Words John Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore 

Altrincham 2 Macclesfield 5

A first pre-season win continues to elude Altrincham after arch-rivals Macclesfield overturned first-half arrears to run out comfortable winners at The J.Davidson Stadium this afternoon.

The Robins looked well placed to put one over their long-term adversaries after recovering from conceding in only the second minute to lead through well-taken goals by Aidan Barlow and Lucas Weaver.

But the visitors hit back to lead 3-2 at the midway point, and there was no way back for Neil Gibson's men after the Silkmen added two further goals in the second half to round off what was a disappointing afternoon, with the Enterprise National League campaign just a fortnight away.

Alty went behind with exactly one minute and 50 seconds on the clock as Jon Ustabasi's low cutback from the left was swept in at the near post by Luke Duffy.

The response from Alty was swift and decisive, and it owed much to the perseverance of Jimmy Knowles.

A long ball down the right by Liam Humbles sounded the starting pistol for a race between Knowles and left-back Lincoln McFayden, who clearly believed he was in pole position to edge in front of the Alty striker and usher it out for a goal-kick.

A determined Knowles had other ideas as he hustled the Macclesfield defender out of the way and cut inside before picking out Barlow for an assured finish from a central position 10 yards out for a fourth-minute equaliser.

By the end of the eighth minute, the tables had been turned and Alty were in front.

Barlow was the provider this time with a through ball that sent Weaver bearing down on goal with just Christian Dibble to beat. The Macclesfield keeper got a hand to the shot, but there was enough power in it to hit the back of the net.

The Silkmen were back on terms in the 26th minute, and, as might have been predicted, it was former Alty midfielder Elliot Osborne who did the damage with a glancing header from a right-flank free-kick.

Some players decide against celebrating if they score against their old club, but not Osborne, who went so far as to kiss the badge on his shirt in response to a few boos from home fans.

Macclesfield went ahead for a second time in the 35th minute, and to make matters worse, it was another ex-Robin on the scoresheet in the form of George Wilson.

The combative midfielder had an initial shot blocked but was perfectly placed to pounce on the rebound and make no mistake second time round with an unerring drive that gave Owen Evans in the Alty goal no chance.

His goal celebration was distinctly more subdued than Osborne's, at least.

Alty almost fashioned an equaliser in the 39th minute when Matty Kosylo sent Weaver scampering clear down the right, only for the ensuing cross to elude Barlow in the middle by the narrowest of margins.

The Robins went further behind in the 54th minute when, following a free-kick whipped in from the left, Evans managed to parry an initial header but could do nothing about a follow-up effort nodded in by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from close range.

Alty were well and truly up against it in the 61st minute after the slightest contact on Adan George inside the area was deemed a foul, giving the Macclesfield striker the chance to pick himself up and convert the resulting penalty to put his side 5-2 ahead.

Five minutes later, Knowles hit the bar with a close-range effort from a Charlie Kirk cross, though a raised linesman's flag indicated that it would not have counted, had it been on target.

Alty went close again in the 77th minute when Kian Breckin latched on to a pass from fellow-substitute Remi Raymond and skimmed the bar with a rising drive.

It was not to be for a Robins side who could have few complaints on the day, adding further significance to next Friday's final friendly at home to Manchester United under-21s ahead of another League campaign being launched at home to Southend United eight days later.

Altrincham Evans; Hinchy, Cooper, Olson, Humbles, Barlow, Knowles, Kosylo, Taylor, Weaver, Kirk. Subs used: Banks, Khan, Dennis, Breckin, Raymond, Reddin, Crawford, Barnes, Bailey, Fallon.

Macclesfield Dibble; Dyer, McFayden, Osborne, Borthwick-Jackson, Goerge, Duffy, Shrimpton, G.Wilson, Heathcote, Ustabasi. Subs used: Ayub, Dawson, Dos Santos, Lacey, T.Wilson, Chapman, Trialists x4

HT 2-3

Goals Barlow 4', Weaver 7' | Duffy 2', Osborne 25', Wilson 35', Borthwick-Jackson 54', George 62'

Attendance 789

Referee Matthew McQuillan

Next Up

A behind closed doors friendly with Tranmere Rovers in midweek, followed by Manchester United under-21s visiting The J.Davidson Stadium on Friday evening for a 7pm kick-off.

Turnstiles, Fan Zone, CSH Bar and Club shop will open at 5:30pm with tickets on sale here priced £10 Adults (18+) and £5 Juniors (17 and under).