Match Report

Trafford produced a sensational performance to defeat Northern Premier League outfit Runcorn Linnets 3-2 in their FA Cup Preliminary Round Tie on Saturday.

The home fans were stunned in the 7th minute when Tom Baker’s side stormed ahead, Ryan Brooke firing in a shot from 20 yards that took a slight deflection and wrong-footed keeper Calvin Hare.

Noah Roberts then drove over for the hosts following a mistake by Fin Stanyer but in the 19thminute Trafford struck again when 17 year old Jensen Bowering stepped inside a Linnets defender and struck a shot that looped over Hare and nestled in the back of the net.

In the 26th minute Trafford broke forward once again with left winger Bile Ahmed cutting inside only to be upended by full back Brendan O’Brien. Ahmed dusted himself down but struck the resultant penalty well over the crossbar much to the relief of the large home support.

Connor Beard produced a great save at point blank range to thwart Nick Rushton as Linnets sought a way back into the tie but Trafford were still in the ascendancy and after Luke Sephton headed a Dave Worrall cross over, Bile Ahmed struck a low drive from 30 yards that was held by Hare.

In the 53rd minute Trafford struck again, Dave Worrall beautifully flighting a free kick from the left over keeper Hare and inside the far post.

Luke Sephton then headed over, Worrall struck another free kick onto the roof of the net, before Linnets reduced the arrears in the 65th minute when a low cross from the left was turned in by Harry McGee.

The remainder of the game saw Trafford fighting a rear guard action as Scott Sephton, brother Luke and Callum Grogan were all forced off with minor injuries, but the visitors defence, lead once more by the indefatigable Harry Norris, was magnificent, holding out until the dying seconds when Linnets centre back Toby Jones headed in at the back post following a cross by Matty Whittingham.

This victory extends Trafford’s winning run to four games and they now eagerly await Monday’s draw to see who they play in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.