Competition: NWCFL Premier Division

Trafford FC vs Burscough

TRAFFORD 1 BURSCOUGH 2

Trafford’s five game winning streak in the NWCFL Premier Division came to an end on Tuesday night when they were beaten 2-1 by an impressive Burscough outfit.

Tom Baker’s side edged the opening minutes with Ryan Brooke’s back post header saved at the foot of the post by Ben Barnes and Bile Ahmed’s low drive just going wide of the right hand upright.

However, it was the visitors who squandered the best chances in the first quarter when a rare slip by Trafford skipper Harry Norris allowed Dilon O’Callaghan and Callum Laird to fire close range efforts that Connor Beard saved brilliantly.

Baker’s Boys were giving the ball away far too cheaply but still created the better chances, Barnes tipping over a rasping drive by Ryan Brooke and Kyle Worsley wasting the best chance of all when he was released by Ahmed but shot wide of the near post from 15 yards.

In the 40th minute the home fans were stunned when Burscough forged ahead, a long ball over the top finding Will Dunne who neatly chipped the ball over Beard and into the empty goal.

The second half was similar to the first with Trafford once again failing to play with their usual rhythm but still able to create goal scoring opportunities.

A Dave Worrall free kick was glanced over by Brooke and Billy Ahmed somehow failed to convert at the far post after Fin Stanyer had headed across goal.

And in the 69th minute they conceded another poor goal, Jacob May stumbling on the ball and losing possession, allowing Callum Laird to break clear and crack his shot past Beard and inside the far post.

Substitute Brad Njine stabbed the ball wide after Dillon Edmondson’s low cross and then headed past the right hand upright after a delightful pass by Worrall.

Jacob May headed wide as Trafford piled on the pressure and they were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 90th minute when Hamed Sidibe rounded off an electrifying run down the left flank with a sumptuous low drive into the bottom corner.

A thunderous shot by Brooke was pushed past the post by Barnes as Trafford desperately sought the equaliser but the game came to a close with Brad Njine once more heading wastefully wide.

This defeat means that Trafford slip down to fourth in the Premier Division table and they will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they entertain Atherton Collieries in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, kick off 3 p.m.

 

vs

Barnoldswick Town vs Trafford FC

BARNOLDSWICK TOWN 1 TRAFFORD 2

Trafford moved up in to third place in the North West Counties Premier League table following a tremendously hard fought victory at Barnoldswick on Tueday night.

Tom Baker’s side were much the better team in the first half and took the lead in the 19th minute when Kyle Worsley’s wicked low cross from the right was deflected past his own goalkeeper by Bruno Carnavale.

Just after the half hour mark Bile Ahmed made it two when he collected the ball out on the left, cut inside and rifled a magnificent angled drive past James Whittingham and into the roof of the net.

Three minutes into the second half Kyle Worsley arrowed another piercing cross to the back post but unfortunately Dillon Edmondson headed just over.

The hosts were battling gamely to get back into the match and were rewarded for their efforts in the 62nd minute when a 30 yard drive by Kuda Chingwaro was completely misjudged by Trafford keeper Connor Beard who allowed the ball to creep into the bottom corner.

Carnavale then shot across the face of the goal as Town sought an equaliser but it was Trafford who went closest to scoring when Worsley blasted a shot from 25 yards that Whittingham tipped past the upright. 

The visitors cause was helped by the dismissal of home striker Will Proctor in the 79th minute for a second cautionable offence and just sixty seconds later substitute Brad Njine should have sewn the game up when he somehow shot against a Town defender from just three yards.

Harry Norris, Jacob May and Fin Stanyer were all magnificent in the Trafford defence and Baker’s Boys held out comfortably in the closing stages to seal another vital victory.

On Saturday, Trafford are on their travels once more when they make the short journey to play Prestwich Heys in the First Round of the Macron Cup, kick off 3 p.m.

vs

Trafford FC vs Glossop North End

TRAFFORD 2 GLOSSOP NORTH END 0

Trafford got back to winning ways on Tuesday night when they produced a scintillating performance to defeat Glossop North End 2-0 at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.

Despite missing the services of the injured quartet of Dave Worrall, Luke Sephton, Connor Grogan and Ryan Brooke, Tom Baker’s side were on top from the outset and should have taken the lead in the 15th minute when skipper Harry Norris headed a corner from the left against the upright.

Kyle Worsley and Dillon Edmondson also went close before Glossop keeper Oliver Martin produced a magnificent save to push a Bile Ahmed thunderbolt past the post.

It was all Trafford but still they could not find the breakthrough and just before half-time Mackena Bradshaw struck a low drive wide and then fired against the right hand post following great work by Lewis Jacklin.

The onslaught continued into the second half, Bradshaw volleying over from 15 yards and Dillon Edmondson somehow failing to connect with an Ahmed cross.

Finally, in the 58th minute, Trafford were rewarded for their superiority and what a memorable goal it was, Kyle Worsley cutting in from the left and cracking a stunning curling drive from 35 yards over Martin and into the top corner.

Three minutes later Worsley should have made it two but shot wide from 15 yards and shortly afterwards Edmondson failed again to connect with a tantalising cross by Brad Byrne.

Mackena Bradshaw missed another great chance when he poked the ball straight at Martin from close range but the Trafford fans were given a scare in the 88th minute when a deep free kick from the right was glanced wide by Glossop centre back Jordan Schofield.

However, two minutes into ‘time added on’, the score was given a more realistic look when Lewis Jacklin broke down the right flank and swung over a glorious cross to the back post where substitute Brad Njine arrived to nudge the ball home and make it 2-0.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”30″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″ maximum_entity_count=”500″]

vs

Trafford FC vs Nelson

A moment of magic by Dave Worrall in the 89th minute earned Trafford the three points, extending their winning streak to six games and moving them up to fifth in the NWCFL Premier Division.

The game was played at a furious pace throughout with no quarter given and both sides totally committed.

As a result there was a lack of creativity although Scott Sephton and Fin Stanyer both saw shots blocked in the opening stages.

Trafford were just on top and took a deserved lead in the 20th minute when Dillon Edmundson was upended on the edge of the Nelson penalty area. Brad Byrne stepped forward to take the resultant free kick and curled an exquisite shot past Chris Thompson and into the top corner.

Hamed Sidibe was seeing plenty of the ball out on the left for the hosts but was rather wasteful with his delivery and in the 28th minute Jacob May headed a free kick just wide as Trafford sought a second goal.

In the 35th minute the home crowd were stunned when Nelson levelled, Sean Ince cracking a magnificent free kick from 30 yards out on the left, over the defensive wall and inside the far post.

Nelson keeper Thompson then produced a superb save to deny Bile Ahmed just before half-time and the teams went in at the interval with the score locked at 1-1.

Trafford manager Tom Baker introduced substitute Dave Worrall for the second half and he made an immediate impact with his composure on the ball and passing ability.

Nevertheless, it was Nelson who should have taken the lead on the hour mark when Max Cane seized upon a weak back header by Jacob May, rounded keeper Beard but then sliced his shot hopelessly wide from just ten yards.

That miss appeared to galvanise the home side and they pushed forward in search of the winner.

Scott Sephton headed just wide, Dave Worrall’s appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears and then substitute Brad Njine saw his shot from just two yards blocked on the line by the under fire Nelson defence.

Then, with time running out and the vociferous home supporters roaring their team forward, Worrall struck.

A long ball was headed clear by Nelson defender Darren Holden under pressure from Ryan Brooke. The mercurial Worrall glanced up to see goalkeeper Thompson off his line and struck a sensational first time volley from fully 40 yards over the stranded keeper and into the top corner.

The home supporters went wild and with the Trafford defence, superbly marshalled once more by skipper Harry Norris, holding out for the additional nine minutes of ‘injury time’ the final whistle signalled yet another outstanding performance and result for Baker’s Boys.

vs

Trafford FC vs FC Isle of Man

TRAFFORD 1 ISLE OF MAN 0

Trafford extended their winning streak to five games with a hard fought victory over FC Isle of Man at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Saturday.

Manager Tom Baker was forced to make a late change to the side that had performed so admirably in beating Runcorn Linnets the previous week, midfielder Luke Sephton withdrawing from the line-up following an injury in the warm up. Sephton was replaced by Brad Byrne.

The hosts started brightly with Callum Grogan bursting forward in the 2nd minute but seeing his thunderous drive from 20 yards fly inches over the crossbar.

Both defences were on top for much of the first half but the deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute when Bile Ahmed floated a superb cross from the left to the back post where Ryan Brooke arrived to volley expertly past Adam Killey.

The crowd of just under 400 then had to wait until the 47th minute for the next meaningful attempt at goal, Brooke turning neatly just outside the Ravens penalty area but firing over.

A Scott Sephton shot from 20 yards in the 56th minute was deflected wide and from the resultant corner by Dave Worrall, Ryan Brooke headed just wide.

Trafford keeper Connor Beard was virtually redundant until the hour mark when he comfortably held a free kick by Tom Brown but it was Trafford who always posed the more potent goal threat, Bile Ahmed cracking a low drive that was tipped behind by Killey.

Lewis Jacklin’s close range effort was blocked by a Ravens defender and five minutes from time Bile Ahmed wriggled through four challenges but poked the ball just wide from 10 yards.

Substitute Jacob May volleyed well over as the Islanders half cleared a left wing corner and seconds later the final whistle arrived to signal another magnificent victory for Tom Baker’s side and move them up to sixth in the North West Counties League Premier Division table, three points behind leaders Nelson but with a game in hand.

Intriguingly, Trafford entertain Nelson on Tuesday night at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium, kick off 7-45 p.m.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”29″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″ maximum_entity_count=”500″]

vs

Abbey Hey vs Trafford FC

Trafford returned to league action on Tuesday night, recording a superb 3-0 victory against a very physical Abbey Hey side.

Following their two fine victories over in Yorkshire in the FA Cup and FA Vase, it was vital that Tom Baker’s side did not lose ground on the leaders in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

And they started this game in great style, Kyle Worsley whistling a drive past the left hand post and Bile Ahmed tormenting Abbey full back Lucas Brown.

However, Trafford had to wait until the 28th minute before they scored the goal their superiority deserved, Scott Sephtonheading a deep free kick back across goal where his brother Luke arrived to touch the ball past Jake Watson.

Ahmed then saw his shot deflected wide following a great run down the right by Dillon Edmondson who doubled Trafford’s advantage three minutes before the interval when he broke clear and coolly clipped the ball past the advancing keeper.

The hosts came out for the second half determined to knock Trafford out of their stride with some over-zealous tackles, Bile Ahmed in particular being on the end of some cynical challenges.

To their credit, Baker’s Boys continued to play their possession game and Dillon Edmondson should have made it three when he broke clear in the 62nd minute but allowed Watson to block.

Harry Norris and Scott Sephton both headed wide from right wing corners and Bile Ahmed and Fin Stanyer fired volleys well over.

Luke Sephton saw his shot deflected wide after great work by Edmondson in the 88th minute but deep into injury time made amends for that miss when he volleyed home from close range following yet another corner.

Trafford now turn their attentions back to the FA Cup in which they travel to play NPL side Runcorn Linnets on Saturday in the Preliminary Round, kick off 3 p.m.

vs

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.

Ramsbottom United vs Trafford FC

After Saturday’s superb victory over Longridge Town, Trafford were brought crashing back down to earth on Tuesday night when they were thrashed 3-0 by an impressive Ramsbottom side.

Tom Baker’s side edged the opening minutes with Sean Higgins seeing his shot blocked and Rammy struggling to defend several free kicks.

However, the visitors were blown away in an eleven minute spell in which they conceded three goals with calamitous defending, Gareth Hill giving his side the lead with a simple tap in following a quick break down the right.

Dillon Edmundson should have levelled in the 14th minute when he broke clear but was denied by a brave save by Reece Trueman, the loose ball falling to Ryan Brooke whose first time effort was brilliantly blocked on the line by Rammy skipper Macauley Wilson.

A minute later the hosts doubled their lead when Trafford failed to clear a high ball into their penalty area and Hill pounced to drive home from 15 yards past Connor Beard.

Seven minutes later, the game was as good as over as a contest when Rammy were awarded a free kick 30 yards out and Jack Sowerby stepped forward to curl a delightful shot around the wall and inside the right hand post.

A volley from 20 yards by Kyle Worsley was held by Trueman as Trafford desperately sought a way back into the game and then Dillon Edmondson’s attempted lob fell the wrong side of the far post.

The second half saw Rammy content to sit on their three goal lead and allow Trafford to dominate possession but Baker’s side were unable to create any meaningful chances from open play.

The nearest Trafford came to reducing the arrears was from corners with Harry Norris and Scott Sephton both heading wide from good positions.

And the highlights of a generally dull second half were provided by Rammy full back Oscar Radcliffe who made two electrifying breaks down the right flank that almost led to further goals for his side.

In the 83rd minute Luke Sephton became the first player in the history of Trafford FC to be ‘sin-binned’ when he argued with referee Oldfield over an offside decision and, to their credit, the ten men fought gamely to the end but were unable to trouble the Rammy goal.

Trafford will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Sunday when they travel to play Worsborough Athletic  in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, kick off 2 p.m.

vs

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.

Trafford FC vs Longridge Town

Trafford made the perfect start to their league campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over a young and inexperienced Longridge side.

Tom Baker’s side were on top from the start with the midfield trio of Dave Worrall, Scott Sephton and Brad Byrne controlling the game, but they had to wait until the 20th minute for their first attempt on goal, Luke Sephton firing just wide from 20 yards.

Sixty seconds later, Trafford took a deserved lead when Ryan Brooke expertly held off a challenge in the inside left channel and shot coolly past the advancing Josh Burden.

Brooke then struck a superb curling drive from 30 yards that Burden brilliantly pushed past the post and Fin Stanyerheaded just over as Trafford poured forward in search of a second goal.

Brad Byrne, Harry Norris and Ryan Brooke all went close and Trafford went in at the interval with just one goal to their name despite their overwhelming superiority.

The Longridge goal lead a charmed life in the opening minutes of the second half with Luke Sephton twice squandering good chances and Kyle Worsley curling a shot over.

A second goal seemed inevitable but in the 54th minute the home fans were shocked when Longridge’s Tristan Walmsley broke clear of the home defence and appeared certain to score but shot hopelessly straight at Connor Beard.

Two minutes later Baker’s Boys struck again with a neat move orchestrated by Dave Worrall, Kyle Worsley collecting the ball and striking an unstoppable left footed volley past Burden.

And in the 66th minute the points were secured when Worrall found Worsley with a short corner on the right and Fin Stanyer executed a brilliant first time back heel to make it 3-0.

Burden produced another magnificent save to tip a Luke Sephton pile-driver over the bar and the final action of the game saw the younger Sephton brother go close again only to be denied by a fine save by the under pressure Longridge keeper.

Trafford manager Tom Baker was delighted with the performance and result but knows that there are far sterner challenges ahead, starting with Tuesday’s visit to highly fancied Ramsbottom United, kick off 7-45 p.m.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”27″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″ maximum_entity_count=”500″]

vs