Words John Edwards | Pictures Ayush Bhattacharjee

Altrincham 2 Halifax 1

The season is up and running for Altrincham after first-half goals from Jimmy Knowles and Tom Crawford paved the way for a thoroughly-deserved first win of the season against a second-best FC Halifax Town at The J.Davidson Stadium on Friday night.

Knowles pounced on a defensive error to put the Robins in front with all his usual panache, and a second goal followed just before half-time when Crawford volleyed home unerringly from close range.

Matty Kosylo had the misfortune to divert a right-wing cross into his own net nine minutes from time, but all that did was give the scoreline a slightly misleading look. Alty were more than one goal better than their opponents on the night, and manager Neil Gibson will be hoping his side build on a convincing performance, crowned by two clinical finishes, when they travel to Forest Green Rovers on Monday.

Long-serving crowd favourite Sam Johnson again found himself playing second fiddle to recent arrival True Grant in the away goal, and Halifax's new number one was soon tested after Alty won a corner on the left in the fourth minute.

The ball was played infield to Sam Taylor, who let fly from the best part of 30 yards with a drive that took a slight deflection but was still well held by the diving Grant.

Seconds later, it was Owen Evans' turn to demonstrate his agility as the Alty keeper took off to his right to parry an effort from the edge of the area by Halifax striker Connor Carty.

Alty went ahead in the 16th minute with a superb piece of opportunism from Knowles, who read Max Bardell's intentions as the Halifax defender shaped to pass back towards Grant and intercepted it in a flash.

Through on goal, with another defender hot on his heels, there was only ever going to be one outcome, and the most clinical of finishers didn't disappoint as he rifled a low shot beyond the advancing Halifax keeper.

The lead was almost doubled in the 23rd minute when Aidan Barlow rolled the ball across the edge of the area to Crawford, only for the Robins skipper to steer a first-time shot fractionally wide of the far post.

A 2-0 advantage at this stage would not have flattered the Robins, who were looking by far the sharper, more purposeful side.

Alty's dominance was duly reflected in the scoreline on the stroke of half-time, and what a goal it was.

Charlie Kirk swung a free-kick into the heart of the Halifax area from the right touchline, and when the ensuing headed duel resulted in the ball dropping at the feet of Crawford, Alty's skipper reacted in a flash with a first-time volley that fairly flew into the roof of the net.

The second half was a tighter affair, though it was Alty who went closest to bringing the scoreboard into action again after 70 minutes when the ball was played square to substitute Kahrel Reddin, whose shot from an inviting position was saved by Grant.

The Robins were suddenly in for a nervy finale after Halifax reduced the arrears in the 81st minute, courtesy of an own goal by Kosylo.

A fiercely-driven cross from the right caused the damage as it flew across the edge of the six-yard box, Kosylo turning it into his own net as he tried to steer it to safety.

The two-goal cushion was almost restored in the 89th minute when the ball was bundled into the net after a shot was cleared off the line in a frenetic scramble inside the six-yard box, only for the referee to indicate he was disallowing it for handball.

Man Of The Match Owen Evans

Altrincham Evans; Banks, Khan, Humbles (Reddin, 68'), Barlow (Cooper, 90'+3), Knowles (Hemmings, 80'), Kosylo, Taylor, Lopata-White, Crawford, Kirk (Breckin, 68'). Subs not used: Hinchy, Firth, Forde.

Halifax Grant; Bardell, Conte, Hugill (Allen, 70'), Hobson (Hill, 75'), Flint, Carty (Morgan-Smith, 85'), Gilsenan, Douglas (Bray, 46'), Tollitt (Kawa, 46'), Johnson (c). Subs not used: Johnson, Trusty.

HT 2-0

Goals Knowles 16', Crawford 45'+1 | Own goal 81'

Yellows Barlow 27', Banks 53', Kirk 58' | Conte 63'

Reds None | None

Referee Alan Young

Assistants Declan O'Regan & Jon Ashworth-Sears

Fourth official Samuel Bragg

Attendance 1,861 (423 away)

Next Up

We head for Forest Green Rovers on Bank Holiday Monday for a 3pm kick-off in the Enterprise National League.

Standing and seating tickets for the away section at The New Lawn are available from our hosts here and Union Golf Road away travel is on sale here (including the accompanied u12s travel free offer).