ALTY REMAIN A REAL FOUR-CE
CLINICAL Altrincham produced a smash and grab raid at relegation-threatened Ebbsfleet to boost their hopes of a top-four finish.
Two goals in four firsthalf minutes proved decisive as the visitors took full advantage of the few chances that came their way.
At the other end, goalkeeper Ethan Ross had a day to remember as he made a string of great saves.
“It was a gritty away performance,” said Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson. “We’ve played miles better than that and lost.
“I always look at performance but it’s a results time of the year so we’ll take that away from home.
“We always knew this would be a tough place to come as they haven’t been beaten here since Hartlepool in January.
“There was great defending from us at times along with some great goalkeeping and that’s what you need to be in the play-offs. That saved Ethan made towards the end was Gordon Banks-esque. The lads all said it never went over the line and they normally come in and say if it had.”
It was a first home defeat for Ebbsfleet under Danny Searle and the first time he’s suffered back-to-back losses since taking charge at Stonebridge Road.
But he couldn’t fault the efforts of his players, who hit the woodwork and when Ross wasn’t in the way, his defenders were there to help him out.
Dominic Poleon had a 22nd-minute shot cleared off the line by Altrincham skipper Lewis Baines.
The opener came on 35 minutes when Regan Linney did well to cross into the box and when Justin Amaluzor kept the ball alive, substitute Alex Newby was on hand to score.
A second goal quickly followed when Myles Kenlock’s rash challenge on Amaluzor saw referee Gary Parsons point to the spot and Linney converted the penalty.
Ebbsfleet went close before the break as Poleon produced an excellent block by Ross, who then somehow turned over Billy Clifford’s deflected effort when he appeared to be wrongfooted.
It was a similar story in the second half for the Fleet. Ben Chapman’s 20yard drive was tipped over and then Ross made an amazing save to deny Rakish Bingham.
Substitute Craig Tanner hit the bar from 20 yards for Ebbsfleet with a minute remaining and there was still time for Ross to brilliantly turn away Bingham’s drive.
“We could have been here until next Saturday and wouldn’t have scored a goal,” said Ebbsfleet manager Searle.
STAR MAN: Ethan Ross (Altrincham) ATT: 1,915 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Gary Parsons