Match Report

Trafford suffered a late, late heartbreak when a goal by substitute Matthew Gillan in the seventh minute of injury time gave the visitors a share of the points.

Tom Baker’s side started brightly and after just five minutes a cross by Kieron Molloy was volleyed just wide by Sean Higgins.

Congleton’s pacey forward duo Ebou Badjie and Remi Raymond began to cause problems for the home defence and in the 26th minute the latter struck a fierce free kick form 25 yards that was brilliantly pushed past the upright by Sam Booth.

Matt Davies lashed a shot high and wide as Trafford fought for the opener but a defence dominated first half ended with the score goal-less.

Sean Higgins nodded well over as Kieron Molloy made another quick break down the left flank and then Charlie Frost glanced a header just wide in the 50th minute.

Three minutes later Baker’s Boys stormed ahead when Dana Amaral arrived at the back post to head down and into the roof of the net.

Tom Hampton almost snatched an immediate equaliser for Town when he poked a shot against the crossbar from just six yards but Trafford were now on top and pushing forward in search of a second goal.

Matt Davies saw a shot from close range blocked, Brad Byrne fired wide and then Scott Sephton, impressing in the anchor role in midfield, rifled a drive inches over from 25 yards.

In the 72nd minute Matt Davies volleyed agonisingly over following another great run down the left flank by Kieron Molloy and then substitute Prosper Imar looked certain to score but was denied by Town keeper Dave Parton.

Town substitute Harry Motley fizzed a shot just wide of the near post following a quick short corner but three minutes into injury time Dana Amaral wasted another good chance to seal the points when he screwed his shot wide after good approach play by Imar.

With just seconds remaining on the clock, Town launched another long ball into the Trafford penalty area, skipper Harry Norris cleared to the edge of the penalty area and Gillan reacted first to strike a crisp half-volley past Sam Booth and into the bottom left hand corner.

Despite this heart-breaking finale, Trafford can take great heart from a performance full of character, determination and skill, as they dominated the game for long spells and deserved to collect all three points. And with 22 games still remaining in the season, there is still everything to play for.  

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