CARL Macauley says Witton need to be sharper and will demand a demonstration of that from his players when they host AFC Liverpool on Saturday.

Albion lost 2-0 against Chester last night in a second friendly of pre-season.

They were better than during a defeat at Runcorn Linnets in a warm-up match last weekend, but are not yet where their manager wants them to be.

“I was happy at half-time,” he said.

“Chester have played more often than we have, but for the most part we looked strong and our energy levels were high.

“But the pattern was the same as Saturday; we didn’t take that on after half-time, and by the end we looked tired.

“I don’t think we’ve shown enough without the ball, not pushed ourselves.

“When we go to put pressure on the opposition, we’ve not done it in a co-ordinated way.

“On the other hand, when we’ve had possession we’ve not moved the ball quickly enough – our strength is getting it to our front men and then joining in from there.

“I haven’t seen that yet.”

James Akintunde’s first-half goal helped Chester, preparing for another season in the National League, to assume control.

Rhain Hallawell’s strike in the second period settled the outcome in Blues’ favour.

Macauley continued to run the rule over a number of trialists and one of them, James Foley, signed a registration form after the final whistle.

A central midfielder, he has made more than 100 appearances for Northern Premier League rivals Marine.

The Albion boss told the Guardian that a handful of others will have a final chance to impress when AFC Liverpool arrive at Wincham Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

He added: “The message to them is to show more of that physical intensity I’m after.

“I’d like to see us threaten more in the final third as well because we didn’t look like scoring in the second half [against Chester].

“If we’re brighter mentally, whether that’s by being alert to a second ball or anticipating when to support a teammate, then we’ll be making the progress I want to see at this stage.”