ALTY WELCOME A SIXTH LOANEE

A central midfielder with an eye for goal who can also play in defence, Kian will be with Alty for the next month...

24-year old* Kian is eligible to play [against Eastleigh in the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday]... [*Other sources say he is 19, born 15 February 2005].

The player, who has already broken through to the first team at Preston, was welcomed by Alty's director of football Marc Tierney, who said 'He is a really good addition for us...

'It's great that we have been supported by the board with this loan'".

Preston North End say that "local lad Kian Taylor signed a professional contract at Deepdale in July 2023.

Having progressed through the ranks from an early age, Kian – who can play in defence or midfield – penned a two-year deal with the club and soon went on to make his professional debut.

After being named as a substitute in the opening match of the season against Bristol City, Kian made his senior bow in a Carabao Cup round one tie against Salford City.

That came after an impressive pre-season which saw him play in a number of positions... His first season as a professional didn't quite go as planned, though, as Kian missed several months with an arm injury, although he did return to action towards the end of the campaign on loan with Stafford Rangers".

Footnote: Kian becomes the sixth loanee signed by Altrincham this season, of whom four remain at the club.

He will find at least one familar face at the club as he joins fellow Preston loanee Kacper PASIEK at the J. Davidson Stadium.

The other three current loanees are Jake BICKERSTAFF, on loan from Wrexham, Joe NUTTALL, on loan from Oldham Athletic and Charlie OLSON, on loan from Blackburn Rovers.

The one player whose loan at Alty has been completed is Liam HUMBLES who is currently with Gateshead after making 8(+5) appearances for Altrincham.

Above, left to right: Bickerstaff, Nuttall, Olson, Humbles and Pasiek.

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

Eastleigh reported that "Following a tightly contested match, the Spitfires are beaten in the capital by Sutton United.

A game of fine margins saw Will Davies score the only goal of the day from the spot in the 60th minute...

Moments before the break, Niall Maher was taken down in the box by Jack Taylor, to give Eastleigh a big chance to take the lead. Chris Maguire stepped up to take the penalty, but was unable to beat an outstretched Jack Sims...

After the break, the home side were given a chance of their own from the spot. Davies made no mistake... to give Sutton the lead [in] the game.

Both sides would continue to push for goals, but were unable to have any big chances, meaning the Spitfires would be forced into defeat.

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Brindley, Humphries, Francillette, Maguire, Taylor (C), Uchegbulam (Underhill, 64′), Waruih, Boutin (Semenyo, 78′), Pyke (Ryan, 88′), Maher. Unused subs: Scott (GK), Fernandez, Hodson".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

'I thought we were totally dominant, and our level of performance was extremely high,' said Brennan... 'I think that’s three clean sheets on the bounce'...

A blossoming relationship with Zak Brunt on the pitch seems to have breathed new life into Kanu, with Brennan add[ing] 'It’s great for Idris... I put my arm around him about three weeks ago and had a conversation with him, as there were several clubs in for him.'...

Barnet extended their lead at the top to four points with a 2-0 win over Hartlepool United at the Hive on Tuesday".

York City confirm that "Levi Andoh has joined Hereford FC on loan until the end of the season.

Levi joined the Minstermen in the summer of 2023 and has since made four appearances for City. Earlier on this season the defender signed for Darlington on a month’s long loan deal which saw him make 5 appearances for the National North Side.

In November the 24-year-old then joined up with Cornish side Truro City where he also went on to make another 5 appearances.

Andoh will now team up with his former side Hereford".

York are still without striker Dipo Akinyemi as York Press reported a wekk ago. " Akinyemi has struggled with a twisted knee injury since [the] 2-1 defeat to Sutton United...

A challenge on Akinyemi went unpunished by the match officials, and despite the striker’s claims for a foul, [Sutton] found the back of the net".

Akinyemi would go on to play the remainder of the match, and even scored a consolation goal after tucking Ollie Pearce’s cross through a crowd of bodies.

At Hartlepool United, the club has announced "the permanent signing of central midfielder Jamie Miley from Newcastle United.

The 21-year-old puts pen to paper at the Prestige Group Stadium having trained with the squad over the last fortnight.

Miley has enjoyed nearly a decade of development with Premier League side Newcastle, having joined the Magpies at the age of 11... and went on to play for the first team in several pre-season fixtures.

Miley gained experience in League Two during the first half of this season, playing eight times on loan at Newport County...

Upon joining Pools, Miley stated... 'Being a North East lad, I know how passionate the supporters can be so I’m really looking forward to it.'"

30 January 2025

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

Right: Right: Quigley and Lewis Baines contest an aerial ball during the second half of Eastleigh's visit to Altrincham in August.

In addition to the 14 Vanarama National League fixtures played at home so far this season, an unprecedented eight successive home cup matches have taken place on the Moss Lane turf so far this season. Four of those games have come in the new National League Cup, with single ties in the FA Cup and Cheshire Senior Cup, whilst the current run in the FA Trophy has produced three successive home ties including this coming Saturday's.

Eastleigh are the only team to have won a league game at the J. Davidson Stadium this season. That came in the second home match of the campaign on 24 August 2024.

That was the Hampshire club's seventh attempt to win at Altrincham. The 1-0 victory came thanks to a Chris Maguire penalty, which was converted in the 72nd minute. The spot-kick arrived after Quigley had been upended in the box by Haygarth.

The penalty materialised after a rehearsed Eastleigh freekick seemed to have gone wrong but, following four or five passes, the move ended with the foul on Quigley inside the box.

The Alty squad that day comprised 1. Ethan ROSS, 2. Lewis BANKS, 4. Lewis BAINES (c), 16. James JONES, 23. Tylor GOLDEN, 6. Elliot OSBORNE, 22. Tom CRAWFORD, 10. Alex NEWBY, 21. Max HAYGARTH, 11. Justin AMALUZOR, 24. Joe NUTTALL. Subs: 5. Jake COOPER, 9. Regan LINNEY, 19. George WILSON, 7. Matty KOSYLO 15. Kahrel REDDIN, 18. Owen GERMAN, 30. Harvey RANDLE (gk).

PP'S VERDICT

He revealed that Alty had played "a bounce game last week against Port Vale" which was behind closed doors and, like the game with Wolves, helped to give game-time to recovering and fringe players.

As for loanee Kacper Pasiek (seen, right, during the game), who scored the equaliser, Phil judged that the Polish left-back has "a bright future in the game" though he was critical of his role in the Wolves goal.

The boss felt that Lucas Weaver "could have had a hat trick on another night". He reminded us that Weaver is cup-tied at the weekend so there is a chance for a "rusty" Justin Amaluzor to be involved as he comes back from more than three months out with injury.

The Alty manager said that debutant midfielder Regan Griffiths has signed "to help me out... He is a player that I've always liked... he fits us like a glove". He has been signed short-term "to help out whilst Isaace Marriott and George Wilson recover" from their injuries.

ALTY'S LEAGUE CUP FATE UNCERTAIN

But the Reds won 5-0 to confirm their top position in the Group, whilst the Latics now finish behind Altrincham. However, Rochdale have yet to host Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 in the group's final fixture, and the outcome of that game will determine Alty's fate. It is scheduled to take place, subject to Rochdale's pitch being fit, on 11 February 2025.

A win for either side would eliminate Altrincham.

As a draw in the NLC would lead to a penalty shootout from which the winner emerges with two points, a draw would allow Rochdale to progress at Alty's expense on goal difference should they win the shootout.

So, the only result which would allow Alty to progress would be a draw in which Wolves win the shoot-out. That would leave the Midlanders a point behind Altrincham.

ALTY OLD BOYS

National League Cup: Oldham Athletic fielded a weakened side against Manchester United U21, and neither REAGAN OGLE (right) nor JOSH LUNDSTRAM were involved as they shipped 5 goals without reply.

Footnote: See above for where Oldham's defeat leaves Altrincham's chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 1 FEBRUARY

For details, see Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years data.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The club are tonight facing a huge, and fully deserved backlash from supporters following the postponement of a vital game in hand against Boston United.

The club joked earlier on about their not being any plans of a pitch inspection for the game.

The weather today has been more or less spells of light drizzle since the tweet that seemingly dismissed any fears of a postponement...

It's fair to say the club have some serious questions to answer and fans will get to ask those questions on Thursday night at the club's fans forum".

Earlier Rochdale had stated that "The match referee conducted a pitch inspection upon his and Boston’s arrival and deemed a small section to be unplayable...

We would like to apologise to supporters of both clubs for the inconvenience".

Footnote: The postponement follows several days of major pitch renovation in the centre of the playing surface.

From the Boston United Supporters' Association comes a letter on X, addressed to Rochdale which outlines their "frustration over the late postponement of our two fixtures with you, i.e. 21st December 2024 and January 28th 2025".

The letter also points out that supporters' "coach expenditure for these two postponements has cost us £720 per coach x 4 so the supporters are out of pocket to the tune of £2,880. We feel that your club should reimburse this cost to our supporters".

Footnote: Boston United themselves suffered the abandonment of their recent home game against Southend United after just seven minutes of play, owing to fog.

Southend United "announce the signing of Leon Chambers-Parillon from Slough Town for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has completed a move to Roots Hall, signing a deal until the summer of 2027...

Parillon said upon signing... 'To get a move to a massive club like Southend is a huge honour... They all showed a genuine interest in seeing me play numerous times. They explained how they want to develop my strengths. There’s always stuff to work on but they showed I can play a key part in this team'...

Parillon was in the academies of Luton Town and Aston Villa before he joined Oxford United in 2020... Parillon moved to Hitchin Town in 2022 and a year later he signed for Slough Town in the National League South...

'I’m a high energy, box-to-box midfielder and someone who likes to take people on and commit defenders,' Parillon added".

Hartlepool United "confirm Matthew Bondswell and Kazenga LuaLua have departed the Club upon the expiration of their contracts.

The pair joined Pools in November, with LuaLua making eight appearances at the Prestige Group Stadium, while Bondswell played twice.

The Club will support both players as they look to continue their football career elsewhere. We wish them the best of luck for their future".

29 January 2025

ALTRINCHAM 2-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS U21

Altrincham started with the bare minimum of first-team players allowed in the competition, namely just four players who had started the previous league match. And three of those four were hauled off after just 19 minutes, leaving only Lewis Banks as a player on the pitch who had started this game and the match last Saturday. And he was to be subbed at half-time.

The visitors went ahead in the 32nd minute when Sutherland converted a chance after Altrincham had failed to clear an incursion on the right.

Right: Regan Griffiths made his debut, having been signed this week after being a summer trialist for Altrincham.

But the game was turned on its head two minutes later when last-defender Pond was shown a straight red as he hauled Bickerstaff to the ground.

From their sixth corner in a ten-minute spell, Altrincham equalised when left-back Kacper Pasiek, who had a fine game, fired home a low shot when the last corner in this sequence came out to him (67 mins).

Having missed several presentable chances, Lucas Weaver put Altrincham ahead ten minutes later when debutant Griffiths's fine shot was beaten out and the incoming winger scored from close range (77 mins). Wolves were convinced that it should not have been a corner and their manager was duly booked for his protests

Most of the second half was spent in the Wolves half as Alty held their lead comfortably to the final whistle.

Match report here.

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

It will be the second time the clubs have met in a fortnight, after Altrincham won 2-1 in the Vanarama National League in Hampshire on 18 January.

Next Saturday's game is also the third in a sequence of four successive home games for Altrincham, following the visits of Forest Green Rovers (league) and Wolverhampton Wanderers PL2 (league cup) and ahead of the arrival of Braintree Town (league) on 8 February.

As outlined below, Altrincham then embark on a testing sequence of six away games in their next eight league matches, which all take place over a five-week period.

TOUGH LEAGUE SCHEDULE AHEAD

After that, Altrincham's next eight league games include six away matches, all of which come in two batches of three successive away trips to be played, in each case, in an eight-day period.

ln fact all five of Alty's remaining evening matches are away games to be played over a six-week period from 11 February to 18 March.

Arguably the worse of the two three-aways-in-a-row-in eight-days sequence is that taking place between 11-18 February when a trip to Oldham for a Tuesday night match is followed by two long journeys to the north east to face Gateshead on the following Saturday followed by a return to the north-east to face Hartlepool on the next Tuesday! 630 miles will be covered in those eight days.

Also very taxing for the squad is the other "three-aways-in-a-row-in-eight-days" sequence of games at York, Southend and Rochdale between 4-11 March, when 682 miles will be covered on the road. However, the long journey to Essex is a Saturday, rather than midweek, fixture and the other two games are relatively close (less than 100 miles each).

RESERVES THRASHED

This result followed a 1-7 home defeat the previous week to Lostock Gralam.

With a goal-difference deficit now of minus 53 goals, Alty remain bottom of the league, seven points from safety and having played the equal highest number of fixtures in the division.

The Altrincham squad comprised, in alphabetical order, Oscar Cooper, Rhys Cosquer, Afernee Denise, Lucas Edwards, Harrison Howells, Isaac Mannion, Charlie Noble, Kaiden Powell, Remi Raymond, Vladislav Shtyhlian and Kyran Webster.

The players on the bench were Blyth Bywater, Jacob Ireland, Harry St Romaine, Ben Taylor and Harry Watson.

WOMEN PROGRESS IN CUP

Grace McArdle, Natalie Lowe and Kira Saycell put Alty 3-0 up at the interval. A second goal from McArdle and one from Brogan Walsh made it 5-0 after 76 minutes, but County responded with two late goals to complete the scoring.

The Alty line up, in alphabetical order, was Caitlin Beaty, Holly Lloyd, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Libby Newton, Annie Rose O'Donoghue, Emily O'Leary, Rhianna Pickering, Kira Saycell and Brogan Walsh.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : Millwall had already scored the only goal of the game at Portsmouth when DUNCAN WATMORE was substituted after 57 minutes.

League One : CHRIS CONN-CLARKE played the whole of Peterborough United's 1-0 home win over Wigan Athletic.

Stevenage's usually watertight defence was pierced twice at Wrexham, but CARL PIERGIANNI and his colleagues will be happy with a 2-3 victory.

National League : In a reversal of recent selections, BILLY SASS-DAVIES played the whole of Hartlepool United's 2-0 defeat at Barnet, and it was LUKE WATERFALL who watched from the bench

National League Cup : KENNEDY DIGIE (above, right) played the whole of Tamworth's 0-2 defeat by Middlesbrough U21.

National North : Hereford won at Peterborough Sports, with YUSIFU CEESAY notching the game's only goal.

There were a number of Old Boys in action at Radcliffe, where the visitors were Chester. Radcliffe started BRAD JACKSON, JOSH HANCOCK, and JORDAN HULME. DAN MOONEY had to wait until the 58th minute to join the action from the bench, but by that time TOM PEERS had opened the scoring, and he struck again after 68 minutes to round matters off at 0-3.

Although DIOR ANGUS (right) equalised from the penalty spot for Southport, visitors Spennymoor soon struck three times in 12 minutes to win 1-4.

NPL Division 1 West : Nantwich Town were ahead with goals from JOE BUNNEY and BYRON HARRISON, but surrendered their advantage in the last quarter of an hour, having to settle for a 2-2 draw with visitors Kidsgrove Athletic.

LUKE WALL equalised for Runcorn Linnets, but they went down 1-3 at home to Stafford Rangers.

The scorer of Bootle's clincher in a 0-2 win at Vauxhall Motors was SEAN WILLIAMS.

Northern Ireland Premiership : SAM ROSCOE had not long returned from a period out with injury, but unfortunately he had to be substituted by Linfield after 35 minutes of their 2-1 home win against Crusaders.

ABC: ALTY'S BOWEL CANCER INITIATIVE

That particularly matchday has been designated as Bowel Cancer Awareness Day...

You'll find lots of helpful information across all Altrincham FC and Community Sports channels over the next 12 days".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Barnet 2-0 Hartlepool United
• Rochdale P-P Boston United
• Southend United 2-0 AFC Fylde

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

His substitute appearance against Yeovil Town came just a day after his 40th birthday and our record goalscorer came close to marking it with another Rochdale goal...

Unsurprisingly, it also makes Hendo the fifth oldest player to present the club, at 40 years and one day...

Our five oldest players throughout history [are]:

• 5th – Ian Henderson – 40 years and one day
• 4th – Aaron Wilbraham – 40 years and 138 days
• 3rd – Harry Hubbick – 40 years and 174 days
• 2nd – Jack Warner – 41 years and 196 days. The first player to make his debut for the club at the age of 40 was Jack Warner, who was just 29 days short of his 41st birthday when he played in a 1-0 home defeat to Crewe Alexandra on the opening day of the 1952/53 season....
• 1st – Tony Ford – 42 years and 173 days.. who also made his debut for the club at the age of 40 on the opening day of 1999/2000 season... The last of his career appearances [was] in a 2-0 win over Torquay United in November 2001.

Footnote: Altrincham's oldest player in the current millennium was almost certainly goalkeeper IAN SENIOR, who at the age of 44 kept goal in the late, unlamented Nationwide Conference Carthium Cup.

In a Preliminary Round Match, played on Monday, 4 October, 2004, Alty lost 6-2 at Ashton United, with Ian making his first appearance for the club for four years.

As for ex-Alty players who have played against Altrincham for other clubs, KEVIN ELLISON is the likely recent champion, having turned out and scored for Vauxhall Motors versus Alty in a Cheshire Senior Cup First Round tie on 1 October, 2024, at the age of 45.

Kevin scored twice as the Motormen ran out 3-1 winners at the JDS.

"Jonny Stuttle’s loan deal with Aldershot Town has come to an end as the striker has been recalled by AFC Bournemouth.

Stuttle made eight appearances for the Shots and scored his two goals in our 8-0 win over Chertsey Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy Fourth Round".

The BBC confirms that "Former Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough has quit his role as Director of Football with National League side AFC Fylde.

The 54-year-old held the Northern Ireland post for two years before being sacked in October 2022.

Following a spell as Cheltenham Town assistant manager, he joined Fylde in November, with his brief stay coming to an end on Monday...

'It is with a heavy heart that I have taken the difficult decision to step away from the football club'... said Baraclough... 'The experience will stand me in good stead for the future.

'It has been an enjoyably challenging, busy few months and hopefully I am leaving the club in a better place'".

28 January 2025

ALTY SIGN FORMER TRIALIST

Now, Altrincham FC reports, through press and media officer, John Edwards, that "Phil Parkinson has added Football League experience to Altrincham's midfield options after snapping up Crewe Alexandra Academy graduate Regan Griffiths on a free transfer.

It's a timely acquisition for the Robins boss, with Regan eligible for not only our Vanarama National League promotion push but also tonight's National League Cup group game with Wolves under-21s and Saturday's Isuzu FA Trophy tie with Eastleigh...

Born in Huyton, the 24-year old has built a reputation as an all-round central midfielder, technically accomplished with a wide range of passing and also a strong physical presence, after working his way through the junior ranks at Gresty Road and making his mark in the first team... [making] his first appearance in League One away to Portsmouth [in late 2020]...

The following March, he joined Notts County on loan for the rest of that season".

NEXT: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

However, manager Phil Parkinson has indicated that he will utilize first-team squad players in the game rather than fielding a team of up and coming players.

Whilst Justin Amaluzor has been named as a player who will feature, as he returns to fitness, Altrincham have a number of first-teamers sidelined by injury. They include left-back Eddy Jones, whose scan results have yet to be made known, and George Wilson, who has missed the last three league games.

The fitness status of centre-back James Jones is unclear; he was not in the squad last Saturday and, in the last seven league fixtures, he has only appeared twice, on each occasion only playing for 45 minutes.

Others who did not start last weekend are expected to be involved tonight, including Matty Kosylo, Owen German (right) and loanees Jake Bickerstaff and Kacper Pasiek, whilst understudy goalkeeper Harvey Randle will also be hoping to be involved.

DAVE'S DOUBLE LIFE

LR finished second last season in the NWCFL Division One North but missed out on promotion in the playoffs. They are currently lying second in the league, once again, this season. As the NL Paper points out about Dave, as well as being a football manager, "he also prepares the pitch for National League high-fliers Altrincham as the Robins' head groundsman in his day job".

All supporters at Altrincham will send Dave their best wishes on his club's Road to Wembley and thank him for his and his team of volunteers' hard work this season in keeping the pitch in playable condition despite the atrocious weather this winter.

ALTY OLD BOYS

The 19-year-old centre-back... [was] in our Under-18s’ three trophy-winning campaign last season.

Left: Jack was pictured as his United side won their NL Cup match at Altrincham in November, 2024.

Jack’s continued development in the Under-21s — for whom he’s made 10 appearances this season — has earned him a first loan move and the chance to gain regular senior experience.

Kingdon has been around the first-team environment before, not just at United, but also as part of our innovative Pro Experience Scheme. He spent a portion of the 2022/23 season training with Altrincham, whom he represented in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Launched in 2021, the programme has given many players a true taste of the Football League environment. For some, it's been a crucial first stepping stone towards a formal loan move, and Kingdon is the latest in this group".

Meanwhile, Rochdale have an interview with the player.

Footnote: Kingdon was one of the youngest players ever to have featured for Alty's first team as he was only 16 years 10 months and 25 days old on his Altrincham debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup, on 11 October 2022 at Sandbach.

Before joining United, Jack had been at Morecambe.

In Monday night's action in the NWCFL Premier, Phil Jordan reports that "having trailed at the interval at Stockport Town, Irlam levelled just after the hour through player coach JOHN JOHNSTON and went on to win 1-2, but are still just outside the playoff places".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Neil has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract... Former Liverpool, Wrexham, Tranmere and Wales international forward Lee Jones joins Neil as his Assistant Manager.

Born in St Asaph, Wales, 45 year old Neil's football journey began as a midfielder with Tranmere Rovers... He later played for clubs including Rhyl, Sheffield Wednesday, Southport and Prestatyn Town.

Transitioning into management, Neil took the helm at Prestatyn Town in 2007... In August 2022, Neil was appointed as the First Team Manager of Connah's Quay Nomads...

Throughout his managerial career, Neil has been praised for his modern approach to the game, with a clear philosophy and principles...

Neil said 'The club and I are a perfect fit'...

Chairman Rory Fitzgerald stat[ed] 'Neil is someone we have monitored for some time and brings a wealth of experience, a track record of success and a clear vision for the future'".

At Boston United comes news that "Peterborough United have recalled striker Pemi Aderoju from his loan spell at the Jakemans Community Stadium. The recall has been activated to facilitate a further loan move elsewhere.

Aderoju (20) arrived in Lincolnshire ahead of the Pilgrims' return to the National League – and scored three times in 12 starts and 17 substitute appearances".

At the weekend, Wealdstone "were defeated 2-0 by AFC Fylde in an important National League clash at Mill Farm.

With former Stones Manager Matt Taylor joining Solihull Moors as Head Coach on Thursday, Assistant Manager Paul Hughes stepped up as Interim Manager ahead of the fixture.

'We were very front foot from the start and we created a one-on-one opportunity and a few half chances while effectively limiting their attacking threat...

”In the second half, the focus was on turning the opposition more often and gaining greater control in midfield. Up until their goal, we looked the stronger side, we put a lot of pressure on their defence with a series of corners and near-misses"...

A quick move saw Fylde ahead after 67 minutes when Ashley Boatswain tapped home from close range. Nick Haughton doubled the advantage after 80 minutes...

'However, their goal came against the run of play; a sucker punch that shifted the momentum and momentarily took the wind out of our sails. We didn’t fully get back into our stride after that'".

Footote: Unfortunately, Hughes lost his job following the game when, as reported above, Neil Gibson was apppointed as the new manager at Wealdstone.

Gateshead have signed 23 year-old goalkeeper George Shelvey on a short-term contract till the end of this season.

Shelvey emerged from the Nottingham Forest Academy, from where he had a loan spell at Wealdstone in 2020-21.

Heed manager Carl Magnay said "George has been with us for a little while now. He's trained a lot an understands the concepts, ideas and how we like to build out from the back, and we feel he has all of the qualities to be able to do that.

"Owen Mason is in that position; it's his to lose at this moment in time but it's a positive in the goalkeeping position, we have real competition".

Southend United "announce the signing of Ben Goodliffe on loan from Colchester United until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old centre back joins straight up with Kevin Maher’s side...

Born in Watford, the central defender came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur until his release at the age of 16, then making the switch to non-league Boreham Wood...

Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers won the race for his signature in March 2017...

Goodliffe then signed for National League side Sutton United... prompting his inclusion in the National League Team of the Season... Ben made over 50 appearances in the club’s first season in the EFL...

Goodliffe made the switch to Colchester United last summer, playing for the U’s 14 times".

Solihull Moors "confirm that Michael Adu-Poku has returned to his parent club, Watford FC.

The 19-year-old initially joined Solihull on loan for the duration of the 2024/25 season, but the Championship club have exercised their recall option in the player's loan deal with the club.

Adu-Poku scored once for Moors in our 6-0 away in over Ebbsfleet United before suffering injury in our Boxing Day victory over Boston United".

Sutton United "confirm that George Evans has returned to Millwall following the conclusion of his loan spell.

The 19-year old arrived at the VBS Community Stadium at the start of January on a month-long loan to provide cover for the injured Jack Sims...

A Man of the Match-worthy display on his debut saw him contribute to a 1-0 victory over Tamworth in the Isuzu FA Trophy...

In all, Evans appeared three times for the U’s... and added to his array of good performances by keeping out three penalties [v. WBA] to help Sutton win the shootout in the National League Cup".

Alty's local rivals to get into the knock-out stages of the National League Cup from Group B, Oldham Athletic, host Group leaders Manchester United at Boundary Park on Wednesday night. Given they have a National League fixture 24 hours earlier they are expected to field a lesser line-up on Wednesday.

The Latics say that "Our National League Cup campaign has been a good showcase for players from our academy education programme[to] gain experience alongside first-team players, gaining minutes and impressing against Category 1 talent.

Make sure get down to Boundary Park to cheer on the young Latics with first-team players as they look to progress to the knock-out stages".

27 January 2025

NEXT: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS PL2

Manager Phil Parkinson has told supporters that Justin Amaluzor will be on view in Tuesday's clash, a match to which entry is free for all spectators

Right: A trim looking Justin Amaluzor took part in the pre-match warm-up at the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday.

Injured at Hartlepool on October, Justin had started all but one of the 15 league games to that point, and had been a used substitute in the game he did not start.

Since then he has missed twelve National League games through a knee injury.

Tuesday's game is a Group B match, with only the top two clubs progressing to the knock-out stage.

The current Group B table (below) shows only the top five of the eight clubs as the bottom three teams, Stoke City, Forest Green Rovers and Blackburn Rovers have already completed their four fixtures.

1. Manchester United U21 P 3 PTS 9 GD 6
2. Oldham Athletic P 3 PTS 7 GD 2
3. Rochdale P 3 PTS 6 GD 4
4. Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 P 2 PTS 5 GD 2
5. ALTRINCHAM P 3 PTS 5 GD -1

Upcoming fixtures in Group B:

Tuesday 28th January

• Altrincham v Wolverhampton Wanderers U21

Wednesday 29th January

• Oldham Athletic v Manchester United U21

REMEMBERING JORDAN

At the age of 25, Jordan was sadly killed five years ago this weekend and the electronic screen at the J. Davidson Stadium displayed an image (left) of Alty's former number 20 to signal a minute's applause for the player, whose father Lee, of course, took Altrincham back to the top-flight of non-League football in 2014.

Jordan first played for Altrincham in a six-game loan spell from Huddersfield Town, which started against Gainsborough Trinity on 8 December 2012. He had been captain of the Yorkshire club's under-18 team in 2011-12 and made 2(+3) appearances for Huddersfield’s first-team. He also had a loan spell at Bury before his release by the Yorkshire club. Jordan then signed for Altrincham on non-contract terms on 13 February 2015 and made a further 8(+5) appearances for the Club, scoring once.

Following several appearances in pre-season in summer 2015, Jordan signed again for the club on 24 July 2015. Jordan was an excellent crosser of the ball and normally operated on the right flank. Injuries to Shaun Densmore in 2015 led to Jordan playing regularly at right-back in 2015-16, a position in which he performed well.

In all he made 62(+7) appearances for Alty, scoring 4 goals.

NEIL: "A TOUGH ONE TO TAKE"

Right: Lewis Baines, the Altrincham captain, was the named Man of the Match against FGR on Saturday. He is seen here during the game, in front of the shirt-sponsor AO's advertising board at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Speaking to the NL Paper, Neil said of the 1-1 draw, "it's a tough one to take. We probably needed a second goal but they hadn't offered much in the game, so we tried to see it out".

He concluded, "We should have come away with three points".

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Minstermen report that, in fact, they "were beaten by Boston United for the second time this season, on Saturday afternoon.

[Ex-Alty loanee] TYRESE SINCLAIR gave City an early lead with an incredible strike, but [ex-Alty man] CONNOR TEALE ensured that the hosts were on level terms going into the break.

The second half saw Jimmy Knowles turn the game around with a finish into the top corner to edge Boston in front, before Jacob Hazel came off the bench to put the nail in the coffin.

Following Tuesday’s excellent 2-0 win at Oldham, manager Adam Hinshelwood made three changes to the starting eleven, with Josh Stones, Billy Chadwick, and Ricky Aguiar coming in...

An injury during Boston’s goal forced a half-time change – Rory Watson replaced Male between the sticks.

The substitute ‘keeper was quickly called into action in the second half, having to pull off a one-on-one save against Knowles.

Boston then turned the game on its head, and found the lead in the 67th minute...

Multiple Minstermen changes were made in an attempt to claw back, but John-Lewis could only offer a tame header straight into the arms of Gregory.

Hazel came off the hosts’ bench to put the game to bed in the 86th minute, steering home from an angle, potentially helped in by a white shirt sliding in, condemning City to a second league defeat against Boston this season".

Another standout result on Saturday came as another team beginning with the letter Y, Yeovil Town, "endured a tough afternoon in Greater Manchester, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Rochdale. Goals from Devante Rodney, Kairo Mitchell, Leon Ayinde, and Jake Burger saw the Glovers leave Spotland empty handed.

Mark Cooper made two changes to the side that drew with Gateshead, with Josh Sims and the departed Matt Worthington replaced by Jacob Maddox and new signing Kyrell Wilson, who made his first start for the club...

Rochdale continued to dominate the opening stages, with Ayinde proving a constant threat down the left... To compound Yeovil’s early difficulties, Jacob Maddox, making his first start for the club, was forced off with an injury in the 26th minute, with Josh Sims coming on as his replacement...

The second half began poorly for the Glovers as Rochdale broke the deadlock just four minutes after the restart... with the ball deflecting off a Yeovil defender before finding its way into the net...

Just shy of the hour mark, Rochdale got their second...

Mark Cooper made a triple substitution, introducing Morgan Williams, Lewys Twamley, and Frank Nouble to the game.

Rochdale, however, added a third just five minutes later... The hosts eventually added a fourth in stoppage time"

to bounce back and get back to winning ways.

26 January, 2025

500 UP FOR PHIL AND NEIL

The single point earned by Altrincham's draw with FGR was a huge disappointment to the Altrincham management but, on the positive side, it marked the 500th league point earned by Phil Parkinson and his assistant manager Neil Sorvel since they joined the club.

Excluding play-off games and an expunged fixture in the NL North, it has taken 326 league matches to earn 500 points, from 138 wins, 86 draws and 102 defeats.

The management's win ratio in those league fixtures, over their entire period at Altrincham and at various different levels, is 42.33%.

ALTRINCHAM v FOREST GREEN ROVERS

FGR gained a point on Saturday after securing three points in the reverse fixture with a 95th minute winner.

Brian Flynn interviewed manager Phil Parkinson for Alty TV.

Phil said that he was "devastated" to have seen Alty concede at the end of the game and therefore only draw the match, adding that FGR "have got away with one there".

Match report here

Right: A beaming Joe Nuttall seen during the match.

COTTRELL: "FGR WERE "BETTER TEAM THROUGHOUT, BY A MILE"

Left: Cottrell at the game against Altrincham.

Match highlights are here, from a FGR perspective

A more balanced view comes from Forest Green Rovers' report on their "1-1 draw with Altrincham making it 17 league games unbeaten for Rovers...

It was the Robins who struck first on 11 minutes when Joe Nuttall met an Alex Newby long ball to drill his volley into the ground and over Jed Ward..

The second became more highly contested...

The hosts almost doubled their lead on the hour mark when Regan Linney’s curling effort from 18-yards grazed the outside of the post.

70 minutes saw Cotterill turn to his bench making a triple substitution of Jordan Garrick, Joe Quigley and Doidge, which saw a turning point in the game...

Rovers threw everything at Alty in stoppage time and... in the 94th minute, McAllister saw an effort blocked into the path of Doidge who drove the ball home, via a deflection."

NEXT: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

For Alty a win is necessary if they are to have any hope of progressing to the knock-out stages. And even a win leaves the Robins reliant on other teams dropping points.

This may be the first time that a Wolves side has played at Moss Lane, but the clubs did meet at Molyneux in the FA Cup Third Round in 1966 with the Midlands club winning 5-0 in front of 30,495 spectators.

There won't be quite as many for this Tuesday's clash, although there is free entry to the match to boost the attendance.

Wolves PL2 have only played two NL Cup matches, so far, and have secured a win and a draw. They lie fourth in Group B with five points and are only ahead of fifth-placed Alty, who have played three games, on goal difference.

In the Premier League 2, Wolves lie eighth in the 26-team division. Their most recent game in PL2 was an impressive 3-1 home win over Manchester City who are the league leaders.

REGAN SIGNS UP TO SPORTS MANAGEMENT COMPANY

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship: Having already scored the only goal of the game at Luton Town, Millwall substituted DUNCAN WATMORE after 83 minutes.

Swansea City brought JOSH GINNELLY off the bench after 85 minutes at Carrow Road, but within a minute of his introduction Norwich City struck the final goal of their 5-1 win.

League One: Since Stockport County scored against them on December 14th, Stevenage have kept 7 clean sheets in their next 8 games (they blotted their copybook in a 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic last Saturday ). Normal service was resumed at Oakwell this afternoon as CARL PIERGIANNI captained his side to a 0-1 win over Barnsley.

CHRIS CONN-CLARKE was introduced by Peterborough United after 58 minutes as they trailed 3-0 at Lincoln City, but to no avail as they lost 5-1.

Neither TOBY MULLARKEY nor JUNIOR QUITIRNA were in the Crawley Town squad that lost 2-0 at Stockport County.

A full shift from JOEL SENIOR could not prevent Bristol Rovers from losing 2-0 at Wigan Athletic.

League Two: ALISTAIR SMITH was booked as AFC Wimbledon forced a goalless draw in their grudge match at MK Dons.

Although Barrow ended a run of only 1 win in their last 11 games, beating visitors Grimsby Town 3-0, they did so without ELLIOT NEWBY (right) who was left on the bench. The same fate befell KEVIN BERKOE in Salford City's 2-1 defeat at Cheltenham Town.

RYAN COLCLOUGH was substituted by Chesterfield after 70 minutes. Although visitors Port Vale were leading at the time, they were down to 10 men and conceded 6 minutes later to end the match at 1-1.

Morecambe's travails continued as they had to play the entire second half with ten men at Colchester United and eventually succumbed to the only goal. MARCUS DACKERS was one of four 78th minute substitutes for them.

There was a clean sheet for Accrington Stanley, as SONNY ALJOFREE and his colleagues surprisingly won by the only goal at Crewe Alexandra.

Although JOE HUGILL was booked, Carlisle United won 1-2 at Fleetwood Town to leapfrog Morecambe at the foot of the table. However, they are still 5 points adrift of Newport County and Tranmere Rovers. The Birkenhead club drew 1-1 against visitors Gillingham, with CONNOR JENNINGS putting in a full shift.

National League: MILES WELCH-HAYES was absent from Maidenhead United's squad as they went down 3-0 at Barnet.

After TYRESE SINCLAIR, who played the full game, had given York City a 7th minute lead at the Jakeman's Community Stadium, CONNOR TEALE equalised for hosts Boston United. Despite later picking up a yellow card he would have been the happier Old Boy as the Lincolnshire club ripped up the form book, winning 3-1.

LIAM HUMBLES played the full match for Gateshead, as did REAGAN OGLE for visitors Oldham Athletic. JOSH LUNDSTRAM was withdrawn after 86 minutes as the sides drew 1-1.

As has been the case in recent weeks, Hartlepool United captain LUKE WATERFALL played the full game while BILLY SASS-DAVIES watched on from the bench. Visitors Woking were down to 10 men after 35 minutes, but we're gifted the lead with an own goal before eventually drawing 1-1.

At the Crown Oil Arena, KYLE FERGUSON (right) watched from the Rochdale bench, while MATT GOULD did the same for visitors Yeovil Town. The hosts were in complete control and won 4-0.

National North: Leading 2-0 thanks to a brace from LEWIS SALMON, Alfreton Town were in for a late shock as visitors Needham Market scored three goals between the 78th and 92nd minute to snatch an unexpected victory. It was their first win in two months, and enabled them to climb off the bottom of the table at the expense of NEIL YOUNG'S Marine.

MICHAEL GYASI was on the score sheet for Peterborough Sports as they beat visitors King's Lynn 3-1.

Radcliffe won 3-2 at home to Hereford. JORDAN HULME scored twice for the hosts, while YUSIFU CEESAY was on target for the visitors.

DAN MOONEY rounded off the scoring as Chester won 2-4 at Scarborough Athletic.

NPL Premier Division : MONTEL GIBSON put Matlock Town ahead against visitors FC UNITED, but, after the game had been pulled level, he was sent off just before the interval. Although his team regained the lead, a DYLAN MOTTLEY-HENRY goal rounded off the scoring in a 2-2 draw.

NPL Division 1 West: On Friday evening, LUKE WALL (right) opened the scoring for Runcorn Linnets, who went on to beat visitors Atherton Collieries 2-1.

On Saturday SEAN MILLER was on target as Widnes won their home game against Congleton Town 5-1.

NWCL Premier Division : Irlam beat visitors Glossop North End 2-1. JOHN JOHNSTON scored the 86th minute winner.

Northern Ireland Premiership : SAM ROSCOE played throughout Linfield's home win over Cliftonville.

Poland: Legia Warsaw won their friendly against lower division Leczna 6-3. MAXI OYEDELE is now fit again, and was in the starting XI.

ALTY WOMEN LOSE SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

Alex has transformed the fortunes of our women's team since being appointed last June and has led them top the top of the Cheshire Women's and Youth League Premier Division in his first season in charge.

His impact has not gone unnoticed, and when the women's set-up at Everton offered him a full-time role as Academy goalkeeper coach, it proved too good to turn down".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Barnet v Hartlepool United
• Rochdale v Boston United
• Southend United v AFC Fylde

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The exciting winger signs... having played 87 times over the last two-and-a-half years for Harrogate [and]... having signed for Middlesbrough in 2019 after impressing in non-league with Tooting & Mitcham...

The London-born winger also gained senior experience at Queen of the South in the Scottish Championship, before signing for Harrogate in August 2022...

Folarin stated... 'It’s a very good fanbase, I can remember from playing here how hostile it was, so I’m looking forward to having that support behind me'...

Pools manager Lennie Lawrence added... 'He’s a fast, direct wide forward with Football League experience.. There’s been big competition for his services'".

Solihull Moors "confirm that Michael Adu-Poku has returned to his parent club, Watford FC.

The 19-year-old initially joined Solihull on loan for the duration of the 2024/25 season, but the Championship club have exercised their recall option in the player's loan deal with the club.

Adu-Poku scored once for Moors in our 6-0 away in over Ebbsfleet United before suffering injury in our Boxing Day victory over Boston United".

At Rochdale "Finlay Armstrong has joined National League North side King's Lynn on an initial one-month loan. The defender has made 14 appearances since joining for a second stint in the summer, signing on a two-year deal from Fleetwood Town.".

Also at Rochdale "goalkeeper Sam Waller will remain with the club until the end of the season.

The goalkeeper has spent two months at Dale so far, after initially joining from his parent club Burnley on 16th November...

'I’ve been really enjoying how the season has gone so far and my time at Rochdale,' states Waller...

The 21-year-old has made eight appearances to date, keeping four clean sheets".

AFC Fylde "confirm the permanent signing of winger Tyler Roberts who joins from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 21-year-old, who joined on loan from Wolves at the beginning of the season, makes the permanent switch to Mill Farm on a deal until 2026...

Roberts has scored twice in Fylde colours...

A product of the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy, the Jamaican had worked his way through the club’s system and earned EFL experience whilst on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Doncaster Rovers last year... Roberts featured in 15 games".

25 January, 2025

ALTRINCHAM 1-1 FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Above: Alty celebrate their goal in front of the Popular Side.

For the second time this season Forest Green Rovers caused heartbreak to Altrincham supporters with an added-time goal. They had won the reverse fixture with a 95th minute goal and they retrieved a point here with a scrappy 94th minute equaliser poked in by substitute Christian Doidge.

Earlier Altrincham had gone ahead through a Joe Nuttall effort after only eleven minutes and they deservedly held the lead before late pressure from the visitors paid off.

After the match Phil Parkinson told Alty TV he was "devastated" to have conceded at the end and therefore only draw the match, adding that FGR "have got away with one there".

Match report here

The equaliser dropped Altrincham to seventh position.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

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

FGR UPBEAT BEFORE THE GAME

With a win rate just shy of 50%, Rovers are certainly heading in the right direction...

'It's been hard work, we've had lots of things to get better at and change, lots of help too but it's better', said Cotterill. 'I'm 100% happy that we're heading in the right direction - maybe not at the speed that I want to go...

'The backing is good from Dale (Vince). He's left me alone to do the job which is nice because that means he trusts me ...

'There's a feel good factor and want to do well for each other'...

Facing an Altrincham side who have conceded just eight goals at home in their 13 matches so far represents a home goals conceded record only bettered by Rochdale (7).

'We had a good game earlier on in the season against them, we've improved since then'".

TODAY: FOREST GREEN ROVERS

For Cotterill it is the first anniversary of his appointment to the FGR hot seat and, after the club sank to a second successive relegation in 2024, he has steadied the ship impressively to have them leading the National League currently.

Regarding today's fixture, Cotterill was elusive when asked if Jordan Garrick would again be selected after he had started the last fixture. Cotterill also has two recent signings at his disposal in Luke McCormick and Cian Harries.

As for Altrincham, although Justin Amaluzor is back in training it seems unlikely that he will start today, following his three-month injury absence.

Left-back Eddy Jones (left) is another expected absentee, though winger Ollie Crankshaw's gradual easing-back to full fitness may see him start after being rested last weekend.

A win for Altrincham would help to consolidate their play-off claims as they have no fewer than six teams (7th to 12th) within three points of their current sixth-place. But whilst Alty could drop several places if defeated today, they can only rise, at best, by one place and that requires them to win and for there to be a defeat for fifth-placed Oldham Athletic, who have a game in hand.

INDEPENDENT SUPPORTERS' INITIATIVE AT ALTRINCHAM

The group’s mission is to build a positive community of active Altrincham supporters, working together to achieve the following objectives:

• Discuss key topics and gather opinions from the group’s members.
• Establish and maintain a constructive and positive communication channel with the football club.
• Coordinate and grow the vocal atmosphere at matches.
• Organise reliable and affordable travel to away matches.
• Support local community initiatives and relevant charitable causes.

To learn more, come along to the launch event in the Community Sports Hall from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, ahead of the Eastleigh game next Saturday...

Membership will cost £5 per month... All funds will support pre-existing initiatives (such as away travel and flag maintenance) as well as future projects decided by members.

If you plan to attend the launch event, please fill out the form" at the above link.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Matt joins the club on a free transfer after making 22 appearances for the Glovers this campaign.

The 27-year-old joins with lots of National League pedigree, making 250 appearances for Yeovil in his six-year stint at the club.

'When I was presented with the chance to join, it was something I couldn’t turn down,' he said. 'The move came about very quickly to be honest, I found out yesterday it could get done so I headed up here this morning...

'I’m an aggressive midfielder, box-to-box, I like to get around the pitch and get on the ball. I’m all action'...

Born in Southampton, the midfielder’s youth career was based on the South Coast... before joining Yeovil in 2017, helping them to survive in League Two.

In the January transfer window in 2019, Yeovil Town... signed him on a free transfer... He was made club captain..

Micky Mellon said... 'Players like Matt are hard to find'">

The chairman at Yeovil Town responded by saying "Whilst I, as well as the club’s supporters, am saddened to see Matt go, I am also fully supportive and excited for him receiving what is a great offer and an exciting move for him and his career...

Matt has shown great loyalty and service to Yeovil Town, and I am always reminded of his commitment in staying with Yeovil Town after they were relegated to the National League South, despite offers he had at the time from clubs in higher leagues".

Following that departure, Yeovil Town announced "signing of Kyrell Wilson who joins on loan from Swansea City until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old initially joined Swansea on scholarship terms, having previously been part of Chelsea’s academy...

Earlier this month, the talented forward signed a new contract with the South Wales club".

24 January 2025

JUSTIN AMALUZOR INTERVIEWED

The video interview can be viewed on Alty TV.

Justin was injured against Hartlepool United in October and has been out for three months with a knee ligament injury.

He is now back in training, just as Altrincham have got themselves into the play-off positions.

Justin believes that at Altrincham "We have one of the best attacks in the league" and admitted that Lucas Weaver is the only Alty player who can compete with him for speed!

This season, Justin had made 16(+1) appearances in all competitions before his current injury absence.

NEXT: FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Forest Green Rovers have a "Pre-match interview" with winger Tom Knowles discussing "this weekend's challenge against fellow promotion chasing side Altrincham...

The 26-year-old has featured in all but one of our league matches so far this season - scoring twice".

Seven of FGR's last eight league games have been at home and the trip to Altrincham is FGR's first away game after four successive matches at the New Lawn.

Jordan Garrick replaced Knowles last time out so he is hoping to "push" for his place back in the side.

"We are solid and always stay in the game, either in front or coming from behind" he said.

When Ben Tozer does not play Knowles is FGR's long-throw exponent.

As outlined here earlier this week, FGR's current sixteen-game unbeaten run is based on no fewer than twelve of those games having been home fixtures and nearly a half, seven, of the sixteen-match sequence ended in draws.

Compared with FGR's 9 wins and 7 draws (34 pts) over 16 fixtures, Alty's last sixteen league games have included 8 away games yet their record is not much worse, as it comprises 8 wins, 5 draws and 3 defeats, all of which were on the road (29 pts).

LUCAS IMPRESSES

The 22-year old made his first Alty start at the Silverlake Stadium and took the step-up in standards in his stride...

Alty boss Parkinson [said] 'I left Olly Crankshaw at home, partly because the game came a bit too soon for him but also because I’ve got every belief in Lucas. He certainly repaid that belief with a top performance.

'The big game plan at half time was the get the ball out to him as much as possible, because he had the full-back on toast. We knew that when he got down the side of him, his marker wouldn’t be able to live with him.

'It was such a strong performance from Lucas'", he concluded.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

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

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Following discussions, Matt has decided to accept their offer and will be stepping down from his role at Wealdstone with immediate effect.

Assistant Manager Paul Hughes will remain at the club and will take charge of the first team on an interim basis, supported by other members of the management team. The Board has already begun the process of recruiting a new First Team Manager to lead the club forward.

We would like to express our gratitude to Matt for his efforts and contributions during his time with the Stones. Despite facing an unprecedented spate of injuries, Matt demonstrated exceptional effort and professionalism. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the team to the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time in over 40 years".

Solihull Moors quote Chairman Darryl Eales, as saying, "This week has been bittersweet from a personal perspectiv...

"On the one hand, I’m delighted for Whingy [who has joined Barrow] as he is both a top man and an excellent coach...

"Similarly, I’m absolutely delighted that we have been able to attract Matt to the club... Matt was the outstanding candidate for many reasons.

"He’s intelligent, articulate, principled, knows the league and already has a good understanding of Moors, our ethos and our ambition... I’m also delighted, we will have continuity with Richard Stearman being promoted to become Matt’s Assistant".

However, whilst Wealdstone have lost their manager, Oldham Athletic have revealed that "Striker Alex Reid has re-joined Wealdstone on loan until the season.

The 29-year-old, who joined Latics in November 2022 will spend the rest of the season back at Grosvenor Vale.

The striker netted 11 goals for the Stones in his first spell before returning to Latics where he has played in the last three games.

He joins with the club sitting 21st in the league, one point from safety but with two games in hand".

Alty entertain Wolves U-21 side on Tuesday. One player who will not be facing the Robins is the subject of a report by Football Insider 247 which tells us that "Wolves winger Tyler Roberts is set to leave the club to join AFC Fylde on a permanent basis...

Roberts, 21, has spent the first half of the 2024-25 season on loan at National League side Fylde and he has now agreed to join the club on a permanent basis.

The Jamaica international has cancelled his contract at Wolves six months early to allow him to make the move to Fylde...

He has made 14 appearances for Fylde in the National League this term".

Ebbsfleet United "confirm Craig Tanner’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent and he will depart the club with our thanks and best wishes.

The 30-year-old signed for the Fleet in the summer of 2021 and has gone on to make 116 appearances in that time. He scored 13 goals and led the assists chart in his first three seasons, helping the club to the promotion final in 2022 and the National League South title the following season.

A former Motherwell, Plymouth Argyle and Reading player, Tanner signed for the Fleet after leaving Aldershot Town and this season has made 11 starts and 10 appearances from the bench in all competitions".

Eastleigh "have completed the loan signing of Rekeil Pyke until the end of the season!

Pyke, 27, came up through the ranks at Huddersfield Town. He spent 11 years with the club... He was loaned out to Wrexham, and gained some National League experience. Across two loan spells with the Welsh side, Pyke made 26 league appearances.

In 2020, he made his first permanent move of his career, and joined Shrewsbury... Hhe made 65 League One appearances...

Since then, Pyke has been with Grimsby Town".

And also joining Eastleigh on a loan signing is "striker Jesurun Uchegbulam, until the end of the season!

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Uchegbulam grew up in Italy and joined AC Milan’s youth academy at the age of seven before moving to the North West of England where he impressed with Mossley and Matlock Town.

He attracted interest from Chesterfield, making the move into the National League at the age of 21 before he joined Rochdale in the summer of 2023.

After making 30 league appearances... the attacker moved to... Oldham Athletic".

23 January 2025

LUCAS WEAVER INTERVIEWED

Lucas made his first National League start for Altrincham last week.

NEXT: FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Forest Green Rovers' most recent arrival, last week, was "the signing of defender Cian Harries on a permanent deal from Woking.

The central defender joins following an excellent first half of the campaign making 24 league appearances with the Cards.

Harries, 27, is a cultured left-sided centre back with 61 EFL appearances to his name alongside 66 National League matches".

His previous clubs include Coventry City before "then-Premier League side Swansea City".

He has also had spells at Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard, "before joining Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal in 2019. He went on to make 56 appearances...

Harries has also had spells with Aldershot Town, Swindon Town, and Cheltenham Town".

Footnote: Harries played in both fixtures between Woking and Altrincham this season.

ALTY ACADEMY ACTION

The draw leaves Altrincham eighth in the 13-strong division but Blyth are sixth despite having played four games fewer than Altrincham.

The second Altrincham Academy team, which plays as "Altrincham FC Under-19s", also played on Wednesday.

They lost their second round home tie in the National Football Youth League Trophy 0-2 to Chesterfield FC under-19s.

The game took place at Egerton Youth Club in Knutsford.

ALTY WOMEN STAY TOP DESPITE DEFEAT

Holly LLoyd was the Altrincham scorer on Sunday.

The Alty starting eleven comprised Phoebe Dunn-Barrett, Katie Evans, Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Libby Newton, Emily O'Leary, Rhianna Pickering, Ariella Shapiro and Brogan Walsh

ALTY OLD BOYS

Amongst them was ZAK MILLS, who was and remains a Boston United player and, indeed, played against Alty earlier this season.

Another summer trialist was Regan GRIFFITHS (left), a midfielder who started at Crewe Alexandra and was later at Tranmere Rovers, was on loan at Boreham Wood in 2023/24. Released by the Alex in January 2024, he join Kidderminster Harriers before joining Marine FC but he has left them this month.

Midfielder BEN KERSHAW also featured in pre-season for Alty. He had been at Stoke City and is now a regular at Hyde United.

Defender DEQUANE WILSON-BRAITHWAITE (right) also turned out for Altrincham last summer.

Last week, Cheshunt announced that they "gave a debut to defender Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite in their midweek County Cup win over Ware.

Dequane spent time with Hastings United this season, playing ten times. He has also spent time with Bedford Town. Last season saw him play for Royston Town, and you might also remember him from his time with Enfield Town.

He played for both Potters Bar Town and Carshalton Athletic in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier during the 21-22 season... He also spent a short time with Maldon & Tiptree... after joining from St Neots Town.

Dequane spent two seasons at St Neots, having previously played for Potton United. He spent three years at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy between the ages of twelve and fifteen, after which he was snapped up by the Luton Town Academy. He also played briefly for Welling Town in the Southern Counties East Football League".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

"The football club’s plan to return to the borough was first announced last February... Up until 2013 Barnet FC played at Underhill Stadium in Westcombe Drive, close to the location where the club now wants to build a new home.

Club chairman Anthony Kleanthous and architects AndArchitects have now unveiled updated drawings and designs for the stadium, which is set to have a capacity of around 7,000...

In a statement the club said, 'The plans for the stadium, to the south of the original location, allow for more rewilding and biodiversity features whilst better blending the stadium into the local environment...

The north and west stands will be the main hubs of the architecture and will feature the entirety of the football club operations. These stands will be out of view of local residents from the east and south sides of the land'...

However, some residents remain concerned that Barnet Playing Fields is located within the Green Belt...

Robin Bishop, planning and environment lead at the Barnet Society, said... 'There’s not much the Barnet Society can yet say, except that it would obliterate a very substantial part of Barnet Playing Fields'...

The club said it hopes to submit an application to Barnet Council by the end of the year".

The BBC confirms that "Aldershot Town manager Tommy Widdrington has returned to the sidelines less than two months after suffering two strokes but admits he's never been too far removed from the team...

The former Bristol Rovers and Eastbourne Borough coach joined Aldershot from King's Lynn in April 2023...

'I've never not been in touch, I've just not been here in person', he said... 'but it's not about me, it's about where we are and what we want to do and our intention hasn't changed since the start of the season.'"

At < href="https://ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/fleet-1-1-nottingham-forest-2-1-on-pens/">Ebbsfleet United "Harrison Firth’s penalty heroics secured the Fleet an extra point in the final group match in the National League Cup after his side had secured a draw with an equaliser in the last minute of normal time. Substitute Kwame Thomas bundled home that one after Forest looked to have won it with a late goal of their own.

Alex Lankshear was in the Fleet starting lineup following his loan move from Blackpool...

McAdam was the man who found himself on the scoresheet in the 82nd minute

Forest needed the three points to have a chance of progressing to the knockout phase but the leveller came as the clock ticked round to 90. Ben Chapman sent in a delivery from the left which floated to the back post where it fell for Thomas to stab the ball home... before the shootout to decide who would take an extra point.

And Firth made sure of it, saving three of Nottingham Forest’s five spot kicks". The attendance was just 215".

Hartlepool United, tell us that "The Club can confirm Roshaun Mathurin has returned to Crystal Palace upon the expiration of his loan deal.

The winger featured 12 times at the Prestige Group Stadium, having joined Pools at the start of September.".

Also in the North-East, Gateshead confirm the arrival of MK Dons defender Callum Tripp. "The 18 year-old makes the temporary move to Tyneside for the remainder of the 2024/25 season... Tripp appeared under [Gateshead boss Carl Magnay] at MK Dons earlier this season.

The defender has made seven first-team appearances for MK Dons during the current campaign".

However, Gateshead have also reported that "Josh Williams has been recalled by Birmingham City in order to facilitate a permanent transfer to another club... having made 13 appearances since joining the club on loan in November 2024".

Wealdstone "announce the return of defender Connor McAvoy, who has rejoined the club on loan from Premier League side Fulham until the end of the season.

The highly-rated 22-year-old centre-back is no stranger to Grosvenor Vale, having previously enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Stones during the 2021/22 season. McAvoy quickly became a fan favourite in his first stint, making 28 appearances...

Since then, McAvoy has continued to develop his skills at Fulham... He has also enjoyed loan spells in Scotland with Partick Thistle and Ayr United. ..

McAvoy expressed his enthusiasm, 'I have great memories of my time here and I’m excited to be back'".

In midweek, Wealdstone exited "the National League Cup after defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion U21s.

Cam Peupion scored the only goal of the game, tapping home after 69 minutes.

Matt Taylor made ample changes to the side that faced Hartlepool United at the weekend with just Enzio Boldewijn and Taylor Clark keeping their place. Returning for his second loan spell with the Stones, Connor McAvoy slotted straight into the starting XI, having joined from Fulham."

A feature of the game was the 75th minute substitution of Micah Obiero by 47 year-old Wealdstone fitness coach Wayne Andrews to play in attack.

As reported above, and confirmed by Woking "Cian Harries is joining National League side Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

Having joined in the summer from Aldershot Town, the defender made 29 appearances for the Cards...

'Cian’s been an integral part of the recent uplift and was pretty much ever-present under the previous manager too,' said Jody Brown, Director of Football at Woking FC.

'We know his strengths, what he costs, and his value, but Forest Green made a significant financial offer. That, coupled with his automatic one-year extension soon to be triggered, we decided to accept the offer.

'This wasn’t in our immediate plans, but longer term it does work for the club and the manager. We try not to make knee-jerk reactions, and we aim to only do things that we are all aligned on. This is no different.

'Cian’s a loss to our squad, but we wish him well'">

22 January 2025

NEXT: FOREST GREEN ROVERS

As the NL Paper reported, "a 71st minute strike from Liam Sercombe, via Ben Tozer's huge long throw, gave Rovers yet another three points".

Speaking after the game, FGR manager Steve Cotterill opined, "We knew going into the game that the long-throw would cause a problem.

"That was definitely a tactic that we were going to use and, to be fair, arriving in the box, there are not too many better than Liam Sercombe. He sniffs a goal out of nothing".

Alty have faced Tozer's long throws themselves notably when he played for Wrexham so, hopefully, they have a strategy in place to deal with his missiles.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULT

• Oldham Athletic 0-2 York City

Forest Green (1st), York City (2nd) and Barnet (3rd) are now covered by a single point at the top of the league table.

ALTY OLD BOYS

The 25-year-old (left) is back down CH1 on a deal until the end of the season for a second spell, after spending the 2018/19 campaign on loan with the Blues...

During his time with the Seals, Dan made 35 appearances and scored six goals... From there, Dan signed permanently with Altrincham in 2020 and scored 16 goals in 62 games for the Robins – before being signed by another National League club in Southend United...

Mooney then returned to Alty for the 2023/24 campaign, before spending the first half of this campaign with newly promoted Boston United...

Manager Calum McIntyre said... 'He is a proven National League forward that brings a massive pedigree to the group... He hasn’t had the season he has wanted so far and it has been very stop and start for him.

'In our conversations, he has made it abundantly clear that he is desperate to play and produce and perhaps feels he has a point to prove for the rest of the season...

'He is a great fit for us and has turned down several other offers to join up with us for the rest of the season'".

According to the Derbyshire Times "JAMES BERRY’s exit from Chesterfield is edging closer.

Right: James Berry

The 24-year-old is having a medical at League One high-flyers Wycombe Wanderers ahead of a proposed move after a deal was struck.

The winger is set to depart the Spireites after 17 months in which he helped them win the National League title last season, contributing with double-figure goal involvements, and then carrying on his form into this campaign with 10 goals and four assists in all competitions. He is the Blues’ joint top scorer this term alongside Will Grigg...

He started only nine times in the league last year and 11 so far this time. That makes his goals per minute ratio impressive, but it was also viewed that there were other parts of his game that needed improving...

He was the subject of a bid from Blackpool earlier in the transfer window which was rejected".

Phil Jordan reviews Tuesday's games...

Championship: Swansea City left JOSH GINNELLY on the bench as they lost 1-2 at home to Sheffield United, while DUNCAN WATMORE played the first 78 minutes of Millwall's 2-2 home draw against Cardiff City.

League One : Another ex Robin not to make it off the bench was Peterborough United's CHRIS CONN-CLARKE as they were held 1-1 at home by Exeter City.

National League: York City substituted TYRESE SINCLAIR (right) on the 94th minute at Oldham Athletic, by which time the points were more or less secure with a 0-2 win. REAGAN OGLE was booked for Latics, as he and JOSH LUNDSTRAM put in a full evening's work for no reward.

National North : Having reportedly thrown his toys out of the pram at Boston United, DAN MOONEY signed for Chester this morning (see above), and celebrated by scoring the only goal by which they beat visitors Spennymoor after coming off the bench.

TOM PEERS started for the Seals, and DYLAN MOTTLEY-HENRY was also on the bench. He and MITCH HANCOX, who was making a quick return to the Deva Stadium after joining the visitors last week, were also second half substitutes.

National League Cup : KYLE FERGUSON played the full match for Rochdale as they beat Stoke City U21 2-0.

KENNEDY DIGIE opened the scoring for Tamworth, and although he later picked up a yellow card, his team beat Leeds United U21 2-1.

NPL Premier Division : A brace for JAMES HARDY was largely responsible for Ashton United's 0-3 win at Blyth Spartans.

Cheshire Senior Cup : Former Robins trialist HARRY BUNN was among the scorers as Hyde United romped home 7-0 in their home quarter final against Sandbach United.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Davies joined the Fleet in November and has featured seven times, his most recent appearance including an assist for Aaron Cosgrave’s equaliser against Yeovil Town last week".

At Southend we learn that at Roots Hall, "Recently the Solopress North Bank and north-west quadrant were reopened to home supporters for the first time since the mid-1990s.

It allowed us to host our biggest crowd in over five years against Charlton Athletic, and also meant more home fans could watch the Boxing Day win against Ebbsfleet United than would’ve been possible at the start of the season.

Opening additional capacity mid-season is a complex process and a lot of work was required to meet the Safety Advisory Group’s requirements...

Based on early feedback, we’ve already implemented a couple of changes since the Ebbsfleet game. The blue gate between the west stand and north bank will now remain open so people can access the new toilets and use ‘Eat Street’s’ catering facilities, irrespective of sitting in the west or north, and have also removed the fee for moving seats to the North Bank. Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback so far...

[We] will come up with a strategic plan for what to do in the North Bank next season".

. FC Halifax Town have announced that midfielder Scott High has extended his loan deal from Huddersfield Town until the end of the sseason

He joined the Shaymen back in September and will now be here until the end of the season".

High was in the Shaymen's starting eleven on Boxing Day against Altrincham.

Oldham Athletic "confirm the signing of Tom Pett on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The midfielder joins from Cheltenham Town after making 27 appearances this season for the Robins...

Tom brings with him plenty of EFL experience for the likes of Stevenage, Port Vale , Lincoln City and most recently Cheltenham...

He said 'Over the weekend there was some movement and when I was asked if I want to do it, I said yes straightaway. Speaking to Tom (Conlon) he sold it to me...

'I want to be in a winning environment and hopefully my experience in gaining promotions can help the lads. I like organising on the pitch, I like both sides of the game attacking and defending'...

His career began at Boreham Wood... before moving to his hometown club of Potters Bar Town... His stint lasted nine years from 2003 to 2012 when he joined Wealdstone...

He was offered a trial at League Two side Stevenage. Pett impressed and subsequently joined the club for an undisclosed fee...

In January 2018, Lincoln City came calling for Pett’s services and bought the midfielder... The following season he left the club in the summer of 2020...

He rejoined Stevenage... until the end of the 2020-21 season...

He signed a two-year-deal with Port Vale... [In] the summer of 2023, he joined Cheltenham Town...

Manager Micky Mellon said... 'We have a few knocks in the middle of the park, so for someone like Tom to come in and help us is massive'">

21 January 2025

ALTY HAVE "GIVEN VLAD EVERYTHING"

"A budding footballer has said he had lost all hope of realising his sporting dream when war broke out in his home country, Ukraine.

Left: Vladyslav Shtyhlian; his surname is misspelt in the BBC report below.

Vlad Shtyhilan's ambition to become a professional footballer seemed in real doubt as he fled Ukraine with his family when the conflict began nearly three years ago.

But the 18-year-old, who was 16 at the time of the Russian invasion, has since signed a youth contract at Altrincham Football Club...

He said the club had 'given him everything'. Vlad, who lives in Altrincham, Trafford, recalls how his life was very different not so long ago...

Vlad playing for his former team, FAPF Prykarpattya in Ukraine, [south of Lviv in western Ukraine]

'At the time the war started I wasn't at home, I was actually away with my team and then on the way back we just saw all the military go into the actual war zone,' he said.

'The first few bombs that landed, landed near us, so we heard how it was all happening, it was just scary'...

'I lost all hopes of everything because I didn't know where I was going'..

But nearly three years on, the striker said Altrincham had given him 'everything'...

Vlad has been playing for the club for 18 months, making appearances in friendly matches and training with the first team.

Ross Speight (right), Altrincham FC first team and academy coach, said 'He's doing well, he works hard, he's got a great attitude and comes from a really nice family'...

Vlad's mother, Natalia, now works in a laundrette and washes the team's football kit... She said that the coach and team had been really supportive and she hoped that one day her son would become a Premier League star".

Footnote: Vlad featured in Altrincham's FA Youth Cup team earlier this season.

NEXT: FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Whilst Altrincham have two scorers in the top six National League marksmen this season, with Regan Linney (15 goals, including two penalties) and Alex Newby (11 goals), opponents Forest Green have no one in the top ten of goalscorers despite having netted 45 goals to Alty's 43, albeit from one more fixture than the Robins.

FGR's leading scorers this season are, jointly, Christian Doidge and Kyle McAllister with eight league goals apiece, followed by Charlie McCann with seven goals.

Rovers have a largely settled side. Their ever-present starters are Jed Ward, Jamie Robson and Adam May whilst McAllister, Tom Knowles and Doidge have only failed to start in one fixture apiece.

They are managed by 60 tear-old Steve Cotterill. After suffering badly from COVID in 2021 whilst managing Shrewsbury Town, he resigned as their manager in summer 2023.

He took over at FGR in January 2024 with the Nailsworth club six points from safety in League Two but he could not save them from relegation at the end of the campaign.

They will arrive at the J. Davidson Stadium on the back of a sixteen game unbeaten run in the Vanarama National League. However, as with Alty's last opponents Eastleigh, FGR's unbeaten sequence is arguably deceptive.

No fewer than twelve of those sixteen games were home fixtures and nearly a half, seven, of the sixteen-match sequence ended in draws.

Their only two away wins in that sixteen-game run were at Eastleigh (currently 11th) and Maidenhead United (20th). The preponderance of home games at this stage of the season came about because FGR played six of their first seven matches away from home, at their request. In fact Alty were the first away team to visit the New Lawn.

In their current run, FGR's seven home wins were secured against Hartlepool United (currently 13th), Braintree Town (19th), Ebbsfleet United (24th), York City (3rd), Boston United (23rd), Yeovil Town (12th) and Rochdale (8th).

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Oldham Athletic v York City

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

For this reason, we granted Barrow permission to speak to Andy...

We thank him for his service to the club, especially for the memories of last season.

Craig Pead will also be departing to join Andy’s backroom staff at Barrow... In the meantime, Richard Stearman, Kevin Poole and Stephen Ward will oversee training and manage upcoming fixtures, pending the new appointment.

As supporters will know, we have been somewhat disappointed with our results and performances this season, especially given the quality of the squad. This unforeseen turn of events now provides the opportunity to appoint a high quality replacement who shares the club’s ambition and community ethos and can get the best out of an undoubtedly talented squad, as we seek to reach the playoffs once again".

From Cumbria, the NW Evening Mail adds that Whing has joined The Blebirds "o a two-and-a-half-year deal.... having overseen a title-winning season with Banbury United... and a successful year and a half with Solihull Moors.

Whing joins The Bluebirds for an undisclosed fee... The new Head Coach said 'It’s a fantastic opportunity for me; I’m really, really excited to be here'...

Barrow sit 17th in the fourth tier despite their promising start to the campaign... Whing will be desperate to overturn the rotten run of form of just six points from a possible 30 that eventually saw Stephen Clemence lose his job at the weekend".

A recent arrival at Boston United is "the loan signing of Mansfield Town striker James Gale.

The 23-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Solihull Moors, has linked up with the Pilgrims until May.

Gale, a towering presence in attack, has previously spent time on loan at Guiseley".

At Ebbsfleet United "The Fleet have added attacking left-back Alex Lankshear to the squad from Blackpool on loan until the end of this season.

The 22-year-old spent the opening half of the campaign on loan with Welling United where he became a regular feature, making 15 appearances and scoring once. Previously, Lankshear had a spell on loan in the National League with Dorking Wanderers.

The former Arsenal youth player broke into senior football with St Albans City in 2021/22 and... was signed by Blackpool for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract [in 2022]."

Also Ebbsfleet United "have signed midfielder Ryan Carr from Ipswich Town on loan until the end of this season.

The 20-year-old spent the opening half of the campaign on loan with National League promotion contenders Gateshead...

The right-sided player started out in Newcastle United’s youth team before moving to Carlisle United...

After two years at Brunton Park, he was a deadline day signing for Ipswich... in January 2023".

At the other end of the National League, Gateshead report that "Owen Mason's loan deal from Mansfield Town has been extended until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The goalkeeper arrived on Tyneside on temporary terms from the EFL2 side in November 2024 and [he] has gone on to make 12 appearances since then, playing his part in six wins".

Rochdale announce that "Work on the Crown Oil Arena playing surface has been completed, ahead of Tuesday's National League Cup tie against Stoke City Under-21s. Starting last Monday, the centre of the pitch has been completely replaced.

Work began to excavate a square covering the centre of the pitch, to a depth of 200mm, before the area was filled with sand.

Fresh turf was installed on top of the new material, followed by the area being restitched – the insertion of synthetic fibres – over the weekend.

On Wednesday, the pitch will be Dryjected, a process which assists in allowing any retained water the best possible chance of draining through".

20 January 2025

EASTLEIGH HIGHLIGHTS

Extended highlights of Altrincham's win at Eastleigh on Saturday are available courtesy of DAZN and the Eastleigh website.

NEXT: FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Last Saturday, FGR were at home to Rochdale, who report that " Dale were beaten 1-0 at league leaders Forest Green Rovers despite a dominant performance. The only goal of the game came in the 70th minute through Liam Sercombe, who turned home a long throw-in...

The reverse fixture between the sides earlier in the season at the Crown Oil Arena resulted in Dale’s only 0-0 league draw of the season to date, despite McNulty’s men dominating possession.

The first half at The New Lawn followed much of the same pattern, with the hosts’ shots on goal either well-blocked or off-target...

After the break, the hosts saw chances from Sercombe and Jamie Robson go off target, whilst Barlow had a shot blocked and Mitchell directed Buyabu’s cross wide.

Dale goalkeeper Sam Waller made a good double save after a long throw-in fell to a home shirt, saving a snapshot and then a follow-up header... bbefore the hosts’ long throw weapon resulted in Sercombe turning home from the edge of the six-yard box.

McNulty’s men continued to control the majority of the game".

The FGR squad comprised 1. Jed Ward, 17. Jamie Robson, 4. Ben Tozer (c), 5. Ryan Innis, 3. Sean Long, 24. Jordon Garrick, 19. Adam May, 10. Liam Sercombe, 16. Harvey Bunker, 9. Christian Doidge, 7. Kyle McAllister. Subs: 23. Harry Cardwell, 11. Tom Knowles, 25. Luke McCormick, 6. Emmanuel Osadebe, 22. Joe Quigley, 2. Marcel Lavinier, 20. Jamie Searle

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

For this reason, we granted Barrow permission to speak to Andy...

We thank him for his service to the club, especially for the memories of last season.

Craig Pead will also be departing to join Andy’s backroom staff at Barrow... In the meantime, Richard Stearman, Kevin Poole and Stephen Ward will oversee training and manage upcoming fixtures, pending the new appointment.

As supporters will know, we have been somewhat disappointed with our results and performances this season, especially given the quality of the squad. This unforeseen turn of events now provides the opportunity to appoint a high quality replacement who shares the club’s ambition and community ethos and can get the best out of an undoubtedly talented squad, as we seek to reach the playoffs once again".

Fro m Cumbria, the NW Evening Mail adds that Whing has joined The Blebirds "o a two-and-a-half-year deal.... having overseen a title-winning season with Banbury United... and a successful year and a half with Solihull Moors.

Whing joins The Bluebirds for an undisclosed fee... The new Head Coach said 'It’s a fantastic opportunity for me; I’m really, really excited to be here'...

Barrow sit 17th in the fourth tier despite their promising start to the campaign... Whing will be desperate to overturn the rotten run of form of just six points from a possible 30 that eventually saw Stephen Clemence lose his job at the weekend".

Southend United report that "Head Coach Kevin Maher gave his reaction after the defeat to Barnet. The Shrimpers were beaten 3-0, conceding twice from set pieces, as a brace from Danny Collinge and a goal from Mark Shelton condemned Blues to their first defeat of 2025.

Post-match Maher said 'Give Barnet credit, they’re a really good side and up at the top of the league for a reason. We’re behind them, but we said in there [the changing room] that we shouldn’t be that far behind and we’ve got to be better. We’ve got to keep improving, both boxes have got to be better...

'I think we’ve got to realise where we are as a club and we’ve got to stick together. The takeover has happened but there’s a lot to do and we’ve got to win football matches'...

Set-pieces were a key factor in Barnet’s win... Maher said 'The last game we lost was away at York which was set pieces again and this season it’s costing us massively....

'I’ve watched the one back that [we scored, which] was disallowed and it’s an unbelievable decision. Their ‘keeper’s dropped it over their player, Walks [Josh Walker] is nowhere near it which is why he can just tap it in. So it’s an incredible decision from a referee who I thought was really poor all day, but he’s not the reason we lost'".

Alty's last opponents, EAstleigh announce that "Dominic Gape has left the club following the expiration of his contract.

Despite Eastleigh FC offering Gape a new contract, the midfielder has decided that he wishes to explore opportunities elsewhere and whilst we are disappointed, we understand and respect his decision".

There was a much happier mood at Aldershot Town after "Josh Barrett’s brilliant hat-trick earned the Shots three points in a 3-1 win over Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

Oldham had lost just three times in the Vanarama National League so far this season before kick-off this afternoon, with one of those defeats coming against the Shots at the EBB Stadium back in August...

Luca Woodhouse was put in from the start for his Shots debut having signed on loan from Wycombe this week and joined fellow loanee Will Armitage in defence as Jonny Stuttle was given a start.

Oldham began the strongest of the two sides... The Shots had their backs against the wall for most of the first-half but were doing well to keep Oldham at bay but... Manny Monthe headed home... just before half-time in the 42nd minute.

But... it would be Aldershot who would go into half-time in front thanks to a sublime brace from Josh Barrett... Barrett who dinked the ball over the on-rushing Matthew Hudson with his left-foot and just four minutes later, deep into first-half stoppage time, Barrett lobbed Hudson again as another Olly Scott ball forward was knocked down into his path and the Oldham ‘keeper hadn’t learned from his earlier lesson as he was forced to watch Barrett catch him off his line once more.

Incredibly, Barrett completed his hat-trick just six minutes into the second-half...

Oldham... got a lifeline in the 65th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Olly Scott brought down half-time substitute JOSH LUNDSTRUM. Billy Waters stepped up to take the spot-kick on his Oldham debut, but Marcus Dewhurst guessed the right way and pulled off a fantastic save to his right".

19 January, 2025

EASTLEIGH 1-2 ALTRINCHAM

Match report here.

Altrincham played for over an hour with a man advantage after the red-carding of Shade for head-butting Olson yet had to endure some pressure from the Spitfires in the closing stages.

After a quiet opening, Alty took a seventh-minute lead when Eastleigh keeper, McDonnell, with the ball at his feet, took a poor touch, allowing Newby (right) to steal in and sidefoot into an empty net Things got worse for the hosts when Shade reacted to a foul by Olson and he head-butted the young defender who went down (25 mins). Shade was given a red card and Olson saw yellow.

However, Eastleigh immediately equalised as Francillette volleyed home (27 mins).

Altrincham failed to convert their one-man superiority until the 71st minute when Tom Crawford scored with a shot which left the keeper flat-footed, making it 2-1 to the visitors.

Despite being a man down Eastleigh applied some late pressure but Alty defended well and had several chances in added time. The win saw them rise to sixth in the league.

PHIL'S PERSPECTIVE

As for the Eastleigh red card following Charlie Olson's foul, Phil declared that "Shade's reaction has just killed his team". Having been booked, Olson (right) was withdrawn at the interval and replaced by James Jones who is "an accomplished footballing centre-half" who, it was felt, could exploit the expected increased possession against ten men.

Talking of Lucas Weaver, Phil said that "he had the full-back on toast". Unfortunately, Weaver is ineligible for the FA Trophy against Eastleigh next month.

He was also "so proud" of late substitute Jake Cooper for his maturity now that he has not been a regular starter.

NEXT: FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Five seasons in EFL2 culminated in promotion to EFL1 for the 2022/23 season. But FGR suffered a double relegation to end up back in the National League this season.

Alty lost the reverse fixture at the New Lawn this season, 2-1.

Right: Alty's Tom Marshall had his hands full with Jon Parkin in the match with FG in August 2015.

In that last meeting at Moss Lane, a game played on a hot afternoon, Altrincham had some half-chances in a goalless first half but, after the interval, the visitors dominated, winning a further 11 corners to add to their three first-half flag-kicks. Predictably they won the game from one of these corners, in the 74th minute, when Parkin was allowed a free header at the near post from Frear's left-wing kick.

At the other end, Alty scarcely threatened in the second half with the succession of FGR corners being defended by all eleven players leaving them on the back foot for much of that period.

Before kick-off Altrincham had been hit by the absence of the injured duo of Simon Richman (ankle) and Nicky Clee (groin).

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 3. Adam GRIFFIN, 4. Jake MOULT, 5. Luca HAVERN, 16. Tom MARSHALL, 7. James LAWRIE, 14. Josh O'KEEFE, 9. Michael RANKINE, 10. Damian REEVES, 20. Jordan SINNOTT. Subs: 6. Scott LEATHER, 15. Anthony GRIFFITH, 17. Tim DEASY, 18. George BOWERMAN, 19. Ryan CROWTHER.

RESERVES TAKE A BEATING

Needless to say, they remain bottom of the league.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Swansea City opted to leave out JOSH GINNELLY (right) for the South Wales derby at Cardiff City (they lost 3-0), while OWEN DALE missed Oxford United's 1-0 home victory against Blackburn Rovers with a muscle strain.

League One : Although CHRIS CONN-CLARKE put in a full shift, Peterborough United were held 0-0 by visitors Leyton Orient.

All the goals in Bristol Rovers' 3-1 home win over Barnsley had been scored by the time they brought JOEL SENIOR on in the 87th minute.

Trailing at the break, Crawley Town withdrew TOBY MULLARKEY at half time. JUNIOR QUITIRNA played the whole game, and visitors Burton Albion eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

CARL PIERGIANNI was booked in the first half as Stevenage fell 1-2 to visitors Wigan Athletic. Both sides finished with 10 men.

League 2: SONNY ALJOFREE played the full match for Accrington Stanley, but couldn't prevent a 0-3 defeat at the hands of visitors Notts County.

AFC Wimbledon, with ALISTAIR SMITH involved throughout, beat visitors Tranmere Rovers 2-0. The Wirral team featured CONNOR JENNINGS throughout, and CHRIS MERRIE joined him from the bench after 73 minutes.

Chesterfield earned a 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town, JAMES BERRY returned from injury, coming off the bench after 68 minutes, while RYAN COLCLOUGH, who had started, was withdrawn 11 minutes later.

Crewe Alexandra had already scored the game's only goal when hosts Morecambe withdrew MARCUS DACKERS after 75 minutes.

ELLIOTT NEWBY was withdrawn by Barrow in a triple substitution after 64 minutes at Swindon Town. They were already a goal down, and went on to lose 2-0.

JOE HUGILL has been moved on again by Manchester United. He played the full game for Carlisle United as they lost by the only goal at home to Bradford City.

National League : Trailing 1-2 at the break, Oldham Athletic sent JOSH LUNDSTRAM on for the second half to join REAGAN OGLE who had started the game. It was to no avail - they surprisingly lost 1-3 to Aldershot Town.

CONNOR TEALE was on the wrong end of a 3-0 Boston United defeat at Tamworth, who left KENNEDY DIGIE on their bench.

LUKE WATERFALL captained Hartlepool United to a 1-1 draw at Wealdstone, but BILLY SASS-DAVIES was left on the bench.

York City brought on TYRESE SINCLAIR on the hour, and JEFF KING in the second added minute. There was still time after that for both of them to be booked - but not for the Minstermen to avoid a 1-2 home defeat by Sutton United.

National North : TOM PEERS scored the clincher as Chester beat visitors Alfreton Town 2-0.

YUSIFU CEESAY (right) scored the equaliser as Hereford drew 1-1 at home to Southport.

Spennymoor were already 5-0 up when MITCH HANCOX came off the bench for his debut after 72 minutes, and they went on to crush relegation threatened visitors Rushall Olympic 7-0.

NPL Premier Division : JAMES HARDY was among the scorers at Hurst Cross as Ashton United saw off visitors Whitby Town 5-0.

NPL Division 1 West: SEAN WILLIAMS scored the clincher as Bootle beat visitors Clitheroe 2-0.

An 88th minute KEVIN ELLISON goal rounded off a 4-2 Vauxhall Motors win over visitors City of Liverpool.

Northern Ireland Premiership : Linfield hadn't conceded a goal in any competition since December 3rd, a run of 6 matches. They finally conceded the last goal of the game at Portadown after an hour on Saturday - not that SAM ROSCOE and his colleagues will lose too much sleep over it, as they won 3-1 to remain 15 points clear at the top of the league.

NWCL Division 1 North : BILLY HASLER-CREGG, on loan from Bamber Bridge, was among the scorers as Nelson won 4-2 at home against Maine Road.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURE

• Oldham Athletic v York City

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In Westminster, legislation is being debated that will create a new Independent Football Regulator, with the power to oversee the financial operation of clubs playing in the top five divisions of English football, from the Premier League to the Vanarama National League...

For fans of Ebbsfleet United Football Club, the 2024-25 season marks a race against time that they may be destined to lose...

Ebbsfleet United has also been rocked by unstable leadership within its boardroom and rising debts...

In 2013, Ebbsfleet United was acquired by a Kuwaiti businessman, Dr Abdulla al-Humaidi, through his family business KEH Sports... [leading to] al-Humaidi being declared bankrupt in the High Court in 2023...

Al-Humaidi stood down as chairman and as a director of Ebbsfleet United in December 2023.

A statement from the club at the time nevertheless made clear that 'Dr Abdulla will be passing the reins of chairman across to his cousin Abdullah Al-Humaidi'. The club remains under the ownership of KEH Sport...

As for the club itself, it continues to fall deeper into debt...

The [new] law will include the powers to insist on rigorous financial checks on clubs, and background and integrity checks on their owners

18 January, 2025

EASTLEIGH 1-2 ALTRINCHAM

Things got worse for the hosts when Shade reacted to a foul by Olson and he head-butted the young defender who went down (25 mins). Shade was given a red card and Olson saw yellow.

However, Eastleigh immediately equalised as Francillette volleyed home (27 mins).

Altrincham failed to convert their one-man superiority until the 71st minute when Tom Crawford scored with a shot which left the keeper flat-footed, making it 2-1 to the visitors.

Despite being a man down Eastleigh applied late pressure but Alty hung on and rose to sixth in the league.

Altrincham made three changes for the game.

Lucas Weaver started for the first time in the National League as Ollie Crankshaw dropped out of the squad after his 45 minute cameo in midweek. There was a welcome return in defence for Lewis Banks, with Casper Pasiek dropped to the bench.

Also on the bench, where James Jones returned, Owen German was named for a third NL fixture this season but he has yet to get on the pitch.

A third change saw Joe Nuttall replace Isaac Marriott who left the field injured on Tuesday night.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Ethan ROSS, 2. Lewis BANKS, 4. Lewis BAINES (c), 31. Charlie OLSON, 23. Tylor GOLDEN, 6. Elliot OSBORNE, 22. Tom CRAWFORD, 10. Alex NEWBY, 17. Lucas WEAVER, 9. Regan LINNEY, 24. Joe NUTTALL. Subs: 5. Jake COOPER, 16. James JONES, 20. Kahrel REDDIN, 29. Jake BICKERSTAFF, 30 Harvey RANDLE (gk), 32. Casper PASIEK

As for Eastleigh, Maguire came in as striker McCallum was out through injury. The Spitfires named only six substitutes.

EASTLEIGH: 1. Joe McDonnell, 31. Niall Maher, 6. Ludwig Francillette, 4. Lloyd Humphries, 21. Noa Boutin, 2 Richard Brindley, 7. Chris Maguire, 18. Angel Waruih, 14. Lee Hodson, 8. Jake Taylor (c), 10. Tyrese Shade. Subs: 5. Luis Fernandez, 26. Joe Ryan, 13. Tommy Scott, 23. Jai Semenyo, 30. Connor Underhill, 29. Malachi Dotse.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Yeovil Town 0-0 Gateshead

Saturday 18 January 2025

• Braintree Town 1-0 Solihull Moors
• Eastleigh 1-2 Altrincham
• FC Halifax Town P-P Dagenham & Redbridge ("frozen pitch")
• Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Rochdale
• Maidenhead United 4-1 AFC Fylde (5.30 ko)
• Oldham Athletic 1-3 Aldershot Town
• Southend United 0-3 Barnet
• Tamworth 3-0 Boston United
• Wealdstone 1-1 Hartlepool United
• Woking 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
• York City 1-2 Sutton United

BEFORE THE GAME: EASTLEIGH

In none of those nine games have they scored more than two goals.

Altrincham arrive with a record of two defeats in their last dozen league matches. Eastleigh are the only team to have beaten Alty at the J. Davidson Stadium, but away from home the Robins are less impressive with both of those defeats in the past dozen fixtures being on the road. And, worryingly, they have conceded ten times in their last four away fixtures.

Matty Kosylo remains suspended and it is expected that Eddy Jones, Justin Amaluzor and George Wilson will continue to be sidelined by injury. The fitness of Lewis Banks is less clear after the right-back missed his first league game involvement of the season in midweek. James Jones must also be a doubt having, apparently, been ill in midweek.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Mooney, who arrived at the Jakemans Community Stadium in the summer, made 17 competitive appearances for the Pilgrims.

He departs with the club's best wishes for the future".

Footnote: In the National League Dan has made 13 appearances this season for Boston without scoring a goal. After starting the first four fixtures of the season he made just two more league starts. His league pitch time this season has comprised just 515 minutes or less than six full games.

Dan is still only 25 years of age but, since he left Altrincham for Southend United in May 2022, he has not settled elsewhere.

He arrived at Altrincham from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee, a move that was unveiled on 4 February 2020. His 2020-21 season was disrupted by injury and he made just 13 starts and ten Altrincham appearances from the bench.

2021-22 promised to be better as he completed seven of the first ten fixtures but after that he failed to play for 90 minutes in any of the next 19 league fixtures. Nevertheless he scored twelve times.

Dan decided to move sideways to Southend United in May 2022.

With the Shrimpers he did not settle at the financially troubled club and was announced as a permanent re-signing for Altrincham on 22 December 2023. He had scored three times for Southend in his 47 appearances.

On his return to Alty he played often as a substitute, coming off the bench eight times in his 16 appearances, and was released in summer 2024, having scored once.

His total career appearances for Altrincham comprised 55 starts and fifteen appearances from the bench. He scored 18 goals.

As for Friday's action, Phil Jordan reports that in a match involving a 720 mile round-trip for the visitors in the National League, Gateshead, with LIAM HUMBLES putting in a full shift, forced a goalless draw at Yeovil Town.

Meanwhile, in the Welsh Premier League, the original fixture between Connah's Quay Nomads and Bala Town was abandoned due to fog without a goal having been scored.

After tonight's delayed rematch, the league splits into two sections; the top 6 clubs compete for the Championship, the bottom 6 to save themselves from relegation.

Connah's Quay were already doomed to the lower group regardless, but a victory tonight would drag Bala down with them. However a clean sheet for JOEL TORRANCE, including 3 saves, was key to Bala winning 0-2 and helping his team into the top half. Connah's Quay captain JOHN DISNEY must battle on at the wrong end of the league".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 27-year-old centre-back adds plenty of Football League and National League experience... having played over 100 EFL games most notably with Grimsby Town and Walsall".

The NPL adds that "The DR Congo-born centre-back began his career in Cardiff City's youth setup...

In 2022, he made a permanent move to the Saddlers [Walsall] and was subsequently sent to Hartlepool United and Aldershot Town on loan, before joining the Shots on a long-term basis".

Moving upwards rather than dropping down is Oldham Athletic's Sam Clucas who "has completed a transfer to Lincoln City.

Clucas leaves Boundary Park after a clause in his contract was triggered by an approach from the League One side.

The club has exhausted all avenues during our negotiations in trying to keep Sam but despite the offer of an improved contract, it became apparent that the lure of returning to his hometown club and future opportunities beyond playing football were too great.

Sam made nine appearances for Latics after joining in November".

Wealdstone "announce that winger Will Randall has joined Wealdstone on a permanent deal as a free agent.

Randall boasts a wealth of experience in the English football pyramid... with over 150 English footballing appearances to his name, as well as a National League title with Sutton United.

Born in Swindon, Randall made his first appearance for his hometown club, Swindon Town... before signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers on an 18 month deal for an undisclosed fee, in 2016.

A number of loan spells, to Walsall, Forest Green Rovers and FC Jumilla followed, before a brief spell with Newport County at the end of the 2018/19.

The 27-year-old winger's career began to flourish after joining Sutton United in 2019... winning the League title in 2021 and spending the following two years of his time at Sutton United in League Two... Randall departed Gander Green Lane in the summer of 2023 to sign for then League Two newboys Notts County on a two year deal".

17 January 2025

ACCOLADE FOR ALEX

So often a provider for others, attacking midfielder Newby showed he can be a predator as well with three clinical first-time finishes which, allied to a Regan Linney penalty...

Top scorer Linney is now on 15 goals for the season, and with Alty announcing before the game that striker Jake Bickerstaff’s loan from Wrexham has been extended for the rest of the season, Parkinson is delighted with the firepower at his disposal...

'We’ve played better but we were just extremely clinical on the night,' said the Alty boss...

'Alex doesn’t always get the credit he deserves, even though everyone at Altrincham knows what a good player he is. His assists are right up there with the best in the division, and his finishing tonight was outstanding. It has been coming, and I’m really pleased for him.

'With Regan, he has this explosive pace. He goes through the gears, and just when you think you have a chance of catching him, he finds another. He tore their full-back apart and was superb again.

'I’m really pleased Wrexham have allowed us to keep Jake until the end of the season. I feel he’s really starting to find his feet with us, and he does give something different to Regan and Joe Nuttall'".

ALTY SETTING THE PACE AT HOME

• 1 ALTRINCHAM 300 home wins
• 2 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 292
• 3 WOKING 264
• 4 BARNET 259
• 5 KETTERING TOWN 255

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

Altrincham visit Eastleigh on Saturday, a location where they have not won in five attempts since their last victory there, just over a decade ago on 4 January 2015.

On that occasion Altrincham won 2-0, courtesy of a Jack Midson own goal and a late goal from Shaun Densmore.

In that game Altrincham had a lot of defending to do in this match, with the hosts winning numerous corners. But, for all their approach play, keeper Stuart Coburn only had two good saves to make. After Alty's industrious defending had kept Eastleigh out, Altrincham took the lead in the 39th minute.

Above: During the January 2015 clash at Eastleigh, Alty got everyone back to defend this freekick from the edge of the penalty area.

A left-side corner by Crowther was diverted by the stretching Jack Midson, who was positioned between the corner flag and the near post. The ball flew off his boot and into the net.

The Spitfires again went forward after the break but, after 72 minutes, Eastleigh's Green was sent off for a gratuitous shove on Damian Reeves. Having already been booked, the referee produced a second yellow card and the inevitable red one followed.

But losing a man seemed to fire up the hosts and they continued to press forward. However, by the closing stages they had failed to break through and Alty substitute Steven Gillespie won a freekick on the front edge of the Eastleigh box. Shaun Densmore expertly fired the free kick past goalkeeper Flitney to make it 2-0 (86 mins).

Altrincham: 1. Stuart Coburn, 2. Shaun Densmore (capt), 5. Gianluca Havern, 16. Tom Marshall, 3. Adam Griffin, 4. Jake Moult, 8. Simon Richman, 25. Peter Cavanagh, 19. Ryan Crowther, 10. Damian Reeves, 11. Nicky Clee. Subs: 6. Scott Leather, 18. Sean Williams, 9. Steven Gillespie, 14. Kyle Perry, 17.Dave Parton.

Since then the results have been completely in the Hampshire club's favour and coincidentally. For the fifth time running the game is a Saturday fixture and for the third year running it falls on the eighteenth day of the month.

A strange feature of these five games is that in the four to which spectators were admitted, the gate has varied by just 87 spectators.

• Sat.16.4.16 LOST 0-2, gate 2,034
• Sat.10.10.20 DREW 1-1, BCD, scorer Ceesay 11 mins
• Sat.23.10.21 LOST 1-2, gate 2,046, scorer Moult 6 mins
• Sat.18.3.23 LOST 2-3, gate 2,045, scorers Hulme 29, E. Jones 90(+4)
• Sat.18.11.23 LOST, 1-2, gate 2,121, scorer Conn-Clarke 66(pen)

HALIFAX'S MATCH OFF

More than 24 hours before the planned kick-off time, FC Halifax Town announced that "Following today’s pitch inspection, tomorrow’s match has been postponed due to the pitch being frozen.

Our game against Dagenham & Redbridge will now be rescheduled".

ANOTHER FREE GAME IN NL CUP

Wolves under-21s are the visitors to The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday January 28th (kick-off 7.30pm), and a competitive edge is assured, with both teams going into the game harbouring hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Alty need to win and hope results go their way elsewhere... <> Brown-field development experts McAuliffe have stepped forward and generously agreed to sponsor the game in a gesture that allows us to open the doors to everyone for free... Sponsors' Group CEO John McAuliffe explained... 'With our business headquartered in Wolverhampton, and having an office in Altrincham, this makes for a very interesting game!... As a Wolves fan who moved to the Altrincham area over 20 years ago, I have always had a soft spot for Alty as the local team....

Founded over 50 years ago in 1970, McAuliffe have gone from strength to strength and firmly established themselves as a leading remediation and enabling works contractor for UK housebuilders, developers and main contractor

Footnote: free entry to each of Altrincham's National League Cup games has meant that attendances have been good:

• 8.10.24 v BLACKBURN ROVERS U21 3-3 (Kosylo 8, Crawford 56, Weaver 84. Altrincham won shootout 6-5.) gate 783
• 19.11.24 v MANCHESTER UNITED U21 0-4 gate 3,663
• 3.12.24 v STOKE CITY U21 4-1 (J. Jones 43, Golden 51, Crawford 58, Bickerstaff 90(+2)) gate 879

ACADEMY REPORT

Solihull Moors report that "Mike Fowler’s Third Year group won 3-2 against Altrincham as a brace from Ethan Bracher and Kyle Moseley secured the win.

Altrincham started the match strongly and nearly took the lead in the eighth minute. A deep corner caused confusion in the Moors' defence, leaving their striker with a clear shot. However, Billy Corns was perfectly positioned to clear the effort off the line...

Moors responded swiftly and decisively. In the 12th minute, Kyle Moseley intercepted a wayward goal kick and found Ethan Bracher in space. Bracher calmly slotted the ball past the Altrincham goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Just before halftime, Moseley doubled the Moors' advantage... After the restart... Bracher coolly finished past the Altrincham keeper for his second goal of the match.

Altrincham fought back with two quick goals to reignite the contest. Their first came from a sharp counter-attack, while their second was the result of relentless pressing".

ALTY OLD BOYS

The Nash have rewarded Mahon and assistants Jack Salkeld and Mark Bradshaw with [a] deal which will keep them at the club until 2027.

Curzon are the division’s surprise pacesetters, enjoying one of their best ever seasons as they punch above their weight.

Player/manager Mahon has made more than 200 appearances for the club and was quick to extend his stay for a further two years. A club statement read... 'Whilst the manager role at Curzon Ashton was a step into the unknown for manager Craig Mahon, he has excelled in the position, guiding The Nash to two first-round qualifications in the FA Cup where they faced league opposition, [and] leading them to their highest league finish last season.'"

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Against Altrincham... on Tuesday evening, the visitors conceded four times without reply, despite having plenty of chances themselves... but they're conceding too many goals and chances and not being clinical enough at the other end of the field. It doesn't help that eight of their last 11 matches in all competitions have been away from York Road...

'It ain't great,' admitted Devonshire. 'They’ve had four shots, and they’ve scored four goals. We’ve had about eight shots, and we didn’t score any.. We defended poorly though; we’ve got to step that up..

'Listen, we’re in a situation where we’re in a dog fight... The performance on Tuesday wasn’t a 4-0 game but, at the end of the day, we got beaten 4-0...

'It’s been hard this year because of the injuries. We’ve had six major injuries this year. Four of those players would have played for me all the time...

'The money people are spending in this league is frightening really... We’re not in a situation like Ebbsfleet where you’re getting a bit adrift, and it feels like there’s no way up. We’re still in there and there’s lots of points to fight for'".

AFC Fylde "announce the loan signing of defender Dan Sassi who joins from local side Blackpool until the end of the season.

The centre half joins the Coasters having previously spent two loans spell at Rochdale... Sassi signed for the Seasiders in February 2024 after arriving from then Premier League side Burnley for an undisclosed fee...

Prior to his spell with the Clarets, the 21-year-old was also on the books at Championship side Stoke City...

Head Coach Kevin Phillips added... 'We’ve been looking to add to our defensive ranks... I watched him just before Christmas and I thought he stood out and he of course already has National League experience which is crucial'".

Oldham Athletic "announce the signing of Billy Waters on a deal until June 2026.

The striker joins Latics following his release from Wrexham... This season, Waters has played in the National League for Halifax, scoring five goals in 18 games...

Waters added....'When I heard of the interest I was wanting to do it from the off'...

Waters, born in Epsom, began his career with Crewe Alexandra... On 29 June 2015, Waters joined Cheltenham Town helping to fire them to a National League title in his first season at the club...

He rejected a new deal... and joined Northampton Town on a three-year-contract for an undisclosed fee... He enjoyed loan spells at Cambridge, Cheltenham and Newport in his three year stint at the club.

Torquay were next for Billy, joining them in 2020 ... Waters then enjoyed one of his most prolific campaigns at Halifax... earning him a move to EFL side Barrow.

Nine goals in 32 games meant Wrexham came calling and bought the striker for an undisclosed fee. However things didn’t quite click at Wrexham and he was loaned out to Doncaster and most recently back to Halifax.

Manager Micky Mellon [said]...'Billy wanted to come, he had options to play football elsewhere but he chose to come here'".

Southend have had some bad luck on their travels this season. Earlier in the campaign a train breakdown meant that they could not get to Fylde for a National League fixture. And this week, there was more misfortune for Southend United as "Head Coach Kevin Maher said Tuesday’s abandonment [at Boston] was 'very frustrating'...

The game was suspended after seven minutes due to thick fog limiting visibility. After a 30 minute break, the decision was made by referee Craig Hicks to abandon the game with the scoreline still goalless.

Maher said... 'We’ve all travelled up, taken a great number of fans again and I feel for them coming up on a midweek, spending money and obviously we want a game for them. “The referee went by the protocols to be fair to him...

'It was quite unbelievable really because it came in so fast just as the warm-up was coming towards the end'".

Woking "announce the signing of Tariq Hinds.

The 24 year-old right back joins until the end of the 2024/25 season following a brief spell with Braintree Town.

A Tottenham Hotspur academy product, Hinds left the club in February 2021 to join Portuguese side Lusitano de Evora. He returned to England with Billericay Town in October of that same year, where he would stay until joining National League South side Tonbridge Angels in October 2022... departing to join Braintree. He made three appearances for Braintree before joining the Cards.

Director of Football Jody Brown added, 'We couldn’t risk not bringing in a right back with Dion and Dan Moss now expected to be out for a while. Tariq has always been on my radar, having worked with him when he first came out of Tottenham’s [under] 23s a few years back'".

At Yeovil Town, the club "announce the signing of Lewys Twamley from Merthyr Town, who joins us on a deal until the summer of 2026.

Lewys is a forward who is making a real name for himself at Merthyr Town, with 15 goals in 21 league appearances so far this season...

After making his debut for Newport County in 2020, Twamley spent time on loan at Salisbury and Pontypridd United before being released by Newport at the end of the 2022-23 season. He joined Merthyr Town in September 2023".

FC Halifax Town "confirm the signing of forward Luca Thomas on loan from Championship side Leeds United until the end of the season.

Capable of playing across the front three, Thomas has spent most his career in the Leeds academy... Thomas was awarded his first professional contract with Leeds in July 2022...

He then signed a new deal running until the end of the 2024/25 season.

In October of this season, the forward signed on loan with fellow National League side York City. initially just for one month, this was extended in November until January when he returned to Leeds".

Aldershot Town "announce the signing of Luca Woodhouse on loan from Wycombe Wanderers until the end of the season!

The 20-year-old centre-back has made one senior appearance for Wycombe this season in the EFL Trophy, but has spent the first half of this season on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge... Woodhouse made 16 appearances and scored one goal which coincidentally came against his new teammates...

Head of Recruitment Jamie Hedges said... 'He’s been a long-term target of ours having been a player we’ve kept tabs on for a while.

We wanted to add another left-footed option to the group'".

16 January 2025

POST-MATCH PARKINSON

Speaking to Brian Flynn, the Alty boss likened the score to Alty's heavy defeat at Sutton, which also did not reflect the match accurately.

As for Maidenhead, he declared that "I don't think we were four-nil better than them... we took our chances which is always the difference".

Asked about loanee Casper Pasiek, the manager said that "he had a tricky start and was a bit loose in possession" but he improved and is a really exciting prospect".

Phil added that he is looking at reinforcements, given the injuries that Alty are carrying.

ALTY'S STRENGTH IN DEPTH

Moreover, the team which kicked off against Maidenhead included three players with just one start between them. Isaac Marriott had started one NL game but Ollie Crankshaw and Casper Pasiek were both making their first starts of the campaign.

The six missing players were Lewis Banks (23 appearances in NL this season), Eddy Jones (13), James Jones (19), Justin Amaluzor (15), Matty Kosylo (14), and George Wilson (18).

ALTY HAT-TRICKS

Regan Linney performed the same feat at Fylde earlier this season. Coincidentally both players completed their hat-tricks in a 36-minute spell!

Newby's achievement on Tuesday was also the first league hat-trick at home since 22 February 2014 when James Walshaw scored all the goals in a 3-1 win over Colwyn Bay. Earlier that season on 5 October 2013 his first hat-trick of that season, in a 4-1 win over Guiseley, had included a penalty.

Left: James Walshaw celebrated his hat-trick at Moss Lane in 2014 against Colwyn Bay.

Before this season, Alty's most recent hat-trick in any league game had been at the Tameside Stadium in 2019 where loanee Joe Piggott performed the feat in a 6-0 win for the Robins.

Right: In 2019 Joe Piggott celebrated making it 3-0 to Altrincham at Curzon Ashton.

Curiously, one current Altrincham player was on the pitch in that game as well as playing for Alty this Tuesday night; Ollie Crankshaw was in the defeated Curzon Ashton side in 2019.

For Crankshaw, Tuesday's game was his first league start for sixteen months following his ACL injury.

Previously, he had made three cameo appearances from the bench in the National League this season but the game against Maidenhead was his first league start since September 2023.

Although substituted at half-time on Tuesday, his 45 minutes in that game constituted his longest spell in league action since that 2023 date.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Wednesday 15th January 2025

• Boston United A-A Southend United (match abandoned because of fog, score 0-0). Southend United reported that the "game away to Boston United this evening was abandoned due to fog.

  Following kick-off the fog worsened drastically, impacting visibility and resulting in referee Craig Hicks pausing play after only seven minutes.

  Following a 30 minute break in play the decision was made to abandon the game with the score still goalless".

• Sutton United 2-2 Wealdstone

Friday 17th January 2025

• Yeovil Town v Gateshead (ko 7.30pm)

WEALDSTONE GAME REARRANGED

MAIDENHEAD VIEW

The playoff-chasing hosts did not have to wait long to open the scoring.... leading to multiple chances for the following 20 minutes. Tyrese Dyce had the first opportunity to level the scores with his shot from a tight angle, but the 41-strong travelling faithful could only watch as his effort went agonisingly wide...

Reece Smith would have a similar opportunity with 25 minutes on the clock. His dinky effort towards goal left Ethan Ross caught in no man’s land expecting a second touch, but the ball had gone out of play by the time Tristan Abrahams could reach it. The lack of clinical finishes would soon come back to haunt Maidenhead, however, when Newby scored his second in the 26th minute...

Craig Ross was deemed to have collected more of the man than the ball when he brought down Regan Linney in the penalty area. The striker wasted no time in converting his spot kick, and Alty led 3-0 with 33 minutes played.

There was a sense of déjà vu when Shawn McCoulsky became the latest Maidenhead player to see his shot drift wide of the right-hand post in the 38th minute. Unfortunately, the feeling of familiarity came back just seven minutes later when the hosts scored their fourth of the half...

While the latter 45 minutes may have been the quieter of the two halves, Maidenhead refused to throw in the towel despite the seemingly unreachable four-goal deficit".

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

Tenth-placed Eastleigh host ninth-placed Altrincham on Saturday, having secured an impressive 1-0 away win at Solihull Moors in midweek, albeit watched by only 751 spectators.

Solihull Moors reported that "Tyrese Shade scored on his return to Damson Park as Solihull Moors suffered their first defeat in six games against a resolute Eastleigh side in the National League...

Fletcher Holman – signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers – was named in the matchday squad for the first time. Academy product Billy Corns was also in the squad..

Former player Shade came back to bite the Moors when the forward wriggled through and bundled the ball into the net for the opener..

The Spitfires’ defence performed magnificently to marshall Conor Wilkinson and kept the dazzling attacker quiet in a frustrating game for the Moors..

Eastleigh starting XI: McDonnell, Brindley, Humphries, Francillette, Taylor, McCallum, Shade, Hudson, Wariuh, Boutin, Maher. Subs: Fernandez (Hodson 81), Maguire (McCallum 44), Scott, Semenyo, Ryan, Underhill.

ACADEMY'S MIXED FORTUNES

Having won three and drawn three games this season, and lost on five occasions, Alty lie seventh in the thirteen-strong division.

There was better luck for the other Academy side in the National Football Youth League. On Wednesday the Altrincham U-19 side beat Burnley 5-1.

The Alty starters were Max Beddow, Blyth Bywater, Kian Gonzalez-Moghaddam, Charlie Hough, Ryan Knowles, William Knowles, Jimmy Taafe, Kyran Webster, Noah Lavin and Harley Renshaw. The bench comprised Jacob Hill, Callum McCormack, Harry St Romaine and Henry Watt.

Alty's scorers were Ryan Knowles, Bywater, Renshaw, McCormack and AN Other.

ALTY OLD BOYS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Club officials are continuing to liaise with our Dedicated Football Officer and other policing partners to assist with their initial enquiries...

Andy Peaks, First Team Manger, has been and continues to be in communication with Chris throughout this deplorable racial posting which has been recognised by Chri...

Racist abuse will never be tolerated and will be thoroughly investigated".

Boston United "confirm the return of striker Jimmy Knowles on loan for the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old, who bagged 20 goals as the Pilgrims earned promotion ... last season, sealed a move back into the EFL with Accrington Stanley in the summer.

His game time has been restricted over recent weeks though and... Knowles now returns".

At Sutton United "Steve Morison has provided a squad update ahead of the midweek visit of Wealdstone.

Due to Saturday’s match at AFC Fylde getting called off, Henry Sandat could make his Sutton debut against the team he has just departed... while fellow recruit Alex Woodyard continues to regain his fitness after arriving from Colchester United.

Furthermore, Josh Coley and Ryan Jackson took a step towards their recoveries from their respective injuries...

As for the longer-term absentees, Alex Kirk and Siju Odelusi have all returned to training... Jack Sims is another who has returned to training after going off against Aldershot Town on New Year’s Day".

Oldham Athletic "confirm the signing of Jordan Rossiter on loan from Shrewsbury Town until 2 June.

Born in Liverpool, the midfielder came through the youth academy at the Reds... He joins with plenty of EFL experience for the likes of Bury, Fleetwood, Bristol Rovers and most recently Shrewsbury...

'This is a club with huge ambitions and I want to be a part of helping the club to get where it should be,' he said...

'I like to break things up, win tackles and I’ll look to bring as much experience as I can to the group'...

During the 2013/14 season Rossiter was in and around the first-team set up at Liverpool... becoming Liverpool’s second ever youngest goal scorer. He went on to make five appearances for the club before a move to Rangers.

The Scottish outfit paid a £250,000 development fee for the midfielder but his time there sadly was succumbed [sic] to injury and he only managed 16 games in a three year spell at the club.

On deadline day in 2019, he joined Bury on loan until the end of the season... He made 17 appearances, scoring one goal.

Fleetwood then came calling for his services... In March 2021, he signed a two-year extension and was named club captain...

The following summer Joey Barton, the manager that signed him at Fleetwood bought him for an undisclosed fee at Bristol Rovers. He made 25 appearances for the Gas...

He joined Shrewsbury Town and has played 17 games this season.

Manager Micky Mellon... said, 'I like what he’s about as a player, he breaks up the play and isn’t afraid of a challenge, he’s the type of player who does the dirty work. He’s more of a defensive player and understands the game well'".

Also joining Oldham Athletic is "Corry Evans on a deal until the end of the season... after leaving Bradford City earlier this month.

Evans arrives with over 350 appearances for the likes of Sunderland, Hull and his most prolific stint with Blackburn Rovers where he made 206 appearances...

'The club got in touch to see where I was at and if I wanted to come down, and when I came I could see the potential this club has to offer'" the player stated.

Meanwhile Southend United "Assistant Head Coach Darren Currie believes there’s been a return of identity in the performances that have culminated in the recent run of victories...

'Winning breeds confidence as we know,' said Currie... 'There’s been a lot more of our identity in the last few results. It’s been a little bit inconsistent if we’re being honest with each other [this season], but there’s signs that there’s a level of consistency in our identity and how we play.

'That’s resulted in some clean sheets and victories... We want to press at one end of the pitch, we want to control the game with the ball, we want to be hard to break down and we want to keep clean sheets...

'We look really solid at the moment defensively'" he affirmed.

15 January 2025

ALTRINCHAM 4-0 MAIDENHEAD UNITED

The stand-out feature was Alex Newby's hat-trick but the win also completed Alty's first "double" of the league season, having won the reverse fixture 1-0.

Right: Alex Newby pictured during the game against Maidenhead United.

Alty went ahead in the ninth minute when a superb diagonal ball by Osborne, from the left touchline, located Golden, whose cross from the right was finished by Newby.

There had been little further threat to the visitors' goal before Newby struck again, sweeping home another ball played in from the right, by Crawford (27 mins). Six minutes later it was 3-0 when Linney got to the left bye-line and went down as keeper Ross dived on the ball at the near post. A penalty was decreed and Linney converted it comfortably (33 mins).

The visitors did go close a couple of times but Alty made it 4-0 when Newby completed his hat-trick after Linney had again got to the bye-line (45 mins).

The second half produced little in the way of goalmouth excitement as Altrincham comfortably held their lead despite the visitors spirited attempts to retrieve something from the evening.

Match report here.

Altrincham's commanding first-half lead was built by a starting eleven which included three players with just one previous league start this season between them; they were Marriott and debutant league starters this season Crankshaw and Pasiek.

Missing today was the suspended Matty Kosylo, as well as Lewis Banks who had been in every previous league matchday squad this season except the one when he was serving a suspension. Presumably he and fellow absentee James Jones are injured.

Known-to-be-injured absentees were Justin Amaluzor (10 games and counting), Eddy Jones (5) and George Wilson (1).

Altrincham lined up as follows, with just six substitutes named: 1. Ethan ROSS, 23. Tylor GOLDEN, 4. Lewis BAINES (c), 31. Charlie OLSON, 32. Casper PASIEK, 8. Isaac MARRIOTT, 6. Elliot OSBORNE, 22. Tom CRAWFORD, 7. Ollie CRANKSHAW, 10. Alex NEWBY, 9. Regan LINNEY Subs: 5. Jake COOPER, 17. Luke WEAVER, 20. Kahrel REDDIN, 24. Joe NUTTALL, 29. Jake BICKERSTAFF, 30 Harvey RANDLE (gk).

BICKERSTAFF EXTENDS STAY

Jake was due to return to The Racecourse Ground today [14 January], following the expiry of a loan that began at the end of August...

The 23-year old's selfless running and ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play has increasingly come to the fore in recent weeks...

'I'm really pleased Wrexham have allowed us to keep Jake until the end of the season,' he said. 'I feel he’s really starting to find his feet with us, and he does give something different to Joe [Nittall] and Regan [Linney].

'He gives us the ability to really stretch the opponent with his pace and willingness to run in behind as well as his ability to score a goal. He’s a good pro and just wants to keep learning and improving each week; exactly the type of player we look to recruit'...

Footnote: To date, the Wrexham striker has made 9(+8) appearances for the Robins and scored twice in all competitions

In the National League he has made 4(+7) appearances for Altrincham and has one goal to his name.

23 year-old Jake was as a loan signing from Wrexham on 30 August 2004, an arrangement originally set to run till mid-January 2025. He had started out at The Racecourse, though he left for two years to join the Academy at Liverpool.

His professional debut for Wrexham was in the National League at the start of 2002-21 season and he had made 12 appearances for the Welshmen before joining Alty.

NEXT: EASTLEIGH

The sides have already met in the league at the J. Davidson Stadium this season when the Hampshire club emerged with a 1-0 win which left Altrincham in eleventh place at that stage of the campaign.

ALTY OLD BOYS

National League : LIAM HUMBLES played the full game for Gateshead, who were upset 1-3 by visitors Halifax. Former Robins trialist TOM PUGH was a 62nd minute substitute for the Shaymen.

National North : TOM PEERS scored the goal which put Chester 0-2 ahead inside 10 minutes at Leamington. The hosts were reduced to 10 men in first half stoppage time and went in 0-4 down, but despite that handicap they did manage to score the only goal of the second half.

Scarborough came from behind twice to keep their home match with Kidderminster Harriers level at the break, but the ever reliable ASHLEY HEMMINGS gave his side a 2-3 win.

NPL Premier Division : MONTEL GIBSON scored the opener for Matlock Town, who increased their lead before visitors Prescot Cables scored a late consolation.

EFL Trophy : RYAN COLCLOUGH was withdrawn by Chesterfield just before the hour, and visitors Rotherham forced a goalless draw before progressing 4-3 on penalties.

CHRIS CONN-CLARKE assisted Peterborough United's opener as they eliminated visitors Walsall 4-2.

14 January 2025

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

• Aldershot Town 2-2 Braintree Town
• Altrincham 4-0 Maidenhead United
• Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Yeovil Town
• Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Barnet
• Gateshead 1-3 FC Halifax Town
• Solihull Moors 0-1 Eastleigh

GAME ON

NEXT: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

Both sides fared the worst of the weather over the weekend, with Alty’s visit from Wealdstone called off due to snow. The Great British winter has enforced something of a mid-season break on both United and the Robins, with neither side having played a league game for the best part of two weeks.

The away side has won this fixture on the past three occasions. While Alty were successful earlier this campaign at York Road, the Magpies can be buoyed by last season’s 3-1 win at the J. Davidson in which Kevin Lokko, Reece Smith and Remy Clerima paved the way for a vital three points."

EMIRATES FA CUP 3RD ROUND

• Millwall 3-0 Dagenham & Redbridge

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Goalkeeper Dennis, 20... has spent his career at Cardiff City... Jake has featured several times in the first-team squad.

Jake said 'I’ve been at Cardiff since I was eight years old... and last season I had my first taste of men’s football which I enjoyed so I think it's the right step now to come here and progress my career...

It’s a great club with a big history... “ I want to play games but I understand I've got to be patient, it’s about the experience of being around such a big club and the matchdays and the day-to-day training'...

The Swansea-born keeper spent time on loan Gloucester City last season... He has also made two appearances for Wales U19s...

Manager Micky Mellon said 'We have two very talented goalkeepers in our squad already and Jake provides further competition'".

Hartlepool United "goalkeeper Adam Smith has signed a new deal with the Club which will see him remain at the Prestige Group Stadium until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The shot-stopper has made 11 appearances since arriving at Pools in the summer...

With his contract set to expire this month, Smith has now put pen to paper on a new 18-month deal, which will also see him remain as goalkeeping coach.

Smith stated 'It’s the only place I want to be. I’ve enjoyed the last few months a lot@".

Rochdale reported on Monday that "The scheduled pitch works at the Crown Oil Arena began on Monday.

As detailed in our pitch update on Friday, a square covering the centre of the pitch, to a depth of 200mm, will be excavated over the course of Monday and Tuesday.

The external contractors will then replace this area with sand and new turf later in the week, before restitching the area.

Keep an eye on our social media channels throughout the rest of the week for updates on the works".

Woking "announce the signing of Jokubas Mazionis.

The 18-year-old defender joins on loan from Premier League side Ipswich Town until the end of the 2024/25 season.

A Lithuanian youth international, Mazionis spent time as a schoolboy with the West Ham and Arsenal academies... before going on trial with Ipswich in March 2023... signing a professional deal with Ipswich in May 2023...

Director of Football Jody Brown added, 'We thought long and hard about bringing someone in on a permanent deal, but when we analysed the market we just didn’t feel we could get the right one. Jacob was identified as a young player who could come into our group and add some things we need'">

FC Halifax Townhave issued a two-line statement saying that "Following the end of his loan, Billy Waters has returned to parent club, Wrexham.

Once again, thank you for your efforts and professionalism, and good luck in the next stage of your career, Billy".

Footote: Waters scored five times in 18 league starts for the Shaymen

"David Ajiboye has returned to Peterborough United following the conclusion of his loan spell at York City.

The 26-year-old joined up with the Minstermen in early November, and made his debut a couple of days later against Hartlepool United.

He made nine appearances for City, including two run-outs in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Ajiboye scored his first goal in a win over Darlington in the competition... The winger also got on the scoresheet in our 3-0 victory against Southend United".

13 January 2025

NEIL'S OBSERVATIONS

He starts by referencing the earlier win over Barnet in the FA Trophy. "In the first 20 minutes or so... we didn't have enough control of the game and they probably edged it.

We didn't get the press quite right, but that started to change in the second half of the first 45 minutes, as we began to impose ourselves and generally do things a lot better.

With that control came the goals we needed, and there was plenty to admire about all three of them...

We are still probably toying with that advanced midfield role after trying a few different players there, but Tom [Crawford] showed what we knew he was capable of with two highly accomplished finishes...

Today, the focus switches back to... a very important game against Wealdstone, who have hit a decent patch of form after a bit of a shaky start to the campaign...

Finally, I'd like to welcome Kacper Pasiek (right) to the club after he joined us from Preston North End on a one-month loan and went straight into the squad last Saturday.

We first became aware of Kacper after playing a 'bounce game' at Preston a couple of months back and being impressed with him, and with Eddy Jones picking up an injury, it was a timely breakthrough to be able to bring him in to help us cope with what is a busy schedule of games".

ALTY OLD BOYS

KENNEDY DIGIE was left on the Tamworth bench, despite them going down 0-3 after extra time at home to Tottenham Hotspur, while Bristol Rovers only introduced JOEL SENIOR after 86 minutes at Ipswich Town - by which time the Tractor Boys had already wrapped up a 3-0 win.

Although Swansea City also went down 3-0, in their case at Southampton, they welcomed back JOSH GINNELLY. Josh had played for the U21 side in midweek, and returned to first team action after missing 16 months with a muscle injury, coming off the bench after 79 minutes".

NEXT: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

But last season the visitors won the corresponding match at Altrincham, 3-1.

Right: In last season's game at the J. Davidson Stadium, despite a massed Alty defence, Maidenhead equalised after this effort from Mitchell-Lawson pinged around the Alty box.

That result marked this third defeat in eight days and came against a team which had lost its previous four league matches.

There were some unexpected omissions from the Alty starting eleven as Lewis Baines (who had been ill) was only named as a substitute, as was captain Isaac Marriott, whilst Justin Amaluzor was not in the squad at all.

Back into the starting side came Linney, Conn-Clarke and Newby replacing Angus, Marriott and Kosylo.

On a heavily sanded pitch, Altrincham started reasonably well when Banks netted from close range. But Alty failed to build on that goal before Maidenhead netted a deserved equaliser (30 mins).

Maidenhead went ahead just before the interval and little more than sixty seconds after the start of the second half, Maidenhead's veteran defender Remy Clerima headed home, unchallenged, from a right-wing corner.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 14 JANUARY

A disastrous spell of defending at the start of the match saw Altrincham concede twice inside nine minutes after the kick off. Although Alty dominated the second half they failed to deal with a ball up the middle and Worsfold made it 3-0 just after the hour mark.

Altrincham produced a grandstand finish as they got the game back to 2-3. Eight minutes from time Owens netted after Reeves had twice hit the bar, firstly with a shot and then a header. And four minutes later a long ball from Heathcote glanced off Cyrus to make it 2-3.

Despite some hairy moments in the Trinity defence the visitors held on.

EMIRATES FA CUP

Sunday 12 January 2025

• Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur (after extra time)

Monday 12 January 2025

• Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge (7.30 ko)

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Ange Postecoglou's side were mind-numbingly poor in normal time at the Lamb Ground, then required a scrambled own goal from Tamworth's Nathan Tshikuna to break the deadlock after 101 minutes.

Substitute Dejan Kulusevski added a superb strike, and then Brennan Johnson curled in a third after Postecoglou was forced to introduce his biggest attacking weaponry to break down Tamworth.

The home side, 96 places below Spurs in the fifth tier of football's pyramid, performed magnificently and could not have been begrudged one of the FA Cup's biggest shocks had they clinched victory in normal time...

It took a huge slice of good fortune to break Tamworth's superb resistance and organisation... For 90 minutes Andy Peaks' part-timers were never second best at any point... There was no excuse for the laboured, lacklustre and dismal nature of Spurs' performance for the first 90 minutes."

12 January, 2025

ROCHDALE DATE AND PITCH PROBLEMS

The original fixture was postponed on New Year's Day due to a waterlogged pitch".

And Rochdale have issue a long explanation about thier pitch problems. It states, "We have had to postpone our last three home games as the playing surface has been unplayable...

The Club undertook a major reconstruction of the pitch in 2020. Notwithstanding that work, we have subsequently experienced issues with the drainage of the pitch... We are very limited in what we can say regarding that prior work and any potential redress as we do not wish to prejudice our position in any way...

In the summer we engaged an external consultant to conduct a full review of the pitch and advise on what was causing the drainage problems and what steps could be taken to ameliorate the position. The advice was that the drainage failure was occurring below the root zone and that, ultimately, only a full reconstruction would guarantee a permanent resolution... We carried out a full surface renovation in the summer of 2024.

Certain parts of the pitch have become waterlogged... and there is virtually no drainage occurring from those areas at all...

Dryjecting, which we have referred to in previous updates and which is our best current option, can only be done in dry, thawed conditions, which we have not had over the past few weeks...

Our immediate plan is as follows: As soon as conditions allow (which is likely to be Monday or Tuesday), external contractors will dig out a square covering the centre of the pitch to a depth of 200mm. They will replace this area with sand and new turf and then restitch this area. This is an extremely costly exercise, but – and we have consulted widely with experts in the field – this is the only way we think we can give this section of the pitch the stability it needs to be playable in any reasonable timeframe...

[We] made the decision to postpone the fixture [on Saturday v York City]... as a six-day clear window is required to complete the works...

A full reconstruction of the pitch will cost several hundreds of thousands of pounds. This is an enormous cost for a football club in the National League which has limited cash and is materially loss-making.

NEXT: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

Maidenhead, like Altrincham, had their home fixture postponed on Saturday. They will arrive occupying 21st position, 12 points adrift of 11th-placed Altrincham despite having played one more game.

Unusually, Maidenhead have no fewer than three players who have started every league game this season. They are goalkeeper Craig Ross and midfielders Casey Pettit and Reece Smith.

Shawn McCoulsky, with seven goals, is their leading scorer in the league.

A familiar face in their ranks is former Alty defender Miles Welch-Hayes who has started 15 of the 16 games he has played in the league this campaign.

ALTY WOMEN'S GOOD SEASON

They have just four league games to play to complete their season. Playing on an artificial surface at Partington Sports Village has meant that they have not been adversely affected by the bad weather this winter.

ALTY OLD BOYS

FA Cup: When he signed for Manchester United, SONNY ALJOFREE (right) probably dreamed of stepping out at Anfield with his team. Instead he was part of Accrington Stanley's squad, and was left on the bench as they were eliminated 4-1.

MARCUS DACKERS was withdrawn after 53 minutes with his Morecambe side already two goals down at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea went on to win 5-0.

Even with a below strength lineup, it was always likely that Manchester City would prove much too strong for visitors Salford City. KEVIN BERKOE played the full match as the Ammies were crushed 8-0.

League Two: CONNOR JENNINGS scored for Tranmere Rovers at Walsall but, by that time, they had already gone 2-0 down and had a player sent off. They eventually lost 5-1.

Northern Ireland Premiership: SAM ROSCOE was at the heart of the Linfield defence as they kept a fifth successive clean sheet in the league, winning 3-0 at home against Carrick Rangers. They are now 12 points clear at the top of the league.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The former Barrow and Forest Green Rovers defender... came through the academy at Bolton Wanderers before leaving... to join Forest Green Rovers... team before moving onto League One side Coventry City in 2015.

In his three-year spell with the Sky Blues, Stokes helped the club to promotion as well as winning the EFL Trophy in 2016/17 before joining Bury.

A return to Forest Green followed in 2020 before later spells back in the North West with Morecambe and Barrow in League Two...

Stokes said... 'I’ve played at this level before but I’ve not seen anything like this in terms of the stadium and facilities so it’s a great first impression.

'I’m a no-nonsense defender who enjoys defending which is what I’ve done all my life@".

Aldershot Town "confirm the signing of promising defender Will Armitage on loan from Southampton until the end of the season!

The 19-year-old... joined the Saints as a 16-year-old having already made his senior debut for Cheltenham Town and becoming their youngest-ever appearance maker at the time...

Tommy Widdrington said 'With Rollin Menayese departing after the conclusion of his contract, we felt the bolstering this area was important and it may not be the only one that we see in the next couple of weeks.

'Will is a strong, commanding centre-half but can also give us a little bit more on the ball than what we’ve had at late '".

Wealdstone "announce that midfielder Elliot Simmons has left Wealdstone after having his contract with the club terminated by mutual agreement.

The 26-year-old joined the Stones in June 2024, before swiftly making a loan move to Southern League side Bedford Town, in August.

Elliot has featured heavily since joining the Eagles and departs the Stones in a permanent move to the club".

From Gateshead comes news of the "signing of midfielder Max Sheaf following his departure [from]... Ross County...

The 23 year-old arrives on an 18-month deal after spending the past 18 months with The Staggies, making 19 appearances."

Previously he had enjoyed "a one-season spell with Gloucester City during the 2021/22 campaign... in National League North".

11 January, 2025

NEXT: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

Defender Zac Bell has signed a one-month agreement with the Cornish side, with his tenure set to last until Saturday, 8th February.

Likewise, Christian Johnson, Jamie Davies and Jadyn Dundas have signed one-month loan agreements with fellow Berkshire club Thatcham Town. The three young Magpies will be with the Kingfishers until Saturday, 8th February".

Maidenhead, like Alty have a blank Saturday today as their game against York City has been postponed.

UNITED RETURN TO ALTRINCHAM

Above: The J. Davidson Stadium will host Manchester United's under-21s.

The match against the Danish youngsters takes place on Tuesday, January 21st with a 7pm kick-off.

Tickets will be available to purchase from our website here priced £3 [for] adults and £1 [for] over-65s/under-16s".

Altrincham supporters have already seen a United side play at Moss Lane this season as the Reds' PL2 side faced the Robins in the National League Cup in November, with Alty running out the winners, 4-0.

And in summer 2023, in a pre-season friendly match Altrincham defeated a Manchester United XI largely comprising the Reds' under-21 squad at the J. Davidson Stadium.

FOURTH POSTPONEMENT

1. Sat.30.11.24 AWAY Wealdstone Postponed owing to Wealdstone having a game in the FA Cup
2. Wed.1.1.25 AWAY Rochdale Waterlogged pitch
3. Sat.11.1.25 HOME Wealdstone Snow and frozen pitch
4. Sat.1.2.25 AWAY Oldham Athletic Postponed owing to Alty's progress in FA Trophy

ALTY OLD BOYS

The 31-year-old has penned a contract at The Brewery Field following his departure from fellow National League North outfit side Chester...

Lee made his move quickly to sign the north-east based schemer when he was released from The Deva Stadium this week".

The Derbyshire Times reports that "Chesterfield have rejected a bid from Blackpool for JAMES BERRY, we understand.

The Tangerines have been watching the 24-year-old winger and have lodged an offer with the Spireites but it has been turned down. However, our sources in the North West suggest the League One club are keen on him and are lining-up a second bid...

Berry helped Town win the National League title last season after signing from Macclesfield for a fee. He is the Blues’ joint top scorer with 10 goals in all competitions this campaign, including some spectacular strikes".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday, 11 January 2025

• AFC Fylde P-P Sutton United
• Aldershot Town P-P Solihull Moors
• Altrincham P-P Wealdstone
• Barnet P-P Hartlepool United
• Boston United 2-2 Ebbsfleet United
• Gateshead P-P Braintree Town
• Maidenhead United P-P York City
• Oldham Athletic P-P Eastleigh
• Southend United P-P FC Halifax Town
• Yeovil Town 1-1 Woking

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 31-year-old already has 10 league goals to his name in 18 appearances for the Bees so far this season, adding to his impressive goal tally already racked up at The Hive after joining in 2022 from Northampton Town.

Kabamba... first clinched a move to the EFL back in 2016 when he joined then-League Two side Portsmouth from Hampton & Richmond in National League South...

Kabamba would go on to join Hartlepool United, initially on loan, before making the switch to Scotland where he’d spend two seasons at Kilmarnock.... He signed for then-League Two side Northampton Town before joining Barnet".

There is bad news for Southend United who "confirm that Aribim Pepple has been recalled from his loan by Luton Town.

The 22-year-old forward scored 11 goals after joining the Shrimpers at the end of August, making 23 appearances in all competitions during his stay at Roots Hall.

Pepple had been due to spend the remainder of the season with Blues but his parent club have taken the decision to activate a mid-season recall clause, with a view to a move to a club at a higher level".

At Eastleigh "Following the first phase release of 2025/26 Season Tickets, Eastleigh FC Chairman Stewart Donald commented:

I fully appreciate how difficult it is to find the money for leisure activities in the current financial climate and how expensive it has become to watch football at all levels...

However, the finances of the football club have been hugely challenging since I returned to the club. The club had a huge trading deficit along with substantial essential works that required huge capital expenditure. These works have been concluded and I have reviewed every area of the club over the last 18 months and made many changes which have resulted in a much improved financial performance.

A direct result of this work means it is possible to offer our fans massively reduced season tickets prices in most areas...

Knowing it will cost less than £5 for an adult to watch a game and children either £1 or £2 a game, depending on their age, I am hopeful it will increase matchday attendances and everything that comes with that.

When I bought the club originally, I stated an ambition to increase attendances from 500 to over 2,000 which most people thought was not achievable. However, we had a fantastic response from the fanbase and the wider community who indeed have now ensured we are now averaging above 2,000 with a stadium that is vastly improved whilst also gaining promotion to the National League...

If we are to achieve our potential. We now need to start achieving crowds of 3,000+ at the Silverlake and improve the matchday atmosphere".

Footnote: The Early Bird offer includes Adult terraced and South Stand seating for just £99, rising to £295 for "West Stand padded seating".

Boston United "have clinched the loan signing of Lincoln City midfielder Oisin Gallagher until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old, who is also capable of playing at centre-half, has spent the first half of the season on loan in National League North with Peterborough Sports.

Gallagher has now linked up with the Pilgrims on a fresh loan deal...

The Irishman has been allocated squad number 15".

Solihull Moors "are delighted to confirm the loan signing of Fletcher Holman from Wolverhampton Wanderers...

The 20-year-old arrives at Damson Park on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 National League campaign on loan...

The highly rated youngster started his career with Brighton & Hove Albion before signing for Eastbourne Borough. At 16-years-old, Holman signed on dual registration with Eastbourne Town where he flourished in front of goal.

Holman was picked up by Wolves in the January transfer window in 2024".

Also at Solihull Moors "Killian Barrett has extended his loan for a further month from Sheffield Wednesday.

The goalkeeper who signed on an initial One-Month loan from the Owls in December has settled into life well at Damson Park...

Barrett has played a part in our unbeaten league run over the course of the festive period as Andy Whing’s side won four and drew one, keeping two clean sheets in the process".

With a move to Fleetwood Town rumoured, X #WorClub reports that "Gateshead midfielder Regan Booty has handed in a transfer request".

At FC Halifax Town "A proposed multi-million-pound investment into Halifax could boost professional sports facilities in the town.

Calderdale Council understands the value of sport to local people, and has been discussing the future of the Shay Stadium in Halifax with FC Halifax Town, Halifax Panthers RLFC and other interested parties.

This comes after the Council agreed at Budget Council in February 2024 to stop running the stadium by 1 April 2025 to save £161,000 per year, and to remove the additional annual cost of up to £500,000 to meet the stadium’s health and safety needs.

The Council... is due to consider two proposals for its future at the Cabinet meeting in March 2025.

Ken Davy, owner of Huddersfield Giants rugby league club, has expressed interest in buying the Shay so that the Giants can play there temporarily from 2026, while a new stadium is built for them in Huddersfield. Also, a group of FC Halifax Town supporters has submitted an initial business proposal to run the stadium.

If approved, Mr Davy’s proposal would see major investment in upgrading the Shay to Super League standard, and would ensure it could continue to be used by FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers in the long-term.

Upgrades would include a new hybrid pitch with improved surface and drainage quality...

David Bosomworth, Chairman of FC Halifax Town, said 'News of potential significant investment in the Shay Stadium is very encouraging'".

10 January 2025

MATCH POSTPONED

Snow has been on the pitch for several days and temperatures in the region of minus seven have been experienced for the last couple of nights with more sub-zero weather expected today and overnight.

Next Tuesday, Altrincham are scheduled to host Maidenhead United which will, again, be subject to weather conditions.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

One place providing an exception is Aldershot Town where "There is no planned pitch inspection ahead of tomorrow’s Vanarama National League game with Solihull Moors...

Frost Covers were put on on Wednesday and have remained in place since...

With temperatures not expected to drop any further than the previous 24 hours over the next 24 hours, all parties are optimistic that the current condition of the pitch – which is playable – will not deteriorate".

EMIRATES FA CUP THIRD ROUND

• Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur (k.o. 12.30pm)

SCHEDULED OPPONENTS: WEALDSTONE

Last time out was a 3-1 defeat on the road to Maidenhead United... with a game on New Year's Day against Boston United... postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.,,

'It’s been good to have some time in training with the boys, but it’s also been good for them to have some time off as well because the schedule has been relentless', said Matt Taylor...

'Altrincham are a dangerous team, they’ve got threats. A lot of goals go through Regan Linney but their front four are very dangerous, especially at home'.

It was a busy week of departures at the Stones, with four players departing Grosvenor Vale. Alex Reid, Jack Wells-Morrison, Henry Sandat and Elliot Thorpe all said their farewells...

'Obviously the one everyone will look at will be Alex but I think especially in the last 15/16 games, Jack has been outstanding and a mainstay in our team...

'If we want to reach our targets this season, we must add quality to the players that are already here, and as quickly as possible.'”

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL FOR RACHEL

The award was earned by Rachel for her "Services to Sport" through her work for the Altrincham FC girls' teams, who are part of the AFC Juniors section. Her work started 15 years ago and has grown to encompass coaching for some 600 girls, which is believed to be the largest such girls' section at any football club in the NW of England.

ALTY OLD BOYS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 25-year-old has made just four competitive appearances for the Minstermen since signing from Greenock Morton, with an injury limiting his playing time.

Having recently recovered from his setback, O’Connor will now head back across the border to Scottish Championship side Falkirk to regain fitness and get some more minutes in the tank.

Our trip to Gainsborough Trinity in the Isuzu FA Trophy last week saw the centre-back make his first City appearance off the bench since early September".

Barnet "announce the signing of striker Lee Ndlovu from Boreham Wood.

The forward joins us on a two-and-a-half-year contract from the National South side.

The 30-year-old began his career at Holbeach United before moving to Grantham and then Ilkeston Town. A successful spell at Ilkeston earned him a move to National North side Brackley Town...

In 2022 Lee signed for Boreham Wood where he has remained ever since...

Head Coach Dean Brennan said, 'Lee is a player that we’ve tracked for a long time...

'He will bring us power and pace in the top line, and I think in our team with the chances we create he will score lots of goals'".

9 January 2025

ALTY AND HALIFAX CHARGED BY FA

Right: The teams take to the pitch on Boxing Day.

Millington and Altrincham midfielder Matty Kosylo were both sent-off during half-time in the match.

Altrincham have admitted a charge that they failed to ensure their players did not behave in a way which is improper and/or provocative and/or violent.

FC Halifax Town have admitted a charge that they failed to ensure their players and or technical staff did not behave in a way which is improper and/or provocative and/or violent.

And Chris Millington has admitted a charge that he acted in an improper and/or violent manner, leading to his dismissal.

A result of the charges is yet to be published."

NEXT: WEALDSTONE

It addresses "a number of important matters across the club... Some of these matters are highly sensitive and covered by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which limits our ability to share specific details.

The Board is currently addressing several complex and interdependent issues that will have a fundamental impact on the future of Wealdstone FC. These matters require thorough analysis, extensive discussions and careful negotiation, which take time to resolve... We assure you that progress is being made behind the scenes.

In November 2023, we announced our ambition to build a new stadium in Hillingdon... Since then, significant work has been undertaken as a development of this scale requires substantial expertise and considerable funding and we hope to be in a position soon to share more detailed updates.

We continue to engage in constructive dialogue with our landlords, KSIMC, regarding the lease at Grosvenor Vale....

On the footballing front, we are navigating a challenging period of the season. The return of high-quality loan players to their parent clubs and ongoing long-term injuries have impacted the squad significantly, However, we are actively working incredibly hard to strengthen the squad...

The Board has also been in discussions with several potential investors over the past 12 months. While these conversations have not yet resulted in offers that align with the best interests of the club, we continue to explore viable opportunities".

RESERVES UPDATE

They lost 1-3 to St Michael's DH.

The Alty starters were Oscar Cooper (left), Rhys Cosquer, Lucas Edwards (right), Harrison Howells, Isaac Mannion, Charlie Noble, Remi Raymond, Vladislav Shtyhlian, Harry Watson, Kyran Webster and Thomas Whyte. The bench comprised Jacob Ireland, Jacob Martin and Muhammed Suwareh.

The Reserves remain bottom of the sixteen-strong Premier Division, six points from safety.

ACADEMY CATCH-UP

They now lie sixth in the thirteen-club division.

The other Academy side which competes in the National Football Youth League, North West Championship 1 played on 18 December. They won 2-0 away to Bradford (Park Avenue) thanks to goals from McCormack and Webster.

They lie second in the league but are nine points adrift of the runaway unbeaten leaders Steven Gerrard Academy Kirkby.

For the game at Bradford, Alty lined up as follows : Christopher Antoniades, Charlie Hough, Ryan Knowles, Callum McCormack, Charlie Noble, Harry St Romaine, Nathan Taylor, Henry Watts, Kyran Webster, Noah Lavin, Charley Renshaw. Subs: Jack Alexander Chandler, Kian Gonzalez-Moghaddam, Jacob Hill, William Knowles and Jimmy Taafe.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Kyle wasn't called on in the resultant penalty shootout, in which Stockton led 3-1, before missing three kicks in succession to lose 4-3.

ALTY MONTHLY DRAW

• £500 cash | Julie & Michael Lloyd
• £75 cash | L. Kenwright
• Hospitality for Two | Alan Ford
• £25 cash | Brian Birtles
• Bottle of Alty Gin | Geoff Morris
• Scarf & Pin Badge | Brian Quigley

Congratulations to all the winners!

WEDNESDAY GAMES

Vanarama National League

• Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

Isuzu FA Trophy Round Four

• Rochdale 0-0 Stockton Town (at Stockton; Rochdale won 4-3 on pens)

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In the Maidenhead Advertiser "Alan Devonshire has called on Maidenhead United fans to be their 12th man in the coming weeks...

United got the better of Wealdstone 3-1 at York Road on Boxing Day and were the better side by some distance in their 3-1 defeat to Woking on New Year's Day....

Finding that edge in front of goal has been an issue for the team all season, and Devonshire has taken some steps to address that with the addition of winger Ricky Korboa from Livingstone and 20-year-old Northern Irish centre forward Noah Stewart from Ballymena United.

Said Devonshire 'We’ve brought in Ricky, who will hopefully play off the right. We’ve missed Jadyn [Mitchell-Lawson] since he’s been injured... Noah will come in and give us another option up top because we’ve only got the two boys now with Tobi [Sho-Silva] being out long-term with injury'...

Their 6-2 defeat at York City aside, the Magpies have looked a much-improved side in recent weeks...

Said Devonshire, 'We’ve had a lot of injuries this year, we haven’t been able to do anything now until January. So, bringing in an extra couple of players, I like to think will help'".

Barnet report that "Rohat Matyar has joined Sporting Bengal on a month’s long loan deal.

Matyar joined the Bees in August and he then spent the first part of this season with Biggleswade Town before joining Risborough Rangers FC on a short term loan deal."

Footnote: Matyar was an unused sub for the Bees when they faced Altrincham last weekend in the FA Trophy.

Boston United "have bolstered their goalkeeping ranks with the acquisition of Fleetwood Town stopper Tom Donaghy on a month's loan.

The 21-year-old has recently returned to Highbury Stadium following a successful loan spell in National League North with Hereford FC.

With Cameron Gregory working his way back to full fitness and Aidan Stone having returned to Notts County at the conclusion of his loan spell, Donaghy's arrival is a welcome one for manager Graham Coughlan."

From Ebbsfleet United we learn that "Midfielder Wes Fonguck will head out on loan for an 11-month period to take up a playing opportunity in the United States.

The 27-year-old arrived at the Kuflink Stadium in the summer from Southend United on a two-year contract and has featured 16 times for the Fleet with one goal".

Carl Magnay has spoken to the Gateshead website, admitting that taking up the managerial role "Has been a big risk for me...

"I'm giving my absolute all to be successful for the club... but I'm still learning a lot. I'm a young manager and I'm going to make mistakes.

"The first few games were great but, after that, a couple of players were perhaps out of position...

"Since then, it's been about... putting them in the right places...

"Enjoyment probably isn't the word but it's certainly a position that I'm privileged to be in", he concluded.

8 January 2025

NEXT: WEALDSTONE

However, the Stones have announced that a player who was in their side when they drew 3-3 with Alty earlier this season, will not be travelling with them. That is because "Jack Wells-Morrison has returned to Crystal Palace following the end of his loan spell at Wealdstone.

Jack joined the Stones on the final day of the 2024 summer transfer window, and has been a crucial component in the Stones team ever since...

Jack’s outstanding technical ability was apparent from the start. The midfielder was a mainstay in Matt Taylor’s side from there on in, starting in 15 of his 17 National League appearances...

As well, the 20-year-old started all three of the Stones National League Cup games, as well as two of the Stones FA Cup games on their run to the second round".

THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR CRANKSHAW?

Ollie, now 26, joined Altrincham from Stockport County for an undisclosed fee in a move announced on 30 August 2023.

A winger, he started out at Preston North End before having spells with Ramsbottom United, Clitheroe and Colne as well as for Morecambe under-23s.

From there he joined Curzon Ashton and then Wigan Athletic, in early 2019, before he was loaned back to The Nash.

A loan move to Dundee followed, a year later. He left Wigan for Bradford City in February 2021 before joining Stockport County.

Ollie returned to Scotland in January 2023, again on loan.

He had made more than fifty appearances for his previous employer, Stockport County, before leaving for Altrincham.

However, in the eighth game of the campaign and only his second appearance for Altrincham, he suffered an ACL injury which prematurely ended his 2023-24 season and caused him to miss the start of the 2024-25 season as well.

From September 2024 he did make 2(+4) starts in all competitions but was sidelined again after league game 13 in November and did not appear again until the opening game of 2025 in the FA Trophy against Woking, having missed eleven league games in between.

To date, his only starts in the league for Alty have been his two games in 2023.

So when he came on as a substitute last Saturday it was his third attempt to get his Alty career under way. It started well with his claiming the assist for the Robins' third goal, scored by Joe Nuttall.

In total he has now made 4(+6) appearances of which 2(+3) have been in the National League.

ALTY OLD BOYS

FA Trophy : Radcliffe started with JORDAN HULME skippering their side at Woking, alongside BRAD JACKSON, but they were easily eliminated 4-0.

ALTY WOMEN'S TEAM UPDATE

The three games witnessed no fewer than 22 goals!

• 1/12/24: Altrincham FC Women 6-4 Congleton Town Ladies

  The sides were level at 3-3 at the interval after a bizarre opening half. Alty sped into a three-goal lead before conceding three times in the final six minutes before the interval.

  By the 72nd minute Alty led 5-3 before the visitors pulled back a goal. Alty settled the game with a sixth success in the 81st minute.

  The scorers were Jones (2), Lloyd (3) and Heathcote.

  Alty's starters were Caitlin Beaty, Katie Evans, Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Natalie Lowe, Brianna Morrison, Abigail Morton, Emily O'Leary, Rhianna Pickering, Kira Saycell and Ariella Shapiro. Sub: Amelie Heathcote.

• 8/12/24 Nantwich Town FC Ladies 4-3 Altrincham FC Women

  Despite a hat-trick by Saycell, Alty once again let a lead slip, having led 2-0 before conceding four times in ten minutes leaving the hosts 4-2 up with ten minutes remaining.

  Saycell's hat-trick goal after 85 minutes made it 4-3.

  Alty's team was Caitlin Beaty, Katie Evans, Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Abigail Morton, Annie Rose O'Donoghue, Emily O'Leary and Kira Saycell.

• 15/12/24 Altrincham FC Women 5-0 Chester FC Women Development

  This time there was no comeback from the opposition as Alty built on a 3-0 interval lead to run out comfortable winners, 5-0.

  The team was Katie Evans, Elise Jones, Holly Lloyd, Natalie Lowe, Grace McArdle, Brianna Morrison, Annie Rose O'Donoghue, Emily O'Leary, Rhianna Pickering, Kira Saycell and Ariella Shapiro.

  The goals were netted by Jones (2), Morrison, O'Donoghue and Saycell.

MIDWEEK GAMES

Vanarama National League

• Eastleigh 2-2 Oldham

Isuzu FA Trophy Round Four

• Biggleswade Town 0-3 Oxford City
• Sutton United 1-0 Tamworth
• Woking 4-0 Radcliffe

.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 22-year-old centre-back joined the Crystal Palace Under-21s' squad in August 2023, following recent spells in the development squad at Bournemouth and the first team at Weymouth FC, where he made five appearances in 2022/23.

Francis began his journey at Swindon Town’s Academy and played a first-team football season for North Leigh FC.

Francis made 18 appearances in total for the Palace U21s in 2023/24"

Now is the time when many loanees' futures are being decided and that is also the case at Aldershot Town where "Haydon Vaughan’s loan at Bracknell Town has been extended until the end of the season.

Vaughan has impressed since rejoining the Southern League Premier South side in December, most notably by scoring from the halfway line in a 4-1 win over Hanwell Town".

AFC Fylde tell us that "It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for Kevin Phillips and his side following two consecutive postponements [away at FC Halifax Town]...

But... the Fylde Head Coach is taking the positives after a frustrating few weeks. He told the club website... 'It’s been really frustrating. We didn’t get the result or the performance that we wanted against Rochdale and all you want to do is bounce back and put it right but that’s not been possible'...

He continued 'It’s given us some good time to get work done on the training ground. We’ve had to use this time to get the balance of training right – giving the lads some downtime – and it’s a good opportunity to let the lads who were carrying some niggles brush them off.

'It’s always hard to get players to be 100% fit around this time of year as the time to recover is a lot shorter, but I think we’ve got the balance right and we’re all really eager to get going ahead of this weekend’s game...

'We should have a fully fit squad going into the game against Sutton on Saturday'".

Ebbsfleet United report that "Giles Phillips has left the club by mutual consent following the conclusion of his loan spell at Hornchurch.

Defender Phillips arrived at the Kuflink Stadium in the summer and made five appearances for the Fleet, the last of those at Altrincham, before his temporary move to the National League South in October."

Arriving at Ebbsfleet United is "Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Felix Goddard on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old is a former Manchester City U21 and joins following the conclusion of the League of Ireland season where he played in the Premier Division with Dundalk on loan.

Goddard has earned plenty of loan experience elsewhere also, including with Marine in their promotion campaign last season, as well as at Bamber Bridge and Lancaster City..

The 6ft 2in keeper was born in Germany but grew up in Singapore".

Another arrival at Ebsfleet United comes with "the loan signing of attacking midfielder George Moncur from League One club Leyton Orient until the end of the season.

The new arrival... has made almost 400 appearances in the EFL...

Moncur came through the academy ranks at West Ham United... After departing the Hammers, he signed for Colchester United and was a regular feature for the U’s in League One for two seasons. He followed that with a move to Barnsley in the Championship, staying at that level in subsequent seasons with Luton Town (pictured below) and Hull City.

He made the switch to East London with Leyton Orient ahead of the 2022/23 season... He was a regular starter for Orient last season in League One before appearing 15 times for Southend on loan earlier in this campaign".

"A fantastic December has lifted Solihull Moors into the play-off places... A 2-0 victory over local rivals Tamworth leaves the Moors in sixth and as Director of Football Stephen Ward told us... 'We’ll be looking to keep progressing in 2025 and our summer and mid-season recruitment have been promising. We’ve brought in players not just with quality but also the right character,; he said, praising the likes of Sam Bowen, Marcel Oakley, and Conor Wilkinson...

Injuries to crucial players at the start of the season meant an incnsistent start to the campaign but a solid run of form in December, which included four wins and a draw, has rejuvenated the team’s play-off hopes...

The Director of Football explained 'We’re in a stronger position now than at the start of the season...

'Anything can happen if we’re in the play-offs,' Ward concluded."

Oldham Athletic "confirm that Kofi Moore has joined Nantwich Town on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has featured in Latics' National League Cup fixtures, scoring in the most recent fixture against Blackburn U21s.

After successful spells at Workington and Guiseley last season, Kofi joined Nantwich earlier this season and impressed in his month loan spell".

Two players who will miss out on facing Altrincham during the rest of this season are the subject of a report from Rochdale who "confirm that midfielder Aaron Henry has returned to his parent club Charlton Athletic.

Aaron signed on loan during the summer and made 16 appearances for Dale, scoring August’s goal of the month in the 3-0 win over Woking.

The 21-year-old suffered a broken bone in his foot in November, leaving him sidelined for a number of months. He last featured for the club in the defeat at Wealdstone.

We can also confirm that Matt Penney has departed the club. The 26-year-old joined on a non-contract basis in November and made two appearances during his time with us".

As well as losing a couple of their best players recently, two loanees have now departed from the International Stadium.

Now, Gateshead confirm that "Josh Home has returned to Birmingham City following the conclusion of his loan.

The midfielder made seven appearances during his time on Tyneside after joining... in September".

And another loanee who joined in September has also returned to his parent club from Gateshead as midfielder Ryan Carr has retruned to Ipswich Town.

Likewise at another north-east club, Hartlepool United report that "The Club can confirm Roshaun Mathurin has returned to Crystal Palace upon the expiration of his loan deal.

The winger featured 12 times at the Prestige Group Stadium, having joined Pools at the start of September.

Mathurin now heads back to Crystal Palace with our best wishes for his future career".

Two arrivals at Yeovil Town include "the return of Ciaran McGuckin, who joins Yeovil Town on loan from Rotherham United until the end of the season...

McGuckin initially signed for the Glovers on 19th September 2024, making an instant impact by scoring three goals in seven games...

Recalled by Rotherham United on 25th October 2024... the talented striker now returns".

Also joining the Glovers is"former Forest Green Rovers midfielder, Jacob Maddox, who joins us on a deal until Summer 2026....

In 2022, he signed for Walsall... before joining Forest Green Rovers for the 2023/24 season. Over the course of his career, Maddox has made over 100 senior appearances".

7 January 2025

OLDHAM GAME REARRANGED

As yet the away game at Rochdale, postponed on New Year's Day, has not been rearranged.

OLSON STAYS BUT HAYGARTH GOES

Olson (left) orginally joined on a one-month loan from Blackburn Rovers for whom he had impressed against Alty in the National League Cup.

Manager Phil Parkinson said, "Charlie has an excellent skill-set and has complemented Lewis Baines perfectly since coming in... We know he adds great strength and depth at the heart of our defence".

The club statement also reveals the departure of "attacking midfielder Max Haygarth (see below), whose short-term contract has come to an end.

Parkinson explained that "We haven’t seen the best of Max, through injury and the good form of his team-mates".

The manager also referred to the club's three loanees at Witton Albion (Louie Fallon, Joel Bailey and Owen German) who are managed by former Alty players Ben Harrison and James Lawrie.

"In addition, 17-year old Academy keeper Max Beddow (above, right) has been continuing his development on loan at Newcastle Town after earlier making 17 appearances for Redgate Clayton in the Staffordshire County League Premier Division".

Footnote: Olson has made nine starts for Altrincham, to date, five of which have been in the National League. He has scored once, in the FA Cup replay at Solihull Moors.

MAX HAYGARTH

His arrival was announced as a signing on 28 June 2024 but the previous season, on 12 March 2024, he had been revealed as a short-term addition to the Altrincham squad.

After youthful spells at Manchester United and Brentford, Max joined Northern Irish club Linfield, where he spent just over a year making nine appearances. He left the club by mutual consent in January 2024 and made his Alty debut as a substitute on 12 March 2024. Although he made no further appearances before the end of the season, he was invited back for pre-season in summer 2024.

Before joining Linfield he had had trials at Luton Town, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City. During pre-season it was announced on 29 June 2024 that Max had been signed as an Altrincham player.

He started the current season as a first-choice player for the first four fixtures, but made only two more substitute appearances after that. Having not figured for eight games, he was named on the bench at Woking in December 2024, his last apperance in a matchday squad.

In all, he made 6(+2) appearances for Altrincham in all competitions, scoring once in the Cheshire Senior Cup defeat by Vauxhall Motors.

HOME COMFORTS FOR ALTY?

The Spitfires have already visited the J. Davidson Stadium this season, emerging one-nil victors in the Vanarama National League.

So far, Alty have played the following seven home cup ties, but have only won twice in normal time:

• Cheshire Senior Cup: 1 home tie, v. Vauxhall Motors, LOST 1-3
• National League Cup: 3 home ties v. Blackburn Rovers, DREW 3-3 ("won" on pens); v. Manchester United LOST 0-4, v. Stoke City WON 4-1
• Emirates FA Cup: 1 home tie, v. Solihull Moors, DREW 1-1
• Isuzu FA Trophy: 2 home ties, v. Macclesfield FC WON shoot-out 4-2 after 0-0 DRAW; v. Barnet WON 3-1

In addition, before meeting Eastleigh, Altrincham will host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the National League Cup on 28 January.

Before drawing Eastleigh, the last time Alty drew a club from Hampshire in the FA Trophy, the tie never took place. Altrincham were scheduled to play Havant & Waterlooville, away, in Round Four of the 2021-22 competition.

However, COVID infections at Altrincham meant that the Hampshire club was awarded a bye.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 11 JANUARY

The 2022 fixture against County was a rearranged match, following a postponement on 3 January and a 5-1 thrashing in the reverse fixture at Edgeley Park on Boxing Day.

Once again, in the home game, the Robins fell behind early on. Just after Hancock had seen a chance cleared off the line by Hogan, County went up the other end and scored through Sarcevic in only the sixth minute.

In the latter part of the second half Alty enjoyed some pressure but Hancock uncharacteristically wasted their best chance with a skied shot (36 mins). However, Collar was then allowed to advance from half way and plant a long-range shot past Thompson to make it 2-0 just before the interval (44 mins).

Alty started the second half dreadfully, almost netting an own goal and, minutes later, conceding a penalty when White upended Collar. Madden duly converted the penalty to make it 0-3 (50 mins).

And it got worse on 67 minutes when Croasdale was afforded a free header from a Southam-Hales cross to make it 0-4. In the fourth added minute Alty had some recompense as substitute A-Jay Leitch-Smith hammered in a fine consolation goal.

The result meant that Alty had won just twice in 18 games and only once in that run had they beaten a team of National League standard, the other win being against National North club Southport in the FA Cup.

For this game, Altrincham brought in Kennedy Digie (above, right) and Ryan Colclough to start, as Matty Kosylo was out injured and Jordan Hulme had moved to the bench, presumably as he was unfit too. With Digie and Hannigan paired at the back, Mullarkey operated in midfield.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 6. Jake MOULT (c), 7. Dan MOONEY, 8. Elliot OSBORNE, 10. Josh HANCOCK, 18. Kennedy DIGIE, 19. Jamie MORGAN, 20. Andy WHITE, 25. Toby MULLARKEY, 11. Ryan COLCLOUGH. Subs: 17. Ben PRINGLE, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 27. A-Jay LEITCH-SMITH, 29. Jordan HULME, 28. Dean FURMAN

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURE

• Eastleigh v Oldham Athletic

ISUZU FA TROPHY DRAW

• Gainsborough Trinity v Woking or Radcliffe
• Southend United v Sittingbourne
• Spennymoor Town v Boston United
• Biggleswade Town or Oxford City v Forest Green Rovers
• Aldershot Town v Boreham Wood
• Kidderminster Harriers v Sutton United or Tamworth
• Worthing v Rochdale or Stockton Town
• Altrincham v Eastleigh

ISUZU FA TROPHY FIXTURES

• Biggleswade Town v Oxford City
• Sutton United v Tamworth
• Woking or Radcliffe

Wednesday, 8 January 2025

• Rochdale v Stockton Town (at Stockton)

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 31-year-old attacker joins until the end of the season following his departure from League of Ireland champions Shelbourne.

A Millwall academy product, O’Brien would go on to make over 200 appearances for the club, scoring 44 goals...

Since departing Millwall, O’Brien has had spells at the likes of Sunderland, Portsmouth and Shrewsbury Town, where he was loaned to Gillingham and Sutton United, before joining Shelbourne in August 2024....

Director of Football Jody Brown added 'We felt adding attacking depth was important, and Aiden can play in multiple roles within our system, and will add composure and experience in the final third'".

6 January 2025

ALTY TO HOST EASTLEIGH IN FA TROPHY

The game is scheduled for Saturday, 1st February which means that the scheduled Vanarama National League game away at Oldham Athletic will now have to be rescheduled.

NEXT: WEALDSTONE

In that game Oldham Athletic loanee Alex Reid netted twice but he will not be able to torment Alty this January as he was recalled last week by parent club Oldham Athletic.

However, according to Wealdstone, the Stones' other scorer against Altrincham, Kallum Cesay, "has signed a new contract at Wealdstone, running until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Since joining the club in February 2024, the 22 year-old's rise has been exceptional. The versatile Cesay began mainly deployed as a right-back for the Stones...

The first half of Cesay's 2024/25 season has been nothing short of outstanding. Playing under Matt Taylor, who he worked with at youth level for Tottenham, Cesay has been a star man in the Stones XI in recent weeks. Playing on the right-side of a midfield two, Cesay has shown a high level in both his attacking and defensive attributes, earning himself supporters' player of the month for November...

'Kallum is fully deserving of his new contract,' said Matt Taylor. 'His performance level has improved and he’s now delivering on a consistent basis.".

A FULL TEAM OF DEBUTANTS

Top row, l. to r. Bickerstaff, Crawford, Golden, Humbles, Nuttall
Bottom row, l. to r. Olson, Pasiek, Randle, Reddin. Teale, Weaver

The eleven players in question and their appearances to date are shown below.

1. Bickerstaff, Jake: LOANEE from Wrexham, 9(+8) appearances in all competitions, 2 goals
2. Crawford, Tom: 27 appearances in all competitions, 8 goals
3. Golden, Tylor: 22(+5) appearances in all competitions, 2 goals
4. Humbles, Liam: LOANEE from Salford City, 8(+5) appearances in all competitions, 0 goals
5. Nuttall, Joe: LOANEE from Oldham Athletic, 8(+12) appearances in all competitions, 2 goals
6. Olson, Charlie: LOANEE from Blackburn Rovers, 9 appearances in all competitions, 1 goal
7. Pasiek, Kacper: LOANEE from Preston North End, 1 appearance, 0 goals
8. Randle, Harvey: 4 appearances in all competitions, 0 goals
9. Reddin, Kahrel: 14(+13) appearances in all competitions, 1 goal
10. Teale, Connor: 2 appearances in all competitions, 0 goals
11. Weaver, Lucas: 1(+5) appearances in all competitions, 1 goal

In addition, Max Haygarth made his first start for the club this season but had been a used substitute on one occasion last season.

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

At Southend United< "Kevin Maher felt [the] Isuzu FA Trophy win over Southport ended a good week, as our our winning run continued.

The Shrimpers progressed...with a 1-0 win thanks to a Keenan Appiah-Forson header in the second half...

Maher said 'The most important thing in cup games is to win them and we’ve done that pretty comfortably, so I’m really pleased with how the lads played...

'They [Southport] were looking for the counter and they were in a low block which is the hardest thing to break down, so you’ve got to be patient and when the moments come take them'...

'It ends a good week in terms of three wins, three clean sheets and it builds momentum'...

Maher made six changes to the lineup from the New Year’s Day win at Braintree, and explained... 'Gus [Scott-Morriss] was ill in the morning, James Goldings got to the game and fell ill.

'We did make a few changes, but they were added to the ones we had to make'".

York City "confirm that defender Thierry Latty-Fairweather has had his loan at Maidenhead United extended until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old who signed for City from Burton Albion last season, went out on loan to Maidenhead for a month in August, and had it prolonged until January...

The defender will now remain with our fellow Vanarama National League competitors until the end of 2024/25.

Latty-Fairweather has played 17 times for the Magpies since joining".

Aldershot Town "confirm that Rollin Menayese has left the club following the expiry of his contract.

We’d like to wish Rollin well for the future and thank him for his efforts in his three spells at the EBB Stadium. <> Menayese made 15 appearances for the Shots this season, taking his total to 43"

From AFC Fylde we learn that "goalkeeper Theo Richardson has left Mill Farm to join Hereford on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

Richardson has started five games this campaign, including the opening day victory over Solihull Moors.

He joins Hereford who are sitting in ninth place in the National League North, just one point outside the play off spots".

Bottom of the table Ebbsfleet United inform us that "Midfielder Jim Kellermann’s loan period with Kidderminster Harriers has been extended until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old initially went out on loan on a 28-day spell and he has played four times for the National League North side who are sitting third in the table.

And at Dagenham & Redbridge "Junior Morias has extended his loan spell at the club until the end of January.

Junior has been a permanent fixture in the Daggers side since joining on loan in the summer, scoring seven goals and making four assists. Including that memorable opening goal away to AFC Wimbledon in the Emirates FA Cup Second Round".

His parent club is Notts County.

5 January, 2025

ALTRINCHAM 3-1 BARNET

Alty were much better in the second half and soon levelled after the break when Newby advanced on the right and the ball found its way to Crawford, who swept a low shot into the net (51 mins).

It was Crawford, again, who put Alty ahead in the 70th minute. Goalkeeper Evans came out to punch the ball through a ruck of players only for the ball to drop to Crawford who netted again. In the process Olson was injured as the keeper came out and needed treatment before he completed the match with a bandaged head (right).

Barely a minute after coming on as a substitute, Joe Nuttall had a simple task of netting the third goal after Crankshaw had advanced to his right (86 mins).

Match report here.

PHIL PARKINSON'S PERSPECTIVE

The Alty boss thought that, despite trailing, "we were well in the game" in the first half.

Right: George Wilson is out injured for "a few weeks" revealed Phil Parkinson.

"Our goals were of really high quality today" the manager judged.

Amongst the players praised was Jake Bickerstaff for his work-rate. Unfortunately, the manager explained, he has not had more game time because of the form of Regan Linney.

The manager said that Tom Crawford was "a marquee signing in the summer" who "gives us so many options; he can play any of the midfield positions".

As for Alex Newby he "gives us the end product" but, the manager joked, "he missed five 1 v 1s today!".

Ollie Crankshaw "looked really good when he came on" and "Young Kasper Posiek looked really sharp".

Asked about injuries the boss revealed that George Wilson is "out for a few weeks". As for Eddy Jones he said it was unclear yet as to the extent of his injury.

However, the good news is that Justin Amaluzor is back in training next week.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• Eastleigh v Oldham Athletic

Wednesday 8th January 2025

• Forest Green Rovers v Dagenham & Redbridge

Saturday 11th January 2025

• AFC Fylde v Sutton United
• Aldershot Town v Solihull Moors
• Altrincham v Wealdstone
• Barnet v Hartlepool United
• Boston United v Ebbsfleet United
• Gateshead v Braintree Town
• Maidenhead United v York City
• Oldham Athletic v Eastleigh
• Southend United v FC Halifax Town
• Yeovil Town v Woking

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : DUNCAN WATMORE was missing from the Millwall squad which drew 2-2 at Sheffield Wednesday, while OWEN DALE was left on the bench by Oxford United in their 1-1 draw at Preston.

League One : Bristol Rovers had already scored the only goal of the game at Cambridge United long before JOEL SENIOR came off the bench in the 95th minute.

Both TOBY MULLARKEY and JUNIOR QUITIRNA played the full match for Crawley Town, who fell to a 3-0 defeat at Barnsley.

CARL PIERGIANNI captained Stevenage to their third consecutive clean sheet in a goalless draw at Lincoln City.

JOE HUGILL only came off the Wigan Athletic bench after 80 minutes, by which time visitors Birmingham City had already wrapped up a 0-3 victory.

There was a full shift from CHRIS CONN-CLARKE (above, right) for Peterborough United as his team lost by the only goal at Wrexham.

LEAGUE TWO : ELLIOT NEWBY was substituted after 68 minutes of Barrow's 0-2 home reverse at the hands of Harrogate Town.

SONNY ALJOFREE picked up an injury on New Year's Day, but Accrington Stanley managed quite well without him, winning 0-2 at Colchester United.

KEVIN BERKOE (right) had his first League start of the season for Salford City, but was substituted after 83 minutes at MK Dons as his side won by the only goal.

CONNOR JENNINGS picked up a yellow card in added time as his Tranmere Rovers side won 1-0 against visitors Carlisle United.

FA Trophy : ASHLEY HEMMINGS hit a hat trick as Kidderminster Harriers dispatched visitors Slough Town 4-0.

Both TYRESE SINCLAIR and JEFF KING started for York City, but they were eliminated by the only goal at Gainsborough Trinity.

CONNOR TEALE (right) put in a full shift for Boston United, as did LIAM HUMBLES for hosts Gateshead, but it was the visitors who went through 1-3.

DANNY CASHMAN rounded off the scoring at 5-1 as Worthing cruised through to the next round at the expense of visitors Torquay United.

National North : JOSH AMIS reduced the arrears for Warrington Town, who went down 1-2 at home against King's Lynn.

NPL Premier Division : FC United's 4-1 home win against Morpeth Town featured two goals for GEZ SITHOLE.

HAYDEN CAMPBELL opened the scoring for Leek Town, who won 0-2 at Ilkeston Town.

NPL Division 1 West : JAMES LAWRIE opened the scoring as Witton Albion won 2-1 at home against Kidsgrove Athletic.

NPL Division 1 Midlands : ZAK GOODSON scored after 88 minutes for Quorn, but it wasn't enough to save their unbeaten league record, visitors Long Eaton United inflicting a 2-3 defeat. However, the Leicestershire club remain 16 points clear at the top of the table.

NWCL Premier Division : There was a capacity crowd of 1,320 at West Didsbury & Chorlton for the visit of Bury, and LEWIS BILLINGSLEY was among the scorers in the hosts' 4-0 triumph, which saw Bury drop to second in the table behind Ramsbottom United.

Welsh Premier League : JOHN DISNEY was booked in the dying stages of Connah's Quay Nomads' defeat by the only goal at title challengers Penybont.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The striker joins having just recently returned to the Tics following a loan at Oldham Athletic, in which he scored four goals in six games.

Stones started off his career in Guiseley’s youth system...

The 21-year-old moved to then-Championship side Wigan Athletic in summer 2022... Stones spent time on loan in Scotland in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, gaining more experience at Ross County, before enduring another loan spell at the back end of the year, this time with Oldham".

Sutton United "confirm the signing of Alex Woodyard on a free transfer, [he] joins on an 18-month contract following his release from Colchester United.

A 31-year old defensive-minded midfielder, Alex will offer experience and assurance at the heart of Steve Morison’s team...

Having started his career at Charlton Athletic, Woodyard moved to Southend United at the age of 16... and later gained experience out on loan at Farnborough and Braintree Town,...

He would depart Roots Hall permanently ahead of the 2013/14 campaign, with stints at Dartford and Concord Rangers preceding a return to Braintree in 2015... and later followed manager Danny Cowley to Lincoln City in 2016...

In 2018... he opted to join Peterborough United....before a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers brought his time at London Road to an end. Woodyard would make the switch to AFC Wimbledon... A brief spell at York City followed, with the midfielder spending a season at the LNER Community Stadium before he reunited with manager Cowley at Colchester in the summer."

4 January, 2025

ISUZU FA TROPHY FIXTURES

• Aldershot Town 8-0 Chertsey Town
• Altrincham 3-1 Barnet
• Basford United 1-4 Eastleigh
• Biggleswade Town P-P Oxford City
• Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Chorley
• Gainsborough Trinity 1-0 York City
• Gateshead 1-3 Boston United (tie moved to Stockton Town*)
• Hampton & Richmond Borough 0-2 Spennymoor Town
• Kidderminster Harriers 4-0 Slough Town
• Leamington or Rochdale P-P Stockton Town
• Sittingbourne 2-1 Salisbury City
• Southend United 1-0 Southport
• Sutton United P-P Tamworth
• Weymouth 1-2 Boreham Wood
• Woking P-P Radcliffe
• Worthing 5-1 Torquay United

* Gateshead announced that "Due to expected low temperatures affecting the playing surface at Gateshead Interbtainal Stadium, the FA Trophy tie against Boston United will now be played at Stockton Town". Stockton have an all-weather 3G pitch.

LEFT-BACK JOINS ALTY ON LOAN

The versatile 19-year old left-back, who can also operate in the centre of defence or in midfield, has joined the Robins on a one-month loan and is eligible for this afternoon's eagerly-anticipated Isuzu FA Trophy fourth-round tie against a Barnet side who are just one point off the top of the Vanarama National League...

Polish defender Kacper... has worked his way through the ranks at Deepdale after arriving at the club as a nine-year old... He trained with Preston's first-team squad last summer [before]... landing his first senior contract, following the successful completion of a two-year scholarship...

He had a loan spell at Warrington Town last season, where he clocked up 10 appearances in the National League North. That was followed by a loan move to Marine earlier this season".

GAME ON!

Altrincham FC announced on Friday that "A pitch inspection has been scheduled for 8:30am tomorrow (Saturday) morning ahead of our Isuzu FA Trophy fourth round tie with Barnet at The J.Davidson Stadium.

The pitch has held up tremendously well to this week’s combination of heavy rain and hard frost and we’ve been in regular contact with both our opponents and the match officials, which will continue through to tomorrow morning.

A further update will be posted once the pitch inspection has taken place."

DIGITAL PROGRAMME ONLY TODAY

Announcing this on Friday, Altrincham FC made a very brief announcement stating simply, "It's a stripped back matchday programme tomorrow [v. Barnet], and it's available to read here.

Articles from Chairman Bill Waterson, Assistant Manager Neil Sorvel, and an Alty Women's FC update from Erin Carroll" [are in the programme].

TODAY: BARNET

The striker spent the first period of this season on loan at Braintree Town featuring seven times, scoring one goal for the Iron.

Finley also featured four times for the Bees earlier on in this season's National League campaign".

The Bees last played at Moss Lane in the league fixture last season almost exactly a year ago, on Saturday, 6 January.

Altrincham got off to a flying start, scoring just as the clock ticked towards the end of the first minute.

The hosts won a freekick some 40 yards from goal on the right. Conn-Clarke took it quickly and Barnet found themselves exposed at the back post where Newby took a touch and steered the ball, low across the keeper and into the opposite side of the net.

Above: Alex Newby is congratulated by team-mates after his early goal against BArnet.

It was a cruel start for debutant loanee keeper Keeley, signed 48 hours earlier on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. Midway through the first half play was suspended for eleven minutes when the referee suffered a hamstring injury. It took an inordinate time for the fourth official to emerge and restart the game.

Although Barnet had had more of the ball in the first half, albeit without seriously looking like scoring, in the seventh added minute before the break, Alty doubled their lead. Again it was an unhappy experience for Keeley as he and a defender dithered over clearing a ball on the byeline, with Newby in proximity, and the keeper put it out for a needless corner.

From the corner the ball came to Baines, towards the back post, and he hooked it into the net.

Altrincham started the second half impressively with Conn-Clarke superb and it was the Ulsterman who scored the third goal, after Marriott had set Newby advancing up the left (50 mins). His shot deflected off Okimo into the net.

But Barnet did not give up and pulled a goal back after 75 minutes when Ross and Cooper went for the same ball and it fell to Pritchard whose low shot from 20 yards found the back of the net.

The Bees made it 3-2 when Kanu converted an excellent cross from Maguire-Drew in the second of five added minutes but it was too late for them to add an equaliser. Alty moved up to fifth with the result.

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

Left, Matty Kosylo and right, Justin Amaluzor.

Wind on a year and Matty is again missing a match with Barnet as he is starting a suspension after a dismissal, once more incurred against his former club FC Halifax Town. This time the offence as on Boxing Day at the JDS.

Another parallel with 2024 is that, once again, it seems very unlikely that Alty's only former Barnet player, Justin Amaluzor, will be involved today. Back in January 2024 he had missed the previous game through illness so was only named on the bench. This season he has been sidelined by injury for the last nine league fixtures.

Just five Alty men (Ross, Banks, Osborne, Newby and Linney), started both the 2024 clash with Barnet and the most recent Altrincham league game on Boxing Day.

Alty's side back in January 2024 was, 29. Ethan Ross, 2. Lewis Banks, 15. Jake Cooper, 4. Lewis Baines, 16. Sam Roscoe, 6. Elliot Osborne, 8. Isaac Marriott (c), 44. Dan Mooney, 30. Alex Newby, 10. Chris Conn-Clarke, 9. Regan Linney Subs: 12. Liam Brockbank, 14. Dior Angus, 19. George Wilson, 21. Matt Gould, 11. Justin Amaluzor.

ALTY: FOUR TIES = ONE GOAL AND FORTY PENALTIES!

• 2022-23: Semi-Final v FC Halifax Town (Home) 1-1... Altrincham lost 2-3 on pens after 9 spot-kicks
• 2023-24: Round 3: v FC Halifax Town (Away) 0-0... Altrincham won 6-5 on pens after 14 spot-kicks
• 2023-24: Round 4: v Kidderminster Harriers (Away) 0-0... Altrincham lost 2-4 on pens after 9 spot kicks
• 2024-25: Round 3: v Macclesfield FC (Home) 0-0... Altrincham won 4-2 on pens after 8 spot-kicks

So if it is penalty shootouts you like, rather than goals in normal play, Alty in the FA Trophy is a team to follow. 28 successful penalties have been witnessed out of 40 taken in the above four ties whilst just two goals from open play have been scored!.

And in addition to their FA Trophy exploits, this season spectators have seen two other cup matches decided from the spot...

• 2024-25 NL Cup: Altrincham v Blackburn Rovers PL2 3 ... Altrincham won 6-5 on pens after 14 spot-kicks
• 2024-25 FA Cup 4QR: Solihull Moors 2-2 Altrincham... Altrincham lost 1-3 on pens after 7 spot-kicks

ANNUAL REVIEW

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

• FC Halifax Town P-P AFC Fylde (called off on Friday, frozen pitch)

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Now Carlisle United unveil "the signing of Callum Whelan on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Gateshead FC.

Callum, 26, began his career with Manchester United... before making a move to Watford.

He only had a short spell with the Hornets, making just two appearances in the 2019/20 campaign. Watford were a Premier League side that season, but Callum’s appearances came in the FA Cup.

After that, Whelan made the switch to Oldham Athletic, where he went on to make 89 appearances between August 2020 and July 2022.

He then made the switch to Solihull Moors and made 24 appearances for the club. During this time he also went on loan to Gateshead in February 2023, before making the move permanent in the summer of the same year.

Callum arrives after playing 63 times for the Heed. His time there saw him work alongside Mike Williamson" now the Head Coach at Carlisle.

Williamson said "Cal is someone we’ve been after for a while, he brings energy, hunger and a high level of technical ability".

Meanwhile, another player whose move was revealed yesterday when Wealdstone announced that Oldham Athletic loanee Alex Reid was being recalled by Oldham Athletic, is now expected to move, surprisingly, to rivals Forest Green Rovers.

The Oldham Times reports that "Alex Reid has been linked with a move to promotion rivals Forest Green Rovers after returning to Oldham Athletic from an impressive loan spell with Wealdstone...

Unsurprisingly, he has attracted interest with his free-scoring form, with second-placed Forest Green thought to be among his admirers, as well as Gateshead, who last season enquired about the 29-year-old when he was ostracised from the Latics team.

Reid has been out of favour with Oldham boss Micky Mellon since posting a video from inside the training ground dressing room on social media on Christmas Day 2023, for which he served a seven-day suspension...

Reid was involved in pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign... but has made just one National League appearance for Latics since".

A big-money move, believed to be £350,000 is expected to be announced as The Deck who report that "Despite the likes of Ollie Pearce and Dipo Akinyemi at their disposal, York have reportedly had a bid accepted for another option...

According to an exclusive reveal by Football League World, York City have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Wigan Athletic forward Josh Stones permanently following the conclusion of his loan spell with fellow National League side Oldham Athletic....

With the club having several strong attacking options at their disposal already, it will be intriguing to see where Stones would fit into that attack".

3 January 2025

NEXT: BARNET

On New Year's Day Altrincham had a blank day when their fixture at Rochdale was postponed. Barnet were on the road that day, securing a 1-1 draw at Eastleigh.

Barnet tell us that "The Bees played out a score draw at Eastleigh in a game of two half’s [sic] that saw Stead grab the equaliser in the second half...

Eastleigh’s first chance came after quarter of an hour... but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

The hosts were looking to build on that momentum and did just that 3 minutes later when a counterattack down the right-hand side allowed Richard Brindley to cross the ball perfectly to the boot of Tyreese Shade who slotted the ball past Nick Hayes...

Stead handed the Bees a deserved equaliser in the 72nd minute when he flicked on a Ryan Glover cross from the right-hand side before seeing the ball fly into the bottom corner of the net".

Off the field, Barnet "announce the signing of EFL experienced goalkeeper Owen Evans on loan until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old shot stopper joins the Bees from League Two side Cheltenham Town...

He began his career at Hereford United before signing for the Wigan Athletic academy. Whilst with the Latics he made one professional appearance as well as taking on loan spells at Witton, Rhyl, North Ferriby, Sutton, Macclesfield and then Cheltenham Town.

Owen signed permanently with Cheltenham in 2021 before earning a move to Walsall in 2022... before rejoining Cheltenham in 2024".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Magnay admitted that it would be 'a massive blow, a hugely influential player in midfield. So, losing two really important players prior to a game like York... was a real task to get the boys mentally prepared for the game.

It's only natural for them to feel disappointed, losing two quality players/teammates. It's not easy but I thought their response was excellent'".

The Heed lost 1-0 to York City.

The Deck adds that "Whelan joined Gateshead on a free transfer following a disappointing stint with ... Solihull Moors, where he struggled to hold down a place within the starting eleven.

.. During the 2024/25 season so far, Whelan has made 24 league appearances" for Gateshead before his first absence from the squad for the game at York.

Meanwhile, Football in Berkshire adds that "Maidenhead United confirmed the signing of a Northern Ireland born centre-forward over the festive period for an undisclosed fee.

20-year-old Noah Stewart joins the Magpies from Northern Ireland Premier League Ballymena United where he scored 11 times in 38 games".

Wealdstone "announce that Alex Reid has departed Wealdstone and returned back to parent club Oldham Athletic following the end of his loan spell with the Stones.

Alex has had an outstanding impact at the Stones in such a short space of time, scoring 11 goals in just 13 games. Putting his heart and soul into his loan spell, Alex quickly created a bond with our supporters, propelling him to a terrace favourite in record time...

Two goals in the 3-3 thriller at home against Altrincham followed, a calm one-on-one finish and a pinpoint header took Reid's tally to nine for the Stones...

Said Reid, 'Never could I have imagined when I decided to come to Wealdstone on loan that I would fall in love with this place in such a short space of time!'"

2 January 2025

NEXT THREE AT HOME

• Saturday, 4 January 2025 v Barnet (FA Trophy Round Four)
• Saturday, 11 January 2025 v Wealdstone (Vanarama National League)
• Tuesday, 14 January 2025 v Maidenhead United (Vanarama National League)

As regards the last of those games, Altrincham FC press and media officer John Edwards writes that "your £5 is going to go to the extraordinary lengths of covering the entire cost of admission for the Robins' Vanarama National League clash with Maidenhead United under the Moss Lane lights on Tuesday January 14th.

That's right, it's the return of Footy for a Fiver, our inflation-busting initiative...

We see this occasional gesture as an ideal way of making entry to The J.Davidson Stadium affordable to as many as possible in the hope that more and more will come along to sample for themselves what the Alty matchday experience is all about.

The visit of Alan Devonshire's Maidenhead has been chosen for this season's cut-price offer, with home and away fans aged 12 and over paying £5 and all those under 12 having to pay just £1...

A partial refund will be arranged in the next couple of days for fans who've already bought their general admission tickets for the game".

As for Alty's next opponents, Barnet, back in September, Altrincham lost 2-1 at The Hive London in the Vanarama National League.

The Bees last visited Moss Lane in the league clash last season which Altrincham won 3-2.

FOURTH REARRANGED GAME

1. Game 15: The home match against Hartlepool United was moved to a Wednesday night, 23 October, to accommodate DAZN streaming requirements.
2. Game 16: The away match at AFC Fylde was moved from a 3pm kick-off to a 5.30pm start to accommodate DAZN streaming requirements.
3. Game 21: The away game at Wealdstone had to be moved from 30 November to Tuesday 10 December as opponents Wealdstone had been involved in the FA Cup on the original date.
4. Game 25: Yesterday's New Year's Day match at Rochdale was postponed through waterlogging of the hosts' pitch.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Championship : OWEN DALE appears to have been injured at Leeds three matches ago, as he hasn't featured in an Oxford United match day squad since. His team had already scored the only goal of the match when hosts Millwall withdrew DUNCAN WATMORE after 65 minutes.

League One : With Altrincham's game at Rochdale called off, your correspondent took the chance to watch Peterborough United's CHRIS CONN-CLARKE (left) at Burton Albion on Sky Sports Plus.

He provided the assists for both of his side's goals as they came back from two down to draw, but rather blotted his copybook with a yellow card for simulation - overall, though, he was one of the better players on show.

Bristol Rovers introduced JOEL SENIOR in the 74th minute of their home game against Leyton Orient, and within a minute they pulled a goal back - alas, there was no further score and they lost 2-3.

CARL PIERGIANNI captained Stevenage to a goalless draw at Northampton Town.

League Two : Accrington Stanley withdrew SONNY ALJOFREE (right) after 69 minutes, and went on to a 3-2 home win over Grimsby Town.

An ELLIOT NEWBY assist saw Barrow go ahead at home to Bradford City, but the match ended 2-2.

With JAMES BERRY out injured, Chesterfield introduced RYAN COLCLOUGH after 65 minutes, but, although they reduced the arrears, visitors MK Dons won 1-2.

Salford City had already clinched their 0-2 win at Harrogate Town well before KEVIN BERKOE came off the bench after 83 minutes.

In a relegation six-pointer, Morecambe pulled to within 2 points of visitors Tranmere Rovers, whose lineup included CONNOR JENNINGS, with a 2-0 win. The assist for their first goal went to MARCUS DACKERS, who was substituted in the 90th minute.

National League : JOSH LUNDSTRAM put Oldham Athletic ahead at Hartlepool United, but LUKE WATERFALL equalised, and the hosts went on to win 2-1. REAGAN OGLE put in a full shift against his previous employers, for whom BILLY SASS-DAVIES was left on the bench.

With his Maidenhead United side on terms at Woking, MILES WELCH-HAYES (left) conceded a penalty, which was converted, and was shown a red card. Woking went on to win 3-1.

York City were ahead at half time in their home fixture with Gateshead with what proved to be the game's only goal. TYRESE SINCLAIR came off the bench for them after 61 minutes, while Gateshead withdrew LIAM HUMBLES after 80 minutes.

National North : MICHAEL GYASI (right)scored the second goal for Peterborough Sports in their 1-2 win at Needham Market.

Radcliffe comfortably beat visitors Farsley Celtic 3-0, with BRAD JACKSON opening the scoring, and JORDAN HULME finishing it off.

NPL Premier Division : JACK REDSHAW equalised twice for Hyde United, but they were down to 10 men by the second time he did so - visiting league leaders Macclesfield took full advantage to win 2-5.

MONTEL GIBSON struck twice to put Matlock Town into a comfortable lead inside half an hour, they found themselves 3-2 just after the hour mark at Leek Town, with HAYDEN CAMPBELL among the scorers for the Staffordshire club. However, the Gladiators snatched a draw in the 95th minute.

NPL Division 1 West : A SEAN MILLER double earned Widnes a 0-2 win at City of Liverpool.

After visitors Newcastle Town had scored in the first minute, Nantwich Town fought back to win 2-1, opening their account with a BYRON HARRISON (left) penalty.

A Runcorn Linnets lineup featuring RYAN BROOKE, and LUKE WALL proved no match for their hosts Witton Albion as they went down 4-0.

The Albion lineup included three Robins loanees - keeper LOUIE FALLON, JOEL BAILEY, and OWEN GERMAN, as well as former Moss Lane favourites BEN HARRISON, MAX HARROP, and JAMES LAWRIE, while DAMOLO SOTONA had been a Robins trialist this pre-season.

Both Max and Owen got on the score sheet, but James earned a yellow card.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Buddies have beaten a number of interested parties to sign the highly-rated forward for an undisclosed fee until summer 2028.

The 21-year-old has had an impressive first half of the season at the Tynesiders, scoring 13 goals in 28 appearances, with five goals in his last four matches.

Owen began his career in Ireland with Waterford FC...

Following a fruitful loan spell at Vanarama National League North Rushall Olympic during the second half of 2023/24, where Owen scored eight goals in 15 appearances, the striker joined National League side Gateshead on a two-year deal in the summer...

Owen said, 'In terms of where the club is heading and its aspirations, it just aligns with mine... The manager likes my play style and he thinks I can come into the squad and really help the team push on and achieve the goals that we've set. I feel like I can bring a lot of pace up front. I'm direct, I like to get in behind defender and hopefully I can bring goals as well'.

Manager Stephen Robinson told stmirren.com... 'There were numerous clubs after him. I must mention his agent who was fantastic in terms of the money not being the motivator, but the coaching and the chance to progress his career. He's a project player who we've paid a small transfer fee for because we see his potential... He'll be involved but it’ll likely be from the bench at this moment in time. We’re recruiting with an eye on next season when players are out of contract".

At Boreham Wood the "Club are excited to announce the signing of hard-working striker, Matt Rush. The 23-year-old arrives from Sutton United on a permanent basis...

After coming through Southend United’s youth setup, making his EFL debut for the Shrimpers back in 2019, Rush applied his trade for a number of sides across the Vanarama National League South, including Braintree, Aveley and Maidstone United.

Rush excelled last season at Aveley and then with Maidstone United, joining them in November of last year, scoring an impressive 15 goals in 31 games... and he chose Vanarama National League side, Sutton United on a permanent basis.

With limited game time at Sutton, Matt returned to the Stones on loan last month... before we made his move to Meadow Park permanent".

1 January 2025

ROCHDALE GAME OFF

This is due to a waterlogged pitch at the Crown Oil Arena.

As mentioned in our Co-Chair’s Christmas message and yesterday’s pitch update, the drier weather in recent days has allowed ground staff to Verti-Drain the surface and rain covers were deployed to shield the more problematic areas of the pitch.

However, the rainfall in the last 24 hours has proved too heavy, resulting in an unplayable surface."

For the past two seasons, Altrincham have faced a game at FC Halifax Town on New Year's Day. That arrangement would not have helped this year as the game at The Shay today, against AFC Fylde, has also been postponed.

That match has already been rearranged for this coming Saturday as both clubs are not playing in the FA Trophy on that date.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

NEW YEAR'S EVE AND DAY MATCHES

• Solihull Moors 2-0 Tamworth

Wednesday 1st January 2025

• Braintree Town v Southend United (k.o. 5.30pm)
• Eastleigh 1-1 Barnet
• Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge
• FC Halifax Town P-P AFC Fylde (waterlogged pitch, rearranged to Saturday, 4 January))
• Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Yeovil Town
• Hartlepool United 2-1 Oldham Athletic
• Rochdale P-P Altrincham (waterlogged pitch)
• Sutton United 1-1 Aldershot Town
• Wealdstone P-P Boston United
• Woking 3-1 Maidenhead United
• York City 1-0 Gateshead

NEXT: ROCHDALE

A break in the heavy rain over recent days has allowed the ground staff to Verti-Drain the surface, a process which punches holes into the turf, with the aim of aiding the drainage process. Rain covers have now been deployed to shield the more problematic areas of the pitch.

Given the forecast of heavy rain for the next 24 hours, we have been in communication with both our opposition and appointed match officials. We will continue dialogue and collectively decide whether the pitch needs to be formally assessed in the morning.

We will provide a further update to supporters as soon as possible after this time". By way of a footnote there had been almost an inch and a half of rain by midnight in the Altrincham area on New Year's Eve and Rochdale is unlikely to have fared any better. And with sustained heavy rain forecast overnight, the prospects for the match cannot be grounds for optimism.

In their most recent outing, an away win at AFC Fylde, there was one ex-Altrincham man involved for Rochdale. That was centre-back Kyle Ferguson who was a very late used substitute.

This season he has been in the matchday squad for ten league games and one FA Cup match. Remarkably all nine of his NL appearances have ended with his side unbeaten; Rochdale winning eight times and drawing once in those fixtures.

Kyle had two spells at Altrincham. His first arrival at Moss Lane was on a short-term contract, announced on 25 February 2022.

In 2021, the 6ft 4 inch defender had been playing for Waterford in the Republic of Ireland, whose season had ended in November 2021.

Left: Kyle Ferguson; right, Alex Newby.

Having broken into the Altrincham team when Tom Hannigan was sidelined by injury, Kyle made eight successive starts and completed ninety minutes on each occasion.

He was offered terms for 2022-23 but he rejected these and joined EFL 2 club Harrogate Town instead; his departure was announced by Altrincham on 30 May 2022.

However, Kyle returned on a month's loan from Harrogate to Altrincham which was announced on 4 March 2023. However, this was converted into a season-long loan, as was announced on 23 March 2023.

His total appearances for Altrincham comprised 12 starts and a single appearance from the bench.

After leaving Harrogate at the end of 2022-23, he signed for Rochdale on a two-year contract.

As for Alty players who have turned out for the Dale, Alex Newby (above, right) made 54(+20) appearances and scored 12 goals for them.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 1 JANUARY

Alty last won on New Year's Day 4-1 at home to Chester FC in 2015. Since then, they have played five games on New Year's Day, losing twice and drawing three times. 1 January 2025

2024: ANOTHER YEAR OF IMPROVEMENT

In the calendar year of 2024, Altrincham played 46 regular league fixtures, the same number as in 2023 but in 2024 they also had one play-off game during the year, at the end of the season 2023/24.

Back in the 2023 calendar year, which comprised parts of the two seasons of 2022/23 and 2023/24, they played 46 league fixtures and won 16 times, drew 15 games and lost on 15 occasions accumulating 63 league points, or 1.37PPG (points per game), in the process.

In 2024, the 46 games of the regular seasons (2022/23 and 2024/25) produced a much better points haul of 73 points from 21 wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats or 1.59PPG. In addition there was one play-off game, a 3-1 defeat to Bromley.

Left: Phil Parkinson, with Neil Sorvel, has overseen a fourth full calendar year of improvement in the National League.

By way of further comparison, back in 2022 the 46 matches played in the calendar year gleaned just 60 points from 16 wins, 12 draws and 18 losses or 1.30PPG. Further back still, in 2021, from 48 league games just 53 points were earned from 14 wins, 11 draws and 23 losses or 1.10PPG.

So the four complete calendar years (2021-24) spent in the National League under Phil Parkinson and Neil Sorvel have witnessed an improvement every year in terms of points earned from 1.1PPG to 1.59PPG.

The 46 league games played in 2023 comprised 23 matches each home and away. At home the record was W10 D6 L7 (36pts) at home and W6 D9 L8 (27pts) away.

In 2024, again there were again 23 matches at home and away. At home the record was W14 D5 L4 (47pts) at home and away W7 D5 L11 (26pts) so the improvement came entirely from better home form whilst away form was marginally worse.

GOALS

As for league goals, in 2023 Alty netted 78 and conceded 73 times. In 2024, there was a marked defensive improvement as they conceded only 55 goals, but scored 76 times (excluding the play off).

Including cup competitions, in 2023 Alty played 57 times, whereas in 2024, despite an additional play-off game in 2023/24 season and the addition of National League Cup games in 2024/25, they only played 55 times. The main reason was that in 2024 they played five fewer cup ties between January 2024 and the end of the 2023/24 season in April compared with 2023 when 7 cup ties were played in that period.

In the 2024 portion of 2023/24 season, Alty played 22 league matches, winning 12, drawing 2 and losing 8 to earn 38 points or 1.73 PPG. That was double the number of wins in the corresponding period of 2023 when they won only 6 games, drew 6 and lost10, to earn just 24 points or 1.09 points per match.

In the 24 league matches of 2024/25 played in the calendar year 2024, Alty have won 9 drawn 8 and lost 7 earning 35 points or 1.46 PPG.

PLAYERS

Left: Lewis Banks made the most appearances in 2024.

In the calendar year 2024, 37 different players were named in a matchday squad across the period encompassing the second "half" of 2023-24 season or the first "half" of the 2024-25 campaign.

This was a much lower number than in the calendar year 2023, when 49 different players were named in a league matchday squad across the second period of 2022-23 season and the first period of 2023-24 season. That was similar to calendar year 2022 when fifty different players were named in a league matchday squad in the calendar year.

Another sign of stability was that 17 players who were in a matchday squad in the second half of the 2023/24 season have also been in a league squad in 2024/25 season to date.

This compares favourably with calendar year 2023 when only eleven players who played in the calendar year 2023 were named in squads in both the 2022-23 and the 2023-24 campaigns

SEQUENCES:

Right: As captain, Lewis Baines has led by example in 2024.

In 2024 the worst run was five straight defeats (games 31-35 of the 23/24 season); in 2024/25 season the worst run has been just two defeats on the run in a three game sequence without a win (matches 4-6).

The worst run of league results in 2023 was the final seven fixtures of 2022-23, none of which were won. In 2023-24 season a run of five matches without a win was the worst sequence (games 6 to 10)

The worst run of league results in 2022 was the sequence of nine games without a win from the start of 2022/23 season.

The best unbeaten league run in 2024 was the six games (five wins and a draw) that concluded the 23/24 campaign. In 2023 it was ten unbeaten games, from game 9 to 18, in 23/24 season.

The best unbeaten run in 2022 was six league matches without loss which ended the calendar year 2022.

ATTENDANCES:

As for attendances in league matches during 2024 the highest home gate was 4,578 against Oldham Athletic on 1 April, towards the end of the 2023/24 season. In 2024/25 season the highest home crowd was again against Oldham, when 3,561 saw the draw with the Latics at the end of August.

The highest league attendance in 2023 at the J Davidson Stadium was 3,912 on Boxing Day against FC Halifax Town.

As for away games the highest attendance was at Chesterfield in January 2024 which was 6,571. In 2024/25 season, so far, the highest away gate has been 2,838 at Yeovil Town.

In the calendar year 2023, 7,137 spectators at Oldham was the highest gate to have watched Alty in 2023/24 season. Coincidentally, it was also at Oldham that the highest attendance of 2023 overall watched Alty, that numbered 7,391 in season 2002/23.

The poorest gate for an away league match in 2024 was 726 at Braintree in the currrent 2024/25 season and, for a home game, it was 1,236 versus Dagenham & Redbridge on a Tuesday night.

The lowest away gate in 2023 was 712 at Oxford City in 2023/24 season and in 2022-23 it was 1,175 at Barnet.

SCORERS:

The leading goal scorers in the calendar year 2024 were:

• 24 Regan Linney (23 in league) - pictured, right.
• 15 Alex Newby (all in league)
• 10 Chris Conn-Clarke (all in league)

The leading goal scorers in the calendar year 2023 were:

• 17 Chris Conn-Clarke (all in league)
• 14 Regan Linney (11 in league 3 in cups)
• 8 Jordan Hulme (4 in league, 4 in cups)
• 6 Justin Amaluzor (all in league)

The leading scorers in 2022 were:

• 13 Ryan Colclough (all in league)
• 7 Chris Conn-Clarke (6 in league), Dan Mooney (6 in league), Marcus Dinanga (4 in league)
• 5 Aaron Bennett (3 in league)

APPEARANCES:

The most appearances in all competitions in 2024 calendar year were as follows...

• 57: Lewis Banks (52+5 of which 47+3 in NL)
• 56: Alex Newby (50+5 of which 47+3 in NL)
• 50: Elliot Osborne (45+5 of which 42+5 in NL)
• 50: Regan Linney (43+7 0f which 40+6 in NL)
• 48: Lewis Baines (42+6 of which 40+4 in NL)

So 2024 saw more appearances than in previous years by the leading appearance makers and a more prolific goalscorer heading the charts.

The most appearances in all competitions in 2023 calendar year were made by

• 44: Eddy Jones
• 44: Isaac Marriott 43+1
• 43: Elliot Osborne 37+6
• 40: Lewis Baines

The most appearances in all competitions in 2022 were made by

• 48: Ryan Colclough 45+3
• 45: Elliot Osborne 42+3
• 42: Toby Mullarkey 42

ALTY OLD BOYS

Welsh Premier League : Captained by JOHN DISNEY, Connah's Quay Nomads were already trailing 2-1 at TNS when they were reduced to 10 men in added time at the end of the first half. There was no further scoring.