A CHRIS Patterson goal shortly after half time gave Trafford a 1-0 victory over great rivals Flixton in an intriguing FA Cup Preliminary Round Tie at Shawe View on Friday night.

The game was a great advert for local football with both teams containing a number of young players who showed tremendous skill and application.

Over the ninety minutes there was very little to separate the two outfits.

Trafford were just about on top in the opening exchanges and Darren Emmett fired in a couple of long range efforts that flew wide of the target.

In the 26th minute Flixton were awarded a free kick 30 yards out and Dave Thomas fired in a magnificant drive that Andy Merrick somehow tipped against the crossbar and to safety.

Desmond Rooms then curled a shot inches over as Flixton increased the pressure.

At the other end, Trafford's Bobby Jones rounded off a neat move by sending in a powerful shot that was well saved by Oram and then Chris Houghton headed wide following a Darren Emmett free kick.

The teams went in at half time with the score goalless but within seven minutes of the restart the Shawe View men took the lead when Emmett floated across a corner from the right.

Oram palmed the ball down and Patterson pounced to drive the ball into the bottom corner.

Flixton batted back gallantly but found the Trafford defence to be in resilient mood and keeper Merrick was rarely troubled.

The visitors poured men forward and on several occasions Trafford caught them on the counter attack but wasted some great opportunities to increase their elad.

Gareth Thomas made three darting runs down the left and had an appeal for a penalty turned down.

Emmett then clipped the ball inches over from 30 yards and substitute Craig Doyle shot weakly from 20 yards with better placed team mates screaming for the pass inside.

The final whistle arrived to signal an historic victory for Trafford in this, the first FA Cup Tie involving the two local rivals.

On Saturday, Trafford travel to play Belper Town, KO 3pm, and then on Tuesday, Gretna visit Shawe View for a Unibond Division One fixture KO 7.45pm.

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