Match Report

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.