Loan watch - Brad's a big hit with Bucks
Round-up by John Edwards
Picture by Jonathan Moore
Leamington 0 Buxton 1 (Tuesday)
Versatile Alty midfielder Brad Jackson played the full 90 minutes and contributed significantly to a hard-fought win for a Buxton side who are continuing to put any thoughts of a relegation battle firmly behind them in the Vanarama National League North.
Former Alty skipper Jake Moult was again on the bench for the Bucks but went on in the 78th minute to tighten up a midfield that was largely on defensive duty near the end as they safeguarded their 32nd-minute lead.
Buxton 1 Southport 0 (Saturday)
Brad is certainly making the most of his time at the Silverlands Stadium, and he added another 85 minutes to his output in Buxton colours as they recorded another slender but deserved win in the National League North.
Indeed, it was the Alty winger who set the tone for the afternoon in only the fifth minute with a powerful drive that flew narrowly wide, with the Southport keeper struggling to reach it.
He continued to be at the forefront of Buxton's best moments, laying on a 23rd minute opportunity that was headed over by Jordan Barnett, as the in-form home side secured the points with a fine solo goal by Diego De Girolamo 12 minutes from time.
Foley Meir 2 Alsager Town 1 (Tuesday)
Alty defenders Ewan McGeady and Josh Jordan and forward Matty Sumner were all named in Alsager's starting line-up, but unfortunately only two of them actually started this North West Counties League Division One South fixture.
Matty pulled up with a hamstring problem in the warm-up and was replaced by fellow-Alty frontrunner Lewis Billingsley, who was originally among the substitutes with another Robins loanee Dion Siboko Bohe.
Lewis is fast earning himself a reputation as a forward with an eye for goal, and he demonstrated why inside the opening minute as he weaved his way into the area and was pulled down by the keeper for a penalty that was confidently tucked away by Kallam Boyle to put the visitors 1-0 up.
The Alty youngster created a chance that Jonny Jones just failed to capitalise on after half-an-hour, and he was to the fore again three minutes later, latching on to a pass and cutting inside before curling a shot narrowly wide.
Dion went on early in the second half, but the Bullets couldn't hang on as Foley turned the tables and took the points with two goals.
Cheadle Heath Nomads 1 Alsager Town 0 (Saturday)
Tough one to take for Alsager as they conceded a soft goal in the first half and then hammered away at the Cheadle defence for most of the second 45 minutes without managing to convert any of the chances they created.
After joining the Bullets on a short-term loan, Alty defender Eddie Igeze made a favourable impression on his debut, solid and dependable at left-back and even more impressive when switched to centre-half.
Josh Jordan was missing with a knee injury and Ewan McGeady was turning out for Alty Reserves, but Matty Sumner and Dion Siboko Bohe both started, Matty firing narrowly over early on before feeling a recurrence of his hamstring problem and coming off in the 20th minute.
Chester 1 Boston United 0
Alty striker Zak Goodson started for Boston and got another 70 minutes under his belt before being substituted as Chester moved up to fifth in the National League North table with a winning goal in the last of five added minutes.
Hanley Town 0 Leek Town 0
Alty forward Eden Bailey was named on the bench for Hanley and went on in the 77th minute in the hope of snatching a late winner. It proved elusive, but this was still an impressive and valuable point for the home team against a Leek side who are chasing promotion from the Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One West.
Witton Albion 1 Widnes 2
Great win for Widnes, who are now seven points clear of bottom side Ramsbottom United and only one behind the two teams directly above them, Colne and Glossop North End, in the NPL West Division.
Alty forward Sharif Deans has been a regular starter for Michael Ellison's team but was deemed only fit enough for the bench after shaking off a recent injury. After former Robin Sean Miller's 19th-minute opener had been pegged back in the 29th minute, Widnes sealed the points with a 62nd-minute winner before sending on Sharif as an 84th-minute substitute.
Irlam 1 Burscough 2
Alty youngster Owen German started for Irlam and played the full 90 minutes as the home side slipped to a surprise defeat against lowly Burscough in this North West Counties League Premier Division fixture.
Market Drayton Town 1 Darlaston Town 1
Promising Alty youngster Harlan Rodgers-Morris is continuing his development in the Midlands League Premier Division after joining Market Drayton on loan.
The Robins midfielder had an immediate impact, playing a prominent role in an excellent performance from the home side that brought them their first point at Greenfields this season.
They even looked on course to end Darlaston's nine-match unbeaten run when Harlan burst through in the 66th minute and was chopped down in full flight on the edge of the area for a free-kick that Jamie Hands curled into the top corner to open the scoring.
But Darlaston equalised in the 74th minute and it finished all-square, Harlan's positive contribution ending when he was substituted two minutes from time.
*Nantwich Town, who have striker Ryan Morton on loan, were without a game on Saturday but face Marske United at home tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 7.45pm. Defender Joe Cooney missed Northwich Victoria's 1-1 draw at West Didsbury & Chorlton on Tuesday night and 1-0 Macron Cup defeat at Congleton Town on Saturday due to suspension.