Match Report

Trafford crashed out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle on Saturday when they fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of a powerful and impressive Stalybridge side.

The pace, intensity and urgency that characterised their magnificent 2-1 FA Cup victory over Stockton Town last week was somehow missing as Trafford rarely troubled home keeper Charlie Monks despite enjoying a good share of the possession.

Jerome Wright made several great runs down the left flank in the opening stages but was rather wasteful with his final pass whilst Celtic’s Ellis Horan foraged forward repeatedly , glancing a header goal-wards in the 12th minute that was well held by Sam Booth.

And it was Horan who paved the way for the opening goal in the 20th minute when he broke forward  once again but was denied by two brilliant saves by Booth before the Trafford keeper had the misfortune to upend Jack Irlam as he stretched for the loose ball.

Irlam dusted himself down and struck the resultant penalty past Booth and into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Danger-man Horan then rifled an angled drive just over from the left but Trafford were playing with great confidence and composure only to be let down by their final ball.

Campbell Reid cut inside two defenders in the 36th minute but shot weakly at Monks and a minute later Jack Irlam almost made it two but saw his close range shot blocked by Jordan Fagbola, the giant centre back needing treatment for his efforts.

On the stroke of half-time Ellis Horan found himself in acres of space once more but thankfully screwed his shot wide from 15 yards.

The opening minutes of the second half were very scrappy with both teams squandering possession far too readily.

Jack Irlam rifled a drive wide of the near post and in the 68th minute Trafford substitute Kieran Molloy cut in from the right but fired past the far upright.

Just sixty seconds later the tie was as good as over when Trafford carelessly conceded possession on their left and Celtic cut through the visitor’s defence allowing Elliot Rokka the simplest of tasks in guiding his shot into the far corner from 10 yards.

Trafford refused to lie down following this setback but their play lacked the intensity they displayed the previous week and the superbly drilled Celtic defence restricted them to half-chances for Matt Davies and Campbell Reid.

Kieran Molloy then volleyed tamely into Monks hands from just eight yards and a 25 yard drive by Brad Byrne was deflected over by Celtic skipper Liam Tongue.

And in the dying seconds Celtic substitute Ivan Egharevba should have made it three when he broke clear down the left but shot weakly at Sam Booth.

Trafford will be desperate to make amends for this performance and defeat on Saturday when they travel to Nantwich Town for their FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Tie before having their chance for revenge on Celtic, who visit the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Tuesday 16th September, kick off 7-45 p.m.