Hancock two good as Alty run riot

PHIL PARKINSON’S Altrincham smashed fellow play-off hopefuls Chester to consolidate their top seven place.

Second half goals from Joe Piggott, Josh Hancock and John Johnston followed the dismissal of captain Scott Burton for the Blues, as hit Alty some fine form as we enter the home stretch.

A first half stalemate saw more tough tackles than goalmouth action, although Daniel Mooney saw a couple of efforts well saved for the visitors, and Johnston saw a shot flash just wide of the far post at the other end.

The game sprung into life five minutes after the break when Burton received a deserved second yellow for a challenge on Sean Williams, which allowed the Robins to take full control.

And moments later, Hancock beat his man down the left and squared for Piggott to tap in from two yards.

The hosts were relentless from that point on and Hancock helped himself to a quickfire brace on 63 minutes – first smashing home the rebound after Daniel Livesey blocked Johnston from a narrow angle.

Then six minutes later he scrambled home following Chester keeper Grant Shenton’s spillage.

Later in the half, Hancock just missed out on his hat-trick as his header was tipped onto the bar, before Johnston deflected in Simon Richman’s strike in stoppage time to make in ten goals in two games for Alty.