John Hill: Halesowen Town must take positives from defeat

Saturday’s 2-0 loss at the Grove means the Yeltz remain rooted in relegation danger, just three points clear of bottom club Sutton Coldfield Town.

But Hill found some encouragement in a second half performance which saw his team trouble the leaders and has called on them to replicate it at Witton Albion on Tuesday.

“It’s difficult to be pleased when you lose a game,” he said. “I’ve told the lads we have to take the positives from the second half and move quickly on to Tuesday.

“Witton away is a massive cup final for us.

“We have to keep things in perspective.

“When you are down the bottom it is easy for 2-0 to turn into three, four or five. At least we can take something from the second half performance.”

First-half goals from Jordan Hulme and Simon Richman gave Altrincham a two-goal cushion.

But the Yeltz at least put up a fight after the break, with former Albion striker Lee Hughes twice going close to a goal on his home debut, while substitute Jordan Goddard saw a late free-kick saved.

Hill said: “The lads put a fight up in the second half and had we got a goal with 20 minutes to go we might have stood a chance.

“To be fair Altrincham are a very good side and were excellent in the first-half. It is difficult enough when you give any team a two-goal head start but not the best team in the league.

“We made a fist of it in the second half but it was too little, too late if we are honest.”