FLIXTON 2 TRAFFORD 8

Trafford stormed to an emphatic 8-2 victory over local rivals Flixton in their pre-season friendly at Partington on Saturday.

After a close fought opening Flixton surged ahead in the 14th minute when Daniel McDonnell gained possession 30 yards out and unleashed a magnificent drive that flew into the top corner past a helpless Tom Read.

Eight minutes later Trafford levelled when, following a goalmouth scramble, left winger Paul Ashton netted from close range.

With Haydn Eames and Melford Knight controlling the midfield Trafford were in the ascendancy and deservedly took the lead in the 22nd minute when Eames skipped past two defenders and drilled a low drive into the bottom corner.

Both sides had chances in a competitive and entertaining game but the large and appreciative crowd had to wait until the 54th minute for the next goal, Ashton firing home from 15 yards to put Trafford 3-1 ahead.

Young substitute Jake Williamson then entered the fray and made his presence felt almost immediately when he cooly slotted the ball past Alan Osbourne to make it 4-1 although Flixton responded with a fine drive by Ryan Buckley that flew into the bottom corner.

The final twenty minutes belonged entirely to the slick moving Trafford outfit and in the 71st minute left back Adam Roscoe floated in a free kick from the right that Matt Landregan neatly volleyed past Osbourne.

Latvian striker Tom Butoris then notched a sixth for Trafford when he was released by a neat flick by Williamson before Scott Metcalfe chipped a superb goal from the edge of the area in the 86th minute.

In the dying seconds Williamson completed the scoring when he defied the Flixton offside trap and neatly rounded goalkeeper Osbourne to roll the ball home.

On Saturday Trafford travel over the Welsh border to play Llandudno Town. Anyone wishing to travel on the team coach should contact secretary Graham Foxall on 07796 864151.