Glovers tie next
AGOAL in each half at Edgeley Park saw County safely through the final qualifying round of the FA Cup Cheshire neighbours Altrincham on Saturday setting up a long journey up League Two side Yeovil Town in the first round proper for Jim Gannon’s men.
In an archetypal game of two halves, the Hatters gained the upper hand by taking the lead through Frank Mulhern just prior to the end of a first 45 minutes in which Alty had largely dominated possession, before Matty Warburton increased the advantage – and ensured County a place in the First Round proper – in the midst of an improved County performance after the break.
County took to the field in a 4-2-3-1 formation – and showing just one change from the starting line-up at EP for the National League North meeting with Hereford a week previously, as Sam Minihan replaced Dan Cowan in the right-back berth.
Altrincham had the first chance of note with 13 minutes on the clock, after Jordan Hulme sent Andy White through – only for Ben Hinchliffe to save with his legs.
And 12 minutes later, Sean Williams jinked into the County box before unleashing a shot that was cleared by Sam Walker.
So it came as rather against the run of play when, four minutes before half-time, County went ahead.
Walker and midfield colleague Elliot Osborne linked up well following a corner to play the ball out to Adam Thomas, whose subsequent cross from the right was headed down by skipper Ash Palmer from beyond the far post and poked home by Mulhern for the striker’s fourth goal in three matches.
The Hatters – clearly buoyed by their opening goal – emerged after the interval in resolute mood, with both Walker and Thomas sounding early declarations of shooting intent that were blocked.
The Robins attempted to press, albeit without their first-half energy and in the face of a welldrilled County defence that restricted them to