Maidenhead United 0-1 Altrincham

Words Joe Edgar Pictures Darren Woolley, Maidenhead United club photographer

Altrincham bounced back from a damaging defeat at the weekend to claim all three points at York Road this evening. An emphatic first-half header from James Jones proved to be enough for the Robins as they secured a first away win of the season, winning 1-0. 

In what wasn’t an especially pretty performance, chances were hard to come by, but resilience and determination in defence were prominent factors to get Alty over the line and seal a crucial win for Phil Parkinson’s side. 

As is the case with many of Altrincham’s recent National League affairs, the Robins were the side controlling possession in the early stages of the game, while Maidenhead opted for a more counterattacking approach. 

This method almost paid dividends for the hosts, as a beautifully weighted pass in behind the Alty defence from Reece Smith found Tristan Abrahams. The pace of the Magpies’ forward was too great for any of the Altrincham defenders to match, but this worked against him, as he took the ball too close to the byline and his shot was saved comfortably by Ethan Ross. 

After initially struggling to break through the Maidenhead press, this shot on target acted as a momentum shift as Altrincham began to trouble the home side’s backline. The first opportunity of their own came after Max Haygarth broke free on the right-hand side of the Maidenhead penalty area, 25 minutes into the match. With a swift turn and shot he tested Craig Ross, but he was ultimately unable to beat the Magpies’ goalkeeper. 

A period of sustained pressure followed Haygarth’s effort on goal, and Altrincham got closer and closer to opening the scoring. A flat, whipped cross from Alex Newby fell agonisingly beyond a sliding Regan Linney at the back post before a long-range effort from Tylor Golden was deflected just wide for a corner. 

Just after the 30-minute mark, however, Alty’s persistent attacking threat was finally rewarded after a luscious cross from Elliot Osborne. His perfectly aimed delivery from a free-kick found Jones at the back post, who towered over the defender tasked with marking him. He headed the cross powerfully into the ground, the ball quickly flying past Ross and giving Altrincham the lead at the halftime break. 

After what seemed like an uneventful first half, a more flowing second 45 minutes was the expectation. With Maidenhead yet to register a point in the 2024/25 campaign and Alty coming into the game off the back of a heavy defeat at Sutton, the three points on offer today were pivotal to both sides. However, the cagey affair that the York Road crowd witnessed in the first period continued into the second half. 

Alty’s principal attacking action came just after the hour mark, as Max Haygarth nearly doubled their lead. A clever one-two with Regan Linney on the halfway line split the Maidenhead defence open, but Altrincham’s midfielder was unable to convert the opportunity as Craig Ross saved the shot well with his feet. 

It quickly became apparent after that missed opportunity that scoring another goal was not Altrincham’s priority. Unrelenting hard work and fortitude out of possession restricted the home side for much of the half, but a huge goalscoring opportunity for Reece Smith in the first minute of added time looked to threaten the Robin's clean sheet. 

A loose pass in the midfield was picked up by Shawn McCoulsky who drove powerfully through the Altrincham half. He carefully slid the ball in the path of Smith in the Alty penalty area where the Magpie took a shot at goal. It was Maidenhead’s best move of the game by a distance, but the forward dragged his shot wide of the mark, admitting the hosts to defeat. 

The Robins were assured in their efforts to see out the remaining time on the clock, and they were rewarded after 7 long minutes of injury time by the referee’s full-time whistle. It felt important for the players to respond after the weekend’s disappointment, and it was evident how much the victory meant to the squad in their immediate celebrations. 

Teams:

Maidenhead: Ross, C (GK); Lokko, Latty-Fairweather (70’ Carvalho), Ferguson, Mitchell-Lawson, Johnson (85’ Ajose), Pettit, Smith, Cochrane, Abrahams (67’ McCoulsky), Massey (c).

Subs not used: Collins, Keetch

Altrincham: Ross, E (GK); Banks, Baines (c), Osborne, Linney (72’ Nuttall), Newby, Amaluzor (78’ Reddin), Jones, J; Haygarth (69’ Wilson), Crawford, Golden.

Subs not used: Cooper, Weaver, Fallon.

HT: 0-1 | FT: 0-1 

Goals: 35’ James Jones

Yellow Cards: Kevin Lokko, Tristan Abrahams, McCoulsky | Regan Linney 

Red Cards: None | None

Attendance: 1027 (65 travelling Alty fans)

Next up: We return to the J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off against Eastleigh. Tickets can be bought online at Altrincham’s ticket page or at the turnstiles on matchday - £20 Adults; £15 Concessions; £9 12-18 year old; £4 5-11 year old; £1 Under 5s.