Manager Phil Parkinson with his latest column for Altrincham Today…
I was delighted when we completed the signing of Matt Chadwick from Ashton United yesterday.
Matt is a player that we were interested in this time last year after he performed very well for Ashton against us in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, and he will give us increased striking options.
He has been training with us since last week, however is unlikely to be involved today as he has a slight knock.
The team performed superbly last week at Curzon Ashton, who had been on a great run of form that had put them within striking distance of the play-offs, but we played the sort of football that I want to see and that I had seen signs of returning in our previous game, the defeat at home to Spennymoor.
Watch highlights of the 6-0 win at Curzon Ashton
After such a performance and result, the team almost picks itself but it’s good to have further options with the return of Jordan Hulme, who has missed the whole of February through suspension and also Callum Dolan, who I was very impressed with, watching him play for the reserves on Tuesday night in a 5-3 win against Egerton, a result that increases the lead at the top of the Premier Division of the Cheshire League to eight points.
Today, we take on Chester at the J Davidson Stadium with a 3pm kick-off.
We had our opponents watched on Tuesday night as they beat Blyth Spartans with two second-half goals to move within a point of us in the final play-of spot, where we seem to have been for ages. Bernard Morley and Antony Johnson’s side have played a game more than us and we will be looking to make that gap four points with a repeat of our superb win at their place in November.
We’ve still got a few injuries to contend with and Steven Drench is touch and go. He has been doing some light sessions but we have to be careful with him, as risking him might put him in danger of aggravating his knee and putting him out for a longer period.
We have three goalkeepers now at the club as Elliot Wynne has completed his two-month loan spell at Trafford.
Max Harrop (knee) will not be ready for the Chester game, but should be OK for Tuesday night when we are at home again against Blyth Spartans (7.45pm).
There should be a big crowd for a very important game for both sides and I am sure that our fans will be in great voice for this one… they all know, as well as the players, how important this game is.
