SUMMARY:

The following brief report is based on information kindly supplied by Reserves' manager, Neil Brown.

SCORERS

REFEREE: ?

This was a follow-up to last season's fixture against Old Alts and, again, was played at Crossford Bridge, Sale.

TEAM NEWS

Three players with first-team experience were in the Alty Reserves' side; defender George Melling, midfielder Lewis Chalmers and striker Kieran Lugsden. A new face for Alty on the bench was keeper Phil Cross, a former England under-18 international. Phil's career had been interrupted by viral meningitis which had stopped him playing for a considerable period. Also on the bench was Danny Heffanan, who had previously played for Fletcher Moss under manager Neil Brown. Captaining the side was Dwaine Lynsey, who has been named deputy captain to James Marsden for 2005-06. James himself was making a welcome return after injury but he has still to face a 52-day suspension for a sending-off, starting later this month. Lewis Chalmers played on the right as his first-team appearances so far have been on the flanks.

ALTRINCHAM RESERVES: 1. Craig ELLISON, 2. Paul MONAGHAN, 3. Ashley BROWN, 4. George MELLING, 5. Matt GARLAND, 6. Dwaine LYNSEY (capt), 7. Lewis CHALMERS, 8. Rico RICHARDS, 9. Griff JONES, 10. Kieran LUGSDEN, 11. Ryan STEWART. Subs: 12. Dave FROST, 13. Phil CROSS (gk), 14. James MARSDEN, 15. Michael SUTTON, 16. Danny HEFFANAN, 17. Pat McFADDEN.

REPORT

Alty started off looking fresh, passing the ball about well. Up front, Jones and Lugsden were establishing an excellent understanding. Jones had been at Barnsley and last season was at Scarborough; he has also had a spell at Accrington alongside Alty's new signing Lutel James. he is currently returning to full fitness and looks an excellent prospect. Alty went 2-0 up before Old Alts pulled one back. By half-time they led 3-1.

At the interval Alty brought on Cross for Ellison in goal; McFadden for Stewart and Sutton for Richards. Sutton went on and had a fine game on the right flank, with Chalmers moving inside.

After 55 minutes Frost came on for Ashley Brown at left back. On the hour mark Heffanan replaced Lynsey and the new man played on the left. 18 year-old Heffanan, who is 6ft 2ins showed good form in the final half-hour of the match. When he came on, Jones moved to centre-midfield and McFadden went up front. After 70 minutes, Marsden came on for Monaghan.

Old Alts fielded a similar side to that which gave Alty a lot of problems last season so it was a mark of the Reserves' good performance today that they ran out comfortable winners and even had two goals disallowed. For Old Alts, John Maloney was impressive and he will be joining Altrincham for trials as pre-season continues.