ALTRINCHAM 5, WEYMOUTH 0
Matty Kosylo led the goalscoring charge as Altrincham recorded their biggest National League win of the season at home to relegation-threatened Weymouth.
The 29-year-old midfielder scored the Robins’ first two as he continued his remarkable run as four of his six goals for the season have been netted against The Terras.
Loanee Jake Cooper was also on target with his first goal for the club while Ryan Colclough hit his ninth of the campaign and Dan Mooney his eighth as Altrincham climbed from 19th to 14th as their recent revival continued to the delight of their fans in a 1,613 crowd.
They have lost only once in their last six games – and that was at promotion chasing and FA Cup giantkillers Boreham Wood – a contrast to their 12-league game winless run between November 20 to February 12.
It was a night to forget for Weymouth who in January appointed former Manchester City striker David Oldfield as their new manager. They have won only once in the league since October 30.
Weymouth, with 33 of their fans having made the trip from Dorset, made the livelier start as Altrincham goalkeeper Steven Drench was forced to make decent early saves to deny Tom Blair and Brandon Goodship.
Altrincham made a 10th minute breakthrough with their first clear-cut chance of the night as Kosylo cut in from the left and fired a terrific effort high into the top far corner of the net.
And it got even better for the Robins and Kosylo as both got their second of the game four minutes later, when a drive from outside the penalty area arrowed into the bottom corner.
It was 3-0 in the 27th minute when Cooper, a centre back on loan from Rotherham United, headed home Mooney’s free kick at the far post.
Weymouth were having a miserable night in every sense as there were three lengthy stoppages following injuries to their players in the opening half hour, Harvey Bunker having to be substituted.
And in the fourth of seven added minutes, the Robins were chirping again when Colclough added a fourth goal.
Jordan Hulme broke clear on the right and unselfishly cut the ball back to Colclough who, from the edge of the box, found the top corner as the forward hit a spectacular ninth goal of the season.
As expected, the second half was decidedly flat bearing in mind Altrincham’s four-goal advantage.
They continued to carve out chances as Mooney, Colclough, Cooper and Kosylo all had openings to further increase their lead.
Their best chance of the send period came with nine minutes left when a long-range drive from midfielder Elliot Osborne, signed in January from Stevenage, forced a fine save from Ross Fitzsimmons.
Mooney, who had worked tirelessly all night, was rewarded for his efforts as he scored Altrincham’s fifth in the 87th minute.
Substitute Ben Pringle created the opening with a cross from the left to the far post for Mooney to convert with a low drive, his eighth of the season.