31 March 2024

NEXT: ALTRINCHAM v OLDHAM ATHLETIC

The Latics lie ninth, seven points behind Altrincham but with a game in hand. However, Oldham have not won any of their last six league fixtures.

• Oldham Athletic 1 AFC Fylde 3 on March 29 2024
• Dagenham and Redbridge 0 Oldham Athletic 0 on March 23 2024
• Oldham Athletic 2 Chesterfield 2 on March 16 2024
• Aldershot Town 2 Oldham Athletic 0 on March 9 2024
• Oldham Athletic 0 Bromley 0 on March 5 2024
• Oldham Athletic 1 Southend United 1 on March 2 2024

The reverse fixture against Altrincham ended 2-2 after the hosts had twice recovered from falling behind.

The Latics had much the better of the opening stages, only for Alty to take a 16th minute lead, when Amaluzor's header from a Conn-Clarke cross found the net.

However, Oldham deservedly levelled in the 31st minute when ex-Alty midfielder Josh Lundstram fed Freeman and, in turn, he found Norwood who scored from six yards into the roof of the net.

Altrincham were then awarded a dubious penalty for hands as Hope challenged Donawa. Conn-Clarke sent Hudson the wrong way from the spot to restore Altrincham's lead (36 mins).

With Alty posing little threat after the break, Oldham finally equalised in the seventy-ninth minute from a fine left-foot shot by Sheron.

7,137 spectators watched the game, including 582 in the away section.

NEXT OPPONENTS: LATICS BOOED OFF

Not numerically, thankfully. Defeat for Aldershot, with Halifax and Solihull also dropping precious points, means the deficit to seventh place is still four points. But there are fewer games left now...

Time is running out, and so is patience, hence a chorus of boos at half-time and full-time, with the scoreline 3-1 on both occasions.

Some were directed at the referee, who had wrongfully sent off substitute Mike Fondop on the hour, but others were directed at the players and/or manager.

Charlie Raglan and Josh Lundstram (right), who reported illness, [were missing] while Joe Garner was the preferred strike partner for James Norwood on this occasion".

Having played well previously against Chesterfield, Latics' performanceon Friday was poor.

Said manager Micky Mellon, "'We don't know how they can't do that from game to game. Maybe that's a quality that isn't in the group'...

There has not been consistency in performance, but equally - for one reason or another, there has not been consistency in selection. Up front alone there have been six different strike partnerships this calendar year, since the untimely injury to Josh Stones on December 30.

The most productive ... has been the pairing of Joe Garner and Mike Fondop... But since all four strikers have been available... there have been three different pairings - Garner-Norwood, Garner-Dallas, Dallas-Norwood for two games, and back to Garner-Norwood for the Good Friday visit of Fylde, which Latics effectively lost in the first 45 minutes.

How can consistency be achieved when there is not a settled side?...

Fylde scored their three goals with alarming ease, and could have had more".

KIDDERMINSTER MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Speaking after the game, Harriers' manager Phil Brown told the NL Paper, "The first half sums our season up. To not be two or three up at half-time is probably the reason why we are where we are.

"When we did get the lead, uncharacteristically we fell asleep at the back and, consequently, it sparked Altrincham's forwards into action and we were not able to defend against them".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 1 APRIL

They show that Altrincham have not won any of their last seven matches on 1st April!

ALTY OLD BOYS

The game also marked the debut for the Silkmen of OLLIE BYRNE.

30 March 2024

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 1-3 ALTRINCHAM

Match report here.

Winning all four remaining fixtures would give Alty 79 points. That total would almost certainly guarantee a play-off place as the only three other teams below them who could match or exceed that total have far worse goal difference statistics.

Alty have a goal difference of +21, Solihull Moors have +7, Aldershot Town -5 and FC Halifax Town +5.

PHIL PRAISES ALTY's "CLINICAL SIDE"

In the first half, he said, "Kidderminster were really at it, we were a little bit below par again". He added that "There wasn't loads in it... The clinical side is why we've come out on top".

He called on Alty suppoters to make the difference on Monday when Oldham Athletic visit the J. Davidson Stadium

HARRIERS' PLIGHT DEEPENS

A miracle might happen, but that’s only in fiction, and our miracle didn’t turn up today.

It all looked so promising at the start of the game with the Harriers completely in charge and then we scored... With the fans hoping and praying for a second goal disaster struck and our normally tight defence totally lost the plot in allowing Chris Conn-Clark to loft the ball over from wide to Lewis Banks on the edge of the area. Unattended he had the simple job of laying the ball back across the goalmouth for Regan Linney to slot home...

The second half was a different matter. Altrincham took charge of the game and we hardly got a look in... To be honest we just haven’t got the all important strike power any more".

NEXT: OLDHAM ATHLETIC

The Latics lost 1-3 at home to form team AFC Fylde on Saturday and had Mike Fondop sent off.

Oldham Athletic reported that "AFC Fylde took maximum points thanks to three first-half goals at Boundary Park.

The visitors struck early through Nick Haughton, before doubling their lead through Adam Long.

On the stroke of the half-hour mark, Ethan Mitchell’s header made it three.

Just before the break, Dan Gardner pulled one back for Latics with a well-hit effort just outside the box.

With Latics chasing the game, half-time substitute, Mike Fondop, was sent off for a lunge...

Oldham: Hudson, Kitching, Hogan, Hobson, Sheron, McGahey, Gardner, Garner, Hammond, Norwood, Conlon. Subs not used: Norman, Sutton".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship: Having seen his first-half strike equalised by visitors West Brom from the penalty spot, DUNCAN WATMORE was substituted by Millwall in the last minute of normal time as the sides duly drew 1-1

League One: OWEN DALE was substituted after 87 minutes as Oxford United earned a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town.

Having been credited with the assist for Burton Albion's equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic, JOE HUGILL was substituted after 88 minutes.

League Two: JOEL SENIOR (right) played the full game for Morecambe in their 1-2 win at Accrington Stanley.

ELLIOT NEWBY was a 78th minute substitute for Barrow as they won their home game against Grimsby Town 3-1. TOBY MULLARKEY put in a full shift for the visitors.

CONNOR JENNINGS played the full game for Tranmere Rovers, while CHRIS MERRIE was a 61st minute substitute, but they lost 2-0 at Bradford City.

National League: BILLY SASS-DAVIES only joined the fray for Boreham Wood after 88 minutes, by which time visitors Dagenham and Redbridge had wrapped up a 1-4 victory.

MARCUS DACKERS played the full match for Southend United in a 1-1 draw at Ebbsfleet United.

MARCUS DINANGA was a 72nd minute substitute for Gateshead in their 1-0 win over visitors Rochdale, who had introduced TYRESE SINCLAIR five minutes earlier.

Having been on the wrong end of 7 goals on Tuesday, Hartlepool United steadied the ship with a 1-0 win over visitors Halifax, although they did have LUKE WATERFALL booked.

DANNY WHITEHEAD played the full game for AFC Fylde in their excellent 1-3 win at Oldham Athletic, for whom JOSH LUNDSTRAM was an absentee.

JEFF KING and JAMES BERRY both played the full game for Chesterfield, but hosts York City came from behind to win 2-1.

National North: TOM PEERS scored the final goal in Chester's 1-4 win at Buxton.

National South: DANNY CASHMAN scored Worthing United's fourth goal in a 1-5 win at Havant & Waterlooville.

Southern Central: MONTEL GIBSON (above, right)opened the scoring for AFC TELFORD as they saw off visitors Redditch United 3-0.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Souhend United reported that "The Shrimpers had taken a first half lead when Harry Cardwell headed home an Oli Coker free kick, but this was cancelled out by former Blues youth player Dominic Poleon who struck with 15 minutes remaining...

It was a lively start at the Kuflink Stadium with Collin Andeng-Ndi having to prevent an early Ebbsfleet goal within the opening minute...

Despite the home side's dominance, it was Blues who struck first thanks to the in-form Cardwell...

Not long after the restart, the Shrimpers went close to doubling their lead with an almost perfectly executed breakaway goal...

The second half was quiet for the most part up until the 74th minute when Andeng-Ndi was called into action.... However, Andeng-Ndi was unable to keep the hosts at bay for long and two minutes later the scores were levelled.

Poleon profited on a mistake from Ollie Kensdale to latch onto a loose ball and rifle a shot into the far corner...

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, Edser, Clifford, Bilongo (Cundle 64'), Kenlock, Samuel (Poleon 69'), Wright, Chapman (McQueen 89'), Fogarty, Bingham, Skura . Subs: Tanner, McQueen, Poleon, Cundle, Domi".

29 March 2024

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 1-3 ALTRINCHAM

As was the case in midweek against Wealdstone, Alty were second-best before the interval. The Harriers took a deserved lead when Brown hooked the ball home following a corner (20 mins). But in what was virtually their first meaningful attack, Alty levelled.

Near halfway a short freekick by Wilson to Conn-Clarke led to the Northern Irishman's excellent long ball to Banks. The Alty right back had advanced unmarked up the right wing and, first-time, he played the ball inside for Linney to sweep into the net (24 mins).

Alty were the happier to get to the interval with parity.

But the visitors got ahead six minutes into the second half. Linney did well on the left touchline about 35 yards out to set Newby running into the box. He played the ball across the box to where the oncoming Conn-Clarke hit a superb shot from a difficult angle into the net (51 mins).

The third goal again came from the left where Conn-Clarke nutmegged Pearce and angled a right-footed shot into the far corner of Dibble's net (73 mins). At 3-1 he was immediately subbed.

Altrincham weathered the final stages quite comfortably to move up to fifth in the table, ahead of a visit from Oldham Athletic on Monday.

Match report here.

Altrincham made one change for the match as Justin Donawa (right) replaced Dan Mooney in the starting eleven.

The Harriers made three changes as Weston, Kpekawa and Brown came in to start.

GOOD FRIDAY FIXTURES

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

THREE IN DOUBLE FIGURES FOR ALTY

Chris Conn-Clarke leads the way, though there is some disagreement about how many times he has scored.

Whilst Altrincham FC itself, the excellent FB database, and the Alty Files, amongst others, all agree that CCC has scored 20 goals this season, other sources such as the NL Paper only credit him with 19, having attributed one of his efforts to an opposition own goal.

The last person to score 20 league goals at national level for Alty was Colin Little in 2007-08 season, a season of 46 fixtures like this campaign.

Before that, the most recent scorer of 20+ league goals in the top flight was Ken McKenna, who hit 22 in 1990-91.

Leading scorers so far in 2023-24:

• 20: Chris Conn-Clarke (all in league) in 41 appearances in all competitions
• 12: Alex Newby (all in league) in 32 appearances in all competitions
• 11: Regan Linney (10 in league) in 18(+11) appearances in all competitions

L. to r.:Chris Conn-Clarke, Alex Newby and Regan Linney

Below are recorded previous seasons' National League campaign totals for Altrincham players who have netted ten or more goals in all competitions, since 2005.

• 2022-23 10: Chris Conn-Clarke (9 in league); Jordan Hulme (5 in league)
• 2021-22 13. Dan Mooney (12 in league); 11: Ryan Colclough (all in league); 10 : Matty Kosylo (9 in league)
• 2020-21 12: Josh Hancock (all in league)
• 2015-16 16: Michael Rankine (13 all in league); Damian Reeves 11 (8 in league)
• 2014-15 21: Damian Reeves (18 in league)
• 2010-11 19: Damian Reeves (15 in league)
• 2009-10 17: Chris Senior (16 in league); 11: Chris Denham (all in league)
• 2008-09 18: Colin Little (16 in league); 10: Chris Senior (7 in league)
• 2007-08 24: Colin Little (21 in league)
• 2006-07 13: Colin Little (12 in league)
• 2005-06 17: Colin Little (all in league)

TODAY: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

Now aged 33, his sixteen-goals last season were a major factor in Harriers' earning promotion last season.

This season he has hit 8 league goals in 30(+8) appearances for the struggling Harriers. As the whole team has only netted 35 league goals, that is almost a quarter of his side's tally this season.

Together with Amari-Smith's ten league goals, the duo have notched more than a half of Kiddy's goals in the National League.

Lewisham-born Ashley had two loan spells at Moss Lane.

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.

The winger 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.

Above: In August 2019, Ashley celebrates his goal in a 3-1 win against Farsley Celtic with Yusifu Ceesay (left) and Simon Richman.

In his early career at Wolverhampton Wanderers he spent loan periods at Cheltenham Town (2009), Torquay United (2010/11) and Plymouth Argyle (2011/12).

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.

Overall, Ashley's Altrincham appearances comprised 15(+1) games in which he netted 3 goals.

KIDDY'S PREVIEW

With the Reds still stuck in the relegation zone, even after only losing twice in thirteen games, we must simply win our three remaining home games and hope for the best in the two away games left. On paper the three games at home against Alty, FC Halifax Town and Eastleigh FC are all winnable so we have to make sure that is what we do...

Last Saturday we drew our fourth game in a row at Wealdstone when we really had to get the three points but failed... Wth a better strikeforce, we should have rolled out winners by some margin.

Goals have been our downfall all season with our thirty five goals scored well below most other clubs in the league...

Apart from possibly Alex [Penney] only Shane Byrne will be missing while Nathaniel Knight-Percival has gone out on loan to the National League North champions elect Tamworth.

Latest signing Charlie Weston made his debut at Wealdstone but having a short time on the pitch it was hard to form an opinion of him".

The referee for the game will be Mr Ross Martin of Bridport, who would not seem to have officiated an Altrincham match previously.

ALTY OLD BOYS

In other news, Chorley report "the loan signing of GERALD SITHOLE (right), who joins the club from Bolton Wanderers.

The 21-year old came through Gillingham's youth setup before signing a professional contract with The Gills in April 2021... Gerald was initially signed for Wanderers to be utilised for their B team but unfortunately missed eight months of the 2022/23 season due to injury,

The winger has already played in the National League this season, a one month spell at Altrincham in September and this deal with the Magpies will run through until the end of the National League North season.

Manager Andy Preece had this to say... 'Gez is a player we have tracked for a while and will be a great addition to the squad. Although he’s only 21, he has experience of playing League One football and had a loan at Altrincham earlier in the season.

He's pacey, direct and will excite the fans whilst adding to our attacking options in the run in'".

Footnote: Gerald arrived on a one-month loan at Altrincham on 21 September 2023 as the club experienced major injury problems.

After playing for 82 minutes in the game at Maidenhead on 26 September 2023, he was reported to be injured and was expected to return to Bolton. However, he reappeared as a used substitute in the FA Cup defeat by Oldham Athletic on 14 October 2023.

J. DAVIDSON SCRAP METAL PROCESSORS

The Club says that Davidson's are "quite simply, unrivalled for championing the cause of all-inclusive sporting excellence in the Altrincham area.

We are among the beneficiaries, here at Altrincham FC, and we are immensely grateful for a level of backing that embraces all areas of the club, from the men's team and women's section to community activities and, of course, the iconic old stadium itself.

The Broadheath-based scrap metal experts had already enjoyed a couple of seasons as main shirt sponsors when a groundbreaking announcement was made in the summer of 2013 - Moss Lane was to become The J.Davidson Stadium".

Davidson's Harry Gibson said "To see the number of shirts being worn around the town, with our name across the front, and the exposure the club gives to their partners means a lot to us. It gives the company an invaluable exposure, and being allowed to have the naming rights to such an iconic stadium only enhances that....

Following a move into our current purpose built site on Craven Road in 2012, the company became one of the of UK's first Authorized Treatment Facilities for the depollution and disposal of scrap cars and vans. The expertise built over the years allows us to offer a first-rate service and competitive prices, recycling some 75,000 tons of metal per year."

THROUGH THE YEARS: 23 March

ALTY AWARDS NIGHT

As our regular season comes to an end earlier in the day against Oxford City we're looking forward to celebrating the squad's achievements across 2023/24, with hopefully the promise of more football to come the week after in the Vanarama National League playoffs...

Taking place in the Community Sports Hall the evening will include...

• Welcome drink served from 7:15pm
• Cash bar open throughout the evening
• Co-Chairmen's Speech at 7:45pm
• Two course meal served from 8:15pm
• Tickets are on sale right [?] at just £20 from our online shop here for what is sure to be a great night out.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Our newest recruit has already made 20 National League appearances this season, scoring five goals in the process and last featured for the Minstermen on 12th March against Altrincham.

24-year-old Davies joined York in November 2023 after signing from National League South side Braintree Town.

The forward joined the Irons from Leiston where he netted 33 goals in all competitions during the 2022/23 season".

28 March 2024

PARKY'S VIEW

Ethan Ross should have got man of the match as he kept us in the game. That's what a top keeper does. That gave us a platform. We got a goal against the run of play. It was a lifeline. And then we found the groove in the second half."

He also praised the official Man of the Match, Elliot Osborne and fellow midfielder George Wilson (above, right).

WEALDSTONE VIEW

Travelling to high-riding and full-time Altrincham for their seventh game in 24 days and their fourth on the road this month, the Stones were extremely good value for the lead given to them by Charlie Barker and could have been further in front. In fact Alty boss Phil Parkinson felt his keeper Ethan Ross prevented his side from having a mountain to climb.

However, the punishing nature of the schedule, the fourth long trip north in less than a month and the absence of four international players combined to see the Stones overrun in the second half as their three-match unbeaten away run came to an end...

Said Noble 'We went in 1-1 and that was slightly disappointing as that wasn't a fair reflection, but then we had a bit of a collapse after half-time. Yes, we have tried bodies and tired legs but you are not tired a minute into the second half [when we conceded the second]. There were a couple of things I didn't like tonight'"

NEXT: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

The reverse fixture at the JDS ended in a 1-1 draw.

It has been a turbulent season for the Harriers who gained an unexpected promotion last season when they won their final six league games in Vanarama National North to qualify for the play-offs.

They then came through three play-off fixtures to earn a place in the National League. Ex-Alty man Ashley Hemmings scored a brace to defeat Brackley Town in the final.

However, the Harriers found themselves bottom of the National League when manager Russell Penn was sacked in January 2024 and the experienced Phil Brown took over.

Results picked up with January producing six wins in seven outings. But since then the Harriers have not won again, though they have drawn four of their five fixtures this month. So they have lost just twice in their last 13 league fixtures.

They are the lowest scorers in the National League with just 35 goals from 41 league matches, Amaari Morgan-Smith's tally of ten making him the leading scorer.

But they are equally parsimonious at the back, conceding just 48 times, ten fewer than Altrincham. Indeed, only Bromley and FC Halifax Town have conceded fewer times this campaign.

So a tight, low-scoring match seems to be beckoning on Friday.

The Harriers face a tough run-in with games away at Chesterfild and Barnet and two home matches against FC Halifax Town and Eastleigh to complete their season after facing Altrincham.

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

AGGBOROUGH AGONIES

The sad catalogue of results at Aggborough is laid bare below. Following an Altrincham win on 7 May 1994 at Aggborough, 1-0, Alty have failed win a league match there in 16 attempts!

1. 2-2 19.11.94 DRAW
2. 0-5 25.3.95 DEFEAT in an FA Trophy QF tie
3. 1-1 25.3.95 DRAW
4. 1-1 21.10.95 DRAW
5. 1-1 15.2.97 DRAW in Altrincham's relegation season
6. 1-1 11.3.00 DRAW in Harriers' championship-winning season.
7. 1-1 26.12.05 DRAW "After the supporters' coach suffered a puncture near Hilton Park services on the M6, many Alty fans arrived at Aggborough just as the home side were taking the lead with a dubious penalty awarded against Mark 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 Kieran Lugsden was brought down by Jackson in the box and Steve Aspinall, making his first Conference start, drove the resulting penalty home".

   

   Alty's only win at Aggborough in the last twenty years was in the FA Trophy. Here we see Jake Moult (in yellow) in action in that game in 2015.

8. 2-3 9.12.06 DEFEAT "Altrincham lost their second successive game 3-2 and were still without an away win after this game but it was a very controversial penalty awarded by referee Vaughan which ultimately cost Altrincham the points"
9. 1-1 5.4.08 DRAW "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 have been converted by Christie. Alty had held a deserved lead from the eighth minute "
10. 0-4 23.8.08 DEFEAT "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.
11. 0-3 29.8.09 DEFEAT "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 Dale Johnson was tripped by last man Riley, the Harriers' man saw a red card. But after 36 mins Densmore was sent off and it got even worse for Alty when Chris Senior was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage".
12. 1-2 12.2.11 DEFEAT "Altrincham were very unlucky to take nothing from this game which they finished with eight fit players on the pitch.Just before the break Carl 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 James Smith then 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".
13. 0-4 16.9.14 DEFEAT Simon Richman was sent off after 50 minutes.
14. 1-1 2.4.16 DRAW Altrincham let in an 89th minute equalizer against bottom of the table Harriers, following a superbly taken tenth-minute goal by Reeves.
15. 0-1 29.8.16 DEFEAT A late tackle led to Simon Richman hobbling off.
16. 2-3 29.9.18 DEFEAT Alty conceded three first-half goals.
17. 0-2 14.9.19 DEFEAT

However, there was a moment of joy for Alty at Aggborough in the above period when Alty won 1-0 in an FA Trophy Round Two match on 10 January, 2015, with Damian Reeves the scorer. However, on 3 January 2024, in the FA Trophy 4th round, Hariers won a penalty shoot-out 4-2 after a goalless ninety minutes.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 29 MARCH

Right: Simon Richman contests the midfield at Colwyn Bay back on 29 March 2014. Looking on is Colwyn Bay's Sean Williams, later to enjoy a period with Altrincham.

ALTY VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In that match, "Solihull Moors’ unbeaten run of six games came to an end with a 0-2 defeat at home to Southend United, with Oliver Coker scoring twice in the first half...

Southend took the lead... with Fonguck sending a cross into the middle of the area. Oliver Coker met the cross and finished into the corner...

After the goal, Southend controlled possession...

On 37 minutes, Southend doubled their lead after a quick counterattack released Marcus Dackers...

Dackers’ cross was met by Coker, whose shot in the corner was enough to make it 0-2...

On 67 minutes, Southend scored their third with Harry Cardwell finishing".

OLLIE BYRNE JOINS MACC

The 6ft 2 shot-stopper joins us following his departure from Altrincham earlier in the month featuring regularly in the National League last season."

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

ALTRINCHAM 4-1 WEALDSTONE

With the hosts repeatedly giving the ball away and failing to get Linney involved, Ross was by far the busier keeper, making four decent saves. After the last of these, a Wealdstone corner was headed in by Cook as the visitors' captain got free from Wilson (34 mins).

But then a fine ball forward from Osborne found Newby near the left bye-line. His ball inside to Conn-Clarke led to the no.10 being upended but, before a decision could be made about a penalty, Newby lashed the ball into the far corner (37 mins).

Having undeservedly got level, Alty then had the better of things before half-time which was reached with the score still level.

Right: Eddy Jones returned from illness to face Wealdstone.

The second half was completely different as Altrincham dominated. They went ahead inside two minutes as Newby and Conn-Clarke exchanged passes up the left before Newby laid the ball off for the incoming Wilson to finish impressively in the centre of the box (47 mins).

On the hour mark it became 3-1 as Osborne's fine ball sent Mooney towards the right bye-line. He pulled the ball back for Banks to finish well.

The fourth goal came when Conn-Clarke fed Linney whose first effort was blocked by the onrushing keeper but the loose ball fell for Linney to covert, justahead of Wilson (72 mins).

Match report here.

NEXT: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

As previously noted here, Altrincham's record at Aggborough over recent years is lamentable. Altrincham have experienced eight defeats and three draws in the last eleven league meetings there!

This time Altrincham visit Kidderminster hoping to keep their play-off quest on track after seven defeats in their last eleven fixtures. Meanwhile, the Harriers are fighting for survival, 21 points and 16 places adrift of the Robins and in 22nd place in the table.

The clubs' last league clash was a 3-2 defeat for Altrincham in National North at Aggborough on Saturday, 29 September 2018.

PLAY-OFF DATES

Vanarama National League

TNT Sports will cover all National division play-off games including the Vanarama National League Promotion Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 5 May, kick-off at 3pm.

(This date has been changed on the advice of Wembley Stadium due to the ASLEF strike on Saturday 4 May)

• Eliminator A - (5th v 6th) – Tuesday 23 April - 7pm
• Eliminator B – (4th v 7th) – Wednesday 24 April – 7pm
• Semi-Final - (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) – Saturday 27 April – 5.30pm
• Semi-Final – (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) – Sunday 28 April – 4pm
• Promotion Final – Sunday 5 May – 3pm

Vanarama National League North

We are delighted to confirm TNT Sports will again cover the Vanarama National League North Promotion Final on Saturday 4 May, kick-off at 3.30pm.

All other play-off matches in the North and South will be available on National League TV.

• Eliminator A - (5th v 6th) – Tuesday 23 April - 7.45pm
• Eliminator B – (4th v 7th) – Wednesday 24 April – 7.45pm
• Semi-Final - (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) – Saturday 27 April – 3pm
• Semi-Final – (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) – Sunday 28 April – 3pm
• Promotion Final – Saturday 4 May – 3.30pm

Vanarama National League South

TNT Sports will once again cover the Vanarama National League South Promotion Final on Monday 6 May, kick-off at 3pm.

All other play-off matches in the North and South will be available on National League TV.

• Eliminator A - (5th v 6th) – Tuesday 23 April - 7.45pm
• Eliminator B – (4th v 7th) – Wednesday 24 April – 7.45pm
• Semi-Final - (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) – Saturday 27 April – 3pm
• Semi-Final – (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) – Sunday 28 April – 3pm
• Promotion Final – Monday 6 May – 3pm

Promotion Finals in the Vanarama National League North and South will take place at the home ground of the finalist club who finished higher in the league table during the regular season.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

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

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports that on Tuesday, in the National League : Gateshead had no need of MARCUS DINANGA, and left him on the bench as they came from behind to bury Hartlepool United 7-1.

MARCUS DACKERS played the full game as Southend United enjoyed a comfortable 0-3 victory at Southend United.

NPL : SAM HEATHCOTE put Macclesfield ahead at Ashton United, and, despite going down to ten men after an hour, they won 0-2. A late AARON BENNETT goal gave FC United a 1-2 win at Whitby Town.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Pools made a bright enough start and took the lead thanks to Joe Grey’s 10th goal of the season but lost control after Luke Hannant equalised from the spot and capitulated after the break, with impressive teenage forward Dajaune Brown bagging a brace...

[For the match] Pools boss Kevin Phillips opted to change shape, switching from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 for just the second time since taking over.

Gateshead, who had former Poolie Kenton Richardson in their side, were likewise operating with a 3-5-2, and named former Pools frontman Marcus Dinanga, who failed to score in 15 appearances during a challenging loan spell in 2018, on the bench...

Local bragging rights were also on the line, with more than 1,000 Pools supporters making the trip along the A19".

26 March 2024

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

• Altrincham 4-1 Wealdstone
• Gateshead 7-1 Hartlepool United
• Solihull Moors 0-3 Southend United

MARRIOTT HAS OPERATION

Altrincham's dynamic midfielder sustained significant damage to an ankle in the very last moments of the Robins' Vanarama National League fixture with Woking at The J.Davidson Stadium earlier this month.

After the extent of the injury was carefully assessed, it was decided an operation was required, and it was carried out yesterday".

Before his injury in game 37 of the season, vice-captain Isaac had started every National League game except two. But he will now be sidelined for the rest of the campaign leaving him marooned on 88(+4) appearances since joining Altrincham just before Christmas 2021.

Isaac assumed the captaincy following the season-ending injury to James Jones which sidelined him after game 21. .

TONIGHT: WEALDSTONE

Right: Ryan Colclough and Egli Kaja take on fluids during a break in play against Wealdstone on 1 November 2022

Last season, like this one, this fixture (in November 2022) had been postponed from earlier in the season.

Facing a part-time Wealdstone side which had travelled more than 150 miles to play at Altrincham on a damp Tuesday night, and which had just endured six successive defeats in which they had conceded a shedload of goals, their newly full-time hosts might have expected a comfortable three points tonight.

But the lacklustre Robins were second best in the first half before falling behind very early in the second period.

The Stones' goal came in the 47th minute when Olomola got to a low, near-post ball from the left, just ahead of an Alty defender, to turn the ball into the net.

ALTRINCHAM : 1. Oliver Byrne, 22. Ross Barrows, 23. Jake Cooper, 26. James Jones, 2. Eddy Jones, 10. Elliot Osborne, 8. Josh Lundstram, 11. Ryan Colclough (c), 16. Chris Conn-Clarke, 33. Egli Kaja, 9. Jordan Hulme (c). Subs: 6. Lewis Baines, 17. Brad Jackson, 18. Ben Pringle, 30. Marcus Dinanga, 31. Dan Malone.

SQUAD DEPLOYMENT

In Altrincham's case we can say that 31 players have been named in a league squad, but 3 of those players have not got onto the pitch, (Byrne, German and Tom Jones). So 28 players have made league appearances this campaign.

The player with the most game time (excluding added time in matches) in the league before tonight's match with Wealdstone is Chris Conn-Clarke who is just minutes ahead of Elliot Osborne. They are two of six players to have played more than 3,000 league minutes this season.

The others are Lewis Banks, Jake Cooper, Eddy Jones and Isaac Marriott.

For further details see the Alty Line-Ups data.

100 UP FOR EDDY AND ELLIOT

That game was his 98th start to which can be added two substitute appearances.

Eddy (left) rejoined Altrincham for a second loan spell from Stoke City on 2 September 2022, having signed up the previous season for an earlier loan from The Potters on 3 February 2022.

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.

Meanwhile, if Elliot Osborne (right) starts tonight it will be his 100th start for Alty, having made 99 starts and 13 appearances from the bench so far.

Like Eddy, Elliot also joined Alty in early 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.

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.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Also attending, in the directors' box, was former Alty striker ROD THORNLEY, pictured, right in conversation with Isaac Marriott and James Jones.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 26 March

It was only three years ago but it was a different era as the match was played behind closed doors and only started after a minute's silence to mark the anniversary of the first national Covid lockdown.

This was King's Lynn's first ever visit to Moss Lane; it came 364 days after their planned visit, last season, should have been played. In fact, today's game was on the sixth date that had been fixed for the clubs to meet at the J Davidson Stadium since 2020.

Just as last Saturday against Gateshead, Altrincham took a 16th minute lead. Josh Hancock headed home a left wing corner at the near post.

Seven minutes later, a foul on Hardy gave Hancock a freekick from 22 yards which deflected off the wall and past the keeper to make it 2-0. And, within two more minutes, it became a flattering three-nil lead as an interchange between Hardy and Piggott saw the Telford man net a finely worked goal (60 mins).

King's Lynn had furloughed at least half a dozen of their players but strangely they had then been permitted to bring in at least as many new players, mostly loanees from other clubs.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 30. Simon RICHMAN, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 25. Toby MULLARKEY, 24. Joel SENIOR, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 29. Alistair SMITH, 34. Ryan COLCLOUGH, 10. Josh HANCOCK, 32. James HARDY, 9. Joe PIGGOTT. Subs: 8. Sean WILLIAMS, 17. Nyal BELL, 11. Yusifu CEESAY, 23. Tom PEERS.

PLANS FOR ALTRINCHAM WOMEN

Changes are being formulated that are aimed at increasing the flow of emerging talent from juniors to seniors and arming the women's squad with the quantity and quality of players required to compete further up the pyramid.

The women's team currently operate under the auspices of Altrincham FC Community Sports, but the intention is that they will return to the ownership of the football club...

The next step is to provide the girls currently playing in the older age groups of our junior teams with an improved and streamlined pathway to senior level that will ensure we have a sustainable and competitive model in place to support our ambitious plans for Altrincham FC Women.

The team are presently in the sixth tier of their pyramid, but it is hoped that, with a new structure in place, they will begin to climb the leagues and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Rochdale AFC Chairman Simon Gauge stated 'This is a different type of football investment, in that it is primarily driven by the recognition of, and motivation to preserve, the significant community value that clubs like ours provide.

'The Ogden Family recognise the history that our Football Club has and are motivated to help us achieve sustainability so that we will be at the heart of our community for another 100 years and beyond.'".

The statement goes on to address wider issues, stating that “A system with only one automatic promotion place available encourages clubs to gamble on promotion and operate in an unsustainable manner. This must be scrapped".

The Ogden Family [said] "We are a family with strong Rochdale roots. Sir Peter Ogden and Lady Ogden were born in Rochdale. Our charitable trust, the Ogden Trust, which primarily supports the teaching and learning of physics in under-represented groups, has various ongoing initiatives in Rochdale schools.

We were made aware of the Club’s difficulties in recent weeks, and we held constructive initial meetings with the Club and the Dale Supporters' Trust...

In our view, the Club (and the Rochdale AFC Community Trust which is so closely associated with it) are community assets of immense value which need to survive. We intend to make an offer to the Club, but we need some time to ensure that our diligence is completed, and our offer can be properly formulated...

To allow us the necessary time, we are making sufficient funds available to the Club to enable it to operate for the next 30 days. By the expiry of that period, we plan to have completed our diligence and formulated and presented our offer such that, assuming it is acceptable to the Club, we can conclude an investment before the end of the season...

Our sole short-term motivation is to ensure that the Club survives its current financial crisis and remains a going concern and a community asset with the interests of the community at heart; In the medium-term, our ambition is to assist the Club to become financially sustainable regardless of football success...

Our offer is not financially motivated. The shares we would acquire will be held in trust for the benefit of the Rochdale AFC Community Trust".

25 March 2024

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT: WEALDSTONE

On Saturday, Wealdstone manager "David Noble praised his players for their energy levels and commitment after they put another National League point on the board on Saturday.

Max Kretzschmar's fourth in his last five starts and his seventh for the season put the Stones 1-0 up at The Vale in front of a bumper crowd of 2102 on Non League Day, but Kidderminster fought back to level through Ashley Hemmings to ensure honours ended even.

'We have got a lot of tired bodies in the group and there is no let up in the schedule', said Noble. 'We've got nine games in 27/28 days so it's a lot of football, but I can only praise the boys. They are giving me everything. The pitch is very heavy and I'm proud of the effort they are putting [in]. That's a huge positive as we are having to patch up players like Mason [Barrett]...

'We really dominated the first half. The second half was a slightly different story... Kidderminster came out quick and we looked nervous... We've conceded late so it feels like a defeat, but it's a point and another point on the board'...

Defender Charlie Barker [said]... 'We were just defending and under a lot of pressure at times. We went a bit more direct and perhaps we didn't need to'".

Sports Mole adds that "Since the first weekend of 2024, Altrincham have quirkily not drawn a single game in 15 outings, a run that has its pros and cons.

As many as eight defeats have been posted during that period, including a five-match losing streak during February and into March... The club [is] just three points behind fifth spot but with a significantly better goal difference.

While Altrincham have lost three of their last five matches at Moss Lane, they remain with the sixth-best home record in the division...

[For] Wealdstone... just three victories have been registered in 13 games to leave everyone associated with the club looking over their shoulder.

David Noble's side do have games in hand, though, and they may be required... accumulating seven points from their last three away fixtures...

Noble has been rotating his players in light of the hectic schedule and it would come as no surprise if more alterations came here. Aaron Henry and Manny Duku could return in midfield and attack respectively, with Max Kretzschmar and Sean Adarkwa dropping out...

Given Altrincham's lack of consistency, Wealdstone will sense an opportunity to cause an upset in the North-West. However, we are backing the home side to do what is necessary to collect three points".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Cashman scored a goal apiece with each foot, as the Sussex side experiences an Alty-like wobble having now won just once in seven outings rendering their play-off hopes less certain than they had been a few weeks ago.

24 March 2024

PP AFTER GATESHEAD DEFEAT

The Alty manager said that he was "really disappointed" and "angry" (after losing the lead twice). He felt it was "a game of two halves... We were on top for the majority of first half".

He felt goalkeeper Ross had no saves to make apart from the goals conceded.

Right: Mitch Hancox made his first appearance for Alty at Moss Lane, coming on from the bench, following his brief debut last week at Boreham Wood, likewise as a used substitute.

ALTRINCHAM 2-3 GATESHEAD

Match report here.

NEXT: WEALDSTONE

As a consequence of their Trophy exploits and problems with their pitch, Weadstone have four games in hand on Alty. On Saturday they drew 1-1 at home to Kidderminster which leavs them 17th, jost three points above the relegation spots.

Wealdstone reported that "Spoils were shared at a busy Grosvenor Vale as Wealdstone drew 1-1 with relegation battlers Kidderminster Harriers.

The Stones took the lead during first-half stoppage time through the in-form Max Kretzschmar, but a late goal from Ash Hemmings rescued a point for the Harriers.

Manager David Noble made four changes to the side that were narrowly defeated by Bromley midweek, as Kretzschmar, Sean Adarkwa and Micah Obiero returned to the starting line-up, while Kallum Cesay made his debut.

New signing and former Fulham goalkeeper, Jacob Adams, was named to the bench as Marcus Dewhurst's deputy...

Noble was then forced into an early substitution in the 41st minute as top scorer Adarkwa went down injured and had to be replaced by Manny Duku.

However, one minute into stoppage time, the Stones were finally rewarded for their dominance; man-of-the-moment Kretzschmar clinically despatched past Dibble with a fine strike...

As the second-half progressed, the visitors began find to find rhythm and edge themselves back into the contest...

Phil Brown’s side were eventually rewarded for their persistence, deservedly drawing level in the 82nd minute...

WEALDSTONE: Dewhurst, Cesay, Cook (c), Barker, Mundle-Smith, Young, Bowen, Kretzschmar (Henry 74), Mason, Obiero, Adarkwa (Duku 39 (Barrett 85). Subs not used: Adams, Seaman."

ALTY OLD BOYS

League One: JOE HUGILL was substituted by Burton Albion after 64 minutes as they lost by the only goal at home to Port Vale

Stevenage's playoff chance receded further as, without injured captain CARL PIERGIANNI, they were held 2-2 at bottom of the table Carlisle United.

League Two: ALISTAIR SMITH played the full game for Colchester United as they earned a creditable 1-1 draw at leaders Mansfield Town, the club where he started his career before joining Altrincham.

Barrow had already scored the only goal of the game against visitors Newport County by the time ELLIOT NEWBY (right) joined the action after 75 minutes.

TOBY MULLARKEY played the full game as his Grimsby Town team went down 1-3 to visitors Wrexham, as did JOEL SENIOR in Morecambe's 2-3 home defeat by Gillingham.

CONNOR JENNINGS was booked, while CHRIS MERRIE came on in the 41st minute, as Tranmere Rovers lost 1-3 to visitors Crawley Town.

National League : DANNY WHITEHEAD played the full match for AFC FYLDE as they came from behind to beat visitors Oxford City 2-1. The result confirmed Oxford's relegation after only one season at this level.

At the other end of the table, Chesterfield duly confirmed their position as champions, beating visitors Boreham Wood, who had BILLY SASS-DAVIES booked, 3-0. JEFF KING returned to their starting lineup for the first time in four matches, while JAMES BERRY was a 71st minute substitute.

LUKE WATERFALL put in a full shift for Hartlepool United as they drew 1-1 at Eastleigh.

KEVIN BERKOE played the full game for Woking as they forced a goalless draw at Southend United, who left MARCUS DACKERS on the bench.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS was the scorer for Kidderminster Harriers as they drew 1-1 at Wealdstone.

National North : HAYDEN CAMPBELL scored Curzon Ashton's second goal in a 4-1 home win over Banbury United.

NPL : DONTAI GABIDON scored the opener for FC United as they beat Basford 2-0 at Broadhurst Park.

JORDAN HULME scored for Radcliffe in the opening minute, but, although JOSH HANCOCK added a penalty in the second half, it wasn't their day as they slumped to a 2-5 home defeat against Ashton United, for whom JAMES HARDY scored twice

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Chesterfield are now 21 points clear with just second-placed Bromley unable to catch them.

At the bottom Oxford City are sixteen points adrift of safety with just five games remaining, so they will return to the regional level after a single season at national level.

23 March 2024

ALTRINCHAM 2-3 GATESHEAD

Without left-back Eddy Jones, presumably injured, and with Isaac Marriott reduced to watching the game on crutches, Alty were further weakened by striker Regan Linney being only fit enough for a cameo from the bench.

However, they started well enough with Newby putting them ahead after 16 minutes, following a misheader by Jobe. And it remained 1-0 at the interval.

Above: Alty celebrate their opening goal

In a mad seven minutes early in the second half the score became 2-2. First Dinanga (inevitably) was on hand to score from close range after good work from Brown and a superb on-the-line clearance by Jake Cooper had dropped for him (50 mins).

Next camne the goal of the match as Wilson set Mooney running inwards from the right wing before launching a superb shot into the far corner of the net to restore the Altrincham lead (53 mins).

But, just after Kosylo had seen an effort cleared off the line at one end, Gateshead levelled at the other through Evans (57 mins).

Gateshead had the better of the second half with Altrincham failing to create much before substitute Adom scored literally seconds after coming on to the pitch (73 mins). Alty never looked like recovering despite the introduction of Linney and they could have no complaint at the final score.

Altrincham dropped to eighth in the league table.

Match report here.

SATURDAY FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 2-1 Oxford City
• Aldershot Town 1-1 Solihull Moors
• Altrincham 2-3 Gateshead
• Barnet 6-0 Dorking Wanderers
• Bromley 0-2 York City
• Chesterfield 3-0 Boreham Wood
• Dagenham & Redbridge 0-0 Oldham Athletic
• Eastleigh 1-1 Hartlepool United
• FC Halifax Town P-P Ebbsfleet United
• Rochdale 1-0 Maidenhead United
• Southend United 0-0 Woking
• Wealdstone 1-1 Kidderminster Harriers

TODAY: GATESHEAD

CCC AND ETHAN INTERVIEWED

Brian Flynn also interviewed goalkeeper Ethan Ross (right) for Alty TV.

Ethan explains about his recent spell sidelined by injury and the benefits of his interatction with Matt Gould, as his coach and team-mate.

TNT TO COVER ALTY'S BANK HOLIDAY GAME

The second match to be broadcast live is Altrincham v Oldham Athletic on Easter Monday, also at 3pm.

And, finally, on Easter Monday, Kidderminster Harriers v FC Halifax Town will also be shown live.

FINAL DAY KICK-OFFS CHANGED

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Having played nine games in 29 days, fourth-placed Moors wanted to move two fixtures to help spread the load.

But they were refused and are down to just 13 fit players as they face four games in 10 days in the lead-up to an FA Trophy semi at Bromley on 6 April.

'In terms of player welfare, we're struggling,' Whing told BBC Radio WM. 'We've just played nine games in 29 days, which is ridiculous. And we've ended up with 13 players from that.

'We wanted to play Ebbsfleet this week as we had a free week before the Aldershot game this Saturday, but we weren't allowed because there was an England C game.

'And we wanted to play Southend in the last week of the season to help out with the player welfare side.

'But we've got to play'...

They head to Bromley for the FA Trophy semi-final on Saturday, 6 April, before returning there for a league game the following Saturday, with a midweek home fixture against Ebbsfleet in between".

22 March 2024

ALTY ON TV

NEXT: GATESHEAD

• 27 Feb: Woking Away LOST 2-3
• 2 Mar: Boreham Wood Away DREW 1-1
• 5 Mar: Solihull Moors Home LOST 2-3
• 12 Mar: Dagenham & Redbridge Home WON 1-0
• 16 Mar: Ebbsfleet United Away LOST 2-4

Their leading scorer is, of course, ex-Alty man Marcus Dinanga who has netted 18 times this season. Also in double figures is Stephen Wearne with 11 goals.

ALTY v YORK REIMBURSEMENTS

Co-Chairs Matthew and Julie-Anne Uggla expressed their immediate desire post-Altrincham to reimburse those supporters who had attended that evening.

With thanks to The Robins, refunds will be executed on behalf of the football club by Altrincham themselves... Supporters will be refunded, in full, via the card they paid with online when purchasing their ticket/s.

York City had initially been looking at potential reimbursement packages to propose to supporters, hence the slight delay, but understands due to legal reasons that Altrincham must execute refunds directly via their system. Those with any further queries regarding their reimbursement should in this instance contact reception@yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 23 March

ALTRINCHAM COLTS

For decades there was an Altrincham FC Youth Team (under-18s) playing in the NW Youth Alliance Premier and and an under-17s' side competing in the NWYA First Division.

In summer 2022 the Altrincham FC Youth set-up was completely reorganised, as follows...

From 2022-23 youth players aged over 17 were to compete in the North-West U-21 Development League (see below). The Altrincham FC Under-17 team, which formerly operated in the NWYA First Division, an under-17s' league, was moved up to the NWYA Premier to compete against predominantly under-18 sides. However, in December 2022 the team withdrew from the league.

A new under-16s side was formed to compete from 2022-23 in the North West Youth Alliance Development Division .

However, in December 2022 there were further changes to the leagues in which the youth teams played and by February 2023 there was an Alty team bizarrely labelled as the "TCG (Altrincham FC) Men Regional Team 2" playing in the Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport North West Men's Football Invitational League (1).

That Division no longer hosts an Altrincham team, it seems.

There was also, in early 2023, an Altrincham Under-21 team competing in the North-West U-21 Development League. However, there is apparently now no Altrincham team in any of its three divisions in 2023-24.

An Altrincham FC team, previously weirdly labelled "Altrincham FC U19 A Red", continues to play in the National League U19 Alliance North Division in 2023-24 but now just under the name of "Altrincham". This is referred to in shorthand as the Altrincham FC Academy side, details of which were reported here yesterday.

Altrincham FC also continues to have a team in the North West Youth Alliance League Development Division. In 2022-23 they were labelled as under-16s, but in 2023-24 they have been re-branded as Altrincham FC Colts.

Results for the Colts this season have been as follows. As of March 2024, the team has finished seventh in the completed league season of 24 games.

Results this season:

• 21/05/23 k.o.14:00 Irlam FC Development Squad v Altrincham AFC Colts Home Walkover
• 19/05/23 19:30 AFC Fylde Colts 2 - 3 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 23/04/23 14:30 Egerton FC Development Squad 2 - 4 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 16/04/23 14:00 Curzon Ashton FC Development Squad 0 - 6 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 02/04/23 15:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 4 - 3 Congleton Town FC
• 26/03/23 14:00 Runcorn Town FC 0 - 3 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 19/03/23 14:30 Atherton Laburnum Rovers 3 - 2 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 12/03/23 13:00 AFC Liverpool 3 - 3 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 19/02/23 13:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 5 - 2 Nantwich Town FC Development Squad
• Cup 12/02/23 13:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 0 - 6 AFC Fylde Colts
• 05/02/23 14:00 Nantwich Town FC Development Squad 4 - 3 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 29/01/23 13:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 3 - 3 Atherton Laburnum Rovers FC
• 22/01/23 13:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 2 - 1 Chester FC Colts
• 08/01/23 13:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 0 - 2 Curzon Ashton FC Development Squad
• 04/12/22 13:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 3 - 8 AFC Fylde Colts
• 27/11/22 13:00 Altrincham AFC Colts 2 - 2 Wythenshawe FC Development Squad
• 20/11/22 13:00 Chester FC Colts 5 - 1 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 13/11/22 15:00 St Helens Town FC Development Squad 3 - 3 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 06/11/22 13:15 Altrincham AFC Colts 1 - 1 Irlam FC Development Squad
• 23/10/22 13:15 Altrincham AFC Colts 5 - 2 Runcorn Town FC
• 16/10/22 13:15 Altrincham AFC Colts 3 - 0 St Helens Town FC Development Squad
• 09/10/22 14:00 Congleton Town FC 3 - 1 Altrincham AFC Colts
• 02/10/22 13:15 Altrincham AFC Colts 1 - 3 AFC Liverpool
• 18/09/22 13:15 Altrincham AFC Colts 2 - 1 Egerton FC Development Squad
• 04/09/22 14:00 Wythenshawe FC Development Squad 1 - 1 Altrincham AFC Colts

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The schedule for the rest of March is, as follows.

• Sunday March 17 – Oxford City vs FC Halifax Town (12.15pm)
• Saturday March 23 – King’s Lynn Town vs Tamworth (12.30pm)
• Saturday March 23 – Chesterfield v Boreham Wood (3pm)
• Sunday March 24 – Worthing vs Bath City (3pm)
• Friday March 29 – Solihull Moors v Barnet (3pm)

Recent weeks have seen them drop to 22nd in the National League and in midweek, Dorking Wanderers reported on a 2-0 defeat at Southend.

"Marc White made wholesale changes to the side which lost 4-2 at York Road last weekend, opting for a back three of George Francomb, Tony Craig and Bobby-Joe Taylor. Elsewhere, Alfie Rutherford returned to the side to join Jason Prior up front, with Seb Bowerman also coming in for his first start in over month...

Wanderers settled quickly, as they looked to buck the recent trend of slow starts which have led to a combined four goals conceded in the first half an hour of of their last two fixtures.

Despite settling in possession and looking assured at the back, White’s men struggled to create any real chances of note,,,

Scott-Davies stepped up and curled a beautiful effort into the top corner from 25-yards out, ending Southend’s unwanted run of conceding first in each of their last four games...

Southend were the side with the impetus for much of the second 45... As Wanderers’ creativity problems continued, Southend proceeded to push for a second to kill the game...

Southend’s patience eventually paid dividends in the closing stages...Husin was... denied by the shot-stopper, however Cardwell was on hand to sweep in the rebound and put the game to bed".

ALTY DROP A PLACE

WEDNESDAY RESULT

JAKE COOPER

Whether Jake was injured in training before the international match or was withdrawn from the squad as a precaution is unclear.

Isaac Marriott was the original Altrincham representative in the England C side but he was injured last week and was presumably replaced by Jake in the squad.

Hopefully he will be fit to face Gateshead on Saturday.

ALTY OLD BOYS

ALTY'S "ERRATIC" ACADEMY SIDE

Ironically the York side is managed by Tim Ryan, who briefly played for Altrincham.

The hosts took the lead early in the game before Harrison Howells (right) levelled for the Robins.

But three more goals produced a 4-1 win for York.

The NLP adds that "defeat means the Robins stay winless on the road since November and boss Paul Fay rued his side switching off at key moments...

He said, 'Our keeper Louie [Fallon] had two saves to make in 90 minutes. However, spells of lack of concentration in the game gave four goals away.

Results have been erratic for this group. Today there were fourteen first- and second-years and, with a short turnaround before the reverse fixture on Fiday, it leaves limited time to correct basic errors.

'I am confident they will learn and consistency will come'".

Paul will have been pleased to see the boys draw the reverse fixture with York before securing a home win over AFC Fylde.

Since our last update, the Academy side's results in the National League U19 Alliance league and cup competitions have, indeed, been erratic with just six wins, four at home, in 16 matches.

• 18/03/24 k.o. 14:00 Altrincham 3 - 1 AFC Fylde WON
• 15/03/24 13:30 Altrincham 1 - 1 York City DREW
• 13/03/24 13:00 York City 4 - 1 Altrincham LOST
• 06/03/24 13:30 Altrincham 4 - 2 Solihull Moors WON
• 28/02/24 13:00 Chester 1 - 0 Altrincham LOST
• 26/02/24 13:30 Altrincham 2 - 8 Guiseley LOST
• 09/02/24 14:00 Altrincham 2 - 2 FC Halifax Town DREW
• 07/02/24 13:00 Chesterfield 3 - 0 Altrincham LOST
• 31/01/24 13:30 Altrincham 0 - 2 Gateshead LOST
• Cup 24/01/24 13:45 Altrincham 0 - 4 Boston United LOST
• 10/01/24 13:30 Altrincham 1 - 2 Blyth Spartans LOST
• Cup 20/12/23 13:00 Altrincham 4 - 0 Solihull Moors WON
• 06/12/23 13:30 Altrincham 1 - 2 Chester LOST
• 29/11/23 13:00 Solihull Moors 1 - 2 Altrincham WON
• 22/11/23 13:30 Altrincham 4 - 2 Farsley Celtic WON
• 15/11/23 13:30 Boston United 1 - 3 Altrincham WON

Altrincham lie fifth in the thirteen club National League U19 Alliance league but have played more games than all other clubs except one.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Grant Smith received his marching orders with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock which subsequently saw David Aziaya make his league debut, coming on for Corey Whitely...

After a goalless first period, Micah Obiero couldn’t convert from close range as Wealdstone pressed for an opener on 57 minutes...

Bromley did put their noses in front. Ben Krauhaus did well to set up Cheek who took a touch before firing into the bottom corner".

NEXT: GATESHEAD

The last time Gateshead visited Altrincham was on Easter Monday 2023 when the Heed emerged 1-0 winners.

Above: None of the five Altrincham players in this picture from last April's encounter with Gateshead is still at Moss Lane, underlining the changes in personnel since last season. They are from left to right, Kyle Ferguson, Harry Perritt, Miles Welch-Hayes, Joe Hugill and Tyrese Sinclair. And remarkably the starting eleven that day included just one player who had played as an Altrincham employee in the opening game of that 22/23 season in August; that was Josh Lundstram... and he was to leave the club soon afterwards!

A disappointing display by Altrincham saw Gateshead take all three points at a wet J. Davidson Stadium. Inevitably the goal was scored by Marcus Dinanga who Alty sold to Gateshead after a mixed two years at Moss Lane.

The goal came after 34 minutes when Wearne was allowed to run up the middle and he fed Dinanga. The striker took a couple of touches before hitting a strong shot across Byrne from left of goal.

Altrincham had made four changes from their last league outing as the suspended James Jones as well as Jordan Hulme, Elliot Osborne and Lewis Baines dropped out of the starting list. Into the atarting eleven came Sinclair, Oyedele, Hugill and Perritt

Only four subs were mustered which was partly accounted for by there being the maximum five loanees allowed being named in the starting line-up. So there was no involvement for two loanees in Aaron Bennett and Luke Burgess, but Egli Kaja was also an absentee, presumably injured again.

ALTRINCHAM : 1. Oliver Byrne, 34. Miles Welch-Hayes, 30. Harry Perritt, 5. Kyle Ferguson, 28. Maxi Oyedele, 2. Eddy Jones, 8. Josh Lundstram (c), 4. Isaac Marriott, 35. Tyrese Sinclair, 29. Regan Linney, 39. Joe Hugill. Subs: 10. Elliot Osborne, 9. Jordan Hulme, 18. Ben Pringle, 21. Matt Gould

GATESHEAD : 1. Filip Marschall,2. Robbie Tinkler, 6. Louis Storey, 3. Ethan Pye, 17. Connor Pani, 44. Stephen Wearne, 18. Edward Francis, 33. Callum Whelan, 11. Adam Campbell (c), 42. Kamil Conteh, 9. Marcus Dinanga. Subs: 31. James Montgomery, 8. Owen Bailey, 10. Greg Olley, 12. Dan Ward, 15. Aaron Martin

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports that on Tuesday, in the...

National North : JONNY MARGETTS opened the scoring for King's Lynn at already relegated Bishops Stortford, and, after the hosts were reduced to 10 men, his team won 0-2.

By the time CONNOR KIRBY scored for visitors Buxton in the 96th minute, it was far too late to affect the result, and Blyth Spartans won 3-2.

NPL : The Radcliffe starting lineup in their 4-1 home win over Morpeth included no fewer than five players who had previously been at Altrincham : JORDAN HULME, JOSH HANCOCK, BRAD JACKSON, JAMIE MORGAN (above, right), and JUDE OYIBO. They now need just 7 points from their last 6 games to guarantee promotion to National North, and will hope to take another step in the right direction when they host Ashton United on Saturday.

MIDWEEK VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Barnet 2-1 Eastleigh

WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2024

• FC Halifax Town v Chesterfield

ENGLAND "C" DEFEATED

England C included National League top scorer Paul McCallum in their team and the Spitfires lost at Barnet without him.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 23 March

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Charlie, 19, is a product of the Rovers Academy, his tremendous progress at the club seeing him pen professional terms in 2022, having first signed as a 14-year-old...

This season he’s also featured on the Rovers bench in the Championship on three occasions.

Charlie will stay with us for the remainder of our season".

And Shrewsbury Town announce that "A young Shrewsbury Town XI took on Kidderminster Harriers in a friendly at Shrewsbury Sports Village this afternoon (Tuesday).

The Salop side primarily consisted of under-18s players...

Kidderminster named a starting XI full of first team players including Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and former Shrewsbury favourite Nat Knight-Percival.

Harriers went on to win the game 4-1".

The rise up the table of Ebbsfleet United has been remarkable in recent weeks and now the club reveals that "Following Myles Kenlock’s call-up for the upcoming England C match against Wales on Tuesday 19th March, two more Fleet players have earned international recognition.

Omari Sterling-James has been called up to represent Saint Kitts & Nevis... against San Marino on Wednesday 20th March and Sunday 24th March.

Tommy Fogarty will also be jetting off on international duty, representing Northern Ireland U21s who travel to play Czechia on Thursday 21st March in an international challenge match and then to Serbia on Tuesday 26th March in the UEFA Euro U21 qualifiers.

As a football club, it is always a proud moment when our players gain international recognition".

Aldershot Town "announce the signing of promising midfielder Jonathon Page!

The 22-year-old has signed a deal until the end of the season, having been a free agent since leaving Fulham last summer.

Page spent the 22/23 season on loan at Farnborough...

Tommy Widdrington said 'With Dejan (Tetek) looking doubtful for the remainder of the campaign, we felt another option in the central midfield area was a sensible thing to add...

'Jonathon has... trained with us over the last couple of weeks and impressed us all with his ability on the ball'...

Head of Recruitment Jamie Hedges added 'Jon (Jonathon Page) is a player who was on our radar in the summer but unfortunately picked up an injury. He’s been training with us for a few weeks now and has looked sharp, he is a competitive but technical midfielder'".

19 March 2024

NEXT: GATESHEAD LEARN FROM CHELSEA

Despite losing their manager, Mike Williamson to MK Dons earlier in the season, The Heed have maintained their challenge for a play-off place under Rob Elliott and his assistant Louis Storey,.

In last Tuesday's matchday prgramme, Gateshead's first-team coach Carl Magnay, who also has a coaching role at Chelsea, spoke of how the Tynesdiers benefit from his contacts.

He explained that "I get footage of training sessions from when Thomas Tuchel was manager [at Chelsea]. He played a similar system to what we do now".

He added that he is also "constantly on the phone James Simmonds who is the assistant maager of the under-21s at Cheslea so it's proved a massive helpbeing able to lean on a club at the highest level".

As for recruitment he added that "Our style at Gaeshead is able to attract top clubs and that continues to be a theme with most players we bring in on loan. We've got a great reputatiom throughout the Football League and even The Premier League"

PHIL AFTER BOREHAM WOOD WIN

BOREHAM WOOD'S STRUGGLE

Having reached the playoff semi-finals last season, Wood have spectacularly collapsed during this campaign...

In less than nine months, the Meadow Park outfit have gone from being 45 minutes from Wembley to a few games away from playing regional football next year...

Back in 2018, the side finished fourth, only to survive relegation the following year by finishing one place outside the bottom four. In 2020, they were once again in the playoffs followed by a 14th place final-standing in 2021...

This year may not come as a surprise given their record in past years... Wood have become very good at shutting up shop... Only once in the last six years have they scored more than 55 goals in a forty-six-game season...

Boreham Wood are built on a strong backline... You have to go back six years again to find the time a Boreham Wood player hit twenty goals...

Garrard is into his ninth year as manager at Meadow Park, one of the longest serving in the division but there comes a time when each one has taken a club as far as they can...

While Wood’s style of play isn’t too easy on the eye, it has shown to be effective... but a relegation this season... might mean a parting of ways".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

One of those catch-up games is a midweek visit to Altrincham next Tuesday, which has twice beteeen postponed owing to the Stones' Trophy involvement.

In that context, Wealdstone’s Chairman, Rory Fitzgerald, "has expressed profound discontent with the National League’s decision to force the club to play its rescheduled fixture with Bromley FC this coming Wednesday, 20th March...

According to Fitzgerald, the rescheduled date was imposed without any input from the Stones, leaving the club in a precarious position.

'We have already found ourselves in an incredibly challenging situation where due to the well documented issues with the Grosvenor Vale pitch we were expected to play a high volume of games in an extremely short period of time.

'This situation is now further compounded by a significantly depleted squad due to no less than five international call-ups,' stated Fitzgerald.

'Despite these circumstances, which are clearly outside of our control, the National League has invoked league rules, compelling us to play another unplanned fixture this Wednesday. These rules apparently allow them to dictate terms that they deem beneficial for the league at large, even if they adversely impact individual clubs.

'At some point the National League must recognise that we have a duty of care to our players and that we are putting them at risk by expecting them to play so many games in such quick succession'...

'To avoid the league punishment, we have reluctantly agreed to the game proceeding as planned on Wednesday. We do however feel it is grossly unfair and that we have been let down by the league having previously made every effort to be accommodating'".

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

SATURDAY FIXTURES

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

17 March 2024

BOREHAM WOOD 0-1 ALTRINCHAM

A fit again Justin Donawa was restored to their starting eleven but captain Isaac Marriott was again unfit and Regan Linney suspended.

It was Boreham Wood who started the better. The hosts won several corners and Ross was required to make two important saves in the early stages.

However, in the second half of the first forty-five minutes, Altrincham got into the game with Newby spurning a good chance and Amaluzor hitting the post before both Wilson and Osborne forced decent saves. Nevertheless the score remained goalless at the interval.

Just before the hour-mark, Chris Bush's foul on Donawa earned him a red card (59 mins). Altrincham took the lead after 72 minutes when Osborne fed Conn-Clarke. From the edge of the box his low shot somehow left the keeper flat-footed as it found the net to his right.

Report to follow.

NEXT: GATESHEAD

This Saturday Gateshead lost ground in their play-off quest with a 4-2 defeat at Ebbsfleet United.

Ebbsfleet United reported that "Rakish Bingham’s first Fleet hat-trick, scored in 40 second-half minutes, brought Fleet three more points and a rise to 15th in the table in a dramatic match against 10-man Gateshead.

Danny Searle made two changes... Dominic Samuel returning to the starting line up and Tommy Fogarty earning his first league start in place of Dominic Poleon and Hayden White...

The game-changing moment came quickly with just four minutes on the clock when Louis Storey was shown a straight red card for a last-man challenge that brought Dominic Samuel down outside the area...

The Fleet took advantage of the extra man by opening the scoring in the eighth minute. A quick run from the Fleet forward [Bingham] positioned him for a shot and the ball edged past Montgomery for Samuel to meet it in the six-yard box.

Gateshead made a tactical change, withdrawing Kieron Evans for defender Robbie Tinkler.. It was the Fleet who were in full control of the opening stages... The visitors equalised on 40 minutes... Callum Whelan... took a shot from range that took a deflection as it flew in with Gateshead’s first shot on target.

Whelan was celebrating again just before the half-time whistle...

A strong start to the second half saw the Fleet level... A penalty was awarded on 52 minutes when Samuel’s shot struck the hand of Mamadou Jobe and Bingham stepped up to thunder it into the roof of the net...

Toby Edser was the provider with a cross to the far post where Bingham arrived to connect with his head for 3-2... Gateshead were down to nine men for a period after Luke Hannant sustained a self-inflicted injury... but he came back into play after lengthy treatment...

With nine minutes time added, Bingham would complete his hat-trick...

GFC: Montgomery, Whelan, Richardson, Storey, Francis, Worman (Dinanga 68), Evans (Tinkler 9), Brown, Hannant, Adom (Booty 53), Jobe. Subs: Grayson, McBride.

ALTY OLD BOYS

League One : JOE HUGILL was withdrawn after 67 minutes as Burton Albion lost by the only goal at Exeter City. The hosts played the whole of the second half with ten men.

HARRISON HOLGATE returned from suspension but was left on the bench by Fleetwood, who came from behind to draw 1-1 with visitors Charlton Athletic.

OWEN DALE was withdrawn in the 90th minute by Oxford United, who triumphed 0-2 at Port Vale.

Stevenage captain CARL PIERGIANNI was missing today as his side went down at home to the only goal against Leyton Orient.

League Two : Elliot Newby was withdrawn after 65 minutes, as Barrow, having missed a first half penalty, were held to a goalless draw by visitors Harrogate Town.

ALISTAIR SMITH was a 68th minute substitute for Colchester United, who similarly missed from the spot and had to settle for a 1-1 draw with visitors Walsall. It was the same score line at Gillingham, where visitors Grimsby Town withdrew TOBY MULLARKEY after 81 minutes.

Although CHRIS MERRIE stayed on the bench, CONNOR JENNINGS played the full game, and captained Tranmere Rovers to a 0-1 win at Wrexham.

National League : After missing the last four matches, JOSH LUNDSTRAM returned to Oldham Athletic's starting XI, and it was from his through ball that Andrew Dallas was brought down in the box to earn the penalty that put them ahead.

However, despite building a 2-0 lead midway through the first half, they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw with champions elect Chesterfield, who brought RYAN COLCLOUGH off the bench in the 52nd minute.

The Spireites need just one point from their last 7 matches to be confirmed as champions, although as they are 27 goals better off than Barnet, the only side who can catch them, that point would seem to be academic.

Barnet's defeat at Woking was occasioned by the only goal of the game scored by KEVIN BERKOE.

A full shift from DANNY WHITEHEAD couldn't prevent AFC Fylde from losing 1-2 at home to Wealdstone.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS played the full game for Kidderminster Harriers in their unexpected goalless draw at Bromley.

Despite being reduced to ten men after only 5 minutes, Gateshead led 1-2 at half time at Ebbsfleet United, but by the time MARCUS DINANGA came off the bench in the 68th minute they were trailing, and went on to lose 4-2.

LUKE WATERFALL picked up an early yellow card in Hartlepool United's goalless draw at home to Southend United, for whom MARCUS DACKERS was a 77th minute substitute.

NPL : After trailing at the break at Atherton Collieries, FC United fought back to win 1-2 with goals from DONTAI GABIDON and AARON BENNETT.

A second half strike from JACK REDSHAW earned Hyde United a 1-1 draw at Ilkeston Town.

Southern Central : MONTEL GIBSON scored both goals for AFC Telford as they beat visitors Stamford 2-1.

16 March 2024

WEEKEND FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 1-2 Wealdstone
• Boreham Wood 0-1 Altrincham
• Bromley 0-0 Kidderminster Harriers
• Dagenham & Redbridge v Maidenhead United
• Dorking Wanderers 4-1 Solihull Moors
• Eastleigh 1-4 Rochdale
• Ebbsfleet United 4-2 Gateshead
• Hartlepool United 0-0 Southend United
• Oldham Athletic 2-2Chesterfield (k.o. 12.30pm)
• Woking 1-0 Barnet
• York City 1-0 Aldershot Town

Saturday, 16 March 2024

• Oxford City v v FC Halifax Town (k.o. 12.15pm)

HANCOX JOINS

Altrincham FC announced in the words of John Edwards that "Phil Parkinson has added experience and pedigree to Altrincham's engine room after snapping up... midfielder Mitch Hancox from York City in a move that is subject to FA and National League approval.

The 30-year old, who operates in central midfield but can also play left-back, has a wealth of experience in the Football League as well as the Vanarama National League...

Solihull-born, Mitch, who will wear number 26 for Alty, came through Birmingham's youth system... where he made 40 first-team appearances for the Championship club before signing for Macclesfield Town in... 2016...

The left-footed 5ft 10in midfielder rejected the offer of a new deal in favour of a contract with newly-relegated League Two side MK Dons in June 2018, and he then joined his home club Solihull Moors 11 months later...

He moved on to Hereford and was loaned out to York... After the temporary stay at York became a permanent transfer the following month, Mitch had another successful loan spell at Hartlepool United last November".

Hancox has only made three league appearances this season, totalling 59 minutes of game time.

BYRNE DEPARTS

26 year-old Byrne was signed as the replacement for keeper Tony Thompson on 26 June 2022. Although he was born locally and attended Wellington Road school, he actually joined Alty from Welsh club Connah's Quay Nomads "for an undisclosed fee".

From 2014-16 Oliver was in the Manchester United youth structure and was in their under-18s' cohort with Marcus Rashford. In 2016, he moved on to Cardiff City, after completing his scholarship at United. In November 2017, Byrne arrived at Chorley on loan from the Bluebirds' under-23 set-up.

From Cardiff's Academy Byrne joined Blackburn Rovers under-23s early in 2018. In September 2018, he spent a month's loan period from the Welsh club at Bamber Bridge in the Northern Premier League.

In January 2019 he joined Stevenage in EFL2 on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers, though he did not make a League appearance for the Borough. After he had been released by Stevenage in July 2019, he spent two months at Atherton Collieries, where he played ten games.

He then went on trial at Connah's Quay in November 2019 and in January 2020 he signed for the Nomads. In February 2020 he went on loan to Airbus UK till the end of May 2020.

His competitive debut for Altrincham was delayed by a lengthy process of international clearance following his move from Wales but he then established himself as the regular first-choice keeper for 2022-23.

Having appeared regularly in pre-season, on 27 July 2023, in the wake of Ethan Ross's arrival, it was announced that Ollie was going on loan to Cork City and he remained there until their season ended in November 2023. However, he did not appear in subsequent matchday squads for the Robins until he started a CSC tie in late January 2024.

His Altrincham appearances totalled 44.

TODAY: BOREHAM WOOD

The Wood lie 18th but are only three points from the relegation places. In the reverse fixture, the clubs drew, one each, in a match which Alty could equally well have won or lost.

Altrincham had the better of the first half against an uncharacteristically error-prone Boreham Wood. They took the lead in the 32nd minute through one of those errors by the visitors as a promising link up between Amaluzor and Conn-Clarke seemed to have faltered with the latter's poor touch.

But the Wood gifted possession back to Linney who drove a fine, low shot past Ashmore.

Above: Linney nets Altrincham's goal back in August.

There was a further double-blow for the Wood in first-half added time as they substituted the injured Owens, himself a post-warm-up replacement, just as Mo Sagaf looked to suffer a bad injury, the player having to be helped off the field, supported under both shoulders.

But the second half saw Altrincham barely threaten the Wood goal and the visitors deservedly levelled after 61 minutes. An impressive run up the left to the byline by Ilesanmi resulted in his laying on a virtual tap-in for Ndlovu.

After that it was the Wood who created the greater pressure but the afternoon ended level

Alty's back line for this match was unexpected as Baines and Banks dropped to the bench, along with midfielder Joey Jones. Cooper, Kosylo and Amaluzor started in place of the trio.

ALTRINCHAM : 29. Ethan Ross, 3. Eddy Jones, 8. Isaac Marriott, 5. James Jones (c), 7. Matty Kosylo, 6. Elliot Osborne, 9. Regan Linney, 10. Chris Conn-Clarke, 11. Justin Amaluzor, 15. Jake Cooper, 16. Sam Roscoe. Subs: 2. Lewis Banks, 6. Lewis Baines, 14. Dior Angus, 19. George Wilson, 22. Joey Jones.

BOREHAM WOOD: 1 Nathan Ashmore, 3 Femi Ilesanmi, 5 Chris Bush, 7 Tom Whelan, 8 Mo Sagaf, 9 Lee Ndlovu, 12 Jamal Fyfield, 15 David Agbontohoma, 16 Charlie Owens, 19 Erico Sousa, 21 Kwesi Appiah. Subs: 2 Cameron Coxe, 6 David Stephens, 10 Tyrone Marsh, 13 Koju Abayomi (GK), 20. Liam Miller

ALTY OLD BOYS

In the Scottish Championship, MILES WELCH-HAYES played the full game for Dunfermline Athletic as they dented the title hopes of visitors Dundee United, winning 3-1.

Over in the Irish Premier Division, BARRY BAGGLEY was substituted after 75 minutes as Waterford earned a goalless draw at Dundalk."

15 March 2024

NEXT: BOREHAM WOOD

In his matchday notes the Wood's chairman Danny Hunter, who has sunk millions into the club's rise up the non-League pyramid, has penned a heartfelt three-page rallying call to pull together to fight a potential relegation.

Altrincham first met Boreham Wood in 2015/16 and above we see Michael Rankine's penalty which won the away fixture that season.

In the worst case, he concludes, if the club is relegated, "I must accept that my huge personal investment, 25 years of good governance and 18 years of consistent progress will have been wasted, while my loyalty and belief in some people would [will] have perhaps been misguided and, as such, relegation will be my fault and my fault alone".

Assuming that he gets the response from the team and supporters that he seeks on Saturday, Altrincham will be in for a tough afternoon.

Altrincham will again be without Isaac Marriott whose seemingly bad injury at the very end of last Saturday's game is reportedly awaiting a scan. He joins Joey and James Jones as well as Ollie Crankshaw on the sidelines

THROUGH THE YEARS: 16 March

In a match playd behind closed doors, Alty fell behind, after eighteen minutes, and it was a poorly conceded goal from an unnecessary corner. The inswinging corner-ball was allowed to sail across the goalmouth and come back off the inside of the back post where it was bundled narrowly over the line by Lofthouse. Thompson was on the deck as the ball hit the post and clearly felt he had been fouled.

Just before half-time Kosylo picked up his eleventh yellow of the season and his tenth in the league.

In a decidedly uninspiring second-half spectacle Altrincham failed to trouble the Woking keeper at all, until the 92nd minute. At that point, Thompson's punt upfield found Moult who was wrestled down by Gerring and a penalty was awarded, which Hancock converted to give Alty wan unlikely draw.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON (c), 24. Joel SENIOR, 35. Yoan ZOUMA, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 19. Reagan OGLE, 25. Toby MULLARKEY, 8. Sean WILLIAMS, (c), 15. Matty KOSYLO, 34. Ryan COLCLOUGH, 10.Josh HANCOCK, 9. Joe PIGGOTT. Subs: 6. Jake MOULT, 17. Nyal BELL, 32. James HARDY, 11. Yusifu CEESAY, 23. Tom PEERS.

YORK REFLECT ON DEFEAT AT ALTY

Hinshelwood’s wait for a first win as York manager stretches on, with City now sitting second from bottom of the Vanarama National League table...

Hinshelwood admitted... 'It was a sleepless night on Tuesday night. I got home and reflected, watched it back... All we can do is work even harder and keep showing the players what we want...

It has to be our motivation to work as tirelessly as we can so that we don’t feel that again'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The schedule for the rest of March is, as follows.

• Sunday March 17 – Oxford City vs FC Halifax Town (12.15pm)
• Saturday March 23 – King’s Lynn Town vs Tamworth (12.30pm)
• Saturday March 23 – Chesterfield v Boreham Wood (3pm)
• Sunday March 24 – Worthing vs Bath City (3pm)
• Friday March 29 – Solihull Moors v Barnet (3pm)

Recent weeks have seen them drop to 22nd in the National League and in midweek, Dorking Wanderers reported on a 2-0 defeat at Southend.

"Marc White made wholesale changes to the side which lost 4-2 at York Road last weekend, opting for a back three of George Francomb, Tony Craig and Bobby-Joe Taylor. Elsewhere, Alfie Rutherford returned to the side to join Jason Prior up front, with Seb Bowerman also coming in for his first start in over month...

Wanderers settled quickly, as they looked to buck the recent trend of slow starts which have led to a combined four goals conceded in the first half an hour of of their last two fixtures.

Despite settling in possession and looking assured at the back, White’s men struggled to create any real chances of note,,,

Scott-Davies [sic] stepped up and curled a beautiful effort into the top corner from 25-yards out, ending Southend’s unwanted run of conceding first in each of their last four games...

Southend were the side with the impetus for much of the second 45... As Wanderers’ creativity problems continued, Southend proceeded to push for a second to kill the game...

Southend’s patience eventually paid dividends in the closing stages...Husin was... denied by the shot-stopper, however Cardwell was on hand to sweep in the rebound and put the game to bed".

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT: BOREHAM WOOD

On Tuesday Boreham Wood lost 2-0 at Solihull Moors, leaving them eighteenth in the National League, just three points above the relegation places.

Boreham Wood report that "they lost on the road for the second time in four days against play off chasing Solihull Moors... following second half goals by Callum Maycock and Tahvon Campbell.

Luke Garrard made two changes from the starting line up from Saturday’s defeat at Halifax Town with David Agbontohoma replacing [ex-Alty loanee] Billy Sass-Davies at the back and Mo Sagaf coming in for Angelo Balanta in midfield.

It was a positive opening for Boreham Wood... The home side then started to apply some pressure... Wood would have been happy to go in level at the break.

Boreham Wood came out for the second half with renewed purpose and most of the second period was played in the Moors half... Just when Wood were in the ascendancy, Solihull took the lead on seventy-three minutes...

Unfortunately, that goal knocked the stuffing out of Luke Garrard’s men and Moors immediately looked like adding to their lead. They did just that on eighty-five minutes...

It was another disappointing result for Boreham Wood in their attempt to beat the drop. Fortunately, other results went Boreham Wood’s way and Luke Garrard’s men even managed to climb one place in the table to eighteenth with Ebbsfleet getting thrashed at Aldershot Town. Saturday’s game at home against Altrincham is now massive and Wood will be desperate for a positive result.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe (Clayden 84), Ilesamni, Bush, Fyfield, Agbontohoma, Payne, Robinson (Balanta 78), Sagaf, Ndlovu (Marsh 72), Tshimanga. Subs not used: Whelan, Sass-Davies".

NON-LEAGUE DAY

Before we get to Oldham Athletic on Easter Monday, we've another massive clash with playoff implications as Non-League Day 2024 sends Gateshead to the J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday, March 23rd (3pm kick-off).

Started in 2010, the initiative is enthusiastically celebrated up and down the country, while also promoting good causes such as Prostate Cancer UK - who the Robins have partner[ed] with as one of 10 Non-League Day Showpiece games this season...

Altrincham FC Director John Coyne said 'Paint The Town Red is an initiative aimed at bringing the wider Altrincham community together for a one-off fixture and to showcase Altrincham Football Club on what is a huge day for non-league football clubs up and down the country.

'We're calling on local people and businesses to get involved and Paint The Town Red over the next 10 days and to come and join us on March 23rd, enjoy an afternoon at the J.Davidson Stadium and cheer the lads on in what we hope will be another high-energy, entertaining spectacle."

If you are coming to the stadium next Saturday, we are aiming for a sea of red colour on the terraces".

OLD BOYS

OLD FOES

The financially-troubled Gulls now have 41 points, three points above the relegation zone, and drop from 12th to 17th place in the table.

League rules say intending to appoint administrators is seen as an insolvency event, liable to a 10-point penalty.

Owner Clarke Osborne said last month he could no longer fund the Devon club... On the field the former Football League side have won just one of their last 11 league games and are in their lowest position since they were first elected to the league in 1927".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Michael Cheek’s first-minute strike got Brennan’s men off to the worst possible start before the home side doubled their advantage just after the hour mark to end the Bees’ Wembley dream.

'You can’t start a game of football the way we started and expect to win here,' Brennan said. 'They’re a good side, Bromley. They’re up in the top end of the division for a reason, and they deserved to win first and foremost as they were the better team.

'But some of our lads have to take a look at themselves. I thought our performance levels were really low.

'You have to look at our injury situation. There's not one fit centre-half at our club this afternoon, so we’re having to play full-backs at centre-half. It’s frustrating... To pick up 12 points from our last six league games has been a miracle. It’s been a miraculous effort from our lads, as we’ve had so many key players injured'".

ALTRINCHAM 6-1 YORK CITY

At kick-off York had had one of the better defences at the wrong end of the table, but that was not in evidence at all in this game.

Match report here .

MINSTERMEN REIMBURSE THEIR FANS

We have genuinely tried to put all the tools needed to build a successful team, from recruitment, to housing, nutrition, and better training facilities.

We have obviously got something wrong and will not stop trying until we it get right.

Matthew & Julie Anne"

York City's match report includes..

"Adam Hinshelwood made two changes to the side which took a point in Kidderminster, with Lenell John-Lewis and Alex Hunt coming into the side in place of Billy Chadwick and Dan Batty".

3-0 down at the break "City had a somewhat positive opening 15 minutes in the second half, winning several corners following attacking phases...

Substitute Maz Kouhyar converted for City in the 65th minute, thumping a shot from outside the area past Ethan Ross.

Newby eventually got the Robins’ fourth of the night in the 71st minute, hitting a long-distance shot.

Chris Conn-Clarke, who looked a threat all night long, put up Altrincham’s fifth in the 81st minute when he rolled a lay-off into the far side of the net.

A sixth goal saw Newby convert from a close range, [with a] tight angled shot in the 87th minute, to round off an unacceptable evening for York".

ALTY'S NEW MAN

The 22-year old, a creative midfielder who has had spells at Manchester United, Brentford and Linfield, has been training with Alty".

Haygarth made his debut as a second-half substitute against York City on Tuesday night.

NEXT: BOREHAM WOOD

Normally a byword for a top-half team with a parsimonious defence, this campaign Boreham Wood have neither been pushing for the play-offs nor keeping a tight ship at the back.

Indeed, with eight more games still to play The Wood have conceded far more goals than is their norm.

They are currently 18th and have let in 61 goals, compared with completing the whole of last season season with only 40 goals conceded, when they finished sixth and qualified for the play-offs.

Indeed in the previous two seasons they only let in 40 (in 22/23) and 48 goals (in 21/22) throughout the whole campaigns.

ALTY OLD BOYS

League One : After substituting JOE HUGILL (right) in the 68th minute, Burton Albion reduced the arrears at Portsmouth but still lost 2-1

OWEN DALE was booked, and when Oxford United substituted him after 79 minutes hosts Bolton Wanderers had finished scoring and won 5-0

League Two : TOBY MULLARKEY was booked but his Grimsby Town side beat visitors MK Dons by the only goal.

Missing the injured JOEL SENIOR, Morecambe went down 5-3 at Newport County.

CONNOR JENNINGS played the whole game as Tranmere Rovers shocked visiting league leaders Mansfield Town 2-1

Barrow substituted ELLIOT NEWBY after 81 minutes as they drew 1-1 at Walsall.

National League : Chesterfield brought on both JAMES BERRY and RYAN COLCLOUGH (who was booked inside 2 minutes) in the 73rd minute as they saw out a 2-0 home win against Oxford City.

Gateshead substituted MARCUS DINANGA after 70 minutes with their home game against Dagenham and Redbridge goalless, and went on to win by the only goal of the match.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS played the full game for Kidderminster Harriers in their 1-1 home draw against AFC Fylde, while the visitors introduced DANNY WHITEHEAD just after the hour. Both players were booked.

Boreham Wood dropped BILLY SASS-DAVIES to the bench at Solihull Moors where they lost 2-0, and left him there.

Southend United had already wrapped up a 2-0 win against visitors Dorking Wanderers by the time MARCUS DACKERS entered the fray after 86 minutes.

National North : KENNEDY DIGIE (above right> put Alfreton Town 1-3 up at Hereford, but the hosts fought back to draw 3-3.

After Buxton had gone behind at Peterborough Sports, a double from DYLAN MOTTLEY-HENRY helped them to win 1-3.

CRAIG MAHON scored the opener for Curzon Ashton in their 0-2 win at Scarborough Athletic.

JUSTIN DONOWA played the full game as Chorley went down 2-1 to 94th.minute winner at South Shields.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 16 March

This year on that day, Altrincham travel to Boreham Wood.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 18-year-old centre back joins on loan until the end of the season from League One side Burton Albion...

Delap spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Ilkeston Town... He then joined Mickleover Sports in the same division for the 2023/24 season...

Recalled by the Brewers in February, Delap made his league debut off the bench in a 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers, and in doing so, replicated his dad, Rory Delap, in playing for Burton Albion".

12 March 2024]

TUESDAY FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town 4-1 Ebbsfleet United
• Altrincham 6-1 York City
• Barnet P-P Eastleigh (waterlogged pitch)
• Chesterfield 2-0 Oxford City
• FC Halifax Town P-P Oldham Athletic (waterlogged pitch)
• Gateshead 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
• Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 AFC Fylde
• Maidenhead United P-P Hartlepool United (waterlogged pitch)
• Rochdale 2-1 Woking
• Solihull Moors 2-0 Boreham Wood
• Southend United 2-0 Dorking Wanderers
• Wealdstone P-P Bromley (waterlogged pitch)

TONIGHT: YORK CITY

The Minstermen, like Alty are out of form, the sides being joint second-bottom of the form guide having only won 3 points over their last six games.

As with Woking at the weekend, the visitors have a better away record than home one and also a better away record than Altrincham's on the road. Despite having lost fewer away games than all but seven other National League members, their goals tally away games is just one per game.

On the eve of last Saturday's game York City announced "the signing of winger Leone Gravata from Eastbourne Borough on a permanent deal.

The 22 year-old winger joins us from National League South side Eastbourne, a club he has spent his full career with up from U18 level.

Gravata made his Eastbourne debut in the curtailed 2020/21 season.. He also briefly spent time on loan at Hendon during the following season...

Since then, he has gone on to play just over 100 games for Borough, establishing himself as a fans’ favourite.

The youngster’s big breakthrough campaign came in 2022/23, totalling 46 league appearances and chipping in with nine goals... This term, Gravata has managed three goals across 31 games...

Gravata is naturally a left winger, but can also play on the right or as an attacking midfielder".

YORK'S BORE DRAW

'I don't think that they showed enough ambition as far as we were concerned,' Brown told the Kidderminster media team.

'They've got their own way of playing and it completely confused me, because in the previous two games you watched York on a video and you think that they're going to be playing the same way, surely they were coming to Aggborough and they are going to try and impress the new manager.

'He's had a couple of games and a couple of defeats, but... I think that their philosophy went out of the window in today's game.

'He showed a way of playing a bit of grit and determination, they have come here and frustrated us, there is no doubt about it'...

Brown also confessed that the match wasn't an entertaining one".

YORK AT ALTY LAST TIME

Altrincham fell behind following defensive frailties after fifteen minutes when Duckworth was left in space at the back post from a right-wing corner and his header back across goal was nodded home by Kouogun with goalkeeper Byrne only able to help it into the upper reaches of the net.

When Ethan Ross (above, right) returned from injury on Saturday, Alty's keeper also went up the other end for a freekick in the closing stages in the hope of securing an equaliser against Woking.

Nevertheless, Alty did equalise nine minutes after the interval when Colcough got free of a defender, who was holding him. He fed the overlapping Eddy Jones whose looping cross was impressively volleyed home by Elliot Newby from a central position.

It was another impressive move which won the game as Alty headed clear a York punt upfield by none other than Ethan Ross in the York goal. Jennings executed an excellent flick on to Newby, to his right. His first-time pass was slid in to Colclough who finished conclusively past Ross to make it 2-1 (74 mins).

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Oliver Byrne, 5. Toby Mullarkey (c), 26. James Jones, 6. Lewis Baines, 2. Eddy Jones, 8. Josh Lundstram, 4. Isaac Marriott, 28. Elliot Newby, 11. Ryan Colclough, 16. Chris Conn-Clarke, 35.Connor Jennings. Subs: 9. Jordan Hulme, 10. Elliot Osborne, 23. Jake Cooper, 30. Marcus Dinanga, 33. Egli Kaja.

YORK CITY: 1. Ethan Ross, 4. Maxim Kouogun, 28. Michael Duckworth, 17. Sam Sanders, 12. Alex Whittle; 19. Dan Pybus, 21. Gus Mafuta, 8. Olly Dyson, 11. Maziar Kouhyar, 7. Alex Hurst, 14. Lenell John-Lewis (c). Subs: 5. Fraser Kerr, 18. Ryan Whitley, 16. Mitch Hancox, 23. Luke James, 27. Manny Duku

THROUGH THE YEARS

ISUZU FA TROPHY DRAW

• Gateshead v Macclesfield
• Bromley v Solihull Moors

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

We are very excited to be welcoming the Nepal national football team to Aldershot for the match in what will be the first full international fixture hosted at our home..

Aldershot Town Football Club have been working closely with the large Nepalese community that live in our town over the last decade. The football club raised funds of over £30,000 to help build two schools in Nepal after the devastating earthquake in 2015. We have also seen an Academy team travel to Nepal alongside Club Director John Leppard to take part in the Everest Cup...

Aldershot Town Football Club Chairman Shahid Azeem said... 'The town is widely known as the home of the British Army and where the Gurkha Regiment has been stationed for over 100 years".

11 March 2024

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

Above: It was a scrappy spectacle at the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday. Here Matty Kosylo hits the deck and Dior Angus resists arrest in the match against Woking.

CCC LAUDED

Right: Chris Conn-Clarke in action on Saturday against Woking.

Goal involvements have been at an all-time high for the playmaker, with 15 goals and three assists showing the effect of his captivating performances. These stats are peculiar for a player in his role but he has been given a great amount of freedom from Parkinson...

[He] primarily plays in the middle of the park... Drifting to the wing and in and out of the channels are specialist traits of the Northern Irishman...

At a young age, the chance to enjoy his football is crucial and he loves his football at Altrincham. It will be intriguing to see if he moves this summer".

DEJA VU

And what is the current sequence of opponents for The Robins? If the rearranged match against Dorking Wanderers is discounted it is....

Dagenham & Redbridge, Woking, York City and Boreham Wood in exactly the same order as last August! Sadly the four-game unbeaten sequence in spring 2024 has so far brought the opposite outcomes to the reverse fixtures, with defeats in both of the return fixtures played so far.

GOALLESS AT HOME

Before the defeat against Woking, Altrincham's last blank league game at home was on 10 April 2023 against Gateshead, one of five games at the JDS las season in which Alty failed to net a goal.

NEXT: YORK CITY

On Saturday, York (22nd) travelled to Kidderminster Harriers (23rd) with clubs having identical points and goal difference. The outcome was a goalless draw which changed nothing.

Like Alty, the Minstermen drew a blank at Aggborough in front of goal as York City report.

"Neither side could apply a finish to take three points off of each other, in what was a pretty end-to-end occasion that lacked a final shot for both sides.

Adam Hinshelwood made one change to his side... with Quevin Castro returning to City in place of Fin Barnes...

Neither side looked to piece together a clear-cut opening in the first half, with the game staying in deadlock at the interval.

Kidderminster fluffed their most clear-cut chance in the 88th minute...

YORK CITY: Sykes-Kenworthy, Fallowfield, McLaughlin, Davies, Akinyemi, Castro (79’ John-Lewis), Howe ©, Batty (86’ Duckworth), Chadwick (68’ Gravata), Woodyard, Smith. Unused subs: Watson, Hunt.

York remain 20th with 15 points fewer than Altrincham, having played an extra game.

Only FC Halifax Town and the bottom two have scored fewer than their 46 goals, whilst only six teams have conceded more often.

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

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

CHESHIRE NEWS

But after the Vics left their historic Drill Field stadium, the club went into decline with a rival club set up by supporters under the name of 1874 Northwich.

Northwich Victoria now play in the Midlands League Premier, at step five of the non-League pyramid and their manager has just departed.

Meanwhile 1874 Northwich have fared little better, currently lying 14 points from safety in the Northern Premier League West Division.

Whatever the mood may be at the J. Davidson Stadium after six defeats in the club's last seven matches, there is every reason to appreciate the club's status in the national level of non-League football given the example of what has happened in nearby Northwich.

10 March 2024

ALTRINCHAM "MILES OFF IT"

It was a tough, scrappy game but we couldn't get going and didn't do enough going forward.

We're in bad form at the moment and [Woking] are fighting for their lives, although I don't remember Ethan Ross having too many saves to make.

'We've got to keep plugging away and, hopefully, we can get back to doing what we've been doing".

Cards' manager Michael Doyle added "What a performance, absolutely brilliant.

It's such a masssive win, given all the setbacks with injuries...

We know what these [Altrincham] are, they're total football but we went toe to toe with them and really prevented them from creating chances.

In the first half we were limited to half-chances but we really dominated in the second and looked a lot better...

We changed it and went three up top and it paid off eventually".

Alty had just one shot on target and a combined total off 33 fouls in the game tells its story about the entertainment value.

Woking had four shots on target and seven off-target making 11 efforts to Alty's total of five.

ALTRINCHAM 0-1 WOKING

Alty could have no complaints at this loss to lowly Woking, with a Conn-Clarke freekick the only serious threat of a home goal across the 90 minutes.

Right: Ethan Ross's return in goal could not prevent a sixth defeat in seven matches for Altrincham.

The first half was a mediocre spectacle and whilst the second half was a more open affair it was the visitors who had most of the attacking momentum after the break.

Without the suspended Linney, Altrincham were toothless and an illustration of the final stages of the game was that Altrincham's last substitution saw the withdrawal of striker Angus for centre-back Roscoe in a home match against a club which had ony escaped the relegation places in midweek.

The decisive goal came when Korboa counter-attacked and got round Marriott before beating Ross in the home goal in the first added minute.

Match report here.

POST-MATCH PARKINSON

WOKING VIEW

After an opening ten minutes in which the Cards looked to be disrupting Alty’s passing game, a superb save from Will Jaaskelainen tipped Chris Conn-Clarke’s free kick from just outside the box behind for a corner...

[It had been] a pretty drab half, with Woking looking comfortable and occasionally threatening.

A huge moment in the game came on 78 minutes, when Korboa’s deflected cross came off the upright, and Kendall’s header was cleared brilliantly off the line by Lewis Banks...

A Woking break saw Berkoe find Korboa with inch-perfect position. His first touch was superb, and his finish was emphatic, into the back of the net lifting the ball over Ross... Three wins in a row now for the Cards, and a real belief in a makeshift squad that they could get a result at such a tough place to come".

NEXT: YORK CITY

On Saturday, York (22nd) travelled to Kidderminster Harriers (23rd) with clubs having identical points and goal difference. The outcome was a goalless draw which changed nothing.

JOHN WILLIAMS R.I.P.

"It's sad to learn of the death of another one of those renowned characters from 1970s & 1980s Non League football.

John Williams was appointed as the manager of Altrincham FC in May 1986, as part of that unexpected and, frankly, bizarre exchange of bosses between the Robins and Runcorn in the almost immediate aftermath of the two clubs having contested the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, which of course witnessed that delightful 1-0 triumph for John King's men.

Notwithstanding Williams' considerable accomplishments in charge of Runcorn, which had included the impressive capture of the 1981/82 Alliance Premier League title, he was unfortunately unable to replicate that success during his relatively brief tenure at Moss Lane.

A decent sequence of results during the autumn of 1986 had engendered hopes of a significant title challenge, but this optimism rather evaporated after a particularly negative and dispiriting FA Cup Second Round exit at Telford United in December.

Further cup disappointment ensued in January 1987, when the Robins were eliminated from the FA Trophy via a 2-0 defeat at Maidstone United.

A respectable fifth-place finish in the 1986/87 GM Vauxhall Conference (GMVC) league table was duly attained, but the Robins finished 22 points adrift of the eventual promoted champions Scarborough.

Williams had undoubtedly made some good signings for the club e.g. left full-back Paul Edwards, midfielder Eddie Bishop and striker John Timmons, however there was also a collection of transfer flops such as the likes of central defender Graham Jones, forward Mark Hilditch, winger Stewart Hamill and, most notably, the expensive and injury-plagued forward Martin Hanchard.

You sensed that Williams' previous strong connections with Runcorn had acted as a barrier to him becoming truly accepted at Moss Lane by the Alty faithful.

Despite a flurry of new recruits for the 1987/88 GMVC season, including such figures as goalkeeper John Butcher, midfielder Ossie Smith, winger Garry Worrall and experienced striker Colin Williams, a 2-1 defeat at Bath City in merely the 10th match of the campaign proved to be John Williams' swan song as Alty manager. He was duly relieved of his duties, which facilitated the dawn of the Tommy Docherty circus at Moss Lane.

For a variety of reasons, things just never worked out for him at Altrincham FC.

Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

There's a splendid obituary on the Runcorn Linnets website

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

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

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : There was no score when Millwall withdrew DUNCAN WATMORE on the hour, but they went on to beat visitors Birmingham City 1-0.

League One : After visitors Cheltenham Town had equalised in the 80th minute, OWEN DALE was credited with the assist for Oxford United as they won 2-1 in the 88th minute.

HARRISON HOLGATE was handed a rare start by Fleetwood, but his afternoon at Stevenage ended after 68 minutes when he received a second yellow card. CARL PIERGIANNI lasted the full game for the hosts, and the game ended goalless. 

League Two : Barrow withdrew Elliot Newby after 72 minutes of their 2-0 home win against Colchester United - who in substituted ALISTAIR SMITH just two minutes later.

CONNOR JENNINGS and CHRIS MERRIE (who was booked) both played the full game for Tranmere Rovers as they drew 1-1 at Gillingham.

Despite a full shift from JOEL SENIOR, Morecambe lost 1-3 to visitors Wrexham.

TOBY MULLARKEY was another to play the whole game as Grimsby Town drew 1-1 at Sutton United.

National League : Chesterfield brought on RYAN COLCLOUGH after 72 minutes, and JAMES BERRY seven minutes later, having already wrapped up their 4-1 home victory over AFC Fylde, who left DANNY WHITEHEAD on their bench.

Having been booked, BILLY SASS-DAVIES was substituted at half time as his Boreham Wood side went down 2-1 at Halifax.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS played the full game for Kidderminster Harriers in their goalless draw with visitors York City.

National North : A JONNY MARGETTS penalty was enough for King's Lynn to take all three points at Blyth Spartans.

Chorley's winner at Hereford came following a long throw by JUSTIN DONOWA. He was later booked for a foul on YUSIFU CEESAY.

FA Trophy : Gateshead left MARCUS DINANGA on the bench against visitors Peterborough Sports, who found themselves on the wrong end of a 22nd minute hat trick by Derby County loanee Dajaune Brown before coming back to make a game of it before going down 3-2.

Scottish Championship : Despite a full shift from MILES WELCH-HAYES, Dunfermline Athletic lost 2-0 at Raith Rovers.

ISUZU FA TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS

Five National League sides have reached the last eight of the Isuzu FA trophy this season but only two are guaranteed progression to the semi-finals.

• Bromley 2-0 Barnet
• Gateshead 3-2 Peterborough Sports
• Macclesfield 3-0 Coalville Town
• Wealdstone 1-1 Solihull Moors (Moors win 4-3 on pens)

9 March 2024

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town 2-0 Oldham Athletic
• Altrincham 0-1 Woking
• Chesterfield 4-1 AFC Fylde
• FC Halifax Town 2-1 Boreham Wood
• Kidderminster Harriers 0-0 York City
• Maidenhead United 4-2 Dorking Wanderers
• Rochdale 2-2 Oxford City
• Southend United 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

JOHN WILLIAMS R.I.P.

Williams resigned after just ten games of the 1997/88 season, having been appointed in 1986 in succession to John King and after a brief caretaker period under George Rooney. His appointment came as a surprise shortly after Runcorn, the club he was managing, had just lost to Altrincham in the 1986 FA Trophy final at Wembley. Meanwhile, King went in the opposite direction to the Canal Street club!

In 1986-87 season John guided Altrincham to fifth place in the Conference.

WOKING'S TWO LATE ADDITIONS

The 22-year-old left-sided defender (pictured, left at Alty) joins the Cards on loan from Salford City until the end of the season.

After spells in the Chelsea and Wolves academies, Berkoe joined Oxford United in May 2019... before a successful loan to Oxford City... A move to Salford would follow, and Berkoe has made 21 appearances for the Ammies since joining, scoring twice. He has been loaned out to AFC Telford United, Altrincham and lastly Maidstone, whom he joined in March 2023 and impressed at both wing back and full back for the Stones.

So far this season, Berkoe has played nine times for Salford, including seven in League Two".

Woking also "announce that Alfie Pavey has been recalled from his loan at Braintree Town.

The 28-year-old striker made six appearances for the Iron in the National League South... and will be available for selection for [the] game at Altrincham."

Footnote: Berkoe joined Alty on a one-month loan from Salford City, which was announced on 14 January 2022.

In only his second start for the club he was sent off at Solihull on 29 January 2022 and his three-match suspension meant that his spell at Altrincham ended prematurely.

Altrincham appearances: 2(+1).

TODAY: WOKING

37 players have made league appearances for The Cards as they battle at the wrong end of the National League table. Despite only 5 starts in 14 league appearances, and having not completed ninety minutes at all in the National League, Grego Reece-Cox remains the leading scorer with six goals.

Despite their troubled season Woking go into the match in better recent form than Altrincham, having won their last two league games, both home matches, against Gateshead and Kidderminster Harriers, in the last ten days.

In fact the Cards started the season well with just two defeats in 10 games but, after that, they won just three league games in their next 20 league games.

However, their most recent nine fixtures have brought 14 points from four wins, two draws and just three defeats.

Whilst they are the league's second-lowest scorers with just 39 goals scored in 37 matches, they are tight at the back, having let in 47 goals, the sixth lowest in the division and five fewer than Altrincham despite having played one more fixture than the Robins.

For their part, Altrincham will be without striker Regan Linney, who was sent off in midweek. Goalkeeper Ethan Ross (left) is said to be nearing full fitness but, after missing ten games, he may not yet be ready to resume as first-choice keeper. Winger Justin Amaluzor has not been involved for the last five fixtures, through injury, but he was on the bench last Tuesday as an unused substitute.

Another winger, Dan Mooney, has yet to complete 90 minutes in the league since his return from Southend United, whilst long-term absentees for Altrincham comprise James Jones, Joey Jones and Ollie Crankshaw, none of whom is expected to play again his season.

Of the three teams immediately above eighth-placed Altrincham, two meet each other today, Aldesrhot Town and Oldham, whilst Gateshead are involved in the FA Trophy. So, an Alty win would lift them two places back into the play-off places.

DORKING VIEW OF ALTY GAME

Marc White went with an unchanged XI... Catching Dorking unaware, Conn-Clarke [Marriott] took a quick free-kick and found Linney who fired home Alty’s first, sparking uproar in the away camp at how swiftly the free-kick was allowed to be taken...

Alty continued to play on the front foot and doubled their advantage less than five minutes after Linney’s opener...

White rang the changes as he looked to keep the game within reach...

Despite sacrificing an attacker, the changes worked in Dorking’s favour as they grew into the affair as the half wore on and began to control possession in the Alty half...

Linney, changed the complexion of both upcoming half-time team talks. Following a continuous battle with Craig throughout the half, the two had a coming together after contesting for a ball. When the ball had gone out of play the Alty goalscorer was adjudged to have committed a red card offence...

Predictably, the Dorking pressure only compounded into the second half...

A relentless Wanderers side continued to pile the pressure on the hosts, and were soon rewarded with a penalty on the hour mark... Blair stepped up and confidently smashed the penalty into the top corner..

With ten minutes to play, Briggs pulled up with a hamstring injury, but was forced to stay on the field as all subs had been used, leaving Wanderers effectively down to ten men.. This halted the pressure on the Altrincham goal somewhat as the hosts dealt with the danger well to close out the affair".

ALTY OLD BOYS

and in the Irish Premier Division, Waterford captain BARRY BAGGLEY was on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat at Derry City in which they played the last 40 minutes with 10 men.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Daniel was brought up in East London and joined Leyton Orient when he was eight... before making his senior debut for the O’s in an EFL Trophy win over Southampton under 21’s in September 2021.

He signed a professional contract at Leyton Orient later that month... He would make seven senior appearances for Orient that campaign including three in League Two towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

He would go on to have two loans to National League South side Welling United during the 2022/23 season.

In June 2023, Nkrumah would join Championship side Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee signing a two-year contract with an option of a further year".

At Dorking Wanderers "three more of our exceptional young talents have committed to the club through our scholarship scheme.

Midfielder Joshua Crawley is the latest player from our all-conquering U12s squad to sign as a scholar (joining team-mate Joe Miles)...

Nathaniel Golan, goalkeeper for the club’s outstanding U14s, has been awarded a coveted Wanderers scholarship, worth over £2,000 a season.

While, Joshua Hebert, a member of our Surrey County Cup winning U16s also becomes a scholar, as he progresses into the academy next season...

'All three boys are outstanding prospects and we are thrilled to be offering them this opportunity,' said first-team manager Marc Whit...

The boys follow in the proud footsteps of past and current Wanderers’ scholars – including Dom Plank, who signed for Wolves, as well as Freddy Leather, Jay Richardson, James Laws and Harry Charlesworth, who are all members of the club’s current B Team squad".

The BBC reports that "Shareholders in National League side Rochdale have agreed to issue nine million new shares in the club, paving the way for American group World Soccer Holdings to mount a takeover.

The group signed a letter of intent to purchase the club on 29 February.

The proposal went through following an extraordinary general meeting held on Thursday after the club entered financial difficulty this season.

The Football Club, a US and UK group, announced another bid after the EGM.

Shareholders approved the additional issue of shares after chairman Simon Gauge had earlier warned the club could face liquidation if they did not find new investment by the end of March.

'I'm very relieved. If the vote had not gone through, I probably would have been sat contemplating no future for the club and an administration process,' Gauge told BBC Radio Manchester... 'Another company has come forward overnight that have issued a letter of intent as well so now we've got two parties publicly interested. We are optimistic that we'll be able to secure at least one of them for investment.'"

Rochdale's Board added that "There were some shareholders that voted against the proposals, which is 100% their right to do so and they should be applauded for sticking to their principles. It may not have been the result they wanted but that is democracy.

Emotions run high on occasions like last night but we genuinely believe that, for right or wrong, everyone in that room wants the best for Rochdale Football Club.”

News of two arrivals at Wealdstone comes, firstly, with news that "Stones have boosted their attacking options ahead of Saturday's FA Trophy Quarter-Final with the signing of experienced forward Manny Duku, who joins following his departure from Maidstone United.

Duku... scored against the Stones last season for York City in the National League. He has spent this season playing in Gibraltar for Manchester 62 and was most recently at the other Stones in Kent...

Born in Amsterdam, the 31-year old forward began his career in Dutch non-league before moving to England in 2015, playing for a host of non-league clubs before a prolific spell... for Hayes & Yeading United earned him a move to the EFL with Cheltenham Town.

A move to Torquay United and then to Scotland with Raith Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle followed before moving back across the border to Havant & Waterlooville, he then joined York where he spent all of last season".

And also Wealdstone boss "David Noble has boosted his squa... with the signing of 23-year old striker Reo Griffiths.

Griffiths is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur Academy system and even outscored Harry Kane at U18 level for the club... He... opted to move abroad, signing for French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais, where he spent four years playing in the Championnat National 2 league for Lyon's B team.

He came back to England in 2022, spending time at Doncaster Rovers... before leaving last November, he also had a loan spell at Yeovil Town last season".

8 March 2024

ALTY PUT AT RISK OF SANCTIONS

"Prior to kick-off at Tuesday night’s Vanarama National League game at The J.Davidson Stadium against Dorking Wanderers, two pyrotechnics were thrown onto the pitch from the Golf Road End.

This is a contravention of National League rules, and the rules in force at the ground, and could lead to the club being sanctioned. Altrincham FC take this transgression very seriously and will be taking steps to prevent a recurrence.

We have had a number of names of potential suspects made known to us and investigations are ongoing. If we can identify those responsible, they will be banned from the J.Davidson Stadium for the remainder of this season. If anyone can provide any further information on the incident, please do contact the club.

As a consequence of this incident, we will be stepping up security checks on entry to the ground... In addition, we will look to increase the stewarding presence on the terraces...

We will be more stringent on imposing penalties including ejection from the ground for all misdemeanours at forthcoming games. There is also the possibility of partial ground closures if this kind of behaviour continues".

NEXT: WOKING

The Cards, like Dorking, have just emerged from the relegation places before setting off for Cheshire. A 2-1 home win over Kidderminster Harriers last Tuesday did the trick for them.

Altrincham's historical record against Woking is as follows:

• At Home: P15-W6-D4-L5-F20-A22
• Away: P16-W4-D3-L9-F15-A33
• All: P31-W10-D7-L14-F35-A55

Right: On Woking's last visit to the J Davidson Stadium, in February 2023, it was Regan Linney's full debut, and he marked the occasion with a goal, for which Eddy Jones is here seen congratulating him.

Since returning to the National League in 2020, Altrincham have lost just once in the clubs' seven meetings, and are unbeaten in three clashes at Moss Lane.

The reverse fixture this season was Altrincham's first away match of the campaign and the Robins won that game 3-2.

Last season's visit to Altrincham by the Cards ended in a 3-1 win for the Robins despite Woking's Marcus Dackers having put the then third-placed Woking ahead. The match was Regan Linney's full debut for Altrincham.

CARDS' PREVIEW

A{t Altrincham] run of five straight defeats has dented their chances of a home playoff tie, although this run ended with victory over Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday night... Only three sides have scored more goals than Alty, and their talisman, Chris Conn-Clarke has only been outscored by four players, an impressive feat considering he is a versatile attacking midfielder.

With Linney on 9 for the season, including two against the Cards last time out, as well as a goal against them last season too, it’s a big blow for Alty...

Since 2005, the sides have faced off 19 times, with Woking winning nine times, Alty six times and four draws".

PHIL SALUTES HIS HEROES

The Robins had led 2-0 after only 11 minutes through Linney and Matty Kosylo (right), but the 10 men conceded a goal from the penalty spot on the hour and had to withstand constant pressure...

'It looked like it was going to be easy at the start, with us so comfortable and forcing them to make early substitutions, then a refereeing decision completely changes the shape of the game,' said Alty boss Parkinson... '[I] haven’t seen footage of the incident, but Regan is adamant he didn’t elbow the lad, which is what is being said.

'It’s another decision that has hurt us, but thankfully the lads stuck at it and turned it round to make sure we came away with a well-deserved victory.

'We were under pressure, as you might expect, but it was good to show we can get over the line against a team who pump it into the box and have a superior physical presence.

'I thought the lads were really heroic, the way they stood up to that, and I’d like to thank the fans for again providing such phenomenal support'".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 9 March

Prior to that, on 9 March 2019, they secured only their second-ever win at York, with a 1-0 victory in the Vanarama National League North.

After a goalless first-half, York gradually got the upper-hand after the visitors had started well.

Above: Josh Hancock, pictured at York before his winning goal was scored.

But the second half saw Altrincham largely dominate proceedings after Yusifu Ceesay had hit the post just two minutes into the second period. Ten minutes later, York got forward and when Burgess wriggled into the box, he too struck an upright.

But Altrincham were on top for long periods which helped to subdue both their opponents and the home crowd. Altrincham's pressure finally got its reward in the 81st minute when Hancock scored a superb goal, hooking the ball acrobatically across keeper Bartlett into the net in front of 2,618 supporters, 249 from Altrincham.

Altrincham: 1. Tony Thompson, 2. Andy White, 3. Connor Hampson, 4. James Jones, 5. Tom Hannigan, 6. Jake Moult (c), 7. John Johnston, 8. Sean Williams, 9. Jordan Hulme, 10. Josh Hancock, 11. Yusifu Ceesay. Subs: 12. Callum Dolan, 14. Max Harrop, 15. Billy Sass-Davies, 16. Shaun Densmore, 17. Simon Richman.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Head Coach Maher said... 'It maybe helps the atmosphere sometimes when the opposition bring a decent crowd...

'It’s a game that’s got three points on it, and the same for Dagenham... We had a good result there earlier in the season but Strevs [Daggers boss Ben Strevens] has got some more players that he wants there and you can see that. He’s had a bit of time to bed in now. There was a lot of change going on, but they’ve stuck at it.'

Strevens is something [sic] that Maher knows well, and he spoke to the former Eastleigh boss about Cav Miley when Blues were trying to sign the midfielder'...

The 1-1 draw last time out against Wealdstone extended our unbeaten run to six...

'It’s been incredible how we’ve responded to conceding early goals or going behind, but it’s not something you want to make a habit out of. The crowd can get frustrated, but we’re six unbeaten. We trust what we’re doing'".

Wealdstone striker Trae Cook-Appiah has joined National League South club Slough Town on loan for the remainder of the season.

The striker recently joined from Walton & Hersham and made his Stones debut in the 1-1 draw away to Woking last month, his only appearance so far.

The loan move will enable him to get some needed minutes under his belt and maintain his match fitness, having played 26 times for Walton & Hersham this season. The deal will include a recall option for the Stones after 28 days of the loan.

ISAAC IN ENGLAND C SQUAD

'It's a huge honour to be called up for my country, and it put the seal on what was already a fantastic effort by everyone, the fans included, to get over the line against Dorking and secure a vital win,' he said... 'I’m so pleased that all the hard work I've put in has been recognised. It will be a proud moment pulling on an England shirt' [said Marriott]...

Alty boss Phil added his congratulations by saying 'What an amazing achievement for Isaac to be selected for England C. It's a very proud moment for him, his family and the football club.. He’s picked up the captaincy from James [Jones] this season and never looked back. A true leader in the making - well done skipper!'"

England C takes on Cymru C in Lllanelli on 19 March

The squad comprise.

• Grant Smith (Bromley), Wyll Stanway (Chester), Gus Scott-Morriss (Southend United), Ollie Harfield (Aldershot Town), Tom Eastman (Dagenham & Redbridge), Jamie Grimes (Chesterfield), Myles Kenlock (Ebbsfleet United), Isaac Marriott (Altrincham), Ed Francis (Gateshead), Reece Smith (Maidenhead United), Dan Pybus (Dorking Wanderers), Callum Stead (Barnet), Emmanuel Diseruvwe (Hartlepool United), Ollie Pearce (Worthing), Paul McCallum (Eastleigh), Callum Maycock (Solihull Moors)

The game will be live on S4C and online.

The Cymru C squad comprises: Kelland ABSALOM (Bala Town), Connor ROBERTS (The New Saints), Rhys ABBRUZZESE (Haverfordwest County), Danny DAVIES (The New Saints), Mael DAVIES (Penybont), Lee JENKINS (Haverfordwest County), Emlyn LEWIS (Cardiff Met), Kane OWEN (Penybont), Ryan SEARS (Newtown), Sion BRADLEY (Caernarfon Town), Noah EDWARDS (Connah’s Quay Nomads), Danny GOSSET (Caernarfon Town), Clayton GREEN (Pontypridd United), Tom PRICE (Cardiff Met), Josh WILLIAMS (Connah’s Quay Nomads), Ben AHMUN (Pontypridd United), Ethan CANN (Llanelli Town), Gwion DAFYDD (Caernarfon Town, on loan from The New Saints), Jordan DAVIES (Connah’s Quay Nomads), Sam JONES (Cardiff Met)

NO DOUBLES AGAINST ALTY

In contrast, Alty have already recorded a double this season, having beaten Solihull Moors home and away. They have five more opportunities to record a double win for themselves, starting on Saturday when Woking visit the JDS. Alty won the away fixture 3-2 at Kingfield this season.

The other clubs susceptible to losing to Alty both at home and away this season are Gateshead, Ebbsfleet United, Dorking Wanderers and Oxford City.

NATIONAL LEAGUE GATES

1. 7,683 Chesterfield
2. 6,897 Oldham Athletic
3. 6,323 Southend United
4. 4,564 York City
5. 4,116 Hartlepool United

Altrincham's highest home gate is 3,912 for the visit of FC Halifax Town on Boxing Day; away from home the biggest crowd to have watched Altrincham came at Oldham Athletic (7,137).

NEXT: WOKING

Last Tuesday, The Cards won 2-1 against Kidderminster Harriers. For that game. Woking boss "Michael Doyle made two changes to the side who dramatically beat Gateshead. Illness to Timi Odusina meant that Scott Cuthbert replaced him in the side, whilst Jermaine Anderson, suspended following his red card against the Heed, was replaced by Tunji Akinola in the midfield...

Not too much happened for the rest of the first half... With ten minutes gone in the second half, Michael Doyle turned to his bench, and brought Luton loanee Jayden Luker on for Tunji Akinola.

A big chance for Kiddy to double their lead went begging on the hour mark...

A surprise Woking equaliser [arrived] on 75 minutes. Curtis Edwards’s low drive from a free kick was spilled by Dibble and into the middle of the net, giving the Cards a huge lift.

Woking were awarded a penalty on 88 minutes when Korboa took the ball past his defender, before being shoved to the ground as he aimed to pull the trigger. Kendall’s penalty was clawed away by Dibble, but only onto the head of the striker as he bundled the ball into the back of the net to send the Laithwaite wild.

A huge three points for the Cards ahead of two big trips up North, and more resolve shown from this team at home.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Luke Wilkinson, Lewis Walker (Korboa 5’), Manny Oyeleke, Scott Cuthbert, Tunji Akinola (Luker 56’), Curtis Edwards, Charley Kendall (Kelly-Evans 92’), Max Dyche Unused subs: Osew, Ince.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Searle, who was interim manager for the first game of February and appointed permanent manager ahead of his first win as boss against Eastleigh, also earned maximum points from victories over Woking and Dorking Wanderers while gaining draws against leaders Chesterfield and play-off contenders Oldham Athletic...

The Fleet boss credited the award to the club’s entire staff and volunteers who have been right behind the management and players...

The Vanarama National League said, 'It’s all about impact at this time of the season and there’s little doubt our winners have really left their mark after some big changes were made. It’s a far cry from how the Fleet ended January – defeat to bottom side Oxford City – and even if Manager of the Month Searle is quick to stress there’s still so much hard work ahead, he won’t play down their fine form.'”

ALTRINCHAM 2-1 DORKING WANDERERS

The goal triggered an immediate fracas with Marriott down but no one was booked.

Then a slick Altrincham move saw Newby taken out, just left of goal, but he just managed to get the ball across goal where Kosylo had a tap-in at the back post to make it 2-0 (11 mins).

Marc White made a bold double substitution on 18 minutes and after that Dorking settled and for the last twenty minutes or so before the interval they had Alty largely penned back. Alty were indebted to a smart double block by Cooper and Gould to keep it at 2-0.

But in added time, off the ball, an off the ball incident saw Linney red-carded and Marriott booked (45+4 mins).

The second half began with Conn-Clarke replaced by Angus and Dorking hit the bar in the first minute. Then it became very largely one-way traffic towards the Altrincham goal.

Eddy Jones brought down an opponent, and Blair hammered the resulting penalty into the roof of the net on the hour mark, making it 2-1. With Kosylo walking a tightrope of indsicipline he was subbed by centre-back Roscoe.

Although Dorking hit the bar again and won multiple corners, the home defence held out despite seven added minutes being played.

Match report here.

NEXT: WOKING

Since rejoining the National League in 2019, following a single season down in the South division, Woking have had an up and down time.

After a tenth-placed finish in 2020, they finished 20th in a 22-team division but avoided relegation.

2021-22 brought a fifteenth-place finish before fortunes improved with a fourth-placed play-off finish before Bromley beat them in the eleination round.

But the yo-yo effect continued this season with the team, after a decent start, sinking to second-bottom by 5 March 2024.

There has been off the field upheaval too, with Alan Dowson sacked as manager in February 2022, with Ian Dyer briefly becoming aretaker manager before Darren Sarll took over the following month, though Dyer remained as his assistant.

After Sarll had parted ways with the Kingfield outfit, Irishman Michael Doyle was named as manager in December 2023.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Elsewhere, in League Two : TOBY MULLARKEY put in a full shift as Grimsby Town earned a goalless draw at AFC Wimbledon, as did ELLIOT NEWBY in Barrow's 2-0 home win over Gillingham, and JOEL SENIOR in Morecambe's 1-0 home win over Crawley Town

National League : Despite MARCUS DINANGA playing the full game, Gateshead lost to visitors Solihull Moors 2-3.

MARCUS DACKERS played throughout as Southend United rescued a point, drawing 1-1 after trailing for 85 minutes to visitors Wealdstone.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS played the full match at Woking, but his Kidderminster Harriers side went down 2-1.

The scoring had finished at York City when 1-3 victors AFC Fylde introduced DANNY WHITEHEAD after 77 minutes.

National North : JUSTIN DONOWA got more useful minutes under his belt, playing the full game as Chorley won 1-4 at Bishops Stortford.

NPL : JAMES HARDY netted twice in Ashton United's 5-0 home win over Lancaster City.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 5 March

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Phil Brown's Harriers had won six of their previous eight league games and looked like escaping the bottom four themselves following Jack Lambert's sweet 11th-minute strike.

But Woking, who had Ricky Korboa's early effort disallowed for offside, levelled after 75 minutes through Curtis Edwards's drilled free-kick.

Woking claimed the winner in the 90th minute as Korboa was pushed over and Charley Kendall headed home the rebound after Christian Dibble had saved his penalty".

5 March 2024

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

• Altrincham 2-1 Dorking Wanderers
• Barnet 2-0 Rochdale
• Gateshead 2-3 Solihull Moors
• Oldham Athletic 0-0 Bromley
• Southend United 1-1 Wealdstone
• Woking 2-1 Kidderminster Harriers
• York City 1-3 AFC Fylde

TONIGHT: DORKING WANDERERS

This game is the first of five home matches in the next six fixtures.

Altrincham go into the game third from bottom of the form guide with just three points taken from their most recent six matches whilst Dorking have accrued seven points from the same number of fixtures.

However, Dorking's unpredictability is epitomised in their last two results; a 4-1 home defeat to Ebbsfleet United, followed by a 4-1 home win over the runaway leageue leaders! As manager Marc White stated after that win, he had told his players to be less worried about conceding goals and more about outscoring their opponents.

He elaborated on his philosophy saying that opponents can score goals that no amount of defensive planning can stop, such as long-distance pot-shots or lucky deflections, whereas teams have more control over scoring goals for themselves and can train to produce goalscoring situations.

Nevertheless, with 43 goals scored from their 35 games played, the visitors are less prolific than Alty, who have netted 62 times from the same number of games. At the back, things are more even with Dorking's 58 goals conceded being just seven more than Alty have let in.

With 9 league goals, Jason Prior is the visitors' leading scorer this season.

DORKING'S PREVIEW

Referring to his side's 4-1 win over Chesterfield at the weekend, manager Marc White said that the game "showcased 'the potential we’ve got'", hailing it as a “brilliant performance”.

"When speaking about our pending trip to Altrincham, the boss vowed that his side will attempt to continue in the same vein, 'we’re going to try and outgun everybody.'

Tony Craig is available for selection again after serving his one match ban, and following the strong performances of Barry Fuller, Haydn Hollis and Joe Cook on Saturday, the boss may be left with a slight headache when selecting his XI.

Seb Bowerman is now said to be available for selection again, meanwhile Matt Briggs made his first appearance for nearly a month at the weekend".

NON-LEAGUE DAY AT ALTY

On Saturday, March 23 we entertain Gateshead at the J.Davidson Stadium (3pm) and we want everyone to join us...

We've got lots of activities planned for the town centre...

• A window dressing competition - go red and white in your window and win an ad package for the rest of the season.
• Drive footfall into your business - participate in our legends treasure hunt around the centre of the town.
• Take a stall in our Community Sports Hall to promote your business.
• Volunteer your team to take part in our video to promote the activities.
• Flags and banners will be available to decorate your business free of charge to all participating businesses along with tickets to hand out as prizes.

If you would like to get involved please contact Alex for information on Paint Our Town Red.

The Non-League Day organisation have chosen our game with Gateshead as one of 10 showpiece matches on March 23. We're teaming up with Non-League Day partner Prostate Cancer UK to promote the work the charity does to raise awareness of the condition and the battle to eradicate it.

Look out over the coming weeks as we announce further initiatives".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Just as they did in last week’s impressive 3-1 win at Altrincham, the Magpies managed to fight back and get themselves back on an even footing...

But on this occasion, the visitors couldn’t kick on and collect three points. Instead, they conceded again very quickly and collapsed to a 4-1 defeat in the closing stages.

The result leaves them just three points above the relegation zone, having played more games than all of the sides beneath them barring bottom club Oxford City...

However, only four points separates the Magpies in 19th and Eastleigh in 11th".

At Southend United's "Kevin Maher says Blues have to take note of other results in the league and be aware of how any team can come unstuck at any point in the National League.

Maher’s team are currently five games unbeaten and have rapidly risen up to 12th in the division... ahead [of] three home matches in eight days.

'They’re all real tough ones... A lot of teams at the bottom are fighting. You see Chesterfield getting turned over [by Dorking], but in this league, that happens. We’ve seen it all throughout the season, anyone can beat anyone.”

On opponents Wealdstone, he added 'They’ve got their new manager in, a proper football person, and they got their first win under him at the weekend... They’ve got a way of playing and how they go about things. They play a lot of quality football and we know we’ve got to be top of our game to get a result'".

Ebbsfleet United's "annual memorial match will take place at our home game against Gateshead on Saturday, March 16th.

The club introduced the memorial match at the beginning of the 2021/22 season following the Covid lockdown, initially as a means to remember all of our supporters, players, staff and families who had passed away during that time.

It has since become an annual reflection to enable all of us in the Fleet family the chance to pay our respects to those who have departed throughout the previous season.

Our matchday programme will once again feature the names of those who have passed away, in addition to all those names submitted to us in previous seasons – and they will also be listed on the scoreboard pre-match and at half-time.

If you wish to submit the name of a loved one, family member or friend for inclusion, please send to ed.miller@eufc.co.uk by Monday, March 11th. Should you wish to also include a photo and short memorial, do feel free to attach with your email.

As on previous occasions, there will also be a silent reflection ahead of kick-off to mark the occasion".

Aldershot Town have signed "Dylan Kadji on loan from Bristol City until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has spent time out on loan already this season with Forest Green Rovers, and spent time with Swindon Town at the end of the 22/23 campaign.

Kadji scored on his Bristol City debut in a 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers, and also made two Championship appearances, before joining the Robins in January 2023 where he made 13 appearances in League Two.

Tommy Widdrington said... 'We needed another central midfielder. With Stu (Stuart O’Keefe), Dejan (Tetek) and Theo (Widdrington) all now back and available, it gives us great options and real quality in the middle of the park.'"

4 March 2024

NEXT: DORKING WANDERERS

Right: In October 2022, when Dorking last visited Altrincham, Marcus Dinanga was pictured after netting Altrincham's fourth goal and his own third goal in successive games.

As previously documented Tuesday night will be the fifth date assigned to the fixture at Altrincham, with rain, frost and a clash with the FA Trophy acounting for the previous four attempts.

Because of the postponements, Dorking are the only club that have yet to face Altrincham this season in a league match.

In 2023-24 Alty won against the Wanderers 4-1 at Moss Lane.

All four of Alty's scorers that day are no longer at the club; Colclough, Mullarkey, Bennett and Dinanga.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 5 March

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: DAGENHAM v ALTY

ALTY OLD BOYS

In the NPL Premier, Macclesfield's 2-1 win over Marine saw two former off-field Altrincham employees pitted against each other as MICHAEL CLEGG's Silkmen got the better of NEIL YOUNG's team.

SEAN MILLER (right) netted both goals as Widnes beat Avro 2-0 in the NPL West.

Phil Jordan informs us that in EFL 2, "in addition to his booking on Saturday, CONNOR JENNINGS had a penalty saved in Tranmere Rovers' match against Sutton United when the game was still goalless. Fortunately Rob Apter scored the only goal of the game later to spare his blushes".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Dale conceded in the 92nd minute to lose on the road against Ebbsfleet United on Saturday...

'I can’t believe we lost the game, to be honest, looking at the game, in its entirety based on chances. Cian Hayes has a great chance, and unfortunately, the ‘keeper saves it, Kairo Mitchell down the side, good chance, Cameron John hits the crossbar, Cian does a good bit of work on the other side.

'We have to take our medicine and accept it. We gave them two goals today. We feel disappointed. My challenge to the players now is how focused can we remain to try and surprise people.

'Try and remain tunnel-visioned on winning the next game'" he concluded.

CHESHIRE NEWS

Aside from Scunthorpe's 2-0 defeat at the Deva Stadium in October, the two former Football League clubs had not played each other in almost 20 years... The meeting of second v fourth in National League North captured the public's imagination.

The new record crowd for the division beats the previous best of 6,311 when Stockport County hosted Spennymoor on their way to promotion in 2019.

It beat the recorded gates at six EFL games in both League One and League Two. The attendance included 1,142 visiting Chester fans who made the 260-mile round trip across the Pennines.

On the Seals' previous visit in September 2004, they won 2-1 with goals from [two ex-Alty men] Kevin Ellison and Phil Bolland".

3 March 2024

"WE'RE NOT QUITE WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WERE" SAYS PHIL

The manager said "I'm humiliated because we've lost that amount of games on the bounce... A play-off team does not lose five on the bounce".

Phil apologised to the supporters, especially those who had travelled and praised them for their support. However, he stated, "I can't dress it up, we've got to do better". He looked forward to the "nice run of home games" as Alty play seven of their remaining eleven fixtures at home.

The boss felt they were "missing Justin [Amaluzor] (left) and Ethan [Ross] massively". He added that he hoped that both would be involved on Tuesday when Dorking visit but that they would not be rushed back.

He asserted that "we will get it right" but conceded that " Maybe we're not quite where we thought we were" in terms of quality.

He believes that "When the injured players come back, we'll be in a much better position".

Phil explained that as well as injuries, illness had affected the squad and that is why Elliot Osborne (above, right) had dropped out on Saturday and illness also had affected Sam Roscoe who moved to the bench at Dagenham.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 3-1 ALTRINCHAM

The last time they had such a poor sequence was also at this time of year, in 2021. And, curiously, that wretched run also started, as did this one, with Alty having just won three succesive games to find themselves in fourth position in the National League.

In this match at Dagenham, after a poor first half, Alty seemed to be improving in the second half only to concede twice in two minutes just after the hour-mark.

The scoring had started when each side netted a penalty just before the interval.

The Daggers went ahead when Eddy Jones was adjudged to have pulled down Eastman. Hill converted the penalty (42 mins).

And with the game into added time, Linney (right) did well to get into the box where he was clipped and earned a spot-kick. Linney himself converted the penalty to make it 1-1 (45+2 mins).

Altrincham improved after the break and it was unexpected when Dagenham went ahead again as Alty failed to deal with a throw and Rees netted (61 mins).

And two minutes later centre-back Phipps, playing as a striker, broke the offside trap and made it 3-1 (63 mins).

It was the fourth successive game this season in which Altrincham had conceded two goals separated by seven minutes or fewer.

Match report here.

DAGENHAM VIEW

The Daggers came flying out the blocks at the start of the game, with Appiah-Forson and Hill both having good efforts in the opening 15.

The game then began to stagnate... until the last five minutes of the half when Eastman was dragged down in the box which prompted the referee to award a penalty to the Daggers.

Ryan Hill stepped up to the spot and calmly curled his effort home.

However... Altrincham came straight down the other end and were awarded a penalty of their own after Eastman tripped Linney. The striker then... slotted home to draw the match level before the interval.

The visitors dominated the early part of the second half, with Conn-Clarke seeing his deflected effort cannon off the post.

But, against the run of play, the Daggers took the lead, with Josh Rees sweeping home from close...

Then minutes later we doubled our advantage, as Rees found makeshift striker Harry Phipps in behind, and the centre-back calmly cut inside before slotting his effort past Gould...

The Daggers were very comfortable to sit on the lead they had earned".

NEXT: DORKING WANDERERS

The four previous postponements were:

• 21.10.23 waterlogged pitch
• 2.12.23 frozen pitch
• 12.12.23 clash with FA Trophy
• 6.2.24 waterlogged pitch

The match will be the first of five home games for Altrincham in a total of six fixtures over just a three-week period.

The sides had contrasting fortunes on Saturday. Wanderers beat league leaders Chesterfield 4-1, as Alty sank to a fifth successive defeat.

ALTY OLD BOYS

League Two : JOEL SENIOR picked up a yellow card as Morecambe came from two down to shock hosts Crewe Alexandra 2-3.

While TOBY MULLARKEY (right) played the full game in Grimsby Town's 1-0 home win over Forest Green Rovers, the visitors were without MAXI OYEDELE, who had been recalled by Manchester United to play in an Under 21 game.

CONNOR JENNINGS returned to the Tranmere Rovers starting XI against visitors Sutton United, and, having been booked earlier, was credited with the assist for the game's only goal. CHRIS MERRIE also played, coming on as a substitute on the hour.

National League : JEFF KING played the full match, while JAMES BERRY was substituted after 68 minutes as Dorking Wanderers surprised visitors Chesterfield 4-1. The league leaders won't be losing too much sleep, one suspects - they only need 11 points from 10 games to clinch the title.

AFC Fylde left DANNY WHITEHEAD on the bench as they won 4-1 at home to Maidenhead United.

BILLY SASS-DAVIES played the full game for hosts Boreham Wood as they drew 1-1 with visitors Gateshead, for whom MARCUS DINANGA also put in a full shift.

None of TYRESE SINCLAIR, KYLE FERGUSON, LUKE WATERFALL, or JOSH LUNDSTRAM were named in their respective squads today.

National North : JUSTIN DONOWA put in a full shift at Chorley as they saw off Rushall Olympic 2-1.

King's Lynn's 3-1 home win over South Shields featured a double from JONNY MARGETTS.

NPL : Hyde United, two goals down in 40 minutes to visiting Atherton Collieries, fought back to win 3-2 with JACK REDSHAW notching the equaliser.

DONTAI GABIDON gave FC United an early lead in their home match against Workington, but the visitors eventually ran out 1-3 winners.

Scottish Championship : MILES WELCH-HAYES played the full game, and picked up a booking, as Dunfermline Athletic beat visitors Ayr United 2-0

ALTY MONTHLY DRAW WINNERS

January 2024

• £500 cash | #396 | R Maddocks
• £75 cash | #224 | Mr Valentine
• £25 cash | #95 | S Buchan
• Hospitality for Two | #25 | A Lewis
• Bottle of Alty Gin | #311 | D Scott
• Scarf & Pin Badge | #433 | H Hickman

February 2024

• £500 cash | #13 | John Laidlar
• £75 cash | #550 | Dana Laidlar
• £25 cash | #246 | Josie Fuller
• Hospitality for Two | #6 | K Rowley
• Bottle of Alty Gin | #281 | Joyce Allen
• Scarf & Pin Badge | #98 | Alan Pennycook

Congratulations to all the winners!

The Monthly Draw now takes place on Radio Alty, usually on the first Monday of the following month.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

However, the above is said with the exception of a small minority of individuals, who have failed to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner both during and after the game at Eastleigh.

The Club is ashamed to be associated with anyone involved in this behaviour and such incidents not only tarnish our reputation but can also have a financial impact on the club.

We will continue to work with Eastleigh to identify the individuals involved and we would strongly urge anyone who witnessed the incidents to come forward and provide us with any more evidence".

2 March 2024

ALTY OLD BOYS

Closer to home, on Friday in the Irish Premier Division, despite leading at half time, and with skipper BARRY BAGGLEY playing the full game, Waterford lost by the odd goal in three at Galway United.

SATURDAY FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 4-1 Maidenhead United
• Boreham Wood 1-1 Gateshead
• Bromley 2-0 FC Halifax Town
• Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 Altrincham
• Dorking Wanderers 4-1 Chesterfield (12.30pm kick off)
• Eastleigh 3-3 Solihull Moors
• Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Rochdale
• Hartlepool United 1-2 Barnet
• Oldham Athletic 1-1 Southend United
• Oxford City 1-2 Aldershot Town
• Woking P-P Kidderminster Harriers (waterlogged pitch)
• York City 2-3 Wealdstone

TODAY: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

The Robins then have six matches in 22 days, five of which are at home! After that comes a sequence of four matches of which three are back on the road before the final game of the season at home.

First up, and following four successive away defeats, Altrincham made their second trip to Essex in four days on Friday where Dagenham & Redbridge will be their hosts this afternoon (Saturday).

For Altrincham there is the goal of ending a run of four successive defeats as they seek a place in the play-offs. However, as reported yesterday, they only had thirteen fit players available last Tuesday so they go into the match from a potentially weakened position.

There is a bizarre symmetry in the last two meetings of Altrincham with Dagenham and Redbridge. As recorded earlier this week, the reverse fixture this season, in August 2023, ended in a draw and that meant that despite having enjoyed eight home games to kick off a season over a spell of nine years, the Robins had failed to win an opening game of a league season at home in that period!

And when Altrincham last visited Dagenham, in September 2022 their 4-1 defeat meant that it was nine games played since the start of that season and there was still no win for Altrincham that season. Indeed, that defeat meant that Altrincham dropped to rock-bottom of the National League!

In last season's game, Alty fell behind after 25 minutes following the last of a succession of three corners for The Daggers.

The Daggers doubled their lead when Vilhete scored a well taken goal from a sharp angle to make it 2-0 (34 mins).

The second half turned into a mauling as Dagenham added a third through a Barrows own goal after Weston had got past Eddy Jones and, almost on the line, Barrows could not clear the ball (65 mins). It got worse just four minutes later as McCallum's back heel set up Walker to make it 4-0 (69 mins).

Things improved a little as Jackson and Bennett came on from the bench and it was Jackson who fed Lundstram for a superb strike into the upper reaches of the net to make it 4-1 (78 mins).

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Oliver Byrne, 22. Ross Barrows, 5. Toby Mullarkey (c), 26. James Jones, 2. Eddy Jones, 10. Elliot Osborne, 8. Josh Lundstram, 31. Dan Malone, 16. Chris Conn-Clarke, 11. Ryan Colclough, 30. Marcus Dinanga. Subs: 3. Liam Brockbank, 17. Brad Jackson, 23. Jake Cooper, 18. Ben Pringle, 27. Aaron Bennett

Kidderminster Harriers reported that the "match against Woking in the National League has been postponed and will instead be played on Tuesday, 5th March.

Heavy rainfall in the area has unfortunately left the pitch at Woking waterlogged, and Saturday’s encounter has been axed following an inspection by the match official".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The striker enjoyed a successful spell with the Vanarama National League South side, scoring six goals in nine appearances!"

Wealdstone "have completed the signing of talented winger Dillon De Silva from Torquay United.

The 21-year-old is known for his exceptional speed and technical skills, making a significant impact at Torquay United... He made 48 appearances for The Gulls, scoring 7 goals.

Born in England and a full international for Sri Lanka with 12 caps, De Silva is a product of the QPR Academy and initially joined Torquay on loan... He signed on a permanent deal for Torquay at the start of the current season.

Stones' manager David Noble [stated]... 'We're confident in Dillon's potential to excel at this level'".

Hartlepool United "announce the return of Terrell Agyemang on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the season.

The versatile midfielder made five appearances at the Suit Direct Stadium between October and November...

Aygemang has been ever-present for Boro's U23 side this campaign, and has previously gained experience with Charlton Athletic and Manchester City...

Hartlepool United Head Coach, Kevin Phillips, added... 'It's our job to get the best out of him. He's a different kind of player to what we've already got so he'll offer some versatility and squad depth'".

1 March 2024

SQUAD AVAILABILITY

Of those fifteen in the squad at Roots Hall, one player was not risked on the pitch owing to injury (Linney), whilst another (Byrne) had not yet appeared for Alty this season in the NL.

However, Altrincham currently have on their books 27 players who have been named in one (or more) of the club's National League matchday squads so far this season.

So what is their current availability status?

These 27 players can be grouped into the following categories...

Played in last Tuesday's squad and hopefully still fit for Saturday (13 players): 3. Eddy JONES, 4. Lewis BAINES, 6. Elliot OSBORNE, 7. Matty KOSYLO, 8. Isaac MARRIOTT, 10. Chris CONN-CLARKE, 14. Dior ANGUS, 15. Jake COOPER, 16. Sam ROSCOE, 19. George WILSON (right), 21. Matthew GOULD, 30. Alex NEWBY, 44. Dan MOONEY.

Players recently injured and not used last Tuesday (3 players): 2. Lewis BANKS (not in Tuesday's squad), 9. Regan LINNEY (named in squad but not risked from bench), 11. Justin AMALUZOR (not in Tuesday's squad).

Long-term injured (4 players): 5. James JONES (out till end of season), 22. Joey JONES (out till end of season), 27. Oliver CRANKSHAW (out till end of season), 29. Ethan ROSS (missed last eight league fixtures).

Named in an Altrincham National League squad this season but not used this season (3 players): 1. Oliver BYRNE, 20. Tom JONES, 18. Owen GERMAN

Players who have played in the NL for Alty this season but now on loan elsewhere (4 players): 12. Liam BROCKBANK on loan to Warrington Rylands, 17. Justin DONAWA on loan to Chorley, 18. Owen GERMAN on loan to Stafford Rangers, 32. George BURROUGHS on loan to Stafford Rangers.

In addition Altrincham have Sonny ALJOFREE who is on loan from Manchester United but who has not been named in a league squad to date.

Two other loanees have played in the NL for Alty but have since departed (2 players): Marcus DACKERS, Gerald SITHOLE.

MANAGER REMAINS OPTIMISTIC

It dealt Alty's play-off hopes another telling blow... but Parkinson insisted a top-seven finish was still on the cards...

'We actually scored against the run of play,' said the Alty boss. 'I feared the worst at that point, especially after conceding twice just before half time, which has become a bit of an Achilles heel for us.

'But the gumption and resilience we showed to come back at them in the second half, after looking dead and buried, spoke volumes for us. We didn't roll over. We played our way, and I saw enough in that second half to see the green shoots of recovery... As long as we get our home form up and running and pick up some points on the road, we will be fine. I am fairly confident we will turn things round sooner rather than later'".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 2 March

• 2013 Oxford City (Home) won 3-1
• 2019 York City (Away) won 1-0
• 2021 Woking (Home) won 1-0

That most recent game came in similar circumstances to this Saturday's fixture. Whereas Alty arrive in Dagenham on Saturday after four successive defeats, back in 2021 they hosted Woking after five defeats on the trot.

And the win that stopped the rot in 2021 came despite playing for the best part of an hour with ten men after Tom Hannigan was sent off. The win awas secured by an excellent goal netted by Matty Kosylo from a Tom Peers pass in the 69th minute.

The win was all the more praiseworthy for being achieved by playing for virtually an hour with a back four which comprised players who were all 24 years-old or younger, and which included two loanees (Zouma and Ogle) making their debuts.

Altrincham had made three loan signings on the eve of this game. Gibson (left), Ogle and Zouma went into the staring eleven as Ryan Colclough returned after injury.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 24. Joel SENIOR, 35. Yoan ZOUMA, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 19. Reagan OGLE, 29. Alistair SMITH, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 15. Matty KOSYLO, 11. Yusifu CEESAY, 34. Ryan COLCLOUGH, 33. Montel GIBSON. Subs: 3. Connor HAMPSON, 23. Tom PEERS, 32. James HARDY, 25. Toby MULLARKEY, 28. Byron HARRISON.

The match was Jake Moult's 400th appearance for the club.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Fleet striker originally joined the Iron at the end of October and has since played 19 times for Braintree, finding the back of the net on seven occasions..

Coulthirst netted the winner from the spot on Tuesday night against fellow play-off rivals Bath City...

In other loan news Harrison Firth continues his stay at Chipstead, having featured on Tuesday night once again in the Isthmian South Central division... Nathan Odokonyero, meanwhile, continues to thrive at Tonbridge Angels with five goals in eight games".

North-West London's Times Series records that "Barnet missed the chance to close the gap at the top of the National League as leaders Chesterfield ran out 2-0 winners at the Hive on Tuesday...

Straight from kick-off, however, it was the away side who looked to be more threatening... The Bees then took the game to the opposition a... Dean Brennan’s side insisted on bravely playing out from the back despite such a high Chesterfield press and could have gone ahead ... Barnet continued to dominate proceedings by playing around the press...

[Chesterfield's opening] goal seemed to give Paul Cook’s side an instant boost in confidence, and they should have extended their lead...

The Bees came out in the second half with intent and should have equalised just before the hour mark...

Ten minutes from time, the away side secured victory as Will Grigg poked in from an acute angle to make it 2-0."

The Guardian reports that "Rochdale are set to be saved from the threat of liquidation by an American investor. The National League club have received numerous approaches since announcing they could go out of business and are to enter a period of exclusivity with World Soccer Holdings.

That will give both parties a window in which to finalise a deal and World Soccer Holdings the opportunity to do due diligence. Rochdale said World Soccer Holdings had signed a letter of intent to buy the club, who need a £2m investment to ensure they can continue operating.

One hurdle to be overcome is a change to the shareholder structure, with a vote scheduled to take place on 7 March to determine that 90% of shares can be sold in one transaction to help the smooth the takeover of the fan-owned club."