Words Ben Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 3 Hornchurch 0

The Robins made it three wins on the bounce and six victories from seven with a convicing performance at the J.Davidson Stadium over Hornchurch FC.

Left-sided pairing Sam Taylor and Charlie Kirk netted their first goals in Alty colours, whilst Jimmy Knowles added the third.

Neil Gibson's side were forced into a change after just eight minutes, with midfielder Liam Humbles suffering what appeared to be a shoulder injury. He was replaced by Otis Khan, returning to the squad after a two-game absence due to injury.

The Pakistan international went for goal within seconds of entering the pitch but fired over from distance.

Tom Crawford also saw a couple of attempts sail beyond the crossbar from 20 yards, after some good football by the Robins in the build-up.

Knowles had the Hornchurch defence worried when he beat goalkeeper Arthur Nasta to the ball and drilled it across goal from a narrow angle, forcing Tom Dallison into a goalline clearance.

One of Andy Firth's few involvements saw the shot-stopper make a comfortable save against Aaron Rowe's effort, just seconds before quickly racing out of his goal to beat Hornchurch to the ball and make a sliding clearance.

The opener came three minutes into first-half stoppage time, when Taylor was picked out on the left of the penalty area and he drilled the ball in at the near post.

With a deserved half-time advantage, Altrincham ramped things up at the start of the second half and scored twice in just three minutes.

Kahrel Reddin's cross found his opposite winger Kirk at the back post, who took a touch before producing a delightful chip over the goalkeeper and into the top right corner.

Two soon became three as Knowles' initial attempt was palmed away, though the ball was recycled back into the penalty area and the number 11 headed into the bottom left corner to spark jubilation in front of the Citation Golf Road End.

Knowles was lively and had opportunities for his second of the game. His bending effort was well saved, whilst a volley inside the penalty area was blocked.

The Robins looked after possession well throughout the final 30 minutes without creating a great deal, whilst at the other end Firth produced a brilliant reflex save and substitute Jake Cooper headed off the goalline as Alty battled to keep their first clean sheet of the season intact.

Man Of The Match Charlie Kirk

Altrincham Firth; Banks, Humbles (Khan, 8'), Barlow, Knowles (Cooper, 87'), Kosylo, Taylor, Reddin (Hemmings, 74'), Lopata-White, Crawford (c) (Hinchy, 74'), Kirk (Weaver, 74'). Subs not used: Breckin, Acquah.

Hornchurch Nasta; Inniss, Powell, Dallison, Walker (Pegrum, 64'), Wraight (c) (Yearwood, 40'), Sandat (Hearn, 46'), Ling, Edwards (Greenidge, 46'), Rowe (Balanta 78'), Massey. Subs not used: Byrne, Poleon

HT 1-0

Goals Taylor 45+3', Kirk 54', Knowles 57' | None

Yellows Crawford 68' | Sandat 33', Walker 47'

Reds None | None

Referee Lewis Smith

Assistants Matthew Malton & Mark Bates

Fourth official Abid Hussain

Attendance 2,113 (76 away)

Next Up

We're on the road to Gateshead on Tuesday evening in the Enterprise National League. Kick-off on Tyneside is at 7:45pm.

Full details on tickets for the away section at the Gateshead International Stadium are available here.