Much Better From Trafford - TRAFFORD 0 v 2 Curzon Ashton
Trafford produced a much improved display on Saturday against high flying Curzon Ashton but slipped to a 2-0 defeat after gifting their opponents goals either side of half time.
The game started at a hectic pace with Chris Worsley breaking through on the left in the sixth minute and Trafford keeper Aaron Tyrer, deputising for the injured Tom Read, saving bravely at his feet.
Just sixty seconds later home striker Scott Barlow cut in from the right and curled a great shot against the crossbar with David Carnell beaten.
Mark Keddie fired a half-volley from 25 yards just wide as Trafford passed the ball around with a confidence that has been missing in recent games and then Curzon's leading goalscorer Chris McDonagh saw his effort from 15 yards comfortably held by Tyrer.
Tyrer was in action again in the 27th minute when he pushed a volley from Adam Jones round the post following a right wing corner and shortly afterwards Worsley rounded Tyrer but home centre back Ryan Marley cleared the danger.
Disaster struck for Trafford in the 42nd minute when McDonagh chased a hopeful through ball which appeared to be going out for a goal kick but Aaron Tyrer carelessly tripped the forward and a penalty was awarded.
McDonagh stepped forward himself to drive the spot kick hard a low into the bottom corner and give Curzon a rather undeserving lead.
Trafford fought back spiritedly in the opening minutes of the second half and Joe Shaw struck a drive from 25 yards that appeared to wrong-foot Carnell but fly inches wide of the right hand post.
Daniel Broadbent then thundered in a drive that was well parried by Tyrer but was rewarded for a determined display with Curzon's second goal in the 62nd minute, turning in a hard low cross at the near post.
Both McDonagh and Broadbent had chances to extend the visitors lead but Trafford battled back gamely and Joe Shaw saw his shot deflected inches wide after a superb move in the 80th minute.
Mark Keddie blasted a drive from 25 yards just over, Shaw fired wide from the edge of the area and then Scott Barlow shot over in the last minute as Trafford fought to the end.
But it wasn't to be and an entertaining and hard fought game came to a close with Curzon Ashton just about deserving the three points.
Trafford are now without a game for the next fortnight and manager Garry Vaughan will be looking to strengthen his squad further in an attempt to halt the run of recent defeats.
