MATCH-PREVIEW: Friday 3rd April 2026 – Altrincham vs FC Halifax Town
Altrincham: Current position 15th – P41 W14 D6 L21 F48 A60 GD-12 PTS48
Two of each result (W2 D2 L2 F7 A6) in March with the stand-out result a 1-0 home win over Playoff-chasing Southend United on the 21st March for Altrincham who are just below midtable in the Enterprise National League. Friday is the Cheshire club’s Community Trust Day with Simon Dow, Head of Community at Altrincham FC Community Sports speaking to altrinchamfc.com saying,
“We are delighted to host our annual Community Day at the J. Davidson Stadium for Altrincham FC vs Halifax Town. The work of Altrincham FC Community Sports delivers essential physical activity, health and wellbeing programmes to children, young people, and adults across Altrincham and Trafford — positively impacting over 2,500 people every week.
The Robins come off the back of a respectable 1-1 draw away at Woking – a result that filled Manager Neil Gibson with “immense pride with everyone associated with the football club. Everything that could have gone against us tonight [31st March] did go against us. It was a ‘head-scratcher’.
Alty took the lead in the 13th minute through former Shayman Tylor Golden before being reduced to ten men moments later following the dismissal of Sam Barnes. “If that is a red card, then overhead kicks are no longer in football anymore” added Gibson. The away side finished the match with nine after a Kahrel Reddin stamp on Woking’s Matt Ward on 89 minutes also. “I think we showed resilience tonight after this game was re-arranged following us getting down here [Cheshire to Surrey] a month or so ago only for it to be called off.
Gibson also singled out another former Shayman in Matty Kosylo for his “sheer desire, heart, and work rate” on his return to the side a four-week layoff due to injury in both the Woking and Solihull matches last weekend.
On The Shaymen Gibson added,
“We know Halifax are a very good, fit, energetic side who are very organised, but we are resilient”.
FC Halifax Town: Current position 8th – P41 W18 D8 L115 F63 A58 GD5 PTS62
“It’s going to require ‘snookers’ now”, reflected Adam Lakeland at full-time following the club’s 1-2 home defeat to Scunthorpe United last Saturday. From a double-header of home matches versus fellow Playoff-chasing sides garnering zero points, coupled with Southend United’s 2-1 home win over Yeovil Town, The Shaymen are now three points outside the top seven with Southend still having two games in hand. Hartlepool United also remain in hunt two points behind Town on 60 with a game in hand.
Lakeland bemoaned two refereeing decisions he felt went against The Shaymen in being pivotal in said defeats with The Gaffer now having to serve a touchline ban Friday having been cautioned for his reaction to both. “I worry for the officiating in this country, I really do” he added.
Will Harris notched his 26th for the season in all competitions (21 in the League) with his headed equaliser from a superb ball into the box from Shaun Hobson but had side-footed an effort close to Iron Goalkeeper Louis Jones at 0-0. Will Hugill starred in his 50th Town appearance with the Midfielder’s 57th minute replacement Florent Hoti also making his 80th. The match also saw a return to action for wide man Angelo Cappello from injury and welcome minutes for Right Back Dylan Crowe.
Having had a few days to unwind from Scunthorpe, Lakeland did however re-iterate,
“Until it’s impossible, we’ll keep going [for the top seven]”.
Prediction – A draw. Whilst The Shaymen come into Good Friday off the back of two excellent away wins at Hartlepool United and Solihull Moors respectively, one feels the ‘pressure’ of the Playoff chase will now overwhelm Adam Lakeland’s young side. The Shaymen can feel aggrieved to not have got a point versus Carlisle United – 0-0 would have been the fairer result. The match Saturday however, especially how the second half played out, even without the two contentious decisions in row (no foul on halfway on Cappello followed up by a free kick awarded to Scunthorpe which was also inside the Town box), the visitors had the better chances.
Momentum is always key in games and had Harris scored the chance mentioned above at 0-0, maybe the game would have played out differently. It cannot however be forgotten that The Iron have gained 25 plus points this season from a losing position, it is now all ifs, buts, and maybes. For Halifax to make the top seven every game must be won now.
Altrincham will be without the services of the two players dismissed midweek but still have Matty Kosylo – a player who always seems to ‘up his game’ so-to-speak against his former employers and comes into this tie with a glowing report From Neil Gibson as seen above too.
Match Officials
Referee: Melissa Burgin
Assistants: Martin Parker / Jack Nield
Fourth Official: Jacob Viera
Other National League Fixtures:
All 15.00:
Aldershot Town vs Sutton United
Boreham Wood vs Wealdstone
Boston United vs York City
Carlisle United vs Gateshead
Forest Green Rovers vs Brackley Town
Rochdale vs Morecambe
Scunthorpe United vs Hartlepool United
Southend United vs Braintree Town
Tamworth vs Solihull Moors
Woking vs Eastleigh
Yeovil vs Truro City
Next Game
FC Halifax Town vs Tamworth – Monday 6th April, 3pm kick-off
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