Words Harry St Romaine | Picture Jonathan Moore

Gateshead 3 Altrincham 2

Altrincham started their latest National League fixture at a brisk pace, retaining possession well and creating a few opportunities up in the North-East.

However, the finishing touches proved elusive, with chances not being taken from Renshaw and a few good saves from the Gateshead keeper adding to the young Robins' frustration.

Gateshead had a good spell of possession, leading to a chance being created with a reverse ball from their winger to their full-back, who put in a good cross which was tapped in by their striker.

On the brink of half-time, Alty levelled matters, when a bit of silly skill from Watson and a cross into the box was nicely tapped in by Isaac Mannion. 

A slow start to the second half by the Robins led to them conceding early and going 2-1 down.

But the Robins grew into it, with Bunting beating the press and playing it out to full-backs, St Romaine finding Watson in the middle and enabling him to link up well with Lavin, Knowles and Mannion.

Despite all these encouraging signs, Alty found themselves further behind as the Heed fashioned a third goal. 

The response from Alty was to introduce substitutes, with Hough, Rowe and Diomande coming on and making a big impact.

Rowe, with some quick feet, managed to drive into the box and win a penalty. St Romaine stepped up to take it and sent the keeper the wrong way, slotting it in to make it 3-2. 

From this point onwards, the Robins applied relentless pressure in their quest for an equaliser. They created many opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Squad on the day:

Theo Bunting, Harry St Romaine, Chris Antoniades, Henry Watts, Kian Leckey, Charlie Hough, Raion Rowe, Jimmy Taffe, Henry Watson, Harley Renshaw, Amara Diomande, Noah Lavin, Ryan Knowles, Issac Mannion.