Runcorn took a an early lead from the penalty spot after Lincoln Goddard was harshly judged to have handled in the area. Making his debut, keeper George Huyton, standing in for the injured Louie Fallon, was unlucky with the spot-kick.

Altrincham were allowed much of the possession as Runcorn sat back, looking to catch the young Robins out on the counter attack.

On 18 minutes, the home side pulled level, as Teddy Woolland advanced from defence to play in Henry Shaw to square for Lucas Edwards to make it 1-1.

The Alty lads continued  to have possession before the interval, but an organised Runcorn managed to restrict the home side to very few clear-cut chances.

Ten minutes into the second half, Runcorn surprisingly retook the lead with an unchallenged header, following a corner.

This prompted an increase in tempo from Altrincham, who pulled level almost immediately through Afernee Denise.

The young Robins grew in confidence and then created chance after chance through Jack Chandler, Kian Gonzales, Afernee and James O'Gara.

Inevitably, it led to Alty taking the lead for the first time in the game, as Afernee rounded the keeper to slot home.

Afernee completed a 15-minute hat-trick on 68 minutes, following a wonderful combination with Kian, and then Kruze Pryce gave the scoreline a more realistic reflection with goal number five.

The Runcorn players disappointingly lost their heads, and a flurry of yellow and red cards meant the match ended in unpleasant fashion. It has to be said, however, that the young Robins behaved impeccably, despite strong provocation from the visitors.