Today’s column is from manager Phil Parkinson…
I was really delighted to bring Ashley Hemmings back to Altrincham Football Club on Thursday night.
Ashley really impressed me during his loan spell from Fylde last December and he ticks a lot of the boxes that we look for in a winger.
I have been chasing him throughout the summer and it had looked a lost cause on a number of occasions but we kept on going back to Fylde and perseverance has ultimately paid off and we have got our man on loan until January 5th at least.
Ashley made a big impression on everyone during his previous loan spell. He’s got end product, can make things happen out of nothing and possesses a great work ethic that you don’t always get with players in that position.
We’ve got another long trip today as we head to Northamptonshire to take on Brackley Town, who have had a similar start to us with four points taken from four games.
On Tuesday night, Lee Ndlovu scored a very similar goal to John Johnston’s thunderous late winner for us against Alfreton, and they led newly promoted King’s Lynn going into added time. There was massive late drama as the Norfolk side equalised with a penalty, before Brackley were immediately awarded a penalty themselves, but Shane Byrne hit the bar with his spot kick and the ref blew the final whistle seconds later and it finished 1-1.
Highlights from Tuesday’s win over Alfreton:
A lot of people have said that if you finish above us this season, then you will be there or thereabouts, which is a nice compliment, but the same can definitely be said about Kevin Wilkin’s side, who have been knocking on the door of the National League for quite a few years now.
Hopefully, the conditions will not be anywhere near as difficult as we experienced at Evesham against Gloucester City last Saturday, when it felt like the game was played in a whirlwind.
I was really disappointed not to win that game but a point away from home is always a decent result and we will be going to Brackley to try to take all three points but first and foremost to get a result from what we know will be a very difficult encounter.
Apart from Jake Moult, we are heading to Brackley with a fully fit squad, which means that three players will miss out. Whilst we won on Tuesday night against Alfreton, I wasn’t totally happy with everyone’s performance, so there may be one or two changes.
Top picture: Michael Ripley
