Words Jack Worswick | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham opened pre-season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Warrington Town in sweltering conditions at the Cal.Delivery Stadium.

With almost a year passed since the two sides’ encounter, it was Alty who came out on top once again, courtesy of a Joe Nuttall first-half finish and a double in the second half from Olly Crankshaw and James Gale.

The first half saw a mixed side of first-team regulars, trialists and academy graduates. Despite this, the Robins were still able to take control and maintain a tight grip on the action.

Lucas Weaver looked sharp throughout off the right, as his combinations with the likes of Tylor Golden and Remi Raymond became a handful for the opposition backline. 

Speaking of Raymond, the youngster almost came close to netting his first senior goal in red and white. After combining with trialist Charlie Kirk and gliding past two defenders, he was through on goal, but the dinked effort swayed just wide.

Alty continued to plug away and eventually found their reward after half an hour. Raymond was once again at the forefront, as his pass found Nuttall. Last season's loanee managed to find the roof of the net for the opener, giving Liam Isherwood had no chance. 

Phil Parkinson’s side also showed great intent with their pressing and energy throughout their return to action. The intensity often led to the Yellows playing long and, consequently, relinquishing possession.

In the second half, many changes came throughout the starting eleven, with new signings and trialists entering the picture.

Although the home side saw spells of possession early on, it was the visitors who found the next goal. Immediately, after coming on, the electric front four of Ward, Gale, Knowles and Crankshaw made the difference.

Crankshaw was a nuisance for the home side through his darting runs inside off the right and rotations with his teammates. This eventually led to Alty finding their second of the day in the 63rd minute. The winger cut in off the left before beating Isherwood at his near post.

Similarly, just two minutes later, Gale made it three. Kahrel Reddin was hugging the touchline, but like his teammate minutes earlier, he cut inside and shot. Only this time, Alty’s number nine got on the end of it to open his account for the pre-season, rounding off an assured display in the Cheshire sunshine. 

Altrincham Trialist (Trialist, 46'); Golden (Reddin, 46'), Reed (Edwards, 46'), Cooper (Banks, 46'), German (Bailey, 46'), Marriott (Osborne, 46'), Crawford (Kosylo, 46'), Raymond (Trialist, 30' (Ward, 58')), Trialist (Trialist, 30' (Crankshaw, 58')), Trialist (Trialist, 30' (Knowles, 46')), Weaver (Green, 30' (Gale, 58')).

Goals Trialist 28', Crankshaw 63', Gale 65'

Attendance 610

Next Up

Pre-season continues on Friday in the Isle of Man - the Robins taking on Radcliffe at The Bowl in Douglas (3pm) - part of the island's Festival of Football.

Full travel and ticket information for our mini-tour, which concludes next Sunday against either FC Isle of Man or Fleetwood Town, can be found here.