Altrincham 3 - 1 United

FC United surrendered a one goal lead for the second time in a week but there were still positives to be taken from the 3-1 defeat at Altrincham’s Moss Lane.

The Robins play four divisions higher than the Reds in the Conference National and their extra bit of class shown through in the second half, particularly in front of goal.

United led at halftime after Rory Patterson won and converted a penalty just before the break. Phil Melville was in fine form too, making a couple of first class saves.

Six substations were made during the second half as manager Karl Marginson continues to use the pre-season friendlies as an opportunity to test different players out. Rhodri Giggs made his second appearance and there was a return to first team action for Adie Orr.

Almost inevitably though with the change in personnel United lost a bit of shape and the home side took full advantage with spectacular chips from Colin Little and Warren Peyton, before Lee Hendley completed the scoring.

Attention now turns towards the Supporters Direct Cup against AFC Wimbledon at Gigg Lane on Saturday when the Reds will be hoping to do a lot better.

Match details:

Altrincham:
1 S Coburn
11 G Scott
22 C Adams
17 K Munroe
15 P Band
30 S Bushell (capt)
10 R Lawton
12 W Peyton
9 C Little
8 J O’Neill
20 J Bowler
Subs:
2 S Aspinall (for 11, 46)
14 B Norton (for 20, 83)
18 L Chalmers (for 10, 83)
26 L Hendley (for 8, 77)
28 P McFadden (for 9, 77)
R Acton
E Hussin
G Talbot

Scorers: Little 57, Peyton 63, Hendley 81

FC United:
1 P Melville
2 M Taylor
3 A Mortimer
4 S Spencer
5 D Chadwick (capt)
6 R Nugent
7 J Howard
8 W Ahern
9 S Rudd
10 S Torpey
11 R Patterson
Subs:
12 R Giggs (for 7, 51)
14 S Smith (for 4, 59)
15 S Carden (for 8, 51)
16 L Coyne (for 2, 59)
17 A Orr (for 11,51)
18 B Mortimer
19 D Brown
20 D Swarbrick (for 10, 59)

Scorer: Patterson 39 (pen)

Attendance: 1,326