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NEXT MATCH
Saturday, 3 May 2025
TAMWORTH (Home) k.o. 3pm
Vanarama National League match

ALTY HEADLINES

OTHER HEADLINES

28 April 2025

NEXT: TAMWORTH

Altrincham's last match of the 2024-25 season sees them entertain Tamworth next Monday.

The Lambs spent much of the earlier part of the season in the wrong end of the table but their form markedly improved and they currently lie level with Altrincham on 63 points.

In Daniel Creaney they have one of the most prolific goalscorers in the National League this season. He has scored 19 times in this campaign so far.

In the eleven fixture since the start of March 2025, Tamworth have won seven times, drawn once and lost on three occasions. The Lambs have netted 25 goals in those 11 matches.

Tamworth last visited Altrincham in 2011, Since then the Lambs have had spells in National Morth and five seasons at step three in the Southern League Premier

They returned to the National League this season following two successive promotions.

SIX-GOALS AGAINST

Saturday's 6-1 defeat at Dagenham was the first time Altrincham had conceded six times in the league since August 2016 when the Neil Young's Robins crashed 0-6 at home to AFC Fylde.

In the Phil Parkinson era there have been several 5-0 reverses but on no occasion had there been a defeat which involved conceding six times before last Saturday. Ironically last season, Altrincham three times won by a 6-1 margin.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 5 MAY

As Altrincham reel from a 6-1 defeat at Dagenham on Saturday, they go into their final match of the season on May Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, at home to Tamworth.

As Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years data show, that date six years ago witnessed another disappointment for the club as they lost their National North promotion play off at Chorley.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports that in League One Rotherham United led early at Stevenage, but, after a late yellow card for CARL PIERGIANNI, the hosts earned a 1-1 draw in the 92nd minute.

And news of a former Altrincham manager and his assistant comes from Marine FC who report that "NEIL YOUNG (left) is to relinquish his role as Men’s First Team Manager to become the club’s inaugural Director of Football following the end of the current season...

Neil Young said 'I hoped this day wouldn’t come. After all that we have been through together over the last 6 ½ years and the great days we have been able to share.

It’s obviously very difficult to step away from my role as Manager but I know personally now is the right time for me, but more importantly for the football club.

The last two years have been very demanding from a manager’s perspective with promotion last season and the importance of keeping Marine at National League North level this year...

GARY JONES will also be stepping down as Assistant Manager...

Marine CEO James Leary said 'Neil has done an incredible job over the last 6+ years. During that period we have won 2 Liverpool Senior Cups, reached the FA Cup 3rd round, the FA Cup 1st round and been promoted twice. He has created memories for every Mariner that will stay with us forever and has completely transformed Marine Football Club as we knew it...

'Following conversations with Neil we recognised that this could be an opportunity to accelerate a restructure of the football side of the club to allow us to professionalise and compete more effectively going forward.

'I am delighted therefore that as part of the changes, Neil is to take on the newly formed role of Director of Football'".

27 April 2025

"WE'VE BEEN HUMILIATED"

In a post-match audio interview with Radio Alty's Laurence Howarth, following the 6-1 beating at Dagenham, manager Phil Parkinson admitted "We've been humilated today"

"I didn't see that coming" added the chastened manager.

Asked about the half-time substitution of loanee keeper Caleb Ansen, the Alty boss revealed that despite his errors, "Caleb was not subbed off for that reason, He'd got a knock".

Despite this reverse, Phil asserted that "The club is on an upward trajectory" and that supporters should remember that it has been a good season overall.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 6-1 ALTRINCHAM

Needing to win and others to lose to secure a play-off place, Altrincham made a lamentable start to the game and they went on to produce a performance which simply got worse and worse as the afternoon proceeded

Match report Here.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Coverage of Saturday's action by former Altrincham players and loanees comes from Phil Jordan...

League One: With TOBY MULLARKEY one of a long injury list, Crawley Town were one substitute short on their bench, and had no second goalkeeper. However, by the time JUNIOR QUITIRNA joined the action in the 74th minute, they'd already put two goals past visitors Northampton Town, and went on to win 3-0.

Unfortunately it looks unlikely to be enough to save them from an immediate return to League Two; Burton Albion are the only side they can catch, but, if they lost both their remaining games 2-0, Crawley would need to win 9-0 at Shrewsbury in their last match.

CHRIS CONN-CLARKE started for Peterborough United in their 1-1 home draw with Bolton Wanderers, but was withdrawn after 73 minutes.

OWEN DALE was withdrawn after 77 minutes as his former club, Blackpool, earned a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic.

League Two: Carlisle United will accompany Morecambe into the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town. They threw on JOE HUGILL at 2-2 after 79 minutes, but the Cumbrians had their fate sealed by a 93rd minute strike.

In the end they would have been relegated even had they won, as Tranmere Rovers won a feisty clash at Prenton Park against Crewe Alexandra 2-0. Three red cards were brandished, two of the to visiting players, as CHRIS MERRIE put in a full shift and was joined after 80 minutes by CONNOR JENNINGS.

As for Morecambe, they went out with a whimper, going down 4-1 at Chesterfield. They left MARCUS DACKERS (right) on the bench, while the hosts brought on RYAN COLCLOUGH in the 63rd minute, just after going 2-1 up, and he provided the assist for their third goal.

Although ALISTAIR SMITH played throughout, AFC Wimbledon fell 0-2 to visitors Port Vale, who sit just one point behind leaders Doncaster Rovers going into the last round of matches. However, a point in their final game at Grimsby Town would almost certainly give them a playoff spot.

Walsall continued their alarming implosion in their 13th consecutive winless game, losing by the only goal to SONNY ALJOFREE and his Accrington Stanley colleagues, and finishing with ten men into the bargain.

There was only pride at stake at Holker Street, and ELLIOT NEWBY put Barrow ahead for the third time in the game, only for Bromley to equalise for the third time in the 91st minute.

National League : Injury deprived Hartlepool United of the services of both BILLY SASS-DAVIES and LUKE WATERFALL at Rochdale, where they crashed 5-1. Both JACK KINGDON and KYLE FERGUSON were second half substitutes for the hosts.

TYRESE SINCLAIR was withdrawn after 87 minutes as York City won 2-0 against visitors Solihull Moors.

Despite losing by the only goal at Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic are assured of joining their conquerors, along with York City, Rochdale, and Halifax Town in the playoffs. REAGAN OGLE, who had missed 6 games through injury, came off the bench after 64, but JOSH LUNDSTRAM wasn't in the Latics squad.

Gateshead, however, joined Altrincham in dropping out of the play-off places, going down 2-1 at a resurgent Boston United. CONNOR TEALE put in a full shift for the hosts, but the visitors withdrew LIAM HUMBLES after 70 minutes.

But Gateshead can still qualify for the play-offs by beating their rivals for the last place, Southend United, on Easter Monday.

Maidenhead United won 0-2 at Ebbsfleet United, with MILES WELCH-HAYES (right) playing the full game, but their survival hopes still look slim.

It was an eventful game at Tamworth, who had goalkeeper Jas Singh sent off after 28 minutes when they were a goal up, and 17 minutes later trailed 1-3 to visitors AFC Fylde. KENNEDY DIGIE reduced the arrears in the 9th added minute of the first half, and Tamworth eventually fought back to clinch a 4-3 win in the 91st minute.

National South : Deprived of the services of the injured DANNY CASHMAN, Worthing still cruised to a 1-5 victory at Enfield Town. Last week's result was what put paid to their hopes of automatic promotion, as all 6 clubs in the race for that spot won, and Truro City can look forward to National League football for the first time come August. Worthing will entertain Maidstone in the first playoff game, while Dorking Wanderers visit Boreham Wood.

National North : Kidderminster Harriers had gone into their final game at Southport sitting on top of the league, but will have to settle for the playoffs after losing 2-1. LUKE BURGESS played the full game for the hosts, who brought DIOR ANGUS off the bench after 83 minutes, while ASHLEY HEMMINGS put in a full shift for the hosts.

That result means that BRACKLEY TOWN will finally play National League football next season. They beat beleaguered visitors Farsley Celtic 5-0, with JUSTIN DONOWA coming off the bench after 65 minutes. They were helped by Farsley having a man sent off after 20 minutes.

Curzon Ashton's 1-1 home draw with Leamington handed the final playoff spot to Buxton who beat relegated visitors Warrington Town 2-0, and will travel to Chester in the first game. The Seals won 0-3 at King's Lynn, with DYLAN MOTTLEY-HENRY (right) scoring the third. Kings Lynn still qualify for the playoffs, and will travel to Chorley, who won 1-5 at Rushall Olympic with KOLE HALL netting twice.

JORDAN HULME gave Radcliffe the lead against visitors Alfreton Town, who came back to draw 1-1.

NPL Premier League : MONTEL GIBSON equalised for Matlock Town as they drew 1-1 with visitors Lancaster City, while ANDY DALES opened the scoring for hosts. Mickleover as they won 2-0 against Prescot Cables. Both Derbyshire clubs are relegated.

NPL Division 1 West : After Nantwich Town had gone behind at relegated Wythenshawe, BYRON HARRISON equalised, and they struck again in the 94th minute to win 1-2.

Welsh Premier League : JOEL TORRANCE was beaten by the only goal of the game as Bala Town were knocked out of the playoffs at Cardiff Metropolitan.

Northern Ireland Premiership : SAM ROSCOE stayed on the Linfield bench as they fell to the only goal at Coleraine.

Polish Ekstraklasa : MAXI OYEDELE was booked, and substituted after 78 minutes, as Legia Warsaw won 1-3 at Katowice.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Saturday's results mean that Barnet are promoted and that Rochdale have joined FGR, York City, Oldham Athletic and FC Halifax Town, in qualifying for the Vanarama National League play offs.

The remaining play-off place will go to either Southend United or Gateshead who meet on Bank Holiday Monday.

Promotion to the National League from the regional feeders has also been clarified to some extent. Brackley Town have won the North division, ending a run of seven succeessive play=off defeats at that level.

In the South, Truro City won the division by a two-goal advantage in goal difference over Torquay United. So Cornwall will have its first National League club.

The play-off contenders in the North will be Scunthorpe United, Kidderminster Harriers, Chester FC, Chorley, King's Lynn Town and Buxton.

In the South the contenders are Torquay United, Eastbourne Borough, Boreham Wood, Worthing, Dorking Wanderers and Maidstone United.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Tuesday 29th April, 2025

Monday 5 May, 2025

26 April, 2025

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday 26th April, 2025

TODAY: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

Altrincham are away at Dagenham and Redbridge today.

The BBC reports that "Dagenham and Redbridge have apologised for sacking a director three days after her appointment for a post about the Israel-Gaza war.

Salma Mashhour was named director of development and engagement on 14 April, alongside Egyptian YouTuber Marwan Serry, who joined the club's ownership group, external, with the aim of expanding their global reach.

But on 17 April, the club released a short statement saying Mashhour had been removed from her position 'effective immediately'...

In a statement on Friday, the club said: "Over the past week, a great deal of public discussion and concern has arisen regarding the club's recent decision to end its association with Dr Salma Mashhour...

'Whilst we continue to stand against racism and discrimination in all forms, the club recognises the right of individuals, in their personal capacity, to express political opinions.

'We regret, and apologise for, any harm which may have been caused to Dr Mashhour as a consequence of statements attributable to, or associated with, the club's decision to remove her'".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports that in Australia' NPL Victoria, CONNOR HAMPSON and his Oakleigh Cannons colleagues had to battle for the points at next-to-bottom side Altona Magic.

In a game of 32 goal attempts - an incredible 25 of them on target - Cannons only surrendered their clean sheet in the 95th minute, holding on to win 1-2. The bad news is, they dropped into 3rd. place in the league, but the good news is that the cause was Heidelberg's 3-1 home win against leaders Avondale. #

While Heidelberg improved their goal difference to edge ahead of Cannons, it means that both sides are now just 2 points behind the defeated leaders - and they meet at Oakleigh next week.

In the Irish Premier Division St.Patrick's made the 3 mile journey to Dalymount Park to face Bohemians, and BARRY BAGGLEY joined the action at the start of the second half with his side a goal up. They held that lead until the 90th minute, and then went down to 10 men before succumbing 2-1 in the 97th minute.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Deck reports that "Before Graham Coughlan stepped into the manager’s box at the JCS, Boston United sat 12 points from safety, written off by many. Now, going into the final two games of the season they sit four points clear of the National League drop.

Graham Coughlan, 50, has amassed years of EFL managerial experience with Bristol Rovers, Mansfield Town and Sheffield U21. Eventually settled at Newport County for Two years, before his move to the Jakeman’s community stadium.

Throughout his managerial career, Coughlan has been known as somewhat of a 'firefighter' coming into teams struggling and then leading them to survival, as seen particularly at Bristol Rovers, and... Mansfield...

Coughlan has walked into a changing room of a largely unchanged NL north team, with only 11 points from 19 games...

Coughlan has made signings since putting pen to paper, with Connor Teale, Brad Nicholson and Jimmy Knowles on perms and a loan respectively...

However, on the other hand, Boston has been plagued with injuries all season, with the likes of Mitch Roberts and Michael Bostwick out of contention since 2024. Alongside new signings Oisin Gallagher and Daniel Adshead out for the remainder of the season.

In 26 games of management, despite these setbacks, Coughlan has managed... [to win] 12 and only lose 9, amassing 41 points...

Coughlan focuses on trying to outwork teams – pressing from the front to lock down passing opportunities... The job is not done and with the future of the club hanging in the balance, going full-time next year, the pressure is on for GC and co. to complete the great escape".

25 April 2025

"IT'S STILL POSSIBLE" SAYS PHIL

In the Sale & Altrincham Messenger press and media officer John Edwards writes that as regards qualifying for the play-offs, "Alty still need to take maximum points from Dagenham & Redbridge away on Saturday and Tamworth at home on Monday, May 5, and hope others slip up.

But Phil Parkinson is backing his players to dig deep and keep maintaining the pressure on those above them.

'We asked the lads if they could go the extra mile because that is what’s needed now, putting their bodies on the line like never before,' said the Alty boss...

'We can’t take anything for granted in our remaining games, because Dagenham are fighting for their lives and are going to be dogged and difficult to beat.

'It’s a fixture that has always been tricky for us, and it’s going to be a really tough one, but we’re playing for high stakes, and I said to the lads that big players turn up for big games. They did exactly that at Halifax and have to do it again on Saturday.

'There are no second chances now... They came up with a performance and result that should enable us to go to Dagenham with a bit of belief.

'It’s still possible for us. We have kept it alive'".

NEXT: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

For the second season in a row, Altrincham arrive at Victoria Road, Dagenham lying ninth in the league table. In last season's match Alty lost 1-3 but, as they had a further eleven games to play, it allowed them to acquire the necessary points to qualify for the play-offs and finish fourth.

This season there will be no second chances, with just one game to play after Saturday's fixture.

The sides have met in Essex four times in the National League since Altrincham returned to the National League in 2020.

In December 2020, Alty returned home with all three points from a 1-0 win, secured by Jake Moult's 39th minute goal.

The following season Altrincham again emerged triumphant thanks to an added-time winner scored by Dan Mooney, which made the score 2-3 to the Robins.

However, the last two seasons have seen the Daggers take all the points, beating Alty 4-1 in September 2022 and 3-1 last season.

ALTY OLD BOYS

On X, NICKY CLEE has announced that "After 23 seasons and just under 850 games in non-league it’s time for me to hang the [boots] up. Thanks to everyone at @golcarunited for the last 18 months and to everyone associated with @altrinchamfc, @BPAFCOfficial, @AshtonUnitedFC, @hydeunited and @MossleyAFC.

I’ve had a blast!"

Footnote: Nicky's Altrincham appearances totalled 239(+53) games, in which he netted 37 goals

Nicky originally joined from Hyde United on 17 July 2009 before being released by Neil Young at the end of 2015/16 and joined Guiseley before moving on briefly to Harrogate Town, from where he rejoined Altrincham on 16 December 2016.

It was a former Alty boss, Gerry Quinn, who took Nicky from Ossett Albion, whom he had joined in 2002-03 from local football, to join Ashton United in the 2003-04 season.

The following summer he moved to Hyde United, where he made his debut at the end of July 2005. He was released by new manager Neil Young in early May 2016

Having signed a contract till the end of 2017-18, he asked to be released from that in May 2017 and left the club. He then signed for Bradford PA. Curiously, he finished his last season at Alty in goal after Tim Deasy had been injured during the last match of the 2016-17 at Tamworth. Coincidentally, Alty finish this current season playing Tamworth.

Moving on to Thursday's action, Phil Jordan reports that in League One, Stevenage left CARL PIERGIANNI on the bench as Birmingham City - already crowned champions - won by the only goal of the game at the Lamex Stadium.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Next season's membership of the National League is far from certain, especially as regards who will be promoted from National League South.

Elaborating on a situation reported here this week by Phil Jordan, The Guardian reports that "Going into the 46th and final round of games this season, no fewer than a quarter of its 24 teams can still be crowned champions on Saturday afternoon.

Fittingly for a division which, as its name suggests, is contested by teams from the meridional area of England and Wales, the most southern-based team are top of the table. Located in Cornwall, Truro City are in pole position but the Tinners are level on points with their bitter rivals and the league’s next most southerly side, Torquay United, and only lead by a goal difference of +2. Truro welcome relegation-threatened St Albans, knowing victory will not be enough to win them the title if the Gulls go to Hemel Hempstead and win by three goals more. Interestingly, in three league and FA Trophy “El Pastyco” derbies this season, the former big boys from Devon have had Truro’s measure, but still look like they might miss out on promotion to the National League...

Should Truro and Torquay fail to win, there are four different [clubs]... ready to overtake them. Eastbourne Borough and Worthing are both a point behind the top two, but their inferior goal difference means both need to win to have any chance of the title. Behind them and three points behind the leaders, both Boreham Wood and Dorking Wanderers have significantly better goal differences and are therefore still in with a shout if everyone above fails to win."

24 April 2025

NEXT: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

Altrincham travel to face Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday. The Daggers are in serious relegation trouble and their cause was only marginally helped by their last fixture, a goalless draw at Braintree Town that leaves them two points from safety when a win would have lifted them out of the bottom four on goal difference. The Daggers' goal difference is markedly better than that of their relegation competitors

Dagenham & Redbridge report that "The Daggers started bright[ly], an early shot from Loupalo-Bi forced Gray to a low save at his near post, the following corner was then headed onto the roof of the net by Umerah.

The Daggers remained relatively untroubled...

A first half which saw all of the opportunities land for The Daggers saw the best chance come and go, Josh Umerah’s sliding shot trickling just wide.

The second half started the same as the first... Kyrell Lisbie thought he gave [sic] The Iron the lead, if it wasn’t for the linesman’s offside flag...

The rain poured down in Essex and the lack of action in front of goal continued, but The Daggers still looked most likely... The Daggers kept piling on the pressure but couldn’t find the breakthrough. A solid performance on the road saw Lewis Young’s men pick up a point but thinking it should’ve been more...

Starting XI: Turner; Rutherford, Kalambayi, Phipps, Francis, Hill; Hessenthaler, Rees; Pereira, Loupalo-Bi, Umerah".

NEW SPONSOR FOR ALTY WOMEN

Altrincham FC "announce Top 200 law firm Aaron & Partners as a new sponsor of our women’s team.

The Greater Manchester legal firm, which also has offices in Cheshire, Merseyside and Shropshire, has signed an agreement for their branding to feature on training gear and coaching equipment for the 2025/26 season...

Helen Johnson, Partner and Head of Marketing at Aaron & Partners, said 'We’re incredibly proud to support Altrincham FC Women at such a defining moment in the club’s journey. As the team transitions from the community trust into the main club structure, it marks the start of a new chapter.

'We believe in backing the local communities we serve at grassroots level".

THROUGH THE YEARS: 26 APRIL

The Through the Years data of Howard Watts and Mike Garnett show that when Altrincham travel to Dagenham on Saturday, it will be the sixth successive time they have faced an away trip on that date.

The last such game was back in 2014 at Histon in National League North, a game which ended 5-0 in Altrincham's favour.

Above: Mission accomplished; Alty players take a deserved drink at the end of the game at Histon, which secured a third-placed league finish.

Altrincham cruised into a 4-0 lead inside 25 minutes. The win ensured they finished third in the league table and they went on to face Hednesford Town in the Play-Off semi-finals over two-legs.

Altrincham: 1. Stuart Coburn, 2. Shaun Densmore (capt), 3. Adam Griffin, 4. Jake Moult 5. Gianluca Havern, 6. Scott Leather, 7. James Lawrie, 8. Simon Richman, 9. James Walshaw, 10. Damian Reeves, 11. Nicky Clee SUBS: 12. Tom Marshall, 14. Matt Doughty, 15. Greg Wilkinson, 16. Kyle Perry, 18. Russ Saunders.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Altrincham's final opponents this season will be Tamworth, who visit the JDS on 5 May.

Before that, The Lambs entertain relegated AFC Fylde who report that "The Lambs have had an impressive 2024/25, never really being considered involved in the relegation battle...

Andy Peaks’s side snatched a late winner in the reverse fixture in a 2-1 win at Mill Farm...

Manager Andy Peaks has led Tamworth to back-to-back promotions since his appointment at the Lamb Ground in February 2022. His playing career started at Northampton Town...

Obtaining his coaching badges, Peaks held assistant manager positions at Long Bucky and Daventry Town prior to a first-team manager role with Northampton Spencer.

Andy held the post of academy coach at Rushden & Diamonds before their closure in 2011, and then became assistant manager at AFC Rushen & Diamonds.

In eight-years as the Diamonds manager, Peaks led the side in over 200 matches – winning two promotions..

Peaks has been at Tamworth for over two-and-a-half-years, taking the Staffordshire outfit from the Southern League Central Premier Division to the Vanarama National League in two seasons...

Dan Creaney has made quite the impact this season, scoring 17 goals and assisting 7 times in 40 National League appearances. Creaney joined the Lambs back in 2019/20 from Coalville Town...

The 30-year-old became one of just ten players back in March to score over 100 goals for the Lambs".

Hartlepool United report that "Following the update to supporters on the 4th April, the Interim Board would like to provide further information on the takeover as well as Club operations and the 2025/26 Season Ticket release.

The owner, Mr Singh has reiterated that he will honour his commitment to fund key Club operations including player and staff wages until the last game of this season.

Due processes are still ongoing with potential takeover parties including those who had offers accepted approximately 6 weeks ago. Mr Singh has stressed that he is committed to stepping away from HUFC and is not in any way holding up matters.

Given the short timescale to the end of the season, it is now highly unlikely that any takeover will be complete before the current owner deadline is reached. It is obviously crucial that the Club continues to operate beyond the season end and the Interim Board and Club staff will continue to work hard to manage day to day operations effectively.

With this in mind, we will be asking our fans for their support as we release the 2025/26 Season Tickets tomorrow, particularly with purchases of early bird offers. It is important to note that the revenue generated from Season Tickets (and all commercial income activities) will be ringfenced and only used within the Club to maintain operations beyond the end of season. The current owner has made formal commitment to endorse and uphold this point.

The ability to continue Club operations in a ‘business as usual’ manner across Season Ticket, Retail, Hospitality, and Sponsorships will be crucial in providing an extended timeline and a stable platform with aim of completing a takeover transaction.

Collectively, we are asking for everyone to come together 'United as One' and to show potential investors and owners how valuable Hartlepool United is, to the fantastic fanbase, at the core of the community, and we ask that you join us on this journey if you are able to do so.

A full communication will follow in due course ".

23 April 2025

"REFEREE ON ALTY'S SIDE" SAY HALIFAX

According to the Halifax Courier, FC Halifax "Town boss Chris Millington blasted referee Ollie Yates's influence on the game after his side's 3-0 home defeat to Altrincham.

Right: Tylor Golden was in the Alty side which defeated his former employers at The Shay on Monday.

Yates sent-off Halifax's Lewis Leigh in the second-half, as well as awarding Altrincham a penalty...

'They had one shot in the first-half, and scored from it, and the referee killed off the second-half, killed off any chance of a game in the second-half,' said Millington.

'He's decided it. Altrincham are a good team, they're a challenge enough at the best of times, but when the referee's on their side as well it makes it impossible'...

Millington said... 'I thought [in] the game, other than the one shot they've had in the first-half, we've largely been comfortable...

'We know Altrincham concede a lot of late goals but when you're down to ten men and he’s giving penalties against you that aren't penalties, he's sending players off who shouldn't be sent off, and then not being consistent when their players make the same types of challenges, then you might as well just pack up and go home...

'They're refereeing at this level for a reason... It isn't a proper game when you're up against an opposition plus a referee,' said Millington".

NEXT: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

Unless they reach the play-offs, Altrincham's final away trip this season is to Dagenham & Redbridge. The Daggers have found themselves dropping into the relegation places in these final weeks of the campaign.

Currently they are two points from safety, with two games to play, but they have comfortably the best goal difference of any team in the bottom six.

It was in January that their form took a nose dive following their Third Round exit from the FA Cup, away at Millwall. That followed a fine away win in Round Two against AFC Wimbledon.

A run of twelve league games without a win since then has seen them plunge down the table, gaining just four points from draws out of the thirty-six available.

Since then, however, their form has improved and their most recent six fixtures have brought three wins, two draws and just a single defeat, away at Gateshead.

But goals have proved hard to come by recently, with just 14 goals scored in the last 18 league fixtures. Their leading scorer is Josh Rees, with 13 league goals to his name.

NEXT SEASON'S OPPONENTS

So far, just one "new" club to join the National League in 2025-26 season has been determined. That team is Morecambe, whose relegation from EFL2 was confirmed on Easter Monday.

Morecambe reached the EFL in 2007, having won the play-offs after finishing third in the regular season. They were promoted to EFL in 2021 after finishing fourth in EFL2 but were relegated after just two seasons. They now face their second relegation in two years.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In the clash of two teams fighting relegation, Wealdstone "came from behind against Maidenhead United to draw 1-1 and secure a vital point towards their fight for survival, at Grosvenor Vale.

An early goal from Brendan Kiernan for the Magpies was cancelled out by a strike from Kallum Cesay...

Neil Gibson made four changes to the side that were defeated by Boston United on Good Friday, with Connor McAvoy, Mustapha Carayol, Josh Grant and Harrison Sohna returning to the starting line-up for the Stones.

The Stones made the worst possible start, conceding in just the fourth minute of the match as Kane Ferdinand cut the ball back to the edge of the six-yard box for Kiernan to slot home under Dante Baptiste...

Gibson’s side were rewarded for their perseverance and were back on level terms with Maidenhead United in the 39th minute, with Cesay’s shot deflecting in off of the crossbar from close range, to restore parity.".

The draw was a much better result for the Stones, who remain two points clear of the bottom four, whilst Maidenhead are four ppints from safety.

Alty's final match of the season will be at home to Tamworth who had "hoped it would be a Good Friday in terms of football as they welcomed local rivals Solihull Moors...

The Lambs took the lead when Fairlamb played an incisive pass to Enoru who cut past his marker into the left of the area and drilled it low across the six yard box for McGlinchey to drive home...

Thorpe was felled by Curley and from the freekick Singh’s punch span to the right of the area for Wilkinson to rifle home (1-1, 50 mins)...

From [a] corner, Solihull captain Whitmore headed down and past Singh through a crowded box at the far post to give the travelling fans cause to celebrate (1-2, 87 mins)...

Tamworth packed the Moors box out for a couple of late late Tonks throws, and a Fairlamb forced corner which drew Singh in the box for the flagkick but there was no late late equaliser ...

Tamworth: Singh (c.), Curley (Crompton 86), Digie, Hollis (c.), Fairlamb, Sundire (Fletcher 76), Tonks, Ponticelli (Finn 90), McGlinchey (Williams 90), Enoru, Creaney (Waldron 80). Subs: Phillips, Willets".

22 April 2025

FC HALIFAX TOWN 0-3 ALTRINCHAM

It could well be too late but Altrincham's 3-0 win at Halifax at least keeps alive their mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs.

On a poor surface, Altrincham took an early lead when Osborne's fine ball forward was won by Banks, in the air against Galvin, and it fell for the unmarked Bickerstaff whose excellent shot from the right of the box went into the net off the inside of the back post (10 mins). It was the Wrexham loanee's second league goal in 24 appearances for the Robins.

In a first half devoid of much quality, Alty nevertheless looked the better side against a Halifax side which failed to trouble Ansen.

Just before the hour mark Halifax's Leigh was shown a red card after lunging in on Banks (58 mins).

Shortly afterwards, following a corner, Olson's shot was judged to have struck a Halifax hand. From the resulting spot-kick Regan Linney (left) scored comfortably (65 mins).

A smart attacking move yielded a third goal for the visitors when Newby advanced and fed Weaver to his right. His pass located Linney to his left and he duly found the back of the net (73 mins).

The result leaves Alty in ninth place but Gateshead's defeat gives Altrincham a glimmer of hope that they can overhaul them, the Shaymen, or much less likely, Rochdale. However, with Gateshead facing Alty's fellow aspirants for the play offs, Southend United, on the last day of the season the omens are not good.

Match report here.

POST-MATCH PARKINSON

In a post-match interview on Alty TV with Brian Flynn, manager Phil Parkinson said that Alty have "just got to keep fighting and see where it takes us".

Asked about George Wilson (right), Phil said he has "stepped up and delivered", describing him as "a midfielder that's got a bit of everything".

HALIFAX VIEW

FC Halifax Town have video highlights from their defeat by Altrincham on Monday.

As for the match, FC Halifax Town reported that "10 minutes in, Altrincham went 0-1 up through striker Jake Bickerstaffe. Alex Newby [Ollie Banks] flicked on a header to Bickerstaffe, who took a touch into the box and wrapped the ball into the far corner. ..

Lewis Leigh saw a straight red in the 58th minute for a late challenge on Lewis Banks that the referee deemed high and dangerous. The afternoon worsened for the Shaymen when Adam Senior committed a handball in the penalty area.

Regan Linney converted the penalty in the 65th minute, sending Toby Savin the wrong way...

Altrincham made it 0-3, their top goalscorer Linney finding the back of the net for a second time in the afternoon. Newby carried the ball past his man, slid the ball through to the substitute Weaver, who provided Linney with a tap-in...

The Robins saw the game out, the fixture ending 0-3, as Chris Millington’s side face Braintree at the Shay Stadium on Saturday, with the pursuit of playoffs still in the balance".

NEXT: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

Next Saturday, Altrincham travel to Dagenham & Redbridge who are two points from safety with two fixtures remaining.

The BBC reported on Easter Monday that "Dagenham remain in the National League relegation zone following a 0-0 draw at Braintree.

Harry Phipps came closest to giving Dagenham the win they craved five minutes into the second half when his header from a corner was saved by Braintree goalkeeper Henry Gray.

The hosts thought they had broken the deadlock in the 58th minute through Kyrell Lisbie but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Dagenham remain two points from safety with two games of the season remaining...

35. Jake Turner, 2. Chris Francis, 6. Harry Phipps, 30. Paul Kalambayi, 10. Ryan Hill, 8. Josh Rees (c), 4. Jake Hessenthaler, 21. Oscar Rutherford, 7. Dion Pereira, 15. Aaron Loupalo-Bi, 9. Josh Umerah. Subs: 20. Kayden Harrack, 12. Nathan Harvey, 23. Conor Lawless, 17. Trent Mahorn Rendell, 11. Christian N'Guessan, 16. Shiloh Remy, 29. Marcus Wyllie".

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports on Monday;s games.

League One : CHRIS CONN-CLARKE was a 73rd minute substitute for Peterborough United in their 1-1 draw at Barnsley.

With TOBY MULLARKEY missing from their squad, Crawley Town brought on JUNIOR QUITIRNA after 75 minutes at home to Exeter City - the scoring was complete in their 3-1 win by then. With both Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion losing, the West Sussex side still have a chance of avoiding an immediate return to the 4th tier.

Wigan Athletic won 1-0 at home against Rotherham United, Jamie Carragher's son James scoring from an OWEN DALE assist. Owen was substituted after 70 minutes.

League Two : SONNY ALJOFREE (right) put Accrington Stanley ahead in their home clash with Carlisle United, who withdrew JOE HUGILL after 77 minutes, before snatching a point in added time. They will need to win both of their remaining fixtures to have a chance of staying up, but it's too late for Morecambe, whose relegation was confirmed when they went down 1-3 to visitors Salford City. MARCUS DACKERS wasn't able to play against his parent club, for whom KEVIN BERKOE returned to play the full match after missing 9 games through injury.

CONNOR JENNINGS was a 66th minute substitute for Tranmere Rovers at Barrow, joining CHRIS MERRIE who played throughout. The hosts substituted ELLIOT NEWBY after 65 minutes as the game ended goalless.

Having been booked in the first half of Chesterfield's 3-3 home draw with Bradford City, RYAN COLCLOUGH was withdrawn after 74 minutes.

National League : Tamworth withdrew KENNEDY DIGIE after 92 minutes, as they went down 3-0 at Forest Green Rovers.

Hartlepool United were without LUKE WATERFALL against visitors Gateshead, which was, to say the least, inconvenient when BILLY SASS-DAVIES went off injured after 39 minutes. The visitors, who withdrew LIAM HUMBLES after 64 minutes, suffered a blow to their playoff aspirations, losing 3-2.

Another of the playoff candidates, Rochdale, were unable to break down relegated visitors AFC Fylde, despite a shot count in their favour of 14(5) to 2(1). KYLE FERGUSON played the full game, but JACK KINGDON stayed on the bench.

Oldham Athletic forced a 1-1 draw at York City, leaving JOSH LUNDSTRAM on the bench. The hosts brought on TYRESE SINCLAIR (right) after 66 minutes.

Although CONNOR TEALE put them 1-2 ahead, Boston United eventually lost 3-2 to a 97th minute goal at Solihull Moors.

MILES WELCH-HAYES put in a full shift as Maidenhead United earned a 1-1 draw at Wealdstone. However, it was a game the Berkshire club desperately needed to win.

National North : KOLE HALL was among the scorers as Chorley hammered visitors Radcliffe 5-0.

National South : DANNY CASHMAN (right) limped off after 25 minutes of Worthing's 1-1 draw with visitors Dorking Wanderers with what looked like a hamstring injury. This was a game which both sides would have been desperate to win. Worthing dropped off the top of the table and down to 4th, but had Dorking won they would have been just one point off the top - but only 3rd.

With only 1 game left, any of the top 6 clubs could still win the title - and of course guaranteed promotion to the National League. None of the 6 play each other in the final games on Saturday.

Truro City are the leaders now, and entertain St.Albans City. On paper they should be in the driving seat, but the visitors are currently in the one unsettled relegation spot, and need to better Salisbury's result at Welling United, so they should be motivated.

Meanwhile, Torquay United are only 2nd on goal difference, and if they win by a goal margin at least two goals better than Truro THEY will be champions. They travel to mid-table Hemel Hempstead.

But what if neither of the two South West clubs win? Eastbourne Borough are only a point behind, and are at home to Weston-Super-Mare, who have just missed out on the playoffs - and Worthing are only behind THEM on goal difference. However, they're 8 goals worse off, so would need a decent win at Enfield Town to have any chance.

Unlikely though it would be for all of the top four to lose, if they did then Boreham Wood and Dorking Wanderers are both only 3 points off the top - Boreham Wood have a 3 goal advantage over the Surrey club on goal difference, but both clubs are better off in that department than ANY of the top four!

What is certain is that 5 of the 6 challengers will need to settle for the playoffs, where they'll be joined by last season's FA Cup heroes Maidstone.

An interesting Saturday afternoon awaits!

NPL Premier Division : A goal down at the break at Ilkeston, Matlock Town equalised straight from the restart through MONTEL GIBSON, but they had to cling on for the point after having a man sent off after 66 minutes. The results relegated them.

Edward Case Cup: There was more silverware for Alty groundsman DAVE JONES, as Atherton Laburnum Rovers won the final 3-0 against Stafford Town.

Irish Premier Division : St.Patrick's managed only a single attempt on target at Weavers Park in a goalless stalemate against hosts Drogheda - a win would have put them on top of the league - and BARRY BAGGLEY was a 70th minute substitute. There are only 10 teams in this league, and only 6 points cover the top 7 clubs.

Polish Ekstraklasa : MAXI OYEDELE played the full game, picking up a late yellow card, as Legia Warsaw recovered from going behind to relegation threatened visitors Lechia, and won 2-1 despite missing a penalty.

21 April 2025

SHAYMEN'S PREVIEW

Before today's game, FC Halifax Town report that "Town won 1-0 at Mill Farm on Friday... It was Town’s first win since the 15th March and brought an end to a run of six games without victory.

Altrincham won’t have given up on their chance of a play-off spot and a win at the Shay is a must for them... It’s just one win in their last 10 games with just five points from the last 24 on offer.

They haven’t won away in their last four... Their last away was at York City back on the 4th March

There will be a couple of familiar faces returning to the Shay with Altrincham with Matty Kosylo (left) and Tylor Golden (right) now with Altrincham".

The referee today is Ollie Yates who oversaw Altrincham's 1-1 home draw with Oldham Athletic back in August.

Facing Alty today is likely to be Tom Pugh, who was a trialist for Altrincham in 2022.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Monday 21st April 2025

TODAY: FC HALIFAX TOWN

Altrincham's opponents today, FC Halifax Town, enjoyed a narrow 1-0 win at AFC Fylde on Good Friday, a result which confirmed the Coasters' relegation.

In fact, Halifax's away performances have earned them more points than their home games. They have lost just four times on the road, the joint best in the division, but at The Shay they have tasted defeat eight times.

Goals are at a premium for Halifax too, with just three teams having scored fewer times than them in the National League this season.

In fact, they have lost their last three home games without scoring a single goal; with two of those defeats coming against clubs currently in the relegation places. They lost 0-2 to Maidenhead United, 0-1 to Hartlepool United and 0-1 to Dagenham and Redbridge.

In addition to the nine* players who were unfit to participate on Friday, Altrincham are likely to be without midfielder Tom Crawford. Tom had to be substituted during the first half on Good Friday and he is seen, right, leaving the field with physio Tommy Uda.

* The nine missing on Friday were Charlie Olson, Justin Amaluzor, Lucas Weaver, Rob Lainton, Eddy Jones, Joe Nuttall, Jake Cooper, Ethan Ross and Ollie Crankshaw.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 21 APRIL

As Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years information confirms, today, 21 April, is the seventh anniversary of that memorable 4-1 win at Grantham Town which secured the NPL championship for Altrincham.

In fact, on the last three Alty games played on today's date Alty have enjoyed big wins. Before the 4-1 victory at Grantham, Alty won 5-1 at home to Vauxhall Motors in 2014 whilst, in 2012, they triumphed 6-1 at Eastwood Town.

Just 239 spectators witnessed the win at Eastwood in 2012, which featured a hat-trick for Alty by Leighton McGivern. But the game is also noteworthy for being Duncan Watmore's full debut.

Right: Leighton McGivern, playing his last game for Altrincham, celebrates his hat-trick goal at Eastwood.

What turned into a comfortable win for Altrincham came after 34 minutes of lacklustre play before they went ahead when Scott Phelan drove home a low shot. When Lawrie was upended, Reeves converted the penalty for his 44th of the season (39 mins). McGivern made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time, to make it three goals in eleven minutes.

Phelan got a second four minutes after the interval when the keeper failed to hold a Watmore effort. McGivern scored again after 78 minutes when Lawrie's breakaway set him free and he scored after rounding the keeper (78 mins).

Alty could not keep a clean sheet as Burgess scored following an Eastwood corner (82 mins). But McGivern completed his hat trick in the closing minutes to make it 6-1.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Middle East Monitor reports that at Dagenham & Redbridge FC, "With the announcement on Monday of a partnership with Egyptian YouTuber Marwan Serry and the appointment of fellow Egyptian football influencer Salma Mashhour as Director of Development & Engagement, the club seemed poised to transcend its postcode and tap into the vast digital enthusiasm of the Arab world...

For a brief moment, it worked. The Daggers’ social media following soared, particularly on Instagram, where hundreds of thousands of new Arabic-speaking fans flocked to cheer on a club most had never previously heard of.

Serry, a football content creator with over 5 million followers, spoke of taking the club to the Premier League and making it a household name across the Middle East...

On 17 April, Dagenham & Redbridge announced that Mashhour had been dismissed 'effective immediately.' No reason was offered, but it didn’t take long for the dots to connect. A pro-Israel campaign had emerged online, citing an old Instagram post from 30 October 2023, in which Mashhour... criticised the occupation of Palestine and described resistance movement Hamas’s actions in the context of self-defence...

It appears the club caved to pressure, likely from Zionist lobby groups or high-profile supporters, who demanded Mashhour’s head...

The backlash was immediate. Marwan Serry, clearly blindsided by the move, announced his full withdrawal from the club and its investment project...

Perhaps the biggest irony of all is that a National League club on the verge of relegation believed it could become the next Middle Eastern cult icon—without understanding the politics of its new fanbase".

20 April, 2025

"A TOUGH ONE TO TAKE"

Speaking to the NL Paper after Good Friday's 2-1 defeat by Rochdale, assistant manger Neil Sorvel said "It's a tough one to take again.

"I thought we deserved something out of the game. Maybe not the win but definitely a point.

Right: Isaac Marriott was a deserved Man of the Match as well as Altrincham's goalscorer against Rochdale on Good Friday.

"It's another disappointing finish to a game".

In their last ten league games, Altrincham have lost seven times, drawn twice and won just once. Those seven games have included six losses by just a single goal, three times 0-1 and three times 1-2.

ROCHDALE MATCH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Alty TV has video highlights of the Altrincham v Rochdale clash on Good Friday.

NEXT: FC HALIFAX TOWN

On Easter Monday, FC Halifax Town face Altrincham at The Shay. It could be a decisive day for Alty as a defeat for the Robins combined with a point gained for Gateshead at Hartlepool United would end Alty's play-off hopes.

Altrincham, currently lie ninth and face a Halifax side which has both scored 15 fewer goals than Altrincham and conceded 15 fewer times. The Shaymen lie seven points ahead of the Robins in sixth place.

Like Alty, their opponents have experienced a drop in form in recent weeks but by not quite to the same extent as The Robins. However, their one-nil win at Fylde on Good Friday was their first win in seven matches.

The Yorkshiremen's leading scorer is Jamie Cooke with seven to his name from 41 appearances in the National League. They have one ever-present player in defender Adam Senior who has started all 43 fixtures.

SUCCESSFUL WALK TO RAISE FUNDS

Above, we see the walkers who covered the 20.6 miles from Rochdale's Crown Oil Arena to the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday. They took just under seven hours for the walk which was organised to raise funds for the Altrincham FC Community Sports company.

An early start meant that they arrived in time for kick-off of the match between Altrincham and Rochdale at 3pm.

All the participants are grateful for the sponsorship support that they received, with those funds augmented by the "Bring a Pound to the Ground" initiative which took place at the game on Saturday.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan tells us that in the Welsh Premier League, on the final day of the regulation season, JOHN DISNEY (right) picked up a late yellow card as Connah's Quay Nomads drew 1-1 at Aberystwyth.

John has remarkably played every minute of 31 games - and he wasn't in the squad for the other one. He now has a well earned 15 day break before the Welsh Cup Final in which TNS will start strong favourites.

The match will do little to help either club's carbon footprint, as it's being played well over 100 miles away at Newport!

In the Championship Group, Bala Town finished bottom, but still qualify for the playoffs. Although JOEL TORRANCE was beaten twice - the second a 90th minute penalty - his team beat visitors Penybont 3-2.

NPL Premier Division: MONTEL GIBSON (right) scored for Matlock Town, but by the time he did so in the 96th minute it was a lost cause, visitors Worksop Town having already scored twice.

NPL Division 1 West : DAMOLO SOTONA, who trialled for the Robins in pre-season, equalised for Witton Albion, who then went on to beat visitors Chasetown 2-1.

NWCL : Congratulations to Robins groundsman Dave Jones, who, in his other capacity as manager of Atherton Laburnum Rovers, led his team to victory by the odd goal in five at Winsford United to lift the First Division Champions Cup.

And in a change of sporting code, in the Cheshire County Cricket League, Ian Wilkinson informs us that there was a "cracking game at Chester Boughton Hall against Timperley on Saturday.

The game ended in a tie with the Chester club hitting 322-6 and Timpeley replied with 322-9.

OLLIE BYRNE played for Timperley. He batted at number eight and scored.8 runs off 7 balls including one 4. He did not bowl".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

A couple of issues may be resolved in the Vanarama National League on Easter Monday...

A win for Barnet at Sutton United and defeat for York City at Oldham Athletic would confirm that the Bees had won the National League championship.

At the bottom, Wealdstone host Maidenhead United. A home win would condemn Alan Devonshire's side to relegation for next season but would not mean that the hosts were yet safe from relegation themselves as Dagenham could still catch them.

19 April, 2025

ALTRINCHAM 1-2 ROCHDALE

With Altrincham pressing for a winner they were undone by a late goal at the other end which reduced their playoff hopes to being more of a mathematical possibility than probability.

The Robins created little in the first half and fell behind following a Dale corner in the 20th minute. Though Beckwith overhit his corner the ball was recycled to him and his low shot from 22 yards found the back of the Alty net.

Right: Matty Kosylo congratulates Isaac Marriott on his goal.

The hosts increased the tempo in the second half and deservdly levelled when Isaac Marriott's shot from the edge of the box beat Barrett in the Rochdale goal (59 mins).

Altrincham dominated the latter stages but could not find a winner before Rochdale won possession amidst claims of handball and Gilmour fed Rodney who netted from the left (89 mins).

Despite further pressure the Robins could not find a leveller and dropped to ninth, six points outside the play-offs with just three games remaining.

Match report here

POST-MATCH PARKY

In his post-match interview for Alty TV, Phil Parkinson conceded that "We're not quite good enough at the momnet".

He believes that one factor is that "You can't play on our pitch" which is cutting up and prejudicial to Alty's normal style of play.

However, he remains proud of the team for continuing to fight to the end of every game, despite being weakened by injuries. On that topic he indicated that Tom Crawford had had to be substituted owing to a "tweak" in his groin.

NEXT: FC HALIFAX TOWN

For the second time in four days, Altrincham take on rivals for the play-off places who are currently ahead of the Robins.

The gap between the cubs grew wider on Good Friday as FC Halifax Town report that the Shaymen "secured a valuable three points on the road at AFC Fylde, thanks to Ryan Galvin’s first-half header.

Just one change was made to the starting eleven... with Luca Thomas coming into the side in place of Adam Adetoro.

The visitors made a bright start and nearly opened the scoring inside five minutes. Tom Pugh struck an audacious volley from distance, but Ben Winterbottom was equal to it, comfortably collecting the effort...

Halifax’s pressure finally told on the half-hour mark. Ryan Galvin wheeled away in celebration after heading home his second goal for the club—both of which have come via headers. On this occasion, it was Adam Senior who provided the assist, nodding the ball across goal and putting it on a plate for Galvin to convert...

The second half began with more frustration for Thomas, who struck the woodwork for a second time....

Halifax continued to push for a second goal and should have extended their lead by the hour mark...

Despite dominating for large spells, Halifax were almost made to pay for missed chances...

FC Halifax Town: 31 Toby Savin, 5 Adam Senior ©, 3 Ryan Galvin, 20 Jack Jenkins, 18 Florent Hoti (29 Sean Tarima 86), 9 Luca Thomas (21 Zak Emmerson 76), 23 Tom Pugh (28 Lewis Leigh 73), 8 Daniel Nkrumah (22 Dubem Eze 89),10 Jamie Cooke, 11 Angelo Cappello (14 Harvey Sutcliffe 84), 16 Josh Emmanuel. Subs 12 Nathaniel Ford, 27 Adam Adetoro.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports that on Friday, in League One, OWEN DALE (right) was substituted by Wigan Athletic in the 92nd minute at Shrewsbury Town, where they won by the only goal

By the time CARL PIERGIANNI scored for Stevenage after 77 minutes, it was merely a consolation effort. Blackpool's Rob Apter had earlier rattled off a 12 minute hat trick, and the Tangerines won 1-3.

League Two: The scoring at Carlisle United was all over by the time JOE HUGILL came off the bench in the 85th minute. Visitors Port Vale had pulled back two goals, but couldn't add to them and lost 3-2.

Morecambe, for whom MARCUS DACKERS was a 79th minute substitute, finished with 10 men at Bromley, and were beaten by a Michael Cheek penalty. With only 3 games left, the only team they can catch outside the bottom pair are Tranmere Rovers, and they're 8 points adrift of the Birkenhead club, who went down 0-3 at home to Doncaster Rovers after bringing on CHRIS MERRIE at the start of the second half, and CONNOR JENNINGS after 78 minutes.

Carlisle can still, at least mathematically, overtake 5 of the clubs above them, but it seems very unlikely after Accrington Stanley, with SONNY ALJOFREE back in their starting lineup, won 1-2 at Salford City. KEVIN BERKOE was on the home side's bench after missing 8 games with injury.

ELLIOT NEWBY (right) was withdrawn by Barrow after 80 minutes of their goalless draw at Fleetwood - a game in which the side produced only 3 shots on target between them. Chesterfield also failed to trouble the goalkeeper at AFC Wimbledon, where the hosts did at least manage 4 shots on target without any of them being successful. ALISTAIR SMITH played the full match for the London club, while RYAN COLCLOUGH was introduced by the visitors after 61 minutes.

National League : Although they led early, and LIAM HUMBLES won the Man of the Match award, Gateshead went down 1-3 to visitors York City, who substituted TYRESE SINCLAIR after 61 minutes. They could still overtake Barnet for the championship, but are definitely not capable of being caught by anyone below them.

CONNOR TEALE played the whole of Boston United's 2-0 home win over Wealdstone. Boston are not yet mathematically safe from relegation, but, having won 8 of their last 10 games, not many would bet against them staying up.

Maidenhead United were looking to be also heading for the safety zone after MILES WELCH-HAYES doubled their advantage, but visitors Woking scored twice in the next 5 minutes, and the points were shared.

Oldham Athletic had already scored what turned out to be the goal that gave them a 2-1 win when they brought on JOSH LUNDSTRAM after 84 minutes. Visitors Hartlepool United, who had opened the scoring, brought on LUKE WATERFALL at the start of the second half, while BILLY SASS-DAVIES played the full game for them.

Although KENNEDY DIGIE (right) played throughout, Tamworth's lingering playoff hopes suffered a blow when visitors Solihull Moors came from behind to win by the odd goal in three.

National North : The only goal at Buxton was scored against visitors Chorley by CONNOR KIRBY.

Needham Market were reduced to 10 men after 55 minutes at Peterborough Sports with the game still goalless, and the hosts pressed home their man advantage with MICHAEL GYASI scoring the clincher in a 2-0 win.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS opened the scoring for Kidderminster Harriers at Rushall Olympic, and they went on to win 1-2, a result that puts them top of the table on goal difference from Brackley Town. Overnight leaders Scunthorpe United went down 1-0 at King's Lynn.

NPL: ANDY DALES scored the only goal as already relegated Mickleover beat visitors Leek Town.

NPL Division 1 West : KEVIN ELLISON put Vauxhall Motors ahead at Stalybridge Celtic, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Irish Premier League : With the score at 1-1 after 80 minutes, St.Patrick's brought BARRY BAGGLEY off the bench. Visitors Shamrock Rovers regained the lead but couldn't hold on and the game ended 2-2

Northern Ireland Premiership : Linfield led at the break at Larne, but within 15 minutes of the restart they'd made 5 substitutions, including the withdrawal of SAM ROSCOE, and the hosts struck twice late on to win 2-1.

18 April 2025

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Friday, 18th April 2025

TODAY: ROCHDALE

On the eve of their visit to the J. Davidson Stadium Rochdale published a pre-match preview interview with Tarryn Allarakhia.

Today's Good Friday match against Rochdale means that Altrincham will have played a league fixture on every day of the week except Sunday this season.

As well as the usual Saturday and Tuesday fixtures, Alty faced Hartlepool United on a Wednesday, courtesy of DAZN requirements.

Boxing Day fell on a Thursday when FC Halifax Town were the visitors to the J. Davidson Stadium.

All they need now to complete the full seven-day set is to reach the Promotion Final on Sunday, 1 June. That would also mean that, if pre-season games are taken into account, Alty will have played fixtures in twelve separate months in succession.

CALEB'S Q AND A

Goalkeeper Caleb Ansen (right), on loan from Norwich City, is the latest subject in the Alty Q and A series.

ALTY OLD BOYS

from Phil Jordan, we learn that on Wednesday in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, there was no upset in the final at Leyland, where Southport overcame Bacup Borough 3-0. LUKE BURGESS was in the Southport starting XI, but DIOR ANGUS was left on the bench.

On Thursday, in the Europa Conference League, MAXI OYEDELE played the full game at Stamford Bridge, as Legia Warsaw won 1-2. However it was a vain effort, as they had lost their home leg 0-3, and Chelsea go into the semifinals.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Vanarama National League has announced that the "Promotion Final will kick off at 3pm on Sunday 1 June at Wembley Stadium with a place in the EFL up for grabs for the winners...

The Early Bird ticket offer is now closed but tickets for the Promotion Final will go on sale on the Wembley Stadium website on May 22 once the two finalists are known.

Timings for the Eliminators and Semi-Finals will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Confirmed Vanarama National League play-off schedule:

Five points from safety with four fixtures to complete, Maidenhead United report that "It’s the penultimate home game of the season this weekend at York Road...

The Magpies enter the fixture with two back-to-back wins so far this April. A 3-1 win against Tamworth earlier this month was matched by a 2-0 win at Halifax last weekend, but there can be no time for let up in the bid to cement a ninth season in the National League.

Woking were in a similar situation to United a little over a month ago, but come to Berkshire having not lost their last five in the league. The Cardinals have amassed wins against AFC Fylde, Oldham and Braintree, with home draws against Rochdale and Halifax to add to an impressive start to the run-in.

The visitors kept the points in Surrey in the reverse fixture on New Year's Day... The Magpies last win over the Cards came in September 2022".

Another club five points adrift is Dagenham & Redbridge who announce "that Marwan Serry, the Egyptian YouTuber and creative entrepreneur, has joined the club’s ownership group alongside Club Underdog.

Marwan is the founder of Arcade, a digital production studio, and the creator of Erza3, a football YouTube channel with over 2 million subscribers and a reach of more than 5 million fans across platforms. His influence makes him one of the leading Arabic voices in global football media...

Said Marwan 'I feel lucky to join a club with real character and potential. I’m here to contribute and be part of something meaningful'.

Also joining the club in a leadership role is Salma Mashhour, who has been appointed Director of Development & Engagement. A prominent digital storyteller in UK football, Salma is known for her matchday vlogs covering everything from the Premier League to 10th-tier games. Her content has helped Arabic-speaking fans explore the full depth of the English football pyramid...

Salma’s content was instrumental in inspiring Marwan’s interest in the lower tiers of English football...

With this announcement, Dagenham & Redbridge FC deepens its commitment to growth beyond the pitch — expanding its global footprint, connecting with Arabic-speaking audiences, and embracing a new era of creative, community-first football".

17 April 2025

LANDMARKS GALORE AT ALTY

As noted here yesterday, last Saturday marked MATTY KOSYLO's 100th start for the club.

But no fewer than three other Alty players are also at, or on the verge of, century landmarks for the club, either in terms of starts or of overall appearances.

When ISAAC MARRIOTT (left) started the recent game against Ebbsfleet United it was his 100th start for the club.

Isaac joined the club at Christmas 2021 from Bradford (Park Avenue), having been at Huddersfield Town as a youngster. Following his release by Huddersfield Town in summer 2020, he signed for Bradford (Park Avenue) where he had made fifteen appearances in 2021-22 before signing for Phil Parkinson at Altrincham.

Once he had regained fitness he became an ever-present starter for the final sixteen games of the 2021-22 campaign.

A pre-season injury in summer 2022 meant that Isaac missed the start of the 2022-23 season and it was league game 18 before he started a match. However, he soon re-established himself as a key figure in the team and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension, announced at the end of March 2023.

On 22 July 2023 it was announced that James would be the Altrincham team's vice-captain for the 2023-24 season and he later captained the side.

A serious ankle injury curtailed Isaac's appearances in March 2024 and a remedial operation ended his season prematurely as well as causing him to miss the opening weeks of the 2024-25 campaign. After a brief return a further injury lay-off saw him sidelined in January 2025 before he returned to league action in March.

He has made 16(+14) appearances so far in 2024-25.

Saturday should also see REGAN LINNEY reach his hundredth appearance for Altrincham, having already made 78(+21) appearances).

On 3 February, 2023, it was announced that Regan had joined Altrincham for an undisclosed fee from FC United of Manchester FC United, a club that he had joined in 2019 from Bamber Bridge for whom he made his debut in 2015.

The striker had made 133 appearances for FCUM and netted 61 goals before signing for the Robins. His debut came off the bench against Wrexham on 4 February 2023...

But in 2023-24, having scored three times in the first six fixtures, he was sidelined by injury and missed eleven league matches before returning to action and scoring regularly, including a number of penalties.

Regan was not fully fit for the start of the 2024-25 season and his minutes on the pitch, accordingly, were limited initially but he scored regularly before it was announced on 1 October 2024 that he had extended his contract for an unspecified period.

By early 2025 he was the leading scorer in the National League and he remains the club's top scorer this season.

A fourth player, along with Matty, Lewis, Regan and Isaac, who will reach a century almost certainly on Saturday when Rochdale visit the JDS, is defender LEWIS BANKS (right). To date, he has 92(+7) appearances to his name since joining in June 2023, so his next game will bring up three figures.

Lewis had ended the 2022-23 campaign up at Arbroath in the Scottish second-tier where he had made 12(+1) league appearances. Prior to that he had made 118 appearances for Sligo Rovers, since early 2019, in the Republic of Ireland and had appeared for them in the European Conference League.

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

Lewis soon established himself as the regular right-back at Altrincham where he was not only reliable but weighed in with a number of goals. His versatility has also seen him perform well at left-back and in the centre of the back line as well as weighing in with six goal to date.

Supporters may also recall that we recently recorded another player's century of games and that was JAKE COOOPER, who has now made 87(+14) appearances for Altrincham.

And, finally, on the theme of landmarks, no fewer than three Alty men are on the cusp of their fiftieth appearance for Altrincham.

The next appearances by ALEX NEWBY, TYLOR GOLDEN and TOM CRAWFORD will be their fiftieth of the current season for Altrincham, whilst for Tylor (42+7 games) and Tom (46+3 games) it will also be the fiftieth game of their Altrincham career. In Alex's case this season he has made 45(+4) appearances and his career total at Altrincham is currently 82(+5) games, in which he has scored 27 times.

The only player to have made more than 50 appearances this season is Lewis Banks with 52 games behind him, comprising 47 starts and five more appearances from the bench.

Alty's current players who have made 99 or more career appearances for the club (including from the bench) are:

MATTY'S Q AND A

The latest player to be video interviewed in the Alty Q and A series is Matty Kosylo.

NEXT: ROCHDALE

Altrincham's guests on Good Friday, Rochdale, have reviewed their "record around this time of year, spanning across the last 20 seasons. Dale visit Altrincham on Good Friday before playing host to AFC Fylde on Monday in the long Bank Holiday weekend, which has been a feature of English Football since 1892 when the first Easter Monday game was played.

As for Dale, our record since 2005 stands at 38 games played with 16 wins, 14 losses and eight draws. From 2006 to 2012, fixtures were played on a Saturday, closely followed by a Monday before changing back to Friday with one Thursday fixture, which came in a win at Bury in 2017".

NEW MANAGER FOR ALTY WOMEN

Altrincham FC announce, in the words of Brian Flyn, "The appointment of Daryll Abrahams as women’s first team manager from July 1st, 2025.

Daryll grew up in Sale and attended Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College in Altrincham. A keen Alty fan, captaining Altrincham FC as a football scholar (16-18) whilst completing a BTEC Level 3 in Sport...

A bachelor’s degree with honours in Football Coaching & Administration at The University of South Wales followed, in partnership with Wigan Athletic and The English Football League and the newly appointed manager is currently studying for a master’s degree in leadership.

Daryll, who has a UEFA B Licence, has worked for Manchester United for the past four seasons and... For the past two years Daryll has worked for Liverpool Football Club as an Academy Coach with their International Academy...

During the last 12 months, Alty’s future women’s manager worked in the Middle East for Juventus as an academy coach, with their International Academy...

Also, during the last year, Daryll carried out the role of Head of Football Operations at Sale United FC... Recently appointed Head of Women’s Football, Duncan Jones who has been in charge of team affairs since January, added... 'Daryll... is the perfect candidate to help propel the club to the next level.'"

TOP AND BOTTOM

Last season saw Chesterfield (champions) and Bromley (finished third) promoted out of the Vanarama National League and both are secure in EFL2 for next season.

But where, currently, are the other play-off contenders from last season? It took 71 points to get into the play-offs last season.

So, of the five play-off teams who did not get promoted last season, three (Barnet, Gateshead and FC Halifax Town) are again in the top seven.

Of the other four clubs who are in the current top seven currently, FGR were not in the division last season, whilst York City (20th last season) and the Greater Manchester duo of Oldham Athletic and Rochdale are the other three. The latter two finished tenth and eleventh respectively in 2024.

The bottom four this season are curious in that all of the clubs were in the division last season, so all of the "new" clubs for 2024-25 have stabilised to varying degrees, so far, at this level, whether they were previously relegated (FGR and Hartlepool United) or promoted (Tamworth, Braintree Town, Boston United, Yeovil Town).

COLTS WIN AWAY IN CUP

Last Sunday (13th) in the North West Youth Alliance Development Cup, Group Stage, Altrincham FC Colts won 4-2 away to Nantwich Town at the Swansway Stadium.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan tells us that in the Manchester FA Premier Cup Final, Irlam Town won the trophy for the first time, beating Hyde United 3-2 at Broadhurst Park, the home of FC United.

It was a fine achievement for JOHN JOHNSTON in his first season as player coach, and AIDY ROXBURGH was among the Irlam scorers. Hyde captain JACK REDSHAW also found the net, but it was the underdogs who took the spoils.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The National League reports that the "League's CEO Mark Ives has stepped down from his position.

Since joining the National League at the start of 2021, Ives [has] increased the profile of the Competition and was influential in the implementation of the National League’s streaming platform National League TV and more recently the launch of the 3UP campaign.

Due to personal and family reasons he made the decision this week to step away from the National League with immediate effect to focus on these commitments".

16 April 2025

NEXT: ROCHDALE'S MIXED NEWS

Altrincham welcome Rochdale to the J. Davidson Stadium on Good Friday.

Ahead of the game, Rochdale report that "Striker Jay Bird has been recognised for his performances in the month of March by winning the Supporters' Trust's Player and the Club's Goal of the Month Awards.

The 23-year-old, on loan from Exeter City, joined the club on 25th February and made his debut that evening away at Tamworth. Since that game, the forward has made a further six appearances, all from the start.

He netted four times in March with his first in the Isuzu FA Trophy against Altrincham on his home debut before scoring three in a week. His last goal came in the defeat at home to Boston United, his last outing before injury.

Included in his goals was the opening goal away at Oldham Athletic which has won March’s Goal of the Month with 85.9% of voters selecting the 25-yard strike".

Less happily for Rochdale, "defender Liam Hogan will miss the rest of the season through injury... after being forced off at half-time of the midweek away visit to Sutton United".

Head Coach Jimmy McNulty stated "We had his injury scanned and it’s another muscle one which puts him out for the season. The last 11 weeks have battered the players physically, we’ve had a number of injuries through that period"...

The number 26 joins Ryan East, Sam Waller, Jake Burger, Connor McBride, Jid Okeke and Jay Bird on the lengthy injury list.

[Ex-Alty man] Kyle Ferguson was recalled from his loan spell at Yeovil Town on Saturday...

'He did really well there (at Yeovil). He’s in good rhythm and we recalled him which we’re very fortunate to be able to do. We’re stronger for Kyle’s experience, he came on (vs Eastleigh) and he was excellent, showed superb attitude and we’re pleased to have him back'".

FOUR TOUGH TESTS AHEAD FOR ALTY

Altrincham's last few games of the season pit them against four teams who, like them, have important goals to motivate them. None of their four opponents can afford to take their foot off the gas for very differing reasons.

MATTY'S ENTHUSIASM

At 32 years of ago Matty Kosylo (pictured right, against Yeovil Town last week) is Alty's oldest player in the current squad but he has lost none of his enthusiasm and with six consecutive starts so far in the National League, he is enjoying his longest run of the season in the starting eleven. Having missed the entire 2022-23 season through injury, it is his longest such run in the team since 2021-22 campaign.

And Matty's start at Boston last Saturday was his 100th start for Altrincham which, together with 37 appearances from the bench, gives him 137 appearances for the club. He has scored 22 times in those games.

With his former club, FC Halifax Town, Alty's opposition on Easter Monday, Matty will be hoping to avoid a third successive red card against the Shaymen!

ALTY OLD BOYS

From Phil Jordan we learn that on Tuesday in the National North, Radcliffe travelled to Buxton to play their away fixture against already relegated Farsley Celtic.

JOSH HANCOCK and BRAD JACKSON were in the starting lineup, while JORDAN HULME was on the bench. Radcliffe knew that 3 points would guarantee another season at this level, and they took the lead after 63 minutes. With 6 minutes left, Jordan replaced Josh after Farsley had managed to equaliser 3 minutes earlier.

But in the first of 4 added minutes Radcliffe snatched the winner and will stay up.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Friday, 18th April 2025

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

On Easter Monday, Altrincham travel to West Yorkshire to face FC Halifax Town.

From Calderdale, the Halifax Courier reports that the Shaymen "have received a long overdue fitness boost with the news that midfielder Lewis Leigh and defender Festus Arthur have both returned to training.

Leigh, who is on loan from Bromley, has missed Town’s last two games with a foot injury, but took part in Monday’s training session and will be monitored throughout the week to determine if he is available for Friday’s game at Fylde, according to manager Chris Millington.

Jamie Cooke is playing with an ongoing groin issue, which Millington says is being managed to try and keep him available.

'He's capable of running and covering the distances, it's the ball striking that causes him pain and discomfort,' Millington said. 'So if that means he's not able to make passes or get shots off then that'll require him to come out of the team'.

Defender Arthur and goalkeeper Sam Johnson, who both have abductor injuries, are expected to be back before the end of the league season...

Scott High and Adan George are the only others on Halifax’s injury list that could potentially still play a part this season".

Aldershot Town have "triggered an option on Cameron Hargreaves’s contract, extending his stay with the Shots until the summer of 2026!

Hargreaves joined the Shots ahead of the 24/25 season and has already made 52 appearances for the Shots before the end of his first season!

The midfielder has also chipped in with five goals as he’s quickly become a key part of Tommy Widdrington’s side...

Tommy Widdrington added 'Cameron is a lad I also worked with before I came to Aldershot and knew he’d fit in seamlessly so was delighted to capture his signature last summer. His all round game in the heart of the engine room has been excellent'">

For the run-in Barnet have recalled two of their loand-out players.

Firstly, "Reece Hall-Johnson has been recalled from his loan at Solihull Moors. Reece featured 7 times for The Moors.

Reece also featured five times for the Bees earlier on in this seasons".

And also Barnet add that "Jermaine Francis has been recalled from his loan at Braintree Town.

Jermaine featured 34 times for The Irons, finding the net 9 times.

Jermaine also featured four times for the Bees earlier on in this season."

Ebbsfleet United's "annual memorial to remember fans, family, friends, players and staff who have passed away will be held at our final home game against Maidenhead United next Saturday, April 26th.

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

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

Our matchday programme will once again feature the names of those who have passed away, in addition to all those names submitted to us in previous seasons (so you will not need to resubmit if previously sent) – and they will also be listed on the scoreboard pre-match and at half-time...

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

15 April 2025

NEXT: ROCHDALE

Altrincham host Rochdale on Friday.

Dale, like Altrincham and a number of other clubs vying for play-off places, have faltered in recent weeks, winning only two of their last eight league games, both being 4-0 home wins. Away from home they have not won any of their last eight fixtures on the road.

They secured that second 4-0 home win on Saturday, thrashing Eastleigh 4-0 but the Hampshire club does not provide the sternest test at the moment as the Spitfires currently lie bottom of the form guide! The previous 4-0 win was against Aldershot Town.

For the game against Eastleigh last weekend, Rochdale reported that it was "a dominant home display... Devante Rodney scored another brace at the COA and alongside Ian Henderson’s second-half goal and an own goal [it?] allowed... Jimmy McNulty’s men to run out convincing winners.

The Dale Head Coach made three changes to the midweek eleven with Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Tarryn Allarakhia and Ian Henderson returning to start in place of Liam Hogan, Michael Adu-Poku and Kairo Mitchell...

With 11 minutes elapsed, Dale broke the deadlock. Rodney slamming home the opener... Inside the opening 20 minutes, a two-goal buffer was created between the sides. Aidan Barlow whipped in a dangerous corner which came off the hapless Luis Fernandez and trickled over the goalline.

Dale were playing with an intense tempo...

Dale grabbed a deserved third. Sam Beckwith delightfully picked out Adebayo-Rowling who prodded towards Henderson, he stayed cool to convert... Dale made it four when Corey Edwards sprayed the ball out to Adebayo-Rowling who skipped past two Eastleigh defenders and teed up Rodney...

Dale XI | Barrett, Gordon, Ebanks-Landell (c), Allarakhia (79′ Kingdon), Gilmour, Rodney (90+1′ Adu-Poku), Adebayo-Rowling, Barlow (66′ Mitchell), Edwards (84′ Weston), Beckwith (79′ Ferguson), Henderson. Unused subs | Armstrong, Ayinde.

Attendance | 1762 (13 visitors)."

ALTY WOMEN REACH FINAL

Altrincham FC press and media officer, Brian Flynn, reports that after the Alty Women won 3-2 at Nantwich Town on Sunday, they are "just one game away from winning their first ever trophy, following a pulsating Cheshire Women’s & Youth League, Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Nantwich Town.

The Dabbers had completed a league double over the Robins and were crowned champions of The Cheshire Women’s & Youth League, Premier Division last week.

With the hosts unbeaten at The Swansway Stadium this season, the win represents, possibly, the most significant result in the history of Altrincham FC Women, who will face Witton Albion or Vauxhall Motors in the final, which is likely to be played at the end of the month or early in May, as their semi-final is not being played until Wednesday April 23 at Wincham Park...

Alty took the lead just after the half hour mark... The Dabbers equalised just before the break... and an even first period finished level at 1-1.

After the interval, Alty gradually took control of proceedings and Saycell restored the lead just before the hour...

The third goal was the best of the game with the industrious Walsh again involved in the initial play, which ended with Nat Lowe’s slide rule ball dissecting the heart of the Dabbers defence to pick out Elise Jones, who calmly rolled the ball past the outstretched legs of the advancing Niamh Harding...

But some sloppy play in the 83rd minute gifted possession to the Cheshire side and Poppy Smith took full advantage with a powerful left foot strike... just underneath the crossbar...

Alty (4-4-2) Ari Shapiro; Annie O’Donoghue, Brianna Morrison, Emily O’Leary, Libby Newton, Holly Lloyd, Ashley Jones, Nat Lowe (c), Grace McArdle, Kira Saycell, Elise Jones. Game Changers: Brogan Walsh, Caitlin Beaty, Rose Fitzgerald, Rhianna Pickering, Katie Robins."

BRING A "POUND TO THE GROUND"

Altrincham FC Community Sports announces (right) that it is asking "all Alty fans to bring £1 to the ground on Good Friday (18th April) to help support our charity and the programmes we run which benefit the health and wellbeingof our community!"

ALTY AND AGENTS' FEES

The Non-League Paper has printed a list of fees paid by National League clubs to agents over the 12 months to 2 February 2025.

Altrincham is reported to have spent £16,445 in this way.

The highest spenders are Forest Green Rovers with £133,184, whilst both York (£109K) and Southend (£103K) have both also hit six-figures.

ALTRINCHAM FC STATEMENT

Altrincham Football Club " are aware of an incident involving one of our supporters during the first half of our recent away fixture against Boston United.

The club has a zero-tolerance policy for such behaviour.

This matter is being investigated by Lincolnshire Police and the club will fully cooperate with their investigation. We are liaising with them and with Greater Manchester Police and following their guidance on this matter.

The supporter has been given an interim ban pending the outcome of the Lincolnshire Police investigation.

We at Altrincham Football Club are committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all our supporters, for match officials, players and staff of opposing clubs and we will take all necessary measures to protect them from harm".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Eastleigh are currently bottom of the National League form guide and for their 4-0 defeat at Rochdale last Saturday, just 13 away supporters were recorded in the attendance figures.

In the Daily Echo, head coach "Kelvin Davis questioned Eastleigh's mentality following a 'humbling' 4-0 defeat to National League play-off hopefuls Rochdale on Saturday...

Davis said, 'It's a humbling experience if I'm honest... I've felt a different mentality in the group, and against a quality side, if your mentality's not right, then you lose a bit of your heart, which is what we did today.

'I don't like saying that because you want to be supportive of the group, and you want the group to emulate yourself. But ultimately, today we saw the side of our squad and our team that we don't like to see, and it came out to play too often...

'Early on, I thought we were at the races, and I thought the game plan looked like it was going to have some success.

'Then the goals come and the mentality changes and then it's very difficult. I think we've got a mentality amongst us where the first goal seems to be pretty damaging.'"

14 April 2025

SPONSORED WALK

Altrincham FC announces that "It’s that time of the year again, when Altrincham FC Community Sports' staff, participants and partners set off on their annual sponsored walk to raise much needed funds to support the running costs of the many programmes that support the physical & mental wellbeing of our community.

The walking team will set off on Good Friday at 6:30am from Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena and walk the 20 miles back to The J.Davidson Stadium in time for Alty's big play-off chasing clash with Rochdale at 3pm".

UPS AND DOWNS

Putting aside Altrincham's quest for the play-off places in the Vanarama National League, as we approach the end of the 2024-25 season, let us have a look at the lower leagues and what is happening there.

Next season, of course, two teams each will be promoted to join the Vanarama National League from the North and South divisions.

In terms of relegation:

CONGRATULATIONS, DAVE

Congratulations go to Altrincham FC Groundsman, Dave Jones. His other job is managing Atherton LR and he has guided the club to the championship of the NW Counties League Division One. The club has finished five points clear of second-placed Nelson.

ALTY TV HIGHLIGHTS

DAZN has extended highlights of Boston United v Altrincham from last Saturday.

THROUGH THE YEARS: 18 APRIL

When Rochdale vist Altrincham on Good Friday, 18 April, it will be only two years since that date in 2023 when Altrincham hosted Dagenham & Redbridge. By coincidence, Altrincham have yet to visit the relegation threatened Daggers later this month.

In the midweek game with the Essex club in 2023, played in front of the third lowest home gate of the league season, Altrincham, winless in four outings in the league, added another point to their tally.

Right: Matt Gould replaced Ollie Byrne in goal against Dagenham in 2023 but had to contend with the setting sun in the opening stages at the J. Davidson Stadium.

In the 41st minute, Dagenham took the lead from the penalty spot, their first shot on target in the game.

Alty levelled straight after the interval when Harry Perritt's cross from the left ran on to Jordan Hulme who netted smartly to make it 1-1 (46 mins).

The Robins then took the lead in a strange fashion. Good build-up play led to Linney turning smartly in the box and being felled for what looked a clear penalty. But in the confusion created by this foul, the ball somehow found its way into the net and was credited to Phipps as an own goal (65 mins).

If that was an unusual goal, Dagenham's equaliser was in a similar vein. Following the award of a Daggers corner which Alty disputed, substitute Saunders hoisted an intended cross from the left touchline some 40 yards from goal but it curled over Gould and into the far corner of his net to make it 2-2 (78 mins).

ALTY OLD BOYS

From Phil Jordan we learn that in the Welsh Premier League, Connah's Quay Nomads emulated Birmingham City by having twice as many shots as visitors Barry, yet still losing 0-2. This was their 31st game of a 32 game season, and full credit must be given to JOHN DISNEY, who has played every minute of the 30 games that he's been available for.

Polish Ekstraklasa: MAXI OYEDELE put in a full shift for Legia Warsaw, but visitors Jagiellonia scored the game's only goal late in the first half to hold on to 3rd place in the league, 11 points clear of Legia, who look increasingly unlikely to have European competition to look forward to next season.

One old boy not in action on Monday was CHRIS CONN-CLARKE who was an unused substitute as his Peterborough United side retained its EFL Trophy at Wembley by defeating Birmingham City 2-0.

13 April, 2025

PHIL, POST-MATCH

After the defeat at Boston, Alty boss Phil Parkinson was interviewed by Brian Flynn on Alty TV.

The Alty boss referred to "three decent chances" for Altrincham which went unconverted in the first half. He conceded that "in the second half we were a non-entity" with just one good opportunity which James Jones "blazed over". He felt Alty had as many "decent chances" as the hosts, but they took one of theirs.

He thought that Baines should have shown the Boston scorer to the outside but Maguire got through to score the game's only goal. Without Amaluzor or Nuttall who can hold th ball up Altrincham lacked physicality, Phil thought.

"The fans let us know" their disappointment at the end, admitted the manager, but he felt that "some of the comments were out of order".

He added that "I won't take the players over again [to the away fans after games have finished] if that is how we are going to be treated".

BOSTON UNITED 1-0 ALTRINCHAM

In their seventh successive Altrincham league game to be settled by, at most, a single-goal margin, Maguire's 27th-minute effort decided the outcome in favour of The Pilgrims. Despite taking just eight points from the last 33 available, Altrincham nevertheless remain just one place outside play-off qualification.

Match report here

NEXT: ROCHDALE

On Good Friday, 18 April, Altrincham are at home to Rochdale in their penultimate home fixture of the season.

And, for the second time inside a fortnight the Robins could face former Alty centre-back KYLE FERGUSON (left). Kyle has recently been on loan at Yeovil Town and he played against Altrincham only eight days ago.

This Saturday, Rochdale reported that they "can confirm that defender Kyle Ferguson has been recalled from his loan at Yeovil Town.

The Scotsman made 16 appearances earlier this campaign for Dale between August and December before heading out to the Glovers last month on a deal until the end of the season.

He appeared four times for Mark Cooper’s men, helping the team to two wins with both featuring clean sheets in his time with the club. His final game came in a 2-1 defeat at Altrincham with the number 16 rejoining us for our final six games of the league season" which just happen to start with a trip to... Altrincham.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan's Saturday review starts in League One, where OWEN DALE played the whole of Wigan Athletic's goalless draw with visitors Wrexham.

CARL PIERGIANNI and his Stevenage team mates withstood the attacking forces of hosts Wycombe Wanderers for 91 minutes before succumbing to the only goal.

JUNIOR QUITIRNA put Crawley Town ahead with a 49th minute penalty - but just 4 minutes later visitors Leyton Orient had struck twice to turn the game on its head . Junior was substituted just after the hour, but although TOBY MULLARKEY battled to the end, it was Orient who rounded off a 1-3 victory in the 92nd minute. Crawley are now effectively 7 points from safety with only 4 games remaining.

League Two : ALISTAIR SMITH (right) gave AFC Wimbledon a 5th minute lead at Doncaster Rovers, but they were reduced to 10 men after 28 minutes. Rovers' veteran striker Billy Sharp also saw red after 72 minutes - despite which they forced a 1-1 draw.

With Accrington Stanley 3-0 at half time, visitors Tranmere Rovers withdrew CHRIS MERRIE and CONNOR JENNINGS. Then they produced an unlikely fightback, first reducing the arrears in the 78th minute, scoring again after 87 minutes, and claiming an unlikely equaliser in the 11th added minute. A win for either side would probably have more or less guaranteed safety.

However, the two teams below them met today, and Carlisle United won 0-2 at Morecambe, who introduced MARCUS DACKERS (right) after 71 minutes. He was joined by JOE HUGILL for the visitors 9 minutes later.

RYAN COLCLOUGH opened the scoring for Chesterfield 10 minutes into the second period. He was withdrawn after 68 minutes - and within a minute Fleetwood were hit with another goal, going on to lose 3-0.

ELLIOT NEWBY set up the clincher as Barrow saw off visitors Walsall 2-0. Having been 12 points clear in February, the Saddlers have imploded of late. This was their tenth game without a win, and on that form they may not even make the playoffs. With 4 games left, they still sit 3rd, but 8th placed Colchester United are now only 7 points behind them.

National League : With BILLY SASS-DAVIES playing the full game, and LUKE WATERFALL on the bench, Hartlepool United drew 1-1 at Dagenham & Redbridge despite being reduced to 10 men after only 25 minutes.

Halifax Town's playoff challenge seems every bit as rocky as Altrincham's. They failed to register a single goal attempt on target, and visiting relegation strugglers Maidenhead United won 0-2, with MILES WELCH-HAYES coming on as an 89th minute substitute. Rochdale showed no such signs of hesitancy however, and had wrapped up a 4-0 home win against Eastleigh by the time JACK KINGDON, and KYLE FERGUSON, recalled from his loan at Yeovil Town, both joined the action after 79 minutes.

Another team badly out of form at the wrong time are Oldham Athletic. Still missing the injured REAGAN OGLE, and with JOSH LUNDSTRAM left on the bench, they were beaten 2-1 at Yeovil Town. They've now won only 2 of their last 13 matches, and this was their third consecutive defeat.

Forest Green Rovers have taken their foot of the gas and have now lost three of their last four games. Their latest defeat was 2-3 defeat, at home, by visitors Gateshead, with LEWIS HUMBLES (right) putting the Heed three goals ahead before two late goals, one an own goal, earned some respectability for FGR.

York City are having no such problems, and blew away visitors Aldershot 7-2. TYRESE SINCLAIR was withdrawn after 58 minutes.

KENNEDY DIGIE played throughout Tamworth's 4-2 home win over Braintree Town.

National North : Alfreton Town beat visitors Peterborough Sports 2-0, with LEWIS SALMON (right) netting both goals.

After Darlington had led at the break at the Deva Stadium, TOM PEERS equalised for Chester and they went on to win 2-1.

ASHLEY HEMMINGS scored in the first minute, and netted again in the second half, as Kidderminster Harriers dented Curzon Ashton's playoff aspirations with a 3-0 home win.

After Oxford City had opened the scoring, YUSIFU CEESAY levelled for visitors Hereford, and they went on to win 1-2.

NPL Premier Division : MONTEL GIBSON was among the scorers as Matlock Town hit 4 goals without reply at Hyde United. They still remain 3 points from safety with only 3 games left.

NPL Division 1 West: A MASON FAWNS penalty in the 87th minute rescued a point for Mossley in a 1-1 home draw with Widnes.

BYRON HARRISON was among the scorers as Nantwich Town crushed visitors Hanley Town 6-0.

12 April, 2025

BOSTON UNITED 1-0 ALTRINCHAM

Altrincham fell behind after 27 minutes when Olson lost the ball and Maguire got the better of Baines to score.

The visitors rarely threatened the home goal as they suffered another disappointing defeat in the run-in.

For the match at Boston today, Alty brought back Alex Newby (right) to start, for Justin Amaluzor, who was not in the squad at all today, having been unwell during the week.

On the bench James Jones and George Wilson returned.

Brandon Powell dropped out of the squad which was also lacking the injured Cooper, Ross, Lainton, Crankshaw, Eddy Jones, Nuttall and Bickerstaff

Facing Alty in an unchanged Boston squad was defender Connor Teale who had played twice for Altrincham earlier in the season.

BOSTON UNITED 1. Cameron Gregory, 14. Connor Teale, 23. Zak Mills, 17. Brad Nicholson, 12. Jai Rowe, 19. Jordan Richards, 21. Greg Sloggett, 3. Cameron Green, 24. Dylan Hill, 22. Frankie Maguire, 9. Jacob Hazel. Subs: 10. Adam Marriott, 11. Noah Wadsworth, 20. Olly Green, 30. Jake Lovelace (gk), 39. James Gale, 7. Keaton Ward, 27. Jacob Scott.

ALTRINCHAM: 21. Caleb ANSEN (gk), 2. Lewis BANKS, 31. Charlie OLSON, 4. Lewis BAINES (c), 23. Tylor GOLDEN, 6. Elliot OSBORNE, 22. Tom CRAWFORD, 14. Matty KOSYLO, 77. Callum DOLAN, 10. Alex NEWBY, 9. Regan LINNEY. Subs: 8. Isaac MARRIOTT, 17. Lucas WEAVER, 19. George WILSON, 16. James JONES, 20. Kahrel REDDIN, 30. Harvey RANDLE (gk), 42. Matt PENNEY.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday 12th April 2025

TODAY: BOSTON UNITED

Altrincham's hosts this Saturday may be 12 places and 14 points below the Robins, but they are in much better current form than their visitors.

With one win in their last eight league games, Altrincham must respect their opponents who have won eight and drawn two of their last thirteen league fixtures.

But the Pilgrims' home form is by no means as good as their achievements on the road, where they have won eight times. Indeed, apart from bottom club Ebbsfleet United, Boston have the worst home record in the division this season.

They have won just four of their twenty home games in the National league to date, drawing seven other matches and losing on nine occasions.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports that in Australia's NPL Victoria,: CONNOR HAMPSON and his colleagues enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 home win against Dandenong City. It moves them to within 2 points of league leaders Avondale United, but they should reopen a 5 point game tomorrow when they entertain struggling Altona Magic.

In the Welsh Premier League, JOEL TORRANCE made 9 saves for Bala Town at TNS, but couldn't stop the 84th minute penalty that earned the hosts, who had already clinched the championship some time ago, a 2-1 win.

And in the Irish Premier Division, BARRY BAGGLEY only came off the St.Patrick's Athletic bench in the 93rd minute at Cork City, as his side clinched a 0-2 victory that leaves them just a point behind surprise leaders Drogheda.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP FINAL

The National League reports that "Sutton United will face Leeds United U21 with the aim of creating history in a few weeks time.

Now it has been announced by the Premier League that Sutton will host final, with the showpiece match taking place on Tuesday 29 April.

Leeds will travel to the The VBS Community Stadium at the end of the month, with kick-off set for 7pm".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Gateshead report that "Jack Roles has been re-called by Crawley Town with immediate effect.

The midfielder returns to The Red Devils having spent the past two months on loan at Gateshead International Stadium, scoring three goals in 12 appearances during his temporary stint on Tyneside".

Southend United report that "Tom Hopper [has] described how much he’s enjoyed returning to Roots Hall to play for Southend United.

The 31-year-old rejoined the Shrimpers from Colchester United in January this year, going on to make 14 appearances...

Having spent 18 months at the club between July 2018 and January 2020, the 31-year-old knew what to expect... 'One of the big pulls obviously was wanting to get back to enjoying my football'...

Plenty has changed since the forward’s previous stint at the club, with Fossetts Training Facility being among the most notable...

'It’s a bit like Christmas – everyone’s enjoying the new things! We’re lucky to have it... The club’s heading in the right direction, particularly now with investment from above...

'There are five games to go, and the teams that handles success and disappointment the best will probably see themselves put in the strongest performances in that run-in'".

Tamworth are Alty's opponents on the last day of tis season and The Lambs "are proud to announce that Dan Creaney has been named the Vanarama National League Player of the Month, after a sensational run of form...

In the month of March, Creaney was in unstoppable form, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists in just 6 league appearances. When you factor in all competitions, those numbers rise to a staggering 8 goals and 4 assists in 7 games — a true demonstration of his quality, consistency, and importance to the side.

This phenomenal spell has also seen Dan reach an incredible personal milestone: 100 goals in a Tamworth shirt".

York City are pleased to announce our 2025/26 season ticket information!">York City reveal that "We have now sold 1000 season tickets in just under a week since their launch!

Over half of the 1000 season tickets sold are from brand NEW ticket holders!...

We can confirm the following season ticket information:

Those who renew their new season ticket before the 16th of May will have their season ticket price frozen from last year's standard pricing. New season ticket holders will get the benefit of paying the same amount as last year’s standard prices as well! All current season ticket seats will be held during this period to allow fans to re-purchase their same seat for next season...

Unfortunately, due to the unavoidable rising operational costs, the difficult decision has been made to increase our general sale season ticket prices for adults, concessions, 12-16’s and students. We acknowledge this will come as a disappointment to many but to keep this price increase to a minimum has been our utmost priority throughout."

At Wealdstone "After a season-defining set of results, Stones manager Neil Gibson has been named Vanarama National League Manager of the Week!

Sat one place behind the visitors, last Tuesday’s fixture at Grosvenor Vale against Boston United was a must win for the Stones.

An early goal from Alex Reid had Gibson’s side ahead, but the job was far from done. Boston piled on the pressure for the remaining 70 minutes, with the Stones calling upon goalkeeper Dante Baptiste, a notable inclusion in Gibson’s lineup, to keep them ahead and seal three points.

Next up was the visit of high-flying Forest Green Rovers... Alex Reid had the Stones level just before the break from the spot, before sealing his brace with just eight minutes to play, his 20th goal of the season in all competitions.

With six crucial points gathered across the week, the Stones currently sit five points above the drop, with just five games remaining."

Yeovil Town "confirm that there will be a price freeze on season tickets for the upcoming 2025/26 season...

We’re pleased to offer loyal Glovers fans the opportunity to renew their seats at the same great value as last season.

Children can enjoy cheaper tickets up to the age of 14 – however, all under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. This update is in line with guidance from the National League and NSPCC".

Hartlepool United will "welcome fans to our Open Training Session during the Easter holidays, to be held at The Prestige Group Stadium on Tuesday 15th April.

You can watch Anthony Limbrick and his coaching team put the players through their paces and see what a training session looks like first hand, before having the opportunity to meet the first team for photographs and autographs.

Turnstiles will open from 10am with the club shop and catering outlets open, as well at Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation on hand with their inflatable target goal. H’Angus will also be here getting up to his usual mischief before the players take to the pitch at 11am.

All under 14 tickets sold will be entered into a prize draw, with three lucky winners joining the first team for lunch.

Entry is just £3 per person and tickets are available here".

At Solihull Moors "Laurie Walker has been recalled from his loan spell at Oxford City with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper has returned from his loan spell ahead of Saturday’s Vanarama National League fixture as we take on Southend United at Roots Hall.

Walker has played a key role in the Hoops’ survival in the National League North, keeping five clean sheets as City secured some big wins to retain second tier status with five games to go prior to their 2-2 draw against Southport".


Click here for EARLIER NEWS

Alty Files Website Index

The following pages, which initially replicate those pages with the same web addresses which formed part of the official Club website, will be re-branded from 2018 as part of this new unofficial Alty Files site.

A/Z Site Index to The Alty Files at www.altrinchamfc.co.uk