Words Patrick Boardman | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 0 Hartlepool 2

Alty came unstuck against a disciplined Hartlepool side in the first midweek Enterprise National League encounter of 2025/26.

It was an even opening from the two sides, with flashes of good interplay from both teams, however, in the fifth minute Hartlepool opened the scoring.

A well-weighted pass in behind from Jamie Miley found Alex Reid, who took one touch and hit a thunderous shot past Luke Hutchinson. After the early blow, Altrincham started to dominate possession in the opening quarter, without creating any notable chances. 

Like London buses, the Robins’ two first chances came one after the other. The first sight of goal came for Lucas Weaver as he entered the box and was only stopped by a fantastic challenge. The second chance coming from the resulting corner. A deep cross headed back across goal but then flicked over the bar by Lewis Banks.

Hartlepool doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time through centre-back Reiss
McNally. A corner was delivered and not dealt with, after a scramble, the centre-back
poked the ball in under Luke Hutchinson. 

Altrincham started the second half much like the first, dominating possession, but no real edge to find a goalscoring opportunity.

With an hour gone there was an on rush of chances for Alty, which started with a guilt-edge chance in the middle of the goal for Banks. Seconds later a lay off for James Gale saw the forward drag a half-volley wide.

Alty remained in complete control of the game and created a couple of decent efforts towards the end; sub Kahrel Reddin forcing Harvey Cartwright into a save, but it was Pools who took the points, while registering a third clean sheet in as many games to start the season.

Man Of The Match Tom Crawford

Altrincham Hutchinson; Banks (c), Crankshaw (Ward, 68'), Marriott (Kosylo, 79'), Gale (Knowles, 68'), Weaver (Reddin, 68'), Crawford, Golden (Reed, 75'), Barnes, Sassi, Kirk. Subs not used: Raymond, Fallon.

Hartlepool Cartwright; Benn (Daly, 20'), John, Kouogun, McNally, Francis, Johnson (Hunter, 69'), Sheron (c), Miley (Walker, 84'), Reid (Charman, 84'), Topalloj. Subs not used: Parkes, Campbell, Smith.

HT 0-2

Goals None | Reid 5', McNally 45'

Yellows Sassi 54' | Kouogun 52'

Reds None | None

Referee Greg Rollason

Assistants Martin Beard & Zharir Mustafa

Fourth official Brandon Scaife

Attendance 1,751 (337 away)

Next Up

A second consecutive 12:30pm Saturday kick-off on the road - this time we're heading for the seaside to battle Morecambe, live on DAZN.

Ticket details will be made public as soon as we have them.