Alan Mahon presented his credentials for first team selection with a brilliant performance at Altrincham on Saturday. As Graeme Souness looks to fill the left-sided role vacated by Damien Duff and with new signing Steven Reid injured, he may wish to consider Mahon as the solution. First team coach, Dean Saunders, was present and will report a two-goal display which featured an array of creative passing and support play.
Mahon departed at half-time and the Rovers reserve XI came out comfortable 5-2 winners. Corrado Grabbi led the line well but was inventive and infuriating in equal measure. Jerome Watt was impressive on the right wing while Ciran Donnelly and Ian Black were involved in most of the best football.
The Unibond side created little but the Rovers back-line often looked shaky. It took errors by summer signing David Yelldell and Gordon Greer for Alty to get on the scoresheet.
There was a minute silence to pay respect to Ray Harford and the game kicked-off with temperatures touching 35oC. Mahon had already sprayed a number of cross-field balls from centre-midfield when he scored after 14 minutes.
Watt returned Mahon’s short corner and the Irishman cut inside on his left foot. Just as he passed the left corner of the box the Irishman let fly into the bottom left corner.
Yelldell’s gaff came on 35 minutes when he miscontrolled a routine backpass, allowing Rod Thornley in. Grabbi superbly put Morgan clear twice and the left-winger rounded the keeper to convert his second chance on 39 minutes. Mahon, fed by Donnelly, lobbed in his second on 44 minutes.
Watt scored from Grabbi’s knock-down immediately after the break then Grabbi almost scored himself after combining well with Nelson. Greer’s error left Thornley clear to lob in his second and an Acton own goal completed the scoring.
Rovers: Yelldell; Donnelly, A. Taylor (Bruce, h-t), Fitzgerald, Greer; Watt (Tareck, 66), Mahon (Nelson, h-t), Black, Morgan; Grabbi (Johnson, 60), Harkins. Sub not used: Renton (gk).
Attendance: 352.