Competition: Foxall Matthews Community Cup

Kian Wallace

Kian Wallace represents the exciting young talent emerging within Trafford’s first-team squad. Having already made his senior debut for the club, Kian continues to develop under the guidance of Tom Baker and the coaching staff while gaining valuable experience in a competitive environment.

Technically accomplished and comfortable in possession, Kian enjoys playing positive football and linking attacks from midfield. His enthusiasm, willingness to learn and commitment on the training ground have impressed everyone at Shawe View, while regular involvement with the senior squad continues to accelerate his development. Trafford believe Kian has an exciting future ahead and supporters will be looking forward to seeing his progress over the coming seasons.

Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford provides Trafford with energy, athleticism and creativity in the middle of the park. Comfortable receiving possession under pressure, he enjoys driving forward with the ball and linking midfield with attack through intelligent movement and positive passing.

A player who is always willing to work for the team, Jamal combines technical quality with a strong work ethic, making him an ideal fit for Trafford’s high-energy approach. Whether starting matches or providing fresh legs from the bench, he offers Tom Baker another dynamic midfield option capable of influencing games in a variety of ways. Still developing his game, Jamal continues to make excellent progress within the first-team environment and has an exciting future ahead.

Matt Cooper

Matt Cooper provides Trafford with excellent strength in depth between the posts. A dependable and hardworking goalkeeper, he has impressed the coaching staff with his professionalism, positive attitude and willingness to compete for the number one shirt.

Comfortable dealing with crosses and quick to organise the defence in front of him, Matt is a goalkeeper who brings reassurance whenever called upon. His distribution and composure in possession suit Trafford’s desire to build attacks from the back, while his commitment on the training ground has earned the respect of teammates throughout the squad. Every successful team needs healthy competition for places, and Cooper’s presence ensures standards remain high throughout the season as Trafford push towards their objectives.

Dillon Edmundson

Dillon Edmundson has begun his Trafford career positively, featuring twice during the opening weeks of the season as he settles into life at Shawe View. A hard-working forward who leads the line with enthusiasm and commitment, Dillon offers intelligent movement and a relentless work ethic.

Whether starting matches or making an impact from the bench, he is always prepared to press defenders, create space for teammates and put opposition defences under pressure. Although still searching for his first Trafford goal, Dillon’s all-round contribution has already impressed the coaching staff, who value his selfless approach and willingness to work for the team. His determination suggests it will only be a matter of time before he opens his account.

Trafford FC vs Flixton FC

Trafford became the inaugural winners of the FoxallMatthews Community Cup when they defeated Flixton 3-1 to give them an aggregate score of 5-4.

The game, played to commemorate the outstanding work of club legends Graham Foxall and Stan Matthews, was a complete reversal of last week’s encounter when Flixton were far superior and should have won by a greater margin than 3-2.

On this occasion, Trafford were far more aggressive and determined and took the lead after just six minutes when Dave Worrall dispossessed William Mendy and slotted the ballsimply past Cam Mason.

Brad Byrne should have made it two when he somehow headed wide from just six yards and Sean Higgins went close at the back post as Tom Baker’s side dominated.

Debutant Dylan Edmondson fired over from 15 yards before Luke Sephton made it two in the 36th minute, breaking clear and firing home via the underside of the crossbar.

Manager Baker made nine changes to his line-up for the second half with keeper Connor Beard and skipper Harry Norris the only players to keep their places.

Despite this, Trafford remained comfortably in control until the 66th minute when Collins Kagame collected the ball out on the left, drifted inside and struck a glorious shot from 20 yards past Beard and into the top corner.

Just sixty seconds later, Bile Ahmed wasted a great chance to make it 3-1 when he saw his weak penalty kick saved by Mason but Ahmed made amends with five minutes remaining when he was released by Brad Njine in the inside left channel and coolly placed the ball past the advancing keeper and inside the far post.

Trafford are next in action at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Tuesday when they entertain Stalybridge Celtic, kick off 7-45 p.m., before hosting Warrington Rylands on Saturday, kick off 3 p.m.

Trafford FC

3 vs 1

Flixton FC

Finley Stanyer

Fin Stanyer has made an excellent start to his Trafford career, featuring in all three competitive fixtures to date and marking the opening weeks of the season with his first goal for the club. The young defender has impressed supporters and coaching staff alike with his maturity, composure and willingness to embrace the demands of senior football.

Comfortable bringing the ball out from defence and capable of playing in several positions across the back line, Finley represents the exciting blend of youth and ambition within Trafford’s squad. His performances during the opening weeks of the campaign suggest a bright future ahead, while working alongside experienced defenders continues to accelerate his development. Trafford supporters will be excited to watch his progress throughout the season.

Connor Beard

Connor Beard arrived at Shawe View ahead of the 2026/27 season after an impressive campaign with Abbey Hey, where he established himself as one of the North West Counties League’s standout goalkeepers. Manager Tom Baker identified Beard as his first-choice goalkeeper, praising both his experience and consistency after making 42 appearances during the previous season.

A commanding presence in the penalty area, Connor combines excellent shot-stopping with confident handling and strong communication. Comfortable playing out from the back and quick off his line, he brings calmness and authority to Trafford’s defence. Still in his prime, Beard had interest from several clubs before choosing Trafford, believing in the ambition being built at Shawe View. His professionalism and winning mentality make him a key figure as the club looks to challenge at the top of the North West Counties Premier Division.

Joined: 2026
Previous Club: Abbey Hey

Flixton FC vs Trafford FC

Trafford fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat in the First Leg of the Foxall Matthews Community Cup at Valley Road on Saturday.

Flixton were the sharper, pacier team throughout but the first chance fell to the visitors in the 5th minute when a Kyle Worsley drive from 20 yards was held by Cam Mason.

Cian Donohue then volleyed over following a poor clearance by Trafford skipper Harry Norris before Flixton’s effervescent left winger Uche Eze fired his team ahead in the 11th minute when he cut in from his flank and cracked a fine low drive past Connor Beard and inside the far post.

Sean Higgins twice blocked goal bound shots as Flixtoncontinued to dominate and Beard produced a fine save to tip a Lewis Byrne thunderbolt onto the crossbar.

In the 25th minute Trafford fell further behind when Byrne miscued a shot from 15 yards that struck Fin Stanyer and flew past the wrong-footed Beard.

A Scott Sephton header was pushed past the post by Cam Mason as Trafford sought a way back into the game and they were rewarded in the 34th minute when a great low cross by Kyle Worsley was tapped home at the back post by debutant Ryan Brooke.

Five minutes later, the roles were reversed when Brooke cleverly fed Worsley who struck a tremendous first time drive past Mason and into the top corner to make it 2-2.

The second half belonged entirely to Flixton and in the 50thminute Matty Cooper, replacing Connor Beard at half-time, produced a magnificent double save to deny Eze at point blank range.

Seven minutes later Flixton deservedly regained the lead when Lewis Byrne headed past Cooper after the ball had ricocheted off the right hand post.

Eze then missed another glorious opportunity when he broke clear but steered the ball past the far post whilst at the other end, in a rare Trafford attack, Luke Sephton wasted a great opportunity to equalise when he hesitated with keeper Mason in no man’s land and allowed a Flixton defender to clear.

Flixton were playing with a pace and intensity that Trafford were finding it difficult to match but with just three minutes remaining Tom Baker’s Boys squandered another great chance of an equaliser when George Unsworth pulled the ball back from the left, Sean Higgins blasted his shot goal wards and Cam Mason produced a brilliant reflex save to turn it over the bar.

A fascinating game played in front of a bumper crowd came to a close with Flixton fully deserving their victory and they go into the Second Leg at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium this coming Saturday with that slender single goal advantage.

Kick off is 2 p.m. but spectators are advised to arrive early as another huge crowd is anticipated.

Flixton FC

3 vs 2

Trafford FC

Jake Dunford

Jake Dunford joined Trafford during the summer rebuild and made his competitive debut in the Emirates FA Cup before recording his first appearance in white. Comfortable across a number of midfield roles, Jake has quickly settled into the squad and embraced the demands of representing Trafford.

An energetic player with an excellent attitude, Jake combines intelligent movement with a willingness to work hard for the team. His versatility provides Tom Baker with valuable tactical flexibility, while his determination and professionalism have already made a positive impression around the club. As he continues to adapt to his new surroundings, Jake will be aiming to establish himself as a regular contributor throughout the 2026/27 season.

Ryan Brooke

Ryan Brooke joined Trafford with an outstanding reputation after leaving Runcorn Linnets as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, having scored 83 goals in 200 appearances. Described by manager Tom Baker as “a coup for the football club”, Ryan arrived with the pedigree and experience expected of a proven number nine.

He has wasted little time making his mark at Shawe View, scoring on his league debut and taking his tally to one goal in his opening three competitive appearances. Strong, intelligent and clinical in front of goal, Ryan combines excellent hold-up play with the movement and finishing ability that have made him one of the region’s most respected non-league strikers. As Trafford’s leading centre-forward, he will be central to the club’s ambitions of challenging for promotion throughout the 2026/27 season.