Round up: FC Halifax Town v Macclesfield Town

FC Halifax Town beat Macclesfield Town 2-1 at the Shay to climb up to 3^rd in the Skrill Premier and extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.

The home side made it 2-0 in the space of four minutes in the first half, with goals courtesy of Marc Roberts and Chris Smith.

The result strengthens the Shaymens grip on a play off place and a potential trip to Wembley.

Halifax were well on top in the first half and after the two goals went in, it was clear for all to see why they have only lost once at home all season.

Both goals came off set pieces, an area the visitors had trouble containing their hosts.

However against the run of play, the Silkmen pulled a goal back through club top scorer Scott Boden just before half time.

That goal put an end to a run of 7 consecutive clean sheets for Halifax and changed the complexion of the tie as the 2^nd half was in stark contrast to the first.

As the game wore on, Macclesfield enjoyed long periods in possession, as the home crowd began to get nervous.

That nervousness was mirrored on the pitch, as the final minutes were very tense.

Nevertheless, the Shaymen held onto the first half lead they had fashioned for themselves and claimed all three points.

Manager Neil Aspin commented after the game: ‘The result at this stage of the season is more important than the performance, it was a very difficult game for us, but its all about getting the result, the team might not play well but if we put the ball in the right area off set pieces, then I’ll always fancy us to score.’

Next up for Halifax is a trip to Southport on Easter Monday before returning home to play their final game of the season in front of a home crowd against Kidderminster on Saturday 26^th April.

FC United of Manchester: Dare to dream?

It’s been an out of sorts season for Manchester United, but for FC United of Manchester its business as usual as the pursuit for promotion to Skrill North intensifies.

The Red Rebels currently occupy 2^nd in the Northern Premier League, now just a point behind league leaders Chorley with two games remaining.

Press Officer Andy Walker believes its Chorley’s title to lose: “Its in Chorley’s hands now, if they win their games then they’re up, they’ve got a superior goal difference to us, courtesy of the last couple of games they’ve had, they’ve got a run they’ll think is winnable.”

Eager to avoid the seemingly cursed play offs after 3 consecutive defeats at the final hurdle, FCUM still have work to do if they’re to usurp the Magpies from top spot.

“We’ve got to win our games to keep pressure on Chorley and that’s what we’ll be trying to do.”

A run of 9 wins on the trot came to an end in a 2-2 stalemate with Chorley a week ago, followed by a surprise defeat to Buxton.

However, FC United got back to winning ways courtesy of their game in hand with a 3-0 victory over Grantham on Tuesday night.

The Rebels followed up that result with another 3 points over relegated Stamford 2-3 away from home this afternoon, as Chorley dropped points on the road at Whitby Town.

“The lads are certainly confident that they can go on another run, last week against Buxton they looked tired and jaded, Buxton worked hard, people have to understand that teams work hard, they want to win football matches.”

Nothing but a string of wins will do if they are to continue their efforts to buck the trend of play off lottery.

“Every single time we cross that white line we’ve got to be on our mettle till the end of the season.”

The clubs come a long way since its controversial inception in 2005, born out of American businessman Malcolm Glazers takeover of Manchester United.

The cynics said it’d never work, but that group of maverick United fans have stuck to their task and a decade milestone since the clubs formation is fast approaching, what better way to celebrate than in a brand spanking new stadium.

Walker said: “I think it talks about the resilience of football fans, and the determination of people at our club, we wanted to created a different way, a better way for football, and I think we’re well on the way to doing that.”

Plans have been announced for a new 5,000 capacity stadium with construction of ‘Broadhurst Park’ due for completion in September.

Walker admits to a long-term vision for FC United, a club for the fans by the fans:

 “Its not just about the next couple of years, its about what we may be able to achieve in the foreseeable future, its about making that facility speak to the values and founding principles of our football club - affordable football, being able to come and have a good time at the ground.”

A viable chance to break away from the altogether practical ground share with Bury at Gigg Lane, to a place they can truly call home is a testament to the clubs independence.

Evidence shows that the rebels will have no trouble filling the new stadium on match days, with a strong and loyal fan following of support flocking week in week out.

“We’ve established ourselves as a club that’s getting over 1,000 season ticket holders, getting crowds close on 2,000 and over 3,000 members.”

To show appreciation to the fans that consistently turn out each game, the powers that be have made the decision that if the club doesn’t gain promotion this season, gate prices will stay the same.

Whereas if promotion is secured, adult prices will increase by £1, concessions and juniors will remain as they are.

By either rate, FC United of Manchester will be the cheapest in the league they will be plying their trade in next season.

Average attendances at ‘home’ are regularly in the thousands and 4,152 spectators were present to watch the recent draw with Chorley.

A sizable number through the gate for a club of their stature, only twice this season have Bury had a higher attendance than the fixture against the Magpies.

Next up for the Red Rebels is fifth placed Ashton United, who are the visitors to Gigg Lane on Easter Monday. Kick off is at 3pm.

We're ready for play-off mission

Part time Altrincham are flying high in Skrill North, sitting 4th with only four league games remaining and every chance of gaining promotion as champions.

Chairman Grahame Rowley believes it’s not out of the question:

“It only goes to show some of the results the top teams have had. When you look at AFC Telford lost at oxford when you expect them to win that game. I think were still in the mix for automatic but if not we’d try get home advantage for the play offs, so every game for us at the moment is a cup final.”

With the club more than flirting with a 2nd play off berth in as many years; theres a sense of cautious optimism with memories of last years play off semi final defeat to Brackley Town is still fresh.

Rowley insists last years play off showing can spur the Robins on to claim a place back in the Skill Premier.

“It’s a very similar side to last year with a few additions; they are better prepared to go into the playoffs from that experience. They’ll know what to expect, when we went to Brackley last year we were over awed by the situation and we froze a little bit.”

Altrincham play only once at home during the final season run in, something Rowley doesn’t think hinders them:

“I think sometimes when you’re playing at home you have added pressure on you, if you play away from home, you can relax more and its up to the opposition to come at you, so I think having 3 away will be an advantage to us.”

The final home fixture of the season is against Vauxhall Motors next Monday night at 7:45pm and sees the first team return to the J Davidson stadium after two games on the road at Oxford and Stockport.

The game concludes the annual Altrincham FC beer festival at Moss Lane, taking place over the Easter weekend. The event is free entry, offering up family fun and live music.

Sunday April 20th has been designated a ‘family fun day’, integrating a wide range of children’s entertainment like a treasure hunt, splat the rat and chocolate tombola.

AFC Altrincham Under 17 and 18 teams will also be in action, as well as Altrincham FC ladies who take on AFC Stockport.

Rowley sees the festival as a great opportunity to involve the local community and the club depends greatly on the success of its off the field events:

“We look at ways of getting people involved, football clubs aren’t just football clubs, they’re a centre of the community. Like most non-league cubs we suffer from lack of income for 2 or 3 months of the close season.”

For more details and tickets, contact the Club by phone on 0161 928-1045 or email office@altrinchamfootballclub.co.uk

Prolific Walshaw is shooting Robins to the top

A 20 goal a season striker is a rare breed at the top of many clubs wish lists. But Altrincham is in the habit of plucking them from obscurity.

James Walshaw sits atop the Skrill North scoring charts this season with an impressive 25 goals from 28 starts.

An electronics engineer by trade, Walshaw has been capped for England C in his time and has certainly shown why in his debut season at Moss Lane.

The 30 year olds red-hot form in front of goal is not unlike another Altrincham goal getter, Damien Reeves.

The former Leeds trainee has been prolific for the Robins over the last few years, and quickly reached his landmark 100th goal for the club last season, in just 118 games.

That relentless goal return alerted a number of professional clubs including Dagenham and Redbridge, Shrewsbury and Scottish side Kilmarnock.

Dean Saunders also had a look at the 27 year old while managing Doncaster Rovers, however no deal was forthcoming.

With the end of the season drawing near, Robins chairman Grahame Rowley is looking to hang on to his hot shot strikeforce:

“We’d love to keep them, they’ve formed a good relationship this season and done well for the club, so we’ll get across the negotiation table as soon as the season finishes.”

This term Altrincham’s number 10 has continued to hit the net, with a goal return of 16 in 32 games.

Currently sitting 4th in the table with 4 games remaining, Altrincham could mathematically still earn promotion as champions.

Nevertheless, a striker is judged on one thing and one thing only, goals scored, and for both Walshaw and Reeves, their goals have helped propel the Robin’s push for promotion back to the Skrill Premier.

Braintree Post Match: Paul Marshall Interview

In a game where chances were in short supply, Halifax were left frustrated by Braintree as they failed to break the deadlock, succumbing to a 0-0 draw at the Shay.

Midfielder Paul Marshall who arguably went closest in the first half with a freekick, admitted his frustration after the game.

‘Thought it was frustrating to be honest, Braintree came and set up camp, they didn’t really want to attack us, it didn’t quite go for us tonight.’

Although left dissatisfied by the outcome, the former Manchester City trainee believes the result was fair.

‘Yes it probably was, they had a game plan, and they worked it well, maybe we could of nicked it.’

Having missed the chance to climb up to third in the Skrill Premier had the Shaymen overcome the Iron, Marshall remains stoic in the belief a promotion push is still on the cards.

‘Yes 100%, we’ve got a good team, and we’ve got some big games coming up, the lads are very confident we can do it.’

Halifax are unbeaten in their last 6 games after the draw with Braintree, they will be looking to keep that momentum going into the remaining games.

The Shaymen turn their attentions to Nuneaton on Saturday; the first of three key away fixtures. Further away trips to Grimsby and Barnet follow.

‘We’ve played Nuneaton before, they play a little like Braintree tonight, set up camp and just want to defend, we played them at there place, and won, I think off 2 set pieces so I think set pieces will be crucial at there place.’

Braintree Post Match: Interview with Halifax Town Chairman David Bosomworth

Despite Halifax being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Braintree on Thursday night, Chairman David Bosomworth remains upbeat about what has been a successful season so far.

‘Its marvellous at this stage of the season with 6 games to go, that we’re fighting for a play off place.’

Halifax could of gone as high as third in the table with a win over the Iron, and a feeling of 2 points dropped rather than a point gained has left Bosomworth a little disappointed.

‘It’s the first 0-0 we’ve had at home this season, so it is disappointing. Perhaps haven’t been at our best tonight, I think they’ve done a very good job on us to be fair.’

The referee, rightly or wrongly had an impact on proceedings, after awarding numerous free kicks and drop balls. Bosomworth was left bewildered by some of the official’s decision making on the night.

‘It was very stop start; he hasn’t really let the game flow so that does make it difficult for both sets of players, and so from that perspective he has had better days.’

The Shaymen sit 7^th in the Skrill Premier, with the onus on getting as many points on the board as possible to maintain their promotion push.

Halifax face a tough run in, starting with Nuneaton away on Saturday, followed by Grimsby and Barnet away.

‘If you can string another 2 or 3 wins together, might propel you into the playoffs.’

The playing staff at Halifax are primarily part time, training twice a week and with only an hour on the pitch with the manager to hone tactics, which only enhances what a great job the team have done this season.

The club has strengthened up front with the acquisition of Scott Spencer from Hyde, formerly on the books at Everton, he could prove an astute addition to the squad by manager Neil Aspin.

‘He signed for Everton at one point, he obviously has been seen as a talented lad, lets hope he can realise that talent here for us.’

Spencer will provide cover and lighten the load on top scorer Lee Gregory’s shoulders, who has been in fantastic form this season, netting 28 times for the Shaymen.

‘Gregory and Josh Wilson are our only out and out strikers, if Gregory fell in a heap in one of the games, you need a bit of cover, but overall were well covered, at our level you have to have players that are capable of coming in and moving position and just playing slightly different roles.’

Possessing a strong squad with a great team spirit, a trip to Wembley may not be beyond the realms of possibility for Halifax.