Trafford edge derby thriller - TRAFFORD 2 v 1 Salford City
Trafford produced a spirited display on Wednesday night as they welcomed no fewer than 7 former players back to Shawe View. Trafford edged the opening exchanges, dominated by tenacious midfield play that matched Trafford old boys Thomas and Andrews against Gallanders and Shaw.
It took a moment of brilliance by Trafford's midfield maestro, Joe Shaw to break the deadlock on 17 minutes. A typically robust midfield challenge resulted in the ball falling to Shaw's feet. With a few yards of space he spotted the Salford 'keeper off his line and unleashed a 45 yard screamer past the backtracking Robertson.
The game continued in midfield with the impressive Shaw pulling the strings and in the 26th minute he released Barlow down the right but his centre evaded everyone and was scrambled to safety.
The Trafford youngsters were starting to dominate and exploiting their speed against a more senior Salford back line. A 27th minute Thompson free-kick on the left was knocked into Collier with the resulting shot curling high and wide.
On 34 minutes an excellent cross field ball from Harrop found Barlow on the left who easily beat the full back for pace but Robertson saved bravely at his feet. A quick counter attack down the right resulted in the agile Read tipping a Salford snap-shot over the bar. The scores were levelled from the resulting corner when returning Trafford favourite Simon Woodford stole in at the front post to nod past Read.
A minute later Scott Barlow missed a golden opportunity to restore Trafford's lead when he shot narrowly over after a brilliant exchange of passes with Gallanders. Barlow made amends in the 40th minute after Collier found himself in acres of space before releasing the pocket hitman to slot past the advancing 'keeper.
Barlow was getting back to his best in the second half with his speed exploiting the Salford defence time after time. Trafford should have made the game safe on a number of occasions and each time Salford had Robertson to thank.
Salford did have spells of pressure in the second half with substitute Rhodri Giggs at the centre of most things creative. They were awarded a dubious penalty on 67 minutes for handball against Shaw. Salford hitman Foster stepped up and his well struck shot was superbly saved by Tom Read diving to his right. That gave the home team the impetus to hold tight and from the back line to the front the team played together to hold on to the result.
The final whistle couldn't arrive quickly enough as Trafford gained the bragging rights with a well deserved victory. Trafford will be looking for some consistency now as their travels take them to Garforth Town on Saturday and Ossett Albion next Wednesday, 23rd Feb.
