Altrincham 0 AFC Telford 2 - Report and pictures

Analysis

After another difficult week off-the-field, the Telford players gave the supporters some much-needed respite by picking up their first away win of the National League North season.

Also, with the victory it means the Bucks have managed back-to-back successes for the first time this campaign.

Luca Havern, who missed the FC United of Manchester game last weekend through suspension, returned to the starting line-up against the club where he spent four seasons.

Josh Wilson was the one to make way for Havern and with the skipper back in the team, the Bucks reverted to a 5-3-2 system.

It paid dividends as the Altrincham defence simply could not cope with the pace and power of Connor McCarthy and Bradley Reid up top.

The former opened the scoring inside the 24th minute following an error by Robins captain Alan Goodall, who was then substituted 10 minutes later.

Reid, who along with Ben O'Hanlon is on loan from Wolves, hit the woodwork on two occasions before opening his Bucks account with a lovely lob just before the hour mark.

Understandably, with the home side hardly troubling them, Telford took their foot off the gas in the last half-hour.

Danny Reynolds, Jordan Sangha and Dwayne Samuels were all introduced as Rob Smith's men cruised to victory.

Fans have been waiting for it to click for Telford in the final third and with Reid and McCarthy, there now looks be a genuine threat going forward.

You could certainly argue that it was Telford's best performance of the season and next up are Salford City at the New Bucks Head.

Key moments

12 - A great chance for the Bucks goes begging. A fantastic flick by Connor McCarthy finds James Hurst. He blasts the ball across the face of the goal and Bradley Reid stabs the ball wide, via the post, from a few yards out.

21 - Telford goalkeeper James Montgomery makes a great save. Sean Miller hits the ball on the volley, after a good cross from the right, and the Bucks shot-stopper tips the ball around the post at full stretch.

24 - GOAL! Altrincham 0-1 Telford. McCarthy latches onto a short back-pass by Robins skipper Alan Goodall and slots the ball past the despairing Tim Deasy.

32 - An absolute rocket from over 30 yards out by Telford midfielder Sean Williams, who had a spell with Altrincham, rattles the crossbar. It would have been a stunning goal.

36 - What does Reid have to do to get off the mark for Telford? The man on loan from Wolves carries the ball from near the halfway line and his looping effort smacks the woodwork.

40 - Bucks forward McCarthy goes down in the penalty area but instead of being awarded a spot-kick, he is booked for simulation.

58 - GOAL! Altrincham 0-2 Telford. Reid gets the goal he has deserved. He makes the most of a sublime pass by Jack Rea and lobs the ball over Deasy from around 20 yards out.

61 - James Hurst finds some space in the penalty area after a sublime piece of skill but his drilled effort sails past the far post.

77 - Sean Miller has a go from distance for Altrincham but his effort flashes just wide of the mark. James Montgomery has rarely been troubled in the Bucks goal.

90 - A good chance for Telford to go 3-0 ahead. Reid's effort is saved by Deasy and Jordan Sangha, who is on loan from Walsall, can only hit the rebound over the bar.

Man of the match

Bradley Reid - The striker on loan from Wolves really looked the part and he got a goal for his efforts in the second period. Also, his hold-up play was excellent throughout the game.

Position in the table

12th (18 points from 15 games)

Teams

Altrincham (4-5-1): Deasy; Patterson, Cyrus, Goodall (Hall, 34), McWilliams (Marsh, 65); Lawrie, Moult, Wilkinson, Richman (Hobson, 45), Miller; Reeves. Subs not used: Hasler-Cregg, Dawber.

Telford (5-3-2): Montgomery; Hurst, Bailey, Havern (C), McCone, O'Hanlon; Royle, Rea, Williams (Sangha, 70); McCarthy (Reynolds, 65), Reid (Samuels, 90). Subs not used: Wilson, Crooks.

Goals: Connor McCarthy (24), Bradley Reid (58)

Attendance: 1,074

Referee: David Underwood