OSSETT ALBION 2 TRAFFORD 1

TRAFFORD’S Evo-Stik First Division North season came to a disappointing end with a 2-1 defeat at Ossett Albion on Saturday.

The visitors were on top from the start with Connor Martin firing over in the fifth minute and Chris Palmer shooting wide from 12 yards three minutes later.

Martin then struck a long-range volley that was comfortably held by home goalkeeper Brett Souter and giant striker Dominic Smith played a superb wall pass with Aaron Burns but instead of taking the ball on, he elected to shoot from long range and was well off target.

Albion came into the game and James Eyles broke clear down the middle and chipped the ball over Russ Saunders but then saw it bounce over the bar off the hard surface.

Saunders then produced a fine point-blank save to thwart Eyles but was powerless to prevent Albion from taking the lead in the 31st minute when Rob Bordman struck a brilliant free kick from 20 yards into the top corner.

The playing surface suited Albion’s more direct approach but in the 45th minute Trafford levelled when Smith seized upon a weak header by Dominic Riordan and rounded Souter to tap home.

However, within a minute the hosts were ahead once more when shocking defending allowed Eyles to coolly chip the ball over the stranded Saunders.

The second half began with Trafford once again dominating possession and in the 56th minute Connor Martin found himself in a great position but carelessly gave the ball away.

Burns then lobbed over from close range following a high free kick before Albion danger man Eyles went close with a low drive past the far post.

Palmer wasted another good opportunity in the 73rd minute when he was played in by Burns and in the 82nd minute substitute Chris McDonagh headed wide from just six yards following a superb cross by Kyle Jacobs.

Despite pushing forward relentlessly in the closing minutes Trafford were unable to force the equaliser they probably deserved but still finished the season in a very creditable eighth place.