TRAFFORD reached their third cup final in as many seasons on Tuesday evening by beating Droylsden 3-2 at an atmospheric Home Estates Shawe View Stadium.

A first half hat-trick from Max Hazeldine gave Tom Baker’s team a deserved lead at the break, and despite a spirited second-half fightback from the visitors it was Trafford who reached the Manchester FA Premier Cup Final.

The game began at a frantic pace with three goals in the first nine minutes. Trafford took the lead after just 120 seconds when Ross Davidson won the ball and fed Hazeldine who slotted it past Droylsden keeper Elliot Wynne.

The Shawe View crowd were still cheering when the visitors equalised, Bloods skipper Domaine Rouse hooking one in from the edge of the box.

Not to be outdone, some good work from Curtis Miller on the right led to Davidson again finding Hazeldine who smashed a shot in at the near post.

The rest of the first half was as frantic as that opening spell, but the next goal did not come until the 40th minute courtesy of a free-kick which Hazeldine dispatched into the top corner to earn himself the match ball.

The second half was much closer with Droylsden giving their all but Trafford playing the better football.

On 55 minutes a free kick to Droylsden on the edge of the box was taken by Rouse and deflected past Matt Cooper to put the tie back in the balance.

Trafford controlled things, having two goals disallowed for offside, to set up a repeat of the 2018 final against FC United which they lost on penalties.

Widnes visit Shawe View this Saturday, kick-off 3pm.