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Sat 30 Sep 2023 · Northern Premier League - West
Newcastle Town
Trafford F.C.
2
2
NEWCASTLE TOWN 2 TRAFFORD 2
Dave Law1 Oct 2023 - 07:08
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New look Trafford in enthralling encounter
A new-look Trafford squandered a two goal lead and had to settle for a point from an enthralling encounter at Newcastle on Saturday.
This was Trafford’s first game in three weeks and manager Danny Caldecott used that time to bolster his squad with five new signings, three of which were in the starting line-up.
And one of these debutants, Eddie Servuts, made a dream start when, after just eight minutes, be broke clear following a brilliant dummy by Tom Bentham, and clipped the ball past the oncoming Joe Slinn to make it 1-0.
In the 16th minute Trafford doubled their lead when another newcomer, Leighton Egan, released Matty Barlow with a sumptuous pass down the right flank, the ball was played hard and low to the back post and Alfie Belcher arrived to steer it into the bottom corner.
Egan was controlling the midfield with skipper Astley Mulholland and in the 22nd minute another slick move ended with Bentham cracking a first time shot from 20 yards that was held by Slinn.
As half-time approached Newcastle began to dominate with Callum Speed shooting high and wide of the near post and Tommy Van Der Laan heading a cross from the right just over.
Tom Bentham looked as though he was going to make it three in the 51st minute when he broke clear on the left but he hesitated and was dispossessed and then Newcastle midfielder Isaac Graham headed just wide from eight yards.
After being so impressive for long spells of the game, disaster struck for the visitors when they conceded two goals in the space of two minutes either side of the hour mark.
In the 59th minute Graham crossed from the left to the back post, Dan Cockerline headed back across goal and Callum Speed tapped home from close range, and just two minutes later Speed whipped a great low cross in from the left that Sean Higgins, Trafford’s third debutant, had the misfortune to turn the ball past his own keeper Brad Rose under intense pressure from two Town attackers.
Cockerline headed over as Newcastle sought a third but Caldecott’s side showed tremendous fighting spirit to overcome those setbacks and dominate the closing stages.
Bentham just failed to connect with a ball across the face of the Town goal and then substitute Mike Burke found himself in a great position but chipped the ball into the hands of goalkeeper Slinn.
And in the 90th minute Trafford’s magnificent travelling supporters, vocal throughout the game, thought their side had clinched all three points when Matty Barlow and Tom Bentham linked superbly down the right only for the former to crash his drive against the near upright.
Despite the disappointment of relinquishing their two goal lead, Trafford can be delighted with their overall performance but must strive to become more clinical in front of goal and not waste some gilt edged chances.
This was Trafford’s first game in three weeks and manager Danny Caldecott used that time to bolster his squad with five new signings, three of which were in the starting line-up.
And one of these debutants, Eddie Servuts, made a dream start when, after just eight minutes, be broke clear following a brilliant dummy by Tom Bentham, and clipped the ball past the oncoming Joe Slinn to make it 1-0.
In the 16th minute Trafford doubled their lead when another newcomer, Leighton Egan, released Matty Barlow with a sumptuous pass down the right flank, the ball was played hard and low to the back post and Alfie Belcher arrived to steer it into the bottom corner.
Egan was controlling the midfield with skipper Astley Mulholland and in the 22nd minute another slick move ended with Bentham cracking a first time shot from 20 yards that was held by Slinn.
As half-time approached Newcastle began to dominate with Callum Speed shooting high and wide of the near post and Tommy Van Der Laan heading a cross from the right just over.
Tom Bentham looked as though he was going to make it three in the 51st minute when he broke clear on the left but he hesitated and was dispossessed and then Newcastle midfielder Isaac Graham headed just wide from eight yards.
After being so impressive for long spells of the game, disaster struck for the visitors when they conceded two goals in the space of two minutes either side of the hour mark.
In the 59th minute Graham crossed from the left to the back post, Dan Cockerline headed back across goal and Callum Speed tapped home from close range, and just two minutes later Speed whipped a great low cross in from the left that Sean Higgins, Trafford’s third debutant, had the misfortune to turn the ball past his own keeper Brad Rose under intense pressure from two Town attackers.
Cockerline headed over as Newcastle sought a third but Caldecott’s side showed tremendous fighting spirit to overcome those setbacks and dominate the closing stages.
Bentham just failed to connect with a ball across the face of the Town goal and then substitute Mike Burke found himself in a great position but chipped the ball into the hands of goalkeeper Slinn.
And in the 90th minute Trafford’s magnificent travelling supporters, vocal throughout the game, thought their side had clinched all three points when Matty Barlow and Tom Bentham linked superbly down the right only for the former to crash his drive against the near upright.
Despite the disappointment of relinquishing their two goal lead, Trafford can be delighted with their overall performance but must strive to become more clinical in front of goal and not waste some gilt edged chances.
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