Unbeaten for two months Whaley’s winning run came to an abrupt end and although starting with the same formation, so successful two weeks previous in the cup, it was Altrincham that were out of the starting blocks a lot quicker as Whaley looked like they were still in their warm up.

Joel Swift was a handful for Whaley’s defenders throughout as he challenged for everything and unnerved the visitors’ usually solid central defence. Going down the slope Alty were a continuous threat but although Whaley conceded a lot of possession in the middle third Alty were reduced to just a couple of shooting opportunities from distance. Plenty of crosses coming in from the left side caused some panic in the box and Alty’s overlapping play down the channels was a significant factor in today’s game. In contrast Whaley were very lack lustre going forward and apart from a couple of Burgess crosses into the six yard box didn’t offer much going up the slope.

On 42 mins, Whaley having thought they had weathered the storm, suffered a sucker punch as Alty’s Dibble headed clear from a corner directly to a Whaley player who got caught in possession resulting in a swift counter attack leaving four on two, Faux cutting in from the left driving a powerful shot past Tattersall into the far corner. This was a huge boost that gave Alty something to cling on to defending the slope in the second half.

For a period the frustration of conceding so late on affected Whaley’s focus with players getting over-involved in some poor refereeing decisions rather than taking the game by the scruff of the neck and pursuing the equaliser. Having worked through that Whaley had a sustained period of pressure pinning Alty back in the final third for lengthy spells and forcing literally teens of corners. To their credit Alty’s back four & keeper got a touch on everything, looking the more determined, not allowing Whaley many clear cut shooting opportunities.

Inevitably Whaley received another sucker punch as they pressed for the equaliser. Failing to clear their lines effectively allowed Alty the opportunity of some quick passing to give Boris his opportunity which he took to end any chance of Whaley of getting anything out of the game.

Having only 2 weeks ago defeated Alty 4-0 perhaps Whaley subconsciously came into this game with the wrong attitude. Whaley aren’t good enough to have too many players having off days at the same time but take nothing away from a quick technical Alty side - they deserved their win.

Whaley are defending the cup at home to new side Wythenshawe Town in the quarter final of the JB Parker Cup Saturday 2pm kick off

J Tattersall B Sutton R Newton (c) J Broome J Burgess W Bailey (56) J Gregory T Streets A Barlow (72) T Scorer J Kelly (68)

L Morris (55) R Dwolitka (68) J Golphin (72)