Altrincham host Carlisle United this Saturday in a key National League fixture at Moss Lane. The match is the 16th round of the season, kicking off at 3pm on October 31, with both sides looking to strengthen their positions in the table. Altrincham, who sit 6th in the National League on 28 points after 15 games, will be aiming to close the 13-point gap to leaders Boreham Wood.
Phil Parkinson's side are in strong form, sitting sixth in the league with 28 points from 15 games, a record of nine wins, one draw, and five losses. They are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, a run that includes three wins and two draws. Their recent form in the league reads three wins and two draws from their last five, making them one of the division's in-form sides. Their most recent outing was a 0-0 home draw with Kidderminster Harriers last Tuesday, a result that preserved their defensive solidity but left them 13 points behind leaders Boreham Wood.
Altrincham's recent form and lineup
Altrincham's recent results show a team finding its rhythm. Before the Kidderminster draw, they secured a 2-1 away win at Yeovil Town, with goals from Kirk and Kyle Dennis. They also thrashed United of Manchester 6-2 in an FA Cup replay. The manager is expected to keep faith with the starting XI that earned the victory at Yeovil. That lineup featured Isted in goal, a back four of Barnes, Lopata-White, Banks and Crawford, with midfielders Kosylo, Barlow, Khan and Taylor supporting forwards Farrell and Kirk. The team has scored 22 goals and conceded 20 this season, giving them a positive goal difference of two.
Carlisle's form and lineup
Carlisle arrive in ninth place, bringing their own impressive sequence of results. They have won three of their last four league games, including a 3-0 victory over Harrogate Town and a 2-1 win at Solihull Moors last weekend. Their last starting lineup included goalkeeper Desbois, defenders Feeney, Anderson, Nicholson and Duru, with a midfield of Whelan, Bunker, Jenks and Williams, and a forward pair of Obiero and Linney.
This sets up a compelling contest between two in-form teams. The outcome at Moss Lane will be vital for Altrincham's momentum as they look to close the gap to the automatic promotion places. Their next fixture after this is a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge on November 7.
