Match Report

Trafford mounted a magnificent comeback after trailing 2-0 against third placed Shifnal Town but had to settle for a point as they failed to convert several great chances in the closing stages including a missed penalty in the 72nd minute.

Newly appointed manager Tom Baker included just one new face in his starting line-up, promoting striker Prosper Imar from the Reserves, and his side made a confident start to the game, Matt Davies having a vehement and justified claim for a penalty turned down after just two minutes.

Skipper Harry Norris then saw his bullet header brilliantly tipped over by Andrew Wycherley following a right wing corner before Town took the lead completely against the run of play in the 11th minute when Matthew Barnes-Home fired into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area.

In the 22nd minute Barnes-Home turned creator when he outstripped the Trafford defence out on the right and crossed for Shaq Leachman to net from 15 yards.

Defences were on top for the remainder of the first half with neither goalkeeper troubled, and Trafford left with a mountain to climb if they were to get back into the game.

Whatever manager Baker said to his side at half-time worked wonders and they started the second half with renewed confidence but were let down with their final ball.

In the 60th minute substitute Brad Bryne replaced Alex Bowker and within a minute Trafford had reduced the arrears when Prosper Imar glanced a header past Wycherley following a cross from the right.

At the other end Sam Booth blocked a close range header by Barnes-Home with his feet and in the 72nd minute Trafford were awarded a penalty when Ben Horne was pushed from behind. However, Matt Davies struck the resulting spot kick the wrong side of the upright.

Undaunted by this setback, Trafford continued to press forward and they were rewarded for their enterprise in the 80th minute when Taylor Dyson crashed a thunderous drive from 30 yards that Wycherley parried and Sean Higgins followed up to force the rebound home.

Baker’s Boys were now in the ascendancy and piled forward in search of the winner.

Ben Horne volleyed over following a Davies cross from the right, and Prosper Imar just failed to turn a volley by Hilal Khan past Wycherley.

And five minutes into time-added-on a superb cross from the right by Taylor Dyson just evaded the diving Davies to the frustration of the home crowd.

Despite the disappointment of failing to collect all three points, Trafford can take great heart from a performance that belies their lowly league position and they now travel to Stafford Rangers on Saturday with renewed confidence.