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Sat 19 Aug 2023 · The FA Cup 23-24
Widnes
Trafford F.C.
2
1
WIDNES 2 TRAFFORD 1
Dave Law20 Aug 2023 - 06:24
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Trafford crash out of the FA Cup!!
Trafford crashed out of the FA Cup at the Preliminary Round stage on Saturday losing 2-1 to Widnes at their bogy ground, the DCBL Stadium.
The all-weather pitch, allied to the soul-less 14,000 capacity stadium, makes entertaining football very difficult although the travelling Trafford supporters in the attendance of 197 did their utmost to create a cup tie atmosphere.
The visitors started brightly and in the 6th minute Ollie Ford crossed to the back post where Ally Brown’s header was cleared off the line.
Two minutes later Trafford centre back Will Hall surged forward and released Max Hazeldine but he hesitated and Jay Roberts cleared the danger.
In the 21st minute Widnes took the lead although there was an element of good fortune about the goal, Laurence Smith scuffing a shot from 30 yards that fell kindly to Kris Holt who blasted a thunderous drive past Brad Rose and into the top corner.
Max Hazeldine then headed an Alfie Belcher free kick just wide but a disappointing and scrappy first half ended with Brad Rose allowing a left wing corner to slip through his hands with James Steele just failing to apply the finishing touch at the back post.
In the 51st minute Trafford’s teenage centre back Eko Solomon, in for the suspended Harry Norris, mistimed a clearance but fortunately Rose was on hand to turn Matty Raine’s shot into the side-netting.
Five minutes later Trafford manager Danny Caldecott introduced substitutes Rob Worrall and Matty Barlow and the impact was immediate as Worrall dictated the tempo of the game and dominated possession.
However, with Trafford enjoying their best spell of the game disaster struck in the 67th minute when Widnes played a long ball forward, Eko Solomon attempted a back header to goalkeeper Rose but only succeeded in heading the ball over the stranded keeper and into his own goal.
The visitors continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 72nd minute when skipper Ally Brown struck a magnificent low curling drive inside the far post from 25 yards to make it 2-1.
Trafford then appealed in vain for a penalty when Alfie Belcher appeared to be tripped but the well-drilled Widnes defence held firm for the closing minutes and a frustrating game came to a close with Trafford’s dreams of Wembley in tatters.
The all-weather pitch, allied to the soul-less 14,000 capacity stadium, makes entertaining football very difficult although the travelling Trafford supporters in the attendance of 197 did their utmost to create a cup tie atmosphere.
The visitors started brightly and in the 6th minute Ollie Ford crossed to the back post where Ally Brown’s header was cleared off the line.
Two minutes later Trafford centre back Will Hall surged forward and released Max Hazeldine but he hesitated and Jay Roberts cleared the danger.
In the 21st minute Widnes took the lead although there was an element of good fortune about the goal, Laurence Smith scuffing a shot from 30 yards that fell kindly to Kris Holt who blasted a thunderous drive past Brad Rose and into the top corner.
Max Hazeldine then headed an Alfie Belcher free kick just wide but a disappointing and scrappy first half ended with Brad Rose allowing a left wing corner to slip through his hands with James Steele just failing to apply the finishing touch at the back post.
In the 51st minute Trafford’s teenage centre back Eko Solomon, in for the suspended Harry Norris, mistimed a clearance but fortunately Rose was on hand to turn Matty Raine’s shot into the side-netting.
Five minutes later Trafford manager Danny Caldecott introduced substitutes Rob Worrall and Matty Barlow and the impact was immediate as Worrall dictated the tempo of the game and dominated possession.
However, with Trafford enjoying their best spell of the game disaster struck in the 67th minute when Widnes played a long ball forward, Eko Solomon attempted a back header to goalkeeper Rose but only succeeded in heading the ball over the stranded keeper and into his own goal.
The visitors continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 72nd minute when skipper Ally Brown struck a magnificent low curling drive inside the far post from 25 yards to make it 2-1.
Trafford then appealed in vain for a penalty when Alfie Belcher appeared to be tripped but the well-drilled Widnes defence held firm for the closing minutes and a frustrating game came to a close with Trafford’s dreams of Wembley in tatters.
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