Competition: FA Cup

Atherton Collieries vs Trafford FC

ATHERTON COLLIERIES 3 TRAFFORD 0

Trafford’s glorious FA Cup run came to an end on Tuesday night when they were defeated 3-0 at Atherton Collieries in their Third Qualifying Round Replay.

Tom Baker’s side started confidently and after Scott Sephton shot wide following an 11th minute corner, Ryan Brooke saw his shot from the edge of the area saved on the line by Harvey Bardsley after the home keeper scurried back towards his goal.

Harry Norris then volleyed over after Dave Worrall floated a cross beyond the far post but the large contingent of travelling supporters were stunned in the 26th minute when Colls took the lead completely against the run of play, Kielan Adams breaking down the left and driving a wicked low cross that Brad Byrne had the misfortune to run into his own goal.

The remainder of the first half saw Trafford once again dominating possession without troubling Bardsley and the teams went in at the interval with Colls rather fortunate to be ahead.

The second half began with Baker’s Boys pouring forward in attack after attack with Bile Ahmed leading the way with some scintillating runs down the left.

Brad Byrne saw his shot from 15 yards blocked by a home defender and then Luke Sephton fired wide from just inside the penalty area.

In the 66th minute Kyle Worsley broke down the right but shot wastefully into the side-netting and two minutes later, when Trafford were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Colls penalty area, Worsley curled the ball agonisingly over the crossbar.

It was all Trafford and an equaliser looked inevitable but in the 72nd minute they squandered another golden opportunity when substitute Brad Njine’s low drive from close range was held by Bardsley.

Dillon Edmondson’s snapshot was parried by Bardsley as the onslaught continued but in the 86th minute, and again completely against the run of play, Colls doubled their lead when Kielan Adams outstripped the Trafford defence on the left and poked the ball through the advancing Connor Beard’s legs.

To make matters worse, and to show what a cruel game football can be, Liam Sheppard broke clear in the 89th minute and blasted the ball past Beard to give an unreal final score line of 3-0 and put Colls through to the Fourth Qualifying Round in which they will face AFC Fylde.

Trafford will be left to reflect on wasted goal scoring opportunities in this game but in reality they should have won the first tie on Saturday when they allowed Colls to equalise in the 90th minute.

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Trafford FC vs Atherton Collieries

TRAFFORD 2 ATHERTON COLLIERIES 2

Trafford were robbed of an historic FA Cup victory by a 90th minute equaliser but can look forward with confidence to Tuesday night’s replay after dominating for long spells.

After a nervous and cagey opening with both defences on top, Tom Baker’s side created the first chance in the 11th minute when Ryan Brooke headed in to the side-netting following a superb flighted cross by Kyle Worsley.

The Northern Premier West Division side were sitting back and allowing Trafford to dictate possession, hoping to catch them on the break with long balls out of defence.

And in the 35th minute the visitors took the lead when home midfielder Brad Byrne was caught in possession midway inside his own half by Harry Forshaw who released KielanAdams, the Colls striker striding forward and planting a firm shot past the onrushing Connor Beard.

Seconds before the interval, Trafford should have levelled when a glorious pass by Dave Worrall found Luke Sephton who shot wide from just 15 yards.

Four minutes after half-time Baker’s Boys snatched a deserved equaliser when a long throw by Jacob May was flicked on and Kyle Worsley timed his run to perfection to smash the ball home from ten yards.

Buoyed by this goal, Trafford stormed forward and after appeals for a penalty following a trip on Bile Ahmed were waved away, Brad Byrne rounded off a neat move with a snapshot that was saved by Harvey Bardsley.

In the 58th minute Trafford were rewarded for their enterprise when they took the lead, Bile Ahmed making a scintillating run down the left and flashing a wicked curling cross that Bardsley could only parry into his own net.

A Colls free kick in the 64th minute was headed over by giant centre back Mohamed Ali and eight minutes later Kyle Worsley squandered a golden opportunity to put the tie to bed when he broke clear but, with just Bardsley to beat, shot agonisingly past the far post.

The visitors were pumping the ball forward at every opportunity but the Trafford defence, with skipper Harry Norris once more outstanding, were repelling everything that was thrown at them.

However, in the 90th minute disaster struck when Trafford failed to clear a long throw from the left and the ball fell kindly to Essa Janneh who lashed it into the roof of the net from ten yards.

Despite the referee adding seven minutes of ‘time added on’, neither side created any further chances and so an enthralling game, played in front of a bumper crowd of 1092, ended with honours even.

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Heaton Stannington AFC vs Trafford FC

HEATON STANNINGTON 1 TRAFFORD 2

Trafford’s FA Cup odyssey continued on Saturday when they made the long journey up to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and came away with a magnificent 2-1 victory over Northern Premier League East Division outfit Heaton Stannington in their Second Qualifying Round encounter.

Tom Baker’s side were already missing the services of five regulars due to injury and holidays, but were further hampered in their preparations when veteran midfielder Scott Sephton was forced to withdraw following a setback during the warm up.

But despite this, and the fact that the game was played in very blustery conditions and on an uneven playing surface, Trafford were superb and were comfortably in control for large parts of the game.

The opening stages were rather scrappy with the first chance falling to the visitors in the 23rd minute when Brad Njine screwed his shot wide following an astute pass by Brad Byrne.

Three minutes later Lewis Jacklin squandered an even better chance when he found himself in space just six yards out but home keeper Dan Lister left his line to block the Trafford winger’s effort.

Neither goalkeeper was troubled for the remainder of the first half until three minutes of ‘time added on’ when Bile Ahmed fed Kyle Worsley who cut in from the left and curled a brilliant low drive past Lister and inside the far corner to make it 1-0.

The hosts were slightly on top in the opening minutes of the second half with Trafford keeper Connor Beard saving a header by Connor Walker in the 53rd minute.

And Heaton levelled in the 68th minute when Beard parried a close range shot by Max Storey who reacted smartly to head the rebound inside the far post.

Despite this setback, Trafford continued to play some neat, controlled possession football and they were rewarded in the 77th minute when Kyle Worsley was tripped by substitute James Boothroyd and Brad Byrne blasted the resultant penalty past Lister and into the roof of the net.

Baker’s Boys then had opportunities to put the game out of sight, skipper Harry Norris volleying straight at Lister, Ryan Brooke seeing his back post header brilliantly saved by the home keeper and Dillon Edmondson firing wide after storming through on the left.

In the dying seconds Max Storey was red carded for foul and abusive language towards the referee, and the game came to a close with Baker’s Boys fully deserving a victory that puts them into Monday’s draw for the Third Qualifying Round.

 

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Bamber Bridge vs Trafford FC

Bamber Bridge 1 – 3 Trafford FC

Trafford produced another magnificent performance on Saturday to defeat NPL Premier Division side Bamber Bridge 3-1 and progress through to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Despite the fact that there were two divisions between the teams, Tom Baker’s side played the more cultured and composed football throughout with the hosts surprisingly reliant on long balls out of defence.

And Trafford were on top from the start, Scott Sephton volleying over from 30 yards and brother Luke seeing his close range effort blocked by home keeper Goodness Gospel-Eze.

Ryan Brooke’s shot from 15 yards was deflected behind as the visitors continued to dominate and Brad Byrne’s drive was also just off target.

Bridge began to cause problems for the Trafford defence with their pacey front line and took the lead in the 26th minute when a corner was floated in from the right and Regan Riley escaped his marker to head into the opposite top corner.

Two minutes later another effort by Brad Byrne was saved at full length by Gospel-Eze who then comfortably held a long range drive by Dave Worrall.

The first half ended with Bridge striker Archie Lang storming through on the right but being denied by a brave save by Connor Beard.

Ryan Brooke was desperately unlucky not to snatch the equaliser in the 52nd minute when he nodded against the crossbar after Harry Norris had headed a left wing corner back across goal, but three minutes later Trafford were rewarded for their enterprise when substitute Brad Njine’s close range shot was deflected to Lewis Jacklin who fired home from 10 yards.

A Regan Riley free kick from 20 yards skimmed the Trafford crossbar and then a brilliant last ditch tackle by skipper Harry Norris stopped Jamie Allen in his tracks as the Bridge striker threatened to break through.

In the 73rd minute Trafford introduced substitute Dillon Edmondson to the action and within seconds he collected the ball just inside the Bridge half, powered forward on a run that took him past four home defenders and then coolly steered his shot past Gospel-Eze and inside the right hand post.

An incredible goal and an inspired substitution by manager Baker.

Scott Sephton then fired against the crossbar as Trafford attempted to put the tie to bed and Edmondson almost snatched another when he broke clear but was thwarted by Gospel-Eze.

Two minutes into ‘time-added-on’, and with Trafford still pushing forward at every opportunity, Mackena Bradshaw was upended in the Bridge penalty area allowing David Worrall to blast the resultant penalty past the helpless Gospel-Eze and send the magnificent visiting supporters into raptures.

This victory stretched Trafford’s winning sequence to seven games and they can look forward with great confidence to the draw for the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup which takes place on Monday at 1 p.m.

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Runcorn Linnets vs Trafford FC

Trafford produced a sensational performance to defeat Northern Premier League outfit Runcorn Linnets 3-2 in their FA Cup Preliminary Round Tie on Saturday.

The home fans were stunned in the 7th minute when Tom Baker’s side stormed ahead, Ryan Brooke firing in a shot from 20 yards that took a slight deflection and wrong-footed keeper Calvin Hare.

Noah Roberts then drove over for the hosts following a mistake by Fin Stanyer but in the 19thminute Trafford struck again when 17 year old Jensen Bowering stepped inside a Linnets defender and struck a shot that looped over Hare and nestled in the back of the net.

In the 26th minute Trafford broke forward once again with left winger Bile Ahmed cutting inside only to be upended by full back Brendan O’Brien. Ahmed dusted himself down but struck the resultant penalty well over the crossbar much to the relief of the large home support.

Connor Beard produced a great save at point blank range to thwart Nick Rushton as Linnets sought a way back into the tie but Trafford were still in the ascendancy and after Luke Sephton headed a Dave Worrall cross over, Bile Ahmed struck a low drive from 30 yards that was held by Hare.

In the 53rd minute Trafford struck again, Dave Worrall beautifully flighting a free kick from the left over keeper Hare and inside the far post.

Luke Sephton then headed over, Worrall struck another free kick onto the roof of the net, before Linnets reduced the arrears in the 65th minute when a low cross from the left was turned in by Harry McGee.

The remainder of the game saw Trafford fighting a rear guard action as Scott Sephton, brother Luke and Callum Grogan were all forced off with minor injuries, but the visitors defence, lead once more by the indefatigable Harry Norris, was magnificent, holding out until the dying seconds when Linnets centre back Toby Jones headed in at the back post following a cross by Matty Whittingham.

This victory extends Trafford’s winning run to four games and they now eagerly await Monday’s draw to see who they play in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

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Hamed Sidibe

Hamed Sidibe adds pace, power and athleticism to Trafford’s attacking options. Capable of operating anywhere across the front line, he gives Tom Baker valuable tactical flexibility and another player capable of stretching opposition defences with intelligent movement.

Although still waiting for his first competitive appearance of the season, Hamed has impressed with his attitude and commitment since joining the first-team squad. His willingness to work hard both in and out of possession makes him a valuable member of the group, while his physical attributes provide Trafford with a different attacking option when required. As the campaign progresses, Hamed will be looking to earn further opportunities and make a significant contribution in league and cup competitions.

Worsborough Bridge Athletic vs Trafford FC

Trafford progressed to the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, and a reunion with NPL outfit Runcorn Linnets, following a supremely professional performance at Worsbrough on Sunday.

Tom Baker’s side adapted brilliantly to the bone hard, bobbly and sloping playing surface, matching their opponent’s physicality and playing their neat possession football when time and space allowed it.

Trafford left back Lewis Jacklin broke down the left in the first minute but saw his low shot pushed past the near post by Owen Evans.

Three minutes later a thunderous drive by Bridge’s Lloyd Smith was spectacularly tipped past the upright by Connor Beard and Trafford striker Ryan Brooke struck a low drive that was parried by Evans, Jacklin heading the rebound wide.

Jacklin then squandered a great chance from just six yards after Luke Sephton crossed from the right but the deadlock was finally broken in the 25th minute when Dave Worrall flighted a free kick beyond the far post and Scott Sephtonvolleyed gleefully into the opposite corner from 15 yards.

The hosts came out strongly at the start of the second half with substitute Max Skelton powering a header against the crossbar following a right wing corner.

Jacob May, Scott Sephton and Ryan Brooke all went close with headers and in the 76th minute Trafford substitute Dillon Edmondson struck a great curling left footed drive against the Bridge crossbar.

Both teams had appeals for penalties turned down but in the 87th minute the tie was effectively sealed when Harry Norris rose at the back post to turn a Dave Worrall free kick past Evans and make it 2-0.

Trafford then wasted three glorious opportunities to extend their lead further with Luke Sephton twice careless with just Evans to beat, and Dillon Edmondson firing against the keeper’s body from just eight yards.

In the dying seconds Bridge’s Keelan Grist was red carded for punching Fin Stanyer as frustration got the better of him.

On Saturday, Trafford travel over the Pennines once more to play Armthorpe Welfare in the Preliminary Round of the FA Vase, kick off 3 p.m.

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Bradley Njine

Bradley Njine has made a lively start to his Trafford career, appearing in all three of the club’s opening competitive fixtures. His pace, athleticism and direct approach have already provided supporters with an exciting glimpse of what he can offer in the final third.

Capable of playing across the front line, Bradley enjoys running at defenders and stretching opposition back lines with his movement. His willingness to press from the front also fits perfectly with Trafford’s energetic style of play. Still adapting to his new surroundings, Bradley continues to grow in confidence with every appearance and will be looking to turn promising performances into goals and assists as the campaign develops.

Jacob May

Jacob May is another exciting addition to Trafford’s squad and has already made his competitive debut during the club’s Emirates FA Cup campaign. A versatile defender who is comfortable in possession, Jacob has impressed the coaching staff with his attitude, commitment and willingness to learn.

Capable of playing across the defensive line, he combines good positional awareness with the confidence to contribute when Trafford move forward. His versatility provides Tom Baker with useful tactical options throughout a demanding campaign, while regular exposure to senior football will continue to aid his development. Jacob has settled quickly into the first-team environment and will be aiming to build on his encouraging start as Trafford pursue their promotion ambitions.