Trafford 1

TRAFFORD were robbed of three vital Unibond League points on Saturday when, after dominating their game with Belper Town, they conceded a late goal and so drew 1-1.

Trafford started confidently with Mike Dunphy and Chris Patterson controlling the midfield and Tom Murray and Chris Simms looking dangerous up front.

Despite the fact that the Belper defence always looked shaky and at times took unnecessary risks, chances were few and far between and the visiting keeper was rarely troubled.

Half chances fell to Simms and Patterson as Trafford enjoyed virtually all the possession and Belper appeared to be content to soak up the pressure and attempt to catch their opponents on the break.

The pace of Morgan was always a problem for Trafford and on the half hour Chris Adams was cautioned for upending the striker just outside the Trafford penalty area.

Half time arrived with the score still goalless but within seven minutes of the restart Trafford stormed ahead with a superb goal.

Steve Burns and Paul Varley linked on the right, the former drove over a great cross and Chris Simms arrived to power a header into the roof of the net.

Belper looked a beaten side as the Shawe View men played their composed possession football with on-loan keeper Mark Statham, deputsing for the injured Jim O'Donnell, a mere spectator.

The three points looked to be in the bag when, with just nine minutes remaining, Trafford were dealt a sucker punch, and Belper snatched the equaliser.

The home side won a corner out on the right, and when the ball was half cleared, Tom Murray was caught in possession, Belper's Galloway broke clear, held off the challenge of Varley, and shot past Statham.

The drama still wasn't over for five minutes later, Varley was adjudged to have fouled Morgan and was rather harshly sent off for a second bookable offence.

Trafford's ten men held firm for the remaining minutes and the game came a close with the score standing at 1-1.

Netherfield 4

Trafford 2

A 'nightmare display'

A NIGHTMARE display of defending cost Trafford dearly on Monday night when they crashed 4-2 to a hard-working Netherfield side at Kendal.

Trafford started sluggishly and Netherfield's star striker Emmett caused all sorts of problems with his pace and vision.

The game was a contrast in styles, Trafford attempting to play their short passing game whilst Netherfield relied on long balls out of defence for their speedy strikers and midfielders to chase.

In the 17th minute the home side took the lead when a break down the right ended with Bowen's first effort being superbly saved by Statham who had the misfortune to see the ball rebound to the same player who headed it over the prostrate goalkeeper.

At the other end, Chris Patterson smashed in a piledriver that flew inches over the crossbar but Trafford were once again caught on the hop in the 32nd minute when another lightning fast raid down the right flank ended with Emmett heading into the bottom corner.

To their credit, Trafford refused to lie down and two minutes before half time Steve Burns rifled in a great cross from the right that Chris Simms headed past Armfield in the Netherfield goal.

The opening minutes of the second half belonged to the visitors and in the 58th minute they forced the equaliser when yet another break down the right ended with Alan Houghton crossing to the far post where Patterson voleyed gleefully into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later Houghton had a great chance to put Trafford ahead when Simms set him up, but he dithered on the ball and Armfield collected comfortably.

Having fought so hard to work their way back into the game, Trafford now proceeded to throw it away and their defensive frailties were underlined in the 71st minute when slack marking allowed the diminutive Wright to head in unchallenged form a corner.

Trafford now searched desperately for a last gasp equaliser but they were caught out once more in the 86th minute when they foolishly conceded possession just outsie their won penalty area and Kent crossed to the back post where Emmett netted with ease.

The game came to a close with Trafford reflecting once more on the varying demands of the Unibond League and their need to inject a more professional approach to the game.

They are fast obtaining a reputation for classy, attacking football but opponents are realising that defensively they are extremely charitable.

FA Cup Tie At Shawe View

on Saturday, trafford entertain Northern League outfit Peterlee Newtown at Shawe View in the Preliminary Round of the world's greatest competition, the FA Cup.

Peterlee have made a magnificent start to otheir season with five straight wins and they will provide a firm test for the local side. KO is 3pm.

On Monday, subject to there not being an FA Cup Replay, Trafford are in cup action once more when they make the short journey to Hurst Cross for a Unibond League Challenge Cup Tie against Ashton United KO 7.30pm.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.