Ryan Colclough has put down a marker to be the scourge of opposing defences again in the Vanarama National League after scoring in each of Altrincham’s last two pre-season games.

The free-scoring winger sealed a 2-0 win at Ashton United with a second-half goal on Saturday and turned on the style again on Tuesday night with a deflected long-range effort that flew past the Nantwich Town keeper as Alty cantered to a 3-0 victory.

With striker Marcus Dinanga opening his Alty account with a smartly-taken opening goal and Dan Mooney wrapping up another impressive Robins performance with a near-post finish late on, it was a useful workout for Phil Parkinson’s side.

Colclough, in particular, looked sharp in both games, and assistant-manager Neil Sorvel welcomed early evidence that the former Scunthorpe United forward is in the mood to be a thorn in National League defences once more in the coming months.

“Ryan has shown his quality and the ability he’s got in both games,” he said.

“Right from the start against Nantwich, he was on the front foot, getting at his full-back and creating chances for himself as well as others.

“He carried on from where he left off on Saturday and could have scored four goals in the opening 15 minutes, when you think he hit the post, forced a great save and had a couple of other attempts, so it was good that he finally got on the scoresheet.

“He was a real threat in both games, but that’s no surprise when you think how he did that on a consistent basis for us last season. He has been a great addition to the squad.”

Alty face a lengthy trip to Brightlingsea in Essex on Saturday and travel to Bradford Park Avenue next Tuesday evening, as they continue the build-up to their opening National League fixture at Torquay United on August 21.