Trafford Salvage A Point- TRAFFORD 1 v 1 Clitheroe
A John Buckley goal five minutes from time salvaged a point for Trafford as fourth placed Clitheroe dominated for long spells at Shawe View on Saturday.
The visitors were on top in the opening stages and in the 17th minute Mark Jackson went close with an overhead kick that Tom Read tipped over the crossbar.
Trafford failed to clear the resultant corner and the ball fell to Tom Williams who smashed it past Read from six yards to put Clitheroe 1-0 ahead.
There was a distinct lack of goalmouth action as both defences dominated and Trafford had to wait until the half hour mark before they created their first meaningful attempt on goal, John Buckley striking a volley from 30 yards that was comfortably held by Ben Proctor.
Trafford came out for the second half with much greater purpose and conviction and in the 56th minute Tommy Turner cracked a low drive that Proctor brilliantly turned past the post.
Two minutes later Trafford's leading goalscorer Scott Barlow had a great chance to equalise when he burst through on the left but once more Proctor kept his side ahead with a brave save from point blank range.
At the other end Tom Read once again revealed his class with a great save from Jackson's thunderbolt and Trafford manager then introduced substitute Jamie Baguley for his debut appearance.
Baguley immediately began to dominate the midfield and created a chance for Tommy Turner whose drive was blocked by the well-drilled Clitheroe defence.
Andy Lundy was also thrown on as Trafford threw caution to the wind and opted to play three at the back, and their enterprise was rewarded in the 85th minute when Lundy released John Buckley in the inside left channel, the busy midfielder neatly slipping the ball past the oncoming keeper to make it 1-1.
Neither goalkeeper was troubled in the closing minutes and so Trafford were left to reflect on a point earned by their much improved second half display.
On Tuesday night Trafford travel down to Staffordshire to play old friends and rivals Newcastle Town in an Evo-Stik League Presidents Cup First Round Tie, kick off 7-45 p.m., and then on Saturday they are on their travels once more when they go to Skelmersdale United for a league fixture kicking off at 3 p.m.
