Match Report

Trafford were once again forced to suffer the harsh realities of life at the wrong end of the NPL West Division table as several contentious decisions went against them in their 2-0 defeat against high flying Avro.

Manager Tom Baker gave a debut to young goalkeeper Oliver Bellizia, on loan from Fleetwood Town, due to an injury to Sam Booth, and the 18 year old produced a magnificent save in the 14th minute when he came out to bravely block from Sam Davidson as the Avro midfielder broke clear.

Referee Sims infuriated the home supporters shortly afterwards when he cautioned Matt Davies for an innocuous challenge on Kane Hickman but worse was to come in the 31st minute when a long through ball towards Avro striker Kyle Hawley ended with Bellizia pushing the ball to safety but being adjudged to have caught Hawley and conceding a penalty.

Bellizia flung himself to his right to parry the spot kick and then produced an incredible one handed save to thwart Hawley’s point blank effort as the striker pounced on the rebound.

Despite enjoying a good share of the possession, Trafford lacked a cutting edge with two long range shots by Kieron Molloy being their only attempts at goal.

Five minutes into the second half there was more controversy when Trafford midfielder Scott Sephton was clearly fouled on the half way line, but referee Sims allowed play to continue, Ryley Smith breaking clear and feeding Harry Salt who fired past the advancing Bellizia to make it 1-0.

In the 67th minute Trafford almost snatched an equaliser when Taylor Dyson struck a brilliant free kick from 20 yards that was heading for the top corner before Cameron Mason flung himself to his right and spectacularly tipped the ball past the post.

Substitutes Tom Lawless and Henry Brown injected some pace and urgency into the Trafford team and their appeals for a penalty following a handball in the 77th minute fell on deaf ears.

Ian Togo headed wide following a Matt Davies cross and then Henry Brown and Taylor Dyson both saw shots well saved by Mason.

Three minutes from time Avro struck again when Kyle Hawley defied the Trafford offside trap and broke clear down the middle, coolly placing his shot past Bellizia and inside the right hand post.

Despite this defeat, Trafford can take heart from a spirited performance in which they matched their opponents in most aspects of the game, but once again they can feel hard done to with a number of refereeing decisions that favoured Avro.