Trafford squandered a two goal lead in their highly controversial FA Cup Preliminary Round Tie against Rossendale United on Saturday at Shawe View. After goalkeeper Tom Read had produced a brilliant save from a deflected free kick by Tom Smith in the 2nd minute, Trafford took control for the remainder of the first half but were guilty of missing a host of chances. Scott Barlow saw his shot parried by Tom Brocklehurst in the 4th minute, Shelton Payne curled in a drive that was tipped over the crossbar and then Glyn Barker just failed to connect with a cross by left back Paul Ashton as Trafford stormed forward. At the other end Alex Leke fired over following a slip by debutant centre half Nia Bayunu but the home side reasserted their authority with Barker, Ashton and Melford Knight all going close. In the 33rd minute the deadlock was finally broken when the impressive Ashton fed Danny White who blasted a glorious angled drive into the top corner from 15 yards. Three minutes later Shelton Payne floated a free kick beyond the far post, Kyle Harrop headed back across the face of the goal but Melford Knight glanced his header wide from just six yards. As half time approached Trafford had further chances to put the tie out of sight but knight headed straight at Brocklehurst and Glyn Barker nodded wide from ten yards out. After a fairly quiet opening to the second half, Trafford burst into life in the 51st minute when Nia Bayunu just failed to connect with a Payne free kick although at the other end Leke had a great chance to equalise when he shot over from 10 yards with only Tom Read to beat. In the 69th minute Rossendale's Jason Hart blasted a drive against the foot of the post from 20 yards and Trafford immediately broke down the other end to double their lead. Glyn Barker neatly fed Scott Barlow on the left, the quicksilver striker rounded his marker and drove in a vicious low shot that Brocklehurst could only parry, and Melford Knight followed up to gleefully ram the ball home from eight yards. The tie should now have been over but a highly controversial incident in the 73rd minute proved to be the turning point. A long pass out of defence was clearly handled by Rossendale's Leke who was then tripped by Simon Woodford. Referee Johnson immediately sent off Woodford and awarded the visitors a penalty that Danny Ellis fired past Read. The Trafford players, officials and supporters were naturally incensed by this decision and their ten men were forced onto the back foot. Nevertheless, home substitute Raducio King had two chances to settle the tie, shooting into the side-netting and then seeing his drive fumbled behind by Brocklehurst. Tom Read then produced a magnificent save to tip a Papas Deiyte free kick over the crossbar following another dubious decision by the referee and then, in the 4th minute of injury time and following an almighty goalmouth scramble in which Trafford's Gareth Thomas appeared to be fouled, Rossendale centre back Andrew Charlesworth blasted a loose ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards. Seconds later the game was brought to a close with many heated exchanges ensuing and the match officials leaving the field of play to a torrent of abuse. And after the dust had settled, the sides must meet again on Tuesday night at Rossendale, kick off 7-45 p.m.

Trafford collected a hard earned point from a bruising encounter against Harrogate RA on Tuesday night at Shawe View.
Garry Vaughan's young side started brightly with Scott Metcalfe cutting in from the right, jinking past three defenders and striking a great shot that James Mann tipped over the crossbar.
Shelton Payne then curled in a drive that Mann held at full stretch before the visitors had their first chance in the 33^rd minute when a brave header by Paul Stansfield flew just wide of the far post.
Trafford left back Shaun Roscoe blasted a long range effort just over in the 41^st minute but the Shawe View youngsters were rocked two minutes later when centre back Billy McCartney was forced to leave the field with a cut head following a raised elbow by Steve Smith.

Kyle Harrop replaced McCartney at the start of the second half but it was the visitors who created the better chances and Trafford keeper Tom Read produced three fine saves to keep the scores level.
In the 66^th minute Scott Barlow had a chance to break the deadlock but shot straight at Mann from 10 yards and shortly afterwards a limping Simon Woodford saw his weak back pass seized upon by Nathan James who fortunately chipped wide of the gaping goal.
Woodford was replaced by debutant Iain Hall but Trafford were now defending desperately and Tom Read came to their rescue once again when he pushed a rasping drive by Craig Smith around the post.

Harrogate centre half Steve Robinson headed onto the roof of the net following a goalmouth scramble but it was Trafford who finished the strongest, Shelton Payne whistling a great drive from 25 yards just past the upright and Melford Knight and Scott Metcalfe squandering great positions after neat work down the left.

An extremely physical game came to a close with honours even but Trafford emerged with great credit, their young side having battled magnificently against more experienced, bigger and rugged opposition.