Words Mia Ferry | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham climbed into the top five of the North West Women’s Regional League Division One South with a professional display that produced a 2–0 victory over an in-form Wirral Phoenix side at Partington Sports Village.

Goals from Emily Rutter and Brogan Walsh ensured the Robins extended their unbeaten run in league and cup to five matches, while also recording their first clean sheet of the season.

The tone was set early when Altrincham struck inside seven minutes. After a powerful low drive from Milla Jacobson was pushed away by Phoenix goalkeeper Molly France, Emily Rutter reacted quickest to turn in the rebound. It was Rutter’s second goal in as many league games, having also opened the scoring in the 4–1 win over Warrington Town a fortnight earlier.

Phoenix, who came into the fixture on the back of three consecutive league wins & progression through two rounds of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, battled hard to respond. They tested the Altrincham defence on several occasions, but the back four of Ash Gilmore, Katie Locke, Ireyimika Bamigboye, and Annie Rose O’Donoghue were resolute, snuffing out attacks with discipline and composure.

Behind them, goalkeeper Olivia Kaleta produced a number of fine saves to preserve Alty’s advantage.

The decisive second goal came six minutes after the restart. From a well-delivered corner, Brogan Walsh rose magnificently, above her marker to power a header towards goal. France got fingertips to the effort but could not prevent it from crossing the line, as the ball nestled just inside the post.

Despite the scoreline, both goalkeepers were standout performers. France, named Phoenix’s Player of the Match, made several sharp interventions to keep her side within touching distance. For Altrincham, Kaleta’s safe handling and confident presence helped secure a much-desired shutout.

In midfield, Jacobson once again caught the eye with her vision and technical quality, while Matilda Whitehead produced arguably her best performance for the club to date, showing signs of continual development.

Altrincham FC Women are sponsored by Aaron & Partners Solicitors.

Offices in Chester, Shrewsbury, Altrincham and on The Wirral.

The afternoon also marked a memorable senior debut for Millie Kullu, who stepped up from the Elite U18 side and was named RadioAlty’s Player of the Match. The academy graduate impressed with her energy and direct play on the right-hand side, underlining the strength of Altrincham’s youth player pathway.

Phoenix, who remain third despite only their second defeat of the season, will now look to regroup quickly. Both sides will shift their focus to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Third Round Qualifying this weekend, with Wirral Phoenix facing AFC Fylde and Altrincham travelling to Stockton Town (Sunday October 5, KO 2pm).

For Alty, this was a confident display that combined defensive solidity with attacking efficiency, an encouraging marker of progress as they look to push further up the league table.