Altrincham produced a scintillating first-half performance to emphatically defeat second-placed York City 3-0 at the J. Davidson Stadium, a result which lifted the Robins to seventh in the table. The home side’s vibrant attacking play effectively settled the contest before the break, leaving the high-flying Minstermen reeling.
The opening goal arrived in the 20th minute, culminating from a flowing Altrincham move. Alex Newby’s perfectly weighted through-ball found Regan Linney, who calmly slotted the ball past the York goalkeeper to give the Robins a 1-0 lead. Energised by the breakthrough, Altrincham continued to press forward with purpose.
Linney doubled Altrincham’s advantage in the 36th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse in the York ranks to fire home his second goal of the afternoon. The home crowd erupted as the Robins extended their lead, leaving the visitors visibly shaken. York struggled to contain the fluid movement and incisive passing of the Altrincham midfield, who dictated the tempo of the match.
Altrincham delivered a decisive third blow just before half-time. In the 40th minute, Matthew Kosylo capped off another well-worked attack, adding his name to the scoresheet and making it 3-0. The goal underlined the Robins’ dominant first-half display, leaving York with a mountain to climb after the break.
The second half proved a more subdued affair. York City made a triple substitution just after the hour mark in a desperate attempt to salvage something from the game, but the Altrincham defence remained resolute. Joe Felix’s yellow card in the 78th minute reflected the visitors’ growing frustration. Altrincham also made a series of substitutions, seemingly content to protect their comfortable lead and manage game time.
Despite York’s increased efforts in the second half, they were unable to breach the Altrincham defence, and the match finished 3-0. This result extends Altrincham’s recent dominance over York, with the Robins now unbeaten in their last four meetings, winning three and drawing one. Coming into the match, Altrincham sat tenth in the table, while York occupied second place.