A trip to Eastleigh's Silverlake Stadium is on the cards for Altrincham as they take their search for a first win of the season down south.
Wednesday night's game against Notts County was a real introduction to life back in the National League, and Alty will be all the better for the yardstick experience. Dan Mooney's 77th minute consolation goal was a deserved one for the Robins, but they could have no complaints with the result.
Despite taking no points from the game, Phil Parkinson will be pleased with how his players performed in chunks of the contest and the task now is to learn from the game and continue to adapt to the landscape of National League football.
🗣 “I’ve seen positives where we can retain the ball and can create chances”@altrinchamfc boss Phil Parkinson reviews last night’s defeat against Notts County, and discusses their adaptation to the Vanarama National League 👇 pic.twitter.com/HzCAOaR2eb
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) October 8, 2020
Looking ahead to today's game, Brian Flynn caught up with assistant manager Neil Sorvel in a full interview that you can listen to here.
"We'll get the footage through and have a look to try and identify where we can exploit them, and where their dangers are. It's a learning curve for us, it's all new for us - but the attitude was great (Notts County game) with the way the lads kept going, and I'm sure we will be fine."
Eastleigh have had a perfect start to the season with two wins out of two, including a particularly impressive 5-1 away win at Barnet on the opening day. In contrast to Wednesday night, Alty can expect a direct and physical approach from the Spitfires who are managed by a familiar name in Ben Strevens. Altrincham fans may remember him for his time as a player with both Dagenham & Redbridge and Eastleigh themselves.
It may be the case that Alty look to rotate some areas of the squad this afternoon, with one day less rest coming into the game - particularly as Wednesday night's side was unchanged from the opener against Weymouth a week ago.
Today's hosts have established their own live streaming service, Spitfire TV.
Click here to purchase access to today's stream. Tickets cost ÂŁ7.99.
Support requests and questions should be directed to Eastleigh via [email protected] There is also a resource page, here.
You can listen to live commentary of today's game on Radio Robins, sponsored by Ashley Mowers Garden Machinery, and the broadcast starts at 2:45pm.
Today's commentary team is Paul Salt, Laurence Howarth and Niall Flynn. The match commentary sponsor is 'The Non-League Lounge.'
You can listen to Radio Robins in any of the following ways:
1) By visiting our MatchCentre on the club website.
2) Download and install the Mixlr app on Android devices from the Google Play Store - start the app and search for 'Radio Robins'.
3) Download and install the Mixlr app on Apple devices from the Apple Store - start the app and search for 'Radio Robins'.
4) https://mixlr.com/radio-robins
5) There is also a temporary Radio Robins WIX website at https://rr5977.wixsite.com/radiorobins
Altrincham’s third fixture of the National League season ended in a 1-1 draw with Eastleigh at The Silverlake Stadium, goals from Yusifu Ceesay, and Cavaghn Miley saw the game end level.
The Robins made two changes to the starting 11 from their 3-1 defeat to Notts County on Wednesday, with Joel Senior and Richie Sutton replacing Shaun Densmore and Tom Hannigan.
Before the game it was announced manager Phil Parkinson and full-back Densmore were not at the game as both, in separate circumstances, have been in contact with a person in their circle who has tested positive for Covid-19.
Alty had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute, Tom Peers made a good run down the right, flicking the ball back to Matty Kosylo. Altrincham’s number 15 drove forward into the box and shot – his effort was saved by McDonnell in the opposition’s goal.
The Robins were ahead four minutes later through Ceesay, a Sean Williams corner was met by Tom Peers, who flicked the ball back to Ceesay – the winger controlled it and fired past Joe McDonnell.
Altrincham went close to doubling their lead in the 11th minute, Williams found space and let fly from 30-yards – his effort went just over.
Kosylo looked to get Altrincham’s second just eight minutes later, his shot was saved well by McDonnell.
Eastleigh had a good chance with nine minutes of normal time remaining, Sam Smart with some good play down the right drove the ball into the box then tried his luck – his effort was saved byThompson.
Neil Sorvel was forced to make his first change of the afternoon in the 36th minute, Jack Payne clattered Williams, receiving a yellow card for the offence – the Robins’ number eight was hurt and replaced by Simon Richman.
The Spitfires were level just before the break, a corner wasn’t cleared by Alty and Miley took advantage blasting a shot past Thompson.
Half-time | Eastleigh 1-1 Altrincham
Altrincham started the second-half brightly, their first chance coming from Peers in the 49th minute – the forward hit a free-kick well but it went wide of McDonnell’s goal.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the net three minutes later, Ben House’s long-range shot hit the back of Tyrone Barnett and went in – the goal was however ruled out as Barnett was stood in an offside position.
Eastleigh made their first substitution of the game; Dan Smith came on for Barnett in the 65th minute.
The Robins made their second change of the afternoon five minutes after the Spitfires – Ceesay was replaced for Mooney.
With 17 minutes remaining the hosts almost took the lead through Michael Green’s header – his effort was cleared off the line by Jake Moult.
Neil Sorvel was forced to make another change in the 76th minutes, Andy White this time requiring treatment, he came off for Connor Hampson.
The last 14 minutes of the game phased out with not real clear chances from either side, with the referee blowing for the end of the game with three minutes of added time.
Full-time | Eastleigh 1-1 Altrincham
Altrincham return to the J.Davisdon Stadium on Tuesday when they welcome Solihull Moors, kick-off is 7:45pm. Live streaming details will be posted very soon.