10-man Altrincham ended a run of five consecutive defeats on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over Woking FC at the J Davidson Stadium.
“We needed that [win],” said Parkinson. “[I’m] delighted that the lads’ endeavour and application got them over the line.”
A host of poor results had knocked Altrincham down to 11th in the table, so a result was seen as imperative for the management.
Yet victory seemed a distant prospect on 34 minutes when Altrincham were reduced to 10 men. Tom Hannigan was adjudged to have brought down Jayden Wareham in a goal scoring position and was accordingly dismissed by the referee.
“When I watch it back, if Tom’s pulled the lad back as he’s going through then he deserves to get sent off,” said Parkinson.
“But I just can’t understand how we’re in that position where a lad has chopped him in half previously and just got a yellow card,” added Parkinson.
With 55 minutes still left to play it could have been a very difficult evening for the Robins. But Altrincham held on in the first half and managed to take the lead in the second, when on 73 minutes substitute Tom Peers picked out Matty Kosylo for a fine finish from close range.
“Tom Peers was absolutely immense,” added Parkinson. “He [even] deserved a goal at the end.”
Even with an extra man, Woking failed to break down Altrincham’s defence, and were limited to mostly half chances. It was only until the dying embers of the game that they really threatened the Altrincham goal. In the 90th minute, Tony Thompson made a string of fine saves to deny Woking from levelling the score line and taking home a point.
“You could tell how badly [the players] wanted it at the end because there was no way they [Woking] were going to get that goal,” said Parkinson. “[Thompson’s] save at the end epitomised the fantastic performance all round”
Tuesday night’s victory pushes the Robins back up the table, putting them in 8th place and two points outside the play-off spots – albeit having played three more games than 7th placed Eastleigh.
“We won’t get carried away but we’re delighted with the result,” said Parkinson. “Apart from concentration the lads have gone to the end in every game.”
Parkinson caveated his positive remarks with a promise to use the transfer and loan markets again if his side experience another dip in form.
“We’ve always got people lined up in terms of who we might [get] in case of injuries,” said Parkinson. “If you’re not going to be at your game…we will make changes.”
Altrincham were originally scheduled to take on Dover at the J Davidson Stadium this weekend. However, due to financial reasons the club decided to furlough all their players and staff back in February 2021.
So instead, Altrincham’s next fixture will take place on Tuesday night against high-flyers Hartlepool United.
“We will go into that full of confidence. They’re one of the best teams we’ve played. They’re one of the favourites to win [the league],” said Parkinson.
All three of Phil Parkinson’s loan signings will once again be eligible for Tuesday night’s fixture – all of which are contracted to be with the Robins until the end of the month.
And although neither Josh Hancock or Dan Mooney appeared in the squad against Woking, both are set to return from injury in the very near future.
