Altrincham 3-3 Manchester United XI - Match Report

With the whole senior squad now in the States for United's pre-season tour, a mixture of reserve and youth players took on Altrincham, in a pre-season friendly today.

The Moss Lane pitch was in superb condition, and the goalposts used were apparently those used in the recent European Cup final at Old Trafford.

Before kick-off, a minute silence was observed for Ernie Mansell, a life-long supporter of Altrincham, who sadly died this morning.

The game had a lively start, with Ben Williams in the United goal being tested early by Rob Matthews. The 19-year-old 'keeper did well to keep out a firm shot from the Alty striker.

United went close with chances from Eddie Johnson and Neil Wood, but it was the home side that took the lead through Ian Craney on the 6 minute mark.

Paul Robertson's corner was headed down by Gary Talbot, and Craney finished neatly from 15-yards out.

Altrincham were growing in confidence, and the defence was easily dealing with what United threw at them, and deservedly doubles their lead mid-way through the first half.

Opening scorer Ian Craney fed a beautiful ball through to Mattie Hughes, who drove the ball home from just outside the penalty area.

With Altrincham in firm control, United suddenly started to raise their game, and got themselves back into the game with a goal from Matthew Williams.

The Welsh striker latched on to a ball from Danny Byrne, and gave Richard Acton in the Altrincham goal no chance, with a superb finish from 12 yards.

The momentum of the game suddenly changed, with United creating chance after chance, with Matthew Williams going close twice before the interval.

Altrincham held on though, and went in at the break ahead.

Half-Time - Altrincham 2-1 Manchester United XI

United made a massive eight half-time substitutions, with David Poole, and young 'keeper James Jowsey being familiar faces to the United faithful

Alan Tate, Paul Tierney and Matthew Williams were the only survivors from the United starting line-up.

Still, the newly introduced players managers to adjust to the pace of the game quickly, and United had the better of the early second half exchanges.

David Poole had United's best chance early-on, with his left footed shot being cleared off the line.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Altrincham had the ball in the United net for the third time, only to have the goal disallowed. Altrincham's skipper Mark Maddox had the ball in the net, but the referee gave a free-kick to United, following a challenge on Ben Williams by Steve Lunt.

The disallowed goal seemed to boost United's game, and the visitors were level with just over a quarter-of-an-hour to go. Dave Poole played a short pass from a free-kick to Matthew Williams, who powered a shot home from 20-yards to secure his brace for the afternoon.

After letting slip of a two goal lead, Altrincham  raised a few eye-brows when they took the lead again just minutes after Williams' equaliser.

Ian Craney was quick to pick up the ball, following a miss-placed pass from Alan Tate, and skipped through for his second, and Altrincham's third goal.

United came back again though, with substitute David Poole equalising with 10 minutes to go.

Adam Eckersley, played a through ball to Poole, who finished nicely. The Altrincham defence screamed to the referee to disallow the goal, as Poole looked in an offside position, but Poole's strike stood.

Neither side could find a winner in the final moments, but both sides should be relatively pleased with the draw, and the 852 in attendance left Moss Lane thoroughly entertained.

Full Time - Altrincham 3-3 Manchester Untied XI

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