Pre season Report: Reds beat Alty to win again

Second half goals from Conor Branson and Nathan Fox sealed another win for the Reds against National League opposition as Altrincham were beaten at the Impact on Tuesday night.

Branson nodded home from a few yards out following James Jones header towards him from a Bobby Johnson corner on 58. Three minutes later a beauty from full back Nathan Fox saw him hit a low driven shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards past Thompson.

It was the second straight win for the Reds against National League opposition following Saturdays 2-0 win over Chesterfield. To date, only Notts County have beaten Billy Heath's men during pre season so far.

The game started with plenty of Alty possession with the Reds having to hold their shape very well. We produced some pressure with Fox and Josh Clackstone putting balls into the box, both were cleared. The visitors saw an effort cleared away from the goal line by Clackstone before firing over George Willis' crossbar.

Hancock slipped as he hit a free kick which curled wide from 25 yards, George then saved well from Miller's low shot in the Reds box. Alty were having a good spell and both Toby Lees and Dom Smith had to be alert to block and intercept attacks in the box.

A header was nodded wide at the far post before Alfreton began to test the Alty defence. Fox curled a free kick into the box which Gould punched into the air, James Jones and Bobby Johnson both attempted to knock the loose ball in but saw their shots blocked.

Shaun Tuton fired a low shot which was blocked, Hulme then poked wide after being played through brilliantly. Tuton then fired over the bar from 20 yards as the first half drew to an end.

The second half saw Alfreton really turn up the gears, Elliott Reeves and Tuton had shots blocked. Branson then tested Thompson in goal who matched his effort.

Then with 58 gone, we took a deserved lead as a corner from Bobby found Jones who nodded towards Branson who headed in from a few yards. Three minutes later it was 2-0, Fox latched onto a loose ball 25 yards out and rifled in a low shot past Thompson into the bottom corner.

Alty looked to respond but headed wide at the far post from a free kick, the Reds were really impressing all over the park; fighting for every ball, staying solid at the back and looking very threatening up front.

Jones slid in well on Ceesay in the box to deny the winger getting a shot off at Willis. Thompson saved well from Branson's low free kick before Altrincham had their first big chance of the game when Peers could only skew an effort wide in the box from Ceesay's cross.

With three to go the visitors were awarded a penalty when a Trialist brought down Hampson in the box, Clayton stepped up but was denied thanks to a fantastic save from George who dove to his right.

That capped off a fabulous display from the Reds who claimed yet another win in pre season ahead of the 2020/21 campaign and another impressive performance all over the park against National League opposition.

ATFCXI: Willis, Clackstone (Lund 74), Fox (Trialist 70), Branson, Jones, Lees, Smith, Bradley (c) (Trialist 86), Tuton (Day 80), Johnson (Clarke 64), Reeves (Trialist 60).

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors