Match Report

Trafford’s hopes of avoiding relegation were dealt a severe blow on Saturday when, despite dominating their illustrious opponents for long spells, they fell to devastating 2-1 defeat.

Isaac Modi and Kyle Worsley went close to giving Tom Baker’s side the lead in the opening minutes but Runcorn showed their pedigree with a fine move in the 13th minute, Markell Foulds breaking down the right and pulling the ball across to Noah Roberts who rifled his shot into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Trafford skipper Harry Norris saw his header deflected wide following a Worsley free kick but then was fortuitous when his wayward pass across his own penalty area was intercepted by Noah Roberts who thankfully fired wide with just Charlie Brier to beat.

In the 32nd minute Trafford fought their way back on to level terms, Isaac Modi whipping a great cross in from the left that Bile Ahmed neatly glanced past Yusuf Mersin from close range.

Modi then skipped past two defenders and flashed a superb low cross across the face of the Linnets goal but no one was on hand to apply the finishing touch.

Trafford were absolutely magnificent in the second half with Kyle Worsley at the centre of many of their moves and in the 52nd minute his goal bound shot was brilliantly blocked by Linnets defender Peter Wylie.

Worsley then cut in from the right but curled his shot over and then wasted a good opportunity when he delayed his shot from a good position and was forced wide by the well organised visitors defence.

In the 57th minute Bile Ahmed missed a gilt edged chance to put the hosts ahead when he shot wastefully into the side-netting from just ten yards after great work by Mackena Bradshaw.

Ahmed then ghosted past Linnets right back Joe Ferguson but crossed weakly into the hands of Mersin and the onslaught continued with Kyle Worsley brilliantly dancing past two opponents but seeing his goal bound shot cleared off the line by Jacques Welsh.

Mackena Bradshaw struck the foot of the post after cutting in down the left and both Charlie Frost and Bile Ahmed saw further chances beaten out by the hard pressed Linnets defence.

Then, with just three minutes remaining of the ninety, Harry Norris was adjudged to have fouled substitute Brendan O’Brien and the visitors were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and to the left of centre. Harry McGee stepped forward and curled an exquisite shot over the defensive wall and into the top corner past the despairing dive of Charlie Brier to send the large contingent of travelling supporters into raptures.

Harry Norris headed wide as Trafford desperately sought an equaliser and Baker’s Boys suffered more heartbreak when Jack Sloan was controversially shown two yellow cards, in the space of seconds, just before the final whistle.

Despite this defeat, Trafford emerged from the game with great credit, having been the better side for most of the game, but unfortunately they were unable to turn their superiority into goals due to their profligacy in the Linnets penalty area.