TRAFFORD 2, ATHERTON COLLIERIES 2

Trafford completed their preparations for the forthcoming season with a 2-2 draw against Atherton Collieries in another great advert for non-league football.
Colls were slightly on top in the opening stages with home defender Harry Norris clearing a shot off his own line in the 7th minute and visiting full back Josh Askew firing a free kick from a dangerous position into the arms of Liam Lovell.
Lewis Mansell headed straight at Lovell following a deep cross from the left before Trafford took the lead with virtually their first attack of the game in the 26th minute, Colls failing to clear a Rob Worrall free kick and Max Hazeldine pouncing to stab the ball home from six yards.
Just sixty seconds later Hazeldine had a chance to make it two but shot straight at Nico Hansen and then Ally Brown volleyed wide after good hold-up play by Tom Bentham.
Trafford were clearly on the front foot and doubled their lead in the 28th minute, Brown taking a quick throw in from the right, Hazeldine crossing first time and Matty Barlow ghosting in to volley home from close range.
In the dying seconds of the first half Colls substitute Mwiya Malumo had a chance to reduce the arrears but lobbed the ball over the advancing Lovell and onto the roof of the net.
Just three minute into the second half, Trafford veterans Tom Bentham and Astley Mulholland were both withdrawn with injuries, hopefully as a precaution with Saturday’s FA Cup Tie at Golcar in mind, and were replaced by Ollie Ford and Alfie Belcher.
And shortly afterwards manager Danny Caldecott made a further three substitutions to give all his squad suitable game time. This inevitably affected the momentum, rhythm and tempo of his side and in the 61st minute Colls pulled a goal back when Nathan Caine collected the ball in acres of space on the left and drove hard and low inside the far post.
Matty Barlow struck an audacious volley from 40 yards inches over but Colls were well on top and equalised in the 76th minute when Ben Rydel cracked a magnificent drive from 25 yards past Lovell and inside the right hand upright.
The remainder of the game saw both sides involved in an undignified and unnecessary flair up that was dealt with superbly by referee Reeves and an entertaining game finished with the spoils shared.
This result means that Trafford have suffered just one defeat in their seven warm up games, four of which have been against NPL Premier Division outfits.
However, they must now concentrate their efforts on Saturdays FA Cup Extra Preliminary Tie at Northern Counties East side Golcar United and hopefully a good run in the World’s most famous football competition will ensue.