Kingston Fligg struck an injury time winner to shock NPL Premier Division outfit Stockton Town and earn Trafford a place in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.
Both teams played on the front foot throughout in what was a superb advert for non-league football and after just three minutes Trafford’s young forward Campbell Reid flashed a low pass across the face of the Town goal with no one on hand to apply the finishing touch.
At the other end, a 25 yard free kick by Kevin Hayes was pushed past the post by home keeper Sam Booth before disaster struck for the hosts in the 28th minute when Trafford skipper Harry Norris under-hit a pass back to Booth and Amar Purewal pounced to guide the ball into the vacant goal.
Four minutes later Trafford should have equalised when Hilal Khan released Ben Woods with a sublime through ball but visiting keeper Harry Christy came out to block.
In the 37th minute Purewal almost made it two but thankfully poked his shot wide with just Booth to beat.
Danger-man Purewal continued to threaten the home defence in the opening stages of the second half, having a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside in the 51st minute and then breaking down the left and firing past the near post.
Campbell Reid squandered a great chance in the 59th minute when he skipped inside Arjun Purewal but saw his effort blocked at point blank range by Christy.
In the 66th minute Trafford were finally rewarded for their endeavour with a brilliantly worked goal, Mackena Bradshaw blasting a fine shot into the roof of the net after a deft flick by Matt Davies.
Both teams were now totally committed to attack in what was turning out to be an FA Cup classic and after Trafford substitute Josh Wood saw his goal-bound shot cleared off the Town goal-line, Kevin Hayes volleyed over from just 10 yards.
In the third minute of ‘time-added-on’ Trafford were awarded a corner out on the right. Town only half-cleared the danger , Jerome Wright floated a cross beyond the far post and when Jordan Fagbola headed the ball across the face of the Town goal, Kingston Fligg pounced to tap home from just two yards.
Matt Davies wasted a glorious chance to make it 3-1 when he was clean through but over-ran the ball allowing Christy to block. Seconds later the final whistle arrived to signal a momentous victory for Karl Marginson’s young side who had shown tremendous energy, determination, passion and skill throughout the game.
On Saturday, Trafford are in cup action once more when they travel to play Stalybridge Celtic in the FA Trophy kick off 3 p.m.
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Stockton Town
Wythenshawe Town
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