Words Joe Edgar | Pictures Jonathan Moore

ALTRINCHAM missed the chance to go level on points with Eastleigh as the Spitfires got the better of a close affair at The J.Davidson Stadium.

A late penalty converted by Chris Maguire proved enough for the visitors in a game where chances were relatively hard to come by.

The Robins seemed to elevate their performance levels in the second half, but a challenge from Max Haygarth brought Scott Quigley down in the Alty penalty area, and the hosts were ultimately unable to mount any comeback after the spot kick was converted.

From the outset, it was apparent that Eastleigh felt their main weapon to hurt Altrincham was their physicality. With three tall centre-backs and a couple of tough forwards in the starting eleven, their size advantage was obvious.

Playing to these strengths, Tyrese Shade hurled the first of a number of long throws into the Alty penalty area after only three minutes. No clear-cut opportunities were created, however, in a half of limited attacking threat and opportunities, the visitors looked most likely to score from Shade’s set pieces.

At the other Alty’s attacking players struggled to cause any significant problems to those in the Eastleigh backline. A free-kick from Alex Newby went well over the bar and a few final passes went just wide of the mark, but a well-disguised effort from Haygarth almost gave the Robins the lead at the break.

Cutting inside from the right-hand side, the attacking midfielder drilled an effort towards the near post. Joe McDonnell in the Eastleigh goal reacted well, however, pushing the ball to safety and ensuring the first half ended level.

Following the half-time interval, the attacking intent from both sides increased significantly.

Alty looked to get the better of the early exchanges, and after Justin Amaluzor drilled a shot into the side netting and Lewis Banks missed the target with a close-range header, the home side were favourites to break the deadlock.

The best opportunity for the hosts came just after the hour mark where they were denied by a remarkable save from McDonnell.

Amaluzor did excellently to create some space on the left touchline, and he made the most of this opening to deliver a wicked cross into the area. He found Banks who was unmarked in the box once again, but his close-range effort wasn’t enough to beat the well-positioned Eastleigh keeper. 

Less than 10 minutes later came the match’s decisive moment. An onrushing Quigley was dragged back by Haygarth, giving referee Zac Kennard-Kettle the option to a award a penalty.

Maguire stepped up confidently, sending Ethan Ross the wrong way as he placed the ball in the bottom right corner.

From this point forward, Alty tried to push on for an equaliser. An exciting cameo from Kahrel Reddin gave the hosts a sense of directness and pace, but the Robins were unable to peg the unbeaten Spitfires back.

Harvey Nichols MOTM Tom Crawford

Altrincham Ross; Banks, Baines (c), Osborne, Newby, Amaluzor, J.Jones, Haygarth (Reddin, 72'), Crawford, Golden, Nuttall (Linney, 68'). Subs not used: Cooper, Kosylo, German, Wilson, Randle.

Eastleigh O'Donnell; Vokins (Boutin, 90'+2), Humphries, Francillette, Maguire, Taylor (c), Shade (Panter, 79'), Waruih, Quigley, Semenyo (Hodson, 84'), Maher. Subs not used: Fernandez, Scott, Rogers, Dotse.

HT 0-0

Goals None | Maguire 72' pen

Yellows Banks 50', Crawford 70' | Taylor 50'

Reds None | None

Referee Zac Kennard-Kettle

Assistants Wayne Gray & Daniel Smith

Fourth official Declan Brown

Attendance 1,601 (61 away fans)

Next Up

Our third away trip in just over a week - Forest Green Rovers the opponents on Bank Holiday Monday at The New Lawn (kick-off 3pm).

Tickets are available from our hosts here. Union Golf Road's away travel for this game has sold out.