Brighouse Echo - Trafford FC 0-2 Brighouse Town

VILL POWELL'S charges tore up the form guide to beat much fancied Trafford FC who were unbeaten in 17 games coming into this fixture. In one of the few games that beat the weather this past weekend, Town left Manchester with a well deserved three points. Town we’re without top strikers Aaron Martin and Gabriel Johnson who were both serving a suspension,while Trafford boasted the services of former AFC Halifax Town striker James Dean and prolific scorer Arron Burns.

The game started brightly with both teams trying to play football, and on eight minutes a low cross from Rhys Jenkinson had Grant Shenton in trouble in Trafford's goal. The ball squirmed away from Shenton but no Town player was on hand for a tap in. Town looked bright and another good move, started by Adam Jones, found Aidan Kirby who’s cross forced another fumble from Shenton, but Adam Field's follow up was smothered by a grateful Shenton. On 26 minutes Trafford created a little bit of pressure as Dean cut in from the left and his cross looked dangerous but Jones cleared well but the ball fell to Scott Sephton, but the midfielder saw his shot saved low down by Chris Butt in Town's goal. Jones then picked up an injury and was replaced by Callum Robinson on 36 minutes. Burns then played a one-two with Dean but his shot from outside the box was comfortably saved by Butt as Trafford tried to exert some pressure on the Town rearguard. But, Town had the best chance of the half on 44 minutes, when a corner from Iwan Heeley was only half cleared, and Heeley picked up the loose ball, his pass found Waide Fairhurst inside the Trafford box, a clever turn had the defence beat but from just inside the box, he shot wide with Shenton beaten.

Town started the second half brightly on what was a good Shawe View pitch despite the weather, and took the lead on 50 minutes. Iwan Heeley won the ball on the halfway line, he slipped Fairhurst in who was given the freedom Manchester. Town's new former Football League striker calmly waited for Shenton to go to ground before coolly dinking the ball over the advancing keeper into the empty net. Town now had the bit between there teeth, Tom Haigh, playing in his 100th game, broke from midfield again and slipped Fairhurst in down the right and his cross looked destined for Kirby but a last ditch block deflected the ball inches wide with Shenton rooted. Town turned the screw as Haigh and Heeley were dominating play, and a great move found Jenkinson who’s cross found Haigh in space and his back heel looked destined to find the net but Shenton somehow saved it. But, the Trafford keeper's joy was short lived when a minute later Heeley received a pass from Kirby; he cut in, and from all of 25 yards, he smashed the ball past Shenton into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Town's defence had to be at their best when Trafford's Jack Dorney found Dean in the box, but the colossus that has become Callum Hall blocked the shot. The following corner was cleared by Connor Griffin. Danny Grimshaw replaced Lewis Riley on 65 minutes, and then debutant Mohammed Ibrahim came on for Fairhurst on 72 minutes. Town's back three were now expected to be under some pressure with 15 minutes to go, as Trafford started to go long with the introduction of the giant 6ft 5 inch Mark Derbyshire. But, it was Town who almost added a third, when Haigh found Jenkinson in space; the right wingback smashed the ball goal-wards from 30 yards, and Shenton was again left stranded but this time the ball cannoned back off the cross bar and was cleared. Town's rearguard of Connor Griffin, captain Adam Field and Callum Hall weathered the finally minutes and Town made the trip back down the M62 with all three points. A notable mention should go to Trafford who never gave up and pushed right till the last minute.

Town we’re well worth their win and it was, without doubt, the best team performance of the season, with notable mentions going to man of the match Haigh, Heeley, Hall, Field, Griffin and Kirby, who must have bust the opposition's stats machine with yards covered in the game.

Trafford FC:Shenton, Palmer (Derbyshire), Rydings, Langford, Mason, O'Brien, Taylor (Monaghan), Sephton, Burns, Dean, Dorney (Keogh). Unused subs: Yeldrem, Mostyn.

Brighouse Town: Butt, Jenkinson, Riley (Grimshaw), Griffin, Hall, Field, Haigh, Heeley, Fairhurst (Ibrahim), Kirby, Jones (Robinson). Unused subs: Normanton, Gomersall.

Referee: Mr R. Holmes.

Attendance: 217