Disappointing end to the season - TRAFFORD 0 v 1 Woodley Sports
Trafford's season came to a disappointing end when they fell to a single goal defeat at the hands of Woodley Sports on Royal Wedding Friday.
The visitors were on top in the opening stages and in the 12th minute should have taken the lead when Nathan Neequaye broke clear but fired into the side-netting from 15 yards.
Lee Blackshaw chipped wide of the far post shortly afterwards but the best chance fell to Trafford midfielder Joe Shaw who broke clear of the Woodley defence but with only Liam Higginbotham to beat, drove his shot against the foot of the post.
Woodley striker Stuart Wellstead the fired in a cross-cum-shot from the right flank that rebounded into play off the crossbar and Danny Shannon broke clear on the left but was denied by the legs of Higginbotham.
The visitors finished the half the stronger side with Wellstead powering in a header that was pushed past the post by Greg Hall and Neequaye squandering another chance when he shot past the near post from close range.
Warren Collier went close for Trafford after being set up by Sam Freakes in the opening minute of the second half and Woodley left back Ben Richardson blasted a great curling drive that flew just over the bar.
Trafford keeper Hall twice denied Lee Blackshaw as Woodley once more forced the pace but the game appeared to be heading for a goal-less draw when, with just eleven minutes remaining, John Buckley tripped Blackshaw and Nathan Neequaye rammed the resultant penalty into the roof of the net.
Neequaye missed another good chance to double Woodley's lead but Trafford stormed forward in the closing minutes, Joe Shaw cracking in a free kick that was tipped over by Higginbotham and substitute Paul Socha driving in a low shot that was well held by the visiting keeper.
And so another season came to a close with Trafford finishing in a fairly respectable 14th position in the Evo Stik League Division One North, quite an achievement considering the disastrous mid-season run of defeats.
