Cheshire rivals and Ammies in FA Trophy fixtures
ONLY Salford City, Altrincham and Stockport County have made it to the first round of the FA Trophy, and the latter two have been drawn to face each other at Moss Lane today.
The Cheshire rivals will not play each other in the league until Boxing Day, however, the Robins and the Hatters have battled it out once already this season, in FA Cup qualifying.
County won at Edgeley Park thanks to goals from Frank Mulhern and Matty Warburton but playing Phil Parkinson’s team on their own turf is a different proposition.
Altrincham have won their last eight home games, scoring 29 goals in the process.
Jimmy Gannon’s Hatters will take encouragement from the knowledge they were the last team to beat the Robins, back in October, and that they themselves are in free-scoring form.
In the league, County rose to within three points of the play-offs on Tuesday night with a 3-1 win at Spennymoor Town, putting them in high spirits for what should be an exciting Trophy fixture.
Salford City welcome Gateshead to Moor Lane as they also seek a place in the second round.
The Ammies suffered an unexpected setback last week when their 21-game unbeaten run came to an end, losing 2-0 to a Chesterfield side who hadn’t won in 20. Graham Alexander’s side will hope to get back to winning ways against a Gateshead outfit who themselves have suffered a dip, winning just one of their last seven games.