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Sat 21 Oct 2023 · Northern Premier League - West
Stalybridge Celtic
Trafford F.C.
1
0
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1 TRAFFORD 0
Dave Law22 Oct 2023 - 06:05
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Trafford so unfortunate as winless run stretches to ten games
Trafford’s winless run stretched to ten league games as they were defeated 1-0 at Stalybridge on Saturday although they were desperately unlucky to strike the woodwork, see a goal disallowed and an obvious penalty failing to be awarded in the closing stages.
Due to player departures and injuries, newly appointed manager Karl Marginson was forced to make four changes to the side that had drawn with Runcorn in midweek and included four players from the club’s Under 21 team on the bench.
And for most of the first half Marginson’s team were on the back foot as the big, physical Celtic team dominated much of the play.
After just two minutes Trafford keeper Brad Rose carelessly conceded possession inside his own penalty area but thankfully Danny Lambert was on hand to clear the danger and shortly afterwards Lambert produced a great block to thwart Aaron Dwyer.
In the 26th minute an uncharacteristic mistake by Trafford left back Sean Higgins gifted the ball to Jack Irlam but he shot wastefully wide from just 15 yards.
Max Leonard fired over from 10 yards as Trafford struggled to cope with a number of corners and free kicks due to the size advantage of their opponents and the visitors’ forays forward were generally restricted to the odd breakaway.
However, in the 36th minute Matty Barlow almost gave Trafford a shock lead when, with Celtic goalkeeper Luke Hewitson stranded, he struck a great shot from 40 yards that flew inches wide of the upright.
And in the 45th minute Rob Worrall cut inside from the right but unfortunately fired into the side-netting.
Four minutes into the second half the deadlock was finally broken when Celtic were awarded another corner on the right, the ball was floated onto the head of giant centre back Connor O’Grady and when he headed down towards the back post, Matty Bryan was on hand to tap home from two yards.
Trafford’s tale of woe continued in the 55th minute when Sean Higgins was stretchered off with a nasty looking leg injury, Mackena Bradshaw taking his place in defence. The Manager later said Higgins had gone for an X-ray at Trafford General to assess the damage.
The visitors battled manfully throughout with Alfie Belcher seeing his low cross from a great position cleared by Scott Wara and then Eddie Survets jus failing to connect with an Astley Mulholland cross.
At the other end Brad Rose was fortunate to escape when his attempted clearance was charged down and in the 78th minute manager Marginson introduced substitutes Mike Burke and Matt Lusakueno in an attempt to salvage something from the game.
Trafford were completely on top in those closing stages and should have been awarded a penalty in the 81st minute when an attempted clearance by O’Grady struck his hand in an unnatural position above his head.
Five minutes later Lusakueno brilliantly controlled a high ball beyond the far post, sped past Wara and crossed for Mike Burke to net from eight yards. Trafford’s joy was short-lived, however, as the linesman raised his flag although there was uncertainty whether the goal was ruled out for offside or for Lusakueno allegedly taking the ball over the goal-line.
The visitors continued to push forward in search of the equaliser and were so unfortunate once again when, in the first minute of added time, Eddie Survets cut in from the right and struck a great angled drive that rattled the crossbar.
Time eventually ran out for the gallant Trafford side and they were left to reflect on yet another game in which fortune failed to smile upon them.
Speaking after the game, Trafford’s highly experienced manager said the persistent run of bad luck meant it was hard not to feel for the players, but remained calm and buoyant.
Karl Marginson pointed out that he's had only one training session with the players since becoming manager and that despite the league position, the deficit to playoff positions is only seven points. “We’ll get a win at some point and when we do our job is to encourage that growth and kick on from there. It’s still very early (in the season)”, he said.
However, they now face two crucial home games in the space of four days, entertaining Chasetown on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Nantwich Town on Tuesday, kick off 7-45 p.m.
Due to player departures and injuries, newly appointed manager Karl Marginson was forced to make four changes to the side that had drawn with Runcorn in midweek and included four players from the club’s Under 21 team on the bench.
And for most of the first half Marginson’s team were on the back foot as the big, physical Celtic team dominated much of the play.
After just two minutes Trafford keeper Brad Rose carelessly conceded possession inside his own penalty area but thankfully Danny Lambert was on hand to clear the danger and shortly afterwards Lambert produced a great block to thwart Aaron Dwyer.
In the 26th minute an uncharacteristic mistake by Trafford left back Sean Higgins gifted the ball to Jack Irlam but he shot wastefully wide from just 15 yards.
Max Leonard fired over from 10 yards as Trafford struggled to cope with a number of corners and free kicks due to the size advantage of their opponents and the visitors’ forays forward were generally restricted to the odd breakaway.
However, in the 36th minute Matty Barlow almost gave Trafford a shock lead when, with Celtic goalkeeper Luke Hewitson stranded, he struck a great shot from 40 yards that flew inches wide of the upright.
And in the 45th minute Rob Worrall cut inside from the right but unfortunately fired into the side-netting.
Four minutes into the second half the deadlock was finally broken when Celtic were awarded another corner on the right, the ball was floated onto the head of giant centre back Connor O’Grady and when he headed down towards the back post, Matty Bryan was on hand to tap home from two yards.
Trafford’s tale of woe continued in the 55th minute when Sean Higgins was stretchered off with a nasty looking leg injury, Mackena Bradshaw taking his place in defence. The Manager later said Higgins had gone for an X-ray at Trafford General to assess the damage.
The visitors battled manfully throughout with Alfie Belcher seeing his low cross from a great position cleared by Scott Wara and then Eddie Survets jus failing to connect with an Astley Mulholland cross.
At the other end Brad Rose was fortunate to escape when his attempted clearance was charged down and in the 78th minute manager Marginson introduced substitutes Mike Burke and Matt Lusakueno in an attempt to salvage something from the game.
Trafford were completely on top in those closing stages and should have been awarded a penalty in the 81st minute when an attempted clearance by O’Grady struck his hand in an unnatural position above his head.
Five minutes later Lusakueno brilliantly controlled a high ball beyond the far post, sped past Wara and crossed for Mike Burke to net from eight yards. Trafford’s joy was short-lived, however, as the linesman raised his flag although there was uncertainty whether the goal was ruled out for offside or for Lusakueno allegedly taking the ball over the goal-line.
The visitors continued to push forward in search of the equaliser and were so unfortunate once again when, in the first minute of added time, Eddie Survets cut in from the right and struck a great angled drive that rattled the crossbar.
Time eventually ran out for the gallant Trafford side and they were left to reflect on yet another game in which fortune failed to smile upon them.
Speaking after the game, Trafford’s highly experienced manager said the persistent run of bad luck meant it was hard not to feel for the players, but remained calm and buoyant.
Karl Marginson pointed out that he's had only one training session with the players since becoming manager and that despite the league position, the deficit to playoff positions is only seven points. “We’ll get a win at some point and when we do our job is to encourage that growth and kick on from there. It’s still very early (in the season)”, he said.
However, they now face two crucial home games in the space of four days, entertaining Chasetown on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Nantwich Town on Tuesday, kick off 7-45 p.m.
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