Trafford’s season came to a close with a 1-0 defeat at Widnes, a result that leaves Karl Marginson’s team in 9th place in the NPL West Division and their hosts as league champions.
Widnes were on top in the opening minutes but the first chance fell to Trafford winger Ryley Smith who fired over from 15 yards in the eighth minute.
A sweeping move down the right by Widnes ended with Sam Bird shooting just over and then ex-Trafford midfielder Kingsley Williams curled over a cross that James Steele headed just off target.
In the 21st minute Trafford should have taken the lead when Rio Clegg squandered a glorious chance, brushing past Widnes centre back Brendan O’Brien but chipping the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.
Trafford were now on top but Clegg missed another golden opportunity when he was free on the left but lobbed the ball onto the roof of the net with goalkeeper Mark Halstead stranded.
Sean Miller cracked a shot over in the closing minutes of the first half with Trafford going in at the break disappointed that they were not ahead.
The second half began in a rather scrappy fashion with Trafford edging possession without troubling the home goal.
Widnes introduced substitute Sharif Deans to the action whilst Trafford manager Marginson brought on Rob Worrall and Josh Wood.
This move appeared to hand the initiative to the hosts and in the 64th minute a deep cross was headed inches over by Deans.
Three minutes later Widnes snatched the goal that their supporters craved for, Trafford failing to halt a move down their right and Harry McGee pouncing to rifle a shot inside the near post past Sam Booth.
Booth held a shot by Deans as Widnes sought a second goal and in the 82nd minute a deep free kick found home centre back Niall Battersby who somehow fired wide from just ten yards.
Trafford looked a spent force and in the 86th minute Sam Booth produced a brilliant reflex save to thwart a snapshot by Sean Miller.
The final whistle signalled the end of a brilliant campaign for Marginson’s young side who have gained invaluable experience and produced some outstanding performances and results throughout.
They can be proud of the fact that striker Rio Clegg finishes as the leading goal-scorer in the NPL West Division with 20 goals although in reality he should have added to that tally in this particular match.
And it is a massive congratulations to a Widnes team who have been in pole position for most of the season and can now look forward to their promotion to the NPL Premier Division.