Words John Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

It's still early days, but there are encouraging signs that Altrincham will head into the new season with two strikers who know how to convert chances into goals.

On Saturday, at Lancaster City, new signing Joe Nuttall underlined his scoring prowess by marking his debut with a first-half headed goal in the Robins' 1-1 draw.

Three days later, away to Cheadle Heath Nomads, it was the turn of Regan Linney to take centre stage as he rifled home an Alty opener and followed up with a coolly-taken penalty in an emphatic 3-0 win.

With Matty Kosylo contributing an eye-catching solo effort in between, it was a highly satisfactory third pre-season outing for Phil Parkinson's squad.

As has been the case to date, the Alty boss opted for selecting two completely different line-ups, one for each half, in an attempt to give as many players as possible minutes under their belts and cast an eye over one or two trialists.

Former Oldham frontrunner Nuttall was amongst those given the first 45 minutes, and he seemed intent on making the most of it, as he frequently dropped deep to link up the play and posed a threat inside the area whenever he had the chance.

It was never better illustrated than in the 20th minute when, after combining with George Wilson in midfield to help sweep the ball out to Benny Couto, he raced forward in anticipation of the left-back's resulting cross and only just failed to reach it with an outstretched boot.

Alty were dominating possession without creating too many clear-cut chances, though they threatened in the 37th minute when a neat touch from Max Haygarth gave Justin Amaluzor the opportunity to take aim from the best part of 30 yards and fire a shot that Nomads' former Robins keeper Ryan Forde managed to hold on to.

Ethan Ross had been largely untroubled, but his half-time replacement Louie Fallon was called into action barely a couple of minutes into the second half.

A left-wing delivery was met with a firm downward header from close range, and young Louie did exceptionally well to plunge to his left and keep it out with a combination of sharp reflexes and safe handling.

The extra quality running right through the Alty ranks finally told just after the hour-mark when Tom Crawford played a delightful ball through to Linney, who steadied himself before drilling a low drive unerringly into the bottom corner.

When a heavy touch from a Nomads player invited a challenge from Kosylo near the halfway line, the Alty attacker didn't hesitate, pouncing to take possession of the ball and accelerating towards the area before looking up to see Linney in support but settling for taking responsibility himself with a clinical low finish beyond the unprotected Forde.

That was 2-0 to Alty in the 73rd minute, but still their night's work was not done as they went in search of a third goal that duly materialised in the 76th minute when right-winger Danny Sotona was unceremoniously upended after powering into the area.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Linney stepped forward to round off an excellent second 45 minutes with a firmly-struck penalty that sent Forde the wrong way.

All in all, a good work-out for a Robins squad who continue their pre-season programme with a trip to Warrington Town this Saturday afternoon.

Altrincham Ross (Fallon, 46'); Banks (Trialist, 46'), Trialist (E.Jones, 46'), Bailey (J.Jones, 46'), Cooper (c) (Baines, 46'), German (Osborne, 46'), Wilson (Crawford, 46'), Haygarth (Trialist, 46'), Amaluzor (Weaver, 46'), Newby (Kosylo, 46'), Nuttall (Linney, 46').

Next Up

Another short journey, this time to Warrington Town on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off at the newly-named Cal.Delivery Stadium.

Tickets will set you back £10 Adults, £5 Students/OAPs, £2 Juniors and can be bought from our hosts here.