Competition: FA Cup

Kyle Worsley

Kyle Worsley continues to excite Trafford supporters with his pace, creativity and attacking quality. Having already represented the club 15 times, scoring three goals, Kyle has started the new season in impressive fashion with a goal during his opening three competitive appearances.

Capable of operating from either flank or in a more advanced central role, Kyle’s direct running and willingness to take on defenders make him a constant threat. He combines flair with an outstanding work ethic and is always prepared to contribute defensively when required. As Trafford continue to develop an exciting attacking style under Tom Baker, Kyle’s ability to create and score goals will remain a key part of the club’s ambitions throughout the 2026/27 season.

Bile Ahmed

Bile remains an important part of Trafford’s plans after committing to the club for the 2026/27 season following relegation from the Northern Premier League West Division. Retained by manager Tom Baker as part of the club’s rebuilding programme, Ahmed offers creativity, technical quality and versatility across the attacking midfield positions.

A confident player in possession, Ahmed enjoys receiving the ball in tight areas and linking play between midfield and attack. His ability to unlock defences with intelligent passing and positive movement gives Trafford another creative outlet, while his willingness to work hard without the ball fits perfectly with the team’s style of play. Having already made his first competitive appearance of the new campaign in the Emirates FA Cup, Ahmed will be looking to build on his 33 appearances and two goals for the club as he continues to establish himself as an influential member of the first-team squad.

Scott Sephton

Scott Sephton brings leadership, experience and a competitive edge to Trafford’s midfield. Since arriving at Shawe View he has already accumulated 57 appearances and eight goals, becoming one of the squad’s most influential players both on and off the pitch. His decision to remain with the club for the 2026/27 season was another important boost for Tom Baker’s rebuilding plans.

An intelligent midfielder who leads by example, Scott excels at breaking up opposition attacks while also contributing in the final third. He has already made three competitive appearances this season and opened his account with a goal in the Emirates FA Cup. His experience, communication and professionalism continue to raise standards throughout the squad, making him an important figure as Trafford target an immediate return to Step 4.

Nantwich Town vs Trafford FC

After four games in this season’s competition, Trafford’s Emirates FA Cup journey ended on Saturday with a 1-3 defeat at Nantwich Town. The opening minutes were fairly equal as the two teams sounded each other out. The hosts gained the lead on ten minutes when they took a quick free kick in their own half which caught Trafford cold. The resultant move forward saw Nantwich striker Alex Panter receiving a pass from ex-Trafford full back Aidy Roxburgh and slipping the ball past Sam Booth in the Trafford goal.

Trafford did not accept being behind, and their industry got them an equaliser just 11 minutes later. An incisive move through the midfield resulted in Matt Davies hitting a forceful shot from the edge of the box. Nantwich keeper Ben Garratt parried the ball for Trafford’s young midfielder Mackena Bradshaw to strike home the equaliser.

1-1 at half time would have been a fair scoreline, but sometimes fortune conspires against Karl Marginson’s team. A few minutes from the break, after the home side had hit the bar, they went ahead when Trafford’s defence cleared a corner but the ball was sent back into the danger zone. Paddy Kennedy pounced to head Nantwich 2-1 ahead at the interval.

The second half was developing quite well for Trafford as they chased an equaliser. Roared on by their excellent travelling supporters, Margy’s players thought they’d levelled on 49 minutes when Jerome Wright clawed the ball from the left touchline and his cross was headed into his own net by Kennedy. The Ref chalked the goal off as the linesman flagged it had gone out of play. Nine minutes later Nantwich extended their lead to 3-1 when Alex Panter scored his second of the game.

The last half hour was somewhat arduous from Trafford as they chased an increasingly lost-looking cause. Manager Karl Marginson used his full five substitutions to try and find a breakthrough, but sadly the sparks were not there and this season’s FA Cup campaign ended after four minutes of injury time in Nantwich. Focus now turns to the League this Tuesday evening as Stalybridge Celtic visit the Away Day Care Shawe View, kick off 7.45pm  

vs

Trafford FC vs Stockton Town

Kingston Fligg struck an injury time winner to shock NPL Premier Division outfit Stockton Town and earn Trafford a place in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.

Both teams played on the front foot throughout in what was a superb advert for non-league football and after just three minutes Trafford’s young forward Campbell Reid flashed a low pass across the face of the Town goal with no one on hand to apply the finishing touch.

At the other end, a 25 yard free kick by Kevin Hayes was pushed past the post by home keeper Sam Booth before disaster struck for the hosts in the 28th minute when Trafford skipper Harry Norris under-hit a pass back to Booth and Amar Purewal pounced to guide the ball into the vacant goal.

Four minutes later Trafford should have equalised when Hilal Khan released Ben Woods with a sublime through ball but visiting keeper Harry Christy came out to block.

In the 37th minute Purewal almost made it two but thankfully poked his shot wide with just Booth to beat.

Danger-man Purewal continued to threaten the home defence in the opening stages of the second half, having a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside in the 51st minute and then breaking down the left and firing past the near post.

Campbell Reid squandered a great chance in the 59th minute when he skipped inside Arjun Purewal but saw his effort blocked at point blank range by Christy.

In the 66th minute Trafford were finally rewarded for their endeavour with a brilliantly worked goal, Mackena Bradshaw blasting a fine shot into the roof of the net after a deft flick by Matt Davies.

Both teams were now totally committed to attack in what was turning out to be an FA Cup classic and after Trafford substitute Josh Wood saw his goal-bound shot cleared off the Town goal-line, Kevin Hayes volleyed over from just 10 yards.

In the third minute of ‘time-added-on’ Trafford were awarded a corner out on the right. Town only half-cleared the danger , Jerome Wright floated a cross beyond the far post and when Jordan Fagbola headed the ball across the face of the Town goal, Kingston Fligg pounced to tap home from just two yards.

Matt Davies wasted a glorious chance to make it 3-1 when he was clean through but over-ran the ball allowing Christy to  block. Seconds later the final whistle arrived to signal a momentous victory for Karl Marginson’s young side who had shown tremendous energy, determination, passion and skill throughout the game.

On Saturday, Trafford are in cup action once more when they travel to play Stalybridge Celtic in the FA Trophy kick off 3 p.m.

Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.44-4
Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.44-3
Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.44-1
Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.43-3
Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.44
Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.44-2
Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.43-2
Stockton-Town-2025-08-30-at-19.52.43
vs

Trafford FC vs Campion AFC

Trafford cruised through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over a spirited Campion side at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Saturday.

For the second week in succession, Karl Marginson’s side made a whirlwind start, taking the lead after just four minutes when Jerome Wright found Hilal Khan with a glorious diagonal pass, Khan advancing to coolly place the ball past Luke Wilson.

Josh Wood then fired over as Trafford sought a second but just as in the last two games, the hosts took their foot off the gas and allowed Campion back into the game.

Visiting striker Pat Sykes shot straight at Ollie Culkin and Jack Normanton squandered a chance on the half hour mark when he fired over from 15 yards.

In the 38th minute, however, Trafford’s quicksilver winger Kieron Molloy sped down the left and curled a superb cross into the path of Matt Davies who volleyed over from just eight yards.

Sykes again shot wastefully at Culkin two minutes into the second half but three minutes later Trafford struck again when Hilal Khan blasted a wickedly dipping free kick from 30 yards that keeper Wilson fumbled and Kieron Molloy followed up to tap home.

The hosts were now completely in control and in the 56th minute put the tie to bed when Josh Wood broke down the right and crossed for Matt Davies to net at the back post and make it 3-0.

The remainder of the game saw Trafford create chance after chance as they poured forward in search of more goals.

Wilson denied substitute Harrison Bickerton, Matt Davies’ shot from 10 yards was deflected wide and Ben Woods should have scored but was thwarted by a last gasp block on the goal-line.

Campbell Reid squandered a great chance to make it four but Wilson again saved brilliantly, and in an almighty goalmouth scramble in the 87th minute, Reid hit the foot of the post, Fligg saw his effort blocked and Henry Brown blasted his shot against a defender.

Despite these missed opportunities Trafford were delighted with a victory against a previously unbeaten side and they can now look forward to Monday’s draw with added confidence.

Due to a 1-1 draw in the tie between Stalybridge Celtic and Bury, Trafford’s league fixture scheduled for Tuesday against the former will now be played at a later date.

This means that Trafford’s next game is on Friday night at Runcorn Linnets, kick off 7-45 p.m., before they entertain Wythenshawe Town on Bank Holiday Monday, kick off 3 p.m.   

vs