Alty defence looks in good shape (From Messenger Newspapers)

Alty defence looks in good shape

12:40pm Wednesday 18th July 2012 in Sport

By John Edwards LEE Sinnott hailed Altrincham’s new-found defensive solidity after a strong Morecambe side were held to a goalless draw at Moss Lane on Tuesday night.

The Alty boss vowed to remedy last season’s most glaring weakness and appears to have succeeded, after new signings Luca Havern and Danny Hall once more marshalled a well-drilled defence and limited their League Two opponents to a bare minimum of scoring opportunities.

Indeed, for all Morecambe’s possession, Alty might have claimed a notable scalp, but for two flying second-half saves by Barry Roche from James Lawrie and the impressive Duncan Watmore.

“Stuart Coburn wasn’t exactly over-worked, and it’s probably fair to say their keeper had more to do,” said Sinnott.

“It has been well documented that keeping clean sheets was a problem for us last season, so it was pleasing to keep one against that calibre of opposition, and with such a good performance.

“When you talk about defences, you always think of the keeper and back four. But everyone, from the front all the way back, did what was required to make sure Stuart was well protected.

“Morecambe were going for it. They never took their foot off the pedal, as you might expect from a side managed by Jim Bentley and Ken McKenna, so it was encouraging to see us play some good stuff and actually create the better chances.

“It was a decent exercise for us, but I keep drumming into the players that the date that matters most is August 18, when the League campaign starts.

“The two new lads up front, Ryan Brooke and Danny Mitchley, faced a tough task, given the opposition. They had to work for everything they got, but that will have done them good. There were a lot of pleasing aspects.”

Trialists such as Matt Doughty and former Preston right-back Scott Leather are likely to be given another chance to impress, as Alty’s pre-season programme continues, against Burnley at Moss Lane on Saturday (3pm).

“I’m still looking to bring in three or four more players,” added Sinnott. 2Who knows, maybe at least some are already in the building.”