TRAFFORD 1, ALTRINCHAM 1

Trafford completed an unbeaten programme of pre-season friendlies on Tuesday night when they held neighbours Altrincham to a 1-1 draw at the Home Estates Shawe View Stadium.
The hosts started brightly with Connor Hughes volleying straight at Tony Thompson in the 3rd minute and then seeing his first time effort blocked following a weak header by Joel Senior.
Trafford keeper Ewan McFarland then saved from Tom Peers and Matty Kosylo whilst at the other end Mike Burke shot into Thompson’s hands in the 19th minute with the Alty keeper well off his line.
The visitors began to gain control and McFarland saved superbly to thwart Peers at the back post before Dan Mooney curled a shot inches wide from 20 yards.
Altrincham took the lead in the 35th minute when a rare mistake by Trafford skipper Keil O’Brien allowed Dan Mooney to fire home from 15 yards.
The home sides’ heads dropped visibly following this setback and both Ben Pringle and Mooney went close to increasing the visitors lead in the closing minutes of the first half.
Altrincham were once again in the ascendancy in the opening stages of the second half and home keeper McFarland produced another great save to deny substitute Curtis Miller.
However, with Tunde Otaluna and Darius Palma both showing some mesmerising skills on the flanks Trafford came more into the game and they rocked their illustrious opponents in the 69th minute when Adam Rooney rose to meet an Alfie Belcher free kick and flashed a magnificent header past Thompson and into the top corner.
Trafford full back Harry Sheridan then spectacularly cleared a Marcus Dinanga shot off his own goal line but Danny Caldecott’s side finished the game the stronger with Otaluna, Burke and Aidan Roxburgh all squandering late chances to win the game.
Manager Caldecott was delighted with his team’s performance and the spirit and endeavour they have shown in all seven pre-season friendlies but he is all too aware that his unbeaten record will count for nothing when the competitive games begin.
And the first of those takes place on Saturday when Trafford entertain Colne FC in the Northern Premier League West Division, kick off 3 p.m.