Ten man Trafford go top after magnificent home win!

Ten man Trafford came from a goal down to secure three points and move to the top of the Northern Premier League West Division.
Karl Marginson’s side started confidently, obviously buoyed by the six points gained over the Bank Holiday, and should have taken the lead after just four minutes when Rio Clegg found himself in space in the Town penalty area but dallied on the ball and was crowded out.
Town were causing problems at set-pieces due to their physical superiority and, after Will Igeo had curled a shot just wide from the left, took the lead in the 21st minute when Trafford failed to clear a right wing corner and Joel Stair hooked the ball home at the back post.
In the 28th minute Trafford’s task was made all the more difficult when Rio Clegg was red carded for a late challenge on Brandon Newell but Trafford responded brilliantly when Jerome Wright fired over from the left seven minutes later.

In the 38th minute Town left back Louis Keenan handled the ball inside his own penalty area and when Adam Whitehouse parried the resultant spot kick by Brad Byrne, the Trafford midfielder had the presence of mind to follow up and net the rebound.
The first half came to a close with home left back Damola Sotona making several surging runs and striker Mike Burke firing just wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Trafford showed tremendous resolve throughout the second half and in the 52nd minute Mike Burke was desperately unlucky when his first time shot from eight yards rattled the crossbar.

Four minutes later Trafford reaped the rewards that their enterprise deserved, Jerome Wright flighting a brilliant free kick from 20 yards that went in off the underside of the crossbar.
The hosts were beginning to tire but once again manager Marginson utilised his five substitutes to great effect and in the 74th minute Rob Worrall almost made it three but saw his free kick saved at the foot of the post by Whitehouse.
In the 75th minute home keeper Sam Booth produced a superb save to push a Tom Pope header past the upright and was called into action again shortly afterwards when he saved from Will Igeo.
Trafford’s defence was once again in tremendous form, marshalled by the veterans Jerome Wright and Jordan Fagbola, and the final whistle signalled a wonderful victory for the boys from Shawe View who have now won four out of their first five league games and sit proudly at the top of their division.
However, they must now concentrate their efforts on the FA Trophy and a long trip to Bridlington Town next Saturday, kick off 3 p.m.

A battling, backs-to-the-wall performance allied to some sheer good fortune paved the way for Trafford’s 1-0 win over Widnes on Saturday, a victory that moves them up into seventh place in the NPL West Division.
Widnes were on top from the start with a speculative shot from Sharif Deans rebounding off the crossbar in the 9th minute as the home defence lead a charmed life.
However, with their first meaningful attack, and completely against the run of play, Trafford took the lead in the 13th minute when Hilal Khan released Rio Clegg with a defence splitting pass, Clegg coolly placing his shot past the advancing Mark Halstead.
Clegg almost made it two four minutes later with a sensational effort from just inside his own half, spotting Halstead off his line and firing a magnificent effort that flew inches over the crossbar.
Hilal Khan was revealing some sublime touches in midfield but defences were generally on top for the remainder of the first half, the only chance of note falling to Rio Clegg in injury time when he collected a great crossfield pass by Jerome Wright and blasted over from 15 yards.
Karl Marginson’s side made a strong start to the second half with full back Damola Sotona weaving his way through the Widnes defence before seeing his shot saved by Halstead.
Jerome Wright’s surging run down the left ended with a rasping drive into the side-netting before the visitors began to take control and push forward in search of the equaliser.
In the 53rd minute Trafford skipper Sean Higgins carelessly conceded possession deep inside his own half but retrieved the situation with a magnificent block on his goal-line.
Three minutes later Higgins performed more heroics when he scampered back to conjure up two more stunning goal-line clearances as Widnes poured forward.
Manager Marginson made three substitutions in an attempt to stem the tide but still the visitors dominated, Louis Isherwood heading against the post in the 70th minute.
Home keeper Sam Booth pushed another Isherwood header past the upright, Trafford introduced their two remaining substitutes and in the 88th minute Rio Clegg struck another audacious shot from fully 45 yards that keeper Halstead fumbled past the post.
Widnes winger James Steele volleyed over as the visitors fought desperately for the equaliser and three minutes into injury time Niall Battersby thundered a drive from 15 yards that rattled Booth’s right hand post.
The Trafford defence, superbly marshalled by Jordan Fagbola, somehow managed to weather the storm and so made it two wins from three in an impressive start to the 24-25 season.
On Monday Trafford travel to play Stalybridge Celtic before hosting Hanley Town at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Saturday, both games kicking off at 3 p.m.