Match Report

Trafford Open The Season With 3-0 Win

Trafford kick off the new NPL season in style with a 3-0 win at Congleton; Rio Clegg, Mike Burke, and Eoin Hogan the goalscorers. Manager Karl Marginson had the following to say about the performance of his players:

“An all round really good performance with a fantastic work ethic that enabled our players to overcome a difficult test and play some great football to boot. To a man they were magnificent. It’s very early days and the tests will keep coming thick and fast, but we’ll accept any challenge that’s in front of us and give it our best.”

Trafford made the perfect start to the 2024-25 league season on Saturday when they travelled to Congleton Town and came away with a marvellous 3-0 victory.
There was controversy straight from the kick off as Trafford striker Rio Clegg was taken out by Town keeper Ayrton Best but instead of brandishing a red card, referee Whittington surprisingly waved play-on.
It was all Trafford in those opening minutes with Clegg breaking clear but being denied by a last ditch tackle by Callum Stringer and Isaac Noble firing into the side-netting.
Trafford keeper Sam Booth saved from Brian Barton as Town settled into the game but the visitors deservedly took the lead in the 24th minute when danger-man Clegg broke clear down the right and clinically placed his shot past the advancing Best.
The hosts were a constant threat from set pieces due to their sheer physical size and in the 30th minute Booth produced a superb point blank save to thwart Josh Ryder following a left wing corner.
Jack Higginbottom cleared a Daniel Higginbottom header off the line as another corner slipped through Booth’s hands and on the stroke of half-time, Isaac Noble almost made it two when he headed just wide following great work on the left by Matty Lusakueno.
The opening minutes of the second half were scrappy and fragmented as both teams repeatedly gave the ball away.
Jordan Fagbola volleyed wide in the 58th minute and five minutes later Trafford doubled their advantage when Rio Clegg found Matty Lusakueno down the left and the ball was played across for Mike Burke to blast his shot into the top corner from 10 yards.
The hosts pushed forward in an attempt to reduce the deficit and Sam Booth was in action once more when he saved brilliantly at the feet of Max McCarthy before denying George Sankey in the 72nd minute.
Isaac Noble produced a delightful turn on the edge of the Town area before firing just over and in the third minute of time-added-on Trafford substitutes Damola Sotona and Eoin Hogan linked sublimely down the left with the latter cracking a great drive into the top corner to make it 3-0.
The final whistle signalled a tremendous victory for a Trafford side who had demonstrated incredible team work and energy throughout and a steely determination to succeed.
Post-match, Trafford Manager Karl Marginson had the following to say about the performance of his players:
“An all round really good performance with a fantastic work ethic that enabled our players to overcome a difficult test and play some great football to boot. To a man they were magnificent. It’s very early days and the tests will keep coming thick and fast, but we’ll accept any challenge that’s in front of us and give it our best.”
Marginson’s side must now concentrate their efforts on Tuesday night’s NPL West Division fixture against highly fancied Bootle FC at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium, kick off 7-45pm.