Match Report: Altrincham 2-3 Gainsborough
- Doughty blasts team Altrincham team as ‘weak’ after loss to relegation rivals Trinity
- Altrincham rooted to bottom of the National League North table, 17 points from survival
In what was billed as one of the most important games of the season for Altrincham, saw them defeated 3-2 on their home turf to Gainsborough Trinity through silly defensive mistakes that left manager, Matt Doughty, fuming with his team.
Altrincham set up with two league debutants in Laurence Taylor and Tomi Adeloye and their presence was supposed to set about a new and improved Altrincham F.C – a team who just convincing beat Runcorn 4-0 in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
But, in what Robin supporters must be thinking as typical Altrincham F.C fashion, they conceded a goal from inside 2 minutes through Nathan Jarman as he easily bustled through the hapless John Cyrus and slotted the ball home from a tight angle.
A few boos started to ring around the J. Davidson stadium and Doughty became increasingly animated on the touchline after an unmarked Noel Burdett made it 2-0 from close range just before ten minutes.
In the second half, Altrincham came out fighting with Nicky Clee forcing dangerous opportunities from the left. Yet, despite the tireless efforts of Altrincham’s attacks, Gainsborough were the more clinical as their only chance in the whole of the second period was buried when Ashley Worsfold lobbed the charging Tim Deasy to make it 3-0.
However, the Robins persistence soon paid off when Andy Owens drew one back with a tidy finish after it bizarrely struck the crossbar twice from Damian Reeves shots.
Another came for the hosts when John Cyrus left his defensive position and bundled the ball home from inside the box to make it 3-2.
The final few moments had Altrincham attempt to snatch away the victory from Gainsborough but keeper George Willis ensured that the visitors held out for all three points, leaving Altrincham bottom of the National League North table and 17 points from survival.
After the game, Doughty said: “I told the lads that if we play like that next Saturday against Chorley then we will get beaten six or seven, it’s simple as that.”
“I’ve always defended our back-line, but today I can’t not defend them. We were weak and we were very poor.”