Following the postponement of our games against Notts County (March 6) and Torquay United (March 9) which have since been rearranged, Aldershot Town return to National League action against Altrincham FC at the EBB Stadium looking to continue their good form in the league.
In association with LV Bet, Kirshon Wilkins previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Lewis Kinsella, Craig Tanner and Ross McCormack are all progressing well from their long-term lay-offs, whilst both Alex Finney (hamstring) and George Fowler (knee) are doubtful. Killian Colombie could be in contention to start as he returns from suspension sustained against Maidenhead United.
Opposition:
Name: Altrincham FC
Founded: 1891
Nickname: The Robins, Alty
Opposition Manager: Phil Parkinson
Stadium: Moss Lane
2019/20 National League Final Position: 5th (promoted via National League North play-offs)
Current Position: 11th
The Gaffer:
Parkinson was a player before he joined management. He was known for his playing days with Crewe Alexandra, Reading, Port Vale and Nantwich Town. Parkinson is remembered for his time with Nantwich where he captained the side to a FA Vase trophy in 2006 as well as leading the Dabbers to promotion from the North West Counties League and UniBond League First Division.
His management career started with his former club Nantwich in February 2015 where he transformed the Dabbers from relegation candidates to promotion contenders in a short space of time. Parkinson also took Nantwich to the FA Trophy semi-finals in 2016 where they lost to FC Halifax Town 6-4 over two legs.
Three days after Nantwich lost to Spennymoor Town in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League promotion play-off semi-final, Parkinson was appointed by Altrincham on 28 April 2017. Since then, he has enjoyed promotion from the Northern Premier League in his first season and reached the play-offs in the 2018/19 season before winning promotion to the National League via the National League North play-offs last season.
Departed:
16 players have left Moss Lane to move onto pastures new. Those released include Jacob Blyth (Gateshead), Steven Drench (Farsley Celtic), Elliott Durrell (Wrexham AFC), Dontai Gabidon (West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC), Max Harrop (Curzon Ashton), Harrison Holgate (Fleetwood Town), Jordan Hulme (AFC Fylde), James Hooper (Witton Albion), Craig Mahon (Curzon Ashton), Joe Robbins (Crewe Alexandra), Billy Sass-Davies (Yeovil Town), Lewis Walters (Ashton United), and Elliott Wynne (Farsley Celtic). Jamie McDonald and Max Clayton have not found another club yet whilst Darren Potter has retired.
Retained:
17 players have been retained from their campaign last season. Anthony Thompson, Joel Torrance, Shaun Densmore, Connor Hampson, Tom Hannigan, Toby Mullarkey, Andy White, Jake Moult, Simon Richman, Sean Williams, Yusifu Ceesay, Josh Hancock, Curtis Miller, Daniel Mooney, Tom Peers, Joe Piggott and Lewis Salmon have all been retained by the Robins.
Arrived:
15 new players have joined the Robins this season. Signings include Matthew Gould (Spennymoor), Ritchie Sutton (Morecambe), Rowan Roache (Bamber Bridge), Ryan Colclough (Scunthorpe), James Hardy (AFC Telford United), Byron Harrison (Barrow), Matty Kosylo (AFC Fylde) and Fisayo Adarabioyo (Warrington Town) who is the brother of Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo. Joel Senior and Will Hall were signed after impressing as a trialist. Players that are currently on loan are Andy Dales (Scunthorpe United), Yoan Zouma (Barrow) who is the brother of Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, Reagan Ogle (Accrington Stanley), Alistair Smith (Mansfield Town) and Montel Gibson (Grimsby Town).
Form:
After gaining promotion from the National League North, Altrincham have surprised a lot of people this season with their early season form which had taken them into the play-off positions. However, recent results have gone against them and they now sit mid-table but only a point off of the play-offs. They will want to continue their element of surprise this season and push for the play-off places with Aldershot Town only four points off of the play-offs with games in hand.
Referee:
Tomorrow’s referee is Jacob Miles with his assistants Marc Meeten and Robert Evans and the fourth official officiating the game is Craig Green supported by coach Stephen Dunn.
Match Coverage:
The match will be ‘live streamed’ and available for £11.99 via ‘Shots TV Live’ and include: a pre-match show with Presenter Mark Butler. The guests are former Shots players Scott Rendell and Nick Arnold. The show will start at 1:30pm and it also includes a digital match programme.
They’ll be there for pre-match, half-time and full-time to discuss the evening’s events and we have interviews with our Virtual Mascots Gregg and Graham Klayman and Match Sponsors RLD Builders.
You can get through to our streaming service HERE. BBC Radio Surrey Sport will also have live commentary of the game with Rob Worrall and Gavin Denison.
