**UPDATE - Today's game at Rochdale has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Crown Oil Arena**

Words Joe Edgar | Pictures Jonathan Moore

We begin 2025 with a trip to the Crown Oil Arena to face play-off rivals Rochdale in the Vanarama National League on New Year's Day (kick-off 3pm).

Setting the Scene

The Robins earned a hard-fought point against fellow playoff contenders Halifax in
our final outing of 2024. Despite playing the second period with only ten men, Altrincham held on for a draw, with Ethan Ross playing a big part in ensuring the game finished 0-0.

Thursday’s point moves our tally to 35 for the season, good enough for ninth in the league table. We sit just three points behind Solihull Moors in the final play-off spot.

Our opponents have had a strong first half of the campaign, and heading into
the fixture on New Year’s Day Rochdale are currently in sixth place.

After relegation from League 2 in the 2022/23 season, Rochdale spent last season acclimatising to their new surroundings. Now, after being active in the transfer market, Dale have built an impressive squad and look set to make the playoffs come the end of the season.

No team has conceded fewer goals at home than our hosts so far this campaign, proving how difficult Wednesday’s task will be for the Robins.

The Gaffer

“A brilliant win against Sutton, a good draw away at Wealdstone, unfortunate loss
with a good performance against Woking and a well-earned draw at home against
Halifax with 10 men for 45 minutes is a strong end to the year campaign.”

Pitch update from our hosts

Work has been undertaken on the Crown Oil Arena pitch ahead of our New Year's Day game against Altrincham.

A break in the heavy rain over recent days has allowed the ground staff to Verti-Drain the surface, a process which punches holes into the turf, with the aim of aiding the drainage process.

Rain covers have now been deployed to shield the more problematic areas of the pitch. Given the forecast of heavy rain for the next 24 hours, we have been in
communication with both our opposition and appointed match officials.

We will continue dialogue and collectively decide whether the pitch needs to be formally assessed in the morning. We will provide a further update to supporters as soon as possible after this time.

Last time against Rochdale

February 2024 – Altrincham produced one of the best performances of the season in the last meeting between the two sides, earning all three points with an impressive 3-0 victory.

Justin Amaluzor, Regan Linney and Chris Conn-Clarke got the goals in a fantastic day for the Robins.

Admission

You can get your tickets online for the game here, with prices for the away section in the Willbutts Lane Stand as follows...

Adults £24 | Senior (65+) £19 | Young Person (U22) £14 | Junior (U14) £7

Check out Rochdale's fan guide for further matchday details here.

Radio Robins

If you can't make it to Rochdale for our 2025 opener why not let Radio Robins (live on Radio Alty) guide you through the action.

Join Tom Jolley, Sam Hodkin & Tim Ainsworth for live commentary from the Crown Oil Arena, beginning at 2:45pm. 

Happy New Year everyone AND Come on your Robins!!!