TRAFFORD FC 2 V 1 RADCLIFFE BOROUGH
Thursday 25th March 2010
Manchester Premier Cup Semi Final
Trafford won through to the Final of the Manchester Premier Cup on Thursday night in a game marred by a massed brawl just minutes before the final whistle.
The visitors were in control for most of the first half and after just four minutes Shaun Connor headed against the foot of the post following a free kick from the right.
Trafford keeper Tom Read then produced a full length save to thwart Eddie Stanford's drive from 20 yards and Radcliffe striker Adam Roscoe just failed to connect with a low cross to the back post shortly afterwards.
Radcliffe were finally rewarded for their superiority in the 43rd minute when a loose ball fell to Stanford who rifled it into the roof of the net from 15 yards.
Roscoe had a great chance to make it two deep into injury time but fortunately miskicked at the far post when completely unmarked.
The visitors remained on top at the start of the second half and Trafford midfielder Simon Gallanders cleared off the line following a right wing corner.
However, Garry Vaughan's young side launched a devastating counter-attack in the 49th minute when Gallanders released Shelton Payne down the right and the fleet footed winger sped past his marker before cutting inside and unleashing a superb low drive inside the near post from 20 yards.
Radcliffe were stunned by this equaliser and fought back with Ben Wharton seeing his shot deflected wide and Mark Jones blasting his shot against the bar from 30 yards.
Trafford then enjoyed a dominant spell in which Scott Barlow cut inside but shot straight at Lloyd Rigby, Scott Metcalfe swung in a free kick that was tipped over the bar and Max Kisseh's goalbound shot was deflected past the far post.
In the 67th minute Radcliffe centre half Shaun Connor headed over from just eight yards after more slack marking by the home side and five minutes later Trafford took the lead against the run of play when Scott Metcalfe gained possession in midfield and struck a rather speculative right footed drive from 25 yards that flew past the bewildered Rigby.
The visitors stormed forward in search of the equaliser but Trafford's goal was leading a charmed life and three minutes into injury time the game erupted when Ben Wharton flew into a challenge on Melford Knight, the Trafford skipper retaliated and all twenty two players became involved in a nasty and totally unnecessary brawl. After several minutes of mayhem, peace was restored but Wharton, Knight, Jones of Radcliffe and Kisseh of Trafford were all shown the red card.
The home side were able to hang on to their single goal lead in the short time that remained and so won through to a Manchester Premier Cup Final date with Blue Square North outfit Droylsden at Hyde United on Tuesday 20th April.
Trafford FC Team: Tom Read, Ryan Marley (Chris Lawton 41),, Paul Ashton, Nia Bayunu, Max Kisseh, Simon Gallanders, Shelton Payne, Melford Knight, Glyn Barker (Greg Hall for Barker 85), Scott Barlow, Scott Metcalfe.
Subs Not Used: Marvin McDonald for Barlow (85), Nikos Papargiris, Aaron Tyrer.
Goals: (Radcliffe Borough) Stanford 43, (Trafford FC) Payne 49, (Trafford FC) Metcalfe 72.
