February 06, 2023
LOAN WATCH
In our regular Monday morning feature, press and media officer John Edwards brings you all the news from those weekend games that involved Altrincham players currently out on loan.
Alsager Town 2 Ashville 1
A welcome win at last for Alsager in the North West Counties League Division One South and what a contribution from no fewer than three Alty players who are presently on loan at Wood Park.
It might have been a quartet of Robins but for defender Ewan McGeady picking up an injury and being ruled out, though that didn't stop Josh Jordan, Dion Siboko Bohe and Matty Sumner doing the club proud on a great day for the Bullets.
Josh was immense at the heart of defence, as he seems to have been pretty much every time he has pulled on an Alsager jersey. He was up against a striker who has given other defenders problems this season, but the Alty youngster won his battles, marshalled the back line superbly and showed confidence in bringing the ball forward and distributing it.
Dion retained his place in the starting line-up and typified the commitment shown by all three Alty players in the 22nd minute by chasing down the Ashville keeper and forcing him into a hurried clearance that cannoned into the winger's leg and, to the relief of the visitors, flew to safety.
Matty made his debut in the number nine shirt and led the line well, working hard and linking up the play impressively. It was his superb through ball that enabled Kallam Boyle to open the scoring in the 56th minute, and there was generous applause for him when he was substituted in the 65th minute after his calf began to tighten up.
There was similar appreciation for Dion, who was substituted in the 70th minute but only after producing some quality moments of wing play on the right, skilfully taking opponents on, and showing a willingness to get back and help his own defenders when need be.
Widnes 2 Mossley 1
Widnes are off the foot of the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division with this notable win over high-flying Mossley and again it was a victory that owed much to the contribution of an Altrincham loanee.
Step forward Sharif Deans, who has become a firm favourite in his time at the DCBL Stadium and further cemented his place in the club's affections with an expertly-finished goal that sealed a much-needed three points for Michael Ellison's side.
Up against a fourth-placed Mossley side including former Alty favourite Nicky Clee as a substitute who entered the fray in the second half, Widnes went ahead in the ninth minute, only to be pegged back four minutes later.
Sharif's big moment arrived in the 69th minute, though there was an anxious wait before his clinical finish was confirmed as the decisive goal that sparked wild celebrations at the final whistle.
Ex-Robin Sean Miller set up the opportunity with a through ball that Sharif met with an unerring low drive into the net, but as the Widnes players rushed to congratulate him, they were stopped in their tracks by the sight of a linesman raising his flag.
The referee sought clarification in a brief consultation with his assistant and, to the relief of everyone in the home camp, ruled that, while another Widnes player may have been in an advanced position, Sharif was onside and the goal should stand.
The lively Alty youngster had the ball in the net again in the 84th minute, but was offside on this occasion, as Widnes saw the game out and climbed above Ramsbottom United in the table.
Buxton 1 King's Lynn Town 0
Brad Jackson was in Buxton's starting line-up as they knocked King's Lynn off the top of the Vanarama National League North table with a 29th-minute winner from Tommy Elliott.
Brad (pictured) almost doubled the lead with a shot that was deflected narrowly over the bar in the 52nd minute in what was to prove an eventful second half. In the 68th minute, King's Lynn were down to 10 men, following a second yellow card for Michael Clunan, and, two minutes later, they found themselves down to nine, as Josh Barrett followed suit and also picked up a second yellow.
Even so, the nine men fought valiantly to salvage a point, but Buxton stood firm and saw out the the final few minutes, former Alty skipper Jake Moult going on as a late substitute to reinforce numbers in the centre of midfield.
Alfreton Town 3 Boston United 1
Boston remain in trouble, hovering near the foot of the National League North, despite Zak Goodson's best efforts to keep them in contention at the Impact Arena.
The Alty striker burst through the home defence in the opening minutes and was unlucky not to give the Pilgrims the early boost they needed with a fine effort that was well saved by keeper George Willis.
Jake Wright gave Boston the lead with his 10th goal of the season in the 21st minute, but Alfreton were back on terms seven minutes later when veteran striker Matt Rhead tucked home the rebound after his penalty had been saved.
Zak threatened again with a 32nd minute effort that was deflected narrowly wide, but Boston found themselves trailing at half-time after Jordan Thewlis forced the ball home from a long throw in the 43rd minute.
Again, it was Zak trying to take the game to Alfreton on the restart, but he was out of luck once more in the 53rd minute with a shot that just cleared the bar. Even when Thewlis made it 3-1, the Alty youngster kept plugging away and went close again with an effort that was cleared off the line.
Nantwich Town 2 Atherton Colleries 1
A huge win for Nantwich, as they climbed above Atherton into 16th place in the NPL Premier Division, and highly-rated young Alty striker Ryan Morton played his part after going on as a 70th-minute substitute.
The scores were tied at 1-1 when Ryan replaced Byron Harrison, and he wasted no time making his mark, as he kept possession of the ball superbly on the edge of the area in the 78th minute and cracked a shot that smacked against the upright.
Two minutes later, a Nantwich side lifted by Ryan's near-miss were heading for a crucial three points, as Troy Bourne nodded home from a free-kick to make it 2-1.
Earlier in the week, Ryan went on as a 59th-minute substitute and helped exert pressure on the Crewe Alexandra defence but couldn't prevent Nantwich going out of the Cheshire Senior Cup in a 2-0 quarter-final defeat at the Swansway Stadium.
Squires Gate 1 Northwich Victoria 2
Alty defender Joe Cooney started at right-back and was an integral figure for Northwich, as they stayed in contention for promotion in the NWCL Premier Division. Earlier in the week, Joe was among the substitutes as Northwich recorded an excellent 2-0 win over AFC Liverpool.
Congleton 1 Irlam 1
Owen German made a promising start to his loan spell at Irlam, going on from the bench and settling in quickly after a couple of good early touches of the ball. Indeed, the Alty youngster almost made it a dream debut, firing over the bar with a speculative effort three minutes into added time.
Alsager Town 2 Ashville 1
A welcome win at last for Alsager in the North West Counties League Division One South and what a contribution from no fewer than three Alty players who are presently on loan at Wood Park.
It might have been a quartet of Robins but for defender Ewan McGeady picking up an injury and being ruled out, though that didn't stop Josh Jordan, Dion Siboko Bohe and Matty Sumner doing the club proud on a great day for the Bullets.
Josh was immense at the heart of defence, as he seems to have been pretty much every time he has pulled on an Alsager jersey. He was up against a striker who has given other defenders problems this season, but the Alty youngster won his battles, marshalled the back line superbly and showed confidence in bringing the ball forward and distributing it.
Dion retained his place in the starting line-up and typified the commitment shown by all three Alty players in the 22nd minute by chasing down the Ashville keeper and forcing him into a hurried clearance that cannoned into the winger's leg and, to the relief of the visitors, flew to safety.
Matty made his debut in the number nine shirt and led the line well, working hard and linking up the play impressively. It was his superb through ball that enabled Kallam Boyle to open the scoring in the 56th minute, and there was generous applause for him when he was substituted in the 65th minute after his calf began to tighten up.
There was similar appreciation for Dion, who was substituted in the 70th minute but only after producing some quality moments of wing play on the right, skilfully taking opponents on, and showing a willingness to get back and help his own defenders when need be.
Widnes 2 Mossley 1
Widnes are off the foot of the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division with this notable win over high-flying Mossley and again it was a victory that owed much to the contribution of an Altrincham loanee.
Step forward Sharif Deans, who has become a firm favourite in his time at the DCBL Stadium and further cemented his place in the club's affections with an expertly-finished goal that sealed a much-needed three points for Michael Ellison's side.
Up against a fourth-placed Mossley side including former Alty favourite Nicky Clee as a substitute who entered the fray in the second half, Widnes went ahead in the ninth minute, only to be pegged back four minutes later.
Sharif's big moment arrived in the 69th minute, though there was an anxious wait before his clinical finish was confirmed as the decisive goal that sparked wild celebrations at the final whistle.
Ex-Robin Sean Miller set up the opportunity with a through ball that Sharif met with an unerring low drive into the net, but as the Widnes players rushed to congratulate him, they were stopped in their tracks by the sight of a linesman raising his flag.
The referee sought clarification in a brief consultation with his assistant and, to the relief of everyone in the home camp, ruled that, while another Widnes player may have been in an advanced position, Sharif was onside and the goal should stand.
The lively Alty youngster had the ball in the net again in the 84th minute, but was offside on this occasion, as Widnes saw the game out and climbed above Ramsbottom United in the table.
Buxton 1 King's Lynn Town 0
Brad Jackson was in Buxton's starting line-up as they knocked King's Lynn off the top of the Vanarama National League North table with a 29th-minute winner from Tommy Elliott.
Brad (pictured) almost doubled the lead with a shot that was deflected narrowly over the bar in the 52nd minute in what was to prove an eventful second half. In the 68th minute, King's Lynn were down to 10 men, following a second yellow card for Michael Clunan, and, two minutes later, they found themselves down to nine, as Josh Barrett followed suit and also picked up a second yellow.
Even so, the nine men fought valiantly to salvage a point, but Buxton stood firm and saw out the the final few minutes, former Alty skipper Jake Moult going on as a late substitute to reinforce numbers in the centre of midfield.
Alfreton Town 3 Boston United 1
Boston remain in trouble, hovering near the foot of the National League North, despite Zak Goodson's best efforts to keep them in contention at the Impact Arena.
The Alty striker burst through the home defence in the opening minutes and was unlucky not to give the Pilgrims the early boost they needed with a fine effort that was well saved by keeper George Willis.
Jake Wright gave Boston the lead with his 10th goal of the season in the 21st minute, but Alfreton were back on terms seven minutes later when veteran striker Matt Rhead tucked home the rebound after his penalty had been saved.
Zak threatened again with a 32nd minute effort that was deflected narrowly wide, but Boston found themselves trailing at half-time after Jordan Thewlis forced the ball home from a long throw in the 43rd minute.
Again, it was Zak trying to take the game to Alfreton on the restart, but he was out of luck once more in the 53rd minute with a shot that just cleared the bar. Even when Thewlis made it 3-1, the Alty youngster kept plugging away and went close again with an effort that was cleared off the line.
Nantwich Town 2 Atherton Colleries 1
A huge win for Nantwich, as they climbed above Atherton into 16th place in the NPL Premier Division, and highly-rated young Alty striker Ryan Morton played his part after going on as a 70th-minute substitute.
The scores were tied at 1-1 when Ryan replaced Byron Harrison, and he wasted no time making his mark, as he kept possession of the ball superbly on the edge of the area in the 78th minute and cracked a shot that smacked against the upright.
Two minutes later, a Nantwich side lifted by Ryan's near-miss were heading for a crucial three points, as Troy Bourne nodded home from a free-kick to make it 2-1.
Earlier in the week, Ryan went on as a 59th-minute substitute and helped exert pressure on the Crewe Alexandra defence but couldn't prevent Nantwich going out of the Cheshire Senior Cup in a 2-0 quarter-final defeat at the Swansway Stadium.
Squires Gate 1 Northwich Victoria 2
Alty defender Joe Cooney started at right-back and was an integral figure for Northwich, as they stayed in contention for promotion in the NWCL Premier Division. Earlier in the week, Joe was among the substitutes as Northwich recorded an excellent 2-0 win over AFC Liverpool.
Congleton 1 Irlam 1
Owen German made a promising start to his loan spell at Irlam, going on from the bench and settling in quickly after a couple of good early touches of the ball. Indeed, the Alty youngster almost made it a dream debut, firing over the bar with a speculative effort three minutes into added time.
