LOUIE LOANED TO WITTON

NEXT SATURDAY: MACCLESFIELD FC

Now managed by Robbie Savage, Macclesfield FC are thirteen points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League as they look to continue their ascent of the leagues following the demise of the original Silkmen.

Macc include three ex-Altrincham players in their 2024-25 squad in the shape of Sam Heathcote, Danny Whitehead and Dontai Gabidon.

Above, pictured in their Altrincham days, are Sam Heathcote, Danny Whitehead and Dontai Gabidon.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Oldham Athletic have an interview with midfielder JOSH LUNDSTRAM (right).

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

Saturday 30th November, 2024

• Braintree Town 2-2 Gateshead
• Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Boston United
• FC Halifax Town 0-2 Southend United
• Hartlepool United 0-0 Barnet
• Sutton United 2-0 AFC Fylde
• Woking 0-2 Yeovil Town
• York City 6-2 Maidenhead United

EMIRATES FA CUP ROUND 2

• AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Dagenham & Redbridge (7.15pm)
• Burton Albion v Tamworth (Sunday 2pm)
• Leyton Orient 2-1 Oldham Athletic (aet)
• Solihull Moors v Bromley (Sunday 3.15pm)
• Wealdstone 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 22-year-old arrived at the Kuflink Stadium ahead of his second spell with the club in September featuring five times in all competitions since.

The defender originally joined us from Huddersfield Town in October 2023 on loan where he featured eight times last season".

At Southend United "Macauley Bonne feels that the goals will come, with the striker happy with his recent form ahead of Saturday’s trip to FC Halifax Town.

The 29-year-old, who arrived at Roots Hall at the start of the autumn, has featured in every league game since he signed.

He says... 'I’ve only really been fully fit for the last two weeks. Before then, my mind was set on having a little pre-season. When I came in, I had to get fit game-by-game. For the last two weeks, I’ve been feeling back at my best... My whole career, I’ve scored in clusters so when one goes in I can get on a bit of a run.

'When I was younger, I would’ve been punching walls and breaking hands from missing chances. I tell people now when they come through academies not to worry about as it. As long as I’m in those areas to score, I know that one’s going to go in. I’ve been playing years now so the worse thing you can do is miss a chance and go under...

'The lads and staff have taken to me really well and I’ve taken to them really well...

'I always watch their centre-halves in the warm-up, I’ve done it my whole career. It’s more to see who plays with which foot and how far the goalie’s kicking it. I’ll work out which one I can go and pin and which one I can play off. The other night I chose the right side because I was dominating him and I told Collin [Andeng Ndi] not to be too precise with where he put the ball. As long as it’s there, I can go and win it....

'I’m more of a target man nowadays'" he concluded.

Gateshead "forward Aidan Rutkedge has been recalled from his loan at South Shields and will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Spennymoor United...

{He] will now link up with fellow Heed man Tom Allan in a temporary move to The Brewery Field"

Towards the other end of the country, Sutton United declare that their Gander Green home, "The VBS Community Stadium will be cashless from this Saturday for purchases made in the club bars and the club shop. The ticket office will at present still accept cash payments.

We are in the process of transitioning to a cashless system to enhance efficiency, convenience and safety for everyone involved. By going cashless, we can streamline transactions, reduce errors and create a more secure environment for our staff and fans. This change not only aligns with modern trends but also helps protect the club’s operations and resources.

While the adjustment may take time, this shift will ensure a smoother, safer and ultimately better experience for everyone in the long run".

Back up in the north-east, Hartlepool United's "New signing Kazenga LuaLua... alongside his brother Lomana, have been infamous in their careers for backflipping after finding the back of the net...

'When Lomana was at Portsmouth, he hurt his ankle doing it and was out for a few weeks, so you have to be very careful.

'Fingers crossed I’ll be able to score and do it sometime soon here at Hartlepool.'”

Yeovil Town "announce an exciting collaboration with NOYT, the clothing brand founded by our Assistant Manager, Chris Todd. Together, we are launching a limited-edition clothing range to raise funds for the club’s Disabled Supporters' Association...

A percentage of the profits from every item sold will be donated directly to the DSA, supporting their vital work in improving accessibility and ensuring football at Huish Park is welcoming and inclusive for all.

Chris Todd, Assistant Manager at Yeovil Town and founder of NOYT, said 'This collaboration means a lot to me personally. Through NOYT, I’ve always wanted to give back to the community, and to be able to do this with Yeovil Town Football Club for such an important cause is truly special. Together, we can make a real difference for our supporters.'

This partnership aligns with NOYT’s wider commitment to charitable causes, with 10 per cent of all sale profits donated to customer-nominated charities that support mental health, serious illnesses, and other important initiatives".

Before their match in the FA Cup Second Round against Wycombe Wanderers, Wealdstone warn spectators that "Ahead of a huge game at Grosvenor Vale, Wealdstone FC would like to remind all supporters to show their passion for the team in a positive and responsible way to ensure that matches remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Nobody should face harm at a football match.

Tough measures and sanctions are in place across English football to address dangerous or illegal behavior within football grounds, including discriminatory conduct, pitch invasions, the use of pyrotechnics, and throwing objects. Those engaging in such activities should be aware that identification could result in automatic club bans and police action

29 November 2024

ANOTHER BLANK FOR ALTY

They had no game on Saturday 2 December when the First Round Proper took place and now they are inactive again as their planned league opponents, Wealdstone, have an FA Cup Second Round tie this weekend.

And it could get worse, because the fixture computer in its wisdom has again assigned Wealdstone as Alty's projected league opponents when Round Three takes place on 11 January.

NEXT: STOKE CITY PL2

L. to R. Eddy Jones, Lewis Banks and Kahrel Reddin

Left-back EDDY JONES rejoined Altrincham for a second loan spell from Stoke City on 2 September 2022. On 10 January 2023 it was announced that he had signed on as an Altrincham player after leaving The Potters.

The previous season, in February 2022, Eddy had signed up for a season-long loan at Alty from Stoke.

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

LEWIS BANKS started out at his hometown club of Stoke City where he had played up to under-23 level before leaving to join Stafford Rangers in summer 2018.

When he joined Altrincham in June 2023, he had recently completed the 2022-23 campaign up at Arbroath in the Scottish second-tier where he had made 12(+1) league appearances. Prior to that he had made 118 appearances for Sligo Rovers in the Republic of Ireland, snd had appeared for them in the European Conference League.

KAHREL REDDIN is a third Altrincham player who was formerly at the Britannia Stadium.

Kahrel's arrival at the JDS was announced at the start of August 2024, after he had played in four pre-season friendlies.

He had been a Stoke City under-21 regular, having joined The Potters in July 2022 after a spell at Aston Villa, where he was in their FA Youth Cup winning side in 2021. He was released by the Potters in summer 2024.

ALTY WOMEN'S PLAYER FEATURES IN DOCUMENTARY

Grace is a member of the table-topping Altrincham FC Women's team which leads the Premier Division of the Cheshire Women's & Youth Football League.

ALTY RETAIL HOURS

• Thursday 28th November 10am - 4pm
• 29th November 10am - 4pm
• Saturday 30th November 10am - 3pm
• Sunday 1st December 12pm - 4pm
• Monday 2nd December Closed
• Tuesday 3rd December Closed
• Wednesday 4th December 1pm - 5pm
• Thursday 5th December 10am - 4pm

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Ian, who made 186 appearances at Pools during his playing career, has spent a total of 17 years at the Prestige Group Stadium in playing and various coaching capacities...

He’s set to join Middlesbrough, who possess a category 1 Academy, at the start of December...

Ian McGuckin stated... 'We’ve developed a large amount of young players, and that’s something I take the most pride in. A number of lads have gone and signed professional contracts, which is excellent to see'".

He is to be succeeded by "Alex Cross... Alex joins from King’s Lynn Town, having spent three years with the National League North side as Academy Director. He recently progressed four players into the first-team, while growing and developing the Club’s Academy hosting around 450 players. He also spent time as their first-team’s interim manager.

Alongside his role at King’s Lynn, Alex has enjoyed the last 12 months as first-team manager at Soham Town Rangers.

The UEFA-licensed coach has previously held various roles within the youth set-ups at Cambridge United, Notts County, Boston United and Bradford Park Avenue".

The Daily Gazette reports that "Angelo Harrop says Braintree Town will forever hold a place in his heart following his departure from the club.

Harrop parted company with Iron on Wednesday, after two and a half years as their first-team manager.

He led the club to a memorable promotion to the National League last season and also took them to the National League South play-offs and Essex Senior Cup Final win, in 2023.

Harrop has since sent a message [saying]... 'Braintree will forever hold a special place in my heart and i wish the very best for the club in the future.

'I would like to think i have achieved all I can beyond their expectations from the beginning, and built a foundation for the future successor'".

A "Club Chairman Statement" from Maidenhead United says "Following the sale of Maximilian Kilman from Wolverhampton Wanderers to West Ham United over the summer, I promised an open meeting with supporters discuss the implications of the income we are receiving from the associated sell on clause and the future of the club...

There is no doubt that transfer fee we are receiving because of Max’s sale was an important outcome for the club, particularly given the disappointment and uncertainty created by the decision made by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead councillors to withdraw their support for our proposed ground move.

Our challenge remains, however, to make sure we make the right decisions to secure the long-term future and benefit of the club for all, which I do not take lightly.

I am pleased to be able to invite all supporters to Stripes Sports Bar on Wednesday, 11th December to receive an update from myself and CEO Jon Adams".

28 November 2024

ALTRINCHAM 3-0 YORK CITY

Match report here.

Alty TV has highlights of Tuesday night's game.

More specifically, he judged that "Regan [Linney] was great, he was clinical".

Asked about Matty Kosylo (right), who scored the third goal, the manager said that earlier this season he had had "heart to hearts" with the player, who is the senior member of the first-team squad. Phil characterised these as "reassuring conversations" with the player, adding that "I've always believed in him". Matty played for him at Nantwich Town so the two go back a long way.

As for Kosylo's goal he said that "His finish was out of this world">

WEDNESDAY SCORES

Barnet took over at the top of the National League with their win, whilst York City slipped to third behind Forest Green Rovers in the league table.

Wednesday 27th November 2024

• Ebbsfleet United 0-1 Eastleigh
• Forest Green Rovers 1-1 FC Halifax Town
• Yeovil Town 1-2 Barnet

BAINES JOINING THE CENTENARIANS

Altrincham's 26 year-old current captain and left-sided centre-back was unveiled as an Altrincham signing on 30 May 2022.

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

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

He made well over 100 appearances for Chorley and won an England C cap in April 2022.

Injury sidelined Lewis for eleven games after starting the first six Alty fixtures of 2022-23 and also caused him to miss games at the end of the campaign. However, he proved dependable through the core of the season.

In 2023-24 he briefly lost his place before returning to the starting eleven but he became a dependable rock in the defence to the extent that he assumed the captaincy following Isaac Marriott's injury in March 2024. He was rewarded for his performances in that role by being named as captain for 2024-25 season.

REST IN PEACE

Our condolences are extended to Tony and his family.

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Board subsequently agreed to ask First Team Coach Justin Moseley to assist as interim manager.

Chairman Lee Harding explained 'We have been talking with Angelo since the start of the season and the Board have decided it is time for a change to safeguard the Club's future....

'We would like to thank Angelo for his efforts over the past two years at the Club. We have achieved much together and wish him all the very best in the future.

'We then spoke with both Justin Moseley and senior players after the game, who have all agreed to help the Club going forward'...

Looking ahead, the Club will be advertising for a replacement in due course".

Yeovil Town "announce the signing of Ed James who joins on loan from Exeter City until January.

The central defender made his senior debut for Exeter City on 4th October 2022... He later made his first EFL appearance on 15th October 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 4–2 defeat to Oxford United.

Ed has also gained valuable experience on loan spells with Saltash United, Weymouth, Tiverton Town, Weston-super-Mare, and Dorchester Town."

ALTRINCHAM 3-0 YORK CITY

York started brightly before Altrincham grew into the game and took a twentieth minute lead. the goal arrived after Newby had advanced on the left before feeding Linney, who drove home a low shot across the keeper from the left.

Right: Matty Kosylo, in front of the Popular Side, receives the acclamation of his team-mates and supporters after his brilliantly taken goal had made it 3-0.

Excellent play from George Wilson created the second goal for Linney, who again drove the ball home, low, from the left after Wilson's effort had come back off the upright (36 mins). And, just four minutes later, a superbly taken goal by Kosylo saw Alty's senior player dink the ball over exposed keeper Watson to stun the 700+ visiting supporters into silence.

York applied plenty of pressure in the second half but Alty defended stoically and almost scored an audacious fourth goal when Linney's superb lob from halfway forced Watson to scurry back and just about get the ball over his own bar.

The win takes Altrincham into the play-off positions (seventh) but that is before Wednesday night's fixtures. It was also Altrincham's first win against any side currently in the top half of the National League.

Report to follow

TUESDAY SCORES

• Altrincham 3-0 York City
• Braintree Town 1-3 Maidenhead United
• Dagenham & Redbridge 3-2 Aldershot Town
• Gateshead 0-1 Rochdale
• Hartlepool United 2-0 AFC Fylde
• Oldham Athletic 4-0 Boston United
• Sutton United 1-0 Solihull Moors
• Woking 0-0 Southend United

DONAWA DEPARTS

In addition to his one appearance this season, injuries meant that 28 year-old Donawa made just 10(+11) appearances last season, scoring three goals.

Having turned down a contract renewal at Solihull Moors, Bermudan winger Justin Donawa was signed by Altrincham in a move announced on 23 June 2023. Early in 2020-21 season he had joined Solihull Moors.

He is a Bermudan football international and has played in World Cup qualifiers for his country. In addition, Justin is also an accomplished cricketer and athlete.

However in autumn 2024 he started to appear in match warm-up sessions. Nevertheless it was unheralded when he re-appeared in a match day squad on 16 November 2024.

NEXT: STOKE CITY PL2

The match kicks off at 7.30pm and entry is, again, free of charge, provided you have a ticket which can be acquired here.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : By the time OWEN DALE came off the Oxford United bench in the 74th minute, Sheffield United had already secured a 3-0 home win to ensure they stay top of the table

League Two : ALISTAIR SMITH was missing from AFC Wimbledon's squad at Tranmere, but they won 0-2 without him; CONNOR JENNINGS and CHRIS MERRIE (right) played the full game for the hosts.

National League : With BILLY SASS-DAVIES left on the bench LUKE WATERFALL captained Hartlepool United to a 2-0 home win over AFC Fylde.

JOSH LUNDSTRAM opened the scoring in Oldham Athletic's 4-0 home win over Boston United, although team mate REAGAN OGLE was booked late on. DAN MOONEY was absent from the visitors' squad

National North : LEWIS SALMON gave Alfreton Town the lead at home to South Shields, but that lasted just five minutes, and by half time they'd been reduced to 10 men. The Tynesiders took full advantage to run out 2-4 winners.

A TOM PEERS hat-trick earned Chester a 3-1 home win over Oxford City.

JONNY MARGETTS both opened and rounded off the scoring for King's Lynn as they beat visitors Kidderminster Harriers 4-0.

LUCAS WEAVER put Radcliffe ahead at Peterborough Sports, but the match ended 1-1.

Manchester Premier Cup : A goal from LEWIS BILLINGSLEY clinched a 1-2 win for West Didsbury & Chorlton at Wythenshawe Town in their 1st round tie, while Irlam's 4-2 quarter final triumph at home to Ashton United featured a hat trick from JOHN JOHNSTON.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Wednesday 27th November 2024

• Ebbsfleet United v Eastleigh
• Forest Green Rovers v FC Halifax Town
• Yeovil Town v Barnet

Saturday 30th November 2024

• Braintree Town v Gateshead
• Ebbsfleet United v Boston United
• FC Halifax Town v Southend United
• Hartlepool United v Barnet
• Sutton United v AFC Fylde
• Woking v Yeovil Town
• York City v Maidenhead United

EMIRATES FA CUP ROUND TWO

• Harrogate Town v Gainsborough Trinity (7.45pm)

Saturday 30th November 2024

• Accrington Stanley v Swindon Town
• AFC Wimbledon v Dagenham & Redbridge (7.15pm)
• Barnsley v Bristol Rovers
• Cambridge United v Wigan Athletic
• Crawley Town v Lincoln City
• Exeter City v Chesterfield
• Leyton Orient v Oldham Athletic
• Morecambe v Bradford City
• Peterborough United v Notts County
• Salford City v Cheltenham Town
• Stevenage v Mansfield Town
• Stockport County v Brackley Town
• Walsall v Charlton Athletic
• Wealdstone v Wycombe Wanderers (11.30am)

• Blackpool v Birmingham City (1pm)
• Burton Albion v Tamworth (2pm)
• Kettering Town v Doncaster Rovers (12 noon)
• Reading v Harborough Town (2pm)
• Solihull Moors v Bromley (3.15pm)

26 November 2024

TODAY: YORK CITY

It is highly unlikely that there will be anything like a similar score this time around, with The Minstermen now rejuvenated under Adam Hinshelwood's management and leading the National League table on goal difference.

Altrincham's cause will be made tougher by the absence of key midfielder Tom Crawford left) who starts a suspension tonight after his second dismissal of the season last Saturday at Aldershot.

Alty have also been without winger Justin Amaluzor for the past four league games and there has been no word on his return to contention in the starting eleven.

The Robins' closest current player-connection with York City is through goalkeeper Ethan Ross who spent the 2022-23 season on loan at York City, which in that season remarkably became the fifth club for which he had played in a game against Altrincham, following appearances against the Robins for Worcester City, Weymouth, Aldershot Town and Stockport County.

On the eve of tonight's match, a player who has netted against Altrincham for the Minstermen is the subject of a report from York Press to the effect that "Callum Harriott has left York City by mutual consent.

The winger has agreed to part ways with York due to family reasons, with Harriott absent from the last four matchday squads to be with his loved ones.

Harriott initially joined City in the Summer of the 2023/24 season, having previously had a stint with Yeovil Town.

However, the experienced winger struggled for game time due to a hamstring that sidelined Harriott for the final 23 matches of the season.

He would only manage to make seven appearances in his debut campaign with the Minstermen, scoring one goal in a 2-2 draw with Altrincham in August 2023."

THE LAST TIME: YORK CITY

Right: Left-back Eddy Jones was one of eight players who started both last Saturday at Aldershot and, last March against York City at Moss Lane.

But with Tom Crawford missing this season's game through his suspension, Alty are again at less than full strength as they face York.

The game in March of this year was something of a disaster for the then York goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy who was blamed for three of the six goals conceded by the visitors.

No fewer than eight non-starters on Saturday were Jake Cooper, Justin Amaluzor and Chris Conn-Clarke.

ALTRINCHAM: 29. Ethan Ross, 2. Lewis Banks, 15. Jake Cooper, 4. Lewis Baines (c), 3. Eddy Jones, 8. Elliot Osborne, 19. George Wilson, 11. Justin Amaluzor, 10. Chris Conn-Clarke, 7. Matty Kosylo, 30. Alex Newby. Subs: 14. Dior Angus, 16. Sam Roscoe, 21. Matt Gould, 25. Max Haygarth, 44. Dan Mooney.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 26 NOVEMBER

Right: Midfielder Ben Pringle was no longer the only red-haired player in the Altrincham first-team squad as supporters at the J Davidson Stadium got their first view of Marcus Dinanga's new hair colour before the victory over Eastleigh in 2022.

On that occasion, Altrincham won 2-1 but should have won by a bigger margin against an uninspiring Eastleigh side whose 90th minute goal gave the result a closer margin than was merited.

Altrincham took the lead in the thirteenth minute when Eddy Jones cut the ball back from the byline, left of goal, for Elliot Newby to score his third goal in successive games, having recently arrived on loan from Stockport County.

In a game of generally moderate entertainment value, Alty finally got a second goal after 78 minutes through Ryan Colclough's effort from just inside the box.

Eastleigh substitute Whitehall was left unmarked to head home at the back post from a Camp cross in the ninetieth minute to make it 2-1. But Alty rode out five added minutes comfortably enough to take the three points.

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, 18. Ben Pringle, 30. Marcus Dinanga, 17. Brad Jackson.

COLTS' NARROW DEFEAT

The match was played at Dixons Brooklands Academy in Moor Road.

The Colts remain at the foot of the table, on a single point gained from their nine league fixtures played this season.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The winger returned to the North East in the summer, signing for Pools after spending two years in the North West with Fylde.

'It’s nice to be back home,' he explained. 'It was hard living away and missing my daughter. It’s amazing to be back with her at home and seeing her all the time.

'If you’re not happy off the pitch, you’re not going to play at your best. Being back with my family has been excellent and I definitely feel a lot better.

'I feel like I’m coming towards my best now... I feel a freedom to go and express myself in the final third'".

HOSTS' VIEWPOINT

The Shots Groundstaff and Volunteers deserve huge credit for ensuring the surface was playable and the game could go ahead but the wind and rain was making conditions far from ideal for a game of football and both sides struggled to take control of the game in the opening 10 minutes...

The Shots were creating chances but were unable to get a shot on goal as the visiting defence were standing firm...

Akpan was beginning to become the focal point of the Shots attacking moves and it was no surprise that he was the creator of the opening goal. Finding space on the right, he delivered a fantastic cross to the far-post for James Henry to race in and turn in, in the 26th minute...

And just four minutes after he’d put the Shots in front, James Henry scored his, and Aldershot’s second...

The Shots were managing the lead, the game and the conditions well, though and whilst not heavily threatening Ethan Ross in the Altrincham goal, were still causing the defence plenty of problems...

But as the game hit the 90th minute, Altrincham scored to give Aldershot a nervy end. A long ball forward was flicked on by Elliot Osborne and found Jake Bickerstaff who slotted the ball under Marcus Dewhurst.

The Shots held firm, though and despite a fair few nails being bitten around the EBB Stadium, didn’t look like losing their lead as they held possession in the Altrincham half to secure a valuable three points".

VARIETY IN NEXT FOUR GAMES

The Robins have no fixture next Saturday (30 November), having been eliminated from the FA Cup whilst their intended league opponents, Wealdstone, remain in the competition and are therefore otherwise engaged next weekend.

Indeed, should Wealdstone win their FA Cup tie on Saturday, Alty will face another blank Saturday on 11 January when they are scheduled to face the Stones in the retuen fixture at the JDS.

So the next match after this Tuesday is on the following Tuesday, 3 December, in the National League Cup when Stoke City's under-21s visit Altrincham.

Another cup match follows on the next Saturday, 7 December, when Macclefield FC are the guests for an FA Trophy match

The rearranged National League trip to Wealdstone follows on Tuesday, 20 December before Sutton's league visit on 14 December.

RESERVES DRAW

Howells and Shtyhlian were the Altrincham scorers, with the line up comprising Oscar Cooper, Afernee Denise, Lucas Edwards, Harrison Howells, Isaac Mannion, Henry Murphy, Charlie Noble, Kaiden Powell, Remi Raymond and Vladislav Shtyhlian.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Wheeldon, who was attracting serious interest from elsewhere in the National League, has put pen-to-paper to become Graham Coughlan's first signing as United manager"

wealdstone "announce the signing of 19-year-old goalkeeper Toby Steward on loan.

Toby joins the club on a loan deal, filling straight into the vacant keeper position, with Archie Matthews still recovering from successful shoulder surgery and Nathan Harness returning to MK Dons.

The 19-year-old has spent the majority of his career with Portsmouth, spending time on loan with Gosport Borough last season, and spending the first part of this season on loan in National League South with Tonbridge Angels.

Toby [went]... straight onto the bench for Saturday's fixture against Eastleigh!"

ALDERSHOT TOWN 2-1 ALTRINCHAM

Having started the better of the two sides, Altrincham conceded twice in four minutes but did manage a ninetieth-minute consolation goal from Jake Bickerstaff (right).

Match report here.

DAZN has match highlights.

"WE LET OURSELVES DOWN"

The manager pointed out that "after five hours on a bus we started quite lively" but he lamented having to travel on the day and, therefore, no overnight stay beforehand.

"The travel was a crippler for us", he added.

Overall, he felt "Too many players were below the levels they've set" in previous games".

In short, he felt that, "We didn't trouble their back line enough".

NEXT: YORK CITY

Having flirted with relegation last season when they finished just a point above the relegated bottom-four clubs, under former Worthing manager, Adam Hinshelwood, they have been a side transformed this campaign

On Saturday they thrashed Yeovil Town, though the Glovers' cause was not helped by playing with ten men for 80 minutes and ending the game with only nine players on the pitch.

Reporting on the game, York City say that the win came "following defeat at Forest Green Rovers, with hat-trick hero [ex-Worthing striker] Ollie Pearce claiming the headlines.

Adam Hinshelwood made four changes to the side which fall to defeat away to Forest Green.

Adam Crookes, Tyrese Sinclair, Marvin Armstrong and Ricky Aguiar came in for the injured Cam John, Dipo Akinyemi, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Dan Batty...

Finn Cousin-Dawson was sent marching for an early shower after just ten minutes when Tyrese Sinclair latched on to a mistake, resulting in the defender fouling him in an attempt to win the ball back as the last man.

Ollie Pearce superbly dispatched the free kick won...

Armstrong [went] on to setup [ex-Alty loanee] Tyrese Sinclair (left) for his fourth goal of the season in the 45th minute...

[Pearce] flicked [a]... corner into the far side of goal to wrap up his hat-trick in style...

Bernard put Yeovil down to nine men in the closing minutes after recklessly, and unnecessarily, clattering through Ashley Nathaniel-George with a late tackle.

YORK CITY: Male, Crookes, Howe (C), Sinclair (53′ Akinyemi), Hunt, Pearce, Armstrong (68′ Nathaniel-George), Aguiar (68′ Thomas), Felix, Fagan-Walcott, Ajiboye. UNUSED SUBS: Watson, King".

ALTY OLD BOYS

DUNCAN WATMORE played the first 74 minutes for Millwall at home to his former club Sunderland before giving way Femi Azeez. The Lions were trailing to a 10th minute goal, but Azeez earned them a 1-1 draw in the 93rd minute.

League One: CARL PIERGIANNI captained Stevenage as they were held to a goalless draw by visitors Leyton Orient.

> TOBY MULLARKEY was credited with the assist for the only goal as Crawley Town won their home fixture against Rotherham United.

With visitors Reading 0-2 up, Peterborough United brought CHRIS CONN-CLARKE (right) off the bench in the 84th minute, and he obliged by providing the assist for a 96th minute consolation goal.

League Two: ALISTAIR SMITH was booked as AFC Wimbledon fell at home to a lone Walsall goal.

ELIOTT NEWBY played the full game for Barrow at Chesterfield. JAMES BERRY was replaced for the hosts after 74 minutes by RYAN COLCLOUGH, and it was he who popped up with the assist for the only goal in the 89th minute.

MARCUS DACKERS played 67 minutes for Morecambe at Swindon Town. The Shrimps had led 0-2 after just 14 minutes, but by that time the teams were tied 2-2. Morecambe scored a clincher 11 minutes later.

National North : TOM PEERS scored the opener as Chester saw off Chorley 2-1 at the Deva Stadium.

JONNY MARGETTS scored the only goal as King's Lynn beat visitors Southport.

NPL Premier: GEZ SITHOLE (above, right> played the full match for FC United away to Stockton Town, but the home side scored the only goal.

Welsh Premier: JOEL TORRANCE kept a clean sheet for Bala Town in a goalless draw at Haverfordwest.

NPL Division 1 West: BYRON HARRISON scored the injury time clincher as Nantwich Town won 2-0 at home against Atherton Collieries.

23 November 2024

ALDERSHOT TOWN v ALTRINCHAM

Having started the better of the two sides, Altrincham conceded twice in four minutes.

Akpan's delivery from the right was converted by Henry at the back post (26 mins). The same player made it 2-0 when a James Jones clearance rebounded off Henry and he went on to beat Ross (30 mins).

Altrincham's cause was not helped by Tom Crawford's second red card of the season, for two yellow cards (78 mins). But despite barely threatening the opposition goal, Altrincham managed to score in the ninetieth minute when substitute Jake Bickerstaff netted his first goal for the club from a headed assist by Osborne.

However, Aldershot rode out five added minutes and the game ended 2-1 for the Shots.

Match report to follow...

For today's game at the EBB Stadium, Altrincham made two changes from the side that beat Southend. Goalkeeper Ethan Ross returned, after illness, and midfielder George Wilson came in to replace the suspended striker, Regan Linney.

Ross's stand-in last week, Harvey Randle, was not available after suffering an injury in midweek, so Academy keeper Louie Fallon came in on the bench.

One other change on the bench saw Liam Humbles (right) replace Justin Donawa.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Ethan ROSS, 2. Lewis BANKS, 16. James JONES, 4. Lewis BAINES (c), 3. Eddy JONES, 22. Tom CRAWFORD, 6. Elliot OSBORNE, 19. Geoge WILSON, 14. Matty KOSYLO, 10. Alex NEWBY, 24. Joe NUTTALL. Subs: 5. Jake COOPER, 8. Isaac MARRIOTT, 15. Liam HUMBLES, 20. Kharel REDDIN, 29. Jake BICKERSTAFF, 23. Tylor GOLDEN, 27. Louie FALLON (gk)

For The Shots, out went Maghoma and Tetek as Hargreaves and Ellison started instead.

ALDERSHOT TOWN: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 25. Rollin Menayese, 7. Cameron Hargreaves 18. Olly Scott, 21. Ashley Akpan, 27. James Henry, 6. Theo Widdrington (c), 11. Ryan Jones, 10. Josh Barrett, 22. Jack Barham, 35. Dan Ellison. Subs: 2. Lachlan Byrd, 9. Kai Corbett, 8. Tyler Frost, 23. Hady Ghandour, 24. Maxwell Mullins, 16. Pat Nash, 34. Dejan Tetek.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde P-P Ebbsfleet United
• Aldershot Town 2-1 Altrincham
• Barnet 2-0 Woking
• Boston United 3-1 Braintree Town
• Eastleigh 1-1 Wealdstone
• FC Halifax Town P-P Sutton United (frozen pitch)
• Maidenhead United 0-5 Gateshead
• Rochdale P-P Oldham Athletic
• Solihull Moors 3-4 Hartlepool United
• Southend United 2-2 Forest Green Rovers
• Tamworth 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
• York City 4-0 Yeovil Town

TODAY: ALDERSHOT TOWN

They are "Ethan Ross (left) – Alty’s ‘keeper was on loan at the EBB Stadium for the final couple of months of the 21/22 season, making nine appearances [and]...

Justin Amaluzor (right) – Justin made 45 appearances and scored eight goals – including the Goal of the Season against Maidstone United – during the 22/23 season.

Whether either plays today is up in the air. Ross missed last Saturday's game and the midweek National League Cup fixture as he was suffering from a chest infection.

And Amaluzor has missed the last three league games with an injury.

So it remains to be seen if wither makes an appearance at the EBB Stadium. Should Ross be unfit there is also doubt about his replacement as normal stand in Harvey Randle limped off on Tuesday night with a leg injury and it is unclear how serious the injury has been.

ALTY'S DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL INTERVIEWED

Now Alty TV has a firdt interview with Marc "who sat down with Brian Flynn earlier this week to discuss his first few months in the role.

We're delighted to confirm Marc will also be our special guest at the Altrincham FC Business Club next Friday from 8:30am at The J.Davidson Stadium".

He revealed that, as a local resident, he had been a spectator at Alty over several years and his brother played for the Club. (Paul Tierney made 1(+3) appearances for the Club in 2008).

His own playing career started at Oldham Athletic and, later, whilst playing at Norwich City he gained promotion to the Premier League.

MORE FREE FOOTBALL AT ALTRINCHAM

And the good news is, we're going to do it all over again in just over a week's time after securing new match sponsors for our next group game in the form of renowned real estate consultants OBI.

That's another night of exciting cup-tie action under the Moss Lane lights free of charge as Alty face Stoke City under-21s at The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday December 3rd, kicking off at 7.30pm.

OBI founder and CEO Will Lewis is a born-and-bred Stoke fan...

'I moved to the Altrincham area 20 years ago and have always had a soft spot for Alty as the local team,' he said. 'It’s great that Stoke are coming to town and we are look forward to seeing our young talent face up against the in-form Robins'".

ALTY OLD BOYS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

It gives details on how we will set about giving our supporters a voice and keep you all informed.

This ranges from areas such as feedback mechanisms, the Fan Advisory Board, communication of finances and social media.

It also includes information on how the Club will protect its heritage and history, and who makes up our Fan Engagement Team". <> The document sets out the goals of the startegy as being...

• 1. Give supporters a voice in setting the direction of their club, providing them with regular opportunities for input and feedback.
• 2. Communicate with our fans in an open and transparent manner by formalising the frequency of interaction from the Club’s ownership and management.
• 3. Protect the Club’s heritage and history, honouring past heroes and supporting the work of the Southend United Ex-Players Association.
• 4. Build stronger bonds with our fans through shared experiences and meaningful engagement opportunities, both online, on match days and at club events.

Sutton United "confirm the signing of Kosovo youth international Besart Topallaj from Bromley, joining on loan until January with a view to extend it until the end of the season.

The young defender adds to an already stacked backline, and will add quality and competition to Steve Morison’s defensive unit.

Progressing through the Millwall academy, Topallaj had captained the under-21 side before... he joined Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-month loan deal in 2022...

He would later return to the National League again on loan when he joined Bromley, before the move was made permanent after just a month. The 23-year old has gone on to play 70 times for the Ravens...

Morison claimed 'We’re thrilled to bring Besart to Sutton United. He’s a player with a great pedigree@".

Bromley add that "The former Millwall man has made three league appearances this season with his last outing coming in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy".

However, Topallaj will have to wait for his Sutton debut as the Halifax Courier confirms that "FC Halifax Town’s home game with Sutton United has been postponed due to the freezing temperatures.

It comes after snow and ice hit the borough twice this week as temperatures plummeted.

Snow covers were put on the Shay pitch at the start of the week to try and protect the surface".

Meanwhile, FC Halifax Town can confirm that defender Festus Arthur has extended his loan spell for a further month at Southport. Arthur had a loan spell with Southport back in January 2024 for a month before joining them in October. Read more posts by Kelly Gilchrist

22 November 2024

NEXT: ALDERSHOT TOWN

At home, Aldershot have won, drawn and lost three matches apiece. The three home wins were achieved over Oldham Athletic, Maidenhead United and Eastleigh.

Three players have been involved in every one of the 18 league matches today with Cameron Hargreaves's 17 starts making him the nearest to an ever-present starter. The other two players with 18 appearances are Hady Ghandour (14starts) and James Henry (10 starts).

Despite his limited number of starts, Henry, the oldest player in the squad at the age of 35, is the leading scorer with six league goals.

PARKY DISAPPOINTED

Alty... were blown away by a stunning hat-trick by 19-year old Runcorn-born left-winger Ethan Ennis in a 4-0 win for United’s U21 side.

With free admission, due to match sponsorship from AO, Alty set a new attendance record for the competition of 3,663, and they were treated to some spectacular finishing from Ennis...

Alty boss Phil Parkinson (left)... said 'We were not clinical enough, whereas Ennis was super clinical for them.

'I was really disappointed with the way we started the game, but we grew into it and controlled a lot of the ball. Unfortunately, they hurt us on the counter. They set up exactly the same way as we do, with the same shape and principles, but they did it far better than us on the night'...

'The United result felt like a punch in the stomach'... said Parkinson... 'I didn’t expect it, but maybe it’s something we need, going into the weekend, because it brings us down to earth after [the win over] Southend'".

ALTY'S BEHAVIOUR THIS SEASON

The club with the best record is Maidenhead United with 28 yellows and no red.

Altrincham are the ninth best-behaved with 34 yellow, 1 double-yellow red card (Tom Crawford) and 1 red (Eddy Jones)

Bottom of the charts with the worst disciplinary record are Eastleigh with 49 yellows, two double-booking reds and one straight red. Just above them as second-worst behaved club is Hartlepool United.

ALTY OLD BOYS

JAMIE MENAGH (left), who played for teams across the north west including Stockport County FC [and Altrincham], was sentenced to seven and a half years in jail on Wednesday after it emerged he helped dish out drugs to couriers who then distributed the South American cocaine and heroin around the UK.

Menagh, who most recently lived in a plush waterside apartment before his arrest and charge earlier this year, represented Liverpool schoolboys as a youngster. He later signed his first professional contract at Blackpool, before going on to represent Prescot Cables, Chester FC, Marine FC, Stockport County and Airbus UK...

Menagh, of Waterloo Quay on Liverpool's waterfront, appeared with a number of other defendants in the dock at the Welsh court after being charged in connection with the £250m plot. The criminal network used the Eurotunnel to transport the South American drugs, from the European mainland and into the UK concealed in the trailer".

Footnote: Neil Young signed Jamie Menagh, in May 2016, the midfielder having played under Young at Chester FC. He made his debut as a used substitute at Gainsborough on 20 August 2016 but by 25 August he had signed a two-year contract with Airbus UK Broughton. So his appearance from the bench was the sole game he played for Alty.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The University have four Men's teams and one Women's team playing in the University BUCS leagues. The University has a real ambition to become a destination for talented athletes, including footballers, and Wealdstone will play a key part in improving the standards of coaching the students receive.

As well as providing coaching and management expertise, Wealdstone will also give Brunel Students, who are making the grade, access to the Wealdstone FC pathway and Academy training programme, based at the University Sports Park...

Dale Welch, Head of the Wealdstone Academy based at Brunel [said] 'With a flourishing academy on site this feels a natural extension to what we can offer. I know our professionalism and coaching expertise will benefit the students'...

Brunel University of London students are more and more visible on match-days at Grosvenor Vale, with many students volunteering to take on match-day operational tasks".

Eastleigh "are delighted to announce the signing of Alex Stepien-Iwumene on a short-term loan from Derby County!

Stepien-Iwumene, 19, came up through the ranks with Sutton United before moving to Southampton in 2023 where he went on to play for the Under-18s and Under-21s during his time with the club.

During his time with the Saints, Stepien-Iwumene won the PL2 in the 2022/23 season.

In the summer, the central-midfielder completed a move to Derby County after leaving Southampton".

21 November 2024

AFTER THE UNITED MATCH

The Alty boss judged that his side made "a really disappointing start, which was maybe understandable with the changes I made". However, he felt that "we did grow into the game".

He thought that United displayed the "same shape and principles as us but they did it far better than us on the night" and "caught us out with a number of counter-attacks".

Asked about the early injury to goalkeeper Harvey Randle, Phil thought that his replacement, Academy keeper Louie Fallon (right), "acquitted himself brilliantly".

Although the result was a four-goal margin, "We could have easily scored two or three goals ourselves but we weren't clinical enough".

Referring to the FA Trophy tie against Macclesfield next month, the Alty manager revealed that he has already "had Robbie Savage on the phone"!

ALTRINCHAM FC ACADEMY RESULTS

• The National League U19 Alliance North On Wednesday they played out a goalless draw away to AFC Fylde at Mill Farm.

  The result leaves them sixth of the 13 teams in the division, with eleven points from seven fixtures.

  The other Academy team competes as "Altrincham FC U19" in the...

• National Football Youth League, North West Championship 1 in which it lies second, having played more fixtures than the other teams, with 16 points from seven fixtures. However, on Wednesday they lost at home 3-4 to Morecambe FC Development/CIS.

ALTY TO HELP LIGHTING UP THE TOWN

The event will run from 3pm to 6pm, with live performances and festive activities organised by Altrincham BID...

The event will be hosted by Happy Radio's Darren Proctor and Chelsea Norris, and will centre on the themes of sustainability and sport.

A unique feature of this year's event will be stage lighting powered by pedal power, in collaboration with local gyms, fitness studios, and players from Altrincham Football Club and Manchester Storm...

A temporary road closure will be in place on Regent Road for the duration of the event, but pedestrian access and access to town centre car parks will be maintained.

The audience area will be on George Street".

NEXT: ALDERSHOT TOWN

Last Saturday, Harvey stood in for Ethan and kept a clean sheet against Southend United. It was the first time that Ethan had missed a league match this season and it means that no Altrincham player will be ever-present in all league games this season.

There is one player who has been involved in all 18 matches of the National League campaign this season, namely Alex Newby, but one of his appearances was from the bench.

Should both Ethan and Harvey be unfit at Aldershot, 17 year-old Louie Fallon would be in line to start, having replaced Harvey for more than 80 minutes on Tuesday night when he had to be substituted. Louie played well in pre-season but has yet to start a first-team match, though he was on the bench for the first three fixtures of this season.

It is unclear whether Regan Linney's absence from the midweek National League fixture against Manchester United PL2 was due to his suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card last Saturday or whether he was just rested.

If the National League Cup is deemed a separate competition from the League itself then he could be missing on Saturday. However, if he is banned at Aldershot it might have been expected that he would play some part on Tuesday night to retain match fitness.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Thomas will remain with The Minstermen, on loan from Championship side Leeds United, until January 2nd.

The 20-year-old bagged a goal in City’s 4-0 win at home to Ebbsfleet United on his debut after being introduced in the 75th minute.

Four further appearances followed for the youngster after his debut, including a start away to Wycombe Wanderers in the Emirates FA Cup First Round".

ALTRINCHAM 0-4 MANCHESTER UNITED PL2

Altrincham were without regular keeper Ethan Ross, who has been suffering from a chest infection which saw him miss last Saturday's game, and his understudy, Harvey Randle, suffered a leg injury as early as the sixth minute of this match. After treatment, 17 year-old substitute keeper Louie Fallon had to replace him.

Also missing for Alty, as well as the injured Justin Amaluzor, was (possibly suspended) top scorer Regan Linney, whilst regulars Eddy Jones, Alex Newby, James Jones and Tom Crawford were all only deployed on the bench. Without them, Altrincham nevertheless enjoyed plenty of possession but could not beat United 'keeper Dermot Mee, a former loanee at Moss Lane.

More positively, Justin Donawa (right) made his first start of the season.

Ironically, Mee was the most experienced Altrincham goalkeeper involved tonight, having made four starts in league matches for the Robins whilst on loan in 2022. Randle has started just one NL match and Fallon has yet to make his league debut.

Match report here.

UNITED WINGER STARS AT ALTRINCHAM

Ennis has nine goals this season.

If Travis Binnion closed his eyes and pictured the perfect goal for his Under-21 side, it might look something like Ethan Ennis's opening goal against Altrincham on Tuesday night.

It was a proper Manchester United goal: ruthless counter-attacking and quality. Jack Moorhouse picked up the ball in his own half, shrugged off two Altrincham players who were desperate to foul him [really?], drove forward with purpose and picked out Ennis who was waiting on the left...

Ennis composed himself before brilliantly placing a lofted shot in the top right corner...

Ennis wasn't done there, though. The confidence was flowing through his veins and he popped up exactly 10 minutes later to double the advantage with a similar finish into the top right.

It was Harry Amass who did the leg work on that occasion... There was nothing fluky about the finish, with the in-form 19-year-old curling a shot into the roof of the net again..

It was a big deal when United signed Ennis from Liverpool in August 2021 but disaster struck a year later when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee...

He produced a goal in the final seconds for his hat-trick and is a youngster worth closely watching...

Altrincham finally got into the contest as the game progressed after the interval - they couldn't deal with the aggressive pressing in the first half - but United continued to defend well".

NEXT: ALDERSHOT TOWN

The last meeting at the EBB Stadium was a televised game which kicked off at 5.30pm on 17 February 2024 and which ranked as one of Alty's more disappointing performances of last season against an Aldershot side which had lost its previous home game 0-5.

For the game, Altrincham were unchanged and lying in fourth place in the League, on the back of three successive victories without conceding a goal.

After a tight first half in which the hosts were arguably the better of two less than impressive sides, Alty conceded two goals immediately before the interval.

The first goal arrived when Alty half-cleared a cross from the Aldershot left, only for Frost to react to the situation more quickly than Eddy Jones as he drove the ball home (45 mins).

In the fourth added minute before the break Alty lost possession upfield and Barham advanced on the right. His shot was saved but not held by Matt Gould and Tolaj netted the rebound to make it 2-0 (45+4 mins).

Sadly, Altrincham never looked like retrieving the game in a second half during which three attacking players (Amaluzor, Newby and Linney) were substituted, none of them having seriously threatened the Aldershot goal. The Shots were well worth the points.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Matt Gould, 2. Lewis Banks, 15. Jake Cooper, 4. Lewis Baines, 3. Eddie Jones, 8. Isaac Marriott (c), 6. Elliot Osborne, 10. Chris Conn-Clarke, 30. Alex Newby, 11. Justin Amaluzor, 9. Regan Linney. Subs: 16. Sam Roscoe, 7. Matty Kosylo, 14. Dior Angus, 19. George Wilson, 44. Dan Mooney.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Meanwhile in the National League Cup at the J. Davidson Stadium (see above), as well as goalkeeper DERMOT MEE, Manchester United's PL2 team also fielded defender JACK KINGDON (right), both of whom had played for Altrincham in the past.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Graham, who turned 50 on Monday, has extensive managerial experience in the EFL with the likes of Bristol Rovers, Mansfield Town and Newport County, as well as a developmental role at Sheffield United...

He assumes immediate control of first team affairs at the Jakemans Community Stadium... Coughlan served Southend United for a number of years in assistant manager and first team coaching roles, before being appointed Bristol Rovers' permanent manager in January 2019...

A spell with Mansfield followed... before a return to first team management unfolded at Newport in October 2022, after a stint at Bramall Lane coaching the club's under-23s..

As a player, the Dubliner played over 500 games, including headline spells with the likes of Livingston, Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday".

From Ebbsfleet United "Greg Cundle will join Kent neighbours Maidstone United on an initial 28-day loan.

Into his fifth season at the Fleet, the 27-year-old recently passed his 100th game milestone for the club and this season has made three starts and six appearances off the bench in the National League".

Forest Green Rovers have arranged a "Christmas Shopping Event & Panto event on Thursday, 5 December.

The event will take place between 4pm-8pm with some external vendors on site in the marquee selling Christmas crafts and the Club Shop and Ticket Office open, too.

Chaplins Pantos 4 Kids are also at The New Lawn with their performance of Jack and The Beanstalk on the same evening... Our Pantomime will run alongside our Christmas Shopping Event...

The Fanzone marquee will be filled with music from the famous Frampton on Severn Band and Carol singers. We will have craft stalls offering some festive late-night shopping.

You could also treat yourself to some mulled wine and mince pies from our food truck or buy some decorations and crafts from Pottery by Dawn Hargreaves Almasi and many more!"

Alty's next opponents, Aldershot Town "welcome Louis Fell... as he takes on the role of Club Secretary!

Louis has been settling in over the last couple of weeks and you may have seen him around the EBB Stadium during our Remembrance fixture against Wealdstone.

Louis joins the Shots after a very short stint away from football where he spent three seasons volunteering and working at Hampton & Richmond Borough where he held numerous roles including Head of Media, Senior Manager and Club Secretary".

Oldham Athletic "will be hosting the Oldham Athletic Christmas Carol service at Oldham Parish Church on Wednesday 4 December.

With doors opening at 7pm, the night will feature performances from the Greenfield Brass Band, solo gospel singer and choir in addition to appearances from the first-team players and coaching staff..

Mince pies, mulled wine and other refreshments will be available in the church at the end of the night.

Tickets will be free of charge, with an option available to donate at checkout. Proceeds raised from the night will be evenly donated to both the Community Trust’s toy appeal and to Oldham Parish Church".

After eighteen appearances for the Tynesiders on loan from Solihull Moors, striker Mark Beck has been recalled from Gateshad to the Armco Arena by the West Midlands club.

Beck scored once during his stay in the North East.

Maidenhead United "Assistant manager Ryan Peters said the Magpies are looking to 'tweak the system' in order to drive a change in fortunes following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Sutton United.

Alan Devonshire’s side struggled to create chances throughout much of the match, and an improved second half failed to yield any goals in the Sutton net. The recent winless run marks a stark contrast to the five wins from six games enjoyed across late September and early October.

'We were pretty poor today,' said Peters after the game... 'There were a definitely a few choice words said at half-time, because the make-up of an Alan Devonshire side is always to work as hard as you possibly can, and we didn’t show that in the first half. ..

'At the moment we seem to be lacking that clinical edge in front of goal; we’re not creating very much either'...

United’s recent run has included EFL opposition in the form of Crawley, and two sides who were in the division above just seven months ago...

Peters said...'We are looking at ways to try and tweak the system and change things in order to make that happen. We tried something today, it didn’t quite work out, but we’re going to keep trying all we can to change the flow...

[The absence of a Tuesday night game] gives us a chance to really go through things on the pitch over the next few days@", he concluded.

Rochdale AFC "and Oldham Athletic have issued a joint message ahead of Saturday’s match at the Crown Oil Arena. The allocation of away tickets for the fixture has sold out. Visiting supporters are advised not to purchase tickets in any of the home stands.

It is a term of any ticket purchased from Rochdale that the club has the right to cancel a ticket bought by a visiting supporter within the home areas without issuing a refund.

The two clubs will work in partnership with Greater Manchester Police to implement these terms and ground safety regulations on the day of the fixture.

Supporters must not purchase tickets in the incorrect stands and any supporters found to have done so will have their ticket cancelled without a refund.

Supporters are also reminded that the use of pyrotechnics and encroachment onto the playing surface are criminal offences at a football match.

It is illegal to be in possession of a pyrotechnic or to attempt to bring a pyrotechnic device into a stadium. Doing so will result in arrest and a football banning order issued".

19 November 2024

TODAY: MANCHESTER UNITED PL2

Right: Matty Kosylo was on the scoresheet for Alty when they met Blackburn Rovers in their first National League Cup match back in October.

This is the second National League Cup tie for the Robins, having beaten Blackburn Rovers in a shoot-out in their previous tie. The rules of the competition mean that Alty earned two points. A win tonight could take them top of the table.

As things stand in Group B Oldham Athletic lead the way with 4 points from their two completed games.

United's previous game in the competition ended in a 3-2 win away at Forest Green Rovers on 9 October.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 19 NOVEMBER

In fact, the Robins have lost just one of their last ten league fixtures, with four wins, five draws and a single defeat, at Braintree Town.

A full record of Altrincham's previous games on this Saturday's date of 19 November is to be found in Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years data.

ALTY'S WOMEN ON WRONG END OF 13-GOAL CUP TIE

And the pain was increased by five of the opposition goals being netted by a player called Newby!

The game was close at the interval with the visitors narrowly ahead, 3-2.

The tie was in the Cheshire FA County Cup. Poulton, based in the Wallasey area of The Wirral, are currently leading Division One West of the North West Women's Regional League.

RESERVES STEM SEQUENCE OF HEAVY DEFEATS

Their line up included Louie Fallon, Lucas Edwards, Oscar Cooper (pictured, right), Kaiden Powell, Rhys Cosquer, Sekouba Camara, Charley Jarrald, Afernee Denise, Remi Raymond and Max Whittle. The eleventh man was not named in the FA report.

Prior to that, the previous four results wwre as follows, (all league matches unless stated)...

• 9/11/24: 1 - 5 Poynton (Alty scorer, Remi Raymond)
• J B Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup on 2/11/24: Whalley Range 6 - 2 Altrincham FC Res. Former Alty man Danny Heffernan scored one of the Range's goals, the Alty scorers were not recorded by the FA.
• 26/10/24 St Michaels DH 9 - 1 Altrincham FC Res.
• Cheshire FA Amateur Cup on 19/10/24: Altrincham FC Res. 2 - 5 Cammell Laird 1907

GAP WIDENS FOR COLTS

The Dabbers were second bottom before the game and they went up a place with this win, leaving Alty now five points adrift at the bottom of the league.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

At the time, it was revealed that Gateshead Council’s search for a new vendor for leisure facilities in the area meant they were unable to grant the necessary licence for Tynesiders to meet the criteria ...

After months of talks between all parties, Gateshead have now confirmed an agreement has been reached with the council and EFL and there is an expectation that agreement will be formally signed off on Tuesday.

A statement released on Monday evening read 'Following the situation between Gateshead FC (Licensee) and Gateshead Council (Landlord) at the end of the 2023-24 season in relation to the non-granting of a 10-year licence between the parties, which ultimately resulted in the Club being unable to participate in the National League play-offs, the parties have been in negotiations to ensure the same would not happen going forward.

'Negotiations have been concluded between the EFL and the Club whereby the form of wording agreeable to the EFL has now been reached. This has now been agreed in principle with the Council and we expect this to be signed off at Cabinet tomorrow (19th November), this is a Letter of Guarantee which will confirm that should that should GFC be in a position to be promoted to the EFL, the Council will grant the necessary Licence to facilitate such, and which will fulfil the EFL’s entry criteria.'"

18 November 2024

ISUZU FA TROPHY

The draw was made on Monday afternoon and it pits Altrincham against Macclesfield FC at the J. Davidson Stadium. The home draw means that Altrincham have uniquely had seven successive home draws in cup competitions this season, if the four National League Cup fixtures are included.

Since the collapse of the former Macclesfield Town club in 2020, Altrincham have not met the phoenix club, Macclesfield FC, now managed by Robbie Savaage and currently leading the NPL Premier division.

However, there were three meetings with the defunct Macclesfield Town club, as follows:

• 2014-15, Round 1: ALTRINCHAM 1-0 Macclesfield Town
• 2016-17, Round 1: ALTRINCHAM 1-1 Macclesfield Town
• 2016-17, Round 1 Replay: Macclesfield Town 2-1 ALTRINCHAM

The full draw follows...

SATURDAY'S FOUR "DEBUTANTS"

Of the four, two were to make their full league debuts for this season (Harvey Randle and Matty Kosylo) and a third (Isaac Marriott) was a used substitute, making his first appearance of the campaign.

The fourth player, Justin Donawa, did not get on to the pitch but made his first appearance on the bench of the 2024-25 season.

Above: 21 year-old Harvey Randle had plenty of defensive experience in front of him for his National League debut. Here we see him flanked by captain Lewis Baines and former captain James Jones before kick-off.

• Matty Kosylo's eight National League appearances this season had all been from the bench before he started against Southend United.
• Harvey Randle, who joined Alty earlier this season, had been on the bench for fourteen NL games before his late call-up to face Southend, an invitation owing to the illness of regular keeper, Ethan Ross.

  Harvey kept a clean sheet on his NL debut, his only previous appearances for Alty having been in the Cheshire Senior Cup and National League Cup.

  Harvey started out with Derby County under-18s before going on loan to Alvechurch, in the Southern League Premier Division Central, from where he was loaned to Coventry United in the United Counties League before returning to Alvechurch.

• Isaac Marriott had been out with an ACL injury since last season, when he missed the last ten league and play-off games of the campaign.

  His appearance at the end of Saturday's match came in game 18 of this season so he had missed 27 matches in the National League.

• Justin Donawa had an injury-affected season at Moss Lane in 2023-24. It was announced that he had been invited back for pre-season to prove his fitness but he was not involved in any of the summer 2024 friendlies.

  Justin then began to be seen at matches sitting in the Directors' Box at the J. Davidson Stadium before starting to take part in match warm-ups more recently. Nevertheless the Bermudan's inclusion in the matchday squad on Saturday was a surprise given that the Club had not announced his re-signing or the allocation of a squad number.

So there remain six Altrincham players who have been allocated first-team squad numbers but who have yet to start a league game this season.

They are Joel Bailey, Owen German, Remi Thompson and Luke Weaver, who are all out on loan, as well as Ollie Crankshaw, whose return from long-term injury was brief before being sidelined again, and Justin Donawa.

L to R: Joel Bailey, Owen German, Remi Thompson, Luke Weaver and Ollie Crankshaw.

LINNEY "SIMULATION"

This was his fifth league booking this season which triggers a suspension for one game. If the National League Cup match on Tuesday against Manchester United's PL2 side counts in the same was as a National League match, Linney could miss that game rather than next Saturday's league game at Aldershot.

NEXT: MANCHESTER UNITED PL2

The game is a "sell-out" as all of the free tickets have been claimed.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP FIXTURES

• Group B: Altrincham v Manchester United PL2 (k.o. 7.30pm)
• Group C: Tamworth v Sunderland PL2 (k.o. 7.45pm)

ALTY OLD BOYS

NEXT LEAGUE MATCH: ALDERSHOT TOWN

The Shots secured a good 2-2 draw away at Gateshead last Saturday.

Aldershot report that they were "just the second side to take points off of Gateshead at their home this season.

The Shots were backed by an outstanding 113 supporters making the 610 mile round trip from the EBB Stadium...

Barham assisted Barrett as the Shots took the lead (11 mins)... The lead lasted just eight minutes, however, as Gateshead equalised through top scorer Owen Oseni...

The hosts took the lead... and they should have extended their lead... before half-time...

James Henry forced a save from Owen Mason but it fell kindly for Barham to smash the ball home" to make it 2-2.

Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 5. Christian Maghoma, 6. Theo Widdrington (C) (24. Maxwell Mullins, 81′), 10. Josh Barrett (23. Hady Ghandour, 70′), 11. Ryan Jones, 18. Olly Scott, 21. Ashley Akpan, 22. Jack Barham, 25. Rollin Menayese, 27. James Henry (8. Tyler Frost, 68′), 34. Dejan Tetek (7. Cameron Hargreaves, 65′). Unused subs: 16. Pat Nash, 2. Lachlan Byrd, 9. Kai Corbett

17 November 2024

"THE LADS WERE GREAT AGAIN"

"We should have been four up in the first half!.

"We decided to change it to change it, late on, to get the clan sheet and that worked effectively. We've not seen out as many results as we should have this year

"It's all going great at the minute. We're being clinical in front of goal, taking our chances and we look a real threat onthe counter".

Southend boss Kevin Maher (right) was predictably less happy, stating "I'm really disappointed. We were nowhere near good enough in the first half. We couldn't even do the basics and it should have been more than just two [goals].

"There's ways of getting back into a game but we kept making the same mistakes, time and time again.

"We're a good team when things are going well but we've got to learn how to cope when things are going badly".

PHIL "DELIGHTED"

Asked why he had made five changes for the game, he said that they were all "well deserved changes" for the players concerned.

As for debutant goalkeeper, Harvey Randle, Phil explained that "Ethan [Ross] was playing up to 1.20pm" but when he arrived at the ground he looked "like the walking dead". Reportedly he has a chest infection. The manager felt that Harvey "did himself justice" and only had to make one serious save.

Left: Lewis Banks gave words of encouragement to Harvey Randle as the players came off at half-time.

As for Isaac Marriott, who came on to play added time after a lengthy absence through injury, the manager said that he will play on Tuesday against Manchester United's PL2 side in the National League Cup.

ALTRINCHAM 2-0 SOUTHEND UNITED

Right: Joe Nuttall receives congratulations from Tom Crowther after opening the scoring against Southend United.

In fact, Alty made five changes from the side which had scored eight times in its previous two league outings, and they started on the back foot against the Shrimpers. But Alty took an early lead when Elliot Osborne started a move which led to Kosylo getting into the box, only to lose his footing.

However, the loose ball was worked to Joe Nuttall who netted from close range, his first goal in his seventeenth appearance since joining on a season-long loan from Oldham Athletic (9 mins).

Altrincham continued to look more dangerous on the break than the visitors did with their more protracted possession.

The Robins made it 2-0 shortly before the interval and, again, it was Osborne who instigated the move. He set Linney heading towards goal. The ball came to Newby whose shot should have been saved but the ball went through the hands of Jeacock into the net (43 mins).

The second half again saw the visitors enjoying more of the possession and the territory, but lacking any real threat in the goalmouth area.

Altrincham defended well throughout as Randle emerged with a clean sheet on his debut. Less happily, Regan Linney collected a fifth yellow card.

Match report here .

SHRIMPERS' REPORT

Left: Tom Crawford goes up for a header against Southend's Scott-Morriss.

A poor first half from the Shrimpers was punished by a close-range Joe Nuttall strike early on, and an Alex Newby goal on the stroke of half time...

Blues had the first chance of the game with Bim Pepple firing wide from the edge of the area in the opening two minutes, but following this Altrincham were the better side and they took the lead on eight minutes...

Two minutes later Alty went close to doubling their lead.... Just past the 20 minute mark Linney was again denied by Jeacock...

With just under ten minutes of the first half remaining Southend were unlucky not to level the scores. A quick free kick released Pepple down the left flank and he burst into the box and unleashed a shot that crashed back off the crossbar...

However, with a few minutes to go until half time Altrincham made it 2-0. Another quick break from the Robins saw Linney get down the left-hand side before sliding the ball across to Newby whose shot from the edge of the box snuck under Jeacock and in.

Altrincham remained a threat after the interval...

Southend responded with a swivel and shot from Pepple forcing Harvey Randle into a save down low.

Other than this the young goalkeeper didn’t have too much to do...

Defeat brings to an end our five-game unbeaten run away from home".

NEXT: MANCHESTER UNITED PL2

Like their first team, Manchester United are not setting the PL2 alight as they lie fourteenth following four wins and four defeats this season.

In their last two games, both away, they have shipped a total of nine goals. After losing 5-2 at Sunderland they lost 4-1 at Huddersfield Town last Tuesday.

At Huddersfield they were level 1-1 at the interval and only 2-1 behind into added time. But two late goals led to the 4-1 final scoreline.

Their goalkeeper was DERMOT MEE (right) who played 4(+1) games for Altrincham in season 2022-23.

Also playing for United was defender JACK KINGDON who played for Alty in the Cheshire Senior Cup in 2022. Players with first-team experience included Malacia who played at left-back.

United line-up: 45. Dermot Mee, 66. Habeeb Ogunneye, 68. Jack Kingdon, 55. Tyler Fredricson, 12. Tyrell Malacia, 42. Sekou Kone, 47. Tommy Rowe, 49. Ethan Ennis, 75. Jayce Fitzgerald, 73 Ethan Williams, 78 Victor Musa. Subs: 41. Harry Amass, 53. Samuel Mather, 64. Jack Mooorhouse, 70. Finley McAlister, 76. Ashton Missin, 48. Hubert Graczyk (gk) and 54. Louis Jackson

ALTY OLD BOYS

League One : TOBY MULLARKEY played the whole of Crawley Town's goalless draw at Bristol Rovers, for whom JOEL SENIOR (right) hasn't featured since being substituted in their 2-0 defeat at Stockport County on August 23rd.

League Two : SONNY ALJOFREE equalised for Accrington Stanley at home to Swindon Town. Although they went on to lead 2-1 at half time, they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

ELLIOT NEWBY played the full game for Barrow, as did ALISTAIR SMITH for visitors AFC Wimbledon, who won 1-3.

KEVIN BERKOE was an 83rd minute substitute for Salford City, who earned a 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers.

RYAN COLCLOUGH and JAMES BERRY both came off Chesterfield's bench in the 76th minute with their team 0-1 down at Harrogate - and James made an immediate impact by equalising within a minute. However the Yorkshire team snatched a 2-1 win in added time.

It was still goalless at Morecambe when they withdrew MARCUS DACKERS after 74 minutes, but visitors Port Vale scored the only goal of the game after 83 minutes.

National League : Oldham Athletic substituted JOSH LUNDSTRAM (right) midway through the second half, while REAGAN OGLE played the whole of their 4-0 home win over a Tamworth side including KENNEDY DIGIE.

MILES WELCH-HAYES was substituted after 83 minutes by Maidenhead United, as they lost to the only goal at Sutton United.

Rochdale left KYLE FERGUSON on the bench as they surprisingly slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Wealdstone.

Only coming off the bench in the 85th minute, DAN MOONEY had little time to save Boston United a point, and they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Woking.

In the evening game at Forest Green Rovers, JEFF KING made his York City debut from the bench in the 44th minute. By the time TYRESE SINCLAIR was withdrawn in the 79th minute the Minstermen were a goal down, and went on to lose 2-0 as the Gloucestershire club leapfrogged them to assume top spot in the league.

FA Trophy : LEWIS SALMON scored Alfreton Town's second goal in a 3-2 home win over Needham Market.

A CONNOR BRANSON goal was enough to allow Farsley Celtic to progress at Bamber Bridge.

DANNY CASHMAN scored the winner as Worthing Town went through 2-3 at Chichester City.

Radcliffe started JOSH HANCOCK (right) and BRAD JACKSON against Worksop Town, while JORDAN HULME and JAMIE MORGAN were left on the bench, and LUCAS WEAVER was cup tied after playing for Bamber Bridge in the previous round - and it was Josh who started the fightback from 0-2 down, reducing the arrears in the 68th minute.

Jordan came off the bench 5 minutes later, and both he and Josh were involved in the buildup for the 95th minute goal which broke Worksop Town hearts - SAM WEDGBURY had come off their bench in the 82nd minute as they went on to lose 3-2.

LUKE BURGESS scored the first two as Southport knocked out visitors Warrington Town 3-0.

NPL Premier : AARON BENNETT scored the opener as Lancaster City won 0-2 at Morpeth.

JACK REDSHAW scored the equaliser in Hyde United's 1-1 draw at Prescot Cables.

NPL Division 1 East : JAMES WALSHAW'S unbeaten start as Ossett United manager continued with a goalless draw at home to Carlton Town.

NPL Division 1 West : SEFTON GONZALES equalised for Clitheroe as they were held 1-1 at home by Nantwich Town.

There was a clean sheet for DAVID PARTON as Newcastle Town forced a goalless draw at Congleton Town.

SHARIF DEANS scored twice as Widnes defeated visitors Hanley Town 3-0.

Wythenshawe led 1-0 through Mason, but it was another Mason - MASON FAWNS who equalised for visitors Mossley, who went on to win 1-2.

NPL Division 1 Midlands: ZAK GOODSON (above, right) scored Quorn's winner as they triumphed 1-2 at Wellingborough Town. Quorn are now 8 points clear at the top of the table having won 15 of their games, and drawn the other two.

North West Counties Premier: RYAN MORTON rounded off the scoring for Cheadle Town as they won 1-4 at Prestwich Heys.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 20-year-old Londoner has progressed through the U21 and U23 youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley, playing in the Premier League 2 for both clubs and he signed a contract extension at Burnley in summer 2023.

The versatile central midfielder moved on to Salford in January 2024 and made his EFL debut in a 3-1 win over Morecambe last season. Following a loan period with Marine in the National League North earlier this season, Davies most recently caught the eye with two goals and an assist in Salford’s EFL Trophy win over Wolves earlier this week".

However, as Phil Jordan adds, Jez Davies's debut for Ebbsfleet was short and not very sweet. He came on in the 26th minute, and only lasted 17 minutes before getting a red card!

16 November 2024

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Altrincham 2-0 Southend United
• Braintree Town 1-0 AFC Fylde
• Dagenham & Redbridge 3-4 Barnet
• Ebbsfleet United 0-6 Solihull Moors
• Forest Green Rovers 2-0 York City
• Gateshead 2-2 Aldershot Town
• Hartlepool United 0-0 Eastleigh
• Oldham Athletic 4-0 Tamworth
• Sutton United 1-0 Maidenhead United
• Wealdstone 2-0 Rochdale
• Woking 1-0 Boston United
• Yeovil Town 0-1 FC Halifax Town

NEIL SORVEL INTERVIEW

A video of the interview is on Alty TV.

As well as discussing the Solihull match, Neil also talked about the previous game at Fylde.

Asked about the teams that have impressed him against Alty this season, he picked out Barnet, but also felt that Oldham Athletc were much improved on last season's level.

TODAY: SOUTHEND UNITED

Kevin Maher’s team put in two determined performances against both League One Charlton and against a Yeovil side that had a man advantage, but fell on the wrong side of narrow defeats in both.

We now play our first away game for more than three weeks looking to extend our good recent record away from Roots Hall.

Since September’s defeat at AFC Fylde, Blues have beaten Solihull, Eastleigh and Rochdale on the road and drawn with Wealdstone and Aldershot....

The Robins... have only won back-to-back games once. That came at the end of September... but [they] are now four games unbeaten in the National League...

The Robins have a solitary player over the age of 30 in their squad. Matty Kosylo has only played 150 minutes of football this season, but did score against Solihull.

With the whistle, William Davis has never previously taken charge of a Blues game, but has got plenty of National League action under his belt so far this term, showing 29 yellow cards and 0 red cards in eight games".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

As for the departure, Wealdstone advise us that "We can confirm that goalkeeper Sam Howes has returned to his parent club Leyton Orient following the expiry of his loan period. Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained during last weekend’s match against Aldershot Town, Sam will be unavailable for a period of time, bringing his latest spell with the Stones to an early conclusion.

During his latest spell at the club, Sam made 10 appearances...

This loan marked Sam’s fourth spell with Wealdstone, dating back to his debut during the 2015/16 season."

An immediate replacement has been announced by Wealdstone who "announce the signing of goalkeeper Nathan Harness from MK Dons on an initial one-month loan deal...

The 24-year-old began his footballing journey in the youth setup at Charlton Athletic before securing a move to MK Dons, where... made his League Two debut in February 2024...

Last season Nathan gained valuable experience on loan at National League side Gateshead, playing a key role in their push for the play offs."

Also arriving at Wealdstone is "defender Josh Grant. The versatile 26-year-old brings a wealth of Football League experience to the Stones...

Josh began his career in the youth ranks at Chelsea, where he [had]... loan spells in the Football League at Yeovil Town and Plymouth Argyle. His impressive performances in League Two earned him a permanent move to Bristol Rovers in 2020...

Josh made over 100 appearances, including 29 games in League One and 36 in all competitions last season."

Sutton United "confirm that Jack Wadham has been recalled from his loan spell at Worthing.

The midfielder was initially meant to remain on the South Coast until January, but returns to the VBS Community Stadium early and will be available for selection on Saturday against Maidenhead United.

Wadham made five appearances for the Rebels during his month back at Woodside Road, contributing to three wins in the Vanarama National League South as well as featuring in the FA Cup First Round against Morecambe".

Solihull Moors "confirm the departure of Mark Beck as he joins Scunthorpe United in a permanent deal.

The forward who has spent the first portion of the campaign with Gateshead, has now completed a permanent move to Scunthorpe.

Director of Football, Stephen Ward, added...

'Mark was a model professional and someone who had a very positive impact on the group'...

The 30-year-old joined Solihull in 2023 from Darlington".

Also, Solihull Moors "confirm the departure of Jon Benton in a permanent deal to Boreham Wood.

The midfielder who signed for Solihull in October 2023 from Aveley, has completed a permanent move...

Benton made 27 appearances in league action during the 2023/24 campaign following his arrival from Aveley. This season, the 23-year-old has been on loan with Maidstone United, where he has made 15 appearances...

Director of Football, Stephen Ward, said... 'Jon played a big part in everything we achieved last year and conducted himself in such a professional manner during his time at the club'".

At Gateshead goalkeeper Owen Mason has joined on a "temporary deal until 15 January".

He spells at Guiseley, Farsley Celtic and Kettering Town before moving to Ireland to play for Wexford.

Barnet advise us that "Rohat Matyar, Patrick Matejko and Jack Blower have all been recalled from their loan spells.

Rohat joined Biggleswade Town on loan earlier on in the season and will now rejoin the Bees with Patrick and Jack who both joined Southall FC on loan in August.

Bottom club Ebbsfleet United report that that striker "Dominic Poleon is on international duty this weekend as Fleet take on Solihull Moors on Saturday.

Poleon was named in the Saint Lucia squad for their two games against Grenada on Friday and Curacao on Monday. Both matches come in Group B of the CONCACAF Nations League...

One of nine UK players in the squad, Poleon will be joined by fellow National League player Shiloh Remy of Dagenham & Redbridge".

In similar vein, Eastleigh confirm that "Tyrese Shade has been called up by his country for the upcoming international break.

The winger has been rewarded for his performances this season by being named in the St Kitts & Nevis squad.

Shade has been capped seven times by the ‘Sugar Boyz’ with his first appearance coming back in March 2023.

His nation will play two games against Cuba in their CONCACAF Nations League playoffs campaign".

In the Hartlepool Mail "United manager Lennie Lawrence admitted he was delighted to add more strength in depth to his squad after Pools completed the signings of Kazenga LuaLua and Matthew Bondswell....

LuaLua's storied career includes a spell in the Premier League with Newcastle, a long and successful stint at Brighton... as well as time in Turkey and Greece.

The experienced attacker, who turns 34 next month, has been without a club since his release by Charlton in May and has been training with Pools for a month

Bondswell, meanwhile, arrives having been released by Newcastle over the summer.

The attack-minded left-back has spent time at the likes of Nottingham Forest, RB Leipzig and Dutch club FC Dordrecht while he made 40 appearances - albeit 27 of them from the bench - during a loan spell at Newport last season">

15 November 2024

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

Our Head Coach said 'We’re coming up against another tough team that we’ve always had very close games with. They were a play-off team last year and they’re getting going again this year.

'They’ve scored a lot of goals recently. Similar to us, they lost players in the summer, so it takes time to get back to what they were and it looks like they’re doing that. They always have exciting players on the pitch...

'You’ve got to be hard to beat away from home, so we’re pleased that we’ve got a bit of form'.

We go into this game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Yeovil...

Maher added... 'It’s the weirdest I’ve felt going home from a game in terms of just being empty and having emotion drained from you a bit'...

The squad is nearing full fitness, with just Joe Gubbins awaiting a return to full training. Asked if Cav Miley could be in line for a starting place in a competitive midfield, Maher responded 'We’ve got good options in midfield if we need to change or tweak things if we want to'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 40-year-old scored over 50 goals for The Minstermen across two spells, most recently netting eight in the 2021/22 season as City won promotion from the National League North. Donaldson also recently secured his UEFA A Diploma in October 2023.

Donaldson will oversee operations relating to a development side which will roll out at the start of next season.

The side will consist of a group of younger players, notably from the U19s, who will train with the first team and form a mixed side with first team players who need to jump in to play games as as when required. Speaking on the appointment, Co-Chair Matt Uggla said... 'We think Clayton is the perfect person to come in and lead that development team and be Head of Development at York City given his relationship with the club and the contacts in the game, we’re really excited to have him'...

Donaldson expressed... 'I’m a York City fan. York to me is like my second home... I’ve been in football 24 years so it would be stupid of me to not carry on and pass that experience on to the younger generation, and to provide that pathway into the first team'">

14 November 2024

REGAN ENJOYING HIS GOOD FORM

He was interviewed by Brian Flynn on Alty TV after his two goals in last Saturday's match at Solihull, a brace which followed a first-half hat-trick at Fylde in the previous away game.

As well as discussing those games, Regan stated that in his opinion "Crawfs [Tom Crawford] has been our best player this season. He's massive for us".

Since joining Altrincham, Regan has made 54(+20) appearances in which he has scored 33 goals.

IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY

The real time audio commentary is available at all home games... provided by Radio Robins (on Radio Alty) and can be accessed around the whole ground via specialized headsets.

The launch of both commentary and sensory bags is the latest provision provided using the funding from Joseph’s Challenge - No Limits.

Alty Ability Officer Alex Heywood [explains]... 'The sensory bags and items are free of charge for neurodiverse supporters... Sensory items can help neurodivergence supporters to self-regulate and focus.

The packs include an Altrincham FC branded drawstring bag, earplugs, a teddy bear, fidget trax, crayons, and an activity pack.

Additionally, there will be individual items available for older supporters. These are: Earplugs, Altrincham FC Stress Ball, Altrincham FC sunglasses.

Both of these items will be available to reserve prior to match-day by emailing Alex Heywood.

ALTRINCHAM v SOUTHEND: LAST TIME

In 2024 the game took place on 9 November and ended in a 2-0 win for the Robins.

It was an entertaining match in front of more than two and a half thousand spectators and the two goals arrived in the second half.

. Altrincham took a 58th minute lead through a tap-in for Amaluzor after a smart Altrincham move involving Newby on the right.

Justin Amaluzor (no.11) netted the opening goal. Whether he plays against the Shrimpers this time depends on his recovery from a knock which kept him out of last Saturday's 3-3 draw at Solihull.

Southend applied plenty of pressure in search of a leveller but Altrincham added an 88th minute second goal with a clever finish from substitute Donawa after good work from Conn-Clarke.

Another similarity with this year's game is that Isaac Marriott returned from suspension to play in 2024 and, having been named on the bench last Saturday, he could be set for a return to pitch action after his long injury lay-off.

In 2023 Southend had Dan Mooney was back in their squad after recent absence but, of course, he has now moved on to AFC Fylde, after a brief return to Moss Lane last season.

ALTRINCHAM : 29. Ethan Ross, 2. Lewis Banks, 15. Jake Cooper, 4. Lewis Baines, 3. Eddy Jones, 6. Elliot Osborne, 8. Isaac Marriott, 11. Justin Amaluzor, 30. Alex Newby, 10. Chris Conn-Clarke, 14. Dior Angus. Subs: 5. James Jones (c), 9. Regan Linney, 17. Justin Donawa, 19. George Wilson, 28. Gerald Sithole.

SOUTHEND UNITED: 25. David Martin, 2. Gus Scott-Morriss, 3. Nathan Ralph, 8. Noor Husin, 6. Ollie Kensdale (c), 7. Jack Bridge, 28. Oli Coker, 18. Wesley Fonguck, 9. Harry Cardwell, 19. Daniel Kanu, 22. Brooklyn Kabongolo. Subs: 14. Jack Wood, 10. Dan Mooney, 27. Beau MacDonald

NLTV ENDS SERVICE

Download the DAZN app to access National League TV on any device, including smart TVs, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox and more".

The adjacent icon is duplicated towards the top of this page and will remain there as a permanent quick link to the DAZN service.

PL REFS AND THEIR NON-LEAGUE ALLEGIANCES

• Tony Harrington – Hartlepool United
• Chris Kavanagh – Droylsden
• Anthony Taylor – Altrincham

All three have refereed Altrincham games in their early careers, as have a number of other PL referees including David Coote, Darren England, Rob Jones, Andy Madley, Craig Pawson and Michael Salisbury.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Kyle Morrison made his first competitive start for Solihull since suffering injury at Wembley Stadium in the Promotion Final, whilst Olly Tipton and Joss Labadie start[ed] alongside debutant Ackeme Francis-Burrell.

Andy Whing’s side would take the lead in the tenth minute...

Lye equalised almost instantly after the restart as Digie tapped home from close-range following a Matt Gardner cross... but Moors regained the lead 20 minutes from time."

Lye Town's Digie is Dennis, brother of Alty's former defender Kennedy Digie, now at Tamworth.

A tough season for Maidenhead United has not improved as "The Magpies interest in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup ended at the first hurdle at the Iconic Stadium on Tuesday night as Isthmian League outfit Binfield hit back from falling behind early to advance to the next round.

Alan Devonshire fielded a side which featured the likes of Remy Clerima and Zac Bell who are returning from long-term injury and there were also starts for Academy graduates Josh McMenemy and Jadyn Dundas.

Maidenhead took the lead in the third minute when Tobi Sho-Silva at the far post headed home a corner...

Maidenhead lacked much fluency in the second period and they were pegged back before the hour when Parker scored from the penalty spot following a trip in the box...

In injury time Parker was able to turn and finish smartly into the corner to take Binfield through - deservedly so on the basis of a disappointing second half from Maidenhead".

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

Last time out Southend lost 0-1 at home to Yeovil Town with their goalkeeper and manager red-carded.

But Southend United now "can confirm Zach Jeacock will not serve a suspension after a successful appeal against the red card he received during Saturday’s defeat to Yeovil Town...

A regulatory commission considered the wrongful dismissal claim and from the written evidence adduced with supporting video footage, the commission ruled that this was an instance of wrongful dismissal.

Consequently, the standard punishment has been withdrawn, meaning Zach is available for selection for the Shrimpers’ next fixture against Altrincham on Saturday, 16 November".

In the defeat by the Glovers, Southend United report that "Kevin Maher felt his team didn’t put enough deliveries into the penalty area during today’s defeat to Yeovil Town...

Maher said 'It’s disappointing to lose the game. The red card [for Zach Jeacock] has changed it completely, but we just couldn’t create a moment that was going to get us a goal.

'The goal’s disappointing because apart from that I think they’ve had one shot that Collin’s saved. Apart from that, they haven’t done anything to hurt us. We didn’t get the ball in the box often enough or early enough...

'Zach’s come out and he said it’s hit his midriff and then hit his arm. He said the ref pulled a yellow and then decided to pull a red. What would’ve happened if the ball had gone in the net, I don’t know.'

Referee Abigail Byrne also sent Maher off. He said 'I appealed for a penalty and the fourth official said you can’t do that because my arms were up. I thought the referee lost control of the game after 10 minutes and the rest of it was a consequence of that. Both benches were appealing for things, no one swore at anyone.'”

ALTY OLD BOYS

He put in a full shift at The Shay on Tuesday night, but visitors Middlesbrough U21 ran out comfortable 1-4 winners.

EFL Trophy : ELLIOT NEWBY was rested by Barrow as they comfortably disposed of visitors Aston Villa U21 3-0.

RYAN COLCLOUGH was missing from Chesterfield's squad at home to Grimsby Town, so it was Armando Dobra who replaced JAMES BERRY after 68 minutes. By that time James had netted twice - and the second of those proved decisive in his team's 3-2 win.

Having been absent with injury for over 3 months, KEVIN BERKOE (left) started for Salford City at home to Wolves U21. He was taken off at half time as the Ammies earned a 3-2 win.

Another player substituted at the break was CONNOR JENNINGS at Stockport, but he had already put one over on his former employers, being credited with the assist for Tranmere Rovers second in a 0-2 victory. CHRIS MERRIE put in a full shift for the winners

Having been booked in the first half, JOE HUGILL was substituted by Wigan Athletic just before the hour. Visitors Notts Forest U21 had been second best, but forced a 0-0 draw - however they were lamentable in the shootout, losing 3-0.

When the saga of OLLIE BYRNE's international clearance was dragging on, Manchester United U21 goalkeeper DERMOT MEE made 4 appearances for the Robins on loan. He's still at Old Trafford, and was in the team beaten 4-1 at Huddersfield Town this evening.

National North : MICHAEL GYASI opened the scoring for Peterborough Sports at Darlington, but the game ended 2-2.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS rounded off the scoring as Kidderminster Harriers comfortably beat visitors South Shields 4-0.

NPL Division 1 West : KEVIN ELLISON scored the clincher in a 2-0 home victory for Vauxhall Motors against Chasetown.

Trafford, who fielded both JEROME WRIGHT and DAMOLA SOTONA from the start won by the only goal at Witton Albion, whose starting lineup included OWEN GERMAN and ELLIOTT ROKKA.

NPL Division 1 East : It's never easy for a manager in his first post taking charge of a team at the foot of the table, but the sea air at Bridlington appeared to give JAMES WALSHAW'S Ossett United side a lift, and they cruised home 2-5.

Edward Case Cup: Cheadle Heath Nomads won their second round tie at Sandbach United 1-2, with HARLAN RODGERS-MORRIS scoring the winner.

PAINT ALTRINCHAM BLUE

The annual campaign, Paint Altrincham Blue, aims to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer, as well as men's mental health, while fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK and Andy’s Man Club.

The scheme, which runs from November 4 to November 17, encourages businesses and the community to get involved by decorating their windows in blue, dressing in blue, and hosting blue-themed activities such as bake sales and cocktail events.

Several key events are planned, including... a comedy night at Altrincham Football Club on Thursday, November 14...

All proceeds from these events will go to Prostate Cancer UK and Andy's Man Club..

{Alty supporter] Tony Collier, who was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, explained...

'Raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer is crucial. Early detection saves lives, but many men don’t know the signs, or there often are no signs...

'Paint Altrincham Blue brings our community together for a cause that can change lives'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

As well as topping the National League and having lost just once in 17 league outings this season, "the move from the much-loved but sadly outdated Bootham Crescent doesn’t seem to have done them much harm. York average around 5,300 at home games, the highest crowds for around 40 years....

They dropped out of the Football League in 2016 and had to deal with the ignominy of a second successive relegation in 2017. It took five years to get back to the National League and in their two [recent] campaigns, they flirted dangerously with a return to National League North...

York’s total turnover in 2022-23, for example, was £ 3.8 million and half of that went on players wages. The club lost £ 125,000 before tax. The club is 51%-owned by 394 Sports, a company which is essentially the Uggla family...

The York City Supporters' Society hold 25% and FB Sports 24%...

Hinshelwood was hired in February 2024 from Worthing... His win rate since joining York is 52.94%".

In the news from Oldham Athletic we learn that "Midfielder Kai Payne has returned to Wigan Athletic following the end of his one-month loan.

A request had been made to extend Kai’s loan but his performances are such that the Wigan management have wanted him to return.

The highly thought-of 19-year-old impressed in his short spell at the club, helping Latics to an unbeaten run during his time at Boundary Park.

He made five appearances... with his final appearance coming in the goalless draw at Barnet on Saturday"

Birmingham World reports that "Birmingham right-back Josh Williams has joined Gateshead on a temporary loan deal until the end of January 2025...

Birmingham City have confirmed the agreement is in place for the 21-year-old to make the move to Gateshead mid-season...

Williams has made just one appearance under Chris Davies - seven minutes off the bench in the EFL Trophy".

According to the Swindon Advertiser, "Swindon Town defender [and ex-Alty man] Jeff King is set to depart the Wiltshire club and drop a division to join National League York City.

Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider broke the news but has not confirmed whether the deal is a temporary loan move, or a permanent transfer.

The 28-year-old joined the Robins in the summer on a free transfer from fifth division champions Chesterfield after impressing on trial and made eight appearances in League Two following his move.

He was a consistent starter under Mark Kennedy until he took a period off due to personal reasons and made one appearance since... The right back registered one goal contribution and that was an assist in the Carabao Cup...

The Minstermen let defender Thierry Latty-Fairweather depart last month on loan to Maidenhead and have now made the choice to sign King for more depth".

12 November 2024

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

Also red-carded was manager Kevin Maher as Southend United report that "James Plant’s lobbed effort was the difference between the two sides as ten-man Southend United fell to a 1-0 defeat to Yeovil Town.

After Zach Jeacock and Kevin Maher were both sent off in an eventful but goalless first half, Plant’s goal on 65 minutes opened the scoring, and the Shrimpers couldn’t find a response.

Blues made two changes. Jeacock and Josh Walker came in, replacing Collin Andeng Ndi and Macauley Bonne.

The first few chances all fell our way... Midway through the first half, Kevin Maher was booked by referee Abigail Byrne. It came in the aftermath of a foul being given for an attempted Walker overhead kick, a decision Blues weren’t happy with.

The referee also took the time to take both managers to one side and speak to them at one point, and on 27 minutes, she brandished her red card.

Jeacock came out to close the angle for the onrushing Borges, but the Glovers man’s shot appeared to hit our ‘keeper’s arm, and as a result, he was dismissed.

The resulting free-kick flew over... Collin Andeng Ndi came on to replace Walker.

The red card didn’t affect the flow of the game too much, but apart from an off-target Sonny Blue Lo-Everton shot, there were no real clear chances for either side as we headed into the interval goalless.

In stoppage time, the big moment came when another powerful Pepple run saw him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Ollie Wright dived in and Pepple went down, but no penalty was given. The red card came back out of Byrne’s pocket, this time to send off Maher...

After that, the Shrimpers continued to look like the side in the ascendancy, but after a double substitution from the Glovers, they found the opener.

James Plant picked up the ball 20 yards out and... found the corner.

We made a triple substitution 15 minutes from time as Bonne came on alongside Cav Miley and George Wind...

Our first National League defeat in more than a month leaves us 15th in the table ahead of a trip to Altrincham next Saturday".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 16 NOVEMBER

Above. In front of an empty Popular Side, the teams took to the field back in 2021. Trafford MBC had imposed capacity restrictions on the J Davidson Stadium for Health & Safety reasons.

Their most recent game on this date (16 November) was the disappointing 3-2 defeat to Gateshead in 2021 in an FA Cup replay at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Had they won, Alty would have faced Charlton Athletic in Round Two.

Underlining the changes at Alty over the past three years, of the squad for the Gateshead game, only Matty Kosylo is still at the club.

1. Tony THOMPSON, 24. Joel SENIOR, 25. Toby MULLARKEY, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 19. David FITZPATRICK, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 8. Adam PORTER, 10. Josh HANCOCK, 15. Matty KOSYLO, 11. Ryan COLCLOUGH, 9. Marcus DINANGA. Subs: 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 7. Dan MOONEY, 9. Marcus DINANGA, 17. Ben PRINGLE, 18 Kennedy DIGIE, 20. Andy WHITE, 21. Matt GOULD, 29. Daniel WHITEHEAD, 32. Tom WALKER.

ALTY WOMEN STAY TOP OF THE LEAGUE

The win leaves them still top of the league, four points ahead of AFC Crewe Women, but the south Cheshire club has three games in hand.

Alty's line-up was as follows: Caitlin Beaty, Rose Fitzgerald, Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Abigail Morton, Emily O'Leary, Rhianna Pickering, Kira Saycell and Ariella Shapiro.

Alty actually trailed 1-0 at the break but four second-half goals turned the match around. A brace from Grace McArdle was followed by goals from Elise Jones and Brianna Morrison.

COLTS REMAIN BOTTOM

They remain bottom of the nine-strong Division.

11 November 2024

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

Their goalkeeper Zach Jeacock has been handed a one match suspension after being sent off in the first half of Saturday's home match against Yeovil Town. The visitors' unofficial site, Gloverscast, tells us that "A James Plant cross that went in goal was enough to stretch Yeovil Town’s unbeaten league run to seven matches... at Southend United...

There seemed to be a strange atmosphere in some parts of Roots’ Hall...

The game changed on the sending off of Southend keeper Zach Jeacock after 27 minutes. There was no choice for referee Abigail Byrne, however it hit his outstretched arm...

Roots Hall may not be the most aesthetically pleasing stadium, but I loved it as an away end. The big barrel roof, it’s one of a dwindling number of ‘proper’ grounds".

ALTY OLD BOYS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP FIXTURES

National League Cup Group A

• Wealdstone v Southampton PL2

National League Cup Group C

• FC Halifax Town v Middlesbrough PL2

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 20-year-old has made 11 National League appearances during his first stint away from Selhurst Park.

Wells-Morrison, who is on loan at the Grosvenor Vale Stadium until January, started the last two league outings on the bench.

But he came back into the starting 11 for the trip to Aldershot...

Said former West Ham and Portsmouth defender Taylor, 'He was brilliant. He covered some ground. What he also did was the other side of the game exceptionally well...

'It was an excellent performance from our players. They outworked the opposition and did the basics very well today'">

Meanwhile, Aldershot Town confirm that "Pat Nash has been recalled from his loan at Farnham Town.

Nash has been the Isthmian League South Central Division side’s number one since rejoining them on loan in August and only missed some games due to a short period with injury".

A goalkeeper, Nash had been on what wa sintended to be a season-long loan to his Hampshire neighbours.

According to Gloucestershire Live "Forest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill gave plaudits to his coaching staff after a 4-1 National League win over Maidenhead United on Saturday.

Goals from Harvey Bunker, Charlie McCann, Jordan Moore-Taylor and Teddy Jenks gave Rovers another three points after returning from cup action.

Cotterill watched the game from the stands having been given a two-game touchline ban following the Woking game...

Cotterill joked on where he had been sat watching the game..

'On the moon,' Cotterill joked on where he had been sat watching the game. I may as well have been for what help I was for the lads today so I am really pleased'".

10 November 2024

WATCHING THE SAME MATCH?

In his post match interview with Alty TV and Radio Robins' Laurence Howarth, the Alty boss felt his side had the better of the first half, despite trailing 2-0 at the interval, and referred to the Midlanders' "dark arts" including an alleged off-the-ball punch by a Moors player on George Wilson.

In contrast, Whing told his Solihull Moors interviewer that his side was the better and that Matty Kosylo should have been sent off for a foul before he netted the late equaliser.

In the NL Paper, Phil was "disappointed we haven't won" but Whing believed "we dominated the game, we outplayed them".

Altrincham FC has goal highlights of the metch.

SOLIHULL MOORS 3-3 ALTRINCHAM

Alty came back from 2-0 and 3-1 to take a point at the Armco Arena.

After a lively opening period, Alty fell behind in the 27th minute when Whitmore headed home following a corner.

On 40 minutes, following a Moors throw-in, it became 2-0 when Bowen netted from close range after a parry from Ross.

With the Moors looking comfortable, two Alty substitutes Joe Nuttall (above, left) and Matty Kosylo combined to feed Regan Linney at the far post who made it 2-1 (72 mins).

But seven minutes later Solihull restored their two-goal lead as Stevens scored from the edge of the box (79 mins). However, four minutes after that, Linney's stretching header from a ball over the defence made it 3-2 (83 mins)

Then Kosylo levelled in the last minute making it 3-3 (90 mins).

Match report here.

For today's match, Isaac Marriott (right) was named in the matchday squad for the first time this season following his ACL injury. Compared with the side that trounced AFC Fylde a fortnight earlier, the only change saw Eddy Jones replace the suspended Lewis Banks who was not in the squad for the first time this season in the National League.

Justin Amaluzor was an unexpected absentee, whilst Ollie Crankshaw was again not involved after his brief comeback from long-term injury.

WEAVER NOW LOANED TO RADCLIFFE

The exciting young forward made a strong impression for Brig, scoring nine goals in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. He’s bagged eight goals in his final seven games for the Lancashire side in all competitions, rising to joint third in the division’s goal scoring charts...

Radcliffe are participating in the National League North for the first time this season... They currently sit 21st, three points from safety...

Said manager Phil Parkinson 'We feel it's the right time to move Lucas up to the National League North. If he keeps on producing the outputs at Radcliffe then we know he'll be on course to make the step up to our first team very soon.'"

Footnote: So far Weaver has made just 1(+2) appearances for Altrincham.

NEXT: SOUTHEND UNITED

On Saturday, Kevin Maher's side lost 1-0 at home to Yeovil Town and had goalkeeper Jeacock red-carded after 27 minutes, though they did have another keeper on the bench in Colin Andeng-Ndi.

After the game, Maher criticised referee Abigail Byrne for allegedly "losing control" of the match.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : DUNCAN WATMORE was left on the bench as Millwall forced a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.

League One : CHRIS CONN-CLARKE returned to first team action for Peterborough United this afternoon - but only just. He came off the bench in the 89th minute, and a minute later Kwame Poku completed his hat trick to round off the 6-1 crushing of visitors Cambridge United.

League Two : CONNOR JENNINGS opened the scoring in a 2-1 home win for Tranmere Rovers against Newport County.

When Morecambe withdrew MARCUS DACKERS (right) at Harrogate Town they were a goal up. The home side levelled within 4 minutes, but the Shrimps struck in the 6th added minute to win 1-2.

ELLIOT NEWBY gave Barrow a 31st minute lead, but visitors Colchester United equalised in added time.

ALISTAIR SMITH picked up a yellow card as AFC Wimbledon lost 0-1 at home to Grimsby Town.

SONNY ALJOFREE was another booked, but Accrington Stanley pulled off a totally unexpected 0-3 win at Chesterfield. The hosts made the usual switch, bringing on RYAN COLCLOUGH for JAMES BERRY after 75 minutes, but damage had already been done by then.

National League : In the televised game at lunchtime, Hartlepool United's BILLY SASS-DAVIES was on the wrong end of a goal storm. When hosts York City withdrew TYRESE SINCLAIR just after the hour, they were already 2-1 to the good, but there were five more goals in the last quarter of the game, York eventually winning 5-3.

Boston United only introduced DAN MOONEY in the 88th minute of their 1-1 home draw with Dagenham & Redbridge.

National North : LUCAS WEAVER came off the Radcliffe bench after 63 minutes, as JOSH HANCOCK was on the other end of a triple substitution against visitors Rushall Olympic, with his team 2-1 ahead, while BRAD JACKSON stayed on for a further seven minutes. Lucas was handed the 33 shirt, while Jordan was the Man of the Match in an eventual 3-1 win.

NPL Premier : AARON BENNETT (above, right) notched a hat trick as Lancaster City edged a 4-3 victory over visitors Ilkeston Town.

GEZ SITHOLE notched the winner for FC United in a 1-2 victory at Leek Town, while JAMES HARDY did the same for Ashton United, who produced an identical result at playoff aspirants Stockton Town.

NPL Division 1 West : BYRON HARRISON was one of the scorers as Nantwich Town crushed visitors Stalybridge Celtic.

KEVIN ELLISON scored too late to stop Vauxhall Motors losing 1-2 at home to Avro, but a brace from SEFTON GONZALES gave Clitheroe a 1-2 win at Witton Albion.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Southend United add that "Powell joined Southend United in January 2022 from Kettering Town for an undisclosed fee.. on a two-and-a-half-year deal at Roots Hall.

Formerly of Northampton, Wrexham, Tamworth and Stourbridge... In his first eighteen months at Roots Hall, Powell scored 10 league goals in 60 appearances" before moving on to Braintree.

The BBC has confirmed that "Wealdstone defender Mason Barrett is expected to miss 'a year' of football, according to manager Matt Taylor.

The 25-year-old went off injured during the first-half of the team's draw with Ebbsfleet United on 26 October.

'It’s a real blow as Mason has been a really big player for us,” Taylor said in a club statement [on X].

Altrincham meet AldershotTown later in November and the Shots report that "Dan Ellison’s loan spell at the EBB Stadium has been extended until January!

The centre-back has made six appearances for the Shots since signing on loan from Bristol Rovers in late September.

We can also confirm that Emmanuel Maja has joined Hemel Hempstead Town on a month’s loan.

Maja has made three appearances for the Shots since signing in the summer and will gain valuable minutes after suffering with injuries at the beginning of his Shots career.

Haydon Vaughan has linked back up with the Shots following the end of his loan spell at Bognor Regis Town".

FC Halifax Town "have announced that midfielder Owen Bray has signed a new deal to keep him at The Shay until the end of the 2025/26 season.

He has so far made 16 appearances for the Shaymen since his arrival" which the Shaymen announced "following his release from League Two side Barrow.

Bray spent time in the Leeds United academy... In 2022, Bray left Leeds after his contract wasn’t renewed... In July 2023, Bray became one of the first players to sign a professional deal with Barrow’s b-team and made his first start for the first team in November. At the end of last season, the midfielder was one of 10 players released by the Bluebirds".

9 November 2024

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• AFC Fylde 3-0 Gateshead
• Aldershot Town 0-2 Wealdstone
• Barnet 0-0 Oldham Athletic
• Boston United 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
• Eastleigh 1-2 Braintree Town
• FC Halifax Town 1-0 Woking
• Maidenhead United 1-4 Forest Green Rovers
• Rochdale 2-1 Sutton United
• Solihull Moors 3-3 Altrincham
• Southend United 0-1 Yeovil Town
• Tamworth 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
• York City 5-3 Hartlepool United

DAZN OPENS FOR NL STREAMING

A very detailed explanation of what is happening is to be found via the above link.

An icon and link to DAZN will now be found at the top of this Alty Files page.

NEXT: SOLIHULL MOORS

Sadly, on the three previous occasions that they have been placed ninth, Altrincham have lost the following game without scoring a goal, so that is a sequence they will seek to break this Saturday.

This time a win at the Armco Arena and defeat for seventh-placed Yeovil Town would get Alty into the play-off places for the first time this campaign.

A draw for The Glovers and an Altrincham win by two goals or more would likewise take Alty into the top seven places.

MOORS' PREVIEW

Right: Solihull's Jordan Tunnicliffe gets to grip with Regan Linney in the FA Cup tie at Altrincham in October.

In the replay "in the West Midlands... The Robins had come from behind and were leading 2-1 before a last-minute long-ranger from Jamey Osborne sent the game to a penalty shootout.

The Moors were clinical from the spot... Alty failed to convert three of their four efforts...

Solihull has played 16 [league] games, winning seven, drawing three, and losing six. The Moors will confidently approach this encounter, as they’ve won three of their last four games and are unbeaten at Damson Park since losing to league leaders York City on the 24th September...

.. Since the devastating FA Cup defeat, Alty are unbeaten in their last three matches...

After a fragmented start to the season due to injury, Jack Stevens has swiftly settled into the campaign as the Moors’ most consistent and brightest threat... The winger has registered 10 goal contributions in 12 appearances and is the fourth-top scorer in the National League.

Stevens’s pace, directness and eye for goal have cemented the forward as an undroppable and indispensable component of Andy Whing’s attacking plans".

ALTY OLD BOYS

John (JJ) holds his UEFA B qualification and can bring new and exciting ideas to the team and is a great opportunity for JJ to continue his coaching journey, something he is very passionate about.

JJ has worked his way through the non league pyramid as a player over the years, gaining promotions with Salford City, Altrincham FC and also play-offs with Chester FC. JJ has lots of experience and is excited to pass this onto the next generation of players whilst also developing himself as a coach.

JJ wanted to get involved in the coaching as soon as the opportunity arose. JJ will still be playing and has a huge amount to offer on the pitch as well".

Three weeks earlier Irlam had announced that "1st Team Assistant Manager RYAN HUTCHINSON has decided to leave and take up a managerial opportunity at Prestwich Heys".

And from Phil Jordan we learn that on Friday, in the Championship, despite trailing early in the second half at Watford, Oxford United didn't make OWEN DALE one of the four substitutes they threw on - and they lost 1-0.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

As per my last update, we are not quite done yet. There are still some steps that remain to conclude the transaction, including a general meeting of shareholders.

This transition represents an exciting next step in the history of Woking Football Club.

Whilst I will no longer be a majority shareholder, I will retain a stake in the Club and my support and passion for this great Club will remain unchanged".

Footnote: Volpe and business partner John Katz took over Woking in 2021 whilst Johnson is a former vice chairman of Dagenham & Redbridge.

Following the sacking of Ian Culverhouse, Boston United report that "Martin Woods has made his first foray into the transfer market as interim manager by signing York City attacker Billy Chadwick on a month's loan.

The 24-year-old, who enjoyed a highly productive loan spell with the Pilgrims in 2022-2023, has linked up with United until early December initially.

He is registered and... [has] been allocated the number 20 shirt in which he enjoyed so much success in his first loan stint at the Jakemans Community Stadium, scoring 11 goals in 20 appearances".

Wealdstone "announce that midfielder Luke Dreher has left the club, after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

The 25-year-old joined the Stones at the start of the 2023/24 season, but has struggled with injury problems since.

Luke spent the end of the 23/24 season on loan with Lewes before joining back up with the squad for pre-season at the start of the current campaign... before making his long-awaited full Stones debut in the 1-1 draw away at Hartlepool".

Also leaving Wealdstone, albeit temporarily is " midfielder Christian Scott [who] has joined National League South side Enfield Town on a three-month loan deal.

The 19-year-old joined the Stones after a successful trial during pre-season. Scott has featured in 14 of the Stones' 19 games so far this season, starting the last four".

Southend United "announce that Shivaas Gulati has made an investment into the club and joined the Board of Directors.

Gulati, a passionate football fan and serial tech entrepreneur based in Seattle, brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to helping Southend United...

He has spent the last 15 years building and advising technology businesses. He co-founded Remitly in 2011 and played a pivotal role in scaling it into a global organisation of 2,500+ people across seven countries...

In December 2022, Gulati left Remitly to spend more time with his family and explore new endeavours, and he now becomes the 11th COSU member.

Gulati said 'I am thrilled to be joining Justin and the rest of the COSU consortium as we lead this club into its next chapter in its long and storied history'".

8 November 2024

CRAWFORD AND REDDIN EXCELLING

Striker Regan Linney stole the headlines with a stunning first-half hat-trick at Fylde, but Parkinson believes all-action midfielder Tom Crawford and pacey winger Kahrel Reddin can prove just as influential...

Crawford [left] has been a revelation since signing from Hartlepool United in the close-season and former Stoke City flyer Reddin [right] has nailed down a starting place with some dazzling displays on the right.

Parkinson said 'It will be another tough, tight encounter at Solihull... They have got some excellent ex-EFL players, but you can say the same about us.

'Tom has become a huge player for us, doing exactly what we brought him to the club to do, and he will continue to get better and better. He has improved us as a team, and the biggest compliment I can give him is that when he had to serve a one-match suspension, we missed him...

'Kahrel has lots of potential and is starting to show what he is capable of. He has managed to hold down a place in the team, which is the first of many steps he needs to take to become a big player for us in this division.

'What we would like to see from him is more assists and more goals, because when he does that, he’ll not only be holding down a place in our side, he will be a big player in the division. That is the potential he has. We have high hopes for Kahrel, and he is beginning to show why'">

NEXT: SOLIHULL MOORS

It will have been a fortnight since Altrincham played but the Moors played an FA Cup tie last Saturday, defeating Ebbsfleet United 3-0 at the Armco Arena.

Manager Andy Whing made six changes for that game; in came Bowen, Adu-Poku, Gale, Stevens, Wilkinson and Osborne, replacing Newton, Stevenson, Bostock, Tipton, Labadie and Riley.

It can probably be assumed that a number of those changes will be reversed when the Moors face Altrincham tomorrow.

ALTY OLD BOYS

His absence from Sunday's league victory for Legia Warsaw was noted, and his absence again from tonight's squad in their 4-0 home win over Dinamo Minsk may unfortunately indicate a sustained spell on the sidelines.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Lennie Lawrence will continue as Pools manager until the end of the season, building on his most recent unbeaten caretaker run. With over 1000 games under his belt, Lawrence holds an incredible amount of experience...

Anthony Limbrick joins the Club as our new Head Coach, leaving his current coaching role at League One Peterborough United. Australian born, Limbrick...formerly managed and worked with Woking in the national league as well Grimsby Town in the Football League and... with The New Saints.

Gavin Skelton also joins the Club as first-team coach, having spent the last five years as assistant manager at Carlisle United...

Pools stalwart Nicky Featherstone will continue with his dual role as both first-team player and supplementary coaching/player leadership duties".

Peterborough United report that "Peterborough United winger David Ajiboye has joined York City on a three-month loan deal with the 26-year-old linking up with the Minstermen until the 15th January 2025.

Ajiboye has featured in eight games so far this season for Darren Ferguson's men, but his last appearance came in the 3-3 draw with Rotherham in early October.

The Yorkshire Post adds that "It will be the third time the 26-year-old has worked with manager Adam Hinshelwood... The winger came through the youth system at Brighton and Hove Albion, where he was coached by Hinshelwood.

The former Seagulls player took Ajiboye on loan as Worthing manager in 2017. The deal was made permanent for the 2018-19 season, where Ajiboye scored 21 goals in 45 appearance.

That earned him a move to Sutton United... He made 50 appearances the following season, scoring eight...

Ajiboye has made 55 League One appearances for Posh, so his loan signing is a coup for the Minstermen, top of the Conference after 16 games".

7 October 2024

NEXT: SOLIHULL MOORS v ALTRINCHAM

Alty have lost fewer games this season (5 versus 6) but have only won six of their 16 matches this season compared with Solihull's seven victories.

The Moors only came into being when Moor Green, who had faced Alty previously (2004/05), merged with Solihull Borough to start the 2007-08 season as a new club in Conference North. The Borough had been lower down the pyramid but their Damson Park ground became the Moors home.

The clubs first met in 2011-12 in National North, following Alty's relegation from national level. They met for the next three seasons before Alty were promoted in 2014.

Right: In the clubs' first meeting in September 2011, Matt Fearon made his first-team league debut for Altrincham as a 20th minute substitute at Solihull. Behind him is Rob Williams. The Moors won 2-0.

After nine seasons in the North level (2007-16) the Moors were promoted as champions to start the 2016-17 season in the top-flight of non-league. That was just as Alty had been relegated from that level to the North so they did not meet at that time.

So they finally met at national level as recently as 2020 after the Moors had won the Conference North title and Alty had returned to the National League from their sojourn in lower leagues.

Since then the Moors have been a little erratic with two finishes outside the top ten and two in the top five. Last season they finished fifth, just behind fourth-placed Altrincham, whose previous three campaigns had seen them finish between 14th and 17th.

ALTY OLD BOYS

National North : Kidderminster Harriers won at Curzon Ashton, with ASHLEY HEMMINGS scoring the game's only goal.

National League Cup : Oldham Athletic went down to visitors Wolves U21 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, though none of their three Alty Old Boys (Lundstram, Dolan, Ogle) were involved.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Minstermen drew one-all versus Woking at the start of the month in front of the DAZN cameras before going on to claim four successive victories".

FC Halifax Town "have announced that for our over 65s they can join us for our fixtures against Woking (Saturday 9th November 3pm), Sutton United (Saturday 23rd November 3pm) & Southend United (Saturday 30th November 3pm) and pay £45 for all three games.

The BUDGET BUSTER tickets will be available prior to our game against Woking this Saturday from 1.30pm in the main reception up until kick off.

So that’s all three games for £45 for our over 65s".

Boston United chalked up their first National League Cup victory after defeating Sunderland under-21s 1-0 on Tuesday evening.

The defining moment arrived three minutes before half-time when Joe Anderson diverted DAN MOONEY's cross beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze.

It was Chibueze who proved to be the difference between the Pilgrims and a much more convincing winning margin following a string of fine saves from the Sunderland stopper.

The result moved the Pilgrims up to fourth in the early Group C standings, following their opening night 4-3 defeat at the hands of Leeds United."

Forest Green Rovers tell us that "Our Scottish, tricky wide-man, Kyle McAllister has been awarded the Vanarama National League Player of the Month for October.

That’s just one of two awards McAllister has scooped up for October as he has also been crowned Rovers’ Quorn Star of the Month as voted for by our fantastic supporters.

McAllister started all four of Rovers’ National League fixtures in October playing 328 minutes across all of them... finding the back of the net three times".

At Gateshead we learn that "Harrison Bond has been recalled from his loan spell at Blyth Spartans.

The goalkeeper originally joined Blyth... on a season-long loan in July and will now return to Gateshead... following his early recall.

Bond has appeared in all twelve of Blyth's league fixtures so far this season, as well as playing once in the Emirates FA Cup".

Meanwhile, Gateshead also report that winger "Tom Allan has joined Spennymoor Town on an initial one-month loan deal".

Manager Carl Magnay added, "I could have been selfish and wanted Tommy to stay because he's a great influence on the group and he trains really well but I just couldn't guarantee him... minutes in a really competitive squad".

And Blyth Spartans have also done a deal with another North East club as Hartlepool United confirm that "Pools winger Max Storey made his return from a nine-week long injury on Saturday afternoon while out on loan at Blyth Spartans.

The 18-year-old suffered a dislocated elbow and two fractures to his arm while in action over the August Bank Holiday weekend, forcing him to have surgery.

Storey had made four appearances at Croft Park during the first month of the campaign before going down injured.

The winger made his return at the weekend, playing the full 90 minutes as Blyth travelled to Ilkeston Town...

Elsewhere, Kieran Wallace came off the bench for Tamworth on Friday night... Campbell Darcy played an instrumental role in Whitby Town’s 2-1 home win over Prescot Cables...

And Josh Mazfari started his 24th game for Redcar Athletic against Easington Colliery at the weekend".

Oldham Athletic "announce the signing of Josh Stones on loan until 2 January.

The 20-year-old re-joins the club after impressing on loan in December 2023, scoring three goals in four games before injury cut short his spell.

Stones began his career with Guiseley... which earned him a move to Wigan Athletic. He joined Ross County on loan in January 2023, playing six games in the Scottish Premiership...

Stones said... 'I loved my time here last time which was a huge factor in me signing, the fans were unbelievable and I enjoyed my football..

He signed an extended three-year deal [at Wigan] in July 2023, which will continue until the summer of 2026...

This season Josh has made six appearances for Wigan".

According to Southend United "It was great to see the North Bank heaving for our game against Charlton Athletic last weekend...

We are now seeking feedback as to whether supporters would migrate to the North Bank (yellow seats) from other parts of the stadium if it was open full time, in addition to finding out if non-season ticket holders would buy in the north.

There are operational costs to opening that area of the stadium and before we go live, we would be grateful for your input to help us gauge interest...

In the interim... we’re pleased to confirm that for Saturday’s match against Yeovil Town, fans in the West Stand will have access to the upgraded facilities in the north west quadrant. This includes the renovated toilets, the new Quadrant Bar and food wagon operated by Eat Street".

From Somerset, Yeovil Town "announce the signing of Pedro Borges who joins on loan from Exeter City until January.

The young midfielder is no stranger to Huish Park, having been part of our youth system in 2021 and making two first-team appearances in the Somerset Premier Cup before moving to St James Park.

Since then, he has gained experience with several clubs, including Plymouth Parkway, Tiverton Town, and most recently, Dorchester Town".

NEXT: SOLIHULL MOORS

One player who won't be faing Alti is Kian Ryley, who was a used sub against Alty in the recent FA Cup clash at the JDS. Solihull Moors report that "Ryley joins National League North side Brackley Town on a one-month loan deal.

The youngster has completed [i.e. agreed] a one-month loan move to Brackley Town, where he will link up with fellow Moors loanee Kade Craig">

NEW DATE FOR WEALDSTONE GAME

It will now take place on Tuesday, December 10th at 7.45pm. Should the hosts reach the Third Round, the reverse fixture with Altrincham at the J. Davidson Stadium will also have to be rearranged.

ALTY OLD BOYS

National North: After visitors Scarborough had a man sent off in the 18th minute, Buxton went on to win 2-0 with CONNOR KIRBY scoring both goals, the first a penalty.

Alfreton Town were ahead at the break at Peterborough Sports, but MICHAEL GYASI (right) equalised after 84 minutes, then struck twice more in added time to complete a hat trick and give his side a 3-1 win.

JORDAN HULME scored the winner as Radcliffe beat visitors Leamington 2-1.

ROSS BARROWS put Scunthorpe United ahead at Spennymoor, but his side eventually lost 3-2.

National South: DANNY CASHMAN put Worthing ahead from the spot, and they went on to beat visitors Aveley 2-1.

EFL TROPHY : CHRIS CONN-CLARKE played the first hour of Peterborough United's 4-1 home win against Crystal Palace U21. Also returning from an injury which saw him miss seven matches, JEFF KING played 71 minutes of Swindon Town's 2-1 home win over Spurs U21.

NPL Division 1 West : DAVID PARTON (above, right) kept a clean sheet as Congleton Town beat visitors Hednesford Town 1-0.

LEAGUE CUP FREE FOR ALL

Thanks to front of shirt sponsors, AO, you can watch the drama unfold free of charge, as the Robins face an XI from Old Trafford in a competitive environment later this month.

The only condition is you must claim your free ticket by visiting our website, which you can do by clicking on the link here.

Once you have completed that simple process, you can look forward to a night of top-quality cup action... against United under-21s at The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday November 19th, kicking off at 7.30pm".

Don't delay, claim your free ticket now".

THROUGH THE YEARS

Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years tell us that 14 years ago on that date Alty were at home, on that occasion facing AFC Wimbledon.

The hosts won 2-0 after Altrincham had conceded a goal after 29 seconds of the match and then had done so, again, a minute before the interval.

In between, they played some good football, as they also did in the early part of the second half. Indeed, had Twiss's volleyed goal from a Denham cross from the right been allowed to stand in the 70th minute, they might have got something out of the game but referee Handley took his assistant's assurance that the goal was offside and ruled it out. After that the visitors were fairly comfortable.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

National League Cup results:

Group A

• Aldershot Town 2 - 3 Brighton & Hove Albion PL2
• Maidenhead United 3 - 3 Derby County PL2 (aet Maidenhead won on pens)
• Wealdstone 0 - 2 Fulham PL2
• Woking 4 - 4 Southampton PL2 (aet Woking won on pens)

Group B

• Forest Green Rovers 0 - 4 Stoke City PL2
• Rochdale 4 - 1 Blackburn Rovers PL2

Group B

• Boston United 1 - 0 Sunderland PL2
• Tamworth 1 - 1 Newcastle United PL2 (aet)

Group B

• Braintree Town 4 - 2 West Ham United PL2
• Dagenham & Redbridge 2 - 1 West Bromwich Albion PL2

Woking "announce the return of Alan Judge.

The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland midfielder rejoins the Cards following a spell as a free agent....

After being released by Colchester in summer 2023, Judge joined Woking in March 2024 following the completion of his rehabilitation programme. However, he made three appearances following his debut off the bench at Southend before being ruled out for the rest of the season.

Judge has trained with the Cards for much of this season, and now can look forward to getting back on the pitch.

5 November 2024

ALTY'S LOANED-OUT PLAYERS

They are (above, left to right) Lucas Weaver (who is on loan at Bamber Bridge), Owen German and Joel Bailey (both loaned to Witton Albion) and Max Beddow (on loan at Redgate Clayton).

As recently announced, Alty have now loaned out a fifth player, namely Remi Thompson (to Avro).

CHANGING FACE OF NON-LEAGUE SPONSORSHIP

They reveal the changing face of non-League football and the ups and downs in Altrincham's status over recent decades. That volatility means that the club's last seven matches on Guy Fawkes Day (5 November), over the last 41 years have all been in differently sponsored competitions spread across three league levels as well as the FA Cup.

• 1983 Trowbridge Town H Alliance Premier League (step 1) WON 4-0
• 1994 Dagenham H GM Vauxhall Conference (step 1) LOST 0-1
• 2002 Barrow H UniBond League Premier (step 2) LOST 1-2
• 2006 York City A Nationwide Conference (step 1) LOST 0-1
• 2011 Eastwood Town H Blue Square Bet North (step 2) WON 2-0
• 2016 Lincoln City A Emirates FA Cup 1st Round LOST 1-2
• 2017 Buxton H EvoStik Northern Premier League (step 3) DRAW 1-1

And, of course, Alty now compete in two competitions sponsored by two other companies, the Vanarama National League and the Isuzu FA Trophy.

COLTS' HOME DEFEAT

The Colts remain bottom of the Development Division of the NW Youth Alliance, having gained a single point from their six fixtures to date.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The competition dates back to 1979 when it was exclusively for non-league clubs. Northwich Victoria defeated Altrincham in the first final, and the cup ran smoothly until its last season in 2001.

The Setanta Shield, as it was known, faded away in 2009... and since then, there has been little mention of the cup, with no one particularly mourning the forgotten trophy...

Yeovil Town "have accepted an undisclosed offer for Jordan Young who will be joining Torquay United.

Young initially joined Yeovil Town on 12 January 2023, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the National League side for an undisclosed fee. During his time with the Glovers, he made 81 appearances and scored 17 goals".

Woking "announce the signing of Jack Stretton.

The 23-year old striker joins on loan from Sky Bet League One side Stockport County.

A product of the Derby County academy, Stretton... joined then-National League side Stockport County on an initial month loan in March 2021, scoring three in five games...

Back at Derby, Stretton scored... [made] nine league appearances in total that season, before being loaned to League Two Carlisle United in August 2022. He made 23 appearances for Carlisle before being recalled and sold permanently to Stockport in January 2023, where he would make 19 further appearances that season.

After missing the entire 2023-24 season with an ACL injury, Stretton returned to football in September... A subsequent loan to Oldham Athletic saw him make just one appearance, being recalled and now joining Michael Doyle’s side".

At Southend United "Right wing-back Gus Scott-Morriss is keen to take the positives from Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup game, as the Shrimpers went toe-to-toe with League One side Charlton Athletic....losing in devastating fashion in the final moments of the 120 minutes...

'I thought we were very good and we showed a lot of courage to come back and put a real fight up because in the first half, we let ourselves down in moments.

'Going two goals down... we showed what we’re about as a team...

'We’ve gone on a run in the league and hopefully we can take this into next week and pick up the three points...

'We knew they were direct and very good at it'", the defender concluded.

4 November 2024

TWO GROUNDS FOR SATISFACTION

But, as Alty fans are aware, he leads a double life as manager of Atherton Laburnum Rovers in the NW Counties League Division One. A 2-0 win over Holker Old Boys on Saturday consolidated their position as league leaders.

LR lead the table by four points, with second-placed Nelson having played two more fixtures.

WOMEN THUMP NORTHWICH

The result consolidates the Women's position at the top of the Premier Division.

The line up comprised: Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Grace Lewis, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Abigail Morton, Libby Newton, Emily O'Leary, Kira Saycell and Ariella Shapiro.

Altrincham FC press and media officer, Brian Flynn, provides more details on the recent win (reported below) for the Women in the Cheshire FA Cup over Ellesmere Port Town.

Brian also reports on last week's 4-3 league victory at home to Newton-Le-Willows Newton Ladies. Alty's goals came from a brace from Grace Mcardle and goals from Grace Lewis and Kira Saycell

The Alty team was: Holly Lloyd, Grace Lewis, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Libby Newton, annie Rose O'Donoghue, Emily O'Leary, Kira Saycell, Ariella Shapiro and Brogan Walsh.

NEXT: SOLIHULL MOORS

The Moors report that it was "a hard-fought victory over Maidstone United in a physical contest at Damson Park. Team News

Manager Andy Whing named two changes to the lineup that suffered a narrow defeat to Gateshead... James Gale and Finn Howell began from the outset. Bradley Stevenson and Joe Newton dropped to the bench.

New signing Ackeme Francis-Burrell, recruited on a short-term deal from Burnley, was called into the squad for the first time.

In the 50th minute, the home side eventually opened the scoring when Osborne’s throw-in initiated a goal-mouth scramble before the ball was bundled into the net by James Clarke. Moments later, the 24-year-old was involved again, but this time at the other end, with a sensational goal-line clearance that denied an instant equaliser.

The Moors continued to provide a stubborn resistance and limited the visitors to feed off scraps and set pieces...

In the 89th minute, the Moors were awarded a penalty when Stevens was fouled. The electric winger netted the resulting spot-kick to seal the victory...

The Moors weren’t finished and added a third in the dying seconds. Michael Adu-Poku’s magnificent run and pace brilliantly set up Conor Wilkinson, who classily tucked away from close range.

This win also marked the first home clean sheet of the season for the Midlands-based side. The Moors return to action on Saturday 9th November when they face Altrincham...

Moors starting XI: Walker, Oakley, Clarke, Whitmore, Howell, Osborne, Bowen, Adu-Poku, Gale, Stevens, Wilkinson. Subs: Flahavan, Tipton (Stevens 94), Labadie, Bostock, Ryley, Newton (Howell 69), Morrison, Francis-Burrell, Stevenson (Gale 81)."

ALTY OLD BOYS

Curzon Ashton got off to a bad start as Marcus Poscha was sent off in conceding the penalty that gave visitors Mansfield Town a 16th minute league at the Tameside Stadium. They had added a second by the time CRAIG MAHON came off the bench in the 63rd minute, and inside 10 minutes he'd picked up a yellow card. The 3 division gulf would have been difficult enough to bridge with a full complement, but it was no surprise that the Stags eventually triumphed 0-4.

Meanwhile in the Championship, by the time DUNCAN WATMORE joined the game in the 76th minute, Millwall had already scored the only goal of the game to send Burnley back to Lancashire empty handed.

And in Australia, Oakleigh Cannons' championship celebration dinner at The George in Melbourne was attended by CONNOR HAMPSON. He is pictured at the back of the photo (right) in the white shirt to the left of the player holding the trophy.

EMIRATES FA CUP

• Milton Keynes Dons 0-2 AFC Wimbledon
• Sutton United 0-1 Birmingham City
• Boreham Wood 2-2 Leyton Orient (aet Orient won on pens)
• Curzon Ashton 0-4 Mansfield Town
• Harrogate Town 1-0 Wrexham

Monday 4th November

• Chesham v Lincoln City ko 7.15pm

Five National League teams have survived into the Emirates FA Cup Second Round draw. Their fixtures are as follows:

• Leyton Orient v Oldham Athletic
• AFC Wimbledon v Dagenham & Redbridge
• Burton Albion v Tamworth
• Wealdstone v Wycombe Wanderers
• Solihull Moors v Bromley

3 November 2024

FIXTURE CHANGE

And, coincidentally, the home match with Wealdstone on 11 January 2025, clashes with Round Three so that fixture may also have to be moved!

EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND

• Barrow 0-1 Doncaster Rovers
• Brackley Town 0-0 Braintree Town (aet Brackley won 5-4 on pens)
• Bradford City 3-1 Aldershot Town
• Bristol Rovers 3-1 Weston-s-Mare (aet)
• Burton Albion 1-0 Scarborough Athletic
• Carlisle United 0-2 Wigan Athletic
• Chesterfield 3-1 Horsham
• Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
• Exeter City 5-3 Barnet
• Gillingham 0-2 Blackpool
• Grimsby Town 0-1 Wealdstone
• Hednesford 4-4 Gainsborough Trinity (aet, Gainsborough won 5-4 on pens)
• Maidenhead United 1-2 Crawley Town
• Newport County 2-4 Peterborough United
• Northampton Town 1-2 Kettering Town (aet)
• Port Vale 1-3 Barnsley
• Reading 2-0 Fleetwood Town
• Rochdale 3-4 Bromley
• Rotherham United 1-3 Cheltenham Town
• Rushall Olympic 0-2 Accrington Stanley
• Salford City 2-1 Shrewsbury Town
• Solihull Moors 3-0 Maidstone Utd
• Southend United 3-4 Charlton Athletic (aet)
• Stevenage 1-1 Guiseley (aet, Stevenage won 5-4 on pens)
• Stockport County 2-1 Forest Green Rovers (aet)
• Swindon Town 2-1 Colchester United (aet)
• Tonbridge Angels 1-4 Harborough Town
• Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Oldham Athletic
• Walsall 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
• Woking 0-1 Cambridge United
• Worthing 0-2 Morecambe
• Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 York City

NEXT: SOLIHULL MOORS

YOUTH CUP FACES

Below, we see the effort put in by three of the team, (left to right) Harry Watson, Max Whittle and Blyth Bywater.

Carlisle United have now posted their report on the match.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday, 9 November 2024

• AFC Fylde v Gateshead
• Aldershot Town v Wealdstone ko 12.30pm
• Barnet v Oldham Athletic ko 5.30pm
• Boston United v Dagenham & Redbridge
• Eastleigh v Braintree Town
• FC Halifax Town v Woking
• Maidenhead United v Forest Green Rovers
• Rochdale v Sutton United
• Solihull Moors v Altrincham
• Southend United v Yeovil Town
• Tamworth v Ebbsfleet United
• York City v Hartlepool United ko 12.30pm

ALTY OLD BOYS

The Staffordshire side deservedly led 1-0 at the break against a home line-up which included former Alty men, left-winger JEROME WRIGHT and right-back SEAN HIGGINS. On the right wing was DAMOLA SOTONA who featured for Alty in the 2024 pre-season.

Right: Sean Higgins and Damola Sotona defend a corner at Shawe View on Saturday afternoon.

Just before the break Higgins was sent off for a foul and the visitors added two more well-constructed goals before a very late Trafford reply saw Cian Donohue bundle home a cross from Isaac Noble.

The Trafford assistant manager is now STEVE TOBIN who played for Altrincham in 1999.

In the Staffordshire County Senior League just 24 spectators witnessed AFC Alsager playing Redgate Clayton for whom young Alty Academy goalkeeper MAX BEDDOW was in goal. The match ended one-apiece. Max had also kept goal for Newcastle Town last Thursday as they lost to Birmingham City in the FA Youth Cup.

Elsewhere, Phil Jordan reports that in the Championship, Oxford United were already 0-1 down to visitors Swansea City when OWEN DALE joined the game just before the hour, and went further behind before losing 1-2.

National North: TOM PEERS netted Chester's second in a 3-0 home win over Hereford.

After CONNOR KIRBY had equalised for Buxton at Kidderminster Harriers, ASHLEY HEMMINGS restored the host club's lead. However Buxton fought back to draw 2-2.

NPL Premier: JACK REDSHAW equalised for Hyde United after they had gone behind in their home derby against Ashton United. There were no further goals.

Welsh Premier: JOEL TORRANCE kept a clean sheet at Newtown, as Bala Town forced a 0-0 draw despite playing the closing stages with 10 men.

NPL Division 1 West: SEAN MILLER (right) scored the second Widnes goal in a 3-0 home win over Clitheroe.

NPL Division 1 Midlands: ZAK GOODSON continued his hot streak with the final Quorn goal in a 1-3 win at Bedworth United.

FA Cup: ELLIOT NEWBY was booked as Barrow succumbed at home to a late goal by Doncaster Rovers.

Chesterfield made their usual switch after 57 minutes as JAMES BERRY gave way to RYAN COLCLOUGH in a 3-1 win over Horsham.

After a Maidenhead United side including MILES WELCH-HAYES had led since the 64th minute, TOBY MULLARKEY equalised for visitors Crawley Town in the 95th minute to force extra time - after which they knocked out the Berkshire side 1-2.

CHRIS CONN-CLARKE, having missed 9 games with a shoulder injury, was fit enough to take his place among the substitutes as Peterborough United, two goals down inside 7 minutes at Newport County, came back strongly to go through 2-4.

York City were two goals down inside 21 minutes at Wycombe Wanderers, but TYRESE SINCLAIR reduced the arrears. However York lost 3-2.

CONNOR JENNINGS gave Tranmere Rovers an early lead, but visitors Oldham Athletic levelled through former Rover James Norwood to send the sides in level at the break. Just after the hour JOSH LUNDSTRAM was credited with the assist for what turned out to be the winner, and was then substituted after 87 minutes. REAGAN OGLE played the full game for Latics.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

"Wealdstone stunned League Two Grimsby Town - Alex Reid pounced late at Blundell Park.

Micky Mellon enjoyed his return to Prenton Park. James Norwood and Jesurun Uchegbulam scored as Oldham Athletic beat Tranmere Rovers.

Dion Pereira’s 73rd minute penalty was perfect for Dagenham & Redbridge who won 1-0 at Crewe Alexeandra.

Maidstone United’s FA Cup adventure is over a little earlier the time, they went down 3-0 at home to Solihull Moors as they made things safe late on.

Exeter City broke Barnet hearts at the death, Jay Bird and Kamari Doyle scoring very late at St James Park to make it 5-3.

Bromley also inflicted some agony just when it looked like Rochdale had turned things around, it ended 4-3 to last season’s Promotion Final winners.

It wasn’t the only late pain suffered. Southend United were beaten in the 121st minute against Charlton and it was a similar story for Maidenhead United at home to Crawley Town of League One.

It wasn’t to be for... Woking, who lost narrowly to Cambridge United.

Brackley Town caused an upset and are on the march again as they bettered Braintree Town on penalties...

It wasn’t a day of dreams for York City, Aldershot Town or Tonbridge Angels, who all go out."

2 November 2024

ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 1-4 CARLISLE UNITED YOUTH

Right: Vlad Shtyhlian led the line for Altrincham against Carlisle United in the FA Youth Cup.

In the FA Youth Cup, Carlisle United, who defeated Altrincham on Thursday night, have been given an away tie at Barnsley in the Second Round.

Had Altrincham beaten Carlisle it would have been the second time that the club had drawn Barnsley away in the competition, having lost there 4-0 in 2003 under George Heslop's management.

ALTY OLD BOYS

FA Cup: Huddersfield Town came to Moss Lane in 1982, and again in 1990, returning triumphant to West Yorkshire on both occasions - but tonight they were knocked at at their first hurdle as their hosts Tamworth claimed victory by the only goal, and without needing to bring KENNEDY DIGIE off the bench.

In tonight's other tie at Meadow Lane, Notts County recovered from going behind after 14 minutes - indeed, they trailed for only 2 minutes - and were already 3-1 up when visitors Alfreton Town brought LEWIS SALMON and HARRY PERRITT off the bench after 68 minutes. Their arrival failed to stem the tide, and the Magpies ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.

NPL Division 1 West: Wythenshawe Town have been suspended by the League for failing to provide financial information in a timely and presentable manner, so SAM SHERIDAN will be out of action until the matter is resolved.

NORTH-WEST NEWS

The Northern Premier League say the club has 'not provided details of the full extent of its debt' despite being given 'several extensions to do so'. In a now deleted statement released earlier today, the club, who currently sit fifth in the Northern Premier League's Western Division, claimed the suspension was due to the 'requested documentation not being submitted to the league in the correct format'.

The club's board of directors claimed to have sent the documentation electronically when the league required it in written form. But in a statement tonight the league strongly refuted those claims.

It read 'In such circumstances, the NPL does not normally make any comment. An exception is being made here because the claims made in the club's original statement are false and misleading.

'The club has been suspended from membership of the NPL for failing to provide information relative to the Financial Reporting Initiative to which all clubs are subject and 87 out of 88 member clubs are currently compliant. The purpose of the FRI is to provide a level playing field that ensures clubs manage their liabilities and do not gain an unfair advantage by ploughing money into the team at the expense of HMRC and the club’s landlord.

"Wythenshawe Town FC has not been suspended because the club supplied the information required in the wrong format. Whilst the club has provided evidence of payments made to HMRC, it has not provided details of the full extent of its debt. The League, therefore, cannot assess the extent of any outstanding debts to the crown, or that the Time To Pay agreement – of which the club supplied details yesterday – covers the full debt to HMRC, as required by FA Regulations.

'The club was given several extensions to allow the required information as laid down in FA Standardised Rules but has failed to do so despite being under a player registrations embargo for the past month, continued to be non-compliant. Eleven weeks after being asked to provide this information, Wythenshawe Town remains the only NPL member club to be non-compliant with the FRI.

'At this point, a suspension was imposed, which will remain in place until the requirement of the League is met in full. The Northern Premier League cannot permit any member club’s sustainability to put the integrity of the competition at risk.'"

NEXT OPPONENTS: SOLIHULL MOORS

Their next game is on 9 November, away at Solihull Moors who "announce the signing of Ackeme Francis-Burrell on a short-term deal. Solihull’s midfield ranks have been bolstered with the addition of the 19-year-old, who has signed a short-term deal with Andy Whing’s side following his departure from Burnley.

The combative midfielder rose through Wolverhampton Wanderers’ youth ranks, where he made 34 appearances for in the Under 18s Premier League as well as representing the club at U23s level, before signing for Stockport County in a permanent deal where he joined the emerging talent group.

A move to Burnley then followed for Francis-Burrell for an undisclosed fee".

FA CUP FIXTURES

Friday 1 November

• Notts County 5-1 Alfreton Town
• Tamworth 1-0 Huddersfield Town

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Tamworth, 16th in the National League, have incredibly progressed to the second round after Huddersfield goalkeeper Chris Maxwell put into his own net as he failed to deal with a long throw-in on the stroke of half-time.

Before today's FA Cup match, Gloucestershire Live reported that "Forest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill has said that the squad may be a little short ahead of a visit to Stockport County...

Rovers will be without Jed Ward and Ryan Inniss as a known certainty for this weekend due to loan agreements and suspensions, but... 'We have got a couple of injuries that will probably be missing for maybe another three weeks'... Cotterill said...

KForest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill has said that the squad may be a little short ahead of a visit to Stockport County in the FA Cup first round on Saturday. Rovers will be without Jed Ward and Ryan Inniss as a known certainty for this weekend due to loan agreements and suspensions, but Cotterill has provided an update that a few more could miss out due to injury,

'We have got a couple of injuries that will probably be missing for maybe another three weeks'... However, Teddy Jenks is continuing to make progress on his return to the squad following an injury setback...

'There are a lot of teams that spend a lot of money and don’t spend it well, I say Stockport and I say Wrexham because I have come across them in the last six or seven months, they have done really well. I think they have both got decent training grounds and everything like that, a big well done to their chairmen, managers and coaching staff because I think they have done a good job with their recruitment'"

1 November 2024

ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 1-4 CARLISLE UNITED YOUTH

Alty had taken a 78th minute lead through substitute Charley Jarrald (right) before Carlisle's O'Donoghue equalised (90+2 mins).

In extra time Lambert netted (92 mins), before Dan Hopper put Carlisle further ahead (99 mins). In the 102nd minute Rigby vanquished any hope of a comeback as he made it 1-4 (102 mins).

Report to follow

Footnote: And whilst the Foxes were putting Altrincham out of the FA Youth Cup, a local fox made a dramatic entrance during the game, startling spectators as it ran up the main stand steps before executing an about-turn and exiting by the same route!

A CONCERTED EFFORT TO SEEK HARMONY

In an effort to assuage neighbourhood concerns about the event, a meeting was convened this week to which local residents were invited. A summary, in the form of a list of comments raised at the meeting, has been published on the club's official website.

This can be read on the Altrincham FC site.

REMI THOMPSON LOAN MOVE

The 22-year-old joined the Robins in the summer following a successful pre-season trial and made his competitive first team debut in the 4-0 win over Ebbsfleet United at the start of September".

Footnote: To date Remi has made just the one 85th minute substitue appearance mentioned above.

He was named in the squad for two other matches but did not get used.

Eemi was a surprise signing having appeared only as an 83rd minute substitute on the right-wing in the final game of 2024 pre-season fixtures.

He was with Fulham, Manchester United and Huddersfield Town as a youngster but made his professional bow in Ireland with Waterford.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 34-year-old joins Latics with plenty of EFL experience for the likes of Hull City, Swansea, Stoke and Rotherham United.

Clucas started his career at Leicester City where he spent seven years from 2001 to 2008, before joining Lincoln City...

He said, 'I’ve been training with the group for a couple of weeks now and it’s a great group to come into...

Clucas arguably enjoyed the best spell of his career at Stoke City, making 131 appearances over a five year period scoring 18 goals.

Rotherham United were his most recent club joining in September 2023 for the remainder of the Championship campaign.

Manager Micky Mellon is delighted... 'Sam’s a real coup for the club@">