Words Charlie Staples | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 2 Brackley 1

Two set-piece goals were enough for Alty as they produced a dominant display to claim victory against Brackley Town at The J.Davidson Stadium.

The Robins have now won three league contests in a row, taking them to 13th in the Enterprise National League and sending the visiting Saints down to 17th.

In a first half where the game ebbed and flowed in midfield, the spark came early on through a James Gale goal. Elliot Osborne’s corner to the back post was headed down by Dan Sassi and bundled in by the Alty's number nine for his fifth of the season. 

After the eighth minute goal, there were chances for both teams, with more falling for the home side, including Jake Cooper's thunderous strike which whistled just wide from the edge of the box.

Altrincham shot-stopper Luke Hutchinson was then called into action late in the half, but he stood strong to repel Callum Stewart's low strike.

Come the second half it was much of the same. Tom Crawford’s headed goal from another Osborne corner gave the hosts an early goal to help calm the home fans’ nerves. 

Chances kept coming for Alty, after good interplay down the left with Tylor Golden and Charlie Kirk, the latter fizzed a low ball across the face of the goal which was begging for someone to get a touch on it.

Brackley responded but a brave block from Cooper stopped a venomous strike from Morgan Roberts. 

Lucas Weaver and Olly Crankshaw both had chances late on in the game after coming off the bench, before a very late consolation from Brackley striker Connor Hall.

The result was never in doubt, however, as Alty saw the game out to claim their third win under interim manager Neil Gibson.

Beeline VIP Travel Man Of The Match Kahrel Reddin

Altrincham Hutchinson; Baines (c), Cooper, Osborne (Marriott, 70'), Gale (Knowles, 62'), Kosylo (Ward, 62'), Reddin (Weaver, 81'), Crawford, Golden, Sassi, Kirk (Crankshaw, 81'). Subs not used: Barnes, Beddow.

Brackley Maxted; Calder, Price (Pollock, 46'), Morrison, Dean (c), Roberts, Lowe, Waldron (Donawa, 59'), Lilly (Okafor, 81'), Byrne, Stewart (Hall, 59'). Subs not used: Lyttle, Nottingham, Gregory.

HT 1-0

Goals Gale 8', Crawford 48' | Hall 90'+6

Yellows Kosylo 29', Osborne 61' | Price 45'+2, Byrne 70', Roberts 72', Donawa 75'

Reds Cowan (Bench, 30') | Ross (Bench, 30')

Referee Greg Rollason

Assistants Adam Burgess & Ade Soneye

Fourth official Lewis Smith

Attendance 1,902 (60 away)

Next Up

We head to Essex to take on Southend United at Roots Hall in the Enterprise National League, next Saturday at 3pm.

Tickets are available from our hosts here priced Adults £23, £18 62+/17-22s, £12 9-16s, £7 Under-9s.