After the bitter disappointment of losing to a late goal away to Weymouth on Saturday, the Shaymen will be looking to secure their first points of the season in their opening home fixture on Tuesday evening. Their opponents, Altrincham, also suffered a reverse at the weekend, losing 4-1 at home to last season's play-off finalists Exeter City. Altrincham started the game brightly enough, taking the lead in the 31st minute through Karl Monroe and held their lead right up to the 66th minute. A devastating half hour's football, however, put paid to Altrincham's hopes of an opening day win, as the Grecians blasted four past them for a comfortable victory.

Altrincham can consider themselves fortunate to even be playing in the Blue Square Premier this season, having been relegated last season, only to be given an eleventh hour reprieve, as Boston United were forcibly crashed down an extra division for financial irregularities, following relegation from League Two. Altrincham's lowly position did not stop them from getting the better of Chris Wilder's men last season however, with a 1-0 victory at Moss Lane and a 1-1 draw at the Shay on New Year's day.

Tuesday's game will be especially significant for two men: on Town's side, Steve Bushell faces the club he played for last season, whilst former Shayman Chris Senior now lines up for our opponents. Chris Wilder may be more concerned with his own forward line however, as he sweats on Darryn Stamp's availability, following his substitution on Saturday with a back injury.

A Bit About Our Opponents

The club was formed in 1903 and was born out of Broadheath FC, which had been founded in 1893. They spent their early years in the Manchester and Cheshire Leagues, before becoming founder members of the Northern League in 1968. They hold the record for the most number of victories against League teams in FA Cup matches of any non-league outfit. Their 16 successes include a 2-1 victory against Birmingham City in 1986 - the last time a non-league side recorded a victory away to a team from the top flight.

'The Robins' were ever present in the Conference from its inception in 1979 right up until 1997, winning the championship in their first two seasons, though at a time when automatic promotion to the football league was not available. Two years after their relegation in 1997 to the UniBond Premier League (formerly the Northern Premier), they emerged as champions, only to be relegated in their first season back. They narrowly qualified for the newly formed Conference North in 2004 and went on to finish fifth before becoming the only-ever winners of a North v South play-off, in 2005. Finishing a respectable 18th in 2005-06, they were devastated to be relegated due to Accrington Stanley's failure to get clearance for James Robinson, who had joined Alty from them. In its wisdom, the powers-that-be deducted 18 points from the Robins, leaving them bottom, but the demise of Canvey Island and then the subsequent demotion of Scarborough restored Altrincham's conference status. Last season, they were relegated once again, this time finishing fourth bottom, before Boston United's misdemeanours earned them a reprieve for the second year running.

Stats Of The Day

Our overall record against the Robins reads as follows:

P-15 W-4 D-6 L-5 F-18 A-16

Last 5 Against Altrincham:

1-1-07 (h) 1-1
12-9-06 (a) 0-1
21-2-06 (a) 2-1
27-9-05 (h) 2-0
20-8-96 (h) 1-1

Town's Pre-Season Record:

Sheffield Weds (h) 0-3
Rotherham (a) 1-0
Livingston (a) 0-3
Hamilton Academicals (a) 3-2
Wigan Athletic (h) 0-4
Bradford Park Ave (a) 0-0
Bradford City (h) 0-1

Altrincham's Pre-Season Record:

Gregorians (a) 2-2
Bury XI (h) 2-1
Manchester United XI (h) 1-2
Trafford (a) 2-1
Rotherham United (h) 5-4
Kidsgrove Athletic (a) 4-3
Marin (a) 0-1
Tranmere Rovers (h) 0-1
The New Saints (h) 1-1

Whilst the above may not constitute a definitive guide, all the odds for Tuesday's game can be found at Shaymenbet

Can't Get to the Game

Listen to commentary on Match Live whilst keeping a check on all the latest scores

Other Games

For details of the day's other games in the Nationwide Conference - Click Here

Next Match

Town have another home game on Saturday 18th August against new boys, Histon. Kick off at the Shay 3.00pm.

By Jez Serlin