Match Report

Tom Baker’s new look Trafford side produced a magnificent performance full of character and desire as they edged a seven goal thriller at Stafford on Saturday.

Unfortunately Baker himself was missing from the game due to illness, but his team made a whirlwind start with two goals inside the first eleven minutes.

The game was just five minutes old when debutant Charlie Frost fed Brad Byrne whose low drive from 20 yards squirmed under the body of goalkeeper Arron Davies and nestled in the bottom corner.

Frost then got on the score-sheet when Trafford skipper Harry Norris pushed the ball through to him and he coolly poked the ball inside the far corner.

Rangers began to settle after their nightmare start and in the 15th minute Trafford keeper Sam Booth saved brilliantly to thwart a snapshot by Callum King-Harmes.

The host’s main weapon in attack was the amazingly long throw of captain Jimmy O’Neill although Trafford claimed that the use of a towel in drying the ball before each throw was not in the spirit of the game.

And it was from one such long throw in the 24th minute that Rangers reduced the arrears, Scott Wara rising the highest in the packed penalty area to head inside the left hand upright.

The home team were now well on top and keeper Booth twice produced fine saves to deny Wara and Jack Birch.

Trafford midfielder Taylor Dyson fired wide from 25 yards in a rare attack by the visitors and the sides went in at the interval with Baker’s Boys clinging to their slender lead.

The second half began in a similar vein with Stafford piling forward and putting the Trafford defence under intense pressure.

Booth made routine saves from Kaiman Anderson and Callum Wilson but was helpless in preventing a 62nd minute equaliser when a cross from the left was met by a crisp volley by Jack Birch.

Five minutes later Trafford restored their lead with an absolutely stunning goal by Taylor Dyson who gained possession 40 yards out and struck an unbelievable dipping shot over goalkeeper Davies and into the top corner.

Rangers continued to push forward, winning a succession of corners and long throws, and levelled once more in the 86th minute when Trafford only half-cleared a corner from the right and Jimmy O’Neill pounced to fire home from ten yards.

The visitors showed tremendous fight and determination to take the game to their opponents and in the 88th minute took the lead yet again, Harry Norris glancing a header goalwards that struck the knee of Theo Farquharson and flew past Davies.

Trafford were now defending for their lives but deep into injury time substitute Kris Smith squandered a golden opportunity to make it five when he broke clear but with only goalkeeper Davies to beat shot tamely and hopelessly wide.

The final whistle signalled a memorable victory for the boys from Shawe View but great credit must also be given to Assistant Manager Keil O’Brien and Coach Lee Rick who led the team in Tom Baker’s absence.

Trafford will be hoping to build on this win on Saturday when they entertain Vauxhall Motors at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium in an NPL West Division fixture kicking off at 3 p.m.