ALTRINCHAM YOUTH: 1. Jake POWELL, 2. Jack KIMBER, 3. Ben OLIVER, 4. Declan WAKEFIELD, 5. Reza ZAREH-OURANG, 6. Steven CRANE, 7. Paul BARRY, 8. Jason MELLING-FONG, 9. Rob COLQUITT, 10. Osebi ABKDAKI, 11. Simon WILLIAMSON. Substitutes: 12. James McGARVA, 14. Alex MURPHY, 15. Joel DUGGAN, 16. Lucas THORNTON, 7*. Ryan DALY, 9*. Emmanuel LADU, GK. Lee BERRILL.

Based on information supplied by George Heslop.

Altrincham employed a squad of 18, but only 9 of them had played in the team's previous pre-season game against Ashton Town. Seven players were rested due to their involvement in County trial matches this week. The changes to the Alty squad gave the management the opportunity to look at further trialists as they try to decide on their squad from a large pool of talented players.

Altrincham started the game well and, as in their previous game, passed the ball well and worked hard. But after missing a couple of chances, Altrincham suffered a setback as the visitors took the lead half way through the first period. But just before half-time great perseverance from Osemi Abkdaki, who chased down the goalkeeper, earned him a tap-in goal from four yards to level the score at the interval.

Altrincham made seven changes at the interval. McGarva replaced Wiliamson, but settled in at left back which meant that Oliver moved to left-midfield. Alex Murphy came on for Wakefield, whilst Duggan replaced Crane, who had aggravated an earlier injury. Barry was substituted by Thornton and Abkdaki by Daly. Ladu took the field in place of Colquitt whilst, in goal, Berrill came on for Powell.

Despite all these changes, Altrincham settled well and started the half the better side and after 50 minutes Melling-Fong put his side ahead. With Alty looking settled, their rhythm was disrupted when Oliver was injured. He was replaced by Williamson, who returned to the match in left midfield. But with five minutes to go, Altrincham paid the price for over-intricate passing and lost possession in centre midfield. Manchester then broke through the unmanned Altrincham central defence to equalise.

The Alty management was pleased with the overall performance against strong opposition. The Alty performance showed that there is great competition for places in the starting line-up in the league on 19th August. Between now and then the management team face many difficult decisions in choosing a squad from a large number of good players.