Back
Sat 16 Dec 2023 · Northern Premier League - West
Clitheroe
Trafford F.C.
0
1
CLITHEROE 0 TRAFFORD 1
Dave Law16 Dec 2023 - 20:24
Share via
Trafford shock high flying Clitheroe with magnificent performance
Trafford produced a magnificent backs-to-the-wall performance to shock high flying Clitheroe and move out of the relegation zone in the NPL West Division.
The hosts, managed by ex-Trafford boss Danny Caldecott, had the first chance on goal when Danny Wilkins fired over from just outside the penalty area in the 13th minute.
A minute later Trafford launched a lightning quick break down the right that ended with Rob Worrall powering a cross that Mike Burke neatly chested past Hakan Burton to stun the home supporters.
Clitheroe danger-man, and the league’s leading goal-scorer, Sefton Gonzales, headed over from just eight yards in the 16th minute and Trafford centre back Harry Norris headed inches wide following a Worrall free kick.
As half-time approached Gonzales flashed another header wide but the teams went in at the interval with Trafford just about deserving their slender lead.
Mike Burke cracked a 25 yard drive just over shortly after half-time and was incensed in the 50th minute when he appeared to be pushed from behind with the referee ignoring the visitors appeals for a penalty.
Trafford right back Sean Higgins was doing a magnificent job in shackling Clitheroe’s tricky winger Leon Arnasalam and with Harry Norris and Jordan Fagbola keeping a tight rein on Gonzales, keeper Sam Booth was rarely troubled.
In the 85th minute, substitute Eddie Survets almost made it two when he rounded off a brilliant move with a drive just past the upright and in the 88th minute Booth showed his credentials with a superb save at point blank range to thwart a Domain Rouse header following a left wing corner.
With Danny Lambert and Scott Kay dominating the midfield and Niall Cummins leading the line with great skill and intelligence, this was an excellent all-round performance by Karl Marginson’s side.
Speaking after the match Marginson said: “To a man, I thought everyone put a really good shift in today. It wasn’t the prettiest, and it was .. different to the way we play, but we were effective. I didn’t even think we were hanging on at the end. I thought we played the six (additional) minutes out and played it quite comfortably.”
Paying tribute to the raucous travelling contingent, on the Supporters’ Club Christmas trip, the Manager said: “Away days are there to make memories and thankfully the team today has contributed to that trip by providing, first and foremost, that effort they all want to see for that shirt - and we’ve got the three points on the road too.”
His full interview can be found on our YouTube channel on Sunday 17 December.
Trafford now face a crucial clash against basement side Hednesford at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Saturday when a victory will move them another step towards safety. Marginson was keen to stress the team goes into that fixture off the back of work many weeks in the making, not just this epic victory. “We’ve just got to keep building on what we’ve been showing in all the performances,” he said.
The hosts, managed by ex-Trafford boss Danny Caldecott, had the first chance on goal when Danny Wilkins fired over from just outside the penalty area in the 13th minute.
A minute later Trafford launched a lightning quick break down the right that ended with Rob Worrall powering a cross that Mike Burke neatly chested past Hakan Burton to stun the home supporters.
Clitheroe danger-man, and the league’s leading goal-scorer, Sefton Gonzales, headed over from just eight yards in the 16th minute and Trafford centre back Harry Norris headed inches wide following a Worrall free kick.
As half-time approached Gonzales flashed another header wide but the teams went in at the interval with Trafford just about deserving their slender lead.
Mike Burke cracked a 25 yard drive just over shortly after half-time and was incensed in the 50th minute when he appeared to be pushed from behind with the referee ignoring the visitors appeals for a penalty.
Trafford right back Sean Higgins was doing a magnificent job in shackling Clitheroe’s tricky winger Leon Arnasalam and with Harry Norris and Jordan Fagbola keeping a tight rein on Gonzales, keeper Sam Booth was rarely troubled.
In the 85th minute, substitute Eddie Survets almost made it two when he rounded off a brilliant move with a drive just past the upright and in the 88th minute Booth showed his credentials with a superb save at point blank range to thwart a Domain Rouse header following a left wing corner.
With Danny Lambert and Scott Kay dominating the midfield and Niall Cummins leading the line with great skill and intelligence, this was an excellent all-round performance by Karl Marginson’s side.
Speaking after the match Marginson said: “To a man, I thought everyone put a really good shift in today. It wasn’t the prettiest, and it was .. different to the way we play, but we were effective. I didn’t even think we were hanging on at the end. I thought we played the six (additional) minutes out and played it quite comfortably.”
Paying tribute to the raucous travelling contingent, on the Supporters’ Club Christmas trip, the Manager said: “Away days are there to make memories and thankfully the team today has contributed to that trip by providing, first and foremost, that effort they all want to see for that shirt - and we’ve got the three points on the road too.”
His full interview can be found on our YouTube channel on Sunday 17 December.
Trafford now face a crucial clash against basement side Hednesford at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Saturday when a victory will move them another step towards safety. Marginson was keen to stress the team goes into that fixture off the back of work many weeks in the making, not just this epic victory. “We’ve just got to keep building on what we’ve been showing in all the performances,” he said.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
