Humanity Hallows Issue 4 Out Now!
Pick up your copy on campus or read online
By Jacque Talbot
Altrincham displayed the battling qualities against FC United that will be needed if they are to pull off a great escape and stave off relegation from Vanarama National League North.
The bottom-of-the-table Robins, beaten at home 3-0 by FC United five days earlier, must have feared the worst when they trailed after only 30 seconds in the return fixture at Broadhurst Park to a goal from Jason Gilchrist.
Lifted by new signings Elliot Newby and Andy Owens, Altrincham hit back with a goal from Andy Owens to claim a valuable point. Forward Owens not only scored but left the opposition defence rattled at times, and 19-year-old winger Newby turned in a dazzling display on the right flank.
Having beaten Altrincham 3-0 away just five days before, FC United could have been forgiven for expecting much the same result, especially when Jason Gilchrist thumped home a volley from close range inside just 30 seconds.
The lead was almost doubled minutes later when goalkeeper Tim Deasy was caught in possession outside the area. However, Jerome Wright’s hopeful lob was cleared by John Cyrus who saved his keeper further embarrassment.
Altrincham then displayed a resilience missing for most of this season, pressing the Manchester side’s back four into mistakes. After 12 minutes an Andy Owens shot was blocked but fell kindly for him and he made no mistake with his second effort to level the scores.
With pressure at both ends, a strong challenge came just before halftime from Altrincham player Jake Moult, as he sent Luke Ashworth flying. The resulting brawl earned Moult a yellow card and the FC United man a straight red. Moult also got his marching orders with a second yellow for dissent.
The second half saw a determined home side come out and take the game to Altrincham, piling on the pressure. Substitute Tom Greaves dragged wide after a slick one-two put him in a prime position to score and fellow sub Nathan Lowe was sent on with ten minutes to go to drive attacks through the middle of the park. His runs, however, amounted to nothing in the end.
Despite the away point against a tough FC United side Altrincham remain bottom, with just eight points from 22 games.
Afterwards midfielder Moult said, “There were some tired legs in the second half but we’ve got a point to take home, and that’s a good start.
“We came here today to get all three points, make no mistake. But on the balance of the game, a point is probably a fair result.”
Featured image and gallery: Sam Holmes From Mirfield to Manchester, this Yorkshire-born four-piece bring their funk-interwoven indie rock to a sold-out Gorilla for their biggest headline show to date. Fresh off the back of their new single ‘Watch Life Burn’ and signing their first record deal with This Feeling/ LAB Records, there is already a…
Featured image and photography: Aaron Parsons / Press Haiden Henderson isn’t a name known to many in Manchester, but the Californian rockstar certainly made sure to leave a lasting impression. With sensual and sexy songs, Henderson really knows how to heat up a crowd in more ways than one. Unreleased track ‘Freak For You’ sets a…
Feature image: Press The Manchester Film Festival has wrapped its 12th edition, running over 11 days and showcasing a strong line-up of local and international talent from across the independent film industry. Festival director Neil Jeram-Croft reflected on this year’s programme, filled with a mix of features, shorts and documentaries spanning the cities’ cinema hotspots:…
Featured image: Press Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester for their ‘Reggae Got Soul’ 50th anniversary tour. Following their hugely successful 2025 tour, Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their landmark album, Reggae Got Soul. Fronted for decades by Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert – named by Rolling Stone…
Leave a reply