RHYL’s new-look squad began their busy pre-season schedule with a 3-0 home loss to Altrincham Town.

The Huws Gray Alliance side had plenty of positives to take from the friendly clash against a quality National League North side, and next up for the Lilywhites is a test against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening, before welcoming Bury to the Belle Vue Stadium on August 17 (both 7.45pm).

Home custodian Rory Crowther was at his brilliant best to deny with visitors with a sensational stop early on as they began the game the stronger of the two sides, but they found chances hard to come by thanks to a resolute rearguard led by a superb central defensive partnership of Reece Fairhurst and Max Peate.

At the other end Kristian Pierce and Mike Pritchard were looking lively, with recent signing from Prestatyn Town James Stead also full of running in the middle of the park.

The deadlock was finally broken after the interval when substitute Max Harrop finally found a way past the impressive Crowther with a 20-yard effort that found the corner following a neat passage of build-up play on 57 minutes.

Full-back Tom Hartley went close to levelling matters with a well-struck effort from a deal ball situation soon after, and Oli Buckley nearly marked his return to the Lilies set-up with a goal but was unable to convert his chance after good work from Aaron Pomeyie.

They were made to pay for their inefficiency in front of goal soon after as the visitors doubled their advantage after 62 minutes when Ben Elliot made an instant impact from the bench with a well-taken effort from inside the area.

The lively Mike Pritchard was one of the better home performers on the day and almost got the hosts back into the contest but his strike from 18 yards was saved, and the away side broke quickly and sealed their victory on 78 minutes when Elliot burst clear and slotted past Crowther for his second of the afternoon.