ALTRINCHAM are within striking distance of the play-offs after emerging from their enforced break and recording back-to-back wins.
Like tomorrow’s opponents Wrexham, who make the trip to Moss Lane, Altrincham have endured a lengthy spell kicking their heels because of the wintry weather.
Little did Altrincham know that their FA Trophy first round replay victory against Wrexham on December 15 would be their last match for a month.
Prior to countless matches falling victim to the weather, Altrincham were last in Blue Square Premier action on December 5 when they drew 0-0 at Histon.
But after exactly six weeks without a league match, Altrincham showed no signs of rustiness when they triumphed 2-1 at Ebbsfleet United on January 16.
Goals by Chris Senior and Greg Young sealed victory, Altrincham’s seventh away success of the season even though their pre-match preparations were dealt a blow when goalkeeper Stuart Coburn was injured in the warm-up, forcing his deputy, Russell Saunders, to take over.
Graham Heathcote’s side raced into a two-goal lead and although Ebbsfleet pulled a goal back, Altrincham secured the three points to give them hope of pushing for the play-offs.
Although they were subsequently knocked out of the FA Trophy by AFC Wimbledon, that first league win of 2010 was quickly followed by another just a week later as Altrincham beat Hayes and Yeading 3-2 at Moss Lane last Saturday.
But victory looked unlikely as their opponents raced into a 2-0 lead inside the first half hour.
However, Chris Senior and Colin Little scored before the break to make it 2-2, and Senior struck again ten minutes from time to record a second successive league win for Altrincham who had been second best all afternoon.
“We scraped a win after a dismal performance and came back from two down so you have to give credit to the character of the side. We generally play better away from home,” said skipper Robbie Lawton.
Altrincham may have played two league matches more than Wrexham but the Robins will still have a fixture backlog to contend with in the final four months of the season.
England C international star Shaun Densmore, a former reserve team skipper at Everton, was confident Altrincham could emerge from their long break and push for the play-offs.
“Having two games every week should work in our favour because we seem to do better when we get on a good run,” said Densmore.
“We’re itching to get back and, hopefully, start stringing some results together because we feel we’re good enough to get into the play-offs.
“We have shown already we can compete with the bigger clubs.”
Altrincham currently find themselves 11th in the table, eight points away from the play-offs.
Although they boast an excellent away record, Altrincham’s poor home form has prevented them from occupying an even higher position.
Of the 38 points gathered so far, 24 have come on the road and Saturday’s win against Hayes and Yeading was just Altrincham’s third in 13 league outings at their Moss Lane ground.
It was also their first home win on a Saturday this season and Heathcote acknowledged that the Robins’ results need to improve in front of their own supporters: “Our results have been disappointing at Moss Lane,” he said.
“We have to carry a greater threat going forward as we look to unlock other teams and the players must grab their chances.
“We have a system of playing away that has worked well but it does inhibit us in how many players we actually get forward. So we have to be flexible and often players are suited to either playing at home or away.
“We have to find the right formula for our home games.”
While many of their own supporters will admit it is unlikely Altrincham can secure a play-off berth, Heathcote has at least installed some stability at the club.
Last term’s 15th place finish was itself an achievement as the Robins only survived relegation the previous three seasons due to the demise of other clubs.
Barring a disaster, this will be a second successive campaign without flirting with relegation and who knows what the Robins can achieve if they can maintain their present form.
Statistics show that Altrincham are now joint second in the form guide, with only York above them.
They have picked up 13 points from their last six league, courtesy of four wins, one draw and a solitary defeat at the hands of Barrow at Moss Lane on December 1. And the Robins will be looking for a third successive league victory against Wrexham tomorrow.
Coburn, restored to the side for last week’s success against Hayes and Yeading after an elbow injury, will continue in goal.
Heathcote started with a 3-4-3 formation but switched to 4-4-2 when Altrincham found themselves 2-0 down.
Robbie Williams, Greg Young and James Smith formed a three-man defence while Densmore, Nicky Clee, Anthony Danylyk and Robbie Lawton began in midfield.
Eight goal leading scorer Chris Senior, John McAliskey and Colin Little led the attack.
Former Chester City defender Matt Doughty, ex-Wrexham midfielder Tom Kearney and striker Chris Denham were all brought on after an hour as Heathcote switched formations, and the trio are pushing for starting places.