Words Alex Bartholomew | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 1 Sutton United 0

An early strike from in-form Regan Linney was enough to secure all three points in the Robins final home game before Christmas.

Victory also means Alty leap-frogged their opponents into sixth in the Vanarama National League and firmly inside the all-important play-off places.

It didn’t take long for Linney to open the scoring, slotting home his 15th of the season in the 10th minute. A fantastic ball over the visiting defence fell perfectly at the feet of the free-scoring number nine, who showed his usual calmness to hit the bottom right corner with great precision.

The two centre halves for the away side were caught sleeping but take no credit away from Tylor Golden who showed some incredible vision to pick out the pass from inside his own half.

Fifteen minutes later it was nearly two, after some great play down the right hand side from winger Matty Kosylo. He fought well to get on the end of a long ball, before taking on his man and pulling it back for George Wilson, who’s effort was well blocked by Sutton captain Tyler French.

The two sides then went in to the break separated by just one goal after a quiet last 20 saw neither keeper massively tested aside from a few well-defended free-kicks. Altrincham wide-man Kosylo was certainly the man of the half, causing the Sutton defence nightmares down that right wing.

Alty came out of the blocks straight away in the second half too, much like they did to begin the game, with an early chance for Newby blocked brilliantly by French.

Tom Crawford had a great chance on the hour mark, after a touch down from Lewis Baines, but Jack Sims spread his body well to deny the midfielder.

It took 64 minutes for Sutton to have their first real big chance, with Will Davies’ effort being blocked by Baines five yards from goal.

Up until that point, the away side had knocked the ball around rather well without ever really fashioning much of an opportunity for an equaliser.

Wilson nearly topped off his fantastic performance in midfield with a goal in the 73rd minute, as he drove through United’s midfield with ease before smashing one towards goal from the edge of the box. His shot and the rebounded effort from Linney were both well-saved by Sims in the away goal.

The away side began to threaten more and more in the latter stages of the game but some resolute defending from the Robins, in particular the skipper Baines, was enough to keep hold of a well-earned clean sheet.

Harvey Nichols MOTM Matty Kosylo

Altrincham Ross; Banks, Baines (c), Osborne (Marriott, 69'), Linney (Bickerstaff, 90'+2), Newby (Weaver, 90'+3), Kosylo (Reddin, 84'), Wilson, Crawford, Golden, Olson. Subs not used: Cooper, Humbles, Randle.

Sutton Sims; French (c), Simper, Davies, Barbrook, Muller, Waller, Sivi (Boateng, 59'), Wadham (Odelusi, 85'), Nadesan, Topalloj. Subs not used: Okoli, Ransom, Vaz, Jackson, Roberts.

HT 1-0

Goals Linney 10' | None

Yellows Olson 35', Newby 63', Linney 65', Wilson 79' | Davies 7', French 84'

Reds None | None

Referee Simon Mather

Assistants Oliver Nolan & Stephen Rushworth

Fourth official Richard Holmes

Attendance 1,820 (112 away)

Next Up

Woking next Saturday at Kingfield (3pm) - tickets on sale here via our hosts.

We're hugely grateful for the free away travel that has been provided by main shirt sponsor AO.