A mixed bag this week. We speak to an old friend of the show making progress every season at his club, now in the FA Trophy Fourth round and pushing for a play-off promotion in the National League. Phil Parkinson - yes non-league’s very own - thinks his Altrincham side is coming together nicely, although the Christmas schedule isn’t as he’d hoped, highlighting the big sacrifices those involved in football often have to make. With a similar schedule after weeks without competitive football is step 5 Tividale. They hope to get their FA Vase Third round tie played this weekend at the third attempt. Competing still in four cup competitions but not having had a league game since October it's been a strange season but one manager Stuart How is confident will bring rewards. Rounding up the week’s news and the show is Jon Couch Executive Editor at The Non League paper.