Match Report

Trafford progressed to the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, and a reunion with NPL outfit Runcorn Linnets, following a supremely professional performance at Worsbrough on Sunday.

Tom Baker’s side adapted brilliantly to the bone hard, bobbly and sloping playing surface, matching their opponent’s physicality and playing their neat possession football when time and space allowed it.

Trafford left back Lewis Jacklin broke down the left in the first minute but saw his low shot pushed past the near post by Owen Evans.

Three minutes later a thunderous drive by Bridge’s Lloyd Smith was spectacularly tipped past the upright by Connor Beard and Trafford striker Ryan Brooke struck a low drive that was parried by Evans, Jacklin heading the rebound wide.

Jacklin then squandered a great chance from just six yards after Luke Sephton crossed from the right but the deadlock was finally broken in the 25th minute when Dave Worrall flighted a free kick beyond the far post and Scott Sephtonvolleyed gleefully into the opposite corner from 15 yards.

The hosts came out strongly at the start of the second half with substitute Max Skelton powering a header against the crossbar following a right wing corner.

Jacob May, Scott Sephton and Ryan Brooke all went close with headers and in the 76th minute Trafford substitute Dillon Edmondson struck a great curling left footed drive against the Bridge crossbar.

Both teams had appeals for penalties turned down but in the 87th minute the tie was effectively sealed when Harry Norris rose at the back post to turn a Dave Worrall free kick past Evans and make it 2-0.

Trafford then wasted three glorious opportunities to extend their lead further with Luke Sephton twice careless with just Evans to beat, and Dillon Edmondson firing against the keeper’s body from just eight yards.

In the dying seconds Bridge’s Keelan Grist was red carded for punching Fin Stanyer as frustration got the better of him.

On Saturday, Trafford travel over the Pennines once more to play Armthorpe Welfare in the Preliminary Round of the FA Vase, kick off 3 p.m.