LANCASTER CITY 2 v 1 TRAFFORD FC
Saturday 20th March 2010
The Unibond League First Division North
Trafford produced a brave and determined display at league leaders Lancaster City on Saturday but unfortunately fell to a 2-1 defeat.
The home side were on top from the outset and after just two minutes the Unibond League leading goalscorer Jordan Connerton fired in a shot from 18 yards that was brilliantly saved by Tom Read.
Read saved again in the 5th minute to thwart Paul Jarvis whilst at the other end Trafford skipper Melford Knight headed narrowly wide after a Paul Ashton cross.
In the 27th minute Lancaster's pressure finally paid dividends when Ashton brought down Michael Rushton and Adam Farrell stepped forward to coolly place the penalty past Read.
As half time approached, Rushton headed wide at the back post, Trafford left winger Scott Metcalfe blasted over and Guy Heffernan fired inches wide as the visitors were almost punished for their slack marking.
Trafford started the second period brightly with Shelton Payne shooting wide in the 48th minute but two minutes later Lancaster doubled their lead when Connerton slipped the ball through to Jarvis who clipped the ball past the advancing Read.
The visitors battled back gamely and after Metcalfe had fired over once more, they reduced the arrears in the 56th minute when Shelton Payne split the home defence allowing Glyn Barker the simplest of tap-ins.
Home keeper Martin Fearon saved from Metcalfe following a neat back-heel by debutant Tom Bailey and then Chris Lawton headed narrowly wide as Trafford searched for the equaliser.
In the 63rd minute Lancaster almost snatched a third when Mark Jackson powered a header against the crossbar and shortly afterwards Max Rothwell blasted wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Four minutes from time, Trafford substitute Greg Hall had a great chance to make it 2-2 when set up by bailey, but he shot tamely at goalkeeper Fearon from 12 yards.
In the dying seconds Lancaster centre half Jonathan Smith connected with a left wing corner but his header was cleared off the line by Paul Ashton.
Trafford will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Thursday night when they entertain Radcliffe Borough in the Semi Final of the Manchester Premier Cup, kick off 7-45 p.m., and then on Saturday a bumper crowd is expected at Shawe View when promotion hopefuls FC Halifax Town are the visitors for a 3 p.m. kick off.
Trafford FC Team Tom Read, Ryan Marley, Paul Ashton, Nia Bayunu, Chris Lawton, Joe Shaw, Shelton Payne (Simon Gallanders 89), Melford Knight, Tom Bailey, Glyn Barker (Greg Hall 82), Scott Metcalfe.
Subs Not Used: Max Kisseh, Nikso Papargiris, Marvin McDonald.
Goals: (Lancaster City ) Farrell 27 (pen), (Lancaster City) Jarvis 50, (Trafford FC) Barker 56,
