Phil Parkinson was full of praise for Altrincham’s emerging Academy graduates after they contributed to a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Salford City that extended the Robins’ unbeaten start to their programme of pre-season friendlies.
After including keeper Louie Fallon, centre-back Joel Bailey and midfielder Owen German from the start in Saturday’s comfortable 2-0 win at Warrington, Parkinson involved all three of them as second-half substitutes at The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday night as the Robins came through a tough physical test against League One opposition with a deserved draw courtesy of a Justin Amaluzor equaliser.
The Alty boss has made a couple of key senior signings during the summer, in striker Joe Nuttall and midfielder Tom Crawford, but he’s just as excited about the possibility of his Academy prospects playing a part in the forthcoming Vanarama National League campaign.
“We got exactly what we wanted out of the Salford game, a really competitive, tough encounter that the lads will have taken a lot out of,” he said. “It was always the intention to make wholesale changes on the hour, and I thought the young players who have come through the Academy really shone.
“Louie in goal was superb, particularly with his distribution, which was spot-on, and Joel was the pick of the whole lot of them, absolutely out of this world for 15-20 minutes after going on. He’s fresh out of the Academy, and we are wondering about the level that would be best for him, maybe a loan, but he will be thinking he is ready for the National League now on that showing.
“Owen as well, just as impressive. He’s a second year pro, but you watch him, and he looks like he’s in his 10th season of full-time football. They have been up against top players from the Football League tonight, but they have all really stood out.”
Alty continue their pre-season fixtures away to Chester on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and are on the road again next Tuesday at Curzon Ashton (7.45pm).
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