It has been a disappointing end to Altrincham‘s first season back in the National League after promotion last year.
A strong start saw them pick up wins against Wrexham, Chesterfield, Boreham Wood and Dagenham and Redbridge, but their form had just started to take a downward turn when Yeovil beat them 2-0 at Huish Park with goals from Rhys Murphy and Chris Dagnall in mid-February.
They go in to this weekend’s fixture on the back of a terrible run of form with six defeats and a draw in their last seven games and will be hoping to put on a final flourish with fans allowed back in the The J.Davidson Stadium for the first time.
Altrincham have two more opportunities to entertain the home crowd with another home game against Eastleigh in midweek before finishing at home to Gary Johnson’s Torquay next weekend.
FROM THE (ASSISTANT) MANAGER
Speaking after a 2-1 defeat at W*ymouth last weekend, Alty assistant manager Neil Sorvel said he was aiming to finish top of the mini-league of promoted sides including King’s Lynn, Wealdstone and W*ymouth.
He said: “It would be a really good achievement to do that, but it needs a positive finish from us, and that’s what we will be aiming for.
“We’ve got three home games left, with the fans back in, and we need some good performances to get them on our side.
“We’ve got to produce something that will excite them, and we can do that by playing to the level we’re capable of.”
TEAM NEWS
On the eve of Yeovil’s visit to Greater Manchester, Altrincham confirmed that forwards Yusifu Ceesay and Joe Piggott are both set to leave the club.
Neither player has appeared in the squad since the Bank Holiday Monday defeat at Solihull Moors earlier this month and manager Phil Parkinson said the decision had been made to give the club “the strongest, most competitive squad possible” for next season.
Speaking to the club’s website, the manager said: “Ultimately, we want to be more than just survival candidates long term. That’s why difficult decisions have to be made, and we are in the process of making some key ones. I would like to thank them both for their commitment to the club this season. Their attitude and application has been first class.”
Striker Nyal Bell and defender Yoan Zouma have also been allowed to return to their parent clubs, National League rivals Stockport and Barrow respectively – and we would like to thank them for their efforts during their short spells with Alty.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
Glovers’ on-loan defender Billy Sass-Davies had a spell on loan at Altrincham earlier this season.
The Crewe Alexandra player made seven appearances on loan between November and December.
That was his second spell with Alty having had a brief spell there at the end of last season, making just one appearance before being recalled by his parent club.
A slightly more retro connection is winger Lee Elam who had 12 matches with Yeovil Town who was snapped up by Gary Johnson back in our first season in the Football League back in 2003.
He made 12 appearances in that season before being shipped out to Chester City at the end of that campaign.
Elam would later go on to play for Exeter and W*ymouth in the Westcountry and eventually spent the 2008-09 at Altrincham in the Blue Square Premier, playing 45 times and coaching the club’s youth team.