AFC Telford
vs
Altrincham
Match Preview
"Bucks take on Robins in FA Trophy"
Match Date : December 13th, 2025 3:00 pm
Competition : FA Trophy
Ground : New Bucks Head
Kick Off : 15:00
The Bucks host Altrincham in the FA Trophy Third Round this Saturday.
After a good seven years yoyoing between Steps 1, 2 and 3, the Robins have once again established themselves at the pinnacle of non-league football. Now in a sixth successive season in the National League Premier, Alty have been promotion chasers in each of the last two campaigns, finishing 4th and 9th. But after a mixed start to the current campaign, the Robins currently find themselves in mid-table, sitting in 15th on 26 points from 22 games.
However, there has been a noticeable uptick in the Greater Manchester club’s form since they sacked long-serving manager Phil Parkinson at the end of October. Having taken over in April 2017, Parkinson was the man who guided the Robins from the Northern Premier League back to Step 1. But after a run of six defeats in seven matches left the club 20th in the National League Premier table, one point above the bottom four, Parkinson was replaced by ex-Wealdstone manager Neil Gibson, who was appointed on an interim basis. And Gibson has impressed in his time in charge, with Alty picking up 13 points from his seven league games so far.
Even under Gibson though, the Robins have struggled on the road, losing three, drawing one and winning one of their last five away games. One of those defeats came in the FA Cup First Round at a struggling Slough Town side currently in a relegation battle in the National League South.
The Robins were dealt a blow in the summer when dangerman Regan Linney left for Carlisle, while his replacement, Jimmy Knowles, started well with nine goals to his name but has found game time harder to come by since Gibson took charge. Winger Ollie Crankshaw has picked up the mantle in recent weeks though, hitting three in his last three outings. Alty are skippered by ex-Chorley defender Lewis Baines, while former Bucks loanee Keaton Ward joined from Boston in the summer.
The sides last met during the 2019/20 season, when they faced off against each other twice in four days at the start of February. On the Saturday, the sides played out a 2-2 draw at the New Bucks Head, before the Robins won 5-2 at Moss Lane on the Tuesday. That success is one of only two that Alty have registered in ten games against AFC Telford. Since reforming, the Bucks have a good record against Altrincham, winning five and drawing three of those other eight games with the Robins. What’s more, the Bucks haven’t lost on home soil in that time, winning three and drawing two.
Altrincham were knocked out by Rochdale in the quarter finals of last year’s competition, while the Bucks went out in Round Two at Southern League Premier Division One Central outfit Hadley. The Bucks have already gone one step further than last year, then, thanks to a 2-1 win at Chesham in the last round, and Wilkin’s men will be looking to make it past the Third Round for only the third time in AFC Telford history. On both of the previous occasions that the new look Bucks have made past Round Three, they have subsequently made it to the semi-finals. And having gone on a run to the First Round of the FA Cup, Wilkin’s men have already shown their pedigree in knockout competitions and will be looking for a similar showing in the Trophy.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Tickets are available online in advance, or from the ticket office on matchday. Please note that a £1 admin charge applies for adults and concessions when buying on matchday.
