By Joe Ward 

Alty kick-off February with a Vanarama National League home fixture against Wrexham on Saturday afternoon (5.20pm kick-off). 

The Robins head into the game, which at the time of writing edges ever closer to a sell-out, having progressed to the semi-final of the Cheshire Senior Cup with a 2-0 win on penalties over Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night. 

There were no slip-ups at the VanEupen Arena as Eddy Jones and Ben Pringle held their nerve from 12 yards, demonstrating real leadership in a side made up of experience and youth. 

Off the pitch, Alty have been just as active, bringing in several new players over the last few days to help bolster our options ahead of Saturday's match. 

The visitors head into the fixture just three points off the top of the league table, with two games in hand on current table-toppers Notts County. The Red Dragons were denied a famous Emirates FA Cup win over Championship high-flyers Sheffield United in their last game, following a late equaliser in an absorbing 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground. 

About The Opposition

By the time Saturday comes along, it will be exactly four months since promotion-chasing Wrexham last lost a game in the league, an incredible feat that could've been made all the more spectacular had it not been for the Red Dragons last trip to The J.Davidson Stadium last month.

In a crowd of over 2,500, our home fans anxiously watched as we held our nerve to see off Wrexham on penalties to book our place in the next round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Nevertheless, In the absence of the strike partnership between Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer in that game, it's easy to imagine that we have yet to experience the full force of Wrexham's firepower at our home ground this season. 

The two have accumulated over 40 goals in all competitions this season and neither shows signs of slowing down anytime soon. 

Tuesday's signing of 27-year-old defender Eoghan O'Connell from Charlton Athletic further strengthens the visitors squad heading into Saturday's fixture. However, with no news on Jacob Mendy, Jordan Davies or Bryce Hosannah's return from injury, it could prove significant, should the new arrival be eligible to play. 

 As ever, Phil Parkinson, Neil Sorvel and the players are hoping for plenty of vocal backing as we look to cause yet another upset against the Red Dragons this season. 

Recent Meetings 

Isuzu FA Trophy 22/23: 

Altrincham 2-2 Wrexham (Altrincham won 4-3 on penalties), 13th January 2023

National League 22/23: 

Wrexham 4-0 Altrincham, 29th October 2022

National League 21/22: 

Wrexham 4-0 Altrincham, 18th April 2022

Altrincham 0-2 Wrexham, 28th December 2021

National League 20/21: 

Altrincham 1-2 Wrexham, 9th February 2021

Wrexham 0-1 Altrincham, 1st December 2020

Ticket Information 

This match is now all-ticket. 

Demand for this match is high, and access to The J.Davidson Stadium will be ticket only, purchased in advance.

There will be no cash entry on the day so all home fans requiring a ticket can buy a matchday ticket from here.

Adult - £19

Concession (Over 65 / Students / NHS Workers) - £15

Junior (12-18) - £7

Child (Under 12) - £2

Match Coverage

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on BT Sports from 5pm.

Alternatively, Radio Robins is broadcasting full live commentary on RadioAlty. You can listen to Radio Robins in any of the following ways:

Listen live on RadioAlty: https://streams.radio.co/s4d51ef3bf/listen

Listen live on RadioAlty: https://www.radioalty.co.uk/listen.html

In addition, there will be full coverage of the match on our social media channels.

Matchday Information

Because of the presence of BT Sports cameras, kick off will be at 5:20pm at The J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday, and turnstiles will open at 3:30pm.

In addition to the three banks of turnstiles usually open, we will also be opening the turnstiles at the far end of the Golf Road.

We ask that fans arrive as early as they can to facilitate access to the Stadium, with their digital tickets open and ready to be scanned.

The Fan Zone and the Community Sports Hall Bar will be open from 3:30pm, as will the Sponsors' Lounge and the VP Lounge.

There will be snack bars in both the home and away ends, but there is no provision for alcohol to be served at the away end.

It is prohibited to bring alcohol or other food and drink into the ground. 

Wrexham fans have been allocated 1,656 tickets for this game, and those tickets sold out in no time at all.

Our visitors will access the ground through Turnstiles 1-4 at the Chequers End of the ground on Moss Lane, and will have some seating in the Family Stand, the Chequers End itself and around 60% of the Popular Side, with Altrincham fans occupying the remaining portion of the Pop Side beyond a neutral zone. 

We reiterate all away tickets are SOLD OUT – there will be no tickets available for purchase for Wrexham fans this week or on the matchday itself.  Any Wrexham fan buying a ticket for the home stands will be denied admission and no refunds will be given.  And any such fan who does gain entry to the ground will be ejected, again with no refund forthcoming. 

For wheelchair or pushchair access, please enter gate 5 and you will be looked after. 

The matchday programme will be available to purchase around the stadium and the club shop will be open.

Parking is street only. 

And last but not least … 

Enjoy the game! Saturday is going to be another great occasion in the recent history of Altrincham FC as we continue to re-establish ourselves at our rightful place in the non-League Pyramid. Record gate receipts are assured, and we are currently on track to surpass even the Guiseley play-off final attendance. A reminder to home fans to get your tickets quickly before they sell out, and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday.