The second Saturday afternoon playoff final came from the National League North, the winners of that seal promotion to the top tier of non league pyramid.
Hosts Boston United finished 3rd, whilst the the second finalist Altrincham were 5th, with the table based on points-per-game.
The Pilgrims had a bye to the semi finals whilst Alty had to start from the quarter finals.
Boston boss Craig Elliott oversaw his side’s very entertaining 5-3 win against Gateshead in their previous playoff tie.
? MATCH ACTION: Tim Hoff was back on duty for Saturday’s play-off semi-final victory over Gateshead – and captured the best of the action: pic.twitter.com/CnMEzi9yqa
— Boston United (@bostonunited) July 26, 2020
Altrincham’s Phil Parkinson was happy to see his men come out 3-2 winners against Chester in the quarter final, before going on to beat the favourites York City 2-0.
?️ “Every time he comes to this ground he scores for @altrinchamfc!”
Alty applied the Peers pressure to progress to Saturday’s Promotion Final ??❓ pic.twitter.com/4mgTmOZ8qN
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) July 28, 2020
Just like the National League South playoff final between Weymouth and Dartford, the first half was goalless.
There were early shouts for a penalty after 7 minutes, Boston’s Jordan Thewlis went down on the edge of the box under the challenge of Simon Richman, but referee Adam Herczeg played on.
Boston started the game the better of the two sides however neither keeper had been tested by the first drinks break.
Tom Platt could only slam an effort into the side-netting after meeting Andi Thanoj’s cross into the box in the 27th minute. A let off for Alty.
Toby Mullarkey advanced through the middle with the ball and hit one, however it was deflected behind and Alty had a corner, which was then comfortably collected.
Many a chance went begging for Boston until the half time whistle blew with the scoreline 0-0.
Altrincham started the second half better, Mullarkey pushed forward again and got another shot off. Moments before, Josh Hancock put a dangerous ball across the face of goal.
We’re back underway for the Second Half! ⚪️? pic.twitter.com/0fY6u4r7Bg
— Altrincham Today (@altrinchamtoday) August 1, 2020
The visitors then came the closest to scorer, Hancock feeding the ball out wide to Elliott Durrell, who found Jordan Hume at the back post, out jumped Alex Whittle – and his shot went just wide.
By the 54th minute, Boston could be seen struggling to create anything clear cut.
Altrincham kept putting pressure on the hosts, and finally got a vital goal in the 64th minute, Dan Mooney scoring for the visitors.
Peter Crook had an absolute howler, coming out for the ball but it bobbles out of his hands and gave Alty the lead.
Big, big, big goal! pic.twitter.com/T0hW724j5Y
— Altrincham FC (?) (@altrinchamfc) August 1, 2020
They could have extended it two minutes later, Crook was once again in trouble, this time he waited for the ball to drop from the air but Mooney almost nipped in, they both had a tussle on the floor, with Mooney going into the book.
Time was running out for Boston, they continued to try and salvage an equaliser, however Altrincham kept running down the clock, in no rush to take anything.
Three minutes of added time ended, after Boston threw everything at it, but Alty secured promotion back to the National League for the first time since 2015/16 season.
AND THAT DOES IT ?
2015/16: Relegation
2016/17: Relegation
2017/18: Champions
2018/19: Heartache2019/20: ALTY ARE BACK!!! pic.twitter.com/XJnJjGoSOc
— Altrincham FC (?) (@altrinchamfc) August 1, 2020
WE ARE GOING UP!!!
Congratulations @altrinchamfc , Vanarama National League Football awaits you next season! ? ?
? Tom Scotson pic.twitter.com/Us3LyHbTNp
— Altrincham Today (@altrinchamtoday) August 1, 2020
Altrincham celebrate pic.twitter.com/xNQXgOKaow
— Duncan Browne (@DuncanBrowneJPI) August 1, 2020
Plenty of fans reacted as Altrincham were named winners of the National League North Playoff Final and seal promotion…
Relieved ? they won’t get another defeat next season at the hands of the Robins
— Alex Taylor ??? (@alextaylor157) August 1, 2020
congrats ????
— tom (@01__TD) August 1, 2020
Congratulations from a hereford fc supporter
— simon wright (@HEREFORD10) August 1, 2020
Well done, Alty!! Can we still drink beer on the terraces next season?
— Kurt McBain (@KurtMcBain) August 1, 2020
Well done Robins. Now get in that Conference and STAY THERE ??????
— Rock Scout 93:20? (@kippaxcity73) August 1, 2020
Congrats from pompey?
— Fazzer (@Fazzer1411) August 1, 2020
A long 1,200+ days have come to an end!
— Ryan Tute (@RyanMTute) August 1, 2020
You’re crying aren’t you? Not me. Parky, Sorvs and this group are superb for us. Forward looking board, young vibrant support, let’s kick on and on….
— Mark Ecky (@markecky) August 1, 2020
You absolute beauties. Well done lads, so proud. You go down with the class of 2005, 2014 & now 2020. All club legends for evermore.
— Russ Neil (@ruddlesneil) August 1, 2020
Congratulations to @altrinchamfc absolutely delighted for phil Parkinson & also Danny mooney has a kid helped to get sorted at Fleetwood & then helped too get him signed at Altrincham… CONGRATULATIONS ALL ⚽️????.. on your promotion
— garry lazenbury (@GLazenbury) August 1, 2020
Doesn’t matter lads. When’s the second leg? We can bring this back at their ground!
— AD (@Fletch4734) August 1, 2020
Up the alty hahaha
— J (@Joe_1894) August 1, 2020
Hiya lads, good luck next season, from the champions (in 2nd place)
— Lewis Farrow (@LFarrow00) August 1, 2020
Bah. Such a let down after last weekend. ?
— Andy Callow (@andy_callow) August 1, 2020
??? pic.twitter.com/3cMGh4QStt
— C L (@cjlow_) August 1, 2020
Deserved victory for Altrincham at Boston United and they return to the Conference. Not a happy way for Boston to say goodbye to their old ground. pic.twitter.com/sjh5Rw9Ceg
— Martin Shaw (@shawma1) August 1, 2020
Ugh. Let’s be frank: that was an abysmal game. Boston were atrocious, Altrincham only slightly better – but deserving winners.
A depressing way to say farewell to York Street. Ah well. It is what it is. One day football will give it back. Just not today.
See you next season.
— Trail Of Debt (@TrailOfDebt) August 1, 2020

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