Trafford bounce back from cup disappointment with win at Colne

TRAFFORD produced a tremendously spirited and battling second-half display to win 3-1 and collect all three points in their Evo-Stik First Division North clash at Colne on Tuesday night.

With the sloping pitch in their favour, the hosts were on top in the opening stages although the first attempt on goal came from Trafford striker Aaron Burns when he volleyed straight at goalkeeper Aghayere from 12 yards.

Colne’s Jason Hart made several darting runs as his side dominated, driving across the face of the goal in the 21st minute and then firing straight at Russ Saunders after outpacing Josh Granite.

The quicksilver forward then cut inside Liam Brownhill before shooting into the side-netting.

He put his side 1-0 ahead on the stoke of half time when he broke clear and, with Trafford vainly appealing for a free kick on Simon Garner, he deftly chipped the ball over the advancing Saunders.

With the advantage of the slope in the second half, the visitors pushed forward and in the 50th minute levelled when skipper Granite powered a right-wing corner to the back post and Mitch Bryant steered the ball home.

Aghayere almost pushed a weak Kyle Jacobs shot into his own goal as Trafford sought a second and that duly arrived in the 75th minute when Brownhill flighted a free kick against the bar and Jacobs headed home from two yards.

Adam Morning fired wide from 10 yards as Colne pressurised the visiting defence but in the 81st minute a great break down the left ended with substitute Lee Neville crossing hard and low and Nicky Platt bundled the ball home from six yards.

The points were now secure although Colne substitute Jake Hargreaves cracked a thunderous drive from 25 yards in the dying seconds that was well held by Russ Saunders.

It was a good response from Tom Baker's boys after the disappointment of a 1-0 defeat at Bishop Auckland in the FA Cup four days earlier.

Trafford now face two home league fixtures in the space of four days, entertaining Goole on Saturday (3pm) and high flying Lancaster City on Tuesday night, kick off 7.45pm.