Moors fell to defeat in their final outing of pre-season as Trafford ran out 4-2 winners in Saturday’s friendly encounter at The Home Estates Shawe View Stadium.

It was an entertaining affair for supporters as both sides looked to get the ball down and play but Moors were made to pay for not making the most of their first half chances.

A bright start from Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men could have resulted in the opening goal on nine minutes when Rob Ramshaw scampered clear down the right, but the Trafford keeper was off his line quickly to block the shot.

The hosts then took the lead against the run of play on 14 minutes when a shot from the left fortuitously fell at the feet of front man Mike Burke, who showed great composure to take the ball round keeper Max Metcalfe and finishing for 1-0.

Scott Duxbury was agonisingly close to equalising when his powerful drive clipped the bar on its way over, but they were level just before the half hour when John Lufudu’s inviting cross was turned home by Mark Anderson from close range.

Duxbury then picked out Danny Greenfield with a wonderful delivery from the left only for the midfielder’s header to bounce out off the underside of the with the keeper completely beaten.

Jude Oyibo prodded a half chance wide of the post under pressure from defenders before another Greenfield header dropped into the side netting as Moors pressed to go in front for the first time.

However, Trafford restored their lead five minutes into the second half when a teasing ball in from the right was clinically steered home by Ben Finley.

Anderson shot straight at the keeper from the edge of the area and Ramshaw sent an instinctive volley just off-target after he seized on a loose ball at the back from the hosts.

But Trafford extended their lead on 70 minutes when Harrison Bickerton swept home a brilliant goal from the edge of the box after Spennymoor had failed to fully clear a corner.

It got worse for Moors four minutes later when Matty Morgan’s 25-yard free kick picked up a deflection which was enough to see it creep into the bottom corner of the net for 4-1.

Oyibo did pull a goal back a minute from time when he stretched a leg out to prod home from close range, but it wasn’t enough for Moors who fell to defeat in Greater Manchester.

Full Time: Trafford 4 Moors 2

Moors: Metcalfe (Flatters 61), Cousin-Dawson, Lufudu (Short 61), Tait, Duxbury, Wheatley (Trialist B 61), Greenfield, Ramshaw (Trialist C 81), Anderson, Oyibo, Trialist A.
Subs not used: Mason.