Squires Gate hosted National league side Altrincham on Saturday in their third pre season friendly.

Gate have been in good form so far in pre season beating Fulwood Amateurs and Lostock St Gerrards scoring 11 goals and conceding just the 1 goal. The visit of Altrincham would be a tougher test though the team from Manchester finished 17th in the National league and would possess a greater threat than the West Lancs sides.

Manager Dave McCann had a full side to choose from with just one new signing starting and the rest making up the subs bench.

Kick off was delayed for this game due to traffic problems on the M6 but once the game got going the crowd were in for a cracker!

Altrincham had the first chance after 10 minutes but the striker fired wide. Gate had the chance to open the scoring after 15 minutes, a free kick in from Anderson found the head of Westwood but his header cannoned back off the bar. Alex Mckendrick was on hand for the follow up but his shot dribbled wide of the post. After the early chances the game very much became a midfield battle with neither team really challenging either goal. It took until the 40th minute for Gate to take the lead. Captain Danny Penswick, scoring his third goal in three games, struck a beautiful free kick which nestled into the top corner of the net.

After the half time break Gate made the one change with Jake Higham coming on to replace Wes Benjamin in defence. Gate looked to attack from the off in the second half and almost scored a second, good work down the wing from Mckenna but his ball into Buchan at the near post was put wide. Danny Penswick had the chance to replicate his earlier freekick down the other end but this time the ball was blocked, this lead to a Altrincham counter but the striker fired wide.

The best move of the game came soon after, lovely football from Gate which started at left back before Kay picked up the ball and sprayed a beautiful pass out to find Rowley on the right. But his cross in was put over the bar by sub Clarke. Josh Kay who looked lively since entering the play, found space on the edge of the box and without hesitation, picked out the bottom corner to double Gates lead.

Altrincham would find the net late on but with time running out it was nothing more than a constellation goal.

On the victory manager Dave McCann said: I thought we looked comfortable for the vast majority of the game and deserved the win without really getting out of 2nd or 3rd gear. I was pleased with the impact of all our young substitutes we had, they will give me good options when the season starts.