Altrincham 3 Blyth Spartans 2

Match report by Alty player Jacob Martin.

Picture by Jonathan Moore 

Altrincham looked dominant in possession in the early stages of this National League fixture, moving the ball extremely well and frustrating the Blyth players.

The Robins kept on moving the ball around the pitch, opening up pockets of space for Raymond and Weston to pick up the ball and play out to their dangerous wingers, and their enterprise was rewarded with an opening goal in the 38th minute.

A ball that was whipped into the box was met by Shtyhlian's outstretched leg, and it fell perfectly for Chandler to finish and make it 1-0  to Alty.

Not long before the break, Blyth Spartans equalised, as a good bit of skill by their number nine led to him hitting the post, with the rebound being tucked away by their number eight.

All-square at half-time, Altrincham started the second half at a fast pace, with the second goal coming from Weston in the 50th minute, as he converted a smart cut-back with a powerful finish into the bottom corner.

However, it wasn’t long until Blyth levelled matters once more.

Miscommunication and a loss of possession in the midfield left the back line open, and Blyth took advantage as they picked the ball up in a wide area and whipped it across the box, leaving the number nine with a tap-in at the back post.

The game then settled down for a while, with both teams fighting for a win.

It was Alty who gained the ascendancy once more, with what proved to be the winning goal in the 72nd minute.

 A ball was played into the box, and a mis-hit by Powell fell perfectly for Shtyhlian to slip the ball under the goalkeeper's legs for a 3-2 lead.

There was still time for Spartans to threaten yet another equaliser, but Noble thwarted them by keeping out an initial shot and then showing quick reactions to get back up and make a leaping save off the line from a follow-up effort.

Squad on the day 
Charlie Noble
Tom Whyte
Will Knowles 
Kian Leckey
Remi Raymond
Harry Watson
Jacob Ireland
Vlad Shtyhlian 
Joe Weston 
Blyth Bywater
Isaac Mannion
Kaiden Powell
Jack Chandler 
Max Whittle 
Jacob Martin