Altrincham vs York City: National League Preview, Gameweek 19, 2022

Altrincham are back at the J Davidson Stadium this Saturday for the third game running, and after picking up just one league win in five, they will be hoping to record a victory against promoted side York, to pull themselves away from the National League relegation zone, which they are currently just three points clear of.

The Robins have fallen to defeat in their last two home games, victim to both Wealdstone and Barnet.

That isn't quite the same story for the Minstermen though, who take up 11th place, but they are without a league win since the 8th October, and have only racked up three points since then.

John Askey's York bounced back from cup elimination and claimed a solid point away at playoff challengers Boreham Wood in midweek, where they took the lead from the spot but were pegged back in the second half. They'll be hoping to build on that at Alty.

Team News

Altrincham

Following lengthy injury absences, Isaac Marriott and defender Lewis Baines returned to the lineup against Barnet in mid-week, and will aim to be included again against York.

After signing on loan from Stockport recently, Elliot Newby and Connor Jennings will be hoping to make their second appearance for the club on Saturday.

The only real long-term absence for Alty is forward Matty Kosylo, who suffered an unfortunate knee injury in pre-season, and will be out for a while.

York City

Defender Maxim Kouogun and pacey winger Nathan Thomas have both been kept out due to injury recently, with Thomas looking to be ruled out slightly longer than Kouogun.

Left-back Adam Crookes is suffering from a long-term ankle problem, suffered during the Minstermen's first away trip of the campaign at Maidstone United. He is said to have returned to light training of late, but he is most likely far from match-fit.

AJ Greaves is also sidelined with a broken nose, suffered in an off-the-pitch situation.

Likely Lineups

Altrincham

Byrne, Barrows, Baines, J.Jones, E.Jones, Lundstram, Marriott, Newby, Conn-Clarke, Colclough, Jennings

York City

Ross, Fallowfield, Duckworth, Sanders, Kerr, Whittle, Pybus, Dyson, Mafuta, John-Lewis, L.James

Key Players

Ryan Colclough

Altrincham's key man on the wing has been at the club since November 2020, and has proved his worth there fairly well, netting 22 times across 85 appearances.

Colclough has scored three times this season during 18 starts, and is a keen creator, with five assists. The 27-year-old is more than likely to start at the weekend, and the York defenders will have to be fully alert to stop him.

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Ethan Ross

Goalkeeper Ethan Ross has started life on loan at York City like a house on fire, playing every minute of the National League campaign so far, and setting a high standard as he does so.

Recording five clean sheets, Ross has conceded the third-least amount of goals (18) in the league, across the same number of games. The Minstermen are much in need of a win currently, and the in-form shot-stopper will be hoping to help them to three points in front of the BT cameras.

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