Newby scores hat-trick as Altrincham put four past Maidenhead United

Altrincham 4, Maidenhead United 0

Maidenhead United conceded four goals in a disastrous first half showing at Altrincham last night, with assistant manager Ryan Peters labelling the visitors defending as 'embarrassing' at times.

The Magpies were more solid after the interval at the J Davidson Stadium, but the damage had been done and a 15th league defeat from 26 matches leaves the side fourth from bottom on goal difference.

However, perhaps significantly, the Magpies in 21st have now played three more times than Wealdstone just above them in the table, and twice more than AFC Fylde and Boston United in 22nd and 23rd place.

Recent performances against Wealdstone and Woking had been quite positive - even if the Magpies only managed to pick up three points from those matches. But this was a big step backwards for the team's survival hopes.

Again, they were sloppy in defence, gifting Alty some first half chances which they clinically took. At the other end, Maidenhead also had their moments in a topsy-turvy affair, however, they were wasteful in front of goal.

The Robins were ruthless in the first half. They took the lead after only eight minutes when Osborne found Golden out wide on the right and his cross was tapped home by Alex Newby.

Maidenhead stepped up their game in response, with Tyrese Dyce firing just wide of the mark in the 12th minute. That miss proved costly when Newby found a bit of space on the edge of the area and fired a brilliant low shot beyond Craig Ross in the 26th minute.

Regan Linney then converted from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute before Shawn McCoulsky fired just wide of the post in the 38th minute for the Magpies. A perfect first half for the hosts was then completed in stoppage time when Linney drove into the box and pulled the ball back for Newby to slot away his hat-trick.

In fact, Maidenhead were a little lucky not to be five down at the break with Olly Crankshaw's drive from distance going just wide.

As one of the 41 Magpies fans who made the trip to Greater Manchester posted at half-time, 'it should have been 4-4'. Instead, it was 4-0 to the home side and another of those who made the trip was left 'questioning his life choices'.

The Magpies own admin posted that the first half had been 'dismal' - but it had been disappointing and frustrating in both boxes. After the game Peters spoke of the work that must take place - and changes that must be made - to ensure the side becomes tighter in defence and more clinical in attack.

The visitors improved after the break - certainly defensively. At the other end, new signing Ricky Korboa very nearly picked out Tristan Abrahams with a searching cross on the hour mark before Sam Barratt saw his effort in the 70th minute blocked on the goal line after Ethan Ross had spilled Reece Smith's shot.

Barratt also whipped a dangerous free kick into the area that was begging to be touched home but no one could, and the evening finished without the consolation goal Maidenhead's overall play deserved.

Noah Stewart also came on in the final minutes to make his debut after signing from Ballymena United.

Maidenhead United next host AFC Fylde in the TV game on Saturday evening (5.30pm kick-off).