Words Ben Edwards | Picture Jonathan Moore

The first competitive game of 2026 saw Altrincham FC Women progress through the preliminary round of the Alliance Design and Print Plate with a 3-2 victory away from home against Chorley Women FC Development.

It was the substitutes who made the difference for the Robins, with Emily Rutter netting a brace and Francesca Boyle scoring on her competitive debut for the first team.

Altrincham struggled in the early exchanges to adapt to an unfamiliar and boggy grass pitch. They fell behind in unfortunate circumstances after six minutes through an own goal. Matilda Whitehead stuck a foot in to prevent a Chorley striker from shooting, though could only knock the ball into her own net.

Captain Nat Lowe had the visitors’ first two attempts, both were fizzed towards the bottom left corner but saved by the goalkeeper.

Whilst limiting the hosts to attempts from range, Altrincham found joy down the right flank with Katie Locke and Georgia McKnight linking up well, though again the goalkeeper was equal to everything the Robins tested her with.

Boyle’s first chance of her Altrincham first team career saw her fire off target with the ball bobbling in front of her. She then played in Millie Kullu down the left wing, who stabbed the ball wide.

Chorley came close to doubling their advantage, firing wide from inside the penalty before an audacious effort from range flew over. They went into the interval a goal ahead.

Olivia Kaleta made a crucial save one-on-one two minutes into the first half, though that was all that kept her occupied for the remainder of the game as Altrincham stepped things up a gear in the second half.

The equaliser came in the 50th minute, as Carmen Culbert’s corner resulted in a scramble on the goal line and at the second time of asking, Rutter tapped home.

Rutter found her second 15 minutes later to put the Robins ahead. Running through on goal, the number 29 showed excellent composure to take the ball round the goalkeeper, leaving her with an open goal.

Boyle got the third with seven minutes remaining, producing a great finish inside the penalty area.

The Chorley deficit was halved in the 90th minute, though Alty held out for the remainder of injury time to prevent the game going to penalties.

In the first round of the Alliance Design and Print Plate, Altrincham have another away trip to a North West Women’s Regional League Division One North side in Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies Reserves on Sunday, February 8th. Before then, it’s a return to league action next Sunday against Wirral Phoenix at Partington Sports Village.

Elsewhere, the Elite U18 side were also on the road, travelling to a strong Nantwich Town U18 Girls team. Spencer O’Connor’s side returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory, with goals from Mae Winchcombe and Megan Hunt, making it a perfect weekend for Altrincham after the 3-1 victory for the men’s team on Saturday.