Match Report

Trafford produced another tremendously courageous display on Saturday to earn a vital point in their quest to climb off the bottom of the NPL West Division table.

Tom Baker’s side started confidently and had the ball in the back of the net twice in the opening ten minutes, Sean Higgins rifling a shot inside the far post and then Matt Davies volleying in from ten yards. Unfortunately both goals were ruled out by marginal offside decisions.

In the 16th minute Davies squandered a glorious opportunity to put the visitors ahead when he broke clear down the middle but, with only goalkeeper Curtis Pond to beat, he shot against the left hand upright.

Trafford remained in control and took the lead just two minutes later when Davies cleverly slipped the ball through to Brad Byrne who coolly slotted his shot past the advancing Pond.

Joey Butlin just failed to connect with a left wing cross in the hosts meaningful first attack but disaster struck for Baker’s team in the 34th minute when Chasetown equalised against the run of play, Tom Thorley glancing a header inside the far post following a free kick from the left.

Undaunted by this setback, Trafford continued to play with great composure and Brad Byrne should have done better when his curling shot from just inside the penalty area was held at full length by Curtis Pond.

Whereas Trafford had been the dominant force in that first period, the hosts edged the second period in terms of possession although Sean Higgins wasted a good opportunity for the visitors in the 65th minute when he fired wastefully over from just 15 yards.

Chasetown’s George Cater curled a shot inches wide in the 78th minute but despite mounting attack after attack the home team were unable to trouble a Trafford defence superbly marshalled by skipper Harry Norris, and keeper Sam Booth was not called upon to make a save of any note.

The final whistle signalled an excellent result for Baker’s Boys against a team just outside the play-off places, but they now face an absolutely crucial game on Saturday when they visit next-to-bottom Darlaston Town. However, if they can replicate this performance, they will be confident of earning all three points.