Trafford were quickly out and at it with a ball out wide gathered by the pace-riddled No 3 (Lewis Jacklin). A cross came, was pushed behind, the corner was decent with No 5 (Harry Norris) making cranial contact and a follow-on header going wide. Worsborough broke next, No 10 (Smith) was on it, cut in and walloped. The keeper made sure his hands were strong and the ball went behind with the angled offering easily dealt with. This was a lively start, a proper good cup contest seemed on the cards.
On we went, Norris for Trafford punted forth a delectable long ball that No 9 (Ryan Brooke) gratefully gathered. A nip inside, a shot well hit and equally well saved with Jacklin's follow up header wide - that should have been the first goal. Both teams continued to operate well, all that was lacking was that killer thru-ball with many attempts quickly read and dealt with. Trafford were soon roaming forth with purpose. No 10 (Luke Sephton) was hassling and passing and put Jacklin in a position to bury. The ball however bobbled slightly on the uneven surface and the chance was missed. Worsborough seemed to be piqued into action by this scare and after much mither and muscle won a free-boot. The ball was lofted into the box, No 7 (Grist) was at the back post and put in a header that went up and down with the bar struck. Play was then stopped as we had a man down.
From the restart and amid much flurry and hurry, Trafford won a gratis kick which was sent away with all players ball watching and allowing No 4 (Scott Sephton) to saunter up at the back post and fire home with middling power. This goal had been coming and Worsborough were in need of a quick counter for sure. Alas the hosts were guilty of playing too many long balls and making things a trifle obvious. Trafford continued to work well in the rear which was not helping the home lads make any serious inroads.
A smattering of argy-bargy came, a yellow card for a player from each team was given and despite some hard work, attempts at a killer ball and much running, any further sightings of goal were minimal. Worsborough had a weak penalty shout, Trafford showed the greater promise and their No 11 (Bile Ahmed) was a real menace for sure. Half done, not a bad do at all.
Our friends needed a stretch, we stayed put and watched folk ogle their phones. These devices are now almost part of the human anatomy and I am sure if they were taken away some people would fall apart and die. One day the crash of the systems will come, perhaps before then though people will be so digitalised their privates will be pixelated and their offspring will be borne with wires hanging out of the ears and the arseholes will be shaped so as to receive recharge cables. I am baffled, mentally buggered but by heck, digging the heels in.
The second half began with an early Trafford corner which the keeper easily dealt with and almost immediately we saw a flourish from the hosts with No 9 (Marvin) providing for Gris who entered the box with time to pick out a wannabe striker. Alas only a corner was won which turned out to be a cracking delivery that Grist made meaty cranial contact with only to batter the underside of the bar. Panic briefly reared its capricious head but the ball was cleared and Trafford could regroup. Instantaneously No 14 (Squires) for the hosts came on, a shot followed with a handball shout waved away.
Corners and weak efforts came at both ends of the pitch, several subs came for both teams and the odd free-kick was awarded with quality nowhere to be seen. Trafford won a corner after some splendid work by one of the new bods. Alas the delivery was decent but no real threat ensued. This was a game in the balance and it needed a real kick up the arse. Trafford were soon coming again, a choice cross and Brooke put in a fair header but the keeper answered all questions and saved. Up the other end we immediately went with Grist finalising matters with a volley dragged wide - things were getting rather rushed. Worsborough pushed again and were caught on the break with No 14 (Dillon Edmundson) away, into the danger zone and having a quick look before indulging in a punt that clattered the crossbar. Trafford came on, a free kick was sent in with S. Sephton volleying wide - the next goal looked on the cards!
More shots and shouts, handball claims and near misses but no more strikes. I was thinking that this would be it when Trafford earned a free-kick, the ball was kicked and No 5 (Harry Norris) rose, put head on ball, a defensive touch came but the goal was had. 0 - 2 - I reckon that was the game done and dusted for sure.
The game fizzled out, Trafford had a couple of chances that looked harder to miss than score but somehow the goal went untroubled. Edmundson had a good shot saved well and just before the end, a coming together saw the home No 7 sent for an early date with the flannel and lux flakes. The referee blew soon after, the win was going the right way and for me, Man of the Match must be Trafford FC's solid and reliable No 5 (Harry Norris). He helped keep his team watertight, defended like a mature trooper in the ranks and read the game with an erudite vision. A concrete shift that indicates a crucial role for the season ahead and a goal too - nifty!
We left the ground, somehow lost our friends and managed to add a couple of extra species to the day's tally, courtesy of the country park's car park. Not a bad day all round, although we were a trifle knackered now, heat blown and sporting some sore arses after the ribbed seating in the stands had taken its toll - I felt like the discarded lover of Bob O Duffelbag the great Barnsley love-machine.
FINAL THOUGHTS - Despite the rippled buttocks and another full day of heat that was now reducing my conkers to the size of peas (Petit Pois at that) this was another good outing rounded off at a decent ground with 2 teams striving to play some decent football. The pitch was unforgiving, the game more balanced than the final scorecard suggests and I think both teams will more than hold their own in their respective leagues. Worsborough have a good set up here, seem well supported and play a game that is fluid, thoughtful and of a good standard - the only gyp - stay calm, and do not rely on a single option - variety is the spice of the footballing life. Trafford FC looked a darn fine prospect today and I reckon. on their day, can give any team at this level a run for their money. I think they have many qualities all over the pitch and reckon they will dish out a few healthy wallopings over the course of the season. They are in a tough league though and will need 100% focus and commitment throughout each and every game. For now though they are through to the next round of the cup, I wonder if time will allow and we can follow their run - here's hoping! I must get my reared ironed out first though and see if the local bicycle shop will pump up my balls back to normal size (or maybe a little bit bigger as a treat for the missus - oh sweaty billiard balls, no thanks).
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