Words Kian Mattison Picture Jonathan Moore

FC Halifax Town 5 Altrincham 4 

Altrincham and FC Halifax Town produced a thrilling nine-goal encounter, with the home side completing a remarkable comeback after going into half-time 4–1 down.

Altrincham started brightly and took the lead with a superb free-kick from Kian Mattison (pictured), which curled into the top corner and gave the Halifax goalkeeper no chance.

Halifax responded quickly, finding an equaliser to make it 1-1 and put themselves right back into the contest.

However, the young Robins regained their advantage soon afterwards. A dangerous corner was delivered into the box, and Mattison headed it into the back of the net.

Alty continued to apply pressure and were awarded a penalty. The Halifax goalkeeper managed to save the initial effort, but the rebound fell kindly to Ben Mensah, who reacted quickest to fire home and make it 3-1.

Altrincham then added a fourth before the break in spectacular fashion. Jesse Rowe's shot took a deflection and dipped over the Halifax goalkeeper, finding the back of the net to establish a commanding 4-1 lead.

Halifax came out for the second half with a completely different intensity. They quickly pulled a goal back to make it 4–2, giving themselves hope of a comeback.

They continued to attack and soon scored again, cutting Altrincham's lead to just one goal.

With the momentum firmly behind Halifax, another attack resulted in the equaliser as their incredible fightback from three goals down continued.

The pressure finally paid the ultimate dividend as they scored a fifth goal, turning the match completely around and making it 5-4 to Halifax, who secured three points.

Squad on the day 

Theo Bunting
Ben McNamara
Rafi Fereday
Sammy Neville 
Callum Dakin 
Archie Rowlands
Kian Mattison
Josh Dempsey
Finlay Wilson
William Sneyd 
Lucas Bagley 
Ben Mensah 
Jesse Rowe
John Gblogun 
Joshua Obanwonyi