors v Nantwich Town
• Kidderminster Harriers v Altrincham
• Macclesfield FC v Dorking Wanderers
• Aveley v AFC Fylde
• Oldham Athletic v Hendon
• Chelmsford City v Wealdstone
• Radcliffe v Barnet
• Horsham v Peterborough Sports
• Bromley v Chippenham Town

6 January 2024

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Right: Although currently hemmed in by repaving work along the southern length of George Street, the new Altrincham FC Club Store (right) was open today (Saturday) from 10am-1pm.

With the FA Cup 3rd Round in progress this coming weekend, there is a limited programme of league games...

Saturday, 6 January 2024

• Altrincham 3-2 Barnet
• Dorking Wanderers 0-1 Oldham Athletic
• Ebbsfleet United 2-0 Wealdstone
• Hartlepool United 2-1 Oxford City
• Maidenhead United 0-0 Bromley
• Rochdale 2-0 Kidderminster Harriers
• Solihull Moors 3-0 Woking
• Southend United 3-0 FC Halifax Town

Sunday, 7 January 2024

• Boreham Wood v York City k.o. 2pm

NEXT: BARNET

Barnet arrive in good form after three straight wins and clean sheets over Christmas.

In addition to the injured trio of Joneses, (James, Joey and Eddy), all of whom were out injured before and including New Year's Day and presumably remain so, one player certain to miss today's game against Barnet is Matty Kosylo (right), who saw red at FC Halifax Town on New Year's Day.

Although this was the first red card in his Altrincham career, Kosylo has played 70(+13) times for the Robins and has picked up 21 yellow cards in those appearances.

Justin Amaluzor will be a doubt for the game against a former club, having missed the New Year's Day game through illness.

Other players who may miss Saturday's match, as they have missed a number of recent games, are Justin Donawa and George Burroughs, both of whom are presumably injured.

Another squad member whose status is unclear is goalkeeper Ollie Byrne, who has not figured in a squad since returning from his loan to Cork City before Christmas.

EMIRATES FA CUP FIXTURES

Saturday, 6 January 2024

• Newport County 1-1 Eastleigh
• Watford 2-1 Chesterfield

Sunday, 7 January 2024

• West Bromwich Albion v Aldershot Town

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

From Kidderminster Harriers we learn that they "are pleased to announce the launch of its official WhatsApp channel as an added way to communicate news and information to supporters..

WhatsApp channels are integrated within WhatsApp, meaning supporters can engage with the new Harriers platform at the click of a button by tapping Updates, where you’ll find ‘Channels’

You can find our channel directly, where we’ll be posting news, key information from Aggborough moving forward, bringing this to supporters not regularly connected to social media but for whom the use of WhatsApp is a part of daily life".

There has been plenty of movement at the LNER Stadium as York City report that "loanees Luke Daley and Olly Green have returned to their parent clubs following the expiration of their loan deals...

Midfielder Olly Green joined the Minstermen in October 2023, with the 20-year-old... going on to feature eight times across all competitions... Left-back Luke Daley featured four times across all competitions for York since joining the club towards the end of November, with illness ruling him out against both Gateshead ties towards the end of his deal".

Heading in the opposite direction, York City "confirm that forward Cedric Main and midfielder Finlay Barnes have returned following the expiration of their loan deals at National League North sides Blyth Spartans and Scarborough Athletic.

Striker Cedric Main returned to former club Blyth in August, where he went on to feature 16 times. The 26-year-old netted nine goals and provided six assists during his time back at Croft Park.

Finlay Barnes joined Scarborough Athletic in September, following a short stint with Darlington prior to that. The 23-year-old featured 15 times for the Seadogs in all competitions".

Also, York City report that "Defender Scott Barrow has joined National League North side Darlington FC on loan until the end of the season.

The 35-year-old left-back will head out to pick up valuable minutes after returning from a long-term injury against Guisborough Town in the North Riding Senior Cup last November".

And York Press reports that "Dan Batty was spotted doing some light running during York City’s New Year’s Day victory over Gateshead, after a lengthy spell out of the first-team.

Neal Ardley explained... 'I would expect Dan Batty, hopefully if nothing goes wrong, to be joining in full training in maybe early to mid-February... Could we get two or two and a half months out of him at the end of the season Potentially, so that’s where he is...

'We’ve obviously had quite a bit of illness in the camp. Crookesy (Adam Crookes) has had a couple of days off being ill, Ryan Fallowfield played with a little bit of a groin strain... Cedric Main has been ill... and has only just trained today...

'Maz (Kouhyar) and Ducky (Michael Duckworth) we have had to ingrain {?] back in because they’ve been wheezy, so we’ve had a lot of that... David Stockdale hurt his thumb in training and is a bit sore... We’ll take three goalies and 16 out-fielders, I want to learn from the mistakes of four subs before..

'Obviously Greeny (Olly Green) and Luke Daley had bad chest infections and are still poorly now, so they’ve both gone back to their parent clubs'...

Finally, Ardley confirmed that striker Ethan Henderson, son of former majority shareholder Glen, had departed the club".

At Hartlepool United the club "confirm four loan players have returned to their parent clubs...

Charlie Seaman has returned to Doncaster Rovers following the termination of his loan by mutual consent. The right-back made 16 appearances during the first half of the season, scoring twice.

Joe Mattock's loan... has expired, and the defender has gone back to Harrogate Town after playing eight times for Pools.

Zak Johnson, who made 12 appearances for Hartlepool, has returned to Sunderland upon the expiration of his loan which was cut short by a hamstring injury.

Having joined on a short-term loan from Sheffield Wednesday, Ciaran Brennan has departed Pools after making five appearances".

Dagenham & Redbridge's Executive Chairman has stated that "Our ownership group has stewarded Dagenham & Redbridge FC for almost six years now, starting back in 2018 and believe we have accomplished a great deal in this time for the club.

We completed a significant construction and renovation project of Chigwell Construction Stadium including the installation of all new seats, a new team store, new boardroom, new exterior cladding and signage, renovated dressing room and a new videoboard to name just a few.

We also struck a partnership with West Ham United Women which enabled us to entirely rebuild the pitch with a state of the art irrigation system, giving us one of the best playing surfaces in all of England.

We have given back within the community in countless ways during our tenure at the club... As an ownership group, I believe we can hold our head high that we have done things the right way off the pitch...

I have proven not to be the individual to move this club forward toward promotion, despite investing heavily in our roster and caring mightily about wins and losses. On this front, with my deepest sincerity, I feel I have failed you, the supporters and for that I will forever be filled with a great deal of regret.

Therefore, effective immediately, I have decided to look for new investors to join the club and I will make plans to step aside to allow a new individual or group to take the Daggers and the club’s amazing legacy forward".

The BBC adds that "The Daggers achieved a play-off finish in their first season back in the National League...

Since then the club have not finished in the play-off positions and are currently 15th in the table - 10 points off seventh spot and only six points above the relegation zone".

Woking announce "the signing of Dion Kelly-Evans. The 27-year-old right back joins the Cards until the end of the season after recently leaving Banbury.

A Coventry City academy graduate, Kelly-Evans made 40 appearances for the Sky Blues across three seasons, making the bulk of those appearances in 2017/18. He then joined Kettering Town... before joining Notts County in August 2019, where he made 97 appearances...

After a short spell at Boreham Wood... leaving the club in August 2023... [he joind] Banbury in November 2023... starting ten consecutive games until Michael Doyle made an approach to bring him to the Cards".

Woking also "confirm that Timi Odusina's loan has been extended.

The defender, 24, will stay at the Cardinals from Bradford City until the end of the season.

Odusina has featured nine times for the Cardinals so far."

Gloverscast report that "Striker Alex Fisher has joined National League Premier side Oxford City on a one-month loan...

The 33-year-old has started only one game this season since returning from a serious double leg break sustained at the end of last season.

In a statement, the Glovers said the striker had made the move 'in search of more game time after a spell on the sidelines'...

He enjoyed a prolific spell at Oxford back in 2009 scoring 12 goals in 16 matches whilst on loan from Oxford United".

In fact, Oxford City were busy recruiting loanees over the Christmas period, including " the signing of Seydil Toure on loan from Sky Bet League One side Charlton Athletic

The defender, who can represent both the Czech Republic & Senegal, has been with the Addicks since the age of eight... He now links up with fellow Charlton loanee Jacob Roddy at the club".

And, as for Roddy, Oxford City add that "defender Jacob Roddy has joined the club on loan from Charlton Athletic.

The 6’1″ defender has gained experience within the Academy systems of both Southampton and current side Charlton... He's gone on to make four appearances for the first team.

He also spent a month on loan with National League South side Weston-Super-Mare this season".

A third new face to arrive in December was "highly-rated winger Levi Lumeka... after leaving French Ligue 2 side Troyes in the summer.

A versatile attacker, Lumeka started his career at Chelsea... He then made the switch to Selhurst Park to join Palace at the age of 14.. and eventually made his professional debut in the Premier League, coming off the bench in 2017...

He spent a short stint on loan with Leyton Orient during the 2018/19 season. At the end of that season, he left Selhurst Park to join Portuguese side Varzim on a two-year deal... and Troyes won the race to win his signature.

He spent three years in France (with a brief loan spell back in Portugal with Vilafranquense) before leaving in the summer" report Oxford City.

5 January 2024

OPPONENTS SIGN KEEPER

Josh represented St Kevin’s Boys, Shelbourne and Belvedere in his early years before joining St Pat’s...

During his time at the Dublin-based side, he was coached by Patrick Jennings, son of legendary former goalkeeper Pat Jennings.

Josh joined Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the 2022/23 season and... was a regular between the sticks for their Under-21s...

Barnet FC Manager Dean Brennan said 'Josh will add strength and depth to our goalkeeping department'".

The Real EFL adds that "The move is an interesting one from a Barnet point of view... The Bees’ defence looks to have sorted itself out in recent weeks as Laurie Walker has not conceded a goal since the December 16th.

Keeley will likely be better with his feet and at coming off his line than Walker... and this could be how the youngster forces the current number one out of the side. Spurs will not want to have sent the 20-year-old out on loan only for him to not play".

ALTY'S BARNET OLD BOY

That player is Justin Amaluzor (right), who spent three years with The Bees when they were in the EFL.

Having started at Luton Town and, after a brief spell at Dartford, Justin joined Barnet (2015–2018) where he made 19 appearances.

Loans at Hayes & Yeading United, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Bognor Regis Town preceded his departure from The Hive for Braintree Town (2018/19).

In 2016, whilst at Barnet he changed to using his current name having previously been known as Justin Nwogu.

On the subject of names, Justin is not the only player who has an alternative name as Wikipedia tells us that "Jake Cooper [is] also known as Jake Southern-Cooper" and is listed under that name on a number of football websites.

NEXT: BARNET

Those defeats comprised:

• Away v Chesterfield LOST 2-4
• Home v Gateshead LOST 0-2
• Home v Oldham Athletic LOST 1-4
• Away v Wealdstone LOST 2-3.

• Away v Ebbsfleet United DREW
• Home v Boreham Wood WON 6-0
• Away v Southend United WON 2-0
• Home v Southend United WON 1-0

So that is a record of three wins, a draw and four defeats in their past eight league matches which have earned ten points.

As for Altrincham, their last eight games have produced three wins, two draws and three defeats; a haul of eleven points.

Altrincham FC have announced that the club's "all-new Retail Store & Community Hub in Altrincham town centre will be open for merchandise and match tickets ahead of this weekend's clash with Barnet at the J.Davidson Stadium...

You can find us on George Street, in the Stamford Quarter, just down from Costa Coffee.

Friday we'll be open between 10am-4pm, before throwing open our doors again on Saturday from 10am-1pm.

For those of you who can't make it into town ahead of Saturday afternoon, our pop-up store will be open in the Community Sports Hall bar at the J.Davidson Stadium from 1:30pm with a limit[ed] supply of shirts, scarves & hats".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

James McShane blames Meadowbank Stadium’s artificial surface for his knee injury, which is expected to sideline the attacking midfielder for nearly a year.

The 33-year-old caught his boot in the 3G turf at Dorking Wanderers’ home ground during their 2-0 defeat to Oxford City on Boxing Day.

Just before the incident, Wanderers boss Marc White had used his last substitute to take off the not-fully-fit Matt Briggs, leaving McShane to attempt to hobble about the pitch for half an hour with what has now been confirmed as an ACL injury that requires surgery.

'It was completely innocuous really,' McShane said. 'There’s was no one around me, and I just went to push off and change direction and my knee just popped and gave way. I think my foot got stuck in the ground and it just popped...

'Really I should never have carried on. I could run but I just couldn’t change direction!'".

Kidderminster Harriers confirm that "Bailey Hobson’s loan at Aggborough has been extended by a further month.

Bailey has made 17 appearances for Harriers since joining from Chesterfield in the autumn, becoming a favourite with the Aggborough faithful in the process.

His stay with us has now been extended until early February".

And Wolverhampton Wanderers confirm that "Owen Hesketh will spend the remainder of the 2023/24 season on loan at National League outfit Kidderminster Harriers...on his first loan away from Compton Park.

Hesketh, who signed for Wolves in the summer of 2019, has been in a rich vein of form this season... Hesketh’s progression was rewarded with a place in the first-team squad as he was an unused substitute in the Christmas Eve victory over Chelsea at Molineux...

Pathways Manager Steve Davis has explained... 'Owen’s a player he [Penn] told me he was interested in a year ago to try and take... They need that type of creative player – that’s what he is.'...

Hesketh returned to action this time last year following a period out injured... 'He’s brilliant at dead-ball situations which will be a great help to Kidderminster I’m sure and he’s a creative player who can cause problems in the opposition box'" concluded Davis.

According to Inside Futbol "Southend United are set to sign Kings Lynn star Adam Crowther in the ongoing transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke...

Kevin Maher’s side... have only won one out of their last five league games.

Southend United want to add a centre-back to their squad in the ongoing window...

The 22-year-old joined the National League North side in the summer of 2022 and featured 45 times in the league for King’s Lynn last season.

Crowther has... shown his versatility by playing as a midfielder in several games this season".

NEXT: BARNET

Barnet are the club with the seventh longest spell in the EFL behind them, 21 years.

1. 115 years: Oldham Athletic 1907 to 2022
2. 107 years: Chesterfield 1899 to 1909 and 1921 to 2018
3. 102 years: Rochdale 1921 to 2023
4. 101 years: Southend United 1920 to 2021
5. 98 years: Hartlepool United (renamed from Hartlepools United and Hartlepool) 1921-2017 and 2021-23
6. 79 years: York City 1929 to 2004 and 2012 to 2016
7. 21 years: Barnet 1991 to 2001 and 2005 to 2013 and 2015 to 2018
8. 9 years: Dagenham & Redbridge 2007 to 2016
9. 5 years: Kidderminster Harriers 2000 to 2005

NEWBY STAYS AS OTHERS MOVE

Five National League goals gives the former Chorley and Rochdale player a strike rate of one every three games, an excellent return for a winger...

Marcus Dackers has returned to Salford City, following the expiration of his loan at The J.Davidson Stadium. Marcus scored the first goal... on his debut on November 25th and started in all four National League games until the end of the year, as well as the FA Trophy win at Halifax last month.

At 6’ 7” tall, Marcus helped us in achieving one of Phil Parkinson’s main objectives for the season, namely, to win more headers in both penalty areas...

Amaar Hussain has joined Clitheroe on loan for a month (subject to FA ratification). The 19-year-old was one of our first Academy graduates in 2022, but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, whilst on loan at Alsager Town, which required surgery...

Owen German’s loan at Warrington Rylands has been extended until the end of the season (subject to FA ratification)."

Footnote: Colchester's Gazette adds that "Newby, whose deal at Colchester expires in the summer, was a regular for the U's last season, scoring three goals in 34 appearances".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The former Charlton, Middlesbrough and Luton boss will be assisted by first-team coach Antony Sweeney.

Lennie has attended the majority of games both last season and this season in his existing role for the Club, as such he knows the current playing squad and staff well.

Antony will continue to be out on the grass for training this week, ensuring the correct preparations for the match against Oxford City are made.

The search for a new permanent manager is well underway and we hope to appoint someone in the near future".

Meanwhile, the Lancashire Telegraph tells us that "Ethan Walker hopes he can hit the ground running after joining Oldham on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at Morecambe, scoring once in eight substitute appearances in League Two...

'The club's ambition to get back up into the Football League is something that I want to try to help do... I know a few lads that are here already so it has made it very easy for me to settle in'...

The versatile attacker joined Rovers from Preston North End in the summer of 2022 and scored six goals for the Under-21 side in Premier League 2 last term...

'We believe that we need help for the group in wide areas and Ethan will provide that help to keep us moving forward', said [manager Micky] Mellon...

Walker played alongside Mellon’s son, Michael, at the Mazuma Stadium [Morecambe]... 'I was playing with the gaffer's son at Morecambe so conversations happen here and there,' the youngster explained....

The 21-year-old has another interesting link to Oldham. His agent is David Eyres, who finished his career at Boundary Park, making more than 200 appearances for the club between 2000 and 2006".

According to the BBC "Gateshead midfielder Ed Francis will be out for the 'foreseeable future' after suffering a fractured skull.

The 24-year-old was taken to hospital after a first-half collision in Monday's National League loss at York.

The ex-England Under-19 international was discharged on Tuesday.

A club statement said 'He will unfortunately be unavailable for the immediate future and will be supported by the club where possible during his recovery.'

The Manchester City academy product spent time at Wolves, and had loan spells in the Netherlands and Switzerland, before a 20-game stint at Harrogate preceded a move to Notts County.

After a successful 14-game loan spell at Gateshead last season he made a permanent switch from Meadow Lane in the summer".

NEXT:BARNET

On the road Barnet have won six of their twelve games and lost just twice. Back in September, Altrincham lost the reverse fixture 3-0 at The Hive London.

In last season's game at the J. Davidson Stadium, Altrincham lost a Tuesday-night fixture, the Bees winning 2-0.

Under manager Dean Brennan, Barnet won 1-0 at home to Southend United to complete a festive double over the Shrimpers.

Southend United report that it was "a second defeat against Barnet in four days. Despite being on top for most of the game, Blues were beaten following a late Adebola Oluwo header from a long Jordan Cropper throw...

It was a quiet first period at The Hive with the game balanced on a knife’s edge... Blues came out for the second half much improved and forced Laurie Walker into two important saves around the hour mark...

Kevin Maher’s side kept the pressure up... Unfortunately we couldn’t make this pressure count and late on Barnet broke the deadlock. A long throw into the box by Cropper was flicked on at the near post and into the far corner by Oluwo.

Southend resumed their pressure with two chances in quick succession.... [but] Blues couldn’t break Barnet’s resistance and ended the year defeated."

HALIFAX CLARIFICATION

Alli missed the 0-0 draw with Altrincham due to a knee problem, but his absence will have been a concern to Town fans who fear he will be the subject of interest from the Football League now the January transfer window is open.

'He's got a knee problem, we've got to investigate it with a scan tomorrow, we're not exactly sure,' Millington told the Courier... 'It sounds like something innocuous that's happened away from the club, so we're not exactly clear on how it's happened or the damage it's caused'...

Millington said 'There's certainly been no offers so far and we certainly wouldn't be selling an injured player anyway, so he'll have to get himself fit and back on the pitch before we'd even consider moving a player on'".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 6 JANUARY

On that date they went to Farsley Celtic and emerged with a 1-0 win.

Above, Alty line up before the match at Farsley.

The Alty squad for the match comprised 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 3. Andy WHITE, 4. Tom HANNIGAN, 5. Ben HARRISON, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 7. John JOHNSTON, 8. Max HARROP, 9. Jordan HULME, 10. James POOLE, 11. Josh HANCOCK. Subs: 12. Tom PEERS, 14. Simon RICHMAN, 15. Sean MILLER, 16. James JONES, 20. Tim DEASY.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

"We held our AGM on the 22nd of December...

We were clear at the start of the season that we needed to sell the available shares in the club to fulfil our financial obligations for 2023/24, and be in no doubt that the situation has not changed. Whilst we have come close to securing deals with several potential investors, as of yet, we have not managed to get anything over the line.

There are difficulties in attracting investment, not least because of the complicated share structure, but these issues can and must be overcome. There are many advantages to investing in Rochdale AFC over other clubs. Primarily, it is a great club with great people in and around it.

We are a well-established club with over 100 years of history. We own our ground with plenty of development potential around it, and from an investment perspective, it offers exceptional potential to significantly increase the club’s value and make a return in the future.

If you add all of this to our location near to Manchester, the exciting developments happening in Rochdale, such as the Northern Gateway development, and the fact that there is a population in the borough of around 225,000 people, it is not hard to find the potential of the club. There will be a suitable investor out there somewhere for us, and we will continue looking hard to find them...

The Board has agreed to make 50,000 shares of the unallocated 366,000 shares available for purchase at the agreed minimum share price of £2.35... The remainder will be ring-fenced for potential major investors.

We would also like to encourage supporters to support us through revenue-generating initiatives currently running at the club...

On the field... we made the appointment of Jim McNulty permanent in the summer... The board made the appointment with the clear objective of developing a possession-based, attacking style of play that would allow young players to come in and have the opportunity to succeed...

Academies are largely externally funded. Upon relegation from the EFL, clubs continue to receive 100% funding in the first season post-relegation, and 50% in the second season post-relegation. In the third season post-relegation, clubs are no longer permitted to... draw down funding...

We transitioned from an EFL playing budget to a National League one. Although our budget is competitive, with some of the playing contracts carried over from the EFL, it means that we have not been able to build a squad as big in numbers as we would have liked".

Sadly for Rochdale one Academy graduate "George Nevett will be sidelined for almost two months through injury.

The defender has suffered ligament damage to his ankle...

Nevett has made 23 appearances for Dale in all competitions this season... The 17-year-old joins a substantial injury list for Dale, which includes Adam Clayton, Kairo Mitchell, Devante Rodney, Jesurun Uchegbulam, Brad Kelly and Kyle Ferguson". Uchegbulam was taken to hospital after coliding with perimeter boards on New Year's Day.

The Derbyshire Times adds that "The match [against AFC Fylde] was halted for about 10 minutes as the winger received treatment before being carried away on a stretcher.

After the game, Rochdale said 'We can confirm that Jesurun Uchegbulam is in a stable condition and is currently on his way to hospital'... Uchegbulam signed for Chesterfield in summer 2022 from Matlock Town. He spent one season at the Spireites before being sold to Rochdale last August".

Oldham Athletic "confirm that Kieron Freeman has left the club following the conclusion of his contract.

The 31-year-old joined Latics at the start of the season on a contract until January, making ten appearances during the first part of the campaign".

Dorking Wanderers have suffered a blow as the club confirms that "Following a scan it has been confirmed that James McShane sustained an ACL injury in the Boxing Day fixture versus Oxford City, and now requires surgery".

Writing before the New Year games, Ebbsfleet United tell us that "Dominic Poleon is well on the way to his next goalscoring feat in a Fleet shirt but the striker is adamant he wants the points over the goals to ensure the Fleet head into 2024 climbing the table.

Poleon netted his 11th and 12th goals of the season to see him level with Chesterfield’s Will Grigg, joint sixth in the Vanarama National League scoring charts.

What’s more, those goals leave him just one off his 70th club goal for the Fleet and five away from entering the all-time Top 10...

'It’s tough at the moment,' said Poleon... 'If I could take winning games over scoring goals then of course I would... You can only half-enjoy scoring because it’s the results that matter at the moment...

'Boxing Day [v. Bromley] was disappointing to say the least,' he told BBC Radio Kent 'I didn’t think we played badly, just a couple of mistakes that are costing us at the moment'".

2 January 2024

FC HALIFAX TOWN 0-0 ALTRINCHAM

To Alty's credit they have lost none of those three games in which they have been left for substantial periods playing with ten men. The three dismissals mean that Altrincham have played 142 minutes plus added time with ten men in three recent matches!

Here goalkeeper Ross (pictured, left) was Altrinham's man of the match with a number of good saves in the second half.

In the first half, Linney missed the best chance that Alty created, battling into the box but as goalkeeper Johnson advanced he steered the ball wide. At the other end in the first half Halifax forced one good block from Ross and Senior put the ball wide after a good run into the box but generally the Shaymen were disappointing.

Match report here

AFTER THE MATCH

His opposite number, Chris Millington also spoke after the game to the FCHalifax Town website.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : DUNCAN WATMORE was withdrawn my Millwall after 62 minutes at Bristol City, and they went on to win with the only goal of the game in added time.

League One : ALISTAIR SMITH was substituted by Lincoln City after 88 minutes of their 2-0 defeat at Blackpool. OWEN DALE played the full game for the Tangerines.

CARL PIERGIANNI was booked as Stevenage went down 2-1 at Portsmouth.

In Fleetwood Town's 3-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town, JUNIOR QUITIRNA played the full game, while HARRISON HOLGATE remained on the bench.

League Two : As Salford City continued to struggle, losing 3-0 at Accrington Stanley, KEVIN BERKOE was left on the bench.

Right: Ryan Colclough scored for Chesterfield.

TOBY MULLARKEY and LUKE WATERFALL endured a nightmare afternoon, both putting in a full shift for Grimsby Town, who, having led, crashed 1-6 at home to Walsall.

JOEL SENIOR played the full match for Morecambe, as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Harrogate Town.

CONNOR JENNINGS had an eventful afternoon as his Tranmere Rovers team won 4-2 at home to Notts County. Having been credited with the assist for the opening goal of the game after only 5 minutes, his side went behind.

However he hit the the equaliser to send the sides in level at the break. After Tranmere went 3-2 up, he missed a penalty, and was later booked. However, when Rovers were awarded a second penalty in added time, he stepped up again - and this time he was successful from the spot to clinch a 4-2 win

ELLIOTT NEWBY played the whole game for Barrow at Wrexham, but, having led, his side lost 4-1.

National League : TYRESE SINCLAIR was one of Rochdale's absentees, as they were only able to name a 3 man bench in their 2-0 defeat at AFC Fylde, for whom DANNY WHITEHEAD put in a full shift.

Chesterfield hit 3 goals in 6 minutes after being 0-2 down to Solihull Moors, and it was enough to earn a 3-2 win. RYAN COLCLOUGH (above right) scored the second of those goals before being substituted after 81 minutes. JEFF KING played the full game, but JAMES BERRY was left on the bench.

MARCUS DINANGA played the full game for Gateshead, but couldn't help them to avoid a 2-0 defeat at York City. His missed penalty did not help the Heed's cause.

National North : A strike after only 4 minutes by JOSH AMIS was sufficient for Warrington Town to beat visitors Chester.

NPL : In a see-saw local derby, JAMES HARDY gave Ashton United an early lead at Hyde United, but former Alty trialist HARRY BUNN turned the game round to put Hyde 2-1 up midway through the second half. Ashton equalised in the last minute of normal time to force a 2-2 draw.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

But three goals in five minutes from Tom Naylor, Ryan Colclough and Will Grigg secured the points for the Blues.

'I am really disappointed with the result,” [manager Andy] Whing said. 'We had a mad 10 minutes, I know they had a lot of the ball before that, but I thought we looked comfortable really.

We resorted them to playing around the back with their centre-halves. Our shape was really good. We tweaked it a bit from our home game because they are really good in wide areas. As you have seen with the goals, their quality in wide areas is frightening'".

1 January 2024

BOXING DAY FIXTURES

Monday 1 January 2024

• AFC Fylde 2-0 Rochdale
• Chesterfield 3-2Solihull Moors
• Eastleigh 4-4 Dagenham & Redbridge
• FC Halifax Town 0-0 Altrincham
• Oxford City 1-2 Dorking Wanderers
• Wealdstone P-P Maidenhead United
• Woking 2-3 Aldershot Town
• York City 2-0 Gateshead

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TODAY'S GAME: FC HALIFAX TOWN

ALTY'S YEAR OF GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT

During 2023 Altrincham played 57 matches over the twelve months, seven more than had taken place in 2022. That increase was wholly down to the club progressing further in cup competitions, in which seven more ties were played in 2023 than in 2022.

Just as in 2022, Altrincham played 46 league matches in 2023, though this time that total included two more away games than home fixtures (i.e. 24 away, 22 at home) so one might have expected a marginally worse return than in the previous year, when the home and away matches were each 23 in number.

However, the 46 league games in 2023 produced 16 wins, 15 draws and 15 defeats, earning 63 points, which was an improvement on 2022 when the 46 matches played in the calendar year gleaned 60 points from 16 wins, 12 draws and 18 losses.

In the 2023 portion of season 2022/23 season Alty played 22 league matches, winning 6 games, drawing 6 and losing 10, to earn 24 points or 1.09 points per match.

But, in the 24 league matches played so far in 2023-24 season, 10 wins, 9 draws and 5 defeats mean that the average points haul per game rose steeply to 1.63, with 39 points earned.

Overall in the calendar year's 46 league games in 2023, the average points won per game was 1.37.

In league games alone in 2023, 78 goals (1.7 per game) were scored and 73 (1.59 per game) conceded, whereas in 2022, from the same number of league games, only 53 goals (1.15 per game) were netted and 76 (1.65 per game) conceded. So, whilst goalscoring was much improved, defensively, the improvement year-on-year was more marginal.

Right: Isaac Marriott has come back from long-term injury to be one of the leading appearance-makers in 2023.

In the calendar year 2023, 49 different players were named in a matchday squad either in the second half of 2022-23 season or the first half of 2023-24. This was similar to calendar year 2022 when fifty different players were named in a league matchday squad.

Only eleven players who played in the calendar year 2023 played in both the 2022-23 and the 2023-24 campaigns

The worst run of league results in 2023 was the final seven fixtures of 2022-23, none of which were won. In 2023-24 season a run of five matches without a win is the worst sequence (games 6 to 10)

The worst run of league results in 2022 was the sequence of nine games without a win from the start of 2022/23 season.

The best unbeaten league run in 2023 was the ten unbeaten games this season, from game 9 to 18.

The best unbeaten run in 2022 was six league matches without loss which ended the calendar year 2022.

In the calendar year 2023 7,137 spectators at Oldham has been the highest gate to have watched Alty in the current season. Coincidentally it was also at Oldham that the highest attendance of 2023 overall watched Alty, that numbered 7,391 in season 2002-23.

However, with Wrexham and Notts County having exited the National League, attendances have been affected. The highest league gate in 2022 was 10,107 at Wrexham in October of that year.

The lowest away gate in 2023 was 712 at Oxford City this season and in 2022-23 it was 1,175 at Barnet.

The highest attendance this season at the J Davidson Stadium has been 3,912 on Boxing Day against FC Halifax Town. However, last season, in February 2023, 4,865 turned up to watch the visit of Wrexham.

The highest attendance at the J Davidson Stadium in 2022 was 3,553 for the visit of Oldham Athletic, which was in October of that year. The lowest home gate in 2022 was the 1,147 in November on a Tuesday night for the match versus Barnet.

The lowest home gate in 2023 has been 1,156 when Maidenhead United visited in midweek in January 2023.

The leading goal scorers in the calendar year 2023 have been:

• 17 Chris Conn Clark (all in league)
• 14 Regan Linney (11 in league 3 in cups)
• 8 Jordan Hulme (4 in league, 4 in cups)
• 6 Justin Amaluzor (all in league)

The leading scorers in 2022 were:

• 13 Ryan Colclough (all in league)
• 7 Chris Conn-Clarke (6 in league), Dan Mooney (6 in league), Marcus Dinanga (4 in league)
• 5 Aaron Bennett (3 in league)

The most appearances in all competitions in 2023 calendar year were made by

• 44: Eddy Jones
• 44: Isaac Marriott 43+1
• 43: Elliot Osborne 37+6
• 40: Lewis Baines

The most appearances in all competitions in 2022 were made by

• 48: Ryan Colclough 45+3
• 45: Elliot Osborne 42+3
• 42: Toby Mullarkey 42

BOXING DAY FIXTURES

Monday 1 January 2024

• AFC Fylde v Rochdale
• Chesterfield v Solihull Moors
• Eastleigh v Dagenham & Redbridge
• FC Halifax Town v Altrincham
• Oxford City v Dorking Wanderers
• Wealdstone v Maidenhead United
• Woking v Aldershot Town
• York City v Gateshead

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

It’s been a long, hard and demanding year for many of us but when I look back so many of you you were always by my side.

So many of you have quietly helped me, my family and this football club in recent years deal with loss and perhaps mend a broken spirit and you all have my thanks...

So, as we enter 2024, the pain of those taken from us in 2023 must be balanced off by their memories that are firmly locked in all of our hearts... I’m very grateful to so many of you who have personally helped me cope with my own loss and helped me realise that life is still a wonderful adventure and life is still there to be lived...

This Football Club is unashamedly the love of my life, and in truth you supporters are its oxygen, its heart beat and its lifeblood.

I promise you all that the club will be doing it’s best to give you a 2024 to remember, and as I’ve said many times, trust me we WILL NOT be relegated".

Vavel reports that "Ade Oluwo has hit the ground running with Barnet in the National League this season...

'I'd say it's been tough to adapt,' Oluwo admits... The centre-back joined National League outfit Barnet in the summer...

The 24-year-old started his career at Fisher FC, who plough [ply] their trade in the SCEFL Premier Division. He was recognised by Robbie Simpson and his staff, who invited him on trial during preseason at Chelmsford City...

The centre-back joined Chelmsford City in the 2020/21 season... The following season saw Oluwo solidify his place in the backline for the Clarets, featuring 36 times and scoring two goals. But it was the 2022/23 season that the 24-year-old shone... Ade made 24 appearances, helped to keep 10 clean sheets and scored another two goals...

It took only 17 days after the St Albans [play-off] clash for the Bees to prise him away from Melbourne Stadium...

'It's full-time now, playing football every day and it's tough on the body. The games are higher tempo, so you have to mentally and physically put more work in', [he admitted]...

He is loved at the Hive already, with fans praising his composure, pace and a powerful header that has won them games this season".