Match Report

Town’s veteran manager Neil Baker came out on top in Saturday’s ‘Battle of the Baker’s’, a 91st minute goal by Harry Bower giving his side a 1-0 victory over namesake Tom’s Trafford.

The visitors edged the opening minutes with Tim Grice heading just wide and Oliver Ritchie flighting a free kick inches over.

Trafford gradually began to assume control with a long range shot by Bile Ahmed being comfortably held by Lucas Knight before Ahmed brilliantly skipped past Town defender Roman Allen but fired wastefully over.

In the 27th minute Trafford should have taken the lead when Matt Davies fed Ahmed who delayed his shot from just eight yards allowing a Town defender to block.

Kyle Worsley then volleyed into the side-netting as Tom Baker’s side continued to dominate possession and an intriguing first half came to a close with Grice firing over from 10 yards following a quick break down the left by the visitors.

In the 55th minute Trafford squandered another great chance to take the lead when Kyle Worlsey whipped a wonderful cross over from the right but young striker James Butterworth completely miskicked from just six yards.

Newcastle were looking more and more dangerous on the break and after Lewis Brown headed a corner just wide, Trafford left back Harry Evers produced two brilliant last-ditch tackles to deny dangerman Harry Bower.

Trafford keeper Charlie Brier saved superbly to thwart Tim Grice and Will Arnold and in the 83rd minute another piercing cross by Kyle Worsley was headed agonisingly wide by James Butterworth.

Then, in the 89th minute, midfielder Brad Byrne should have put his team ahead when he collected the ball just ten yards out, stepped inside Lewis Brown but sliced his shot wide with just Lucas Knight to beat.

In the 91st minute disaster struck for Trafford when skipper Harry Norris bravely blocked a drive by Josh Bowden but saw the ball fall invitingly into the path of Harry Bowden who coolly placed his shot inside the far post from 15 yards.

The final whistle signalled yet another game that Trafford should have earned at least a point, but once again were made to pay for missed chances, and they will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they host Bootle at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium, kick off 3 p.m.