Defensive Naivety Cost Trafford - AFC Fylde 3 v 2 TRAFFORD
Trafford produced a brave performance on Saturday at high flying Fylde but defensive naivety cost them dearly and they fell to a disappointing 3-2 defeat.
Garry Vaughan's young side started brightly and after just six minutes a Mark Keddie drive from the edge of the penalty area was deflected wide.
Callum Byrne then drove across the face of the Fylde goal following a superb long pass by Paul Ashton but the home side threatened in the 25th minute when Trafford keeper Tom Read pushed a Matt Walwyn drive past the post. From the resultant corner Read was alert once more to push a Matt Moloney flick to safety.
Walwyn almost put his side ahead in the 37th minute when he sped past NiaBayunu and Paul Ashton but Tom Read produced a superb save at point blank range to thwart the busy home striker.
In the 42nd minute Trafford surged ahead when a brilliant five man move ended with Callum Byrne breaking clear and firing a superb drive past the oncoming Lewis Edge.
Three minutes into the second half Byrne had a great chance to make it two but his normally immaculate control let him down and Fylde cleared the danger.
In the 53rd minute the home team levelled when Jamie Milligan curled a magnificent free kick over the wall and past the motionless Tom Read.
Despite this setback Trafford continued to push forward confidently with Kyle Harrop volleying wide from just ten yards and NiaBayunu heading a Paul Ashton corner past the upright from just six yards.
Trafford deservedly regained the lead in the 64th minute when Harrop played the ball in from the right, the Fylde defence failed to clear and Melford Knight joyfully rammed the ball into the bottom corner.
However, within a minute Trafford were made to pay for their lack of concentration when Matt Walwyn drove past Tom Read to make it 2-2.
Joe Shaw then struck an audacious drive from the half way line that Edge tipped over the crossbar before the home team, inspired by substitute Kevin Townson, took an undeserved lead in the 73rd minute when centre half Mick Stringfellow powered a header into the top corner following a left wing corner.
Despite their valiant efforts, Trafford were unable to reduce the arrears and so fell to a 3-2 defeat that their teamwork, spirit and sheer hard work hardly deserved.
