HAVING already secured a place in the promotion play-offs for a place back in the national division of the Football Conference, Altrincham could afford to make six changes for this game on Saturday against already relegated Droylsden. It was the final match of the regular season.

Those sitting out this game included leading scorers Damian Reeves and Duncan Watmore, as well as ever-present goalkeeper Stuart Coburn.

Recent signing from Southport, Tony McMillan came into the starting eleven to make his Alty debut in goal.

The scoring started in the 15th-minute when left-winger Nicky Clee executed a right-footed chip over the visitors' keeper. Just four minutes later Jake Moult rifled home from the outer reaches of the box, after Droylsden had failed to clear an earlier threat.

There was an equally fierce finish from Ryan Brooke to make it 3-0 in the 28th minute before the same player headed home a corner in added time at the end of the first-half. Brooke, mostly used as a substitute this season, has now netted four times in the last three games to add further firepower to Alty's potent attack.

Droylsden, to their credit, tried to get forward, with Hall prominent in most of their good work.

Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half took Alty's total to a 100 in the league this season, the first time they have reached three figures since 1968. Jake Moult scored the first of this brace, and Alty's fifth, when keeper Latham spilled a cross, before James Lawrie rounded the keeper to make it 6-0.

The result confirmed that Altrincham's semi-final opponents in the play-offs will be Northamptonshire club, Brackley Town. Following the first leg of the play-off semi-final, which is at Moss Lane on Tuesday (30th) at 7.45pm, the return leg will be on May 12.

For the return leg, supporters' transport will be arranged. See the website at www.altrinchamfc.com, which will publicize the details, once these are known.

ALTRINCHAM: McMillan, Densmore (capt), Havern, Hall, Leather, Richman, Lacey, Moult, Clee, Lawrie, Brooke. Subs: Samberg, Doughty, Reeves, Mooney and Grimshaw