Dorney at the double as Trafford move up to eighth

The hosts were well on top in the opening stages, playing with great pace and skill, but they were rocked in the 23rd minute when City took the lead completely against the run of play, Chris McDonagh carelessly conceding a penalty that Ryan Winder coolly slotted into the bottom corner.

McDonagh made amends almost immediately when he powered through two tackles and fed Jack Dorney who blasted a great angled drive from 18 yards into the top corner.

And nine minutes later Dorney struck again when he brilliantly cut in from the left and drilled a great low drive past Michael Hale.

Trafford dominated the remainder of the first half but all they had to show for their superiority was a shot by Lee Rick straight at Hale.

Tom Baker’s side were again on top at the start of the second period but gradually City took control and gained a stranglehold on the midfield.

Home keeper Russ Saunders saved at full length to thwart Aaron Taylor and then produced a fine reflex save to deny danger-man Joe Whittington.

In the 73rd minute City thought they had snatched the equaliser but Zach Clark’s spectacular volley was ruled out for dangerous play as Tom Smyth attempted to head clear.

Ryan Ledson was moved forward to bolster the midfield and this appeared to stem the City tide as Trafford sought a third goal.

Smyth fired inches wide in the 84th minute and then two minutes later was desperately unlucky when he rose to head a Lee Rick cross against the crossbar.

The final whistle signalled an excellent victory that moves Trafford up into eighth place in the Evo Stik League Division One North table and they will be hoping to make further progress on Saturday when they travel to Clitheroe and on Tuesday night when they journey over to Merseyside to play Prescot Cables.

n Elsewhere, Evo-Stik Premier League side Ramsbottom United have announced ex-Trafford player/manager Garry Vaughan will take over the reins from Jon Robinson.