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Where is everybody?  First goalless first half since away bishops Stortford in Feb?  Nerves jangling!

So 42 league goals means he has scored at least a goal a game on average in the league, even if he draws a blank in the last 3 games.

The only time this has been done since the war was Jackie Swindells's 57 goals in 42 games in 65-66 (my first season!).  Even Jackie only managed 40 goals in 42 games the following season.

we will probably have to wait another 46 years to see it again (and then I will die with an Alty career in perfect symettry)

... we would be on a hell of a roller coaster.

Lets put forward some hypotheses, by utilisng this years league scores

Altrincham v Worcester City
At 4-0 up in the home leg into injury time Alty were cruising this tie but a late penalty paved the way for a resurgent Worcester to win the second leg 3-0 and dump Alty out on away goals (yes I know there are no away goals in playoffs but please dont let the facts get in the way of a good story)

Droylesden v Altrincham
Droylesden coped better with the conditions at a wet Butchers Arms outplaying a hapless Alty team and taking a 3-1 lead to Moss Lane.  Things didn't look good for Alty but a barn storming performance, including a Reeves hat trick saw Alty win 5-1 and progress 6-4 on aggregate

Altrincham v Colwyn Bay
In a game where defenders struggled it ironically took an injury time winner by veteran stalwart Frank Sinclair to give the Welsh side the narrowest advantage for their home leg.  Alty roared into a two goal lead before Bay leveled the tie on aggregate just after half time.  It looked like Colwyn Bay were getting on top and few could forsee the outturn as a majestic Alty were rampant, including a sublime lob from Clee.  Debutant Matt Fearon at left back brought a measure of stability to the Alty defence but few could have foreseen the Alty 9-5 aggregate victory

Ties Still in the Balance

Second Legs:

Altrincham (1) v Stalybridge (5) - surely no way back for the Robins here but they do have that all important away goal.  All they need to do is score 4 times (eminently possible) and keep a clean sheet (Stalybridge to progress!)

Corby Town (1) v Altrincham (1) - too difficult to call, but with our away form the Steelmen should be favourites

Altrincham (4) v AFC Town of Halifax (2) - Look, I can't predict how we will play.  A two goal advantage should be enough - but really, who knows

Guiseley(2) v Altrincham (2) - new signing Chris Senior is likely to make the difference here

Nuneaton (0) v Altrincham (2) - not sure we could hold this lead...

Boston Utd (1) v Altrincham (6) - a little bit more confident about this one!

Altrincham (0) v Gainsbrough (2) - I really do think we could win the return 4-1

One thing is certain - if we do find our way into the playoffs, no matter how we do in the 1st leg there is no guaranteed outcome to the tie!  Even more "Extreme Alty" than usual this season I fear

Of our opponents this season, three have something in common that does not apply (I beleive) to any other club we have ever played.

So three clubs in the BSN this season will (by the end of the season) have something in common that no other club in our history can claim.

What is the unique common link and who are the 3 clubs?

If we had played any of these clubs last season the "unique" would not have applied...

...this coming Saturday, John King made his Alty debut at Worksop.

In an inauspicious start, we lost 1-0 with Heathcote going off injured after kicking the corner flag at a corner.

On his home debut he fired us ahead against Matlock in a 2-1 win.

Greatness for Alty started that day, November 26th 1977 - perhaps it can begin again on November 26 2011

(the very definition of optimist!)

It may amaze our younger fans to know we have achieved the milestone of being unbeaten after the first 7 home matches as many as 12 times in the last 50 years!

And in doing so, we have won the championship 3 times, made the equivalent of the playoffs 7 times and only missed out twice.

Here is the data:
Season                    Final position                                                      Number of matches unbeaten
2004-05             5th  - Playoffs         8 matches
1986-87             5th (i.e Playoffs)                                   13 matches
1979-80             Champions         19 unbeaten
1977-78             5th            17 matches – 1 home defeat to Mossley
1974-75             3rd            15 matches
1973-74             3rd            19 matches – 1 home defeat to Macclesfield
1972-73             4th            11 matches
1968-69             9th            8 matches – only 2 away wins did for us (1st season NPL)
1967-68             2nd            18 – 1 home defeat Macclesfield (who won title)
1966-67             1st            13 – 1 home defeat Macclesfield
1965-66             1st            21 Unbeaten all season
1964-65             8th            9 matches

Well done to Stuart Coburn who today became the first Alty player to play 50 conference north league games.

Well, I've got to try to find something to celebrate!