Altrincham 1 Gateshead 0
Report by Alty player Ewan McGeady
Picture by Luke Reynolds Photography

The young Robins were back in action and eager to make their mark in this National League Under-19 Alliance North match at home to Gateshead.
The corresponding fixture up in the North-East earlier in the season saw the Robins lose 2-1 in a close affair between two well-matched sides. Here was our opportunity to even things up and also atone for last week's sub-standard performance.
Both teams took time to settle into their stride, as the match began in cagey fashion and clear-cut chances proved hard to come by.
However, thanks largely to good play on the wings from Loui Williams and Tom Jones, the Robins began to threaten in behind the Gateshead high line. Despite these attacking efforts by Alty, and the defensive back four having to be on their toes at times, the game was 0-0 at half-time.
A swift and fortified reminder of the game plan was given at half-time, and, as a result, the Robins started on the front foot in the second half, with Bailey coming close from a pinpoint cross from German to the back post which forced the Gateshead keeper into a good save.
Further into the second half, after another good delivery from German, the ball found Chambers' feet at the edge of the box, and a superb finish saw the Robins go 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go.
Towards the end, Gateshead applied pressure on the Robins, but a quality performance from Evans at centre-half and clever stops from goalkeeper Byron enabled Alty to see the game out and secure a result which saw them climb up the league table.

Alty squad
Dane Byron
Sam Bonney-Philips
Loui Williams
Adam Lynch
Sekuoba Camera
Owen German
Sam Chambers
Sheriff Njie
Joel Bailey
Liam Evans
Ollie Dixon
Yusuf Adeniyi
Jake Mallen
Kareem Mazjoub
Ewan McGeady
Tom Jones