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NEXT MATCH:

Saturday, 20 August 2022
YEOVIL TOWN (Home) 3pm
Vanarama National League match

ALTY HEADLINES

OTHER HEADLINES

18 August 2022

ALTY SIGN KAJA

From Altrincham FC's press and media officer, John Edwards, we learn that "Altrincham boss Phil Parkinson has increased his attacking options by snapping up former AFC Wimbledon attacking midfielder Egli Kaja on a short-term deal.

Right: Emil Kaja pictured in the warm-up before he played in the recent friendly against a Manchester United XI.

The 25 year old Albanian is predominantly a right-winger but can play on either flank or as a second striker, and he goes straight into the Robins’ squad for tomorrow’s Vanarama National League fixture with Yeovil Town at The J.Davidson Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

His direct style and attacking flair caught the eye of Alty fans at the Robins’ Moss Lane headquarters at the end of last month when he went on as a second-half substitute against Manchester United under-23s...

He joined National League South Hampton & Richmond Borough on a non-contract basis a few days later but needed no second invitation to return to the north-west to bolster Alty’s squad when the opportunity arose.

Kaja received his first international call-up with Albania under-21s in May, 2017, midway through a four-year stint with AFC Wimbledon that ended when he moved to Northampton Town.

He was back at Plough Lane on a short-term deal last November".

NEXT OPPONENTS: YEOVIL TOWN

GloversCast reports that manager "Chris Hargreaves has said his Yeovil Town side need to regain the defensive resilience they showed in pre-season if they are to progress up the National League table.

The Glovers’ boss was frustrated after two defensive lapses... in the 2-1 home defeat on Tuesday...

The boss’s frustration was compounded by his side’s struggle to finish a number of chances they created in midweek...

Talking ahead of the weekend’s trip to Altrincham, Hargreaves said 'It’s the chances we aren’t taking and the small lapses in concentration (defensively), but small lapses at any level kill you.

'If you don’t score, you have to come out with boring 0-0s... In pre-season, we had that resilience and weren’t creating as many, now we can’t stop creating chances, but I want that resilience back.'

The Glovers’ boss will give on loan winger Sam Pearson until the weekend to prove his fitness after he was forced off following a physical encounter against Barnet... replaced by Lawson D’Ath...

Hargreaves reiterated the knee injury sustained by central defender Ben Richards-Everton was 'not as bad as first feared', but did reveal that striker Ollie Hulbert was suffering with an injury... He confirmed that forward Gime Toure, who a week ago following his release by League Two side Carlisle United at the end of last season, was 'not far off' from starting a game...

He also said teenage defender Alfie Pond, who arrived on loan from Exeter City last Friday had impressed in training, adding that he had given him 'a lot to think about' in his team selection".

NO BLAME ON MEE

In the Sale & Altrincham Messenger, John Edwards writes that "Phil Parkinson was left to rue a ‘hideous’ early goal that sent Altrincham spinning towards their first National League defeat of the season at Maidenhead United on Tuesday night...

It began to go wrong after only 13 minutes when an ill-advised back pass put debutant keeper Dermot Mee (left) under pressure and gave Adrian Clifton the chance to dispossess the on-loan Manchester United under-23s keeper and open the scoring.

Another defensive error late on enabled Maidenhead to wrap up a 2-0 win that left Alty boss Parkinson reflecting 'It’s really frustrating, because we started so well but then gave away a hideous goal. It was a poor back pass that put Dermot in such a difficult position. It was a really difficult one to contend with, and we should never have put him in that position'...

19-year old Mee found himself pressed into action within hours of his loan move being ratified.

'Dermot hasn’t even had the chance to train with us, which isn’t ideal,' said Parkinson, whose side face Yeovil Town at home on Saturday. 'But there’s no blame attached to him whatsoever for what happened at Maidenhead. The lad plays for Manchester United, and you don’t do that without having character. He is absolutely fine.

'When you have the amount of possession we had, it would normally lead to us taking something from the game. We do need to show more of a cutting edge up front but when that is missing, you’ve got to make sure you don’t concede poor goals.

'I’m really disappointed we didn’t do that. We killed ourselves with two moments, and we’ve got to do better than that'" concluded the Altrincham manager.

CLASH OF NON-LEAGUE'S FINEST?

Altrincham Football Club described itself as "the most successful non-league club in England" in the opening sentence of a press release from this week. This is arguably true as regards clubs who have always been in non-League, like the Robins but for many years it was Yeovil Town who laid claim to that boast. And the Somerset club visits the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday, with its own strong claim to be "the most successful non-league club in England" .

Before there was a national division for non-League clubs it was difficult to assess the relative merits of non-League clubs plying their trades in different regional competitions. So, the FA Cup tended to become the yardstick for measuring relative success.

Right: When Yeovil last visited Altrincham, last May, Tony Thompson was in the Altrincham goal, Tom Hannigan was at centre-back and Connor Hampson at left-back. All were playing their final games for the club. Here Tony makes a save in front of the visiting Yeovil supporters. Yeovil won the game 1-0.

On that basis, to date, Altrincham have taken seventeen Football League scalps in the FA Cup. Writing in The complete record of the FA Cup, Mike Collett writes that "Yeovil Town are the most famous of the FA Cup giantkillers, beating 20 League clubs and reaching the Competition Proper 49 times before finally being promoted to the Football League in 2003".

And once in the Football League, The Glovers even reached as high as the second tier, playing in the Championship in 2013/14 season. Altrincham cannot compete with that level of success but purely in non-League football, it is Alty who have the upper hand in terms of direct clashes bewteen the clubs.

Historically, in the 32 previous encounters, Altrincham have won 14 times, Yeovil have won on 10 occasions and the remaining 8 matches have been drawn.

Both Alty and Yeovil Town were founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 but whilst Altrincham won that league twice in its first two years and remained in the division until their first relegation in 1997, Yeovil lasted just six seasons, during which they did not finish higher than twelfth, before relegation in 1985.

After three seasons in the Isthmian Premier, the Glovers regained top-flight status for a further five cmpaigns which culminated in promotion, as champions, to the Football League in 2003.

Their second Football League campaign saw them champions of League Two, with seven seasons following in League One before promotion to the Championship for one season (2013-14). After a single season back in League One and four lowly finishes in League Two they were relegated back to the National League in 2019. A fourth place finish in 2020 was not built upon and they ended the next two campaigns in 16th and 12th position respectively in the National League.

So, there are arguments for either side in awarding the accolade of "the most successful non-league club in England" to either Altrincham or Yeovil Town.

But the reality is that this Saturday's clash sees the two clubs fighting to escape the relegation places after three matches in the 2022-23 campaign.

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday, 20 August.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

According to the Daily Echo, "Eastleigh are set to bring in Cheltenham striker Callum Ebanks on until January.

19 year-old Ebanks has made two appearances in League One for the Robins so far this season, coming off the bench... The forward came to prominence after notching four goals in an 8-4 win over Portsmouth in the FA Youth Cup.

Ebanks has previously spent time on loan with Worcester City, Bromsgrove Sporting, Evesham United, and Tuffley Rovers.

Last season he scored nine goals in 13 league appearances for Evesham".

The Derbyshire Times assures us that "Chesterfield have got no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Notts County... in front of the BT Sport cameras...

Both sides go into the game unbeaten, with Chesterfield on seven points and Notts on five.

Midfielder Ollie Banks needed treatement in the second-half against Wrexham but... 'He is fine,' first-team coach Gary Roberts said... 'No reported injuries from Tuesday, a little bit of fatigue which we have to manage...

'Ollie is totally fine... It did not look too great at the time. I was worried myself for Ollie. I thought he had a knock on his knee but he is totally fine, moving well'...

Akwasi Asante was recalled to the starting line-up on Tuesday night after missing the Aldershot match with a ‘niggle’ and there are no current concerns with either...

Roberts said, 'We will have nearly a full group training... There are still a couple of lads who are maybe a couple of weeks off. Manny (Oyeleke) is probably further away than anyone else...

'It will be good to see the likes of Kabby (Tshimanga) get another week closer, (Jack) Clarke, (George) Cooper, who have had long-term injuries, they get a couple more days of training under their belts, maybe closer to playing as well'".

West London Sport tells us that "Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard says Tuesday’s win over Oldham Athletic was his biggest since taking over as manager of the club.

Goals from Rhys Browne and Tarryn Allarakhia handed the Stones a 2-1 win at Boundary Park, meaning they have now won two of their opening three National League games.

And Maynard, who took over as manager in March 2020 having previously been assistant manager, praised the players and travelling support...

'It makes such a huge difference on a Tuesday night when we turn up and there’s 150 to 200 fans there who are singing non-stop from the first minute to the 96th. I think there’s a real togetherness now at the football club...

'It’s probably my biggest scalp as a manager to go to Oldham and win'... Wealdstone take on Halifax Town at home on Saturday, who are currently bottom of the National League and are yet to win a game.

Striker Olufela Olomola could return to the side after missing out against Oldham with an ankle injury, while full-back Lewis Kinsella is continuing to build up his fitness".

We learn from the Halifax Courier that "Town manager Chris Millington insists it is only a matter of time before his side start transferring their performances into results.

The Shaymen visit Wealdstone on Saturday still without a goal or a win after three games this season.

Town have produced two improved displays since the opening day defeat at Barnet, losing 1-0 at home to Torquay last Saturday before Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Southend at The Shay.

'We've got a really experienced group of people. Yes we believe they're very good footballers, but they're also very good men, and they're strong men who understand exactly what's going on," Millington said...

'The quality of the football is there to see in the last two performances and we believe that it's only a matter of time before that starts transferring into more positive results...

'I think the cohesiveness of the group and the way they're working together, in and out of possession, is probably ahead of where we'd have expected to be with such a large number of new additions,' he said... 'But clearly the fans and everyone around the place will be looking for results to follow that very soon...

'You see it every season, the first 10, 12 games of the National League season are like the last 10 or 12, they throw up some really unexpected results,' Millington said... 'The slightly lesser favoured teams will be beating the bigger teams, and some good performances won't be getting the results they deserve.'

Millington added 'I'm looking forward to it, they're always good games against Wealdstone, they've been good interesting games over the last couple of seasons. They try and play a brand of football that's good to watch and good to coach and manage against, so I anticipate it will be an enjoyable game'".

18 August 2022

NEXT GAME: YEOVIL TOWN

After just three games of the season neither Altrincham nor their guests on Saturday, Yeovil Town, hoped to be in the bottom three of the National League as is the case. Alty lie 22nd, with two points, whilst Yeovil have a single point and are placed 23rd.

Whereas Alty started with two draws against Maidstone United and Bromley before losing at Maidenhead United on Tuesday night, Yeovil Town lost at Scunthorpe United, then drew at home to Wrexham before losing last night at home to Barnet who now top the National League.

Now managed by Chris Hargreaves after Darren Sarll decamped to Barnet last season, the Glovers were the last team to visit the J Davidson Stadium in May 2022. And they now become just the second visitors to Moss Lane in the new 2022-23 campaign.

The Somerset side emerged with the three points in that May encounter.

Above: Goalmouth action from the May 2022 encounter between Altrincham and Yeovil Town.

On Tuesday night Yeovil Town "missed an untold number of opportunities as they succumb[ed] to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barnet...

Chris Hargreaves named an unchanged side to the one that pulled off an impressive draw against Wrexham...

As the half time whistle was blown, Barnet were undoubtedly happy to go in at 0-0.

The second half would kick off in a similar vein... The pressure would just keep building with half-chances missed by both Fisher and Josh Staunton.

As we hit the hour mark, Hargreaves would turn to Touré as Town looked to take a much-deserved lead.

Barnet though began to create a couple of chances for themselves... That small spell of pressure was then rewarded, after a cross from the right was turned in by Kabamba with a superb flick.

Kabamba then made it a quickfire double when he chipped Smith after spotting him off his line, 2-0 to Barnet.

But Yeovil got the goal they deserved. Following good work down the right-hand side, a cross was delivered, and Reckord met it with a firm header into the bottom corner to pull one back...

For all the chances though it would be Barnet who would come away with the three points, with Yeovil left to rue countless missed opportunities".

Next Saturday's match will feature two almost completely different teams playing against each other, compared with last season's meeting. Just two of Yeovil'a starters this week also started against Alty back in May (Morgan Williams and Charlie Wakefield).

The Yeovil squad this Tuesday comprised 1. Smith, 2. Williams, 5. Hunt, 19. Wakefield, 32. Staunton, 3. Reckord, 7. Worthington, 16. Perry, 15. Pearson, 14. Linton, 9. Fisher. Subs: 8. D'Ath, 10. Toure, 17. Johnson, 20. Buse, 34. Pond.

Likewise, with Alty giving game time to a number of players set to leave the club in the summer, only Dinanga, Colclough and Cooper started for Alty in May against Yeovil and also this week at Maidenhead.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Nantwich Town report that "defender Ben Harrison (left) has joined Witton Albion on a short-term loan.

Ben had to undergo a hernia operation last season which kept him out for the majority of the season. After missing a lot of pre-season he has now joined Witton Albion on loan where he can get a few games under his belt before returning to The Dabbers.

Ben is currently in his second spell at The Swansway Stadium after he originally joined in 2015 from Witton Albion. Since then he has played a pivotal role in our survival in 2015 and also been part of both our FA Trophy Semi-Final side in 2015-16 and also our Northern Premier Division play-offs semi final side in the 2016/17 season".

Last Sunday, Josh Ginnelly scored late on as Hearts won 4-1 against Dundee United.

And, as Phil Jordan reports, Tuesday was a busy night for former Altrincham players. Blackpool have sent Owen Dale on loan to Portsmouth, where he has started the last three games, but has been substituted in all of them.

Alistair Smith (right) is another ex-Robin to find himself out of favour, having been dropped to the benchfor the last two SAutton United matches, and being restricted to late cameos.

However, Chris Merrie has taken the opposite pathand after coming off the bench for Tranmere Rovers three ganes ago, has played throughout the next two matches.

Former Robins' youth keeperJoel Torrance continues to warm the bench regularly for Salford City.

Dan Mooney played the whole of Southend United's goalless draw at Halifax.

Conor Branson was sent off after 23 minutes as Alfreton Town nevertheless earned a goalless draw at Spennymoor.

Five former Robins (Thompson, Hannigan, White, Amis and Williams) played for Warrington Town at Bower Fold where Tom Hannigan scored the only goal to beat Stalybridge Celtic. The Wire are second in the NPL on goal diference behind Stafford Rangers and Tony Thompson has yet to concede a goal this season.

Callum Dolan opened the scoring as Warrington Rylands drew 2-2 at Nantwich Town.

Carl Piergianni scored the Stevenage goal which left Rochdale as the only pointless side in League Two.

And, finally, Duncan Watmore, reinstated in the starting line-up for Middlesbrough, scored his side's first goal in a 2-2 draw at Stoke on Wednesday evening.

WEDNESDAY GAME

Wednesday 17 August.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Tuesday was a dreadful night for the so-called "big" clubs in the National League as the two relegated EFL teams, Oldham Athletic and Scunthorpe United both lost whilst wealthy Wrexham also crashed to a defeat. In addition, Southend only drew at Halifax.

So on Tuesday night the top five had an unlikely look to it, after three games, with Barnet top, Woking third, Wealdstone fourth and Maidenhead United fifth. Last season, Barnet finished 18th, Woking 15th, Wealdstone 16th and Maidenhead 17th!

The OLdham Chronicle says that "Latics and their fans were brought right back down to earth as the team were beaten 2-1 at home by minnows Wealdstone at Boundary Park.

After an encouraging start to the National League campaign with an away draw and a victory against Dorking, Latics suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Rhys Browne tapped home Jack Cook's header to give the visitors a 10th-minute lead. Wealdstone doubled their lead seven minutes later when Browne picked out Tarryn Allarakhia, who slotted home in confident fashion.

Cook saw an effort cleared off the line, but lacklustre Latics were back in the contest seconds after the restart when Ben Tollitt crashed a fierce shot in off the crossbar.

Latics thought they had rescued a point 20 minutes from time, but Mike Fondop's effort was ruled out for offside".

News of another "big beast" failing to deliver comes from the BBC that "Manager Phil Parkinson wants Wrexham's players to 'up the ante' following their first defeat of the National League season.

Wrexham conceded what Parkinson described as 'two avoidable goals' in the 2-0 loss at Chesterfield... and the manager expects a response.

'We need to come out on Saturday, roll our sleeves up and play like a real team at home,' Parkinson said...

Jeff King and Ollie Banks's first-half goals secured victory for Chesterfield...

'The lads ran and they tried but I just think we've got to up the ante in terms of the demands on ourselves to produce better crossing, better final ball and better shooting,' Parkinson added...

'Their defenders were more resolute, their keeper was more resolute and at the other end they created more than we did and we've got to look at that'".

According to the Grimsby Telegraph, "The Iron has suffered back-to-back defeats on the road after winning on the opening day in the National League

Scunthorpe United manager Keith Hill spoke of his disappointment in his side’s performance as the Iron lost 2-0 away to Woking on Tuesday night. It was their second consecutive defeat after they came away with nothing from Maidenhead United at the weekend.

A Kyran Lofthouse double was enough to see Woking past Scunthorpe... The Scunthorpe manager blamed a poor attitude from his players as the reason for their latest defeat.

Hill said 'I'm feeling really shellshocked. It's difficult because I haven't got an awful lot to say except wholeheartedly apologise to the supporters, who were magnificent and shared the journey with us. The performance just wasn't acceptable, and I include myself and the coaching staff in that. We've been brilliant for the best part of six or seven weeks, and I certainly wasn't expecting that performance...

'My eyes don't lie. I've put a lot of trust in the group, it's my group, and I'm deeply disappointed. It's down to a combination of things, not just the players... Tonight's game hurt me like a dagger through the chest. I've been through a lot of football, and there should be no fear from a group of players playing on a Tuesday night at Woking. There should be respect for the opponent.

'I saw a lot of fear in the way that we played... However, we seemed to panic in possession, making the wrong choice of pass'".

But in the clash of the two clubs promoted from National South, Dorking again proved that last season's goalscoring feats are continuing as they won 4-2 at Maidstone United.

Kent Online reports that "Maidstone United assistant manager Terry Harris says he hated their game against Dorking

[He] accused Maidstone of pressing the self-destruct button in their defeat by Dorking... The visitors benefited from a catalogue of mistakes to run out 4-2 winners...

Dominic Odusanya’s pass was intercepted for the second goal, Henry Woods conceded a penalty which, while soft, was unnecessary, as Dorking went 3-2 up late on, and Jack Cawley’s back header led to an injury-time clincher.

The Stones also picked up their second red card in three games, with Sam Corne sent off for dissent after questioning the penalty award.

Maidstone twice fought back from a goal down in a frantic clash, Jack Barham and Christie Pattisson the scorers...

'I said at half-time that I hate the game because it was too open,' Harris said. 'It was they attack, we attack... We had individuals that just pressed the self-destruct button... It was 100mph and I thought it would die down... I need to find out what Sam supposedly said to the referee, because I know what he actually said. It might have got misconstrued in the way it’s come across'".

From Devon Live we learn that "This new Torquay United squad is still a work in progress...

It is now one win, one draw and one defeat for the Gulls...Injuries haven't helped, but new defender Ross Marshall will now miss the next three games...

After the Gulls had done well to hold out in the face of a determined Bromley attack, Louis Dennis hit an unstoppable shot to beat Mark Halstead, 10 minutes after Marshall had seen red for a pull on Michael Cheek's shirt when the striker was free. Despite a lot of hard work up front by Will Goodwin, Torquay really didn't create much in the way of openings throughout the match...

Manager Gary Johnson said... 'We didn't start that well but I thought we started playing the best football we have so far in the second part of the first half. Of course, the sending off has killed us. That was very unprofessional and we will deal with that. And in the end they got the goal when we were down to 10 men...

Johnson said... 'Some of them have still got to prove themselves to me and to our supporters, and we have got to have a very close look at that... They looked a bit naive out there and they have to grow up quickly in this league'".

17 August 2022

MEE, TOO, FOR UNITED

The Peoples' Person reports that "Manchester United’s Dermot Mee has joined Altrincham on an emergency loan deal until January.

The move came at the last minute and was officially announced just hours before making his debut for his new club against Maidenhead United.

The 19 year old is no stranger to short term emergency loans having gone on three last season to non-league outfits Trafford, Runcorn Linnets and Witton Albion.

United have revealed that the deal will see the young keeper still 'regularly train with United under the terms of the agreement and can also represent Academy age-group sides in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.'”

MAIDENHEAD UNITED 2-0 ALTRINCHAM

Altrincham brought in new keeper Dermot Mee for the injured Gould and the ineligible Byrne, whilst Cooper and Dinanga also joined the starting eleven. Hulme and Brockbank moved to the bench.

And after Alty had completely dominated the opening stages, Mee made an error as he tried to dribble what he presumably construed as a back pass. Clifton dispossessed him and scored comfortably as Jones attempted to get back to cover the goal line (13 mins).

The goal against the run of play also prompted a switch in momentum as the hosts began to get forward and mistakes crept into Altrincham's play. But Alty regained some composure without being able to trouble Gyollai before half time, though Jones should have done better as he scuffed wide from a Conn-Clarke corner (34 mins).

Again Altrincham had plenty of possession in the second half but apart from forcing a smart double-save from Gyollai (63 mins) Maidenhead were fairly comfortable before Alty brought on Hulme (67 mins) and Sami (76 mins) up front.

The home side slowed the game down as Alty laboured and then another defensive disaster saw Jones at fault, allowing a header to go past him, which gave McCoulsky the chance to make it 2-0 (89 mins).

So Altrincham ended the game in the relegation places and with just one goal scored from 270 minutes of action.

Match report here

Right: Dermot Mee kept goal for Manchester United against Altrincham in the pre-season game at the JDS in July.

MAIDENHEAD VIEW

Maidenhead United report that "Goals from Clifton and McCoulsky in either half were enough to make it two wins out of two at York Road.

Altrincham flew out the blocks and during the opening ten minutes, controlled the ball and looked to create an opening... The Magpies took the lead after twelve minutes when Adrian Clifton pounced on a Dermot Mee mistake and placed the ball into an empty net...

The Robins created some chances themselves during the first forty-five and... continued to try and find a way back into the game...

McCoulsky put the game to bed just before full time after reacting first to a Cole Kpekawa header. McCoulsky collected and comfortably slotted the ball past Dermot Mee".

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

Tuesday, 16 August.

"ALTY FOR ALL" CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

Altrincham Football Club "the most successful non-league club in England and until recently the highest-ranked part-time club in the country, is giving fans a unique opportunity to own part of the club though a new ‘Alty For All’ crowdfunding campaign.

The fundraising campaign will run via the Seedrs online platform, and aims to attract large and small investment through donations that will provide part-ownership of the club. This will help Altrincham continue its transition to full-time and reinforce its vital place in the local community...

Fans who buy a share, as well as owning a historic stake in their club, will receive a number of benefits and rewards...

Long-term, the club has a sustainable ten-year development plan in place, including potential redevelopment of our Moss Lane ground, The J.Davidson Stadium. This includes refurbishment of key areas of the ground to transform it into a multi-use destination for the town and the community.

Bill Waterson [left], Co-Chairman at Altrincham FC said 'We have a long-term plan for sustainable growth, with ambitions of promotion to the Football League. To do that while significantly increasing our touchpoints with our local community we need to raise funds.

'Unlike many clubs that may look for investment to pay down existing debt, we are debt-free and therefore money raised can be directly used for investment in infrastructure, in our community engagement and the squad itself.

'The Alty for All campaign aims to give our fans a chance to own part of their club, or even for fans of football to own a part of one of the most historic non-league clubs in the country and help take us to the next stage of our history'.”

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Aldershot Town "announce that young midfielder Keane Anderson has been loaned to Leatherhead until January.

The 18-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club in May this year after making his debut for The Shots early last season against Farnborough in the Hampshire Cup.

Anderson made two appearances for former Southern League Premier South side Walton Casuals at the end of last season".

16 August 2022

UNITED KEEPER TO MAKE ALTY DEBUT

With Matty Gould ruled out by injury and Ollie Byrne still not having received his international clearance from Wales, Altrincham go into tonight's match at Maidenhead with a new goalkeeper in Manchester United loanee Dermot Mee. He has been in United's under-23s' team and also played briefly at Trafford FC last season.

Born in Birmingham on 19 November 2002, prior to joining United at the age of 12, Dermot was at Walsall FC. At United he has played in the U18 Premier League and U18 Premier League Cup. He also plays for the Northern Ireland U19s.

DEJA VU AS ALTY HEAD TO MAIDENHEAD UNITED

For their third match of the season Altrincham again face opposition from the south-eastern region as the Robins travel to Maidenhead United.

There are also several parallels this time around with the Robins' last trip to Maidenhead. That was in March 2022, when the teams played out a goalless draw. That match was Altrincham's first goalless draw of that season but, having played a goalless match at Bromley already this season, Altrincham will be hoping for something better this time around.

The similarities with last season's fixture start with Alty again having a goalkeeping problem in advance of the match.

Right: Ryan Colclough is one of only three of Alty's starters at Maidenhead last season who might do so again on Tuesday night.

For last season's game, Altrincham had to field stand-in keeper Steven Drench, in the absence of regular custodian Tony Thompson who was ill. And history could repeat itself as Alty again look set to field a keeper making his first appearance of the season.

Last Saturday, they could not field new keeper Ollie Byrne as they continued to wait for his international clearance. But his stand-in, Matt Gould, suffered a head injury and concussion in the game at Bromley so is unavailable on Tuesday night.

So, the situation on the eve of the match was that either Byrne would make his debut, if the clearance had been received, or Alty would need to field an emergency loan debutant, or striker Jordan Hulme would don the gloves again and make his first start as a goalkeeper! Jordan kept goal for the final half-hour at Bromley last weekend, following Gould's injury. However, Alty announced hours before kick off that a loanee was their preferred solution (see above).

Another similarity with last season's trip to Berkshire is that, on that occasion, they fielded just four players in their starting eleven who had played for the club in the previous season. Likewise, last Saturday at Bromley, only four of the club's 2021-22 employees started the game (Gould, Mullarkey, Osborne and Colclough) and one of those (Gould) appears to be ruled out for Tuesday night.

Alty's squad for last season's match comprised, 30. Steven Drench, 23. Harry Perritt, 25. Toby Mullarkey, 14. Jake Cooper, 28. Eddy Jones, 8. Elliot Osborne, 32. Isaac Marriott, 7. Dan Mooney, 15. Matty Kosylo, 11. Ryan Colclough, 29. Jordan Hulme (c). Subs: 2. Shaun Densmore, 17. Ben Pringle, 20. Andy White, 27. A-Jay Leitch-Smith, 24. Kyle Ferguson.

POST-BROMLEY INTERVIEW

Following the goalless draw at Bromley, Altrincham press and media officer Brian Flynn's post-match interview with manager Phil Parkinson is available as an Alty TV video.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Kent Online reports that "Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin has finally got his man after signing American forward Josh Fawole.

The 24 year-old made his debut as a second-half substitute in the Stones’ 2-1 win over York... having joined the club after a successful trial.

Fawole... has been on Hayrettin’s radar for a couple of years... with Fawole joining... Aldershot last summer... and he spent time on loan with Farnborough, Salisbury and Beaconsfield before leaving the Rec at the end of the season...

The Stones' boss said 'Josh was a lad I tried to bring here two years ago and he was diverted to another place by his agents and I wasn’t really happy... He’d have flourished here. He’s got raw ability, raw talent, exceptional speed and he listens and he wants to do well'".

Woking report that in the Cards' 2-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge "a three-minute spell in the first half encapsulated the difference between two teams battling it out... in the extreme conditions. In that spell, the Cards scored two close range goals from corners...

Woking made two changes to the starting line-up compared to that for the disappointing opener at York, with Kyran Lofthouse and Reece Grego-Cox coming in for Tyreke Johnson and Jermaine Anderson; Dagenham and Redbridge made three following a draw in their opening game, with former Cards loanee David Longe-King, Mo Sagaf and Junior Morais... brought in. The seven new Cards players this season against three for the Daggers reflected squads at different stages of their life-cycles...

On 28 minutes, Amond found the ball at his feet in the Daggers’ six yard box but his shot was blocked well and went behind by Moaners’ Corner. From the resulting corner, Grego-Cox blasted home from close range. 1-0

A mere three minutes later... Ince fired a towering header into the back of the net from another corner kick. 2-0...

The Daggers made two substitutions at half-time; Nikola Tavares for Rance and Mauro Vilhete for Johnson...

It would be wrong to say that Woking dominated this game throughout. It was that very short spell of intense pressure in the first half which tipped the balance. Up until then, it was fairly ‘even stevens', scrappy at times with few chances to either side and, in the latter stages of the game, Dagenham belatedly showed menace".

York Press confirms that "York City sign have completed the signing of former Middlesbrough under-18s goalkeeper Jacob Bulmer.

Bulmer has played 10 games in the under-18s' Premier League, conceding 11 goals and keeping one clean sheet. He also has played once in the Premier League Two for ‘Boro, keeping a clean sheet in his sole appearance.

'I’m really excited to join,' enthused Bulmer. 'A professional contract is something that I think every kid dreams of and getting that opportunity here is just surreal really. York is a local club to me'...

The 18 year-old will initially link up with the York City academy, playing for the under-19s. Bulmer becomes City’s 17th signing of the summer... He follows Luke James, Dan Pybus, Manny Duku, Scott Boden, Fraser Kerr, Alex Whittle, Scott Burgess, Gus Mafuta, Ryan Fallowfield, Adam Crookes, Alex Hurst and Ethan Ross as new arrivals... The Minstermen have also re-signed last season loanees Lenell John-Lewis, Sam Sanders, AJ Greaves and Mitch Hancox.

From the academy, Ben Dale, Elliott Owen, Kyle Lancaster, Jonny Shepherd and Jonny Haase have signed professional deals, with Dale and Haase having gone on loan to Redcar Athletic and Guiseley respectively.

Bulmer joins York and reinforces their goalkeeping position, an area in which they had the least cover with just two players. He joins Ethan Ross and Ryan Whitley as City shot-stoppers".

15 August 2022

NEXT GAME: MAIDENHEAD UNITED

Altrincham face a lengthy away trip to face Maidenhead United on Tuesday night as they seek a first win after two draws in this new season.

Left: Ollie Byrne.

With Oliver Byrne's clearance from Wales taking an inordinate time, Alty's new keeper has yet to appear in a matchday squad. And his replacement so far this season, experienced keeper Matt Gould, had to be taken off in the second half against Bromley on Saturday, suffering with concussion.

It is therefore unclear who will be between the sticks on Tuesday night. The only other keeper in the squad at present is Academy graduate Ryan Forde, but he is out on loan at Alsager Town. So, unless Byrne's paperwork comes through, Alty presumably will need to seek an emergency loan or else striker Jordan Hulme may once again be obliged to keep goal ad he did for half an hour at Bromley.

They face a Maidenhead team which had a fine home win on Saturday, racing into a 3-0 lead against Scunthorpe United before holding on to a 3-2 win.

PARKINSON'S POST-MATCH VIEW

In his report for Altrincham FC, press and media officer Brian Flynn quotes Phil Parkinson as saying, “I thought, in the first half, we were absolutely superb in really difficult conditions. It was unbearable out there. It was as hot as I have ever experienced, and I don’t know how the lads managed to get through it. But we dealt with it, and I thought the lads conducted themselves brilliantly.

"There aren’t many teams who will come here and dominate like we did in the first half. It was us who had the chance to win the game; we were the ones with the gilt-edged scoring opportunities.”

DEFEAT FOR RESERVES

On Saturday in the Cheshire League, Altrincham FC Reserves lost 1-0 at Garswood United.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

At FC Halifax Town, who lost at home to Torquay United, "manager Chris Millington spoke... 'It was a great performance,' Millington said. 'It’s hard to take and all the staff and the lads are devastated. It’s not the right result, but we spoke before the game, and as a group we asked them for a performance that was worthy of winning the game and that’s what they have given us'...

In a much improved performance, Town dominated from the start but despite creating plenty of chances, just couldn’t find the back of the net...

Millington told Shaymen TV... 'Anyone who was here saw the effort, application, style of play, the endeavour, and the chances we have created means we should have won the game. It’s just one of those days where we don’t get what we have worked so hard to achieve...

'There were a number of things that didn’t go our way, but I’m not about making excuses and I don’t want to put the blame on anyone else. We need to take responsibility, we didn’t take the chances we created and we conceded one of theirs. Ultimately, we can only blame ourselves, but, I’ve got to say again that the lads have been phenomenal today'...

On Tuesday... Southend United make the journey to the Shay.... 'They’re a good team... We’ll work ever so hard to deliver what we did today in terms of the performance.'”

Aldershot Town report that they "fought hard and battled well in a baking hot Technique Stadium but it was the hosts who came away with all three points as a Liam Mandeville strike was enough to see out the game for The Spireites...

Chesterfield looked to dominate possession and Aldershot were set up well to stop the hosts from entering their final third. It took over 20 minutes for the game to see its first shot on target...

Chesterfield came close in the early minutes of the second-half, Joe Quigley['s]... header went just wide. The hosts continued to look dangerous as action restarted....

Aldershot were up against it but... The Shots rattled the bar... But the hosts pressure would pay off after the hour. Liam Mandeville rounded Ashby-Hammond and his shot from a tight angle found the bottom corner to give the hosts what was probably a deserved lead...

Giles Phillips then came close to levelling for Aldershot with eight minutes to go... The game closed out with Chesterfield seeing more of the ball as...the hosts saw out the win".

According to Kent Online "Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin’s faith in his promotion-winning squad was rewarded as Maidstone beat fellow National League new boys York in a thrilling finish.

Hayrettin took a different approach to City boss John Askey over the summer, largely sticking to the squad who got United up, while his opposite number made big changes.

Continuity won the day at the Gallagher in a 2-1 comeback win over an ambitious York side... Sam Corne scored on 79 and 81 minutes as the Stones continued last season’s habit of scoring late goals... They ground down York in blistering 33-degree heat.

'I demand my players work hard, regardless of their ability and, if they work hard, then they’ve got a chance of success', said the Stones' boss. 'Most of our players have tasted this level of football, some of them not as consistently as they wanted, but they’ve all tasted it... They’ve got to have that again and they will, because I won’t let them do it any other way.

'People can talk about York, and York are a formidable team, they’ve made 16/17 changes this year. The manager decided... he needed to make wholesale changes. I, on the other hand, decided to go the other way and keep faith with what I had and build on it and today we saw the product of that...

'I’m so proud that they respond to my every instruction. It’s not about the individual, it’s about the team. When the team does well, the individual flourishes.'

Maidstone, showing three changes to the side who drew at Altrincham on the opening day, trailed to Lenell John-Lewis’s early header and saw Jack Barham miss a penalty. But they refused to give in and made it four points from two games...

Said Hayrettin... 'I watched the highlights last week of York (2-0 win over Woking), I listened to BT Sport and they said they were one of the favourites to be contenders for the play-offs... We grinded [sic] it out and we could have been three but we’ve missed a penalty'".

Gloverscast tells us that "Chris Hargreaves had special praise for loan duo Sam Perry and Sam Pearson following the Glovers’ 1-1 draw with Wrexham.

Perry, on loan from Walsall, impressed after a difficult debut and speaking exclusively to the Gloverscast’s Ian Perkins the gaffer said how pleased he was with the young midfielders showing... 'I thought both midfielders were outstanding, they worked their socks off, very pleased with that but would like them to chip in with goals'...

As for Pearson, on loan from Bristol City, Hargreaves was pleased with his ability to step up to this level.. 'He was excellent, he was bright, his legs had given up on him so we had to give him a rest, but he showed enough to show he’s a very talented footballer with a bright future'".

14 August 2022

AFTER THE GAME AT BROMLEY

The Non-League Paper awarded the Bromley v Altrincham match just a single star out of a maximum five for entertainment but the paper's statistics showed that Altrincham were the better side with four shots on target to the hosts' single such effort.

Altrincham also won the corner count by seven to one and committed just three fouls to the hosts' ten.

After the game, Alty manager Phil Parkinson said of the injury to goalkeper Matt Gould (right), "Gouldy has a concussion and will be getting a precautionary scan at the hospital... It was a brave decision to come for the cross and typified our performance in general.

I was happy with our performance today. We are a work in progress but very close to where we are [?want to be]. Our first-half performance was excellent and, although we tired in the second half, we were excellent defensively".

Parkinson's counterpart, Andy Woodman opined, "It was really tough conditions on the 4G for both sets of players. The heat off the pitch was a lot to endure". He added that "To be fair to Altrincham they... were excellent defensively".

BROMLEY 0-0 ALTRINCHAM

Altrincham started well and before a mid-half drinks break on a sweltering afternoon, Ryan Colclough was much in evidence. The visitors won two corners but the score remained goalless (24 mins).

Alty led the corner count, with four flag-kicks in the first half-hour, before Bennett forced a great save from Charles-Cook from a Colclough feed (32 mins). Half-time arrived with the game still goalless.

Alty suffered a severe blow when goalkeeper Gould was injured as he landed badly after punching clear under a challenge (58 mins). Following lengthy treatment, Gould had to go off and striker Jordan Hulme went in goal (64 mins). With goalkeeper Byrne not yet having received his international clearance from Wales, there was no keeper on the Altrincham bench.

Alty protected Hulme well and neither he nor Gould had a save to make before ten added minutes started. Alty survived some pressure but almost scored themselves in the final added minute.

Match report here.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Courtesy of Phil Jordan we have news of a number of ex-Alty players who were in action yesterday.

As Warrington Town hosted Morpeth, Tony Thompson, Tom Hannigan (left), Andy White and Sean Williams all played the full match for the hosts whilst Josh Amis started but was subbed at half-time. Warrington won the match with two late goals.

Luke Waterfall also scored late on, in the 92nd minute, as his Grimsby Town side won 2-1 at Rochdale in the EFL. Luke had scored his club's opener last Tuesday as well, when they won 4-0 against Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Cup.

Regan Ogle was booked as his Scunthorpe United team lost 3-2 at Maidenhead United. Meanwhile Dan Mooney was an eightieth-minute substitute for Southend United at Solihull Moors.

Closer to home, striker Kole Hall scored the opener as Chester FC beat Brackley Town 2-0. Another late goal was Jack Redshaw's 89th minute equaliser for Hyde United at home to Radcliffe.

At another Tameside club, Ashton United, Max Harrop scored an 83rd minute goal as his side beat newly promoted Liversedge 1-0. Further north Dylan Mottley-Henry is now plying his trade up at South Shields

We also learn that Kennedy Digie was Gloucester City's man of the match against Boston United, whom they beat 2-0.

Alty loanee at Trafford, Ryan Morton scored and provided an assist last week as the Shawe View club progressed in the FA Cup, defeating City of Liverpool 6-0.

At West Didsbury & Chorlton, Dontai Gabidon netted a hat-trick and Curtis Miller also scored this weekend as they beat Barnoldswick Town 4-3.

A-Jay Leitch-Smith for Nantwich Town, James Walshaw for Ashton United and both Ryan Brooke and Callum Dolan for Warrington Rylands, played on Saturday for their respective clubs.

And James Berry scored twice for Macclesfield FC in front of more than 3,000 spectators as they beat Clitheroe.

OSBORNE INTERVIEW

Before Saturday's trip to Bromley, midfielder Elliot Osborne (right) was interviewed by Brian Flynn for Alty TV.

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS

Saturday, 13 August.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Southend United report that "Kevin Maher was thrilled to see his Southend United side get off the mark with a well-earned point away at last season’s play-off finalists Solihull Moors.

Having gone behind early to a strike from Andrew Dallas, Blues rallied and deservedly levelled with Chris Wreh putting the finish touches on a delightful team goal midway through the second half.

It was Wreh’s first goal for the club on his first start since signing from Banbury in the summer, while academy graduate Jaden Crowhurst also impressed on his first-team debut at right wing-back...

Said the Blues boss... 'It was a disappointing result last week, and when you look at what we’re missing, in the first 20 minutes it was tough for us and they had control of the game. They’re a top side and have got some very good players, so anyone coming here and getting a point will do well.

'I thought we were very good after that period that they had early on... It’s a good test of character, going 1-0 down after losing last week, away at a tough place like this, shows that we’ve got some players in there and good characters.'

Today’s goal scorer Wreh was one of four changes that Maher made to his side... With Blues short of options upfront with Jake Hyde, Rhys Murphy and Harry Cardwell all on the treatment table, Maher was delighted with how his front two of Wreh and Callum Powell linked up while also splashing praise on another debutant, Crowhurst...

Blues now look forward to another away trip this coming Tuesday night as they travel to another of last season's play-off sides, FC Halifax Town."

Scunthorpe United "First-team manager Keith Hill spoke... after his side were edged out in a 3-2 loss at Maidenhead United...

Joe Nuttall scored a second-half brace but his side suffered defeat at York Road...

Hill said 'I'm disappointed with the scoreline and the reflection of the first half. Our performance was very slow and lacked physical competitiveness, while we made mistakes for the goals, they're not ones we've made in pre-season and we certainly didn't last week...

'You get to half-time and try to take the emotions out of it. We had opportunities even before their first goal, with the Joe Nuttall free header and Liam Feeney's one that hit the bar. I'm disappointed we didn't score one of those opportunities.

'Their first goal came straight after the drinks breaks and we switched off. To concede two goals from set-plays in the first half, one just before half-time, it seemed like a big mountain to climb but it's one we should have climbed. We got two goals back in the second half and if you look at the chances we missed in the second half... if we'd have taken those we'd have taken something from the game.

'I do believe this squad of players is capable of keeping clean sheets and scoring goals. I'm just hoping today is a valuable lesson for the group. We can't take the opposite lightly. They're honest, hungry and see you as a scalp.'"

In the Halifax Courier we learn that "FC Halifax Town started the season with back-to-back defeats as they lost 1-0 at home to Torquay United.

Brett McGavin's goal just before half-time proved decisive, but no-one inside The Shay quite knew how with the home side utterly superior from start to finish.

If Halifax continue to play like this, goals and points will arrive very soon, but they really should have appeared here as Halifax missed a string of chances...

Jesse Debrah, Sam Minihan, Luke Summerfield and Milli Alli all came in for Town...

Town were everything they weren't at Barnet; inventive, creative and incisive with good movement, running off the ball and intensity. They were cutting through Torquay like a knife through hot butter, time and again they sliced through the visitors' creaky back line, but didn't convert their superiority into a lead....

Inexplicably, Torquay took a shock lead as Dean Moxey's long throw fell to McGavin in the box, who was left unmarked four yards from goal to lash home."

13 August 2022

BEFORE THE GAME: BROMLEY v ALTRINCHAM

Altrincham face Bromley on Saturday afternoon.

The sides last met in the final away match of the season, which had been moved to midweek following Bromley's FA Trophy run which had taken them to the Final. This was Alty's only fixture on an artificial surface that season in the National League.

Right: Elliot Osborne is one of the few Altrincham players who played in the fixture last season who may also start today at Bromley.

Altrincham fielded a very depleted side. Having been without their three leading scorers, Ryan Colclough, Matty Kosylo and Josh Hancock, as well as another forward in Jordan Hulme, when they faced Notts County in the previous fixture, the four men were again missing at Bromley.

The changes saw Gould, Densmore, Hannigan and Moult came in as Thompson, Ferguson, Mullarkey and Perritt dropped out, though Ferguson and Perritt were on the bench

Phil Parkinson had again indicated that he wanted to give fringe players game time but the long midweek trek to Bromley may also have accounted for the absence of some players who would be leaving the club because of its decision to go full-time next season.

Following a bright start by the much depleted Alty side, they nevertheless fell behind after 17 minutes when Cooper's attempted clearing header fell for Bloomfield, whose shot seemed to deceive goalkeeper Gould and find the back of the net (17 mins).

Altrincham enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half but without threatening to score until Mooney netted a deserved leveller in the 87th minute.

Last season's line up comprised: 21. Matt Gould, 2. Shaun Densmore, 5. Tom Hannigan, 6. Jake Moult, (c), 7. Dan Mooney, 8. Elliot Osborne, 14. Jake Cooper, 17. Ben Pringle, 26. Kole Hall, 28. Eddy Jones, 32. Isaac Marriott. Subs: 19. Jamie Morgan, 23. Harry Perritt, 24. Kyle Ferguson, 34. Hayden Campbell, 37. Ryan Morton.

ALTRINCHAM ON TV

Altrincham Football Club "were delighted to welcome Granada Reports down to Egerton [on Friday] morning to film a short feature on the club transitioning to full-time.

Prior to the first team departing to Bromley for their away game... Granada came to our training venue to discuss the new era at the club.

The feature... contains several interviews with Phil Parkinson, Sam Mackenzie, Ben Pringle and James Jones".

ALTY OLD BOY

Macclesfield FC "announce that experienced defender Joe Bunney has agreed terms with the Club ahead of the 2022/23 league season.

The 28 year-old began his career at Lancaster City, before moving to Kendal Town back in 2012.

A move to Stockport County then followed, before Joe went on to make twenty-six appearances for Northwich Victoria... and would ultimately sign for Rochdale in 2013... Bunney went on to make 122 appearances for the Lancashire side over a five -year period.

Joe (left) would... sign for Northampton Town in January 2018 and he was to make 16 appearances for The Cobblers in addition to loan spells at Blackpool and Rochdale respectively.

In September 2019. Joe signed for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer – yet his game time was limited at the University of Bolton Stadium due to suffering a broken collarbone and ribs in a car accident.

After regaining his fitness, Joe enjoyed spells at Matlock Town, Hartlepool United, Grimsby Town and Altrincham, before spending last season at Warrington Rylands where he scored five goals in seven appearances.

Joe has spent pre-season at Scunthorpe United and we are delighted he has decided to join us here".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Chesterfield "have re-signed goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons.

The 28-year-old, who was a free agent, has been handed the number one shirt. With Lucas Covolan suspended for the next three matches and with no other goalkeeper on the books, the Spireites were in desperate need...

Manager Paul Cook said 'Ross will go in goal against Aldershot on Saturday and we’re delighted that he’s here to do that... Ross has got plenty of experience and has been at the club before, so it ticked so many boxes'...

Fitzsimons made one appearance for the Spireites in the curtailed 2019/2020 season after joining on loan from Notts County. He was recalled by Notts after just one week... The stopper has most recently been playing in Gibraltar for St Joseph’s, making his debut in a Europa Conference League match.

Fitzsimons was at Weymouth last season, winning the supporters’ and players’ player of the year awards, but left in May. Before that, he signed for Stockport County for a small fee from Boston United ... Fitzsimons... spent three years at Notts between 2017 and 2020, making more than 50 appearances in total in the Football League and National League".

Earlier, the Derbyshire Times reported that "Paul Cook says he will continue to not select a goalkeeper on the bench despite having to play for more than an hour with midfielder Ollie Banks in net against Dorking Wanderers after Lucas Covolan was sent off.

Clubs in the National League can only name five substitutions... This means that most managers in the National League opt not to have a back-up stopper on the bench and instead choose five outfield options...

When asked if he might named a keeper on the bench now, Cook said 'No, not really, because going forward we have to be able to trust our goalkeeper, and we have to be able to trust all of our players on the pitch... So there are two things that will change in that department, as you can imagine. One, we gain to [the?] trust the player. Or two: the player does not play for this football club. Dead simple. I will go without a goalkeeper again if we feel it is right'".

According to Football in Berkshire "This year is proving rather exceptional for Dan Lincoln... Lincoln is fast establishing himself as the ultimate all-rounder at football and cricket... The Times newspaper devoted the best part of a page to his exploits.

Having joined them in December 2021, the 27-year-old Lincoln helped Dorking Wanderers to win the Vanarama National League South play-offs...

It is an incredible story as the Surrey club have only been going since 1999 and then rocketed up the Non-League pyramid with 12 promotions...

Lincoln, who went through the Reading FC Academy and also had a spell at Arsenal as well as time with clubs like Hungerford Town, Farnborough and Basingstoke Town... has to juggle his life between football and cricket, and it is the summer sport where he is currently looking to pick up another trophy or two.

In his first season as skipper, the big-hitting batsman and wicketkeeper has led the Berkshire county team to the final of the National Counties’ Trophy final... So it could prove a particularly memorable year for Dan, who plays club cricket for Slough in the Home Counties Premier League and has also played first-class cricket for Middlesex and Kent. In 2019 he carried out the 12th-man duties for England in the Ashes Test against Australia at Lord’s."

Aldershot Town "announce the signing of Marcel Elva-Fountaine.

The young full-back, who has been on trial with The Shots for most of pre-season, will be immediately loaned to Lewes FC until November.

Elva-Fountaine started his career progressing through the youth ranks at Reading before a move to Burnley in August 2020. His latest spell was at Hayes and Yeading United".

In the Oldham Times we learn that "John Sheridan hopes his players will rise to what promises to be a memorable occasion at Boundary Park.

Oldham Athletic will announce the arrival of new owners the Rothwell family with a pre-match procession and on-pitch entertainment before the first home game of the season against fellow National League newcomers Dorking Wanderers...

'[Dorking,] They’ve been used to winning, albeit it at a lower level but they’ve been used to winning... I’m very wary of that. I’ll give them the utmost respect,' he continued. 'The manager is the owner as well and he’s done a brilliant job to get his team where they are...

'We’re a big club for this division and they’re coming to a nice stadium. They’ll be coming with nothing to lose and trying to get a scalp. I expect a very tough game... But when we’re at home I expect us to win games... When I look at the next four games we’ve got three at home so it’s an important time to get points on board as early as we can'".

12 August 2022

AARON BENNETT INTERVIEWED

Alty TV has an interview by Brian Flynn with loanee Aaron Bennett (right).

19 year-old Aaron's arrival, on a three-month loan from Preston North End, was announced on 1 August 2022.

An attacking midfielder who can also play up front and on the left-wing, Aaron came back from a serious injury to earn a contract at Deepdale.

Aaron made his debut last Saturday and was named Man of the Match against Maidstone United.

PHIL BELL R.I.P.

Altrincham FC announces that "Phil Bell’s funeral cortège will stop briefly at The J.Davidson Stadium today (Friday) around 11am, before travelling to Altrincham Crematorium for Phil’s funeral service at 11.30am.

Phil, who sadly passed away last month, had been a loyal Alty fan for over 50 years and was exceptionally popular with the many Alty fans who knew him...

Phil’s family and friends attended Saturday’s opening game of the season against Maidstone United and everyone at Altrincham Football Club offers very sincere condolences to his family, particularly his two sons, Stuart (a lifelong Alty fan) and Simon, along with his partner Marie".

"MORE TO COME" FROM ALTY

In the Sale & Altrincham Messenger, press and media officer Brian Flynn attributes Saturday's draw with Maidstone United to "a poor start and some debatable officiating by the referee and one of his assistants.

Maidstone... were gifted an early goal when Liam Brockbank... sliced Regan Booty’s fourth-minute free-kick into his own net... However the half finished with a real purple patch, with Yusuf Mersin denying Ryan Colclough twice and producing a superb one-handed save to thwart Brockbank, who recovered well from his disastrous start.

Colclough produced a... sublime piece of skill to turn an attack that looked as if it was petering out into a gilt-edged opportunity for Chris Conn-Clarke (left) , who spun neatly to convert a left-footed shot from the edge of the six-yard box.

After the break, Alty continued in the same vein... before the Kent side went down to 10 men as Hady Ghandour was shown a second yellow card.

To their credit, Hakan Hayrettin’s side responded well to this blow, but still should have gone back to Kent defeated, as what looked like a perfectly good late goal from substitute, Marcus Dinanga, was inexplicably ruled out by the assistant, who flagged offside...

Altrincham manager, Phil Parkinson said 'I was delighted with the performance, disappointed with the result... We were outstanding in creating goal threats, ahead of where I would expect us to be right now. There’s lots more to come from us'".

NEXT OPPONENTS: BROMLEY

Bromley "are delighted to welcome goalkeeper Matt Boylan to Hayes Lane, penning a First Year Pro contract.

The youngster joins us following a two-year scholarship at League One side Lincoln City... after spells at Cambridge United and Luton Town...

The ‘keeper played in the Youth Alliance League for Lincoln and also spent a period of time on loan at Barton Rovers FC.

Away from club football, Boylan also received call-ups to the Ireland U19 squad. Our newest arrival has been training with the first team".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Derbyshire Times reports that "Danny Rowe could be loaned out to help improve his fitness after a long time on the sidelines. The striker missed most of last season with a health issue.

The 32-year-old had an operation in the summer and has now returned to training. 'You have got to feel so sorry for Danny for what he has been through,' boss Paul Cook said. 'Football injuries are probably acceptable, but to have a situation like Danny’s is really tough both physically and mentally for a player...

'We must have a plan for Danny because he is six weeks behind the rest of the players'... A loan move could prove beneficial in helping him get match-fit.

The forward returned at the end of last season, scoring against Halifax in the play-offs, but suffered a setback later in that game and was taken to hospital...

'A fit Danny Rowe is a massive asset for any club in our division,' Cook explained. 'Danny’s fitness is through no fault of Danny’s at all... One of the problems that we have is we don’t have a reserve team so some of our lads can’t go periods of time without playing.

'Certainly with Danny we need to get him some minutes on a football pitch as quickly as we can and that is something we are looking at the minute.'”

And also fom the Derbyshire Times comes news that "Chesterfield are set to announce the signing of a new goalkeeper, says manager Paul Cook... with Lucas Covolan suspended for the next three matches after his red card at Dorking Wanderers...

Cook said 'I think we have concluded the search'".

11 August 2022

RESERVES REMAIN UNBEATEN

Four games into their Cheshire League Premier season, Altrincham FC Reserves remain unbeaten after securing two wins and two draws. They lie sixth in the 17-club table.

As reported previously they drew their opening match 1-1 at Congleton Town on 30 July.

On 3 August they recorded a 4-1 home win against Winnington Avenue Youth Club. Their line up comprised (a/z order) Lewis Billingsley,who netted twice, Dionicio Bohe, Junior Bopda, Joe Cooney (right), Liam Evans, Amaar Hussain, Sharif Islam, Scott Johnston, Joshua Jordan, Jayden Matthew and Harlan Rodgers Morris with the subs comprising Ellis Bateman, Adam Lynch, Ewan McGeady, Zaid Smith and Tom Hall.

Next came a 1-1 home draw against Eagle Sports before a third successive home fixture produced a 6-5 thriller against Crewe FC on 9 August.

For the match against Eagle, the starting eleven had Owen German, Max Pouncey, Zaid Smith and Tom Hall replacing Hussain, Islam, Matthew and Rodgers Morris. Smith scored the Alty goal. On the bench were Ellis Bateman, Riley Jackson, Adam Lynch, Ewan McGeady and Loui Williams.

McGeady saw a red card after coming on.

In the 6-5 win over Crewe FC, the starters were Lewis Billingsley, Dionicio Bohe, Junior Bopda, Joe Cooney, Liam Evans, Owen German, Amaar Hussain, Sharif Islam, Scott Johnston, Joshua Jordan and Kwame Osigwe. On the bench were Ellis Bateman, Oliver Partington, Max Pouncey, Zaid Smith and Tom Hall.

The scorers were Hussain and Islam who each scored twice, with Bohe and Billingsley also netting.

ALTY OLD BOY: ELLISON PLAYS ON

FanBanter reports that "Kevin Ellison stuns fans by signing for 7th tier club Warrington Rylands...

Ellison, 43, has enjoyed an illustrious career across the Football League, with over 800 career appearances to date. He spent majority of his time in the professional game with Morecambe between 2011-22, scoring 81 times in 352 matches.

More recently though, the Liverpool-born winger has been with Newport County, where he bagged three goals in 33 appearances... He made just Premier League appearance for Leicester City in 2001, coming on as a late substitute against Manchester United at Old Trafford...

David McNabb’s newly-promoted side begin their 2022/23 campaign at home to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday. Rylands play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division (Level 7). Last season they won the Northern Premier League Division One West title".

Footnote: After brief periods playing for Chorley and Southport, Kevin was acquired by Altrincham for a small fee from Conwy United in 1999. A Liverpudlian, Kevin became the Club's leading scorer with 11 Conference goals in the first half of the 1999/2000 season and ended the season with 14 league goals.

Indeed, despite injury, he started 48 games and came on as a sub in one, scoring 16 goals in all competitions. During 1999/2000 an offer of £130,000 from Preston North End for his services was turned down by Altrincham. Affected by injuries during January and February 2000, he returned to the side in March, but was still less than fully fit. Despite this, he played for Manchester City Reserves on 28 March 2000 in their top-of-the-table Pontin's League clash with Port Vale. Kevin is pictured (right) during that match, played at Ewen Field, Hyde, on 28 March 2000.

Kevin had scored Alty's goal in a 1-1 draw with Kettering Town on the previous Saturday and with the Robins sitting in twelfth placed all looked set for mid-table finish. But a failure to win any of their remaining eight games saw Altrincham relegated from the Conference on the last day of that 1999/2000 season.

This collapse was not helped by Ellison's form being only moderate in April and May 2000 due to not being fully fit but he soon established himself as leading scorer again in season 2000/01 with seven goals in his first ten matches in the NPL. However, Kevin injured his knee at Droylsden (8 October 2000). Nevertheless, he recovered to earn two trials at Leicester City, who signed him at the beginning of February, 2001 for a fee which, potentially, could have risen to £100,000 depending on appearances for the Premier League side.

He became a regular for Leicester City Reserves but made a Premier League debut as a sub at Old Trafford just 7 weeks after leaving Moss Lane. He was sold to Stockport County in 2001, then played at Chester City from where he had a loan spell at Scunthorpe United before moving for six figures to Hull City in 2005.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Grimsby Telegraph reports that "Scunthorpe United manager Keith Hill expressed his delight at his side’s opening day performance in their 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town... with goals from Andrew Boyce and Jay Butterfield...

Their opening day performance would have done a lot to lift spirits in the Scunthorpe camp after the way the previous season ended...

'It was brilliant, absolutely superb,' said Hill. 'I can’t thank them [the supporters] enough because they cheered the players on. It’s a new team, a new era, and a new start, and I’m really pleased for the players because of the work they put in...

'I think we created more opportunities and probably should have scored more goals before they got theirs. It was a bit hairy in the last 10 or 15 minutes, but part of the 90 minutes is survival, and I thought we survived it well. The result should never have been in doubt'".

According to the Daily Echo, "The Spitfires have added a 10th new face to their squad, with John Oyenuga joining Eastleigh after a successful trial period.

27 year-old defender Oyenuga arrives at the Silverlake after a three year stint with Farnborough... Aside from two spells at Boro, Oyenuga has played in the Welsh top flight with Cymru Premier side Connah's Quay Nomads.

Described as a pacey full-back, Oyenuga provides depth and competition for fellow summer signing, Brennan Camp...

'I just had a talk with the gaffer and came to an agreement on a deal and everything just fell in place', [he said].

Boss Lee Bradbury added... 'He’s comfortable at left-back, left wing-back, right-back, right wing-back and attacking positions as well. He’s quick, he’s strong, his intelligence of the game is good'".

We learn from Devon Live that "Torquay United are facing an early-season injury crisis after their National League opening day goalless draw against Oldham Athletic.

It was a tough game for the Gulls on day one and Oldham went home feeling they deserved all three points but another excellent performance by goalkeeper Mark Halstead in front of a strong defence marshalled by captain Dean Moxey meant they were forced to settle for a point.

And, in truth, if striker Corie Andrews hadn’t been injured in an early collision with the Oldham goalkeeper, there might have been a win, after the Gulls started so well... With Dan Martin, Aaron Jarvis, Shaun Donnellan and Tom Lapslie unavailable for game one, it remains to be seen if Andrews and Kieron Evans, who came off at half-time, will be fit enough for this weekend’s trip to FC Halifax Town. Defender Ali Omar was also hurt in a late clash with the goalkeeper and went to hospital with concussion...

Johnson said... 'Losing Corie so early was massive because him and Will Goodwin were a pretty strong pair for that first 15-20 minutes'...

Midfielder Lapslie is the most likely of the injured players to be ready for the Halifax game, with Donnellan also close to being able to make his debut. Jarvis was just getting over a dead leg when he was hit again in the same place and probably won’t be ready...

'You can’t cry over it,' said Johnson. 'Everybody has their injury problems'".

10 August 2022

NEIL BROWN TO MOVE ON

It was confirmed in the recent Qand A with supporters that Altrincham FC groundsman Neil Brown is to leave the club after nearly twenty years in various roles at the Club.

In July 2004, after two seasons without a Reserve side, Altrincham FC entered a team in the Lancashire League for the 2004-05 season with home games initially to be played at Abbey Hey's ground at Goredale Avenue in Gorton.

Neil was named as the new Reserves manager. He was already a much respected local coach, who had a good reputation for developing young talent at Fletcher Moss Rangers in Didsbury and elsewhere. He also worked as a scout for Liverpool FC.

When Neil arrived at Altrincham, he was also employed as a driver for AFC chairman Geoff Goodwin's "Go Goodwins" coach company.

He remained as the Altrincham FC Reserves manager until summer 2007 when he resigned and subsequently became manager at Leek Town and at Abbey Hey.

Neil had also taken on the role as the Moss Lane groundsman and performed a superb job in making it one of the best surfaces in the National League.

The pristine surface at the J. Davidson Stadium pictured before the first pre-season home game this year.

Indeed, Manchester United Reserves played at Moss Lane for several seasons, with Neil's pitch being a major factor in that choice. He has continued to the present day to produce a surface conducive to Altrincham's passing game.

Outside football, Neil was more recently also employed by North Cestrian school in Altrincham whilst continuing in his role at the J. Davidson Stadium

All associated with the Club will wish him well for the future.

ALTY WOMEN DRAW

On Sunday, in a pre-season friendly, Altrincham FC Women drew 4-4 at home (Mersey Valley) to Athletico Middleton Ladies. A late equaliser secured a point for Alty after they had earlier led the game 3-1.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Accprding to the Derbyshire Times "The Football Association has confirmed suspensions for Chesterfield’s Lucas Covolan and Branden Horton.

Goalkeeper Covolan was shown a straight red card by referee Wayne Cartmel in the first-half of Chesterfield’s opening day fixture at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday. The 31 year-old was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Dorking’s Ryan Seager in the 28th minute and was given his marching orders on his debut.

The FA’s website confirms Covolan has been handed a three-match ban which means he will miss the upcoming games against Aldershot Town, Wrexham and Notts County.

As it stands, the Spireites do not have another keeper on the books so they are expected to make an addition in the coming days...

Left-back Horton, who was also making his debut, was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the same match... one for a shove and one for apparently time-wasting deep into stoppage time. The second yellow was really harsh, but appeals can only be lodged against straight red cards.

The 21 year-old has been slapped with a one-match ban, ruling him out of this Saturday’s first home game of the season against Aldershot Town.

Horton’s absence should mean fellow left-back Bailey Clements make his debut after signing from Ipswich Town in the summer".

In the Leader Live we learn that "Phil Parkinson believes extending Paul Mullin's stay at The Racecourse is a 'big statement'. The 27 year-old striker joined Wrexham last summer from Cambridge United on a three-year deal...

Mullin has committed his future to Wrexham, signing a one-year contract extension with the option of an extra year...

'I said in the summer that when we were searching for the players to make a difference, one of the key things for me was could we keep our best players,' said Parkinson... 'Mulls really genuinely loves it here at the club. I think it is a big statement that he has signed another contract'...

The Reds had to come from behind [on Saturday] to secure victory with substitute Elliot Lee... Former Luton Town playmaker Lee got the plaudits and praise from his manager...

'He gave us that bit of craft in and around the penalty box, especially against tired legs... He linked the play and showed in that 25 minutes what he is all about... We have got to get him up to speed... but he is a match-winner.'"

We learn from the Oldham Times that "Dan Clarke says the feelgood factor enveloping Oldham Athletic since the Rothwell family takeover has not gone unnoticed in the dressing room.

The defender joined Latics for what proved to be a chaotic final season of the Lemsagam regime... The rebuild has started with the Rothwell family saving the club, leading to 3,700 taking up the early-bird season ticket offer...

Clarke said 'I can only speak for myself, you just feel more secure and you feel more relaxed. And with the fans being a lot happier, it’s just a good feeling... On the way down to Torquay, we saw the owner. He’s a great character, he’s full of energy and that’s what I think it should be like'...

And Clarke said he was amazed by the 800-plus following at Plainmoor... He said, 'That’s a long old trip and the numbers they turned up in and they were so loud the whole game. it was amazing... We’re a bit disappointed because we thought the three points were there for us', said the former Coventry and Scunthorpe defender".

From York Press comes news that "promotion favourites Wrexham are paying one of their goalkeepers an astonishing £6,000 per week, according to York City manager John Askey....

York boss Askey revealed the scale of Wrexham's spending... speaking at the club's fans forum.

'They’ve just put a goalkeeper on £6,000 per week, so that tells you about the sort of money that they are spending. Then you’ve got Notts County, Southend, Scunthorpe and Oldham. They’re all big, old lower league clubs, so it’s going to be tough.

'I think we’re looking forward to it though. To be going to those clubs, I’m excited by it, to be going to proper grounds and to feel like a proper football club again, that feels good,' the manager added, after leading City up from the National League North play-offs back in May...

Askey was installed as the bookies' favourite for the vacant job [at NottsCounty] for a short period of time... 'It wasn’t true at all. I had no intention of going anywhere. There was no way that I’d leave for anybody in the same league as us... I had a couple of clubs approach me, but I had no interest in them'".

9 August 2022

ALTY v MAIDSTONE HIGHLIGHTS

Above: All ten outfield players are seen as they walked back to their own half after Chris Conn-Clarke's equaliser on Saturday. Left to right, with Conn-Clarke (head bowed) in the centre, we see Bennett, Brockbank, Jones, Hulme, Osborne, Lundstram, Colclough, Mullarkey and Baines.

Alty TV has extended highlights of the Altrincham v Maidstone United game last Saturday.

NEXT OPPONENTS: BROMLEY

In normal times the custom has been that if a National League club started the season at home, they would then play a midweek game and, the following Saturday, play away from home. It is a little different this year as Alty and their rivals have a blank midweek before they play again next Saturday and then the following Tuesday.

On Saturday 13 August, having entertained a side from Kent last Saturday, Altrincham travel to Bromley which used to be viewed as a Kentish town but is now deemed a London Borough, in a similar way to Altrincham's relationship with Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

From Hayes Lane, Bromley say of Alty that "The Manchester outfit were promoted to the National League in 2020 after winning the 19/20 National League North play-off final 1-0 against Boston United.

In their first two seasons back in the fifth tier, they have finished 17th and 14th...

Manager Phil Parkinson was appointed by Altrincham in 2017 on the 28th of April following the departure of former permanent manager Matt Doughty. Parkinson has overseen promotions from the Northern Premier League in 2018 after winning the league, and from the National League North in 2020 after winning the play-offs.

Bromley last played the Robins on 10th May at Hayes Lane. Mason Bloomfield gave the Ravens the lead in the 17th minute with a fantastic outside-of-the-box strike. Dan Mooney levelled for the hosts on the 86th minute after scoring from close range... as the match ended 1-1."

Last Saturday Bromley suffered a surprise defeat when they "lost 3-2 away to Wealdstone... The Stones' good start was to pay off. In the 16th minute, Charles-Cook produced another incredible save from close range but the ball rebounded to Olufela Olomola who could not miss to give the hosts the lead...

Bromley got their first goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Hannam delivered an inch-perfect corner and Sowunmi powerfully headed the ball into the top right corner...

As the half was coming to an end, Corey Whitely produced an exquisite delivery into the penalty area which was met by Cheek who headed Bromley into the lead, unmarked...

In the 66th minute, Wealdstone were awarded a penalty... Substitute Stephan Browne slotted the penalty into the bottom right corner to equalise for Wealdstone... In the 78th minute, Wealdstone took the lead. Kretzschmar’s cross found Jack Cook who headed the ball into the back of the net...

It was a day to forget for Bromley.

Bromley: 13 Reice Charles-Cook, 3 Reece Hannam (Arthurs), 4 Billy Bingham, 5 Chris Bush, 6 Omar Sowunmi, 9 Michael Cheek, 10 Adam Marriot, 17 Byron Webster, 18 Corey Whitely, 19 Harry Forster (Bloomfield), 21 James Vennings (Coleman) Unused Subs: 11 Louis Dennis, 15 Zak Bradshaw".

ALTY OLD BOY

From Essex the Echo reports that "Dan Mooney has been boosted by Southend United’s reaction to their opening day defeat.

Blues were beaten 1-0 by Boreham Wood in the first fixture of the campaign at Roots Hall on Saturday...

'We will pick ourselves up and go again but it’s good to be disappointed because we know the standards we’ve set in training,' said Mooney (left)... 'It’s not like we played well and got beaten. We weren’t at our best... and I don’t think we played the way we wanted to either,' said the winger.

'We got suckered into playing the way Boreham Wood wanted us to play really which killed us a bit... We’ve started off with a loss but now it’s about bouncing back'...

Mooney, who caught the eye with some fine displays in pre-season... is already enjoying the role given to him by Blues boss Kevin Maher.

'I think it suits me perfectly to be fair,' said Mooney. 'I can play out wide but the gaffer gives me the freedom to drift in and pick up the pockets like I like to do as well,'" he concuded.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The BBC reports that "When Dorking Wanderers were announced as Oldham Athletic's first home opponents of the new National League season, it prompted derision from Latics supporters. Fans took to social media to decry how far Oldham, inaugural members of the Premier League in 1992, had fallen.

Both clubs are appearing in the National League for the first time this season but it is Dorking who are more excited about their maiden voyage.

Formed in 1999 by Marc White and his group of friends, Dorking started playing football in a park. Twenty-three years and 12 promotions later, the Surrey side are settling into life in England's fifth tier, which they kicked off with a 2-2 home draw against Chesterfield on Saturday.

Next is a trip north to face Oldham, which will be broadcast live on TV.

'It is really exciting, our progression has been so quick,' said White, who is Dorking's manager, owner and chairman. 'We will be privileged to play a lot of top clubs but, at the same time, we won't be the whipping boys; we never have been and we never will be...

'The original intention was to have a kickabout and enjoy a beer after the game,' said White, 49, who also runs a marketing company. It began as 'purely a social thing' but matters moved quickly for the Wanderers... In 2018 the club moved to the refurbished Meadowbank Stadium, which had been home to non-league Dorking FC, who dissolved in 2017... 'We were the beneficiaries of Dorking FC being disbanded, but Dorking is a small market town and everyone wants the best for each other. Some of the people who worked at Dorking FC are now involved with our club'...

Dorking will continue to operate on a part-time basis, and only recruited three new players over the summer; Southampton academy graduate Ryan Seager, ex-Newport and Sutton midfielder Jack Jebb, and former Tranmere midfielder Adam Mekki. All arrived on free transfers....

'We remain cautious when it comes to signing players, and most of our squad have been on our promotion journeys over the past couple of seasons'...

Wanderers started the season with only one senior goalkeeper in Slovakian Slavomir Huk, as fellow stopper Dan Lincoln is a first-class cricketer who played for Berkshire and Middlesex before joining Kent.

Attacking midfielder James McShane, one of Dorking's longest-serving players having joined six years ago... [said] 'We would perhaps get 40 or 50 fans, and definitely no more than 100, but now we have around 1,200 for every game at Meadowbank'. The 32-year-old, who works in a Royal Mail delivery office, believes White's cautious nature has paid dividends...

'The nucleus of the squad has been here for five to six years,' said McShane. 'When he does bring in a few players each summer, it means the others have had to step up'...

'If we weren't doing well I would be the first to go, because I am the biggest Dorking Wanderers fan of all,' said White... 'We want to consolidate and get the ground more up to spec, although I have been saying that for 20-odd years.'"

Meanwhile in Wales, the Leader Live reports that "Phil Parkinson welcomed the fact that Wrexham were made to work hard for their opening day win over Eastleigh.

The Reds kicked off a 15th season in non-league with a 2-1 victory against the Spitfires in front of nearly 9,900 supporters at The Racecourse.

Wrexham... had to come from behind to secure three points after the visitors took a 14th minutes lead. Eastleigh's time-wasting tactics frustrated Wrexham but summer signing Elliot Lee came off the substitutes' bench in the second half and the former Luton Town playmaker scored a superb equaliser before firing home the winner with five minutes to go...

'It was important to get three points on the board on the first day,' said Parkinson... 'There was that fear of people getting carried away and thinking every game we are going to beat teams three or four nil. It was just a reminder that teams are going to disrupt the game and make it difficult, and they are going to waste time, they are going to feign injury and they are going to walk over the pitch...

'The fluency of our passing wasn't quite as crisp as we would have liked it but I just felt that the moments would come for us'".

In the Nottingham Post, "Macaulay Langstaff promised Notts County fans that there is still a lot more to come from him, after scoring two goals on his debut for the club. The Magpies triumphed 3-0 at home to Maidenhead United...

Langstaff arrived at Meadow Lane this summer off the back of a prolific campaign in the National League North with Gateshead United [sic]...

Said Langstaff, 'When you score goals, the expectation is going to come with that. I got 32 last year, so yeah, there are expectations, but I am full of belief and confidence in my abilities...

'We were good [against Maidenhead], but we still feel as a group that we can reach a much higher level, which is a big plus considering we won the game 3-0... I work hard for the team, and I stretch defences with my work-rate'".

8 August 2022

DEREK WILSHAW'S FUNERAL

As previously announced the funeral for Derek Wilshaw, the long-serving former Club Secretary and volunteer at Altrincham FC, will be held at Altrincham Crematorium in Dunham Massey today, 8 August at 2.30pm.

The funeral cortege will pause outside the J. Davidson Stadium at a time between 2pm and 2.15pm, as it makes its way to the Crematorium.

All friends and supporters are welcome at either location to pay their respects and, in addition, they will be welcome at the Community Sports Hall at the J. Davidson Stadium for the "wake", after the funeral, which will take place from about 3.15pm.

As shown, right, a minute's applause was held before Saturday's game with Maidstone United to honour the lives of Derek, and of Altrincham supporters John Rooke and Phil Bell, who both have also sadly died recently.

TOBY TALKS

Alty TV has a post-match interview following the draw with Maidstone United last Saturday. Press and Media Officer, Brian Flynn, spoke to Toby Mullarkey, who played in an unaccustomed right-back role in that game.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

In the Derbyshire Times, "A frustrated Paul Cook has warned goalkeeper Lucas Covolan that he ‘must learn quickly’ or he ‘won’t be at the club’ after he was sent off in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Dorking Wanderers which saw midfielder Ollie Banks go in goal in the first match of the new season.

With the Spireites leading 1-0 thanks to Akwasi Asante’s 18th-minute opener, debutant goalkeeper Covolan, on loan from Port Vale, was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident after initially rushing off his line. With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, midfielder Banks had to play more than 60 minutes in net.

Despite the circumstances, Armando Dobra doubled Town’s lead before half-time.

But the Blues’ 10-men could not hold and conceded twice from crosses before Branden Horton was shown a second yellow card for ‘time-wasting.’

Cook had strong words for Covolan after the game, but had more sympathy for Horton, claiming referee Wayne Cartmel’s decision was a ‘joke'...

'We have let ourselves down with our discipline and we will deal with it'... Cook said. 'If Lucas has made a decision it is probably a decision which has probably cost us a win... But I have got to go on record and say the Branden’s (Horton) second yellow is one of the biggest jokes I have seen in football.

'The game is over, the time is up, Branden is not involved in the incident, Laurence Maguire has hold of the ball, he rolls it down the line to me, I put my foot on it and he gives Branden a second yellow card and a red... The league has decided to appoint someone who has never refereed at this level before for a game of this magnitude today, which was always going to be a spicy game, so surely we should have had an experienced referee...

'I have had a chat with him after the game'...

On the game overall, Cook said... 'Unfortunately today, down to 10-men and 2-0 up, I always felt we could probably hang on... Unfortunately, Ollie has made a decision to come for one and if he had stayed we might have seen it out, but there is no criticism of Ollie...

'We made the decision to go without a goalkeeper on the bench, it is something the club has done since I have come here. It is probably something I have never done as a manager... There are one two niggles around the club, Kabongo Tshimanga is back training flat-out but he has four minutes of football and I didn’t want to risk him on this pitch'".

According to the Oldham Times manager "John Sheridan described Oldham Athletic's opening day goalless draw at Torquay United as 'a good shift'.

But the manager was disappointed to end the game with 10 men following summer signing Dan Gardner's 73rd minute dismissal for two bookable offences.

Latics were backed by over 800 travelling supporters for their National League opener in Devon... [The side] included eight of their 11 summer signings in the starting line-up, with central defender Liam Hogan named as captain. If I'm being honest we've had the better chances in the game, we should have possibly won the game', said the Latics boss.

'Where we've got to do better is hit the target'...

Torquay were denied by the woodwork after just four minutes, but Latics recovered...

Said Sheridan, 'Dan shouldn't be sent off in that situation after being booked. I didn't actually see the tackle but I think it's lazy minds and he shouldn't be getting sent off because it's affected us obviously'".

7 August 2022

ALTY BOSS "HAPPY"

Above: Ryan Colclough goes for goal in the first half against Maidstone United.

After the draw with Maidstone United, Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson spoke to the NL Paper. Referring to the ruling out of what appeared to be a clear foul in the box against Colclough and a potentially winning goal in injury-time by Dinanga, he said, 'It's a stonewall penalty and he wasn't offside. I've seen them back on the monitor and they've got both decisions wrong...

'But the performance was where I wanted it to be, so I'm happy. We've had a lot of new faces in so it took us a bit to get going. But we've recruited well and it's good to see that carried out on the pitch"

MAIDSTONE BOSS "CHUFFED"

Following Saturday's match, Kent Online reported that "Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin couldn’t stop smiling after Maidstone’s opening-day draw at Altrincham.

Left: Watched by Ryan Colclough in the background, Josh Lundstram battles in midfield against Maidstone United.

A 1-1 draw was achieved despite playing the last 30 minutes with 10 men following Hady Ghandour’s dismissal.

The visitors led with Liam Brockbank’s fourth-minute own goal and saw Jack Barham’s effort in a one-on-one touched on to the post by Robins keeper Matt Gould soon after.

'I’m chuffed to bits,' said Hayrettin. 'To go down to 10 men and to get a point is good, very good. What a wonderful day for the football club, we’re back in the National League, and we got a point, with 10 men, away from home. What could be better?

'We’ve had a couple of hundred fans come up, it’s a long way and I made sure I showed my appreciation...

'Altrincham probably moved the ball a bit quicker than we saw in our league last season, but we will be OK, I’ve got no doubt about that,' said Hayrettin. 'Why would I, or my players, or the club be intimidated by this level? We’re not here just to make the numbers up, we’re here to push...

'They’re a very good team, with a good manager, and they played some good stuff. We couldn’t show everyone what we’re capable of, in an attacking sense, because we went down to 10 men, but we will only get better. I’m happy with the point'...

Hayrettin had a big decision to make in goal, eventually picking Yusuf Mersin over Tom Hadler... Said Hayrettin, 'There’s nothing between them, absolutely nothing between them'".

ALTRINCHAM 1-1 MAIDSTONE UNITED

Despite playing against ten men for an hour Altrincham had to settle for a point against newly promoted Maidstone United. The visitors started well but were gifted a fourth-minute lead when a freekick from the right was diverted into his own net by Brockbank.

The home side were second best for much of the opening twenty-five minutes but rallied to dominate the remaining period to half-time with new loanee Bennett impressing. They got their reward in the first added minute of the half when Colclough retrieved an errant shot at the left byline and fed Conn-Clake who scored from close range.

Right: Fleetwood Town loanee Chris Conn-Clarke (right) scored Altrincham's goal.

Altrincham struck the underside of the bar through Colclough and then an upright through Mullarkey in a two-minute spell early in the second half.

Mr Corlett reduced the visitors to ten men when he issued a second yellow and a red to Ghandour for a foul on Bennett on the edge of the box (62 mins).

Altrincham were unable to convert their numerical advantage into a winning goal but were denied what seemed a clear penalty by the referee when Colclough was upended in the box. Indeed Mr Corlett made more than one questionable decision in this match.

Before kick-off Altrincham had to change their plans as international clearance for new keeper Byrne had failed to arrive and so Matt Gould started in goal.

Match report here.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Courtesy of Phil Jordan we learn that Ashley Hemmings scored for Kidderminster Harriers as they won 1-0 at Blyth whilst player-manager Craig Mahon scored for Curzon Ashton but they lost 1-2 at home to promoted Banbury United.

6 August 2022

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday, 6 August

ALTRINCHAM v MAIDSTONE UNITED

On the eve of their visit to Altrincham, Maidstone United report that "With Jerome Binnom-Williams, Raphe Brown and Joe Ellul carrying knocks or niggles, Hakan Hayrettin has moved to strengthen his defensive options. Portsmouth defender Liam Vincent has joined the Stones on loan.

The 19-year-old left-back joined Pompey for an undisclosed fee from Bromley last summer. His debut season was marred by injury but he was given his first senior outing in a pre-season friendly at Havant & Waterlooville last month, scoring a fine free-kick in a 3-0 win for the League One side.

He will travel with the squad for tomorrow’s Vanarama National League opener against Altrincham".

Parent club Portsmouth add that "Liam Vincent has joined Maidstone United on a 28-day loan deal... after recovering from the shin injury that kept him sidelined for much of last season".

For their part, Altrincham will be without long-term injured duo of winger Matty Kosylo and midfielder Isaac Marriott, whilst defender Ross Barrows seems unlikely to start.

Meanwhile, Kent Online tells us that "There was only one choice for the Maidstone captaincy following George Elokobi’s retirement.

Gavin Hoyte did a sterling job deputising for the injured Elokobi for the bulk of United’s National South title-winning campaign.

So when Elokobi called time on his 19-year career in the summer, right-back Hoyte was the natural successor....

'I think I’ve just got to step up again,' said Hoyte, 32... 'It’s going to be a lot harder this year, there’s going to be lots of ups and downs. I’ve got to keep the boys’ spirits high... Another thing as well, most importantly, is the players who aren’t playing. They’re going to be key for us...

'There’s a lot of games, a lot of travelling, so not everyone can play every game, like they probably did last year... When I go home, I always think what could I have done better as captain, how could I have helped everyone? Ultimately, when we lose, I always look at myself first of all, so I always take that to heart'...

Hoyte believes the standard has improved since he last played National League football with Dagenham in the 2018/19 season...

'The main thing is work hard and we’ll be all right. We’re champions, we went up as champions, so we’ve got a lot of confidence, we were deservedly champions... and with the additions we’ve made, they’re going to help as well.'”

ALEX SAMI INTERVIEWED

Brian Flynn, press and media officer, has interviewed Alex Sami, who joined the club recently. The video interview can be found on Alty TV. Teheran-born Alex revealed that he has recently shortened his surname to Sami from Samizadeh to make it easier for people to pronounce.

If he plays on Saturday against Maidstone United it will not be his league debut at Moss Lane as he played there for Curzon Ashton when they won 2-0 at the JDS in 2018/19 season.

Above: Alex Samizadeh as he was known then, was on the left-hand end of the Curzon Ashton line-up, wearing no.10, as they prepared to shake hands with their Altrincham opponents in the 2018 clash at the J. Davidson Stadium.

ALTRINCHAM SQUAD NUMBERS

Altrincham FC have now allocated shirt numbers to their first-team squad players, except it seems to young goalkeeeper Ryan Forde, who has no allocated number on the Club's website.

The numbers are: 1. Oliver BYRNE, 3. Liam BROCKBANK, 4. Isaac MARRIOTT, 5. Toby MULLARKEY (vice-captain), 6. Lewis BAINES, 7. Matty KOSYLO, 8. Josh LUNDSTRAM, 9. Jordan HULME (capt), 10. Elliot OSBORNE, 11. Ryan COLCLOUGH, 12. Amaar HUSSAIN, 14. Ryan MORTON, 15. Joe COONEY, 16. Chris CONN-CLARKE, 17. Brad JACKSON, 18. Ben PRINGLE, 19. Jayden MATTHEW, 20. Aidan ROXBURGH, 21. Matthew GOULD, 22. Ross BARROWS, 23. Jake COOPER, 25. Harlan RODGERS MORRIS, 26. James JONES, 27. Aaron BENNETT, 28. Alex SAMI, 30. Marcus DINANGA, TBA Ryan FORDE.

Of the above, there are two incoming loanees in Chris Conn-Clarke (from Fleetwood Town) and Aaron Bennett (from Preston NE), whilst three players have gone out on loan, namely Ryan Ford (to Alsager Town) and Jayden Matthew and Ryan Morton who have both been loaned to Trafford.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Oldham Athletic "announce the signing of Charlie Cooper following a successful trial period.

The 25 year-old midfielder, who won promotion via the play-offs with Forest Green Rovers in 2017, joins Latics having featured regularly this summer... Charlie becomes John Sheridan’s eleventh summer signing.

'I’ve been impressed with Charlie's attitude and performances'... Sheridan said. 'He's done very well... and gives us good balance in the midfield. Charlie is a player with a wealth of experience at this level and he'll provide good competition for the squad'...

Cooper started his career with Birmingham City, but... went on loan to York City and Forest Green Rovers, with the latter becoming a permanent move in 2017... He had two more short loan spells with Newport County and Boreham Wood before moving to Halifax Town as they reached the play-offs in 2020. He then played a season with Woking, before joining Wealdstone last summer".

Yeovil Town "youngsters Toby Stephens and Ollie Haste have signed on loan with Truro City on short-term deals...

The academy graduates venture to the Southern Premier side which play their fixtures in Plymouth. This will be Toby’s third loan spell away from the club, after a short-term spells at both Hemel Hempstead and Barnstaple Town last season.

Ollie played alongside Toby at Barnstaple last season too, he signed for the Devon outfit on a dual registration during the closing weeks of the season...

Manager Chris Hargreaves commented 'Toby and Ollie are both young lads we think very highly of, who need consistent minutes to improve'".

The Grimsby Telegraph reports that "BT Sport cameras will be at Glanford Park as Scunthorpe United began their non-league campaign at home to Yeovil Town

Scunthorpe United manager Keith Hill... takes charge of the Iron for their opening National League encounter at home to Yeovil Town on Saturday evening with eight new faces in his ranks...

And Hill admits... 'This is the real window where I’ve been able to do the type of work, the type of business, the type of recruitment that I really, really want to match in with my footballing plan for the football club and future successes,' said Hill.

'Last season created an opportunity for this season and it’s the start of a new era... There was a lot of bravery in first and foremost sticking to the plan when we had the negativity of last season. And making sure within our working budget that we’re making the right signings...

'There’s a real identity and a real plan and all the players have committed to it. So there was patience, there was methodology that we stuck to as a group. And... it seems to be working.'

Opposite number Chris Hargreaves admitted Scunthorpe’s huge summer turnover has presented him with a problem when it comes to evaluating how the home side will play."


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