Trafford 1 Altrincham 5

TRAFFORD’S young side were no match for Conference Premier outfit Altrincham in their pre-season friendly at Shawe View on Saturday.

The visitors took just three minutes to take the lead with Shaun Densmore converting a back post header after Tom Read misjudged a deep cross from the left.

And two goals in two minutes by Alty goal machine Damien Reeves virtually finished the game as a contest as he pounced to sweep home a low cross in the 14th minute and then volleyed in neatly from close range as the visitors threatened to run riot.

To their credit, Trafford fought back with great spirit and Mark Derbyshire reduced the arrears in the 23rd minute when he headed past Dave Parton following a fine run and cross down the left by Rory Fallon.

Parton then produced a superb fingertip save to push a Clevon Beadle drive around the post but in the 42nd minute, Steven Gillespie restored Alty’s three goal advantage when he headed home following yet another penetrative cross from the flanks.

Substitute James Lawrie almost made it five in the 56th minute when he chipped just wide following a weak kick by Read but three minutes later, Read atoned for his error with a tremendous reflex save to deny Reeves his hat-trick.

The effervescent Lawrie broke clear on the hour mark but screwed his shot wide of the far post and then he seemed certain to score but was thwarted by a magnificent block by Trafford centre back Tyler Shaw.

The scoring was completed in the 69th minute when Nia Bayunu tripped Lawrie and Greg Wilkinson coolly placed the resultant penalty into the bottom corner, and Read prevented what would have been an embarrassing scoreline with two brilliant late saves from Lawrie and Reeves.