Competition: Friendly

Trafford FC vs Chorley

Trafford concluded their pre-season friendly programme with a magnificent 2-1 victory over National League North outfit Chorley on Tuesday night.

Tom Baker’s side made the perfect start when, after just two minutes, Kyle Worsley curled a sublime free kick from 20 yards over the defensive wall and into the top corner.

Inspired by veteran midfielders Dave Worrall and Scott Sephton, Trafford were playing with a confidence, physicality and intensity that augurs well for the forthcoming season, but they were punished three minutes before half-time when a low drive from 25 yards by Callum Rowe took a wicked deflection and flew into the net off the shoulder of keeper Connor Beard.

Chorley were on top for long spells in the second half and Connor Beard made three superb saves to keep the score level.

However, the final quarter belonged to the hosts and substitute Brad Njinie squandered a great chance in the 76th minute when he miskicked from just six yards.

Njinie went close again four minutes later but saw his shot blocked on the line by Blakeman and Jensen Bowering drilled a shot inches wide from 20 yards as Trafford pushed forward in search of the winner.

And the goal duly arrived in the 85th minute when Kyle Worsley, despite suffering from cramp, threaded a beautiful pass through to Dillon Edmondson who took one touch and fired a great shot inside the far past.

This game rounded off what has been an excellent pre-season for Baker’s Boys with victories over Flixton, Warrington Rylands, New Mills and Chorley, but now the serious stuff begins with Trafford playing host to Longridge Town on Saturday in a North West Counties Premier League fixture kicking off at 3 p.m.

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New Mills vs Trafford FC

Trafford’s penultimate pre-season friendly saw them record a comfortable 2-0 victory at North West Counties Division One South side New Mills on Saturday.

Dillon Edmundson should have put the visitors ahead in the opening 20 seconds but, after rounding goalkeeper McMahon, he saw his goal bound shot cleared off the line by Millers defender Aston.

Five minutes later, however, Edmundson made amends when he collected the ball in the inside left channel, drove forward and clipped a neat shot into the far corner.

Debutant Lewis Jacklin then broke clear but was denied by a brave save by McMahon and then Jacklin struck a fierce drive from 20 yards that whistled past the right hand upright.

Tom Baker’s Boys were well on top and in the 35th minute Sean Higgins made it two when he collected a neat pass from Jensen Bowering and fired inside the near post.

The second half was far more even with the hosts playing with greater determination and fire but it was still Trafford who created the better chances, Bowering breaking clear in the 62nd minute but being denied by a fine block by Millers substitute keeper Langley.

Jacob May fired wastefully over following a short corner on the right and in the 84th minute Kyle Worsley split the home defence with a magnificent through ball but Langley left his line to save brilliantly from Luke Sephton.

In the dying seconds Worsley produced another piece of sublime skill with Sephton glancing the ball home but the ‘goal’ was disallowed for a marginal offside decision.

Trafford complete their preparations for the new season on Tuesday evening when they entertain National League North outfit Chorley before commencing their league campaign on Saturday when they entertain Longridge Town at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium, kick off 3 p.m.

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Trafford FC vs FC United

Trafford came back down to earth with a bang on Monday evening when they were defeated 3-0 by non-league aristocrats FC United of Manchester at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.

Following Saturday’s magnificent victory over Warrington Rylands, Tom Baker’s side came into the game full of confidence but, despite enjoying an equal share of the possession, struggled to cope with the electrifying pace of the visitors. 

After just eight minutes the FC United stormed ahead when a low cross from the right was turned into his own goal by the luckless Kyle Worsley.

Trafford keeper Connor Beard then tipped a thunderous drive by FC skipper Charlie Ennis over the bar before home striker Dillon Edmundson somehow fired over from just two yards.

Gez Sithole squandered a great chance for the visitors before being tripped by Harry Norris in the 33rd minute, Ennis stepping forward to blast the resultant spot kick past Beard and into the top corner.

Trafford were on top in the opening stages of the second half with Bile Ahmed twice going close but they were undone once more in the 61st minute when another quick break ended with Brad Byrne fouling Sithole, who dusted himself down and struck the penalty powerfully past Beard.

Kyle Worsley flashed a drive wide from 15 yards and substitute Jamal Crawford twice saw long range efforts held by keeper Dan Atherton as Baker’s Boys battled gamely  but the final whistle signalled the end of an entertaining game highlighted by the pace and power of the visitors.

On Saturday, Trafford travel to play New Mills, kick off 1 p.m., before concluding their pre-season preparations on Tuesday when they entertain National League North outfit Chorley FC, kick off 7-45 p.m

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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.

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.

Trafford FC vs Warrington Rylands

Trafford continued their preparations for the forthcoming season on Saturday 18th July when they won at home 2-0 against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Warrington Rylands.

The game started slowly with Trafford having the first real chance on the 20 minutes when Kyle Worsley danced through the Rylands defence and hit the frame of the goal.

For the remainder of the half it was more open with Trafford having the slight advantage over Rylands without providing much of a cutting edge.

Both managers made a handful of changes at halftime and on 64 minutes Luke Sephton gave Trafford the lead with a lovely flick on header into the back of the net.

Two minutes later Dillon Edmundson showed composure to slot past the keeper to put Trafford 2-0 up and looking comfortable.Each team passed up further chances to add to the scoreline as the second half progressed and the game finished 2-0 to Trafford.  

On Monday Trafford are back in action once again at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium where we welcome good friends fc United of Manchester, kick off 7:45pm

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Trafford FC vs Stalybridge Celtic

Trafford continued their preparations for the forthcoming season on Tuesday night when they were defeated 4-2 by Northern Premier League outfit Stalybridge Celtic at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.

An exciting end to end game saw the visitors take the lead on the half hour mark when Ellis Horan seized upon a poor clearance and fired home from 25 yards.

Five minutes later Trafford levelled with a clinical strike by Kyle Worsley and the teams went in at half-time with the score locked at 1-1.

Home manager Tom Baker and Celtic boss Jon Macken made wholesale changes at the interval and three minutes into the second half Benni Smales-Braithwaite restored his teams lead with a curling drive into the bottom corner.

Baker’s Boys responded superbly and in the 57th minute Brad Byrne ghosted forward and slotted the ball home to make it 2-2.

Celtic were on top in the closing stages and goals by Jack Irlam and Obua Mugalula gave them victory in the searing heat.

On Saturday Trafford are in action once again at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium when they entertain Warrington Rylands, kick off 3pm.

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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.