Robins on the rise after string of tight victories
Altrincham have surged up the National League table after claiming five wins from their last six matches, moving into the top 10 and sitting only outside the play-off places on goal difference. The Robins secured back-to-back victories — a midweek win over Hartlepool United followed by a hard-fought 2-1 success at AFC Fylde on Saturday — to underline a remarkable turnaround after a poor start to the season.
The midweek trip to Hartlepool saw Kane Hemmings convert a first-half penalty that was cancelled out soon after by a Jamie Miley header. The game turned in Altrincham's favour when Hartlepool were reduced to 10 men after skipper Jack Hunter received a second yellow card midway through the second half. The decisive moment arrived late, when former Hartlepool forward Tom Crawford latched onto a neat passing move involving Liam Humbles and slotted home a predatory winner. Crawford has now scored in each of Altrincham's four home fixtures this season, a run that has provided vital goals for the Robins' revival.
Saturday's encounter at Fylde was watched by almost 500 travelling Alty supporters and delivered all its goals in a frantic five-minute spell in the first half. Hemmings opened the scoring, nonchalantly converting a Matty Kosylo cross after Leeds loanee Reuben Lopata-White won the ball in midfield. Fylde levelled almost immediately through Tom Whelan, only for Kosylo to produce an excellent cross-shot that proved to be the winner.
"Fylde are an excellent footballing team, but we were disciplined and locked on man for man. We should have scored at least another two goals, in what was a massive squad effort. The fans were incredible creating a superb atmosphere that pushed us on throughout the game."
The words came from manager Neil Gibson, who was effusive after the Fylde victory and rightly praised both his players and the travelling support. The form run is all the more remarkable given Altrincham lost each of their first three fixtures of the campaign. Since then, every one of their five wins this season has come by the same scoreline — 2-1 — a tidy, if narrow, pattern that has underpinned their rise in the table.
Across the division, the win at Hartlepool preceded the departure of former Newcastle player Lee Clark, who became the first National League managerial casualty of the season after his side were beaten by newcomers Worthing on Saturday. Altrincham's improved run has also seen them climb the six-match form table, sitting just behind league leaders Boreham Wood in recent form.
What this means for Altrincham
The immediate impact is clear: the Robins have gone from a team struggling for points early on to genuine play-off hopefuls. The momentum of five wins in six gives Gibson's squad confidence, but there are still fine margins to be negotiated — Altrincham remain outside the top seven only on goal difference. The travelling support has made a tangible difference, with the near-500 turnout at Fylde creating a lively atmosphere that the manager credited as a factor in the result.
- Key performers: Tom Crawford (regular scorer at home), Kane Hemmings (important penalties/finishing), Matty Kosylo (decisive assist and winner at Fylde).
- Recent pattern: five wins this season all by 2-1 scorelines.
- Squad character: disciplined, compact defending and clinical in narrow margins according to the manager.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Wins from last six | 5 |
| Typical winning scoreline | 2-1 |
| League position | Top 10, outside play-offs on goal difference |
There is plenty of work still to do. Altrincham's season began poorly, and while the recent run has eased immediate pressure, sustaining this form across the long National League campaign will be the real test. For now, though, the town can take heart — the Robins have shown resilience, an eye for the crucial moments, and a crowd behind them that makes Altrincham feel like a proper away-day force. The next fixtures will tell if this promising spell can become a sustained push for the play-offs.
