Match Report

TRAFFORD 5 ABBEY HEY 2

Trafford were made to fight every step of the way before defeating basement side Abbey Hey 5-2 in their North West Counties League Premier Division clash on Saturday.

Tom Baker’s side were well on top in the opening stages with Dillon Edmondson, Kyle Worsley and Ryan Brooke all going close before Scott Sephton fired them ahead in the 19th minute with a neat finish following a well worked left wing corner.

Three minutes later another superbly crafted corner saw Dave Worrall flight the ball to the near post, Callum Grogan flick on and Harry Norris arrive to head home from just two yards at the back post.

In the 25th minute Trafford were rocked when Abbey reduced the arrears, a quick break down the right flank ending with a low cross that Riley Nixon expertly guided past Connor Beard.

Despite this setback, Tom Baker’s side continued to dominate and in the 33rd minute Dillon Edmondson made it 3-1 when he broke clear in the inside left channel , held off a challenge by an Abbey defender and coolly placed the ball past the advancing Cameron Shenton.

Home winger Bile Ahmed then limped off with a nasty looking knee injury and his replacement Lewis Jacklin should have made it four on the stroke of half-time but miskicked at the back post following a pin-point cross by Scott Sephton.

To their credit, Abbey Hey came out for the second half in buoyant mood and forced Trafford onto the defensive.

Meikiyo Semper shot wide in the 49th minute and two minutes later the visitors were controversially awarded a penalty for an alleged trip by Callum Grogan, Luca Gallardo-Nunez stepping forward to guide the spot kick into the bottom right hand corner.

In the 62nd minute Trafford keeper Connor Beard produced a superb save at point blank range to deny Aayan Zeeshan an equaliser for the visitors and the home fans breathed a huge sigh of relief seven minutes later when Luke Sephtoncontrolled a long ball out of defence and advanced to fire past Shenton and make it 4-2.

New signing Christopher Happi-Fankam was introduced to the action shortly afterwards and within two minutes found himself on the scoresheet when he headed home another Dave Worrall corner past the hapless Shenton.

Despite the scoreline, Abbey Hey continued to play with great spirit and home keeper Connor Beard was called into action once more in the closing stages when he produced another brave save to thwart Andrew Ndhlovu.

Trafford’s play showed a little rustiness following their two week lay-off and they must tighten up their defence for this Saturday’s tough clash at high flying Nelson.