Trafford vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

1874 Northwich travelled to Greater Manchester searching for their first points in a month, but Trafford saw it as an opportunity to get further from the drop zone.

A debut for 16 year old Mike Shorthouse in goal, as Matty Wonnacott served his suspension. Shorthouse was forced into an early save, to tip wide a dipping shot.

74′ responded with their first big chance 6 minutes later. In the 12th minute, Mike Ibeto found the end of Joel Jones’ cross, only to powerfully head it into the crossbar.

74′ kept knocking and were rewarded minutes later. Matty Fenton played a long ball searching for Isaac Noble, but looked to be swept up by Trafford captain Harry Norris; only for him to slip and let Noble one one one. He curled it past Sam Booth’s, inside the far post to give Northwich the lead.

15 minutes later Trafford drove forward. ’74 stood firm to keep them out of the box, but were undone by Tom Beckett’s cross-cum-shot, which lobbed Shorthouse and levelled the game.

The game wasn’t level for long as Matty Lusakueno burst between Ibeto and Mark Jones. His shot was parried away by Shorthouse, but deflected off Matty Fenton and gave Trafford a fortuitous lead.

1874 came out for the second half searching for the equaliser and it came 7 minutes into the half. Chris McCann drove the ball infield and offloaded to Ole Partington as the Trafford players closed down McCann. Partington’s first-time shot caught Booth off-guard and the powerful shot burst past his weak hands.

In the 78th minute, Partington whipped an out-swinging freekick across the box, which was met by powerfully by the head of Tom Fagan. Booth was almost clueless as it deflected off his right forearm for a corner.

In the 84th minute McCann picked up a loose ball outside the box. He struck it well, but narrowly wide of the far post.

A brilliant performance from the Oranje, who came very close to winning the game and some impressive saves Shorthouse on his debut.