Altrincham will be hoping to continue their excellent start to the new season as they travel to FC Halifax Town on bank holiday Monday.
The Robins got off to a flyer last Saturday with a 3-1 victory against promotion chasing Torquay United. Debutant Marcus Dinanga put the away side ahead inside fifteen-minutes with a composed side-footed finish, before new signing Connor Kirby added another goal five minutes later, following an excellent tackle-cum-assist from Joel Senior.
Altrincham looked in control until captain Jake Moult’s calamitous own goal on 74 minutes reduced the away side’s lead to one goal. But a superb strike from Toby Mullarkey ten minutes later settled any remaining nerves in the away camp – sealing a stunning victory for Parkinson’s men.
Speaking to Altrincham Today, Phil Parkinson said: “[Torquay] was a brilliant benchmark game. After a year in this league, I know what it’s like now, so it’s good to see where we’re coming up to.
“Torquay should be in the EFL (English Football League), having only just missed out on automatic promotion and the play off final.”
He added: “It’s always difficult, though, when you get a win like that…as everyone has a tendency to get carried away.”
The 150 travelling supporters who made the 500-mile round trip were the difference in a game of fine margins, according to Parkinson,
“It sounds biased but they were outstanding,” said Parkinson. “The songs were really unique to the players, it felt like we had a thousand there.
“If people do come along and support us, there will be downs, but we will be able to give supporters moments like that, which they’ll remember for a long time.”
Altrincham supporters will have to make yet another away trip on bank holiday Monday as the team travel to West Yorkshire in their second fixture of the season. So far FC Halifax Town have picked up three points from their first two fixtures. The Shaymen, as they are nicknamed, lost their opening fixture to Maidenhead United before bouncing back with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Woking.
“Football never works in absolutes, but what I will say is that Saturday’s game reflects the work we did in pre-season, which was the best we have ever had.”
New signing David Fitzpatrick is in a doubt for Monday’s fixture after picking up a knock, while defenders Andy White, Sean Densmore and Connor Hampson also remain on the side lines. Once White and Hampson have fully recovered, both full-backs are set to go out on loan and regain match fitness before re-joining the fold.
Unless any further injuries crop up in the squad, Parkinson is set to start the same team that faced Torquay last weekend.
“Against Torquay, we picked the team on the provisory that they had been our strongest team during preseason.
If you are not making the trip up to FC Halifax Town you can still listen to the game on Radio Robins or via the club’s Twitter account.
Pictures: Jonathan Moore
